Pakistani Authorities Crack Down On Illegal Screenings Of Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan

Illegal screenings of Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan were reported in Pakistan weeks after the film's worldwide release, and the Sindh Board of Films Censor (SBFC) has finally taken action. The screenings at the Defence Housing Authority in Karachi have apparently been halted. Pathaan is directed by Siddharth Anand. It stars Deepika Padukone, Dimple Kapadia, John Abraham, and Ashutosh Rana, in addition to Shah Rukh.

According to a Pakistani daily, tickets for the screening are being auctioned online for 900 Pakistani rupees each. According to the report, these were private screenings hosted by Fireworks Events. “No person shall make or arrange a public or private exhibition of a film by the means of cinematograph. Unless the film has been duly certified for public exhibition by the Board,” the SBFC said. It further stated that people who screen films that have not been certified by the board face up to three years in prison. And they could also face fines of up to Rs100,000 (Pakistani rupees). The Sindh Board of Film Censor has ordered Fireworks Events to cancel its shows immediately. And the screenings stand canceled. A different article in the Pakistani daily also disclosed details of the screening. It noted that it was meant to be "not HD, but pretty good and clear". It went on to say that the screen was 8ft by 10ft. Thereby it confirmed that it was not a conventional movie theatre showing Pathaan. In 2019, Indian filmmakers and producers resolved not to work with any Pakistani artists. Pakistani filmmakers also opted not to work with any Indian artists. The screening of films from each other's countries ceased at the same time.