Punjab authorities in Pakistan have finally given approval for the screening of the fantasy-comedy film ‘Barbie’, more than 10 days after its debut in the country. The movie’s release was initially halted due to alleged “objectionable content,” despite having a no-objection certificate from the Punjab Film Censor Board. The interim Chief Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, directed the censor board to make a decision about the film’s exhibition on Monday. After a full censor board meeting, the movie was reviewed and approved for screening in Punjab.
‘Barbie,’ directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, faced a ban in Vietnam due to scenes depicting China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. This incident is not the first instance of film banning in Pakistan. Previously, the film ‘Joyland,’ Pakistan’s entry for the 2023 Oscars, was banned for being “repugnant to the norms of decency and morality.” Similarly, ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ faced a ban in 2019 after its director was accused of blasphemy.
