
Is Mallika Sherawat too hot for Pakistanis?
The Bollywood flick
Welcome
has run into trouble in Pakistan because of some allegedly "obscene" scenes featuring Mallika Sherawat.
Welcome
was released last Friday and was seen as an example of the Pakistan government's softening stance towards a long-standing ban on Indian films.
Pakistan's censor board has now reportedly objected to some shots featuring Sherawat, who is no stranger to controversy.
The film's release on this side of the border came days after a Pakistan Senate standing committee on culture recommended to the government that the exhibition of Indian films should be allowed under a proper censorship policy and the ban imposed in 1965 should be lifted.
Pakistan Cinema Owners' Association secretary general Safdar Khan said the censor board has handed over the censored version of the film to cinemas.
Cinema owners have been warned of strict action if they continue to show the uncensored version.
Jamshed Zafar, acting chairman of the Pakistan Film Distributors Association, said the audience has rejected the film's censored version.
Some scenes with Feroz Khan have also been reportedly cut because of the actor's anti-Pakistan rhetoric when he was in Pakistan in April last year.
Interestingly, Sherawat, the queen of item numbers, has for the first time in her career been shot aesthetically and does not look vulgar. In fact, some cinema-goers contend that Pakistani actresses are more vulgar than Sherawat.
Welcome
was released with much fanfare in Pakistan. Nadeem Mandviwalla, a well-known Karachi-based distributor and exhibitor, was very upbeat shortly before the release.
"The government has (previously) allowed Indian films which are not shot in India and made by producers not based there. But now the government has adopted a softer stance which is very good news for us," he said last week.
Apart from
Welcome
there are two other Indian movies --
Goal
and
Gangster
-- that are running in Pakistani halls.
The chairman of the Pakistan Senate committee on culture, Zafar Iqbal, had said that the panel had recommended to the government to allow exhibition of Indian films under a proper censorship policy.
Iqbal said this would ensure healthy competition and revive the struggling local film industry. Citing the example of the well-known Pakistani film
Khuda ke Liye
, he said "I don't think the apprehensions, that by allowing Indian films to be released we might destroy the local industry, are true."
The Pakistan government imposed a ban on the display of Indian films in cinema halls in 1965, although they are freely available in the form of pirated VCDs and DVDs.

'My wife is here': Aaliyah Kashyap excited as Khushi touchdowns in the US
- After celebrating her sister's birthday, Khushi Kapoor took a flight out of India to visit her close friend Aaliyah Kashyap. The latter shared glimpses of Khushi's visit.

Harry wants people to know grandparents did not speak of Archie's 'dark skin'

Nick Jonas shares pic with Priyanka, his mother Denise on Women's Day

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry pose for pics with Archie after Oprah interview

Shahid Kapoor, wife Mira Rajput twin in black and white, ace the airport look
- Shahid Kapoor and his glamorous wife Mira Rajput rocked the airport look on Tuesday. See their pictures here.

Janhvi Kapoor brings assistant's family to Roohi screening, poses with his baby

Suhana Khan's life in New York is one never-ending party. See new pic with pals
- Suhana Khan shared another picture with her friends as she partied in New York. Just a day before, she had shared another photo picture with her friends.
_1615257196335_1615257202420.jpg)
Navya wishes rumoured boyfriend Meezaan with a dreamy pic on his birthday

Shweta Tiwari asks her daughter to speak up against domestic violence
- In a special video for International Women's Day, Shweta Tiwari addresses her daughter Palak and remembers her own fight against domestic violence. Check it out here.

Ranbir Kapoor is unwell, says uncle Randhir Kapoor

Sharib Hashmi on making Danny Boyle laugh during Slumdog Millionaire audition
- In an interview with Hindustan Times, Sharib Hashmi talks about The Family Man season 2, the experience of working with Kangana Ranaut on Dhaakad and more.

Rubina Dilaik gives shout-out to Aly Goni for music video, snubs Jasmin Bhasin
- Rubina Dilaik cheered for Tony Kakkar and Aly Goni as the music video of Tera Suit released but did not tag Jasmin Bhasin. Rubina and Jasmin's relationship soured on Bigg Boss 14.

Ali Quli Mirza: I wish to balance singing and acting

Twinkle bats for Women’s Day every day: 'Have a slice of cake, drink some wine'

Baby Anushka Sharma cuts a birthday cake in special Women's Day post for mom
- Actor Anushka Sharma shared a post on mothers on the occasion of International Women's Day. She said that 'strong' and 'resilient ones' need to be celebrated.