LAHORE: In recent days, a wave of confusion has enveloped the anticipated release of the Barbie film in Punjab, Pakistan. Speculation arose when news spread on social media that the movie had been banned in the region by the Punjab Film Censor Board, citing objectionable content, particularly related to LGBTQ themes. The announcement quickly gained traction, and Twitter was abuzz with discussions about the supposed ban.
According to the circulating tweets, the Punjab Film Censor Board had withheld the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Barbie. It led to assumptions of a complete ban on the movie’s screening in the province. In addition, internet searches revealed that major Lahore cinemas were not showing the film. This apparent absence of Barbie’s screening and the simultaneous screening of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in the same theaters further fueled the speculations.
Outraged tweets flooded the platform, with users expressing their disbelief and disappointment. Some questioned the reasons behind the alleged ban. However, others sarcastically suggested that Oppenheimer should also be banned for its supposed “nudity.”
Media outlets reached out to Vasay Chaudhary, the vice-chairman of the Punjab Film Censor Board. However, Chaudhary did not respond to their inquiries at the time of reporting. Despite the lack of an official statement, sources indicated that Barbie was not entirely banned in Punjab.
Interestingly, while the film’s fate in Punjab hangs in the balance, Barbie is enjoying successful screenings in Sindh and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The contrasting scenarios have added to the confusion surrounding the movie’s release in the country.
