India and Pakistan’s recent conflict after the Pahalgam terror attack has caused a storm in the Hindi film industry. Many people blamed the Khan trio – Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan for not speaking up against Pakistan publicly in the aftermath of the attack. No, in a recent interview, Aamir defended himself after the accusations, revealing that his 1999 release Sarfarosh was the first ever film in the history of Indian films, to refer to the country as Pakistan instead of ‘padosi mulk’. The actor also revealed that he even took a stand for the country and didn’t allow Dangal’s release in Pakistan despite possible losses, because their censor board demanded the removal of the Indian flag and national anthem.
During a chat with Rajat Sharma on his show Aap Ki Adalat, Aamir cited former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani’s example and said, “If you pick India’s film history, we have never been allowed to take their name, we had to use the term ‘padosi mulk’. My film Sarfarosh was the first one ever in history, in which we have taken Pakistan and ISI’s names without hesitation. John said that the Censor Board won’t pass this. I said, ‘Why won’t they? We will explain it to them’. When Advani ji can call their name in the Parliament publicly that they are doing wrong by us and spreading terrorism, then why can’t we?”
The film’s team finally received the permission to take Pakistan’s name. “We got permission to use the names on that basis. So many films released after that were using Pakistan’s name. People say that I don’t say anything against them, but sabse bada naam toh unka maine hi liya hai, aur kisi ne nahi. After Sarfarosh, I got many negative comments from Pakistan for attacking them in the film,” he added.
Moreover, Aamir Khan lost money for not allowing his 2016 film Dangal’s release at the theatres in Pakistan. “When Dangal released, Disney was one of the producers. When they presented it, they got a reaction from Pakistan’s censor board to remove the last scene – where they hoist the tricolour and sing the national anthem after Geeta Phogat’s victory in the match. I told them within a second that our film won’t be released in Pakistan. I didn’t even think twice. They said that it will affect our business and cause losses. I told them I have no interest in people who are asking to remove the Indian flag and national anthem, I don’t want that business or money,” the actor shared.
