The Federal Censor Board of Pakistan has banned Anubhav Sinha’s courtroom drama Mulk, starrinf Rishi Kapoor, Taapsee Pannu and Prateik Babbar, set to hit the screens on August 3. While the ban on Bollywood releases in Pakistan is currently the trending topic, this is not the first time such an incident has occurred.

In the recent past the Kareena Kappor Khan and Sonam Kapoor-starrer, Veere Di Wedding was banned since the censor board deemed the film vulgar and obscene. Starring Akshay Kumar and Sonam Kapoor, the movie Padman was also banned because its storyline revolved around the subject of menstruation which is considered a taboo in the country.

Alia Bhatt’s Raazi was banned due to its controversial content while Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees was banned because of its apparent inaccurate portrayal of Muslims. Anushka Sharma’s Pari was banned on the grounds that the film’s content promoted black magic, non-Islamic values and anti-Muslim sentiments. Sonam Kapoor’s Neerja and Raanjhanaa were also banned.

Deepak Mukut, Soham Rockstar Entertainment states, “We are disturbed by this prejudiced verdict and it’s such an irony because our film talks about this very prejudice. We urge the Pakistani Censor Board to reconsider their decision. They will realise how essential it is to the well-being of the human race across the world.”

Anubhav Sinha in an open letter urged the Pakistani citizens to watch the movie as and when they can.

Here's what his letter read:

Dear Citizens of Pakistan,I say dear citizens of Pakistan at the risk of being called an antinational by some losers back home. I don't care.

I have recently made a film called MULK. Unfortunately you will not be able to see it legally as the censor board in your country has banned it fromyou watching it.

I remember the day the trailer came out many in India and also many in Pakistan wrote against it. Some in India thought it was pro Muslim and some in Pakistan thought it stereotyped Muslims. Contradictory but true. I kept insisting the film was about LOVE. Love amongst Hindus and Muslims. Now the word is out. The press has seen it and the audience in the UAE too has seen it. It is not pro Muslim or Anti Muslim. Pro Pakistan or Anti Pakistan. It is about You. It is about Me. You have Hindus as a minority in your country and we have Muslims as a minority in ours. We all must work towards coexixting in peace and harmony.

Here is my question to you. Why is it so that they do NOT want you to see the film that talks about co-existence. I know, sooner or later, you will have access to the film. Please do watch it and give me your opinion WHY DID THE PAKISTAN CENSOR BOARD ban the film.

I really wanted you all to see this film legally but do watch it illegally if you must, though our digital team at home is working hard to stop all piracy. RegardsAnubhav SinhaDated-Aug3, 2018

Presented by Kamal Mukut and Soham Rockstar Entertainment, a Benaras Media Works production, Mulk is produced by Deepak Mukut and Anubhav Sinha. The film features Rishi Kapoor, Taapsee Pannu, Prateik Babbar, Rajat Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana, Manoj Pahwa and Neena Gupta.