WEB DESK: Writer and Director Mudassar Aziz of film ‘Happy Bhag Jayegi’ is not at all ‘happy’ about the film being banned in Pakistan.

The film, which stars Pakistani actress Momal Sheikh along with Abhay Deol, Diana Penty, Ali Fazal and Jimmy Shergill, has not hit the screens across the Pakistan after authorities objected to a scene showing Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s portrait.

Filmmaker Mudassar Aziz is furious over the Pakistan government imposing a ban on ‘Happy Bhag Jayegi’. “Dear Whoever-Is-In-Charge-In-Pakistan, What Exactly Is So Offensive About 'Happy Bhag Jayegi'?” he asks to authorities.

“The first ever film that showed people on both sides of this border as simple human beings with affection, honesty, love... was found OFFENSIVE by you! Wow!” he was quoted as saying byThe Huffington Post.

“Having said that let me quickly add that during my visit to your country and within my memorable interactions with the common people and the media of your country, I realized that this "perception" of lawlessness and lack of freedom of choice is untrue. Pakistan actually is a land of limitless potential and bright, eager minds. It left me pleasantly surprised. However by banning the release of Happy Bhag Jayegi in Pakistan, you... Mr In-Charge (whoever you are) left me flummoxed. The first ever film content that showed people on both sides of this 70-year-old border as simple human beings with affection, honesty, love and their small shortcomings was found OFFENSIVE by you! Wow!” he added.

“Dare you Mr In-Charge (whoever you are). I dare you without even having lived in your country, without even being its citizen. I dare you to show Happy Bhag Jayegi to one common Pakistani. One, who loves his family, strives for his daily bread, loves his cricket, loves his films and lives his life under the nonsensical garb that you force over him. Let that common smile-deprived Pakistani, who is tired of being viewed as the only stranger in the world that has largely become one big melting pot today, come and tell you that he finds Happy Bhag Jayegi offensive, and I promise you that my apology note to you will be even longer than this letter.”

Mudassar Aziz also said that by standing in the way of your people and what they deserve to see, it's you who has to let me know of what your vested interests were in stopping my film.

“Is it because you'd rather let your people continue to be seen as what the world has already termed them? Is it because you don't like friendship on a personal level? Is it because Jawed Sheikh (a legendary Pakistani actor in my film) is somebody you're not proud of? Is it because Momal Sheikh (a Pakistani actress introduced in my film, and getting rave reviews in India) is a Pakistani woman you want to stop from progressing? Or is it because what is said of you is actually true? That you'd rather live through hatred than open arms to friendship?”

The aggravated director last of all said to ‘Mr-Incharge’ that doesn’t give the reason to him. “Give reason to the common man of Pakistan. Because the authorities are well answerable to Pakistanis not to him.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2016