Aamir Recalls Sarfarosh Boldly Naming Pakistan During Sitaare Zameen Par Promotions
Cinema has often mirrored the political and social climate of its times, but it has also faced boundaries set by authorities.
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For decades, Indian filmmakers were not allowed to directly name Pakistan when addressing issues of cross-border terrorism.
Instead, they were instructed to use vague terms like “padosi mulk” (neighboring country), reflecting the sensitivities of the era and the cautious approach of the Censor Board.
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Aamir Khan’s recent revelation about his 1999 film Sarfarosh sheds light on a pivotal moment in Bollywood history.
The film, released during heightened India-Pakistan tensions, was the first to openly name Pakistan and its intelligence agency, ISI, as sponsors of terrorism against India.
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This was a significant departure from previous practice, and the filmmakers were uncertain if the Central Board of Film Certification would clear the film without demanding changes.
Aamir Khan and his team argued that if political leaders could name Pakistan in Parliament, cinema should have the same freedom.
Ultimately, Sarfarosh was passed without modifications, marking a new era of candor in Indian storytelling.
This moment not only set a precedent for greater honesty in cinema but also highlighted the evolving relationship between art and authority.
It demonstrated that films could address complex realities more directly, provided filmmakers were willing to take risks and defend their creative choices.
