Pakistan's Decision to Ban Phantom is Bizarre: Saif Ali Khan to NDTV

New Delhi: Actor Saif Ali Khan has described the decision of a Pakistani court to ban his upcoming film Phantom, set in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, as "bizarre."

The film, directed by Kabir Khan, has been banned in Pakistan by the Lahore high court after a petition was filed by 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.  

Speaking to NDTV, Saif Ali Khan said, "I was quite shocked to hear it has been banned without their censorship process on petition of a wanted terrorist. I think it is bizarre. We're also Indian Muslims. The film is not anti-Pakistan, anti-Muslim or anti-anybody except the masterminds of 26/11."

The Pakistani court banned the film after Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed alleged in his petition that it contains filthy propaganda against him and his outfit.  

In the petition filed in the Lahore High Court on August 8, Hafiz Saeed's advocate AK Dogar alleged that "there is a direct threat to the life of the petitioner (Saeed) and his associates emanating from the content of the trailer of the film."

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Director Kabir Khan told NDTV, "His (Saeed's) statement says its propaganda against him and Pakistan. By including Pakistan, he's trying to become the face of Pakistan. My film takes a stand against those behind 26/11 but isn't negative to the people of Pakistan. He's trying to put the two together while the film separates the two."

Saif Ali Khan says he believes the ban will now encourage more people to watch the film. "They've loved our films. People will see our movie in Pakistan more now. Thanks for added publicity."

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