LAHORE: Released in Pakistan on July 21, the Barbie movie will finally makes it to cinemas across Punjab after the censor board on Tuesday decided to remove some ‘objectionable content’.

The film was sent for a full board review on the directions of caretaker chief minister of Punjab Mohsin Naqvi. According to caretaker provincial information minister Amir Mir: “Following a diligent process of censorship, the board has given its approval, ensuring that the objectionable parts have been appropriately addressed. Barbie is now set to hit cinemas across Punjab.”

The film was reviewed by Censor Board Chairman Tauqeer Nasir and all the members of Punjab Censor Board.

Talking to Dawn after the meeting of the board, Punjab Information Secretary Ali Nawaz Malik said: “The full board of 10 members allowed the screening of Barbie after some serious objectionable material was removed. Earlier, the board had approved it’s screening, but the Punjab government banned it because of this content.”

On July 17, the five members of the censor board had attended the meeting and found Barbie ‘suitable’ for public exhibition.

According to Mr Malik, the exhibition of the movie was not allowed in Punjab as it was sent to Dubai for a censorship review. The censor board needed to assess the movie to decide whether it could be shown in cinemas or not. This process was expected to take a few days to complete.

The comedy is centred around the famous doll, directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

Previously, Vietnam banned the movie from cinemas over scenes with a map showing China’s claims to territory in the South China Sea.

Pakistani actor Nadia Jamil also recently shared her thoughts on the film, saying “the only reason I wasted my money on it was because the government of Punjab banned it”.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2023