Afghanistan bans Kabul Express

Courtesy: IndiaFM
Monday, January 08, 2007
The Afghanistan Government has banned the movie Kabul Express, directed by Kabir Khan under the Yash Chopra banner, from being screened in the country.

The Minister of Culture Advisor explained that the movie has some sentences which have been very offensive. Certain dialogues in the movie have hurt the sentiments of one of Afghanistan's ethnic minorities- named Hazara. Hazaras are thought to be descended from remnants of Genghis Khan's invading army and have at times faced persecution. The community is said to make up 10% of Afghanistan's total population.

Kabul Express was filmed in Afghanistan itself, in a time span of 45 days under heavy security provided by the Afghan government. The movie talks about the journey of two journalists caught in the aftermath of post-Taliban Afghanistan.

Although Aditya Chopra has extended apologies to the Afghan Government, the movie has completely been banned from the country. So far, very few people in the country have seen the film since its official release. But now the film has been pulled off the cinema halls. The copies of Kabul Express have also been confiscated from bootleg film sellers in the country.