By News Desk 
Following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government has taken a series of measures against Pakistan. As part of these actions, the government has banned the release of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s film Abeer Gulal in India. The decision has sparked reactions, including one from veteran actor Prakash Raj, who voiced his disagreement with the ban.
Prakash Raj Opposes Ban on Abeer Gulal
Speaking to The Lallantop about the ban on Abeer Gulal, Prakash Raj said that the audience should decide whether they want to watch the film or not. He stated,
“I am not in favor of banning any film — whether it’s a right-wing movie or a propaganda film. Let the people decide. People have the right to choose. You can’t ban a film unless it’s about pornography or child abuse. But if it’s just about a thought process? So what? Let them come.”
“I’ll Cut Deepika Padukone’s Nose!” — Actor Recalls Pathaan Controversy
Prakash Raj also recalled the controversy surrounding the song Besharam Rang from Shah Rukh Khan’s film Pathaan. Referring to the extreme reactions it provoked, he said:
“Today, anyone can claim to be offended. ‘I’ll cut Deepika Padukone’s nose! I’ll behead her!’ But what does that change? Shah Rukh Khan — just because of the color of a dress in Besharam Rang? They can create noise over anything they don’t like.”
Actor Blames the Government for Growing Intolerance
The veteran actor went on to criticize the government, accusing it of enabling censorship and fear in the creative industry. He said:
“The current regime is allowing this to happen. They’re supporting it to instill fear in society. Some films are not even being made in this country because of censorship. Earlier, there was state censorship — now it’s clearly turning into central censorship. They’re deciding what gets made.”
He added that the film industry is already a highly insecure space due to financial pressures, and such fear could stop the next generation from even writing freely.
“They want to create so much fear that the next generation won’t even write what they feel. They don’t want this kind of discourse in the country.”