Pakistan’s Punjab Imposes Ban on ‘Barbie’ Movie for Alleged Objectionable Content
The much-anticipated American fantasy comedy film, “Barbie,” directed by Greta Gerwig, has faced a ban by the Punjab censor board in Pakistan due to its alleged objectionable content. The movie, featuring a star-studded ensemble, including Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, was released on July 21 and has been making waves in the entertainment world.
The Barbie fever has been spreading like wildfire in Pakistan, with Pakistani actresses embracing the nostalgia and sharing their Barbie-inspired looks. However, amidst the excitement, the Punjab censor board has withheld the issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the movie’s release, citing pro-LGBTQ content as the reason for the ban.
The board has stated that “Barbie” will remain banned in the Punjab region until the perceived objectionable content is removed from the film. While Margot Robbie portrays Barbie’s human version, other celebrities like singer Dua Lipa, actress Emma Mackey, Alexandra Shipp, Kate McKinnon, and Hari Nef will depict different versions of Barbie, each with diverse professions.
As for the character of Ken, Ryan Gosling plays the lead role, with Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa, and Scott Evans portraying different variations of the character. Posters featuring all these handsome hunks’ avatars have already been released, generating significant hype among fans.
Despite the ban in Punjab, “Barbie” continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and its star-studded cast is undoubtedly contributing to its allure. For now, Pakistani moviegoers will have to wait until the ban is lifted or the movie undergoes edits to comply with the censor board’s regulations.