LAHORE MIRROR – In a surprising turn, the Punjab censor board has decided to impose a ban on the highly anticipated American fantasy comedy film, “Barbie,” directed by Greta Gerwig.
The decision comes in response to the board’s concerns about objectionable content found in the movie. The ban was announced on Friday, soon after the film’s release on July 21, which had garnered immense attention from the entertainment world.
“Barbie” owes much of its allure to its star-studded ensemble, with Margot Robbie playing the iconic role of Barbie and Ryan Gosling portraying Ken. The film’s release had caused a frenzy in Pakistan, with the Barbie fever rapidly spreading, as Pakistani actresses embraced the nostalgia and shared their Barbie-inspired looks.
However, the film’s journey in Punjab hit a roadblock as the censor board refused to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for its release, citing pro-LGBTQ content as the reason for their decision. The board maintained that the ban would remain in effect until the alleged objectionable content is removed from the movie.
Apart from Margot Robbie’s portrayal of the human version of Barbie, other notable personalities like singer Dua Lipa, actress Emma Mackey, Alexandra Shipp, Kate McKinnon, and Hari Nef, among others, will also depict different versions of Barbie. Interestingly, Barbie enjoys a diverse range of professions, setting her apart from Ken, who is simply known as “just Ken.”
As for the male lead, Ryan Gosling takes on the role of Ken, while Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa, and Scott Evans embody various versions of Ken in the movie. Promotional posters featuring these handsome actors in their respective avatars have already generated significant hype.
While “Barbie” continues to captivate audiences globally, the ban imposed by the Punjab censor board raises questions about the film’s content and its implications on LGBTQ representation. Until the issue is addressed and resolved, eager audiences in the Punjab region will have to wait to experience the cinematic magic of “Barbie.”
