ISLAMABAD – The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has recommended temporarily suspending the theatrical screening of the film Bullah, proposing a title change and revisions to several dialogues.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Sarmad Ali, included a detailed briefing from the Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) regarding objections raised against the movie and a review of its certification process.

Regional certification and decision-making

CBFC officials defended the approval process, noting that provincial censor boards in Punjab and Sindh had cleared Bullah under the same title without any cuts. They clarified that the federal board’s jurisdiction is strictly limited to the Islamabad Capital Territory and cantonment areas.

Explaining the board’s protocol, officials stated that certification decisions are taken collectively, with the CBFC Chairman only casting a vote in the event of a tie. They added that if the committee formalizes a recommendation to restrict the film, the issue can be referred to the federal government as the next appellate authority.

Debating writer’s legacy vs. cultural representation

During the session, Senator Pervaiz Rashid questioned using screenwriter Nasir Adeeb’s fame to justify the movie’s content.

“Relying on writer Nasir Adeeb’s reputation is not a sufficient basis for defending the film,” Senator Rashid stated. “While he is well-known for writing action-heavy scripts, that does not establish expertise in history, Pakistani culture, or prominent figures.”

Senator Rashid added that film tropes can heavily skew public perception, noting how the hit film Maula Jatt popularized the gandasa (cleaver) as a cultural symbol—a weapon he was personally unfamiliar with prior to the movie’s release.

Key Recommmendations

Concluding the meeting, Committee Chairman Senator Sarmad Ali proposed:

Renaming the film from Bullah to a new title.

Revising and editing objectionable dialogues.

Suspending screenings until these changes are fulfilled.

Written by veteran screenwriter Nasir Adeeb, Bullah stars Shaan Shahid and Saleem Shah in lead roles. Although it premiered around Eid-ul-Fitr (March 2026), its ongoing theatrical run has encountered significant regulatory hurdles following these official recommendations.