Why Aamir Khan Refused to Release Dangal in Pakistan

Dangal remains India's highest-grossing film globally, yet Pakistani fans never got to see it in theaters due to censorship demands that the actor firmly rejected.

The Unprecedented Global Success of Dangal

Released in December 2016, Dangal quickly established itself as a cinematic phenomenon. This sports drama tells the inspiring true story of the Phogat family and their wrestling journey. The film collected an astonishing Rs. 2,000+ crore worldwide, with a substantial portion coming from Chinese audiences.

The Aamir Khan-starrer broke records in almost every market where it was released. However, there was one notable exception: Pakistan.

The Censorship Controversy

Despite its universal acclaim and massive potential for success, Dangal never reached Pakistani theaters. The reason? A principled stand by Aamir Khan himself.

According to reports, the Pakistani censor board made specific demands that Khan found unacceptable. They requested the removal of all scenes featuring the Indian National Flag. Additionally, they wanted to eliminate sequences where the Indian National Anthem played.

Khan, often called "Mr. Perfectionist" in the industry, refused these conditions outright. He maintained that these demands were unreasonable since the film contained no references to Pakistan whatsoever.

A Matter of Integrity

Rather than compromise the film's artistic integrity, Khan and director Nitesh Tiwari made a firm decision. They chose to cancel the Pakistani release entirely instead of removing these patriotic elements.

This stance wasn't taken lightly. Pakistan represents a significant market for Indian films, especially for a star of Khan's caliber who enjoys immense popularity across borders. Nevertheless, principles took precedence over potential profits.

Dangal's Enduring Legacy

The decision ultimately didn't hinder the film's success. Dangal earned approximately Rs. 385 crore nett in India alone – an extraordinary achievement for 2016, when only films starring Salman Khan or Aamir Khan typically reached such numbers.

More impressively, the film's global box office collection reportedly exceeds Rs. 2,100 crore. Despite being released nearly a decade ago, no Indian film has managed to surpass this figure.

The cast featuring Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanya Malhotra delivered performances that resonated with audiences worldwide. Under Nitesh Tiwari's direction, Dangal achieved what many considered impossible: universal appeal while staying true to its cultural roots.

Nine years later, Dangal remains the benchmark for Indian cinema's global potential. Its success story continues to inspire filmmakers and actors who aim to create content that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries – without compromising on values or artistic vision.