New Delhi/Dubai, July 15: Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia's forthcoming movie 'Lamhaa' which promises to tell the "untold story" of Kashmir faces a ban in the Gulf countries, with the exception of Oman, which will screen the film.
 The film starring Bipasha Basu, Sanjay Dutt, Anupam Kher and Kunal Kapoor was banned because the censors in UAE reportedly found the content "highly objectionable" and the subject "controversial".
 But 'Lamhaa' has received the thumbs up from Oman authorities, said Hanif Khatri, the general manager of Al Mansoor Video, which is distributing the film across the Gulf region.
 "The screening of Lamhaa will go as per schedule in Oman, which is good news for us," Khatri told PTI.
 The ban has not gone down well with the film's director who has labelled the censorship "undemocratic".
 "It's ridiculous and undemocratic, the government of India has not objected towards the film, and the film is based on a part of India. I see no reason why any other country should have a problem with my film," Dholakia told PTI.
 "The film is not anti-Islamic, there is no sex or nudity. They say the content is objectionable, I don't see how," he added.
 UAE authorities have not given any official explanation for their decision to ban the movie.
 "When we asked the reason, they said it has been sent to the revising committee and the report will be made available on Sunday," said Khatri.
 He added that it does not bode well for box office collections as a film usually rakes in the most money during it's opening weekend.
 "The decision will come on Sunday, but the first weekend will be over by then after which the film's run too will be literally over," said Khatri.
 'Lamhaa', a film about the prevailing situation in Kashmir looks at factors like politics, army, police and militants which affect the daily lives of the common Kashmiri.
 Dholakia, who had earlier wanted to premiere the film in Kashmir said, in hindsight it was a insensitive choice and he is happy that he was denied permission.
 "Kashmir is burning right now and it would have been really insensitive to hold a red carpet premiere during these times," he said.
 Veteran actor Anupam Kher too expressed his disbelief over the ban.
 "I am shocked to learn that 'Lamhaa' is banned in Middle East. Why? Without even seeing the film. And we talk about progress and culture. Sad," Kher posted on his Twitter account.
 The film releases all over India tomorrow and Dholakia hopes for a smooth release.
 "Kashmir is a sensitive issue but there is nothing controversial about my film. Trouble arises when people don't see the whole and instead judge the parts," he said.

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