Meera’s Kissing Scandal

Meera, Ashmit Patel in Nazar

OutlookIndia.com reports that Pakistan's Ministry of Culturehas imposed a "heavy fine" on Pakistani actress Meera.

The reason for the Ministry of Culture's stern ruling? Meera kisses her Indian co-star Ashmit Patel in Mahesh Bhatt's supernatural Bollywood thriller Nazar; the kissing scene was deemed against "Islamic ethics and moral values."

The government, which is apparently afraid that Pakistanis will emulate Meera's vile deed and start kissing one another, is considering a ban on Pakistani actors from acting in Indian films.

As per a BBC report, Meera has asked for government protection "from extremists here who have threatened my life." Some film critics, however, have asserted that the actress' statement is a publicity gimmick.

Widespread bootlegged copies aside, Nazar (Sight) will probably not be released in Pakistan, for Indian films have been banned in that country since the 1965 India-Pakistan War.

All appearances to the contrary, rumors that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has been taking lessons from the Pakistani government and that country's religious censors seem to be unfounded.

Addendum: The Hindustan Times reports that Meera finds herself in one more imbroglio, this time for receiving a peace award from Pakistan Film Censor Board Chairman Ziauddin. (Go figure…) Those who don’t think that Meera’s controversial appearance in Nazar deserved a peace award have accused Ziauddin of favoritism.