Alleging that the film,Phantom, based on post-26/11 attacks and global terrorism, contains "filthy propaganda" against Pakistan, Saeed had last week filed a plea in a Lahore court, through his advocate AK Dogar, pleading that the Saif-starrer film, which is scheduled to release on August 28, has "venom against Pakistan and Jamaat-ud-Dawa." Reacting to it, Saif was quoted in an IANS report as saying that, "The film is based on facts and everybody knows what happened during 26/11 and everybody knows who is responsible for the same. We all know that terrorists are hiding in Pakistan, so why shouldn't we accept it? Why should we just make films on fictitious events? We know what the reality is.

Is this a secret? Why can't we say this in open? Aren't there people who are dead for Indians but residing in Pakistan. If a wanted terrorist can go to the court of law in any country, I feel it's ridiculous. This is a sign of a really great nation that they entertain complaint by a terrorist." Reasoning about his film's content, Saif said, "A lot of us who have families dating back to pre-Independence and pre-Partition would have families in Pakistan, especially Muslims. My family would also not like to do any film that bashes any community...nobody is interested in bashing Pakistan. We have worked on these subjects earlier and we would like to give realistic point of view. Even if you try and portray things correctly...with Pakistan the thing is that they will even ban it. They will not even look at it even if there are some good and bad guys...there is some terrorist organisation and some Prime Minister who wants peace. They are not interested. This is my experience. When I was shooting for Phantom, I knew that Pakistan will ban the film without even watching it. I have madeAgent Vinodand Kabir Khan has madeEk Tha Tiger which were banned in Pakistan. So I am not surprised with the ban in Pakistan."