Did this scene from Jurassic World just insult Pakistanis?

Published June 20, 2015
First accused of being sexist, the movie has now come under the crossfire for being racist too! —Photo courtesy: Hollywood Reporter
First accused of being sexist, the movie has now come under the crossfire for being racist too! —Photo courtesy: Hollywood Reporter

Jurassic World has been a mammoth success. It is well on its way to rake in $1 billion at the box office, shattering previous records but that's not what's making rounds on social media — viewers are expressing disbelief over the supposed racial slur that they heard five to ten minutes into the movie.

One of the many species of dinosaurs that appear in the movie is the Pachycephalosaurus (pronounced pak-ee-sef-a-low-sor -us). When a bunch of them escape, one character states: "The pachys are out of containment!", which phonetically sounds a lot like Paki, the n-word for Pakistanis apparently.

A Pachycephalosaurus originates from Pakistan, says comedian Guzzy Bear.
A Pachycephalosaurus originates from Pakistan, says comedian Guzzy Bear.

Although it sounds just like a short form for Pakistani, it's used as a pejorative against South Asian people, mostly in the United Kingdom. Obviously the fact that the script was penned by Americans and the movie was set in Costa Rica doesn't make a difference: the damage was done.

Some expressed mock fury, like Muslim stand-up comedian, Guzzy Bear, who has called for a boycott of the blockbuster in his latest video.

Some people were taken aback.

Some were confused.

Looks like leading man Chris Pratt was well-prepared for the uproar and apologized well in advance.

What do you think?

Opinion

Editorial

Caught in between
Updated 13 Apr, 2025

Caught in between

In the absence of a trade agreement, under WTO rules, Pakistan cannot reduce duty rates for the US without doing the same for other countries.
Spirit of giving
13 Apr, 2025

Spirit of giving

THE recent declaration by ulema affirming that organ donation after death is not only permissible but an act of...
Targeting dissent
13 Apr, 2025

Targeting dissent

THE recent notice sent by the FIA to former senator Farhatullah Babar is deeply troubling — and revealing....
Stranded Afghans
Updated 12 Apr, 2025

Stranded Afghans

It is both unfair and dangerous that Afghan people’s immediate well-being has been left entirely to Pakistan to consider.
Peaceful protest
12 Apr, 2025

Peaceful protest

A CONCLAVE of local divines that had gathered in Islamabad on Thursday have made two important points: firstly, that...
Squash hopes
12 Apr, 2025

Squash hopes

IT was a monumental triumph: Noor Zaman came back from the brink to clinch the Under-23 World Squash Championships...