Like most big screen romantic comedies, “Karma,” Egyptian director Khaled Youssef’s latest film, has a happy ending. After a 24-hour controversy, Egypt’s General Authority for Censorship announced on June 12 that the film could be screened in cinemas during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, backpedaling from its earlier ban issued the preceding day.

Youssef, known for tackling controversial issues in his films, took to Twitter to announce the lifting of the ban and approval to hold screenings as scheduled, beginning June 14, without scenes being cut. The director, also a member of parliament, thanked the country’s “sovereign bodies” — the legislature and the Ministry of Culture — which pushed for the ban to be rescinded.

“Karma” is Youssef’s first film since he stopped directing full time and dove into politics following the January 25 Revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak. The movie examines the love affair and marriage between a Muslim man and a Christian woman. It also touches on the issue of corruption through the character of a businessman who becomes involved in some shady dealings. The star-studded cast includes Amr Saad, Ghada Abdel Razek, Khaled el-Sawy and Zeina.

The film's administrative happy ending does not resolve the mystery of why the movie was banned in the first place. In Egyptian cinema and political circles, people are wondering aloud about the rationale behind it as well as what brought about the censors’ U-turn.