Pakistan set to lift ban on Indian films today, ADHM and Shivaay to be released

bollywood

Updated: Oct 27, 2016 13:36 IST

Exhibitors in Pakistan will be lifting the self-imposed ban on the screening of Indian films on Tuesday, the owner of a leading cinema said.

Terming it merely a ‘suspension’ and not a ban, as there was no government intervention, exhibitors on their own had decided to stop the screening of Indian films, following the ban on Pakistani artists and technicians working in India by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPPA) earlier in October, reports the Express Tribune.

This decision comes in wake of the Indian Army’s criticism of the MNS’ penalty of 50 million rupees on Indian films featuring Pakistani actors. Following the losses, exhibitors had gathered thrice since the suspension of Indian films to ponder over the possible consequences.

In the latest meeting, which took place on Sunday, followed by a brief discussion on Monday, all exhibitors had agreed to resume screening effective from Tuesday. According to another cinema owner, “The Indian Army’s statement is a good enough evidence for the change in perspective on the other side of the border. So is the release of Fawad Khan’s film in India.”

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, starring Fawad Khan along with Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, is all set to hit theatres on October 28.

Shivaay and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil are likely to be screened in Pakistan too.

A formal announcement will be made by the chairman of Pakistan’s exhibitors association, Zuraiz Lashari, in Lahore on Tuesday. The owner of a leading distribution company said that the resumption of Indian films had to happen since cinema owners relied heavily on Bollywood movies for their revenue.

In a related development, the ministry of commerce has issued NoCs to both Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Ajay Devgn’s Shivay. Shivay is set to be previewed by the censor board. The secretary of Sindh Board of Film Censors, Razzaq Khuhwar, said “The government has issued the NoC for Shivay. We are set to screen today or tomorrow for certification.”

Anushka Sharma in a still from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

The chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification, Mobashir Hasan, said that they will accept and preview Indian films, if and when they are submitted for certification.

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