KARACHI: Exhibitors in Pakistan will lift the self-imposed ban on the screening of Indian films today (Tuesday), owner of a leading cinema told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity.
Termed merely a ‘suspension’ and not a ban, since there was no government intervention, exhibitors had decided on their own to stop the screening of Indian films, following Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPPA) ban on Pakistani artists and technicians working in India earlier in October.
The decision to resume the screening of Indian films comes in the wake of Indian Army’s criticism of the MNS’ penalty of INR-50 million on Indian films featuring Pakistani actors.
Following the losses cinema owners faced post-Ashura coupled with the explosive situation between the two countries, 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 agreed to resume the screening, effective from Tuesday.
“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,” said another cinema owner who attended the meeting.
Zuraiz Lashari, the chairman of Pakistan’s exhibitors association, will make a formal announcement in Lahore on Tuesday. Owner of a leading distribution company told The Express Tribune that the resumption of Indian films had to happen since cinemas relied heavily on Bollywood movies for their revenue.
In a related development, both Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Ajay Devgn’s Shivay have been issued NoCs by the ministry of commerce and Shivay is set to be previewed by the censor boards.
“The govt has issued the NoC for Shivay. We are set to screen or tomorrow for certification,” the secretary of Sindh Board of Film Censors, Razzaq Khuhwar said.
“We will accept and preview Indian films, if and when they are submitted for certification,” Mobashir Hasan, the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification said. http://tribune.com.pk/story/1208869/resumption-exhibitors-set-lift-ban-indian-films-today/
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