KARACHI, Dec 5: Noted film-maker Mahesh Bhatt on Sunday presented an ingenious formula to Indian and Pakistani directors interested in co-productions under which they could circumvent the restrictive conditions laid down by their countries and allay the apprehensions of producers who were understandably wary of investing money in such ventures.

Delivering a talk on the future of co-productions during the KaraFilm Festival at the auditorium of the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs, Mr Bhatt suggested that a film-making company could be established in Dubai which could employ the technical infrastructure and wherewithal from India and engage artistes from Pakistan.

"And make sure that the film thus made is of international standing so that it could be simultaneously released in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and elsewhere. But for this we will need the support of trade bodies which will have to drop opposition to co-productions," he explained.

Mr Bhatt said that since the relationship between India and Pakistan had been poisoned over the years, audacious film-makers are needed who could dismantle it. "And let me tell you what Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently told me.

I explained to him that producers are reluctant to invest in co-productions because they know very well that Pakistan-India ties are strained all too often. The premier promised me that the peace talks this time would not be derailed," he told the audience.

The Indian film-maker said that he understood why trade bodies in Pakistan were not lending support to co-productions. "They fear that the Pakistani film industry would be very badly hurt if these barriers are brought down. But let me assure you that I am not advocating the expansionist designs of Bollywood. Let me assure you that I am not looking at Pakistan as a potential market. If you are happy with cable operators showing pirated copies of Indian films and making a killing, then it is alright.

Let me also clarify that I am not holding up Bollywood as a model for Pakistani film-makers to emulate. Far from it. Pakistan has a distinct culture and diversity is what life is all about," he said.

Mr Bhatt said that he also suggested to the Indian premier that a redone Mughal-i-Azam should be given to Pakistan as a gift because the movie belonged to the shared culture between India and Pakistan.

He conceded that Indian film industry attached a great deal of importance to the form and the style. "Even bad Indian films have good promos. When I take a Noorjehan song which was recorded in the 1950s to India and play it to my music directors - who it must be said are whiz kids - they are humbled by the simplicity of the song. But at present the Pakistan film industry badly needs the infrastructure required to make movies of a certain technological standard. As it is, a number of Pakistani film-makers come to India and obtain technical support on the quiet. Why can't this be done in a more open manner?" he wondered.

The organizers of the film festival showed a brief promo of Nazar which is billed as the first co-production between India and Pakistan. Much to the delight of the audience, Mr Bhatt promised that he would do his utmost to get the film released in Pakistan as well.