Aamir Khan's 'PK' thrives in Pakistan

E-Paper | May 06, 2026

The world loved Aamir Khan as the smooth criminal on wheels (throwback: Dhoom 3) and loves him even more as the sceptical alien in PK.

Mammoth audiences in India and Pakistan have flocked to cinemas to watch the actor who has lived up to his reputation and success as an artiste who gives viewers plenty of food for thought.

After crossing INR300 crore in India, Rajkumar Hirani’s PK has triumphed in Pakistan, with rave reviews and repeat visits.

Speaking to Dawn about the success of PK which is expected to cross Rs15 crore in Pakistan, Manager Marketing from Distributor Club (PVT) Ltd, Hassaan Rizvi said, “The primary reasons for PK’s success are Rajkumar Hirani and Aamir Khan."

"Perhaps another reason might be that the film has presented Pakistan in a positive light. Also, many people are coming because of word-of-mouth—for instance if one person watches the film, he is returning with two to three more people to view it again,” he added.

Cinema goers in Karachi are well-impressed with Aamir Khan's loveable depiction of the unaware, inquisitive alien.

"I watched the film three times," says one fan, Anum. "Firstly because it has Aamir Khan and secondly it addresses the theist question in such an effective manner. With religious extremism on the rise in both India and Pakistan, PK is an excellent film that deals with such pressing issues," she says.

"PK is intelligent and funny. While people are calling it preachy, I'd beg to differ because I didn't feel any imposition in the film. And yes I would see it again," comments Qurat-ul-Ain.

Also read: 'PK' – The most important film to watch in 2014

According to the Indian Express, PK may well become the first Indian film to cross INR600 crore worldwide.

Verifying the news of PK’s grossing numbers, film critic Komal Natha tweeted about its business:

Also read: PK: Not quite out of this world

After raking in INR300 crore, Aamir Khan has cemented his reputation as one of Bollywood's most respected actor setting the trend of INR100 crore (Ghajini), INR200 crore (3 Idiots) and now INR300 crore.

With Aamir Khan and Anushka Sharma in the lead PK was released on December 19.

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Pakistan

Zoya Anwer is a Dawn.com staffer.

She tweets @AnwerNaqvi.

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Abdul Kadir

Jan 05, 2015 06:48pm

I think its a must watch movie being an indian i suggest to all my fellow pakistani to watch this movie.

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mallappally

Jan 05, 2015 07:10pm

it is an eyeopener movie..

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Kashif

Jan 05, 2015 07:59pm

Movie of the CENTURY!

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Dev

Jan 05, 2015 08:07pm

PK earned INR300 crore alone in India and INR275 crore in international markets. Total INR575 crore(US$90 million) worldwide. Within two weeks of its release, the film has emerged as the highest-grossing film of all time in India.

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reddy

Jan 05, 2015 08:21pm

good movie , rejunavates hindu religion and takes out over ritualism

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Shahryar Shirazi

Jan 05, 2015 08:50pm

An obvious jab at the Hindu religion throughout the movie, and a Pakistani boy marrying Indian girl is good enough of a script to be successful in Pakistan ...

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Sahil

Jan 05, 2015 09:14pm

@Shahryar Shirazi ---- Yes a Jab at Hindu religion but no one burnt theaters ..we are practical people...

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saj

Jan 05, 2015 09:16pm

ET with a twist.

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Sunil

Jan 05, 2015 09:22pm

@Shahryar Shirazi Only in films its possible.

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Nadeem

Jan 05, 2015 10:36pm

Apart from some miscreants majority of Indians have liked the movie .

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syed

Jan 05, 2015 11:06pm

Really?!! Sorry pakistanis and indians, bad taste. Didnt like plot, script, dresses, songs or anything else. Not sure what writer is referring to. Bollywood is famous for its glamorous fairy tale love stories. Indeed this is good effort but... a failure.

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kishore

Jan 05, 2015 11:09pm

@Nadeem Thats how India works, no emotions while watching and we do same things again and again. No one change the faith and believes.

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Akram

Jan 06, 2015 12:33am

This should be compulsory viewing in Pakistan. Invite the Lal Masjid brigade to see it too.

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Pakistani

Jan 06, 2015 12:50am

dear pakistanis, don't forget...the same thing goes for Islam too, we have become more ritualistic than a practical progressive muslims. It applies to all religion in the world, to all priest of all religion!

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Pakistani

Jan 06, 2015 12:52am

I have high regards for Amir Khan for the movies he makes... and also Raj Kapoor for the movies he made.

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PUNE-INDIA

Jan 06, 2015 12:53am

Bollywood movies are not running so much successful in Southern India and in NE India as they are in other parts of India...if it had so then today's such movie's business would have been reached to INR 600 Crore ($ 100 Million)

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DHK

Jan 06, 2015 01:00am

I am glad that majority of the hindus are taking the criticism in their stride and hopefully reform their practice to prune out anything that is not relevant for this age anymore. Self-critcism and tolerance for new ideas is the key to progress.

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xyz the great

Jan 06, 2015 01:17am

Bollywood thrives in Pakistan.

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Jan 06, 2015 01:32am

@Sahil Good saying. It was not only a jab on the Hindhu religion, the message was for every religion. An eye opener for all those who have been hijacked by these so called managers of God. Live and let live. God has not given anybody the right to judge others.

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Iqbal

Jan 06, 2015 03:56am

No Pakistani movie has done this kind of business in Pakistan. Good for Bollywood.

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Jan 06, 2015 04:01am

@Pakistani this movie was made by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and directed by Rajkumar Hirani. The duo has made many other thought provoking, light hearted but non preachy moies e.g. Munnabhai, Lage raho Munnabhai, 3 Idiots.

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doniya

Jan 06, 2015 04:15am

Ofcourse there is mention of pakistan in pk movie too like all other bolly movies

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Range Rover

Jan 06, 2015 05:05am

Wonder if anyone can make such a movie in Pakistan!

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papajohnes

Jan 06, 2015 06:01am

@Sahil Yes a Jab at Hindu religion but no one burnt theaters ..we are practical people... You are wrong mr. not reading your news papers and not even watching TV

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global citizen

Jan 06, 2015 06:17am

@Range Rover Yeah.. No.. Don't you know,they make maula jattttttt

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raj

Jan 06, 2015 07:17am

I don't think he would have made that movie if he feared losing his head....

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Jan 06, 2015 07:30am

What does Shan have to say about this?

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Popat

Jan 06, 2015 08:17am

Yet another good 'movie with a message'. Though Aamir's best was 3 Idiots (even though it does not belong to 300 Cr club). The issue dealt by pk was better handled by Paresh Rawal starrer OMG. I find a few friends having narrow interpretation that message is about Hinduism; whereas Hinduism is used as template for questioning all organized religions...

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COMMON PAKISTANI

Jan 06, 2015 09:34am

I have watched this movie 4 times and still refreshing and the best movie ever made in the history of Indian Art.

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ABC

Jan 06, 2015 09:44am

What an awesome movie - a definite must see.

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saad s

Jan 06, 2015 09:46am

@Sahil oh really. r u sure?i guess u dont listen the news or turn yr eyes shut & close yr ears while something happen in yr country

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Sam

Jan 06, 2015 10:06am

@papajohnes I must have missed the news... please point me to any news of violent protest or cinema hall burning by those protesting against the jab against hinduism.

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Asad Sultan

Jan 06, 2015 10:13am

the problem is that the pakistanis are watching this movie because they have been told that its a hinduism bashing movie but i think it has questioned every person who belives in God so dont be so biased it included every religion not just hinduism and moreover its a 50% inspiration of OMG which in my opinion is more of a movie than pk

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Garib manus

Jan 06, 2015 10:19am

Had PK directed its jabs and smart talk towards Islam instead of Hinduism, would the Pakistani audience have watched it--well, would they even have allowed its screening?

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anil kumar rathore

Jan 06, 2015 10:55am

@Asad Sultan OMG was more of movie compared to PK ..i agree.

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Fahad

Jan 06, 2015 11:20am

@Shahryar Shirazi It wasn't only a jab at Hinduism. It was a jab at all religious elements that promote rituals and self-important religious people over spirituality. Islam has that too. Think Iqbal vs. the mullahs.

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indian

Jan 06, 2015 11:50am

Pakistanis sees Indian movies star plus eat indian tamatoes .God bless India .we have won in culture invasion

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ProudtobeanINDIAN

Jan 06, 2015 12:04pm

@Shahryar Shirazi Such films can only be made in India as we have a tolerant society practicing a tolerant religion called Hinduism... We have survived Mughal rule of 1200 years... Yes this film shows lot of things which other religion people can laugh at because it is directed by a Hindu and he is eligible for doing the same. He is scared of criticizing other religions much as he wont be able to release the film... The film looks funny for you as it is making fun of other religion... there are lot of things you can relate to your religion which the director conveyed the message using Hindu religion.. But movie conveys a positive message by using Hindu religion... As per my opinion Oh my God is a better movie than this...

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Naqibullah irfan

Jan 06, 2015 12:08pm

hey the best movie

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norton

Jan 06, 2015 12:11pm

What if the alien (Aamirkhan) in this movie landed few kilometers to west side of India across the border? How would he have interacted with the society with the religious leaders and come up same rational questions ? Keeps me wondering ! In person, I liked Oh My God more than this film PK.

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mdsr

Jan 06, 2015 12:41pm

i must say its an excellent movie. Amir Khan is a real genius.

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Manish

Jan 06, 2015 12:56pm

PK criticizing the thing which should be criticized. Question is why Hinduism only. And the answer is because it is made in a hindu nation.

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Vishnu

Jan 06, 2015 01:08pm

OMG!

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the eddy

Jan 06, 2015 01:17pm

@papajohnes But it seems you do not read them properly .....Half knowledge is more dangerous than No knowledge

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the eddy

Jan 06, 2015 01:20pm

@Manish Yes You are Right but partially.......Hindu-dominated ,not Hindu

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Qasim

Jan 06, 2015 01:39pm

Forget about India Pakistan rivalry or romance between their nationals. That is not the films message. Priests, mullahs, pirs, faqirs, padrees, khanqah-walas and alike have turned religion into a big booming business. They prey on illiterates as well as educated class' superstitions making them believe that they represent the "fast track" link between human and God. We need more films like PK especially in Pakistan, to expose these chameleons and their vested interests.

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Evil Terminator

Jan 06, 2015 01:51pm

There are some people in India who are not happy with the way religious people were depicted in this movie. Maybe they don't know we here in Pakistan are also find a connect with the movie because the whole world knows how so called religious leader and banned outfits are using region to misguide and kill people in the name of Islam.

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Pakistani

Jan 06, 2015 04:48pm

Fabulous movie never seen such movie ever i have watched for 5 times and enjoyed the same.after this i am huge fan of Amir khan and his director ,and i think it should not be banned in india

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Asif

Jan 06, 2015 06:06pm

I thought the movie was ok. Some scenes were unrealistic. Songs were ok. Film tried to make fun of all religions showing the different way people pray to same God. Overall it was ok.

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Zeeshan

Jan 06, 2015 07:31pm

A thought provoking movie. It has criticism on religious extremism and obeying religious mamuz blindly without using mind. It also covers other social problems.

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Abbasi

Jan 07, 2015 09:00am

@Range Rover You don't need to wonder, just watch "Khuda Ke Liye" and "Bol"

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Ravi

Jan 07, 2015 09:13am

@Shahryar Shirazi It is not a jab at Hinduism . It is a jab at god men who pretend or fake to know Hinduism. The Pakistani element even though was unnecessary was added only to rake in some additional money from Pakistani movie goers . Raj kumar Hirani is a Sindhi and he will do anything for money .

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Tulsi

Jan 07, 2015 09:33am

PK: Pure entertainment with a strong message. Enjoyed it.

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MKB

Jan 07, 2015 09:34am

PK is one of most misdirected flim of Hirani. After 3 Idiot, Muna Bhai MBBS etc. we aspect better picture from Hirani. He his failed to project all religious prejudice, both in Hinduism and Islam miserably. O MY God (OMG) was much much better picture in this subject. PK has earn popularity and money, because- 1. Aamir Khan a muslim 2. It had projected Hinduism in more bad light 3. A hindu girl marry a Pakistani Muslim. I have advise many people not to waste money on PK rather they can see OMG has much they want.

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Petrick

Jan 07, 2015 09:41am

When you Indian will stop copying Hollywood!

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Pramod

Jan 07, 2015 10:09am

Now remember why Ranjhan was banned in Pakistan.

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Siddharth Singh

Jan 07, 2015 10:18am

@ProudtobeanINDIAN just telling you mughal era was only for 200 years

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sswahir

Jan 07, 2015 10:37am

Yes saw the movie ,fabulous entertainment.Also an eye opener while following newly induced , preached rituals.Hinduism is a ritualistic based religion and many ill practices do creep in.Such a movie stirs up the thinking and forces to have a relook at the rituals ,superstitions we may follow.Such movies are necessary to clear the thoughts and to keep the traders of religion at bay.Only point missed was that such practices in other religions were not fully exposed ,and hence parts of our society were left out.

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Kaly

Jan 07, 2015 10:46am

Although this is good moive....'oh my God' is a better one. By the way we Hindus don't cry....can you make similar one in your faith in Pakistan....ha....you can never do so....

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saz

Jan 07, 2015 10:53am

Intellect and divine religions including Islam: If people collect that much money and spend it to built schools or universities then perhaps many communities could get benefit. Why we need a movie to think? Pondering and questioning ones (own's) believes and analyzing them in the light of intellect should be part and parcel of religion. In fact intellect (wisdom) and it's use is the only sign that differentiates humans from animals and make them superior than all other creations.

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Akbaruddin

Jan 07, 2015 10:57am

OMG was much much better film. Paresh Rawal being being as big a star comapred to Aamir Khan acted much much better in it. OMG was for class, PK for mass.

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ProudtobeanINDIAN

Jan 07, 2015 11:35am

@Siddharth Singh Accepted !!

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Krsna

Jan 07, 2015 11:59am

@Qasim: As much as we desire it to end, the trade of religion is a ever-blooming business. Like they said it in the earlier movie OMG, people wont change because they are essentially God fearing, not God loving !

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AMRUT

Jan 07, 2015 12:13pm

@Garib manus Tolerance is the name. Listen to all contra views and take your decision. Every religion has some stupid practices in some form or the other started by vested interests and followed by people who cannot think rationally. These films shall be eye opener so that such unwanted practices be stopped.But alas. When Kamal Hasan's Vishwaroopam was screened last year, there was an uproar from splinter Muslim groups in Tamil Nadu (One of the states in India) and the movie was stopped for several weeks. Ultimately kamal Hasan had to delete the so called "objectionable scene" ,and apologise to the senseless groups which had taken the law into their hands so that the screening can continue.

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sap

Jan 07, 2015 12:18pm

How strange !!! ... :D First... How funny ,once Pakistan film board banned " Raanjhanaa "(2013)movie of inter religious love story..!!(should not be banned ...was nicer than movie called PK) But " PK is Thriving" since there is a relation between actress playing role of an "Indian girl" in love with an actor playing "pakistani Man character" Where ,other side considering the indian constitution's secular fabric there is not any problem releasing this movie in India. Interesting fact is that Pakistan authority is asking world bank ,various forms of assistance for the construction of public service infrastructure . No one understands and went to watch movie , Indian actors and film production house are very intelligent, Such small comments made by any stupid actor /writer doesnt mae any significant difference to hindu community eventually Aamir 's root might be hindu . Apparently it is a business and they ll pay tax to india. It is a direct investment of Indian business process in Pakistan.And Process is such which has a dead end -doesn't help pakistani economy much. How funny Pakistan viewers get fantasized to watch indian movies -actor india,actress indian,producers indian, in fact indian business and they ll see such movies and help indian film industries financially . How good, instead of wasting money firing bullets on border, india should invest in such business where pakistan can invest direct and indirect which can help indian industries ,Apparently ,they will ask for an assistance to world bank or wherever who cares..!! Continue making such movies .As far as the religious angle is concerned the one who are actively or passively involved in hurting any group will definitely get fruit of their karma.

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Agrippa - The Skeptic

Jan 07, 2015 12:48pm

@the eddy "@Manish Yes You are Right but partially.......Hindu-dominated ,not Hindu". ... you certainly mean Hindu majority and not Hindu dominated, because if it were Hindu dominated, "the eddies" of this world wouldn't have any say - right?

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Agrippa - The Skeptic

Jan 07, 2015 12:51pm

@Qasim "Forget about India Pakistan rivalry or romance between their nationals. That is not the films message. Priests, mullahs, pirs, faqirs, padrees, khanqah-walas and alike have turned religion into a big booming business. They prey on illiterates as well as educated class' superstitions making them believe that they represent the "fast track" link between human and God. We need more films like PK especially in Pakistan, to expose these chameleons and their vested interests." You hit the nail on the head. Shall we try a new film in Pakistan - albeit with a slight change? The message carrying religion be Islam - what do you say to it?

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Agrippa - The Skeptic

Jan 07, 2015 01:01pm

@Petrick "When you Indian will stop copying Hollywood!" When people will stop watching them. If they won't make money from copies, they will not make them. For you - don't like 'em? Don't watch 'em.

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Agrippa - The Skeptic

Jan 07, 2015 01:08pm

@Siddharth Singh "@ProudtobeanINDIAN just telling you mughal era was only for 200 years" ... and they enjoyed Hinduism and Hindu bashing even more! Are you trying to say one should live in awe of the history and not enjoy any positive moments in the current life form because 200 hundred years ago the forefathers had a bad time? Do not forget the history, learn from the mistakes but for heaven's (whichever be your heaven) sake, do not dwell in it.

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Agrippa - The Skeptic

Jan 07, 2015 01:24pm

@PUNE-INDIA "Bollywood movies are not running so much successful in Southern India and in NE India as they are in other parts of India...if it had so then today's such movie's business would have been reached to INR 600 Crore ($ 100 Million")" Thank you for the information. And, your contribution to the topic under discussion in this forum is?

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Enen

Jan 07, 2015 01:25pm

@norton PK 2 is in offing.

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sajjad khattak

Jan 07, 2015 01:41pm

First of all yes it is a good movie, light with a positive impact. Second agreed it is a message to all self proclaimed God men of all religions, they seem to either believe that they represent God or are running fraudulent businesses. It should be thought provoking for their followers. All mighty Allah doesn't need interpretation from anyone and is for all of us. What he asked us to do was learn, which we should instead of following the God men. Secondly Khuda key liye had a component of misleading God men, although in a more serious tone, so Pakistanis do make such movies.

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Ashal Khan

Jan 07, 2015 02:08pm

@Kaly, there are many dramas and movies but from top of my head please watch 'Bol' movies....

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pravin

Jan 07, 2015 02:20pm

Yes this movie criticize much hindu religion because it is from india and we can not criticize our minority though every religion has same but in different ways.

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Another Pakistani

Jan 07, 2015 02:25pm

@Range Rover The duo (R. Hirani and V.V. Chopra) has inspired many, and Pakistanis are no exception. I am sure one day Pakistanis will also inspire. Lets make peace :)

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Zak

Jan 07, 2015 05:23pm

@indian a pathetic poor mind, more worried about who watches, which movie. Pakistanis watch, Hollywood movies more, indians watch pakistani dramas, read pakistani newspapers like this one. We pakistanis are admired by all, even the enemies.

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Babar

Jan 07, 2015 08:12pm

@Akram And after Lal masjid brigade has seen the movie ,arrest them and put them behind bars to be handled by the military court for terrorism.

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BlackHat

Jan 07, 2015 11:43pm

@Zak: You are not our enemy neither are we yours. Though our government think so.

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M.AJMAL

Jan 07, 2015 11:56pm

great man great idea , i love it .

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Neon

Jan 08, 2015 06:54am

I am sure that this might not be posted, just in case .. How many of you readers think that majority in Pakistan watched this movie because of the Pakistani angle and all of them actually think that PK stands for PaKistan (lol) - click Recommend :p

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ProudtobeanINDIAN

Jan 08, 2015 10:59am

The plot or message of the movie is like using the Alien they say there should not be any religion... The Alien takes examples and shows that to the guru in the movie... But the plot of the movie fails where the Alien says in the climax interview scene like Muslims wont cheat . There by Alien promoting a religion and making fun of another religion where as the so called whole concept of movie is there should not be any religion... that is a double standard used by director and actor...

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AdamK

Jan 08, 2015 11:16am

@Zak Great! So enemies read your newspapers? Your definition of what an enemy is, please?

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Ravi

Jan 09, 2015 12:58am

@PUNE-INDIA "Bollywood movies are not running so much successful in Southern India" - nothing bad about a hindi movie not running in SI. India is a multi-linguistic multi-ethnic multi-identity country that shares single-nationality. different linguistic-groups have their own movie-industry own newspapers etc. Also many popular movies from south moves to north, even hi-tech techniquqes were first introduced in south and goes to north industry (animations, Ilayarajah/AR modern+classical music etc, Prabhudeva dance etc).

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P Setra

Jan 09, 2015 02:38am

@Sahil In other words tolerant, in a lot of ways.

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P Setra

Jan 09, 2015 02:40am

@PUNE-INDIA It should have been made in southern languages also.

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Ravi

Jan 10, 2015 12:50am

I have VPN connection with my Hindu god so no movie deters my belief, in order to eat nut you should ignore outer shell hahaha...

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Arun

Jan 12, 2015 12:39pm

@Abdul Kadir Some body says PK criticizes 'Hinduism,' some one opines praises Pakistan. OK, all right! Agreed. Watch closely, get whatever message you want to have. Myself an Hindu Indian loves Pakistan, Pakistani, Islam.....! Malik ne har insan ko insan banaya, Hamne use Hindu ya Musalman banaya; Kudrat ne to bakhshi thee hame ek hi dharti Hamne kahin Bharat kahin Iran banaya! (Rafi in Dhool ka Phool)

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Arun

Jan 12, 2015 12:48pm

Some body says PK criticizes 'Hinduism,' some one opines praises Pakistan. OK, all right! Agreed. Watch closely, get whatever message you want to have. Myself an Hindu Indian loves Pakistan, Pakistani, Islam.....! Malik ne har insan ko insan banaya, Hamne use Hindu ya Musalman banaya; Kudrat ne to bakhshi thee hame ek hi dharti Hamne kahin Bharat kahin Iran banaya! (Rafi in Dhool ka Phool)

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