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Cinema owners deny lifting ban on Bollywood films

Cinema owners deny lifting ban on Bollywood films

However, Fawad Khan-starrer Ae Dil Hai Mushkil might still be released in Pakistan
Updated 25 Oct, 2016

Contrary to some reports, the ban on Bollywood films will not be lifted as of now, states Chairman of the Film Exhibitor Association Zoraiz Lashari.

Speaking to Images on the ban lift Lashari said, "I have never said any such thing, I am not holding any press conference.

"At the moment all we’re saying is that Fawad Khan is appearing in a Bollywood film [ADHM] and none of the scenes have been cut from his film, and we’re extremely happy – it’s a good gesture from the Indian side."

Also read: Banning Indian films in Pakistan will only bolster piracy, say local cinema owners

He added that at the moment they’re still waiting to see how things turn out, however, there will be "no press conference about the ban being lifted, and we hope the media plays a positive role in making things normal."

In regards to Fawad’s film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Lashari said, "There is a possibility [of it screening] since the government has issued ADHM and Shivay the NoC."

Nadeem Mandviwalla owner of Atrium cinema, Karachi and Centaurus cinema, Islamabad said he could not comment on the matter.

While Mohsin Yaseen of Cinepax said that such a decision has not yet come to his knowledge: "Officially there has been no announcement to us from the association but we will meet in a couple of days."

As far as the screening of ADHM is concerned, he said the association will meet and decide in a few days. "We’re happy that ADHM is releasing in India with Fawad Khan in the film," he said.

Khorem Gultasab of Supercinemas, like Mohsin Yaseen, denied news of the ban being lifted. "No, I have no idea. There’s no news about this. If any such decision does take place the Chairman of Film Exhibitor Association will release an official statement saying so," he said.

Jamil Baig of Neuplex said that there has been no decision thus far. On the release of ADHM, he said, "We've heard it's releasing in India but it hasn't been decided whether it will be screened here."

IMGC Media and Marketing Manager Sabina Islam told Images that the ban has been lifted but only on one Bollywood film. "So far, we're waiting to find out which film the ban has been lifted for. Of course all films that are submitted will be played, but our agenda is to push the film in which Fawad Khan has been cast."

"Till then we're going to wait. However, it needs to be understood that things have escalated so much between both sides that we have to be very careful," she added.

Although cinema owners have all denied the ban being lifted, they admitted that banning Bollywood films in Pakistan will only hurt them. "It will hurt them, it will hurt us. It will hurt legitimate business stake holders. The winner is the pirate," Mandviwalla had said in an earlier interview.

Comments

Harsh Oct 25, 2016 01:43pm
Pakistanis should stick to their stand and not screen Hindi movies. Let them walk the talk.
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Gajender Singh Oct 25, 2016 01:59pm
make ur own movies....no need lift ban
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Zak Oct 25, 2016 01:59pm
Sad that we are even discussing about bollywood , it should be completely banned and no further questions or discussions about it, we should encourage and screen more hollywood,chinese, iranian,korean and european cinemas.
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Muhammad Qasim Oct 25, 2016 02:05pm
ban should be lifted for film ADHM and other Indian movies.
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Avinash Oct 25, 2016 02:50pm
Make your own movies and watch it. No need to show your great gesture for Bollywood.
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wellwisher Oct 25, 2016 02:53pm
the winner will be ---PIRATES
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miristan Oct 25, 2016 03:07pm
No to Indian moves. Period
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Awesome Lyrics Oct 25, 2016 03:24pm
@Zak Agree with you those are close to our culture and ideas, we are one with them
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Maryam Oct 25, 2016 03:53pm
The ban should be lifted for all Indian movies casting Pakistani artists. Whilst I am not anti India, but recent policies of current govt. merit a boycott. There is nothing that is gained from such hatred at either front. Common people cannot estimate those who have vested interests. Sorry state of affairs on both side.
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M. ASIF Oct 25, 2016 03:59pm
India has banned pak actors, singers and artists and tv dramas.our exhibitors want we should the ban on indian films. Indian producers have agreed to ban our artists, singers and technicians in their films. Why, pirates, only one reason. Have we not spending huge sums on import of indian moves, what about our patriotism. ? Ban must remain let indians feel the loss and its impact.
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Changez Khan Oct 25, 2016 04:06pm
The Indian movies have no business in Pakistan. The ban must stay forever.
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xyz -indian Oct 25, 2016 04:11pm
@Zak :- If Indian films dont bother you, why you are so worried, you see English films , oh sorry you like Chinees /Iranian etc. MNS in India was shorted out by Indian Army not by you, who refused to take funds collected by MNS. Have patience during crisis, you are counter of Mr Arnab Gowswami of India.
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Naeem Ur Rahman Oct 25, 2016 04:30pm
It is their business how can you stop their earnings. Apart from government, people want to watch Indian films you can't stop them. Recent Aamir khan movie trailer is trending in top 5 in YouTube Pakistan.
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MP Singh Oct 25, 2016 04:47pm
There are no takers of the Pakistani movies. Bollywood movies are the lifeline of Pakistani theatres.
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nac Paris Oct 25, 2016 05:17pm
Their licenses should be cancelled
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Ur neighbour Oct 25, 2016 05:43pm
@Zak Sad that we are even discussing about bollywood , it should be completely banned and no further questions or discussions about it, we should encourage and screen more hollywood,chinese, iranian,korean and european cinemas. Wow... do you understand Korean, Chineese, French, Spanish, Russian, Portugese, German and all other european languages
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Superstar Oct 25, 2016 06:08pm
@miristan totally agree..
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Bhavin Oct 25, 2016 06:09pm
@Zak Do you know any of these lauange except English?
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Khan USA Oct 25, 2016 06:28pm
Complete and total ban !
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Zak Oct 25, 2016 06:30pm
@Ur neighbour I read subtitles in English ,
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karmveer singh Oct 25, 2016 06:32pm
Thank you for Banning Bollywood Movie.
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Chaitanya Oct 25, 2016 06:45pm
Show some self respect.
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Unique_Indian Oct 25, 2016 07:09pm
@Zak There is a reason they are talking about Bollywood. We both India and Pakistan share almost the same culture which is why we both are in this tangle together. Iran, US, Turkey and other countries do not share the same culture as India and Pakistan does. After all we were one few decades ago. Do not drag religion into it now. I am a Muslim too.
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MJ Khan Oct 25, 2016 07:52pm
Screen every Lolly, Bolly & Holly wood movies and let public decide what they wanna watch.
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sanober haider Oct 25, 2016 08:18pm
@Zak I second this we should have some sense of pride in our country and self. pak can bring movies from iran, Hollywood and European films which are million times better than Indian films. I live in America never want waste my time and money on mindless pics. Actually all Pak films have shown much maturity that we should promote our own filmdom
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Anir Oct 25, 2016 08:19pm
Forget everything and one should go and enjoy the movie. Life will always have its share of tension. Sometimes need to forget all these and live in another world. That helps everyone.
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Haris Oct 25, 2016 08:29pm
They need Indian films for the cinama to survive. Frankly speaking ADHM trailers and song are so much more better then anything that is coming from Pakistan. Honestly Pakistan is just making below average knockoff of Indian style of film making... Unfortunately India does have much more better grasp on good Cinema, Not all but the ones that do they are fantastic!
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Sal Oct 25, 2016 08:39pm
@Ur neighbour.... there is something called 'dubbing'. Just like you dub your Tamil movies into Hindi.
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AL Oct 25, 2016 09:27pm
I think ban should not be lift....it must stay forever...
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Ali (Proud Indian) Oct 25, 2016 09:48pm
What is the need for anybody to ban anything in this case?? Let the films release and see if the public go and watch them - hopefully, the patriots amongst us - on both sides - will boycott the movies, resulting in poor takings and purely from a business point of view, cinemas will reduce, and ultimately stop, screening them ... And if that does not happen? Well, then we know what the majority of the public want, don't we ... and their will must prevail !!
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Abhishek singh Oct 25, 2016 10:43pm
Stop banning things and artists. And behave like humans
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Nitin Oct 26, 2016 12:52am
Do not lift the ban, be creative your self and make your own movies, Pakistan does not even contribute 1% towards bollywood , My city has more screens than entier pakistan. So go ahead Ban wont affect India, just go on do your thing.
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Payal Queshi Oct 26, 2016 12:54am
@Avinash absolutely!
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Payal Queshi Oct 26, 2016 12:58am
@M. ASIF hardly matter to India on ban Indian content. Bollywood industry is widespread all over the world. Even film producer Mukesh Bhatt mentioned India will not dent loss if Pakistan ban our content.
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anony Oct 26, 2016 02:38am
This ban should be in place permanently please. Our society has been ruined by watching these vulgar indian movies/dramas.
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SS Oct 26, 2016 04:00am
@miristan Hmmmm such a chorus on banning bollywood movies in pakistan......i wonder if they live in pakistan or live abroad watch bollywood movies and call for banning them in pakistan. Two wrongs don't make one right. Grow up..don't stoop to others' low levels. You have to maintain ur standards.
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Syed Ahmed, Canada Oct 26, 2016 06:00am
Why insist to watch trash.
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PPP Oct 26, 2016 06:46am
@Zak I am amused at your thought do you also like to consider eat Japanese or Korean food instead of Indian subcontinent also. Our thinking pattern is same that's the main point .
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vish1 Oct 26, 2016 07:28am
@Sal ! And, most likely the dubbing will be done in Hindi at some Bollywood studio!
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Sanjeev Oct 26, 2016 07:31am
@Zak ha ha. How many languages you understand?
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Sanjeev Oct 26, 2016 07:33am
@sanober haider why do you live in America?
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KB Oct 26, 2016 08:07am
Pakistan should produce its own movies and stop relying and always talking about Bollywood and its celebrities. Nobody is stopping Pakistan to come up with the quality of talent it has. Rest all goes on auto, good work is always appreciated everywhere.
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Jawad Oct 26, 2016 09:08am
The cinema owners have been fleecing public and getting rich at their expense. It is time they should also give something back to the country. Cinema owners should start funding films in Pakistan. Our film stars are talented enough that they are in demand internationally, all they need is someone to pay for the film projects. Cinema owners should stop whining about the losses due to ban on Indian films and start investing in local talent. It will be win win situation for all the parties.
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Azmi Oct 26, 2016 09:16am
Lift the ban on screening Indian movies in Pakistan. Pirated DVDs, movies on internet are easily available so, there is no point to ban the movies on big screens.
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Parmesh Marker Oct 26, 2016 11:56am
Cinemas cannot survive without bollywood films, when ADHM is releasing in India why are we not taking step to release ADHM in Pakistan? I request Nadeem Mandviwalla Sb, Mohsin Yaseen Sb and Jamil Baig Sb to take initiative on immediate basis to release bollywood films in Pakistani Cinemas.
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Just Human Oct 26, 2016 12:56pm
@Zak ,could you please say all this in any one of the languages you have mentioned.
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Ali (Proud Indian) Oct 26, 2016 07:07pm
Not only Fawad Khan ... movie also features Imran Abbas ... more reason for Pak to allow the release ...
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NARENDRA KUMAR Oct 27, 2016 06:47am
@sanober haider Never waste money or dont have the pocket to bear the extra cost, You ppl in America only want cheap and free foods and facility. You ppl watch every thing including pakistani movie if at all is screened in US by downloading and now trying to ride the boat of Patriotism
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Az Oct 27, 2016 07:55am
Keep Bollycrap movie ban
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Mrityunjay Tripathi Oct 27, 2016 10:46am
@Ali (Proud Indian) Well said. Let the movies be shown. If the patriots don't see it, the cinema owner will suffer and will stop screening Indian movies. If watching a movie makes one less patriotic then such patriotism is weak. Hollywood movies are seen all over the world. Has the whole world become a colony of USA?
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Kiran Oct 27, 2016 05:26pm
I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful. Good day. Action Movies
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