Saif Ali Khan's film Phantom is about the Mumbai attacks. How will it fare?
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Even though director Kabir Khan's Salman Khan starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan was an optimistic take on India-Pakistan relations, it still managed to ruffle a few feathers what with its music controversy and speculation about whether it would be released in Pakistan.
Will Kabir Khan's next venture, Phantom fare better — or worse?
Based on the novel ‘Mumbai Avengers’ by S. Hussain Zaidi, the film revolves around the tragic November 26 Mumbai attacks at the Taj Hotel, which killed at least 166 people.
Starring Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif, Phantom has started getting attention for its controversial subject matter. To lend it a plausible edge, the trailer shows glimpses of real speeches by Hafiz Saeed of Jamatud Dawa who is alleged to be involved in the attacks.
Earlier, Kabir Khan had stressed that Phantom was 'anti-terrorism' not 'anti-Pakistan.' In what could be an attempt to de-escalate matters further, Saif Ali Khan, the man leading the operation against the accused, is shown as being Muslim. This isn’t the first time that Saif is playing such a role as he was previously seen as Agent Vinod in an espionage film Agent Vinod .
The film comes out during turbulent times as pressure to hand over Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, one of the alleged perpetrators of the attack, to India or the International Criminal Court is building up on the present government.
Phantom is slated to release on August 28. We wonder if we'll get to see it in Pakistan!
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (60) Closed
Jul 28, 2015 01:31pm
Its better if its not released in Pakistan!!
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Jul 28, 2015 01:35pm
It will do well in India if it is made well. If it digresses into jingoism of the Sunny Deol variety, movie goers will give it a "meh". Audiences want to see gripping cinema. They will not shell out money for a movie just because it taps into anger over 26/11.
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Jul 28, 2015 01:37pm
There is nothing controversial about the subject matter just like Zero Dark Thirty.
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Jul 28, 2015 01:44pm
All movie lovers will enjoy the film in pakistan
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Jul 28, 2015 01:46pm
if people can watch WAR movie then why can't watch PHANTOM movie
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Jul 28, 2015 02:03pm
@sandeep :
WAR was for Pakistan,
Phantom is against Pakistan
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Jul 28, 2015 02:18pm
if its showing clips of people in Pakistan. It should be allowed in Pakistan. How can they make a film on 26/11 not an anti Pakistan?
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Jul 28, 2015 02:51pm
@John Doe movie director quoted in ndtv interview that movie is not anti Pakistan but it is anti terrorism movie
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Jul 28, 2015 02:54pm
India has history of producing propaganda movies against Pakistan. However Bollywood has lost its popularity and charm. Pakistan is producing much better movies in quality & standard now. Indians are so Obssessed with Pakistan's WAAR movie that they have produced PHANtom.
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Jul 28, 2015 02:58pm
No issues at all. I am sure Pakistani film industry would love making an anti-India film !
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Jul 28, 2015 03:03pm
@Farrukh Still Bollywood is way above from Pakistani films.
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Jul 28, 2015 03:23pm
Failed miserably on Diplomatic front against Hafiz Saeed, Let's make some money out of what we fantasize !
Good going Indians :D
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Jul 28, 2015 03:27pm
There is no problem if Pakistan makes anti-India film as we also have been doing same for ages.....the problem comes when these movies shows anti-hindu feeling.....
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Jul 28, 2015 03:29pm
Bollywood's famous for its item numbers, not for telling thought provoking stories based on real life.
Their research covering a real event is primarily about what will make money as opposed to what actually transpired.
The line at the end of the trailer about US getting Osama from inside Pakistan followed by text 'a story you wish we're true' sums it all.
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Jul 28, 2015 03:31pm
@Farrukh so one Pakistani film you think has inspired Bollywood which produces hundreds of such films every year?
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Jul 28, 2015 03:35pm
@Farrukh :
I some time wonder how people in Pakistan openly criticize Bollywood and same people watch same films in their homes.
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Jul 28, 2015 03:36pm
I never understand when the director says that this movie is against terrorism not Pakistan. When the actors are repetitively saying Pakistan. And saying I quote " andar ghuss kay marany gay ".
Well they are seriously mistaken, and I hope the Pakistan government bans this movie.
And one more thing India doesn't have balls to enter into Pakistan, so by making such movies they satisfy themselves. Feel sorry for them.
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Jul 28, 2015 03:44pm
@Farrukh If argument is true then the Language of movie should not be Hindi rather it should be in English like Waar.
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Jul 28, 2015 03:46pm
NO! Another Indian fantasy movie, otherwise I always enjoy watching such action movie with some history in it. WAAR was exaggerated, but it was at least based on true events, PHANTOM is purely based on Indian fantasy.
Indian movie makers should make movies on topic which are at least slightly close to an event which almost happened! Or at least someone from Indian tried to do it. Bogus!...
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Jul 28, 2015 03:46pm
Sir
The Mumbai film industry lacks originality. Either the entire Bollywood is infested with anti Pakistan mentality subjects as it is spread over by the respective Hindu extremists in their society or the Bollywood makes copycats version of Hollywood movies!!!!
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Jul 28, 2015 03:47pm
Kabir khan seems to want to make money out of Indo Pak relations. At one end Bajringi Bhaijan with a theme of friendship and what not. On the other hand Ek Tha Tiger where both are neutral and now this film that looks utterly crap and total propaganda. Indians should also stop trying to mimic Americans with dialogues such as if america can then why cant we. I say try and then you will know. Start dialogue and give peace a chance.
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Jul 28, 2015 03:48pm
It seems the Khans and the not-so-Khan Muslims of the Indian film industry feel that they need to show they are more loyal then the king. Are they under some undue pressure to do so to please the "public conscience" (read extremist Hindutvas)?
One should question their source of funding to determine who is behind such propaganda films.
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Jul 28, 2015 03:54pm
Films are for enjoying entertainment at ease, not for increasing already burgeoning tensions, blood-pressure and related ailments.
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Jul 28, 2015 04:15pm
@Farrukh ...we never hear of Pakistani movies or music in India. On the other hand both movies and music from Bollywood are a big hit in all cities of Pakistan.
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Jul 28, 2015 04:15pm
waiting to watch phantom
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Jul 28, 2015 04:24pm
History has shown that anti Pakistan movie has never been successful.
So plz stop spreading hatred and grow up, it is not worth it.
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Jul 28, 2015 04:47pm
@Sabir Ayub Rabbani You are right India can not enter Pakistan. India has 200 million Muslims and some have more loyalty to Pakistan and conspire with Pakistan to create violence. Yes it is easy for Pakistan to infiltrate India then India in Pakistan where there no minorities left.
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Jul 28, 2015 04:47pm
@Sunil Varma : Yes you are yourself telling us about the hatred and prejudice you guys have against both Pakistanis, as well as, Muslims. Slip off the tongue ?
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Jul 28, 2015 06:49pm
@Ahmed Ali The Writer, Director and main Actor of this movie are all Muslims
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Jul 28, 2015 07:09pm
This film is clearly an anti Pakistan film snd should be bannd in Pakistan. If I get a chance , I will ban all Indian movies in Pakistan.
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Jul 28, 2015 07:15pm
@raj India is no issue in Pakistan , only Indian politicians and Bollywood is crazy about Pakistan .
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Jul 28, 2015 07:24pm
@Sabir Ayub Rabbani
"And one more thing India doesn't have balls to enter into Pakistan, so by making such movies they satisfy themselves. Feel sorry for them."
Remember 1971-72 ?
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Jul 28, 2015 07:27pm
@sandeep
Most stories are stolen from Hollywood, dances from MTV and VH1 and music from Pakistan. I don't watch Bollywood movies, have not in the past 15 years. The quality is not there.
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Jul 28, 2015 07:29pm
Another attempt at bringing peace... sarcasm
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Jul 28, 2015 08:06pm
it is going to be a cheaper version of a hollywood movie, with a baseless story pumping false sense of pride in ordinary indians
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Jul 28, 2015 08:18pm
The Mumbai indecent is reaching its logical conclusion, ending back in the drama house where it began.
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Jul 28, 2015 09:04pm
@Sunil Varma You know nothing about real Pakistan and Pakistani's stop reading certain news about Pakistan and making silly assumptions.
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Jul 28, 2015 09:55pm
@Gai Mutra Without watching 'bollywood films' from the last 15 years how did you got enlightened that all movies are copied?
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Jul 28, 2015 09:56pm
Listen people,
We have a lot of hypocracy on both sides.
So relax. If you are offended don't watch or discuss. If you want to see a film, go ahead and enjoy.
Leave the bickering to habitual bickers. Life's too short. But bickering goes on endlessly without
any positive energy input to live happily and gratefully wherever you are.
Thanks for listening.
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Jul 28, 2015 10:50pm
Bajrangi BhaiJaan was good but this one is again a typical anti-Pakistan movie and it should never be allowed to be screened in Pakistan.
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Jul 28, 2015 11:54pm
Movies like Yalghaar should learn how promos are made. Film is a huge narrative for any nation's commentary on its most important events to create propaganda or awareness. Unfortunately our only narrative is the media which has its own short comings and the films that are being made are too weak in stature to form opinions or remove bias. Strong and competent story tellers like Kabir Khan are required who can tell both sides of a story with complete justice. Bajrangi Bhaijan and Phantom for any director would be a Bipolar disorder...let's see how he delivers this time
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Jul 29, 2015 12:14am
I like how Bajrangi Bhaijan made everyone smile across borders. I hope this one does it too.
A Pakistani fan of Bollywood
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Jul 29, 2015 12:38am
Mumbai attack was an inside job.
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Jul 29, 2015 01:35am
Any film showing Pakistan as terrorist state should not be allowed to be released in Pakistan even some dialogs are removed. If India does not allow any Pakistani film in India why Pakistan. Pakistan does not allow any anti India movie but our censor board allow anti Pakistan movies to release in Pakistan. Why?
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Jul 29, 2015 01:47am
Meh, I will pass. Not interested in Anti Pakistan rhetoric.
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Jul 29, 2015 02:18am
I am more upset why Saif Ali Khan still making movies?
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Jul 29, 2015 02:18am
@Striver :One should question their source of funding to determine who is behind such propaganda films.
Amongst others your countrymen and perhaps you when you buy the tickets (if you do) to watch the films.
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Jul 29, 2015 02:23am
Making controversial movies get them free publicity. That's all what the producers are looking for.
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Jul 29, 2015 02:36am
@Gai Mutra and how do you know quality is not there? Learn to speak truth.....
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Jul 29, 2015 03:31am
its not necessary to see Bollywood movie in Pakistan, in the name of culture Indian propaganda try to instill their point of view on Pakistani viewers. Pakistan's industry is reviving and producing much better content than Bollywood now a days.
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Jul 29, 2015 03:50am
@sandeep ... same reason people in India didn't enjoy War movie.
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Jul 29, 2015 05:22am
Another propaganda garbage....
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Jul 29, 2015 05:54am
@Bashar
Really?
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Jul 29, 2015 10:11am
@citizen Stop living in past, talk about present.
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Jul 29, 2015 11:34am
@Bharat we don't! I think bollywood films are crass and tasteless.
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Jul 29, 2015 11:41am
Will Pakistan allow this movie to showcase in their country?
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Jul 29, 2015 03:02pm
@Mustafa We already made a movie on real event. Border.
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Jul 29, 2015 03:55pm
@Asif Rehmani what better content, cousins marriage?
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Jul 30, 2015 01:56am
@Bharat, lolz.... Nope, we don't waste precious hours watching indi movies rather watch hollywood.
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Jul 30, 2015 02:49pm
I doubt it will be released in Pakistan. Funnily enough, if that happens then it is the second movie of Saif Khan that will be banned. Although I think it should be allowed to release in Pakistan. It's a touchy subject for sure but let the viewers decide it.
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