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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani cinemas are all set to screen Iranian films after a ban on Indian content in the country.
The move came in a bid to save the declining Pakistan film industry and restore its glory. The industry was previously functional with screening of Indian movies but after the imposition of the ban it is somewhat facing difficulties, IRNA reported.
Pakistan film distributors have initiated formal contacts in Iran and Turkey for the import of their movies.
Earlier Executive Director of Pakistan National Institute for Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) Fouzia Saeed talking to IRNA said that Iranian movies which are culturally very close to Pakistani society ought to be screened in Pakistani cinemas.
“Iranian movies are being appreciated globally and their screening in Pakistan must be encouraged,” she added.
Mohsin Yaseen, General Manager Marketing of Pakistan’s Cinepax Cinema, also told IRNA that they would love to experiment with Iranian movies as movies are the best way of cultural exchange.
“From your platform, we would like to request the culture department of Iranian consulate, if they can help us under the exchange of cultural programme and help us to reach producers of Iranian movies to release movies in Pakistan,” he said.
Published in Dawn November 12th, 2016
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Comments (93) Closed
Nov 12, 2016 08:09am
It's a very good move
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Nov 12, 2016 08:21am
While there is no harm in screening foreign movies, the degree of dependence on them needs to be minimized. Out film industry should use this opportunity to produce and distribute content that is of high quality and culturally relevant. If our viewers can spend money on Indian and Iranian movies, what is the reason they wouldn't spend it on our own content if it was of similar caliber.
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Nov 12, 2016 08:24am
Nice
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Nov 12, 2016 08:25am
Iranian films make sense. Bollywood is a circus.
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Nov 12, 2016 08:27am
Laughing as hell. Well you can't ignore some of the things.
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Nov 12, 2016 08:42am
Our theaters should run all movies from muslims countries like Iran, SA, Iraq, Indonesia, Syria, Yemen, etc
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Nov 12, 2016 08:46am
Also since China is our neighbor. And Chinese language and culture is getting very popular around world, we must encourage our population to also watch Chinese movies in Pakistan.
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Nov 12, 2016 08:47am
Good move.
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Nov 12, 2016 08:51am
We should screen Turkish movies too
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Nov 12, 2016 09:02am
Add Turkish (as they already said they will), Chinese (hong Kong, Taiwan included) and Egyptian. These are all at par with H'wood and in fact, quite a few French films are copied by H'wood directors and repackaged in English for a much greater market.
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Nov 12, 2016 09:08am
Great Decision !
A Separation, About Elly.. . Brilliant Iranian Movies !
Good Decision Along With English Or Urdu Subtitles But Don't Ever Try To Play Dubbed Movies Its a Waste Than.. .
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Nov 12, 2016 09:10am
Something we need to learn from. Good Job. Get away from Indian Movies better to Screen Chinese or Iranian Movies.
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Nov 12, 2016 09:14am
Welcome this move we should have done this long time ago their culture is more close to Pakistani culture
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Nov 12, 2016 09:15am
Iranian movies are very serious and art type! No one will spend hundreds of rupees to go to theater and watch those movies! Theaters are in big trouble!
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Nov 12, 2016 09:26am
Which means for the first time I'll be going to watch Movie along with my Family ...
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Nov 12, 2016 09:32am
Well done Pakistan....Have Serious entertainment....subtract music dance and laughter from your lives..time to further deep root our Islamic culture.
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Nov 12, 2016 09:47am
Please also screen turkish movies. Turkish dramas are liked in pakistan alot
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Nov 12, 2016 09:58am
How many people in Pakistan speak or understand Persian/Farsi or relate to Persian culture? Zero.
Rejecting all that is native and familiar for political reasons is absurd. Iranian cinema is too sophisticated for the common man in Pakistan who is used to watching Bollywood or Shaan movies.
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Nov 12, 2016 10:05am
Iranian movies participate in reputable international film festivals winning awards.Renowned Iranian film directors, Majidi, Farhadi, Kiarustami and Hatami have produced award wining movies that can be screened in Pakistan. Given the numerous cultural commonalities between Pakistan and Iran, the move can certainly further strengthen our cultural bonds leading to better understanding and cooperation in other areas of bilateral relations.
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Nov 12, 2016 10:12am
@ART KP this world is a circus itself.
:)
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Nov 12, 2016 10:24am
will they be subbed ?
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Nov 12, 2016 10:28am
Good good decision. Nice to see sensible and proactive thought process.
Will also help Pakistani movies to think out of the typical Indian/subcontinental 'masala' content incl. item numbers.
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Nov 12, 2016 10:31am
@Basit Ali Why only from Muslim countries? Is Pakistan not open to the world? There are some excellent French and British films, as well as movies from several other countries that would provide wonderful entertainment and be humorous and thought-provoking.
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Nov 12, 2016 10:31am
Hiw does Screening Iranian Films helps pakistani film industry? It helps only Pakistani talkies!
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Nov 12, 2016 10:47am
What a bunch of silliness. No one will watch this.
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Nov 12, 2016 10:50am
It is about time Iranian movies came to Pakistan. Iran, a great nation. Persians, beautiful people. Good honest well made movies. Will end the Bollywood monopoly.
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Nov 12, 2016 11:03am
@Basit Ali The only movies coming out of Syria and Yemen are real Horror war stories.
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Nov 12, 2016 11:05am
I find it hilarious that Pakistan's ahistorical narrative rejects indigenous cultures and identities and looks to import an identity based on Islam alone. Pakistan has nothing in common with Iran or Turkey except for religion, while it shares a common heritage, language and culture with India. When will this ignorance end?
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Nov 12, 2016 11:04am
Irani films not of that standard would lower down our views IQ learning mostly bida and sadism feeling pleasure in flowing out own blood before the audience ...all will become psycho...it is also a conspiracy for Iranian extension into our social fabric...
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Nov 12, 2016 11:05am
@Abbas Naqvi I have great respect for Iranian cinema.
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Nov 12, 2016 11:11am
A very nice move. Iranian or Turkish movies are very renown and it will be a good change as well. Since Indan movies are ban, also they are not producing any quality movies recently, it will be a better alternate. Waiting for this implementation
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Nov 12, 2016 11:13am
No one will spend money on these boring movies. Mark my words.
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Nov 12, 2016 11:36am
No film of any country can replace Indian films because it is made in Urdu language and its songs are also written in Urdu language and it is widely spoken in South Asia . if we import any Iranian or Turkish film then it would be dubbed in Urdu, dialogues can be dubbed in Urdu but what about the songs ? Can it give same charming as In Urdu ?
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Nov 12, 2016 12:01pm
@Nabeel There culture is more close to pakistani culture????? Go back few centuries to know which culture came from where.
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Nov 12, 2016 12:14pm
More chinese films as well please. Replace bollywood & hollywood with Turkish and Chinese films. Our true wellwishers.
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Nov 12, 2016 12:20pm
atleast a better idea than promoting foes
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Nov 12, 2016 12:58pm
Very good move to open Pakistanto world cinema. There are so many good movies made all around the globe.
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Nov 12, 2016 01:01pm
Movies from any country but never from India. Indian movies are vulgar.
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Nov 12, 2016 01:04pm
I think you won't regret this movie because Irani films are good. They have made all types of movies , comedy romantic and even action . All of the above it doesnt have any PG scenes in which parents any worry about or contain any music that religious person can care a out , it will generally attract all type of people .
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Nov 12, 2016 01:25pm
Chinese movie only and please no sub titles, this way all of Pakistan can learn Chinese, oriental and mandarin language. CPEC a game changer and Pakistan should be ready to welcome it's guests with a phrase in Chinese.
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Nov 12, 2016 01:36pm
Iranian movies are the best. I like to watch it with my family. Bycott Indian vulgar movies. Great move.
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Nov 12, 2016 01:36pm
In all seriousness I would recommend that Chinese movies and dramas should be imported and broadcast. China is our best friend and in all interest we should learn and adopt their language and culture.
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Nov 12, 2016 01:53pm
@Chris Roberts Pakistan already screen all western movies, only Indian movies are banned i guess may be for a limited period.
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Nov 12, 2016 02:11pm
I love Iranian movies, they don't have bayhoodapan and have very powerful scripts
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Nov 12, 2016 02:37pm
Yes great idea.
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Nov 12, 2016 02:56pm
The very best move.. Welcome
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Nov 12, 2016 02:56pm
It is very surprising that Pakistan which has more population than Iran and turkey combined is unable to make good films which people love and enjoy. Even though move sounds good it will not be successful.
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Nov 12, 2016 02:57pm
Iranian movies' content is a lot different of Indian or Pakistani movies. There is no music, dance or vulgarity as common in Bollywood movies which is popular in subcontinent.
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Nov 12, 2016 03:05pm
@Karim : I hope you are not serious......
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Nov 12, 2016 03:08pm
@Trollslayer I totally agree with you. 90% of us Pakistanis prefer Bollywood, best Pakistani drama content and above average lollywood content then this irani crap......
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Nov 12, 2016 03:16pm
Iranian films are very popular in middle east and iran, I am surprised pakistan being closest neighbor of Iran and having population in pakistan which speaks Iranian language does not screen Iranian films.
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Nov 12, 2016 03:40pm
@zaFAR IQBAL Correct basics 100% Bollywood movies are in Hindi and Not Urdu...
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Nov 12, 2016 03:42pm
Iran has a very dismal record on human rights. Please don't show their movies to Pakistani Public in Cinemas. Indian movies are better. We have the same language and we can understand each other much better. I have good Indian friends. We visit each Other and watch good family movies sometimes on weekends sitting together in a very friendly atmosphere.
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Nov 12, 2016 03:43pm
Bollywood, movies n now Iranian movies: I guess it's lessor of two evils...
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Nov 12, 2016 03:44pm
With tight and ridiculous censorship cinema cannot survive.
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Nov 12, 2016 03:47pm
It would be good thing to ask Chinese friends for their help. Their expertise would help with the Pak movie industry revival.
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Nov 12, 2016 03:52pm
Indian movies should be banned, I fully agree with this. All the other movies you can get to run the shows.
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Nov 12, 2016 03:55pm
South Korean movies may prove to be popular if dubbed in local languages.
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Nov 12, 2016 03:58pm
I have seen several Iranian films. They are professionally made, and have good entertainment value. They are far more realistic than Bollywood drama.
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Nov 12, 2016 03:56pm
@Karim Yes, because Indian cinema is known for actually being high quality and funny! /s
It's about time we had some quality Iranian films in Pakistan, they are superior to Indian films in every way.
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Nov 12, 2016 04:18pm
@kamal Pasha Well, you forget movies from 50's,60's,70's. Vulgarity is very subjective. Would you call " The Bandit Queen" vulgar ! Or how about "Gangs of Vasseypur"or Aligarh. I agree there are lot of masala flicks that are purely vulgar(housefull type), but then there are intense movies with mature subject like mentioned in the above 2 movies.
I suggest you watch both if you get a chance. Same goes for Iranian or for that matter lot of movies from around the world are made on mature subject.
Let's not categorize all hindi movies, there is a very powerful cinema that India possess with some brilliant actors- Irfaan,Nawazudin,Paresh Rawal,Nana Patekar,Manoj Bajpai,Ranbir Kapoor to name just a few.
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Nov 12, 2016 04:32pm
Long awaited move ! Pakistanis in general have no idea about the Iranian film industry which has great value in the international world. Iranian movies are realistic and much closer to Pakistani way of thinking. keenly Looking forward.
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Nov 12, 2016 04:38pm
Each day of the can be dedicated to each country language movie.
Monday -chinese, tuesday-iranian,wednesday-german
thursday-french, friday-turkish, saturday-russian and sunday Japnese.
by end of month , we would have learned all languages and can then talk to all countries
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Nov 12, 2016 04:43pm
Congrats Pakistan!
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Nov 12, 2016 04:46pm
Surprising nobody talking here about grooming local Film Industry!
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Nov 12, 2016 05:01pm
Excellent ! I was waiting for the day Indian cinema will b replaced with Iranian. We have a lot more in common with Persians than Indians.
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Nov 12, 2016 05:09pm
Are pakistani actor/actress or singer works in Iranian movies?
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Nov 12, 2016 05:12pm
The culture of both countries is similar it will be a great move.
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Nov 12, 2016 05:15pm
Agree. That is a great move. There is a lot of moral deterrioration, extreme vugarity and intense objectification of women in hindi movies. We 'must' ban hindi movies , not for political reasons but on moral grounds. Iranian cinema is the best so far. I am not aware of Turkish cinema. But it could be explored as well.
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Nov 12, 2016 05:34pm
@deva I don't think that any Pakistani artist is working in Iranian or Turkish entertainment industry but I am sure that this will happen and I am more certain that they will prove themselves to be better host than Indians.
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Nov 12, 2016 05:52pm
What is critical for any Exhibitor/Distributor is box office collection, he will care a damn whether the movie is Japanese/Chinese/Egyptian/Polish. Any business needs profits to survive. Mixing business and Politics, likely to ruin both.
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Nov 12, 2016 06:00pm
Looking forward to it! Iranian culture and Pakistani is quite similar. Would definitely be interested. Throw in some Turkish films as well.
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Nov 12, 2016 06:58pm
Excellent step!!
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Nov 12, 2016 07:03pm
@Trollslayer Stop underestimating pakistani cinema and audience. We should encourage good cinema at least our masses will learn something from them.
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Nov 12, 2016 07:22pm
Urdu language is more related to Iranian language than Hindi. And yes people of Baluchistan and KP understand Persian language.
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Nov 12, 2016 07:58pm
@pak47 ... The announcement is good, but implementation is something to look for.. We have seen it many times,
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Nov 12, 2016 08:26pm
Good move!
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Nov 12, 2016 08:50pm
Who will watch those boring Turkish & Iranian movies that too in Cinemas ?.
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Nov 12, 2016 09:03pm
Iranian movies if dubbed properly into urdu will do good business in pakistan. They are world renowned for making extremely high qualiy movies.
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Nov 12, 2016 09:44pm
@Jawad Asif Yes ! the cinema halls will make big money now !
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Nov 12, 2016 09:47pm
@Dude Agree ! the cinemas will collect more money than ever. Indian films were flop anyway !
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Nov 12, 2016 09:48pm
@deva Why not? Pakistanis are greatest actors in the world !
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Nov 12, 2016 11:18pm
Congratulations to Pakistan for this commendable achievement. Great comments by educated Pakistanis in this forum.
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Nov 13, 2016 12:32am
@Feroz
You think that the ordinary people will watch movies regularly in a language foreign to them.
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Nov 13, 2016 12:52am
Great move! Should have been sooner! Iranian movies have been appreciated the world over and it's high time Pakistani public gets to see them! And it is very clean cinema in line with our faith values.
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Nov 13, 2016 12:58am
@Trollslayer Pakistan does share culture and language with Iran!
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Nov 13, 2016 01:14am
I have never seen an indian movie in cinema , paying out of my pocket...for last 8-9 years. Not missing much. It is more an addiction in Pakistan.
Glad to see that trash go away. Next step should be banning the DVD's from shops. Otherwise step is just half hearted
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Nov 13, 2016 01:26am
@Chris Roberts
It's not about other countries,its about langauge and cultural commonalities. The subject matter and content is local to us pretty much, so people enjoy watching them more.
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Nov 13, 2016 01:32am
@Fida Khan It is people like you who are cancer to this country. Let's not have any movies, or wait, just have Saudi movies, only for men.
What is wrong with you people ? happy to watch sex pumped Bollywood movies, butTurkey and Iran are going to pollute you ? Nothing can pollute a mind more that is full of racist values
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Nov 13, 2016 03:38am
Iranian movies are excellent scripts renowned for their narratives and cultural entertainment.
Pakistan should be proud to screen them. Europe does!
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Nov 13, 2016 06:40am
People would never go watch Iranian movies because they are very depressing.
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Nov 13, 2016 07:35am
Iranian movies are the best movies but english subtitle or english or urdu dubbing will be required to run movies in Pakistan
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Nov 13, 2016 07:48am
Iranian movies are wonderful and their culture is very refined, compared to the trash that you receive from India, which presents obscenity and a corrupted version of the Urdu language. Great move.
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