Bollywood movies with Pakistan artistes won't be screened
The soon-to-be-released Dharma Productions movie, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, has run into trouble with the Cinema Owners Association of India (COAI). The association has reportedly decided that the movie would not be screened as there are Pakistani artistes namely Fawad Khan, working in the movie. This decision is so far applicable to single-screen theatres in four states - Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa.
Pakistani actors in Bollywood movies
Since an Indian Army base in Uri was attacked in September by Pakistani terrorists, Indo-Pak tensions have significantly escalated. Political parties like MNS and many celebrities called for ending cultural-ties between the two countries; this includes a ban on Pakistani artistes working in Bollywood. In this context, few days ago, 'Indian Motion Picture Producers' passed a resolution preventing Pakistani artistes from working in Indian-productions.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
Dharma Productions movie, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Aishwarya Rai and Pakistani actor, Fawad Khan, has already been cleared by the Censor board and is due for release before the Diwali weekend on October 28, 2016.
Is the ban mandatory?
The President of COAI, Nitin Datar, clarified that they had not 'banned' the screening of the film but had infact 'suspended' it. He further clarified that this was a request to cinema owners affiliated with their association to not screen the movie. He reiterated the decision had not been taken under political pressure but keeping in mind sentiments of the Indian public.
Reasons for suspension
The COAI believes screening movies with Pakistani artistes/ technicians could lead to theatres being vandalized since political parties have already called for a ban on Pakistani actors in Bollywood. Given the festival period, COAI feels government may not be able to provide sufficient-protection from protesters.
Fallout of COAI decision
Although it appears unlikely, that the movie starring A-list actors like Aishwarya Rai and Ranbir Kapoor, could be prevented from being screened, if implemented it would result in massive losses for cinema owners, producers and Fox Star Studios which is distributing the film. If banned, other movies starring Pakistani actors could be impacted such as Gauri Shinde's 'Dear Zindagi' which features Ali Zafar.
