Following the announcement by the Pakistani government that Indian films will be banned from their theatres, representatives of the Indian film industry claimed that the measure would have little impact on India and that it would be Pakistan’s loss.
Firdous Ashiq Awan, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting, claimed the action was in retaliation for India’s repeal of Article 370, which granted Jammu and Kashmir special status and allowed it to have its own constitution, flag, and internal administration.
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, the top advisor of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), said to IANS in response to Pakistan’s decision, “It makes no difference whether or not Pakistanis see our films. I believe that the country’s internal security comes first. It makes no difference whether or not films are released there. There is an obvious problem in front of us “.
He said, “The movie business in our country is really large. It makes no difference in terms of business. We’re discussing our own nation.”
However, trade expert Komal Nahta told IANS that the restriction will have an impact on the box office from a commercial standpoint. “Pakistan has become a hotspot for big-budget films with big-name actors. Pakistan was responsible for a significant portion of Indian film’s international revenue. Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan’s flicks, in particular, did exceptionally well there “Nahta said.
He stated that the restriction will result in piracy in Pakistan. “Piracy will occur. It’s not that no one will see our movies. It’s only that the funds would not be sent to India on a formal basis. While the sun shines, pirates will make hay “Nahta continued.
IANS spoke to actor Sonu Sood, who made a cameo inside the Pakistani film Ishq Positive “Pakistan’s decision to prohibit Indian movies is theirs, not ours. However, the repeal of Article 370 is the finest thing that has happened in the previous 72 years.”
Madhur Bhandarkar, a National Award-winning director whose film Calendar Girls was banned in Pakistan, said IANS, “To begin with, I am not shocked because they have already broken many other bilateral ties. I’m not shocked because, now that Article 370 has been repealed, they must make a huge statement in front of their people. Since Pulwama, the film industry has demonstrated unity.”
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