Two Indian flicks to be released in Pakistan this summer

Two Bollywood movies are to be released in cinemas halls across Pakistan in the months of June and July.

Lahore, May 14 : Two Bollywood movies are to be released in cinemas halls across Pakistan in the months of June and July.

According to The Nation, Emran Hashmi's film 'Awarapan' is expected to hit silver screens on June 29 while Sunny Deol's 'Kaafila', which features Pakistani actress Sana and TV star Mona Lisa, will be released on July 20.

It may be noted that about half a dozen Bollywood movies have failed to click at the Pakistan box office in the last 18 months.

Films 'Mughal-e-Azam', 'Taj Mahal', 'Bullet', 'Bride and Prejudice' (starring Ashwariya Rai) and 'Rahgazur' (starring Jimmy Shergil) failed to attract the movie buffs here.

One reason attributed for these flops was that the movies were not major hits back in India.

Sohail Khan is one of the main investors behind 'Awarapan' that is said to have budget of Rs.180 million, the most expensive movie Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt's Vishesh Films have made till now.

Khan told The Nation that 'Awarapan' would be released simultaneously in Pakistan, India, Europe and Dubai.

"I have been investing in the Indian film industry for some time. It is like investing in any other industry. I lived in USA for 22 years. And now, I am into film industry as an investor," he was quoted, as saying.

"All the songs have been sung by Pakistani singers including Rafaqat Ali Khan, Mustafa and Annie. Imran Hashmi, Rehan Khan and Shreya Saran star in this film, directed by Mohit Suri. The film was shot in Hong Kong and Macau," he added.The climax of the film was shot in Pakistan.

On a query about whether it was difficult to get permission, he said that it was not a problem.

Khan said he was against the release of Indian films in Pakistan.

"Releasing Indian movies here means we collect the revenue for them and give them all the profits. Only co-productions with Bollywood can end the crisis here in our film industry. We need to do business on equality basis. It means we invest on equal basis and our actors and crew also work in these films," he said.

ANI