To screen or not to screen

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 14

Lot of controversy has been created over the Pakistani actors working in Indian films after the Uri terrorist attack. Cinema associations in Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat have even decided against screening the films featuring Pakistani actors. The release of Karan Johar’s upcoming movie, “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”, is slated for October 28. It also has Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in lead roles.

City-based cinema owners and multiplexes have yet not taken any decision in this regard.

Sukhmeen Arora, managing director of the Orient theatre, said there was no such intimation from their parent association so far. “I do not think there will be any such ban on the film. The North Indian Motion Pictures Association (NIMPA) has not issued any instructions in this regard. I think we will go ahead with its screening but in case NIMPA takes any decision, we will have to abide by it,” she said.

Gopal, manager of Cinepolis, said most probably they would be running the picture. At present, nothing in this regard has been intimated to us by the association that has been formed by the owners of five multiplexes.

“Since the release of the movie is slated for October 28, there is the possibility that the association might convene a meeting next week but there is no intimation as yet. If no instructions in this regard come, then we will be going ahead with the screening of the movie,” said Gopal.

Meanwhile, movie buffs are keeping their fingers crossed and eagerly waiting for the release of “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”. “I do not think an issue should be created over the actors for they belong to Pakistan. Banning the film only because it has actors belonging to Pakistan is no logical reason. We need to rise above all these things and think wide. I think the movie should be released and I will be watching it on the first day of its release,” said Mehar, an engineering student.

Another city resident who works in a private bank, Suneet Kalra said she was surprised at the decision taken by some cinema associations of the South. “Will all these problems be solved by not screening the films featuring actors from Pakistan? We need to put an end to this issue rather than flaring it up,” she said.

For some the star cast of the movie is exciting and they cannot wait to watch it. “Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anushka Sharma and Fawad Khan, all in one frame. I cannot wait to watch the movie. I hope the multiplexes and cinema owners in the city make no such decision that holds no logic,” said a student pursuing graduation from a local college.