Pakistani filmmaker Shoaib Mansoor's much-talked-about award winning film Khuda Kay Liye, about the trauma of liberal Muslims, will hit the Indian theatres on Friday. Mumbai-based Percept Picture Company has the rights of the film and will release it with 300 prints. The movie, starring Naseeruddin Shah in a key role, is the first Pakistani film to have a commercial release in India in more than four decades.
Made at a budget of 60 million Pakistani rupees, the film landed in controversy when extremists and Pakistani clerics opposed it. But when it was released, it became a huge hit in Pakistan.
Lately, Indian films have been allowed to be released in Pakistan like Taare zameen Par and yet to be released Tashan. There is a huge market in Pakistan for Indian films especially Bollywood films. So, Khuda kay liye, is allowed to be released in Indian theatres which opens up a huge market for more pakistani films.
Unlike in Bollywood where there is nearly 1000 films released in a year, Pakistani films released in a year is a paltry 40.
With this new beginning, hopefully both the Indian and Pakistani Public come closer together and may peace prevail in the region.
