Pakistan Bans Indian Films Post India's Air Strike Across LoC

Following the air strikes on the terror training camp in Pakistan, the exhibitors’ association of the country has determined to boycott Indian films and additionally asked artists to refrain from working in Made in India advertisements. Pakistan’s information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday announced a boycott of Indian movies as well as “Made in India” advertisements in the country. “Cinema Exhibitors Association has boycotted Indian content, no Indian movie will be released in Pakistan. Also, have instructed PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) to act against ‘Made in India’ advertisements,” Chaudhry tweeted.

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The move comes in the wake of air strikes by the Indian Air Force on Jaish-e-Mohammed’s biggest terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province early Tuesday in paying back to the February 14 attack in Pulwama, Jammu, and Jammu and Kashmir, that had left 40 Indian CRPF troopers dead. . “In the light of the prevailing situation, and in solidarity with the government, the film exhibitors’ fraternity has volunteered to focus on local content till normalization of the current situation in the region,” All Pakistan Exhibitors Association Chairman Zoraiz Lashari said in a statement.

Following the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 that killed 44 CRPF personnel, the All Indian Cine Workers Association declared a total ban on Pakistani actors and artists. Producers insured the choice with announcements that Total Dhamaal, Lukka Chuppi, Arjun Patiala and Milan Talkies will not release in Pakistan.

“We believe art and films are the universal languages that transcend borders and convey folks closer. We hope we can all play a positive role in reducing tensions, and supporting policies that bring peace and prosperity to the folks of the entire region,” Lashari added.

Of late, cultural ties between India and Pakistan have been are affected due to cross-border tensions. In December last year, Chaudhry had assured help to Indian film producer Nandita Das in releasing her film Manto in Pakistan.

Even while Pakistan’s Supreme Court had placed a ban on the transmission of Indian content on native television channels, movies were making their way to theatres and finding a good audience. After the Pulwama attack, Indian film associations instructed filmmakers to avoid using any Pakistani talent in their movies and not to release their films in Pakistan. As a result, Total Dhamaal did not release there.

Kartik Aaryan’s Luka Chuppi, Diljit Dosanjh’s Arjun Patiala and Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Milan Talkies will also not release in Pakistan.

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