Distributors
and exhibitors in Pakistan have abandoned Shah Rukh Khan-starrer ‘Chennai
Express’ and Akshay Kumar-starrer ‘Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai – 2′.
Both were slated to release on the day of Eid, August 8, in the country. The
reason being cited is that Pakistani filmmakers want four of their films- ‘Josh’, ‘Ishq Khuda’, ‘Waar’ and ‘Mein Hoon Shahid
Afridi’ - to get more visibility
than the Indian films.
Leading
distributor Abdul Rashid, who controls a large section of the distribution
chain across the border, and has been in touch with the producers of Chennai
Express and Once Upon…, UTV and Balaji, respectively, communicated the decision
to the two production houses.
Expressing
disappointment with the developments, a source said, “Theatres in Pakistan
generate maximum revenue from Hindi films. So it is really sad that this time,
they did a volteface. UTV and Balaji tried reasoning with the filmmakers, but
to no avail.”
According
to trade sources, Pakistan’s blackout of these two films will lead to an
estimated loss to the tune of Rs 20 crore. When contacted, Abdul Rashid told
TOI, “Yes, we are not releasing Chennai Express and Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai
– 2 in Pakistan. Our government wants to protect the interests of the Pakistan
film fraternity.”
He
also added, “We don’t mind rescheduling the two films to August 15. But piracy
would have reduced the business prospects of the two films by then.” Admitting
that exhibitors would stand to gain by accommodating the two big-ticket films,
Rashid however said, “We cannot overrule our government’s decision.”
Neither
UTV nor Balaji were willing to comment on the development.
Article from: Dawn News - 24
April 2013
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