Salman s Tubelight might not release on Eid in Pakistan

Lahore April 30 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Salman Khans highly anticipated film Tubelight might not release in Pakistan around the Eid as a few local filmmakers and organisations have demanded the release of the film in the country be put on hold.

The Pakistan Film Distributors Association and the Pakistan Film Producers Association along with various local film-makers are actively trying to stall the release of Tubelight citing better business for the Pakistani films scheduled to release at the same time reports tribune.com.pk.

According to the protesters as decided by the Federal Ministry of Information in 2010 the release of any Indian film on a Muslim holiday in Pakistan is forbidden.

The filmmakers are even ready to take the matter to court if required.

Yalghaar and Shor Sharaba are two Pakistani films that have currently been slated for a release on the Eid 2017.

Indian films dominate our box office the whole year round. It s only fair that Eid -- being a Muslim festival -- should not be. Besides as Pakistanis we must support the release of local content first said Sohail Khan producer of Shor Sharaba.

‘Shor Sharaba is supposed to release on Eidul Fitr and if the government doesn t stall ‘Tubelight I will not release my film as a protest he added.

According to sources the filmmakers will first urge the government to not give an NOC (No Objection Certificate) to Tubelight and for this the associations are planning to write an official letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Also they held a meeting here wherein it was decided that the entire Pakistani film industry -- even its technicians and other less prominent members -- will join the planned protest to stop Tubelight from being released on the Eid reports tribune.com.pk.

It s been decided that all those related to the Pakistani film industry will support the Pakistani films that are supposed to release on Eidul Fitr confirmed filmmaker Altaf Hussain.

Actor Mustafa Qureshi said the government should always give top priority to local projects.

I have always maintained that there should be a complete ban on Indian films he said.

According to sources the ministry had given directives to stop the release of Tubelight and Vidya Balan s Begum Jaan well in advance.

Directed by Kabir Khan Tubelight also features Chinese actress Zhu Zhu.

--IANS
sas/nn/vt