Pakistani films face threats on theatrical release in India due to local hostility, vandalism even without official ban

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. While there is no official ban on releasing Pakistani films in India, theatre owners say the main fear is one of opposition from local community groups and vandalism in cinemas. The release of Pakistani hit The Legend of Maula Jatt, which was scheduled in India last month, was called off after strong opposition from political groups and a stay by the government.

However, trade experts said that even without an official stay, few cinemas would take the risk of showing these films in the first place. “The concern is that politics could take precedence over business prospects for the distributors and exhibitors that decide to screen these movies," said Rahul Puri, managing director of Mukta Arts and Mukta A2 Cinemas. “That said, if a film were to release without people really knowing that it is, in fact, a Pakistani title, there would be no reason for most to dismiss it and it would all boil down to content." “The sentiment (around releasing Pakistani films in India) would not go down well on the ground," said producer Yusuf Shaikh who has released and distributed Pakistani films in the past.

“Everything could be a risk in such cases for theatre owners. The public could break into your cinema and cause much damage. It is scary because there is a lot of money at stake." As of today, what was once a thriving market in theatres has died even though, ironically, films and shows continue to be available online and are lapped up by viewers.