The city of Lahore, where Pakistan's film industry is situated, was agog with excitement during the visit last week of a large delegation of Indian showbiz celebrities and the premieres of two Indian films.

A large number of Mumbai-based celebrities visited here to participate in the premieres of the Indian 1960 classic "Mughal-e-Azam" and last year's "Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story".

Large crowds attended the screening of the two films, based on epic love stories of the Mughal era in India. However, the people seemed more interested in seeing the Indian celebrities - film directors, actors, and producers - than watching the movies.

A number of programmes, including two painting exhibitions, a music concert, a play staged by Indian veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah and a book launch, were organised in the past few days during the Indian delegation's visit.

Many groups hosted receptions in honour of the Indians. During the receptions, apart from exchange of pleasantries, hopes were rekindled that the film industries of India and Pakistan would be able to screen their films in each other's countries. There was also talk about holding a festival of Pakistani movies in India in the near future.

However, exchange of harsh words between Indian actor Feroze Khan and Pakistani TV anchor Fakhar-e-Alam over Khan's alleged comments on the plight of Muslims in Pakistan and the country's human rights record created some unpleasantness.

At a hurriedly called press conference at his hotel, Khan clarified that he had not said anything derogatory against Pakistan in a TV show. He said he was being maligned. However, Alam demanded that the unedited TV footage be released to resolve the issue.

Notwithstanding the unpleasant episode, the screening of the Indian films and the visit of Indian delegation helped in raising a donation of Rs.6.5 million for the president's relief fund for the October 2005 earthquake victims.

Meanwhile, Naseeruddin Shah, his wife Ratna Pathak Shah, daughter Heeba Shah and others from his theatre group presented a play titled "Ismat Apa Ke Naam" at the Alhamra Cultural Complex here on April 27.

Directed by Shah, the play was based on three short stories by renowned storywriter Ismat Chughtai (1915-1991) - "Gharwali", "Chhui Mooi" and "Mughal Bachcha". The play was staged to raise funds for a non-profit organisation.

"I had long been wanting to come to Lahore along with my theatre group and perform here," Shah said at a press conference later.