Our films have kept India-Pakistan from all-out war

Our films have kept India-Pakistan from all-out war
Thursday, June 18, 2009 13:05 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt feels that steady, subtle infiltration of Indian cinema into Pakistani households is one of the reasons which has kept both countries from an all out war.

Speaking in Panaji Wednesday to announce the launch of the South Asian Film Festival (SAFF) being held here June 26-29, Bhatt said that the medium of storytelling automatically dissolved political boundaries.

"Even the Indian government has woken up to this soft power of Indian films. Our cinema has definitely made inroads into Pakistani homes, " said Bhatt, the SAFF brand ambassador.

He also said that Pakistan had also realised that the commercial and technical prowess of Indian cinema was not something that could not be ignored any longer.

"The exhibition industry in Pakistan has realised that without India's technical endorsement, the film market there will crash without fail, " Bhatt said.

The SAFF is expected to screen more than 60 films from eight South Asian countries namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka as well as India, with a special thrust on Iranian films.

"We live in dangerous times and we need a collective regional response to terrorism, " Bhatt said, adding that the medium of cinema was one way of bringing peoples across south Asian together to battle the menace.

The festival will be inaugurated June 26 with a special musical performance by the cast and crew of Bhatt's upcoming film "Jashnn". Starring Adhyayan Suman, Anjana Sukhani and Shahana Goswami, the film was largely shot in Goa. It also stars Pakistani actor Humayun Saeed.

"Renowned film personalities like Prasanna Vithanage, Fathimath Nahula, Enamul Nirjhar, Nakim Uddin will also be attending the SAFF, " secretary general of SAFF Rahul Barua said, adding that a seminar will also be held during SAFF, which will be attended by various directors and actors from the participating countries.
Navjot Singh Sidhu Returns to The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 3: Laughter, Legacy, and a Legendary Comeback!

Comedy fans, rejoice! Former cricketer, politician, and television personality Navjot Singh Sidhu is

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Puja Sharma Makes Power-Packed Comeback After 7 Years with a Bold Grey Role in Star Plus' Jhanak!

After a seven-year hiatus, actress Puja Sharma is back — and she’s returning with fire in her eyes. Known

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Kamya Punjabi Breaks the Silence -'Me No Pause Me Play' Becomes the World's First Film on Menopause!

A historic cinematic moment unfolded today as the muhurat of “Me No Pause Me Play” was held in

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Father figures on-screen, real connections off-screen: Sony SAB artists celebrate fatherhood this Father's Day!

On the special occasion of Father's Day, Sony SAB actors share their personal experiences and thoughts

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
DocuBay Announces its Next Original Documentary - Gateway of Europe - The Migrant Crisis!

DocuBay, the leading platform for premium documentaries and part of IN10 Media Network, is set to

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT