Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt says Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked him to "aggressively pursue the process of building bridges between India and Pakistan through the entertainment media".

One of those leading the peace march from New Delhi to Multan in Pakistan, which was flagged off on Wednesday, Bhatt said the brief detention of Pakistani actress Meera at Delhi airport was unlikely to hamper the peace process.

Meera had been invited by Mahesh Bhatt to participate in the march.

Referring to her detention, he said: "It was definitely disturbing, but I am not dissuaded by such things since I have the complete support of the Indian government in my initiative. The Indian prime minister has asked me to aggressively pursue the process of building bridges between India and Pakistan through the entertainment media. He has assured me total support in my efforts."

Bhatt added that he intended to continue making films with his Pakistani counterpart, Sebi Ali, also his partner in the controversial film "Nazar" starring Meera.

He said he had clearly expressed his apprehensions about the fate of his films to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and his investments in case the government changed its stance towards him.

"I told them that I was concerned about the blow hot, blow cold attitude of the government towards the initiative but they gave me an assurance that nothing of the sort would happen. There's a commitment at the highest level from the establishment and there is also a reciprocity from the Pakistan government to that effect."