M A I N   N E W S

‘Mughal-e-Azam’ premiered in Pak
K.J.M. Varma

Islamabad, April 23
Pakistan ended its four-decade-old freeze on screening Indian films by premiering the all-colour version of Bollywood’s magnum opus ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ in Lahore today.

The premier of the second film ‘Taj Mahal’, featuring Sonia Jehan, the UK-settled granddaughter of Pakistan’s famous singer, the late Noor Jehan, will be held on April 26 after a gala function in Lahore to be attended, among others, by Minister of State for Tourism Ambika Soni and top Indian film stars.

Screening of both films has been allowed after special permission was granted by President Pervez Musharraf following a number of representations.

The proponents of cooperation among film industries of both sides have decided to make the launch of ‘Taj Mahal’ a big occasion by holding a gala function to be attended by top stars from both sides.

Besides Ms Soni, top Indian film stars Hrithik Roshan, Rekha, Manisha Koirala, the family of Sanjay Khan and Mahesh Bhatt are expected to take part in the function. Ms Soni, who is expected to arrive in Lahore tomorrow, may also visit Islamabad.

The permission to screen the two Bollywood films has created a buzz in Pakistan. Indian films have been banned from screening since the 1965 war which many in the country’s film industry bemoan has resulted in a steady decline of Lollywood. — PTI