Mughal-e-Azam released in Pakistan

Great news for Hindi movie lovers in Pakistan with the unreasonable ban on Indian movies being removed to screen the all time classic movie Mughal-e-Azam.

Since Hindi movies were as it is watched in Pakistan with pirated music and DVD sales eating into the movie industrie's profit margins to the tune of billions of rupees.

By recognising the genuine industry in Pakistan, we have indeed come a long way since the ban on Indian movies in Pakistan after the 1965 war.

Part of the insecurity stemmed from percieved fear that Hindi movies would swarm the Pakistani market and leave their home grown talent at sea.

Which is truly sad cause Pakistani movie makers come out with good stories. Somehow the finishing and technical part is not upto the mark. Also cheaply made movies tend to leave a bitter taste in everyone's mouth.

Many Pakistanis might be surprised to know that we make movies of those kind too which are huge flops at the box-office.

The key to success for Bollywood has been the corporatisation of our movie making business with "movie making" getting industry status.



I dont know if many people are aware of the "Official Website of Mughal-e-Azam". But if you want to know more about this ever-green classic please visit following link:

http://www.mughaleazam.com/

Sections included are: Info on Cast & Crew, History, Restoration and Colourisation, Music, Synopsis, Trivia, Downloads, Bonus

Here is a report of screenings in Lahore.


Lahoris cold to 'Mughal-e-Azam'
Source: IANS.

Islamabad, April 26: Fear of what the media has dubbed "mullah trouble" has marred the running of "Mughal-e-Azam" in Lahore, Pakistan's second largest city, though people strongly backed the move to allow Indian films to be screened in Pakistan.

The first Indian film to be released in over four decades, Mughal-e-Azam is being screened at Gulistan Cinema on amid tight security. "It's an Indian film," a policeman said, "and we don't want any trouble, like the mullas attacking."

"Surprisingly, there was a whole bunch of bearded men wearing white shalwar kameez among the audience," said a report in the Daily Times newspaper.

The paper spoke to a number of people about the screening of Mughal-e-Azam in Pakistan.

"I think it is a fabulous thing! I would much rather watch these Indian films in cinema," said prominent artist Salima Hashmi. "It's about time we let go of the hypocrisy," she said, "since we all enjoy watching Indian films."

She said she remembered when President Pervez Musharraf went to India, he specifically wanted to meet the stars of film Veer Zara. "We all know who Rani Mukherjee or Shah Rukh Khan is!"

"It's a brilliant idea," said cultural icon Yousaf Salahuddin.

"It will help improve our standards of filmmaking and be an incentive to build more and improved cinemas. I don't think it will affect our Punjabi cinema," he said. Mughal-e-Azam is an immortal love story which can be enjoyed at any age or era."

Rock star Ali Azmat said allowing Indian films in Pakistan would give all producers a wake-up call.Mughal-e-Azam is a love story that represents the shared history of the subcontinent," he said.

However, Munaza Abbas, a beauty salon owner, said she knew the film was being screened but would not watch it because her family did not approve of going to cinemas. In any case, she preferred films with 'mirch masala'," she said.

"It was not given the publicity it should have been," the Gulistan Cinema gatekeeper said. "Most people have no clue it's being played but those who came have left raving about it."

"I would not go to watch it," said Muhammad Naveed, a candy vendor. "I prefer fun, love stories. Its not about money, I would spend 500 if I thought the movie was worth watching."

But Manat, a balloon vendor, said: "It's great that Indian films are being shown in Pakistan," he said. "I love Indian cinema and will definitely watch Mughal-e-Azam on a Sunday, when I'm free."

A family at the cinema hall was delighted at the film's screening.

"It's wonderful that the ban has been lifted for this movie," said a woman. "I hope we can finally enjoy Indian movies in our own cinemas, instead of buying DVDs."

"We wanted to see Madhubala and Dilip Kumar on the big screen. Not a single actress of today can compete with the stunning, classic Madhubala," she added.

The hall fell into silence as soon as the curtain rose and the movie began. The appearance of the enigmatic Madhubala with her gorgeous smile brought loud applause from the audience.

The audience sang along with the popular songs Pyar kiya to darna kya and Mohabat ka asar dekheingay.

More about the movie on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal-e-Azam

on Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054098/