ITV

Tag: Karan Johar

  • Malhotra’s Alchemy to launch five shows in ’17

    Malhotra’s Alchemy to launch five shows in ’17

    MUMBAI: One show old in the television industry, the name Alchemy Productions might sound new to the world but the person leading the production house is definitely not new. His production house plans to launch five show in 2017.

    Director-producer Siddharth P Malhotra has been in the industry for over a decade now.

    Apart from the shows, Malhotra, who also directed “We Are Family,” is working on his second film now, with a leading production house. Malhotra is also planning to launch a new division in his company, which will produce plays for theatres.

    Known for shows such as ‘Dil Mil Gaye,’ ‘EK Hazaaro Me Meri Behna Hai,’ ‘Ek Hasina Thi’ and many more, the producer has also been known for his family business Cinevistaas Productions. He is well-versed with the art and craft of creating shows, which were produced under the banner of Cinevistaas.

    Talking about the split, Malhotra said, “Cinevistaas was getting into the development of land, studio and aimed at other things in life. I was more keen in the production aspect of it. My job was only to be a creative and not get into production. There comes a point when everybody needs to grow. And, if you are not ready to willingly give me those responsibilities, then bless me and free me. We are family, and I am not splitting away but i need to start of my own.”

    2016 is the year when Malhotra decided to move out from Cinevistaas, and start his own production house Alchemy along with his wife Sapna. The production house launched its first show Ichhapyaari Naagin for Sab TV in September.

    “I pretty much started from scratch, literally with almost nil bank balance. I have been lucky as the people I have been associated with for so long stood by me, including the channels. I went to Anooj (Kapoor) sir with the concept in Sab TV and I told him this is my concept, and I want to do it on my own. He knew me from the time Sab TV launched. He liked my concept and said, “Let’s do it.”

    “Before that, we worked on ‘Lo Ho Gai Pooja Iss Ghar Ki.’ Raghuvir Shekhawat is writing all my shows, but I am unsure about his pay packet. From this, you would know the mutual trust among us,” he said. “I have with me Santram Sharma too; at present he is not doing any show but he stood by me like a rock. I am very fortunate to be working with such interesting people,” he added.

    The four-month-old company, which started with a single show for Sony Pictures Network’s comedy channel Sab TV, is now working on five shows for all the leading Hindi GECs in India. “The struggle has been on how to put things together and getting the right people,” Malhotra said.

    Alchemy is fully owned by Malhotra and his wife Sapna.

    Talking about his upcoming shows, he said Alchemy was producing a family drama for Zee TV which was slated to be launched in January 2017. He is also producing shows for Sony which is a pure love story, which he is known for.

    The next show in the offing is considered to be television’s biggest show ever on Star Plus, tentatively titled ‘Kya tu meri laage’ bringing on the small screen for the first time the Bollywood actor Minisha Lamba and a bunch of big television stars in the show. The show, written by Nina Arora, is already being talked about and published on various platforms.

  • Star Plus gears up for ‘Dil Hai Hindustani’ launch in January

    Star Plus gears up for ‘Dil Hai Hindustani’ launch in January

    MUMBAI: After launching P.O.W, Star Plus is geared up to launch its yet another grand singing reality show “Dil Hai Hindustani.” Though the channel has not officially announced the launch date, but the show is slated to go on air by January 2017, and will be replacing Masterchef India at 8pm time slot.

    Produced by Frames Production, the show will celebrate the popularity of Bollywood music through talent from across the globe, from different cultures and nationalities, bound together by their love for Bollywood songs.

    Vivo has come on board for the show as the presenting sponsor.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Frames Production founder Ranjeet Thakur said, “Dil Hai Hindustani is a unique show and we are very excited. We have gone far and wide across the world in search of a good talent. People will see and realize how different it will be from the other reality shows.”

    “Dil Hai Hindustani” promises to be a musical extravaganza showcasing phenomenal performances through not just solo, but also duet and group performances consisting of bands, choirs, acapella; a first of its kind on Indian television.

    The talent on the show will be judged by an expert panel who India on the world map for music. The panel would consist of director Karan Johar who travelled the globe to handpick singers for the show, while Bollywood’s favourite rapper, Badshah, will be seen making a debut as a judge on television. Music sensation — Shekhar Ravjiani and Shalmali Kholgade will be seen monitoring the contestants and judging the show.

    Bollywood’s finest director Karan Johar, known to create magic with every project he undertakes, said, “I am thrilled to be associated with and have an opportunity to curate performances based on talent from across the globe. It is rare to find a platform which takes Bollywood to the centrestage and with ‘Dil Hai Hindustani,’ we are ready to entertain the world with extraordinary performances.”

    Asked about launching his digital platform anytime soon, addressing the media Johar replied in the negative, and said, “Digital is definitely a very strong medium and a great means to scout talent. I have always been on the lookout to hunt for talented people on the web. As for venturing into it, I am still not ready. Right now, every failed script becomes a web series or short film, but I want to wait and see how the medium moves ahead. I will let others make the stairs and happily climb on when the time is right. Digital is a kid right now, when it will grow, it will be massive.”

  • Star Plus gears up for ‘Dil Hai Hindustani’ launch in January

    Star Plus gears up for ‘Dil Hai Hindustani’ launch in January

    MUMBAI: After launching P.O.W, Star Plus is geared up to launch its yet another grand singing reality show “Dil Hai Hindustani.” Though the channel has not officially announced the launch date, but the show is slated to go on air by January 2017, and will be replacing Masterchef India at 8pm time slot.

    Produced by Frames Production, the show will celebrate the popularity of Bollywood music through talent from across the globe, from different cultures and nationalities, bound together by their love for Bollywood songs.

    Vivo has come on board for the show as the presenting sponsor.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Frames Production founder Ranjeet Thakur said, “Dil Hai Hindustani is a unique show and we are very excited. We have gone far and wide across the world in search of a good talent. People will see and realize how different it will be from the other reality shows.”

    “Dil Hai Hindustani” promises to be a musical extravaganza showcasing phenomenal performances through not just solo, but also duet and group performances consisting of bands, choirs, acapella; a first of its kind on Indian television.

    The talent on the show will be judged by an expert panel who India on the world map for music. The panel would consist of director Karan Johar who travelled the globe to handpick singers for the show, while Bollywood’s favourite rapper, Badshah, will be seen making a debut as a judge on television. Music sensation — Shekhar Ravjiani and Shalmali Kholgade will be seen monitoring the contestants and judging the show.

    Bollywood’s finest director Karan Johar, known to create magic with every project he undertakes, said, “I am thrilled to be associated with and have an opportunity to curate performances based on talent from across the globe. It is rare to find a platform which takes Bollywood to the centrestage and with ‘Dil Hai Hindustani,’ we are ready to entertain the world with extraordinary performances.”

    Asked about launching his digital platform anytime soon, addressing the media Johar replied in the negative, and said, “Digital is definitely a very strong medium and a great means to scout talent. I have always been on the lookout to hunt for talented people on the web. As for venturing into it, I am still not ready. Right now, every failed script becomes a web series or short film, but I want to wait and see how the medium moves ahead. I will let others make the stairs and happily climb on when the time is right. Digital is a kid right now, when it will grow, it will be massive.”

  • Good content, not big banners, brings in revenue

    Good content, not big banners, brings in revenue

    MUMBAI: *The Diwali week saw two releases, both from major production houses.

    ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ had Karan Johar directing a home production after Bombay Talkies in 2013. Ajay Devgn, on the other hand, directs his second film, Shivaay, after his directorial debut in 2008 with ‘U Me Aur Hum.’ Starved of footfalls and collections, the exhibition trade held high expectations from both.

    Since the period till the Diwali day is considered dull at the box office, both the films rest their best hopes on Monday and Tuesday (in parts) being holidays.

    *Ae Dil Hai Mushkil met with highly mixed reports. Though a youth-oriented film, it lacked consistency even as Ranbir Kapoor continued to essay the role of a perpetual loser. While the first half was a time pass, the film dipped post interval.

    With an average opening response, with no good word of mouth, the film went on dropping through the weekend to end its opening weekend with figures of Rs 35.25 crore. However, the film emerged with its best figures on Monday, a holiday and added about Rs 16 crore for day four.

    *Shivaay had an indifferent opening response as, somehow, the film could not generate enough curiosity and, hence, draw the audience expected for its opening shows or over its day one. The film failed to generate positive word of mouth and the collections only dipped over next two days making it a very poor opening weekend performance for high budget film.

    With the first weekend of Rs 27.8 crore, however, the film derived some benefit from the Monday holiday adding another over 15 crore. Following reports of the film’s length/duration of 172 minutes affecting the collections, Ajay Devgn has carried out deletion of 10 minutes of running time from the film

    *31st October (tax exempt in Punjab), My Father Iqbal, Ek Tera Saath had a disastrous outcome as they could not collect beyond a few lakh during their first week.

    *Beiiman Love, a Sunny Leone film, collected Rs 5 lakh in its second week taking its two week total to Rs 1.95 crore.

    *Saat Uchakkey collected Rs 35 lakh in its second week to take its two-week tally to Rs 1.95 crore.

    *Motu Patlu: King Of Kings (3-D: animation) sustained reasonably well during the dull pre-Diwali period to add Rs 1.25 crore in its second week taking its two week total to Rs 4.15 crore.

  • Good content, not big banners, brings in revenue

    Good content, not big banners, brings in revenue

    MUMBAI: *The Diwali week saw two releases, both from major production houses.

    ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ had Karan Johar directing a home production after Bombay Talkies in 2013. Ajay Devgn, on the other hand, directs his second film, Shivaay, after his directorial debut in 2008 with ‘U Me Aur Hum.’ Starved of footfalls and collections, the exhibition trade held high expectations from both.

    Since the period till the Diwali day is considered dull at the box office, both the films rest their best hopes on Monday and Tuesday (in parts) being holidays.

    *Ae Dil Hai Mushkil met with highly mixed reports. Though a youth-oriented film, it lacked consistency even as Ranbir Kapoor continued to essay the role of a perpetual loser. While the first half was a time pass, the film dipped post interval.

    With an average opening response, with no good word of mouth, the film went on dropping through the weekend to end its opening weekend with figures of Rs 35.25 crore. However, the film emerged with its best figures on Monday, a holiday and added about Rs 16 crore for day four.

    *Shivaay had an indifferent opening response as, somehow, the film could not generate enough curiosity and, hence, draw the audience expected for its opening shows or over its day one. The film failed to generate positive word of mouth and the collections only dipped over next two days making it a very poor opening weekend performance for high budget film.

    With the first weekend of Rs 27.8 crore, however, the film derived some benefit from the Monday holiday adding another over 15 crore. Following reports of the film’s length/duration of 172 minutes affecting the collections, Ajay Devgn has carried out deletion of 10 minutes of running time from the film

    *31st October (tax exempt in Punjab), My Father Iqbal, Ek Tera Saath had a disastrous outcome as they could not collect beyond a few lakh during their first week.

    *Beiiman Love, a Sunny Leone film, collected Rs 5 lakh in its second week taking its two week total to Rs 1.95 crore.

    *Saat Uchakkey collected Rs 35 lakh in its second week to take its two-week tally to Rs 1.95 crore.

    *Motu Patlu: King Of Kings (3-D: animation) sustained reasonably well during the dull pre-Diwali period to add Rs 1.25 crore in its second week taking its two week total to Rs 4.15 crore.

  • Govt says ‘no mushkil’ to ‘Ae Dil’ even as Pak industry supports Indian content ban

    Govt says ‘no mushkil’ to ‘Ae Dil’ even as Pak industry supports Indian content ban

    NEW DELHI: Although Indian is almost completely banned in Pakistan now courtesy PEMRA, in India, it became a Catch-22: give in or give up. But, ultimately Karan Johar managed to get an assurance that ‘Ae Dil hai Mushkil’ would be released as scheduled on 28 October, after the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis met a film industry delegation along with members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

    However, as reported in a section of the media, All India Television and Film Producers Guild President Mukesh Bhatt denied reports that Johar had promised to give Rs five crore to the Army Welfare Fund. Guild sources told indiantelevision.com that members of the film fraternity had agreed to make contributions to the Fund but no amount had been decided.

    Decision taken by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to ban Direct To Home (DTH) service and Indian content meantime was fully endorsed by the Pakistani industry. Famous actor and former director-deneral (DG) of Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) Tauqeer Nasir, talking to APP, said that the decision should be taken earlier, but it was never late to make things right. Director Ashir Azeem said that the ban could be a positive step to help domestic cinema. It might help speed up Pakistani productions, he said. PEMRA continued its crackdown against so-called illegal Indian Direct To Home (DTH) devices and cable operators telecasting Indian content. Customs officials and Pemra raided several markets in Islamabad and seized DTH, Indian DTHs, receivers and C-Lines, and Low noise block downconverters (LNBs).

    Back home in India, however, while an assurance was given that all under-production films featuring Pakistani artistes will also be allowed to get released.

    However, the Guild members said they would not take any Pakistani artistes in future in their films. ;Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will also carry a special slide paying tribute to the Indian army. But, at the same time, Thackeray said he was confident that the people would boycott the film.

    Those at the meeting included representatives of the Guild, Dharma Productions, and producers Sidharth Roy Kapur, Sajid Nadiadwala and Vijay Singh of Fox Star Studios. They all agreed to ensure the safe and smooth release of the film across single screens and multiplexes. “We had a constructive meeting with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the good news is that ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ will release across all single screens and multiplexes as per schedule on 28 October 2016,” said Bhatt.

    “I have confirmed to the Chief Minister that the Producer’s Guild has decided that going forward, we will not work with Pakistani artistes in the future. Karan Johar said that he will put a special slate saluting our soldiers before the start of the movie. It’s a tribute from us to our soldiers,” he added. Bhatt also revealed, “In addition, some of the producers volunteered to contribute to the Army Welfare Fund. We owe this to the Army.”

    Produced by Dharma Productions and Fox Star Studios, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in lead roles with popular Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in a cameo.

    Thackeray said that his party had made three demands at the meeting. Apart from the contribution to the Army fund, Thackeray said producers will have to give in writing that they will not take Pakistani actors in their films. The third demand was to have a tribute to the Army.

    Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had extended the Centre’s support to makers of the tilm and assured security to exhibitors amid threats by MNS.

    Last week, Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India announced it would not release movies featuring Pakistani artistes in four states of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Karnataka.

    In response to the controversy and the calls for a ban on his film, Johar had released a video statement earlier this week.

    In a previous meeting, Fadnavis had assured Johar that the Maharashtra government would not allow anyone to disturb law and order. “The state government would like to reaffirm that the government will not allow anyone to disturb law and order and stern action will be taken. Democratic protest is fine but unlawful activity will not be tolerated,” Fadnavis said.

    Police had also taken strict action against MNS workers on Thursday for protesting and raising slogans outside Metro Cinema in South Mumbai. Twelve activists of the MNS who had gone to Metro theatre to threaten them were arrested and sent to judicial custody till November 4.

  • Govt says ‘no mushkil’ to ‘Ae Dil’ even as Pak industry supports Indian content ban

    Govt says ‘no mushkil’ to ‘Ae Dil’ even as Pak industry supports Indian content ban

    NEW DELHI: Although Indian is almost completely banned in Pakistan now courtesy PEMRA, in India, it became a Catch-22: give in or give up. But, ultimately Karan Johar managed to get an assurance that ‘Ae Dil hai Mushkil’ would be released as scheduled on 28 October, after the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis met a film industry delegation along with members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

    However, as reported in a section of the media, All India Television and Film Producers Guild President Mukesh Bhatt denied reports that Johar had promised to give Rs five crore to the Army Welfare Fund. Guild sources told indiantelevision.com that members of the film fraternity had agreed to make contributions to the Fund but no amount had been decided.

    Decision taken by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to ban Direct To Home (DTH) service and Indian content meantime was fully endorsed by the Pakistani industry. Famous actor and former director-deneral (DG) of Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) Tauqeer Nasir, talking to APP, said that the decision should be taken earlier, but it was never late to make things right. Director Ashir Azeem said that the ban could be a positive step to help domestic cinema. It might help speed up Pakistani productions, he said. PEMRA continued its crackdown against so-called illegal Indian Direct To Home (DTH) devices and cable operators telecasting Indian content. Customs officials and Pemra raided several markets in Islamabad and seized DTH, Indian DTHs, receivers and C-Lines, and Low noise block downconverters (LNBs).

    Back home in India, however, while an assurance was given that all under-production films featuring Pakistani artistes will also be allowed to get released.

    However, the Guild members said they would not take any Pakistani artistes in future in their films. ;Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will also carry a special slide paying tribute to the Indian army. But, at the same time, Thackeray said he was confident that the people would boycott the film.

    Those at the meeting included representatives of the Guild, Dharma Productions, and producers Sidharth Roy Kapur, Sajid Nadiadwala and Vijay Singh of Fox Star Studios. They all agreed to ensure the safe and smooth release of the film across single screens and multiplexes. “We had a constructive meeting with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the good news is that ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ will release across all single screens and multiplexes as per schedule on 28 October 2016,” said Bhatt.

    “I have confirmed to the Chief Minister that the Producer’s Guild has decided that going forward, we will not work with Pakistani artistes in the future. Karan Johar said that he will put a special slate saluting our soldiers before the start of the movie. It’s a tribute from us to our soldiers,” he added. Bhatt also revealed, “In addition, some of the producers volunteered to contribute to the Army Welfare Fund. We owe this to the Army.”

    Produced by Dharma Productions and Fox Star Studios, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in lead roles with popular Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in a cameo.

    Thackeray said that his party had made three demands at the meeting. Apart from the contribution to the Army fund, Thackeray said producers will have to give in writing that they will not take Pakistani actors in their films. The third demand was to have a tribute to the Army.

    Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had extended the Centre’s support to makers of the tilm and assured security to exhibitors amid threats by MNS.

    Last week, Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India announced it would not release movies featuring Pakistani artistes in four states of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Karnataka.

    In response to the controversy and the calls for a ban on his film, Johar had released a video statement earlier this week.

    In a previous meeting, Fadnavis had assured Johar that the Maharashtra government would not allow anyone to disturb law and order. “The state government would like to reaffirm that the government will not allow anyone to disturb law and order and stern action will be taken. Democratic protest is fine but unlawful activity will not be tolerated,” Fadnavis said.

    Police had also taken strict action against MNS workers on Thursday for protesting and raising slogans outside Metro Cinema in South Mumbai. Twelve activists of the MNS who had gone to Metro theatre to threaten them were arrested and sent to judicial custody till November 4.

  • India against obstructing Fawad film; Maharashtra assures ‘protection’

    India against obstructing Fawad film; Maharashtra assures ‘protection’

    NEW DELHI: Even as PEMRA’s ban on Indian content looms, the Indian Government has made it clear that it will not create any impediment for the release of producer-director Karan Johar’s ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ starring popular Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, among others.

    It is just a matter of a few hours when the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra’s) order issued on 19 October banning all Indian content on Pakistan media will come into force.

    PEMRA’s order is directed at all FM radio licence holders, landing right holders, and satellite television channels operating in Pakistan. The authority has threatened defaulters with punitive legal action.

    But, India’s home minister Rajnath Singh has assured smooth release of Fawad Khan-starring movie in India while talking to film producer Mukesh Bhatt who is also the president of the Film and TV Producers Guild of India.

    After the meeting with the minister in Delhi, Bhatt said, “Rajnathji said he will speak to the chief minister of every state, and assured that ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ will release without any violence or issue.”

    The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a breakaway faction of the regional saffron brigade, had earlier said they would not allow release of any film featuring Pakistani artistes.

    The Indian Guild had subsequently passed a resolution asking the Government to ensure that films that were either ready for release or were under production and featured Pakistani artistes should be allowed.

    Bhatt and Apoorva Mehta from Johar’s Dharma Productions had met the minister in Delhi to discuss the smooth release of the upcoming film. To a question about a ban of Indian films in Pakistan, Bhatt told newspersons that it did not make any difference to India since most Indian films shown in Pakistan were pirated.

    Johar had earlier appealed against stalling the release, saying he would not engage with talent from Pakistan in future.

    MNS continued their protests as the party rejected Johar’s statement that he will not “engage with talent” from Pakistan in future.

    The Maharashtra government has, however, assured protection to cinemas where the film will be screened from Diwali weekend.

  • India against obstructing Fawad film; Maharashtra assures ‘protection’

    India against obstructing Fawad film; Maharashtra assures ‘protection’

    NEW DELHI: Even as PEMRA’s ban on Indian content looms, the Indian Government has made it clear that it will not create any impediment for the release of producer-director Karan Johar’s ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ starring popular Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, among others.

    It is just a matter of a few hours when the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra’s) order issued on 19 October banning all Indian content on Pakistan media will come into force.

    PEMRA’s order is directed at all FM radio licence holders, landing right holders, and satellite television channels operating in Pakistan. The authority has threatened defaulters with punitive legal action.

    But, India’s home minister Rajnath Singh has assured smooth release of Fawad Khan-starring movie in India while talking to film producer Mukesh Bhatt who is also the president of the Film and TV Producers Guild of India.

    After the meeting with the minister in Delhi, Bhatt said, “Rajnathji said he will speak to the chief minister of every state, and assured that ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ will release without any violence or issue.”

    The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a breakaway faction of the regional saffron brigade, had earlier said they would not allow release of any film featuring Pakistani artistes.

    The Indian Guild had subsequently passed a resolution asking the Government to ensure that films that were either ready for release or were under production and featured Pakistani artistes should be allowed.

    Bhatt and Apoorva Mehta from Johar’s Dharma Productions had met the minister in Delhi to discuss the smooth release of the upcoming film. To a question about a ban of Indian films in Pakistan, Bhatt told newspersons that it did not make any difference to India since most Indian films shown in Pakistan were pirated.

    Johar had earlier appealed against stalling the release, saying he would not engage with talent from Pakistan in future.

    MNS continued their protests as the party rejected Johar’s statement that he will not “engage with talent” from Pakistan in future.

    The Maharashtra government has, however, assured protection to cinemas where the film will be screened from Diwali weekend.

  • Bollywood supports Govt’s Pak policy; pleads for ongoing projects

    Bollywood supports Govt’s Pak policy; pleads for ongoing projects

    NEW DELHI: The Film & Television Producers Guild of India Ltd today expressed “genuine concern of all those film producers who have invested heavily in films featuring artistes from across the border.”

    Even as it expressed unflinching support to the Central Government and solidarity with the Armed Forces on their supreme sacrifice at Uri during the recent counter-terrorism operations, it noted there had been some discourse in the media recently with regard to certain threats to disrupt the release of these movies.

    The Guild, which represents most of the active Hindi film producers, said there were many producers who had either already shot their films or were in the process of completing their unfinished films prior to the escalation of hostilities with Pakistan, including Karan Johar’s soon to be released film ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ which has also been certified by the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC).

    Similarly, there are many other films which are scheduled to be released in months ahead including ‘Dear Zindagi’ and ‘Raees’ which also feature artistes from across the border.

    Guild President Mukesh Bhatt said, “The Guild in no uncertain terms confirms that the film industry stands in unison with the Government’s recent steps to counter terrorism and will naturally abide by decision with regard to government’s policy on issuance of work visa to foreign artistes. We would however urge the government to appreciate that the film producers who have already shot their films or are in the process of completing their unfinished films should not end up paying heavy price for no fault of theirs.”

    He further added: “The Central Government has taken several steps in the past to foster cultural exchanges by inviting industry representatives to participate in the Government’s efforts to improve our relationship with Pakistan”.

    Meanwhile, the Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India President Nitin Datar has requested all theatres to ban Karan Johar’s film which stars Pak actor Fawad Khan, who was also seen in ‘Kapoor and Sons’ and earlier in ‘Khoobsoorat’ opposite Sonam Kapoor .