First Indian movie after 40 years to be officially released in Pakistan.
Repainted Mughal-e-Azam may break Pak ban
Vijay Dutt
London, December 13
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1150981,00050002.htm
The late K Asif's magnum opus Mughal-e-Azam in its second full colour incarnation could help break the ban of almost 40 years and open the screening of Indian films in Pakistan, said Akbar Asif, son of the legendary filmmaker and chairman of Akbar Asif Entertainment (UK) during an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times.
Emotional about the “realisation” of his father’s dream that he dreamt 60 years ago in 1944 for his film to be in technicolour, Akbar iterated his gratitude to the 130-odd technicians in India who transformed the black and white film into colour. He has already given Rs 1.11 crore to them, which works out to around one and a half lakh of rupees to each of them. He has set up a K Asif Trust for help to the technicians, their families and others who were associated with the making of the film.
He pointed out that Prithviraj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar, K Asif himself and many others in the movie hailed from what is now Pakistan and thus the film’s screening there, for which he has the exclusive rights, would be in a way “return journey” to familiar territory.
It will further strengthen relations and understanding between people on either side of the border and help cement relations between the two countries, hopes Akbar.
His hopes have soared about the screening of the film in Pakistan after he got an exclusive meeting with President Pervez Musharraf at Dorchester when the General was on an official visit to meet Tony Blair. He presented the film to him for personal screening. The President said he felt honoured to receive it.
Akbar told Hindustan Times that all the proceeds from the screening in Pakistan, which on a conservative estimate could reach Rs100 crore would be put in charity for good causes. “I do not want to make any money from its screening in Pakistan and would spend it all on good causes,” he said.
With an impish twinkle in his eyes he revealed that he “sort” of acted in the film. The morning after the night his mother, Nigar Sultana, finished the shooting of the song sequence Jab raat hai aisi matwalli, subha ka alam kya hoga, he was born. “So I too sort of acted in the film.”
Major plans are afoot for the premiere of the film in London, expected in February next year. A few star celebrities from Hollywood, apart from Indian film industry are scheduled to attend the opening.