Bollywood Upcoming Blockbusters Chennai Express & Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Are Banned In Pakistan
There is a big news floating in electronic and print media that Pakistan Box Office is planning to blackout Indian Films this time again in Eid. Last year Indian film Industry lost money amounting to 8-10 crore from Ek Tha Tiger which was banned in Eid in Pakistan. This time loss might be even more and estimated around 20 crore as two big films Chennai Express and Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Again is slated to release in Eid.
As per news, distributors and exhibitors in Pakistan have abandoned Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Chennai Express' and Akshay Kumar-starrer 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai – 2'. Both were slated to release on the day of Eid, August 8, in the country. The reason being cited is that Pakistani filmmakers want four of their films- 'Josh', 'Ishq Khuda', '
War' and 'Mera Naam Afridi' – to get more visibility than the Indian films.
Leading distributor Abdul Rashid, who controls a large section of the distribution chain across the border, and has been in touch with the producers of Chennai Express and OUATIMA, UTV and Balaji, respectively, communicated the decision to the two production houses. UTV and Balaji tried reasoning with the filmmakers, but to no avail.
According to trade sources, Pakistan's blackout of these two films will lead to an estimated loss to the tune of Rs 20 crore.
As per TOI Rashid said, "Yes, we are not releasing Chennai Express and Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai – 2 in Pakistan. Our government wants to protect the interests of the Pakistan film fraternity."
He also added,"We don't mind rescheduling the two films to August 15. But piracy would have reduced the business prospects of the two films by then." Admitting that exhibitors would stand to gain by accommodating the two big-ticket films, Rashid however said, "We cannot overrule our government's decision."
Bollywood bear the brunt of film banning last year and it might be even more this time with two big releases. In Pakistan Eid is a positive release time as audiences comes in big numbers to watch films in theaters.
If anything latest update is received will let you all readers know about this latest crisis.
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