LAHORE: Pakistan’s film industry including Pakistan Film Producers Association, Film Distribution and celebrities of Pakistani cinema has called for an Anti-Bollywood campaign protesting against the Indian irreverence.

A meeting was held in this regard at Bari Studios, which was attended by a number of important names from Pakistan’s film sector. It was decided in the meeting that all relevant personalities will be notified of the developments and an immediate protest to be registered against the Indian misconduct. The venue for the protest has yet to be decided upon.

In an exclusive talk with media on the matter, Pakistan Film Producers Association Chairman and filmmaker Syed Noor stated that no friendly terms could be kept with the neighbouring country under such circumstances. Noor fumed over the issue stating that the discourtesy and disrespect shown by Indian figures against Pakistan’s entertainment stars, cricketers and politicians was intolerable.

Noor further stated that Pakistan had always been an advocate for peace and stability in the region, which was it had extended an offer of friendly relations with its neighbour but it was unfortunate that India was not worthy of being called a friend. The Lollywood director reiterated the fact that Pakistan was more than capable of responding with a befitting reply to the Indian flippancy. Noor expressed that being the chairman; he will lead the demonstration against India and Indian cinema.

Commenting on the affair, Pakistan Film Distribution Association Chairman Chaudhary Ejaz Kamran stated that India earned billions of rupees by utilising the exhibition of its films on Pakistani soil while Pakistan had been releasing their illicit films through lawful mediums, however Hindu extremists with the backing of their government repeatedly kept up their ignominious behaviour and had been disgracing Muslims and Pakistanis.

Ejaz stated that the episodes of cancelation of Ghulam Ali’s show and the Khursheed Kasuri debacle had left no doubts in anyone’s mind regarding India’s true colours. Ejaz requested the government to ban all Indian films in Pakistan. Pakistani filmmaker Sohail Khan also expressed his views on the issue stating that India had no right to display it films after putting a ban on Pakistani cricketers and artists in their own country, which the government of Pakistan should take a notice of. Khan also commented that Pakistan’s importers and cinema owners should show their solidarity with the country and boycott Bollywood films up until India does not changes its attitude towards our country.

Pakistan’s veteran actress Sangeeta in a telephonic discussion registered her opinion on the matter as well. Sangeeta said that she had always been against the idea of Indian cinema creeping into Pakistan’s industry as it negatively impacted Pakistan’s culture and traditions but not all shared the same sentiments.

Sangeeta voiced her suggestions saying that all Bollywood films should be banned in Pakistan giving a clear message to the Indians that we are an honourable nation that knows how to keep its pride when anybody dares make an attempt on it.

Earlier this month, India and its extremist Shiv Sena party conducted a series of actions promoting a feeling of distrust and anger in Pakistan’s citizens and greatly damaging the bilateral relations between the two countries. The Board of Control for Cricket in India caved into the pressure from the Shiv Sena party who called for a ban on Pakistan playing against India in a series that was to be played in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The BCCI went a step further and pulled out Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar from conducting the last two One Day Internationals between India and South Africa, apparently over his safety concerns. Pakistan’s cricketers Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar who were supposed to provide commentary on the ODI’s also opted to return to Pakistan. Pakistan’s actors also suffered at the hands of Indian extremism as celebrities Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan were threatened by the Indian Shiv Sena after, which a return to their homeland seemed like the only option.