Bollywood films cross the borders

Indo-Pak relations have yet to thaw, but a string of Indian film releases in Pakistan is a clear indication that against all odds, the two industries are trying to maintain their ties.

Farhan Akhtar's Luck By Chance opened in Pakistani theatres on Friday, and although Ghajini was released two weeks after it hit the screens in India, it received a warm welcome. While Shah Rukh Khan's last film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi did not release in Pakistan, his new film, Billu Barber, is scheduled to be released in the neighbouring country on February 13.

Pakistani film producer Sevy Ali said, "Indian films are cleared under the foreign film category. The criteria for releasing a film here is strange they: they allowed Raaz and Ghajini only because some of the scenes and songs were shot abroad. Rab Ne's release was stalled as all of it was shot in India.''

A spokesperson for Big Pictures said, "Pakistan as a market has a great potential due to cultural and language similarities.''

Ali added, "Race raked in Rs 6 crore, and that means Pakistan has the potential to generate revenue Ghajini would have done well, but by the time it released here, pirated DVDs had flooded the market.''

Bollywood is keen on releasing its films in Pakistan, but is being stonewalled by rules that don't allow films, which are shot completely in India, to be released.