What is at stake in wake of Pakistan's boycott of Bollywood films?

Pakistani distributors will be boycotting the much-hyped biopic of Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni, which hits screens tomorrow. The Hindi filmdom is, arguably, jittery over this setback to box office biz

A still from 'MS Dhoni'

The ripple effect of the current Indo-Pak tension post the September 18 Uri attacks is being felt in Bollywood corridors. The release of at least two upcoming films — 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and 'Raees' — is in jeopardy following threats from the right-wing brigade to ban artistes from across the border and Pakistani distributors have responded by boycotting the much-hyped biopic of Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni, which hits screens tomorrow.

As reported yesterday, 'Dhoni biopic boycotted in Pakistan', IMGC Global Entertainment, a Pakistan-based distribution company, has decided against releasing the film in what is Bollywood's third largest overseas market. The Hindi filmdom is, arguably, jittery over this setback to box office biz.

Says trade expert Komal Nahta, "Pakistan has grown to be an important revenue earning centre for Bollywood in the last few years. Hindi films and stars are hugely popular across the border. A film starring the Khans is certain to do good business at the box office there. A (good) film can earn over R1.5 crore there."

On the other hand, film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi feels it is a bigger loss to Pakistani exhibitors than to Bollywood. "Pakistan is emerging to be a big market, but it is not yet that huge as compared to US, Canada and the Gulf nations. By not releasing Hindi films there, Pakistani exhibitors will feel the pinch. It is a loss for them, much more than it is for us. A loss of few crores in a R150-crore business at the box office won't make a big dent," explains Rathi.

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt couldn't agree more. "Business in India is the prime focus; overseas is over and above. It is only in case of a SRK movie that producers and distributors have a well chalked out plan for the overseas circuit. Pakistan could be bringing in sizeable returns, but that works in the case of smaller films.

"They hardly have theatres and so, the loss of that circuit can barely cause a dent in our business. It is now our wrath versus theirs. Banning artistes or films isn't the solution, but everyone is just trying to express how hurt they are," adds Bhatt.

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