'I dreamt of Prez Musharraf requesting me to release the film'

Asish Samanta / TNN / Apr 28, 2006, 00:30 IST

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Akbar Asif, tells us why he went out of his way to ensure Mughal-E-Azam be the first Indian film to release in Pakistan after four decades.

'I dreamt of Prez Musharraf requesting me to release the film'

K Asif'sx son, Akbar Asif, tells us why he went out of his way to ensure Mughal-E-Azam be the first Indian film to release in Pakistan after four decades.
The release of K Asif's Mughal-E-Azam in Pakistan has finally opened the gates of Bollywood in the neighbouring country!
With more Hindi films slated for release this year, the UK-based tycoon son of the legendary director, Akbar Asif is happy at last.After all, he made sure that this classic be the first to be released in Pakistan after a historic ban of Indian films for four long decades.
Slated for a later release, Asif junior actually preponed it by two months! "President Pervez Musharraf and filmmaker Yash Chopra came in my dreams and reminded me of my responsibilities to the people of India and Pakistan," quips Akbar.

On a more serious note, he elaborates, "Father always wanted Mughal-EAzam to bring both the countries together. I wanted to fulfil his dream.
Hence, I initiated the talks, presented the print to President Musharraf, got his permission for screening and obtained the censor certificate.
Being the first release, it was only important that a film of this stature be screened. No decoys should hit the theatres before this. I considered their request seriously."

The film was released in Pakistan last week without much fanfare. Akbar has his explanation for this. "This movie is immortal and needs no entourage of stars or elaborate festivities to make an impact.
It is bigger and larger than any film ever made." He is also sure of the sheer charisma of the movie. "When my father's film was originally released in 1960, it broke all records.
Now, almost 50 years later, it is helping to build a bridge of peace between the two countries, apart from opening the doors of Indian cinema in Pakistan."
Interestingly, the Pakistani film industry, much in need of a boost, sees a saviour in Mughal-EAzam. Nadeem Mandviwalla Entertainment, the distributors of the film there, acknowledged that cinema owners in are banking on the government-approved version of the movie to enliven the boxoffice.
"Yes, this film has attracted Pakistani audiences back to the theatres," he asserts.
Elaborate plans to concretise the peace path set by the film come next. "The reality TV show Akbar Asif Ko Anarkali Ki Talash will aim to strengthen our friendship to last beyond our lifetime," elaborates Akbar, adding," and this is just the beginning.
I would like films like Yash Chopra's Veer Zaara, Aamir Khan's Lagaan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black and Devdas, Farah Khan's Main Hoon Naa and other such quality commercial hits to be screened in Pakistani theatres. This would help strengthen the bond between both the countries."
asish.samanta@timesgroup.com

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