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Is Mahesh Bhatt making a film in Pakistan?

Is Mahesh Bhatt making a film in Pakistan?

The Indian director/producer is exploring the possibility of making a Punjabi film as a Pak-India co-production
19 Sep, 2015

LAHORE: Indian film director and producer Mahesh Bhatt says that during his stay in Pakistan, he will explore the possibilities of making a Punjabi film, jointly produced in India and Pakistan with the help of a Pakistani production house.

He told a press conference at a hotel on The Mall on Friday the movie -- Dushman -- would be a real co-production in terms of artistes, technicians, music and other segments.

Mr Bhatt is in Lahore on the invitation of actor Humayun Saeed to attend the premiere of ‘Jawani Phir Nahi Ani’ in Lahore on Saturday (today).

Indian film screenwriter Shagufta Rafique and Indian Punjab film producer Vinay Bhardwaj were also present.

He said he wondered if Indian films could be shot in Sri Lanka, then why not in Karachi and Lahore as well. He said the Zindagi channel in India had created a market for Pakistani TV artistes in India.

He said film actress Meera called and asked him for any role in any of his films, however he did not have any role to offer her right now. He said he would consider Meera’s request in the future.

About his Punjabi co-production, he would hold meetings with film and TV artistes in Lahore. Though he did not mention the names, he said he had contacted a few senior TV artistes to cast them in the film, however they were reluctant to act in a Punjabi movie.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2015

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Comments

Pune-India Sep 19, 2015 11:22am
Mahesh Bhatt stay in Pakistan..forever..
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Jonty Rhodes Sep 19, 2015 12:43pm
Well, no one should be surprised. Mahesh Bhatt is legally a muslim. His mother was a Dawoodi Bohra Muslim and father was Hindu Brahmin. He converted to Islam to marry second time without divorcing his 1st wife. At that time, he changed his name to Afzal Khan. But then later on decided to keep the Hindu name. His first wife was christian and her name was Lorraine Bright but he changed that to Kiran. His son from his 1st wife, Rahul Bhatt revealed that Mahesh Bhatt wanted to name him Mohammed. But eventually his 1st wife decided against it. Mahesh Bhatt for all practical purposes is a practicing Muslim. That is the reason Emran Hashmi is his nephew. The reason we see many Pakistani actors, actresses, singers etc. in his film is because he is very committed to the cause of Pakistan.
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Jinnah Sep 19, 2015 12:57pm
Pakistan is an historic blunder and its best option is to re-connect with it bigger, stronger and better part, as a fully autonomus state in a pragmatic manner over the long term
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Ahmed Wani Sep 19, 2015 01:11pm
Mahesh Bhatt is going against the tide...he should know about majority perception in india....what indian people want
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AW Sep 19, 2015 02:13pm
Mahesh Bhatt is doing good work to remove the walls between India and Pakistan. I admire his efforts
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True Speaking Sep 19, 2015 03:08pm
Great Opportunists
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Ali Sep 19, 2015 04:09pm
Mahesh bhatt always embarks on tough journeys... Making impossible possible...
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vijay Sep 19, 2015 05:27pm
JONTY RHODES He is neither Muslim nor Hindu , he is Indian , probably an atheist being follower of U G Krishnamuty. As regards making punjabi movie in Pakistan is not economically viable idea , Punjabi movies have limited market . It would be fantastic idea if he returns as Director and makes Hindi movie with Pakistani artist , technicians ect,. May we see one more film like" Sharansh "
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Shdhsn Sep 19, 2015 05:37pm
@Jonty Rhodes - what is your point of giving this background? People like you are against peace between 2 countries. India does not belong to Hindus only. Go and check number of Muslims proudly representing India in many fields of life.
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BNS Sep 19, 2015 06:45pm
Mr. Bhatt deserves more appreciation and acknowledgement in Pakistan. I think he even deserves an award.
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Zahir Sep 19, 2015 07:10pm
@Ahmed Wani That's what make him what he is...he doesn't flow with the tide he shifts them
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AW Sep 19, 2015 09:52pm
@Jonty Rhodes : Please get over the religious divide. Muslim or no Muslim does not really matter. What matters is that he is a good human being with good intentions who wants to eliminate hatred between Pakistan and India and wants to build bridges between the people who have common history, common culture and common civilization.
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Sidhu Sep 19, 2015 11:55pm
@Shdhsn .....@Jonty Rhodes - what is your point of giving this background? People like you are against peace between 2 countries. India does not belong to Hindus only. Go and check number of Muslims proudly representing India in many fields of life. " He is just stating the facts . No where it sounds hatred ! Why do you sound so heart by learning the facts ?
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Raja Farhat Abbas Sep 20, 2015 03:29am
He is a decent human being and is more than welcome to Pakistan .
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Makhdoom Junaid Mohammad Sep 20, 2015 03:57am
@Jonty Rhodes Some Joke!
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Usman777 Sep 20, 2015 04:38am
It seems to be by comments that indians themselves are confused. On the one hand they pakistan were a historical mistake than the others prove with their discriminatory attitude why pak proponents were right all along. Make up ur mind then get back to us.
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Neutral Indian Sep 20, 2015 09:18am
@Jonty Rhodes Mahesh Bhatt is a great human , an atheist and a close comrade of philosopher U.G. krishnamurti. The web is replete with enough references. To say he was a Muslim is farthest from the truth. He is beyond the petty nationalism, so your points seem to mislead an unsuspecting mind. Please get over all this hatred.
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watson Sep 20, 2015 08:04pm
@Neutral Indian yes it does not matter what religion he follows or follows no religion at all but let us know something about Krishnamurti if possible.
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Ajay vikram Singh Sep 21, 2015 01:41am
@watson - Actually, Mahesh Bhatt is more inspired by the teachings of Osho, than krishnamurti. Both were modern-age spiritual Gurus from India, who have massive western following, specially in intellectual circles. Both of them have passed away now. Both were tremendously intellectual and considered enlightened by their followers. And please note, they were NOT religious Gurus, but spiritual ones. You can know about both of them from here - Osho - http://www.osho.com/ KrishnaMurti - http://www.jkrishnamurti.org/
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Muhammad Ayub khan Sep 22, 2015 12:06pm
I would like to appreciate his efforts which he has been doing for developing peace and friendship in both counties. we both countries have a lot of similarities in culture and language with respect of our life style as well. he has been playing an important role for as peace Loving good will Ambassador for both countries . i am really inspired by his intellectual personality and positive approaches . i have no concerned all about his religion belonging and his origin indeed he is a good human being with having a broad Minded vision. .
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GV Sep 22, 2015 10:28pm
If MB is athiest, why does he support rabid fundamentalist Zakir Naik in his spreading of venon, There are you tube videos for proof.
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