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India is more accepting of Pakistani actors: Aanand L Rai

India is more accepting of Pakistani actors: Aanand L Rai

The producer-director voices his opinion on the ban of Happy Bhag Jayegi
26 Aug, 2016

After Dishoom was not allowed to release in Pakistani cinemas, Aanand L Rai's production Happy Bhag Jayegi is the latest flick to be banned by the Pakistani censor board.

According to the Hindustan Times, when asked about the said ban, the director said he felt "sad for the people of Pakistan." According to him, "They have been deprived of so many things because of political pressures."

He adds, “I feel proud to be a part of a country, where I have the freedom to express myself.”

Upon being asked if this implied that India is more accepting of Pakistani talent, he answered “Yes, definitely.” The Raanjhanaa director adds that people in the Hindi entertainment industry “understand creativity better”.

“But I don’t think we can compare the two countries,” he adds.

The director of Tanu Weds Manu Returns has cast Shah Rukh Khan for his next film, where he has SRK playing the role of a dwarf. When this caused one to ask his opinion on directors casting the Khans in stereotypical roles he explains, "No, the Khans have done varied roles throughout their career. They tapped into their talent. They are intelligent and understand the process of film-making. It’s the audience that demands that SRK be shown in a romantic role or Salman be seen in an action-oriented one."

Aanand L Rai says he “understands” his ordinariness and the fact that he has “become a director with some difficulty”. “But I love telling stories. I enjoy the process, and I don’t want to complicate film-making. I want to keep it simple, and I want to be known as a teller of small stories,” he says.

Comments

Ticklme Elmo Aug 26, 2016 10:13am
Pakistani government should stop behaving like immature babies.
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Rida Aug 26, 2016 12:36pm
Yeah right! He is talking as if waar was not banned in India. He is wrong at another front. Pakistan is more accepting of Indian Talent. Indian movies have been releasing in Pakistan and Indian actors have been acting and Indian singers have been singing in Pakistani movies and dramas. But the way Pakistani actors are treated in India and subjected to the scrutiny and controversies and humiliation from their media and show biz fraternity is totally abominable (for example Abhijeet's derogatory comments about Atif Aslam), on the other hand Indian actors and singers are treated with utmost respect in Pakistan. So yeah whatever this director said was total bollocks. The movie happy bhag jayegi has many controversial and insulting dialogues towards Pakistan. He is just trying to guise and sweet wrap his hypocrisy.
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Abdullah Cheema Aug 26, 2016 01:04pm
Our censor board just wants the public to see the cliche movies over and over again. And they ban films that they don't "like" where as they might make very good business here. We need films that challenge societal norms and express different points of view to be able to provide good entertainment to our people. And in the recent times Bollywood has been successful in providing that sort of entertainment to their people. Pakistan Censor board, Please change!!
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Jabbar Pasha (Canada) Aug 26, 2016 11:33pm
very good acting by Pakistani actors
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nawaz islam Aug 27, 2016 02:05am
Can anyone tell me why Neerja was banned in Pakistan?
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Maestro Aug 27, 2016 08:58am
There is no harm in making joint films or Pakistani actors or actresses working in Bollywood, but there are some sensitive topics, like taunting politics ethics, or religious values,these topics should be avoided by story writers. BTW we must thank Bollywood for supporting Pak actors & actresses.
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