The distributors of the much-talked about Bollywood movie MS Dhoni: The Untold Story starring Sushant Singh Rajput have reportedly decided not to release the film in Pakistan due to rising tension over Uri attacks.
MS Dhoni: The Untold Story is not featured in the theatre listing. "The film does not feature in the programming list since no distributor wants to bring it here," Mid-Day quoted a source from the exhibition industry in Pakistan as saying.
IMGC Global entertainment reportedly acquired its theatrical rights and had big plans for its grand release across Pakistan. But the distributor is said to be scared that the movie would hurt the sentiments of the people of the country, who are all tensed over the recent Uri attacks.
In a statement, Ahmed Rashid, the chairman of this Pakistan-based distribution company, has confirmed that he has scrapped his plan to release MS Dhoni: The Untold Story in the country. "Amid current tension between the two countries, we have decided not to release the film," the distributor told Midday.
Pakistan has been one of the potential markets for Bollywood movies, which do decent collection across the border and Pakistan is emerging as the third highest overseas market for Bollywood, say trade insiders. "But, this development (boycott of Dhoni) will affect the business," adds the insider.
However, a lawyer named Azhar Saddique has reportedly filed a petition at the Lahore High Court on September 23, seeking a ban on Indian films until the Kashmir issue is resolved. On other hand, the MNS is protesting against Pakistani artistes in Bollywood and the group staged a demonstration outside the Andheri office of filmmaker Karan Johar, whose upcoming film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil features Pakistani star Fawad Khan.
