The reason Pakistan lifted ban on Indian films

Though the ban on Indian/Bollywood films has been lifted in Pakistan, the Pakistani government has not yet given a green signal to renew the import of Indian films. Pakistan’s movie theatres have therefore only resumed the screening of old Bollywood films.

Censor chief Pahlaj Nihalani says Pakistan had no choice but to lift the ban. “Their movie theatres were going empty. Theatres showing Sindhi and Urdu films demanded Bollywood films. This is the peak season in movie theatres in Pakistan. Dangal, one of the biggest Indian films this year, is to release this week. So, the ban was lifted to allow revenues to be generated through the movie business. But the Pakistani government is yet to clear the ban on the import of new Indian films. So, in spite of the ban being lifted, only old films are being screened.”

Bollywood film screenings in Pakistan resumed with Freaky Ali and Pink. But the release of Dangal and other new Bollywood releases in Pakistan is still uncertain. Says Nihalani, “Whether Pakistan resumes the import of our films or not, our ban on Pakistani artistes will continue until relations between the two countries are normalised.”