No Pakistan Release For Two More Bollywood Movies

Mumbai: A day after Ajay Devgn announced that ‘Total Dhamaal’ would not release in Pakistan in the wake of Pulwama terror attack, producer of two more Bollywood movies – ‘Luka Chuppi’ and ‘Arjun Patiala’ – has decided to follow suit.

In a statement, Producer Dinesh Vijan on Tuesday said that he had cancelled a contract with the Pakistan distributor of the films, and that his banner Maddock Films will not be releasing Kartik Aaryan’s ‘Luka Chuppi’ and Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Arjun Patiala’ in the territory.

Directed by debutant Laxman Utekar, ‘Luka Chuppi’ will hit theatres on March 1, while ‘Arjun Patiala’, a romantic comedy, directed by Rohit Jugraj will release on May 3.

These are a spillover of the worst-ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 40 CRPF jawans were martyred. Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistani actors have also been barred from working in Indian movies and in a statement, All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) had warned of ban and strong action against any organisation that insists on or is found working with Pakistani nationals.

Titled ‘Pakistani Artists Banned in Film Industry’ and signed by AICWA general secretary Ronak Suresh Jain, the notice read, “All India Cine Workers strongly condemns brutal terrorist attack on our soldiers at Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, AICWA stands with nation in confronting such terror and inhumanity.

Actor Shabana Azmi and her lyricist-poet-screenwriter husband Javed Akhtar had also cancelled their trip to the Karachi Arts Council following the terror attack.