The wrath against anything Pakistani in films has now reached the Jio MAMI 18th Mumbai Film Festival, which will showcase a Pakistani film called The Day Shall Dawn. Mumbai-based NGO, Sangharsh has approached the police to protest against the screening of the film, saying that the organisers will “flare outrage” among people after the Uri attack.
Senior officials at Amboli police station said the organisers of MAMI and members of Sangarsh NGO will be called on Monday for questioning to understand the validity of the NGO’s complaint.
The letter by the NGO president Prithvi Mhaske to the police said: “The organisers of this event are likely to flare outrage among people by telecasting this Pakistani film in the festival. This will just not be acceptable as it will give rise to more civil tension and outrage among people. Even single-screen theatres have decided against showcasing films with Pakistani actors. So, why are the organisers of MAMI pouring so much love towards Pakistani actors?”
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The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has been pressing for a ban on Pakistani artistes in India in the wake of the Uri attack, which killed 18 Indian soldiers. The Indian Motions Pictures Producers Association (IMPAA) recently met MNS members to request they do not press for the ban of two films, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil starring Fawad Khan and Raees starring Mahira Khan. The IMPAA also assured them of not casting Pakistani artistes in the future.
The Day Shall Dawn is a 1959 film directed by AJ Kardar set in then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, and was shot entirely in Bangladesh. The 18th edition of the Mumbai Film Festival will be held between 20 and 27 October and will showcase 180 movies from 54 countries across theatres in Mumbai.