Khan-Chopra squabble over Pakistani release of 'Taj Mahal'

Mumbai, March 27 (IANS) The spat between filmmakers Yash Chopra and Akbar Khan over the former's reluctance to acknowledge "Taj Mahal" as the first Indian film to be cleared for a Pakistan release has taken a new turn, with Khan accusing Chopra of ignoring a Pakistani delegation here.

Khan charged Chopra with callous indifference to the Pakistanis at the FICCI-FRAMES 2006' Global Convention last week and using it to promote his film "Veer-Zaara", reported Bollywood Trade.

"I thought it was a global convention for the entertainment industry. But as the chairperson of the federation, Yash Chopra chose to make it a platform for the propagation of his banner 'Veer-Zaara'," said Khan.

Khan said that Chopra deliberately ignored the Pakistani delegation in his opening speech. Chopra was not available for comment.

"It was a bit surprising since Chopra had welcomed the Pakistani delegation with a lot of vigour last year, purportedly to ensure his film 'Veer-Zaara' gets the requisite clearance in Pakistan. I found his attitude disgraceful."

Khan added that Chopra was reminded twice by Amit Mitra, secretary general of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, that he had neither acknowledged the presence of the Pakistani delegation nor announced that "Taj Mahal - An Eternal Love Story" was cleared for screening in Pakistan.

"He deliberately chose to mention it in a very humiliating manner through his note which reeked of betrayal. He couldn't stomach the fact that his film 'Veer-Zaara' had been unable to make it across the border," Khan fumed.

According to him, the flawless craftsmanship of "Taj Mahal" impressed Pakistan's cultural affairs ministry who give it prompt clearance.

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