Pakistan premiere of 'Taj Mahal' a star studded affair

Mumbai, April 26 (IANS) Though the token one-day release of "Mughal-E-Azam" in Lahore has dampened Akbar Khan's spirit slightly, he said history was being made with the lavish, star-studded premiere of his "Taj Mahal - An Eternal Love Story" in Pakistan.

His film is being screened in Lahore Wednesday and Karachi Thursday.

"It feels like history," Khan told IANS from Lahore.

"I am here in Lahore with my entire family. My brothers Feroz and Sanjay Khan are here. My nephew Fardeen (Khan) is here. So are Mahesh Bhatt, Pehlaj Nihalani and Manisha Koirala. Rekha is joining us.

"Pakistan's minister of culture will attend the premiere. (Indian Tourism Minister) Ambika Soni will arrive carrying a letter from the prime minister (Manmohan Singh).

"We are trying to get President (Pervez) Musharraf to attend the premiere at the Plaza theatre in Lahore. It is a very posh theatre. They have removed 'King Kong' to accommodate 'Taj Mahal'. From one kind of an epic to another," Khan joked.

Then he sobers down as he discusses what he considers the duplicity of the people behind the release of "Mughal-E-Azam" in Pakistan.

"They were supposed to release in Pakistan on June 2. But when they heard about our release plans, they decided to have an early screening. The film was shabbily released for one day at a downmarket theatre named Gulistan just to make history.

"Such a shame that the work of a man as great as K. Asif should be reduced to a game of one-upmanship. In any case, their hasty release has backfired. The film has been poorly screened."

Khan is releasing 20 prints of "Taj Mahal" in Pakistan.

"We are releasing around 20 prints all across Pakistan. They don't have too many good theatres. So we have handpicked the theatres across the country.

"I feel my film could begin a new chapter in cultural relations between the two countries. Both India and Pakistan could benefit immensely from co-productions. I sincerely hope Indian films will be released regularly in Pakistan now."

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Taj Mahal