Pakistani classic Jago Hua Savera is the latest film to be caught in the Indo-Pak political and diplomatic crossfire, reported The Hindu.
The organisers of the 18th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, that is scheduled to start on October 20, decided not to screen the film that is directed by Pakistani director AJ Kardar, written by Faiz Ahmed Faiz and features Indian actors, musicians and technicians.
Jago Hua Savera, which was to have been screened in the restored classics section, was Pakistan’s entry to the Oscars for the best foreign film.
The organisers of the week-long festival, in their short press release, cited the “current situation” as the reason for cancelling the 1959 black and white film. “Given the current situation, the Jio MAMI 18th Mumbai Film Festival with Star has decided not to programme Jago Hua Savera as part of the Restored Classics Section,” said a press release.
This decision comes after a complaint filed by a non-governmental organisation called Jagran on October 15, reported Scroll.
“We don’t have objections to any other films but just don’t show any films from Pakistan,” said Prithvi Maske, who heads the organisation.
Following the Uri attack in which 19 Army soldiers were killed, there has been a lot of pressure from various quarters to ban films having Pakistani actors.
A lot of pressure has also been exerted on Karan Johar’s film Aei Dil Hai Mushkil, which stars Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in a cameo, to keep it off the theatres.