Bhatt says Taj Mahal first film to officially flicker on Pak screen

New Delhi, Apr 24 (UNI) A day after K Asif's classic Mughal-e-Azam was premiered in Lahore's Gulistan cinema, renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt today claimed that the screening of Akbar Khan's "Taj Mahal - An Eternal Love Story" in Pakistan on April 26 will go down the pages of history as the first Indian film to be shown in the neighbouring country after a gap of 41 years.

"I envy Akbar Khan for such a privilege... he will get a special mention in the history of Indo-Pak relationship," the veteran Director said during interaction with journalists ahead of the visit of a 38-member delegation led by Cultural Affairs Minister Ambika Soni for the screening of the "Taj Mahal" in Lahore on April 26. The film will be released in 20 cinema halls across Pakistan from April 28.

Asked how could "Taj Mahal" claim the credit of being the first Indian cinema to be shown in Pakistan in 41 years, Bhatt asserted that ''this is the first Indian film. undoubtedly the first Indian film to be shown in Pakistan in 41 years''.

He said the screening of Mughal-e-Azam or the Great Mughul" yesterday was a premiere show. But it is "official release" in the case of ''Taj Mahal.'' However, he refused to say anything more on the issue saying that ''we don't want to trivialise the whole movement''.

''We are feeling a great euphoria and entrusted with a great responsibility,'' he said, adding that ''we owe it to history... we should not waste the opportunity.'' Bhatt said "Taj Mahal" was being officially screened as the first film because it is based on a common Heritage and also because the film dealt with a subject relating to inseparable cultural links between the two countries.

''Moreover, the actress (Sonia Jehan) doing the role of Mumtaz Mahal is the grand daughter of Pakistani singer Noor Jahan,''he said.

Akbar Khan, who has just returned from Pakistan after overseeing all arrangements for the film's release in the neighbouring country, said the screening of his film should be an occasion for the entire film industry to rejoice as it would open up more opportunities for the industry in both the countries.

Akbar told UNI later that he had donated Rs 65 lakhs to a relief fund for victims of the October 2005 earthquake in the Kashmir region.

About 70,000 people died and more than two million in the area are still homeless.

Asked if he had any plan to donate the proceeds from the film for any charity in Pakistan, he said he had no such plan as he had already donated a huge amount for quake relief activities.

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