'Khuda Kay Liye' opens in Indian cinemas on April 4

Mumbai, Mar 28 (UNI) Come April and Indian moviegoers would get to see a Pakistani movie ''Khuda Kay Liye'' (In the name of God), which is being released in cinemas across the country with a record 150 prints.

The award-winning movie, based on post 9/11 scenario, is being released in India by Percept Picture Company.

It may be recalled that there was no exchange of films between India and Pakistan for the last 40 years. Recently ice was broken when the colour version of ''Mughal-e-Azam'' and Akbar Khan's ''Taj Mahal: An eternal love story'' were released in Pakistan.

Aamir Khan's ''Taare Zameen Par'' is also set to be released in Pakistan.

Pakistan's government has allowed Aamir Khan's film to be released on a condition that for each Hindi title released in Pakistan, an Urdu film will be allowed to be exhibited in India.

''Khuda Kay Liye'' was screened at the International Film Festival of India in 2007 in Goa last November and was received well by audience as well as critics.

The movie directed by Shoaib Mansoor has music by Rohail Hayat, Javed Bashir, Shuja Haider, Ahmad Jahanzeb, Khawar Jawad and Lagan Band.

Shot in 45 days in 2005-06 on a low-budget, the film covers a vast canvas and stresses on the fact that it is more important to be a true Muslim at heart, than to just proclaim your faith by growing beard or by keeping your women in a veil (purdah) or by wearing a ''kurta-pyjama''.

The movie revolves around a young Pakistani man (Shaan) who goes to the United States for higher education. During his study years, the tragic event of 9/11 takes place. In a long array of investigations and arrests, the young man gets arrested by the American authorities; while his younger brother is being motivated by an old extremist friend Shershah (Hameed Sheikh) on the path of God.

This record-breaking Pakistani film has very delicately narrated the situation after 9/11 which not only created a rift between the western world and the Muslims but also within the Muslim community. It describes a struggle between fundamentalists and liberal Muslims after the tragic event of 9/11 in which the World Trade Center turned into a tomb of dust.

The whole story is woven around educated and modern Muslims in a difficult situation because of their approach towards life and their western attire as they are criticised and harassed by the fundamentalists. On the other hand, the western world sees them as potential suspects of terrorism just because of their Muslim names which results in great sufferings for a forward looking Muslim.

''Khuda Kay Liye'' has Pakistani actors Shaan and Iman Ali in lead roles as Mansoor and Maryam/Marie respectively. The other star cast includes Hameed Sheikh as Shershah and Humayun Kazmi as Maryam's father. Naseeruddin Shah plays the prominent role of a Muslim cleric named Maulana Wali in a ''special appearance'' in the film and he was so impressed with his role that he did not charge any fee for working in the film.

The movie won the Silver Pyramid Award at the 2007 31st Cairo International Film Festival, Best Foreign Fim Award at Muscat Film Festival and honoured with the Roberto Rossellini Award in Italy. The film was well received in Dubai, London and Pakistan.

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