Pakistani film 'Khuda Ke Liye' released in India

Mumbai, Apr 4 : The Pakistan film 'Khuda Ke Liye' (In The Name of God) was released in India on Friday.

"This is a very happy occasion that after about 40-45 years a Pakistani film is being officially released in India. The filmmakers here in Indian film industry, the audiences, everybody is happy," said Javed Shaikh, Pakistani actor.

The film generated an overwhelming response from its audience who felt that more and more such films should be made.

"It is a very good movie and more films like this should be made. It is a very good bond between the two countries," said Madhur Bhandarkar, a Bollywood director.

The film weaves together three stories -- of a pop singer who comes under the influence of Islamic extremists, a Briton of Pakistani origin who is forcibly married to her cousin and a man illegally detained in the U.S. after the 9/11 attacks.

The film features Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah in a cameo as a Muslim scholar clarifying the tenets of Islam during a court case.

Shah termed the film as an answer to the West, which has labelled the Muslim community as terrorists, so much so that terrorism has become synonymous with the community.

"It's been long that terrorism has been linked with Muslims. It has become synonymous with the community. It was high time that an answer to this was given to the West. That is the only reason that this film has mostly been made in English to cater to the western audiences. I think Shoaib Mansoor (Director) himself must not have thought that the film would generate such a good response in Pakistan," he said.

Pakistan's film industry has been starved of a natural audience in India due to political differences and the dominance of Bollywood.

But the success of 'Khuda Ke Liye' since its release in Pakistan in July last year may be a sign that Pakistani cinema is finally coming of age.

The film recieved a standing ovation at the International Film Festival of India last year.

ANI