First Pakistan and India joint film ready for release

The first movie made jointly by producers from Pakistan and India will be ready for screening next month, a leading Indian film director said yesterday.

Nazar (Sight) is based on the life of an Indian woman who struggles against social injustices common in both Pakistan and India, rival nations who share more than half a century of hostile relations.

Mahesh Bhatt said most of the movie that he is making with Pakistani producers Sohail Khan and Sevi Ali has been filmed.

"This is the first co-production between Pakistan and India," Bhatt said in the eastern city of Lahore, home to Pakistan's film industry, describing Nazar as a movie about a woman who fights alone against all odds.

"This venture will certainly help people (from both countries) to share their ideas and views."

Indian movies are immensely popular in Pakistan, but the government has banned their screening in cinemas. Pakistanis mainly watch Indian films at home on satellite television and videos.

Bhatt said it was unclear whether the Pakistani government will allow Nazar - which will star Meera, a prominent Pakistani actress who uses only one name - to be shown in the country.

Bhatt was in Pakistan along with his movie star daughter Pooja Bhatt for the international premiere of her film Rog (The Ailment) only the second Indian film to premiere in Pakistan. The movie was screened at a 10-day film festival that is being held in the southern city of Karachi.

The first Indian movie which had its premiere in Pakistan was Pooja's Paap (Sin), which was shown at the festival last year.

Pakistan and India have a dispute over the Himalayan region of Kashmir. They control parts of the region but claim it in its entirety. They have fought two wars over the dispute since their independence from British rule in 1947.

Pakistani and Indian leaders have taken steps in recent months to normalise relations, making easier for people on both sides to travel to each other's countries.