As tensions escalated between New Delhi and Islamabad, Pakistani authorities decided to ban the screening of films from renowned Bollywood studios and advertisements extolling the virtues of Indian products.
The boycott was officially announced following an announcement made on Tuesday by Pakistan's Minister of Information, Fawad Chaudhry. “No Indian films will be released in Pakistan,” he wrote on Twitter. The Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association said it respects this decision and is complying with it.
In October 2016, such a choice was made by Pakistan due to escalating tensions with New Delhi earlier. The measures remain in effect for three months.
In February 2017, Islamabad decided to ban the blockbuster film “Raees” on the grounds that it portrayed Muslims as “terrorists”. A controversy then erupted, with filmmaker and journalist Hasan Zaidi saying that it was “an example of the kind of absurdity perpetrated by moral crusaders and servile bureaucrats in Pakistan”.
Indian films enjoy strong popularity in Pakistan, where Pakistani actress Mahira Khan's Bollywood career is particularly followed.
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