Film Industry: Debutant director says he was told to avoid Indo-Pak subjects

Debutant director says he was told to avoid Indo-Pak subjects

    Anti-Pakistan sentiment has been the common factor in all films on Indo-Pak wars. In fact, it would not be wrong to say that a certain brand of ‘patriotism’ is a constant feature of such films in Bollywood. That, perhaps, made debutant director Faraz Haider decide to showcase the relations between the two countries in a light manner in what he and his team are calling India’s first war comedy. The film, called War Chhod Na Yaar, stars Sharman Joshi, Soha Ali Khan and Jaaved Jaaferi.
    Says Faraz, “Uptil now, almost all films made on Indo-Pak issues showed Pakistan in a bad light. I’m not saying it is wrong, nor am I pointing fingers at anyone. Also, the purpose behind making this film is not to hurt Pakistan or its people.”
    He adds, “We’ve shown the human side of all army men — Indian or Pakistani — without forgetting their sacrifices for their countries. But we have taken some harmless cinematic liberties in portraying different characters on both sides.” Starting on the film wasn’t easy, he says. “When I thought of making this film, many people close to me told me not to touch this topic as it would be too sensitive. I understand India and Pakistan have a lot of problems which need an immediate solution. But instead of solving them, we’re busy fighting over unimportant issues.”
    War Chhod Na Yaar, produced by AOPL Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., releases October 11.