Waar all set for UK release
WAAR - Movie is ready to release in UK shortly
Despite the British Board of Film Censors’ approval to screen Waar in the UK, Director Bilal Lashari reveals it could take up to two weeks for the movie to officially release.
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| Photo from ET File |
“Waar has been approved for release with no cuts. However, it will take 10 to 15 days to release because we are negotiating with distributors,” - Bilal Lashari tells The Express Tribune Newspaper.
The number of screens, cities and locations are still being finalised.
In an earlier interview, Lashari said that he was gearing up for the international release of Waar, and was in talks with various distributors.
The Pakistani film has grossed Rs190 million since its release on Eidul Azha alongside Bollywood flick Boss. Boss closed at Rs40 million at the local box office.
There has also been some speculation about the film’s release in India. Bilal Lashari said, “I have not approached anyone specifically for distribution in India.” Given the theme of the film and the perception that ‘Waar shows India as cause of nation’s problems’, the director says, “I have no idea how people will react, but it would be great if it ends up being screened. A lot of people are saying it’s never going to happen.”
The movie was released on 42 screens across Pakistan and beat the box office record for an opening day take of Rs11.4 million.
It is an action/thriller and drama film, written by Hassan Waqas Rana and stars Pakistan’s actors, Shaan Shahid and Shamoon Abbasi. The storyline has been inspired by the war on terror in Pakistan and its effects on the world, but with a stylised interpretation of it.
Source: ET
Pakistani Director Bilal Lashari hopes to bring 'Waar' in India'
Pakistani director Bilal Lashari hopes to bring 'Waar' in India'
by Joginder Tuteja, BollywoodHungama.com
A section of media may have termed his film as anti-India. However,31 year old debutant director Bilal Lashari believes that a lot is being read between the lines without much ado. Though he confesses that there is a subtle hint of select Indian characters causing trouble in Pakistan, Bilal re-emphasises that his is not a propaganda film and has to be looked as a 'high quality' entertainer.
"Even I was amazed when I came across an entire 15 minute long video feature that insinuated that Waar was anti-India. That is not the case. It is a patriotic film and that's about it. As a matter of fact a few amongst those who have seen the film wondered why the Indian angle was so subtle. They felt that I should have been a lot more vocal. However that's not the way I wanted to narrate the story of Waar. If you run an agenda like this for a film, it won't necessarily form connect with the audience. There is a lot more that needs to go in a story than throw in pointers that are provocative," says Bilal from Pakistan.
Though the promo of Waar never once calls out India as the 'dushmanmulk', the fact that Indian intelligence RAW features prominently in Bilal's film has made a few suspicious around the eventual content. Ironically, the film has been released only in Pakistan so far and hence the only possible source of anyone forming an opinion of any sorts was via pirated copies or online download of illegal software.
"We are now looking at the film being released internationally so that it reached out to a larger set of audience and its true worth is seen," says Bilal whose film is enjoying an IMDB rating of over 9 and after beating the opening day record of Chennai Express, is also the highest Pakistani film grosser ever.
When questioned about the probability of film making it to the Indian theatres despite its volatile content, Bilal says, "I am hopeful that happens. I don't see any reason why that should be a problem. We are in talks with distributors internationally."
It is also expected though that Waar may be chopped heavily, if at all it makes it to India, with Censors coming tough on it.
Bilal continues in a soft spoken tone, "As I said earlier, the film has a lot to tell on it's own than focus on any agenda or propaganda. I am willing to make adjustments to the copy that reaches India."
Considering the fact that at least two Pakistani films in last few years, Bol and Khuda Kay Liye, have made a terrific impact with Indian audience, Waar could well be a welcome addition.
