May, 29:At a time when political overtures for peace between India and Pakistan are hotting up newswires, Bollywood has extended its hand of friendship, as well. Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt plans to make a film on the Partition, with the same title, with both Indian and Pakistani actors in the star cast. Ideally, Bhatt plans to shoot part of the film in Pakistan.
Confirming the news Bhatt says that he had spoken to the contingent of Pakistani MPs and other delegates who had recently come to India. "I spoke to them about the project and they were excited and positive about the project. They asked me to put the proposal in writing and I have done that."
Though Bhatt has yet to formally seek permission through formal channels, he says talks are already on, and he hopes for a positive response.


"I am not worried about my side, which is a free, democratic, open country. I am hopeful about Pakistan as well, as their leadership has shown initiative," he says.


The cast from across the border is yet to be identified. "My London-based producer friend Savi Ali who is of Pakistani origin is helping list the actors we are going to approach."


Post-1947, Bollywood has not shot any film in Pakistan, though Indian films continue to be very popular, and musicians from Pakistan have made it big in India.


The late Raj Kapoor, starred Zeba Bhaktiar in his film Henna, also an across the border love story. The showman was very keen to shoot parts of Henna in Pakistan, but it is believed that he was denied permission.

Dev Anand is nostalgic about his historic voyage to Pakistan in the maiden bus to Lahore, Sada-e-Sarhad. He was part of the Prime Minister's contingent, and it was like going back home.

"I visited my old college and spoke to the then premiere, Nawaz Shraif. He invited me to make a film in Pakistan. I was very excited, it would be a dream come true. But history took a strange turn and it was not to be," recalls Anand, referring to the exile of Sharif.


Anand may not realise his dream, but Bhatt is determined to make this film, as a sign of peace. "The Prime Minister has taken a bold initiate for peace with Pakistan, which is very significant against the backdrop of Iraq. In these time, India and Pakistan have to bury and work out their differences, and realise that we are people of the same race and blood." Films, he believes, have a part to play. "The entertainment industry cannot remain insulated from our political environment," he says. He believes 1947 to be India's defining moment in history. Not just when India got Independence, but both countries were washed in the blood of communal hatred. But even in these shameful times, there were portraits of courage, of people giving up their lives to save people from the other, targeted communities. "I recall reading about a Muslim policeman who saved 200 Sikhs from the fury of a Muslim mob in Pakistan. He did his duty, as a cop and a human being," says Bhatt.


Bhatt's Partition exemplifies such humanity and courage. A Hindu maharaja is travelling on a luxurious train from the north-west frontier (Rawalpindi) with his entrouge. He has a harem, but travelling with him is a young Hindu girl to be his bride and 20th wife. Also travelling in the Palace on Wheels is a young Muslim stable boy, with his elder brother. As the train speeds towards India, the young girl and the stable boy are drawn towards each other, though they are aware of the huge chasm of religion and class which divides them.


The train has not yet reached its destination, when Partition is announced. The Maharajah, in an effort to save his life, abandons his bride-to-be. She, and her family are saved by the stable boy, who takes on the wrath of his own community. He reaches them safely across the border, but loses his own life in the effort.


Bhatt says he plans to start the film as soon as necessary permissions are obtained from both India and Pakistan.