Protest likely against Pakistani film at MAMI film festival

Getty images (For representational purpose only)

Mumbai: A city-based social organisation is irked with MAMI Mumbai Film Festival organisers for selecting a Pakistani film to be showcased at the upcoming event, and plans to protest the same for which it has sought police permission.

The outfit, Sangharsh, has accused the organisers of playing with the nationalist sentiments of people of India, at a time of tension with Pakistan after the Uri terror attack.

"The organisers of this event are more likely to flare the outrage among people by screening this Pakistani film in their film festival. This will just not be acceptable as it will give rise to more tension and outrage among the people," read the letter written by the organisation's president Prithvi Mhaske to Amboli police here.

"Moreover, IMPAA has also decided to ban Pakistani actors from working in Bollywood and also almost all single screen theatres have decided to ban movies of Pakistani actors. So, why the organisers of MAMI Mumbai Festival are pouring so much love towards the Pakistani actors," the letter read.

The 18th edition of the festival will be held from October 20-27 in which over 180 films from 54 countries would be screened at several spots across the city.

Mhaske told PTI, "If the organisers do not stop screening the film, my workers would stall the screening of the film."

When contacted, Amboli's Senior Police Inspector Bharat Gaikwad said, "Yes, I have received an application in this regard and I have summoned both the parties tomorrow to go into the merits of the application."

"Jago Hua Savera" is a 1958 Pakistani drama film, directed by AJ Kardar. It was selected as the entry from Pakistan for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 32nd Academy Awards in 1960.

The film was co-produced during the days of undivided Pakistan (now independent Pakistan and Bangladesh) and shot in Dhaka. It tells the tale of life in a small fishing village where everyone dreams of owning their own boat.

The film is set to be screened in the 'restored classic' section of the festival, which is chaired by superstar Aamir Khan's director wife Kiran Rao.