'Awarapan' releases in Pakistan Friday

The Bhatts' latest production "Awarapan", directed by Mohit Suri, may not have done well at home, but it crosses borders by releasing in Pakistan.

Mahesh Bhatt, who has been furthering cultural ties with Pakistan by regularly importing musicians and actors for his cinema, is over the moon.

"Our Awarapan is slated for release in all the key cities of Pakistan," he said. The initial print order is 20 and we hope it will go up."

He sees this as a step forward for bettering cultural ties between the two countries. "I do believe the release of 'Awarapan' on that side of the border ushers a new phase in Indo-Pak relations. For me and my business partner in Pakistan it's a personal triumph."

Mahesh hopes to take his leading man Emraan Khan, Mohit and writer Shagufta for the Pakistan premiere. "But it all depends on whether our visas come through," Mahesh has his fingers crossed.

Earlier, on several occasions, Bollywood's denizens including Javed Akhtar have been denied visas to Pakistan.

Indo-Asian News Service