The real reason why they tried to stop Bajrangi Bhaijaan in Pakistan
This Eid, Salman Khan's fans in Pakistan were looking forward to seeing Bajrangi Bhaijaan. The film's release across the border was nearly stopped because of the controversy over the copyright ownership of the Qawwalli 'Bhar De Jholi'.
But an insider reveals another truth altogether regarding the frantic attempts at postponement of the release of Bajrangi Bhaijaan in Pakistan.
Says a source from Pakistan, "This had nothing to do with the Qawwalli. There are 4-5 claimants to the copyright of the song. The movie was not attempted to be stopped in Pakistan for the song. It was because the Pakistanis had two crucial make-or-break Eid releases of their own this year. One is the Mahira Khan-Humayun Saeed drama Bin Roye and the other is the comedy Wrong Number. A lot was at stake for the Pakistani film industry with these two releases. They have always blamed Bollywood for the sorry plight of their own film industry. Pakistani film industry experts felt if Bajrangi Bhaijaan was released during Eid the two Pakistanis films would probably have been wiped out."
However, the film opened as per schedule in Pakistan and is running to packed houses.
Says Bajrangi Bhaijaan's jubilant co-producer Amar Butala, "Bajrangi Bhaijaan was released in Pakistan in over 80 screens for Eid and is being loved by the audiences. It is doing incredible business in both Pakistan and across the overseas market. The box office numbers are historic and will be Salman's biggest overseas success to date."
But an insider reveals another truth altogether regarding the frantic attempts at postponement of the release of Bajrangi Bhaijaan in Pakistan.
Says a source from Pakistan, "This had nothing to do with the Qawwalli. There are 4-5 claimants to the copyright of the song. The movie was not attempted to be stopped in Pakistan for the song. It was because the Pakistanis had two crucial make-or-break Eid releases of their own this year. One is the Mahira Khan-Humayun Saeed drama Bin Roye and the other is the comedy Wrong Number. A lot was at stake for the Pakistani film industry with these two releases. They have always blamed Bollywood for the sorry plight of their own film industry. Pakistani film industry experts felt if Bajrangi Bhaijaan was released during Eid the two Pakistanis films would probably have been wiped out."
However, the film opened as per schedule in Pakistan and is running to packed houses.
Says Bajrangi Bhaijaan's jubilant co-producer Amar Butala, "Bajrangi Bhaijaan was released in Pakistan in over 80 screens for Eid and is being loved by the audiences. It is doing incredible business in both Pakistan and across the overseas market. The box office numbers are historic and will be Salman's biggest overseas success to date."