The two neighboring countries India and Pakistan have always had tense relations. In 2016, a terrorist attack on a military base in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 18 soldiers. India blamed Pakistan for the attack.

In response, Pakistan banned Indian films and also banned Indian TV channels. Even in India, there was a situation where Pakistani artists, musicians and technicians could not work.

Due to the border issue between the two countries, there have been frequent military conflicts. Apart from this, another war has been going on between India and Pakistan for the past decade, that of films. Culturally, there is so much tension between these two countries that Indian films portray terrorist organizations or individuals as representatives of Pakistan. While there were many Pakistani artists active in the film and music fields living in India. After 2016, even that relationship has been broken at the public level.

After India banned Pakistani artists in their country, famous Pakistani artists like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Ali Zafar had to leave India. Also, the High Court of India dismissed as illegal the ban imposed by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association in the name of security and patriotism to allow Pakistani artists to work. Although the High Court removed such a ban saying it was adverse to cultural harmony, unity and peace, practically the situation is still not easy.

Also, Pakistan has been banning most of the Indian films from showing in its country. After the 1965 war, Pakistan banned the screening of Indian films for almost four decades. Although the ban was lifted in 2008, it started to be banned again less than 8 years later. Films like 'Jolly LLB 2', 'Naam Shabana', 'Begum Jaan', 'Ek Tha Tiger', 'Baby', 'Dirty Picture', 'Raanjhanaa', 'Dangal', 'Ae Dil Hai Muskil' have been released in Pakistan. Didn't get it. While at one time Bollywood films had such a huge influence in Pakistan that the film industry itself was destroyed. It is mentioned in the report of 'All Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association' that Bollywood films alone occupy 60 percent of the Pakistani film industry.

The partial ban on Indian films has revived the Pakistani film industry in the last decade. Released on October 13, 2022, the film 'The Legend of Maula Jatta' became the highest grossing film in Pakistani film history. The main actors of this film are those who were deported from India 8 years ago, Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan.

At this time, the producer of the same film announced the release of India on October 2 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. Although the Indian High Court opened the way, extremist organizations like Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and political parties have not only protested strongly, they are threatening to vandalize the movie theater itself. MNS Film Department Chairman Amey Khopkar has given an open challenge not to allow 'The Legend of Maula Jatta' to be released in India.

is not only that, Khopkar has even threatened to break his limbs if the actors of the film come to India for publicity purposes. He says, "Pakistan has been continuously attacking our country, even just last week. Our soldiers were martyred in it.

And why do we need a Pakistani film in such a situation? Are there no actors in our country? Khopkar has appealed to the Indian people to block the screening of Pakistani films in Maharashtra under any circumstances. In an interview, Khopkar said, "Art and politics are definitely two different things, but if the same art belongs to those who attack our country, then we don't need their art." Those who attack us under the guise of art will never be tolerated.'

Also, while Indian films are being shown uninterruptedly in Nepal, it is difficult for Nepali films to get exhibition in India. Recently, 'Prem Geet 3' was allowed to be screened in India only after dubbing in Hindi. Nepali filmmakers allege that the Indian Censor Board is unknowingly blocking Nepali films from exhibiting various problems. While there is a large number of Nepali speakers in India, India is a big market for its films.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray has also raised objections regarding the India exhibition of 'The Legend of Maula Jatt'. He strongly warned that Pakistani films cannot be welcomed in the name of cultural exchange in the context of ongoing strained relations between the two countries and that the results will not be good if they are shown in Maharashtra. He wrote on the social network 'X', "Why was a Pakistani artist's film allowed to be exhibited in India?" What are you trying to do by not bringing the artists of the countries who hated India and separated here and showing their films? The government should ban such films across the country. Otherwise, the hall showing this film may also have to pay a heavy price.

Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena has also given a similar warning. Its leader Anand Dubey has said bluntly, "Why should we spend our hard earned money for Pakistani films?" While they are using that money to spread terrorism against India?' Fawad was last seen in the Indian film 'Kapoor and Sons' while Mahira also played the lead role in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Raees'. Extremist organizations are threatening the Indian performance of 'The Legend of Maula Jatt', but it is also being welcomed by the public. The Indian media "India TV" has said that the Indian audience is very excited about the Pakistani film that is going to be released in India after almost 10 years.

'The Legend of Maula Jatt' is a remake version of the earlier film 'Maula Jatt' made in 1979. This film was finally released in 2022, which was not shown even in Pakistan for a few years due to a copyright dispute with the producer of the old film. The

film earned more than 150 crores in Pakistan and has collected 400 crores from all over the world. In India, the film has been distributed by Zee Studio. Bharatiya Janata Party's Maharashtra chief Ashutosh Duve has also raised questions as to how Zee Studio could go ahead to screen Pakistani films in India. He protested against the possible exhibition of the film by running the hashtag 'Boycott Zee Studios' in 'X'.