Ramchand Pakistani releasing in India

Pakistani director Mehreen Jabbar's debut film "Ramchand Pakistani" is the next in a row to be released in India by Percept Picture Company (PPC) after the hugely popular "Khuda Kay Liye".

Based on an accidental crossing of the India-Pakistan border, "Ramchand Pakistani" will open in cinemas on August 22 with about 100 prints.

Made on a budget of Pakistani Rs.40 million ($550,000) critics and audiences alike have widely lauded the film for its acting, direction and screenplay.

Nandita Das, the only Indian star in the movie, has shared screen space with Pakistani actors like Rashid Farooqui, Noman Ijaz, Maria Wasti, Navaid Jabbar and a young boy, Syed Fazal Hussain.

"This movie can't be counted as a conventional Pakistani film just because it has been made in Pakistan. This is a distinctive film with a broad appeal. It reflects the tragedy of hundreds of innocent people of either country who languish in jails of the other and the devastation for all their families," said Nandita.

The film was showcased earlier this month at the 10th Osian's-Cinefan Film Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema and shared the International Federation of Film Critics award with Palestinian film "Salt Of The Sea" at the 11-day gala.

An exclusive screening for Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was held in Islamabad and the film was premiered in Karachi just days ahead of its August 1 release in the country.

"Ramchand Pakistani" was also selected for the narrative section of the Tribeca Film Festival and was even screened at the Seattle International Film Festival.

It has also been chosen to be showcased at the Rhode August 2008 Island International Film Festival, US.

Indo-Asian News Service