Posts tagged ISI

Salman Khan to visit Pakistan

0
10 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

The actor along with director Kabir Khan plans a trip to the neigbouring nation where the promo of their upcoming film has been banned

Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 11, 2012)

 

Following the ban on the Ek Tha Tiger promo in Pakistan, lead actor Salman Khan is ready to visit the country. The actor will be accompanied by director Kabir Khan.

According to a letter issued by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority to all satellite TV channels and cable networks last week, Ek Tha Tiger, set for world release on August 15, is “reportedly based on the activities of ISI and RAW”. And the film, they presume, is aimed at tarnishing the image of the country’s intelligence agency.

When asked about it, Kabir told Mirror, “It’s disturbing for Ek Tha Tiger to be perceived as an anti-Pakistan film. But it isn’t surprising. Look at the cheap jingoistic anti-Pakistan films that have released over the years. We can’t really blame them if they perceive Ek Tha Tiger as one such film.”

About Salman and his trip to the country, Kabir added, “Neither Salman nor I have ever visited Pakistan. So why not? We are willing to do anything that’s required to make Pakistanis believe that our project is not against them. I don’t think the trailer being banned is a big deal. Once the film releases, the truth will be out.”

Saif Ali Khan’s ISI connection

1
1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in

His film may have been banned in Pakistan over ISI references, but Saif’s uncle was a frontrunner for the post of the agency’s chief

By Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; March 22, 2012)

 

Saif Ali Khan’s soon-to-be-released film has been banned in Pakistan allegedly due to certain references to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the country’s premier spy agency.

But ironically the star’s uncle Major General Isfandiyar Ali Pataudi was recently a front-runner to take over as the chief of the ISI. Isfandiyar is a cousin of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Saif’s late father.

Isfandiyar is the son of Major General Mohammad Ali Pataudi, the younger brother of Tiger Pataudi’s father Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi. Isfandiyar is currently Deputy DG, ISI – Pakistan army’s second most sensitive appointment.

At the time of Partition, Major General Mohammad Ali Pataudi opted for the Pakistani army, while his elder brother, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, decided to pursue a cricketing career in India.

While on a visit to the Mid Day office to promote his film, when Saif was asked about his late father’s family in Pakistan he said, “Yes, all of them are in distinguished positions. I am aware that his name was being mentioned for the ISI post.”

Though he is not in touch with his relatives across the border, the star states that his father’s side of the family who made Pakistan their home preferred to be in the army or government rather than pursue cricket like his father and grandfather.

Incidentally, More >

Pakistan’s ban on Agent Vinod a shame-Saif Ali Khan

0
1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in

PTI (MID-DAY; March 21, 2012)

 

Actor-producer Saif Ali Khan has said it is a shame that Pakistan’s Censor board has banned the release of ‘Agent Vinod’ in that country.

The Bollywood film has been banned in Pakistan as the movie contains references to the ISI that could hurt the sentiments of Pakistani people. “It is a shame that the movie is banned, with no offence to anyone, as the idea is to have open films between the two countries.

Saif Ali Khan

I was proud that this film was to release there,” Saif said at an event here today. “In fact the heroine in our film is a Pakistani girl. We were hoping that they would appreciate that,” he added. The 41-year-old actor, who plays a RAW agent in the film with girlfriend Kareena Kapoor in the female lead, said that “Agent Vinod” has drawn references from the real-life tension between Pakistan and India.

“This is a realistic kind of a thriller. We have shown that there are some negative elements in Pakistan towards India and their Censor have a problem showing that. “We have shown a few most-wanted criminals, those that are harboured in Pakistan, which is a known fact. May be they have taken offence to that.

But ultimately we want a RAW agent to win and baddies to lose. “If they are uncomfortable with that then they should publicise that fact that they are banning Agent Vinod in Pakistan,” said Saif. The actor also said that the ban in Pakistan will also lead to increase in its piracy.

“Pakistan forms a large portion of our More >

Pakistan stops Agent Vinod on track

1
1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in
Bharati Dubey | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; March 21, 2012)

 

Mumbai: Saif Ali Khan’s Agent Vinod has been banned in Pakistan. The film will be released this Friday, but not in Pakistan. Abdul Rashid, a distributor in that country, told TOI , “I was to release the film, but have decided against it after watching it. Any film that shows my country or religion in bad light will be thrown out.”

Defending the film, director Sriram Raghavan said, “We were cautious about not hurting sentiments. In fact, Kareena plays a Pakistani in the film. There are good people shown in the film except for one. Pakistan has not been shown in a bad light and this will be known to people on Friday. My film deals with today’s India and Pakistan, so ISI’s mention is bound to be there.”

But Rashid said, “I spoke to Eros International as the promos did indicate an anti-Pakistan stance. But they denied it. The film scared us as names of Pakistani officers have been used. Also, the filmmaker has used shots of Karachi and its airport without permission.”

Rashid feels entertainment should facilitate the peace process between the two countries and not jeopardize it.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, a proponent of Indo-Pak cultural ties, said the ban proved the sensitive nature of Indo-Pak relationship. “Agent Vinod was much anticipated by fans in Pakistan. I am told that the ban has left many Pakistani cine goers disappointed. My colleagues across the border who have worked very hard to ‘normalize’ relationships More >

Bollywood reacts to Osama Bin Laden’s death

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2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

By Bollywood Hungama News Network, May 3, 2011 – 13:05 IST

It was by far the most talked about event yesterday, and by the looks of it, the news of Osama Bin Laden being finally eliminated will be the talking point for quite sometime. Like everyone else in the world, our B-Town celebrities too had views to share about this event and they revealed their thoughts and opinions on twitter. We take a quick look at what our celebrities had to say:

Mallika Sherawat: “A certain kind of closure, esp 4 Americans. hopefully now healing begins, wars end. i pray”

Mahesh Bhatt: “With the death of Osama the narrative of Al Qaeda has come to a dead end! US may now exit Afghanistan claiming that their mission is over.”

“While you ‘rightfully’ celebrate the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Who will hang the other terrorist GEORGE ‘BUTCHER’ BUSH.”

Neha Dhupia: “Phas gaya re osama!”

Ram Gopal Varma: “Aftr hearing bout wher osama was al these years won’t b surprised if Dawood is livng in a bngalow in bandra among neighbours of Sharukh khan”

“Whatever the future of terrorism is after the death of osama I am right now so very very very happy fr America..3000 CHEERS!!!”

Ranvir Shorey : “The US has just pulled the proverbial ‘rabbit’ out of Pakistan’s ‘hat’.”

“Maybe the US will start thinking things through, along with celebrating the killing of monsters they themselves create in the first place.”

Bipasha Basu: “Watching very moving visuals frm Newyork nw n during 9/11.Big Day!Seeing a More >

Playing a woman 24/7 is impossible-Begum Nawazish Ali

0
2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Pakistani drag artiste and Bigg Boss contestant Begum Nawazish Ali feels that her nation is crumbling but sexuality there is a non-issue

Vishwas Kulkarni (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 04, 2010)

• Will you be in women’s clothing throughout the show?

It will have to be a 50-50. I’ve made it clear that we’re unique individuals. There are two atmaans in me: one male and one female. But playing a woman 24/7 is physically impossible. At the same time, playing the male full-time is not feasible, because the man in me can be boring. I know it’s going to be a tight ropewalk for me. It’s a balancing act.

• Will you flirt with the men on screen?

Main chote-mote baccho ke saath flirt kya karoongi?  There is only one person jo mere standards ko match kar sakta hai and that is the Bigg Boss himself!

• The show must also be an escape from the horrific realities of Pakistan.

In the last few months, I’ve been extremely depressed about Pakistan. Hundreds of people dying, from floods, from fundamentalist violence, and that’s all you hear about in the news. I have to confess that I have been selfish in accepting this opportunity.

Being locked up for those many weeks might allow for some introspection in terms of how I can give something back to Pakistan, how I can play a slightly more proactive role in repairing it. But yes, I am escaping the bitter, unpleasant realities of a troubled nation.

It’s important for my own sanity.

• Can Pakistani citizens themselves be More >

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