‘Virsa’ to hit screens today

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LAHORE: ‘Virsa’ will be the first international Punjabi film with cast and crew from India and Pakistan to be released on Friday (today) all over the country.

It was announced at a press conference held at a local hotel on Thursday, jointly addressed by singer Jawad Ahmad, the music director of the film, and a few actors from Pakistan and India.

Directed by Pankaj Batra and produced by Dr Amanuallah Khan, Jawad Ahmed and Vikram Khakar the film is the first collaborative effort in all segments of filmmaking between India and Pakistan.

Jawad Ahmad on the occasion said the Censor Board had not cut even a single scene of the film.

He said as the film had been declared a local production by the Board, it was exempted from 65 per cent entertainment tax imposed on foreign films.

“I convinced the Censor Board as Pakistani side had major share in the investment so it should be declared a local film.” He said this had set a precedent and now any co-production having collaboration between Pakistan and a foreign country could be considered a local film.

Indian TV’s famous face Kanwal Jeet thanked Lahorites for the warmth they expressed for him and the love he was showered with in Lahore. Mr Jeet said he always wanted to visit Lahore as his ancestors used to live in Rawalpindi before partition and his father had studied at the Government College, Lahore.

Vikram Khakar, one of the producers of the film, said exchange of artistes and collaborative cinematic ventures could bring close the people on both sides of the border.

Actor Numan Ijaz said he really enjoyed while working with Indian actors and the experience of doing a collaborative venture was a great one.

Mehreen Raheel, who is playing the female lead in the film, said it was her maiden film and was also an incredible experience. She said the subject of the film was very strong.

The film also marks the launch of Aarya Babbar, son of famous Indian actor Raj Babbar, in Punjabi films. He is playing the male lead role in the film.

The film deals with the expatriate Punjabi community and its crisis of identity and morality. It is also a study into how this community tries to blend in with the new community around it as it tries to preserve its age-old values, culture and tradition having roots in their homeland — Punjab.

The cast includes Gulshan Grover, Kanwal Jeet, Ruby, Araya Babbar, Mehreeb raheel, Aparna Sharma, Numan Ijaz, and Shazia. The lyrics are by Anees Ahmed and Dr Amanullah and music is composed by Jawad Ahmed.
Source: Dawn
Date:5/7/2010

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