With tensions in Pakistan soaring especially in the aftermath of PM Narendra Modi adding to Pakistan worries by ordering the surgical strike by India in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) during which Indian Army soldiers killed over 40 terrorists and some 9 Pakistan army soldiers, there is no likelihood of MS Dhoni: The Untold Story biopic releasing in Pakistan. It is one of the most awaited sporting movies ever but it has fallen victim to the war-talk between the 2 countries, which has increased after the terror attack in Uri by the terrorists from across the border.
According to reports, the Pakistan-based distributor of the MS Dhoni biopic has backed out of his commitment. He is no longer willing to take up the movie, despite such huge interest in Pakistan, which is as cricket-mad a country as India. So, it does not make commercial sense as the movie’s box office collections would have generated plenty of profit.
So, this not being a commercial decision, presumably, the Pakistan distributor, IMGC Global Entertainment, was ‘persuaded’ by the powers that be in Pakistan to not allow the movie to be screened anywhere in that country. The loss, surely, is entirely Pakistan’s.
This may also be a reaction to some political parties in India ordering a virtual ban on Pakistani actors in India. The Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena had gone to the extent of ‘threatening’ these actors and given them 48 hour deadline to leave India. Needless to say, most of them fled India.
However, these parties have also ordered that the films they were acting in will not be allowed to be released anywhere in India. These are Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Raees that star Ranbir Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan respectively.
Sushant Singh Rajput stars in the movie and it is directed by Neeraj Pandey. M S Dhoni: The Untold Story release date is September 30, 2016.