Actors welcome Pakistan court’s nixing of ban on Indian TV shows

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday struck down the ban on Indian TV shows in Pakistan, and Indian artists are vocal about their appreciation of the ruling.

The ban had been imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority in the context of bilateral tensions last year. However, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said content could be censored, a total ban was unnecessary, according to www.nation.com. pk. He observed, “The world has become a global village.”

Actor Arjun Bijlani, whose show Naagin was a big hit in Pakistan, says, “It’s great that this decision is taken. I get a lot of fan messages from Pakistan and I know that our shows do well there.”

Actor Karan Patel of Ye Hai Mohabbatein is “more than happy” as “there has always Pakistan.” Another banned show, Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai, will now be back on the air. Cast member Saumya Tandon says, “When there’s [bilateral] tension, [it’s] the people who suffer... A step towards peace will bring happiness.”

Actor Amit Behl, who heads the outreach committee of the Cine & TV Artists Association, says that while a ban or no ban doesn’t affect revenues much, but the ruling has a big impact on Indian shows’ reach

[My show] is about loving people. If we can spread love in Pakistan through the show, nothing like it KARAN PATEL, ACTOR In terms of reach, it’s a big deal — even Pakistani people who live outside Pakistan watch our shows AMIT BEHL, ACTOR AND OUTREACH OFFICIAL

(L-R) Bigg Boss; Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai; and Naagin, shows that had been affected by the ban