Bajrangi Bhaijaan wins hearts in Pakistan

CHANDIGARH: Amid firing on the India-Pakistan border and bittersweet exchanges on Eid, there is heartwarming news. Three days since its release and Salman Khan-starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan has been winning hearts and smashing records in Pakistan.

With a strong Indo-Pak undercurrent, the film released to a grand opening across the border as well and is being applauded for its message of peace and how love for children knows no borders. As per reports on indicine.com, Bajrangi Bhaijaan earned about 1.5 crore in Pakistan rupees (`95 lakh) on Eid despite strong competition from Pakistani movies.

Yusra Askari, a Karachi- based journalist, said, “Bajrangi Bhaijaan serves to undo stereotypes and has been dubbed by some as the most pro-Pakistan film to be made in India in a long time.”

Talking to HT, Madeeha Gauhar, Pakistani actress, playwright and founder of Ajoka Theatre, said, “Having done plays on Indo-Pak ties for the past three decades, I believe it is a wonderful step by Indian cinema to make a film on these lines. I am glad a superstar like Salman Khan chose to be part of it.”

Sindh Censor Board chairman Fakhr-e-Alam went a step ahead and tweeted: It is the “most positive film for Pakistan that Bollywood has produced in a long time”. A grateful Salman retweeted his message within 24 minutes.