Page 24 - The Indian EYE 021723

BOLLYWOOD SPECIAL FEBRUARY 17, 2023 | The Indian Eye 24

Praise, politics and partnership:

How ‘Pathaan’ evokes emotions

across India

The Shah Rukh Khan-starrer film also brought houseful boards back in cinema halls
in Kashmir for the first time in 32 years

OUR BUREAU
Mumbai

hah Rukh Khan-starrer
‘Pathaan’ has undoubtedly re-
Svived India’s theatrical busi-
ness which took a hit during the
COVID-19 pandemic. The film also
brought houseful boards back in cin-
ema halls in Kashmir for the first time
in 32 years.
Seems like this welcome change
in the cinema sector of Kashmir has
made Prime Minister Narendra Modi
extremely happy. On Wednesday,
during his speech in the Lok Sabha,
PM Modi made a special reference
to Jammu & Kashmir, where he said
that the cinema halls are running
houseful after a very long time due
to improved security situation in the
Union territory.
The particular excerpt from Mo-
di’s speech went viral, eliciting re-
actions, especially from Shah Rukh Shah Rukh Khan at a press conference in Mumbai (ANI)
Khan’s fans. Though the PM did
not mention ‘Pathaan’ in his speech,
SRK’s fans were left fans wondering beautiful message”. Sun shine on #Pathaan.” to Aditya Chopra and Siddharth. And
if the PM was actually referring to the Participating in the debate on the In the image, he can be seen also, to Deepika. I have forgotten
film. Reacting to Modi’s speech, an motion of thanks on the President’s showing off his beard as Sun rays fall those 4 years in these 4 days,” SRK
Srkian tweeted, “This is huge.” Address, Derek O’Brien also praised on him. said at the event.
People of Kashmir used to throng the entire team of ‘Pathaan’. “Well The film’s team recently held a Not only for Shah Rukh Khan’s
theatres and enjoy cinema as much as done Siddharth Anand (director).... success bash where SRK, Deepika fans but Pathaan is also special for
other parts of the country before the Well done India’s biggest global am- and Siddharth shared their experi- Salman Khan’s fans. Pathaan marked
militancy surge that crippled Kashmir bassadors. Well done those of you who ence of coming on board for Pathaan. the on-screen reunion of SRK and
in 1989, forced cinema hall owners to made Pathaan. What we could not do, “It’s nice to be back. I am not in Salman after a long time. On mak-
bring down the shutters. Shah Rukh Khan, Dimple Kapadia a hurry to finish the film. It’s always ing a special appearance in Pathaan,
‘Pathaan’, which stars Shah Rukh and John Abraham have shown this been my desire to spread happiness Salman said, “For Shah Rukh and I
Khan, John Abraham and Deepi- country. We learnt from them.... Do among people and make films to to come together on the big screen, it
ka Padukone in the lead roles, faced not mess with India’s biggest global entertain. Whenever I fail to do so, always needed a special film and I’m
controversy after the release of the ambassadors. You asked them to boy- nobody feels as bad as me. I am very glad Pathaan is that film. When we did
film’s Besharam Rang song last year. cott Bollywood, they showed you one happy that I was able to spread happi- Karan Arjun, it was a blockbuster and
Helmed by Siddharth Anand, the film film with a beautiful message,” he said. ness and especially to those who are now, Pathaan, which is part of YRF’s
was released on January 25, 2023. The Shah Rukh Khan on Wednes- close to my heart - Aditya Chopra and Spy Universe, has also turned out to
film has raked in Rs 849 crore world- day, expressed gratitude to the audi- Siddharth. And those who gave me be a blockbuster. I’m aware that audi-
wide gross after 12 days of its release. ence for showering abundant love on the opportunity as you will notice the ences love to see us together on screen
Meanwhile, Trinamool Con- ‘Pathaan’. Taking to Instagram, SRK film is a very big film, it will be an ex- and I’m happy that they have given us
gress (TMC) leader Derek O’Brien dropped his sunkissed picture and pensive film. But to get me and give so much love in Pathaan. I was floored
on Tuesday, said in Rajya Sabha wrote, “The Sun is alone....it Burns.... me a chance to come at the time I was when Adi narrated the sequence to
that Shah Rukh Khan’s recently and comes out of the darkness to not working and allow me to be a part me and told me about his vision to
released film ‘Pathaan’ “carries a Shine again. Thank u all for letting the of this film. I will ever ever be grateful bring us together on screen again.”

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