Did you know?: Indian director told to avoid Indo-Pak subject

Debutante director was told not to touch the Indo-Pak topic because of sensitivity.

The Indo-Pak theme seems to be a favourite amongst Bollywood film-makers when it comes to war-oriented movies. Border, LOC and Mission Kashmir are some of the popular movies that have successfully highlighted Indian army’s patriotic fervour by portraying Pakistan as the real enemy. However, debutante director Faraz Haider will be presenting a lighter side of the Indo-Pak relationship – something that wasn’t so easy for him to do.

“When I thought of making this film, many people close to me told me not to touch this topic as it would be too sensitive,” he said, according to the Times of India. “I understand India and Pakistan have a lot of problems which need immediate solutions. But instead of solving them, we're busy fighting over unimportant issues.”

His film titled, War Chhod Na Yaar, is supposedly India’s first war comedy and stars actors Sharman Joshi, Soha Ali Khan and Jaaved Jaaferi. “Up till now, almost all films made on Indo-Pak issues showed Pakistan in a bad light. I'm not saying it is wrong, nor am I pointing fingers at anyone,” he added. “Also, the purpose behind making this film is not to hurt Pakistan or its people.”

“We’ve shown the human side of all army men — Indian or Pakistani — without forgetting their sacrifices for their countries. But we have taken some harmless cinematic liberties in portraying different characters on both sides.”

However, what remains to be seen is if the Indian audience is open to such an idea considering the overwhelming success of movies with a negative perspective.