Waar all set for UK release

Despite the British Board of Film Censors’ approval to screen Waar in the UK, Director Bilal Lashari reveals it could take up to two weeks for the movie to officially release.

Xclusiv: Pakistani film #Waar censored with 15 certificate from British Censors on 11 Nov. Passed uncut. Run time: 130 min 22 sec.

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) November 12, 2013

“Waar has been approved for release with no cuts. However, it will take 10 to 15 days to release because we are negotiating with distributors,” Lashari tells The Express Tribune.

The number of screens, cities and locations are still being finalised.

In an earlier interview, Lashari said that he was gearing up for the international release of Waar, and was in talks with various distributors.

The Pakistani film has grossed Rs190 million since its release on Eidul Azha alongside Bollywood flick Boss. Boss closed at Rs40 million at the local box office.

There has also been some speculation about the film's release in India. Bilal Lashari said, “I have not approached anyone specifically for distribution in India.” Given the theme of the film and the perception that ‘Waar shows India as cause of nation’s problems’, the director says, “I have no idea how people will react, but it would be great if it ends up being screened. A lot of people are saying it’s never going to happen.”

The movie was released on 42 screens across Pakistan and beat the box office record for an opening day take of Rs11.4 million.

It is an action/thriller and drama film, written by Hassan Waqas Rana and stars Pakistan’s actors, Shaan Shahid and Shamoon Abbasi. The storyline has been inspired by the war on terror in Pakistan and its effects on the world, but with a stylised interpretation of it.