Big Bucks Call Bollywood To Pakistan !

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With a star-studded delegation on its way to Pakistan for the first Indian film to be commercially released in 41 years, serious business is on the agenda.

Akbar Khan's Taj Mahal — an eternal love story will be released in Lahore on April 26.

The 38-member delegation, which includes tourism and culture minister Ambika Soni, actor Mahesh Bhatt and the film's cast, hopes to raise issues such as the ban on Indian TV channels and cultural exchanges like art exhibitions and film festivals.

"We, in India, like to see Pakistani plays and people in Pakistan like to see Indian films. But at the moment, it happens through pirated DVDs. As part of our dialogue and CBMs, we can formalise the exchange of such material," said Soni, who will attend the premiere of Taj Mahal.

She said India has always been very open to Pakistani artistes. "Ghazal singers, painters and other artistes from Pakistan have always easily been given visa by India. We hope that Pakistan will show reciprocity and the people-to-people relations between the two countries improves," the minister said.

Soni is carrying a letter from PM Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi for president Pervez Musharraf. The letters will be given to the Indian High Commission there.

"The key issues that the film industry will be addressing include a release window for Indian films, shooting arrangements, co-production agreements similar to the ones penned with UK and Italy, and lifting the ban on TV channels," Mahesh Bhatt said.

Taj Mahal's director Akbar Khan said, "There is a lot of potential for exchanges. It is a positive move not just for our industry, but also for the Pakistani film industry".

Pakistan has a lot to offer in terms of actors, lyricists and writers and we can help the Pakistani film industry in the technical aspects," he said.