A group of Indian cinemas said Friday they would not screen any films featuring Pakistani artists in protest at an attack by militants that killed 19 Indian soldiers in held Kashmir. "It doesn't matter if they are Pakistani artists, Pakistani music directors or Pakistani directors. From now on we will not release their films," said Nitin Datar, chairman of India's Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association (COEA).
The ban applies to single screen cinemas in four states - Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka - and not big multiplexes, which tend to be frequented by India's more affluent. Mumbai-based film trade analyst Akshaye Rathi told AFP that he expected the ban to affect between 300 and 350 movie theatres. The move comes as Hindu nationalist groups pile pressure on the makers of upcoming release "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" ("This Heart is Complicated") to drop a Pakistani artist from the romantic drama. The Karan Johar-directed movie - which stars former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor - features Pakistani playback singer Fawad Khan.
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