Pakistan has restrained its cable operators from screening promos and reviews of the upcoming Salman Khan starrer "Ek Tha Tiger" saying that the Bollywood movie is aimed at tarnishing the image of its spy agency ISI.
A letter issued by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, country's media regulatory watchdog, to all satellite TV channels and cable networks last week said "Ek Tha Tiger", set for world release on August 15, is "reportedly based on the activities of ISI and RAW".
"Besides, basic theme of the story revolves around Inter- Services Intelligence (ISI) agency with the objective to tarnish the image of state owned institution," the letter said.
PEMRA directed the channels and cable networks to "refrain from airing promos/reviews" of the movie till it is issued a no-objection certificate by the Central Board of Film Censors.
"The matter should be given utmost preference and due care be ensured to uphold the country's image and any unintentional lapse in this regard be avoided," the letter added.
The film sees Salman play a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agent who is sent to Pakistan to keep an eye on a college professor's activities, who is suspected of selling missile technology secrets to Pakistan. The romantic thriller is directed by Kabir Khan and also stars Katrina Kaif.
In March, Pakistani censors banned the Bollywood movie "Agent Vinod" on the ground that it portrayed the powerful ISI in an unflattering light. That film starred Indian actor Saif Ali Khan, whose uncle Major General Isfandyar Ali Khan Pataudi is a senior official in the ISI. Indian releases have proved to be a boon for local cinema houses which had struggled to bring in revenues by showing primarily local films.
And Salman has been a crowd puller among the Pakistanis with his previous movies released in Pakistan, including "Wanted", "Dabang" and "Bodyguard" doing roaring business at the theatres.
"Bodyguard" infact was the costliest Indian movie brought by distributors and exhibitors in Pakistan and raked in around four to five crores during last year's Eid holidays.
