KGF becomes first commercial Kannada film to release in PakistanJan 14 (AZINS) In a proud moment for the blooming South Indian industry, the Sandalwood film KGF has opened doors to the Kannada film industry release in India’s neighboring country Pakistan. It is the first ever Kannada film, a commercial film, which, even though had a release in the Gulf, is now set to witness the reactions from Pakistan. Prior to this, Rajinikanth starrer Enthiran 2.0, backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions along with Lyca Productions, released in Pakistan.

Confirming the release, Harish Mallya, a film reviewer and one of the organisers of the Bangalore Film Festival, told The News Minute, “The film was released on Friday in Pakistan and from the executive producer, we hear that it is running well. They have released the Hindi dubbed version of the movie and it is being received well across several multiplexes in Lahore and Islamabad. We understand it is doing quite well, although the distributors have not shared exact box office collection.”

“There is a lot of appreciation and almost a similar form of interest that was noticed in rest of the country,” he added, “This is the first Kannada film getting screened in Pakistan officially. Before this, there was a talk about Pawan Kumar’s Lucia being released but eventually it was restricted only to film festivals.”

Chennai-based Sreedhar Pillai, noted box office tracker and film writer told the publication, “The first half of KGF was set in Mumbai. So it has a north Indian connect. Nativity matters in films that are dubbed. A south Indian village-based subject might not do well if it is dubbed in north India. Also the subject of mining is something that people in Pakistan too can connect with. And the film has plenty of action, which is a universal favourite."

Made on a scale as grand as Baahubali, superstar Yash’s KGF, backed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, released in Indian theatres on the eve of Christmas along with Shah Rukh Khan starrer Zero and has broken Box Office records here. We will now have to wait and watch how will the film be received in Pakistan.