'Ek Tha Tiger' is not anti-Pakistan, says director

Mumbai: Director Kabir Khan is upset after 'Ek Tha Tiger' promos were banned in Pakistan following allegations that it portrays the neighbouring country's intelligence agency in a bad light. But he says this is a misconception and that his film is neither insensitive nor derogatory.

"I will say it once more... Ek Tha Tiger is NOT anti Pakistan....In this day and age, it's stupid to make films that are insensitive or derogatory to any country or community," Kabir tweeted.

The director, who earlier made 'Kabul Express' on post-Taliban Afghanistan and won critical acclaim for it, says that jingoistic films lead to such situations.

Katrina Kaif appeared for the first time in the promo of Salman Khan's upcoming film 'Ek Tha Tiger', a spy thriller.
The spy thriller 'Ek Tha Tiger' stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. A still from the film.
Ek Tha Tiger has been directed by Kabir Khan. A still from the film.
It has been produced by Aditya Chopra. A still from the film.
A still from the film. This is the film marks the third collaboration of Kabir Khan with Yash Raj Films.
Kabir Khan has earlier worked in 'Kabul Express' (2006) and 'New York' (2009). A still from the film.
The film is expected to hit the screens on August 15, 2012. A still from the film.
Ranvir Shorey in a still from the film.
Salman Khan plays the role of secret agent Tiger.
Katrina Kaif plays the role of Zoya. A still from the film.
This is Salman's first venture with Yashraj Films. A still from the film.
Romantic-thriller 'Ek Tha Tiger' starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif will hit theatres on Independence Day, August 15. A still from the film.
The trailer was unveiled on June 27.
The new trailer was released online on YouTube after 12 noon.
The film will see Salman-Katrina pair on silver screen after four years.
Their last film together was 2008 release 'Yuvvraaj'.
Actress Katrina Kaif, who is teaming up with Salman Khan again in 'Ek Tha Tiger', says she is not bothered about the gossip that goes around regarding her and the actor.
Katrina reportedly dated Salman when she started off her career in Bollywood but later separated.
And their new movie has got the rumour mills spinning again.
She was last seen with the 'Dabangg' star in 2008 movie 'Yuvraaj'.
Salman is working with Yash Raj for the first time and it's Katrina's second film with them.
If inside information is any indication, Aditya Chopra wants his forthcoming venture with Salman Khan to be not only the actor's biggest hit, but also surpass Aamir Khan's '3 Idiots' at the box office.
Filmmaker Aditya Chopra is, in fact, studying the success trends of Salman and Aamir and chalking out an appropriate strategy.
The Chopra scion is sparing no effort or cost to ensure that when the Kabir Khan directed film opens, it rakes in the highest collections ever.
Keeping in mind the promotional activities Salman did for his previous films, Aditya is planning the marketing of their film to ensure maximum engagement with the audience.
Katrina is also working in another Yash Raj film opposite Shah Rukh Khan.
The 27-year-old actress, who first starred alongside Salman in 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya', said she is excited to work with him again.
So apart from just visiting malls in different cities, Aditya is insisting on an activity for Salman to establish a connect with the audience that will guarantee high sale of ticket.
Katrina has made heads turn with her seductive act in a recent Slice ad.
Apart from India, Aditya Chopra is also planning a series of visits to overseas territories like US, UK, UAE and Australia, so that the film registers record collections abroad too.
After 'Bodyguard', it looks like this film too will release on a Wednesday.
The business dynamics of the long weekend is more interesting.
The filming for 'Ek Tha Tiger' began on August 10, 2011.
Shooting took place in Ireland, Turkey, Cuba, Iraq and India.
The first schedule was carried out in the Trinity College of Dublin.
The second schedule took place in Istanbul.
The filmmakers considered Istanbul a perfect backdrop for the action sequences.
A major part of the film was shot in Havana, the capital of Cuba.
After shooting in Cuba, a schedule was opened up in Mumbai.
A still from the film.
Salman shot a commercial for Cuban Tourism.
Girish Karnad in a still from the film.
Salman is back after the huge success of Bodyguard.
A still from the film.
The stunt directors of The Bourne Identity were employed for the stunt sequences of Ek Tha Tiger.
Katrina Kaif performed her own stunts in the film.
This is one of the first action films in her career.
The makers will be releasing the film with a record number of prints in India and the overseas circuit.
There's also a plan for some merchandise associated with the film, like T-shirts.
To shoot a single time slice shot for the film, a set of 75 Canon 5D cameras were used simultaneously.
The official poster was released in August 2011.
The first teaser was released on May 10, 2012 along with the film Ishaqzaade.
Katrina Kaif is shooting in Havana for Kabir Khan's 'Ek Tha Tiger' and Hollywood action director Conrad Palmisano is making the actress do daring stunts like free-falls.
Katrina, under the protective eye of co-star and friend Salman Khan, is doing what one member of Cuban unit describes as 'the real thing'.
Stunt expert Palmisano has supervised the stunts for over 200 topnotch films and television series, oversaw Sheila LeBeouf's stunts in 'Transformers: Dark Of The Moon', Nicolas Cage in the forthcoming 'Seeking Justice' and Jackie Chan in 'Rush Hour'.
Apparently, Palmisano initially suggested 'something softer' for Katrina.
Composers Sajid-Wajid have composed one song in the film and it will be the first song to be released.
These are stunts that any macho hero would think twice before daring, sources say.
The initial teaser had created a lot of buzz around Ek Tha Tiger.
The beautiful locations have added charm to the imagery of Ek Tha Tiger.

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$\'Ek Tha Tiger\' is not anti-Pakistan, says director$

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif

"This is the price we have to pay because unfortunately our industry has made insensitive and jingoistic films in the past," he wrote.

According to reports, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), the country`s media regulatory watchdog, has directed cable operators and satellite TV channels to refrain from airing promos/reviews of the movie till it is issued a no-objection certificate by the Central Board of Film Censors of Pakistan.

PEMRA alleges that the film shows the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI in a bad light.

Produced by Yash Raj Films, 'Ek Tha Tiger' features Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif and will be released on August 15. Kabir Khan is confident that the film will be released in Pakistan.

"I am absolutely sure that once the censor board of Pakistan sees 'Ek Tha Tiger', they will be more than happy to show the film in Pakistan," he posted.

"I can assure the millions of fans of Salman in Pakistan that 'Ek Tha Tiger' will release in theatres in their country," he added.