The Bollywood ban in Pakistan has been lifted with the release of Rakesh Roshan-Sanjay Gupta’s Kaabil from this weekend. Says the jubilant director, “Yes, Kaabil is releasing in Pakistan this week. It is the only Bollywood release this week breaking the ban. It’s historical!”

The producer, one of the few in Bollywood to have survived the all-sweeping effect of corporatization in the Indian entertainment industry, admits he has gone through hell because of Kaabil being pitched against the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees at the box office.

“If it wasn’t for Raees our film would’ve made far larger profits. We were given only 40 percent theatres and screens, while they got 60 percent. But there is no point in crying over spilt milk. My belief in God is above all considerations. We got less number of screens than promised to us. But the Almighty opened other doors to do justice to us and to compensate for our losses. We now have our fingers crossed to touch Rs. 100 crores.”

Rakesh Roshan is delighted by the break in the ban in Pakistan with his film. “They’re welcoming us with open arms and heart. So my overseas distributors and my team are reciprocating with an equal amount of warm in the release of Kaabil.”