Dhaka: Shah Rukh Khan's blockbuster Pathaan's historic screening in Bangladesh is having a good start. The film hit theatres today and the first two days are already sold out in 48 theatres.
The Bollywood film is set to have close to 200 shows per day. Local distributor Action-Cut Entertainment’s Ananya Mamun said that tickets for the first days were sold out in advance of the release. It is the first Hindi film to be released in Bangladesh since 1971.
Hindi-language films are hugely popular in the country but their theatrical release has been banned in order to protect the local film industry. In 2009, the ban was relaxed to allow Salman Khan's 'Wanted ' but the decision was met with protests led by a local film industry organisation. The film was released but had to be pulled from 50 theatres after a week.
In February, there was an attempt to release Pathaan in Bangladesh but it had to be abandoned due to protests. Later, a consortium of film associations decided to allow 10 Hindi-language films a year. Pathaan is the first Bollywood film to get a nationwide release.
The action-spy thriller has already grossed Rs 1000 crore globally.