Raees releases today, worldwide at least. In Pakistan however, fans may have to wait a few days before the Khans hit the cinemas. According to Zoraiz Lashari, Chairman of the Film Exhibitors Association, the film has been approved to be screened in Pakistan, but will not be released on the same date as globally, which is January 25.
“The paperwork has been approved. However, there are still a few official papers that need to be signed for Raees to be released and thus, the film won’t be able to release on the same date as internationally,†Lashari commented.
The Chairman also confirmed that more films will be released soon and an overall approval over Bollywood films has been given a go-ahead.
Mahira Khan fans are waiting for the film to travel this side of the border eagerly but for now they may have to make-do with the initial reviews rolling in and they are mixed, with some calling it a typical Shah Rukh Khan film in which the leading lady, Mahira in this case, is no more than a prop. Several reviews have welcomed her as fresh faced and enigmatic.
“Mahira Khan makes a startling debut and we hope that once the furor over Pakistani actors has died down, we’ll get to see some more of this wonderful star in Bollywood,” writes Financial Express. The unanimous star performer of the film, however, is Nawazuddin Siddiqui and unsurprisingly so.
Meanwhile, controversy around the film continues, moving from its cast and release to Monday’s promotions, which Shah Rukh Khan decided to take on a public train.
“Crowds will turn out even if Dawood Ibrahim comes in public, BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya on Tuesday said, targeting Shahrukh Khan over the death of a man during heavy rush at the actor’s promotion of his film Raees for which he travelled by train.” – Economic Times.
Raees also clashes with Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil and the Roshans have expressed disappointment over the dates.
