Afghans love Indian films and soaps

Despite the barrier of language, Indian films are big hit among Afghans who have a special place for Indians in their heart, says Afghan film maker Latif Ahmed.

Transcending the barrier of language, Indian films and television soaps have become a big hit in Afghanistan.
"Aghanis do not bother if the content is not dubbed into local language because they understand 70 per cent of it," Aghan filmmaker Abdul Latif Ahmadi told PTI.

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"Women love to watch the trials and tribulations of 'tulsi' and 'prerna' (popular characters of Balaji soaps 'Kyun ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' and 'Kasauti Zindagi Ki' respectively)," Ahmadi, director of Afghan Film, the state-run film finance company, said.

Recalling that filmstars like Amitabh Bachchan and Sunil Dutt had visited Afghanistan to shoot their films before the Taliban took over the country, Ahamadi said two years ago Kabir Khan shot his 'Kabul Express' in the rugged terrains of Afghanistan.

"Aamir Khan was also supposed to come to Afghanistan for a film shooting. But, I am not aware what happened to his visit," he said, adding Afghanis have a special place for Indians in their hearts.

Two of Ahmadi's films 'Akthar-the Joker' and 'Stoning' will be screened at the South Asian Film Festival(SAFF) beginning here today. The festival is being held in Goa for the first time.

Ahmadi said 'Stoning' was about the situation faced by women during the Mujahadeen rule.

Speaking about Afghan Film, he said it was a government institution funding independent filmmakers to make feature films and documentaries.