Kaka in Pak actor's Bollywood venture

Omar Sharif will shoot a comedy, Tum Mere Ho, with Rajesh Khanna.

The first Indian film to be directed by a Pakistani goes into production this month.

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Actor-turned-director Omar Sharif will shoot a comedy

Tum Mere Ho

to make history, The film has nothing to do with the near 60-year rivalry between the two nations, the film's producer said.

"We want to build a bridge of friendship between the two countries. This is the kind of initiative we are trying to take," he said.

This is the first time taht a Pakistani director will direct a Bollywood film with an all-Indian cast.

The film, featuring Bollywood great Rajesh Khanna, will be shot in Hyderabad and Chicago but there is a little chance of the film being released in Pakistan.

"As far as I know, Bollywood films are barred from releasing in Pakistan so I don't know whether this film would have a chance to get released in Pakistan," Ali said.

Pakistan government has banned all Indian films after the two countries fought a war over Kashmir in 1965, but Bollywood films have long had a massive audience in Pakistan on pirated DVDs and via cable channels.

Sharif, a dramatist, also has a loyal following among the Indian middle-classes for his plays.