Have you heard of or read about chain reaction? If you are studying chemistry or have ever been a student of chemistry, you definitely must have heard of it. For those who are new to this phrase, let me elaborate.

A chain reaction is the kind of chemical reaction or process in which the products themselves promote the reaction. In easy words, you can say that it is a series of reactions, each caused by the previous one. All of you must be wondering why I’m telling you about this reaction, because this is not a chemistry class. I’m explaining this concept to all of you so that you understand why Saif Ali Khan is upset regarding the ban on his latest film ‘Phantom’ in Pakistan, why Bollywood directors and producers want their movies to be screened in Pakistan, why Indian movies should be completely banned in Pakistan and why the Indian army’s unexpected yet continuous firing at the LOC is increasing with the passage of time. There is a very strong link between all of these, which I am going to explain right now.

Bollywood cannot ignore Pakistan as a strong overseas market because it makes a huge amount of money from here.  Kamal R Khan, who is an Indian comedian, film actor, producer and writer, in his recent review of Pakistani movie ‘Bin Roye’ wrote that Pakistani producers hardly get a sack of 20-25 lacs from India, while on the other hand, Indian producers get at least 10-15 crores from Pakistan for their release. Remember, this is only a rough estimate. Amir Khan’s movie ‘3 Idiots’ collected 5 crore, Sharukh Khan’s movie ‘My Name is Khan’ collected 5.25 crore, ‘Don 2’ collected 7.25 crore and Salman Khan’s movie ‘Bodyguard’ collected 6 crore from Pakistan.

These estimates won’t surprise us as we all know that Pakistanis love to watch Indian movies. Pakistan is in the list of top 5 overseas markets for Bollywood movies. That’s why Saif Ali Khan wants his movie ‘Phantom’ to be screened in Pakistani cinemas. All the other directors and producers wish the same. Apart from these movies, have you ever wondered why there are Indian actors in our Pakistani ads? The reason behind this is that our advertising agencies are also moving to India. Engro Foods and Mayfair sweets are the two brands that have shifted their advertising to Lowe India.

The question that we should all ask ourselves is: where does all of this money go? It goes to India and boosts up their economy, and, in turn, their military. This situation is very alarming for Pakistan. But the question is how? First read some of these headlines:

“2 civilians and 1 Army officer killed and 3 injured in Indian firing along LOC on Saturday.”

“At least seven Pakistanis killed in Indian shelling along the Working Boundary.”

“Unprovoked Indian firing killed one, injured three along LOC.”

“Army JCO killed in Indian firing along LOC.”

These are some of the headlines that we usually see on our news channels. But most of us don’t pay much attention to these since they have become routine fir us.

So the money that comes from these films is used by their army to attack on us. Do you all understand the link between Indian cinema and unforeseen Indian firing at LOC, now?

This is a series of events and each is caused by the previous one – making it a chain reaction. The money that we spend on watching these movies in cinemas is used to kill our soldiers and civilians living in areas near LOC. In short, we can say that our own money is used against us. Many people say that art has no boundaries and that there is no harm in watching and appreciating Indian movies and their efforts and I totally agree with this. But when art is used as a weapon, it should be proscribed.

Along with ‘Phantom’, all Bollywood movies should be completely banned in Pakistan. Now it is our duty as Pakistanis to choose what is more important for us as a nation: art or life. Now it is time to stand as one country and decide our future.