Salman urges Modi, Sharif to watch 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan'

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Premier Nawaz Sharif to watch his movie "Bajrangi Bhaijaan", which delves into India-Pakistan ties and is releasing just a day ahead of Eid.

The 49-year-old, one of Hindi cinema's most popular and loved actors, has thanked Pakistan's censor board for allowing his film to be released there on Friday.

"Thanku Pakistan censor board for your generosity (sic)," Salman posted on Twitter, and added: "Wld lv n respect if the leaders of Indo-Pak see Bajrangi Bhaijaan bcoz lv for children is above all boundaries @narendramodi #nawazsharif(sic)."

The superstar's request comes just days after Modi and Sharif held bilateral talks at Ufa in Russia. This movie also comes amidst cross-border firing between the two countries.

Directed by Kabir Khan, "Bajrangi Bhaijaan", which also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, will release in Pakistan with some cuts.

"'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' has been approved for Eid release by the CBFC but with several cuts (to the film)," the Express Tribune quoted the chairman of Pakistan's Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) Mobashir Hasan as saying.

The film narrates the story of a Hindu man on a mission to take a young Pakistani girl, who is dumb and mute, back to her country. It chronicles his adventures and experiences faced during his road trip.

Besides India and Pakistan, the film will release in more than 5,000 screens across 50 countries, including the US, Britain and Australia.

Given the lacklustre journey of Bollywood in the first half of 2015, "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" is expected to be a remunerative miracle at the box office, especially as an Eid release has always worked wonders for Salman.

Trade experts believe it would be no surprise if the film even crosses the Rs.300 crore mark.