Islamabad, February 15 : Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and actress Nandita Das graced the second-last day of the KaraFilm Festival in Karachi, Pakistan.

The two of them are known to be the "oldest supporters" of the Kara festival.

Pakistani newspaper the News says in one of its reports that Das and Bhatt were welcome signs, and a massive statement of commitment from the neighbours across the border.

While speaking at a press conference held at the Arts Council, Bhatt and Das said that the High Commission had the knowledge of their association with Kara, which is why it was very easy for them to get a visa.

Bhatt even revealed that his visa arrived within an hour, said the newspaper.

The filmmaker said that the Governments of India and Pakistan knew that he had attended the last four KaraFilm Festivals.

Bhatt and Das credited the festival for providing a great forum to interact with like-minded people from different parts of the world, especially during troubled times, when the exchange of people and artistes becomes important because they are part of the peace process.

Hasan Zaidi, the chief organiser of Kara, said that the reason some Indian films could not be shown at the festival was because distributor refused to release their films.

Das' film Firaaq, which was screened on Saturday, was brought over by her own efforts, and was yet to be released in Indian cinemas.

Das said that had it not been for Kara, she would not have met Mehreen Jabbar and never would have become part of Ramchand Pakistani.

She also expressed her desire to work with Pakistani directors, and hoped that a good script from the country would find its way to her. (ANI)