Islamabad, Dec 15 : Growing tension between India and Pakistan after the recent Mumbai terror attacks has adversely affected the business of Indian films in Pakistan,

Cinema officials have revealed that the Pakistani cinema halls have seen a 75 percent reduction in attendance of Indian films after the attacks.

They said that a large chunk of Pakistani moviegoers had refused to watch Indian films in local cinemas, and the business had suffered due to the Mumbai carnage.

While the Indian films had been in high demand before the attack, cinema officials said that the trend had apparently changed due to the tensions between the two countries.

Plaza Cinema Manager Anwar said that though people did come to watch Indian films, but the number had reduced by 75 percent since the attacks.

He said that, currently, Indian films were being showcased in three mainstream cinemas- DHA Cinema, Plaza Cinema and Sozo World Cinema.

Anwar said that the Plaza Cinema, with a capacity of 850 people without any signs of congestion, used to witness a turnout of 250 people in every show and it has now reduced to 50.

He claimed that crowds did not throng the movie halls even on Sundays, which has made the business to suffer a serious setback.

He also said that such a trend would make cinema producers wary of purchasing the screening rights of upcoming Indian films.

Sozo World Cinema official Sharafat said that everyday the cinema had been screening two Indian films and they had failed to attract as many people as they previously used to. With a capacity of 400 people, the cinema had not been jam-packed ever since tensions developed between the two countries.

He also said that `Yuvvraaj', a film featuring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, was currently airing in the city's cinemas, but the film had failed to get a full house despite the great market value of the actors.

According to Pakistan Cinema Management Association (PCMA) Chairman Qaiser Sanaullah Khan, in the aftermath of a significant reduction in the demand of Indian films, exhibitors and distributor have not been too keen to purchase the screening rights of the new Indian movies.

He revealed that large media groups, which had earlier screened several Indian movies, have not come forward to purchase the screening rights of the latest Shahrukh Khan starrer `Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi'.

He feared removal of Indian films from local cinemas if tensions continue in the attendance of Indian films. (ANI)