MUMBAI: Director Moustapha Akkad's Hollywood classic Al-Risalah presents Islam in its true spirit. This blockbuster that received rave reviews both in the Arab world and the largely Islam-phobic West (it opened in 3000 theatres across the USA) has now reached India. Dubbed in Urdu with music and a song by A. R. Rahman, the film will soon hit theatres across the country on 28 December 2007.
The dubbed Hindi version has been produced by Oasis Enterprises, which is owned by partners Yamshi Ahmed and Saad Ahmed. Oasis Enterprises has acquired the rights for the film. Al-Risalah is being distributed by Anuj Saxena's Maverick Productions who has distributed Om Shanti Om in Rajasthan and Cash in Mysore. Maverick Production CEO Anuj Saxena says, "It is an interesting different film with a unique subject, so when the offer of distribution came we found it to be a good praposition. The song sung by A. R. Rehman is also outstanding. Maverick is considering a couple of more mainstream films for distribution in 2008." "We always wanted to bring this film to Indian audiences because perhaps no other film presents a more balanced, more nuanced image of Islam," said Yamshi Ahmed, co-producer of Al-Risalah (dubbed version). "No doubt, watching this Oscar nominated film will surely be a unique and enriching experience for the audience for a better understanding of Islam and the times of Prophet Mohammad," says Saad Ahmed, co- producer (dubbed version) of the film. Al-Risalah is the story of Islam from its birth and evolution to its triumph, with the best Hollywood production values full of grandeur and emotion. The film has been approved by Al Azhar University, Egypt, the ulemas of the sub-continent and Mufakkir e Islam, Maulana Dr Syed Kalbe Sadiq Sahab Qibla who is the vice prsident of All India Muslim Personal Law Board. The producers held a private screening at an Andheri theatre recently where many eminent Muslims, including some ulemas, watched it. "We deliberately invited the ulemas because it deals with a sensitive issue," informed Urdu poet and columnist Hasan Kamal who dubbed the movie in Urdu. The film releases first in Mumbai on 28 December. http://www.indiantelevision.com/aac/y2k7/aac209.php
