Taliban’s ouster a bonanza for Bollywood

mumbai: the fall of taliban in kabul has generated a huge excitement in bollywood. afghanistan, after all, is the third largest foreign market for hindi movies after uk and usa. after taliban's six-year ban, this is a ''diwali gift'' for bollywood, says film trade analyst komal nahta. ''bollywood movies are popular in most asian countries and afghanistan is no exception''.though it is too early to guess how much money would be involved, but ''it will definitely bring happy tidings to the producers.'' hindi movies being banned in pakistan's movie theatres, afgahnistan today is all the more important for bollywood. the industry hopes id would bring a further spurt to the market. aruna irani's yeh dil aashikana is set to be the first film to be released in six years. the proceeds would be donated for the welfare of the afghan children. aruna irani has struck a chord with the afghans ever since caravan — a '70s hit. the director kuku kohli said negotiations with distri-butors were through but a few formalities were yet to be completed. the film, starring newcomers karan nath and jividha, is expected to be runaway hit. the plot is inspired by the 1999 hijacking of the indian airlines boeing and the villain resembles osama bin laden.