Bordering on peace

The audience waited with bated breath to meet and greet one of the stalwarts of the Hindi film industry, Gulzar. But they had to return home with a heavy heart after the veteran writer failed to turn up at an event that was organised to mark the promo launch of his latest film, Kya Dilli Kya Lahore.

Vijay Raaz, Manu Rishi, Karan Arora, Raj Zutshi and Vishwajeet Pradhan at the border

But that didn't take away from the rapturous ongoings at the Wagah border, where the crowds had gathered to also witness an important hour that marked Pakistan's Independence Day celebrations making way for jubilations on the Indian soil, marking the country's 66th Independence Day.

The evening saw the symbolic parade take place with soldiers from either side trying their best to outdo each other, albeit in an amicable way. But then jingoism was in the air. The ambiance soon gave way to a subtle and pacific event. And it couldn't have found a more appropriate venue!

Pakistani band Raga Boyz performed along with music composer Sandesh Shandilya (extreme right) and flautist Baqir Abbas (extreme left)

The first look of Karan Arora's upcoming anti-war film was unveiled at the spot, barely 20 meters away from the border. Interestingly, the climax of Yash Chopra's Veer-Zaara was shot in the very neighbourhood and the music of Pinjar was launched here too. For the makers of Kya Dilli Kya Lahore, this was no mean feat.

Along with producer Arora and actor-director Vijay Raaz, co-stars Manu Rishi (who also penned the dialogues), Raj Zutshi, Vishwajeet Pradhan and music composer Sandesh Shandilya were also present at the do.

Missing in action
Turned out August 15 also marks Gulzar's wife Raakhee's birthday and their extended family most of whom are settled abroad had already planned on spending the day together on a vacation. u00a0