Premiering 'Paap' in Pakistan was a big risk: Pooja Bhatt

"When I took my film to Pakistan even before it was commercially released, everyone was shocked," Bhatt said on the sidelines of the South Asian Film Festival (SAFF) which is beginning from today.

'Paap', starring Udita Goswami and John Abraham, was the first Bollywood film to be premiered at Karachi International Film Festival.

"People in the industry were questioning my act of taking the film to the place which is hotbed of piracy that too before the film was released," the 'Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi' actress said.

Recalling how apprehensive she was while screening 'Paap' to a select and decent audience in Pakistan, the actress-turned-director said, "there was constant fear that someone might come with the video camera, shoot the film and make CD of it. I decided to take it as a personal responsibility and stick my neck out," she added.

The actress, who has directed flicks like Holiday (2006) and Dhokha (2007) among others, however, said piracy is a reality in the world of cinema today as a large number of audience can not afford to visit multiplexes to enjoy a movie of their choice."We need to give far more to the audience so that they can get their worth which they spend in the multiplex. When he (the audience) thinks he does not get what is worth (then he thinks) why not buy a pirated CD where I can get six films on it," Pooja said.

"A filmmaker can't hold him (one who buys pirated CD) back as it is his money after all," she said.

Thanking the growing multiplex culture for increasing number of footfalls, Pooja quipped, "I wish I would have made Tamanna today. I would have found a lot of more audience because of the multiplex culture".

'Tamanna'(1997) was directed by Mahesh Bhatt and produced by Pooja Bhatt