As if almost seeking a ban, members of the National Assembly (MNAs) on Wednesday warned the speaker that Indian films which had flooded the markets were corrupting the minds of the younger generation.
“Children are now incorporating Indian words and terminologies in normal conversation,” complained MNA Tahira Aurangzeb who asked Culture Minister Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani if Pakistani films also stole limelight in Indian markets. The members also objected to illegal foreign films overflowing the markets.
The minister seemed to handle the pressure well when he admitted that Pakistani films did not enjoy the same liking in Indian markets that was the case with Indian films in Pakistan.
“The gesture is not reciprocated,” said the minister, adding: “But if foreign films and especially Indian movies are discontinued, the struggling cinema culture will completely die. The idea is to keep the cinema houses going that would otherwise have been turned into marriage halls and other business ventures.”Foreign films and increase in cinema houses would also trigger competition and encourage local producers to make better films, he argued.
“We realise that illegally imported films have flooded markets and are damaging Pakistan`s local productions but that is the subject of the Ministry of Information,” he said. Responding to another question, the minister said the ministry had no role to play in helping Pakistani artists to work with foreign film makers.
Via: Dawn News
