Ever since the Indian films have started being officially screened at Pakistani cinemas; there has been this constant uproar from within the local film-making Industry to completely ban Indian films. The point put forward is that local films do not get their due space in cinemas and also that there are profit cuts in the business caused by Indian films. What is being demanded is a cinema culture without the pressure of the giant named ‘Bollywood’.
This movement was basically started by the seasoned Pakistani director Syed Noor. However the movement gained more impact and importance once all the big guns of the industry joined it, recent additions being the legendary Pakistani actor Nadeem Baig and actress Reema Khan. Both of them were heard voicing out their opinion against the Indian films.
“Pakistani films released this year have already proved that we can make good quality films, despite the financial constraints in comparison to Indian films which are made with huge budgets”, said Reema stating her opinion about the current state of Pakistan film industry.
She further added, “In comparison with the Indian film Bodyguard on which almost Rs. 1 billion 20 crore (Pakistani Rupees) were invested, our films which were made with a budget of 3 to 4 crores did well this Eid.”
Appealing to the federal government, Reema said, “In order to support local films, Indian films must be banned for at least 6 months if not permanently.”
Apart from Reema, seasoned Pakistani director Syed Noor even came to this shocking revelation few days back when he said, “I will quit film-making if I won’t be heard” (referring to his movement of banning Indian films). This indeed was a very strong statement by Noor and the government should seriously look into these matters as the situation is getting worse to worsen.
A somewhat similar statement came from the Pakistani superstar Shaan Shahid, who few days back, reportedly in a private gathering of Industry people announced that he will retire from showbiz as soon as he completes the shooting of his ongoing projects. Though he later-on took his decision back on the pursuance of seniors.
Not only this, many big names of the industry including Noor, Resham and Babar Ali have already restricted themselves to small screen due to this low state of Industry and now even legends like Nadeem Baig and Mustafa Qureshi seem more happy to be part of small screen rather than the silver screen.
“If industry was in a good state right now, I would feel more than happy to work for it rather than the small screen, I haven’t yet left the film industry and it’s just that I have started working less there as I think films today are not of that measure that they used to be around twenty years back,” said Nadeem highlighting the low quality work in the industry.
Where on one side, Syed Noor says we have to ban Indian films as our own industry is not doing well because of the viewer shift to obviously a more quality product. On the other hand stands the association of film exhibitors and importers of foreign films, who are of the opinion that Pakistani films are already of low standard, not made for the elite that comes to multiplexes and secondly they are so less in numbers that they are not available all year whereas cinema businesses are run on show to show basis.
Syed Noor also says that Indian films have their own huge market and that they don’t need the market of Pakistan to earn business, but Pakistani films do need their local market in order to sustain in this high competition era. If this continues the same way then there is nothing but a dark future for the Pakistan film industry.
Whereas exhibitors and importers are of the view that maybe Indian films won’t have the need to be screened at Pakistani cinemas, but it has become a very much need for the continuity of cinema culture in Pakistan and that Pakistani films are not majorly made for multiplexes rather they actually cater masses and so are screened at single screen cinemas.
Both the parties keep strong opinions and very much valid arguments for their defense and now the government badly needs to interfere, so that a mutually agreed solution can be found helping both of these vital industries equally.
Dear Admin,
This kind of things is absolute Rubbish, it means that the Film Industry of Pakistan can not compete the Indian Films. If they can not compete them so the Indian Films must be immediately Banned in the Pakistani Cinemas. The Film Industry of Pakistan must unite and make Films, we are capable of Making Films and create Demands in the Pakistani Cinemas, when we create Demands automatically the Indian Films will be coming down from the Pakistani Cinemas.
The Industry must see themselves not Individual. Unite among themselves to make a Bigger more Powerful Films.
I don’t agree with the Film Makers they must come upon an idea to work together not Individually. If they want any advises to Unite I am available to give my services to the Industry. IF THEY WANT A 28 YEAR OLD GUY TO GIVE THEM THE ADVISE.