It really was heartening for us as Lollywood fans to see the up and coming Pakistani Punjabi flick Ishq Khuda representing the country at Punjabi International Film Festival (PIFF) 2013, held in Toronto from 16-23rd May.
Pakistani film star Meera and an international addition to the local film industry–Wiam Dahmani attended the festival to represent Shehzad Rafique directed Ishq Khuda.
Though Pakistan previously has been represented on different international film occasions and festivals, but this was the first ever representation of the country at this hardly two-year old Punjabi film festival.
Ishq Khuda has been on constant delays due to some significant reasons, but its world premier on a notable international platform would certainly be a relieving news for the makers of the film, fans and most importantly the whole circle of Pakistan Film Industry, knowing that the circumstances for filmmaking here are quite unfavourable.
Recently another Pakistani film, Lamha also won the best feature film award at Washington DC South Asian Film Festival. All this proves is that Pakistan has immense talent for filmmaking and creativity and that there are people working tirelessly to change the overall scenario of filmmaking in Pakistan, this at least gives us enough optimism to believe that things are changing for Lollywood too.
In the absence or at least insufficiency of such local platforms, these international film festivals not only provide our filmmakers a podium to showcase their work to an international audience, but also allow them to compare and judge their work against the products from all over the world made on recognised international standards.
As expected, Ishq Khuda garnered a great applause and appreciation at PIFF 2013 and we sincerely hope that this appreciation to a Pakistani product will lead to the new doors waiting to be unlocked!
wao nice pakistani film ishq khuda