Pakistan’s cinema industry is gearing up for the highly-anticipated Eid releases this year, with multiple films scheduled to hit the big screen. However, one particular film that is generating a lot of buzz is “Money Back Guarantee”, a Pakistani comedy flick starring the renowned actor and cultural icon, Fawad Khan.
Are Eid Releases the Way to Go
During promotions for Money Back Guarantee Fawad Khan has questioned age-old industry practices with a statement around Eid releases. Fawad Khan was noted saying “I don’t know why we do it but we do it all the time. I’ll put it like this. Imagine there’s a pie. You cut in four pieces, you get one piece, you serve it whole, you get the entire damn thing”
Fawad Khan’s analogy of the pie is interesting, and it highlights the importance of concentrating on quality films that can make a significant impact on the audience and the industry. It’s clear that the industry needs to reevaluate its current strategy and consider releasing one or two quality films during Eid, which can provide a better return on investment for everyone involved.
Is Fawad Khan Accurate in Questioning Eid Releases?
Fawad Khan’s statement about the counterintuitive nature of releasing multiple films on Eid is a valid point that the Pakistani film industry needs to take into account. While the day of release is undoubtedly essential, it’s not the only factor that determines a film’s success at the box office. Pakistani filmmakers need to understand that it’s the marketing mix of good story, entertainment, and star cast that gets a film going among local audiences.
Moreover, in the crowded market of Eid releases, it’s crucial for films to give space to each other and focus on their marketing strategies. With multiple films releasing on the same day, it’s essential to create a buzz around the film that differentiates it from others and gets audiences excited about it.
The Bollywood Influence
The Pakistani film industry has long looked towards Bollywood as a source of inspiration, particularly when it comes to big day and holiday releases. Bollywood has mastered the art of capitalizing on the hype surrounding holidays and festivals, which has translated into significant box office earnings over the years. However, the Pakistani film industry operates in a different context, where it has to rely on better marketing and storytelling to attract audiences to cinema halls during Eid and other festivals.
Unlike Bollywood, which has a massive and loyal fan base, the Pakistani film industry is still in the process of rebuilding after a prolonged period of decline. With fewer resources and a smaller audience base, Pakistani filmmakers have to work harder to get their films noticed and create a buzz around them.
This means that the focus is not just on releasing films during the festive season but also on ensuring that they have compelling storylines, well-developed characters, and strong marketing strategies to draw audiences to the cinema halls.
Where is the Effort from Fawad Khan and Team?
Despite the hype surrounding Fawad Khan’s return to Pakistani cinema, his upcoming release “Money Back Guarantee” has been surprisingly low-key in terms of marketing and promotions. Unlike his previous film “Maula Jatt,” which had an extensive promotional campaign and generated significant buzz among audiences, “Money Back Guarantee” has done little to no marketing pre-release, and the actors and stars have been largely MIA.
Fawad Khan’s star power can only do so much, and it’s crucial to leverage his popularity to generate interest in the film. The lack of promotions and marketing also raises questions about the film’s quality and whether it can live up to the expectations of Fawad’s fans and the audience at large.
