Several bigwigs in the Pakistani film industry have decided to take legal action to stop Indian films from being shown in the country.
Actors Moammar Rana, Shaan, Sangeeta and Shahid, directors Syed Noor, Aslam Dar, Altaf Hussain, Masood Butt and Pervaiz Rana, and producers Jani Malik and Chaudhry Kamran, were among those who pledged to take action, claiming they were perturbed by the public's interest in Indian films and that Pakistani films hardly drew crowds. While they said a petition was being filed against exhibiting Indian films, the view was also expressed that Pakistani films released on Eid-ul-Fitr could have done better business had it not been for Indian films.
We face similar situations here
I can understand where they are coming from. We were the first to release "Awarapan" there in 2006, a bold move by the Pakistani establishment during the Lal Masjid civil crisis. Since then, every Indian film finds takers there. But has it helped the Pakistani industry? No. The workforce is unemployed, the actors, singers, technicians, etc, still struggle to keep body and soul together. So, let's be fair. It's easy to question their decision, but do we remember that we have similar problems in Karnataka? You fight every time to get more screens for Hindi films there. In Maharasthra, the Shiv Sena and the MNS crusade for the Marathi film industry, saying they must get more screens because with their budgets, they don't have the capacity to elbow in this huge competitive market. But the establishment in Pakistan has supported our films, and now that they are facing internal opposition from the industry, we must understand that this is a tightrope - this fight to protect the indigenous product. Perhaps they can collect some sort of tax from foreign films, and use that for the Pakistani industry, instead of shutting doors completely on us. - Mahesh Bhatt
We need the support of Indian filmmakers
Our protest is not only to ban screenings of Indian films, but to protect Pakistani films. It is very sad that we see very few screenings of Pakistani movies in our own country. There are very few distributors who actually want to buy Pakistani films, and that's why our industry is suffering tremendous losses. Our aim is to revive our films. Therefore, we need the support of Indian filmmakers to come forward and also do their films' shoots in Pakistani locations, and use our artistes in their movies. Indian cinema has a huge market and they are damaging our industry. We are planning to have some more meetings, but as of now, we have not come to any final decision.
Actors Moammar Rana, Shaan, Sangeeta and Shahid, directors Syed Noor, Aslam Dar, Altaf Hussain, Masood Butt and Pervaiz Rana, and producers Jani Malik and Chaudhry Kamran, were among those who pledged to take action, claiming they were perturbed by the public's interest in Indian films and that Pakistani films hardly drew crowds. While they said a petition was being filed against exhibiting Indian films, the view was also expressed that Pakistani films released on Eid-ul-Fitr could have done better business had it not been for Indian films.
We face similar situations here
I can understand where they are coming from. We were the first to release "Awarapan" there in 2006, a bold move by the Pakistani establishment during the Lal Masjid civil crisis. Since then, every Indian film finds takers there. But has it helped the Pakistani industry? No. The workforce is unemployed, the actors, singers, technicians, etc, still struggle to keep body and soul together. So, let's be fair. It's easy to question their decision, but do we remember that we have similar problems in Karnataka? You fight every time to get more screens for Hindi films there. In Maharasthra, the Shiv Sena and the MNS crusade for the Marathi film industry, saying they must get more screens because with their budgets, they don't have the capacity to elbow in this huge competitive market. But the establishment in Pakistan has supported our films, and now that they are facing internal opposition from the industry, we must understand that this is a tightrope - this fight to protect the indigenous product. Perhaps they can collect some sort of tax from foreign films, and use that for the Pakistani industry, instead of shutting doors completely on us. - Mahesh Bhatt
We need the support of Indian filmmakers
Our protest is not only to ban screenings of Indian films, but to protect Pakistani films. It is very sad that we see very few screenings of Pakistani movies in our own country. There are very few distributors who actually want to buy Pakistani films, and that's why our industry is suffering tremendous losses. Our aim is to revive our films. Therefore, we need the support of Indian filmmakers to come forward and also do their films' shoots in Pakistani locations, and use our artistes in their movies. Indian cinema has a huge market and they are damaging our industry. We are planning to have some more meetings, but as of now, we have not come to any final decision.
- Syed Noor, eminent Pakistani filmmaker
The cinema halls will remain empty
This decision would have appeared convincing if the Pakistani industry had successful projects to its credit. Pehle woh apne pairon pe toh khade ho jayein. There is no comparison between the Indian and the Pakistani film industry. The latter has just a few interesting films to boast of. Chaar saal mein ek achhi Pakistani film aati hai. Kyun log itne time ke liye intezaar karein? Also, a ban will affect the profits of distributors - the cinema halls will remain empty. Logon ko kyun entertainment se mehroom rakhein? Logon mein jo frustration hai, woh bhi badh jaega. In Pakistan, you only find eateries and restaurants in the name of entertainment. Why should people be stopped from watching Indian movies, which provide the biggest entertainment in the country?
Veena Malik, Pakistani actress
It's just dirty politics
In the past, several such reactions have come from the Pakistani film fraternity, but we know that a ban is not a long-term solution. However, when Ali Zafar (pic right) had done "Tere Bin Laden", the movie didn't click in Pakistan, but "My Brother Ki Dulhan" has got a tremendous response there. If they want to take some legal action, they might be right where they stand, but this will get into deeper debate. Things have changed and no one can stop an artiste from working globally. I think it's just dirty politics and people are feeling insecure.
Sarfaraz, Pakistani actor Ali Zafar's manager
It's unfair to the people of Pakistan
Trying to ban Indian films is stupid, because the only entertainment we have in Pakistan is either eating out or watching movies. So a ban on Bollywood will be really unfair to the people of Pakistan. With Indian movies, the industry has revived, and Pakistani producers have also started making films on those lines. I think, rather than banning them, there should be healthy competition, and people should have the choice of what they want to see.
Adeel Ch, Pakistani singer-turned-actor
Entertainment Unites Us
The Pakistani film community should support Indian films because the screenings of Indian films began as a gesture of peace amongst the nations. Entertainment is one medium that balances and unites similar or dissimilar interests of every nation. The Pakistani film industry is growing and competition can only improve our quality of production. I'm proud to say that "Bol" had international exposure and it was made in Pakistan.
Mehreen Syed, Pakistani model-turned-actress
They're scared
This is totally wrong. Bollywood movies have the biggest market in Pakistan after Hollywood. I'm a big fan of Bollywood movies myself. Mujhe lag raha hai ki yeh log darr rahe hain.
Meera, Pakistani actress
Who are these people?
Some of the biggest names from the Pak film industry have put their weight behind the anti-Indian movies campaign.
Shaan: Described as the Shah Rukh Khan of Pakistan, Shaan is familiar to Indian audiences as the guy in Fuzon's video of "Khamaj". A leading actor, writer, director and producer who's achieved both critical and commercial success. Reported to have rejected roles in " Ghajini" and "Delhi-6" because they projected Pakistanis as villains.
Moammar Rana: A star of many hit films and television soaps.
Sangeeta: Successful actress and director.
Syed Noor: Among the most popular Pakistani directors. Apparently revitalised the industry during a period of slump in the 90s.
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