It’s been quite a while since we have been speculating the release of Bollywood films in Pakistan and how badly the self-imposed ban is affecting the local cinema industry. While most people believe that screening Indian films is essential to keep our industry running, especially at a time when local cinema is in adolescence, some see it as a disgrace to have to rely on them.
CINESCOPE
Chairman Film Exhibitors Association, Zoraiz Lashari talks to
Instep about the fate of screening Indian films in Pakistan.
It’s been quite a while since we have been speculating the release of Bollywood films in Pakistan and how badly the self-imposed ban is affecting the local cinema industry. While most people believe that screening Indian films is essential to keep our industry running, especially at a time when local cinema is in adolescence, some see it as a disgrace to have to rely on them.
In a recent interview with BBC Urdu, Maryam Auranzeb, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting categorically stated that “Pakistani cinema needs 200 local films per year to survive on its own; until then we’ll have to rely on foreign content.”
Considering the huge losses that cinema houses are going through after banning Indian content, the self imposed ban was lifted a couple of weeks ago, followed by the screening of some already released Indian films (Freaky Ali, Baar Baar Dekho). However, previously unreleased films (those which were not even imported) such as Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Dangal didn’t see the light of the day in cinemas across Pakistan due to issues concerning an NOC which was not being issued for new films. With Raees – that stars our very own Mahira Khan opposite Shah Rukh Khan – there has been an urgency and constant efforts to release the film in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan recently formed a special committee to discuss the issue and ensure the release of upcoming Indian films in Pakistan. In a meeting held on Thursday afternoon in this regard (which was attended by stakeholders, producers, distributors as well as actors), the major focus was on supporting Pakistani films while it was also put forward that the government didn’t put any ban on Indian films.
“There was no ban from the government,” Zoraiz Lashari, Chairman Film Exhibitors Association, spoke in an exclusive conversation with Instep. “Cinema owners banned the screening of Bollywood films; the government doesn’t have any issue with it.”
However, Lashari said that the committee is working to make the release of these films possible in Pakistan and that we may get some positive news in the next two days. He said, “Cinema owners as well as distributors in both India and Pakistan are willing to release Indian films in Pakistan; they’ve also signed a couple of contracts for future films. We should be able to see new Indian films soon [in Pakistan]. The NOC process will start shortly.”
Reflecting on the statement given by Shaan Shahid, who feels that the PM should also form a committee to release Pakistani films in India, Lashari noted, “There’s no barrier from India in this regard and this isn’t the job of the government to export films to India, it’s an entirely commercial process.”
He informed that there are certain fixed charges that one has to pay if they want their film to release in India and it’s for everyone not just for Pakistani films. “Our people are not willing to pay the initial fee,” Lashari shared. “They [Indian] need the amount which is the minimum to run a show in their cinema. What if they release it and it doesn’t generate
any revenue?”
“If Shaan sahab’s film is a super hit, he can give it to India and run it there,” Lashari concluded, suggesting that there was absolutely nothing that would stop him other than the risk of failure.
