The films were earlier being touted as weak competition for the upcoming Salman Khan film. PHOTOS: FILE
Directors of both Pakistani films had long been urging the government for some hint of protectionism. With the movies not releasing on Eid, it seems Sultan has knocked out competitors, way before showdown.
Opposing the release of a Bollywood film during the lucrative Eid holidays, associations of film distributors and producers have announced that no local film will hit screens on the festival.
Blind Love co-producer and Pakistan Film Distributors Association Chairperson Ejaz Kamran said the film will now be released on July 29.
“Eid is a festival where we can prove to audiences that we can produce good films. It is painful that we were forced to postpone the release date,” said Kamran.
On the other hand, for Jamshed Jan Mohammad’s Sawaal 700 Crore Dollar Ka, a rescheduled date is yet to be announced.
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These were the only two films that were being released from Lahore on Eidul Fitr and the film-makers had already started promotions of both films.
“Pakistani cinema-owners and government are biased against local films,” alleged Blind Love co-producer Mian Amjad Farzand. Kamran concurred. “Everyone is giving Sultan priority over our films,” he added.
Renowned film-maker and head of Pakistan Film Producers Association Syed Noor said it is unjust to promote Indian content when Pakistani audiences want to see local films. “In the past, this act of cinema-owners has led to the banning of Indian films. They are creating the same environment once again. I believe local films should be given some kind of priority,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2016.
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