Lahore has been the home of arts activities since the establishment of Pakistan. The success of the films produced here and the magic of their stars has always captivated the people.
Many artistes came to Lahore from remote areas to become superstars on the silver screen and most of them found work as junior artistes. However, the tag of being a junior artiste always remained with them throughout their careers.
On this bitter reality of the Pakistani film industry, well-known filmmaker, writer and director Pervez Kaleem said there was undoubtedly a charm in the industry that attracted people towards it.
“Working in films was a big struggle. An artiste had to make tons of efforts to even enter the studios,” he said. “The watchman stationed at the gate of the studio was no less important that any senior officer,” he added.
Kaleem maintained that some people brought food and some would offer tea to the security guards. “Someone would give a gift and some would pay money for the entrance,” he said.
After crossing the first step, the security team sitting outside the studio floors would also get benefits from the newcomers, he added.
“Some of them were talented but for most of them it became clear from day one that they would not achieve much in the field,” he said. “But the words of flatterers and the benefactors did not let them return home and they spent decades of their lives in the industry,” Kaleem added.
Reportedly, many people ran away from their homes with hopes of becoming a superstar but they were instead given small roles in the industry. “It is a bitter truth and the stories of many such people are very painful,” said the filmmaker.
“They slept on the sidewalks and some even committed suicide,” Kaleem lamented. “I want to tell such people that those who want to come forward through shortcuts never succeed, so don't waste your life,” said the director.
Speaking about abandoning their homes, fight instructor and actor Sher Khan said, “I ran away from my home and came here, and today I have been here for more than 40 years.”
“After watching the films of legend Sultan Rahi, I became interested in becoming an actor and then I came to Lahore,” he said.
“It's easy to come here, but it's not easy to go back,” said Khan.
“I reached the silver screen after passing many stages and acted in about 1,100 films as I had a passion, which it still have today,” he said.
The actor maintained that he had seen the golden age of the film industry in which superstars were seen on every floor of the studio.
“But the way studios are deserted today is just like our lives; empty and full of difficulties,” he regretted.
Chorus dancer Aqila said the era from the founding of Pakistan until the 1990s was the golden period of the film industry.
“The number of fans of countless artistes, including famous movie stars Muhammad Ali, Waheed Murad, Sabiha Khanum, Shamim Ara, Sultan Rahi and Anjuman, increased over time,” she said.
“Unfortunately, the government has never taken any practical steps to revive the film industry,” said the struggling actor.
“I request the government to take some action for the revival of Pakistani film industry,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2020.
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