Last week, the internet went into a frenzy after celebrated film-maker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy shared her two cents on Turkish actor Esra Bilgic being the next possible brand ambassador for Peshawar Zalmi. "I find this hilarious! A Turkish actress whose country doesn’t even play the sport will now be a mascot for cricket?” the Oscar-winner had said. “What happened to Pakistani actresses, by the way? Did they all disappear so we have to get foreign ones? Whatever is left of our industry will die if you keep paying Turkish actors for jobs Pakistani actors can do!”
Now, Obaid-Chinoy is defending her stance. Taking to Instagram, the Saving Face director shared, "Let's play a game. How many Pakistani brands slashed their budgets due to Covid-19? How do you expect artists to survive when you outsource their job?” she began.
“Every industry that the government wants to see grow has protections. Imports are taxed and/or discouraged so that the industry can stand on its own two feet to compete with the world - simple economics. When you have budgets and work for Pakistani actors, then begin to import foreign ones. Bollywood and Hollywood can afford that – we cannot."
The Emmy-winning auteur added, "When you talk of being Pakistani and buying Pakistani, then actually practice what you preach. Invest in your own people and your own industry first. There is plenty of talent here. When you stand on your own two feet, import talent. I welcome the day when our industry will thrive and we can afford to welcome talent from overseas. Too bad the truth isn't always pretty."
How did it begin?
Earlier, Bilgic got the internet reeling by posting a picture of Islamia College, Peshawar, on her Instagram story. The Dirilis: Ertugrul star, who rose to fame for her portrayal of Halime Sultan on the show, is adored by fans worldwide. She captioned the image, 'The city of flowers.”
Now, a couple of months ago, PSL’s Javed Afridi – who owns Peshawar Zalmi – had hinted that the actor might become the team's next brand ambassador for the upcoming tournament. He had tweeted, "What if we offer (the role of brand ambassadorship) to Halime Sultan as well?" Since Bilgic’s recent Instagram story, fans speculate that she has finally come to Pakistan.
After Obaid-Chinoy's previous take on the matter, an Instagram user accused her of giving work to foreign actors herself. To this, the Emmy-winner responded, “You don’t know anything about the industry. How can you say it’s good for Pakistan? We have a very small industry that we have to protect,” she continued. “Once we grow, we can open up.”
The documentarian thereby asked the fan to do his research before making such tall claims. “This isn’t about close-mindedness or jealousy. This is being practical, given the resources we have. Since most of you don’t care about the Pakistani film industry, let me lay it out for you. If you stop sponsoring your own actors and actresses, whatever is left of the industry will die. But trolls like you don’t care that you can take a punt at me! Good luck with that."
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I think what gives these people pain is the content not the actors
Matters of heart cannot be resolved with rules and logic. Out of family marriages face similar objections. If Pakistani artists don t want to see foreigners taking their spots then perhaps they should up their game. Welcome Helime Sultan.