Hollywood - 1, Bollywood - 0

LAHORE: While Lollywood stars and directors are campaigning to block the release of Indian films this Eid, they are actively engaged in attending premieres of Hollywood movies, sparking debate that Lollywood doesn’t have any problem with foreign movies other than Indian productions.

Distributors and cinema owners call it a double policy on the part of Lollywood actors and filmmakers who make tall claims for the revival of Pakistani cinema and never miss a chance to be at the premiere of any foreign film, particularly if it is organised by major sponsors. “If they are really sincere in reviving Lollywood, then why are so many of them dying to work in Indian films? They show up at every premiere of any foreign movie which is backed by some media network just because they never want to miss a chance to ‘socialise’,” a distributor said.

A screening of the Hollywood film Salt, which stars Angelina Jolie, was held in Lahore on Thursday night and was attended by a large number of people from the entertainment industry.

Film Distributors Association Chairman Zoraiz Lashari said, “The problem isn’t with the foreign films. It is with Indian films. They work in Indian movies but want us to rely only on their vulgar dance-based films. They should now come out of their utopia and compete without creating a monopoly. When people won’t have a choice, they may see Pakistani movies but ultimately cinemas will not be able to attract any crowds.” He said that the owner of one of the leading cinemas had privately told him that he would close his cinema on Eid if the government went ahead with its policy of screening Indian movies.

Another cinema owner said, “The stars don’t let go of a chance to work in Indian films but want us to bear losses and only screen films they are acting in. Directors and producers are marketing their movies, which is good thing, but they should realise that if their movie is screened in between the crowded shows then they can also get a better crowd”.

United Film Association Chairman Amjad Farzand Ali said that screening of Indian movies was allowed after they campaigned. “It was we who convinced the government to allow the screening of Indian movies.

Hollywood and Indian movies are different. What’s wrong if Indian movies are not screened for a few days? The distributors and cinema owners are objecting to the demands of the film industry just for the sake of their business.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2010.