The writer holds an MBBS (Calcutta) and a PhD (Harvard University) and is currently a postdoctoral scholar at MIT
Let us first understand what these ‘Indian’ films are. We are largely talking of films made in the Hindi language produced via a very cash-rich industry setting in Mumbai. For the rootless young people in certain metros of the Indian Union, that is much of what constitutes ‘Indian’ films. But for those who are talking in terms of greater mutual understanding via these films, one needs to realise that much of the Indian Union does not speak Hindi and produces films in their own languages. The content of such non-Hindi films represent a much greater terrain of the subcontinent than Bollywood Hindi flicks can ever aspire to. To be fair, Bollywood Hindi films never did aspire to that. Thank the gods for that, as with the money power behind Bollywood Hindi films, they might even try to define Tamil-ness or Bengali-ness through a metro-centric Hindi medium. Are they influencing people in Pakistan with an alien commercially-produced idiom? If yes, people in Pakistan better take notice.
Those who portray films as some sort of a medium to develop India-Pakistan bonhomie might also do well to look beyond Bollywood. Virulently anti-Pakistan films with a lot of ‘action’ are also a Bollywood Hindi film sub-genre. Yes, that does good business. Go find an Assamese, Bengali, Tamil, Manipuri or an Oriya film in the last 15 years that has an anti-Pakistan theme. There are none. Are these not ‘Indian’ films? What is it about the Bollywood Hindi film idiom that lends itself to making films like Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and LoC Kargil, which unabashedly dehumanise people from Pakistan? The economic muscle of Bollywood ensures that such films receive a wide audience. It is not the specific film that matters. Pakistan can choose to not allow this film or that. But it is the same set of cartels that produce most films — the ones that are anti-Pakistan and the ones that are unrelated. This industry understands only money and would not stop from producing the next commercially lucrative anti-Pakistan blockbuster. There is a market for such prejudice in India just like there is a market for anti-Hindu prejudice in Pakistan. Do people from Lahore and Karachi really need to add to the profits of an industry that sees no qualms in showing Pakistanis in a bad light?
Most Bollywood Hindi films are set in the cities of Mumbai or New Delhi, and increasingly in cities of the Western world where people from north India live and aspire to flourish. This can be Sydney, London, New York or Chicago (Dhoom 3, an action film released a few days ago and which has already grossed crores of rupees, is set largely in Chicago). Delhi and Mumbai choose to tell their stories and want people to pay for them. But Karachi is not Delhi and I am sure it has its own stories to tell, stories that are different from the stories of young partying explorers of Mumbai and Goa, stories that are not about aspirational or ‘everyday’ life of Delhi people. Despite the Zia years, one can be sure that 15 crore people have stories to tell. If the decision was left to the burgers, they might even start a juloos in support of Hollywood and Bollywood. The culturally illiterate have no investment in their own cultural milieu. That is precisely why their ‘tastes’ shouldn’t be setting agendas. Nor can they be depended on for a revitalisation of films culturally rooted in Pakistan (and not cheap Bollywood remakes).
Bollywood Hindi films represent the metro-centric and homogenised ‘idea of India’ in the mind of the new Indians — 20-40 years-old, in the top five per cent income category, aspirational migrants with Hindi and English being their near exclusive vocabulary. They are concentrated in a few cities but have the economic might to determine cultural policy. These multiplex consumers, with their moneybags, have launched a great assault on the idea of mass-films, which is why now a film’s profits are not an indication of its popularity. The Pakistani film industry is up against an economic behemoth with an agenda of its own cultural expansion. Its production, distribution and broadcasting machines are well oiled. Stupendous amounts of black money from deep pockets bankroll the ‘creative’ explosion that is Bollywood.
The twin attack of a homogenising national ideology and economic muscle has grave implications on visible public culture. The 19th Kolkata International Film Festival witnessed the extraordinary scene of Bollywood Hindi film stars being feted in a manner as though they represented some pinnacle of human achievement. It was a sad moment — underlining how limited and predictable the cultural horizon of West Bengal’s film industry had become. The lack of self-confidence showed. Film industries that do not have as much black money circulating, have lesser number of casting couches, have lesser number of ageing ‘artists’ and producers targeting young actresses, have lesser number of big crooks financing films and which do not make films in Hindi or India-English, have been relegated to second and third class status. Pakistan has the legal mechanisms to stop the damage that Bollywood has done to film industries elsewhere. It better act soon.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (70)
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People talk so much. My god
Pune(city) has more screen than entire Pakistan(country) So its like having the movie not getting released in one of the 1000s cities in the entire world. Hardly hurts Bollywood, but mind it, it hurts Pakistan a lot.
What is "Indian Union" that the author keeps talking about? India is not a "union". It is a Republic in the political sense.
This smacks linguistic chauvinism and self praising passage. He should know that it is difficult to distinguish from average hindi and urdu speakers. The culture, language and test of most north Indians are more matching to Urdu speaking and Punjabi speaking Pakistanis. It is useless to bring Assamese, Bengali and Tamils because Bengali movies of West Bengal find their space in Bangladesh and Tamils movies have their followers in North Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Malyasia.
@water bottle, Not sure whether you understood me. Like I said, no one needs education/bans/censorship. Whether it exists or not is a different matter.
Ban all you like. The more you ban something the more popular it becomes. I remember, I was doing my first year in the University when Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses was banned in India for no particular reason other than appease a minority. Till that day we had not even heard of Mr. Rushidie. Instantly he became a best seller across India. The books were bootlegged and openly sold by street side vendors. Your ban is enforceable if you could ban human brain. This ban will die an ignominious death like all the other bans. Those who want to watch Hindi movie swill find a way around.
"If the decision was left to the burgers, they might even start a juloos in support of Hollywood and Bollywood. The culturally illiterate have no investment in their own cultural milieu. That is precisely why their ‘tastes’ shouldn’t be setting agendas. Nor can they be depended on for a revitalisation of films culturally rooted in Pakistan (and not cheap Bollywood remakes)."
I don't understand. Who do you think reads this paper but burgers? The Pakistani equivalent of the "20-40 years-old, in the top five per cent income category," And in case you didn't know in Pakistan there is no strong political representation of the majority poor. The burgers and elite do make policies here. They call the shots. That is why we have nice roads for private vehicles but no public transportation for the poor. That is why we have mobile phones but no electricity, clean water and sanitation. It is why to open a bank account you need to provide proof of formal employment even though half the population works in the informal sector. This is a country for the elite run by the elite.
Same as @Zehra. I just love Bollywood movies. They are made for entertainment and not to make a socially correct statement. I don't like watching movies that mimic real life. We have enough of that.
@Naresh: Very sad Naresh. It's a bit embarrassing when Indians get all worked up & over-emotional when talking abt Pakistan. Things dnt work well when most of You unfortunately throw 'reason' out the window & give a negative narrative.
@Finally: There's no need to be on the attack mode. We do entertain ourselves by watching Urdu Dramas that are a Class apart in comparison to Star Plus Dramas. Juzt dnt Over-react.
@Maula Jatt: Which of your singers get employment in middle east? The ones that look to India are Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ali Zafar, Adnan Sami - to name a few.
@water bottle: What you said most definitely is condescending. You seem to have the attitude that somehow you are superior to others and the burden of educating others falls on your shoulders.
It is one thing if you do not enjoy Bollywood - absolutely fine. But to characterize anyone who disagrees you as being brainwashed and needing your proselytism ton to find the true path - it is as condescending as it gets.
@Ak used the word correctly. Since you are unable to recognize that, my recommendation is, please check the dictionary yourself.
@AAA: Your distributors say that Indian movies are watched in Pakistan. The first day collection of Dhoom 3 in Pakistan was 65% higher than first day collection off Waar in Pakistan. So what conclusions can one draw from this?
The era of Indian influence over Pakistani cinema is coming to an end. Our artists, singers, and directors are continually looking to the Middle East, Turkey, and Iran for inspiration. Pakistan is no longer a South Asian country, but a Middle Eastern one.
@powvow:
"Bollywood needs to be first banned in India before it can be banned in Pakistan."
Well, if an article asking for banning of Bollywood in Pakistan is called anti-India and the writer asked to leave for Pakistan, imagine what would become of someone who says Bollywood be banned in India.
@1984: hahha!!magnum opus!!u crapped me up!look films are an entertainement for us! we go watch, have popcorns, and love watching item songs!besides!the fims are still crap and meaningless!
@karachi dolphin: Pakistan is such a small market for Indian films it does not significantly matter whether They are screened or banned.Actually with digitization the market has opened up and is right across the world now. to capture similar markets Pakistan has to produce high quality technically superior films to reach international audiences which is what Hollywood all about.they are ready to edit their films to meet china's needs as well!
@water bottle: Thanks for the advice and I followed it :-) I still stand by what I said. You can go ahead and say that I lack comprehension skills but thats fine lets leave at that. Merry Christmas.
Let Pakistanis and their government decide whether or not the Indian movies should be screened or blocked in Pakistan. Nobody especially the Indians have the right to give unsolicited advice to Pakistanis on the this controversial topic which should well be left to the discretion of our not so friendly neighbour.
@waterbottle - "Another unfortunate effect of Bollywood is murdering independent and original thinking among Indians."
Another sixer.... In fact it has already murdered... Couple of years back had been to Mt. Titlis in Switzerland... Its an haven for Indians.. .Reason being a cutout of Sharukh-Kajol (DDLJ) has been put over there and every Indian worth his Bollywood salt dies to get him pictured beside it.. If you don't do it, you haven't seen Switzerland...And the Swiss are cashing on this Indian insanity and herd mentality... Still we're not talking about underworld financing Hindi movies, arm twisting producers and directors to have their lackeys given plum roles... Bollywood needs to be first banned in India before it can be banned in Pakistan.
So the author wants Pakistan to ban Indian movies, because some of these have anti-Pakistan content... What happened to the tolerance to accept criticism the author and its ilk continuously propagate (especially to the Hindus)???
On a side note - the author is correct. Hindi movies are crap, full of crass commercialisation.. The reference to anti-Pakistan content was not needed. Very few films have this and banning these just for anti-Pakistan content, questions the basic intelligence of Pakistanis - who I doubt take Bollywood seriously.
@Ak:
Thanks for your admiration, sir.
"However, comparing Gutka with movies is an argument as frivolous as it gets. You are perhaps taking movies in general and Bollywood movies in particular too seriously. Movies are in a way are always make believe world and that includes movies made in hollywood. There are so many things in life which one doesn’t like and ignoring them is the best way to deal with it. Also what foreigners think of India or Indians is immaterial which some how you give a lot of credence, everyone has an opinion and they are entitled to it and it doesn’t mean they are necessarily correct."
Well, I am however, saddened that you fail to understand my point after repeated attempts.
I told you what others think of Bollywood was in response to your comment that Bollywood is liked abroad. My point is simple, foreigners don't like Bollywood, it's only the South Asians. That was the context in which I mentioned their opinion, which, obviously, you have failed to understand.
You can call my comparison as frivolous. It's anything but that.
I told you why I gave that example. I compared a source of physical cancer to a source of intellectual and moral cancer.
By the way, when did I say Hollywood is any better?
So, imagine the quality of Bollywood which mostly copies from Hollywood which itself is of poor artistic quality.
@Ak:
"When I said about condescending attitude, the above sentence is an example of that. "
Well sir, when I said that was not condescending, I meant you really really need to look it up in the dictionary.
I'm sorry. Condescending does not mean what you think it is.
@water bottle: "Another unfortunate effect of Bollywood is murdering independent and original thinking among Indians. Which is also evident from the comments here. How unfortunate that most comments here are just echoing what the corporate India has brainwashed them with. No wonder India lacks severely when it comes to originality and innovation. We have become copycats and clerks for the west."
You seem to have a twisted view of the world. If people don't agree with you then they are not original and they don't have independent thinking. If being clerks of the world means more jobs for our semi skilled workforce then that's great for creating jobs and economic development.
Again another condescending attitude pervading through your comments.
Another unfortunate effect of Bollywood is murdering independent and original thinking among Indians.
Which is also evident from the comments here.
How unfortunate that most comments here are just echoing what the corporate India has brainwashed them with.
No wonder India lacks severely when it comes to originality and innovation. We have become copycats and clerks for the west.
@Vish:
I'm sorry sir, I don't know which world you live in. On this earth, we are all subjected to education/ban/censorship. Just so you know there is an organization called CBFC under the ministry of IB. Now, this is a good piece of education for you, wouldn't you say?
Just because one is ready to pay, one doesn't get what he wants.
Besides, how can you speak for about 6 billion people on earth? Maybe one out of 6 billion understands what I am saying and changes his mind!!
@water bottle: "Bollywood is nothing but intellectual and moral cancer. But because the government cannot impose a ban on something that shows no signs of physical degeneration among the people, it is the duty of the few people of this country to educate others"
When I said about condescending attitude, the above sentence is an example of that.
@water bottle: I admire your patience and and jealous of how much time you have :-) However, comparing Gutka with movies is an argument as frivolous as it gets. You are perhaps taking movies in general and Bollywood movies in particular too seriously. Movies are in a way are always make believe world and that includes movies made in hollywood. There are so many things in life which one doesn't like and ignoring them is the best way to deal with it. Also what foreigners think of India or Indians is immaterial which some how you give a lot of credence, everyone has an opinion and they are entitled to it and it doesn't mean they are necessarily correct.
@Dada from Colcutta, In pakistan only Lafunga peoples goes to cinema halls and watch these idiot movies and most of civilized peoples dont bothers....(& not thank to gods but right word is thank God)..
@water bottle, "I was merely educating". Thanks mate but seriously no one needs no education. All are adults, who can watch/eat/drink whatever they like without any education/bans/censorship, as long as they are ready to pay for what they consume.
Another myopic North Indian who hasn’t set a foot in South India. Dude, there three other South Indian states with a vibrant film industry, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu.
Tamil films are another Bollywood version where artistic films are 1 in 100.
One doesn’t need to go to Harvard or MIT to realize that, people go see movies to feel good. Pure entertainment and they will see whatever entertains them.
@Lalit:
"your demand of banning Indian movies is akin to a local dhaba wala asking the govt to ban KFC and multinational Pizza joints as they are (1)foreigners (2) defacing our culture by twisting our food habits (3) loss to local dhabawalas and (4) junk food creating health hazards..all solid points,go ban them."
The only valid point you are making here Point no.4: That junk food spoils the health of the people.
The author never made any points akin to the first three points you are making. they are just your creations, sir.
And by the way, Dhabas make even unhealthier food than KFC :)
@Vish:
"4 comments on something as puerile as Bollywood??? Plenty to write on something that is just a bad joke.Huh??"
Well, sir.
If you read all my comments, I was not writing a thesis on Bollywood. I was merely educating how puerile Bollywood is.
So, why limit to 4 comments? I would like to continue to write more comments.
@Ak:
"Also what is entertaining and what is a joke is very subjective. It is very condescending to criticize who watch these movies. For them it is entertaining and the proof is that these movies are made and they make a lot of money.
Saying these movies are frivolous is countered by the fact that you took time and effort to comment. If it is indeed frivolous then just ignore what has been written and what people have commented about."
Sir,
Your question hardly seemed rhetorical. Because a rhetorical questions have obvious and omnipresent answers. Yours did not.
You make a very valid point about the subjectivity of the content. Condescending does not mean to 'look down upon'. Condescending means to lower oneself to amuse others. In other words, if I had said to your comment, 'I agree that Bollywood is entertainment', that would have been condescending. Because I believe that Bollywood is silly. So, what I made was outright criticism.
Here is a point you will do well to consider. Even gutka made a lot of money. They generate more revenue to the government and gave a lot of jobs, created a lot of businesses. More than bollywood. But it also gave cancer to the people. That's why it was banned. And trust me, to these people gutka was a great source of relief and entertainment.
Bollywood is nothing but intellectual and moral cancer. But because the government cannot impose a ban on something that shows no signs of physical degeneration among the people, it is the duty of the few people of this country to educate others.
I will continue to do that, along with people like the writer. Yes we are in minority. But then you tell me sir, give me one example where good things are in majority? You can just give me one example where good thing is in majority in India.
"Whether an Iranian or someone else laugh at the movies made by Bollywood doesn’t matter as long as there is an army of viewers who watch it regularly."
I was only countering your comment. You said " it does find such huge audiences – not just in India but abroad as well"
My point was simple, foreigners consider Indians and Indian films as immature. Only immature South Asians watch Bollywood abroad.
@Finally: Author assumes as if people on this side of border are dying if movie dont get screeened here
@water bottle: Thanks for answering somewhat a rhetorical question from my side. I would partially agree with you that most of the audiences are from sub continent but I do think that the influence extend beyond that.
Also what is entertaining and what is a joke is very subjective. It is very condescending to criticize who watch these movies. For them it is entertaining and the proof is that these movies are made and they make a lot of money.
Saying these movies are frivolous is countered by the fact that you took time and effort to comment. If it is indeed frivolous then just ignore what has been written and what people have commented about.
Whether an Iranian or someone else laugh at the movies made by Bollywood doesn't matter as long as there is an army of viewers who watch it regularly. Also this laughing business is common as there a lot of things people laugh about every country in the world without exception so it should be taken with a pinch of salt and a shrugg.
@water bottle: Thanks for answering somewhat a rhetorical question from my side. I would partially agree with you that most of the audiences are from sub continent but I do think that the influence extend beyond that.
Also what is entertaining and what is a joke is very subjective. It is very condescending to criticize who watch these movies. For them it is entertaining and the proof is that these movies are made and they make a lot of money.
Saying these movies are frivolous is countered by the fact that you took time and effort to comment. If it is indeed frivolous then just ignore what has been written and what people have commented about.
Whether an Iranian or someone else laugh at the movies made by Bollywood doesn't matter as long as there is an army of viewers who watch it regularly. :-)
@Water Bottle , 4 comments on something as puerile as Bollywood??? Plenty to write on something that is just a bad joke.Huh??
censoring system of ET seems to be stricter than Pakistani censor board.not allowing even simple and to the fact comments.so much for freedom of expression.
@phonix:
Sorry.
Bollywood is not open to everyone.
Maybe behind the camera. But before the camera, except for rare exceptions, Bollywood is only open to light skinned North Indians (which again is restricted to Punjabis and others). Even a dark skinned man from Bihar or UP is not acceptable.
Bollywood is elitist and racist. sir. Also Bollywood is extremely stupid. Which again I blame on the lack of more South Indians and Marathis and Bengalis making films.
Honestly, who in their right mind can call Shah Rukh Khan an actor? Salman Khan? Anil Kapoor?
Gone are the days of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Amitab Bachan.
In fact today, a handful of good Hindi cinema being made are from South Indians and Marathis.
@Ak:
"My question would be if Bollywood is so crass, full of black money and all sorts of evil then how come it does find such huge audiences – not just in India but abroad as well."
Can I answer your questions, sir?
It finds huge audience just like many unhealthy/inane objects in this world do find buyers. Why is a playboy or a maxim so popular? Why is an unhealthy pizza/burger more popular than healthy ethnic food? Why is Times Now more popular than more mature news channels?
To answer the second part of your question, those who watch Bollywood abroad are also Indians or South Asians.
Europeans, Americans and even Iranians mock at Bollywood films. Nobody takes Bollywood seriously except for the hapless people of the subcontinent.
I can tell you my own experience. A middle-eastern man once told me that his favorite film was a Bollywood film. When i asked why, he said that the entire film is a joke. Indians take frivolous things way too seriously.
These are his words. In other words, he thought Indians are kids, immature kids.
@Mr.Garga you do not tell how should Pakistan block Hindi films.So far as I know any movie made in India has been seen by more than half Pakistan audience by the time it is released in the country of its origin.Furthermore if I am not wrong Mr Salman Khan (actor) tried to block his movie,or made a movie about piracy of films,but failed to achieve any result.If you are aware of any method to block multimedia please do let us know of it.Thanks in advance
Non sense, I am from Kerala.Everyone watches Bollywood..just that a lot of words are randomly picked up from God knows where? Sanskrit, Urdu, Tamil, Bengali..I dont understand the Urdu, understand all the Sanskritic root words(its common to all India), Pakka Hindi etc, I live in Delhi now, even then there are words metro people who have been living here for 15 plus years dont understand inside Bollywood, since they use slang language based on Urdu, like Huzoor, Zuroor, Khuzoor..What does it mean?God only knows..Bollywood is Indianess..it shows all of India in some way or the other.Thats what Indians like to watch, we like to see what other Indians are doing and how they live, how their folk dances, lungi dances and Bhangra are and that doesnt mean we dont enjoy our respective regional language films.Author is no making any sense and its mostly because Bengal is a communist, socialist space..where the Induness is little out of touch, like they see themselves as "Commi" or Godess protects only KaliCutta(The City of Godess Kali), these are the same people who made an ancient Godess into their own citie's protector., not as India in a broader sense and given that Kelu, Kalu was an ancient figure in Europe.So, one can expect many more from the communists and socialists.
Haha, who told you the mass in Pakistan watches Indian movies. The song, dance and the villain, they are illusion and far from reality. Cheap
@Nikki: "Apart from film,what should be banned? " +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Clearly Urdu should be banned as it is a North Indian Language. Pls replace it with Arabic:)!.
@Shakeel ahmed: why we stop releasing our films in pakistan we release our film on all over the world even orthodox arabians watch our films and if you have problem with us stop watching our films if you can...we will lose only 10 carore rs which is less than a movie song cost..
I say whats wrong in cultural exchange . People want to spend their hard earned money and forget their troubles for a few hours by watching light movies . Anyway the language and culture across the border is the same . Many Hindi movies have Punjabi references . The more you stop or try to limit , the more the contraband market will grow for these movies.
@Garg have you even seen the movie LOC by JP Dutta,who also made Refugee.its more like a documentary than a feature film depicting the life of Men and Officers of Indian Army, most of whom laid their life for the sake of unworthy people like us in the freezing heights of Kargil. i wonder if there is any DEHUMANIZATION of Pakistani people in this movie,unless you consider those intruders to be welcome guests.
your demand of banning Indian movies is akin to a local dhaba wala asking the govt to ban KFC and multinational Pizza joints as they are (1)foreigners (2) defacing our culture by twisting our food habits (3) loss to local dhabawalas and (4) junk food creating health hazards..all solid points,go ban them.
@Shakeel ahmed Indians don't release their movies in Pakistan.these movies are purchased for distribution by Pakistani Companies by the approval of your Country's laws.so pressurize them to desist.this hypocrisy cholbe na...
@Nikki: There are a whole bunch of authors such as Garga, Sanjay Kumar etc. who do not get published in India but get a ready market in Pakistan for writing anti-India articles.so take what they write with a pinch of salt.
A man with a little bit of vision cant agree with this banning mindset. World is a global village and the technology has brought everything at a touch of your finger. Success can be achieved only when this fact is accepted and strategy is chalked our accordingly. Banning anything is not a solution.
It is stange idea. Indians films make money and business in Pakistan.This mind set exisiting in India, marveling,how good relations can be expected? Apart from film,what should be banned?please send your own desire list to Pakistan. Why Pakistani paper has published this article,this piece should have gone in New Yourk Times or Guardian......
@Finally: Your response makes you sound like a petulant child. Grow up and get your emotions in check, mate. I wouldn't disregard how much Pakistani audiences, overseas in particular, have contributed to box office sales when it comes to Bollywood movies, no matter the quality. It's colorful, mindless, redundant and often silly entertainment, but entertainment nonetheless. What's in wishing for it to be banned? Or was that simply a juvenile and somewhat defensive reactionary response?
Strange topic to write about. I don't think banning Indian movies will do anything. As far as capitalizing on Pakistani films; as someone else mentioned, if the films are good quality, people will come regardless. Having access to different film industries doesn't mean one can't value their own. Hollywood is competition no industry, even Bollywood can ever properly compete with when it comes to quality and/or budget, but having access to it in India did not mean Bollywood lost out on anything.
Bollywood produced more than 1000 films in the last 10 years. Out of 1000, harldy two were anti Pakistani. Please do not generalize. Bollywood is more about glamour, dance, fashion, music and hype or marketing to some extent. Regional Indian movies are no match for Bollywood genre. I do enjoy silly bollywood movies. If I want to watch serious movies I would rather watch Hollywood movies. Each genre has its own place. Let it be like that.
@Talat:
Well sir, if you are really a Pakistani and making fun of the author with your sarcasm, I feel sorry for you.
And if you are really a Pakistani, don't you think your country needs to do better than India in terms of arts?
Bollywood is not art. Bollywood is mindlessness. It is entertainment to mindless people. And I am no DPC or TTP.
Reading this article you would think all regional cinema is made of white money, clean and professional.Actually the Black money is as worse as Hindi movies. The numbers may be lower but from a ethics wise, clamour to make profit, Tamil, telugu, Kannada are as bad as Hindi movies. I am pretty sure Pakistani movie scene is no different. Let Pakistanis decide they want to see Hindi movie or not. As long as people throng to theatres Bollywood movies will be in Pakistan.
@Talat: You think yours is the land of pure? Then why are Shias, Ahmadis are killed and children not given polio vaccinations? Why are your women kept covered and not encouraged to educate themselves? This type of impure behaviour is not the result of watching Bollywood films but it is ingrained in you. Make yourselves really pure inside and outside first and then accuse others of being impure.
Its so hyprocritical that Pakistanis always keep complaining that Indian movies are trash while recently Dhoom 3 grossed more in Pakistan than their magnum opus Waar.......
The worst hypocrisy is that they say Waar is the greatest film ever released in the history of World Cinema and they show that it has imdb rating of 8.9(its anyway user ratings,Vishwaroopam has 9.0).... But it has never been nominated for Oscars or won anything in international film festival...
This is like an Indian saying Bhuvaneshwar Kumar is the best bowler in the world and Pakistani bowlers are total crap and berating legends like Wasim Akram,Waqar Younis just to thump their chests.....
I dont mean to say Bollywood produces the best movies, I watched more East Asian movies this year than Bollywood movies...But in 2013,the 3 movies which I really liked are "Ship of Thesus","Lunchbox" and "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" although the latter wasnt too good....but the other 2 are real masterpieces and though they didnt earn 100 crores,they got rave reviews from international festivals...
How many Pakistanis have watched these movies...Maybe there is a reason why most of the distributors dont buy the rights for such films as Pakistanis are more interested in watching the trashy potboilers from Bollywood
Mr. Garg, you indirectly are mouthing the feelings of the likes of the DPC, and the TTP... and I totally support you in that... Pakistan is indeed the "Land of the Pure" ... and nothing especially these IMPURE Bollywood "trash" should corrupt it. After all, HOW can this country be made "pure" with such impurities being imported willy-nilly ... all in the name of so-called "entertainment" or so-called "cross-border-bonhomie" ...??? Shame on these people who support them. I support your case to be given honorary citizenship of Pakistan once the TTP has taken over....
Banning Indian movies is not the answer. If Pakistani industry produces good films, they will find an audience.
@Finally "We don’t want Pak and its audience to enjoy our movies and to entertain themselves . " Mr Finally, you don't need our help to do just that. Just Stop releasing your films in Pakistan. simple as that. We would rather pay for our own films.
Who cares if pakistani bans the indian movies. I doubt if bollywood makes any money from the bootlegged movies shown in pakisatan. It is the pakisatanis who are benefiting. Bollywood is one of the major source of entertainment without revenues generated from bollywood, their theaters will close in a month. Besides, how many movies like waar can the pak army produce per year?
Well, I don't know why Bollywood's "Deewana Anjana Mastana Pajama" films are ever considered entertainment in the first place. Wait a second, on a second thought they can be considered comedy though.
"We don’t want Pak and its audience to enjoy our movies and to entertain themselves ." Even Bollywood does not want Pak and its audiences to enjoy their movies, especially via wholesale pirating.
Mr. Garg : Let there be No Business, Trade or Visits between the Two Countries. I would also estt you to Transfer your residence to Pakistan for Ten Years. . Cheers
Mr.Garg , We Indians also want Pak to ban Indian movies and everything . We will be happy that day.We don't want Pak and its audience to enjoy our movies and to entertain themselves .