Film studios deserted after brief Eid activity

No films in the pipeline, likely that no Pakistani film will be released till the end of this year.

LAHORE: Film studios saw a brief spurt of activity recently but that has died down after the Eid holiday.

Two Pakistani films were being shot at different film studios in Lahore which were released on Eid but currently studios like Bari and Evernew remain deserted.  There are no films in the pipeline and it is likely that no Pakistani film will be released till the end of this year.

Even though three major films had been scheduled to release this year - Syed Noor’s Price of Honour, Faisal Bokhari’s Bhai Log and Reema’s Love Mein Gum, the directors have not announced any dates as yet.

Before Eid, Masood Butt and Pervaiz Rana filmed the final scenes for their films at the studios which saw actors such as Shaan, Saud, Meera, Saima and Nargis return back to the film sets. But they are now deserted and the film crew and studio personnel - who only manage to earn money when films are being shot - have fallen back to reminiscing about the good old times.

Ismail, who runs a tailor shop near Bari Studio, said that the fortnight before Eid had helped many. “One would see several vendors, crewmen and fans here when the shooting was in process. It makes us feel important and acknowledged when people ask us about their favourite stars. The hustle bustle happens here once in a blue moon though.”

Majeed, who works at a costume shop at Evernew Studio, said the days when film shootings take place are memorable for those who work here. “It feels great to know that something very important is happening around you. When artistes are here and directors speak aloud and this place looks alive,” he maintains in a philosophical tone.

Though the shoots of music videos or television plays also take place at the studios occasionally, employees and crew members believe they can’t match up to the magic of films. “Bao jee film warghi koi shay nai (Sir, there isn’t anything like film),” says Rais, a contractor who arranges extras during film shootings.

While many actors, directors and producers have started working in theatre and television productions, many studio personnel and extras still stick to the profession hoping that they might get a chance to shine someday.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2010.