Ban on Indian films

Letter December 02, 2010
I don’t see what the fuss is all about. Why is our film industry opposing Indian cinema in Pakistan?

PARLIN, NJ, US: This is with reference to your report “Producers ask media to stand united against promotion of Indian films” (November 30). I don’t see what the fuss is all about. Why is our film industry opposing Indian cinema in Pakistan?

If they’re so concerned about Pakistani movies not being watched, shouldn’t they do something about their quality, or lack thereof, instead of asking the media to block Indian movies from being screened in Pakistan?

I’m not saying that all movies being made in Bollywood or Hollywood are good but shouldn’t viewers have a choice to see what they like? What our industry needs to concentrate on is getting its own house in order before blaming outside influence and trying to block legitimate competition. Most Pakistanis are already traumatised by all that goes on inside their country and they should not be robbed of a good entertainment option just to please film-makers who don’t want to compete with the rest of the world.

Danish Shah

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2010.