Opinion

Buck up, Lollywood

Pakistani cinema has a long way to go before it traverses to India and to international markets with an Asian diaspora

Tanuj Garg May 27, 2015

The writer has been in top media and entertainment corporations in Bollywood for over a decade and can be found on twitter @tanuj_garg

It's no secret that Bollywood movies have commanded an unquenchable following in Pakistan. Through decades, Pakistani movies (the few that release) have failed to impact India though. There isn't the slightest curiosity among Indians about the films being produced across the border. Since I've been in Bollywood's production echelons, I know how difficult it is for them to even establish a toe-hold in the Indian market. Several friends and contacts in Pakistan have often requested me to help them find exhibition outlets in various cities. A classic cul-de-sac that, as there have been no concerted measures to make India aware of the content and quality of the better lot of Pakistan's film oeuvre. Ironically, while Pakistan's tele-dramas as well as a concatenation of their actors are being welcomed in India with arms wide open, its cinema is lagging far behind.

In fact, even on home turf, barely a handful of local films have made a mark at the cash counters. Occasionally, Pakistani actors, directors and distributors (especially those who haven’t managed a jab at Bollywood) cry foul about the bias towards Bollywood, but the brouhaha by the cry-babies falls on deaf ears because cinema owners are not blinded to the power of Bollywood and Hollywood franchises to keep their properties in robust health. Recent films like Waar, Namaloom Afraad, Main Hoon Shahid Afridi and Bol were among the better ones. The small-budget films like 021 and Jalebi, which were meant to resuscitate indie Pakistani cinema, failed to do so, merely bagging appalling reviews. Quality-bereft films in the Punjabi and Pashto languages are hardly worth discussing.

Clearly, Pakistani cinema has a long way to go before it traverses to India and to international markets with an Asian diaspora. For starters, it needs to find respect and acceptance in its own country, a feat which cannot be achieved by banning bigger and brighter competition from across the border. But wait, there's hope yet: signs are that 2015 could prove to be the Renaissance year for Lollywood. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s animated feature 3 Bahadur bagged encomiums and is eyeing an Indian release. The industry has its hopes pinned on Ho Mann Jahaan, Yeh Jawaani Phir Nahin Aani, Karachi Se Lahore, Bin Roye and Dekh Magar Pyaar Say, all featuring established Pakistani artistes, including Mahira Khan and Humaima Malick, who have a Bollywood connection.

Yeh toh trailer tha ! Picture toh abhi baaki hai mere dost!

On the defensive front

Reacting to an innocuous generalised suggestion made by India's Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to use terrorism to counter terrorism from other countries, Pakistan’s Sartaj Aziz stated, “If there is any country planning something against my country, we will definitely take some proactive steps.” To that, one could well ask: What’s wrong in weeding out a thorn with a thorn? It is an age-old, globally employed practice to use the enemy’s enemy to neutralise the former. You can’t have moral qualms and remain bystanders to terrorist tactics. Charity begins at home, sir. It would do Pakistan good to take proactive steps instead by removing extremist camps from its own soil first.

When cricket came ‘home’

So while the political drama between the Pakistani and Indian defence ministries reaches an explosive point, a love story has been brewing in the world of cricket. One-sided for now. PCB’s Shahryar Khan has announced that he wants to make India Pakistan’s home and revive cricketing ties between the two nations. Khan is fresh out of the victory of coaxing Zimbabwe to not pull out of the Pakistan tour. #Cricketcomeshome was trending on Twitter in Pakistan for days. For the myriad Pakistani cricket fans, this was a dream come true after six long years. Pakistan’s victory was more emotional than sport-related.

Zimbabwe had become something of a world outcast under the reign of Robert Mugabe. It remains to be seen whether other countries will also open doors for international cricket in Pakistan. From Mumbai, I experienced the excitement vicariously. Friends in Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium Whatsapp-ed images and videos by the minute. “Terrorism lost, Pakistan won,” they beamed. For once, Sartaj Aziz and his peers must be chuffed.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2015.

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COMMENTS (12)

Umesh | 9 years ago | Reply If Pakistani Cinema (I don't like to use any -woods, whether it is Bolly or Lolly) need any recognition internationally or locally, either in India or Other countries, a simple fact is there, You cannot match Hollywood or Hindi Cinema by Budget or Market Size. But definitely can match or better of them with quality. So be creative, improve the Quality, not the quantity or budget. This is how the small film industries, all over the world, are resisting bigger industries like Hollywood. Movies from Iran are excellent example for this.(Though the fate of their directors say another story). No money can match Human creativity!

arthameed | 9 years ago | Reply Dear Mr Tanuj, The film's you mentioned from Pakistan are the ordinary films for us. And please note Operation O21 is not a Low budget film. I don't think you got a chance to watch O21 or Moor This is kind of Cinema we are working on. We just started these film's it will take time to get results but as my opinion we will capture half of revenue in next 5 years. Inshallah !!!! Pakistan Films .

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Pity | 9 years ago | Reply Your sentiments might be good Mr Garg but I fail to understand why you have linked entertainment with Pakistan and India's politics. Pakistan has never claimed to have a robust film industry like Bollywood so your concern regarding the type of films being made in Pakistan is preposterous. While you claim that "there isn’t the slightest curiosity among Indians about the films being produced across the border" yet your article indicates your curiosity. Just remember that it took more than 100 years for Bollywood to become what it is today, while Pakistani film industry is in revival mode and it is trying to find its ground. The success of WAAR, NMA, 3 bahadur indicates that Pakistani public wants to view good Pakistani content even if there are movies present from across the border. Remember 'Yeh dil Aapka Huwa" made by Javed Sheikh sahab few years back. Mr Parrikar's statement is a blatant admission of India's involvement in Pakistan. You cannot expect Pakistan to remain silent can you when Indian agencies carry out attacks on innocent people in Pakistan. Mr Parrikar's statement indicates that it is difficult for India to accept the fact that Pakistan is now openly reacting against Indian aggression in Pakistani territories. Instead of being happy for cricket revival in your neighboring country, Your Mr Sunil Gavaskar was issuing negative remarks about Zimbabwe's tour to Pakistan. Shows the narrow mindedness of Indian people. Zimbabwe's tour to Pakistan indicates terrorism's defeat. Mr Doval and Mr Parrikar must be dejected right? ET Please publish.

Ahmed | 9 years ago | Reply Banning movies is counter productive...the way forward is to incentivize opening of more cinemas, as the number of screens increase so will the demand for content on them giving more room for Pakistani & quality foreign films to enjoy extended runs and find an audience, something which does not happen these days as we have too many movies and not enough screens... Also Pakistan cinema also needs to look at remastering old classics and holding special screenings to remind people of our cinematic history... As for competition with Bollywood the model we need to look at is the relationship between the British cinema and Hollywood both are thriving but not competing on the same type of content...

Ali Ahmed Awan | 9 years ago | Reply @ahmed wani: there are a lot of films to screened in Pakistan instead of Bollywood's crap, we should screen quality Hollywood films, Iranian films and other foreign films, and have you ever been to a real theatre, Pakistani Theatre is doing great on its own.

Ali Ahmed Awan | 9 years ago | Reply @vinsin: Sir, your facts are just as original as 99.9% Bollywood films are.

vinsin | 9 years ago | Reply @Ayesha Indian movies are already banned in Pakistan. Indian movies are not sold by Indian distributors to Pakistani Cinema. Pakistani cinema owners purchase movie under Foreign Films. On an average Indian Movies make less than 0.025% revenue from Pakistan. Pakistani movies are not banned in India. Most of the Indian Movies dont even get screened in Pakistan.

Haider | 9 years ago | Reply 2015 is a landmark year for Pakistani film industry and soon films will release in India

James | 9 years ago | Reply @Ayesha: It is interesting to note that while you recommend banning the screening of Indian movies in Pakistan, you don't speak about those actors and actress of Pakistani descent who earn their bread and butter from Indian movies....before asking for a ban on Indian movies, first ask your people to come back to Pakistan.....some of them even have made India their permanent home...

ahmed wani | 9 years ago | Reply @Ayesha....if u stopp screening the Indian movies..den there will be no cinema theatre left in pakistan..Infact let me tell u a fact..pakistaanis on an average watch more bollywood movies than Indian..and they will always tell a lie.......ahhahahha.......

BNS | 9 years ago | Reply They key thing you said is that first everything needs to gain respect at home before getting any attention from outside. And that's what Pakistani film producers should focus at first. When movie making will become popular and profitable at home, it will be same somewhere as well, like Pakistani tv dramas.

Ayesha | 9 years ago | Reply It is high time that the government completely ban the screening of Indian movies in Pakistan. This will not only help local filmmakers to flourish but also it would be a lesson to the Indian filmmakers who are earning heavy revenue from Pakistani market but do not vouch for screening of Lollywood movies in Indian market.

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