Screening of Indian movies only way to revive Pak cinema industry

Critics have suggested that the screening of Indian movies is the only way to revive Pakistans cinema industry.

Rawalpindi, Sep 15 : Critics have suggested that the screening of Indian movies is the only way to revive Pakistan's cinema industry.

They said the illegal screening of Indian films on cable TV channels and CDs has reduced audiences at the cinema halls by 60 per cent.

Cinema owners are of the opinion that the government should allow them to screen Indian films, and if the government does this, they would be willing to accept an increased entertainment tax.

In 2005, a delegation of the Cinema Owners' Association and the Film Producers' Association met government officials and asked them to help save the industry, an owner of a cinema hall in Saddar said.

After all, if the cinema industry closes down, local films cannot be screened, he added.

He said the government had normalised relations with India and resumed trade and cricket ties, then why should Indian movies not be screened in Pakistani cinemas.

He said people were also reluctant to go to cinema halls due to security concerns.

In the 1990's, there were 16 cinema houses in Rawalpindi, of which, six have been closed. One of them has been converted into a theatre; two into commercial plazas while three have been closed due to financial problems.

People prefer to watch movies on DVD players at home while sitting with their family.

"Why would people go to cinema halls when they have the facility to watch quality movies at home," said Ahmed Saleem.

People have switched over to cable television because of the low standard of Pakistani films, the Daily Times reported.

The film industry has also played a major role in the downfall of cinemas as it keeps on producing substandard films. Repetitive themes, too much violence and vulgarity have forced the families to stop watching films.

Film 'Khuda Kay Liay' revived the cinema trend in the country because it was not a routine story. People like films, which are close to the happenings around them.

According to a survey, in 1973 there were 63 cinemas in Lahore, 16 in Rawalpindi, 19 in Multan, 19 in Faisalabad, 11 in Gujranwala, 12 in Sialkot, 12 in Peshawar, 86 in Karachi, 20 in Hyderabad, six in Sukkar, and eight in Quetta.

The number of cinemas has been reduced to 23 in Lahore, 10 in Rawalpindi, 14 in Multan, 13 in Faisalabad, 10 in Gujranwala, eight in Sialkot, 36 in Karachi, four in Hyderabad, one in Sukkar and five in Quetta.

ANI