Cinema tries to regenerate itself
Pakistani cinema has undergone perhaps what looks like a renaissance over the past few years, although the process is painfully slow. The ‘golden days’ of the industry, as many still recall, surely brought forward many eminent names over the years, Nadeem Baig, Waheed Murad, Noor Jehan, Shamim Ara to name a few but it was also followed by the dark days of the Pakistani cinema which ensued in Gandassa culture and Sultan Rahi et al. But with Shoaib Mansoor’s hard-hitting “Khuda Ke Liye” (2007) and “Bol” (2011), the industry saw a ray of hope.
It not only became the talk of the town but helped the cinema earn great reputation in the international film circuit as well.
The question arises, have the Pakistani filmmakers adopted an unconventional way of movie making? Perhaps they are learning to think for themselves, that they have a brain which they can use. Is that the reason to success? Looking at the current spate of movie productions, especially the recent Bilal Lashari’s “Waar” and Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi’s “Zinda Bhaag”, the answer is somewhat a yes. From direction, production, music to acting, it seems like our filmmakers are doing all they can to meet the international standards. However, the concept of the movie is the backbone to any project.
With movies appearing on the movie landscape, the filmmakers are taking an unconventional approach. They’re willing to work on topics one has never thought of before, topics which the audience can relate to and are thought provoking. Taking this unconventional approach could be a great way to highlight our culture and be able to create a softer and a positive image of our culture across the world.
ZAINAB MANSOOR,
Lahore,
” 
” 
” 
” 
