Government to import classic movies from India
By Hassan Javed
LAHORE – The Federal Government is considering to import 300 classic movies from India, which were being exhibited in various cities in this part of subcontinent before Pakistan creation. Those movies, including Dalip Kumar’s hit Hum Raz and Dagh continued to be exhibited in Pakistan till early 1960’s. As good prints of those movies are not available in the country, Pakistan is requesting India to provide the original prints.
Secretary and Joint Secretary Culture in their recent meeting with Pakistan Producers Association and Pakistan Film Director Association, Chairman Sensor Board, and the officials of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) had discussed the matter and considered the ways to increase the cinema-related business.
The meeting was of the view that this will be the first step towards the film exchanges between India and Pakistan. However, the producers, directors and exhibitors associations termed the decision as irrelevant.
The ministry is importing 300 movies from India as their prints in Pakistan are spoiled and are not fit for exhibition in the cinemas.
Chairman Pakistan Producers Association, Mian Amjad Ferzand, said that the ministry took this step in view of the summary forwarded by The Pakistan Exhibitors Association in which the Federal Minister for Culture Raees Munir and Secretary Culture were informed about the miserable condition of the Pakistani cinemas and film industry.
“The government high-ups term it as the first step towards the exchange of movies which sounds childish as people are not interested in watching these old movies,” he added.
He said: “These movies will not be beneficial for the cinemas or Pakistan film industry rather this decision will bring bad name to Pakistan.”
“Pakistan Producers Association is arranging a workshop where this issue will also be discussed,” he added.
Now Secretary Culture and, Joint Secretary Culture and Producers and Directors Associations will hold a meeting with the distributors of movies on 24th of this month before taking up the matter with Indian counterparts.
Chairman, Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association, Zoraiz Lashari altogether rejected the idea saying that the import of 300 movies exhibited till early 60’s will not produce any results or give a boost to business as they cannot attract reasonable audience to the cinema.
Government should make reasonable decisions, he said adding that if govt does not support us and does not allow the exchange and display of new Indian movies, all
the cinema owners will close down their 270 cinemas.
“We expect that government’s instant decision in favour of cinema owners will not only save national film industry but also bring foreign exchange to its exchequer,” he added.
Source: The Nation
Date:4/23/2004
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