Influx of movies for cinema industry after many years
LAHORE – There was a time when the cinemas were closing down or turning into theatres for stage plays. Now the reverse trend has begun and the latest to come back in the fold of cinema industry is Alfalah theatre, which would screen Bollywood flick ‘Awarapan’ from 20th of this month.
In year 2000 Alfalah cinema was given to the highest bidder for a monthly rent of Rs 250,000 after deposit of Rs one million as security. It was to be run for stage plays as well as movies. Later as a violation of the Cinematography Act the cinema was converted into a theatre at a cost of Rs 4.4 million. Though the venue was used to stage plays the cinema screen was not removed. Now after seven years Alfalah will again try to attract the movie buffs.
Reportedly the Crown theatre currently being used for stage plays may be the next to regularly start showing movies in the first week of August. Mehfil and Naz theatres, which were once cinemas, may also reconsider if the boom continues.
For the first time in many years there is an influx of films ready for exhibition in the cinema industry. Many cinemas had closed down or were converted to theatres for stage plays due to decline of local film industry. Few quality films were being churned out. The situation is changing especially after the release of Bollywood flick ‘Awarapan’, which has done very good business. Meanwhile, the DHA Cinema has opened for the uptown crowd while the other cinemas are being refurbished to attract people. Since few good cinemas remain the distributors are finding it hard to get the best ones for the release of their films. So much so that ‘Spider Man 3’, which was doing well at box office had to give way to ‘Awarapan’ at Plaza Cinema.
Besides a number of local films in pipeline waiting for release many big budget films exhibition is on cards. Bollywood stars Vinod Khanna, Arbaz Khan and Lollywood stars Meera and Ajab Gul are among the cast of film ‘God father’, which is expected to be released on Eidul Fitr. Aslam Bhatti of Karachi is the executive producer. Then there is Javed Raza’s Kabhi ‘Pyar Na Karna’ that has the item song of Neha Dhopia in it besides star cast of Lollywood. Jawed Sheikh’s ‘Khulay Asman Kay Neechay’ shot in Australia and India is also ready for exhibition. Sangeeta’s ‘Haseenon Ka Mela’ shot in Dubai is also expected to be released on Eid. Sana and Sunny Deol’s ‘Kaafila’ is expected to be released on August 3 while Shoaib Mansoor’s ‘Khuda Kay Liyae’ hits silver screens this weekend. Besides these there are a number of Hollywood blockbusters like ‘Transformers’, ‘Shooter’, ‘Harry Potter and the order of Phoenix’ and ‘Ocean’s Thirteen’ that would compete for exhibition in the few cinemas that offer good facilities.
Chairman Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association Jehanzeb Baig while talking to The Nation on Monday said the cinema industry had strong outline for the next five months. “It is heartening to see theatres that were once cinemas start showing movies again. It is all moving towards revival of cinema industry. But we still have a long way to go. Only the steps of government in future can guarantee that the industry thrives.
“There is dire need to stop illegal telecast of uncensored films by cable TV operators. There is need to check piracy – the flood of uncensored films on VCDs and DVDs,” he maintained.
Chairman Cinema Management Association Qaiser Sanaullah said this was the best moment for the cinema industry in many years. “The industry is bouncing back and there are a number of blockbusters in pipeline. For example co-production ‘Kaafila’ will lure back movie buffs. It is about human trafficking and Sunny Deol plays role of a patriotic Pakistani officer in the film,” he said.
Sanaullah was of the view that only if the government is able to check the cable TV operators people will start watching movies in cinemas again.
Source: The Nation
Date:7/17/2007
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