Pakistani Cinema | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Review: ‘Pinky Memsaab’ takes off your rose-tinted glasses

Pakistan Press Foundation

KARACHI: There is one scene in Pinky Memsaab where domestic helper Pinky (Hajra Yamin), who has recently moved from the rural Punjab of Pakistan to work in a house in Dubai, gets lost in the city. Her ‘memsaab’ Meher (Kiran Malik) and the chauffeur Santosh (Indian actor Sunny Hinduja) find her sitting on the stairs in some strange […]


SPOTLIGHT: THE INVISIBLE GENRE

Pakistan Press Foundation

“Aab-e-Hayat!” [Elixir of Life] screams a sophisticated-looking mad scientist in the first frames of director Khwaja Sarfaraz’s Zinda Laash (1967), an openly credited adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and widely considered to be the first Pakistani horror film. The chief question one would ask then is: what does the elixir of life have to do […]


New web series to explore why desi rishta proposals are both awkward and offensive

Pakistan Press Foundation

KARACHI: As Pakistani cinema witnessed a new dawn, social dramas such as Verna, Josh and Bol ruled alongside mainstream films. A similar trend is developing on the digital front. Titled Shameless Proposals, a new seven-part online series will address the taboos attached to how women are ‘presented’ to their possible in-laws like commodities. “The theme of Shameless Proposals is to deal with the […]


‘Moor’, another masterpiece, will be released by Geo Films on 14th

Pakistan Press Foundation

Karachi: Get ready to watch an another masterpiece by Jami Mahmood which is ‘Moor’, all set to release on 14th of August, 2015, by Geo films with Mandviwalla Entertainment. ‘Moor’ comes across as a film committed to celebrate the stark, spectacular beauty of the rugged terrain. ‘Moor’, which means ‘Ma’ in Pashto, can only be […]


The revival of Pakistani cinema

Pakistan Press Foundation

By: Umnia Shahid It would be an understatement if I was to say that the Pakistani film industry till the recent past was going through a downward spiral. Talking about horrific, Pakistani cinema was nothing more than a disconcerting collage of buxom women breaking into dance numbers in the most incongruous fashion, perplexing action moves […]


Remembering the lost days of Pakistani cinema

Pakistan Press Foundation

Karaachi: The Pakistani cinema has produced some classics which can never be forgotten anyone interested in filmmaking. The golden era of our cinema has left indelible impressions and we must pay tribute to legends of the industry who dedicated their lives to make establish it and caused it to flourish. Veteran actor Talat Husain presented […]


Cinema culture is back

Pakistan Press Foundation

Sir, Many new cinemas have been built in Karachi within a short period. These cinemas are screening 2D and 3D movies with amazing sound and ambience. The ticket prices are a bit high but the time spent is worth every rupee. It appears the city’s culture is changing. Now, everyone wants to go to the […]


Just how real is the ‘ban’?

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Motion Pictures Ordinance, 1979 makes no mention of it. The 1,209 ‘negative’ (or prohibited) items listed in the Import Trade Policy 2012-13 do not include this. There is no clear provision in the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) Bill 2012 regarding a ‘ban’ of any kind. So, where does the bar on the screening of […]


Hindi films should be blocked in Pakistan

Pakistan Press Foundation

The case in Pakistan regarding the continued certification and commercial screening of films produced in the Indian Union territory has been settled. Mubashar Lucman, the Film Producers Association and the Cinema Owners Association have come to an agreement that would allow for the equal sharing of screening time between films made locally and those imported […]


Movies should highlight common man’s plight

Pakistan Press Foundation

LAHORE: There is dire need to upgrade Pakistani cinema through which the plight of common man can be highlighted and bettered, stated Governor of the Punjab Chaudhary Muhammed Sarwar while addressing the launching ceremony of book “Misrepresentation of Culture in Pakistan Cinema” at Governor House here on Monday. The governor stressed upon the need of […]


High court issues notice to censor board, media

Pakistan Press Foundation

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday issued a notice to the Central Censor Board and Pakistan Electronic Media Association (PEMA) for December 16 on a petition by Pakistan Cinema Owners Association and distributors of films to become party in the case against exhibition of Indian movies. Barrister Ali Zafar appeared before the court on […]


Film festival ends with focus on families, patriarchs

Pakistan Press Foundation

KARACHI: The Karachi International Film Festival 2013, organised by the Dawn Media Group, came to an end on Tuesday with films and documentaries featuring disappearing communities and lifestyles in the Alpine regions. These world cinema films featured titles from Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy being screened at Cinepax, Ocean Mall. The transience of human life, […]


True stories make for compelling viewing at film festival

Pakistan Press Foundation

KARACHI: The second day of the Karachi International Film Festival 2013 organised by the Dawn Media Group on Monday was striking for films and documentaries based on real-life events. These world cinema films featured titles from South Korea, Australia, China, Italy and the Netherlands being screened at Cinepax, Ocean Mall. “This is one small step […]


Waar 2 is officially in the making

Pakistan Press Foundation

KARACHI: It seems like everything is heading in the right direction for Pakistani cinema, as the makers of Waar have already announced its sequel, Waar 2. Waar became the highest grossing film in Pakistan’s cinematic history when it surpassed the Rs200 million mark at the local box office in November, beating Chooriyan’s record-breaking take when […]