THE once-thriving Pakistani film industry is now dead. The reasons behind this slow demise include the introduction of VCR, cable television, market competition from Bollywood and, finally, the Islamisation of Gen Zia.

The industry, which once boasted more than 700 cinemas, now has just over 100. The number of films produced in Pakistan per year has declined from 200 to under 25.

Most cinema halls have been converted into shopping malls or housing apartments.

The themes into which Pakistani films can be loosely categorised are: classical romantic films (1950s-1960s), the Gandassa movies (1980s-1990s) and the amateur-sensationalist or ‘vulgar’ films which are aimed at salvaging the businesses of film producers.

But a recent spate of ambitious productions has raised hopes that the moribund movie industry may be on the verge of a renaissance.

Projects like Humayun Saeed’s Main Hoon Shahid Afridi, Shahzad Rafique’s Ishq-i-Khuda, Matteela production’s Zinda Bhaag and Iram Parveen’s internationally-acclaimed small-budget Josh are a few of the reviving pills for Pakistani cinema.

I would like to draw the attention of media giants to invest and produce quality films for the betterment and competition of the neighbouring country.

In this regard initiative taken by ARY films and ISPR is worth mentioning. Upcoming productions like Waar, Operation 021 and Saya-i-Khuda-i-Zuljalal whose trailers are out have put a new life into Pakistani cinema.

The quality of action and dialogues is much more improved and has the ability to glue the audience to cinema screens.

It is refreshing to see Pakistani filmmakers taking a different approach from the past of singing and dancing and creating thought-provoking films.

Their aim is to stir the senses and create positive thought. Through film we can frame our culture and present it to the world.

M. MOAZEN BILAL
Lahore