Pak rediscovers cinema, thanks to Hindi movies

Mon, May 19 12:40 AM

IN THE plush Defence Housing Authority cinema hall, a bag of large popcorn costs 80 Pakistani Rupees. It's not yet show time, but people are making inquiries about what films are showing.

"Take a look for yourself," a security guard tells Rahat, who wants to book in advance. Rahat settles for a matinee show of Bhootnath.

Life has, clearly, returned to cinema halls in Pakistan. Courtesy, Islamabad's decision to allow the screening of Indian films earlier this year.

No longer must Pakistanis confine themselves to watching CDs and DVDs - they can simply trek to the nearest cinema. Long imposed state-sponsored abstinence has given way.

Given the nature of contending Pakistani and Indian nationalisms, this change is nothing short of a mini-revolution. Lollywood, or Lahore's film industry, is believed to be worried, but cinema hall owners and film distributors across Pakistan are smiling.

At the Plaza cinema in central Lahore, Emraan Hashmi's Jannat was released on Friday - the first film to be released simultaneously in India and Pakistan. It's expected to be a hit with audiences here.

Naazish Ata-Ullah, principal of the National College of Art, said screening of Indian films would "give a big boost" to Pakistan's floundering film industry. "I think this is very, very encouraging.

" Muniba Kamal, a senior editor at The News, Karachi, agreed: "I think it (the release of Indian films in Pakistan) is a very healthy development. Our two countries have tried to ban cultures, but these have seeped through.

" "I've seen Tare Zameen Par five times -four times at home and once in a cinema hall (Nishat in Karachi). The hall was almost full," said Muniba.

From about 750-odd cinemas in the 1970s, Pakistan just has about 300 today. But pundits here believe that all this could change if Bollywood continues to bring audiences back to the halls.

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