Indian films losing audience in Pakistan

[Ghareeb_Da_Baal]

Indian films losing audience in Pakistan

* Cinema officials report 75 percent reduction in attendance of Indian films in local cinemas after Mumbai attacks
* PCMA chairman fears removal of Indian films from local cinemas if tensions continue

By Ali Usman

LAHORE: Following the Mumbai attacks in November, cinemas throughout the city have experienced a significant shortfall in the attendance of Indian films, and several newly-released Indian movies are not being exhibited at cinemas, managers and the distributor told Daily Times on Sunday.

They said that many people have refused to watch Indian films in local cinemas, and the business has suffered due to the Mumbai carnage. They said that although the Indian films had been in high demand in local cinemas prior to the attack, the trend seems to have changed due to the tensions between the two countries.

Effects on cinema: Plaza Cinema Manager Anwar said that people still come to watch Indian films, however, he admitted that the number had reduced by 75 percent. He said that Indian films are currently being aired in three mainstream cinemas- DHA Cinema, Plaza Cinema and Sozo World Cinema. Anwar said that the Plaza Cinema had a capacity of 850 people without any signs of congestion. He said that before the Mumbai attacks, 250 people watched each show of Indian film, adding that the number of attendees has now reduced to 50. He said that cinemas screening Indian movies have failed to attract large crowds even on Sundays. He said that the business had suffered a serious setback due to this, adding that cinema producers may not purchase the screening rights of upcoming Indian films.

Sozo World Cinema official Sharafat said that the cinema had been screening two Indian films daily, adding that they had failed to attract as many people as they previously used to. He said that the cinema had a capacity of 400 people, adding that it had not been jam-packed ever since tensions developed between the two countries. Yuvraj, a film featuring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, is currently airing in the city’s cinemas, but the film has failed to get a full house despite the great market value of the actors.

PCMA chairman: Pakistan Cinema Management Association (PCMA) Chairman Qaiser Sanaullah Khan said that in the aftermath of a significant reduction in the demand of Indian films, exhibitors and distributor were reluctant to purchase the screening rights of the new Indian movies. He said that large media groups, which had screened several Indian movies in the past, had not come to purchase the screening rights of an upcoming movie featuring Shahrukh Khan. He said that Indian movies would likely be eradicated from the Pakistani cinema industry if the situation did not improve.

 

[Captain03]

lmao and srk said he didnt want to release his film in pakistan but instead no one wants to buy it!! SRK JHOOOTAAAA!!!!!!

 

[Flintlock]

I had no Idea Zaid Hamid was that influential!

P.S. Source?

 

[Vinod2070]

I don't think it will be big loss for the Indian film industry economically.

Pakistan has never been a source of revenue for them. All the revenue is pocketed by the smugglers and the pirates anyway.

It is not even a big potential market, at the maximum the size of one territory in India.

Rest assured no one is losing sleep over it.

 

[Nihat]

About time , I say - Why do we continue to release movies there is totally beyond me .

 

[Beskar]

I don't think it will be big loss for the Indian film industry economically.

Pakistan has never been a source of revenue for them. All the revenue is pocketed by the smugglers and the pirates anyway.

It is not even a big potential market, at the maximum the size of one territory in India.

Rest assured no one is losing sleep over it.

Nobody said someone might be loosing sleep over it. In present times, since people are getting to see and hear about the real side of India, majority is rejecting the useless, trash that comes out of the Indian Cinema.

That's all.

 

[Bane Blade]

About time , I say - Why do we continue to release movies there is totally beyond me .

This is completely beyond me too, to be honest I'm surprised they bother making them in the first place...such movies would be a source of sincere embarrassment to any half-witted member of humanity. But I suppose some people just want to make money, and others have nothing better to do.

 

[roadrunner]

Why Pakistanis watch Bollywood is something puzzling to me. Is it the lack of any alternative in the same language?

 

[Bane Blade]

and not to mention the presence of certain vulgar desires

 

[Silverfalcon]

InshAllah soon we will see the day when indian movies are banned all over Pakistan, including posh cienams like ciniplex as well as local video shops.

The little friendship that the Indian media has created with Pakistani media has no meaning at all , it has put a shadow on the real relationship between Pakistan and India and i,m glad that the shadow has started to slowly fade away.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

source: Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

I don't think the message here is that some sort of financial loss is being inflicted upon the Indian film industry and therefore the Indian economy, but the point that in the face of belligerence and jingoism from India in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, Pakistanis have said 'shove off' to an icon of Indian 'soft power'.

In other words, disrespecting and demonizing us will not win you many friends here.

 

[Rafael]

well i think the indian movies and tv channels should not be allowed at first place in pak..because they dont allow our channels to be shown in india..so why one sided traffic???

and secondly i personally think that now indians too our following the footsteps of the west and going very "liberal".

so they should be banned anyway.

 

[Energon]

source: Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

I don't think the message here is that some sort of financial loss is being inflicted upon the Indian film industry and therefore the Indian economy, but the point that in the face of belligerence and jingoism from India in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, Pakistanis have said 'shove off' to an icon of Indian 'soft power'.

In other words, disrespecting and demonizing us will not win you many friends here.

I think you've got it the other way round mate.

Pakistani gunmen trained by terrorist organizations in cahoots with governmental agencies orchestrating a carnage in the city that hosts the film industry isn't going to result in overtures of friendship in the first place. What the Pakistani people feel about India is a non sequitur. The bullet holes, dead bodies, charred buildings and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of losses in men, matériel and revenue are on the Indian side of the border. The sentiments, needs and the desires of the Pakistani people aren't exactly a concern for most people in India (or the rest of the world for that matter), and it will be a very long time before anyone can even pretend to give a hoot, let alone try and 'win' friendships. It is the Indian government who will be forced to tell Pakistan to shove off because these incidents only reinforce the notion that Pakistan is unworthy of being engaged in a constructive, meaningful or equatable manner.

 

[blain2]

I don't think it will be big loss for the Indian film industry economically.

Pakistan has never been a source of revenue for them. All the revenue is pocketed by the smugglers and the pirates anyway.

It is not even a big potential market, at the maximum the size of one territory in India.

Rest assured no one is losing sleep over it.

We certainly are not and this has no economic impact either to you or us and neither is that the intent. It just is a demonstration of what the Pakistani nation is feeling. A reaction to the overtly jingoistic tone being taken up in India.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

I think you've got it the other way round mate.

Pakistani gunmen trained by terrorist organizations in cahoots with governmental agencies orchestrating a carnage in the city that hosts the film industry isn't going to result in overtures of friendship in the first place. What the Pakistani people feel about India is a non sequitur. The bullet holes, dead bodies, charred buildings and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of losses in men, matériel and revenue are on the Indian side of the border. The sentiments, needs and the desires of the Pakistani people aren't exactly a concern for most people in India (or the rest of the world for that matter), and it will be a very long time before anyone can even pretend to give a hoot, let alone try and 'win' friendships. It is the Indian government who will be forced to tell Pakistan to shove off because these incidents only reinforce the notion that Pakistan is unworthy of being engaged in a constructive, meaningful or equatable manner.

Non-state actors from Pakistan allegedly attacked an Indian city - that does not justify demonizing the entire country.

I think it is apparent that no one 'gives a hoot' about the Indian 'anger' in Pakistan anymore either.

The people of Pakistan will sympathize with India over her tragedy - we will not roll over and just take all the misplaced abuse dished out at us from Indians.

Work through the proper channels, cooperate with us and respect us, and most will not have any qualms about extending our own hand in friendship and cooperation - if Indians choose to 'not give a hoot', the sentiment will be reciprocated.