Pakistani film Producers demand a ban on screening of Indian movies in Pakistan?

Chaudhry Ejaz Kamran, a senior official of Pakistan Film Producers Association, finally addresses the matter that have been going on for quite some time, the screening of Indian movies in Pakistani cinema.

He clearly mentioned that why Pakistani cinema houses are screening Indian movies when Pakistani movies are not screened in India commercially.

Kamran told PTI, “We have to think seriously about this because true our distributors and exhibitors make money from screening Indian films but in the long run it is hurting the growth of our industry.”

In recent years, many Indian films were banned from screening in Pakistan due to a number of different reasons. ‘Padman’, ‘Veere Di Weddding’, ‘Pari’, ‘Raees’, ‘Jolly LLB 2’ are some of the movies among many others that were banned from screening in Pakistan and the reasons for the ban are based on restrictions made in 1979 when a stricter censorship code was implanted.

Chaudhry Ejaz Kamran said that the association has sent a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan since they want this matter to be looked into, asking him to make the final decisions about this particular issue.

He said that government needs to impose the ban in order to save our local film industry from destruction.

“If this ban is not imposed, then the local cinema owners will continue to give preference to Indian films which in turn is hurting our industry.”

He pointed that during Eid holidays, Indian movies do huge business in Pakistan because cinema owners give these movies preference over the local ones and give these movies proper slots for screening.

He also added, “We have struggled for the welfare of our local film industry and this is why we decided to contact Imran Khan. We are hopeful that he will listen to us and impose the ban.”

One of the film distributors and exhibitors in Pakistan, reacted on this move by PFPA.

“The truth is Indian films help cinema owners make good revenues and recover costs as well. The last time Indian films were banned the cinema owners suffered big losses and the industry also faltered. Such a ban will discourage investors and disturb the business.”

He said that banning Indian movies is not an appropriate solution and if local films are good enough to watch, cinema houses will definitely give them a priority over Indian films.