With only 150 cinemas, 22 films, and less than Rs1.5 billion business altogether, the lackluster show of the Pakistani film industry in 2019 did not reveal any surprising information. Lack of Pakistan-made films, and ban on screening of Indian movies since February, has left the local cinema circuit struggling to keep the show on. Local producers tried their luck in a variety of genres such as romance, action, thrill, music, comedy and animated. The number, 22, fell short of the required number the multiple screen cinema houses needed for business. The flicks that graced the cinemas and attracted crowds and good reviews in 2019 included Lal Kabootar, Sherdil, Janoon-i-Ishaq, Heer Maan Ja, Chalawa, Baaji, Super Star, Paray Hat Love, Wrong Number 2, Chalawa and Sher Dil. Of them, Super Star earned Rs270 million, followed by Paray Hat Love’s Rs268 million, Sherdil’s Rs212 million, Heer Maan Ja’s Rs100 million, Baji’s Rs 111 million and Katakasha’s Rs 201 million. The frequency of release of the films and their stay on the big screen need to go up to make a difference.
The revival of cinema has set in healthy competition among the high-end multiple screen complexes in big cities. They have invested a good amount on cooling/heating systems, seating arrangements, digital audio-video-systems and e-booking facilities. The last year, however, did not leave any better financial impact on cinema owners who had to rely on local and imported English films, in the absence of Indian movies, to fill the supply chain. Once the country had 1,500 cinemas in the 1980s but still film producers had to get in line for their turns. Those were the times when both the quality of films and cinema-goers would support each other. Slowly, quality vanished from films, and so did cinema goers. The drought of films again threatens the cinema industry.
Film exhibitors demand that the government lift the ban on Indian movies, while local film producers see Indian movies as a threat to the indigenous industry. The conflict can be ended by addressing the concerns of both stakeholders. The government should subsidise electricity for cinema halls and lessen entertainment tax on tickets. On the other hand, producers should be offered financial resources to make good quality and sufficient films to keep cinemas afloat. As for screening of Indian movies, unless India allows the screening of Pakistani films on its land, the ban should continue. *