Pakistani film watchers who were eagerly awaiting for the two of the biggest Bollywood movies of 2008 - Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Rab Ne Banadi Jodi' (RNBJ) and Aamir Khan's 'Ghajni' - got disappointed following the deferment of their release in Pakistan. According to reliable sources, the tense relations between the two countries caused by the Mumbai attacks stopped the whole schedule of their release though already announced. Interestingly, the theater owners who did roaring business after decades with the release of Indian films since last year, are keeping their business on by again releasing old films. This is to recall that Bollywood movies like 'Goal', 'Welcome', 'Race' etc had been big hits in Pakistan. One needs to believe that such was the boom that due to shortage of quality cinema halls, the existing ones had started screening special shows to meet the demands of film viewers and to cope with the rapid release of new Bollywood films.
Even now, Nishat cinema in Karachi is screening 'Yuvraaj' and 'Dostaana' with different show timings while other cinemas have again released 'Bhagam Bhaag' and 'Golmaal Returns' to keep their business going as they point out there is no competition between the demand for Pakistani and Indian films. While cinema owners are incurring heavy losses in the absence of new Bollywood movies, the video parlors are happy and celebrating as they can cash on the pirated videos of new Hindi releases. It is learnt that pirated prints of 'RNBJ' and 'Ghajjni' are selling like hot cakes though the government is busy in launching a crackdown on their sale or renting out. It is noteworthy that the recent lifting of Pakistani ban on Indian movies that stayed for decades had profusely benefited the exhibitors, distributors and theater owners in Pakistan thanks to the improvement in relations between India and Pakistan.
With relations between the two countries nose-diving and the peace process being suspended after the Mumbai attacks on November 26, the release of the latest Bollywood movies has been totally stopped in Pakistan. Though there is nothing officially but the Censor and culture ministry have not cleared any new Indian films for release after the Mumbai incident, according to informed Pakistani sources. Nadeem Mandviwalla, a well-known distributor and owner of Nishat cinema in Karachi, vouches this information.
Even now, Nishat cinema in Karachi is screening 'Yuvraaj' and 'Dostaana' with different show timings while other cinemas have again released 'Bhagam Bhaag' and 'Golmaal Returns' to keep their business going as they point out there is no competition between the demand for Pakistani and Indian films. While cinema owners are incurring heavy losses in the absence of new Bollywood movies, the video parlors are happy and celebrating as they can cash on the pirated videos of new Hindi releases. It is learnt that pirated prints of 'RNBJ' and 'Ghajjni' are selling like hot cakes though the government is busy in launching a crackdown on their sale or renting out. It is noteworthy that the recent lifting of Pakistani ban on Indian movies that stayed for decades had profusely benefited the exhibitors, distributors and theater owners in Pakistan thanks to the improvement in relations between India and Pakistan.
With relations between the two countries nose-diving and the peace process being suspended after the Mumbai attacks on November 26, the release of the latest Bollywood movies has been totally stopped in Pakistan. Though there is nothing officially but the Censor and culture ministry have not cleared any new Indian films for release after the Mumbai incident, according to informed Pakistani sources. Nadeem Mandviwalla, a well-known distributor and owner of Nishat cinema in Karachi, vouches this information.
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