PESHAWAR: Four new Pashto films released in the local cinemas on Eidul Fitr attracted large crowds to the local cinema.

The cine-goers insisted first the films mostly shot in Abbottabad were technically sound and second actors performed very well.

Some of them, especially villagers, who watch films on Eid, said they also saw a departure from the past when Pashto films were slammed for obscenity, absence of impressive story and dialogues, and bad display due to old equipment. “Jawargar (gambler) is the best among the films I’ve watched until now,” said Zahir Khan, who claimed to have seen 150 films.

He said the use of new technology had improved audibility and visibility of Pashto films screened in local cinemas. I saw three films this Eid and they all were of good quality,” he said.

According to him, he watch films whenever he happens to be in Peshawar but Eid is a special occasion when he comes to the town for it along with friends.

The frequent cine-goer said goods films should be screened to do away with the myth that producers used old themes to make ‘new’ films.

He appreciated the efforts being made by many to improve the declining quality of Pashto films to attract people back to cinemas.

He said it was the first time that I had really enjoyed watching films.

His friend, Feroz Khan, too, liked Jawargar along with Azadi with Shahid Khan in lead role. He said Da Badmashano Badmash and Ilzam starring Arbaz Khan were also good films.

“In light of the competition and challenges posed by the growing satellite channels and internet, Pashto directors will have to work really hard to produce good films like the ones I’ve seen this Eid. If that happens, only then the people will come to cinemas to watch Pashto films,” he said.

According to actor Shahid Khan, who has starred in Pashto films with Arabaz Khan and Jehangir Jani, new technology costs little but makes huge difference in filmmaking.

“As for my Eid releases, they are far better than my previous ones mostly due to the use of digital technology, which has greatly improved voice effects,” he said.

He said it was the first time in the country that such kind of modern technology was used in filmmaking.

The 48-year-old, who has been acting since 1991, said the Pashto cinema had come of age despite unnecessary hindrances created by the government.

He said unfortunately, a film was screened after undergoing tests at three censor boards in Karachi, Islamabad and Peshawar, which not only delayed its release but also increased its cost.

“We demand one censor board to avoid problems. The government must help Pashto actors save its historic cinema from extinction,” he said.

In the last few years, more than half of the province’s 40 cinemas have been demolished and reconstructed as commercial markets, while the rest will follow suit if the government continues to ignore the Pashto film industry.

“The unprecedented success the films are getting reflects the hard work of performers, writers, directors and technical staff. We have to woo back to Pashto cinema the people who have abandoned it for lack of stuff,” senior actor Asif Khan said.Asif Khan, who was once a film hero but now appears in characters of the elderly, said the Pakhtuns wanted revival of the past glory of Pashto films and that could happen only if the government patronised Pashto cinema.

He said it was encouraging to see Pashto films do good business on Eid.

“We have to be ready to make quality films on social issues and peace to meet the challenges posed by market forces,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2014