PESHAWAR: Shama cinema, rocked by militants with grenade attacks last year, has been reopened for screening Pashto flicks on Eidul Fitr.

Pashto films industry -- Pollywood -- is releasing seven new Pashto movies focusing social issues with strength of music and powerful storyline. Around 15 surviving production houses in Nishtarabad, a hub of CDs stores and tele-films financiers, are also releasing about 15 CD plays and 20 music albums.

The owners of Shama cinema have also planned to screen a new Pashto flick after a year’s closure.

It is pertinent to mention that Shama cine-theatre was attacked by militants in the second week of February last year, killing 14 cine-goers and injuring scores of others.

Seven new Pashto movies to be released on Eidul Fitr

The seven new Pashto movies include Ma Cherra Ghareeb Sara, Daagh, I love you too, Pakhtun Pah Dubai Ke, Khanadaani Badmaah, Maien Kho Lewanai Vee and Sar Tair Badmaash.

“Shama cinema is ready to screen a new Pashto movie - Maien Kho Lewanai Vee (A crazy lover) on Eid as its renovation, seating and electrification had completed. Now it is safe from any kind of insecurity both from in and outside attack. Cine-goers will feel better and safe and will enjoy visiting it after a year’s closure,” a cine-worker told this scribe on condition of anonymity.

Sobia Khan, a film star said, that Pashto cinema would improve with the passing of time. She was of the view that producing quality stuff was not everybody’s cup of tea.

“Commercial films with social themes could register their impact on the public. We still need to go a long way to revive good old traditions along with introducing new trends,” said Ms Khan.

Arbaz Khan, Babar Khan, Shahid Khan, Sobia Khan, Zindagi, Sahar Malik and Neelam Gul are playing lead roles in the new Pashto runs. Noted singers Rahim Shah, Shahsawar Khan, Gulpanra, Hashmat Sahar, Nazia Iqbal and Sitara Younas have recorded songs for the films.

Popular Pashto film star Shahid Khan told this scribe that he expected a huge turnout of movie-buffs on the upcoming Eid because of relatively good situation of law and order in the city and elsewhere in the province.

He said that Pashto movies would be screened in Karachi, Quetta, Swat, Bannu, and Peshawar and also in Kabul.

“I am quite hopeful of better result and expect a big turnout of movie- lovers this year. Pollywood is bringing out new seven flicks compared to last year’s just three movies as one cine theatre was attacked which had caused great human tragedy and also had driven away cine-goers. This time I think new Pashto runs will earn better business,” he said.

Arshad Khan, a noted Pashto film director, in his remarks pointed out that best storyline and quality playback music were the strength of his most productions. “My focus is on highlighting social issues and public taste. I have introduced a new face Zindagi and a new voice Yamsa Noor. Ma Cherra Ghareeb Sara (Don’t pester a poor man any more), for instance is the story of a common poor man who is fed up with numerous problems around him. I am quite sure, it will prove a big step towards our hectic journey to revive our glorious past of Pashto cinema,” said Mr Khan.

It is reliably learnt that a group of local performers would conduct live comedy stage shows in city wedding halls while another troupe of actors have submitted their application for no objection certificate (NOC) to authorities for similar activity on Eid in Nishtar Hall.

“We have received several applications from local stage directors. They are under process and a final decision regarding granting NOC is yet to be made in the coming week. Authorities, however, have some reservations about cultural activity in the hall on Eid holidays because of its close proximity to the central jail,” said an official.

Producers Abid Naseem, Arshad Khan, Qaiser Sanubar , actor-cum-director Arbaz Khan and Haji Nadir have put in their best efforts while music directors Master Ali Haider, Shakir Zeb and Gulalay Khan have tuned in their music with songwriters Saeed Tehkalai, Durwaish Khan and Salim Murad for powerful Pashto flicks round this year.

A private production house in Nishtarabad has planned to release two traditional atnr (dance) albums -- Yara Kabul Ta Kadey Larray (Households head to Kabul) and Tor De Lawangeen (My darling goes blackish) -- in which Laila Nawab and Anosh Khan are performing and it has been directed by Ali Jamal.

AK Khan, a tele-film director, told this scribe that production houses in Nishtarabad had witnessed serious slump this year. He said that only 15 CD plays and 20 music albums were being released compared to last year’s 50 CD dramas and around 60 music charts.

“My stress is on producing content that could be enjoyed with family. The CDs market was dismally going down,” he said. The reasons behind it, he said, were piracy and infringement on copy rights.

Popular midget actors Zardad Bulbul and Attaullah Khan said that their comedy works would attract viewers for quality performance. “We have worked in Chokidar, Che Khwarshi Zamong Yaar Shee and a few other comedy plays. Better performance always yields better results. This Eid will bring more entertainment and fun to Peshawarites,” they said.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2015

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