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How can Pakistani cinema make its mark? Don't follow Karan Johar, says Yasir Jaswal

How can Pakistani cinema make its mark? Don't follow Karan Johar, says Yasir Jaswal

Yasir also dished on his upcoming film, says he's won't be casting any Jaswals in it
28 Jun, 2016

The Pakistani entertainment industry has seen a turn for the better in the past few years, and Yasir Jaswal believes that things can only keep progressing if the local industry focuses on ‘Pakistani’ ideas.

In an interview with BBC Urdu, Yasir Jaswal, director of Jalaibee (2015), opened up about his upcoming project and whether he plans to cast one of his brothers in his latest film.

“It’s an action-thriller this time and the story has been finalized, but we’re still working on the script. There will be no samosas or pakoras,” joked the musician when asked whether he had titled his film as yet. However, he has not thought about casting either of his brothers in the film.

But casting is the least of his problems; Yasir reveals that the film will face a few road bumps along the way.

“It is based in Pakistan but some sequences will be shot internationally, because it’s difficult to shoot action sequences here. We tried doing that with Jalaibee, to have teams come from abroad and shoot here but that didn’t happen,” he said.

He explained, “Because of Pakistan’s conditions, people are scared to come here. However, it’s not like that, it’s safe, and good work is being done here. It’s the idea people abroad have of Pakistan, and we can only change that through films."

Although his film Jalaibee opened to mixed reviews, for Yasir it was the first of its kind he had seen in Pakistan, and he aims to carve a different module of films steering away from the repetitive Bollywood style.

“You either make it for the audience or you do it because you want to deviate from the norm, towards a new cinema. Most films from Bollywood are for money-making and it’s important that we bring something ‘Pakistani’ to our ideas and films,” said Yasir.

But that can only be done by staying unique, “not by following Karan Johar or copying their films."

“We’re copying an existing industry; ours will exist if we bring our own ideas to the table,” he said.

The musician/director strongly feels that the audience has been supportive of Pakistani cinema and cannot easily be fooled when it comes to content.

“Our audience is very smart -- even though we believe otherwise -- we think that we can show them anything, but a lot of films have flopped because of that. By thinking of putting an item song or showing girls dancing in a film, it will be hit, but many a times they are a flop, that’s because that doesn’t resonate with the audience," he said.

Comments

indian dude Jun 28, 2016 04:08pm
Very good idea but pakistan never had good director like Bangladesh,nepal,Srilanka,Afganistan.Except East pakistani film Jago Hua Savera (1959) ,they never competed in Canne,venice,berlin film fest.
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charu Jun 28, 2016 05:08pm
i hope even rest in India also dont follow Karan Johar. KJ and Ekta Kapoor are the worst thing to happen to Indian cinema...unoriginal and uninspiring and crass.
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Ritesh Jun 28, 2016 05:44pm
I agree that karan johar should not be followed!
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ripan Jun 28, 2016 06:41pm
karan johar films doesn't do well in india,it always does well in overseas market..
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Ehsan Jun 28, 2016 07:01pm
Wish you the best
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zulu Jun 28, 2016 08:59pm
because Bolly wolly speaks Urdu/hindi becouse lahore is following bolly wolly indians are crape films ,with masalaa chai i dont see Hindi cinema can stand to his own south cinema its a crap and will be a crap as long as modi and ambanies runs this with tax money . there is irani ,french,polish, purtuchagees, garman, cinema .
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Pakistani Jun 28, 2016 09:04pm
Art movies are the best form of cinema but it has been overtaken by commercial movies. I hope bollywood too take art movies seriously
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Raj Jun 29, 2016 06:55am
Even in India lot of film makers don't follow Karan Johar formula but the whole world knows that Chopra and Johar cinema is the most popular in the world . No one care about the other cinema which has absence of Indian dose . It is like sugar in a coffee and absence of sugar makes it bitter and almost undrinkable . The subcontinent audience is very simple to understand . No science fiction , no war or conflict , no poverty depiction , no grass root problems etc . Fill the movie with bollywood masala and it is a guaranteed success . Your choice , run for oscars which is not coming or be popular and make lots of money !
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SHARMAJI Jun 29, 2016 09:21am
Strongly Agree with Mr. Jaswal, KJ is all fake,cry cry and making most unrealistic monotonous movies since 2 decades.
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Zafar Jun 29, 2016 10:01am
I stopped watching his trash a long time. I feel so blessed to see our attempts over the last few years. This is amazing.
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SidSingh Jun 29, 2016 11:18am
I strongly that Karan Johar should not be followed. Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Farah Khan and Sajid Khan are the directors who are the embarrassment for India. They make pathetic movies and their marketing strategy is making them hit as they cast big starts. They have no directional ability but they are actually business men/women. Pakistan should avoid working or following these people.
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Irfan Jun 29, 2016 07:11pm
Jaswal is spot on in his observation, that cinema, in order to be widely accepted should have roots in the soil to which it belongs. And Pakistan has a lot to offer to anyone, who would be willing to explore that facet, and be game enough to take a few risks.
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Sachin Jun 30, 2016 08:25am
I agree. KJ etc all created all false emotional tearful family and romance dramas. Hopeless movies.
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