LAHORE: Indian film director and producer Madhur Bandharkar says visa policy is a major hurdle in collaboration between India and Pakistan.

In a Q&A session at International Film Festival on Thursday, he proposed a media cell between Pakistan and India. Artistes from both countries should be part of that cell for deliberations on collaborative ventures.

Indian actor Om Puri said politicians should be shown movies made by social activists so that they could fully grasp social issues.

He said there were times when Hindi films had a mix of Urdu, Hindi languages; however with the passage of time Hindi movies somehow lost the richness of the language.

Usman Pirzada said North Indian cinema had more opportunities when it came to joint ventures. The language of North Indian cinema was mostly Hindi. Music and themes were also similar to Pakistani movies. He said in Pakistan cinema houses reopened with the screening of Indian films as Pakistan movie industry was going through a bad patch.

He said screening of Indian movies brought new softwares and latest technology to cinema screenings.

ZEBA: Film actress Zeba has said that Indian and Pakistani films should be screened in both countries on an equality basis.

She was talking to media at international film festival at Alhamra.

She said: “Om Puri is a great artiste and we welcome him here in Lahore.”

She lauded Rafi Pir Theatre Workshop for promoting art and culture.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2015