KARACHI: It is utterly disappointing that only two Pakistani films are getting released on Eidul Fitr. What could be more festive than Eid? And yet, there aren’t enough local cinematic ventures to entertain the public. The films that are going to see the light of day on Eid are: Daghabaaz Dil and Hum Tum Aur Wo.

This clearly suggests that neither the producers are willing to invest in movies nor there seem to be sparkling ideas coming from filmmakers. It is worrisome both on commercial and creative levels. To boot, the Hollywood films hitting the cinema screens on Eid don’t boast of big, A-list names. Where is cinema business headed?

Daghabaas Dil is directed by Wajahat Rauf who has film such as Karachi Se Lahore and Lahore Se Aagey to his credit. It has Mehwish Hayat, Ali Rehman, Babar Ali, Salim Sheikh and Beo Rana Zafar in the cast.

Hum Tum Aur Wo is helmed by Noman Khan. A few days back its lead actress Amna Ilyas was in the news for posting on social media her displeasure at the fact that the project was meant to be a telefilm and not for cinema. Junaid Khan is her co-actor in the movie.

Daghabaaz Dil is directed by Wajahat Rauf while Noman Khan made Hum Tum Aur Wo

Only two films in the national language on Eid is a serious shortcoming. While one wishes that they do well at the box office, the number of releases is insufficient.

Television dramas have gained a lot of viewership in recent times (which has always been the case, actually). Does it suggest that cinema will now have a niche market and not a mass following? Time will tell.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2024