KARACHI A roomful of mediamen hurled pertinent questions at some renowned film, TV and stage artistes at the meet-the-press programme of the Karachi Press Club on Friday evening. The programme was organised by the Pakistan TV and Film Journalists Association in collaboration with the club.
Actress-turned-filmmaker Sangeeta said it was her first visit to the club and expressed her wish to visit it again. She said she grew up in Karachi but shifted to Lahore because at that time no films were being made here. She wished Karachi to become a film city again.
Discussing the plight of the Pakistan film industry, Sangeeta said the purpose of forming the Film Federation of Pakistan was to make quality films in the country and prop up the dying film industry. She lamented that the government had seldom supported the industry in the country's 62-year history.
Responding to a question, she said that the biggest problem being faced by filmmakers in Pakistan was that they had to depend on the outdated technology (cameras made in the 1960s are still being used).
Sangeeta said “Pakistan's masses have rejected Indian flicks and most people belonging to the middle-class families don't watch Indian movies because of their content. Now that Pakistani TV dramas have overshadowed Indian soaps, Pakistani films would also fare better than Indian movies.”
TV and film actor Saud praised the media for its consistent support to the artiste community. He said federations and unions were made in the past too, but all their members looked for key positions and renown. It's time we worked more for the betterment of the industry and talked less, he said.
Saud complained that the element of jealousy within the Pakistani artiste community was one of the reasons for the industry's decline.
Comedian Kashif Khan rejected the notion that Pakistani artistes were treated roughly in India, “for doves and hawks exist everywhere”. He said before some comedians went to India to showcase their talent, no one in Pakistan used to consider them worthy.
Once India acknowledged their talent, Pakistani TV channels too started recognising them. Even that situation is not sustainable as television networks here don't pay artistes on time.
According to Kashif Khan, it is the uncertain political situation in our country that is causing great harm to the artiste community, particularly to those who used to take part in 'variety programmes' held on special occasions which include stand-up comedians and musicians. In India, artistes are treated with respect, and their presentation of programmes is slick and impressive.
Comedian Irfan Malik apprised the mediamen of the five Pakistani comedians including Shakil Siddiqui and Kashif Khan who have recently featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for appearing in an Indian movie — Bhavnaon Ko Samjho — that has no fewer than 51 comedians acting in it.
Filmmaker Saeed Rizvi said Pakistan's film industry lacked professionalism and educated individuals. He chiefly blamed the film censor board for the industry's downfall. A grant of Rs250 million would not revive the industry, he added.
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