The Hindu : Call to legalise Indo-Pak film trade

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 15, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Call to legalise Indo-Pak film trade

MUMBAI, MARCH 14. Films, a common passion between the subcontinent neighbours is set to enter a new realm with the Indo-Pak film fraternity calling for strategic tie-ups, mutual exchange of films and creative talents to augment revenue generation while nailing the flourishing piracy business.

The Pakistan film industry ``is currently in the nascent stage, and we have miles to go before we reach the international mark and standards,'' Riaz Mullick, chairman of the Pakistan Exhibitors Association, who is part of the first official film delegation to arrive in India to participate in a FICCI seminar on Monday, said.

Though India has edged forward with the entry of the corporate sector in films, the Pakistan film industry was yet to see itself transforming into an organised sector, he said.

According to Amjad Farzand Ali, chairman of the Pakistan Producers Association, there were around 700 theatres in Pakistan, which was way below in comparison to India. "However, many of the theatres were forced to close down in recent times following the thriving piracy business, which has eaten into the profits,'' Mr. Mullick pointed out.

Calling for legalising film trade between both countries, Mr. Ali said such a measure would go a long way in curtailing the piracy. "Indian film industry has, I believe, succeeded in a major way in bringing down piracy. However, in Pakistan the piracy menace is still a dominating problem,'' he said.

According to Mubasher Lucman, a Pakistan film maker, there were several instances of Pakistani film makers using the work of Indian artistes in their films or Indian films being passed off under other foreign productions. "The credits are changed to avoid censor problems''.

"It is an open fact there are movie lovers on both sides of the border and the passion the population on either side share for films is tremendous,'' he said. --PTI

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