Although movie theaters have been allowed to open up for business, things may be looking grim for Pakistani cinema if producers and directors are to be believed.
Filmmaker Wajahat Rauf’s film Pardey Mein Rehnay Do has resumed production, but he’s worried if putting in the work is worth it. He told Images that:
“People buy chicken, so I’m seriously thinking of opening up a chicken farm.”
With how hard it will be to keep making films amid the economic hardship, the Chhalawa creator thinks filmmakers should be considering a career change.
“On a serious note, I think producers will start running away and invest their time and energy elsewhere as they put in an entire year, and their money, in a film with such bad odds. We are mostly doing it for our passion for film, but nobody wants to suffer losses from unfair sharing ratios.”
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This year has seen its film release schedule pushed to 2021, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now we are going to see a long lineup of films for 2021 which include:
- Quaid-i-Azam Zindabad,
- The Legend of Maula Jutt,
- London Nahin Jaunga,
- Ishrat Made in China,
- Parday Mein Rehnay Do,
- Ghabrana Nahin Hai,
- Chakkar,
- Money-Back Guarantee,
- Zarrar,
- Tich Button.
The question is – is there enough revenue to go around for all of them?
Future of Pakistani cinema
With the dry spell this year, no filmmaker wants to wait out another year with no revenue pouring in. What does this economic dilemma mean for the future of Pakistani cinema?
In this industry, unprofessional practices like pending payouts are also a reality. Yet, there are people like the owner of Nueplex Cinemas in Karachi, Jamil Baig who pay to distributors on time.
“We’re ready to open cinemas to support any producer, if they come to us with a fixed release date … We’re ready to open cinemas to support any producer, if they come to us with a fixed release date.”
But producers can’t help but work with the same exhibitors despite payment issues, as there’s a lack of options.
When filmmakers don’t get paid, how will they keep making more films? According to Images, The Legend of Maula Jatt producer, Ammara Hikmat says:
“The exhibitors should realise that they can’t run a business without producers. If the local producers don’t give them movies, how long will they survive on foreign content? I would really like to see how fairly cinemas are treating producers post-coronavirus, given that their livelihood also depends on what content we give them.”
That just further affirms Wajahat Rauf’s prediction that filmmakers might just bail on the career path altogether.
“What has been worrying for producers, since day one, is the revenue-sharing deal with exhibitors, which makes it impossible to recover our investment, let alone make a profit. The recovery timelines are pretty bad as well.”
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Now, with the government really focused on promoting a soft image of Pakistan through films, things might be looking up. After all, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Lt-Gen (R) Asim Saleem Bajwa said:
“The mission is revival of film, and through it, an increase in employment opportunities.”
He told Images that while Pakistani cinema has a long way to go, they’re still trying.
“The mission is revival of film, and through it, an increase in employment opportunities … We’re still like an infant, it needs to be nurtured.”
