Several Pakistani films hit theaters after one of the worst pandemics hit film industries across the world. However, Hollywood’s Dr. Strange in The Multiverse of Madness is threatening the prospects of Pakistani movies.
During the pandemic many productions shelved movies, and many big-budget movies were premiered on OTT platforms worldwide. naturally this meant many in the industry, most filmmakers sufffered huge losses.
As lifes resumes back to normal, the Pakistani film industry was expected to make up for lost time. Yet now one of Marvel’s most anticipated films Dr. Strange in The Multiverse of Madness might mop the theater floor with our own movies.
Given its revival in the last decade the Pakistani film industry is not ready for this. Then there are some five Pakistani films released together this Eid-ul-Fitr.
While works like Ghabrana Nahi Hai, Parde Mein Rehne Do, Dum Mastam, Chakkar, and Tere Bajrey Di Rakhi have a superstar cast to their name, is that enough?
In fact, theaters are pulling Pakistani films off screens to give more space to Dr. Strange in The Multiverse of Madness. This has really upset the producers who have voiced concerns at Karachi Arts Council.
Producers like Nida Yasir and Shazia Wajahat shared their concerns on Instagram with an appeal to support Pakistani cinema.
Dum Mastam writer Amar Khan even shared a teary video.
While the movie’s producer Adnan Siddiqui called out how the release of the Western flick should have been delayed for Pakistani movies.
Releasing Doctor Strange could have waited for a few days. The last thing we need when the industry is finally opening up after two years is some foreign film hijacking our screens and relegating us in a corner. Home grown cinema has more right any day. @CMShehbaz @Marriyum_A pic.twitter.com/xtzO1o5QLg
— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) May 9, 2022
Other celebs also called out the need to support national cinema.
Marr marr ke kuch local films release hui wo bhi Doctor Strange ki nazar ho gayeen…
Aisa konsa mirgi ka dorra par raha tha ? 2 weeks baad ki appointment le letey doctor Sahab ki 🤷🏼♂️#PakistaniCinema #DoctorStrange
— Arsalan Naseer (@ArslanNaseerCBA) May 8, 2022
In these difficult times post covid , I stand with all the Pakistani films makers who despite all the difficulties had the courage to come up with their movies and request the cinema owners not to prefer foreign content over local. #supportpakistancinema
— Farhan Saeed (@farhan_saeed) May 9, 2022
On the other hand, Pakistani filmmakers addressed the issue in a press conference. They expressed their anger over Pakistani movies being pulled off screen on May 6th with the release of Dr. Strange 2. They asserted that Pakistani “new releases” we’re doing well until they were taken down on the fourth day of their release.
What can Pakistani producers do to contend with the likes of mega-industries like Hollywood? Audiences have complained several times that Pakistani filmmakers should produce more original content that can compete with Hollywood.
However, many filmmakers argue they give the audiences what they want as the audience turnout for such films suggests a winning formula. Given the choice, when the public is flocking to watch a sole Hollywood film, that argument doesn’t really hold true.
