Sunday, June 22, 2008

Bollywood earns millions from Pakistan as Lollywood suffers

LAHORE - Pakistan is losing millions in foreign exchange by importing Indian films. The Bollywood flicks exhibition here on the other hand has virtually closed down the Urdu film industry.

Film writer and actor Raja Riaz stated this while talking to The Nation on Friday. Till now 18 movies have been imported under the new foreign films import policy that says any film that has not been shot in India can be screened in Pakistan and also the film should have its certificate of origin from country other than India.

"The local investors have shied away from investing in films here. Few Urdu films are in pipeline. Only the Punjabi films production is continuing and that too of low budget projects. If the situation continues the few people still associated with the film industry will also leave and engage in some other business.

"The government instead of allowing import of Indian films should have devised a strategy to ensure that the local industry did not have any negative impact. Bollywood filmmakers are not allowed to shoot films here nor Indian actors are allowed to act in Pakistani films. They should have allowed it first to ensure that not all cash flow is from Pakistan to India but it is both ways.

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