Sir: Pakistani cinema has undergone an extreme transformation over the past decade. The golden days of the industry, as many still recall, surely brought forward many eminent names over the years — Nadeem Baig, Waheed Murad, Noor Jehan and Shamim Ara to name a few — but they were also followed by the decline of Pakistani cinema. With Shoaib Mansoor’s hard hitting ‘Khuda Ke Liye’ (For the love of God) in 2007 and ‘Bol’ (Speak) in 2011, the industry saw a ray of hope, which helped Pakistani cinema earn a great reputation in the international film circuit as well. The question then arises: have Pakistani filmmakers adopted an unconventional way of movie making? Is that the reason behind their recent success?
Looking at the current spate of movie productions, especially Bilal Lashari’s recent movie ‘Waar’ and Farjad Nabi’s ‘Zinda Bhaag’, the answer is a ‘yes’. From direction and production to music and acting, it seems as though Pakistani filmmakers are doing all they can to meet international standards. However, the concept of the movie is the backbone of any project. The latest movies are now taking an unconventional approach. They are willing to work on topics one has never thought of before, which the audience can relate to and are thought provoking. This could be a great way to highlight our culture and to create a positive perception of our cinema around the world.
ZAINAB MANSOOR
Via e-mail
