A Tale of Two Stars

The problem with Paki film industry is that they are always trying to show a Sikh hero, in full turban and all that gear. Apparently, that is what turns on the Paki ladies and the film industry provides what the local audience wants. Paki youngsters, influenced by their visiting relatives from UK, US, Dubai, and Singapore, have enjoyed Indian movies more and more, especially in Karachi and among the Urdu-speaking crowd in Lahore and Islamabad. I wonder if Paki Punjabi movies are a big hit with our own Punjabi folks in Amritsar and Ludhiana?

Alvi..didn`t you get printed in Dawn hardly a week ago? It was a nice read though. And so far dost-mittar sah`eb has had the best reply on offer.

for people who are getting worked up at the ``comparison`` thingy..refer to the inverse square law of comparison between nations..since India is 7 times population and 15 times economy of Pakistan so basically if nadeem=Amitabh 7*7 + 15*15 ..(maybe there is some probable error that can be eliminated if we consider auto manufacturing too)..then they can be compared..this is an implicit assumption and does not need to be mentioned over and over again when comparing people places things from the two nations..hope this helps

I told you so!
It`s not nice to say ``I told you so`` but I did say a few years ago at chowk that the greatest threat to Pakistan from India is the cable tv. Being in Canada and next door to the gigantic entertainment industry in Hollywood, I empathise with Pakistani predicament. We are in fact worse placed since the borders are completely free and ALL american movies and tv channels are freely available and watched in Canada. Moreover, the best of the Canadian talent moves to the US as soon as they show some promise, even the guy who covered himself with the maple leaf flag for the famous Molson beer commercial has moved to Hollywood. So, how have we met the challenge? We have done so by developing a niche in documentaries and quality products. I think that Pakistan has to do the same and compete on quality rather than quantity. I remember the time when the PTV dramas were all the rage in India. I dont think that that era can be recreated now as the Indian soaps are much glitzier and have bigger budgets. But Pakistan can still develop other niches, such as Punjabi plays and films for which Lahore would be a natural place.
Anyway, with this long introduction, here is the article from the Dawn magazine.

Rani vs Reema?


By Zainab Mahmood

What remains to be seen is how tomorrow`s young adults will show the effects of growing up in a time of computers, Britney Spears and supremacy of Indian media. In the race to ``Indianize`` our media, are we evolving with the times or burying our own heritage? writes Zainab Mahmood.

Television is the first truly democratic culture, the first culture available to everybody and entirely governed by what the people want. The most terrifying thing is what the people want. -Clive Barnes

The release of the star-studded blockbuster last year inspired the attire and jewellery for countless brides who enthusiastically tried to get their wedding planners to re-enact the ``Devdas setting`` complete with the gao takias, silk sheets and other adornments.

The Indian culture, among others, has permeated views through the television screen and people are spending oodles of time and money on spicing up wedding rasms. Singing of Pakistani songs is now passé and instead we must have eight elaborately choreographed dances, to the upbeat tempo of Indian tracks, including sets and props! A few years from now the young generation will be amused by the songs we grew up hearing and will ask ``what`s lathay dee chadar?``

The release of Kal ho na ho enthused a dance craze. We were stunned by the flawless choreography of a 12-year-old at my best friend`s wedding last winter. The teenage crowd completely overshadowed us with their enviable knowledge of Indian songs and dance moves. One such enthusiast, 14-year-old Faiza confessed, ``I enjoy Indian dramas and films, especially the remixed songs. My friends and I pick up fashion trends from the hip Bollywood actresses too.``

These trends are indicative of an interest that has existed for generations. The post-partition Pakistan saw its people enchanted with Indian cinema, as our film industry struggled and eventually dwindled into oblivion. At that point, we were faced with a void and sporadic lacklustre local productions that failed to impress or attract an audience. Even the banning of Indian films in the `60s did not stifle the interest. People continued to tune into radios to listen to Indian film stories and songs. Thousands flew to Lahore from all over Pakistan to watch Pakeezah being shown on Doordarshan (an Indian channel the Lahoris managed to catch on their antennas) back then.

Then came the state-run TV in Pakistan, and its nationalism, low-budget videos and even some noteworthy drama serials failed to capture the audience for long. The VCR phenomenon saved the day and pirated Indian films were rented in thousands. The satellite dish arrived in the early `90s, and we were bedazzled by Zee, Star Plus, Sony, B4U and MTV India. With so many choices, family members gathered around their TV sets, even during meal times and sitting room discussions revolved around the Indian soaps and films.

Unsuspectingly we have begun to emulate the clothes, language and lifestyle they project. You would be amazed at how much Hindi we understand and use today. Whether we like to admit it or not, the length and styles of our kurtas and pants fluctuate with what Kareena, Rani or some soap actress was seen wearing (even our tailors are familiar with Bollywood trends). The promos for Pakistani music awards that are yet to be aired confirm just this. The hostess is not only making a somewhat misguided effort to put on a Joan River-esque red carpet stint, she is also wearing an exact replica of an evening dress worn by a Bollywood leading lady in Dil Chahta Hai.

The concept of family entertainment has undergone a radical change as a result of the Indian electronic media during the last decade. We are no longer easily offended by actresses prancing about in revealing outfits and their suggestive dialogues and dance moves. The popularity of Indian TV channels and cinema has forced Pakistani media to take stock. The new private cable channels with their serials, soaps and song videos and enticing advertisements are trying hard to catch up. Pakistani producers are now churning out a new drama serial almost every week with steamy storylines. Many of our film actresses are seen taking dance lessons and learning to speak English. (Is Reema vying for a break in Bollywood?) Their media portrays a nation of fairly educated musicians, actors and sportsmen, forcing many of our celebrities to undergo image improvement.

Encouraged by the success of Indian celebrities endorsing commercial products, our corporate sector has begun to use film and pop stars to catch the fancy of the audience. We cannot help but wonder if Shaan has been picked up by Indian producers? Or will Inzie and Shoaib be the next faces for corporate products? All in all, we are taking a crack at giving our industry a facelift so it appeals to all sections of society within and outside Pakistan. It has to be said, with improved programming and presentation, our soaps and some shows are now dangerously close to appearing Indian. A change of outfit and a few added words of Hindi would leave you questioning which side of the border the programmes were produced on.

One can argue that the Indian media overwhelmed the audience and now our new TV channels are just trying to give the viewers what they have always wanted. On the flip side, perhaps by emulating the Indian media we convey to the audience that our cultures are identical and that we have to follow the Indian lifestyle and trends to move with the times. Satellite TV tantalized the audience in the `90s and paved the way for the cable network which flooded thousands of homes and fascinated all kinds of people across cities and villages in Pakistan. From the classic films of Amitabh, Rekha and Rafi to the contemporary age of Shahrukh, Kareena and Sonu, Indian cinema and music has something which will appeal to all generations.

Mrs Zia, a housewife from Karachi confesses, ``The saas-bahu and family politics storylines of Star Plus plays are so fast paced. I watch them quite often as they offer a good break from the monotony of domestic life.`` Even the youngsters are not too far behind. Sixteen-year-old Daud from Rawalpindi finds himself hooked to the Indian dramas and films during vacations and Ayesha, a 6-year-old, living in a small town near Lahore, religiously watches Aishwarya Rai films and knows the words of all her famous songs. On the other hand Zakia, a young mother from Faisalabad representing the views of a handful of mothers today, bemoans, ``Indian films and dramas are vulgar and send the wrong message. I don`t want my children to grow up thinking that this is the norm, and learning to be devious and manipulative from the dramas.``

In Pakistan today, popularity of Indian media and music exceeds by far the interest in our local productions. In fact adding anything Indian ensures that your product sells, which is evident from Indian celebrities featured in our music videos, fashion shows and exhibitions. The production of low-budget popular spoofs of hit Indian films and our versions of their popular song and dance sequences drive this point home. Amna, a 25-year-old artist from Karachi insists, ``Indian media is basically good value for money. You can tell they make an effort to attract the viewer. Their entire package is better than the run-of-the-mill entertainment we get here. I`ve noticed they are really nationalistic in their films and serials, which we are not.``

Bilal, a Pakistani/British 21-year-old graduate, shares the views of young Pakistanis living abroad. ``Indians offer a corny brand of escapism that we can relate to because they look and talk like us. It`s a good laugh to watch Indian songs with our white friends who enjoy it too,`` he says. Many of the affluent young desis living here and abroad depict the subtle influences. The kurta and chapal trend, the hairstyles and to some extent even the language of young people today is influenced by the fashion vibes from Bollywood stars.

Anglo-Indian cinema has recently come into vogue, especially abroad. The likes of Monsoon Wedding and Bend it like Beckham have provided desis everywhere a chance to watch something they can relate to. The popularity of independent Indian ventures such as Leela and Everybody Says I`m Fine and their success at film festivals abroad, proves that even such films can find an audience. Therefore young Pakistani filmmakers have been encouraged to walk the same path as can be seen from the success of Kara and Mateela film festivals across Pakistan.

We cannot credit the entire change in our society or our entertainment industry to Indian influence. Natural evolution, social and political changes have also exerted their power. But as cable TV has percolated into the cities and even small towns, its dominance cannot be denied. The reality is, cable TV does not require a visa nor must it bend to the pressure of conservative and religious lobbies. Such groups are indeed helpless now. Even the Indian celebrities (from Urmila to Arundhati Roy) who have visited us were overwhelmed by the multitude of fans that were eager to meet them.

Now that the Indians have realized that a big market exists here, we will see more collaborative ventures. Indian drama serials on our channels, sharing of playback singers (Strings, Fuzon and Aaroh spearheading the trend), and joint hosting of programmes (the Indian comperes are extremely professional whilst the Pakistani counterparts leave a lot to be desired). Up till now we have passionately idolized and revered Indian celebrities and their world of glamour. Only recently has the healthy exchange of talent and productions begun and now the Indians will have a chance to see what we have to offer (we hope our current stars meet a better fate than Somi Ali and Zeba Bakhtiar).

The fact remains that the Indian entertainment industry has been flourishing for years and is now a global player. With a home market of over a billion people it can afford to invest heavily in local media and attract foreign interest. Today, our people are responding positively to this new brand of Pakistani entertainment. What remains to be seen is how tomorrow`s young adults will show the effects of growing up in a time of computers, Britney Spears and supremacy of Indian media. We may just end up paying a higher price than we bargained for. In the race to ``Indianize`` our media, are we evolving with the times or burying our own heritage? Will we be successful in carving our own niche eventually, or will the technologically savvy Indian industry usurp our culture and society? After all, there might be something to the ``if you can`t beat `em, join `em`` philosophy.

rsridhar #36,

you make Indian movies seem like they are cinematic masterpieces when in reality, with just a few exceptions, they`re nothing but glamourized trash with vignettes copied from Hollywood movies and rehashed in the cheapest way possible.

The two major differences between the Big B and Nadeem?

1) Height

2) The country in which their films are/were made.


Talent is just about equal but the fan base of one country found General Zia instead

and is today paying the price....

re: this article
I have not watched any Pak films as my Pak friend in New York at the time told me: these are not worth watching! I watched some good Pak plays instead.
Anyway, Pak film industry does not get the kind of encouragement that Indian one gets from the govt. Indian film industry has been given an ``industry`` status by the govt and one can find some or the other big shot politician attending gala events. Pak film industry, in comparison, languishes from neglect.
Pak industry has tried to copy the Indian formula and come out croppers. U can see umpteen number of Paki films with similar sounding names viz Pakistan ki kasam, Haathi merey saathi, suhaag etc. Pak could have opted for low budget high quality films (like Iranians are doing) and created a niche for itself. But, in trying to compete with Indian film industry (which is a giant in comparison), it shot itself on its foot.
Now, all that remains is to give Pak film industry a decent burial.
Amitabh Bachan is a legend in India. He created an entire industry based on his ``angry man`` image in the 70s. His comeback films now are more subtle, with varied roles from a Police inspector to a doctor or a prisoner (as in Deewar). I think he has matured well and is acting his age now.
I have not heard of Nadeem, so i can`t comment. As i said, u got to be good to be noticed by people from other countries and cultures. Shivaji Ganeshan from South, Dilip Kumar from North are some such people who cut across cultures. Amitabh was yet another such actor who is recognised even in deep south. Rajesh Khanna in his heydays was a rage. Someone even wrote a PhD thesis on him!
It is good that Pak industry is trying to collaborate with Indian film industry. Pak has surfeit of talent and hopefully, Indian industry can find a place for them.
Sridhar

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BTW paki cricket stars and Nusrat etc were/are mobbed in india, maybe Junoon a little-bit. Man we have way too many filmies, especially if you include the madrasis. please forgive if there is no time for bhojpuri, oriya and punjabi film heros.

i`m going to watch a drama on muziq.net tonight that has nadeem in it, and i`ll be checking to see if he is indeed a flop, or whether it`s the vehicle that is.

this article was not written to ``compare`` the acting roles that both nadeem and amitabh have been in. or the greatness of amitabh compared to nadeem. but then we will stop at nothing to turn everything, even our cinema into an india vs. pakistan chest-thumping match will we?

and the joke about not knowing that pakistan even had a film industry is getting quite old now. pakistan has had a film industry for decades, with fine actors such as santosh and sabiha, waheed murad, rani, firdaus, ijaz, nadeem, shabnam, munawwar zareef, talish and others.

upon the death of sultan rahi who was one of our most popular punjabi film actors, the Big Bachchan himself paid a very fitting tribute. so perhaps mr. shoaib zafar, you should give that some consideration as well. some people in india do know something about the pakistani film industry.

this is a tribute to two actors who are close to the same age, from neighboring countries, whose later years share some similarities, but that`s about it. we all know that the pakistani film industry is ``dwarfed`` by bollywood, but it hasn`t done all that bad. perhaps next time someone will write an article about al pacino and gerard depardieu!!!

first of all, the writer has not compared how great these actors are or anything. rather he is talking about the similarities in thier career. i fail to see anything wrong with that. also, what i dont understand i why is everyone so pissed about the actors being compared or whatever. even if they were being compared so what, amitabh is a part of an industry about a 1000 times bigger than then pakistani film industry obviously he will have more poularity and a much bigger name. and even if nadeem isnt quite the actor amitabh is. i do love amitabh`s movies a lot more than nadeems but that doesnt mean they cant be compared. so chill n relax. r u worried amitabh value will go down if he is compared in this way. god help ya my man. god help ya.

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Mr Author,

You have dropped a lot of names of movies and directors. it will be helpful to draw attention to various kinds of roles.

amithab is known for his followign portrayals.

Supporting role as dyeing r. khanna`s friend in anand
angry young man (and a pathans friend) in zanzeer, deewar don etc.
funny guy hero in mr. natwarlal
romantic guy in silsila and kabhie kabhie
real sappy rile in bagwan
pur-bhaiyya in rang-barase and khaike pan songs

can you describe some nadeem roles (in comparison or otherwise) for readers?
thanks.

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You said right. But if you see what`s the status of Amithab in India and what is the status of Nadeem in Pakistan. It will be clearly visible that Amithab has got much respect and honour in India. When India invited Nadeem to come and act in their movie, what was the role given to him? He was given a role of ``extra``. What does it mean?
I clearly say that if Amithab would happen to come to Pakistan. People will receive him with their deep wishes. And it is not the same as the case with the Pakistani actors in India!