Ten years needed to revive cinema industry

 By: Jam Sajjad Hussain
LAHORE - At least 708 cinemas out of 750 have dropped the curtains in Punjab owing to various reasons including poor quality product and lack of visionary thoughts in films. Out of total 91 cinemas working in entire Pakistan, 42 cinema were operational in Punjab while 140 licence holders were waiting for nod of provincial government. 
The cinemas-owners are reluctant to invest owing to the inconsistent policy of the government as Punjab government has levied new taxes on already crumbling industry. That is why cinema owners are pessimists to get benefit from this business. Pakistan Films Exhibitors Associations Chairman Jahanzeb Baig told this scribe on Monday that the industry would take about 10 years for its revival to gain its lost glory. He said we were striving hard to build industry on latest pattern and in this respect we are working on new prospects. 
The cinema industry was a huge institution of public gathering in late 1970 but during next two decades it confronted disastrous situation, when it failed to attract viewers, as a result this industry seems to present deserted look. 
There were many factors behind this sorry state of affairs of the industry. The first and foremost was less support from the government. 
No doubt the director is captain of the ship and his creativity plays an integral role in the success of any film but for this task, he needed competent team including a visionary producer. But unluckily, all this paraphernalia seems an outcry in our industry. 
One could observe the situation, as all the cinemas were either being closed or converted into to other business activity. That is why only 8 to 9 cinemas were operational in the city. Jahanzeb said it was absurd to blame Indian films for this state of affairs, as viewers demand ‘quality’ in films and they had no concerns with Indian or Pakistani film. If our industry began to produces few products then you will see even Indian market would provide you space for penetrating. 
The Nation:July21,2009