Images

India should let Pakistani films run: Mohib Mirza

India should let Pakistani films run: Mohib Mirza

The Bachaana actor talks about the Pakistani cinema's relationship with India
03 Feb, 2016

As he stars in the Pakistani remake of Mahesh Bhatt's Arth, Mohib Mirza's got the attention of the Indian press.

And he wastes no time in letting them know what's what in Pakistan's cinema scene.

He first advocates for the screening of Pakistani films in India:

"Mujhe thoda feel hota hai Pakistani film industry ya Pakistani TV ke hawaale se ki India ko hamaari cheezon ko thoda chalne dena chahiye (I feel that India should let Pakistani films and TV shows to run)," Mirza said to IANS, reports NewKerala.com

Read more: Is Mahesh Bhatt making a film in Pakistan?

He goes on to point out that there is a disparity between the promotion of Bollywood in Pakistan and Pakistani cinema across the border:

"Wo haathon haath nahi lete hamare films ko (They don't take our films willingly). I feel that one should mutually exchange storytelling. Our films get very [little] exposure in India, while on the other hand, we give exposure to their films so much."

He then talks about how Pakistani cinema operates in circumstances different from Pakistan:

"Indian media does promote our films, but it's not consistent. We are equally talented and we have all means to produce and achieve things."

#jinnahlibrarylahore #artistic #hardcore #arth2 #bts

A photo posted by @mohibmirza on

The actor shows off the grand locations used in Arth 2

"Yes, the entertainment industry of India is very big and there is a lot of investment when it comes to making Indian films... We don't have that much money as internationally we don't get that much of trust, but in reality, we are equally talented,"

Also read: Why don’t we see more Indian actors in Pakistani films?

When asked the inevitable question of whether he'd ever work in Bollywood, Mirza said he was open to the idea:

"I think acting has no boundaries, like music. If I get some nice opportunity and if I feel it's worth doing, I will take it up."

In addition to Arth 2, Mirza is starring in Bachaana, a Pak-India love story set in Mauritius.

Comments

GS Feb 03, 2016 01:24pm
Don't expect charity, make worthwhile films and they will automatically find their markets just like TV shows did.
Recommend (0)
mohan Feb 03, 2016 01:29pm
dude you need to compete with indian films in to get some market share in india. No cinema owner wants to run their theaters empty and before that you need to do some marketing and that requires money which unfortunately pakistan films does not have. No Money - No Marketing - No Promotion - No Multiplexes - No Audience.
Recommend (0)
Saneesh Kumar Feb 03, 2016 01:31pm
What ? Pakistan has films ? I didnt know India even promoted Pak films. Moreover, there is no AD or teaser of any films from across the border here in India. My question is: when bollywood films are running successfully in India then why should India promote Pak films?
Recommend (0)
Indian Feb 03, 2016 01:32pm
all ready pakistani tv shows are running here but your films may not stand competition all the best
Recommend (0)
Ajay Feb 03, 2016 01:39pm
But Pakistan should at least give Visa to our actors :D
Recommend (0)
agha Feb 03, 2016 01:44pm
@GS he just said that pak films quality is at par with bwood
Recommend (0)
Dipak Singh Feb 03, 2016 01:50pm
I think he don't know Zindagi Chanel for Pakistan serials airing in India. Make good movie people will automatically start watching your movie, you don't need to requests to anybody.
Recommend (0)
Rohit Feb 03, 2016 01:56pm
Pakistani TV shows run on TV in India; but things are different when it comes to cinema. The reason is financial viability and nothing else. Pakistani movie distributors and exhibitors promote Indian films, not out of any love or bonding for the neighbor but because it's profitable for them to do so. The situation is different in India, where hundreds of movies vie for screen space, and many good Indian movies too get only a limited release.
Recommend (0)
Sunil Feb 03, 2016 01:59pm
India did allow and one of them was Bin Roye, where as Pakistan has banned several Bollywood films, with the latest Bajirao Mastani, stating that its a Hindi film .
Recommend (0)
Indian Feb 03, 2016 02:00pm
We have already allowed so many Pakistani actors and singers in Bollywood and they are earning good amount money.
Recommend (0)
Dove Feb 03, 2016 02:16pm
I failed to understand why are Indian movies 1) allowed 2) watched in Pakistan
Recommend (0)
JAWAD Feb 03, 2016 02:23pm
@Saneesh Kumar ......really???? why are you even trying hard to look smart here?? you know your not!!! you very well know Pakistan has more talent than india, our songs, our singers, our coke studio, our dramas are all high quality than your copied bollywood films and singers. All your major hit films have pakistani singers singing in it. you make movies about afghanistan and kashmir but dont have singers who can sing the songs in those languages and you have to ask pakistani singers to sing songs for you!
Recommend (0)
faryal Feb 03, 2016 02:34pm
He first advocates for the screening of Pakistani films in India.
Recommend (0)
Jay Feb 03, 2016 02:35pm
It is not a question of "allowing". Distributors and theatre owners will not take up movies that have little chance of commercial success.
Recommend (0)
faryal Feb 03, 2016 02:36pm
@Dove because the films are Indian dear! I would be very happy if Indians would also watch our films like us!
Recommend (0)
Raghu2 Feb 03, 2016 02:48pm
Dont get it. Is India stopping your movies from being watched. I dont know. I think ,it allows. So we can watch them on Tv channels. I did watch some TV serials. Good faces, but very emotional ,too slow, I gave up.
Recommend (0)
Mohd Wasim Feb 03, 2016 02:56pm
@agha But they are not. Bollywood movies are years ahead of Pak industry.
Recommend (0)
Tomasz K. Feb 03, 2016 03:07pm
@Indian Would have been true, if you said it 5-6 years ago. Today, Pakistan's films are in full competition with yours. Like recently, Manto (a Pakistani film) won two awards in Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) 2016, beating likes of Piku etc. You should watch Manto, Moor, Shah, Dukhtar, Zinda Bhag etc.
Recommend (0)
mb Feb 03, 2016 03:17pm
I think bol and khuda ke liye is already released in india.if these movie released in india why cannot other.i think pakistan movie has not big distributer.
Recommend (0)
BRILLIANT Feb 03, 2016 03:18pm
Why not make some good films and repeat your suggestion.
Recommend (0)
Being Indian Feb 03, 2016 03:33pm
Indian cinemas business is very big. India has a huge audience from Bollywood to many regional languages movie industries. Bidding for specific timeslot in Multiplex is a big challenge to any producer. If the content is rite and it has good scope of business then surely Pakistani movie may get some shows in Indian multiplexes . For example "Khuda ke liye " was a great movie. I have watched it in a multiplex in Mumbai.
Recommend (0)
Nomi Feb 03, 2016 03:50pm
@Sunil thats not true. I watched BM at Centaurus . It;s been run in all multiplexes. BTW loved it . Hated Dilwale though .....
Recommend (0)
arup Feb 03, 2016 04:11pm
@Tomasz K. I think when a pakistani comments about indian films they think only about hindi films made in bollywood. The best indian films are not bolywood hindi films but bengali, malayalam, marathi and tamil films which wins the lions share of indias national film awards. Most of indias greatest directors like satyajit ray, shyam benegal and adoor gopalakrishnan did not make hindi films but bengali,marathi,malayalam films
Recommend (0)
Mumbai Indian Feb 03, 2016 04:21pm
Which movie runs well in India is purely a value and marketing driven result. Many regional films also do not do well. Pakistani films will do well, if it appeals to masses, and makes commercial sense. Would hope that happens in India some day. Meanwhile the Pakistani TV serials have been extremely popular in the past as well as in present. May be there's something to learn from that.
Recommend (0)
Gaurav Arya Feb 03, 2016 04:32pm
Film industry is not controlled by the Indian Government. Please don't think there is some BJP or Shiv Sena conspiracy. Its purely business. Films are a high risk trade. If you want a Pakistani film to be released in India, you must have distributors who are willing to touch it. A distributor will pay only if he feels that he will recover his money and make profit on a film. Pakistani artists do get respect. A films music will sell of it has the Rahat Fateh Ali Khan stamp, because Khan sahab is a brand in India. But no one knows Shaan Shahid or Mohib Mirza. Similarly if Shahid Afridi is playing, people will buy tickets. If he is not playing, selling a houseful match will be a challenge.
Recommend (0)
Murtaza Feb 03, 2016 04:41pm
@Ajay Anupam should apply for visa in order to get visa of Pak :)
Recommend (0)
Gaurav Feb 03, 2016 04:50pm
Business prospect is the only thing the cinema owner will look for. Here, they have rejected The King Khan's Dilwale as it was not a worth to run over a longer period. While Baajirao Mastani could overpass it on a longer run. Pakistan need to come up with movie flicks like Bol, Khuda Ke Liye or even equally good in entertainment quotient, and who knows it will run successfully in India also.
Recommend (0)
chauhan Feb 03, 2016 05:00pm
@JAWAD Your are one of the examples of lack of promotion strategies in Pakistan. No doubt pak actors and singers are talented but this simply a Promotional strategy by producers to capture Pakistani market. And results are very obvious..
Recommend (0)
Dev Feb 03, 2016 05:12pm
I don't mind watching Pakistani movie, if the film is good.
Recommend (0)
TANDi Feb 03, 2016 05:17pm
@JAWAD : You are so perfact in your thinking, I appreciate your ideas. Keep it up budy.
Recommend (0)
IndianGur Feb 03, 2016 05:43pm
@Tomasz K. The movies you are talking about are all low budget "artistic" movies which only work with niche audience. There are plenty of such movies made in India too, in all different languages and much more prolifically than in Pakistan. But since they don't appeal to the masses, they are not commercially successful as mainstream big budget movies. Unless Pakistan develops capability to fund big budget movies, it can't give any significant competition to mainstream Indian movies in terms of commercial success.
Recommend (0)
Madhav Das Feb 03, 2016 05:44pm
I don't know what prevents Indian cinema houses from playing Pakistani films. I would imagine cinema house owners would be willing to play anything as long as they can get audiences. Stories would not be too different and the actors do not look too different so it must be Govt policies that stops the screening of Pakistani films.
Recommend (0)
deepak Feb 03, 2016 05:47pm
@Tomasz K. You should watch Baahubali
Recommend (0)
Humasaur Feb 03, 2016 05:53pm
I'm a proud Indian and I can say that let Pak film makers release their films in India.As Indians are mad about films so thousands of films are made every year in different languages.Many of them are low quality films but they earn huge money by marketing and showing popular faces while many good films are left flopped.So what would we lose to let the Pak films be released here too?
Recommend (0)
Satyameva Jayate Feb 03, 2016 05:56pm
Reg: "We are equally talented and we have all means to produce and achieve things" - World recognizes what one DOES, not what one CAN.
Recommend (0)
Andy Feb 03, 2016 06:09pm
The only show i remember growing up that was insanely popular in India was bakra kishton pe. Other than that the only Pakistani talent we hear about in india are it's musicians and actors acting in bollywood.
Recommend (0)
rex major Feb 03, 2016 06:51pm
@Dove: I failed to understand why are Indian movies 1) allowed 2) watched in Pakistan But now you understand?
Recommend (0)
SKG Feb 03, 2016 08:04pm
@JAWAD As you said you are very talented every field, then why don't you make movies and compete. Our movies are copied , then please tell your actors not to join bollywood and waste their time.
Recommend (0)
obivankanobi Feb 03, 2016 08:09pm
@JAWAD so what is your point after all the raving and ranting. It only goes to show that Indians are willing to take any artiste regardless of nationality if the person is good. And yes Pak artistes are good. Nobody is denying. So now ask yourself why they have not been able to compete with Indian movies and stars internationally. Maybe the truth will cool you down somewhat to wards India.
Recommend (0)
Rishabh Feb 03, 2016 08:16pm
Make 50 more Zinda Bhaag and Bol and we will be at same level.
Recommend (0)
Ramesh K Sharma Feb 03, 2016 08:32pm
@JAWAD You have the right to say no. Nobody can force your actors and singers to do so. My dear friend it has nothing to do with India or Pakistan but it just pure economics. Singers and actors work for their profit, producers and directors work for their profit and distributors, theaters, cinemas, TV and radio stations work for their profit.
Recommend (0)
SA Chandio Feb 03, 2016 09:13pm
Mohib we love you sir.
Recommend (0)
Somu Feb 03, 2016 10:19pm
@faryal Because, they are very good
Recommend (0)
Javed Feb 03, 2016 10:59pm
Film business is for profit business. No distributor wants to touch a film loss making film. Also Pakistani distributors take Indian films only when they can make money. It's strictly business and he is expecting charity.
Recommend (0)
Javed Feb 03, 2016 11:16pm
@agha That's for audience to judge. No film maker ever makes a bad film. They just run or don't run.
Recommend (0)
Yaqut khan Feb 03, 2016 11:26pm
Pakistani films can't impress Indian audience as they are not that bold as Indian audience is adopted to.so plzz for earning money don't make it culturally unsound.
Recommend (0)
Valar Morgulis Feb 03, 2016 11:33pm
I think it's futile to try and reach out to Indian market because of perils of harassment against anything Pakistani at the moment. What if some nutjobs show up at the premiere and tear apart posters, throw black ink at artists/distributors etc. Much better for Pakistan is to market films in territories which have heavy expat population, like Dubai, UK and US/Canda. If Pakistan films able to earn recognition there, automatically world will take notice. I do believe that Pakistani films are better when away from commercial cinema, I guess that personnel Pakistan have are better at doing indie and art cinema like Manto, Moor, Dukhtar etc more than something like Wrong Number. The point is to build up on your strength, and make your own identity.
Recommend (0)
subh Feb 03, 2016 11:35pm
@JAWAD True, but movies do not run on only one song. You need lot of other parts to make a good movie. Even movies by Khan's fail in india so it's tough. Make better movies
Recommend (0)
anonymous Feb 04, 2016 12:53am
The problem is that not a single Pakistani actor, director, or producer is known in India, so naturally it will be a tough sell, at least for now.
Recommend (0)
Fried Chillies Feb 04, 2016 01:40am
He is spot on about the reality as it exists. At the same time based off the promotion of the most mediocre Indian films which stars a bankable star should given an idea of how much of a high stake game movies are in India. As an Indian who regularly watches Pakistani TV serials I would most willingly concede Pakistani drama are light years ahead in comparison to the utter trash we produce in India. So I don't doubt their talent or ability. But movies have gone beyond that where technology investment and market appeal decides on what gets promoted. India even if it handholds or throws open all theaters to Pakistani films the distributors wont pick any, simple reason is return on investment. Pakistan and Pakistani artiste should continue to collaborate with Indian where the curiosity quotient on this side of the border is peaked to a level where they will willingly get into a theater and demand to watch Pakistani film
Recommend (0)
Prakash Feb 04, 2016 03:58am
Zindgi channel in India is showing Pakistani TV serials exclusively and Pakistani film like "Khuda ke Liye" and "Bol" was released in India.Very few films are made in Pakistan of good quality,which can stand scrutiny of Indian viewer.
Recommend (0)
tahera Feb 04, 2016 04:09am
oh so you don't know about or don't think pakistani films should be promoted, but you seem to know about this pakistani newspaper which you find a good enough forum to use to bash pakistani cinema, real bad style
Recommend (0)
Sunil Feb 04, 2016 04:15am
@JAWAD : Calm down buddy. These are signs of extreme inferiority complex. If your actors, singers are better, good for you. You are happy with yours, we are happy with ours. It is a win win situation.
Recommend (0)
AXH Feb 04, 2016 05:06am
What, Indian films have quality? This is the joke of the day.
Recommend (0)
sudhir Feb 04, 2016 08:33am
You need to market Pakistani films in India if you have to find an audience there. I am sure there is an audience there. But marketing is key and that costs.
Recommend (0)
vijesh Feb 04, 2016 08:38am
@Tomasz K. Indian films doesnt mean only bollywood films Lot of good regional cinemas are also producing in india Like bahubali....etc
Recommend (0)
sudhir Feb 04, 2016 08:42am
@JAWAD Bollywood is only one industry in India which caters to audiences in four Hindi speaking states. There are far classier movie industries in India like Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi and Bengal, each catering to the size of an audience comparable to Pakistan's population. The south indian movies particularly are made for an audience far more intelligent than the audience that consumes Bollywood movies. In south Bollywood movies have to compete with local language movies that are far superior in content as well as Hollywood movies. The same would hold good for Pakistani movies if they were to be promote pan India.
Recommend (0)
sudhir Feb 04, 2016 08:46am
@arup You forgot Kannada and Tamil industries who make some amazing movies. Both these industries are also technically superior to Bollywood.
Recommend (0)
Atul Feb 04, 2016 09:20am
Pakistani mOvies are being reLeased here in India except the state of Maharashtra.
Recommend (0)
LS Feb 05, 2016 04:44pm
Well they were allowed to Run... but actually did not Run so much and failed... Not much came from boxoffice.. I think movie was called Bol?
Recommend (0)
LS Feb 05, 2016 05:00pm
If I am not wrong at least 3 have release in India - Ramchand Pakistani - Khuda Ke Liye and - Bol Though these created a minor buzz not much revenue was generated since they did not show in many screens nor was there much of any promos...
Recommend (0)