The biggest challenge to industry remains the dearth of screens. Due to lack of screens, many films do not get due screen space. This makes the economics of film distribution less profitable yet very risky. The onus of growth of screen practically single handedly lies on State; they have to ensure law and order and facilitate investors, who are already betting high on an otherwise historically risky business in Pakistan.
The second issue is the extensive import and censor policies that add to distributor’s frustration and inefficiencies. All imported movies in Pakistan have to be cleared through 3 different censor boards, each with their own bureaucratic practices, archaic laws and other vagaries of State that come along with. A major overhaul of import and censor policies and process is required on a most urgent basis.
The third challenge, which is global in scale but very hurting in Pakistani context, is piracy. Governments around the world are struggling on piracy through Internet can be consoled. But nowhere in the world a film runs on illegal cable channels on the same day of its theatrical release! This happens only in Pakistan! Curbing this unashamed piracy is the least State can do.
Finally, and most importantly, policymakers from all strata of State, have to accept that Bollywood—with its 100 years of glorious history, their star power, their scale, their technical supremacy and their promotion strength—will remain the largest chunk of Pakistani box office. We should not be afraid of it. Instead, we should benefit from them by increasing our own scale, which will eventually benefit Pakistani filmmakers. It is not about being patriotic or otherwise; it is simple selfish market development mantra from which others have benefited, and so should we. If we play it right, Pakistani films have a great chance to become the second largest chunk of market within short period of time—let’s say 5 years or so—provided we relax policies, facilitate investors and encourage new talent.
Summarily, unless a massive socio-political or economic meltdown happens in Pakistan, chances of which are negligible despite tumults, Pakistani cinema industry has only one direction: growth.
We have a profitable opportunity to create and honor our heroes. We deserve to tell the world ‘our stories’ from ‘our perspective’, but that requires a wayward journey. If we do not capitalize on it now, the words of Lincoln and Capra will keep haunting us, and our progeny, for a very long time.