COVID-19 forced the postponement of several Pakistani films scheduled to be released in 2020. As a result, several of them, as well as others, will be published in 2021. As vaccinations become more readily available, cinemas are expected to rebound this year. One after the other, the Pakistani film industry produces high-quality films. In 2021, all eyes will be on Lollywood as new films will release one after the other. Although, Owners of multiplexes in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Hyderabad have suffered major losses as a result of the coronavirus lockdown. And now it seems that the little make-up they may have done on Eid will not be done this year as well.
The coronavirus pandemic has raised new obstacles for the 2021 celebrations, Furthermore, due to travel constraints and social distancing laws, many families are unable to meet for Eid celebrations and all hang-out spots like the cinemas will be closed this year too. This year’s Eid will be different, there will be no morning prayers at the mosque, and no chance to celebrate Islam’s most important festival with family and friends. A few films have been released on streaming sites such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in other countries. However, this has not been the case with Pakistani films. We have only recently begun creating web series for digital channels, and local digital content still has a long way to go.
There is no news of Pakistani films being launched this Eid-ul-Fitr but there are few films lined up that need to be released this year, the legend of Maula Jatt, Kamli, Tich Button, Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad, and many more. This year, over 30 films are expected to be released, but will this be enough to keep the cinema industry afloat? Almost every filmmaker chooses to release their film during the holiday season, whether it’s Eid ul Fitr, Eid ul Azha, or the New Year. This not only damages the films’ and cinemas’ market prospects, but it also confuses moviegoers who are left with nothing to watch for the rest of the year. This year, two big films – The Legend of Maula Jatt and Tich Button – will be released and other names are likely to join the list.
Even after a decade of so-called revival, Pakistani cinema is still struggling to stand on its feet, with a ban on Bollywood films and a very niche audience for Hollywood films across the region. It is a great struggle for Pakistani cinema at the moment as Pakistani cinema does not have a strong reputation. In reality, Netflix, the country’s lone internet behemoth, shudders at the prospect of acquiring Pakistani content (why would lead to a long debate, best left for another day). Since Hollywood films will almost definitely be released on OTT channels on the same day as they are released in theatres, there will be no reason for viewers to pay high ticket prices to see them in theatres. And, since Bollywood is unlikely to return to Pakistan in the coming years, cinemas will have to focus on big-screen-worthy local content.
It’s past time for Pakistan’s film industry to find out how to survive without relying on outside support. Those with the experience and wealth should come to the fore and support the industry, rather than pursuing short-term and personal benefit. If we begin to take actions that will have a long-term effect, everyone involved in the company will benefit in the coming years. Even if the government grants permission to show films again, owners would be at a loss after entertaining the audience in compliance with the SOPs, it seems as if the government has little interest in maintaining these rooms.
Pakistani cinema has unquestionably persevered in the face of hardship over the last decade. It has transformed from a virtually extinct industry to one that reminds its audience of its golden era decades ago, saving itself from extinction. The industry perseveres, bolstered by the love of its audience, with a continuously growing catalogue always around the corner. A second golden age seems to be on the horizon if this spirit prevails but on the contrary if the cinema houses are completely closed until the pandemic ends then there is a possibility that the second golden age might not even come. However, the situation is same around the globe right now.
