Are Bollywood flicks welcome in Pak?

Mumbai: There is a lot of hoopla over Taj Mahal's release in Karachi, but the question is - Is it worth it?

Even though Pakistan has lifted the ban on Indian films, the move has been reluctant. Just two films Taj Mahal and Mughal-e-Azam have been cleared for screening so far.

The question many are asking is - While Bolywood has welcomed Pakistani talent with open arms, why is Pakistan not reciprocating?

Some feel that there is a fear in Pakistan that opening doors to Bollywood could destroy the nascent Pakistani film Industry.

"Their cinema is not good, that is why they are scared. Indian film industry has an upper hand because we are bigger," says Suneel Darshan, a filmmaker.

While Bollywood is moving towards corporatisation, the Pakistan film industry is yet to transform into an organised sector.

This has also been the reason behind talent from Pakistan training their eyes towards greener pastures - in this case, Bollywood.

Even though artistes like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and even pop bands like Junoon, Strings and Jal have been more than welcomed in India, Indian artistes are yet to recieve the credit and recognition due to them. Even Lata Mangeshkar has been refused permission to perform in Pakistan.

Pakistan had enforced a ban on Hindi films since the 1965 war. But now that the ice seems to be thawing, filmmakers are prepared to overlook the fact that the efforts are largely unidirectional.

"You can't forget that we are both carrying historical baggage. Getting rid of suspicions will take time. But the process has started," says film maker Shyam Benegal.

However, the flip side cannot be ignored. Despite the two countries being at loggerheads for a long time, Bollywood has managed to conquer the hearts and minds of the people across the border.

When the Pakistan government recently banned the telecast of Bombay films to Pakistani homes, Pakistan's cable operators went on strike and forced their government to withdraw the ban.

Even at the height of Indo-Pak hostilities, Bollywood films were still being smuggled into Pakistan. Film songs from Bollywood flicks could be heard booming loudly out of buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws.

The positive response to both Taj Mahal and Mughal-e-Azam amongst the public will hopefully lead to a more open approach in Pakistan towards other Indian talent.

(Sunayana Nadkarni and Aarti Kapur Singh)