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Some Indian movie themes are provocative: Pak expats

There is, however, a feeling among Pakistani expats in UAE that airing of anti-Pakistani films by private Indian channels is provocative, something that is contested by their Indian counterparts, who believe that movies are purely business propositions dictated by entertainment value.

Khaleej Times spoke to a cross section of people from Pakistan and India, and here is what they had to say:

Javeria Khalid Pasha, a Pakistani student at the American University in Dubai, said: “The words and deeds of the Indian media are contradictory in nature. This attitude is discouraging since the common man on both sides wants things to improve between the countries, more so, in this part of the world where there are no differences or conflict between Indians and Pakistanis. I can say that I have many good Indian friends, which will not be affected by the role media plays.”

Kunal Mehta, a management consultant, said: “The Indian government has no control over what private TV channels air. In this day and age, revenue generation is very important for any organisation and so it would be in this case. Also, the airing of anti-Pakistani movies could be purely incidental with no vicious motive behind it. If people have any objection to such movies, then why watch the channel in the first place? Mixing politics with entertainment is the work of an evil mind and we must not let the peace process be hampered by such petty thoughts.”

Faisal Khilji, a businessman, said: “Showing anti-Pakistan films on Indian TV or in Indian cinema is clearly a matter of business decision for film-makers and media channels. More often than not, producers succumb to the ‘anti-Pakistan’ line in the absence of any good storyline in hand and mounting pressure on them with demand for quick productions, as a cheap recipe for box office success. TV channels simply copy the method. Luckily, with relations between India and Pakistan improving, and with more and more people in the two countries becoming aware of this cheap trick used to make a quick buck, we are now seeing that some films based on anti-Pakistan sentiment are not successful any more. The sooner Indian TV channels realise this changing trend and stop showing such films that only promote hatred, the better it will be for them and for viewers.”

Pooja Nair, a recruitment agent, believes that the government can’t be blamed for the current situation. “As an Indian, I abhor anti-Pakistani movies. But, the Indian government has shown a lot of initiative in renewing ties with Pakistan by inviting Pakistani artistes across the border to work in our films. Also, we have issued visas to many Pakistani journalists. Movies are meant for entertainment and we must not get involved in who-did-what scenarios. Otherwise, we will never be able to live peacefully.”

Says Huba Nasir, a Pakistani student: “On the one hand, they claim they want to make peace, while on the other, they continue showing anti-Pakistan films regularly. This does not make sense. This kind of attitude is unexplainable and should not affect the positive and harmonious relationship that exists between Pakistanis and Indians living in the UAE.”

Faraz Khan, also a Pakistani student, says: “Every month, certain private Indian channels show anti-Pakistan films which are quite provoking. These channels preach hatred through such movies. My suggestion is that they should make up their mind since on the one hand, they invite Pakistani film stars to work in their movies in the backdrop of recent peace initiatives, and on the other, they regularly air anti-Pakistan films.”

Mazhar Ali, an Indian creative writer, feels the entire issue was being blown out of proportion.

“I mean, what are we talking about, really. I don’t like anti-Pakistan films not only because they incite hatred but also because almost all of them, from a film-maker’s perspective, are B grade productions. And I don’t watch them. There’s so much flesh on TV these days, I am sure the more conservative viewers in both Pakistan and India do not approve of it, and don’t watch it. You don’t like it, please don’t watch it. Simple!” he said.

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