Hindustan Times (Patna) - Hindustan Times (Patna) - Live
PAK BIZ WON’T HIT BOLLYWOOD
The Hindi film industry stands united on its decision not to take their latest releases to Pakistan
It goes without saying that the recent terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, Kashmir, which killed over 40 soldiers, has shocked the entire nation. Now, as India registers its displeasure and anger through various means, Bollywood has also joined the fight by deciding not to release Hindi films in Pakistan. Indra Kumar’s Total Dhamaal was the first to take the call, now producer Dinesh Vijan has also decided not to release his upcoming films – Luka Chuppi, Made in China and Arjun Patiala – in the neighbouring country.
UNITED STAND
In fact, filmmakers feel this is the “least we can do”. “In these tough times, we must stand by our soldiers. What’s happened [in Pulwama] is devastating, and so, we should do whatever little we can to show our solidarity,” says Dinesh.
“This decision [to not release films in Pakistan] is a small way to show that we stand by the men who are continuously protecting us and our nation,” he adds.
Kumar concurs. “We took a collective decision and there was no doubt about it in our minds,” he says. And though he admits that it will be a “huge financial loss,” the filmmaker says they “aren’t thinking about monies at all.”
He adds: “Our [financial] loss isn’t anything in front of what the soldiers’ families have lost. Some have lost their husbands and fathers, while others don’t have sons or brothers.”
MOOLAH TALK
But the big question is: how big is the Pakistan market for Hindi films? And who will be the biggest loser? Going by trade numbers, Pakistan contributes less than 1% to the total share of a Hindi film’s overseas earnings.
Pakistan, as of now, has a mere 127 cinema screens, which that country’s government plans to increase to 1,000.
Annually, Indian films rake in about $10 million (nearly
₹72 crore) in the neighbouring nation annually. But in terms of foreign markets, Pakistan comes after territories like US-Canada, UAE and Australia. Of late, China has also turned out to be a bigger market for Hindi films.
“We recover most of our monies from inside India and other platforms,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.
While a mid-budget Hindi film can earn around ₹5-6 crore in Pakistan, films starring big names such as the Khans can earn more.
Still, Adarsh feels the noPak policy adopted by Hindi filmmakers won’t affect their coffers at all. “The business from Pakistan is like a bonus for our movies, so there won’t be any impact.”
NEIGHBOUR TO BE HIT HARDER?
Interestingly, the effect will be the other way round say experts, as Bollywood accounts for over 60% of a cinema exhibitor’s revenue in Pakistan.
“The business from Pakistan is so minuscule that it will have a negligible impact on our collections. But their exhibition sector will take a huge hit with our films not releasing there,” says exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi.
Adds Adarsh: “Of late, multiplexes have been coming up in Pakistan but if our films don’t release in that country for a considerable period, life can become a little difficult for them. That way, the next six months can be really challenging for local exhibitors/distributors.”