A number of film and TV actors of Pakistan have raised their voices against foreign content ‘hijacking’ the slots of Pakistani titles in cinema houses across the country.
Despite the local industry churning out as many as five movies this Eid-ul-Fitr, a majority of the cinema houses have taken down all the local titles without any notice to show the latest Marvel movie ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’.
Several showbiz celebs have used their social media platforms to raise voices over the matter and extend their support for Pakistani cinema.
Releasing Doctor Strange could have waited for a few days. The last thing we need when the industry is finally opening up after two years is some foreign film hijacking our screens and relegating us in a corner. Home grown cinema has more right any day. @CMShehbaz @Marriyum_A pic.twitter.com/xtzO1o5QLg
— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) May 9, 2022
The veteran actor Adnan Siddiqui turned to the micro-blogging site Twitter on Monday to address Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Federal Minister Maryam Aurangzeb. “Releasing Doctor Strange could have waited for a few days,” he complained.
“The last thing we need when the industry is finally opening up after two years is some foreign film hijacking our screens and relegating us in a corner,” the tweet read further.
‘Mere Humsafar’ actor Farhan Saeed voices support for the local talent and filmmakers as well. “In these difficult times post covid , I stand with all the Pakistani films makers who despite all the difficulties had the courage to come up with their movies and request the cinema owners not to prefer foreign content over local,” he tweeted.
In these difficult times post covid , I stand with all the Pakistani films makers who despite all the difficulties had the courage to come up with their movies and request the cinema owners not to prefer foreign content over local. #supportpakistancinema
— Farhan Saeed (@farhan_saeed) May 9, 2022
Furthermore, actor Hareem Farooq expressed her displeasure questioning the need ‘to put up foreign content’ despite having five local movies running housefull.
Putting up a foreign film when there are 5 good pak films going housefull, WHY?!Pak cinema revives after decades, gets damaged by a pandemic & then just as its about to restart a foreign film is released WHY?! Lets find a good reason why it couldn’t be delayed by a few days WHY?!
— Hareem Farooq (@FarooqHareem) May 9, 2022
YouTuber Arsalan Naseer had his take on the matter in a rather humorous manner.
Marr marr ke kuch local films release hui wo bhi Doctor Strange ki nazar ho gayeen…
Aisa konsa mirgi ka dorra par raha tha ? 2 weeks baad ki appointment le letey doctor Sahab ki 🤷🏼♂️#PakistaniCinema #DoctorStrange
— Arslan Naseer – CBA (@ArslanNaseerCBA) May 8, 2022
‘Gul o Gulzar’ actor Kinza Hashmi and ‘Sinf-e-Aahan’ actor Dananeer Mobeen shared their two cents on the situation as well.
