For two countries, separated at birth, the Hindi film industry is the one which rescues memories from the pit of history and reminds us that we are the same people. Silly hero in love with silly lass who is virtuous when she is not dancing-we love it on both sides of the border. Over half-a-century of relentless animosity, Hindi films have remained Indias most pleasant and even artistically influential ambassador. There is no escape from Bollywood.
Yash Johar explains a common truth: "The pirated cassettes reach Pakistan before they hit the Indian market."
One reason for Bollywoods popularity is that it is considered vastly superior to the Pakistani film industry which is referred to, in a derogatory vein, as Lollywood. Syed Noor, a leading film director from that country, says, "Pakistani films remain compartmentalised in a strange world that has no past, no future and no worthwhile sociological rationales. It can very well be Mars or some other distant planet."
Avinash Jumani of Worldwide Entertainment which distributes Hindi films says, "A lot of people from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Guyana and Trinidad do watch Hindi movies." Its believed that in places like Houston, Pakistani audiences outnumber the Indian.
Dimple Saraiya of Eros Entertainment which released Taal says, "Pakistanis have a lot of fascination for Bollywood films."
The popularity of Hindi films in and outside Pakistan has survived despite the fact that some films are viewed as propaganda. They do remember Roja and Border. But as long as our Hindi films remain technically and visually superior to the inchoate Pakistani film industry, Bollywoods will be a prettier face to project to our neighbours than Jaswant Singhs.
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