Pakistan and India might have their long-held differences, but Pakistani moviegoers prefer the productions of India's "Bollywood" moviemakers to those of their own filmmakers. As a result, Pakistani producers say their industry is in critical condition, and unless the government steps in, it could disappear altogether.
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| Billboards advertise Pakistani movies in Lahore |
Pakistani mega-star Shaan has appeared in more than 200 movies during his 15-year career. He is also a writer, producer and director, as well as a regular in the Pakistani gossip columns.
But popular as he is, Shaan might be a member of a dying breed.
In 2006, Pakistan's film industry produced just 40 movies, a fifth of what it turned out during its heyday in the 1970's.
Back then, there were more than 1,000 movie theaters throughout the country. Today there are only around 200, and not one in the capital, Islamabad.
Saima Khan, a stage dancer, got injured on
Naseeruddin Shah has signed his first Pakistani film called Khuda Ke Naam. The film will be directed by Pakistani filmmaker Shoaib Mansoor. Naseer will be doing just one sequence in the film.
