New Delhi: Sriram Raghavan's film 'Agent Vinod' is banned in Pakistan because it allegedly has derogatory references to ISI. Earlier, films such as 'The Dirty Picture' and 'Tere Bin Laden' were also banned by the Pakistani Censor Board. Actually a permanent ban on Indian films was placed in Pakistan in 1965 which was lifted after 43 years in 2008. However, the lifting of ban didn't change the scenario much as Pakistani authorities kept banning Indian films every now and then.
A look at Pakistani films is enough to reveal that they are just bad copies of Bollywood films. 'Khuda Ke Liye' and 'Bol' have definitely emerged as original Pakistani films but overall Pakistani film industry has more or less failed to produce unique content.
So the first question arises whether the banning on Indian films will stop the growth of Pakistani films in terms of content?
A ban of 43 years has already destroyed the culture of watching films in Pakistan no matter how many pirated films Pakistani audiences see. If the authorities are still tempted to ban Indian films then it just means that the society has simply refused to move on.
If the exclusion of Pakistani cricketers from IPL prompts the ruling class in Pakistan to ban Bollywood films from opening in Pakistan then they are completely unapologetic about crushing the freedom of expression.
Zia-Ul-Haq's planned Islamization of Pakistan deprived the zealous audiences of good Indian films but the lifting of ban had reinstated the hope. The authorities may not agree but the popular Pakistani culture is still determined by the Bollywood films.
Many Khans are enjoying the stature of superstars in India and that in itself is enough for a large chunk of Pakistani audiences to go for the film.
It's India that produces films like 'My Name Is Khan' and 'Kurbaan' and which accepts Ali Zafar and Veena Malik with warm heart. There will be another artificial Indo-Pak split if the authorities keep banning Hindi films.
Kareena Kapoor plays a Pakistani girl in 'Agent Vinod' which could be an interesting incentive for the neighbours but if they are really worried about the portrayal of ISI in the film then they should look at Hollywood films where FBI is the source of all sorts of jokes.
One can make a list of Indian films where CBI and RAW are shown in bad light but nobody cared to ban them.
Banning increases the curiosity and till the time pirated DVDs and internet are there it will be really difficult to stop someone from watching Indian films.
It's the time when Pakistani authorities should open another Indo-Pak dialogue channel via films. If Coke Studio can be a cultural bridge between India and Pakistan then Indian films can certainly do much more than that.
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