Producers invite Pakistani talent to India: Javed Sheikh
Javed Sheikh said that the ban on Pakistani artists was imposed under political pressure
ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) - Veteran actor, director and producer, Javed Sheikh joined Dr Moeed Pirzada for an exclusive interview at Tonight With Moeed Pirzada to discuss the dependence of Pakistani cinema on Indian films, the ban on Pakistani artists by Indian Producers’ Association and the talent vacuum in the Indian billion-dollar film industry.
Javed Sheikh said that Pakistani artists wished to perform in India.
“Bollywood is a very big industry with better wages. Everyone wants to grow. The Indian film industry has better equipment and better opportunities. Pakistani artists always avail any opportunities presented to them. But they do not approach the Indian industry themselves. We get calls from Bollywood and we are requested to go and perform for specific roles. The public perception that Pakistani artists approach Indian producers is completely false”.
The actor said that the ban on Pakistani artists was imposed under political pressure.
“Of course they were pressurised. This sort of ban comes with damages at both ends. Bollywood is worth billions of dollars on its own, but they gather a lot of revenue from here. Conversely, Pakistani cinema is dependent on the Indian films. So both sides suffer when there are rifts like these”.
Javed Sheikh exclaimed that Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan were not in India when they were threatened by Shiv Sena.
“This is completely untrue! Fawad and Mahira were in Karachi at the time this happened. And there is nothing to say that Mahira’s Shahrukh Khan-starrer Raees will not be released. It will be released as per schedule, as Fawad Khan’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil was released. These artists have a very strong fan following in India”.
Javed Sheikh said that a Pakistani film Mah-e-Mir was nominated for the Oscar award.
“This is a big step forward! Pakistani movies like Dukhtar and Moor have gained international recognition. A lot of multiplexes have been opening. The Pakistani cinema is on the rise. There are around 60-70 films in the making currently which will be released subsequently”.
