[icernet] Cinema, cinema

[Arul Selvan]

  Say KBC and the image that comes to mind is that of Big B “locking” 
answers from contestants hoping to become “crorepatis”. In Pakistan too, 
this show on Star Plus gained immense popularity, proof of which comes 
from a recent Urdu film made there. Its name? Kaun Banega Crorepati. 
This hit Urdu film is just another example of Pakistani people’s craze 
for Bollywood movies. It also symbolises the strange relationship Mumbai 
film industry has with Pakistan. Though Hindi films are not legally 
permitted to be screened there, people use all means – mainly illegal, 
like pirated CDs and video cassettes – to watch their favourite stars 
perform even as the authorities turn a deliberate blind eye.

Pakistani film-makers who are wary of allowing a free flow of Indian 
films in their country for the fear of “Bollywood invasion”, are however 
open to such tie-ups at various levels. Recently, Aijaz Gul of 
Pakistan’s National Film Development Corporation (NAFDEC) was in New 
Delhi to participate in the 4th Cinemaya Festival of Asian Cinema. 
Excerpts from an interview.

Details at:
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan26/at5.asp