NudeVeena Malik and Pakistani Cinema.

The Kolaveri gimmick is settled and another publicity stunt viral hit the Hindi cinema world, the nude pictures of Pakistani actress Veena Malik on Cover page FHM magazine. The cover page was overnight hit, and unlike Kolaveri, the success of the Intro of both the actor and the erstwhile unknown magazine seems convincing.  Indian Men even the Ram’s of the day, do have a vacillating mind, after all a peep into a depiction of a voluptuous blond is not a sin. The picture sent shock waves across Pakistan, for the nude lady sported the initials ISI on her arm. Perturbed with the feminist and religious criticisms, the actor claimed her photos were morphed and sued the magazine for a hefty amount.

The history of Pakistan’s cinema begins with the migration of stalwarts of Indian cinema; legends like Noor Jehan and Bade Gulam ali choose Pakistan over India. Indian films were banned in Pakistan since 1952, but liberal enforcement of the ban allowed Indian films to be screened. The Pakistani versions were released with content amendments. Even patriotic films like Jagrithi were released in Pakistan, with a song-“anhoo bachoon thumeh dikahe jhaki pakistan ki”, the same song had Hindustan in India. The identical cultural, political and economic status of the two countries permitted the exchange of films. The 1965 war terminated all cinematic relationship with India. The rest of the history is chronologically structured under various Martial Law administrators.

Every General who ruled Pakistan left his mark of the film Industry. Martial law required the support of religion and religion opposed films, various policies like-Taxation, Qualification, Registration and censorship almost chocked the Industry. Lollywood, the analogous term for Bollywood emerged; it’s not clear whether it represents Urdu cinema or Punjabi Cinema or Pakistani cinema. Pakistanis themselves accuse their films to be adapted versions of Bollywood. On that count neither we are the saints, contents were either purchased or stolen from Pakistan and sold to Indian audiences. Foreign TV channels and Piracy virtually flooded Pakistani drawing rooms with Indian Movies and soaps. A ban seemed irrational, the Ban on Indian cinemas was lifted by Gen.Pervez Musharaff, and good revenue followed the Pakistani Exchequer.

Pakistan as a nation suffers from an Identity crisis; it neither has an exclusive culture, Language, religion or a civilization of its own. The country if forced to share everything either with us or the Afghans or the Iranians or the arabs. Their missiles are known as Gaouri, after Mohd Gaur who plundered vast territories of the lands situated in Pakistan. One of their warships is known as PNS Tipu, one wonders whether Tipu Sultan ever crossed the Vindyas? Being a country ruled by either by Generals or their favorites, it’s highly probable that the aam admi of Pakistan considers us as a responsible neighbor and not a foe. With the failure of two nation theory in 1971 and perseverance of Indian democracy and secularism has almost threatened the ruling elite of a possible reunification.

It is said the best regimen for a human being per day is eight hours of sleep, rest and entertainment respectively. Eight hours of entertainment, what can we do in those eight hours? Read books, write diaries, cook a delicious meal, shopping, listen to music or watch a soap-movie. Movies have became an integral part of our life, the colloquial Hindi stuffed with a bundle Urdu words, the khans of Bollywood have crossed Indian frontiers in all the directions.  

A rocketing industry like Bollywood is bound to attract international talent, in the past artist from countries like US, UK, Czech Republic, Canada, Nepal and Bhutan have been a part of Bollywood. Philosophically, talent is universal and there is no dearth of talent in Pakistan; but, talent needs opportunity. The theaters of Pakistan are more biased towards the block buster’s of the Indian khans than their own brothers. The artist of Pakistan is left with only two options: first, demand for ban on Indian films, which in any case would be counterproductive. Second, collaborate with the Indian industry.

 In a recent news report in The Hindu Business Line Mr Anwaar Ahmed Sheikh made the following statement “We would want a co-production between India and Pakistan film industry and want to promote India-Pakistan friendship through the medium of movies. We would like it if the hero is from here and the heroine from there. The young gene ration wants originality, not enemy culture,” .co-production? Bollywood needs new talent not money. Collaboration could be the right word, but is that possible without the blessings of Lt.Gen. Pasha and Gen.Kayani.  

The Pathan Khans are a rage in Pakistan, they are very famous in Pakistan as the Pakistani Generals in India. Every Indian Knows a Gen.Musraff, Gen.Kayani and Lt.Gen. Pasha, how many of us know their Indian equivalents?  Pakistan requires a replacement only for the female actors. A congregation of Pakistani artists like- Gulam Ali, Salma Agha, Nursat Fatheh Ali Khan, Rahat Fatheh Ali Khan, Adnan sami, Atif Aslam, Meera, Sajid Hassa, Adeel Ch and Veena Malik have already pierced into Bollywood.

As far as veena Photo is concerned, it was a full screen nude one with an iota of sagacity, But even if her accusation is to be believed, there exists a second photo. In the second one she is shot with grenade, a small military style undergarment and ISI on her left forearms. In either case, whether morphed or not, it is a sensual one. Given the stature of ISI in India, if it really commands respect and fear in Pakistan, no Individual of a conservative society would have dared to spot ISI in a Hostile country. It is publicity stunt, the next two or three weeks would be her day. One simple act ensured free publicity for her across the globe.

Given the confessions of Syed Gulam Nabi Fai and the nature of ISI’s funding and covert operations, I would not be surprised if veena is an ISI agent and these Pakistani artists have come here not to make a living but to conquer out drawing rooms.