New Delhi (Sputnik) — When tensions with Pakistan spilled over into arts and cultural exchanges, screening of Bollywood films was one casualty. No tears were shed in public when Islamabad banned Bollywood films but Pakistan's cinema theaters suffered a huge loss in revenue.
"Yes. We are looking at different options from around the world to fill the gap. As Turkish dramas have a good following, their movies too should have a good impact…And Iranian films have are of international repute," Cineplex owner Mohsin Yaseen was quoted by The Dawn.
A couple of years ago, Turkish dramas dubbed in Urdu became hugely popular with a niche audience in Pakistan. But the cinema industry is unsure of a similar response with Turkish films considering as the audience is different for the two genres of entertainment.
The proposition evoked favorable response as well as some criticism on social media.
First #Turkish film to hit Pakistani cinemas this #Eid http://t.co/ROvtN1SxvT via @etribune @dabbyman #Turkey #Pakistan
— Samra Muslim (@samramuslim) September 26, 2013
Oh good lord, there's now going to be an onslaught of #Turkish films dubbed in #Urdu in #Pakistan? GimmeABreak http://t.co/SSWK4XZyQ7
— SaadiaBukhari (@SaadiaBukhari) November 22, 2013
Apart from local films, Pakistani theaters run Hollywood films but mainly thrive on Bollywood films because of cultural and linguistic similarities. However, Islamabad has banned theaters across Pakistan from showing Indian films after South Block claimed surgical strikes on militant camps in Pakistan. Cinema halls in Pakistan have seen a 70 percent slump in business following the ban, according to an estimate.
A collateral revenue loss to both Bollywood and film distributors is that Indian films can still find their way into Pakistani households through various Torrent sites and pirated CDs.