Will it be curtains for Indian films in Pakistan?

Sixteen Hindi films were screened in Pakistan last year after a nearly four-decade ban on Indian movies was lifted. But strained ties between the neighbours following the Mumbai terror attack coupled with dipping fortunes of the Pakistani film industry may signal the end of this shortlived 'golden phase'.

Screening of Indian movies was banned in Pakistan after the 1965 war, but certain films were allowed by different governments like the classic "Mughal-E-Azam". Last year, Pervez Musharraf's government lifted the ban, but the exchange of cinema too seems to have fallen victim to the increasingly strained relations between the two countries in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes, which India blames on Pakistan. While some were advocating a renewed ban on Hindi films, which are hugely popular in the country and seen on pirated DVDs, trade experts said the move to release Indian films commercially had revived the cinema culture in the country with theatre owners in most major cities earning a huge profit.

Last year, financially stricken theatre owners had threatened strikes if the ban on Indian movies was not lifted because local productions only saw empty houses. Hindi movies did brisk business in Pakistan with cinema hall owners vying to get their screening rights. In 2008, a total of 54 films were released here. Of them 30 were local movies in various languages, 16 were Indian and eight were English movies.

Audiences were thrilled. Taare Zameen Par" was the first release after the ban was lifted. Following Aamir Khan's directorial debut were "Singh is Kinng", "Kismat Konnection", "Welcome", "The Killer", "Bhagam Bhag", "Race", "Golmaal Returns", "Jannat", "Bhootnath", "Karzzz", "Hello", "Love Story 2050", "Dostana", "Yuvvraaj" and "Kidnap".