Causes and Effects of Indian Movies in Pakistani Cinemas
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CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF INDIAN MOVIES IN PAKISTANI CINEMAS: A CASE STUDY OF LAHORE Researcher Supervisor Muhammad Umar Nazir Prof. Dr. Ghulam Shabir Reg. No. 02/M.Phil-2/2011 Chairman M. Phil (Media Studies) Department of Media Studies In partial fulfillment of the requirement of the Degree of Master of Philosophy in Media Studies (Session 2011-2013) Department of Media Studies The Islamia University of Bahawalpur i Table of Contents Sr. Contents Page No No. Abstract 1 Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Introduction 2 1.2 Rationale of Study 9 1.2.1. Rationale for Selecting the Topic 9 1.3 Objectives 11 1.4 Hypothesis 12 1.5 Research Questions 12 1.6 Significance 13 Chapter 2: Literature Review 2.1 Literature Review 16 Chapter 3: Theoretical Framework 3.1 Theoretical Framework 33 3.2 Uses and Gratification Theory 33 3.2.1. Criticism of Uses and Gratification Theory 36 3.2.2. Relevance of the Theory with Research 37 3.3 Theory of Political Economy of Communication 37 3.3.1 Roots 39 3.3.2. Political economy of communication in Nazi Germany 46 viii 3.3.3. Contemporary concerns 49 3.3.4. Contemporary “mainstream” approaches 50 3.4 Conclusion 61 Chapter 4: Research Methodology 4.1 Research Design 62 4.2 Research Methodology 63 4.2.1. Universe 63 4.2.2. Sampling 64 4.2.3. Sampling Ratio 64 4.2.4. Sample Size 65 4.3. Unit of Analysis 65 4.4. Conceptualization and Operationalization of key terms and concepts 67 4.4.1. Conceptualization 67 4.4.2. Operationalization 68 Chapter 5: Data Interpretation 5.1 Data Interpretations 70 5.2 Findings and Results 103 Chapter 6: Discussion and Analysis 6.1 Discussion Emanating from Research Question No.1 in the light of 109 findings 6.2 Discussion Emanating from Research Question No.2 in the light of 109 findings ix 6.3 Discussion Emanating from Research Question No.3 in the light of 110 findings 6.4 Discussion Emanating from Research Question No.4 in the light of 111 findings 6.5 Discussion Emanating from Research Question No.5 in the light of 112 findings 6.6 Discussion Emanating from Research Question No.6 in the light of 113 findings 6.7 Discussion on Hypothesis No.1 113 6.8 Discussion on Hypothesis No. 2 114 Chapter 7: Conclusion 7.1 Conclusion 116 7.2 Major Findings 118 References 119 Annexure 124 x Causes and effect of Indian movies in Pakistani cinemas Abstract In this busy life film is the major source of entertainment. The present study conducted to explored ―causes and effect of Indian movies on Pakistani cinemas‖. The basic aim of the study was to know about the major causes of releasing Indian movies in Pakistani cinemas and its effects on public especially on youth. Methodology of the current research was survey and data was gathered into two phases. 1) Conducted interviews of film producers and 2) prepared a questionnaire consisted on 26 close ended questions and 1 open ended question filled by university students including male and female. Current study was conducted under the light of ―Uses and Gratification Theory‖ and ―Theory of Political Economy of Communication‖. Data was analyzed in SPSS software for maintain accuracy. The study concluded that major cause of releasing Indian movies in Pakistani cinemas is providing entertainment to public. People interest has increased to visit cinema. The condition of cinemas has been improved. The use of new technology is started in Pakistani films and the revival of cinemas has started. Keywords: Causes, Effects, Indian movies, Pakistani cinemas, Pakistan film industry. 1 Causes and effect of Indian movies in Pakistani cinemas Chapter No.1 Introduction 1.1 Introduction The research titled as ―Causes and effects of Indian Movies in Pakistani Cinemas; A case study of Lahore‖ aims to analyze how Indian movies have influenced the cinema in Pakistan, particularly in the city of Lahore. To find out the reasons of release of Indian films in Pakistan. To find out how the Indian films are affecting Pakistan film industry and whether the release of Indian films have affected the Pakistan film-making techniques. To examine whether the release of Indian films have affected the economic business of Pakistan cinema owners and whether cinema owners are upgrading their cinema houses after releasing of Indian Movies in Pakistani Cinema. To explore whether the viewership trends are affected by the release of Indian movies and whether the public opinion regarding Pakistani cinema is improving by release of Indian Movies in Pakistan. The term ―cinema‖ in the context of this study means cinema as ―a building in which films/ movies are shown‖. Also this term according the context of this research refers to the Pakistani film industry; particularly referring to the trend of new films made by Pakistani film makers after Indian movies were released in Pakistani cinemas. The researcher aims to explore how the condition of cinemas has changed (including the appearance and outlook of those cinema houses, renovation of old cinemas and building new digital cinemas) in the years after Indian movies started being released in Pakistan. Besides studying these visible changes, researcher intends to look upon the changes which occurred in viewership trends i-e, people who had stopped visiting the old cinemas came back in the new improved digital cinemas which provided quality entertainment to them and their families. 2 Causes and effect of Indian movies in Pakistani cinemas In the words of legendary filmmaker Ingmar Bergman ―Film as dream, film as music. No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls.‖ This citation substantiates the belief that film is the most powerful form of all communication techniques and leaves a profound impact on the psyche of an individual and in turn affects the society. This influential tool is used for portraying the culture, problems and dreams of a society. Cinema is the reflection of a society. It reflects trends, current virtues, social struggles and patterns of life in a society. ―In the sky of the cinema people learn what they might have been and discover what belongs to them apart from their single lives.‖- (John Berger) As the world has turned into a global village, cinema and film-making plays an important role not only in promoting cultural values and bonding different nations but also in providing an alternate way of expression. Pakistan, has a rich history of filmmaking. The historic city of Lahore was the hub of filmmaking, prior to the partition of India. It is also said, that the film industry in India was born in Lahore. After the partition, most of the industry migrated to the Mumbai. But still, Lahore was home to a significant number of actors, directors and film producers. The 50s and 60s were the peaks of Pakistani film Industry. They were in competition and at par with the Indian films of that time. After the partition, reconstruction of the film industry in Pakistan was an uphill task but luckily we had a good number of artists here and they played a very crucial role in laying a solid foundation of the film industry in the country.The Pakistani film industry is also known for producing many remarkable and renowned actors, directors, producers, writers and playback singers. Era between 1956-66 is known to be the golden era of Pakistani film industry.(Faruqi, 2013). 3 Causes and effect of Indian movies in Pakistani cinemas The quality of films, scripts, music, lyrics, acting and direction were at its best during the golden era of the 50s and 60s. In the major cities of Pakistan, almost every film attracted a large audience to the movie theaters. Sadly, we couldn‘t manage to continue with the legacy of the rich culture, and hence began the downfall.in 1979, the Military Ruler General Zia ulHaq imposed the martial law in the country and Islamicized the country (i-e enforced strict Islamic laws). This had strong effects on the film industry since he made strict laws for the film makers, followed by a lot of cinema houses being closed down in Lahore. Censorship policies were made more severe leading to the film makers producing movies with typical flaccid storyline and script. People who were still going to cinema houses did not find visiting cinemas very fruitful in terms of entertainment so the cinema visitors further decreased in number. (Gazdar, 1997) In late 70s and early 80s, the trend of typical Punjabi culture portrayal began which would show the protagonist of a movie as a gangster in some village or rural area who would fight against the local gangster and his accomplices and the hero/ protagonist would always be shown as a blood thirsty murderer, loudly cursing out profanities and holding a gandaasa (a weapon which is used for fighting by the residents of rural areas of Punjab) and killing dozens of people, fighting against the police, breaking the laws and becoming triumphant in the end. The educated class of the country rejected this negative and violent form of entertainment. Seeing the Punjabi films in this negative state, Pashto film makers decided to take advantage and started producing Pashto films violating the censorship policies showing vulgarity to gain viewership. The addition of such low quality Pashto films proved to be the final blow for the soft image of the Pakistani cinema. This was followed by the death of Waheed Murad (famous as ―Chocolate Hero‖ of the Pakistani film industry).