| The Indian entertainment industry has lured a fair share of artistes from across the LoC. The Zeba Bakhtiyars and Somi Alis of Pakistan crossed boundaries to enjoy their 15 minutes of fame in Bollywood almost two decades ago, but Indian actors have begun exploring the unchartered territory of the Pakistani entertainment industry only recently. With the Pakistan government giving a clean chit to Indian actors to work in Pak films, Indian actors are Lollywood ho! A self-confessed "initiator" of the trend, actor Annu Kapoor says he's paved the way for other Indian actors to follow him. "I have worked in a Pakistani serial called Gayegi Duniya. The experience was awesome. Now that the country has given a green signal to Indian actors I would love to work in their films and do more Pakistani television shows," says Kapoor. With a Pakistani blockbuster Khamosh Pani to her credit, you have to believe Kirron Kher when she says "working in Pakistan was a wonderful experience". "I worked there when there was tension between the two countries and there was heavy deployment of forces on the borders. Nevertheless, I received a warm welcome," she says, while stressing that owing to strict censorship norms, Pakistan's cinema is greatly deglamorised. "And Indian films and actors fit into such a scenario, making them rather popular there," she explains. Actor Deepshikha, presently working in a Pakistani chat show called Kuch Gup Hai Kuch Sach Hai, is also elated at the response she's got in the neighbouring country. "The show enjoys the second highest TRP ratings in Pakistan," she says, emphasising that Indian actors are much sought-after sarhad paar. But what attracts our desi actors to explore Lollywood, when there is no dearth of opportunities in the bigger and better Indian entertainment industry? Curiosity is a major driving force, avers Deepshikha. "There are so many controversies related with the two countries that there's a sort of curiosity to explore the reality," she says. Whatever be the reason, the move allowing Indian actors to cross the borders has been welcomed by industry wallahs. Mahesh Bhatt, for one, is certainly pleased. Trying to work with a Pakistani director for the past three years with nephew Emraan Hashmi playing the lead, Bhatt sees this as a "path-breaking step". According to him, "It would strengthen the bond between the two nations and more particularly, give succour to the ailing Pakistani film industry." Interestingly, Pakistan's film industry will need to raise the budget of its films if it wants to cash in on the popularity of Indian stars who charge an exorbitant amount of money for a single film or serial. But why have Pakistani producers deterred from investing more money in their films in order to improve their standards? Reasons actor Raza Murad, "Pakistan's film industry makes movies for a population of around 15 crores, while Bollywood as well as Indian television targets a population of 120 crores. Since we have a larger viewership base, quality holds precedence here." Having acted in a Pakistani serial called Talaash, Raza Murad believes that "if actors from our country work in Pakistani serials, it could help bridge barriers between the two countries."However, director Ravi Rai isn't too impressed with the crossover culture in the entertainment industry. "For one, Pakistan movies and serials have weak story lines. So why should Indian actors want to work in them? And Indians have always extended a warm welcome to Pakistani artistes, so why have they taken so long to reciprocate our sentiments?" he asks pointedly. Perhaps Mr Bhatt could answer that! |
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