If you have the patience of reading the entire article, this article gives a good view of a journalist from Pakistan, about influence of Bollywood on Pakistan society. He seems to be a bit worried about the increasing Indian influence 
This article appeared in Dawn
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Rani vs Reema?
By Zainab Mahmood
What remains to be seen is how tomorrow's young adults will show the effects of growing up in a time of computers, Britney Spears and supremacy of Indian media. In the race to "Indianize" our media, are we evolving with the times or burying our own heritage? writes Zainab Mahmood.
Television is the first truly democratic culture, the first culture available to everybody and entirely governed by what the people want. The most terrifying thing is what the people want.
-Clive Barnes
The release of the star-studded blockbuster last year inspired the attire and jewellery for countless brides who enthusiastically tried to get their wedding planners to re-enact the "Devdas setting" complete with the gao takias, silk sheets and other
adornments.
The Indian culture, among others, has permeated views through the television screen and people are spending oodles of time and money on spicing up wedding rasms. Singing of Pakistani songs is now passé and instead we must have eight elaborately choreographed dances, to the upbeat tempo of Indian tracks, including sets and
props! A few years from now the young generation will be amused by the songs we grew up hearing and will ask "what's lathay dee chadar?"
The release of Kal ho na ho enthused a dance craze. We were stunned by the flawless choreography of a 12-year-old at my best friend's wedding last winter. The teenage crowd completely overshadowed us with their enviable knowledge of Indian songs and
dance moves. One such enthusiast, 14-year-old Faiza confessed, "I enjoy Indian dramas and films, especially the remixed songs. My friends and I pick up fashion trends from the hip Bollywood actresses too."
These trends are indicative of an interest that has existed for generations. The post-partition Pakistan saw its people enchanted with Indian cinema, as our film industry struggled and eventually dwindled into oblivion. At that point, we were faced with a void and sporadic lacklustre local productions that failed to impress or attract an audience. Even the banning of Indian films in the '60s did not stifle the interest. People continued to tune into radios to listen to Indian film stories and songs. Thousands flew to Lahore from all over Pakistan to watch Pakeezah being shown on
Doordarshan (an Indian channel the Lahoris managed to catch on their antennas) back then.
Then came the state-run TV in Pakistan, and its nationalism, low-budget videos and even some noteworthy drama serials failed to capture the audience for long. The VCR phenomenon saved the day and pirated Indian films were rented in thousands. The satellite dish arrived in the early '90s, and we were bedazzled by Zee, Star Plus, Sony, B4U and MTV India. With so many choices, family members gathered around their TV sets, even during meal times and sitting room discussions revolved around the Indian soaps and films.
Unsuspectingly we have begun to emulate the clothes, language and lifestyle they project. You would be amazed at how much Hindi we understand and use today. Whether we like to admit it or not, the length and styles of our kurtas and pants fluctuate with what Kareena, Rani or some soap actress was seen wearing (even our
tailors are familiar with Bollywood trends). The promos for Pakistani music awards that are yet to be aired confirm just this. The hostess is not only making a somewhat misguided effort to put on a Joan River-esque red carpet stint, she is also wearing an
exact replica of an evening dress worn by a Bollywood leading lady in Dil Chahta Hai.
The concept of family entertainment has undergone a radical change as a result of the Indian electronic media during the last decade. We are no longer easily offended by actresses prancing about in revealing outfits and their suggestive dialogues and dance moves. The popularity of Indian TV channels and cinema has forced Pakistani media to take stock. The new private cable channels with their serials, soaps and song videos and enticing advertisements are trying hard to catch up. Pakistani producers are now churning out a new drama serial almost every week with steamy storylines.
Many of our film actresses are seen taking dance lessons and learning to speak English. (Is Reema vying for a break in Bollywood?) Their media portrays a nation of fairly educated musicians, actors and sportsmen, forcing many of our celebrities
to undergo image improvement.
Encouraged by the success of Indian celebrities endorsing commercial products, our corporate sector has begun to use film and pop stars to catch the fancy of the audience. We cannot help but wonder if Shaan has been picked up by Indian producers? Or will Inzie and Shoaib be the next faces for corporate products?
All in all, we are taking a crack at giving our industry a facelift so it appeals to all sections of society within and outside Pakistan. It has to be said, with improved programming and presentation, our soaps and some shows are now dangerously close
to appearing India. A change of outfit and a few added words of Hindi would leave you questioning which side of the border the programmes were produced on.
One can argue that the Indian media overwhelmed the audience and now our new TV channels are just trying to give the viewers what they have always wanted. On the flip side, perhaps by emulating the Indian media we convey to the audience that our cultures are identical and that we have to follow the Indian lifestyle and
trends to move with the times. Satellite TV tantalized the audience in the '90s and paved the way for the cable network which flooded thousands of homes and fascinated all kinds of people across cities and villages in Pakistan. From the classic films of Amitabh, Rekha and Rafi to the contemporary age of Shahrukh, Kareena and Sonu, Indian cinema and music has something which will appeal to all generations.
Mrs Zia, a housewife from Karachi confesses, "The saas-bahu and family politics storylines of Star Plus plays are so fast paced. I watch them quite often as they offer a good break from the monotony of domestic life." Even the youngsters are not too far behind. Sixteen-year-old Daud from Rawalpindi finds himself hooked to the Indian dramas and films during vacations and Ayesha, a 6-year-old, living in a small town near Lahore, religiously watches Aishwarya Rai films and knows the words of all her famous songs. On the other hand Zakia, a young mother from Faisalabad
representing the views of a handful of mothers today, bemoans, "Indian films and dramas are vulgar and send the wrong message. I don't want my children to grow up thinking that this is the norm, and learning to be devious and manipulative from the dramas."
In Pakistan today, popularity of Indian media and music exceeds by far the interest in our local productions. In fact adding anything Indian ensures that your product sells, which is evident from Indian celebrities featured in our music videos, fashion shows and exhibitions. The production of low-budget popular spoofs of hit Indian films and our versions of their popular song and dance sequences drive this point home. Amna, a 25-year-old artist from Karachi insists, "Indian media is basically good value for money. You can tell they make an effort to attract the viewer. Their entire package is better than the run-of-the-mill entertainment we get here. I've noticed they are really nationalistic in their films and serials, which we are not."
Bilal, a Pakistani/British 21-year-old graduate, shares the views of young Pakistanis living abroad. "Indians offer a corny brand of escapism that we can relate to because they look and talk like us. It's a good laugh to watch Indian songs with our white friends who enjoy it too," he says. Many of the affluent young desis living here and abroad depict the subtle influences. The kurta and chapal trend, the hairstyles and to some extent even the language of young people today is influenced by the fashion vibes from Bollywood stars.
Anglo-Indian cinema has recently come into vogue, especially abroad. The likes of Monsoon Wedding and Bend it like Beckham have provided desis everywhere a chance to watch something they can relate to. The popularity of independent Indian ventures such as Leela and Everybody Says I'm Fine and their success at film festivals abroad, proves that even such films can find an audience. Therefore young Pakistani filmmakers have been encouraged to walk the same path as can be seen from the success of Kara and Mateela film festivals across Pakistan.
We cannot credit the entire change in our society or our entertainment industry to Indian influence. Natural evolution, social and political changes have also exerted their power. But as cable TV has percolated into the cities and even small towns, its
dominance cannot be denied. The reality is, cable TV does not require a visa nor must it bend to the pressure of conservative and religious lobbies. Such groups are indeed helpless now. Even the Indian celebrities (from Urmila to Arundhati Roy) who have
visited us were overwhelmed by the multitude of fans that were eager to meet them.
Now that the Indians have realized that a big market exists here we will see more collaborative ventures. Indian drama serials on our channels, sharing of playback singers (Strings, Fuzon and Aaroh spearheading the trend), and joint hosting of programmes (the Indian comperes are extremely professional whilst the
Pakistani counterparts leave a lot to be desired). Up till now we have passionately idolized and revered Indian celebrities and their world of glamour. Only recently has the healthy exchange of talent and productions begun and now the Indians will have a
chance to see what we have to offer (we hope our current stars meet a better fate than Somi Ali and Zeba Bakhtiar)
Location: Ottawa (Now in Bangalore)
Posted on: 24-03-05 17:12:55
Zeba Bakhtiar and Salma Agha were the female equivalents of Kumar Gaurav...expressionless and dry !... The only Pakistani actor who had some acting talent was Mohsin Khan....( watch him with Aditya Pancholi in Saathi)... Pity.. Dawood and his gang struck mayhem in Bombay in 1993, else he would have stayed on for a long time.. Amongst singers..only Adnan Sami has a good voice to attract Indian viewers
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Quote:
Orginally posted by Ottawa_Nerd
only Adnan Sami has a good voice to attract Indian viewers
AFAIK although Adnan is a Pakistani, he has spent most of his life in the UK and that's where he started his singing career. I am not sure though.
Pakistan has produced some wonderful singers in the field of classical music. I can't remember the names off hand, but Mehdi Hassan comes to mind.
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Diogenes
====================
The Cynic
Quote:
AFAIK although Adnan is a Pakistani, he has spent most of his life in the UK and that's where he started his singing career. I am not sure though.
Pakistan has produced some wonderful singers in the field of classical music. I can't remember the names off hand, but Mehdi Hassan comes to mind.
I have read that Adnan is from Afghanistan, but lives in Oakville
Mahendi Hasan can be more classified as semi-classical or ghazal singer. Other names might include Ghulam Ali, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, Sabri Brothers and likes
Meghal
Location: Ottawa (Now in Bangalore)
Posted on: 24-03-05 19:23:06
Quote:
Orginally posted by DiogenestheCynic
Quote:
Orginally posted by Ottawa_Nerd
only Adnan Sami has a good voice to attract Indian viewers
AFAIK although Adnan is a Pakistani
Did I say that he is not
?Yeah..u can say , he is a reluctant Pakistani...In fact, a few years ago, he wanted to take up Indian citizenship..but Advani refused to entertain his application.
To come back to the topic... When Gadar was released..I found it quite ironical that Pakistani folks in our university were literally dancing to the tunes of "Main Nikla o Gaddi leke"... Thats bollywood for you ! However, the article above is kind of self-defeating. I mean...how can there be joint productions with Pakistanis ?
"Khamosh Paani" , a film made by a Pakistani is banned in Pakistan !
Meera (what is her real name ?)... gets death threats ( I wonder if she can act as well though )
Lata Mangeshkar's songs are banned from their national TV's...Luckily, the pvt channels there (GEO and ARY) do not care abt this rule!.....
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"Aur Vaise Bhi, Sharafat ki jab kapde utarti hai, sabse zyaada mazaa shareefon ko hi aati hai"....(From The Dirty Picture)
Warning !! SCAM ALERT !!
http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=4169 & http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=1379
This is a Useful Health related Tip
http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=3865
Please visit
http://www.cmje.org/religious-texts/quran/verses/009-qmt.php for some interesting Information ! (Especially 009.005 )
Location: Ottawa (Now in Bangalore)
Posted on: 24-03-05 19:27:28
But I agree with this statement
"Indian films and dramas are vulgar and send the wrong message. I don't want my children to grow up thinking that this is the norm, and learning to be devious and manipulative from the dramas".....
Even, I as an Indian (oops...pseudo-Indian ) would not want my kids to watch those stuff...If I get a chance and scope, some day I would like to bring back those serials of yesteryears.... and I am sure, many CDs will share this view...
http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=2253
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Aur Vaise Bhi, Sharafat ki jab kapde utarti hai, sabse zyaada mazaa shareefon ko hi aati hai"....(From The Dirty Picture)
Warning !! SCAM ALERT !!
http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=4169 & http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=1379
This is a Useful Health related Tip
http://www.canadiandesi.ca/read.php?TID=3865
Please visit
http://www.cmje.org/religious-texts/quran/verses/009-qmt.php for some interesting Information ! (Especially 009.005 )
