Don't copy Bollywood: Imran Khan's advice to Pakistani filmmakers
Imran Khan's statements come amid the backdrop of Pakistan intending to revise its perception in the world.
Pakistan's prime minister Imran Khan has urged the country's filmmakers to focus on creating new and original content instead of just blatantly imitating Bollywood, India's Hindi film industry. Speaking at a short film festival in Islamabad, Khan said that mistakes were made initially as the Pakistani film industry was "influenced" by Bollywood, resulting in a culture that continued the practice of copying and adopting another nation's culture.
"So the most important thing I want to say to young filmmakers is that according to my experience of the world, only originality sells -- the copy has no value," Imran Khan said, according to the Dawn newspaper in Pakistan. He further emphasised the importance of originality and urged the Pakistani film industry to come up with new ways of thinking.
Referring to the influence of Hollywood and Bollywood in Pakistan's popular culture, Imran Khan said people in the country do not purportedly watch local content unless it has a commercial spin. "So my (advice) to young filmmakers is to bring your own original thinking and don't fear failure," he was quoted as saying. "It is my life's experience that the one who is afraid of defeat can never win."
Imran Khan's statements come amid the backdrop of Pakistan intending to revise its perception in the world. Speaking about Pakistan's "image" as perceived globally, Khan said that the country is misrepresented as "soft" due to a sense of inferiority and defensiveness ranging back to the so-called 'war on terror'. "The world respects those who respect themselves," said Imran Khan, adding that Pakistaniyat should be promoted.