Film news.....from Mirpur

Those who watch satellite channels of the DM Digital, KBC and Aapna TV sort, will know of a new genre of film and drama coming from Pakistan. I am referring, of course, to Potahari/ Pahari entertainment. The Potahar region of Pakistan is in fact a cultural entity that includes the Mirpur district of Azad Kashmir.

Now I hear that a new Pahari amateur film has as its leading actors at least 4 people from my own village, Chattroh. The film, Mara Sajan Pola (My naïve lover), is currently making the rounds in England. As a first amateur attempt, it’s actually an extraordinarily good film, well shot, the story moves quickly and there is a good dose of unique comedy.

Potahari/ Pahari films and dramas, helped by the rise of niche satellite channels, are increasingly becoming popular. Given the resemblance of Urdu and Hindi, Lollywood’s Urdu outputs do not stand a chance next to Bollywood. And Lollywood’s punjabi films are ridiculous, with every sentence delivered in earth shattering tones. The gap thus left is filled by Potohari films, which are in general more realistic and touch relevant themes, including the Pakistan/ England link.

The 'government' of 'Azad'Kashmir should take note and offer a cultural policy. It is clear young people want this; note how popular Bollywood movies, despite being banned, are in AK. I doubt, however, if anything will change. Culture does not go beyond recital of the quami-tarana and afew poems by Iqbal. The private sector is taking the initiative.