This question/debate is as old as Pakistan’s existence. What exactly is our culture? Let’s face it there is no definitive answer to it. If there was one, the debate wouldn’t have lingered on for six decades.

Film actor Shaan appears to be dead against Indian films’ screening in Pakistan. He looks to be consumed by his dislike (using a mild word) for movies from across the border. Recently on one of the many similar-sounding, similar-looking TV programmes, Shaan gave vent to his feelings with complete abandon. His premise was that the culture that the Indians propagate is alien to us and tends to invade our value system. Even if you were to go along with his argument, and as a Pakistani you should, the query that springs to mind is: what culture did Shaan try to portray in his directorial ventures? Even the title of one of his film was Guns ‘n’ Roses, which is not a phrase used in any of the languages spoken in Pakistan!

Leaving aside that, what culture and value system did Shaan foresee before signing up for the countless Punjabi and Urdu films as an actor? What about the ungainly moves with corpulent women during song and dance sequences? Is that the culture and value system that he’s talking about?

If you draw a line, then it mustn’t be drawn selectively. Hollywood films are more objectionable vis-à-vis the values that Shaan is referring to. Should we not allow English films to be screened in Pakistani cinemas too? Should we start making our own movies in a cocoon?

Courtesy: Dawn Images