Why doesn’t Pakistan have any superstars?

[minamino]

Why Pakistan doesn’t have any superstars from its film industry. I am pretty sure the Khans of Bollywood and Akshay Kumar etc are more popular in Pakistan than their own film actors. In order to enhance your film industry you need young superstars. I haven’t seen Fawad Khan since his last movie in Bollywood. Where is he these days?

 

[Lonewarrior]

Shaan

 

[Technics 1210]

Of course Indian actors are more *popular*. There are 1.3 BILLION Indians!

 

[KingT]

Many stars in Pakistan such as Hamayun Saeed, Mehwish Hayat etc.
Their serial shows are a lot more popular than Indian movies in Pakistan.

 

[minamino]

Many stars in Pakistan such as Hamayun Saeed, Mehwish Hayat etc.
Their serial shows are a lot more popular than Indian movies in Pakistan.

How many Pakistanis know them? Are the fans of these personalities more than Khans in Pakistan? I highly doubt it

 

[KingT]

How many Pakistanis know them? Are the fans of these personalities more than Khans in Pakistan? I highly doubt it

We broke the TRP record with the TV show "Meray Pass Tum Ho".

TV shows are EXTREMELY popular in Pakistan. No one really watches any bollywood movies anyone because they're all the same.
No one even watches Indian dramas for the same reason.
Our TV shows get 5-10 million views per episode easily now on YouTube.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Because our film industry is hot garbage

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Superstars are made by their industries. Bollywood, despite being crappy, has an abundance of resources to promote its "superstars".

That said, can we consider Ali Zafar a superstar? Seems like a sensible dude, without cringe most Bollywood stars possess.

 

[KingT]

We are better at producing TV shows than movies so when you want to watch a movie, you'll watch a Bollywood movie. When you want to watch a drama, you'll go on YouTube and search up Pakistani dramas.

 

[minamino]

Superstars are made by their industries. Bollywood, despite being crappy, has an abundance of resources to promote its "superstars".

That said, can we consider Ali Zafar a superstar? Seems like a sensible dude, without cringe most Bollywood stars possess.

I didn’t know harassing is sensible and without cringe. Fawad has the qualities of the superstar and he should have been given more films

 

[minamino]

We broke the TRP record with the TV show "Meray Pass Tum Ho".

TV shows are EXTREMELY popular in Pakistan. No one really watches any bollywood movies anyone because they're all the same.
No one even watches Indian dramas for the same reason.
Our TV shows get 5-10 million views per episode easily now on YouTube.

Yeah that’s why all my Pakistani friends and cousins were begging for Kabir Singh links the day after it released. The popularity of Bollywood can’t be ignored in Pakistan. I have seen Shaan in a supermarket in Lahore and trust me no one gave him a look.

 

[KingT]

Yeah that’s why all my Pakistani friends and cousins were begging for Kabir Singh links the day after it released. The popularity of Bollywood can’t be ignored in Pakistan. I have seen Shaan in a supermarket in Lahore and trust me no one gave him a look.

So your 4-5 pakistani friends represent the whole of Pakistan now?

 

[Waleed93]

The reason is simple : our film industry is non existant.
We can criticise or troll Bollywood as much as we would like to. But the harsh reality is that the industry makes millions of dollars worldwide, and this is how Indian actors get international exposure and become superstars. Their film industry gives them the opportunity to become superstars.
Even if most of their films are bad, Bollywood in general is 100 times bigger and better than Lollywood, and it's a fact that people like SRK or Akshay Kumar are more popular in Pakistan than the majority of our drama actors.
In fact, just a few months ago, I read an article calling Shahrukh Khan the biggest film star of the world. I am pretty sure that he is more popular than the majority of Pakistani actors in Pakistan.
I am not a huge of fan of either, but being a Pakistani, if you ask me to choose and watch a Pakistani film starring an actor I don't even know and a Bollywood movie starring Aamir Khan, I will most probably go for the latter as well, and a lot of Pakistanis will do same.

You just have to look at it in this way: In India, their people will relate to a very small number of Pakistani legends such as NFAK, Atif Aslam or Fawad Khan. Only Fawad belongs to the film industry from this list, and Indians know him because of his work in Bollywood.

On the other hand, a huge part of Pakistani youngsters will know and recognise not only the likes of SRK, Salman or Aamir, but even some of their yesteryears' superstars such as Amitabh Bachchan as well.

This shows that the Pakistani film industry just about manages to have a limited kind of appeal on a national scale.
It really tells you a lot when we say that our serials are much better than our films.
The fact is that Bollywood has become so big from an economic point of view in the last few decades that their actors have become international stars.
Unfortunately, Pakistan's film industry being in the dumps, our talented actors just don't get the opportunity to showcase their acting skills, and find themselves in a situation where they have to fight for a chance to get a break in Bollywood, or to limit themselves to Pakistani serials for the biggest part of their careers.

 

[Pakistanian]

Fawad Khan

 

[minamino]

The reason is simple : our film industry is non existant.
We can criticise or troll Bollywood as much as we would like to. But the harsh reality is that the industry makes millions of dollars worldwide, and this is how Indian actors get international exposure and become superstars. Their film industry gives them the opportunity to become superstars.
Even if most of their films are bad, Bollywood in general is 100 times bigger and better than Lollywood, and it's a fact that people like SRK or Akshay Kumar are more popular in Pakistan than the majority of our drama actors.
In fact, just a few months ago, I read an article calling Shahrukh Khan the biggest film star of the world. I am pretty sure that he is more popular than the majority of Pakistani actors in Pakistan.
I am not a huge of fan of either, but being a Pakistani, if you ask me to choose and watch a Pakistani film starring an actor I don't even know and a Bollywood movie starring Aamir Khan, I will most probably go for the latter as well, and a lot of Pakistanis will do same.

You just have to look at it in this way: In India, their people will relate to a very small number of Pakistani legends such as NFAK, Atif Aslam or Fawad Khan. Only Fawad belongs to the film industry from this list, and Indians know him because of his work in Bollywood.

On the other hand, a huge part of Pakistani youngsters will know and recognise not only the likes of SRK, Salman or Aamir, but even some of their yesteryears' superstars such as Amitabh Bachchan as well.

This shows that the Pakistani film industry just about manages to have a limited kind of appeal on a national scale.
It really tells you a lot when we say that our serials are much better than our films.
The fact is that Bollywood has become so big from an economic point of view in the last few decades that their actors have become international stars.
Unfortunately, Pakistan's film industry being in the dumps, our talented actors just don't get the opportunity to showcase their acting skills, and find themselves in a situation where they have to fight for a chance to get a break in Bollywood, or to limit themselves to Pakistani serials for the biggest part of their careers.

SRK and even Shahid Kapoor charges more for a film than most Pakistani movies lifetime collections. Pakistan needs a young charismatic superstar like SRK, Salman were in 90s. A lot of credit goes to Mr Zia ul Haq as well for the failure of Lollywood. He banned the cinema right at the time when Pakistani cinema was at its peak. Sultan Rahi was a bonafide superstar in the mould of Amitabh.

These guys like Shaan and Humayun Saeed don’t have celeb appeal nor do any actresses have. There are diehard Salman Khan fans in Pakistan as well. Even low budget Bollywood movies like Badhaai Ho did amazing business in Pakistan too. The most successful movie in the history of Pakistan is Sanju and no Pakistani movies come close to it.

 

[DeadBall]

No one really watches any bollywood movies anyone because they're all the same.

Heh. People watch it in spite of them being all the same as there isn't much else apart from that except for some Pakistani TV shows. Almost everyone does watch Bollywood movies, especially the latest pirated ones which are streamed on the local streaming networks which also provide the internet and other channels. If one doesn't have access to that then they just download it.

 

[minamino]

Heh. People watch it in spite of them being all the same as there isn't much else apart from that except for some Pakistani TV shows. Almost everyone does watch Bollywood movies, especially the latest pirated ones which are streamed on the local streaming networks which also provide the internet and other channels. If one doesn't have access to that then they just download it.

Pakistanis are crazy for Bollywood and not even that they are crazy for South Cinema as well. There was an ICC video of perfect pairs with Shadab and Hassan Ali where the latter said that the favorite movie of the former is some South Indian movie. Amir said he would like Shahid Kapoor to play his role if he ever had his biopic and Yasir Shah said his celebrity crush was Lata Mangeshkar and then corrected himself saying Kajol as initially he did not know the meaning of the word crush. Even a guy with handful of international games in his bag is more popular than most of the names people took in this thread.

 

[KingT]

Pakistanis are crazy for Bollywood and not even that they are crazy for South Cinema as well. There was an ICC video of perfect pairs with Shadab and Hassan Ali where the latter said that the favorite movie of the former is some South Indian movie. Amir said he would like Shahid Kapoor to play his role if he ever had his biopic and Yasir Shah said his celebrity crush was Lata Mangeshkar and then corrected himself saying Kajol as initially he did not know the meaning of the word crush. Even a guy with handful of international games in his bag is more popular than most of the names people took in this thread.

Why're you getting gassed?
It looks like you're proud that Pakistanis watch Bollywood

 

[KingT]

Heh. People watch it in spite of them being all the same as there isn't much else apart from that except for some Pakistani TV shows. Almost everyone does watch Bollywood movies, especially the latest pirated ones which are streamed on the local streaming networks which also provide the internet and other channels. If one doesn't have access to that then they just download it.

Pakistanis would even watch Ugandan action movies if they're given the option lol
We're just hungry to watch anything.

I'm talking about interest. We may watch bollywood but there's no real hype around it.
It doesn't trend much on Twitter or Instagram.
In comparison with our TV shows, they are a lot less hyped

 

[Rayyman]

Yea besides me there aren’t any

 

[DeadBall]

Pakistanis are crazy for Bollywood and not even that they are crazy for South Cinema as well. There was an ICC video of perfect pairs with Shadab and Hassan Ali where the latter said that the favorite movie of the former is some South Indian movie. Amir said he would like Shahid Kapoor to play his role if he ever had his biopic and Yasir Shah said his celebrity crush was Lata Mangeshkar and then corrected himself saying Kajol as initially he did not know the meaning of the word crush. Even a guy with handful of international games in his bag is more popular than most of the names people took in this thread.

I think on this forum, some people underestimate the popularity of Bollywood in Pakistan. Just because Pakistani dramas are famous because thats what happens in most of the Pakistani households: cousin marriages, extramarital affairs, polygamy, misogyny etc

They don't underestimate it, first of all most of what comes out of Bollywood is garbage, the people here are mostly well educated and live in the west and thus have seen better movies and can differentiate between quality and crap unlike many Pakistanis living in Pakistan.

Secondly they just have come to despise most things Indian of late due to what their govt has been doing, some Indian trolls here and some misinformation/pre conceived notions etc.

Many of the posters here haven't even been to Pakistan and those who have been there for a couple of weeks every few years, mostly just visit relatives, go to a couple of weddings, some shopping and back home so I wouldn't really take their opinions on what happens in Pakistan that seriously.

 

[DeadBall]

Pakistanis would even watch Ugandan action movies if they're given the option lol
We're just hungry to watch anything.

I'm talking about interest. We may watch bollywood but there's no real hype around it.
It doesn't trend much on Twitter or Instagram.
In comparison with our TV shows, they are a lot less hyped

You said no one really watches Bollywood movies in Pakistan and I was just pointing out that it was false. And no, most Pakistanis won't watch Ugandan movies just because they are given the option. Hello, they won't even watch South Indian movies unless they are really popular and dubbed. They choose Bollywood movies because of the language, some cultural similarities etc.

Also you are measuring the "hype" using Twitter and Instagram which only a fraction of the population use, especially to discuss movies.

 

[minamino]

They don't underestimate it, first of all most of what comes out of Bollywood is garbage, the people here are mostly well educated and live in the west and thus have seen better movies and can differentiate between quality and crap unlike many Pakistanis living in Pakistan.

Secondly they just have come to despise most things Indian of late due to what their govt has been doing, some Indian trolls here and some misinformation/pre conceived notions etc.

Many of the posters here haven't even been to Pakistan and those who have been there for a couple of weeks every few years, mostly just visit relatives, go to a couple of weddings, some shopping and back home so I wouldn't really take their opinions on what happens in Pakistan that seriously.

I think you haven't been watching Bollywood lately if you think most of the movies are crap because apart from Khans and maybe Kumar, there are a lot of good movies with content in Bollywood now and if you think Bollywood's masala entertainers are crap then don't even think about Pakistani movies. Pakistan has one big-budget movie release on every Eid and then they play it the same movie the whole year.

 

[Vegitto1]

Beta the logic is very simple.

You and I both make the same thing in our countries, for example a simple match box selling at $1. If all the people in our country buy our product once you will become a billionaire while I will be a millionaire.

India due to its size and huge population (and new found wealth) is seen as a huge market by the western world. They do not care for your superstars or your movies, they will just suck up to you as long as they get access to your market. The same tactics are applied by them in the Middle East. They suck up to these dictators to buy cheap oils and then have them buy expensive weapons - Win Win!

What you want to and should be doing is comparing quality not quantity. If you think that India produces more quality artists then Pakistan (% wise based on population) then give examples - last I checked your music industry is reduced to producing remix of songs released 1/2 years ago. That is pathetic.

 

[minamino]

Beta the logic is very simple.

You and I both make the same thing in our countries, for example a simple match box selling at $1. If all the people in our country buy our product once you will become a billionaire while I will be a millionaire.

India due to its size and huge population (and new found wealth) is seen as a huge market by the western world. They do not care for your superstars or your movies, they will just suck up to you as long as they get access to your market. The same tactics are applied by them in the Middle East. They suck up to these dictators to buy cheap oils and then have them buy expensive weapons - Win Win!

What you want to and should be doing is comparing quality not quantity. If you think that India produces more quality artists then Pakistan (% wise based on population) then give examples - last I checked your music industry is reduced to producing remix of songs released 1/2 years ago. That is pathetic.

Pakistan has 210 million people in the country and have millions of people in the West. If Pakistan cinema was that successful they should have at least one superstar who is recognized globally. If Pakistan music is so good why do they remake old songs in Coke Studio. They should at least have some originals which are at least good.

 

[shafkath]

Wow Indians and Pakistani can find anything to argue over, who has a better film industry... Really.. Is this even remotely important?

 

[coy0607]

Try using Google if you are genuinely curious, otherwise form your posts it looks like you are mostly trying to bait Pakistani's... still, I'll bite and educate you a little.

Drama / TV actors like Humayun Saeed, Fahad Mustafa, Mahira Khan, Ali Rehman, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Shan Shahid, etc are immensely popular in Pakistan. Virtually every Pakistani knows them, even most overseas Pakistani's that follow Pakistan in the media know them well.

You can't compare the 'level of popularity' of our celebrities to India, obviously, 1.4 billion population vs 200 million. But to ask why Pakistan doesn't have stars is just plain ignorant. Indian exports (Khan's, etc) were very popular 10 years, but that fad has mostly passed now. Less and less people are interested in mindless Indian masala, Pakistani TV content is much more engaging for us

 

[JaDed]

What you want to and should be doing is comparing quality not quantity. If you think that India produces more quality artists then Pakistan (% wise based on population) then give examples - last I checked your music industry is reduced to producing remix of songs released 1/2 years ago. That is pathetic.

Our music industry? As in Hindi, Punjabi,Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam? Glad you could listen to all of them , till 6 months ago still the remix music was pulling you to it.

 

[JaDed]

Because of Zia, film industries require push from Govn, Pak govn did the opposite.

Indian movies industries Tamil,Telugu,Hindi,Malayalam was setup up by passionate people and promoted by govns.

Going for a movie is a family affair in India and it has always been part of "going out" culture, that's why we have stars and memories of them, in realistic numbers right now except Telugu most movies industries are in a downward spiral with reduction in footfalls.

Also stars are in South are much more bigger than "Bollywood", that's why a Telugu Dubbed Hindi movie has the biggest box office collection in India.

Another thing to note is divide between Sindh and Punjab, I have seen many from Karachi putting down Punjabi industry in Pakistan, irrespective of how it was.
Also not to forget a movie which could had been a big draw Maula Jatt is going through issues.

Pakistan now trying to take up movies when whole world is going digital streaming(except China), will not really pick up, it just missed the bus, so it should stick to its strength Dramas(getting monotonous now) and Music.

 

[Pakistanian]

Fawad Khan is definitely a superstar and there are quite few others that have a strong fanbase but I think the whole "superstar" thing is an Indan creation - you don't ever hear this term being used in Hollywood, you're either famous or you're not, period.

 

[minamino]

Indian movies are mindless okay I agree since many commercial movies are illogical and masala type but how Pakistani dramas are realistic anyways? I have seen few dramas and surprising in all of them the male and female lead were cousins and got married.

 

[ManFan]

Bollywood has lost its appeal in Pakistan.

Mostly because our cinema copied the Bollywood masala formula and the quality of Bollywood films has declined immensely in the last ten years in terms of entertainment or storytelling.

 

[KingKhanXi]

Pakistan is depend on India for movies and superstars.

 

[Mesozoic]

Bollywood has lost its appeal in Pakistan.

Mostly because our cinema copied the Bollywood masala formula and the quality of Bollywood films has declined immensely in the last ten years in terms of entertainment or storytelling.

I'd have agreed with you if this was 2015. But last few years have been a major improvement in quality. Ofcourse not the usual SRK, Salman types but you've to dig deeper into the Ayushmann, Randeep, Kaushal types.

 

[corneredtiger85292]

You have your Rahat's and Atif's but dont get it twisted...Pakistan's biggest star is and has been for the longest time the great Imran Khan

 

[topspin]

Riz Ahmed. Hollywood actor who has starred in some big films such as Star Wars. He was also brilliant in The Night of, which was an award TV series. His acting was superb.

 

[topspin]

Surprised also no one has mentioned Dwayne Bravo after the Quetta Gladiator song.

"Quetta Quetta, we the gladiator..."

 

[Captain caveman]

Apparently, indian stars are old news, turkish dramas and their stars are taking over Pakistan, according to my cousins in Pakistan.
Some of the turkish actresses make the indian actresses look like indira gandhi!

 

[minamino]

I'd have agreed with you if this was 2015. But last few years have been a major improvement in quality. Ofcourse not the usual SRK, Salman types but you've to dig deeper into the Ayushmann, Randeep, Kaushal types.

I can understand Ayushmann and Hooda but how Kaushal is in the list? His biggest hit has been Sanju (commercial) and fictionalized version of Surgical strike (deshbhakti). Kushal movies are crap

 

[minamino]

Apparently, indian stars are old news, turkish dramas and their stars are taking over Pakistan, according to my cousins in Pakistan.
Some of the turkish actresses make the indian actresses look like indira gandhi!

Indian stars will always be popular in Pakistan due to similar culture and language. Turkish dramas has got a niche audience and many of them have explicit scenes as well. Its wrong to compare Turkish women to Indian women and not to say its racist as well

 

[Captain caveman]

Indian stars will always be popular in Pakistan due to similar culture and language. Turkish dramas has got a niche audience and many of them have explicit scenes as well. Its wrong to compare Turkish women to Indian women and not to say its racist as well

Not racist at all!
I wasnt comparing indian women to turkish women, i was comparing indian actresses to turkish actresses!
Like indian films and dramas dont use
sex to sell their product lol!
And most of my relatives in Pakistan would refute your claims about popularity of indian films and dramas. None of them ever want to see an indian film or drama again.
Turkish dramas, Pakistani films and dramas and pakistani punjabi comedy stage shows is what they watch!
Indian songs are still popular though.

 

[introvert]

Lollywood can't even compete with regional movie industries of india if we compare their collections & footfalls then how you guys expect them to produce a super star ?
The reach of pak movies is way smaller than even average bollywood movie. First they need to produce quality big scale movies which attracts their home audience in their theatres & also attracts overseas audience.

 

[JaDed]

Fawad Khan is definitely a superstar and there are quite few others that have a strong fanbase but I think the whole "superstar" thing is an Indan creation - you don't ever hear this term being used in Hollywood, you're either famous or you're not, period.

It is but in west its the musicians that are superstars of sort from Beatles, Sinatra , Elvis, MJ these were the superstar equivalent but in a diff field..

 

[Captain caveman]

Lets get real, no white guys in the west know any indian supastaars!

 

[PakPremi]

Why we comparing Lollywood with Bollywood. Lollywood had died a death after Zia , terrorism and Pak political and economic issues. It is on its second Janam now but it will take time for it to produce quality movies and actors to become household names. In late 70s an actor like Nadeem was more of a crowd puller than Rishi Kapoor and Feroz Khan at Sharjah, and that is according to Rishi himself. Also comparing Bollywood and Lollywood due ro population size and financial might and technical experience is like comparing Apples and Oranges. Just like an Indian superstar is nobody in the world compare to a Hollywood star or even and English star.

 

[Vegitto1]

Our music industry? As in Hindi, Punjabi,Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam? Glad you could listen to all of them , till 6 months ago still the remix music was pulling you to it.

Lol, how naive of you to think that I am pulled by your "remix music". It's whats in these videos that attracts me. The likes of Nora Fatehi, Katrina, Alia, etc. twerking and doing all sorts in next to nothing clothes - You could have finger nails going across a black board and I would still listen to it as long as fit indian girls in next to no clothes dance to it.

 

[PakPremi]

Lol, how naive of you to think that I am pulled by your "remix music". It's whats in these videos that attracts me. The likes of Nora Fatehi, Katrina, Alia, etc. twerking and doing all sorts in next to nothing clothes - You could have finger nails going across a black board and I would still listen to it as long as fit indian girls in next to no clothes dance to it.

This is one of the reason Bollywood is seen in Pak, especially by youngsters for cheap thrills. Bollywood Movies had formula stories in past but atleast good songs , but now most have neither unfortunately.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Because our film industry is hot garbage

This really all that needed to be said.

 

[introvert]

I think we need to define the term "superstar".


For me it's about person's fame & reach.Their ability to pull crowds in their respective fields & fan following they enjoy.
The hysteria they create when they visit public places.their popularity on social media their ability gather crowd in overseas countries. Superstars literally have worshipers not just fans.



In west pop singers enjoys such superstardom. In subcontinent actors enjoy superstardom.



I struggle to think who would be most known pak artist in the world ? As a person imran khan is certainly most famous imo. I don't think any pop artist or actor enjoys that superstar level fan following in pak. Atif aslam is most known singer & fawad khan and ali zafar are most known actors imo.

 

[ManFan]

I'd have agreed with you if this was 2015. But last few years have been a major improvement in quality. Ofcourse not the usual SRK, Salman types but you've to dig deeper into the Ayushmann, Randeep, Kaushal types.

Not really.

The "high-quality" films come off as trying too hard and looks awkward when the stars attempt to use method acting because the plot is too lacking in seriousness most of the times to warrant it in the actors themselves.

The old-school charm of Bollywood was a "good time" first and foremost and that is what is missing today

 

[PakPremi]

This really all that needed to be said.

Holds true for most Bollywood movies too despite massive difference in finance, capability and market.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Holds true for most Bollywood movies too despite massive difference in finance, capability and market.

I used to love Bollywood films when I was under 10, they seemed almost magical. Now my western mind has been brainwashed to tune out to all the sugary stuff. For all I know there could be some real diamonds out there, it's been so long since I watched one. Would my British sensibilities allow me to enjoy one as a grown up? I fear not.

 

[Waleed93]

Why we comparing Lollywood with Bollywood. Lollywood had died a death after Zia , terrorism and Pak political and economic issues. It is on its second Janam now but it will take time for it to produce quality movies and actors to become household names. In late 70s an actor like Nadeem was more of a crowd puller than Rishi Kapoor and Feroz Khan at Sharjah, and that is according to Rishi himself. Also comparing Bollywood and Lollywood due ro population size and financial might and technical experience is like comparing Apples and Oranges. Just like an Indian superstar is nobody in the world compare to a Hollywood star or even and English star.

It depends on your definition of a superstar to be honest.
If you call a superstar someone who is known across the world, then there is no better example than Shahrukh Khan himself, who, according to many, is World's biggest superstar.
If you call a superstar someone who has a net worth comparable to the richest Hollywood stars, then the likes of Shahrukh, Salman and Akshay are in the list of the highest paid actors in the world.
Going by these aspects, our Indian friends do have a quite a few superstars who enjoy fame across the globe.

 

[JaDed]

Lol, how naive of you to think that I am pulled by your "remix music". It's whats in these videos that attracts me. The likes of Nora Fatehi, Katrina, Alia, etc. twerking and doing all sorts in next to nothing clothes - You could have finger nails going across a black board and I would still listen to it as long as fit indian girls in next to no clothes dance to it.

Well thanks for sharing your characteristics? Also just because Despacito has higher views doesn’t mean its better than Maroon 5 songs

 

[JaDed]

Why we comparing Lollywood with Bollywood. Lollywood had died a death after Zia , terrorism and Pak political and economic issues. It is on its second Janam now but it will take time for it to produce quality movies and actors to become household names. In late 70s an actor like Nadeem was more of a crowd puller than Rishi Kapoor and Feroz Khan at Sharjah, and that is according to Rishi himself. Also comparing Bollywood and Lollywood due ro population size and financial might and technical experience is like comparing Apples and Oranges. Just like an Indian superstar is nobody in the world compare to a Hollywood star or even and English star.

In 70s Amitabh, Dharmendra and Vinod were bigger stars if anything Rishi was somewhat a star in 80s..

 

[sjahmed23]

Many in Pakistan consider entertainment is against their religious values hence, it lacks popularity and resources like India. I do think Pakistani TV dramas and seriaos have always been better quality and movies are in a decline even in hollywood.

 

[minamino]

Arab people know about SRK and Chinese people know about Amir Khan. I asked my Egyptian friend how he knew about SRK and he said because his family watch Bollywood movies dubbed in Arabic.

 

[Captain caveman]

Just asked a couple of my english work mates if they knew who shah rukh khan was?
All of them said they didn't know who he was except one of the girls, who knows i am a big cricket fan and asked rather than told me - is he the captain of the Pakistan cricket team?
ENOUGH SAID!

 

[JaDed]

Just asked a couple of my english work mates if they knew who shah rukh khan was?
All of them said they didn't know who he was except one of the girls, who knows i am a big cricket fan and asked rather than told me - is he the captain of the Pakistan cricket team?
ENOUGH SAID!

Ask a Chinese who Amir is and you would know but again neither Chinese or English validation is required for Amitabh, Mamooty or Kamal Hassan who are better and bigger actors than Amir or Srk..

 

[JaDed]

Arab people know about SRK and Chinese people know about Amir Khan. I asked my Egyptian friend how he knew about SRK and he said because his family watch Bollywood movies dubbed in Arabic.

Why does it matter? Long ago Tarantino actually praised Indian and Hong Kong cinema for not flocking to hollywood ..

Bollywood is known to Arabs, Chinese and Turks but that doesn’t mean its better than Malayalam cinema..

 

[minamino]

Why does it matter? Long ago Tarantino actually praised Indian and Hong Kong cinema for not flocking to hollywood ..

Bollywood is known to Arabs, Chinese and Turks but that doesn’t mean its better than Malayalam cinema..

Stop comparing South industry with Hindi. South Indian cinema is the worst. They make misogynist and outdated movies

 

[JaDed]

Stop comparing South industry with Hindi. South Indian cinema is the worst. They make misogynist and outdated movies

You took the bait, next time try to be yourself representing your country.. only certain someone from certain regions would be delusional to think Malayalam cinema is misogynistic.

 

[Captain caveman]

Ask a Chinese who Amir is and you would know but again neither Chinese or English validation is required for Amitabh, Mamooty or Kamal Hassan who are better and bigger actors than Amir or Srk..

Theres some british guys and girls at work of chinese heritage, i will ask them tomorrow and let you know.
Seriously, amitabh or raj kapoor or anyone else are virtually unknown in the west except for the people of subcontinent heritage.
Indians need to stop trying to over exaggerate their place in the world. Even the likes of sachin and kohli are virtually unknown here apart from the small circle of cricket fans.
The only person who people know from the subcontinent is imran khan and that is mostly the over 40s, the under 40s dont even know who he is.
Indian and pakistani culture has little interest from white western people, and who can blame them!

And who is mamooty, are you refering to [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] ?

 

[JaDed]

Theres some british guys and girls at work of chinese heritage, i will ask them tomorrow and let you know.
Seriously, amitabh or raj kapoor or anyone else are virtually unknown in the west except for the people of subcontinent heritage.
Indians need to stop trying to over exaggerate their place in the world. Even the likes of sachin and kohli are virtually unknown here apart from the small circle of cricket fans.
The only person who people know from the subcontinent is imran khan and that is mostly the over 40s, the under 40s dont even know who he is.
Indian and pakistani culture has little interest from white western people, and who can blame them!

And who is mamooty, are you refering to [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] ?

No he is an actor of a certain region in India very famous in that region alone and a stalwart in his field, as I said the validation is not required for actors who are huge its only required for the weak ones that thrive on PR.

And good to know people know Imran Khan , it doesn't matter to me but am glad it makes you secure in someway, these actors don’t pay me to make them known , they make enough money from Indians and Arabs.

People know Gandhi around the world, I’m not fan of him but does it matter if people know him?

 

[PakPremi]

I used to love Bollywood films when I was under 10, they seemed almost magical. Now my western mind has been brainwashed to tune out to all the sugary stuff. For all I know there could be some real diamonds out there, it's been so long since I watched one. Would my British sensibilities allow me to enjoy one as a grown up? I fear not.

You misunderstood my post I said your earlier approval of a comment about Lollywood being hot garbage is also mainly true for Bollywood. Nowdays there is hardly any movie worth watching that has good plot, good songs and original concept.

 

[PakPremi]

In 70s Amitabh, Dharmendra and Vinod were bigger stars if anything Rishi was somewhat a star in 80s..

I did not say Rishi was bigger star than the ones you mentioned, though he was a big star by laye 70s with movies like Bobby, Laila Majnu. Ammar Akbar Anthony, Mera nam Joker, Kabhi Kabhi, Khel Khel mein and then Katz and Zamaney ko Dhikana hai1980 I think.

 

[minamino]

I think the independence of Bangladesh was another setback for Pakistani cinema as well as there were a lot of budding stars from East Pakistan and their culture is not as conservative as Pakistani

 

[introvert]

Ask a Chinese who Amir is and you would know but again neither Chinese or English validation is required for Amitabh, Mamooty or Kamal Hassan who are better and bigger actors than Amir or Srk..

How amitabh , mamooty , kamal are bigger than srk ?
as far as I know In terms of popularity srk surpassed all.

 

[minamino]

I did not say Rishi was bigger star than the ones you mentioned, though he was a big star by laye 70s with movies like Bobby, Laila Majnu. Ammar Akbar Anthony, Mera nam Joker, Kabhi Kabhi, Khel Khel mein and then Katz and Zamaney ko Dhikana hai1980 I think.

I think you are confusing Rishi with Raj Kapoor. Rishi Kapoor was never a superstar. Amitabh, Dharamji were always better than him

 

[JaDed]

How amitabh , mamooty , kamal are bigger than srk ?
as far as I know In terms of popularity srk surpassed all.

If that was the case his movies would still be popular, Amitabh is more popular.

Irrespective my point was not in popularity but the respect from their field and market, for example DDL will always be a “bigger” actor than Tom cruise.. but Cruise more popular..

 

[introvert]

If that was the case his movies would still be popular, Amitabh is more popular.

Irrespective my point was not in popularity but the respect from their field and market, for example DDL will always be a “bigger” actor than Tom cruise.. but Cruise more popular..

His movies are still popular & he is still face of Bollywood in various countries. Amitabh & srk enjoyed stardom in different eras so it's difficult to compare their reach but I think srk has upper hand if we consider worldwide fame. I don't see any actor getting as much fans outside his home on his birthday as srk gets.

 

[JaDed]

His movies are still popular & he is still face of Bollywood in various countries. Amitabh & srk enjoyed stardom in different eras so it's difficult to compare their reach but I think srk has upper hand if we consider worldwide fame. I don't see any actor getting as much fans outside his home on his birthday as srk gets.

In terms of number? Amir coz China has higher population and in Turkey is famous too..

 

[PakPremi]

I think you are confusing Rishi with Raj Kapoor. Rishi Kapoor was never a superstar. Amitabh, Dharamji were always better than him

Where did I say.he was superstar and when did Raj Kapoor worked in AAA or other films I .mentioned bar Mera Nam hai Joker. Lol. In 70s Rajesh Khanna was.bigger star than Dharmendra and Amitabh, with Amitabh overtaking Rajesh toward end of 70s. Dharmendra was a Dev Anand level star only made more popular because of his pairing with Hema.Malni.

 

[Roaring40s]

Pakistan missed a huge opportunity by sinking the movie industry. Anyway your movies were way backward in those pre-Zia days as well. I have watched a few of them while trying to collect songs sung by Mehdi Hassan, Noorjahan etc.

If Pakistani artists would have transferred their energies to developing artistically good cinema, you guys would have had a very strong niche market in India as well earning revenue and forex.

I mean you could have focused on art and have become what French/Italian movies are to hollywood - artistic benchmarks. You had most of the better writers like Mantoo. Even musicals considering you had best of poets like Faiz.

Or you could have gone for a real masala overdose and acquired the Hindi market in which Hindi dubbed Telugu movies rule now.

Forget the money, consider the cultural/political impact it would have had. You would have been able to change the image of Pakistan and Pakistanis in many Indians' minds. It would have been an alternative thought stream competing with the ultra-religious one in the Pakistan itself as well.

 

[PakPremi]

His movies are still popular & he is still face of Bollywood in various countries. Amitabh & srk enjoyed stardom in different eras so it's difficult to compare their reach but I think srk has upper hand if we consider worldwide fame. I don't see any actor getting as much fans outside his home on his birthday as srk gets.

I'm lucky to have seen the peaks of both Amitabh and SRK, and Amitabh was far bigger star than SRK, and in 80s was the lone king of Bollywood. Amitabh movies were and still are more popular than SRK, Apart from handful of SRK movies no one would remember the rest whilst majority of Amitabh movies are still.memorable like Deewar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Kabhi Kabhi, Lawarish, Suhaag, Don, Saatey pey Saata, Silsila, Naseeb, Quli etc etc.

 

[PakPremi]

Pakistan missed a huge opportunity by sinking the movie industry. Anyway your movies were way backward in those pre-Zia days as well. I have watched a few of them while trying to collect songs sung by Mehdi Hassan, Noorjahan etc.

If Pakistani artists would have transferred their energies to developing artistically good cinema, you guys would have had a very strong niche market in India as well earning revenue and forex.

I mean you could have focused on art and have become what French/Italian movies are to hollywood - artistic benchmarks. You had most of the better writers like Mantoo. Even musicals considering you had best of poets like Faiz.

Or you could have gone for a real masala overdose and acquired the Hindi market in which Hindi dubbed Telugu movies rule now.

Forget the money, consider the cultural/political impact it would have had. You would have been able to change the image of Pakistan and Pakistanis in many Indians' minds. It would have been an alternative thought stream competing with the ultra-religious one in the Pakistan itself as well.

Good points but in Pakistan films , music and dancing etc was frowned upon, so many artist nature people were discouraged joining film industry,and no government level help provided to boost the industry.

 

[Roaring40s]

Good points but in Pakistan films , music and dancing etc was frowned upon, so many artist nature people were discouraged joining film industry,and no government level help provided to boost the industry.

But I always thought Pakistan was more open-minded/liberal before Zia. I have also read somewhere that during his last days a few Indian film-makers got stories written from Mantoo for a few hundred rupees and a bottle of whiskey. In fact I read it in Faiz bio by an Indian author. So how come artist nature people were discouraged joining film industry?

 

[minamino]

Pakistan missed a huge opportunity by sinking the movie industry. Anyway your movies were way backward in those pre-Zia days as well. I have watched a few of them while trying to collect songs sung by Mehdi Hassan, Noorjahan etc.

If Pakistani artists would have transferred their energies to developing artistically good cinema, you guys would have had a very strong niche market in India as well earning revenue and forex.

I mean you could have focused on art and have become what French/Italian movies are to hollywood - artistic benchmarks. You had most of the better writers like Mantoo. Even musicals considering you had best of poets like Faiz.

Or you could have gone for a real masala overdose and acquired the Hindi market in which Hindi dubbed Telugu movies rule now.

Forget the money, consider the cultural/political impact it would have had. You would have been able to change the image of Pakistan and Pakistanis in many Indians' minds. It would have been an alternative thought stream competing with the ultra-religious one in the Pakistan itself as well.

Most of the movies in 70s were backwards if you compare it to current generation. The writers which you mentioned were much maligned in Pakistan and still are due to their liberal writings.

 

[Roaring40s]

Most of the movies in 70s were backwards if you compare it to current generation. The writers which you mentioned were much maligned in Pakistan and still are due to their liberal writings.

I am saying after comparing with 70s Indian movies. For example Sholay 1975 had amazing production values for that time. Even low budget movies of that time starring Amol Palekar etc were better.

Now, about maligning the authors, so were the Khans and Sanju etc in India. That didn't stop them from giving hits. In fact Amir Khan was vilified by the ruling party due to his statements and immediately after that his Dangal was an all time box office hit. If you go back a few decades, Dileep Kumar also faced a similar controversial campaign during his heyday.

 

[Captain caveman]

No he is an actor of a certain region in India very famous in that region alone and a stalwart in his field, as I said the validation is not required for actors who are huge its only required for the weak ones that thrive on PR.

And good to know people know Imran Khan , it doesn't matter to me but am glad it makes you secure in someway, these actors don’t pay me to make them known , they make enough money from Indians and Arabs.

People know Gandhi around the world, I’m not fan of him but does it matter if people know him?

No need to get defensive.
Yes gandhi is probably the most well known indian in the west, but like imran, only by the over 40s or the well educated youngsters.
I was not trying to show off about imran being the best known living person from the subcontinent, i even mentioned it was only by the over 40s mostly, i was just stating facts.
The indian actors are wealthy and good for them, they may be well known in the subcontinent and arabia and the surrounding areas, but they are not superstars in the west. The only asian superstars globally are people like bruce lee, jackie chan and to a lesser extent jet lee.
The thread is about why there is no Pakistani superstars like there is in india. I was just pointing out that these bollywood stars are not global superstars, but merely regional stars.
Big fish in a little pond!