Revival of film industry

There is a general impression that no government has patronised the national film industry and bothered to address its problems and grievances. In 1950s, Pakistani and foreign films were the major source of family entertainment in Pakistan. In 1960s Pakistani films had created big waves in music and drama and thus were favourites in both the markets of India and Pakistan.
The ban on Indian films in 1965 created a gap and there was a lack of competition for Pakistani films. However, in 1974, the film industry was still flourishing. In 1980s, the video industry started affecting the national film industry. In 1990s, the film industry started going down. In 2000, the cable hit the film industry adversely, almost wiping it out. The Indian film industry was producing Hindi language films, focusing on Pakistan as their primary market, with the message that these were Urdu films.
The Pakistani film industry failed to understand the Indian Vision and never developed to capture the Punjabi-speaking market of the Indian Punjab. Pakistani films concentrated on cinema houses only, whereas Indian movies focused on television channels world-wide. National Film Development Corporation (NAFDEC), abolished many years back, failed to play the supporting role for which it was essentially established.
The national film industry was virtually at the brink of closure due to various factors. Cable operators had become broadcasters overnight with no checks. According to facts about 270 cinema houses were left, out of more than 1500, during the prime time of Pakistani cinema with 130 cinemas had been closed down in the four years period, since 2001. Despite significant public awareness and enforcement drives by the business software industry, piracy had become a serious concern in 2003.
A Neilson Survey in 2002 indicated that 19.3 million Pakistanis viewed pirated VCDs and DVDs in a month, through pirate cable channels. At that time, there were as many as 50 thousand satellite dishes in Pakistan. The National film industry was not able to sustain the challenges of the television industry. The image of the national film industry declined gradually and became unacceptable to educated people.
India's Rs 130 billion ($2.9 billion) entertainment industry was one of the fastest growing sectors in the country at that time. And was expected to grow at a rate of 19 percent and reach a turnover of over approximately rs 260 billion by the end of 2009. Pakistani film industry evolved and centered around some individuals, whereas the Indian film-makers, duly supported by their government, worked with missionary zeal.
For about two decades, Indian films were influencing the electronic media of Pakistan, the SAARC member countries, Middle East, and expatriate communities of Britain and USA. Indian film-makers wanted to build a "soft image of India". The film industries in India and USA have introduced their culture and values consequently promoting their respective history, civilisation, lifestyles and social values to the world at large.