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Nepal resents Maoist ban on Indian films

Deepak Goel in Kathmandu

A three-day-old Maoist-sponsored ban on screening Bollywood films in the Kathmandu valley movie houses has hit local exhibitors hard with many already reconsidering their earlier decision to abide by the anti-India move.

Called by the pro-Maoist National People's Movement Coordination Committee, the ban has been staunchly supported by the producers and directors of Nepali films who have for long been demanding that local theatres stop the screening of Hindi movies which have a clear edge in all departments over films made in Kollywood, a sobriquet given to the Kathmandu-based Nepali film industry.

The exhibitors, however, point out that it would be suicidal for them if they were to stick to home productions -- which are short on both quality as well as quantity -- alone and observe that the premise on which the ban was based was contrary to the principles governing the film market. 'Kollywood' comes out with no more than five-six productions in a year and the productions are nothing to write home about.

The viewers, too, have given their verdict. Most of the fifty-odd movie halls in the Kathmandu valley have reported sparse attendance and, according to local dailies, most viewers term the ban as 'ridiculous' and an imposition by the Leftists of their 'so-called nationalist ideas' on the people.

Interestingly, the NPMCC had initially imposed the ban for a period of four months. However, the exhibitors, as well as the viewers, wryly observe that it cannot last more than one week.

With movie houses currently reporting not more than fifty to 100 viewers in one show, the exhibitors question whether the NPMCC will compensate them for their losses.

The NPMCC, too, appears to be rethinking on the move. According to one of its spokespersons, the organisation had 'only issued an appeal' and had not compelled the exhibitors.

''What we want is the promotion of indigenous art and culture... But we don't want theatre-owners to incur losses. And we don't want movie-goers to be deprived of their right to view what they like...''

UNI

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