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KARACHI: Veteran actor Bushra Ansari has called for greater creative freedom in Pakistan’s film industry, arguing that filmmakers need more space to explore diverse subjects if Pakistani cinema is to compete internationally.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Ansari reflected on the state of Pakistani cinema after praising the Indian Punjabi film Main Vaapas Aaunga, which deals with the Partition of India.
She said the film also made her consider the greater creative freedom available to filmmakers across the border.
Ansari said Pakistani filmmakers face restrictions on both the subjects they can explore and what they can show on screen.
She argued that these limitations have narrowed the range of stories being produced in Pakistan.
According to the veteran actor, Indian Punjabi cinema has been able to explore a broader range of themes. She said Pakistani filmmakers should also have greater opportunities to address different social and cultural subjects.
Ansari noted that Pakistani cinema often returns to a limited set of themes. She contrasted this with films from across the border, which she said frequently explore different subjects and narratives.
Ansari also pointed to Sarmad Sultan Khoosat’s Lali as an example of the kind of filmmaking Pakistani cinema can produce when artists take creative risks.
The Punjabi-language film follows a young woman whose previous suitors die before marriage, leading to rumours that she is cursed. The story explores superstition, marriage, fear and social expectations.
Lali also gained international exposure after its premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival. Ansari cited the film as evidence of the potential for Pakistani stories to connect with audiences beyond the country.
However, she noted that the film was not allowed to screen in Pakistani cinemas, highlighting what she sees as the challenges faced by filmmakers seeking to tell unconventional stories.
Ansari also welcomed the growing presence of OTT platforms in Pakistan.
She said digital platforms could provide filmmakers and artists with additional space to experiment and address subjects that may face difficulties in traditional cinema.
The actor expressed hope that more Pakistani creators and platforms would enter the space.
For Ansari, greater creative opportunities could help Pakistani filmmakers develop a wider range of stories while giving local cinema a stronger presence in international markets.
