LAHORE - As Lollywood has desperately failed to produce any local movie for Eid-ul-Azha, all cinemas in the province have planned to screen Bollywood and Hollywood movies on this auspicious occasion. It is for the first time in the history of the country that not a single Pakistani film will be released on eve of Eid-ul-Azha, which is traditionally considered as the most appropriate time to market films. In fact the local film industry is breathing its last, as it is unable to meet as well as satisfy the demands of people and that is why cinemas are presenting old Bollywood and Hollywood films, which is a continuation of the trend of showing imported movies in the theatres across Pakistan. The cinema-owners who always follow 'demand and supply principle have expressed concerns over the miserable situation of Lollywood. The reliable sources disclosed that federal secretary information has also imposed sanctions on importing foreign movies due to many reasons. According to federal secretary, the DVD of each imported movie would be presented to him for issuance of NOC for its import, which is now possible only through smuggling, as no producer will allow original print. That is why both scarcity of products and absence of would be movie-watchers have forced almost every theatre in Lahore, which is called the cultural hub of the country, to switch over either to Indian or English films. The cinema-owners and distributors are of the view that local industry has drowned now, therefore, they are without any choice except screening Bollywood and Hollywood movies. Talking to The Nation, the cinema-owners revealed that they had purchased the screening rights for the Bollywood and Hollywood movies on Eid-ul-Fitr due to poor quality of local production but now Information Ministry has cut their hands and they would cannot screen any new Bollywood and Hollywood movie. The cinemas throughout Punjab including Empire, Sozo World, Metropole, Kashmir Mahal, Cine Gold, Cinstar, Nishat, Shaheen Auditorium and Shama at Sialkot; Dream Land and Rex at Multan; Gulistan at Sheikhupura; Ciros and Cinepax Cinemas at Rawalpindi; Prince, Taj Mahal and Sabina at Faisalabad; Zinco Palace at Gujranwala; and Shaheen Auditorium at Sargodha have planned to exhibit already imported Indian and English movies. It is pertinent to mention that the Bollywood products Kambakht Ishq, Luck, Love Aaj Kal, New York and recently imported Wanted are already doing huge business throughout the country. A few cinemas including Minor at Faisalabad, Capri at Multan, Capri at Gujranawala, Cerooz at Rawalpindi, Sazina at Gujrat, Gulistan at Sialkot, Shaheen and New Gulistan at Sargodha, earlier, had scheduled to screen two Pakistani movies including Wohti Laay K Jani Aay and Channa Sachi Muchi, on Eid-ul-Azha, will not hit the screens on the day due to their unavailability and security concerns. Director and producer of a local film, Ijaz Bajwa has already announced to postpone the release of his much-awaited first Punjabi effort 'Chana Suchi Muchi which took him four years to complete because he developed differences with some colleagues. He said, I was eager to release my debut film as a director and producer but present circumstances do not allow me to do so. While reliable sources also disclosed that Wohti Lay K Jani Aay was incomplete. Talking to The Nation, renowned film promoter and a cinema Owner, Zorez Lashari said the government should look into the sorry state of film industry and facilitate it with proper funding. He said today Pakistani cinema is drowning as it has become victim of the VCR, cable television and finally DVD piracy. I have written numerous letters to Premier of the state and federal Information secretary urging them to take practical steps for the revival of the film industry, he added. He said cinema owner is a businessman. He has nothing to do with any movie. He needed quality product either Indian or Pakistani but we definitely will screen local movie if produced, he commented. Nadeem Mandviwala, a cinema owner, said what could they do in such distressed situation. Everyone director, producer, distributor is in a state of confusion, he added. Film importer and owner of Plaza cinema Jahanzeb Baig stated, It is a sad time for all of us associated with the film and cinema industry.