Renowned filmmaker Nabeel Qureshi recently addressed the challenges obstructing the global exposure of Pakistani content on platforms like Netflix during an interview on The BlackBox YouTube channel.
Among the various reasons discussed, Qureshi highlighted the impact of heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan on the visibility of Pakistani films and shows.
Qureshi emphasized the evolving dynamics within Netflix, noting the shift from a centralized head office in Los Angeles to a regional office in India. He argued that this transition significantly affected the reception and representation of Pakistani content on the streaming giant. In the current digital landscape, Qureshi pointed out that geopolitical tensions have created obstacles to the promotion and acquisition of Pakistani films.
Speaking on the increased tensions between India and Pakistan, Qureshi explained the changes in Netflix’s approach. He noted that the regional office in India has led to decreased visibility for Pakistani content, with reduced acquisitions and lower payments for rights, even for original productions.
Qureshi extended his observations to other streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, highlighting similar challenges arising from geopolitical tensions. He underscored the complex political reasons affecting the availability of Pakistani content to a global audience. The filmmaker expressed concerns about the presence of political propaganda in content on platforms like Netflix, where Indian productions often include elements related to Pakistan.
A significant observation made by Qureshi centered on the dominance of Indian content on Netflix, influenced by political factors. He argued that the extensive Indian film industry’s influence and vast repertoire overshadow Pakistani content on streaming platforms.
The linguistic aspect was also addressed by Qureshi, who suggested that the shared language between India and Pakistan might contribute to the lack of a specific niche for Pakistani content. While acknowledging the size and historical depth of the Indian film industry, he proposed that a unique linguistic identity could potentially carve a niche for Pakistani content on global platforms.
Discussing the shelving of the film “Fatman,” Qureshi detailed the unforeseen hurdles, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the production schedule. Notably, the character dynamics of Fatman, to be portrayed by Ahmad Ali Butt, faced challenges due to the actor’s significant weight loss. Qureshi emphasized the importance of authenticity in portraying the character and highlighted the actor’s willingness to regain weight for the role.
The in-depth conversation with Nabeel Qureshi provided nuanced insights into the multifaceted challenges encountered by Pakistani content creators in the global digital landscape. It offered a comprehensive perspective on industry dynamics and aspirations for global recognition.
