Balochi cinema

Balochi cinema
No. of screens	15+ theatres (2002)
Main distributors	Various local distributors

Balochi cinema refers to the Balochi-language film industry in Pakistan, Iran, and among the Baloch diaspora.

The first Balochi film, Hammal o Mahganj, was produced by Anwar Iqbal and released in Pakistan in 1976. However, the film never made it to the screen amidst protests by cultural activists who alleged it misrepresented Baloch culture. A slogan used by the protest movement was "Balochi film chalay ga tou cinema jalay ga" (If Balochi films are screened, cinemas will be burnt). Analysts believe the film's release became politicised, as PPP activists favoured the film while Baloch nationalist groups opposed it. Iqbal later arranged a private screening of the film to address the reservations, where Sindh's labour minister cum PPP leader Abdullah Baloch was a key attendee. According to The News, those who viewed it "agreed that the film did not have anything that went against the Baloch culture". The falling quality of erstwhile Punjabi and Pashto cinema reportedly contributed to the Baloch activist's sentiments. This event is believed to have dented the Balochi film industry's initial growth.

In 1989, the Iranian film Dadshah was released in Balochi dubbing. The film was based on Mir Dad Shah of Iranian Balochistan. In the subsequent years, cinema growth in Balochistan remained slow in line with the stagnant state of Pakistan's film industry. An uncertain security situation further led to nearly half of Quetta's cinema houses facing closure by 2010. The availability of films via Blu-rays, DVDs, VCRs and cable networks has also hampered the cinema-going trend.

"Imagine the premieres of local films taking place in Quetta and celebrities coming to the red carpet."

In recent years, a younger generation of Baloch filmmakers has emerged in Balochistan and Karachi, as part of the new wave of Pakistani cinema. This phase has witnessed the production of quality short films as well as documentaries focusing on social and political issues, such as Ich Gushgi Nahe (Keep Silent) in 2007. In 2013, The Line of Freedom, a short film based on Balochistan's human rights situation, was produced by Noordin Mengal, Bhawal Mengal and David Whitney, starring British and Baloch actors. In 2014, the Lyari Film Festival was held in Karachi's Lyari neighbourhood, which is famous for its Baloch community. Several Balochi short films were screened at the event. The Nosach Films Academy, which organised the event, provides support to Balochi filmmakers in Lyari.

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