Comic discusses Pakistani cinema and television plays as well as his absence from screen due to personal tragedy
KARACHI:
Veteran comedian Hanif Raja has announced his return to the stage this Eid, marking a new chapter in a career that spans more than three decades across television, film and live performance.
In a wide-ranging interview, Raja spoke candidly about the state of Pakistan’s cinema, the changing face of television drama, the rise of stand-up comedy among Gen Z, and the personal tragedy that kept him away from the screen for several years.
Reflecting on the decline of Pakistan’s cinema industry, Raja linked the closure of theatres directly to the shortage of quality films.
“In our country, cinemas have been shut down. There are only about 70 cinemas left,” he said. “But your question has the answer itself. Cinema is the place for marketing and exhibition. Cinema has been shut because there are no films.”
He described the relationship between filmmakers and exhibitors as inseparable. “If the film is good, the audience comes. If the audience comes, the cinema business runs. These two things are connected.”
Raja admitted he has not followed Pakistani cinema closely in recent years. “The last films I saw were Khuda Ke Liye and Bol,” he said, referring to the critically acclaimed projects by director Shoaib Mansoor. “After that, I don’t even remember.”
He believes that while not every film can be a success, “the average should be good. If the average improves, the business will survive.”
Turning to television, Raja praised Pakistani dramas for their global appeal even across the border in India despite political tensions.
“Our dramas are very popular all over the world,” he said. “They are soft and close to nature. That is our speciality.”
However, he warned that the industry risks losing its distinct identity. “It feels like we are moving away from our speciality. When a speciality ends, there is a drop in standard.”
Recalling the era of Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), Raja said strict scrutiny once ensured quality. “The script was approved after thorough investigation. If it was not good, the producer had to justify why he selected it and the cast. When there are strict rules, good things come out.”
He attributed the current decline in standards partly to the high demand for content. “We need a lot of material. Due to this demand, there is a drop in standard. But we should not compromise.”
He also called for more diverse storytelling. “If the topics are not different, if there is no individuality, the drama will never work. We are moving towards violence. It is better not to show violence. We have a lot of good stories from common life.”
Raja, who has worked in stand-up and prank shows for decades, acknowledged a generational shift in entertainment consumption.
“Cinema is empty, but stand-up shows are full,” he observed. “Entertainment is needed in every era. Without entertainment, you will die.”
He noted that young performers are following Western formats but cautioned against copying content that clashes with local culture. “They are following the pattern of cafes and bars in America. But you should not follow their content. Our culture does not allow vulgarity.”
While he welcomed the rise of stand-up comedy, he stressed the importance of meaningful material. “Content is always present in society. If you want to make people laugh at vulgarity, there is nothing special about it.”
Having pioneered prank shows in Pakistan in the 1990s including work on NTM, the country’s first private television channel Raja offered advice to young content creators seeking viral fame.
