About Him

He was born on March 8, 1944 and is the second eldest son of Rafique Rizvi and later married Shareen Rizvi. Known for making sci-fi films in Pakistan, he is also chairman of Pakistan's Film Producers Association. He made the first special effects film in 1989 for Pakistan. Saeed Rizvi is an advocate of join ventures with all countries that includes Pakistani actors.

The Movie Industry & The Government

Rizvi would like the government to play a more optimistic role in the movie industry. He exclusively blames General Zia ul Haq for the destruction of the movie industry in Pakistan because of his outlook towards it. Rizvi attempted to open the lines of communication between himself and the General to try and discuss the movie industry as well as art. However, the General refused to meet with him and his workforce to discuss the matter. The bitter reality of the banks in Pakistan is that they are not lenient towards approving loans for the producers and directors of the industry; this fact is rather disappointing for him.

Interview

Saeed Rizvi, president of the Pakistan Film Producers Association, said President Gen. Pervez Musharraf

Pervez Musharraf

Pervez Musharraf , is a retired four-star general who served as the 13th Chief of Army Staff and tenth President of Pakistan as well as tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Musharraf headed and led an administrative military government from October 1999 till August 2007. He ruled...

 approved a request to delete the words `Indian artiste' and `Indian director' from censorship guidelines that had prevented the release of films featuring Indian actors and directors.

"An appeal was made to President Musharraf and the president has omitted this clause," Rizvi told The Associated Press by telephone from the Pakistani city of Karachi.

The distributor of the 1984 romance `Sohni Mahiwal

Sohni Mahiwal

Sohni Mahiwal and is included in seven popular tragic romances from Sindh and Baluchistan. The other six are Momal Rano, Umar Marvi, LiLa Chanesar, Noori Jam Tamachi, Sassi Punnun and Dhaj, Ror Kumar commonly known as Seven Queens of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai...

,' an Indo-Russian joint production, approached Musharraf for the waiver. On Friday, the censor board took out the reference to Indians in its rules, Rizvi said.

Authorities in Pakistan could not immediately be reached to confirm the statement.

Top Indian filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt

Mahesh Bhatt

Mahesh Bhatt , is a prominent Indian film director, producer and screenwriter.Bhatt's early directional career consisted of acclaimed films, such as Arth, Saaransh, Janam, Naam and Zakhm....

, who has in recent years led the way in hiring Pakistani actors, singers and composers in his films, welcomed the move. Bhatt has for years planned to shoot a film in Pakistan, but has not received permission.

"It is a major shift. This will see an upsurge in co-productions. We could now see Pakistani films with Indian actors," Bhatt told AP from Bombay, where India's film industry is based. "Pakistan's film industry is on its last legs and they are looking for a life support system. It is quite courageous of them to come to terms with the reality."

Even during the ban - and despite a half-century of bitter rivalry between the two countries - Indian films are hugely popular in Pakistan. Illicit copies are easy to find.

"Pakistanis are crazy about Indian films," said Rizvi. "This will give a new life to the Pakistani film industry. If we are allowed to make joint ventures, we will get a new market."

Pakistani producers have worked secretly in India for years, getting around a government ban by purportedly going to visit family and friends but getting films edited and music composed in Bombay.

"We have all been doing work in India. But ... I don't want this to be a secret," Rizvi said. "I want the governments to allow this so that we can do it openly."

Pakistani cultural products are legal in India, and Pakistan's poetry, songs and television dramas are widely popular there. Several Pakistani poets and singers are superstars in India.

Bhatt said lifting the ban will help further ease tensions between India and Pakistan.

"These small baby steps are an indication that the process is heading slowly and certainly in the right direction," he said. "But we are far, far away from home. All concerned people who want the South Asian region to be safe and prosperous need to keep pushing."

Controversies

Pakistan Film Producers Association Chairman Saeed Rizvi has accused Luqman, the producer and director of ‘Pehla Pehla Pyaar

Pehla Pehla Pyaar

Pehla Pehla Pyaar is a Pakistani Urdu film directed by Mubasher Lucman which was released across theaters in Pakistan in January 2006.-Plot:...

,’ of failing to pay Technicolor

Technicolor

Technicolor is a color motion picture process invented in 1916 and improved over several decades.It was the second major process, after Britain's Kinemacolor, and the most widely used color process in Hollywood from 1922 to 1952...

.

Luqman has denied the charges and, in turn, pointed the finger at the Thai lab for failing to meet a previous commitment.

A letter from Technicolor stated that Mubashir Luqman Films owed them $80,000 and threatened legal action if the amount remained unpaid. The lab also mentioned that they still have the film's negatives in storage and they will start charging storage fees.

Luqman responded by saying he was willing to clear up any misunderstandings if the lab contacted him.

Filmography

• Shaani
  Shaani
  "Shanee" is a 1989 Pakistani film starring Babra Sharif, Sheri Malik and Ghulam Mohiuddin and directed by Saeed Rizvi. The film was known for its special effects which were first used in Pakistan.-Summary:...
  
   (1989)
• Sarkata Insaan (1991)
• Talismi Jazera (1992)
• Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere
  Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere
  Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere is a 1960 Hindi movie. Produced by Bihari Masand for Kanwar Kala Mandir, the film is directed by Arjun Hingorani. The film stars Balraj Sahni, Dharmendra and Kum Kum. The film was Dharmendra's debut film.-Plot:...
  
   (1960)