Cinema of Pakistan

Lollywood (Urdu: لالیوڈ) refers to the Pakistani film industry, based in the city of Lahore. The name is a portmanteau of Lahore and Hollywood.

Lollywood is also called as Urdu cinema as most of its feature-films are in the national language of Pakistan i.e Urdu.However ,nowadays,the usage of English language with Urdu has produced a new touch in Pakistani films . A few films are also made in two or even three languages (either using subtitles, or several soundtracks). Often, such code switching is a marker of youth or social mobility of characters.

Overview

When Pakistan came into being in 1947, a few very talented persons related to cinema,migrated to East Pakistan and a few to West Pakistan ,from the newly formed India. This migration also occurred from both parts of Pakistan to India as well.

Shortly ,afterwards, Pakistan established three centers of film productions:Lahore, Karachi and Decca (now Dhaka). These three centers supported each other while simultaneously providing healthy competition. Indian films were also released in the Pakistani cinemas, and likewise Pakistani films were also shown in India. In those days, Pakistan's film industry and its Indian counterpart were at the same level.

History

Pre-formation

During the 1930s, films made in Lahore were strongly influenced by those made in Hollywood, not just with respect to their stories or action or drama but also the acting, the makeup and the wardrobe selection.

With this progressive intention, A.R. Kardar and M. Ismail started a studio named United People’s on Ravi Road, Lahore. Actors who worked for the studios included were Heera Laal, Gul Hameed, Nazeer, Pran and Ahmed Deen while the actresses were mainly Kaushalya Devi, Gulzaar and Mumtaaz. Many of the films produced had English titles, although Urdu titles were also used. Indian cinema workers succeeded in equipping themselves with the technology and started producing films with sound, earlier than the Pakistani cinema did.

In Lahore the pioneer of films with sound (or 'talkies' as they were called) was Hakeem Ram Parsaad, who made Heer Raajha (1932), starring M. Ismail, Rafiq Ghaznavi, Nazeer and Anwari. This was the last film directed by Kardar in Lahore; from here, he moved to Calcutta and then to Bombay.

The 1950s

First Pakistani feature film Teri Yaad in 1948

On August 8, 1948, the first Pakistani feature film, Teri Yaad, premièred at the Parbhat Theater in Lahore. It starred Asha Posley as the heroine and Nasir Khan, who was Dilip Kumar's brother, as the hero. The lyrics were written and the music was composed by Inayat Ali Nath. The film was produced by Dewan Pictures, owned by Dewan Sardari Lal, and directed by Daud Chand. The film failed to get much appreciation at the box office .

Over the next few years, the Lahore-made films would establish audience patronage in the local theatres. On April 7, 1950, a film called Do Ansoo was released and became the first Pakistani Urdu film to celebrate Silver Jubilee (running for 25 weeks) from the Pakistani film industry. It starred Santosh Kumar, Ajmal, Allaudin as well as the newcomer actress Sabiha Khanum, who had also appeared in a couple of other films over the previous months. The music was composed by Mubarak. Sheikh Lateef produced the film for Naubahar Films, and it was directed by Anwar Kamal Pasha.

On April 29, 1951, another breakthrough Punjabi film called Chanwey made headlines as it was the first Pakistani film to be directed by a woman, Madam Noor Jehan . It starred her along with Santosh Kumar, Jahangir, and Ghulam Muhammad. The music was composed by Feroz Nizami (his second undertaking) . The film was produced by Madam Noor Jehan's husband Syed Shaukat Hussain Rizvi for their own Shahnoor Films, and script was written by Imtiaz Ali Taj .

Another landmark moment in the Lahore-based film industry occurred on June 3, 1954 when an Urdu film called Sassi was released. It became the first Pakistani film to run for over 50 weeks ,.... the film attained Golden Jubilee status, in the local lexicon. It starred Sabiha Khanum, Sudhir, Asha Posley, Nazar, and Saleem Raza (not to be confused with the singer of the same name). The music was composed by Baba G.A. Chishti. The film was produced by J. C. Anand for Ever Ready Productions, and directed by Daud Chand.

March 12, 1956, was another ground-breaking day for the Pakistani film industry as Umar Marvi, released by Fazlani Films, was the first film made in the Sindhi language (native language of the Sindh province of Pakistan) . It starred Nighat Sultana, Fazlani and Charlie. The music was composed by Ghulam Nabi Lateef. The film was produced by Fazlani and directed by Shaikh Hasan.

On July 17, 1958, film journalist Ilyas Rasheedi launched an annual event called the Nigar Awards for outstanding performance in various categories of film-making. The event was showcased to give awards to recognised achievements by all who worked in the industry.

Jago Hua Severa released on May 25, 1959, didn't receive the expected response at the box office in spite of script and lyrics from popular poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz .The faliure of this film was a great surprise! Since Faiz was one of the most influential literary figures of his time in South Asia, and his works were widely read and greatly respected . Indeed, the film's poor show was unfortunate for the whole team. The film's music was composed by Timer Burnn. The film was produced by Noman Tasees for Century Films, and directed by A.J. Kardar.

The 1960s

Waheed Murad

During the 1960s, the film director Munshi Dil and the film producer Agha G.A. Gul's Urdu ilm Azra was the first coloured film of Pakistani cinema. All the songs of the film were hits which were performed by (Jan-e-Baharan) Neelo, Ejaz, Laila, M. Ismail and Naeem Hashmi.

The film director Zahir Raihanalso made the Urdu film Sangam which was the first Pakistani 'full length'and coloured film.It was released on April 23, 1964. It starred Rozi, Haroon, Samita, and Khalil. It is also said by some people that the film Mala was the first Pakistani, coloured cinemascope film. Santosh Kumar and Sabiha Khanum starred in Naila, one of the first coloured films from West Pakistan. The music was composed by Ataur Rahman. The film was produced and directed by Zaheer Rehan for Sunny Circle Presentations.

On May 26, 1961, Kay Productions released a film titled Bombay Wallah, the only Pakistani film having the same name as one of the cities of India.This film was censored by censor board of Pakistan .

In 1962, a film on the Palestine issue was made by the name of Shaheed which was an instant hit, starring Talish. During this same period, in 1963, Mussarat Nazir, a popular actress jerked the film industry and broke countless hearts by emigrating to Canada after marrying a doctor at the height of her career. Her last film Bahadur was left unfinished, but during this time, Syed Kamal's debut as an actor in the film Tauba became an instant success.

In September, 1965, following the war between India and Pakistan, all Indian films were taken off the screen from cinemas in Pakistan and a complete ban was imposed on the Indian films .This ban still exists .However the CDs of Indian films are easily available in Pakistan.These Indian films can also be enjoyed on television on certain private chnnels of Pakistan.The 1960s saw the introduction of Waheed Murad, who joined the Pakistani film industry and launched his cinema career with a bang and became the Marlon Brando and Elvis Presley of Pakistan. In 1966 the film Armaan was released and became a super-hit and one of the most memorable films of the Pakistan film industry . It was also the first Pakistani film to complete 75 weeks (Platinum Jubilee) in the cinemas. Armaan's musical score was written by Pakistani composer, Sohail Rana.

Actor Nadeem (real name Nazeer Beg), received instant success with his debut film Chakori in 1967. His looks and mannerism of Dilip Kumar to his credit with charisma of his own allowed him to secure a prosperous career. He was a very professional actor.His professionalism was also accepted by his colleagues.In 1967, film director Habib conceived the idea to make the first Pakistani horror film, Zinda Laash which received great reviews and became a big hit in the industry [1]. It was also the first X-rated film in Pakistan. [2]. It starred Nadeem, Shabnam, and Rehan Qavi.

Eastern Films Magazine, edited by Said Haroon, became the most popular magazine for film buffs in Pakistan. Its peak coincided with The Golden Age of Karachi Cinema. Among the interviews, film reviews and gossip was a cheeky questions and answers section, Yours Impishly, modelled by the sub-editor Asif Noorani after I. S. Johar's page in India's Filmfare magazine .

On January 3, 1969, Neela Parbat, the first adults Pakistani film, was released . It starred Mohammed Ali (actor), Husna, Shahnawaz (Senior), Komal, Talish and Kamal Irani. It was produced and directed by Ahmad Basheer for Film Utopia and the music was composed by Piya Rang Qadir.

In October, 1969, writer, producer, director Riaz Shahid offered the distribution rights of Zarqa (released October 17) in the Middle East to the Palestinian guerrilla organisation, Al Fatah , whose activities were also depicted in the film. The film also featured a sequence where the actress Neelo was forced to dance against her will, apparently based on the real life incident that had taken place on February 12, 1965. The song that goes with this dance was Habib Jalib’s famous poem Neelo, inspired by that incident:

Raqs zanjeer pehen ke bhi kiya jata hai. . . .

Urdu: رقص زنجیر پہن کے بھی کیا جاتا ہے۔ ۔ ۔

English translation: "One can also be made to dance in shackles..."

The 1970s

File:Nadeem and Shabnum.jpg

Nadeem and Shabnum

Released on February 7, 1971, Dosti, turned out to be the first Lollywood film to complete 100 weeks of success at the box office. It was named the Diamond Jubilee film of the Pakistani film industry. It starred Ejaz Durrani, Shabnam, Husna, Rahman, and Saqi. The music was composed by A. Hameed. The film was produced by Ejaz Durrani for Punjab Pictures, and directed by Shareef Nayyar.

The makers of Tehzeeb, released on November 20, 1971, were asked to change the lyrics with a reference to Misr (Urdu word for Eygpt) that might prove detrimental to diplomatic relations of Eygypt and Pakistan.

In 1976, the first Balochi film, Hamalo Mah Gunj was due to be released, but could not be released as an angry mob in Quetta burned down the cinema hall at which it was meant to be displayed.

Javed Jabbar's Beyond the Last Mountain, released on December 2, 1976 was Pakistan’s first venture into English film-making and seemed destined to be its last. The film, as well as its Urdu version, Musafir, bombed at the box office. It starred Usman Peerzada, Zahoor Ahmad, Subhani Bayounus, and Raja Jameel. The music was composed by Sohail Rana.

Aina, released on March 18, 1977, marked a distinct symbolic break between the liberal Bhutto years and the increasingly conservative Zia regime . It starred Nadeem, Shabnam, Rehan, and Qavi. After over 400 weeks in the box office, the showing of Aina came to an end as the film was taken off the 'Scala' in Karachi, where it ran for more than 4 years. It has been the most popular film in the country's history so far. The music was composed by Robin Ghosh. The film was produced by A. R. Shamsi for Kashif Films Ltd. and directed by Nazrul Islam.

The 1980s

Following the new registration laws for film producers in 1980s, which required film directors to be degree holders , the film industry took a sharp nose-dive. Films dropped from a total output of 98 films in 1979 (including 42 in Urdu) to only 58 films (26 in Urdu) in 1980 .

Terror and Gundasa Culture in Lollywood

File:Lollywood Billboards - Terror (the movie) Billboard.JPG

Billboard of a Lollywood Movie called "Dehshut" which in Urdu means Extreme Fear

File:Lollywood Billboards - Tigers of Asia & Guns Billboards.JPG

Tigers of Asia and Guns Movies Billboards

With the release of Maulajut in 1979, which tells the story of its eponymous hero's blood feud with the local gangster Noori Nath, the 1980s saw the rise of the Punjabi film industry and growing censorship, which slowly killed off the Urdu film industry. Punjabi cinema over-shadowed the large screen, boosted by the growth of Punjab's smaller towns and large-scale rural-urban migration. Violence, rather than sex, becomes the driving force of films as middle-class audiences drift away from increasingly dilapidated and rowdy cinemas .

The icons of this new cinema were Sultan Rahi and his statuesque counterpart in countless films, Anjuman. At the same time, soft core pornography becomes the forte of Pushto films, courtesy of Musarrat Shaheen, Chakori and powerful politicians whose cinemas are able to get around the censor's sharp scissors . This Gundasa culture and miled pornography threw away the soft and romantic image of Lollywood.

1984 was the year of Waheed Murad, the chocolate hero who died in 1983 due to his alcohol abuse, stomach cancer and a broken heart. The year saw an unprecedented revival of his films on the silver screen, some of which were showing to pack audiences, forcing the director of his unfinished film, Hero to complete the film for release early in 1985, with a number of "cheat" shots .

Saeed Rizvi's Shaani, was Pakistan's first science fiction film with elaborate special effects, surpassed everyone's expectations. It starred actor Sheri Malik, Babra Sharif and Ghulam Mohiuddin and was released in 1987. Later, this film was also selected for the International Film Awards in Russia .

The 1990s

There were 11 studios in the 1970s and 1980s that made over 100 films annually. The growing trends of cable television had sapped the Lollywood's strength. The annual output got dropped to around 40 films, all produced by a single studio.

Most of the Lollywood films were independent productions. Though studio productions were there,yet very few of them were made every year. Lollywood peaked in the mid 1990s, a period during which films such as Syed Noor's Jeeva and Samina Peerzada's Inteha (Urdu word for Extreme) were released that revived the Pakistani cinema but only for a short time. Other films of this period that were big hits and are worth-mentioning are, Deewane Tere Pyar Ke, Mujhe Chand Chahiye, Sangum, Tere Pyar Mein, and Ghar Kab Aao Gey.

Controversy was also raging over the filming of Jinnah in the late 1990s, a film produced by Akbar S. Ahmed and directed by Jameel Dehalvi. Objections were being raised over the choice of actor Christopher Lee as the actor portraying Jinnah, inclusion of Indian Shashi Kapoor in the cast and the experimental nature of the script.

In the late 1980s, Anjuman got married to Mobeen Malik and quit signing any new films. Then the thunderbolt that stunned the industry - the murder of Sultan Rahi in 1996. Lollywood got immersed in the river of sadness.The Punjabi film production came to complete halt. The industry was saved from complete destruction due to the Urdu films that still remained in the production. However, even Urdu films were in a rut as renowned director Sangeeta was at home tending to her spawn. Javaid Faisal was pursued by producers but nothing came of it and meanwhile Nazrul Islam expired dealing another massive blow to an industry already reeling.

Thus the path was cleared for an ambitious Syed Noor to step up and try to fill the directorial vacuum. Then came Choorian, a Punjabi film. The Punjabi film industry was revived by the storming success of Syed Noor's [3] film in 1998, starring Saima and Moammar Rana. It grossed Rs. 180 million. Suddenly, the famous industry guns that had fallen silent following Sultan Rahi's death, returned with a roar of new announcements signalling an exciting new wave of Punjabi cinema. People realized that whatever the case, life was meant to go on, even after Rahi's loss.

The 21st Century

In July 2002, Javed Sheikh's Yeh Dil Aap Ka Huwa [4] (Urdu for This Heart is Yours) starring Moammar Rana and Ayesha Sana, was released and had grossed over Rs. 200 million (US $3.4 million) across Pakistan. However, the short period of successes in the industry could not keep the cinemas afloat and the same industry that at one time produced more than a 100 films annually a decade ago now reduced to a merely 32 per year, in the year 2003 with only one partial success called Larki Panjaban (A Punjabi Girl).

Pakistan's First Cineplex

Main article: Cineplex

The Universal Multiplex in Karachi opened in 2002, and now the multiplex culture is set to take Pakistan by storm. The future viability of film-making business in Pakistan is evidenced by the fact that now many global companies are interested in investing in the theatre business in the country{Fact|date=December 2007}}. Cineplex [5] is the first dedicated cineplex company in Pakistan that is building the country’s first nationally branded cineplex chain. The firm says that it is dedicated to introduce a world-class ,film-going experience to the people of Pakistan by building state of the art film theatres in the urban areas. Cinepax will have multiple cinemas in each location and is committed to screening premium content in a family-friendly environment. Eventually all the theatre managers would like to bring families back into the theatres by providing a quality experience, and the multiplex culture can only help.

Cineplex is targeting the larger cities of Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan and Hyderabad. Cineplex’s initial five-year build-out plan is for the development of 120 screens.

Cineplex will screen Hollywood films within a month of their international release dates. Cineplex will also screen the best of international and Pakistani cinema. Before the first cineplex opening, Cineplex’s sister distribution company will screen Hollywood content in the existing cinemas around Pakistan.

Ajnabi Shehr Mein (A Stranger in Town)

Lollywood is expected to get some major life from the Karachi film-making fraternity with Saqib Malik's directorial debut Ajnabee Shehr Mein (Urdu: "In an Alien City"). Saqib Malik is one of the most critically acclaimed directors in the Pakistani satellite entertainment circles, and his film, which brings together some of Pakistan's best talents, is being much awaited. The film pairs the latest teen sensation Ali Zafar along with the likes of megastar Shaan and Samina Peerzada. Ramp model Tooba Siddiqui also debuts on the celluloid with this film, while rumors are already floating about a sensational score whipped up by none other than Shanee, the music composer who has worked with some of the best people on the Pakistani pop scene. The film marks the fort of Lollywood into the urban thriller genre.

According to sources...Ali Zafar Backed off from this film as well has Saqib Malik.

Khuda Ke Liye (In The Name of God)

Shoaib Mansoor's Khuda Ke Liye is another film which is blipping on the radars of all Lollywood buffs. The film bundles Pakistan's most established stars with some of the most promising newcomers. Iman Ali, Fawad, Shaan, Naseeruddin Shah and Hameed Sheikh make their celluloid debut with Khuda Ke Liye while the film will also establish television director Shoaib Mansoor's cinematic first.

Ramchand Pakistani

Recently Mehreen Jabbar, one of Pakistan’s outstanding young directors who has directed and produced a large number of highly acclaimed, award-winning TV serials and plays including New York Stories, Pehchaan, Kahaniyaan and Putli Ghar, completed her first directorial venture into big-screen cinema, it is called Ramchand Pakistani. The film is in Urdu, with a Hindi version, but for international audiences it will be sub-titled in English and other foreign languages Nandita plays Champa, a Pakistani Hindu woman who is left desolate when her young son and husband disappear ,one day ,from their village at the Pakistan-India border near Nagarparkar, in Tharparkar. Nandita Das is the only non-Pakistani actor in the large cast comprising well-known Pakistani TV and stage personalities including Rashid Farooqi, Noman Aijaz, Maria Wasti, Zhalay Sarhadi, Syed Fazal Ahmed, (who plays the title role) Farooq Pario, Shahood Alvi, Adarsh Ayaz, Salim Mairaj, Tipu and Navaid Jabbar (no relation to the producer or director).

The film is scheduled to be released in Pakistan in early 2008. The music director is Debajyoti Mishra, lyrics by Anwar Maqsood and the songs are sung by Shuba Mudgal and Shafqat Amanat Ali. The cinematographer is Sofian Khan.

More information on: www.mehreenjabbar.com

Zibahkhana (Hell's Ground)

Recently, Pakistan's first modern horror filmZibahkhana premiered to positive feedback from audiences and critics alike at film festivals around the world. Films like these comprise the New Wave Pakistani Cinema and are expected to give the Lollywood industry a reach to a wider audience and more worldwide international recognition! The movie was written and directed by Omar Ali Khan, who owns a chain of popular ice cream parlours in Pakistan. He is a horror film fanatic and is considered one of the foremost authorities on sub-continent horror cinema. The movie's cinematography was done by Najaf Bilgrami, who is a graduate from the London Film School. The film stars Kunwar Ali Roshan, Rubya Chaudhary, Rooshanie Ejaz, Osman Khalid Butt, Haider Reza and the legendary Dracula of Pakistani cinema, Rehan. Music was provided by Stephen Thrower. Make up and Gore effects were handled by another Lollywood veteran, Nawab Saghar. Adnan Malik, Najma Malik, Salim Meraj, Razia Malik, Shagufta Humayun, Asfaq Bhatti, Abida Shaheen, Mai Billi, Zafar Khamakha, Baba Gulzar are also included in the cast of film. The Sound Mix was designed by Martin Pavey.

Zibahkhana recently won Special Award from the Jury at the Fantastic Film Festival, Austin, TX, USA for BEST GORE

ZIBAHKHANA is set to open theatrically in Pakistan in a limited run beginning at the Cinepax in Rawalpindi

Freedom Sound

Main article: Freedom Sound (film)

A upcoming film about Pakistan 30 years in the future.

http://www.cityfm89.com/website/freedomsound.aspx

Jami's Project

Jamshed Mehmood, aka Jami, is responsible for directing some of the most memorable advertisements and music videos in Pakistan. It has now been reported that he is busy working on his feature film, portions of which have already been shot. Hailed as one of the most talented figures in the Pakistani media, his film is bound to stir interest of Pakistani cinema aficionados.

Problems

Banning of the Indian films

In 1968, the release of Indian films in Pakistani cinemas were banned and Pakistan lost one of its competitors. The net result was a loss of a large business circuit and isolation of Pakistani cinema industry for years to come. This also made it easier for the writers, producers and directors to steal from the Indian films they could watch abroad and the Pakistani viewers could not.

Loss of Dhaka

After the 1971 war with India Pakistan lost its East wing and with it the films making centre of Dhaka. This was the second major mishap that happened to the Pakistani cinema industry within a short period of time.

Rivalry instead of Competition

A few years later, a rivalry began between Lahore and Karachi film production centres and the healthy environment started to fade out. Lahore had some sort of an edge over Karachi and soon film people began to move to Lahore. Although the best film processing lab of Pakistan was located at the International Studios in Karachi. The Karachi centre began to lose its colour. The Karachi film studios became deserted.

Conversion of cinema halls into shopping centres

On the other hand, as a city Karachi began to grow at an extra-ordinary pace and the price of the property shot up significantly. The film industry was now considered bad investment and hence the cinema halls all around Karachi were converted into shopping centres. The same happened a little later in Lahore as well. This made the film industry loose a lot of revenue, making the industry even less attractive for investment and a lot of professional financiers left the cinema industry of Pakistan for good and began investing elsewhere.

Taxes

Another problem had been the rate of taxes on film industry as a whole. An entertainment tax of 100% was levied to the people coming to watch a films. This made the investors reluctant, and going to cinema expensive.

Censor policy

Still another problem was the censor policy, which had become very strict in Gen. Zia-ul-Haq's tenure (from 1977 to 1988).

Introduction of the VCR

Introduction of VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) in the late 70s and early 80s provided yet another blow to the already ailing Pakistani cinema. Now, Pakistani film viewers had options:

1) They could watch Indian films which had been banned for about a decade and now the Indian film industry had improved a lot since then, not only in comparison to Pakistani films but it had actually matured. Pakistani film goers fell in love with the Indian films specially since they were made in Hindi/Urdu and the culture of both Pakistan and India had a lot of similarities since they both were a single country just a few decades back.

2) They could watch films at the luxury of their own homes .

3) They could watch those films at very inexpensive rates, the whole family could watch any films for a 24-hour rental of Rs 10 (US$ 1 at that time) only while the cinema ticket cost was about Rs 12 per head). As a result, most people stopped going to cinema halls altogether.

Lack of education

Unfortunately, Pakistan film industry has always suffered from lack of educated people. Rich feudal lords come to the film world with bags full of money in the hope of rubbing shoulders with the celebrities and wishing to be one notch up against their rival neighbourly lords. They are mostly uneducated but they come for the cinema production with ideas of their own (actually ideas adapted from films they have previously seen) and they insist on making films that they have visualized.

The mostly uneducated people of the film world of Pakistan have only one goal with two points in mind: Survival 1) To stay in the business because they can't do anything else and 2) To make some money, they agree to stoop as low as they are asked to.

The money loaded lords then ask the writers to copy from other films, ask the music directors to make songs out of old Pakistani or Indian songs. This list just keeps on growing.

Most of the people involved in making of films lack the insight as to what they are doing to the media they work for.

Disinterest

Now the situation was that no one was willing to invest and no one was interested in watching Pakistani films. And there was no government support (films are considered an industry all over the world, here in Pakistan, it is not.) And worst of all, the films that were still being made lost their previous good quality.

Families stopped going to cinemas

Who watched these mainly low quality films in Pakistan? Men who came to work in large cities from rural areas and villages! They formed groups who went to watch these movies as they had no other entertainment available to them. This has been a cause for the families to refrain from going to the cinema houses, as these groups of all-male villagers ogled the urban females shamelessly, made loud remarks about them and shouted a lot (perhaps to attract attention), this was fun to this uncouth youth. But to others it was considered highly unethical, and made the metropolitan female viewers uncomfortable. When a family does not go to watch a film, about three quarters of the viewers are lost, meaning huge loss to the cinema industry.

This is the reason for the administration of the newly constructed cineplex at the Clifton beach area to make it a rule that no single male or group of all-male viewers would be allowed to enter the premises.

File:Karachi Cinema.jpg

One of the oldest cinemas in Karachi still running

From top to bottom

At the peak of Pakistani cinema industry in the mid 1970s, Karachi alone had more than 100 cinema houses and to the tune of 200 films were produced and released each year, Now, fewer than ten of these houses remain.

Still, there were a handful of people who kept the industry alive, although most of the people belonging to the Pakistani cinema industry have been illiterate and non-professional people who chose poor subjects for their movies and they also indulged in copying Indian as well as old Pakistani films.

Areas of progress

Some progress worth mentioning was made in the sound recording, sound effects and picture quality departments. However, the story and script departments have suffered the most, as the illiterate producers keep on asking the writers to watch this film or that one and copy it. Pakistani cinema has suffered a lot at the hands of uneducated people. All these combined problems brought the Pakistani cinema to its knees.

Attempts to revive

Many people tried to revive the Pakistan cinema industry from time to time with some success, but overall condition remained rather low.

At the moment (in 2007), another attempt of reviving the industry is underway by producing some high quality movies with proper advertising campaigns. Even a few Indian movies are permitted for release. Some people are trying to co-produce films with India while others from outside the industry (but belonging to the related fields like television and advertising) are also trying to make movies that are different and better from the ordinary films produced in the film industry now located mainly in Lahore (and called Lollywood).

See also

• Kara Film Festival - International Film Festival held annually in Karachi
• Cinema in Karachi
• List of Pakistani films
• List of Pakistani actors
• List of Pakistani actresses
• Billboards of Lahore
• Shahnoor Studios - One of the oldest film studios in Lahore
• World cinema
• Asian cinema
• South Asian cinema

External links

• Pakistani Songs
• Official web site of Lollywood
• The Central Film Censor Board of Pakistan - Official Site
• Pakistan Film Magazine
• Pictures - Lollywood
• Pak Vision (Lollyood Movies)
• Lollywood portal based in USA
• Landmarks in Pakistani Cinema
• FILMAZIA - TV Channel showing Lollywood movies
• Annual Reports of the Lollywood Film Industry
• Urdu Songs
• Images of Lollywood through the ages
• Unofficial web site of the Karachi Cineplex

News articles (Web Based)

• Pakistani Film Industry Fights for Survival , Voice of America---2007
• First modern Pakistani horror movie
• Pakistani Cinema
• BBC report on Pakistani Cinema 2003
• Pakistan's dilemma - Bollywood or bust? 2005
• Cinema's taboo on partition
• Reema In India
• First multiplex theatre inagurated in Pakistan