Lollywood is the name given to the Lahore-based Pakistani Urdu and Punjabi film industry. Since India’s division in 1947, Lahore has been the epicenter of Pakistani cinema, with films made in both Urdu and Punjabi (the city’s native tongue).
The industry connected closely with Dhaka before the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, with Bengali actress Shabnam regarded as a prominent figure in the industry. The term ‘Lollywood,’ a combination of ‘Lahore’ and ‘Hollywood,’ was coined in 1989 by Saleem Nasir, a gossip columnist for Glamour magazine, and is frequently used in comparison to other South Asian film industries such as Tollywood and Bollywood.
By the year 2000, Lahore’s film industry had collapsed, and Pakistani actors, actresses, producers, and filmmakers had begun to migrate to Karachi. By 2007, the scars of Pakistan’s shuttered film industry had healed, and Karachi had established itself as the country’s film capital. This was the age when new generation producers entered the industry with short films with strong storylines and modern technology, resulting in a boom of alternative Pakistani cinema.
Many people believe that this move is to blame for the the resurgence of Pakistani cinema.’ Despite the industry crises that began in the mid-1980s, Pakistani films have maintained a strong sense of identity. Pakistani films have regained a strong cult following since their relocation to Karachi.
Lahore was the most prolific producer of Urdu films until 2007 when it was mostly surpassed by Karachi. Lollywood Punjabi films were most popular in the 1960s, and are frequently referred to as Pakistani Punjabi cinema’s golden age.
Only five Punjabi films were released in Lollywood in 2015. Punjabi films languished in this year as well. Razia Phas Gayi Gundon Main, Shaan’s Lahoria tay Pishoria, Gujjar Poorly Dinna Da, Sohna Gujjar, and Sami Rawal were all Punjabi releases that failed to create an impact at the box office in Pakistan.
