Lollywood

Lollywood is the nickname for Pakistan's film industry, based in Lahore, Punjab. It refers to Urdu- and Punjabi-language cinema produced in the city and surrounding studios, and to the community of actors, directors, writers, and technicians involved. The name blends Lahore with Hollywood, mirroring the Bollywood–Mumbai parallel used for India’s film industry.

History and context: The roots of Pakistan’s cinema trace to the subcontinent’s early film industry in the 1920s and 1930s. After Partition in 1947, Lahore emerged as the principal hub for Urdu-language cinema and later for many Punjabi-language productions. The 1960s through the 1980s are widely regarded as Lollywood’s Golden Age, characterized by prolific output and enduring stars such as Waheed Murad, Zeba, Noor Jehan, and Mohammad Ali, with prominent musical scores that helped define the era.

Decline and revival: From the 1990s onward, Lollywood faced decline due to rising costs, piracy, censorship, and competition from Indian cinema. Many studios closed or shifted focus to television. A renewal began in the 2010s, driven by a new generation of filmmakers and higher production values, with notable titles such as Bol (2011) and Waar (2013) and a renewed distribution and festival presence. Today, the Lahore-based industry remains the main hub, although production occurs in Karachi and other locations, and Pakistani cinema engages with streaming platforms and international co-productions.