Sarana Belajar & Berbagi Ilmu Desain Grafis
Sarana Belajar & Berbagi Ilmu Desain Grafis
The 1960s and early 70s are considered Lollywood's golden era. The industry became a well-oiled machine, producing thoughtful, meaningful cinema. Films like Armaan (1966), starring the iconic Waheed Murad, and Chakori (1967), which launched the career of legendary actor Nadeem Baig, were massive hits. Aina (1977), starring Shabnam and Nadeem Baig, was a cult classic that stayed in cinemas for over 400 weeks. This was a time when the film industry was not just entertainment but a central part of Pakistan's cultural identity.
The Karachi-based “revival” of Pakistani cinema may be happening miles away from Multan Road, but the true soul of Lollywood remains in those crumbling walls. The studio stories of Lollywood are a rich tapestry of art, ego, and resilience. They are of ghostly saints and broken stuntmen, of possessive heroes and tea-sipping heroines.
Today, walking through the ruins of the original Lollywood Studios is a surreal experience. The recording rooms where Noor Jehan sang eternal melodies are now filled with cobwebs. The editing tables where the first color films of Pakistan were cut are buried under rubble.
Established by producer Malik Ghulam Bari on Multan Road using the massive profits from his 1957 hit Yakkay Wali .
Established in 1948 by Shaukat Hussain Rizvi, it was once the pinnacle of Pakistani cinema, hosting over 1,000 films including classics like Heer Ranjha lollywood studio stories
In the silent corridors of Evernew and the dilapidated halls of Bari, the laughter and shouts of directors still echo faintly. As long as the fountain stands dry and the shrine remains locked, these studio stories—the real history of Pakistani cinema—will refuse to fade away.
Beyond the technical specs, the soul of Evernew lay in its famous fountain. Veteran film editor Z.A. Zulfi, who has worked on over 300 films, once described it as the social hub of the industry: “Everyone seemed like a big family: actors and technicians would sit together near that famous fountain in the studio. That was like a dream, and won’t ever return now. All big actors chatted with technicians, enquired about their families, shared personal details. Such was the bond.” .
In 1954, the industry faced its first major crisis when producer attempted to import the Indian film Jaal . This triggered the "Jaal Movement," a massive protest by local filmmakers who feared for the survival of the fledgling Pakistani industry. Ironically, Bari Malik used his earnings to build Bari Studios on Multan Road, which became the largest studio in the region with 10 shooting floors. Supernatural Legends: The Shrine on Set
Not all stories are horror. The most hilarious involve food. In the early 70s, legendary actor Muhammad Ali (soft-spoken off-screen but fiery on it) had a strict contract clause: "One tiffin of Gosht ka Salan (meat curry) served exactly at 1:00 PM." The 1960s and early 70s are considered Lollywood's
By the late 1980s and 1990s, a combination of political censorship, economic challenges, the rise of home video, and VCR culture led to a sharp decline in theatrical attendance. One by one, the grand studios of Lahore fell into disrepair. Some stages were demolished to make way for commercial plazas, while others were repurposed for television production.
In an era before air-conditioned vanity vans and fortified green rooms, stars would mingle freely with the light boys and set dressers. The fountain was where deals were made, songs were composed in heads, and lifelong friendships were forged. It was a place where a young helper serving tea could ask legendary actress Shabnam for prayers for the film Aina , and she would oblige with grace, treating everyone with respect regardless of their rank.
The golden age of Pakistani cinema, affectionately known as Lollywood, was not built on digital screens or corporate multiplexes. It was forged in the sprawling, chaotic, and fiercely creative studio lots of Lahore. During its peak from the 1960s through the 1980s, Lahore was a bustling cinematic ecosystem, anchored by iconic institutions like Evernew Studios, Bari Studios, Shahnoor Studios, and the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) center.
Imagine a sweltering afternoon at . A legendary starlet, known for her temper as much as her talent, refuses to leave her makeup room because the director ordered the "wrong" shade of marigolds for a song sequence. While the crew waits in the heat, the studio’s tea-boy—a fixture of the industry for forty years—quietly slips into the room. He doesn't bring tea; he brings a story. Aina (1977), starring Shabnam and Nadeem Baig, was
This guide takes you through the legendary "Lollywood" film industry based in , exploring the iconic studios that defined Pakistani cinema's golden era and the colorful, sometimes supernatural, stories behind their walls . 1. Shahnoor Studios : The Love Story and the Heartbreak Founded in 1950,
In the 1960s and 70s, the rise of romantic icons like Waheed Murad, Mohammad Ali, and Nadeem Baig transformed studio dynamics. Directors frequently fought over shooting dates. It was common for a top star to shoot a romantic song on Soundstage 1 in the morning, change costumes at lunch, and film a intense courtroom drama on Soundstage 3 in the afternoon.
: The studio was famous for its realistic village sets; many of the iconic "village" shots in old movies were actually filmed in a specific derelict corner of Bari.