Can Pakistan's Entertainment Industry Be Saved?

With rising ticket prices and a severe lack of compelling stories, Lollywood—the heart of Pakistan's entertainment industry—is facing a critical crisis.

Mumbai: Pakistan’s film industry, commonly referred to as Lollywood, has been on a steady decline ever since the country imposed a blanket ban on Indian content. Not only are Indian movies no longer screened in Pakistani cinemas, but they are also prohibited on national television.

Before the ban in 2019, a few selected Bollywood films were released in Pakistan and consistently performed well at the box office. For instance, Bajrangi Bhaijaan reportedly earned around ₹34 crore in Pakistan, while Sanju also saw significant success. These figures highlighted the massive demand for Indian entertainment content in the country.

In an exclusive interview with The Right Angle, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri (The Kashmir Files) remarked:

“Ever since Indian films were banned in Pakistan, the number of functioning theatres has drastically reduced. The local film industry has almost collapsed. Whatever is being produced is Dubai-based—there’s hardly anything genuinely Pakistani.”

He further emphasized that entertainment options in Pakistan have nearly vanished.

Adding to the woes, the cost of watching a film in Pakistan ranges from ₹600 to ₹2,000, whereas the average monthly salary hovers around ₹15,000. This steep disparity makes regular movie-going unaffordable for the average citizen. This growing disconnect between affordability and entertainment was discussed in detail by Sonal Kalra on The Right Angle show, produced by Gautam Thakkar Films.

Even popular actor Fawad Khan seems to be caught in this downward spiral. His much-anticipated Bollywood comeback film Abeer Gulal has been postponed due to the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam.

In conclusion, a combination of skyrocketing prices and content restrictions has made entertainment in Pakistan increasingly inaccessible. What was once a shared cultural experience is now becoming a luxury reserved for the privileged few.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Lollywood facing a crisis?

Due to the ban on Indian content and rising ticket prices, Pakistan's film industry is struggling to attract audiences and produce quality content.

How has the ban on Indian films affected Pakistani cinemas?

The ban has led to a significant drop in cinema attendance, causing many theaters to shut down due to lack of revenue.

Are there any efforts to revive the Pakistani film industry?

While some filmmakers are attempting to produce local content, challenges like funding, censorship, and limited audience reach hinder significant progress.