PAKISTAN: The Death of Lollywood

LAHORE, PAKISTAN - MAY 10: Lollywood stars, Hannan and Saima perform a musical number during filming at Evernew Studios on Thursday, May 10, 2007, in Lahore, Pakistan. Evernew Studios is the last remaining studio in operation in Lahore. As thawing relations between Pakistan and India lead them closer to regional stability, Pakistan's film industry takes another hit as Bollywood films dominate an already floundering institution, as the Pakistani government eases a 43-year-old ban on screening...
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LAHORE, PAKISTAN - MAY 10: Lollywood stars, Hannan and Saima perform a musical number during filming at Evernew Studios on Thursday, May 10, 2007, in Lahore, Pakistan. Evernew Studios is the last remaining studio in operation in Lahore. As thawing relations between Pakistan and India lead them closer to regional stability, Pakistan's film industry takes another hit as Bollywood films dominate an already floundering institution, as the Pakistani government eases a 43-year-old ban on screening Indian films and audiences are drawn to their neighbours silver-screen theatrics. Once a thriving film industry in the chaotic and colourful city of Lahore, Pakistan's answer to Bollywood - Lollywood - is now a shadow of its former self. Two decades ago 11 studios averaged a collective 100+ films per year as cinemagoers filled more than 1000 theatres across the country. Today, only one functioning studio struggles to produce a single film for the country's 200 decaying theatres.
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