A country where people are dying due to poverty was once the fourth largest country in the world in producing feature films. Despite lack of equipment, the Pakistan film industry grew imminence and marked its trademark in the world. It was between 1959 to 1977, that the Pakistani film industry was known to be in its golden period. In the same period, two Pakistani films were nominated for foreign language category in the Oscars, namely Jago Hua Sawera and Ghoonghat.

Suddenly, everything changed when General Zia ul Haq took over the country in 1979 and implemented the policy of Islamization. Since then, an industry which was in a golden period started facing its downfall. Due to heavy entertainment taxes, Urdu films stopped being produced and as a result, the mainstream audience was lost.

Indian films also stopped being shown at Pakistani cinemas halls after the war of 1965 between India and Pakistan. On one side, the quantity of Pakistani films production decreased, and on the flipside Indian films were also banned in cinemas. As a result, cinema halls began being converted into shopping plazas and Karachi’s Naz cinema was the first to be a victim of it. In the same period, video cassette recorder (VCR) was invented, and people of Pakistan started using it commonly as there was a heavy tax on the entertainment industry. So, they made it a new source of entertainment.

In addition to this, Punjabi and Pushtu films started gaining popularity, but their audience was totally different. As a result, the elite, educated, and middle-class families avoided going to cinemas.

In order to bring back middle-class families to cinemas, Pakistani stand-up comedian and stage actor Umer Sharif produced a film called Mr. 420, and acted in the film himself. The efforts paid off as it became the first commercial hit after 1979’s Nahi Abhi Nahi. Unfortunately, no one else followed this step and once again no films were made at all.

By early 2000s, an industry which once was producing 70 to 100 films annually till 1979, was struggling to produce even a single film a year. From approximately 700 screens to 70 screens remained nationwide. It was the worst period for the Pakistani film industry.

In addition to this, the liberal dictatorship of General Pervaiz Musharaf finally decreased the entertainment taxes which created a new wave in Pakistani films and the cinema industry. After that, he also allowed Indian films to be released in Pakistan which were previously banned since 1965. It was a positive gesture from the government side.

In 2007, a serious and mature director and writer finally took an initiative for making a film, and he produced the movie Khuda Kay Liye (In the name of God) which was the first Urdu Pakistani movie after decades, and also became the first Pakistani movie to be released in Bollywood after almost 40 years. This was the time that can be referred to as the “revival of Pakistan film industry”. While talking about the revival, film critic and senior entertainment blogger Shafiq-ul-Hassan said:

“The revival came thrice, as far as I can recall it after the dip in the 80s. 1st was with Jeeva, 2nd with Yeh Dil Aapka Hua and 3rd with Boland Khuda Ke Liye.”

The success of Khuda Kay Liye gave courage to directors, producers, exhibitors and distributors to invest in the Pakistan film industry. Still, it took four years for Shoaib Mansoor’s second film Bol to be released in 2011.

By the year 2011, 11 new cinema screens were also added in the country. After the movie released in the nation, it also released in India and a few other countries as well. A large number of audience visited cinemas to watch Bol, which made it a super hit.

After that, Bollywood’s movie Race 2 became the first movie that did a business of Rs. 10 crores in Pakistan. While observing the situation, director Jamshed Mehmood Raza said:

“With Race 2’s success, many became film trade analysts overnight.”

After the success of Khuda Kay Liye and Bol, another Pakistani movie was also ready to set its mark by the year 2013. This time it was Bilal Lashari’s film Waar. War became the first Pakistani movie to hit 20 crores. And at the same time, it was the first movie after many decades that was sent set to Oscars. In the same year, another movie was produced named Mein Hoon Shahid Afridi among few others.

Then during 2014 terrorism reached its peak. It was common to hear mediums of communication to include news items about killing of people by namaloomAfraad (unidentified person). So director Nabeel Qureshi highlighted those things in the form of entertainment and produced a movie named Na Maloom Afraad. Even amidst the worst condition for the country, the movie successfully did a business of 12 crores.

After Na Maloom Afraad, an issue of item numbers was raised. The movie included an item number song performed by Mehwish Hayat , which offended several conservative mindsets. While talking about the item numbers Shafiq-ul-Hassan stated,

“Item numbers are added for fun element. Fun element for an adult audience, if the film requires it, it’s good, if not then even a cultural celebration shouldn’t be filmed.”

After that, 2015’s blockbuster movie which shook the industry by taking the industry to the next level was Jawani Phir Nahi Ani. The family entertainer film by Nadeem Baig made a new record in the history of Pakistan. Jawani Phir Nahi Ani became the first Pakistani film to cross 40 crores. Yes, the movie did a business of approximate 49 crores. In the same year, Bin Roye, Wrong No, and Karachi Se Lahore were also released among few others. The mentioned movies successfully hit the mark of 10 crores while Wrong No did a business of 15 crores.

By then, it became a myth that no Pakistani movie would break the record of Jawani Phir Nahi Ani. Even after almost 2 years, no movie had crossed 40 crores except one movie which is directed by the same person. Nadeem Baig’s Punjab Nahi Jaungi is the second Pakistani movie that has managed to successfully do business on 47 crores. The movie had been released during Eid-ul Adha in 2017.

What has allowed the film industry to excel is the fact that people of the film industry are owning it and investing in this industry.

The massive hit of Jawani Phir Nahi Ani motivated a lot of filmmakers. The next year in 2016, Sawal 700 Crore ka and Actor in Law were the movies that successfully crossed a line of 20 crores. While Janaan, Ho Mann Jahan and Bachana were the movies that did a business between 10 to 20 crores. A few more films were released by the end of the year 2016.

2017 was also an eventful year for the film industry. Punjab Nahi Jaungiwas the blockbuster movie of the year. On the other hand, Na Maloom Afraad 2 and Yalghaar were the movies that managed to do business of 20 crores. While Mehrunisa V Lub Uclocked in business of approximately 11 crores. There are few other movies that released in the year like Balu Mahi, Chalay Thy Sath, Verna, Rangreza and others.

It is safe to say that the industry has finally come on the right track. Slowly and gradually, the industry is moving forward to success.

From Khuda Kay Liye, Bol to Waar, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, Punjab Nahi Jaungi, there were so many films produced in this period of 10 years. The movies with good content successfully made their place in the hearts of the audience while the rest tried their best to impress the audience. The important thing is exhibitors, distributors and producers have invested in the film industry. It will still take two to five more years to enter in a club of 100 crores. For that, we have to wait and to see which movie will be able to cross the 100 crore mark in the film industry.