View source for Cinema of Pakistan

{{Short description|Overview of Pakistani film culture}}
{{Redirect|Urdu cinema|Indian films that use Urdu|Hindi cinema{{!}}Bollywood}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=February 2016}}

{{Infobox cinema market
| name                 = Cinema of Pakistan 
| image                = Pakistan film clapperboard.svg
| image_size           = 250px
| alt                  = 
| caption              = 
| screens              = 150 screens (2024)<ref name=PakistanToday>{{cite news|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/06/11/number-of-cinema-houses-in-across-pakistan-shrinks-to-135/ | title=Number of cinema houses across Pakistan shrinks to 135 |date=11 June 2022|newspaper=Pakistan Today newspaper|archive-date=12 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612073742/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/06/11/number-of-cinema-houses-in-across-pakistan-shrinks-to-135/ |url-status=dead|access-date=9 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://epaper.dawn.com/DetailImage.php?StoryImage=10_04_2024_113_006 | title=Is the cinema business under threat? | date=10 April 2024 }}</ref>
| distributors         = {{br separated entries|[[ARY Films]]|[[Hum Films]]|[[Geo Films]]|[[Urdu 1|Urdu 1 Pictures]]|[[Six Sigma Plus]]|[[Eveready Pictures]]|One Films|[[A-Plus TV|A-Plus Films]]|[[Dawn Media Group|Dawn Films]]}}
| produced_ref         = <ref name=production_uis>{{cite web|title=Stakeholders tense over dwindling number of films|date=5 January 2019|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1882014/4-stakeholders-tense-dwindling-number-films/|publisher=The Express Tribune|access-date=9 April 2024}}</ref>
| produced_total       = 100+
| produced_fictional   = 
| produced_animated    = 
| produced_documentary = 
| produced_year        = 2023
| admissions_year      = 
| admissions_ref       = 
| admissions_total     = 250,000,000 
| admissions_national  = 
| box_office_year      = 
| box_office_ref       = <!--<ref name=adm_gross_uis/> -->
| box_office_total     = <!-- ${{Format price| }} -->
| box_office_national  = <!-- ${{Format price| }} -->
}}

{{Culture of Pakistan}}
{{Pakistani film list}}
{{Pakistanicinema}}
{{South Asian cinema}}

The [[film industry]] of [[Pakistan]], consisting of [[motion pictures]], has had a large effect on [[culture of Pakistan|Pakistani society and culture]] since the nation's independence. Pakistani cinema is made up of various sub-industries, including [[Lollywood]], which makes motion pictures in [[Urdu]] and [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]. Lollywood is one of the biggest film industries in the country.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-11-11 |title=How a Pakistani film is charming the world |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/how-a-pakistani-film-is-charming-the-world-1161582.html |access-date=2022-11-19 |website=Deccan Herald newspaper |language=en}}</ref>

Pakistani cinema includes films made in [[Languages of Pakistan|various Pakistani languages]], which reflect the linguistic diversity of the country itself. The largest language-based film industries in the country include Punjabi, Urdu, [[Pashto cinema|Pashto]], [[Sindhi cinema|Sindhi]], and [[Balochi cinema]].

Pakistani cinema has played an important part in the country's culture. In recent years, it has begun flourishing again after years of decline, catering to audiences in [[Pakistan]] and [[Overseas Pakistanis|expatriates]] abroad. Several film industries are based in Pakistan, which tend to be regional and niche in nature.

Between 1947 and 2007, Pakistani cinema was predominantly based in [[Lahore]], home to the nation's largest film industry (nicknamed [[Lollywood]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/44327/if-you-thought-lollywood-was-booming-let-2016-remind-you-why-its-not/|title=If you thought Lollywood was booming, let 2016 remind you why it's not|access-date=9 April 2024|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217070858/https://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/44327/if-you-thought-lollywood-was-booming-let-2016-remind-you-why-its-not/|url-status=dead|newspaper=The Express Tribune newspaper}}</ref> Pakistani films during this period attracted large audiences and had a strong [[cult following]]. They were a part of the mainstream culture, and were widely available and imitated by the masses. During the early 1970s, Pakistan was the world's fourth-largest producer of feature films.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rabe |first=Nate |date=20 March 2017 |title=Sound of Lollywood: To Palestine, with love from the great Pakistani star Neelo |newspaper=Dawn newspaper |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1177289/sound-of-lollywood-to-palestine-with-love-from-the-great-pakistani-star-neelo |access-date=9 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105205631/https://images.dawn.com/news/1177289/sound-of-lollywood-to-palestine-with-love-from-the-great-pakistani-star-neelo |archive-date=5 January 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref>

However, [[Military coups in Pakistan|martial laws]], strengthening of [[censorship]] [[laws]], and lowered quality-standards meant that the second half of this time period, between 1977 and 2007, saw a decline in the industry's output and impact. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the film industry went through several periods of ups and downs, a reflection of its dependency on state funding and incentives. By 2000, the film industry in Lahore had collapsed and saw a gradual shift of Pakistani actors, actresses, producers and filmmakers from Lahore to Karachi.

By 2007, the wounds of Pakistan's collapsed film industry began to heal and Karachi had cemented itself as the new center of Pakistani cinema. Over the subsequent years, a new generation of producers entered the industry, bringing developments such as novel storylines, shorter films, and new technology. This led to the popularity of an alternative form of Pakistani cinema. The shift has been seen by many as the leading cause for what has been referred to as the "resurgence of Pakistani cinema".<ref>{{cite web |last=Rehman |first=Sonya |date=2016-01-10 |title='Bachaana' And The Rebirth of Pakistani Cinema |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sonyarehman/2016/01/10/bachaana-and-the-rebirth-of-pakistani-cinema/#a8c41863ced3 |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> Despite the crisis starting in the mid-1970s, Pakistani films have retained much of their distinctive identity, and since the shift to Karachi, they have regained their following.<ref name=TheCitizen>{{cite news|url=http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/NewsDetail/index/1/5124/Is-Pakistan-Cinema-On-The-Verge-Of-A-Renaissance|title=Is Pakistan Cinema On The Verge Of A Renaissance?|newspaper=The Citizen newspaper|access-date=9 April 2024|archive-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902233400/http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/NewsDetail/index/1/5124/Is-Pakistan-Cinema-On-The-Verge-Of-A-Renaissance|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoad |first=Phil |date=2017-02-03 |title=Is Pakistani film experiencing a revival? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/2/3/is-pakistani-film-experiencing-a-revival |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, [[Joyland (film)|''Joyland'']] became the first [[Lists of Pakistani films|Pakistani film]] to be screened at the [[Cannes Film Festival]]. It was also selected as the nation's entry for [[Academy Award for Best International Feature Film|Best International Feature Film]] at the [[95th Academy Awards]] and was shortlisted for the award.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 September 2022 |title='Joyland' is Pakistan's entry for Oscars 2023 |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2379352/joyland-is-pakistans-entry-for-oscars-2023 |access-date=30 September 2022 |work=The Express Tribune}}</ref>

== Statistics ==
Over 14,000 [[List of Urdu-language films|Urdu feature films]] have been produced in Pakistan since 1948, as well as over 10,000 in [[List of Pakistani Punjabi-language films|Punjabi]], over 8,000 in [[List of Pashto-language films|Pashto]], over 4,000 in [[List of Sindhi-language films|Sindhi]], and 1,000 in Balochi. The first film ever produced in Pakistan was ''[[Husn Ka Daku]]'' in 1929, directed by [[Abdur Rashid Kardar]] in Lahore. The first ever Pakistani-film produced was [[Teri Yaad (1948 film)|''Teri Yaad'']], directed by Daud Chand in 1948.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bali |first=Karan |date=2015-08-07 |title=67 years ago today, Pakistanis lined up to see the first film made in their new nation |url=https://scroll.in/reel/746817/67-years-ago-today-pakistanis-lined-up-to-see-the-first-film-made-in-their-new-nation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224154910/https://scroll.in/reel/746817/67-years-ago-today-pakistanis-lined-up-to-see-the-first-film-made-in-their-new-nation |archive-date=24 February 2023 |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=Scroll.in website |language=en-US}}</ref>

''Pakistan Film Magazine'', established in 1999, is the most extensive online database dedicated to Pakistani cinema; as of 2013, it had catalogued over 4,000 films, approximately 4,500 film artists, and around 6,500 film songs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Sher |date=5 December 2013 |title=Pakistan Film Magazine: Inside the largest online database of Pakistani films |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/641589/pakistan-film-magazine-inside-the-largest-online-database-of-pakistani-films |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421115311/https://tribune.com.pk/story/641589/pakistan-film-magazine-inside-the-largest-online-database-of-pakistani-films |archive-date=21 April 2025 |website=[[The Express Tribune]]}}</ref>

==History==
=== Silent Era (1929–1946) ===
The history of cinema in Pakistan began in 1929, when [[Abdur Rashid Kardar]] set up a studio and production company under the name of [[United Players Corporation]] (later renamed [[Playart Phototone]]), which would become the foundation stone for the Lahore film industry.<ref name="CITEREFSilentEra">{{cite web|url=http://thecinezine.com/Pak_Film_History_1.html|title=The Silent Era (1896–1931)|publisher=Cinema of Pakistan|access-date=9 April 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016031758/http://thecinezine.com/Pak_Film_History_1.html|archive-date=16 October 2008|df=dmy-all|author=Mushtaq Gazdar}}</ref> After scouting for locations, he settled for their offices to be established at Ravi Road. The dimly-lit area presented difficulties as shootings were only possible in daylight, but nevertheless, the area had some very important landmarks like the Ravi Forest and the tombs of [[Mughal Empire|Mughal emperor]] [[Jahangir]] and his wife [[Nur Jahan]].<ref name="CITEREFSilentEra"/> It is reported that the team working at the studios would commute on [[tanga (carriage)|tanga]]s and even lost equipment once while traveling on the bumpy roads on the horse-drawn carriage.<ref name="CITEREFSilentEra"/>

However basic and crude their working conditions were, Kardar believed in his work and in 1929 he produced the first silent film in Lahore under his studio's banner, ''[[Husn Ka Daku]]'' (''Mysterious Eagle'').<ref name="CITEREFOurFounders">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmtvguildindia.org/founders.html#apkardar|title=Our Founders|publisher=Film and TV Guide India|access-date=6 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330062416/http://www.filmtvguildindia.org/founders.html#apkardar|archive-date=30 March 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0231768/|title=Husn Ka Daku|publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]]|access-date=6 July 2008}}</ref> The film was only mildly successful at cinemas, but it managed to establish Lahore as a functioning center of a film industry. Kardar then decided to focus on direction, not acting.<ref name="CITEREFSilentEra" /> Immediately afterwards, the studio released the film ''[[Sarfarosh (1930 film)|Sarfarosh]]'' (''Brave Heart'') in 1930; in 1931, the films ''[[Farebi Daku]] (Mysterious Bandit) and'' ''[[Khooni Katar]]'' ''(The Bloody Dagger)'' were released. All three of these starred Gul Hamid in the lead role, and had similar supporting casts. None of the films was able to stir much noise about the Lahore film industry; in the 1930s, as the nascent Urdu-language industry was forming, many Hindi and Punjabi language films were also being screened in the area.{{fact|date=June 2025}}

Another early producer was Roop K. Shorey, who, upon hearing of Lahore's growing film industry, returned to his hometown and produced ''Qismat Ke Haer Pher'' (''Life After Death'') in 1932.<ref name="CITEREFSilentEra" /> In 1946, [[Sajjad Gul]]'s father [[Agha G. A. Gul]] set up Evernew Studios on [[Multan Road]]. The following year, [[Eveready Pictures]] was established by [[J.C. Anand]], which would go on to become the largest film production and distribution company in Pakistan.{{fact|date=June 2025}}

===Independence and growth (1947–1959)===
[[Pakistan Movement|In 1947]], after Pakistan was created out of British India, Lahore became the hub of cinema in Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abdurab |first=Adi |date=2015-08-17 |title=Just reborn, our film industry already needs a rescue |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1201002 |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |language=en}}</ref> By 1947 there were around 80 cinemas in [[East Bengal]]. In March 1948, when the [[Governor-General of Pakistan]] [[Mohammad Ali Jinnah]] came to visit [[East Bengal]], the radio broadcaster and filmmaker [[Nazir Ahmed (filmmaker)|Nazir Ahmed]] was commissioned to create the informational film ''In Our Midst'' with the help of Calcutta-based film technicians. It was the first informational film of the province (now [[Bangladesh]]). Upon independence, there was a shortage of funds and filming equipment, which initially paralysed the film industry. Despite these obstacles, the first Pakistani feature film, ''[[Teri Yaad (film)|Teri Yaad]]'' was released on 7 August 1948,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/weekly/images/archive/040418/images13.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724162306/http://www.dawn.com/weekly/images/archive/040418/images13.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-24|title=Into the great beyond|publisher=Dawn newspaper|access-date=2024-04-09}}</ref> and premiered at the Parbat Theatre in Lahore.<ref name="CITEREFTeriYaad">{{cite web |url=http://www.mazhar.dk/film/history/40s/1948.htm |title=Pakistani films in 1948 |publisher=Mazhar.dk |access-date=2008-07-05 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080418184903/http://www.mazhar.dk/film/history/40s/1948.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 18 April 2008}}</ref>

It was in the 1950s that the industry's fortunes changed. In earlier years, Pakistani films had been met with lukewarm reception and failed to perform well at box offices. This changed with the release of ''[[Do Ansoo]]'' on 7 April 1950,  which became the nation's first film to attain a 25-week viewing and [[silver jubilee]] status. [[Noor Jehan]]'s directorial debut ''[[Chanway]]'' was released on 29 April 1951, and was also commercially successful. This was the first Pakistani film directed by a woman.<ref>[https://www.youlinmagazine.com/story/70-year-of-pakistani-cinema/ODk4 70 Years of Changing Tides in Pakistani Cinema]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Urdu |url=https://www.bbc.com/urdu/entertainment/story/2005/09/printable/050930_lollywood_12_zs |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=www.bbc.com}}</ref>  In the second half of the decade, higher-budget films began to be made, a trend begun by the producer Faqir Ahmad Shah in 1955 and continued by his film ''Jagga'' in 1958, directed by his son Saqlain Rizvi. The film remained mediocre in the cinema.

As cinema viewership increased, the industry found more success. The 1954 film ''[[Sassi (film)|Sassi]],'' produced by Eveready Pictures, reached [[golden jubilee]] status, and the 1959 film ''[[Umar Marvi (film)|Umar Marvi]]'' was the first Pakistani film made in Sindhi. The playback singer [[Ahmed Rushdi]]'s career also began during this period, after singing his first song in ''Bander Road Se Kemari''.

To celebrate the success of these endeavours, film journalist [[Ilyas Rashidi]] launched an annual awarding event on 17 July 1957.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/weekly/images/archive/020407/images3.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905092951/http://www.dawn.com/weekly/images/archive/020407/images3.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-09-05|title=Overview: Lollywood's Oscars|publisher=[[Dawn (newspaper)|DAWN Newspaper]]|access-date=2008-07-16}}</ref> Named the [[Nigar Awards]], the event has become Pakistan's most prominent awards event for filmmaking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pakistaniat.com/2007/05/27/aina-pakistans-greatest-blockbuster-movie/|title=Aina – Pakistan's greatest blockbuster movie|publisher=All Things Pakistan|access-date=2008-07-02|date=2007-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002021812/https://pakistaniat.com/2007/05/27/aina-pakistans-greatest-blockbuster-movie/|archive-date=2 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===The Golden Era (1959–1977)===
{{further|Syed Kamal|Waheed Murad|Mohammad Ali (actor)|Sohail Rana|Ahmed Rushdi|Nadeem Baig (actor)}}
The 1960s is often called the golden era of Pakistani cinema, and it was then that the first generation of Pakistani cinema's legends were introduced. As [[Black-and-white|black and white films]] became obsolete, colour films such as Munshi Dil's ''[[Azra (film)|Azra]]'' in 1962, [[Zahir Raihan]]'s ''[[Sangam (1964 Urdu film)|Sangam]]'' (first full-length coloured film) in 1964, and ''Mala'' (first coloured cinema-scope film). Also released in 1962 were ''Shaheed,'' which introduced the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict|Palestine conflict]] to Pakistanis in cinemas and became an instant hit, and ''[[Chiragh Jalta Raha|Charagh Jalta Raha]],'' which marked the debut of the influential [[Mohammad Ali (actor)|Mohammad Ali]] and was premiered by [[Fatima Jinnah]] on 9 March 1962 at Nishat Cinema in [[Karachi]].

In September 1965, following the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|war between Pakistan and India]], all Indian films were completely banned.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Armes |first=Roy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qFDnqIwdr8EC&dq=pakistani+film+industry&pg=PA129 |title=Third World Film Making and the West |date=1987-07-29 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-90801-7 |language=en}}</ref> Although a light ban had existed since 1952 in [[West Pakistan]] and since 1962 in [[East Pakistan]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/exhibition/CIC/history.asp |title=Select Timeline of Key Events in Indian Cinema |publisher=National Media Museum, UK |access-date=2008-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625032233/http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/exhibition/CIC/history.asp |archive-date=25 June 2009 }}</ref> this was enforced more strictly in the war's aftermath. Pakistani cinemas did not suffer much from the decision to remove the films and instead received better attendances.

Realising the potential for success in film, [[Waheed Murad]] entered the industry then. His persona led people to call him the "chocolate hero."<ref name="CITEREFCubaNow">{{cite web|url=http://www.cubanow.net/global/loader.php?&secc=8&item=4596&c=2|title=Lollywood: A Cuban Approach|publisher=Cuba Now|access-date=2008-07-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420155240/http://www.cubanow.net/global/loader.php|archive-date=20 April 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> His 1966 film ''[[Armaan (1966 film)|Armaan]]'' was one of the most cherished Urdu films to ever be released.<ref name="CITEREFScriptnet">{{cite web|url=http://cinevip.info/15-grandes-peliculas-que-alcanzaron-sus-25-anos-de-lanzada-al-cine/ |title=History of Lollywood |publisher=Scripnet Charity |access-date=2008-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404180039/http://cinevip.info/15-grandes-peliculas-que-alcanzaron-sus-25-anos-de-lanzada-al-cine/ |archive-date=4 April 2016 }}</ref> The film is said to have given birth to [[Pakistani pop music]], by introducing playback singing legends like composer [[Sohail Rana]] and singer [[Ahmed Rushdi]]. The film became the first to complete a 75-week screening at cinemas throughout the country, thus attaining a [[platinum jubilee]] status. Waheed Murad was picturised in a song for the first time ever in director Saqlain Rizvi's ''Mamta,'' released in 1963.<ref name="CITEREFScriptnet" /> Another rising star during this period was [[Nadeem Baig (actor)|Nadeem Baig]], who received instant stardom with his debut film ''[[Chakori]]'' in 1967.

Horror films were introduced with the release of ''[[Zinda Laash]]'', making it the first Pakistani film to display an [[Motion picture rating system|R rating]] tag on its posters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehotspotonline.com/moviespot/bolly/reviews/xyz/zindalaash.htm|title=Zinda Laash|publisher=HotSpot Online|access-date=2008-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115184820/http://www.thehotspotonline.com/moviespot/bolly/reviews/xyz/zindalaash.htm|archive-date=15 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Meanwhile, ''Eastern Films Magazine'', a tabloid edited by Said Haroon, became a popular magazine for film-lovers in Pakistan. It featured a question and answer section titled "Yours Impishly," for which the sub-editor [[Asif Noorani]] took inspiration from [[I. S. Johar]]'s page in India's ''[[Filmfare]]'' magazine.<ref name="CITEREFScriptnet" /> Tabloids like these got their first controversial covers with the release of ''[[Neela Parbat]]'' on [[Pakistani films of 1969|3 January 1969]], which became Pakistan's first feature-film with an adults-only tag.<ref name="CITEREFCubaNow" /> It ran for only three-to-four days at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khalidhasan.net/fridaytimes/2003-10-17.htm|title=Private view: Believing the unbelievable|publisher=Khalid Hassan's official website|access-date=2008-07-06 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080610014829/http://www.khalidhasan.net/fridaytimes/2003-10-17.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 10 June 2008}}</ref> More controversial yet would be the offering of distribution rights in the Middle East to the Palestinian guerrilla organisation, [[Al Fatah]], by the writer, producer, and director Riaz Shahid for his film ''[[Zarqa (film)|Zarqa]]'' released on [[Pakistani films of 1969|17 October 1969]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/imagineasia/guide/contemporary/pakistani.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060224141840/http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/imagineasia/guide/contemporary/pakistani.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-02-24|title=Pakistani Cinema|publisher=British Film Institute|access-date=2008-07-06}}</ref> It depicted the activities of the organisation.

Towards the late 1960s and early 1970s, political turmoil once again returned with the East Pakistan conflict brewing. Amidst concerns, the film ''[[Dosti (Pakistani film)|Dosti]]'', was released on [[Pakistani films of 1971|7 February 1971]] and turned out to be the first indigenous Urdu film to complete 101&nbsp;weeks of success at the box office, making it the first recipient of a [[diamond jubilee]].<ref name="CITEREFDosti">{{cite web|url=http://mazhar.dk/film/history/70s/1971.htm|title=Pakistani films in 1971|publisher=Mazhar.dk|access-date=2008-07-05 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080211175755/http://mazhar.dk/film/history/70s/1971.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 11 February 2008}}</ref> As political uncertainty took charge of the entertainment industry, filmmakers were asked to consider the socio-political impacts of their films. For instance, the makers of ''[[Tehzeeb (1971 film)|Tehzeeb]]'', released on 20 November 1971, were asked to change the lyrics of a song that might have proved detrimental to the diplomatic relations between Egypt and Pakistan. So vulnerable was the film industry to the changing political landscape that in 1976, an angry mob set fire to a cinema in [[Quetta]] just before the release of the first Balochi film, ''[[Hammal O Mahganj]]''.

Javed Jabbar's ''[[Beyond the Last Mountain]]'', released on [[Pakistani films of 1976|2 December 1976]], was Pakistan's first venture into English film-making. The Urdu version ''[[Beyond the Last Mountain|Musafir]]'' did not do well at the box office. Signs of trouble slowly began in the cinema industry as [[Videocassette recorder|VCRs]] and [[Copyright infringement|piracy]] became an issue.

===Decline (1977–1990)===
[[File:Lollywood Billboards - Terror (the movie) Billboard-2.JPG|left|thumb|250px|Gundasa culture in Lollywood]]
Pakistani cinema entered into a decline during the regime of [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq]] (1978–1988), who began his [[Islamization]] process across the country. One of the first victims of this sociopolitical change was Pakistani cinema.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/fridayreview/story/0,,1146453,00.html|title=My film is part of the peace process|publisher=[[Guardian Unlimited]]|access-date=2008-07-03 | location=London | first=Tania | last=Branigan | date=13 February 2004}}</ref> Imposition of new registration laws for film producers requiring filmmakers to be degree holders, where not many were, led to a steep decline in the workings of the industry. The government forcibly closed most of the cinemas in Lahore.<ref name="CITEREFOnTheMedia">{{cite web |url=http://www.onthemedia.org/yore/transcripts/transcripts_082004_lolly.html |title=Lollywood goes pop |publisher=On The Media |access-date=2008-07-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426234906/http://www.onthemedia.org/yore/transcripts/transcripts_082004_lolly.html |archive-date=26 April 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> New [[tax rate]]s were introduced, further decreasing cinema attendances. Other factors such as VCRs and film piracy had a negative effect on the growth of the industry.<ref name="dawn.com">{{cite web |last=Paracha |first=Nadeem F. |author-link=Nadeem F. Paracha |date=26 September 2013 |title=New-wave of Pakistani cinema: Zinda and kicking |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1045365 |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref>

''[[Aina (1977 film)|Aina]]'', released on [[Pakistani films of 1977|18 March 1977]], marked a distinct symbolic break between the so-called liberal [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]] years and the increasingly conservative cum revolutionary [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq]] regime. The film stayed in cinemas for over 400&nbsp;weeks,<ref name="CITEREFAaina">{{cite web|url=http://mazhar.dk/film/history/70s/1977.htm|title=Pakistani films in 1977|publisher=Mazhar.dk |access-date=2008-07-05 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080218012612/http://www.mazhar.dk/film/history/70s/1977.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 18 February 2008}}</ref> with its last screening at the Scala in [[Karachi]], where it ran for more than four years. It is considered the most popular Pakistan film ever.<ref name="CITEREFAaina"/> Films dropped from a total output of 98 in 1979, of which 42 were in Urdu, to only 58 films of which 26 were in Urdu in 1980.{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}}

The film industry by now was on the verge of collapse as people began turning away from cinema. The filmmakers that remained in the industry, produced super hits like [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] cult classic ''[[Maula Jatt]]'' in 1979, telling the story of a [[gandasa]]-carrying protagonist waging a blood-feud with a local gangster. While ''Maula Jatt'' paved the way for films based on rural and violent anti-hero, in terms of dress, conduct, speech, and values, Maula was at odds with previous presentations of heroes and ideals of nation-building.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sevea|first=Iqbal|date=July 2014|title="Kharaak Kita Oi!" : Masculinity, Caste, and Gender in Punjabi Films|journal=BioScope: South Asian Screen Studies|language=en|volume=5|issue=2|pages=129–140|doi=10.1177/0974927614548645|s2cid=145354496|issn=0974-9276}}</ref> Similarly, ''[[Aurat Raj]],'' released in 1979, is another film, which is hailed for its feminist narrative.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mokhtar|first=Shehram|date=May 2018|title=Aurat Raj: Hacking Masculinity & Reimagining Gender in South Asian Cinema|url=https://adanewmedia.org/2018/05/issue13-mokhtar/|journal=Ada: A Journal of Gender, New Media, and Technology|language=en-US|issue=13|doi=10.5399/uo/ada.2018.13.2|doi-broken-date=2 November 2024 |issn=2325-0496|doi-access=free|access-date=13 August 2020|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121235423/https://adanewmedia.org/2018/05/issue13-mokhtar/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Paracha |first=Nadeem F. |date=2014-08-17 |title=Pakistan's first radical feminist |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1125708 |access-date=2020-08-13 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |language=en}}</ref> Growing censorship policies against displays of affection, rather than violence, came as a blow to the industry. As a result, violence-ridden Punjabi films prevailed and overshadowed Urdu cinema. The middle class neglected the 'increasingly dilapidated and rowdy cinemas'. This film sub-culture came to be known as the ''gandasa culture''. In [[Cinema of Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjabi cinema]], [[Sultan Rahi]] and [[Anjuman (actor)|Anjuman]] became iconic figures of this culture. In [[Pashto cinema]], filmmakers were able to get around the censor policies and filled their films with soft-core pornography to increase viewership. This was done by the backing of powerful politicians.

The once romantic and lovable image of Pakistani cinema in the 1960s and 1970s had transformed into a culture of violence and vulgarity by the 1980s. This ironically came while the government under Zia-ul-Haq's regime was attempting to "Islamise" the country. Being an actress associated with the current crop of productions became an understandable taboo and many middle-class people began shunning these films.{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}} Nevertheless, the influx of refugees from [[Afghanistan]], who were denied entertainment in their own country, kept Pashto cinema alive,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.khyber.org/articles/2003/PashtoCinema-Craziness.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112051524/http://www.khyber.org/articles/2003/PashtoCinema-Craziness.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-01-12 |title=Pashto cinema |publisher=Khyber.org |access-date=2008-07-03 }}</ref> while Punjabi cinema was fueled by young single men from the rural areas of Punjab.

In 1983, legendary actor Waheed Murad died, which was yet another blow to the cinema industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chowk.com/articles/4492|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070720031024/http://www.chowk.com/articles/4492|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-07-20|title=Rise and fall of a silver screen hero|publisher=Chowk|access-date=2008-07-03}}</ref> Some claim he committed suicide while the media attributed his death to his disheartened view in the wake of Pakistani cinema's collapse.<ref name="CITEREFWaheedMuradDeath">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_29-8-2004_pg7_15|title=Waheed Murad film festival in city from September 3|publisher=The Daily Times|access-date=2008-07-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213054503/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_29-8-2004_pg7_15|archive-date=13 February 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The director of his unfinished film ''Hero'', employed 'cheat shots' to complete the film and released to sold out cinemas across the country. This enthusiasm soon disappeared and not even Pakistan's first science fiction film, ''[[Shaani]]'', in 1989,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punjabilok.com/misc/movies/landmarks_pak_cinema.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020811112543/http://www.punjabilok.com/misc/movies/landmarks_pak_cinema.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2002-08-11|title=Landmarks in Pakistani cinema|publisher=Punjabi Lok|access-date=2008-07-03}}</ref> directed by [[Saeed Rizvi]] employing elaborate special effects, could save the industry. It received awards at the [[Moscow Film Festival]],<ref name="CITEREFShaani">{{cite web|url=http://education.kalpoint.com/pow/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9 |title=Saeed Rizvi's interview |publisher=Kalpoint |access-date=2008-07-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713134135/http://education.kalpoint.com/pow/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9 |archive-date=13 July 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> in Egypt, and in Korea,<ref name="CITEREFShaani" /> but was shelved in Pakistan.<ref name="CITEREFShaani" />

===Collapse (1990–2002)===
At the start of the 1990s, Pakistan's film industry was gripped with certain doom. Of the several dozen studios across the country, only 11 were operational producing around 100 films annually.<ref name="CITEREFHomeBoy">{{cite web|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/723177.lollywoods_newest_star_is_home_boy/|title=Lollywood's newest star is home boy|date=12 December 2005 |publisher=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|access-date=2008-07-04}}</ref> By now the annual output dropped to around 40 films, all produced by a single studio.<ref name="CITEREFHomeBoy"/> Other productions would be independent of any studio usually financed by the filmmakers themselves. This number would lower further as studios went towards producing short-plays and television commercials.<ref name="CITEREFOnTheMedia"/> The death of Waheed Murad in 1983 was only the start of the demise of iconic cinema stars of the 60s which further led to decreased interest. [[Anjuman (actor)|Anjuman]] quit from playback signing, [[Sultan Rahi]] was murdered in 1996, director [[Sangeeta (Pakistani actress)|Sangeeta]] put her career on hold to attended to family life while Nazrul Islam died. Controversy raged over the 1998 film ''[[Jinnah (film)|Jinnah]]'', produced by [[Akbar S. Ahmed|Akbar Salahuddin Ahmed]] and directed by [[Jamil Dehlavi]]. Objections were raised over the choice of actor [[Christopher Lee]] as the protagonist<ref name="CITEREFJinnah1">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/180736.stm|title=Trouble Jinnah movie opens|publisher=BBC World|access-date=2008-07-04 | date=26 September 1998}}</ref> depicting [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]] and inclusion of Indian [[Shashi Kapoor]] as archangel Gabriel<ref name="CITEREFJinnah2">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/may/03jinnah.htm|title=Pakistan governments halts funds for Jinnah film|publisher=Rediff|access-date=2008-07-04}}</ref> in the cast combined with the experimental nature of the script.<ref name="CITEREFJinnah2"/> Imran Aslam, editor of [[The News International]], said the author wrote the script in a "haze of [[hashish]]".<ref name="CITEREFJinnah2"/> By 1999, a surge of new films began releasing. ''Haathi Meray Saathi'' produced and distributed by Eveready Pictures celebrated its Golden Jubilee bringing audience back to the cinema for 66 weeks. Other hits were [[Syed Noor]]'s 1995 film ''[[Jeeva (1995 film)|Jeeva]]'', Saeed Rizvi's ''[[Sarkata Insaan]]'' and his 1997 film ''Tilismih Jazira''. 1998 saw the release of Noor's ''[[Choorian (1998 film)|Choorian]]'', a Punjabi film that grossed Rs180 million [[Pakistani rupee|rupees]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehotspotonline.com/moviespot/bolly/reviews/c/Choorian.htm|title=Review: Choorian|publisher=HotSpot|access-date=2008-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518223317/http://www.thehotspotonline.com/moviespot/bolly/reviews/c/Choorian.htm|archive-date=18 May 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1999, a Russian-Pakistani joint venture was produced and [[Samina Peerzada]]'s ''[[Inteha (1999 film)|Inteha]]''. Other notable productions of the late 90s included ''[[Deewane Tere Pyar Ke]]'', ''[[Mujhe Chand Chahiye]]'', ''[[Sangam (1997 film)|Sangam]]'', ''[[Tere Pyar Mein]]'', and ''[[Ghar Kab Aao Gay]]'', which attempted to get away from formulaic and violent story lines. It was predicted that Pakistani cinema would have a revival. However, the public did not respond and low attendance at cinemas were recorded as the [[lower middle class]] shunned these films. The industry was pronounced dead by the start of the new millennium. By the early 2000s "an industry that once produced an average of 80 films annually was now struggling to even churn out more than two films a year".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywhat.com/beyond/pakistani.html|title=bollywhat.com|website=www.bollywhat.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727213829/http://www.bollywhat.com/beyond/pakistani.html|archive-date=27 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Partial successes were recorded with ''[[Larki Panjaban]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Filming across the divide |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3224548.stm |website=BBC |access-date=1 October 2018 |date=1 December 2003}}</ref> and [[Javed Sheikh]]'s ''[[Yeh Dil Aap Ka Huwa]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geofunkar.com/lollywood/ydreview.htm|title=Review:Yeh Dil|publisher=Geo Funkar|access-date=2008-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223174243/http://www.geofunkar.com/lollywood/ydreview.htm|archive-date=23 December 2007|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> grossing over Rs200 million [[Pakistani rupee|rupees]].

=== Revival and resurgence (2003–2011) ===
By 2003, young filmmakers in Karachi began experimenting with film and released low budget films to demonstrate that high quality content could be produced in Pakistan using limited resources.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2701853.stm|title=Lolywood's Happy Ending|publisher=BBC World|access-date=2008-07-02 | date=28 January 2003|first=Zaffar|last=Abbas}}</ref> Cinema houses were declining in all major cities and a revival of cinema was being echoed throughout the media. With privatization of television stations in full swing, a new channel ''[[Filmazia]]'' began airing old Pakistani films as well as newer low budget productions. During this period [[Mahesh Bhatt]], a celebrated Indian director, visited Pakistan looking for talent - particularly singers who could lend their voices to his upcoming films in India. His visit to Pakistan was to coincide with the third [[Kara Film Festival]] where he screened his film ''[[Paap]]'' in [[Karachi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/interviews/20050108-0.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050111025829/http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/interviews/20050108-0.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-01-11|title=I'm India's ambassador|publisher=ApunKaChoice|access-date=2008-07-02}}</ref> Bhatt would later hire [[Atif Aslam]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=HNHStyle|date=2020-12-26|title=Atif Aslam On Forbes Asia's 100 Digital Stars List|url=https://hnhstyle.com/atif-aslam-on-forbes-asias-100-digital-stars-list|access-date=2021-01-06|website=HNH Style|language=en}}</ref> for the soundtrack of his film ''[[Zeher]]'' and Pakistani actress [[Meera (Pakistani actress)|Meera]] to play a lead-role in one of his films.{{citation needed|date=January 2013}} By 2005, a gradual shift had begun whereby [[Karachi]] was replacing [[Lahore]] as the Urdu film hub of the country. Before 2005, Lahore was a film hub for both Punjabi and Urdu films. Many film makers, producers, directors shifted to Karachi to avail new opportunities. In August 2007, [[Shoaib Mansoor]] directed and released ''[[Khuda Ke Liye]]'' - it became a surprise instant success at the box office and brought the middle class back to the cinemas due to its controversial theme of addressing Pakistan's social problems. The film was also released internationally, including India, where it became the first Pakistani film released there after four decades.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200804041550.htm |title=Pak. film 'Khuda Ke Liye' released in India |access-date=2008-04-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406222751/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200804041550.htm |archive-date=6 April 2008 |df=dmy }} Pak. film ''Khuda Ke Liye'' released in India</ref> The release of Khuda Kay Liye is seen by many as the revival of cinema in Pakistan and the cementing of Karachi as the Pakistani film and showbiz capital. Despite optimism of a solid revival, progress continued to be slow. Alongside [[Geo Films]], the "Pakistan New Cinema Movement" was launched in 2009 with around 1400 members which facilitated networking to stimulate newer film productions. Several films were released after Khuda Kay Liye which saw limited success including Shaan Shahid's directorial project ''Chup'', Syed Noor's ''Price of Honor'', Iqbal Kashmiri's ''Devdas'', ''[[Son of Pakistan]]'', Syed Faisal Bukhari's ''Saltanat'', Reema Khan's ''Love Mein Ghum''.,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/252366/film-review-love-mein-ghum-coming-back-to-life/|title=Film review: Love Mein Ghum - coming back to life - The Express Tribune|date=20 September 2011}}</ref> 'Bhai Log' and Mehreen Jabbar's [[Ramchand Pakistani]]. However it was [[Shoaib Mansoor]] to the rescue again with his 2011 film [[Bol (film)|Bol]] which broke box office records in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shoaib Mansoor's BOL breaks box office record in Pakistan|url=http://www.pakium.com/2011/07/01/shoaib-mansoors-bol-breaks-box-office-record-in-pakistan|newspaper=Pakistani Ultimate Media|access-date=12 July 2011|date=14 July 2011|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924063508/http://www.pakium.com/2011/07/01/shoaib-mansoors-bol-breaks-box-office-record-in-pakistan|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== New wave (2011–present) ===
Shoaib Mansoor's [[Bol (film)|Bol]] seemed to have officially "revived" the cinema of Pakistan. 2013 brought with it seven Pakistani films that were theatrically released in Pakistan, and led commentators to ponder whether it was time to announce the heralding of a 'new wave'<ref name="dawn.com"/> of Pakistani cinema.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/15/opinion/shah-pakistani-cinemas-new-wave.html?_r=0|title=Opinion - Pakistani Cinema's New Wave|journal=The New York Times|date=2014-01-14|last1=Shah|first1=Bina}}</ref> Since 2011 from the digital scene two films have stood out with box office success as [[List of highest grossing Pakistani films|highest grossing Pakistani films]]; [[Waar]] followed by [[Main Hoon Shahid Afridi]].

Shoaib Mansoor's ''Khuda Kay Liye'' (2007) and ''Bol'' (2011) seemed to have ushered in the ''revival of Pakistani cinema''. By 2013, several Pakistani films were theatrically released - the first time in over a decade. It led commentators to speculate whether it was time to announce the heralding of a 'new wave'<ref name="dawn.com"/> of Pakistani cinema.<ref name="nytimes.com"/>
[[List of Pakistani films of 2013|2013]] proved to be a great year for Pakistani cinema. In March, ''[[Siyaah]]'' (meaning ''Pitch black'') was the first [[horror film|horror]] [[thriller film]] to be released in Pakistan in over 20 years. Directed by Azfar Jafri<ref name="small budget film">{{cite news|first=Sher |last=Khan|title=Small budget Siyaah may pave way for indie film-makers|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/499783/small-budget-siyaah-may-pave-way-for-indie-film-makers/|access-date=28 January 2013|newspaper=Tribune}}</ref> and written by [[Osman Khalid Butt]], the film starred [[Hareem Farooq]], Qazi Jabbar, [[Mahnoor Usman]] and Ahmed Ali Akbar. The film was about a [[dissociative identity disorder]] patient who uses black magic against unsuspecting relatives.<ref>{{cite news|title=Siyaah: A story of black magic|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/403035/siyaah-a-story-of-black-magic/|access-date=14 February 2013|newspaper=[[The Express Tribune]]|date=3 July 2012}}</ref> The film collected over ₨2.65 crore (US$260,000) at the box office. The following month ''[[Chambaili]]'', an [[Urdu]]-language political [[thriller film]] directed by [[Ismail Jilani]], was released starring Salmaan Peerzada, [[Khalid Ahmed]], [[Mohammed Ehteshamuddin]], [[Maira Khan]], [[Shafqat Cheema]] and [[Ghulam Mohiuddin (actor)|Ghulam Mohiuddin]] also made a special appearance. The film was a political drama exploring the subject of political corruption in Pakistan. Since the flower 'Chambaili' (lily flower) is the national flower of Pakistan, the film-makers' intentions were to encourage patriotism and nationalism in Pakistan.<ref name=Tribune>{{cite news|last=Khan|first=Sher|title=With Chambaili, a colony of workers gets a facelift|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/522330/with-chambaili-a-colony-of-workers-gets-a-facelift/|access-date=31 December 2013|newspaper=The Express Tribune newspaper|date=17 March 2013}}, Retrieved 15 July 2016</ref> The film made {{PKRConvert|20|m}} at the box office. [[Waar]] ({{transliteration|ur|''Wār''}}<nowiki>;</nowiki> {{IPA|ur|ʋɑːr|IPA}}, meaning "The [[Strike (attack)|Strike]]") was the winner of 2013. The [[action film|action]]-[[thriller film]] directed by [[Bilal Lashari]]<ref name="Bilal Lashari's Waar">{{cite news|title="I Didn't Want to Play Safe with Waar": Bilal Lashari| newspaper=Masala.com | date=2 December 2013 |url=http://www.masala.com/i-did-not-want-to-play-safe-with-waar-bilal-lashari-147932.html?page=2|publisher=Lekha Menon|access-date=12 December 2013}}</ref> and written and produced by [[Hassan Rana]]<ref name="film producer">{{cite news|first1=Sher|last1= Khan|title=Genius or moron — you decide, says Waar producer|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/427313/genius-or-moron--you-decide-says-waar-producer/|access-date=12 December 2013|newspaper=Tribune|date=28 August 2013}}</ref> featured [[Shaan Shahid]], [[Meesha Shafi]], [[Ali Azmat]], [[Shamoon Abbasi]], [[Ayesha Khan (Pakistani actress)|Ayesha Khan]] and Kamran Lashari.<ref name="Tribune09012012">{{cite news |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/318857/waging-waar/ |title=Waging Waar|publisher= The Express Tribune|date=9 January 2012 |first1=Sher|last1=Khan|location=Lahore}}</ref> At the time of its release, it became the [[List of highest-grossing Pakistani films|highest-grossing]] Pakistani film ever. This was broken by 2015 release of ''[[Jawani Phir Nahi Ani]]''.<ref name="highest grossing">{{cite news|first1=Rafay|last1=Mahmood|title=Waar is the highest grossing Pakistani film of all time|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/636060/its-official-waar-is-the-highest-grossing-pakistani-film-of-all-time/|access-date=23 November 2013|newspaper=Tribune}}</ref> The film depicts events surrounding the [[War in North-West Pakistan|war on terror]] in [[Pakistan]],<ref name="ET: Waar: Pakistan’s next blockbuster">{{cite news|title=Waar: Pakistan's next blockbuster?|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/157100/waar-pakistans-next-blockbuster/|access-date=17 October 2013|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=26 April 2011|last=Shadab|first=Biya}}</ref><ref name="Instep: Meesha Shafi joins Mira Nair's">{{cite news|title=Meesha Shafi joins Mira Nair's The Reluctant Fundamentalist|url=http://old.thenews.com/08-10-2011/instep_today/|access-date=17 October 2013|newspaper=The News|date=8 October 2011}}</ref> including the [[2009 Lahore police academy attacks|attack on a Police Academy]] in [[Lahore]] in 2009. Several other films were also released between April and October including ''[[Ishq Khuda]]'' directed by [[Shahzad Rafique]], ''[[Josh: Independence Through Unity]]'' directed by [[Iram Parveen Bilal]], ''[[Main Hoon Shahid Afridi]]'' directed by [[Syed Ali Raza Usama]], ''[[Zinda Bhaag]]'' by [[Meenu Gaur]] and ''[[Seedlings (film)|Seedlings]]'' by Mansoor Mujahid. ''Main Hoon Shahid Afridi'' was an [[action film|action]]-[[drama]] film directed by [[Syed Ali Raza Usama]] and produced by [[Humayun Saeed]]<ref>{{cite news|first=Rafay |last=Mahmood|title=I respect Shahid Afridi's sentiments: Humayun Saeed|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/590595/i-respect-shahid-afridis-sentiments-says-humayun-saeed/|access-date=21 December 2013|newspaper=Tribune|date=15 August 2013}}</ref> and Shahzad Nasib. The film starred [[Humayun Saeed]], [[Javed Shaikh]] and [[Noman Habib]] in the lead roles. [[Nadeem Baig (actor)|Nadeem Baig]], [[Shafqat Cheema]], [[Ismail Tara]], [[Ainy jaffri|Ainy Jaffri]], [[Hamza Ali Abbasi]] and [[Shehzad Sheikh]] also played important roles in the film, whilst [[Shahid Afridi]]<ref>{{cite news|first=Ghuncha|last=Khan|title=Main Hoon Shahid Afridi: Zamana bolay Boom Boom|url=http://blogs.thenews.com.pk/blogs/2013/09/main-hoon-shahid-afridi-zamana-bolay-boom-boom/|access-date=21 December 2013|newspaper=The News - Blog|date=26 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020080759/http://blogs.thenews.com.pk/blogs/2013/09/main-hoon-shahid-afridi-zamana-bolay-boom-boom/|archive-date=20 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Ayesha Omar]] made special appearances.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mohammad Kamran |last=Jawaid|title=Movie Review: Main Hoon Shahid Afridi|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1037601/movie-review-main-hoon-shahid-afridi|access-date=21 December 2013|newspaper=DAWN|date=22 August 2013}}</ref> The film earned {{PKRConvert|22|m}} in its first week of release.<ref>{{cite news|first=Rafay |last=Mahmood|title=Main Hoon Shahid Afridi is box office hit!|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/613931/main-hoon-shahid-afridi-is-box-office-hit/|access-date=21 December 2013|newspaper=Tribune|date=5 October 2013}}</ref> However, as some commentators cautioned, declaring a film a 'hit' or a 'flop' is determined by the relationship of the budget spent and box office returns of a film and therefore several of the top-grossing films of Pakistan were technically not a 'hit'.<ref name="http://www.dawn.com/news/1051514">{{cite web |last1=Zaidi |first1=Hasan |title=Is Waar a hit? |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1051514 |website=DAWN.COM |access-date=1 October 2018 |date=24 October 2013}}</ref> Nonetheless, the lack of box office returns of a Pakistani film has less to do with the film itself but more to do with the severely limited number of screens in Pakistan.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1109137/cinema-in-pakistan-the-way-ahead|title=Cinema in Pakistan: the way ahead|first=Mazhar|last=Zaidi|date=1 June 2014}}</ref> [[Zinda Bhaag]] (''Run For Your Life'') has been critically acclaimed with reviewers calling it 'the best film to have come out of modern-day Pakistani cinema'<ref name="tribune.com.pk">{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/606469/zinda-bhaag-this-deserves-an-oscar-nod/|title=Zinda Bhaag: This deserves an Oscar nod - The Express Tribune|date=19 September 2013}}</ref> and a "new metaphor for Pakistani cinema"<ref name="thehindu.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/up-and-running/article3782620.ece|title=Up and running|journal=The Hindu|first=Anuj|last=Kumar|date=17 August 2012|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> that "bode(d) well for the possibility of noteworthy Pakistani imports in years to come".<ref name="Los Angeles Times">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2013-oct-21-la-et-mn-zinda-bhaag-review-20131022-story.html|title=Review: 'Zinda Bhaag's' young Pakistanis dream of opportunity abroad|journal=Los Angeles Times|first=Robert|last=Abele|date=21 October 2013|via=LA Times}}</ref> [[Zinda Bhaag]] went on to be Pakistan's official submission to the [[List of submissions to the 83rd Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film|Oscars]],<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1042598/zinda-bhaag-submitted-for-oscar-consideration|title="Zinda Bhaag" submitted for Oscar consideration|last=Dawn.com|date=13 September 2013}}</ref> the first after a gap of fifty years<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/605011/zinda-bhaag-pakistan-nominates-first-film-for-oscar-in-50-years/|title=Zinda Bhaag: Pakistan nominates first film for Oscar in 50 years - The Express Tribune|date=16 September 2013}}</ref> but did not make the final shortlist nominees.<ref name="auto">[[List of submissions to the 83rd Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film]]</ref> The resurgence of new Pakistani film productions centres around the use of digital equipment and makes use of cheaper distribution with DCP compliant cinemas which started to convert around 2011, increasing rapidly to 2014 with around 30 cinemas nationwide.<ref name="Cinema goes digital">{{cite web|last1=Khan|first1=Atifuddin|title=Cinema goes digital|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1043303|website=Dawn.com|publisher=Dawn group|access-date=5 June 2014|date=2013-09-16}}</ref>

[[List of Pakistani films of 2014|2014]] proved to be an equally great year, with ''[[Na Maloom Afraad]]'' (''Unidentified Persons'') taking the 2014 box office. The Pakistani [[comedy film|comedy]] [[thriller film]] was co-written and directed by [[Nabeel Qureshi (director)|Nabeel Qureshi]] as his [[List of directorial debuts#2010s|directorial debut]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Nabeel Qureshi: 'Fard' behind 'Namaloom Afraad'|url=http://www.hipinpakistan.com/script-one-hundred-percent-original-nabeel-qureshi-debut-movie-namaloom-afraad/|website=HiP|publisher=Khayyam Baig|access-date=3 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903164623/http://www.hipinpakistan.com/script-one-hundred-percent-original-nabeel-qureshi-debut-movie-namaloom-afraad/|archive-date=3 September 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The film starred [[Javed Sheikh]], [[Fahad Mustafa]], [[Mohsin Abbas Haider]] with supporting cast of [[Urwa Hocane]], [[Kubra Khan]] and [[Salman Shahid]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Did you know?: Na Maloom Afraad to reveal identities post-Ramazan|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/720862/did-you-know-na-maloom-afraad-to-reveal-identities-post-ramazan/|access-date=13 June 2014|work=The Express Tribune}}</ref> The story follows Shakeel (Sheikh), Farhaan (Mustafa) and Moon (Haider), three poor struggling individuals who chase every possible means of becoming rich, all getting into  trouble as they struggle to fulfill their desires and ambitions through questionably moral ways. Other films released in 2014 included ''[[Tamanna (2014 film)|Tamanna]]'' directed by Steven Moore, [[Sultanat (2014 film)|''Sultanat'']] directed by [[Syed Faisal Bukhari]], ''[[Dukhtar]]'' directed by [[Afia Nathaniel]], and ''[[O21 (film)|O21]]'' directed by Jami.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

[[List of Pakistani films of 2015|2015]] picked off from the momentum of 2014 and 2013. ''[[Jalaibee]]'' (meaning ''twist'') was a [[Caper story|caper]] [[action (genre)|action]] [[Thriller (genre)|thriller film]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Get ready to get some Jalaibee!|url=http://www.skotato.com/get-ready-to-get-some-jalaibee/|publisher=Skotato|access-date=31 December 2013}}</ref> directed and written by [[Yasir Jaswal]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Rao|first=Maliha|title=Jalaibee is coming - Interview with director|url=http://soup.com.pk/jalaibee-coming/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131227100449/http://soup.com.pk/jalaibee-coming/|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 December 2013|publisher=SOUP|access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chats with Yasir Jaswal|url=http://soup.com.pk/jalaibee-coming/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131227100449/http://soup.com.pk/jalaibee-coming/|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 December 2013|website=Soup|publisher=Maliha Rao|access-date=20 October 2014}}</ref> produced by Eman Syed. Jalaibee was a joint production of [[ARY Films]] and Redrum Films in association with Sermad Films and Jaswal Films. The film starred prominent TV actors [[Danish Taimoor]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Zaidi|first=Nida|title=Danish Taimoor will make his film Debut with upcoming movie 'Jalaibee'|url=http://style.pk|publisher=Reviewit|access-date=31 December 2013|date=2013-11-18}}</ref> and [[Ali Safina]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Jalaibee 'very different' from other movies being made in Pakistan|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/841938/jalaibee-very-different-from-other-movies-being-made-in-pakistan-says-ali-safina/|access-date=8 March 2015|work=[[The Express Tribune]]|publisher=Hasan Ansari}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ali Safina: The sweet journey to Jalaibee|url=http://www.hipinpakistan.com/ali-safina-sweet-journey-jalaibee/|website=HiP|publisher=Ayesha Ahmed|access-date=15 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215113538/http://www.hipinpakistan.com/ali-safina-sweet-journey-jalaibee/|archive-date=15 December 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> in lead roles along with [[Adnan Jaffar]], [[Sajid Hasan]], Uzair Jaswal,<ref>{{cite news|title=The Jaswals take over the industry|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/18-Jan-2015/the-jaswals-take-over-the-industry|access-date=23 January 2015|work=[[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118123836/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/18-Jan-2015/the-jaswals-take-over-the-industry|archive-date=18 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Wiqar Ali Khan,<ref>{{cite news|title=Adding swag to Pashtun identity in showbiz|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/823345/adding-swag-to-pashtun-identity-in-showbiz/|access-date=23 January 2015|work=[[The Express Tribune]]|publisher=Maryam Usman}}</ref> Sabeeka Imam and [[Zhalay Sarhadi]].<ref name=intro_hip>{{cite web|title=5 reasons to watch Jalaibee|url=http://www.hipinpakistan.com/5-reasons-watch-jalaibee/|website=HIP|publisher=Wajiha Jawaid|access-date=7 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606111927/http://www.hipinpakistan.com/5-reasons-watch-jalaibee/|archive-date=6 June 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Jalaibee was the first Pakistani film to be shot with the [[Arri Alexa]] camera.<ref name=intro_hip/> and was about the intertwined stories of numerous characters who are all struggling with their problems, and who somehow connect on a unifying level.<ref name=director_dawn>{{cite news|title=Jalaibee will be pure entertainment, director promise|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1136626|access-date=10 October 2014|work=[[DAWN.com]]|publisher=Zoya Anwer}}</ref> The film collected {{PKRConvert|5|m}} before its release as [[Malik Riaz]] had bought 10,000 tickets in advance.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jalaibee makes Rs5 million on the box office before release|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/850974/jalaibee-makes-rs5-million-on-the-box-office-before-release/|access-date=13 March 2015|work=[[The Express Tribune]]|publisher=Hasan Ansari}}</ref> The film had a good number of public previews came out well on them collecting {{PKRConvert|1|m}} which is biggest preview collections ever in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news|title='Jalaibee' earns Rs 1 Crore on opening day|url=http://www.brecorder.com/arts-a-leisure/50-movies/234157-%E2%80%98jalaibee%E2%80%99-earns-rs-1-crore-on-opening-day.html|access-date=8 April 2015|work=[[Business Recorder]]|publisher=Madiha Shakeel|archive-date=20 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720232738/http://www.brecorder.com/arts-a-leisure/50-movies/234157-%E2%80%98jalaibee%E2%80%99-earns-rs-1-crore-on-opening-day.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jalaibee makes Rs1 crore on opening day|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/856870/jalaibee-makes-rs-1-crore-on-opening-day/|access-date=8 April 2015|work=[[The Express Tribune]]|publisher=Rafay Mahmood}}</ref> In total, the film collected {{PKRConvert|7.50|c}} at domestic box office and around {{PKRConvert|3|c}} overseas, taking lifetime gross to {{PKRConvert|10.5|c}} at the end of April.<ref name=gross>{{cite web|title=Jalaibee Lifetime Collection Worldwide|url=http://www.boxofficeasia.net/2015/04/23/jalaibee-lifetime-collection-worldwide/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430000130/http://www.boxofficeasia.net/2015/04/23/jalaibee-lifetime-collection-worldwide/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=30 April 2015|website=Box Office Asia|access-date=26 April 2015}}</ref> In May, Pakistan's first [[3D film|3D]] [[computer animated]] film was released. ''[[3 Bahadur]]'' ({{literal translation|three brave ones}}) was produced and directed by [[Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy]]. It was the first instalment in the franchise [[3 Bahadur (film series)]] and was co-produced by [[Waadi Animations]] (a joint-venture of [[SOC films]])<ref>{{cite web|title=SOC film launching first ever animated motion picture, 3 Bahadur|url=http://sunday.com.pk/film-theatre/03-Jun-2014/soc-films-launching-pakistan-s-first-ever-animated-motion-picture-3-bahadur#.U5A24PmSxss|magazine=[[Sunday magazine]]|date=3 June 2014|access-date=4 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607002629/http://sunday.com.pk/film-theatre/03-Jun-2014/soc-films-launching-pakistan-s-first-ever-animated-motion-picture-3-bahadur#.U5A24PmSxss|archive-date=7 June 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=SOC Films launches '3 Bahadur'|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/03-Jun-2014/soc-films-launches-3-bahadur|access-date=29 December 2014|work=[[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626130550/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/03-Jun-2014/soc-films-launches-3-bahadur|archive-date=26 June 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and [[ARY Films]]. 3 Bahadur became Pakistan's first computer-animated feature-length film.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pakistan's First Full Length CG Feature "3 Bahadur"|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationscoop/trailer-pakistans-first-full-length-cg-feature-3-bahadur-20141227|access-date=28 December 2014|work=[[Indiewire]]|publisher=Jerry Beck|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230110108/http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationscoop/trailer-pakistans-first-full-length-cg-feature-3-bahadur-20141227|archive-date=30 December 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Three Braves: Pakistan's empowering first animated feature film|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jun/19/sharmeen-obaid-chinoy-three-braves-pakistan-animation|access-date=25 December 2014|work=[[The Guardian (newspaper)|The Guardian]]|publisher=Alia Waheed}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=3 Bahadur - Another Lollywood milestone|url=http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/25619/3-bahadur-another-lollywood-milestone/|access-date=6 January 2015|work=[[The Express Tribune]]|publisher=Zoya Altaf|archive-date=6 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106094700/http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/25619/3-bahadur-another-lollywood-milestone/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film focuses on three eleven-year-old friends, who rise from the unlikeliest of places to save their community from the evils that plague it.<ref>{{cite news|title='Teen Bahdur' gives Pakistan's children superheroes they can relate to|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32827128|access-date=22 May 2015|work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> The film is set in a fictional town called ''Roshan Basti'' (town of light).<ref name=TOE>{{cite web|title=First Look of film, '3 Bahadur'|url=http://timesofentertainment.com/first-look-film-3-bahadur/|website=Times of Entertainment|access-date=28 December 2014|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141227012406/http://timesofentertainment.com/first-look-film-3-bahadur/|archive-date=27 December 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Equipped with courage and super powers, they battle against the odds and stand up to injustice to restore peace and harmony in their once thriving community and live a very happy life. The film was theatrically released [[ARY Films]].<ref name=release>{{cite news|title=Waadi Animations is set to release '3 Bahadur' across Pakistan today|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/22-May-2015/waadi-animations-is-set-to-release-3-bahadur-across-pakistan-today|access-date=22 May 2015|work=Daily Times|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713021447/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/22-May-2015/waadi-animations-is-set-to-release-3-bahadur-across-pakistan-today|archive-date=13 July 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It became the highest-grossing animated film at the local box office breaking the previous record of ''[[Rio 2]]''.<ref name=HGPA>{{cite news|title=3 Bahadur becomes highest grossing animated film ever in Pakistan|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/899872/a-bahadur-new-world/|access-date=8 June 2015|work=[[The Express Tribune]]|publisher=Hasan Ansari}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='3 Bahadur' all set to mark Rs.50 million at box office|url=http://arynews.tv/en/3-bahadur-all-set-to-mark-rs-50-million-at-box-office|access-date=8 June 2015|work=[[ARY News]]|publisher=Zohaib Kazmi}}</ref> It grossed {{PKRConvert|6.63|c}} after 50 days of successful run in cinemas and became 7th highest-grossing film in Pakistani cinema history. Between July and September, a number of films were released beginning with ''[[Bin Roye]]'' (''Without Crying''). The [[Romance film|romantic]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by [[Momina Duraid]] and [[Shahzad Kashmiri]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/920781/public-opinion-heres-what-those-who-attended-bin-roye-premiere-think-about-the-film/|title=Premiere chatter: Here's what people are saying about Bin Roye|date=2015-07-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-13912963|title=Behind the scenes at Bollywood's Oscars|work=BBC News }}</ref> starred [[Mahira Khan]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b060lxq2 | title=Pakistani actress Mahira Khan | publisher=[[BBC News]] | work=[[BBC Radio]] Asian Network | date=8 July 2015 | access-date=24 July 2015 | last=Khan| first=Noreen}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyo.in/arts/bajrangi-bhaijaan-pakistan-eid-salman-khan-raees-srk-mahira-fawad-khan-bin-roye-mns-maharashtra-ban/story/1/5204.html|title=Why Pakistanis watching Bajrangi Bhaijaan shouldn't worry about India}}</ref> [[Humayun Saeed]], [[Armeena Khan]], [[Zeba Bakhtiar]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0627mxr | title=Bobby speaks to yesteryear Pakistani actress Zeba Bakhtiar about her new film Bin Roye. | publisher=[[BBC News]] | work=[[BBC Radio]] Asian Network | date=3 July 2015 | access-date=24 July 2015 | author=Friction, Bobby}}</ref> and [[Javed Sheikh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1194630|title=Haunted house? Extreme heat? — 6 things you didn't know about Bin Roye|date=2015-07-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1188359|title=Humayun Saeed and Mahira fall flat in Bin Roye's music vids. What went wrong?|date=2015-06-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Mahira-Khan-to-clash-with-Salman-Khan-at-the-box-office/articleshow/47971082.cms|title=Mahira Khan to clash with Salman Khan at the box office|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=7 July 2015 }}</ref> One of the movie's songs is directed by [[Haissam Hussain]]. The film was based on the original novel ''[[Bin Roye Ansoo (novel)|Bin Roye Ansoo]]'' by [[Farhat Ishtiaq]] and released worldwide on 18 18 July 2015, the day of [[Eid-ul-Fitr]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0627yx4 | title=Bin Roye: Eid Release | publisher=[[BBC Radio]] Asian Network | date=29 June 2015 | access-date=24 July 2015 | author=Ajram, Saima}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='Bin Roye' to hit cinemas this Eid |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/27-May-2015/bin-roye-to-hit-cinemas-this-eid |access-date=28 May 2015 |work=[[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528114657/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/27-May-2015/bin-roye-to-hit-cinemas-this-eid |archive-date=28 May 2015 }}</ref> ''Bin Roye'' was praised by the critics.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-33604804 | title=Could Pakistan rival India's Bollywood? | publisher=[[BBC Asian Network]] | work=Haroon Rashid | date=21 July 2015 | access-date=24 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/922693/the-box-office-eidi/|title=The box office Eidi|date=2015-07-17}}</ref> It broke all records on international markets becoming one of the highest grossing Pakistani films. The film ''Bin Roye'' was later adapted into a television series with the [[Bin Roye (TV series)|same name]], that premiered on [[Hum TV]] on 2 October 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.gulfnews.com/life-style/celebrity/desi-news/bin-roye-rides-pakistani-new-wave-1.1551281|title='Bin Roye' rides Pakistani new wave|date=16 July 2015 |access-date=23 July 2016}}</ref> Its success was followed by  [[Jawani Phir Nahi Ani]] which became the highest-grossing film of 2015 and breaking all box office records on domestic markets. The year saw some of the most critically acclaimed Pakistani films, including ''[[Moor (film)|Moor]]'' and ''[[Manto (2015 film)|Manto]]''. These films raised the standards for Pakistani films.

[[List of Pakistani films of 2016|2016]] continued the momentum of new age Pakistani cinema. ''[[Ho Mann Jahaan]]'' was released on 1 January, starring [[Adeel Hussain]], [[Mahira Khan]], [[Sheheryar Munawar]], and [[Sonya Jehan]], along with veteran [[Bushra Ansari]].<ref>{{cite news|title='Ho Mann Jahaan' Upcoming Pakistani film's cast and crew addresses media in Karachi |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/27-Mar-2015/ho-mann-jahaan-upcoming-pakistani-film-s-cast-and-crew-addresses-media-in-karachi |access-date=6 June 2015 |work=dailytimes.com.pk |date=27 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707121822/http://dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/27-Mar-2015/ho-mann-jahaan-upcoming-pakistani-film-s-cast-and-crew-addresses-media-in-karachi |archive-date=7 July 2015 }}</ref> The film opened to a highly successful box office weekend and went on to run for several weeks, making it the third-highest-grossing film of 2016, earning Rs.22.50 crores in total. ''[[Janaan]]'' and ''[[Actor in Law|Actor In Law]]'' both opened on Eid weekend, becoming the highest and second-highest-grossing films of 2016, respectively, earning Rs.24 crores and Rs.17.5 crores at the local box office and Rs.30 crores at the international box office.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jawaid |first=Wajiha |date=2016-01-11 |title='Actor in Law' is a romantic comedy that highlights social issues |url=http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1148783/actor-in-law-is-a-romantic-comedy-that-highlights-social-issues |access-date=11 January 2016 |website=HIP in Pakistan |publisher= |archive-date=15 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115172846/http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1148783/actor-in-law-is-a-romantic-comedy-that-highlights-social-issues |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Om Puri's first Pakistani film to release on Eidul Azha|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1024090/om-puris-first-pakistani-film-to-release-on-eidul-azha/|website=[[The Express Tribune]]|access-date=26 June 2016|date=2016-01-10}}</ref>

==Cinema by language==
{{Main|Lists of Pakistani films by language}}

==Film festivals==
* [[Kara Film Festival]]
* [[Lahore University of Management Sciences|LUMS]] International Film Festival (FiLUMS)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-23 |title=FiLUMS International Film Festival starts today |url=https://nation.com.pk/24-Nov-2018/filums-international-film-festival-starts-today |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=[[The Nation (Pakistan)|The Nation]] |language=en}}</ref>
* Pakistan Film Festival - [[New York City|New York]]<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=The second Pakistan Film Festival to be held in New York next month |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=[[The News International]] |language=en}}</ref>
* Pakistan International Film Festival<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=PIFF 2019 highlighted potential of Animation in Pakistan |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=[[The News International]] |language=en}}</ref>
* Lahore Eurasia Film Festival – [[University of Lahore]]<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Lahore Eurasia Film Festival to commence from December 20 |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=[[The News International]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Awards==
* [[Nigar Awards]]
* [[PTV Awards]]
* [[Lux Style Awards]]
* [[ARY Film Awards]]
* [[Pakistan Media Awards]]
* [[Hum Awards]]
* [[Pakistan International Screen Awards]]
* IPPA Awards (International Pakistan Prestige Awards)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1188702|title=The IPPA Awards — a night of glamour, recognition and some clothing controversy|date=1 November 2021|access-date=13 January 2021|work=Images by [[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of cinema of the world]]
* [[Lists of Pakistani films]]
* [[List of highest-grossing Pakistani films]]
* [[List of Pakistani male actors]]
* [[List of Pakistani actresses]]
* [[Shahnoor Studios]] – one of the oldest film studios in [[Lahore]]

== Notes ==
<references group="Dead link replace" />
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite news|last=Abbas|first=Zaffar|title=Lollywood looks for happy ending|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2701853.stm|access-date=26 December 2013|newspaper=BBC News|date=28 January 2003}}
* {{cite news|last=Khan|first=Mehboob|title=Cinema's taboo on partition|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3783337.stm|access-date=26 December 2013|newspaper=BBC News|date=11 June 2004}}
* {{cite news|last=Ghafoor|first=Usman|title=Pakistan's dilemma – Bollywood or bust?|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4617447.stm|access-date=26 December 2013|newspaper=BBC News|date=9 June 2005}}
* {{cite news|last=Mahmood|first=Rafay|title=2013: The year in game changers of the entertainment industry|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/650896/2013-the-year-in-game-changers-of-the-entertainment-industry/|access-date=26 December 2013|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=26 December 2013}}

{{Cinema of Pakistan}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Nigar Awards  
|list =
{{NigarAwardBestFilm}}
{{NigarAwardBestDirector}}
{{NigarAwardBestActor}}
{{NigarAwardBestActress}}
{{NigarAwardBestSupportingActor}}
{{NigarAwardBestSupportingActress}}
{{NigarAwardBestFemalePlaybackSinger}}
{{NigarAwardBestMalePlaybackSinger}}
{{NigarAwardBestComedian}}
{{SpecialAwardfromNigarAwards}}
}}
{{ARY Film Awards}}
{{Lux Style Awards}}
{{Pakistani submission for Academy Awards}}
{{Film production companies of Pakistan}}
{{World cinema}}
{{Asia topic|Cinema of}}
{{Pakistan topics}}

[[Category:Cinema of Pakistan| ]]
[[Category:Cultural history of Pakistan]]