What really caused Lollywood’s downfall? How can a thriving industry turn desolate? Saud Qasmi, the star of many Lollywood hits, is clear about where he puts the blame.
“In my opinion, several people contributed to the downfall of Lollywood. Some of these people are no longer with us. Lollywood wasn’t completely destroyed, but the damage done to it was caused by Shaan and Syed Noor,” Saud said on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast.
The Baby Baji actor didn’t mince his words when asked who destroyed Lollywood, clearly naming superstar Shaan Shahid and veteran filmmaker Syed Noor. “There were a few other directors as well, but these two were the main ones. If they had wanted, the industry could have progressed much further. Some unfortunate individuals only focused on their own business and work, neglecting the industry itself,” he pointed out.
The Gunnah actor also addressed the actions of the late Punjabi films legend Sultan Rahi, criticizing his approach during film production.
“Sultan Rahi used to save money by doing tasks meant for professionals. For example, instead of hiring a makeup artist for gunshot scenes, he would use red paint himself to simulate blood,” Saud narrated.
He didn’t hesitate to criticize Shaan, telling him to work on improving himself first.
“Before finding flaws in others, Shaan should address his own flaws,” Saud Qasmi remarked.
Reflecting on the past, the former Lollywood hero shared: “There was a time when our film industry and theirs were on equal footing. I’m talking about India and Pakistan. Both industries were equal. From here, we had Waheed Murad Sahab, and from there, they had Rajesh Khanna, both of a similar caliber.”
Lollywood, once centered in Lahore, thrived as a hub of film production from the 1970s until the early 2000s. By 2005, the industry shifted to Karachi, which has since become the center for both films and dramas.
