LAHORE: Although few would know this, there was a time not long ago when the Royal Park market near Lahore’s Lakshmi Chowk was one of the largest film centres in the region. The cinema landscape of the Walled City rivalled that of Bombay and Calcutta for the bustling film activity taking place there. In fact, Royal Park was considered by many to be the biggest ‘film market’ in South Asia; icons like BR Chopra, Pran, Amarnath, Om Prakash and Dev Anand all walked its pathways
The market itself housed nearly 400 offices belonging to different film professionals, from producers, directors and distributors to music composers and even camera technicians. Historic buildings like the Kalyan, Durrani and Razia Mansions, Geeta Boon Building and Mahboob Pictures stood proud at Royal Park till just until two decades ago, along with adjoining cinema houses and theatres. Various film businesses like Nazir Films, Capri Films, Kashmir Pictures, Film Land and Friends Pictures all operated from here. But ever since then, time and technology have been eating away at the market bit by bit, stripping it off of its historic value. What remain today are only two food markets and a printing press. As far as film is concerned, only 10 offices in the vicinity are linked to the industry, owned by Mama Pictures, Evernew Pictures, Sangeet Films, Al-Fazal Pictures and the office of Pakistan Film Distributors Association Chairman Ejaz Kamran. “A number of Indian and Pakistan directors and producers, who pioneered film-making in the region, set up their offices at Royal Park. Even Mahboob Pictures – known for Mother India – worked from here and their office is still in our use,” Kamran told. According to him, trends of film-making have changed the world over and Royal Park simply got dragged with the current. “There was a time when people came here from all over Pakistan with their film prints. Now, technology has taken over and Lollywood is undergoing a severe crisis so Royal Park has lost its importance,” added Kamran. Much like film personalities and fanatics who had the fortune of experiencing Lollywood’s prime era first-hand, Kamran laments what has become of Royal Park now. And with film-making completing a whole 100 years in Lahore, he feels all the worse. “Royal Park is our asset; it is where our film industry took birth,” he said. Film producer Sarwar Shah also echoed Kamran’s sentiments. “We cannot forget that greats like Sangeeta, Muhammad Ali and Sultan Rahi used to sit in these very offices! Till 30 years ago, at least 25 to 30 films would be released from Royal Park every month!” he claimed. Renowned local poet Altaf Bajwa also lent his support for Kamran, saying that Royal Park’s heritage should be preserved. “A number of film actors, singers and poets like Muhammad Rafi, Sahir Ludhyanvi, Meena Shori and Balraj Sahni were launched from here,” explained Bajwa. “Many Indian artists visiting Lahore would especially stop by Lakshmi Chowk to see the market. Therefore, there is a need for us to secure this place,” he added. Unfortunately, Kamran’s attempts to revive the market have proved futile thus far. “Several times, I have contacted other producers to come and set up their offices here,” said Kamran. “But they are reluctant as there is no charm in his place anymore.”
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