This report has been hugely delayed and postponed for the simple reason that Lollywood production has taken such a sharp nosedive in recent times that it hardly seemed worth an effort to continue reporting on repeated failures. However just for the record here is a brief account of the Box Office performance of the released atrocities of 2003:

By all accounts 2003 was nothing short of cataclysmic for Lollywood with hardly a single film turning a profit at the local box office and production down to an all time low with cinema houses closing down due to lack of new product and lack of audiences. More than ever before the bells of doom seem to be ringing loud and clear for the industry yet one frequently reads about young, educated film makers trying their hand at commercial cinema - Sadly despite the quotes and claims, it hasn't happened just as yet.

The film that made most money if 2003 was last years smash hit Yeh Dil Aap ka Hua which continued its successful run into early summer before finally winding up and arriving on VCD for the home video market.

Of the films released this year hardly a single one managed to turn a profit and with the bearded zealots in government in the Frontier and Baluchistan banning cinema billboards, it was a tough time trying to entice audiences who on the large part are totally illiterate and used to relying on images to “tell them the story” as it were. Investors were nervous and production was down to record low with only 19 Urdu films and 14 Punjabi films being released through the year.

Some of the Urdu titles included Shararat, Darinda, Dil Tote Tote Ho Gaya, Pyar hi Pyar Mein, Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya, Ye Wada Raha, Kalia, Kundan, Soldier, Halaku, Laaj, Meri Awaz Suno, Darr, Roti Goli aur Sarkar, Commando, Qeemat, Lahori Thag, Bandish and Larki Panjaban.

Of all these films Commando was the only one that managed a fair draw and just about recovered its costs. It was by no means a hugely successful film just that comparatively speaking it didn't fare as horrendously as most of the others. The other film that managed a reasonable initial was the hugely hyped and much delayed Larki Panjaban which has been largely by British Asian money. The film has performed below expectations and hasn't turned into the blockbuster that was hoped however it has managed a fair initial at this stage but the prospects of a big money spinner are looking very remote indeed.

Some of the following were among the Punjabi films released during the year: Allah Nigehban, Kala Gujjar, Jeewa Gujjar, Kaloo Shahpuria, Lara Punjab Da, Ultimatum, Maula Sher, Sher Puttar, Shagnan di Mehndi, Khar Dimagh Gujjar, Mehr da Maidaan, Fauja Amritsaria, Remand, Pappoo Lahoria. Of these films only Fauja Amritsaria and Remand managed to claw back some of its investment. All the others were writing off material.

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