Exploring '100 Years of Lahore Cinema' with Dr. Iftikhar Dadi
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The Gurmani Centre for Languages and Literature (GCLL) hosted a session titled “100 Years of Lahore Cinema” on November 6, featuring Dr. Iftikhar Dadi, a renowned artist and scholar specialising in modern and contemporary art and the co-curator of the Lahore Biennale 03. In his insightful talk, Dr. Dadi explored the crucial role of commercial cinema in bridging social, ethnic, and sectarian divides, and examined how the evolution of Lahore’s cinema has shaped shared experiences of modernity and identity. The session was moderated by Dr. Ali Usman Qasmi, Director GCLL and Associate Professor of History at the Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Drawing on his research published in his book Lahore Cinema: Between Realism and Fable, Dr. Dadi delved into the concept of the “Lahore Effect,” introduced by scholar Rajadhyaksha during the Lahore Biennale 01 in 2018. He explained how Lahore’s cinematic legacy transcends linguistic, national, and regional boundaries, influencing South Asian cinema at large. Drawing on Lahore’s rich cultural and artistic heritage, Dr. Dadi illustrated how the city’s cinema blends elements from Hindu mythology, Islamic legends, Urdu literature, Sufi thought, and global cinema, creating a unique hybrid form that resonates with diverse audiences across the subcontinent.
His presentation also analysed the iconic ‘Anarkali’ theme, showing how it has been repeatedly reimagined in both Lahore and Bombay cinema. He explored how Bombay’s lavish production, Mughal-e-Azam, is deeply intertwined with the mythmaking surrounding ‘Anarkali’. He further explored Khawaja Khurshid Anwar’s film Ghoonghat, explaining the lyrical romanticism that characterises Lahore’s cinema.
Dr. Dadi also provided a critical examination of the cultural politics during the 1960s, noting how the liberal values of the time affected a sense of institutional coherence and stability. This political climate, he explained, allowed commercial filmmakers and cultural workers to position themselves more freely within Pakistan’s social and political landscape.
One of the most significant points raised during the talk was the absence of a national archive of Pakistani cinema, particularly the vast body of films produced in multiple languages across Karachi, Lahore, and Dhaka. Dr. Dadi highlighted the liminal status of Pakistani cinema in official cultural policies, contrasting it with India and Bangladesh, where impressive efforts have been made to establish national film archives, providing scholars and researchers with stable access to invaluable cinematic resources.
The event offered rich insights into Lahore's cinema's cultural and historical significance and its ongoing impact on the broader South Asian film industry.
