At Lakshmi Chowk, Lahore.

The fascination with Pop art took me to Lakshmi chowk, Lahore. The hub of Film activity/inactivity in Lahore, popularly known as Lollywood. As a nation, we have never ceased look to west for approval. It comes as no surprise, that Bollywood, Lollywood, Dollywood (the Dhaka film industry) are all manifestations of Hollywood. Needless to say, the cover art, style, costumes and storylines are also borrowed. The garishly colored posters, the busting bosoms peaking from the top of the buildings is all that catches one’s eye.

Ironically, my journey from the airport to NCA’s dorms is marred by blackened branded hoardings - MMA’s (Pakistan’s strongest religious outfit) outrage against using women in advertising.

My next day’s visit to Lakshmi chowk changes it all. The brand 'woman' is clutching her bosom, swinging to the jhankar beat is roaming free on these hoardings. Lotsa moolah for the mullah clan? Or just the two edged Islamic society.

I take a peak around, the tongas are carrying film posters, so is the rickshaw that dropped us off minutes ago. My friend Saman, and I take out our cameras. Her’s a hi-tech digital Nikon version. Mine a good’old manual SLR. We take pictures here and there, of bearded men, of Quaid-e-Azam’s portrait; looking bewildered amongst blood stained faces, plenty of booze glasses and a brigade of blond women folk.

Everyone seems comfortable with two women clicking away. Perhaps, they are used to lights-camera-action-deal. Some clean-shaven young men give us lazy curious smiles and couple of them dare to ask us if we are associated with GEO (the popular Tahelkaish channel, in Pakistan)

Its almost asar time when we finish. I catch the mosque in the distance bellowing azan to call the faithful. The minarets of the mosque have been overshadowed by a lone traffic signal clinging to an obtuse poster. I take one last good-bye shot. This is Lakshmi chowk at Royal Park for you.

Lakshmi Chowk 1

Lakshmi Chowk_1, Lahore 2003

Lakshmi Chowk 2

Lakshmi Chowk_2 Lahore 2003

Lakshmi Chowk 3

Lakshmi Chowk_3 Lahore 2003

Lakshmi Chowk 4

Lakhsmi Chowk_4, Lahore 2003

Lakshmi Chowk 5

Lakshmi Chowk_5, Lahore 2003

Lakshmi Chowk 6

Royal Park_Lakshmi chowk_6, 2003

Lakshmi chowk 7

Royal Park_Lakshmi Chowk_7, 2003

Lakshmi Chowk 8

Royal Park_Lakshmi Chowk_8, 2003

Lakshmi Chowk 9

Royal Park_Lahore filmi 9

Lakshmi Chowk 10

Royal Park_lahore filmi 10

Lakshmi Chowk 11

royal park_lahore filmi series_11.