Rao Dilshad Hussain

Commercial Punjabi and Urdu theatre used to be the best source of humour providing comic relief to the masses. Lahore is home to many theatre halls and companies. Lahoris and people from the near by districts used to watch the commercial theatre in large numbers. Incidents of passing vulgar remarks and dances started happening.

When government put some checks on the situation some theatre companies started producing vulgar dance CDs for viewing at homes and places other than theatre halls. They did good business and soon there developed an underworld network that produced vulgar and obscene dance CDs. The Lahore High Court took notice of vulgar songs playing and ordered crackdown. Interestingly it was only the artistes and some other related people who were nabbed. The business of these CDs still thrives due to the apathy of departments concerned.

Producers pay handsome amount of money to the female artistes for presenting vulgar and obscene dances. Name the female theatre artiste and her special dance CD is available in the market. Whether it is Nargis, Khushbo, Megha, Saima Khan, Anjuman Shahzadi, Deedar, Nida Chaudhry, Zara Akbar, Hina Shaheen, Ayesha Rani, Hina Shaikh, Billo, Sono Lal, Sidra Noor or Nimra, all have their dance CDs available in the market. The target audience of these CDs is young teenagers and people of the lower sections of society. The CDs played an important role in spreading cheap vulgarity culture in the society.

The Sunday Plus conducted a survey to analyse the impact of these CDs in the society and how the illegal business is thriving. The CDs are being produced at a very low cost and bring in huge profits to the ones involved in the business. You do not need to have high tech staff to do the job. There is just need for one cameraman and the dancer performs at one set. It is the vulgar gestures and dance movements that sell. These CDs are produced at the film studios, sometimes at the theatre halls and sometimes at the homes of the producers. There is absolutely no check at the production of these CDs. The so-called companies that are making these CDs need not register themselves at any government or association office. For example if one wants to make a movie he would have to first get himself registered as a producer at the Film Producers Association and then he will have to first get the title of the film approved. The CDs companies have no check. They continue to do the illegal business while declaring it openly as well. The names of the companies, their addresses and phone numbers are printed on the covers of such CDs. Tip Top and OK are the top such companies and their offices are located at Hall Road, Lahore.

The Lahore’s City District Government has the job to ensure that such CDs do not make it to the market and into the hands of individuals who are not adults. It conducts the much acclaimed crackdowns on vulgar posters at cinemas and small markets. The largest market where the CDs are produced and sold is Hall Road market where the CDG officials dare not set foot. There has never been a major operation to check the sale of these CDs.

Legendary comedian Babu Baral, who is suffering from renal failure, talking to the Sunday Plus said illegal CDs production was deplorable. “Both producers and the female artistes are responsible spreading vulgarity and obscenity. Producers do not care for the senior male artistes even if they are sick and always prefer to accommodate the female dancers. It is a ridiculous attitude.

“In fact, producers have changed their priorities and always concentrate on presenting dances. This was not always the trend. Producers wanted to make real comedy plays.

“I remember when we came out from the theatre after our performances people would be there waiting for us. They would appreciate our performance. That recognition was our earning.

“I know common people do not want vulgarity and obscenity. Nobody can watch these cheap dance performances with their families. Common man should be considered,” He was of the view with the twinkle in his eyes.

He slams the recent drive of the police against the artistes and demanded that police should not arrest the artistes but banned those are involved in the vulgarity. This is the insult of the country and this is not happened any where in the world.

Sunday plus talked to Javed Kodu who condemned the commercial theatre saying that, “Theatre is suffering because the producers and theatre owners are not willing to produce anything aesthetically good. Families don’t even think of going to a theatre for entertainment. You cannot thrive on cheap tactics for long. Vulgarity is not something people will remember. Good and healthy entertainment is long lasting”.

Recently a writ petition was filed in the Lahore high court by a citizen against singer Naseebo Lal because of singing rude and vulgar songs for the Punjabi films. Lahore High court ordered a probe about the facts. In fact, police had failed to arrest the singer and registered an FIR according to the vulgarity act 292 against the CD producers like Mian Mudassar and Zafer Sharif while artistes like Megha, Hina Shaheen, Deedar, Nida Choudhry, Hina Shaikh and singers like Noran Lal and Naseebo Lal and film directors like Sangeeta, Masood Butt and Pervez Rana while lyricist Altaf Bajwa as well.

Police could not arrest any one. Policemen numbering about 60 then raided to Alfalah and Naaz theatre to arrest Deedar and Megha. Two performers Hina Sheikh and Anjaman Shehzadi were arrested. Both of them were later released on bail. According to the Anjaman Shehzadi’s husband police detained him and his wife without any warrants, as their names were not listed in the FIR. Later their names were included in the investigation.

Lahore police have been conducting raids at the houses of the accused artistes but not arresting those influential persons like the owners of the companies that made these CDs. The sources said that Nida Chaudhry, Deedar and Mian Mudasar and Zafar Sharif had taken pre-arrest bail but others actresses were hiding.

The issue needs attention of the authorities concerned. The nuisance that continues unchecked must end.