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Porn films good business in India
October 24, 2004
Surat - Far away from the glitter and sparkle of the nine-day-long Navratri
festival, some men are huddled together in a dark and dingy room watching
'Dhoom' a pirated version of the latest film in a video parlour at Varachha.
As the night advances, 'Dhoom' vanishes. The crowd sitting inside goes numb,
glued to the animated scenes of a porn film.
With Navratri celebrations reaching a peak, regular theatres are witnessing a
thin presence of audience. However, mini-theatres in the city are having a boom
time drawing crowds to their full capacity.
Welcome to the world of sleazy video parlours that have engulfed the city. Most
parlours are situated along Varachha Road and the adjoining areas having a
sizeable migrant population of workers engaged in diamond and textile business.
"After a long and tiresome day of working, it is the only source of
entertainment for us," says Rambabu Muljhi, a regular visitor to mini theatres.
Like Muljhi, there are several people who take the route of video parlours and
are indifferent to the night-long festivity going outside.
"I do watch sheri garbas, but cannot afford to go to some major garba venues
having an exorbitant entry fee. Therefore, this is the only option for
entertainment," says Muljhi.
The capacity for 60 people in the theatre rises to around 100 during the night
when pornographic films or pirated version of new films are shown, says one of
the visitors.
Porn films have always done a good business, admit owners of video parlours of
Varachha. Interestingly, ticket rates vary with show timings. For instance, if
it is Rs 15 for a movie during day time, it jumps to Rs 25 for screening a porn
film or a latest blockbuster during night.
Police have raided mini-theatres several times in the past, but the menace
remains deep-rooted. When asked, one gets an agitated response from police
officials. Says deputy commissioner of police (east) B K Shrimali: "The menace
has been there for long and we have been raiding the theatres." Further
questions elicit no response, clearly indicating the helplessness of the police
force in curbing the menace.
"Several requests have been made in this regard to all high-ups, but not much
success has been achieved," says Geeta Shroff, president of the Apmratyu
Nivaran Sangh, a women's organisation. Police officials admit that it is not
possible to impose a total ban on these theatres.
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