The Indian song Kolaveri Di is such a smash hit in all Pakistani cities that it has resulted in a political parody on a popular TV satire.
A Pakistani TV channel has come up with a parody of the song that truly represents the feelings of Pakistan’s masses. The song “Where is Democracy Di” was aired by Geo TV on its popular programme Hum Sab Umeed Sai Hein, which is aimed at exposing the wrongdoing of the government in a lighter vein.
All Pakistani politicians, including President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Yousaf Raza Gilani, are regularly mocked on this show. The parody song shows Pakistanis who are fed up with the policies of the democratic government that was introduced after a long spell of military rule under Gen. Pervez Musharraf. The group of men are seen following the political leadership and showing their disgust. The song also satirises the family politics of Pakistan where leaders run their parties like companies and only their sons and daughters replace them. The show is also an attempt to show the nexus between politicians and corrupt market forces. Several versions of Kolaveri have come to light over the last few days but this is probably the first time someone has used it as a political satire.
The popularity of the original Kolaveri Di, sung by Rajnikanth’s son-in-law Dhanush, has not ebbed yet. The song has received more than 25 million hits on YouTube so far. The programme Ham Sab Umeed Sai Hein has also used the beat of several other popular Bollywood and Pakistani songs in the past to indicate flaws in the system.