Yasir Hussain is no stranger to speaking his truth off screen. In an exclusive interview with Nukta Life, Yasir had some thoughts about ‘item numbers’ in Pakistani films. Yasir pointed out this double standard where our culture indulges in item songs but widely disapproves it too. “We first need to understand what our culture is. Is it the one before partition or is it after that?” he said.

As Pakistani commercial films have taken off recently, many productions in Pakistani cinema feature an item number with A-list actors such as Ayesha Omar dancing in song Tutti Frutti and Saba Qamar twirling in Kalabaaz Dil.

Yasir continued to elaborate on how this culture of watching dancing women goes back to the pre-partition era. He also pointed out how item songs were featured in olden Pakistani films.

Expressing his own stance, he said ,“I don’t like item numbers in Pakistan. The reason for that is when I watch Nora Fatehi on screen, I forget about Pakistani item numbers. I can’t drop my standards that low.” To improve these songs, Yasir had a piece of advice for Pakistani filmmakers. “If you want to make item numbers, then make them of the same level. You can’t be trying to create boundaries and want to see women dance too,” he said.