Punjab is preparing to introduce stricter regulations for stage dramas, with organisers potentially facing six months in prison and fines of up to Rs1 million for violations.
The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Culture has approved the Punjab Dramatic and Theatrical Performances Bill 2026.
The proposed legislation aims to replace the nearly 150-year-old Dramatic Performances Act of 1876 with a new regulatory framework.
Under the bill, no theatrical performance could take place at a public venue without an official licence from the Information and Culture Secretary.
Scripts Must Receive Approval Before Shows
The proposed law makes prior script approval compulsory for stage productions.
Organisers will have to submit their scripts to a designated Script Review Committee. The Executive Director of the Punjab Council of the Arts will then approve them.
Productions that deviate from their approved scripts could face legal action.
The bill also introduces mandatory registration for everyone involved in theatre productions. This includes actors, directors, producers, makeup artists and other crew members.
Unregistered individuals will not be allowed to participate in performances.
Authorities to Monitor Rehearsals and Shows
The proposed framework gives district monitoring teams and censorship committees powers to inspect theatrical productions.
Authorities will be able to review full-dress rehearsals and monitor live or recorded feeds of performances. Organisers must also preserve unedited audio and video recordings of every show for at least 30 days.
The measures aim to address content considered vulgar, defamatory, anti-state or sectarian.
Violations Could Cost Theatres Heavily
The bill proposes administrative penalties alongside criminal proceedings for violations.
Offences could be dealt with summarily by a first-class judicial magistrate. The proposed maximum punishment is six months in prison and a fine of Rs1 million. The legislation also introduces licensing fees, script scrutiny charges and artist registration fees.
Affected parties will have the right to appeal through the administrative hierarchy, ultimately reaching the Punjab chief secretary. The bill has cleared the standing committee, but it must complete the remaining legislative process before becoming law.
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