A hulking gorilla costume, decked out in a bright suit, has become a new staple at weddings and birthday parties across Pakistan, dancing to Bollywood beats that are now part of the celebration soundtrack.
In Lahore, entrepreneur Shayen Zahoor runs Gorilla.co.pk, a business that offers giant dancing gorilla acts for events. The costume was ordered in early April and arrived by month‑end, prompting the team to launch the act immediately.
The first Instagram reel, posted on April 30, 2024, exploded, gathering 1.2 million views in just two days – a record that caught the eye of event planners nationwide.
The viral clip sparked a flood of interest: on the first day the inbox filled with 1,200 to 1,300 messages asking about cost and availability, turning the novelty into a serious business.
Guests at events have been seen joining in the gorilla’s dance, while social media buzz has spread the trend to other cities, hinting that the act could soon be part of larger festivals.
Zahoor plans to expand the service, aiming to secure bookings for the upcoming Eid celebrations, and has already received preliminary offers from several major wedding planners.