Pakistan’s web-series Churails has been banned in Pakistan, which was streamed on Zee5, an India-based platform.
The director of Churails, Asim Abbasi took to social media to express his disappointment and hurt over the move.
How strange for #Churails to be lauded internationally, and now be shut down in its country of origin. In the very country where hundreds of artists came together to create something that could initiate dialogue and open doors for new narratives. (1)
— Asim Abbasi (@IllicitusProduc) October 7, 2020
The director added, “For this is not just my loss. This is a loss for women and marginalised communities that this show meant to re-represent.”
How strange for #Churails to be lauded internationally, and now be shut down in its country of origin. In the very country where hundreds of artists came together to create something that could initiate dialogue and open doors for new narratives. (1)
— Asim Abbasi (@IllicitusProduc) October 7, 2020
Artistic freedom squashed because it is wrongly perceived by some as a moral threat. Predictable, and yet, still disappointing. For this is not just my loss. This is a loss for women and marginalised communities that this show meant to re-represent. (2)
— Asim Abbasi (@IllicitusProduc) October 7, 2020
Pakistan Trends
Sarwat Gillani reacts on ‘Churails’ ban
Sarwat Gilani, who plays one of the leads in the show, also posted a cryptic message on social media after the ban.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGCXrW1jKMl/?utm_source=ig_embed
However, several Twitter users including Osman Khalid Butt and Sanam Saeed expressed their outrage over the ban.
Oh, you got Churails banned? Congratufuckinglations. Now please focus your outrage on the fact that police have failed to arrest the prime accused in the motorway rape incident.
— Osman Khalid Butt 🇵🇸 (@aClockworkObi) October 7, 2020
Banning dancing ads, outspoken films and webseries will not end rape if that's the agenda. Why are we riddled with such hypocrisy? Buss bandh darvaazon kay peechay ho sub. God forbid hamari bholi awaam influence na ho jai if we take creative liberty to be honest and open.
— Sanam Saeed (@sanammodysaeed) October 7, 2020
You can watch porn in #Pakistan but not #Churails ☺️
— FK (@faisalkapadia) October 7, 2020
There are many people who are simply pissed at the way our own content that was being hailed for its progressive nature and path-breaking storytelling has been banned in its home country.
It is believed that the ban was imposed after a clip from the show went viral on social media. In the clip, Hina Khawaja Bayat’s character reflected intimacy and indecency in an Islamic state.
https://twitter.com/AllahSoldier03/status/1312815936819339264
Featuring Sarwat, Yasra Rizvi, Nimra Bucha, Meher Bano and Omair Rana among others, ‘Churails’ revolves a feministic tale of 4 self-proclaimed women who open up an agency to teach cheating and abusive men a much-needed lesson.
