'Churails' has been 'shut down' in Pakistan, claims director Asim Abbasi

[The Viper]

Director Asim Abbasi in a recent Twitter thread has expressed his frustration with increased censorship in the country. Abbasi's rant came after his critically acclaimed series Churails became inaccessible for Pakistani audience.

"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," he said.

Adding on Abbasi went on to deem his series being not available for viewing in the country as a "loss for women and marginalised communities".

"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," he said.

The director concluded the thread by expressing hopelessness with the entire scenario.

"This is a loss for all actors, writers, directors and technicians across Pakistan, who were hoping for digital/OTT to be their saviour. And it's a home-run for all the misogynists who have once again proven that they are the only voice that matters," he said.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/226736...-down-in-pakistan-claims-director-asim-abbasi

 

[SpiritOf1903]

It's an Indian production looking to 'break taboos' but it's making a mockery of the veil which is quite sensitive in conservative Pakistan ..

 

[Lurker_Ind]

It's an Indian production looking to 'break taboos' but it's making a mockery of the veil which is quite sensitive in conservative Pakistan ..

Which production house in India does this belong to?

 

[Bigboii]

good real good!

Did you care when you signed up with a Hindu nationalist/ anti pak channel and how you were profiting them?

Since you didn't care GOP shouldn't care and they should ban the show for just being related to Anti- Pak channel other reasons come second

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Which production house in India does this belong to?

Zee?

 

[BreadPakoda]

It's an Indian production looking to 'break taboos' but it's making a mockery of the veil which is quite sensitive in conservative Pakistan ..

"Breaking taboos" is the go-to plot for many OTT platforms in India.

 

[uberkoen]

It's an Indian production looking to 'break taboos' but it's making a mockery of the veil which is quite sensitive in conservative Pakistan ..

Have you even watched the show? It has nothing to do with the veil.

 

[uberkoen]

Honestly, I think Churails as a TV show isn't really for the narrow minded Pakistani people. Even if it wasn't shut down most of the people in Pakistan wouldn't be able to watch it due to their lack of awareness and understanding of the issues being addressed on the show.

It is a brilliant show and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Hopefully in the future we can have more producers and directors that can partner with platforms such as Zee5 or Netflix to finally bring is quality Pakistani content as opposed to the incest and vulgarity we see on Pakistani TV which is fine for the Pakistani people considering for them this is all normal.

 

[CricketCartoons]

What is this show about? Sounds like desi horror. this concept of artistic freedom is actually artistic fascism. no artist should get a licence to hurt the sentiments of people.

 

[El Generico]

Was curious and the read a bit about the show on IMBD. The show has stories dealing with cannibalism. Also has themes of homosexuality. No matter what your view on this subject is, clearly this isn’t suited for Pakistan.

And the show is hosted on Zee network, which is an extremely anti Pakistan group. The producer shouldn’t be shocked by the cold reception in Pakistan.

 

[uberkoen]

Was curious and the read a bit about the show on IMBD. The show has stories dealing with cannibalism. Also has themes of homosexuality. No matter what your view on this subject is, clearly this isn’t suited for Pakistan.

And the show is hosted on Zee network, which is an extremely anti Pakistan group. The producer shouldn’t be shocked by the cold reception in Pakistan.

No? There's an anthology show called Kitni Girhein Baqi Hain which airs on HUM TV. In an episode titled Chewing Gum actors Sania Saeed and Farah Shah played Lesbian lovers.

Durj, a movie released sometime last year was basically about cannibalism.

 

[El Generico]

No? There's an anthology show called Kitni Girhein Baqi Hain which airs on HUM TV. In an episode titled Chewing Gum actors Sania Saeed and Farah Shah played Lesbian lovers.

Durj, a movie released sometime last year was basically about cannibalism.

Durj was banned wasn’t it ?
https://images.dawn.com/news/1183788

Shame really cause Durj seemed like a great movie. Have no idea about the Hum show so can’t comment.


Edit: The hum show also got a warning from Pemra.

https://images.dawn.com/news/1177137

 

[uberkoen]

Durj was banned wasn’t it ?
https://images.dawn.com/news/1183788

Shame really cause Durj seemed like a great movie. Have no idea about the Hum show so can’t comment.


Edit: The hum show also got a warning from Pemra.

https://images.dawn.com/news/1177137

Yeah,it got a warning but not a ban. The show continued to air afterwards.

Durj was cleared for release after minor cuts (https://tribune.com.pk/story/2082534/4-durj-cleared-release-pakistan-minor-cuts)

 

[Bigboii]

Honestly, I think Churails as a TV show isn't really for the narrow minded Pakistani people. Even if it wasn't shut down most of the people in Pakistan wouldn't be able to watch it due to their lack of awareness and understanding of the issues being addressed on the show.

It is a brilliant show and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Hopefully in the future we can have more producers and directors that can partner with platforms such as Zee5 or Netflix to finally bring is quality Pakistani content as opposed to the incest and vulgarity we see on Pakistani TV which is fine for the Pakistani people considering for them this is all normal.

What is it that make their minds "narrow minded"

If someone chooses to watch an edgy show than they become intellectuals while the other people are narrow minded fools?

Why can't there be two different ways of looking at the world where people respect other personal/cultural/religious or national values without calling it "narrow-minded" (this is exactly the kind of smug attitude that makes people hate the burger/liberal class of Pakistan (not putting you into this label but just saying how the words like "narrow-minded" "jaahil" paindu, desi reminds me of how the liberal class describe rest of the country and this action leads to further hatred between both of these groups where the society hates the liberal and their ideology because they associate the ideology with "burgers" and this gives any liberal idea a smell of "foriegness" something only a burger=wannabe gora would do not something that real desis/muslims/Pakistani do)

 

[uberkoen]

What is it that make their minds "narrow minded"

If someone chooses to watch an edgy show than they become intellectuals while the other people are narrow minded fools?

Why can't there be two different ways of looking at the world where people respect other personal/cultural/religious or national values without calling it "narrow-minded" (this is exactly the kind of smug attitude that makes people hate the burger/liberal class of Pakistan (not putting you into this label but just saying how the words like "narrow-minded" "jaahil" paindu, desi reminds me of how the liberal class describe rest of the country and this action leads to further hatred between both of these groups where the society hates the liberal and their ideology because they associate the ideology with "burgers" and this gives any liberal idea a smell of "foriegness" something only a burger=wannabe gora would do not something that real desis/muslims/Pakistani do)

If the people of Pakistan get offended by a TV advert where a fully clothes woman is shown dancing then you can imagine that the sentiments of these people would be hurt by the smallest of things. The narrow-mindedness does not come from a desire to not watch the show it comes from the fact that they believe there should be no freedom of choice and that if they don't want to watch it, it shouldn't be aired on Pakistani TV.

An open-minded person, for example, would say "I don't agree with the content being shown in this particular show and so I won't watch it but I guess there are people who enjoy this sort of stuff so let them watch it."

Pakistani's, in general, are not like that though. They love to impose their beliefs on the entire community and these beliefs are what leads me to call them narrow minded

I totally agree with your point regarding two different ways of looking at the world but that would involve allowing freedom of choice. For those who want to watch, its there. For those who don't, they can choose to ignore it. However, as mentioned, Pakistani awaam will never allow this to happen because their beliefs and culture is so sensitive it gets insulted by a girl dancing in a biscuit ad.

 

[Firebat]

Churails is up again, in all its fire and fury

The 10-episode Pakistani mini serial Churails, with all things the right ingredients — drugs, alcohol, infidelity, interspersed with foul language for a great Pakistani thriller —has suddenly taken the Pakistani drama aficionados by storm, two months after its release in August.

All it took was the creators pulling it down for two days, a few tweets to draw the media's as well as everyone else's attention to the series.

Last week, its writer and director, Asim Abbasi (of Cake film fame) took to Twitter lamenting its "shut down in its country of origin".

There was no official word from Zee5, or by any Pakistani media regulatory authority why or on whose behest it was pulled down by the digital entertainment platform that had put money behind its production.

How did it bounce back so quickly?

"This negative publicity has made the audience more curious. No one knows who was behind the ban or whatever it was but it has surely helped the platform, the web series and upcoming shows," pointed out film critic Omair Alavi.

And while conjecture continues, those who have watched the entire series have come up with mixed reviews.

Psychologist Dr Asha Bedar found it "refreshing" to watch "unapologetic expression of all things women."

"I loved that it was in your face; nothing polite, nothing diplomatic!" she said.

Churails is definitely not what Pakistani drama and soap watchers are used to.

In a country where violence against women is common and where women are supposed to be meek and mere doormats, to show four badass women — a wedding planner, a rich homemaker, a murder convict and a burka-clad boxer — turn detectives, who have experienced some form of patriarchy and who decide to take matters into their hands, the storyline will either be loved or hated.

"They [the four characters] want to get on with their lives on their own terms and help others do the same," said Nimra Bucha, who plays Batool the murderer.

Mahnaz Rahman, Aurat Foundation's resident director for Sindh, enjoyed the series thoroughly.

"It was amazing to watch women taking revenge from their husbands who cheated on them. They raised the issue of homosexuality as well as racism. It is about feminists' power and shows the ugly face of elites who want to turn women into dolls," she said.

Read more: https://images.dawn.com/news/1185888/churails-is-up-again-in-all-its-fire-and-fury

 

[msb314]

Bump!

Just wanted to post that I have seen the first 3 episodes and really like it

Not the best I have ever seen but the concept and ideas behind the show are revolutionary - hats off to Asim Abbasi!

 

[msb314]

Bump!

Just wanted to post that I have seen the first 3 episodes and really like it

Not the best I have ever seen but the concept and ideas behind the show are revolutionary - hats off to Asim Abbasi!

Bump!

Just saw episode 4 and wow! Totally mind blown by the ending - proper rated R stuff. Grounbreaking for the Pakistan drama / film industry

 

[Rafa]

Will have to check it.

 

[Energy]

Gets slightly repetitive at the end, but overall a refreshing genre to come out of Pakistan. Good watch.