Tag: Zindagi Tamasha

  • ‘Zindagi Tamasha’s fate hangs in limbo

    ‘Zindagi Tamasha’s fate hangs in limbo

    In an emotionally-charged country like Pakistan, where religion is a sensitive topic, it was no surprise that Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha ruffled many feathers and sparked controversy. Despite the director’s assurance that the film does not hurt any religious sentiments, people jumped to conclusions based on a two-minute teaser trailer. Nonetheless, fearing public unrest, the federal and provincial governments decided to stop the film from being released, just days before it was scheduled to.

    While the Federal Government has said that the film will be reviewed by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), the Punjab Government directed the filmmaker to hold a screening on February 3 so that the film can be reviewed again. It is pertinent to mention here that the provincial and central censor boards had earlier cleared the film for release with a few cuts.

    The ban on the film sparked public outrage and members of the civil society and the film fraternity stepped forward to support the film and filmmaker. They also requested the government to extend more support to filmmakers and called for a more open creative space.

    After all the hue and cry, the hype and criticism around the film has died as its fate hangs in limbo.

    When The Current reached out to the Central Board Of Film Censors Islamabad for an update regarding the film, a source shared that it is “in limbo”. When probed further they asserted that work on the film’s clearance is still underway.

    Read more – Council of Islamic Ideology to ‘critically review’ ‘Zindagi Tamasha’

    Meanwhile, local media had reported that the CII is awaiting the green signal from the censor board so they can go ahead with reviewing the film for any objectionable content.

    As per reports, a three-member committee has been set up to review the film. The censor board has also been informed of this but no response was received from their end. The CII’s media coordinator Rana Zahid shared that the film can only be reviewed after they receive an invitation from the censor board.

    While the three-member committee does not include members of the council, it includes officers from the council’s research wing.

    According to the CII official, “All the members are competent and hold qualifications in Islam and social sciences. They were selected for this task after going through an interview process. We have shown them the CBFC letter and advised them on how to review the film, keeping religious sentiments in mind.”

    The committee will review the film and then submit a report to council Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz. The report will further be analysed 20 members of the CII after which a decision will be taken. The council members including the chairman will also watch the film after the report has been submitted.

    The CII has informed the censor board of all the preparations they have made but are yet to hear back from the body.

    Read more – Damning bans

    Meanwhile, no progress has been made on the review directed by the Punjab Government. They had directed Khoosat to arrange a review of the film on February 3.

    Khoosat has also made no public comment after the film was barred from release.

    Read more – Sarmad Khoosat appeals to PM, President to facilitate his film’s release

    Petition against Zindagi Tamasha screening withdrawn

    A petition filed against the screening of Zindagi Tamasha was withdrawn on Thursday (Jan 30).

    As per reports, the petition was filed on Monday (Jan 27) by a man named Chaudhry Qadeer Ahmed who alleged that that the film was against the spirit of the Constitution, hurt religious sentiments and violated PEMRA’s rules.

    The petition was heard in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) by Justice Aamer Farooq who questioned the petitioner if he had seen the film anywhere or if it had been released yet.

    In response to the judge’s question, the petitioner’s lawyer said that he has not seen the film.

    “How can you comment on something that no one has seen,” questioned the judge.

    Ahmed’s lawyer explained that the film’s trailer had been released online and it “disrespected” naat khawans.

    The court asked the petitioner’s lawyer when the film was scheduled to screen. The lawyer informed the court that the film had not been released yet as the Punjab government had made a decision against it.

    Ahmed’s lawyer then requested the court to take back the petition which the court accepted.

    Khoosat’s father had also filed a petition against the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) for trying to interfere with the release of the film. However, after the film’s release was delayed, he withdrew the petition for reasons unknown.

  • Damning bans

    Damning bans

    “Creativity takes courage” – Henri Matisse

    Matisse wasn’t wrong. When filmmaker Sarmad Khoosat released the first trailer of his upcoming movie, ‘Zindagi Tamasha’, it created quite a buzz. The movie was supposed to release today (January 24) across Pakistan. It has already won the Kim Ji Seok Award at Busan International Film Festival. Film critics and the public at large were waiting for its release as Sarmad is known to be quite creative and the movie looked promising enough. Just like other governments, this government too promised the revival of Pakistani cinema. Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ seemed like a step in the right direction.

    But what happened when religious hardliner Tehreeke Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) threatened to hold protests against the movie just because the protagonist was a bearded man who is shunned by society after a video of him dancing at a wedding goes viral? The Pakistani state caved in to pressure, again.

    A film that was passed by three censor boards cannot be released now because the state fears the religious pressure group. The federal government has decided to block its release and has asked the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) to critically review it. The Punjab government will review it on February 3 and a TLP representative will be in the review committee. The Sindh Censor Board halted its release citing the reason that it “may create unrest within religious quarters and may deteriorate and be detrimental to the peaceful circumstances in the country”.

    There is nothing outrageous or anti-Islam in the movie. Busting the myths about the movie, Mohammed Hanif writes for Samaa, “The only taboo the film breaks is showing a man with a beard doing house chores. It humanises a religious man.”

    Sarmad wrote two beautiful and heartfelt open letters – one was addressed to the president, prime minister, chief justice, army chief and information minister, while the other was for Pakistan and Pakistanis. He ended his first letter with these poignant words, “The space for rational and artistic thinking and expression must not be annexed by a few troublemakers for their political ends, but I fear this is what will happen if we buckle under this time.”

    We are barring the release of a movie that promises to be creative and critical while being sensitive and responsible at the same time. Why do we then complain about misogyny on our television screens if we will not allow films like ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ to be screened in our cinemas? Films that make us think, films that break stereotypes, films that make us question the dark side of our society; films that celebrate the beauty of our nation.

    There already are curbs on freedom of expression in Pakistan these days. Copies of the Urdu translation of Hanif’s ‘A Case of Exploding Mangoes’ were confiscated after threats to the publisher. The Punjab Assembly has recommended banning three books on Islam as they critically evaluate historical events. When a country starts banning books and movies, it means its descent into the dark ages is almost complete. Once we complete this downward journey, there’s no coming back.

    It’s better to stop right now and celebrate critical thinking instead of banning art and creativity.

  • Celebrities extend support to Sarmad Khoosat amidst ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ controversy

    Celebrities extend support to Sarmad Khoosat amidst ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ controversy

    Following the controversy that sparked surrounding the release of Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha, celebrities including Mahira Khan, Osman Khalid Butt and Mansha Pasha have extended their support to the filmmaker and raised their voice against the intolerance in the society.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7lnVR1hwM6/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7gajcdB7py/

    On Tuesday, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan announced that Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha will be critically reviewed by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). The film’s producer was also directed to postpone the release of his film for the time being.

    Before that, the Government of Punjab had barred the filmmaker from releasing his film “in wake of persistent complaints received from different quarters”. The government also said that the film will be re-examined and the film’s makers have been directed to arrange a show in this regard “in any cinema house” on February 3 at 3pm, so it may be reviewed. The film’s team has also been told to ensure the presence of a representative “for personal hearing, if required by the committee”.

    Similarly, the Sindh Government also placed a ban on the film as it may create unrest within the religious segment of the society and disrupt peace.

    Read more – Council of Islamic Ideology to ‘critically review’ ‘Zindagi Tamasha’

    Earlier, after Khoosat penned an open letter to the Prime Minister, President, Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chief of Army Staff, Humayun Saeed and Sanam Saeed had also requested the government to facilitate the smooth release of the film.

    https://twitter.com/sethimirajee/status/1218903640787865600?s=20

    Written by Nirmal Bano and directed by Sarmad Khoosat, Zindagi Tamasha starres Arif Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Eman Suleman and Ali Qureshi in the lead. The film is centred around a naat khwan Rahat Khawaja (played by Hassan) and his family who are outcast from the society when a secret of Khawaja’s is leaked.

    The official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

    The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival held in October 2019 where it also won the prestigious Kim Ji Seok Award.

    It was scheduled to hit cinemas on January 24.

  • Council of Islamic Ideology to ‘critically review’ ‘Zindagi Tamasha’

    Council of Islamic Ideology to ‘critically review’ ‘Zindagi Tamasha’

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha will be critically reviewed by the Council of Islamic Ideology on the request of the Central Board of Film Censors. The film’s producer was also directed to postpone the release of his film for the time being.

    Awan’s announcement came hours after censor boards in Punjab and Sindh stopped the film’s release.

    Earlier on Tuesday, the Government of Punjab through its Information and Culture Department barred filmmaker Sarmad from releasing Zindagi Tamasha “in wake of persistent complaints received from different quarters”. Following this, the Sindh Government also placed a ban on the film as it may create unrest within the religious segment of the society and disrupt peace.

    According to a notification issued by the provincial government, the film will be re-examined and the film’s makers have been directed to arrange a show in this regard “in any cinema house” on February 3 at 3pm, so it may be reviewed. The film’s team has also been told to ensure the presence of a representative “for personal hearing, if required by the committee”.

    Meanwhile, the director has also been instructed not to release the film “till final decision of the committee”.

    Notification by the Punjab Government
    Notification by the Sindh Government

    It is pertinent to mention here that the censor boards of Punjab and Sindh had earlier cleared the film.

    It is also being reported that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) will once again hold a board members meeting to review the film in which a representative of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and a representative of the ministry will also participate.

    “Film will only be cleared if the members of the religious party and government officials approve of the content,” said the report.

    Following the temporary ban on the film, the TLP has cancelled its protest against the film that was scheduled to be held Wednesday.

    Many people are criticising the government decision especially considering that earlier this month, Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar had announced the formation of a task force on Art and Culture, in accordance with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    According to the notification, the initiative was taken to promote and revive performing arts, culture, heritage and the film industry. Shaan, Resham, Ali Zafar, Yousaf Salahuddin and Vasay Chaudhry are among the members of the task force.

    Written by Nirmal Bano and directed by Sarmad Khoosat, Zindagi Tamasha starres Arif Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Eman Suleman and Ali Qureshi in the lead. The film is centred around a naat khwan Rahat Khawaja (played by Hassan) and his family who are outcast from the society when a secret of Khawaja’s is leaked.

    The official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

    The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival held in October 2019 where it also won the prestigious Kim Ji Seok Award.

    Petition filed against TLP for hindering the release of Zindagi Tamasha

    A few hours before the Punjab Government’s notification, a Lahore Civil Court heard the petition filed by Sarmad’s father Irfan Ali Khoosat against the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) for “trying to interfere into the smooth running, public screening/releasing” of Zindagi Tamasha. Judge Ziaur Rehman heard the petition and issued notices to all respondents to appear before the court on Wednesday to present their arguments.

    According to reports, Irfan who serves as the director of Khoosat Films Private Limited, appealed to the court to “[restrain] the defendant permanently from interfering into the peaceful releasing/public screening of above-named film on big screen/cinema in all over Pakistan illegally, unlawfully”.

    Sindh Film Censor Board, Punjab Film Censor Board and Markazi Film Censor Board were also named as though it was clarified that the censor boards were “mere [proforma] defendants and the plaintiff has not claim (sic) any relief against them”.

    Irfan had also filed for interim injunction from the court under Rules 1 (cases in which temporary injunction may be granted) and 2 (injunction to restrain repetition or continuance of breach) of Order 39 read with Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

    Last week, the filmmaker had appealed to the Prime Minister, President, Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chief of Army Staff to facilitate his film’s release explaining that he was receiving threats. Sarmad shared that there were attempts to stop his film from releasing despite it being cleared by the central censor board

    In his letter, Sarmad clarified that “As a law-abiding citizen and with full conviction that there is nothing offensive or malicious in the film, in response I submitted the film for another review to the censor board. It was cleared once again with a few cuts to appease the complainants.”

    Read more – Sarmad Khoosat appeals to PM, President to facilitate his film’s release

    Following that he penned another letter, this time addressed to “my beloved Pakistan and Pakistanis” detailing that he is getting dozens of threatening phone calls forcing him to reconsider the release of his film.

    Read more – Sarmad Khoosat considers not releasing ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ amidst threats

    Zindagi Tamasha was scheduled to release on January 24.

  • Sarmad Khoosat considers not releasing ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ amidst threats

    Sarmad Khoosat considers not releasing ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ amidst threats

    Following an appeal to the Prime Minister, President, Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chief of Army Staff to help facilitate the release of his film, award-winning filmmaker Sarmad Khoosat has now penned a letter to his “beloved Pakistan and Pakistanis.”

    In his letter, Sarmad shared that he is getting dozens of threatening phone calls forcing him to reconsider the release of his film. Zindagi Tamasha was scheduled to release on January 24.

    “I did not make Zindagi Tamasha to hurt, offend or malign anyone. It’s a story about a ‘good enough Muslim,” wrote the filmmaker in his letter.

    “There was/is no mention of a sect, party or faction of any sort. Neither in the uncensored nor the censored version.”

    “As an artist, the last thing I’d ever want to achieve through my artistic expression is anarchy or hatred. No! That’s not what an artist does. Or at least I don’t,” he asserted.

    Read more – Sarmad Khoosat appeals to PM, President to facilitate his film’s release

    Sarmad said that he doesn’t want any trouble over his film especially since it has been cleared by the censor boards.

    “I don’t want anyone to have the pleasure of banning my film because legally, officially and morally, no one can…As a good, responsible citizen, I do not want my cities’ roads being blocked, people’s businesses and everyday routines disrupted or any other form of unnecessary trouble and chaos in the name of ‘just a film’.”

    Sarmad concluded the four page note saying that he has left the matter to his Allah.

    https://twitter.com/KhoosatSarmad/status/1218883372375838721?s=20

    Sarmad also shared one of the threatening notes he has received.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7gU6MHB06H/?utm_source=ig_embed

    Following Sarmad’s letter, celebrities and politicians took to social media to extend their support to the director.

    https://twitter.com/sanammodysaeed/status/1219141362559410176?s=20
    https://twitter.com/sethimirajee/status/1218903640787865600?s=20

    Written by Nirmal Bano and directed by Sarmad Khoosat, Zindagi Tamasha starres Arif Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Eman Suleman and Ali Qureshi in the lead. The film is centred around a naat khwan Rahat Khawaja (played by Hassan) and his family who are outcast from the society when a secret of Khawaja’s is leaked.

    The official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

    The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival held in October 2019 where it also won the prestigious Kim Ji Seok Award.

  • Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed demand the release of Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’

    Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed demand the release of Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’

    After Sarmad Khoosat came forward and revealed that “a few troublemakers” were creating hurdles “for their political ends” in the release of his film Zindagi Tamasha, several industry A-listers have stepped forward to support the filmmaker and demanded the government to facilitate the release of the film. Sarmad had also appealed to the Prime Minister, President and Chief Justice of Pakistan to help release his film.

    Read more – Sarmad Khoosat appeals to PM, President to facilitate his film’s release

    Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed and Ali Zafar were among those who requested the government to facilitate filmmakers and make things easier for them.

    In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Dr Arif Alvi, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Chief of the Army Staff and Minister for Information, Khoosat detailed the problems his film was facing in its release.

    Along with that, he clarified that “As a law-abiding citizen and with full conviction that there is nothing offensive or malicious in the film, in response I submitted the film for another review to the censor board. It was cleared once again with a few cuts to appease the complainants.”

    Meesha Shafi, Mira Sethi and Ali Gul Pir had also extended their support to the film and its team.

    Written by Nirmal Bano and directed by Sarmad Khoosat, Zindagi Tamasha starres Arif Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Eman Suleman and Ali Qureshi in the lead. The film is centered around a naat khwan Rahat Khawaja (played by Hassan) and his family who are outcast from the society when a secret of Khawaja’s is leaked.

    The official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

    The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival held in October 2019 where it also won the prestigious Kim Ji Seok Award.

  • Sarmad Khoosat appeals to PM, President to facilitate his film’s release

    Sarmad Khoosat appeals to PM, President to facilitate his film’s release

    Sarmad Khoosat’s award-winning film Zindagi Tamasha seems to have run into trouble once again.

    As the film gears up for release in Pakistan, the filmmaker took to social media to reveal that “a few troublemakers” were creating hurdles in its release “for their political ends.”

    https://twitter.com/KhoosatSarmad/status/1217818381149229062?s=20

    In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Imran Khan, President Dr Arif Alvi, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Chief of the Army Staff and Minister for Information, Khoosat detailed the problems his film was facing in its release.

    Along with that, he clarified that “As a law-abiding citizen and with full conviction that there is nothing offensive or malicious in the film, in response I submitted the film for another review to the censor board. It was cleared once again with a few cuts to appease the complainants.”

    “I launched the promotional campaign and now, just a week before the film’s release, another attempt is being made by the same group to stop the release of the film and this time they are hell-bent on using pressurising tactics,” he said, adding that he is bringing this issue to their notice because “these series of episodes undermines a state institution like the Central Board of Film Censors.”

    Written by Nirmal Bano and directed by Sarmad Khoosat, Zindagi Tamasha starres Arif Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Eman Suleman and Ali Qureshi in the lead. The film is centred around a naat khwan Rahat Khawaja (played by Hassan) and his family who are outcast from the society when a secret of Khawaja’s is leaked.

    The official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

    The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival held in October 2019 where it also won the prestigious Kim Ji Seok Award.

    Read more – Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’s’ trailer mysteriously disappears from Youtube

    Meanwhile, Sarmad’s colleagues including Meesha Shafi and Ali Gul Pir stepped forward to support the filmmaker and his film.

  • Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’s’ trailer mysteriously disappears from Youtube

    Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’s’ trailer mysteriously disappears from Youtube

    Sarmad Khoosat’s award-winning film Zindagi Tamasha‘s trailer has mysteriously disappeared from Youtube.

    While Sarmad himself declined to give a comment on the matter, it is being speculated that the Censor Board requested the director to take down the trailer. However, there has been no confirmation of this on the matter and no further details have been shared.

    Written by Nirmal Bano and directed by Sarmad Khoosat, Zindagi Tamasha starres Arif Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Eman Suleman and Ali Qureshi in the lead. The film’s is centred around a Naat Khwan Rahat Khawaja (played by Hassan) and his family who are outcast from society when a secret of Khawaja’s is leaked.

    Meanwhile, the official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

    The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival held earlier in October where it also won the prestigious Kim Ji Seok Award. Sarmad at the time had said that the film will be releasing in Pakistan early next year. However, he had not specified a date.

    Sarmad is currently working on his next feature film Kamli starring Saba Qamar in the lead. The shoot for the film has wrapped up and it is now in its post-production stage.