Churails just got banned from Pakistani screens WTF
Churails had come as a breath of fresh air from Pakistani TV industry. A web series made in Pakistan, by Pakistanis and featuring a very Pakistani story but with a flavor that was extremely unique. It definitely raised quite a few eyebrows. It also managed to get itself in its fair share of controversies. But what mattered was that this show had provided a step in the right direction for Pakistani TV industry. Well, all of that has come to a halt.
News broke earlier today that, for some reason, Churails had been banned in Pakistan
While the show is streamable on Zee5, an India-based platform, it was previously viewable for Pakistani audience. For some reason, it has now been blocked from viewing in Pakistan, while it is being streamed in the rest of the world without a hitch.
#Churails got censored and removed in Pakistan.
— zara (@zarasherkhan) October 7, 2020
Naturally, the news has not sit well with many Pakistani fans because of the growing popularity of Churails that is going to be stunned after it was banned
You can watch porn in #Pakistan but not #Churails ☺️
— FK (@faisalkapadia) October 7, 2020
#Churails got banned, talking about the motorway rape got banned, Gala biscuit ad got banned. You see what I see?
— Anand bhai (@blurmynamepls) October 7, 2020
People are so pissed that Churails being banned has become the top conversation on Pakistani social media right now
However, there are some people who apparently agree with the ban and point to “immorality: the series is apparently promoting, in their points of view
#Churails All those defending this crap show I have one question for you. The question is that when you plan to defend people like Abu Juhal and Yazeed and Firaun and Namrood. Because you are no different than these people. You are all same. pic.twitter.com/RnuWtKhuJG
— zarwan ali (@ali_zarwan) October 7, 2020
If you want to show women empowerment show that she is powerful without any support and she can achieve anything without having affairs .its islamic state show some decency #Churails
— Tehreem Fatima (@Hussainnii) October 7, 2020
But many more 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
Well #churails is banned not surprising at all. But what a waste of good script direction & all the hard work put together by the cast. Only to be sabotage by a dialogue like Hand Job which was unnecessary & avoidable. This is Not women empowerment but stupidity#PEMRAhoshMeinAao pic.twitter.com/ba7gzVznt0
— Hiraaa (@Hiraaa_rana) October 7, 2020
#Churails pic.twitter.com/QbVyQs20Tz
— Ben Qadeer (@ARBINQADEER) October 7, 2020
Pakistan is #1 in most porn watching countries: says @Google
And we've problem with #Churails which is actually highlighting social problems of our country.
No one is forcing you to watch it. Simply,if you don't agree with content,you don't need to subscribe @ZEE5India— Abu Bakar Jabbar (@IamABjabbar) October 7, 2020
The reason why Jawani phir nahi aani was a mainstream cinema release and a blockbuster and Churails is being taken off the web is why we need Churails in the first place. #Churails
— Fatima Shah (@FatimaShah95) October 7, 2020
The director of the series, Asim Abbasi, has also come out with a statement after the news was released
Asim said, as strange as it is for the show to be banned in its country of origin and production when it is being appreciated the world over for the dialogue it has created, it was also predictable.
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
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. (3)
— Asim Abbasi (@IllicitusProduc) October 7, 2020
It is not a loss for him alone as much as it is for all the women that his show was representing, and the whole cast and crew that came together to work on it. It is “a home-run for the misogynists”, says Asim Abbasi.
Some people are pointing fingers at this one clip from the show that went viral a few days back for being the reason the series was banned
Someone had shared this clip because they thought it was offensive to their personal sensibilities, and well I guess authorities care more about this one person’s “sensibilities” than the thousands upon thousands who were mind-blown by the path-breaking series.
Pemra r u sleeping what the hell is going on who reviews and censor these dramas and movies…. fucking hell..#پیمرا_فحاشی_ختم_کرو pic.twitter.com/vhRDeRDxpq
— Qalander Ghazi (@AllahSoldier03) October 4, 2020
Actor Osman Khalid Butt has also shared his disappointment with 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
Despite sounding like a broken record, we will repeat that banning is never the solution. Banning only creates an unregulated black market that allows for actual ills to run rampant. What authorities, and our society at large, need is to understand that the only way to actually have a better society is to allow progressive discourse to flourish and not ban it because it’s too uncomfortable for your senile sensibilities.
Sound off in the comments below, your thoughts on the ban.
I Watched ”Churails” And Honestly, THIS Is The Change In Desi Stories We Needed
Cover image via: zenger.news