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.
