TV series Churails has been removed from online streaming platform Zee5 for Pakistani viewers only after a clip from the show went viral on Twitter on Wednesday. The platform, however, has not given any justification for removing the series for Pakistani viewers but it seemed that it acted after the controversial video triggered a storm on Pakistani Twitter.
The online streaming platform had been streaming the Asim Abbasi’s directorial series since August 11. The controversial video showed veteran actor Hina Khwaja Bayat who played Sherry in the show talking about giving sexual pleasures to her boss in exchange for promotion in her job. The video stirred a whirlwind of criticism on social media as enraged netizens demanded a ban on the series immediately.
Internet users voiced their disappointment and said “such dialogues” could spread vulgarity in the society. A bevy of users argued that instead of banning the ad of the biscuit firm, authorities should take action such shows that are aiming at normalizing the discussion on subjects of sexuality in media.
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While a group of internet users called the scene a depicteion of real life circumstances many women face in their careers, where they are demanded sexual favors in exchange of advancement in the careers.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from PTA confirmed to Express Tribune, that removal of the series came from the Indian OTT platform and not from the Pakistani authority.
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
Director Abbasi and other celebrities have expressed disappointment over the removal of the series for the 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,” wrote Abbasi in a tweet. He released a series of tweets recording his protesting against the ban.
'Only the Pakistani elite even know about streaming platforms, so only they are responsible for all this filth.. they don't represent us, the majority who can't even afford them,' writes Mazhar, on his TWITTER FOR IPHONE.
— Osman Khalid Butt 🇵🇸 (@aClockworkObi) October 8, 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
Meanwhile, celebrities including Osman Khalid Butt, Anoushey Ashraf, Sanam Saeed, and Mansha Pasha have disapproved of the ban on the series and have called it an onslaught on the ‘creative liberty’ and ‘freedom of expression’.
GVS News Desk