Looks like the controversy surrounding the release of film ‘Swaarangi’ is not dying anytime soon. It started with Central Board of Film Certification’s ban whereby the film could not release in Islamabad and cantonment areas throughout the country. Then things took a positive turn when the Punjab board passed the film and that to without a single cut. Things seemed to be going further in the right direction when the Sindh Censor passed the film without a single cut. However it is the additional feedback that has come with this decision is what has me all angered.The comments made by Fakhre Alam, Chairman of Sindh Censor Board were totally uncalled for and should not have been made.
For those unaware. Here are the tweets made by Fakhre Alam, Chairman of Sindh Censor Board, who on his twitter account spoke on behalf of the whole board and said ‘Swaarangi’ shouldn’t be released because of its poor quality.
2/4 The board has requested the distributor to withdraw the application voluntarily. If not we will issue a U certificate to the film.
— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) September 8, 2015
4/4 the board feels Pak cinema is at the brink of resurgence & a film like Sawarangi will harm the brand equity of Pakistani new age cinema.
— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) September 8, 2015
A censor board is supposed to censor a film and see if its fit for viewing. If they think its fit for viewing that is where the job ends.The censor board does not have the right to decide whether if a film is a good enough for release or not based on the quality of the film.
Having worked at the prestigious HKC Entertainment last summers I had the opportunity of seeing how the censor process works. The first thing I was told by my boss, the visionary Hammad Chaudhry, was that when a film is being censored it is not being reviewed. People inside the censor screening do not have the right to publicly comment on the quality of the film up until the point the film releases in cinemas or has a screening where people are invited to see the film and review it.
Giving your feedback after the censor screening and shaping peoples opinion is not the right thing to do! I strongly feel that what Fakhr-e-Alam and the Sindh Censor Board did is just wrong and should be condemned!
What is your take on this entire situation?
Fakhr e Alam your job is not that of a brand manager but to look for legitimately offensive content. Stupid prick.
So stupid of Fakhar e Alam. He objected the content of the film prior to its release. Which is not acceptable. At least let the film release. Then comment. So much bad of him even though. Resham had worked with him in one film. Anyway. Good luck Swarngi n team. We have been waiting for talented Resham to come and create magic on the big screen. Now the time has come. We will watch it.