It is certainly an unfortunate state of affairs for the Pakistani film industry as one of its visionary directors has been forced to put the fate of his film in the hands of outside forces. Sarmad Khoosat’s film Zindagi Tamasha, which has already won accolades internationally, still shows no signs of getting a Pakistani release and it is all thanks to the agitation created by a certain religious party.
Zindagi Tamasha was all ready to be released in January but after the protests from Tehreek e Labaik Pakistan (TLP), the federal government had issued the notice for the delay in film’s release. Then the film was sent for review again by CBFC and The Council of Islam Ideology (CII) was invited to sit in for the film’s review. The review was meant to be held on 3rd February and it did not end up happening.
Stuck in red tape
A source close to the film disclosed to Galaxy Lollywood that the review was delayed by the Punjab Censor Board and since then there has been a complete silence both from CII and the censor boards. On the other hand, the parties involved in the film’s review are all busy pointing fingers to each other instead of getting on with the review and announcing the film’s fate.
The CBFC says that it is waiting for the provincial censor boards to arrange their review meetings. The Punjab Censor Board says that they are awaiting the CBFC and the IIC to their conclusion. Whereas the IIC says that it has submitted a letter mentioning its four-member bench for the film’s review to the CBFC Chairman and are waiting to get their reply. The CBFC denies getting any such letter from the IIC.
This entire situation is not only absurd but is a big blow to any future voice in the Pakistani film industry who would dare to step out of the conventional storytelling mold and make films of the uncomfortable truths of the society. Sarmad Khoosat is an established director of the industry and his years of work have gotten him huge accolades not just within the country but internationally as well. He has one of the finest visions of the country that prove that Pakistan does have sensitive voices and visions that can match with the global standards of good filmmaking.
Sarmad Khoosat responds
Last time Sarmad talked about the film publicly was when he talked about the death threats he had been getting and urged the Prime Minister of Pakistan to take notice of the situation. Since then, Sarmad has kept silent about the film’s affairs. When we reached out to Sarmad, he maintained his silence and said that everything that has been happening is all for the public to see.
“I don’t have anything to add to the matter. Whatever that has been happening, everyone can see it. Instead of asking me for any quote, I’d rather our industry and media to stand up for this issue and make commentary about it,” stated the Manto filmmaker.
Galaxy Lollywood staunchly stands by Sarmat Khoosat and Zindagi Tamasha. We hope for the film to get it deserved released with all the respect and dignity that the film deserves. It is a complete disgrace for the official censor boards of our country to keep the fate of a film hanging in balance due to their hidden issues and agendas. Pakistan is a free country and a country’s liberty is best reflected in the freedom of its art. This tamasha has gone on for way too long than necessary now and it is high time it ends so that the Pakistani artists can be assured that this is a country where art is respected.
