‘Churails’, Pakistan’s first-ever web-series directed by Asim Abbasi was banned in the country due to its bold content.
Asim took to Twitter on Wednesday to express disappointment over his web-series becoming inaccessible to Pakistani audience. In a series of Tweets, Asim explained how this censorship will hurt the entire entertainment industry which was expecting the bright future of digital/OTT platforms in the country.
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
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
Now as ‘Churails’ have been banned in Pakistan, people look divided on this decision. A lot of them questioned the vulgar content to promote women’s empowerment.
Okay the story was good but the message could be conveyed by not using abusive language , alcohol , smoking etc
— Asim (@IamAsim) October 7, 2020
That is the real content we should watch
we have to bycott paki dramas which are nothing a piece of crap
if u really wanna know something and really eager to learn positive things then our islamic heros histories are better than any other content..🇵🇰🇹🇷❤️#Churails pic.twitter.com/7ZGkwdZYFk— muhammad ahmed (@muhamma33696023) October 7, 2020
#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
This is Quality content ?? This is how you will empower women of our society ?? This is how you are teaching about glass ceiling ? This is disgrace to a women .#Churails#پیمرا_فحاشی_ختم_کرو
— aamir ghumman (@ghummanspeaking) October 5, 2020
Why is obscene content essential to the promotion of any product?
Why is immoral character and content important in any drama?
Wasn’t the goal of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to promote Islam? Is it necessary to promote obscenity in Pakistan?
Who will stop them all?#Churails pic.twitter.com/lQMQohyVfb— ShErAz🇵🇰 (@SherazSays_) October 7, 2020
if you are showing women empowerment by drinking alcohol and smoking joints, then you are showing it wrong#Churails
— aftab (@AftabBoi) October 7, 2020
They want to normalize hand jobs and other jobs.. But bitches and whores won’t succeed.
Sharam ki muqam hy@reportpemra#Churails pic.twitter.com/1juVhLeTQy— lone (@imnovid) October 7, 2020
The value they are showing of woman in this Drama is not real one given here in Pakistan because our country is not that much modern as it’s shown in this series & not every good woman smoke cigarettes it’s Islamic republic not India #Churails
— farinasweet (@Sayahussain2) October 7, 2020
Some people asked why women empowerment can’t be portrayed like the famous Turkish drama serial ‘Drilis: Ertugrul’ did.
in the Ertugrul series, women are portrayed as strong, so why can’t we show women this way?#Churails pic.twitter.com/bmfwscL0Oo
— Areeba Khan (@khanareebazai) October 7, 2020
Pic 1, what Muslim women really are ? #womenempowerment
Pic 2, what gashti is ? #Churails pic.twitter.com/PzqEGZq35o— Mohsin Abro 🇵🇰 (@QulbEMomin) October 7, 2020
In the Ertugrul series, women are portrayed as strong, so why can’t we show women this way?🌚#Churails#PEMRAHoshMeinAao pic.twitter.com/3skdPddgAH
— Nimmz__🔥 (@Chlo_shaba_kato) October 7, 2020
On the other hand, a huge number of people raised concerns over banning ‘Churails’ which they think showed society’s reality.
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
It’s amazing that men in a country with one of the highest rates of porn viewership have a problem with a scene from #Churails that highlighted the grim reality of what women must deal with at the workplace.
Ban action movies too as Pak has had a crisis of violence and killing!
— Uzair Younus عُزیر یُونس (@UzairYounus) October 7, 2020
and yet they wonder why our industry suffers and foreign talent is promoted over our own. jab kuch proper banta hai, usko bas ban kardiya jata hai. the result? industry resorts to using same old stagnant storylines leading to repeated degradation of the product
— basitsnake (@BasitAli92) October 7, 2020
kiya bakwas ha web content pe bhi censorship?
— iyk (@iirtiza11) October 7, 2020
آزادی اظہارِ راۓ جب تک نہیں قائم ہوتا یہ مُلک آگے نہیں بڑھ سکتا
— Fazeel Bhatti (@FazeelBhatti) October 7, 2020
They ignore all the struggles shown in there. All that womens have to go through . And only conventrated on the word handjob . The hypocrisy of jaahil awaam
— saraah_zamaana (@Areeba099) October 7, 2020
But dont you think it should be up to the individuals to decide if they want to watch something or not? If you find it vulgar then you shouldnt watch it by any means but if other people find it acceptable then they shouldn’t they be allowed to watch it. Rather than a blanket ban?
— Ali Haroon (@AliHaroon4) October 7, 2020