Zee5 and Zindagi original’s first ever Pakistani web series Churails, which was previously pulled off for Pakistani audience by the Indian based platform has been reinstated after a two day prohibition. Hence, the local users are once again allowed access to the first season of highly acclaimed series.
The latest announcement was put forward by Asim Abbasi, who serves as the show-runner of the megahit television serial. Taking it to his Instagram profile, Asim shared a picture of Hina Khuwaja, who had come under fire for her inappropriate dialogues in the series.
Asim wrote a detailed caption under Hina’s portrait, appreciating the old stager for depicting a critically strong character of Sherry in Pakistani web series Churails.
The witches who wouldn’t burn. Not yet. Not today. #Churails is now back on in Pakistan. And there is no better woman, better actor, better screengrab that embodies my current mood!
@hinakhwajabayatofficial you are a rockstar for gracefully dealing with all the needless vilification. You played Sherry and her patriarchal bargain to absolute perfection. No moral policing can ever take that away from you.
stated the Cake director
How it all started
The tale of four vengeful Churails had garnered massive accolades since the day it started premiering on the Indian based digital platform. With its unique storyline and portrayal of women empowerment, the series was immediately a massive hit both nationally and abroad. But, as rose beds have thorns too, Churails was also poured scorn on by a huge population, for its bold and gutsy plots and timeline.
Few days back, a video of Hina Khuwaja from the popular drama serial emerged, in which she explicitly mentions the sexual favors she had to give to the supervisor in exchange for job promotions. Hence, the clip immediately besieged the netizens, as they criticized the series for promoting such vulgar content.
The video went viral on twitter, with the users calling out PEMRA to immediately ban the serial. However, Pakistani web series Churails comes from the OTT background, hence couldn’t be excluded by local authorities.
Nevertheless, as the controversy related to Churails intensified to seriousness, the original broadcaster Zee5 abruptly put an end to the screenplay, but only for Pakistani viewers. Catch on the details below.
Read More: Zee5 web series Churails banned for viewership in Pakistan
Showbiz Celebrities react to ban on Churails
Some renowned personalities from entertainment industry had also intervened into the on-going controversy as they voiced out their perspective over the ban on Pakistani web series Churails.
Amplifying the voice of Asim Abbasi, the immensely popular heartthrob Osman Khalid Butt tweeted, “Oh, you got Churails banned? Congratulations! Now please focus your outrage on the fact that police have failed to arrest the prime accused in the motorway rape incident,” wrote the Ehd-e-Wafa actor.
Next in the line was the notable film actress, Sanam Saeed. Here to mention, Sanam was a central part of Asim Abbas’s previous highest grossing film ‘Cake,’ hence the actress exquisitely backed the ace director.
“Banning dancing ads, outspoken films and web series 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.” – Tweeted Sanam.
The rising starlet Anoushey Ashraf also came forward. In a tweet, she mentioned how the recent ‘Churails ban’ has motivated her to watch the series.
“Good or bad, Churails is a (web) series. Those who don’t want to watch it don’t have to, but ‘banning’ freedom of expression and art is very regressive in 2020. Like banning anything has worked ever. If anything, I really want to see the series now,” – Mentioned Anoushey.
Muhabbat Tujhe Alvida actress Mansha Pasha also tweeted, “Unfortunately we are moving towards a Zia-esque time of Moral policing. Meanwhile the state silences journalists, runs after biscuit ads and begins its bans on OTT content.”
Who banned the Pakistani web series Churails
Churails’ out of the blue prohibition by Zee5 welcomed numerous questions, with the activists curious to be acquainted with the hands behind such immediate and intrepid decision. Many twitterites in favor of the series, also blamed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for the recent turn of events.
However, Asim Abbasi, the director and writer of Pakistani web series Churails has revealed some astounding details on the matter.
Asim in a tweet mentioned that PTA had reportedly reached out to Indian streamer Zee5 to have the web series taken down.
Nonetheless, Hasan Kazmi, an international journalist had opposed the Churails director.
“So Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has confirmed that it has not blocked #Churails
Apparently #ZEE5 has taken it down due to public outrage about its one scene on #Twitter.” – Tweeted Hasan.
Following the argument, Zee5’s official Mahwish Ajaz also stepped into the picture. Mahwish in a tweet illustrated official statement of the emerging broadcaster.
Statement from #Zee5
Our aim has always been to create content that resonates strongly with viewers across the globe. Churails has been a phenomenal success story for us and has been lauded and loved the world over.
stated Mahwash Ajaz
She continued, disclosing the news of overturning of ban from the much celebrated Pakistani web series Churails.
The show was taken off the platform in Pakistan purely in compliance with a directive that we received. We have now addressed the matter and reinstated the show on our platform.
To sum up, Churails controversy has finally terminated and the enormously admired television show is once again available for the Pakistani audience.
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