In an odd turn of events, the hit Pakistani web-series ‘Churails‘ has been taken off streaming service Zee5, but only in Pakistan. It is, however, available for viewing internationally.
Curiously, this development has raised more questions than answers. How can an India-based video streaming platform take down the Pakistani series, that too after clips of the show went viral on social media these past few days? People are now asking, did the Pakistani electronic media watchdog PEMRA have anything to do with this? If so, how is it even possible given that the two countries are not on talking terms?
Pakistani director Asim Abbasi’s web series Churails was released on Zee5 back in August. The series was headlined by stars such as Yasra Rizvi, Sarwat Gillani, and more.
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The show quickly acquired repute for slamming gender-related stereotypes. It was unlike any other Pakistani production before it. It was bold, incisive, and entertaining.
Critics believe that this Pakistani production about four fiercely strong and independent women may have ruffled some feathers, given the bold storyline and dialogues in it. Of course, no one has any issues with these aspects if they are Indian-made or Hollywood-made.
Regardless, the series was critical and commercially acclaim on an international level. However now Churails has allegedly been taken down for Pakistani audiences on the online streaming site Zee5. The series is no longer available for users with a Pakistani IP. Amid this, Pakistani netizens want to know who is responsible for taking it off-air in the country.
The ban on Churails
Director Asim Abbasi expressed his grief on the series being banned in Pakistan.
“How strange for #Churails to be lauded internationally, and now be shut down in its country of origin.”
Artistic freedom squashed because it is wrongly perceived by some as a moral threat. Predictable, and yet, still disappointing. For this is not just my loss. This is a loss for women and marginalised communities that this show meant to re-represent. (2)
— Asim Abbasi (@IllicitusProduc) October 7, 2020
The director also asserted how this is not just a hit to artistic freedom and the future freedom of digital space but also a loss for women and marginalized communities. He added that the ban makes its clears ‘whose voice matters’ in Pakistan.
“They have once again proven that they are the only voice that matters.”
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
Netizens agree with the director, given how unpredictable the move really is.
This banning spree has gone completely out of hand. Sab kuch ban kardo. Women's health websites online, a biscuit ad and now this. https://t.co/wSbw3ncQyx
— Madeeha Syed (@madeehasyed) October 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/Shehzad89/status/1313778002979885057
https://twitter.com/VirsaPirzado/status/1313849554710732800
Some folks asserted that they do support the ban.
Well I won't say anything but to make you realize can only say: when ur daughter or sister will speak in such language and want freedom in THAT(as #Churails potray) way, then you will get your answer… Simple! It not about not letting art or talents progress.
— A. Ali (@somewhere_ali05) October 7, 2020
Rather than face the issues highlighted by #Churails, they’ve just buried their head in the sand. Meanwhile, mediocre, repetitive ‘drama’ on telly helps keep everyone in a rut.
— 𝔽𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕔𝕚𝕥𝕪 🏴🇵🇰🇵🇸🇪🇺 (@FelicityRojo) October 7, 2020
Others talked about how hypocritical the ban really is, given the streaming habits of Pakistani society.
The amount of porn consumed by Pakistanis and yet they're offended by the word 'hand job'. Unbelievable!
— Shazia Ibrahim (@_Shaz_IA) October 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/ayaz87/status/1313917654382645248
BBC Asia Network’s radio presenter and journalist Haroon Rashid expressed disappointment in how domestic abuse and normalizing misogyny are never deemed a moral threat. Yet, everything thought-provoking gets banned as authorities feel threatened by critical thinkers.
https://twitter.com/iHaroonRashid/status/1313794745605513217
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Why could Zee5 allegedly ban content on PEMRA’s orders?
However, no one really touched on the subject of why an Indian OTT platform is allegedly complying with Pakistani state authorities. Is it really what happened here? Or did a third party ask Zee to take down the content?
There are theories though.
Find out the snakes in the industry who pulled this off because of their petty jealousy and hegemony. Saba Qamar was thwarted like this too and now you're being targeted.
Morality and religion is just a cover – there are always monied interests behind the scene.— Mehrub Awan🔻 🇵🇸 (@TMItalks) October 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/BaajiCricket/status/1313788031866937347
Churails is a web series. It wasn’t even been aired on prime time on any Pakistani channel. As an online series, it was meant for a mature audience, not mainstream ones. That explains the liberties it takes with its storyline and script.
Furthermore, PEMRA and PTA have not mentioned any orders to ban the controversial series so far. Even in the most ideal of times, Pakistan and India don’t see eye to eye. The question of a private Indian content platform complying with requests from across the border seems sketchy at best. It is, however, not impossible if Zee5 was asked to take it down otherwise it risks losing Pakistani subscribers with a complete ban.
How can these series be allegedly taken down under the orders of a governmental body from Pakistan?
Is this an attempt to revive Churails’ sagging popularity? We all know that banning something only makes people look it up more. And besides, Zee5 is still usable in Pakistan, with other mainstream Pakistani productions available for streaming.
It seems highly improbable that PEMRA or PTA would have managed to get it banned. Perhaps the show may have been banned in order to safeguard the cast members’ safety?
We will leave it to our readers to decide what actually happened here.
