ZEE5 removes controversial popular series ‘Churails’ in Pakistan

Digital giant, ZEE5 has removed the popular, yet controversial Pakistani series ‘Churails’ in Pakistan.

‘Churails’ had been streaming globally, including Pakistan since 11th August 2020. Despite the very positive reviews, ‘Churails’ has had its fair share of negativity from Pakistani viewers for its controversial use of language and gestures.

One of the clips doing the rounds online sees the character Sherry, played by Hina Khawaja Hayat, offering sexual pleasure to her boss as as a way of moving up in her career.

Writer and Director of ‘Churails’, Asim Abbasi expressed his disappointment at the decision of the show going offline in Pakistan. In a tweet, he said, “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.”

He added, “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.”

The series of tweets ended with, “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.”

The series is still streaming globally outside Pakistan. It stars Sarwat Gilani, Nimra Bucha, Mehar Bano, and Yasra Rizvi.