Sarmad Khoosat is known to be one of the finest directors in our industry and is someone who believes in institutions and has deep abiding respect for them. Just when Sarmad Khoosat was all excited about promoting his upcoming movie ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ in which he and his team has explored themes around gender constructs, class division and complex human experiences when the director met with serious backlash.
Despite that the movie has been cleared by the censor board thrice, the unofficial sensor board – one that wields street power is threatening Sarmad though Sarmad has clearly stated that he had no intention to attack or point out fingers at or humiliate any individual or institution.
Sarmad Khoosat took on social media to share his open letter which he written to the PM Imran Khan seeking for help to save his film. Soon after celebrities and people from social media came in support and made his letter go viral.
https://twitter.com/TheMahiraKhan/status/1218953108543430657
https://twitter.com/iamhumayunsaeed/status/1218493614373974018
https://twitter.com/sethimirajee/status/1218903640787865600
https://twitter.com/teepusahab/status/1219327449969893377
https://twitter.com/RoshanehZafar/status/1219531384781508608
https://twitter.com/javzirks/status/1219325630078246913
https://twitter.com/mehwish_ashraf/status/1219331764650266627
The movie had its World premiere at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival and also became the first Pakistani feature film (fiction) to win an award at a major international film festival. The movie was all set to release on the 24th of January but as a report has been filed against the director (Sarmad), the write and the producer the movie’s future is at stake.
Sarmad is receiving life threatening messages and calls, with all the support from his friends in the industry and fans on social media yet he is thinking of withdrawing as he has got no support from the government.
Sarmad took on twitter to ask for an opinion whether he should withdraw from releasing the movie or no to which the social media and celebrities came forward and posted tweets on how art and expression is being threatened in the country.
https://twitter.com/KhoosatSarmad/status/1218883372375838721
Khoosat Films have filed a petition against Tehreek-i-Labbaik (TLP) for trying to interfere into the smooth running, public screening/releasing of the movie ‘Zindagi Tamasha’.
We really hope this feud settles soon and the team’s hard work pays off!
