Controversial ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ Submitted For Oscars
The film’s release was halted in Pakistan due to religious protests
WEB DESK: Sarmad Sultan Khoosat’s controversial film ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ has been selected by the Pakistani Academy Selection Committee to be submitted for Oscar considerations in the ‘International Feature Film Award’.
However, the film’s release was stalled in Pakistan due to protests by a religious political party in Pakistan.
Directed and co-produced by Saramad Khoosat, along with Kanwal Khoosat, the film’s story revolves around a common man who faces challenges of a strict Muslim society.
Written by Nirmal Bano, Zindagi Tamasha features Arif Hassan, Eman Suleman, Samiya Mumtaz and Ali Kureshi.
Film’s Release
The film was to hit screens in Pakistan on January 24 this year, but after a religious uproar lead by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), its release was banned just three days before its schedule.
However, the film was cleared by all three censor boards including CBFC, Punjab, and Sindh in Pakistan.
Zindagi Tamasha had its world premiere at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival held last year in South Korea where it was awarded the top fiction prize.
Film’s Story
Zindagi Tamasha is the story of a ‘Naat Khuwan’ (a poet who recites poetry in praise of the Prophet Muhammad). Naat Khuwan Rahat enjoyed a celebrity status in his neighborhood in Lahore and was a devoted Muslim.
Rahat and his family was banished by the society after his video went viral on social media where he was seen dancing in a wedding.
The trailer of the film hinted at the misuse of blasphemy law in Pakistan, stirring quite a chaos in the country with its release being halted.
Response by Filmmaker
Sarmad Khoosat is a well-acclaimed actor, director, producer and screenwriter of Pakistan.
He made his big- screen debut with Manto in 2015 and received the highest national literary honor, Pride of Performance, by Pakistan government in 2017.
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In an open letter written a few days earlier to the scheduled release, addressing to Pakistan’s president, Prime Minister, Chief of the Army Staff, Chief Justice, Ministry of Information and the public, Khoosat said that there was never any intention to attack, to point fingers at or humiliate any institution or individual.
He claimed that the film is the tale of a ‘bearded man’ who is so much more than just that.
Zindagi Tamasha in Oscars
The film being selected for Oscar nominations seems bizarre when the release of the movie was banned in its country of origin.
It remained a forlorn situation for Pakistani film enthusiasts as Zindagi Tamasha’s release was prohibited in the country while the movie making place in Oscar nominations from Pakistan.
