Questions were raised, especially after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was directed to include a representative of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and a representative of the ministry in the board reviewing the film.
مرکزی فلم سنسر بورڈ نے فلم “زندگی تماشہ” کا تنقیدی جائزہ لینے کے لئے فوری طور پر اسلامی نظریاتی کونسل سے رجوع کرنے کا فیصلہ کیا ہے۔ پروڈیوسر کو فلم کی ریلیز مؤخر کرنے کی ہدایت بھی جاری کر دی گئی۔
— Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousAwan) January 21, 2020
Following this, Zindagi Tamasha has been trending on Twitter as people are divided between the hashtags #WeSaluteKhadimRizvi and #WeSupportZindagiTamasha.
Arguments surrounding the issue question whether the involvement of political or religious parties in the release of a film is even justified, given CBFC's policy. According to a new development, sources had also reported that a CBFC official confirmed that if need be, a scholar may sit in the meeting but "he will not be a member of TLP as it is not policy."
A spokesperson for Pir Ejaz, senior leader of TLP, however, said that no meeting would happen without a TLP representative in attendance. "This film will not release without satisfying TLP," reported a close source.
Nevertheless, several users are either celebrating or criticising the decision on Twitter while celebrities are calling it a 'suppression of art and expression..
What a sad day for freedom of expression for democracy. Art is to help human spirit be free without https://t.co/cvb7Wtozkq n let live dear people. #ZindagiTamasha !!!!
— Samina Peerzada (@SaminaSays) January 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/azadjami1/status/1219815842650652672
The govt needs to do so much more to promote the arts in Pakistan which are currently going thru a huge credit crunch due to lack of advertising revenue.
— Mansha Pasha (@manshapasha) January 21, 2020
One can forget abt original Pakistani content if now they also start caving into outside pressures. #ZindagiTamasha
Jab #TLP say hee poochna hai Islam kia hai aur Islam ka ehteraam kia hai toh phir is ka Matlab Riasat TLP say yeh bhi pooch rahi hai kay Islam ka ehteraam kesay karna hai. Riasat khud #MumtazQadri aur #AasiaBibi case kay faislon ka mazaq urwa rahi hai. #ZindagiTamasha
— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) January 21, 2020
Such a relief because I'm working on a film called "O Dallay!" https://t.co/Sn3f9zg0lD
— Ali Gul Pir (@Aligulpir) January 21, 2020
Some users continued to support the decision, adding that Zindagi Tamasha should be banned.
#Sindh becomes the first province to ban #ZindagiTamasha . this movie should ban on #national level. And should be review under #Islamicideologicalcouncil#Pakistan #PakistanArmy #WeSaluteKhadimRizvi @OfficialDGISPR
— WALEED UL HASSAN (@Waleed_UlHassan) January 22, 2020
#ZindagiTamasha pic.twitter.com/efW7AL102B
How can we decide what film is trying to portray without watching it,still great effort to suspend its release.#WeSaluteKhadimRizvi
— /\|¦ (@Ali_baba_69) January 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/duoa786/status/1219878837976211456
https://twitter.com/naveed487/status/1219859392776089600
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