Fawad Chaudhry's praise for 'Meray Paas Tum Ho' raises questions about 'Zindagi Tamasha'

Minister took to Twitter to share why Pakistani serials are better than India and people had some valid concerns

KARACHI: In another eventful day in local Twitter, Minister of Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry managed to draw the ire of entertainment fanatics thanks to his recent tweet referencing drama serial Meray Paas Tum Ho.

Following the insanely charged finale of Meray Paas Tum Ho which saw people flocking to cinema halls across the country, Chaudhry took to Twitter to congratulate the team for the 'epic drama serial.' Not just that, he also urged Netflix and Amazon to 'invest' in Pakistan's drama and film industry.

Must congretulate @ARYVideos for showing epic drama serial #MerayPassTumHo, writer n whole team deserves big applause. I yet again ask @amazon and @Netflix invest in Pak drama n film #Pakistan has far better minds than India our music is far superior, you guys wont regret.

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) January 25, 2020

The minister also blatantly called out Indian talent, saying how "#Pakistan has far better minds than India."

The tweet did not go down well with Twitterati and for good reason. Singer Ali Gul Pir called the minister out for his tweet, asking him to first "let a film that was passed by the censor board to play in cinemas without being strong-armed by a group of goons," referencing the ban on Sarmad Khoosat's Zindagi Tamasha.

First you have to let a film that was passed by censorboard to play in cinemas without being strong armed by a group of goons. When ur state has that much power and can establish writ, then ask others to invest #zindagitamasha #baatainKerwalo https://t.co/Fl5PD05UBD

— Ali Gul Pir (@Aligulpir) January 27, 2020

 

Pir was not the only one to call Chaudhry out. Ahmer Naqvi also spoke out ringing in a suggestion saying, "How about investing in Pakistan yourselves instead of telling Netflix why India sucks?"

There is literally an award winning film in the country your party governs that is being blocked for release by fanatical mobs. How about investing in Pakistan yourselves instead of telling Netflix why India sucks? https://t.co/93eihFeV0S

— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) January 27, 2020

Many others also took to Twitter to voice their opinions on Chaudhry's tweet, hailing independent content and denouncing 'misogynistic serials like Meray Paas Tum Ho.'

Dear netflix, do not ever play these stupid ass misogynistic shows. Pakistani content is great, look for independent stuff, stuff like dramas sultan khoosats work. Not mere paas tum ho https://t.co/1QZmJzpDED

— İts Rayning (@karvahalva) January 27, 2020

You guys literally gave in to TLP goons’ pressure over a mere movie and want Netflix and Amazon to invest? What alternate universe are you living in? https://t.co/3ExvgSi3up

— Anaya Khan (@AnayaNKhan) January 26, 2020

Yeah ask Netflix and Amazon to invest in Pakistan where they'll need approval from Khadim Rizvi to run their content. https://t.co/lO3EjHqQSt

— Uzair (@yetohhoga) January 25, 2020

Zindagi Tamasha's release has been stalled due to concerns raised by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). Earlier, Irfan Ali Khoosat had filed a petition in a Lahore court against TLP for attempting to ‘interfere in the smooth running, public screening and release’ of the film as well.

Following this, PM's aide Firdous Ashiq Awan said the producers had been directed to postpone the film, adding that the government would immediately approach the Council of Islamic Ideology for its views over the film, who have since refused to partake saying that it's "Not our job to give pinion on movies."

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