Censor board and Islamic council at odds over 'Zindagi Tamasha' review

No signs of film being reviewed anytime soon, let alone released

LAHORE: In January, the federal government had issued directives to postpone the release of the film Zindagi Tamasha. In wake of protests from Tehreek- e- Labaik Pakistan (TLP), the film was recalled for another review by the Central Board of Film Censors of Pakistan (CBFC). The Council of Islam Ideology (CII) was subsequently invited by the CBFC to sit in the review meeting that was scheduled to take place on February 3.

However the review is yet to be held, with the fate of Zindagi Tamasha still hanging in the balance. It appears that all the stakeholders involved in the review are putting the blame on one another in regard to the delay.





“It is beyond understanding why the review meeting was not held and it seems that this matter will not be settled in the coming days. More than two weeks have passed and nothing has been done in this regard. Two weeks was enough time to conduct the relevant proceedings. Even the provincial censor boards have not arranged their review meetings,” said an official of CBFC while seeking anonymity.



Four CII members nominated to review

Meanwhile, an official from the Punjab Censor Board has maintained that it is waiting for the CII and CBFC to reach their conclusion. “We are awaiting the decision by the CII and CBFC. We will follow them over this matter as the issue is serious,” said an official of Punjab film and Censor Board.

As far as the CII is concerned, it has maintained that the council has submitted all the details of its four member bench for the review and is waiting on the CBFC’s response.

“Last week we sent a letter to the CBFC Chairman notifying him of our four member bench for the review. We also requested him to arrange the review meeting. It is our information that the latter has reached the Chairman but we have yet to get a reply from his office,” said an official of CII while seeking anonymity.



The CII had previously set up a four member committee that will review the film and then submit a report to council Chairman Dr. Qibla Ayaz.

According to CII’s Media Coordinator Rana Zahid, the report will then be analysed by the chairman as well as 20 members of the CII.

The CBFC on the other hand has denied that the letter in question was received. “CBFC did not receive any letter from the side of CII. When we receive it then we will decide further regarding the review. We do not have the film in our possession. Only after we receive the letter from the CII, we will request the producers to submit the film,” said Danyal Gilani Chairman CBFC.

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