Fate of ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ more precarious than ever

The film was slated to release on January 24 but is still awaiting its fate

LAHORE: The release of Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha seems like it’s even more far off now than ever, with TLP leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi announcing that they will never allow it to be released.

In his incriminatory announcement, Rizvi had clearly stated that even if the government were to green light the release of the film, he will not allow its release. He expressly stated that the film will have to release “over his dead body” as he addressed a crowd of TLP supporters at a Kashmir Day rally on February 5.



Talking to The Express Tribune, a senior member of TLP, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “Workers of TLP have listened to the statement of Khadim Hussain Rizvi and it is sure that the film Zindagi Tamasha will not release in Pakistan.” He went on to add that “CII is well aware about what is depicted in the film and so, it can be said with surety that it will not get a release in Pakistan.”

Zindagi Tamasha: Not our job to given opinion on movies, says CII

“How can any authority or department allow the release of such a film that seeks to damage religious beliefs and Islamic concepts? We are hopeful that no one will allow the release of this film,” he continued.

Following Rizvi’s public announcement, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) have chosen to maintain a looming silence over the fate of the controversial film. According to reports, CBFC has not help any meeting to review the film any time soon either, although they had been called upon to do the needful.

“It is beyond understanding why the review meeting was not held. 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.



Last month, TLP workers had vowed to hold a country wide protest against the film but later had to postpone their plans when the Federal Ministry of Information & Broadcasting intervened in the matter calling for a postponement of the film’s release as well – Zindagi Tamasha was slated to release on January 24 but is still awaiting its fate.

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

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 a CII official, maintaining anonymity.

The CBFC on the other hand has denied that the letter in question was received.

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