Asim Abbasi's 'Churails' accused of plagiarism

The show's opening sequence was apparently ripped off from an illustration by a French artist

Asim Abbasi's Churails has been making headlines since the very first look of the show was unveiled. It divided the audience as some named it the best Pakistani show to have hit the screens while others termed it as “vulgar.”

However, one thing is certain: Abbasi's project definitely managed to rattle some stereotypes. But, on Friday, a tweet brought some attention to the opening sequence of the critically acclaimed show where an obvious similarity with another illustration by French illustrator, Malika Favre, was pointed out. A Twitter user named Amna Tariq shared two eerily similar pictures on her account and wrote, "Half a minute into the web series #Churails and I spot some blatant plagiarism in the opening credits. Malika Favre's powerful illustration has been quite conveniently ripped off."

Half a minute into the web series #churails and I spot some blatant plagiarism in the opening credits. @malikafavre’s powerful illustration has been quite conveniently ripped off. @nytopinion @nytimes @NewYorker pic.twitter.com/SNtF22eCGd

— Amna Tariq (@amna_tq) August 20, 2020

Churail's opening sequence was designed by Rokhan Studio. Responding to the query, Glasshouse Production, the production house of the show, released a statement. "This has been brought to our notice right now and we are looking into it immediately," the representative shared with The Express Tribune. The illustrator went on to comment on the tweet as well. "Oh god, that IS bad! Thanks for sharing. Will look into it," Favre wrote.

Oh god.... that IS bad! Thanks for sharing. Will look into it.

— malika favre (@malikafavre) August 21, 2020

The Express Tribune has reached out to Rokhan Studios for a comment and is currently awaiting a response.