Keep a trophy and leave women alone: Sarwat Gilani defends 'Churails'
On October 7, 2020, the critically acclaimed ZEE5 web-series Churails was ‘taken down’ in Pakistan, limiting the access of the show to the rest of the territories. Reportedly, the step was taken after a controversial clip from the series went viral, drawing public ire.
Two days later, it was once again made available for streaming via the Indian OTT platform. ZEE5 subsequently released an official statement, clarifying that the step was taken in compliance with a directive they received, reported News18.
Nevertheless, during the time the series was blocked, the leading Churails shared numerous tweets and and Insta stories of people who defended them. But criticism came flying through the window from every corner, as the majority retained that the show is 'spreading vulgarity'.
One such netizen criticised the show on a picture its leading star, Sarwat Gilani posted on Instagram, following which she was forced to respond angrily.
Gilani shared a photo of herself with her leading ladies, Mehar Bano, Nimra Bucha and Yasra Rizvi. The post was captioned, "Hum Jo Hai’n Wo Hamaray Baad Hamesha Zinda Rahay Ga (Who we are, will remain alive after us)."
An Insta user then commented saying, "This is a Pakistani woman? How disappointing. Respect is earned, not begged for. You are Pakistani Muslim women, please show the good side of our culture."
In response, Gilani took a jibe at the content being promoted on television currently, "TV pe dekhen extra-marital affairs, aurat pe haath uthaana, gali deyna. Ye hi tou hamara culture hai, izzat karen. (Watch extra-marital affairs on TV, watch women being physically and verbally abused. This is our culture, respect it)."
She added, "Good side bhi hai? Kahan? CCPO kay comments main? Corrupt logon ko support karnay main? (There is a good side too? Where? In CCPO's comments? Or in supporting the corrupt?)"
"Sach ka mou band karo, trophy rakh lo aurat ko maaf karo! (Silence the truth, keep a trophy, and leave women alone)," concluded Gilani, alias Sara Khan.
Earlier when the show went offline, The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had maintained that the removal was ZEE5's own decision and wasn't the government's doing. However, later on, a PTA representative told Reuters that the authority had actually reached out to the OTT platform after receiving complaints over objectionable content.
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