'Zindagi Tamasha' is finally coming to cinemas near you!

After years of waiting, Sarmad Khoosat's social drama, Zindagi Tamasha, is finally set for a cinematic release in Pakistan! The posters are up and we can't wait for the film to hit the theatres soon. Previously, it was shared that the film will release in March countrywide. 

According to the film’s third official trailer, the film has finally been given a green signal, after facing many delays due to protests over the sensitive subject matter. 

The film stars Arif Hasan, who plays a naat khwaan named Rahat, who enjoys a celebrity status amongst his community in the old city of Lahore. He is a devout Muslim; someone who, in the eyes of everyone else, is almost super-humanly incapable of any sacrilege. Hence, when he does wrong, there is no forgiveness for him. Rahat and his family get sidelined by society after a video of him goes viral on social media.

Zindagi Tamasha was selected as Pakistan’s entry to the Oscars in November 2020. Speaking about the outrage his venture caused, the director said, “All the heartache that Zindagi Tamasha gave me has somehow restored my faith in the power of art too: the sheer, almost physical power of art to make life imitate it. This announcement, for me, is a very bright light shining at the end of this dark tunnel of a year. I made this film in Pakistan and foremost, for Pakistan, for my people and the misfortune that my people have remained deprived of it weighs quite heavy on my artistic conscience."

The film took the Snow Leopard Award for Best Film at the Asian World Film Festival earlier this year. Director Sarmad Sultan Khoosat received the award from Jury member Luba Balagova Kandoor, stated a press release. The Snow Leopard Award for Best Actor went to Arif Hassan for his performance in Zindagi Tamasha. The award was presented by Jury member Joanne Goh.