Earlier this week, Pakistan's most contentious acclaim, Joyland, had its first-ever premiere in Delhi, India, at the Habitat International Film Festival. Impressed by the film, since then, countless Indian users have expressed their love and appreciation for the Saim Sadiq directorial on Twitter.
"Pakistanis themselves are not realising what a masterpiece your country has created. Woah, I would have been way too proud and happy if Joyland was an Indian movie!" wrote one individual on the microblogging website.
Pakistani public themselves not realising what a masterpiece your country has created, woah. I would have been way too proud & happy if Joyland was an Indian movie!! -:)
— Abhimanyu (@Abhimanyuuu15) March 26, 2023
"Last night's screening of Joyland in Delhi was magical. People waiting in lines for a Pakistani film that so lyrically talks about patriarchy and the loneliness it breeds. People were sitting on the floor in awe, clapping and crying in unison. Through grief and borders, art finds a way," detailed a tweet.
Last night's screening of Joyland in Delhi was magical. People waiting in lines for a Pakistani film that so lyrically talks about patriarchy and the loneliness it breeds. People sitting on floors in awe, clapping and crying in unison. Through grief and borders, art finds a way. pic.twitter.com/pLfTuLOHnO
— Shruti Sonal (@shrutisonal26) March 26, 2023
Another user also called the premiere a "magical experience," adding that people "still can't get over" watching Joyland on the big screen. "I've never seen the crowd get this hyped, laugh and cry together for a movie before," explained the Twitter user.
still can't get over the experience of watching Joyland on big screen. I've never seen the crowd get this hyped, laugh and cry together for a movie before, magical experience pic.twitter.com/rEnltdZca1
— ana (@mightbeana) March 27, 2023
Soon, more people chimed in to elaborate on their experience of watching Joyland. "All the hugs to Delhi folks who watched Joyland yesterday. It remains a film that broke me and filled me with so much love, joy, and grief," said one tweep. "Joyland is a fantastic, heartbreaking, and beautifully made film," expressed another individual.
All the hugs to Delhi folks who watched Joyland yesterday. It remains a film that broke me and filled me up with so much of love, joy, and grief. ❤️
— Jaishree Kumar (@jkwritesstuff) March 26, 2023
Joyland is fantastic, heartbreaking and beautifully made - the experience of watching it amongst an engaged enthusiastic audience last night at the Habitat center film festival was exhilarating. Also what about this poster by Salman toor! pic.twitter.com/l2lCRz7o7L
— Priya Kapoor 🇮🇳 (@PiyuK) March 26, 2023
Some users, however, took their chance and pointed out how Joyland is receiving massive praise in India, while its own people have dismissed it. "While Joyland is getting appreciation in India, it's getting banned in Pakistan by the government," commented a tweep, while another said, "Joyland getting praised across the border, but people in Lahore are still deprived of good cinema because of the petty ego of a few men."
While JOYLAND movie is getting appreciation in India, it's getting banned in Pakistan by Pakistani Govt pic.twitter.com/0ZRw2EEps5
— Invicta (@invicta_w) March 28, 2023
Joyland getting praised across border. Lahoris are deprived of good cinema as due to petty ego of few men it is still banned. https://t.co/q4vPVOqVR4
— Kinza Farid (@kinza94) March 26, 2023
Twitterati also questioned why The Legend of Maula Jatt wasn't premiered in India. "Why Joyland is screened in India but not Maula Jatt?" asked one curious individual.
Why Joyland is screened in India but not Maula Jatt
— Pakistani Muslim (@ws_Pakistani) March 27, 2023
Joyland, starring Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan, and Sarwat Gilani, was also said to have a theatrical release in India, as per Press Trust of India (PTI). The worldwide release dates of the Saim Sadiq directorial were shared on the film's official Instagram handle. Previously, it was reported that Joyland was set for a March 10 theatrical release across the border. However, no update has been announced on that front.
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