August marks the month of Independence and freedom for Pakistan, and this time, filmmaker Sarmad Khoosat, too, wants to set something free. Pakistan's much-awaited film Zindagi Tamasha, after facing a series of controversies and delays, is finally set to release worldwide on August 4, 2023, on Khoosat Films' YouTube and Vimeo channels.
Sarmad, the director and co-producer of the film, despite encountering monetary and intellectual losses, urges audiences to view the film with an open heart and mind.
The film Zindagi Tamasha, produced by Khoosat Films, had initially garnered international acclaim, winning multiple awards and being Pakistan's official submission for the Oscars. However, due to protests by religious groups, the film faced difficulties in reaching local audiences despite receiving clearance from all three censor boards. Now, the team has decided to release the film directly to the audience on the occasion of Pakistan's Independence Month.
In an emotional statement, Sarmad expressed his desire to "free" the film during this month of independence. He lamented the controversies surrounding the film that spread beyond its original storyline. Khoosat acknowledged the collective sense of loss and failure, stating that it wasn't just his personal struggle, but a failure of the system to support independent voices.
“There is a sense of loss, and it's not just mine. It shouldn't be just mine. There is a sense of failure but it's not just my failure. It’s a failure of the system, of our independent voices not being strong enough. As a responsible and respectable citizen, I tried everything in my control related to administration and legalities. I spent my money and I followed the procedure and even then Zindagi Tamasha suffered an unfair fate,” he stated.
Sarmad highlighted that Zindagi Tamasha was a passion project, created without any external funding or corporate involvement. He emphasised the importance of a cinematic experience for the film, which had been made with great sensitivity and care. However, despite his efforts, the film faced unfair treatment and discrimination.
"I spent a lot of money on this film. There's a monetary loss as well, but it's been four years, and there's only so much I can do about it. I've decided to be patient about it. In Punjabi, there’s a phrase that says ‘matti pao’ and I’m doing just that now," Khoosat said.
Accepting the film’s defeat on camera, Khoosat added, “Moving on, Zindagi Tamasha, which has certificates from all three censor boards in Pakistan, cannot have a theatrical release. It is now not possible to have a collective cinematic experience for a story which was meant to be yours, and meant to be felt by you. This story will now be received through YouTube,” he exclaimed, adding that the version on YouTube includes a cut by Khoosat himself, ensuring it adheres to regulations.
For those seeking a director's cut, the film will also be available on demand on Vimeo. Khoosat urged viewers not to share unauthorised copies of the film through torrents, hoping that viewers will respect his request.
"I only request that it is not always necessary for your subconscious to give justifications to what it sees. An artist's work requires significant effort, hard work, and time. I also request that whoever had the torrent link to the film, do not share it with anyone. I can have that expectation from you," he said.
Despite the challenges, Khoosat invites audiences to watch Zindagi Tamasha without prejudice, separating the film from the controversies surrounding it. He encourages viewers to critique the film based on its merits and demerits and to form their own opinions about it.
“There’s a lot of pain, hard work and time behind an artist’s work. Watch it without thinking of all the unfair allegations against it. Critique it on its merits and demerits and what you think about it, not what the controversies spoke about it,” he urged.
Zindagi Tamasha was supposed to release in theatres in March 2020 but TLP (Tehreek-e-Labbaik Party) workers vowed to hold a countrywide protest against the screening of Sarmad’s film. The Federal Ministry of Information & Broadcasting then intervened in the matter calling for a postponement of the film’s release.
Talking about the outrage his venture had caused earlier, Sarmad earlier 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."
He went on to add, "Some pride is slowly kicking in though and no matter how far we go with this official selection, Zindagi Tamasha will be representing all of us - our ‘Pakistan’. I feel honoured on behalf of my entire team and I am extremely grateful to the committee for finding it worthy enough."
“What was most important to me was exploring the idea of tolerance. Tolerance not just to others (to allow people to exist the way they are) but also tolerance to self – and this is where the concept of shame, need for approval, etc come in to play,” Sarmad had told Variety at Busan. “I have been in situations where I have felt I should have been more tolerant of others and more accepting of my own self.”
Zindagi Tamasha, written by Nirmal Bano, Arif Hassan, Eman Suleman, Samiya Mumtaz, and Ali Kureshi. The film is set in Lahore and chronicles the chaos that ensues in the life of a staid, devout elderly man when a video featuring him gets uploaded on social media. It is set to release on August 4, 2023, and Khoosat Films invites viewers to experience the story directly on YouTube. For those willing to support the production, YouTube will offer a feature to pay and contribute to the filmmakers.
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