Limited time offer: Pakistanis can now watch banned film ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ for $50

There is finally some good news for Pakistani fans desperately waiting to watch Sarmad Khoosat’s banned film Zindagi Tamasha online – however, it comes with a price. Khoosat Films and Southasia Peace Action Network (Sapan) have collaborated to present the internationally acclaimed film Zindagi Tamasha for all those who donate to the organisation through a special fundraiser. This opportunity is a limited-time offer and is only valid from July 21 to 23.

“We are thrilled that the multi-talented actor, director, and producer Sarmad Khoosat has made his Zindagi Tamasha available to Sapan donors. He will also join donors at an online discussion along with the lovely, talented Samiya Mumtaz, who plays the film’s lead female role,” read a post by Sapan on Instagram on Thursday.

To participate in this unique cinematic experience, individuals are encouraged to donate $50 (PKR 14,000) or more by Thursday, July 20. In return, they will receive an exclusive link to watch Zindagi Tamasha from July 21-23 at their convenience. This limited-time offering ensures that the film, previously banned in Pakistan, can now reach its rightful audience.

For those eager to engage in meaningful conversations with the filmmaker and the lead actor, Sapan has a special opportunity. By donating $100 (PKR 28,000) or more by the same deadline, donors will not only gain access to the film but will also receive an invitation to join an online discussion with the talented Sarmad Khoosat and the lead actor, Samiya Mumtaz.

The discussion will be hosted by poet Dr Arvinder Chamak in Amritsar, creating a platform for dialogue and understanding between individuals from both sides of the border. This exclusive event is scheduled for Sunday, July 23 2023, at 10:30 am ET, 7:30 pm in Pakistan, 8pm in India, and 8:30 pm in Bangladesh.

Sapan's initiative aims to create a platform for dialogue and cultural exchange while celebrating the artistic achievements of filmmakers like Sarmad. The fundraiser allows people to watch the much-anticipated movie and encourages peace activism across South Asia. To watch 'Zindagi Tamasha' and support this noble cause, interested individuals can visit Sapan's website at www.southasiapeace.com.

Zindagi Tamasha stars actors Arif Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Eman Suleman, and Ali Kureshi. It revolves around a respected real estate agent in Lahore, a devout Muslim who writes and composes 'naat' (hymns praising the Prophet) and cares deeply for his bedridden wife, who is the only one who truly understands him. However, his life takes a tumultuous turn after a video of him dancing at a friend's son's wedding goes viral on social media, leading to ostracisation from neighbours and friends. The film provides a nuanced and heartbreaking depiction of the challenges faced in a conservative society, as the elderly man embarks on a soul-searching journey to reclaim his identity.

Despite being Pakistan's entry for the Oscars in 2021 and receiving multiple awards, Zindagi Tamasha was banned in the country due to protests by conservative factions. Sarmad has earned widespread acclaim for his feature films Joyland, Kamli, Zindagi Tamasha, and Manto, as well as for hit Pakistani television dramas like Humsafar and Shehr-e-Zaat.

“His work has established him as one of South Asia's finest filmmakers, and Sapan is immensely grateful to him for his generous contribution of time and thoughts to this noble cause,” Sapan’s website read. Sapan, a coalition of peace activists, is paving the way towards soft borders and visa-on-arrival arrangements for South Asians. Their ultimate goal is to facilitate freedom of trade, travel, and tourism, especially between India and Pakistan.

Zindagi Tamasha is Pakistan’s official Oscars entry

 

Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha has been through the ringer but hey, there’s a silver lining.

The movie is all set to be submitted for Oscar consideration in the International Feature Film Award category for the 93rd Academy Awards, final nominees for which will be announced in February 2021.

This year’s Oscar committee was chaired by filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and includes Faisal Kapadia, Asad-ul-Haq, Hamza Bangash, Syed Muhammad Ahmed, Mehwish Hayat, Hasan Shehreyar Yasin, Asim Abbasi, Arshad Mahmud and Jamal Shah. 

Directed and co-produced by Sarmad Khoosat and Kanwal Khoosat and written by Nirmal Bano, Zindagi Tamasha’s cast includes Arif Hassan, Eman Suleman, Samiya Mumtaz and Ali Kureshi.

According to the official synopsis, "the film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

Everything said, it's a little sad how it's a movie Pakistanis themselves haven't gotten to watch yet. Zindagi Tamasha was slated to be 2020's first Pakistani film release, meant to hit cinemas on January 24. However, it has been stopped from being released, despite being cleared by multiple censor boards twice and it's fate still hangs in the balance.

Speaking about the selection, producer Kanwal shared, “The announcement surely proves that we in Pakistan are ready to tell stories close to the heart. We are ready to represent our people. I cannot stop feeling proud of my team. We have worked countless hours to tell a truly Pakistani story. Many thanks to the committee for recognising our efforts and acknowledging our film."

“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.

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.” said director Sarmad.

Government postpones the release of Zindagi Tamasha

Zindagi Tamasha has undergone quite the trouble, despite being approved by 3 censor boards. This Sarmad Khoosat production was to release on January 24th as announced, but as evident from the ongoing situation, the release might not take place any time soon.

Following the threats received by Sarmad Koosat, and his open letters to the Government and all of Pakistan, the Federal Government, has issued directives to postpone the release. Firdous Ashiq Awan, a special advisor to Prime Minister for information and broadcasting issued a tweet on Tuesday advising the producer to postpone the release of Zindagi Tamasha. She also added that the Central Board of Film Censors has decided to immediately approach the Council of Islamic Ideology to critically review the film.

The Government of Punjab also issued a notice to ban the release of the film, which was followed by another ban from the Sindh Government, claiming that the release of this film may create unrest within the religious segment of the society and disrupt peace.

Both Punjab and Sindh censor boards had cleared the film earlier. It all seems kind of absurd, provided that the censor boards found no objectionable content while analyzing the contents of the film.

Sarmad Khoosat appeals Imran Khan to save his film

After Sarmad Khoosat’s upcoming film Zindagi Tamasha, became the first Pakistani fiction to win big in South Korea, it’s trailer received criticism from its own country.

 Turn’s out the filmmaker is just as depressed as the people awaiting his film are, given it was set to release on January 24, 2020. According to Khoosat’s recent open letter to the Prime Minister, Imran Khan, there is an ongoing attempt to prevent the film from releasing at all.

 Khoosat uploaded the letter on his social media, stating the film is yet again being stopped from release after the first complaint was entertained, in a law-abiding manner.

Sarmad started his letter by providing details of his contributions to the film industry, “Like any other film, made in any part of the world, Zindagi Tamasha is a reflection of its setting. My team and I explored themes around gender constructs, class divisions and complex human experiences. There was never any intention to attack, to point fingers at or humiliate any individual or institution.”

He continued to address the appreciation his film received abroad, “Upon completion, the film was cleared by all three censor boards of Pakistan and had its world premiere at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival.”

“January was set as the release date. However, a ‘complaint’ was registered against the writer, the producer and myself, based on assumptions made from the two and a half minute long trailer..” Khoosat went on to clarify, “I couldn’t be more excited to bring this film to it’s original intended audience, however, a complaint was registered against the writer, producer and myself based on assumptions made from the trailer,” he said.

 “As a law-abiding citizen and with full conviction that there is nothing offensive or malicious in the film. In response I submitted the film for another review to the censor board. It was cleared once again with a few cuts to appease the complainants. ” According to the filmmaker, “Just a week before the film’s release, another attempt is being made by the same group to stop the release of the film and this time they are hell-bent on using pressurising tactics.”

“I am bringing this to your notice not just because my team and I are being bullied and pressurised but also because this series of episodes undermines a state institution like the Central Board of Film Censors and strips it of its authority and stature,” he added. He concluded by saying, “The space for rational and artistic thinking and expression must not be annexed by a few troublemakers for their political ends but I fear this is what will happen if we buckle under this time.” Zindagi Tamasha premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, where it won the Kim Ji-seok Award. Khoosat had cleared the air regarding the previous ban in an interview with The Express Tribune, explaining how he respected the censor board’s decision.

 “They were certain people who got offended, thinking I was pointing fingers at them. That wasn’t the idea and I was completely fine with re-editing the trailer. However, what’s problematic is that anytime one picks out a theme which people are uncomfortable discussing in public spaces or even behind closed doors, has to be deemed controversial.” Zindagi Tamasha is slated for release January 24. Here is hoping it makes it.

'Zindagi Tamasha' trailer taken down from Youtube

Sarmad Khoosat’s upcoming social drama Zindagi Tamasha appears to have stirred some controversy . The trailer of the film that was posted in September, has disappeared from Youtube. Khoosat was reached for a comment however refused to disclose any details. The director notes that he will release a press release soon to address everything.

Given the subject matter of the film, the possibility of the trailer being removed due to objectionable content always stood. However the Censor Board has maintained that this is not it’s doing. “We have no concern with  issues relating to  YouTube. Only the film producers or distributors know best. Our work is to censor films and issue clearness certificate,” said a source from Central Board of Film Censors told Express Tribune.

Khoosat had earlier on shared that Zindagi Tamaasha was made with the background of political and social situations wherein major traits of Pakistani society have been depicted. “The topic of the film is sensitive but I have spoken the truth and one doesn’t fear when speaking the truth,” he said."

Khoosat added that the film is a reference to Khwaja Pervez’s famous song Zindagi Tamasha Bani, written for the old film Naukri Vodi Da. The Manto director clarified that he had acquired legal rights for the aforementioned song.

Zindagi Tamasha created major buzz when it won big at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival, back in October. Khoosat’s directorial won The Kim Ji-seok Award, named after the festival’s co-founder and executive programmer who died in 2017.

The film-maker shared the award with Indian director, Pradip Kurbah, whose film Market was also being screened at the festival. The film was said to be released in January 2020.

Sarmad Khoosat wraps up shooting for Punjabi Film Zindagi Tamasha

Every Sarmad Khoosat project offers something unique to the audiences. Be it a drama like Humsafar or the movie Manto, he always tries to entertain the audiences with quality content. Recently, he has been directing his Punjabi film Zindagi Tamasha. As per Entertainment Pakistan, the shooting phase of the film has been completed.

The movie was shot in various locations of Lahore as we have been seeing on Sarmad Khoosat's Instagram. The film focuses on the ways of Lahore and how this city shapes the lives of its residents.

Zindagi Tamasha stars Eman Suleman as the lead, alongside veteran television actress Samia Mumtaz. Arif Hasan and Ali Kureishi will also feature in pivotal roles.

Kanwal Khoosat has taken producer's seat and the screenplay was done by newcomer Nirmal Bano, a NCA graduate. Debutant band Sakin, has been given an opportunity to do the music for the film.

This will be the first film to release under the banner of "Khoosat Film."