Sarmad Khoosat pens open letter to PM Imran Khan regarding new film ‘Zindagi Tamasha’

Film-maker Sarmad Khoosat has penned an open letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, bringing to his notice that his upcoming film Zindagi Tamasha’s release is under threat.

Zindagi Tamasha was set to release on January 24. However, Khoosat took to social media to share the letter which states that a group is trying to block the release of Zindagi Tamasha for political ‘ends’.

“I started working on Zindagi Tamasha two years ago excited to make a contribution to the evolution of cinema in Pakistan and to cater to my need for artistic expression,” he wrote.

“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,” he added.

The director also stated that there was never any “intention to attack, to point fingers at or humiliate any individual or institution.”

He went on to say that the film has been cleared by three censor boards. “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.”

Sarmad assured that the film does not contain anything offensive or malicious in the film, and that it was cleared a second time by censor boards.

The “complaints” however have not died down.

“I launched the promotional campaign and now, 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 pressurizing tactics.”

“I am bringing this to your notice not just because my team and I are being bullied and pressurized but also this series of episodes undermines a state institution like the Central Board of Film Censors and strips it of its authority and stature.”

The film stars Ali Qureshi, Arif Hasan, Eman Suleman and Imran Khoosat.

Watch the trailer here: