Behind Closed Doors is NOT a Netflix documentary

KARACHI: Pakistani social media has been set ablaze with rumors that streaming giant Netflix created a documentary called Behind Closed Doors which is all about corruption in Pakistan, especially focusing on the Shareef family. However, it is really just that; a rumor. Yes, the documentary does exist but it is not coming to Netflix and no, the streaming platform will not be banned in Pakistan because of the documentary.

It all started when anchor Shiffa Yousafzai shared the trailer of the documentary on Twitter and wrote, “A moment of pride for all those who justified corruption in recent times. Netflix series on corruption coming soon!” The trailer provides a look into the controversial reign on the Shareef family. From faking bank accounts, to money laundering and various crimes, the documentary covers it all. It also features Imran Khan, who is the Shareef family’s biggest critic.

It did not take long for the tweet and trailer to circulate like wildfire, with many pro PTI people sharing the trailer including Fawad Chaudhry, who is the Minister of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan. An hour after her first tweet, Yousafzai made a clarification that the documentary on Pakistan has not been confirmed to be a part of Netflix, but by then, the damage had been done.

What is the truth behind the documentary then? The documentary is, as per the official synopsis, “A film about corruption in high places and those who enable it”. It is a project created by Murtaza Mehdi and they have included a YouTube link to the documentary in their tweets.