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Zindagi Tamasha Is Pakistan’s Official Oscars’ Entry: Here’s What The Internet Thinks About The Decision

Manaal Khurram

The Pakistani Academy Selection Committee has selected Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha as the country’s official entry for Oscar submission in the ‘International Feature Film Award’ category for the 93rd Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will choose the final nominees for all award categories in February, 2021. The complete and final list of Oscar nominees will be announced on 15th March, 2021. The film landed in hot waters right before its scheduled release and has not been cleared to hit screens, following severe backlash from TLP (Tehreek-e-Labbaik Party) workers, who vowed to hold a nationwide protest after claiming the project hurts religious sentiments. Directed and co-produced by Sarmad along with Kanwal Khoosat, the film is written by Nirmal Bano. It stars Arif Hassan, Eman Suleman, Samiya Mumtaz and Ali Kureshi.

 

Speaking about the selection of Zindagi Tamasha, producer Kanwal Khoosat has said, “Zindagi Tamasha’s story reflects on regular people and is a poignant snapshot of life, family, the city of Lahore and the different values that people have. On set, we felt passionate about working on a story that was representative of a real situation that regular people could face. Real emotions. Real issues. 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 recognizing our efforts and acknowledging our film.”

 

Echoing her sentiments, Sarmad mentioned, “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 added, “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.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twitter has been flooded with congratulatory messages for Sarmad and his team. Churails filmmaker Asim Abbasi wrote, “For me, Zindagi Tamasha is the strongest submission from Pakistan since 2013. Grateful to have been on the committee and to have seen this film, memories of which still haunt me, weeks after. Kudos to Sarmad and team!” A user added, “Just read that #ZindagiTamasha has been selected as Pakistan’s submission for the Oscar’s great news if this is true.” Another stated, “#ZindagiTamasha is Pakistan’s entry for Oscars. #FunnyBoy is Canada’s submission which have two Pakistani actors in it. With @VeloSoundPk creating amazing tracks, it’s safe to say Pakistan is ready to crash the world with its artistic side!” Lauding Sarmad on the achievement, Indian author Aseem Chabra posted, “Pakistan’s Oscar entry #ZindagiTamasha is a heartbreaking tale where gender politics, religion, hypocrisy of the society are explored in a balanced, nuanced manner. The film ran into trouble with the country’s religious groups, but I hope it’s seen widely. Terrific performances.” Singing praises for Nirmal, a tweet read, “@NirmalBano penned down a warrior who is making its way as Pakistan’s official entry to the Academy Awards. Much Love, Bano.” A bevy of users pointed out how Sarmad’s directing talent is worthy of an Oscar. “Sarmad really deserves Oscar. Best of luck Zindagi Tamasha team and especially Sarmad Khoosat.”

 

 

 

Kaavan Arrives In Cambodia: Pakistani Twitter Users Have Mixed Emotions

Some Pakistan users expressed dismay in the fact that most of the country’s people have not been able to watch Zindagi Tamasha. “Everything I’ve read about Zindagi Tamasha makes me feel like it’s going to be a gem of a film. But, and I’ve been very conflicted over this, it doesn’t sit well that Pakistan’s official entry to the Oscars is a film that has been viewed by only a handful of Pakistanis,” a post read, while another noted, “Supremely happy for Zindagi Tamasha but that happiness seems hollow seeing as even the Pakistani public doesn’t get to see the films that make the Oscar cut? Even when Girl in the River won it seemed like yah ok…I guess something made by a Pakistani won, was so out of context.” One more tweet mentioned, “Unfortunate that Pakistanis haven’t been able to watch the film thanks to arbitrary censorship. Can’t create and reward diverse entertainment in this environment.”

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