Right from its first trailer, we could tell that Zindagi’s first original Pakistani web series – Churails was going to be unlike anything that has ever been done, written, or made in Pakistan. Starring Sarwat Gilani, Yasra Rizvi, NimraBucha, and MeharBano as the leading witches of the tribe – the show’s beauty lies in its narrative as the intense thriller follows these four women who are strong, powerful, bold, and would do just about anything to do right by themselves and their fellow Churails.
Apart from the fact that ‘Churails’ makes for a downright exhilarating viewing experience, here’s why we think ‘Churails’ has also managed to prove it is path-breaking, norm-defying, and a flat out brilliant new road for Pakistani entertainment.
LGBTQ REPRESENTATION DONE RIGHT
Groundbreaking in every sense of the worst, for the first time, a Pakistani show has shed light on the LGBTQ community. They have been ignored in our entertainment industry, and their struggles are undermined to mere bumps in the road when actually, these ‘bumps’ often end up changing their lives forever. Churails has painted a realistic picture of their struggles and the challenges that they face every single day.
HIGHLIGHTS CLASS PRIVILEGE
For the first time, classism and class structure, on the whole, has been presented in a way that’s so realistic. The show acknowledges that women who belong to the upper class are privileged – and it goes beyond to show the women who understand their privilege.
FEMINISM FOR ALL
Similarly, it doesn’t undermine the lower class in any way. Their struggles and often the injustice they face is portrayed with the utmost honesty and sincerity. It goes beyond ‘mainstream’ feminism that is for the elite and by the elite, and includes these women in the narrative with an authenticity that will also break your heart.
PUTTING PAKISTANI ENTERTAINMENT ON THE GLOBAL MAP
Churails release also marks the first time Pakistani original content has been released on an international streaming service like ZEE5. This allows the show to reach a wider audience and multiple demographics, and it brings the unique voice of the women of Pakistan through a sophisticated lens.
OPENED DIALOGUE ON IMPORTANT SOCIAL ISSUES
Churails has opened doors for conversation around a lot of issues that have so far been ignored – be it around patriarchy, minority rights, violence, rape, and so much more. It has given people something to talk about even if it’s in the face of backlash and criticism, which is only a quarter of all the other accolades that show has gotten since it came out.
Hopefully, the show has paved the way for more directors and writers to explore the topic and put forward their own unique takes to the concept that showcases the Pakistani entertainment industry’s true potential.
