One of the most anticipated dramas this year has been Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi, exploring the themes of child abuse, human trafficking and dowry among others, the drama aims to highlight the harsh realities of the society.
6 episodes into the story and PEMRA has already issued a notice for it’s content being ‘objectionable’ and ‘highly disturbing:’
Yes Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi is certainly not depicting "the true picture of Pakistani society"
There's never been a single case of child abuse, violence, sexual exploitation of women, subjugation of young girls going to school or marriage for dowry in Pakistan pic.twitter.com/MBL6SsEwyx
— Hassan Choudary (@hassanchoudary) February 25, 2021
And the netizens are furious!
#DilNaUmeedTohNahi sheds light on some pernicious societal attitudes towards girls and women, including the vulnerabilities of sex workers
Of course PEMRA has an issue with this. How dare they show us meaningful content that makes us question harmful gender stereotypes? https://t.co/V6Gz8eS5eG
— Reema Omer (@reema_omer) February 24, 2021
People were sharing how it’s the most sensible drama they’ve seen:
I have not seen a more sensible drama depicting truth in recent times than this…if this is banned than I am sure that in pakistan sanity must RIP#DilNaUmeedTohNahi
— Wajeeha Noorulain (@WajeehaHasan) February 25, 2021
People were sharing how the censoring bodies need to look beyond their denial:
Certainly.
How can #DilNaUmeedTohNahi educate Pakistani audience about women's rights and human trafficking when censoring bodies themselves are in denial of the existence of such issues. #PEMRA— Just_an_observer (@MuskanG77863775) February 25, 2021
PEMRA se reality dekhi nahi jati #DilNaUmeedTohNahi
— Fan (@FansfromPk282) February 25, 2021
People had questions:
Weird how PEMRA doesn't ban dramas that show women been slapped but they have problem with shows that educate real issues in society (human trafficking, patriarchy etc)
Y'all need to see this drama…#DilNaUmeedTohNahi https://t.co/pgNPDYIfhM— Mahnoor Khan (@mahnoor291) February 25, 2021
People were disappointed:
Agar is drama pey ban lga na…I'll lose my mind. Matlab hadd hai…kuch acha mat banney dena. Merey paas tum ho type non sense is okay, but a genuine story that reflects on society must be REVIEWED😐
— Rimsha Riaz (@rimshaa_riaz) February 25, 2021
Domestic violence is okay. Extra marital affairs are totally fine. What is not okay is a story about brothels because VALUES.
— Rimsha Riaz (@rimshaa_riaz) February 25, 2021
People couldn’t figure out what the problem was:
I'm not getting why PEMRA has raised objections on #DilNaUmeedTohNahi it is the best serial in the running, raising some serious societal issues in a very appropriate and interesting way. I don't get what is the problem?
— n.malhi (@mnMalhi) February 25, 2021
People were so done with PEMRA:
PEMRA has issued a notice to #DilNaUmeedTohNahi 😤
I’m so done with all this😤— ⚡️Angel.⚡️ (@Pavitkaur5) February 25, 2021
True!
You can show a man beating his wife brutally on a television in a society where the misogyny and domestic violence are already normalised but you can’t show a drama which is highlighting all of our societal issues brilliantly. The issue is with MINDSET!
— Procrastinator! (@Mariyamhoon) February 25, 2021
Real life Naeem Sherwanis:
I am sure the people complaining to PEMRA are just like Sherwani Sahab in the drama.
— DiaKhan (@DiaKhan70049202) February 25, 2021
I think who filed petition against Dil Na umeed to nahi are abusers #DNUTN #DilNaUmeedTohNahi #DilNaUmeedToNahi #YumnaZaidi
— Name (@Name89384781) February 25, 2021
People were questioning other dramas:
What about #qayamat and #fitoor??
Any psychologist please consult #PEMRA. They really need some help.#DilNaUmeedTohNahi #PEMRA pic.twitter.com/Hu9my4EuSc— Maria Tariq (@MariaTa94826175) February 25, 2021
#DilNaUmeedTohNahi is one of the best dramas, because it is discussing real issues of our society..!
Not like Hasad, Bharas, jalan, Fitrat, Fitor and much more jin me logon ki soch apne partner k extramarital affairs se shuru ho kr wahin khatam hojati hai#pemra ban them first!!— Summaiya Shaikh (@Summaiya96) February 25, 2021
We guess the society isn’t ready to see their horrid reflection:
#DilNaUmeedTohNahi
This play gives me nightmares! The brutality of our so called sophisticated, cultured and Islamic society is scripted so well. It's bitter to the extent of cruelty. It's a mirror reflecting directly over the naked realities of Pakistani society.— Maliha Z.Choudhary (@MalihaZCh) February 25, 2021
People were sharing that banning the drama will only reveal the hypocrisy of the state:
If #DilNaUmeedTohNahi is banned by #PEMRA , it will lay bare the hypocrisy of the state & prove that it prefers turning a blind eye to societal issues. Refusing to hear the voice of the oppressed & vulnerable is tantamount to denying their reality & only marginalizes them further
— Bhatakti Atma (@BhataktiAtma4) February 25, 2021
People were angry:
#DilNaUmeedTohNahi Basically, these people (PERMA) want to be ignorant and want others to be GET ignorant too. NEED HELL Drama is so realistic, so true. Every little touch of sorrowful reality is screening is veracious. I want to watch this drama as it is. Just #backoffPERMA
— ~ ツ' (@_Oy_MrLost) February 25, 2021
We don’t know…
#dilnaumeedtohnahi is literally one of the best drama on air rn. yeah its dark and heart wrenching but that's how the reality is and they have the guts to show that. they're showing nothing wrong to get banned.why do some people in pakistan and board have problems with it…?
— ✺ (@PhoolSeKhushboo) February 25, 2021
Actor Omair Rana who plays Zulfi in the drama invited PEMRA to stand with them rather than banning them:
…Is it ugly? Of course, all evil is. wrapped in something tempting, that is our fight. I invite @reportpemra to do what is right, not popular, join us in this jihad and help us make our beloved Pakistan, Pak of such vile elements in our society. #DilNaUmeedTohNahi #DNUTN
— Omair Rana (@omairana) February 26, 2021
Journalist Mahwish Ajaz too questioned PEMRA for it’s notice:
PEMRA has issued a notice to #DilNaUmeedToNahi for not depicting the ‘true image’ of Pakistan. Yes as if child abuse or systematic exploitation of lower middle class women is something that doesn’t happen in our country. 😑 pic.twitter.com/rRCTSpPeE6
— Mahwash Ajaz 🇵🇰 (@mahwashajaz_) February 24, 2021
What do you think about PEMRA’s notice? Let us know in the comments below!