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Parting shots

They tagged it as a beautiful, timeless love story…The 23 episode run of Zindagi channel’s show Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam starring the Khoobsoorat actor, Fawad Khan, and Sanam Baloch has landed into trouble.

Parting shots

The poster of the serial



Jasmine Singh

They tagged it as a beautiful, timeless love story…The 23 episode run of Zindagi channel’s show Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam starring the Khoobsoorat actor, Fawad Khan, and Sanam Baloch has landed into trouble. Following complaints from some viewers, who claimed that the content was inflammatory in nature and promoted Pakistan's narrative of Partition, BCCC (Broadcast Content Complaints Council) headed by Justice Mukul Mudgal, has issued a notice to Zindagi and summoned its executives for a hearing on May 22.

The soap, which is now off air, is a love story in the backdrop of Partition based on author Razia Butt's book Banno. The show was found objectionable at various points— one, they say that it shows Partition only from Pakistan's point of view and showing the Indians as villains. Also, the grudge that viewers hold is that Sikhs and Hindus are portrayed as the perpetrators of atrocities on Muslims. The third point raised is that a few episodes also highlighted Indian Muslim League and MA Jinnah as heroes fighting the Congress against discrimination of Muslims in the country.

Viewers who had religiously followed the show have nineteen to dozen to say about it. Here their side of the story.

Be logical

The only reason I started watching the serial was because of Fawad Khan, but I soon realised that the serial was only showing one side of the story, which is through Pakistan’s point of view. But then if you think of it logically, you cannot highlight India’s point of view on a Pakistani show, it is as simple as that.

Nishi Singh, yoga instructor, Panchkula

Mixed feelings 

I have liked most dramas on Zindagi channel; this was one show, which raised a mixed bag of reactions. It is always heart rending to listen or see anything on Partition. As we know by now, people on both the sides suffered, but it is not just to highlight just one side of the story, and show the other (Indians) as villains. I was touched to see how men take out anger on women in the show; again, this must have been true. Had we made a drama on the same theme, we would probably have been slightly partial towards our people!

Roop Grewal, service

It’s their viewpoint 

I saw the serial because this is one theme that I keep reading on. Besides, it is based on a book, Banno, that intrigued me. I liked the soap to quite an extent. I understand the since it is a serial coming from across the border, they would strongly put forth their side of the story. So, let’s just say it looks at Partition from the other side. 

Atharv Baluja, director

Good performance 

Partition is a sensitive topic, and Fawad Khan and Sanam Baloch did a great job on the show, though Fawad was made to sound like someone who is insensitive towards the Indian side. At the end of the day, it is a drama that comes from Zindagi channel, do you think they would justify us in any which way. At the same time, they have some equally good stories on their show.  

Vishnu Kanwar, homemaker

Sensitive issue

They started after two episodes, and I was surprised that it came so strongly as a story from just one side. The dialogues came across strongly, and Sikhs and Hindus came across as culprits. Though they tried to balance it towards the end, I am sure those who have heard stories from people who lived it, must have hurt their sentiments. Anyway, themes like these are pretty sensitive and it only depends on what you want to portray through it.

Bhanwar Yajuvendra Singh, manager

Official take 

According to an official statement, Zindagi is a channel which brings South-Asian content to the Indian audience. The channel has been widely  appreciated by Indian audience since its launch. The serial Waqt Ne Kiya Haseen Sitam is a serial from Pakistan originally titled as Dastan, which depicts a beautiful love story in the background of Partition of India and Pakistan. Though the focus of the story is not the issue of Partition, it forms the backdrop of  certain episodes. The Zindagi team has very carefully edited and packaged the entire series to suit Indian audience. This included removal of many scenes and a separate voice over at certain points to bring balance to the story. We have received a notice from the BCCC seeking our response to certain complaints received by them. We have responded to the notice and will also appear before BCCC to explain all steps taken by us to comply with the Self Regulatory Guidelines and the Program Code. Our intent is only to  bring never seen quality entertainment content to Indian audience and we shall continue to strive in doing so in the most responsible manner.

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