Resistance in Pakistani Cinema

Filmmakers
Despite bans, harassment, and social backlash, filmmakers such as Sarmad Khoosat (Zindagi Tamasha), Shoaib Mansoor (Verna), and Saim Sadiq (Joyland) have refused to abandon the difficult stories that must be told.
Sarmad Khoosat stated:
"If I alienate my primary audience in Pakistan, that’s a big fail. This film was made with a very local heart for the local people."
His words reflect a deeper resistance: the determination to speak to, for, and within the communities that need these stories most.

Audiences
Public outcry, especially from young people, women’s rights groups, and artists, has challenged censorship decisions. When Joyland was banned, widespread protest forced a partial reversal of the ban.
Audiences have become not just passive viewers but active defenders of creative freedom.

Diaspora & Global Platforms
While films banned in Pakistan have found audiences abroad, this global visibility has raised important questions.
Who gets to hear these stories? Who remains excluded when the communities represented in these films cannot see themselves on screen?
Resistance includes not only creating art but also ensuring access and representation.

Voices from the Industry

(Shakil & Zuhudi, 2024)

Filmmakers and actors interviewed in a 2024 study expressed both frustration and determination:

• "The pressure from political or philosophical groups is palpable and often influences the content of movies."

• "We often threaten our own creative expression, leading to self-censorship and biased reporting."

• "Films that challenge norms face backlash. But the backlash also shows that people are watching. They care."

Even under constant pressure, they continue to create.

What We Strive to Take Away

This final layer of When Screens Go Dark is not just about defiance. It is about:

• Resilience. Silenced voices endure.

• Solidarity. Artists and audiences stand together.

• Memory. Stories banned today become the histories of tomorrow.

The public has a role in this resistance. By listening, amplifying, and protecting the right to tell difficult stories, we all contribute to the survival of creative freedom.