As PEMRA Hands Out A 5 Day Notice Against Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi, We Want To Know Why, And IF We Get to View Successive Episodes?
Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahin, currently airing on TV One and PTV has been been issued a notice, yes, we are all letting that one sink in till we know more.
What PEMRA has to say
According to PEMRA, the drama shows content which is not under the likeliness of the PEMRA Code of Conduct. They have given the channel five days to review their content before airing.
OKAY, says Twitter, but Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi depicts a narrative that highlights social issues in our society
Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi touches sensitive topics and sheds light on the ugly realities of the world.
It shows human trafficking, child abuse, patriarchy, the effects of Polio affliction on young children & their families – the issues resonate heavily with a society who is living side by side with uncomfortable realities that are often brushed under the carpet. We cannot keep running away from what is ours – we must own it one day, and soon, so that the process of rebuilding, righting wrongs, and ‘not living in a bubble’ is initiated at some point.
What Twitter has to say?
Without any hesitation, the audience came in support and defence for the play. Here’s what they have to say
And then this tweet makes a very good case to question – what’s up with PEMRA anyway?
What we can do?
Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi and plays that raise their voice on divisive social issues might be called out by PEMRA repeatedly. The issue is, there is no fine line between what is, and what is not under the radar, or deemed as questionable (bannable?) content. Many dramas with content was (and is) sensational, derogatory towards women, and with strong (and distasteful) undertones in adult relationships have been screened and are being screened at present – the road forward is not to ban content, but to regulate it. Perhaps an age rating system, or just ‘suitable for families’ or ‘restricted timings’ for the drama to go on air on local TV channels is a suggested move. If we don’t move to redress the situation now, we will keep going around in circles in every drama season as PEMRA arbitrarily decides to use the ‘ban it’ weapon!
Eventually, the audience will decide by giving up on shows that are offensive towards their sensitivities. PEMRA you need to lay off this one. Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi is one prize-winning show and we’re not letting go that easily!
