Pakistani dramas are often called out for being problematic and misogynistic. Actor Iqra Aziz’s upcoming show Jhooti became an addition to the list of problematic shows hours after its teaser was released.
Check out the first look of #Jhooti which will be coming soon only on #ARYDigital! #IqraAziz #YasirHussain #AhmedAliButt @iiqraziz @ahmedaliB #aryddramapic.twitter.com/RfY5LUWKqC
— ARY Digital Drama (@aryddrama) January 4, 2020
The teaser shows the Ranjha Ranjha Kardi actor on the verge
of tears calling out men for abusing their male power. She points out some
bruises on her face claiming that she got them after her husband beat her up.
Just when you start sympathising with
her, a look of deceit appears on her face. The remainder of the clip hints that
Aziz might have done this to herself as she applauds her performance in the
mirror.
Just hours after its release, the teaser garnered strong reactions on social media. People started calling it misogynistic and accused it of mocking of victims of domestic abuse.
ARY really is on a mission to villify women.
Ikra Aziz points at bruises and cries about domestic violence in the promo for Jhooti and then cracks up with laughter about her lying skills.
Women’s suffering is already ignored. Why create dramas to further demonise them?— 🥨 (@vordwomitt) January 5, 2020
what kind of misogyny level is this…#Jhooti https://t.co/NnHN8owN4E
— Malaika Zaynab (@malaika_zaynab) January 5, 2020
It was also said that the drama
invalidates the struggle of women who have been abused.
How could you trivialise real pain that women endure barely/rarely survive? Extremely irresponsible dangerous depiction. Domestic violence is real a crime a social cancer. It is not a joke. Trauma survivors are heroes.#Jhooti: another reason to never watch Pk drama 🤮
— Laaleen Sukhera✒لعلین🇵🇰🇬🇧 (@laaleen) January 5, 2020
Dramas of the 80’s were so progressive, forward-looking decent. As a leading mainstream channel, the onus is on you to break from ratings etc. Focus on QUALITY not QUANTITY. Currently, Merey Paas Tum Ho, Ghalti, Jhooti all stink off misogyny, disrespect inequality in Pakistan
— #freekashmir (@tabdeeli_) January 4, 2020
Aziz, too, was crticised for choosing the
role. The show also stars her husband Yasir Hussain and Ahmed Ali Butt in lead
roles.
The show will air on ARY Digital. It has been directed by Syed Ramish Rizvi and produced by Abdullah Seja. The writer of the drama is yet to be revealed. Its release date has not been announced.
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Article source: https://www.samaa.tv/pakistan-news/2020/01/iqra-azizs-upcoming-show-jhooti-bashed-for-being-toxic/