The upcoming Pakistani web series Dhoop ki Deewar, starring real-life couple Ahad Raza Mir and Sajal Aly is facing severe backlash and criticism over the plot of a cross-border romance.
Netizens have been calling out on Twitter to ban the release of the web series since the trailer came out. As the plot of the series revolves around two lovers from Pakistan and India amid rising tensions between the two states. The trailer opens with clashes along the Line of Control and a Pakistan-India cricket match. Ahad plays the Hindu boy Vishal from India and the Alif famed actress is seen playing a Muslim girl, Sara from Pakistan.
But the Twitter responded in rather serious way to call out ban on the series. The #BanDhoopKiDeewar topped the Twitter trends for a day in the country after the trailer was unveiled.
Many internet users have expressed their anger and dissatisfaction over the plot, accusing it for promoting betrayal and disregarding the Two Nation Theory. The netizens also called out the writer Umera Ahmed and accused her of producing content for Indian channels for “more money.”
“Dhoop ki Deewar is not about the Kashmir crisis,” said writer Umera Ahmed in a series of posts in response to criticism. “And if it mentions Kashmir, it is by location because most of our soldiers [Pakistani and Indian] are fighting each other along the Line of Control.” Umera holds the same views as other Pakistanis when it comes to Kashmir that it should be resolved at the United Nations, she added.
Dhoop ki Deewar is directed by Haseeb Hassan. It will be available for streaming on Zindagi by ZEE5 on June 25. Zee5 is the same digital platform the aired hit Pakistani web series Churails.
