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Exclusive: South Asian streaming platform ZEE5 Global is backing ‘Desi noir’ anthology series Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam.

The drama will be streamed on the app’s Zindagi vertical, which has been a digital bridge uniting Indian and Pakistani cinema creatives.

Emphasizing the theme of female empowerment, the show focuses on the fearlessness of women and their determination to avenge deceit, whilst being set in ‘Androon Sheher’ (meaning ‘Downtown’) – a mythical neighbourhood. Themes of love, ambition, revenge and revolution will also be explored. Meenu Gaur is director.

The series is headlined by prominent Pakistani actors including Sanam Saeed (Zindagi Gulzar Hai), Sarwat Gilani (Jawani Phir Nahi Ani), Mehar Bano (Daagh), Faiza Gillani (Deewangi), Beo Raana Zafar (Cake), Samiya Mumtaz (Dhoop Ki Deewar) and Eman Suleman (Zindagi Tamasha). Pakistani heartthrobs Osman Khalid Butt (Diyar-e-Dil), Ahsan Khan (Chupan Chupai) and Sheheryar Munawar (Parey Hut Love) will also star.

Co-written by Farjad Nabi, the...

EntertainmentWhile mainstream cinema is slowly changing its portrayal of gender norms, it's nowhere close to what's available online.Tnm StaffThe explosion of content on Over-the-Top (Ott) platforms has meant that there's a wide variety of options when it comes to entertainment. Whatever be the genre or language, viewers are spoilt for choice on online streaming platforms. It's no different when it comes to feminist content. Mainstream cinema in India has largely been disappointing when it comes to the representation of women, mostly conforming to gender norms and patriarchal attitudes. While this is slowly changing, it's still nowhere as close to the kind of content that's available online. Here's a list of web series that will make a feminist viewer happy, and not want to tear their hair out. Churails (Zee5): This show is from Pakistan and is about a motley group of women in Karachi who come together to start a detective agency.

She who takes ownership of her life and is unapologetic of her being. She who breaks the glass ceiling and every prejudice that society has created against women. She who is strong, she who is fierce, she stands for what she believes in… she is a ‘Churail’.

ZEE5 Global announces the launch of the first Zindagi original, Churails streaming from 11th August onwards. The show aims to challenge the hypocrisy of patriarchal societies that vanquish women and their rights.

Directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker, Asim Abbasi, Churails brings together a talented cast led by Sarwat Gilani Mirza, Nimra Bucha, Mehar Bano and Yasra Rizvi for this power-packed narrative.

Churails narrates the story of four self-proclaimed Churails who come together to open a covert detective agency to expose cheating husbands amongst the city’s elite. As their operations expand, they come to be saviours of abused, harassed and mistreated women. The...

“An erotic dance theatre in Lahore prepares for a new show just as a sacrificial goat goes missing, a dreamy trans girl vies for the spotlight, and a naive young boy falls in love.”

Pakistani filmmaker Saim Sadiq’s Darling is set to become the first Pakistani film to screen at the prestigious Venice Film Festival, the world’s oldest film festival.​​Darling, set in a dance theatre in Lahore where the story revolves around a young boy and a trans girl, is the first ever Pakistani film to be an official selection and screen at any of the ‘Big Three’ film festivals. The Big Three is a term used for the three most prestigious film festivals in the world namely Cannes, Berlin and Venice. ​

The film’s cast includes upcoming actress Mehar Bano and Nadia Afgan of Suno Chanda and Shaslik fame. The main leads are Shani, played by Abdullah Malik,...