#BanDhoopkiDewar became on Saturday a top trend on Twitter after social media users started campaigning against the web series. The trend started after the trailer and plot of the series were released.
Written by renowned Pakistani drama writer Umera Ahmed, the series will be available for streaming on Zindagi by ZEE5 on June 25. The story revolves around a cross-border romance between an Indian Vishal played by Ahad Raza Mir and Pakistani Sara played by Sajal Aly as they bond over the internet after losing loved ones in cross-firing between the two countries.
As soon as the trailer was released on June 14, Twitter users started questioning the storyline and dialogues and alleged that the drama is an act of betrayal towards the two-nation theory and struggles of people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
Reacting to the trailer, Twitter user Taha Yasir wrote:
"Kashmiri and Pakistani people have sacrificed their lives for [the] protection of our motherland. There are some traitors among us who have traded their faith for some money and fame. Govt of Pak should take [a] step against it and ban this dhoopkideewar quickly. #BanDhoopKiDeewar."
Another user Aqib Javed said that Kashmir is bleeding and we are making such dramas/series for the sake of having better relations. He asked Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting if the "blood of Kashmiris that cheap?"
Usmsn, while voicing his opposition to the series, pointed out that India is actively changing the demography in occupied Kashmir.
Social media user Ammar Khan wrote that there is nothing wrong with the trailer and hatred between Pakistan and India is fueled by politicians, conflicts, and wars.
Sadia wrote that Pakistan and India are two separate states with different cultures and norms.
Umera Ahmed offers an explanation:
The show writer Umera Ahmed took to Twitter to address the controversy. She said:
“When I started working on Dhoop ki Deewar in 2019, I sent the story to the Inter-Services Public Relations. And I asked the team for its evaluation so that I would edit out anything objectionable in the story.”
The writer said not only ISPR “okayed” the content, but invited Umera for a meeting in Rawalpindi and told her that their stance about Pakistan-India relations is the same that both countries should come together for a dialogue.
