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Protests take place outside cinemas as Teefa in Trouble premieres this weekend

Protests take place outside cinemas as Teefa in Trouble premieres this weekend

Protesters took to social media to share images of the protests
Updated 25 Jul, 2018

As latest blockbuster Teefa in Trouble released across the country this weekend, footage of protests against the film began circulating on social media due to the Ali Zafar-Meesha Shafi sexual harassment case.

Today, a group of protesters gathered outside Nueplex Cinema's Rashid Minhas location. The protesters claimed that they were unarmed and left Nueplex the moment security told them to do so, but were stopped right outside the gate.

They further alleged that they were manhandled, beaten, and had their phones taken away and their data deleted.

Narrating the incident to Images, one of the protesters revealed: "We arrived at the protest around 2:30pm. They forced us out of the cinema and when we were exiting, we heard this girl screaming, she was one of ours. Four guards had snatched her phone saying she was recording a video. When we to get her, the Nueplex security forced us down into the basement, they headbutted us with their guns, they pointed a gun at a 17-year-old. There were 20 of them against four of us. They also made us kneel while we waited for the police to come pick us up."

Teefa in Trouble's premiere in Karachi on Thursday night featured some celebrities on the red carpet but outside, a group of protesters gathered and chanted slogans against Ali Zafar, who earlier this year was accused of sexual misconduct by Meesha Shafi.

Image by Hadi Khatri
Image by Hadi Khatri

Image by Hadi Khatri
Image by Hadi Khatri

A similar situation played out at Teefa's premiere in Lahore on Friday. Protestors recorded a video of a head of a major fashion brand saying he 'supported sexual harassment,' a comment for which he later apologised.

Also read: Kayseria's creative director, Waleed Zaman said he supports sexual harassment of women

Images has reached out to the management of Nueplex and is awaiting a response.

Update: Nueplex Cinemas shared the following statement with us:

“Our team at Nueplex Cinemas works continuously towards ensuring a relaxed and comfortable environment for our customers. Protestors targeting Ali Zafar’s new film ‘Teefa In Trouble’ gathering inside our premises does not only disrupt the experience for movie goers, but most importantly violates the peaceful environment which we work very hard to provide to our patrons.

The Management of Nueplex Cinemas respects the right of the citizens to protest in a peaceful & legal manner. However, these protests should not be held inside a private property like ours in which families from all walks of life are frequent visitors.

Such incidents invite law and order agencies to address such violations and act upon them.

It is pertinent to mention here that peaceful protests were also held in a civilized manner outside the premises of Nueplex Cinemas, DHA at the premiere of ‘Teefa In Trouble’ on the 19th of July 2018.

Let us reiterate that Nueplex Cinemas screens films that are provided by film distributors. If anyone has reservations about the release of Teefa In Trouble, they should take this up with the producers of the film or Mandviwalla Entertainment who are the distributors of the title.”

Comments

A human Jul 21, 2018 05:56pm
The protesters are some really brave people standing up for what they believe in. As far as the actions of the police are concerned, it's totally unfair for them to do that, considering that our laws allow peaceful protests! Shame on them for doing that to the innocent folks!
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Peshawar Jul 21, 2018 06:06pm
Whatever the Ali Zafar is... he should respect the women and at least apologize to Mesha Shafi, If he is a good man he should show the courage and also stand against the people who disrespect women. Otherwise, my kinda people will never love him that is why I will never watch his movie until he apologizes.
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M. Saeed Jul 21, 2018 06:26pm
A quick justice should be given on this case, to stop all such agitations.
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Concerned Jul 21, 2018 07:30pm
Such shameful that peaceful protesters were manhandled
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Mani Jul 21, 2018 07:41pm
Nueplex should be held accountable for their actions. Totally unacceptable. If there is no response, then there will be a ‘boycott Nueplex’ movement. Movies will be come, movies will go, but this can seriously hurt Nueplex’s business in the long run.
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Nisar Jul 21, 2018 09:31pm
I invite the owners of these cinemas to see, just see the attitude of their security towards a few young people. Shame on you, you use thugs to mai rain law and order and intimidate children!! You are no better than the thugs you hire. Slick statements do not cut it and your lack of care for these people demonstrates the lack of confidence you reek of. The vile character who supports sexual harassment and issues limp apologies is nothing more than a reflection of what you all stand for .. nothing but your egos and money! Your time will come .. shame on all of you sad and misguided people.
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Zala Jul 22, 2018 03:45am
I salute the protesters. It is so difficult to protest in Pakistan. Because no matter how peaceful the protest is but you are still mistreated.
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