{{short description|Pakistani drama web series}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox television | image = Churails.jpg | image_upright = | caption = Official Poster | genre = [[Drama]]<br/>[[Thriller film|Thriller]] | writer = [[Asim Abbasi]] | director = [[Asim Abbasi]] | starring = {{plainlist| * [[Sarwat Gilani]] * [[Mehar Bano]] * [[Nimra Bucha]] * [[Yasra Rizvi]] }} | composer = [[Taha Malik]] | country = Pakistan | language = Urdu<br/>English | num_seasons = 1 | num_episodes = 10 | list_episodes = | executive_producer = Mo Azmi<br/>Shailja Kejriwal | producer = [[Asim Abbasi]] | editor = Kamal Khan<br/>Kamran Shahnawaz | camera = [[Multi-camera]] | runtime = Approx. 60 minutes | released = {{Start date|2020|08|11|df=y}} | company = A Glasshouse Production | channel = [[Zindagi (TV channel)|Zindagi]] }} '''''Churails''''' ({{translation|Witches / Demons [female] / Banshees}}) is a 2020 Pakistani [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] [[web series]] released through the Indian platforms [[ZEE5]] and [[Zindagi (TV channel)|Zindagi]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 August 2020|title=Churails actor Nimra Bucha: We want to be household names in India|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/churails-zee5-zindagi-pakistani-show-6549165/|access-date=17 August 2020|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> It is written and directed by [[Asim Abbasi]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 August 2020|title=Till there are more woman filmmakers telling stories, men need to be allies: Pakistani filmmaker Asim Abbasi|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/till-there-are-more-woman-filmmakers-telling-stories-men-need-to-be-allies-says-pakistani-filmmaker-churails-asim-abbasi-6548577/|access-date=17 August 2020|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> The web series stars [[Sarwat Gilani]], [[Mehar Bano]], [[Nimra Bucha]], and [[Yasra Rizvi]] in lead roles.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The number one Pakistani ladies detective agency - EasternEye|date=12 August 2020|url=https://www.easterneye.biz/the-number-one-pakistani-ladies-detective-agency/|access-date=17 August 2020|language=en-GB}}</ref> It is produced by [[Asim Abbasi]] along with Mo Azmi and Shailja Kejriwal.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=Breaking patriarchal shackles|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/lifestyle/breaking-patriarchal-shackles-124182|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}}</ref> It revolves around Karachi's secret detectives, whose mission is to expose the city's unfaithful, elite husbands.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 August 2020|title=Churails: Asim Abbasi's burkha-clad avengers channel women's rage in first Pak web series for Zee5|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/churails-asim-abbasi-s-burkha-clad-avengers-channel-women-s-rage-in-first-pak-web-series-for-zee5/story-06fNnrTb4uGpu6r4T2YYFJ.html|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> It was available for streaming on the [[Over-the-top media service|OTT]] platform [[ZEE5]] from 11 August 2020 to mid 2025, after which it was made available on [[Begin (OTT)|Begin]] to stream.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 August 2020|title=As artistes, we want to promote and live in peace: Pakistani actor Mehar Bano|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/as-artistes-we-want-to-promote-and-live-in-peace-pakistani-actor-mehar-bano-871663.html|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref>
== Premise == The series focuses on the lives of four women: Sara ([[Sarwat Gilani]]), a lawyer who gave up her career to be the "perfect wife," Jugnu ([[Yasra Rizvi]]), a wedding planner, Zubaida ([[Mehar Bano]]), a boxer seeking independence and love, and Batool ([[Nimra Bucha]]), an ex-convict who was sentenced to twenty years in prison for murder.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ramnath|first=Nandini|title=Interview: In 'Cake' director's web series 'Churails', burqa-clad avengers and ancient rage|url=https://scroll.in/reel/969619/interview-in-cake-directors-web-series-churails-burqa-clad-avengers-and-ancient-rage|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Scroll.in|date=9 August 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref> Their lives become intertwined when Sara discovers her husband cheating on her, after which the four decide to set up a detective agency to catch cheating husbands in action. They run this agency covertly under the guise of a retail burka store called "Halal Designs" and call themselves Churails. When one of them goes missing, their investigation leads them to something much bigger than themselves, dominated by Karachi's most powerful.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Waheed|first=Alia|date=8 August 2020|title=Lesbian lovers and a boxer in a burqa: a new look for Pakistani TV|language=en-GB|work=The Observer|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/aug/08/lesbian-lovers-and-a-boxer-in-a-burqa-a-new-look-for-pakistani-tv|access-date=17 August 2020|issn=0029-7712}}</ref>
== Cast == === Main === * [[Sarwat Gilani]] as Sara Khan * [[Mehar Bano]] as Zubaida * [[Nimra Bucha]] as Batool Jan * [[Yasra Rizvi]] as Jugnu Chaudhry
=== Supporting === * [[Meher Jaffri]] as Laila * [[Omair Rana]] as Jamil Khan * Sarmed Aftab Jadraan as Dilbar * Kashif Hussain as Shams * Dimeji Ewuoso as Jackson * Shabana Hassan as Resham * Mareeha Safdar as Sheila * Amtul Baweja as Munni * Zara Khan as Baby Doll * Bakhtawar Mazhar as Pinky * Sameena Nazir as Babli * [[Adnan Malik]] as Khawar Kureishi "KK" * [[Hina Khawaja Bayat]] as Sherry * [[Tara Mahmood]] as Shumaila * [[Maha Hasan (actress)|Maha Hasan]] as Rida * [[Fawad Khan (actor, born 1984)|Fawad Khan]] as Inspector Jamshed * [[Alycia Dias]] as Jiya
=== Guest === * [[Farah Nadir]] as Razia (Episode 1–2) * Akbar Islam as Ishtiaq (Episode 1–2) * [[Sami Khan (child actor)|Sami Khan]] (Episode 1–2) * [[Faiza Gillani]] as Bilquis (Episode 2, 9) * Adnan Jillani as Abdul Majeed (Episode 2) * [[Nadia Afgan]] as Aasia (Episode 3) * [[Adnan Shah Tipu]] as Sheila's father (Episode 3) * Emaan Khan as Young Batool (Episode 3, 4) * [[Sania Saeed]] as Shehnaz Khalid (Episode 4, 5) * [[Sarmad Sultan Khoosat]] as Ehtisham Khalid (Episode 4) * [[Hamzah Tariq Jamil]] as Naeem (Episode 4) * [[Daniyal Raheal]] as Ro (Episode 5) * Adnan 'Reddy' Saeed as Ho (Episode 5) * [[Frieha Altaf]] as Botox Lady (Episode 6) * [[Fahad Mirza]] as Shahnawaz (Episode 6) * [[Shamim Hilaly]] as Jehanara (Episode 7, 10) * [[Laila Zuberi]] as Tabinda Rafi (Episode 7) * [[Anoushay Abbasi]] as Saima (Episode 7) * [[Faris Shafi]] as Abdullah (Episode 8) * [[Mahira Khan]] as Shagufta (Episode 9) * [[Eman Suleman]] as Mehak Hussain (Episode 9, 10) * [[Syed Mohammad Ahmed]] as Iftikhar's lawyer (Episode 10) * [[Khalid Ahmed]] as Iftikhar Chaudhary (Jugnu’s uncle)
== Episodes == {{Series overview
| color1 = #8B96A9 | link1 = | episodes1 = 10 | released1 = {{Start date|2020|08|11}} }}
=== Season 1 === {{Episode table |background=#000000 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |airdateR=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zee5.com/collections/churails-all-episodes/0-8-6163|title=Churails - All Episodes - Watch Churails - All Episodes online in HD only on ZEE5}}</ref>|country=In |episodes= {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 1 |Title = The Unusual Team/Wafa |DirectedBy = Asim Abbasi |WrittenBy = Asim Abbasi |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|08|11|df=yes}} |LineColor = 000000 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 2 |Title = The Fight For A Cause/Aika |DirectedBy = Asim Abbasi |WrittenBy = Asim Abbasi |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|08|11|df=yes}} |LineColor = 000000 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 3 |Title = A Gruesome Crime/Ghulami |DirectedBy = Asim Abbasi |WrittenBy = Asim Abbasi |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|08|11|df=yes}} |LineColor = 000000 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 4 |Title = Batool's Blast From The Past/Izzat |DirectedBy = Asim Abbasi |WrittenBy = Asim Abbasi |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|08|11|df=yes}} |LineColor = 000000 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 5 |Title = The Churails in Danger/Hudood |DirectedBy = Asim Abbasi |WrittenBy = Asim Abbasi |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|08|11|df=yes}} |LineColor = 000000 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 6 |Title = The Much-Needed Reunion/Husn |DirectedBy = Asim Abbasi |WrittenBy = Asim Abbasi |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|08|11|df=yes}} |LineColor = 000000 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 7 |Title = Zubaida Goes Undercover/Qurbani |DirectedBy = Asim Abbasi |WrittenBy = Asim Abbasi |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|08|11|df=yes}} |LineColor = 000000 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 8 |Title = The Deadly Secret/Tabedaari |DirectedBy = Asim Abbasi |WrittenBy = Asim Abbasi |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|08|11|df=yes}} |LineColor = 000000 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 9 |Title = Zubaida's Rescue Mission/Qaaboo |DirectedBy = Asim Abbasi |WrittenBy = Asim Abbasi |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|08|11|df=yes}} |LineColor = 000000 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber = 10 |Title = The Animal Club/Taaqat |DirectedBy = Asim Abbasi |WrittenBy = Asim Abbasi |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|08|11|df=yes}} |LineColor = 000000 }} }}
== Production == === Development === The web series was announced in the first quarter of 2019 to be directed by [[Asim Abbasi]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haq|first=Irfan Ul|date=28 July 2020|title=In Churails, a girl gang comes together to expose cheating husbands|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1185586|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Images|language=en}}</ref>
=== Filming === [[Principal photography]] commenced with the lead actors [[Sarwat Gilani]], [[Mehar Bano]], [[Nimra Bucha]], [[Yasra Rizvi]] and they had been spotted shooting in summer 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Cake' director Asim Abbasi back on set|url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/pakistani-cinema/cake-director-asim-abbasi-back-on-set-1.63911175|access-date=17 August 2020|website=gulfnews.com|date=13 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
Director Asim Abbasi announced the wrap up of ''Churails'' in an Instagram post on 4 September 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Asim Abbasi's Instagram post: "500+ script pages, 150+ locations, 100+ characters, 75+ days of principal photography.... And finally it's a wrap! Thank you to everyone…"|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B1_SeaFHjD7/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/a_abbasi/2125498803566817531 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |url-access=registration|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Instagram|language=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
== Marketing and release == === Promotion === The official trailer of the web series was launched on 31 July 2020 by [[ZEE5]] on [[YouTube]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pioneer|first=The|title=Beyond the dark whims|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/vivacity/beyond-the-dark-whims.html|access-date=17 August 2020|website=The Pioneer|language=en}}</ref>
=== Release === ''Churails'' was released on [[ZEE5]], an Indian streaming platform available to audiences across the world. The series started streaming from 11 August 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Pradeep |title='Churails' review: Justice League of women, by women, for women |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/churails-review-justice-league-of-women-by-women-for-women/article32351662.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=14 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Churails review: Nimra Bucha and her burkha-clad team is here with a bewitching tale. Watch out patriarchy |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/churails-review-nimra-bucha-and-her-burkha-clad-team-is-here-with-a-bewitching-tale-watch-out-patriarchy/story-mgcI9ulZcutPjq6SfHbUNK.html |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |date=11 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bagchi |first1=Tanisha |title=Flawed, Fearless Women Fight Patriarchy in Pakistani Show Churails |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/hot-on-web/churails-pakistan-web-series-zee5-review |website=TheQuint |language=en |date=20 August 2020}}</ref> Amid the [[2025 India-Pakistan conflict]], all the Indian platforms were ordered to remove all Pakistani shows, after which the series was removed from ZEE5 and was made available on [[Begin (OTT)|Begin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/amp/entertainment/web-series/article/post-may-ban-zee-5-pakistani-shows-get-acquired-by-a-new-platform-23599675 |title=Zee 5's Pakistani shows shift to a new platform; streams in Middle East |date=22 October 2025 |archive-date=14 April 2026 |work=www.mid-day.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260414014243/https://www.mid-day.com/amp/entertainment/web-series/article/post-may-ban-zee-5-pakistani-shows-get-acquired-by-a-new-platform-23599675 |author=Mohar Basu |access-date=26 April 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/pakistan-begin-slate-expansion-war-1236690748/ |title=As War Drives Viewers to Streaming, Pakistan’s Begin Platform Expands Content Slate and Eyes South Asian Growth (EXCLUSIVE) |date=19 March 2026 |work=Variety |author=Naman Ramachandran |access-date=26 April 2026}}</ref>
== Reception == [[File:Churails- Casual conversation with the cast of the new web series - BBC URDU.webm|thumb|[[BBC Urdu]] documentary about the series.]] ''Churails'' has received widespread critical acclaim. It has been hailed as a groundbreaking series that breaks stereotypes about Pakistanis and abandons oft-used tropes in Pakistani television. It has been lauded for its portrayal of three-dimensional women as well as for exploring social dynamics in a diverse city like Karachi, portraying women across social classes and backgrounds.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}
Furthermore, it has been praised for its sensitive and nuanced depictions of LGBTQ characters, with gay men, lesbian women and transgender characters. Abbasi said, "Because we are showing such a diverse range of women, it was important to show the entire spectrum of sexuality. It would have been wrong if they were all straight because not all women in Pakistan are straight."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/aug/08/lesbian-lovers-and-a-boxer-in-a-burqa-a-new-look-for-pakistani-tv|title=Lesbian lovers and a boxer in a burqa: a new look for Pakistani TV|work=The Guardian|date= 8 August 2020|accessdate= 16 August 2020}}</ref>
Shaheera Anwar at ''The Express Tribune'' gave the series 4.5/5 stars, writing "Without compromising on the storytelling, Churails is a feminist masterpiece."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2259346/churails-review-raw-real-and-radical|title='Churails' review: Raw, real and radical; The Express Tribune|date=13 August 2020}}</ref>
Shubhra Gupta at ''The Indian Express'' wrote: "To watch free-spirited, cussing-out-loud, hockey-sticks and rifle-toting, burqa-clad women beating the bejesus out of violent, murderous men, is one of the high points of ''Churails''".<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 August 2020|title=Churails review: Asim Abbasi's web series brims over with feisty, feminist, fast-paced fun|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/churails-review-asim-abbasi-6550690/|access-date=17 August 2020|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>
=== Streaming removal and reinstatement ===
In October 2020, the series was briefly removed from streaming on ZEE5 without explanation, reportedly in response to complaints from the [[Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority]] (PEMRA) and [[Pakistan Telecommunication Authority]] (PTA).<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan bans streaming of ZEE5's critically acclaimed show 'Churails' over a viral clip |url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pakistan-bans-streaming-of-zee5s-critically-acclaimed-show-churails-over-a-viral-clip-333621 |publisher=[[WION (TV channel)|WION]] |date=8 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Churails' director Asim Abbasi says web series 'shut down' in its origin country of Pakistan |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2020/oct/08/churails-directorasim-abbasi-says-web-series-shut-down-in-its-origin-country-of-pakistan-2207612.html |publisher=[[New Indian Express]] |date=8 October 2020}}</ref> However, the series returned to the streaming platform within a day or two.<ref name="Dawn">{{cite news |title=Churails is back up on Zee5 in Pakistan |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1185881 |publisher=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |date=9 October 2020}}</ref> ZEE5 released a statement regarding the removal and reinstatement: "The show was taken off the platform in Pakistan purely in compliance with a directive that we received. We have now addressed the matter and reinstated the show on our platform."<ref name="Dawn" />
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|12803682}} * [https://www.zee5.com/tvshows/details/churails/0-6-2922 Churails] on [[Zee5]]
[[Category:2020 web series debuts]] [[Category:2020 Pakistani television series debuts]] [[Category:Pakistani drama television series]] [[Category:Zee Zindagi original programming]] [[Category:Urdu-language television shows]] [[Category:Pakistani mystery films]] [[Category:ZEE5 original programming]] [[Category:Pakistani web series]]