# Churails

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Pakistani drama web series

Churails Official Poster Genre Drama Thriller Written by Asim Abbasi Directed by Asim Abbasi Starring Sarwat Gilani Mehar Bano Nimra Bucha Yasra Rizvi Composer Taha Malik Country of origin Pakistan Original languages Urdu English No. of seasons 1 No. of episodes 10 Production Executive producers Mo Azmi Shailja Kejriwal Producer Asim Abbasi Editors Kamal Khan Kamran Shahnawaz Camera setup Multi-camera Running time Approx. 60 minutes Production company A Glasshouse Production Original release Network Zindagi Release 11 August 2020 (2020-08-11)

***Churails*** (transl. Witches / Demons [female] / Banshees) is a 2020 Pakistani [drama](/source/Drama_(film_and_television)) [web series](/source/Web_series) released through the Indian platforms [ZEE5](/source/ZEE5) and [Zindagi](/source/Zindagi_(TV_channel)).[1] It is written and directed by [Asim Abbasi](/source/Asim_Abbasi).[2] The web series stars [Sarwat Gilani](/source/Sarwat_Gilani), [Mehar Bano](/source/Mehar_Bano), [Nimra Bucha](/source/Nimra_Bucha), and [Yasra Rizvi](/source/Yasra_Rizvi) in lead roles.[3] It is produced by [Asim Abbasi](/source/Asim_Abbasi) along with Mo Azmi and Shailja Kejriwal.[4] It revolves around Karachi's secret detectives, whose mission is to expose the city's unfaithful, elite husbands.[5] It was available for streaming on the [OTT](/source/Over-the-top_media_service) platform [ZEE5](/source/ZEE5) from 11 August 2020 to mid 2025, after which it was made available on [Begin](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Begin_(OTT)&action=edit&redlink=1) to stream.[6]

## Premise

The series focuses on the lives of four women: Sara ([Sarwat Gilani](/source/Sarwat_Gilani)), a lawyer who gave up her career to be the "perfect wife," Jugnu ([Yasra Rizvi](/source/Yasra_Rizvi)), a wedding planner, Zubaida ([Mehar Bano](/source/Mehar_Bano)), a boxer seeking independence and love, and Batool ([Nimra Bucha](/source/Nimra_Bucha)), an ex-convict who was sentenced to twenty years in prison for murder.[7] 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.[8]

## Cast

### Main

- [Sarwat Gilani](/source/Sarwat_Gilani) as Sara Khan

- [Mehar Bano](/source/Mehar_Bano) as Zubaida

- [Nimra Bucha](/source/Nimra_Bucha) as Batool Jan

- [Yasra Rizvi](/source/Yasra_Rizvi) as Jugnu Chaudhry

### Supporting

- [Meher Jaffri](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Meher_Jaffri&action=edit&redlink=1) as Laila

- [Omair Rana](/source/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](/source/Adnan_Malik) as Khawar Kureishi "KK"

- [Hina Khawaja Bayat](/source/Hina_Khawaja_Bayat) as Sherry

- [Tara Mahmood](/source/Tara_Mahmood) as Shumaila

- [Maha Hasan](/source/Maha_Hasan_(actress)) as Rida

- [Fawad Khan](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fawad_Khan_(actor,_born_1984)&action=edit&redlink=1) as Inspector Jamshed

- [Alycia Dias](/source/Alycia_Dias) as Jiya

### Guest

- [Farah Nadir](/source/Farah_Nadir) as Razia (Episode 1–2)

- Akbar Islam as Ishtiaq (Episode 1–2)

- [Sami Khan](/source/Sami_Khan_(child_actor)) (Episode 1–2)

- [Faiza Gillani](/source/Faiza_Gillani) as Bilquis (Episode 2, 9)

- Adnan Jillani as Abdul Majeed (Episode 2)

- [Nadia Afgan](/source/Nadia_Afgan) as Aasia (Episode 3)

- [Adnan Shah Tipu](/source/Adnan_Shah_Tipu) as Sheila's father (Episode 3)

- Emaan Khan as Young Batool (Episode 3, 4)

- [Sania Saeed](/source/Sania_Saeed) as Shehnaz Khalid (Episode 4, 5)

- [Sarmad Sultan Khoosat](/source/Sarmad_Sultan_Khoosat) as Ehtisham Khalid (Episode 4)

- [Hamzah Tariq Jamil](/source/Hamzah_Tariq_Jamil) as Naeem (Episode 4)

- [Daniyal Raheal](/source/Daniyal_Raheal) as Ro (Episode 5)

- Adnan 'Reddy' Saeed as Ho (Episode 5)

- [Frieha Altaf](/source/Frieha_Altaf) as Botox Lady (Episode 6)

- [Fahad Mirza](/source/Fahad_Mirza) as Shahnawaz (Episode 6)

- [Shamim Hilaly](/source/Shamim_Hilaly) as Jehanara (Episode 7, 10)

- [Laila Zuberi](/source/Laila_Zuberi) as Tabinda Rafi (Episode 7)

- [Anoushay Abbasi](/source/Anoushay_Abbasi) as Saima (Episode 7)

- [Faris Shafi](/source/Faris_Shafi) as Abdullah (Episode 8)

- [Mahira Khan](/source/Mahira_Khan) as Shagufta (Episode 9)

- [Eman Suleman](/source/Eman_Suleman) as Mehak Hussain (Episode 9, 10)

- [Syed Mohammad Ahmed](/source/Syed_Mohammad_Ahmed) as Iftikhar's lawyer (Episode 10)

- [Khalid Ahmed](/source/Khalid_Ahmed) as Iftikhar Chaudhary (Jugnu’s uncle)

## Episodes

Season Episodes Originally released 1 10 August 11, 2020 (2020-08-11)

### Season 1

No. Title Directed by Written by Original release date [9] 1 "The Unusual Team/Wafa" Asim Abbasi Asim Abbasi 11 August 2020 (2020-08-11) 2 "The Fight For A Cause/Aika" Asim Abbasi Asim Abbasi 11 August 2020 (2020-08-11) 3 "A Gruesome Crime/Ghulami" Asim Abbasi Asim Abbasi 11 August 2020 (2020-08-11) 4 "Batool's Blast From The Past/Izzat" Asim Abbasi Asim Abbasi 11 August 2020 (2020-08-11) 5 "The Churails in Danger/Hudood" Asim Abbasi Asim Abbasi 11 August 2020 (2020-08-11) 6 "The Much-Needed Reunion/Husn" Asim Abbasi Asim Abbasi 11 August 2020 (2020-08-11) 7 "Zubaida Goes Undercover/Qurbani" Asim Abbasi Asim Abbasi 11 August 2020 (2020-08-11) 8 "The Deadly Secret/Tabedaari" Asim Abbasi Asim Abbasi 11 August 2020 (2020-08-11) 9 "Zubaida's Rescue Mission/Qaaboo" Asim Abbasi Asim Abbasi 11 August 2020 (2020-08-11) 10 "The Animal Club/Taaqat" Asim Abbasi Asim Abbasi 11 August 2020 (2020-08-11)

## Production

### Development

The web series was announced in the first quarter of 2019 to be directed by [Asim Abbasi](/source/Asim_Abbasi).[10]

### Filming

[Principal photography](/source/Principal_photography) commenced with the lead actors [Sarwat Gilani](/source/Sarwat_Gilani), [Mehar Bano](/source/Mehar_Bano), [Nimra Bucha](/source/Nimra_Bucha), [Yasra Rizvi](/source/Yasra_Rizvi) and they had been spotted shooting in summer 2019.[11]

Director Asim Abbasi announced the wrap up of *Churails* in an Instagram post on 4 September 2019.[12]

## Marketing and release

### Promotion

The official trailer of the web series was launched on 31 July 2020 by [ZEE5](/source/ZEE5) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube).[13]

### Release

*Churails* was released on [ZEE5](/source/ZEE5), an Indian streaming platform available to audiences across the world. The series started streaming from 11 August 2020.[14][15][16] Amid the [2025 India-Pakistan conflict](/source/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](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Begin_(OTT)&action=edit&redlink=1).[17][18]

## Reception

[BBC Urdu](/source/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](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

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."[19]

Shaheera Anwar at *The Express Tribune* gave the series 4.5/5 stars, writing "Without compromising on the storytelling, Churails is a feminist masterpiece."[20]

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*".[21]

### 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](/source/Pakistan_Electronic_Media_Regulatory_Authority) (PEMRA) and [Pakistan Telecommunication Authority](/source/Pakistan_Telecommunication_Authority) (PTA).[22][23] However, the series returned to the streaming platform within a day or two.[24] 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."[24]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Churails actor Nimra Bucha: We want to be household names in India"](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/churails-zee5-zindagi-pakistani-show-6549165/). *The Indian Express*. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Till there are more woman filmmakers telling stories, men need to be allies: Pakistani filmmaker Asim Abbasi"](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/). *The Indian Express*. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["The number one Pakistani ladies detective agency - EasternEye"](https://www.easterneye.biz/the-number-one-pakistani-ladies-detective-agency/). 12 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Service, Tribune News. ["Breaking patriarchal shackles"](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/lifestyle/breaking-patriarchal-shackles-124182). *Tribuneindia News Service*. Retrieved 17 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Churails: Asim Abbasi's burkha-clad avengers channel women's rage in first Pak web series for Zee5"](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). *Hindustan Times*. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["As artistes, we want to promote and live in peace: Pakistani actor Mehar Bano"](https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/as-artistes-we-want-to-promote-and-live-in-peace-pakistani-actor-mehar-bano-871663.html). *Deccan Herald*. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Ramnath, Nandini (9 August 2020). ["Interview: In 'Cake' director's web series 'Churails', burqa-clad avengers and ancient rage"](https://scroll.in/reel/969619/interview-in-cake-directors-web-series-churails-burqa-clad-avengers-and-ancient-rage). *Scroll.in*. Retrieved 17 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Waheed, Alia (8 August 2020). ["Lesbian lovers and a boxer in a burqa: a new look for Pakistani TV"](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/aug/08/lesbian-lovers-and-a-boxer-in-a-burqa-a-new-look-for-pakistani-tv). *The Observer*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0029-7712](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0029-7712). Retrieved 17 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Churails - All Episodes - Watch Churails - All Episodes online in HD only on ZEE5"](https://www.zee5.com/collections/churails-all-episodes/0-8-6163).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Haq, Irfan Ul (28 July 2020). ["In Churails, a girl gang comes together to expose cheating husbands"](https://images.dawn.com/news/1185586). *Images*. Retrieved 17 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["'Cake' director Asim Abbasi back on set"](https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/pakistani-cinema/cake-director-asim-abbasi-back-on-set-1.63911175). *gulfnews.com*. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["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…""](https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/a_abbasi/2125498803566817531). *Instagram*. Archived from [the original](https://www.instagram.com/p/B1_SeaFHjD7/) on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Pioneer, The. ["Beyond the dark whims"](https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/vivacity/beyond-the-dark-whims.html). *The Pioneer*. Retrieved 17 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Kumar, Pradeep (14 August 2020). ["'Churails' review: Justice League of women, by women, for women"](https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/churails-review-justice-league-of-women-by-women-for-women/article32351662.ece). *The Hindu*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Churails review: Nimra Bucha and her burkha-clad team is here with a bewitching tale. Watch out patriarchy"](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). *Hindustan Times*. 11 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Bagchi, Tanisha (20 August 2020). ["Flawed, Fearless Women Fight Patriarchy in Pakistani Show Churails"](https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/hot-on-web/churails-pakistan-web-series-zee5-review). *TheQuint*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Mohar Basu (22 October 2025). ["Zee 5's Pakistani shows shift to a new platform; streams in Middle East"](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). *www.mid-day.com*. Archived from [the original](https://www.mid-day.com/amp/entertainment/web-series/article/post-may-ban-zee-5-pakistani-shows-get-acquired-by-a-new-platform-23599675) on 14 April 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Naman Ramachandran (19 March 2026). ["As War Drives Viewers to Streaming, Pakistan's Begin Platform Expands Content Slate and Eyes South Asian Growth (EXCLUSIVE)"](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/pakistan-begin-slate-expansion-war-1236690748/). *Variety*. Retrieved 26 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Lesbian lovers and a boxer in a burqa: a new look for Pakistani TV"](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/aug/08/lesbian-lovers-and-a-boxer-in-a-burqa-a-new-look-for-pakistani-tv). *The Guardian*. 8 August 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["'Churails' review: Raw, real and radical; The Express Tribune"](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2259346/churails-review-raw-real-and-radical). 13 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Churails review: Asim Abbasi's web series brims over with feisty, feminist, fast-paced fun"](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/churails-review-asim-abbasi-6550690/). *The Indian Express*. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Pakistan bans streaming of ZEE5's critically acclaimed show 'Churails' over a viral clip"](https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pakistan-bans-streaming-of-zee5s-critically-acclaimed-show-churails-over-a-viral-clip-333621). [WION](/source/WION_(TV_channel)). 8 October 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["'Churails' director Asim Abbasi says web series 'shut down' in its origin country of Pakistan"](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). [New Indian Express](/source/New_Indian_Express). 8 October 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Dawn_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Dawn_24-1) ["Churails is back up on Zee5 in Pakistan"](https://images.dawn.com/news/1185881). [Dawn](/source/Dawn_(newspaper)). 9 October 2020.

## External links

- [*Churails*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12803682/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Churails](https://www.zee5.com/tvshows/details/churails/0-6-2922) on [Zee5](/source/Zee5)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Churails](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churails) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churails?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.