Yesterday, we shared Sanam Baloch’s interview with Dawn Images in which she talked about her upcoming venture Ek Thi Marium, produced and headed by Nina Kashif, directed by Sarmad Khoosat the perfectionist and penned by everyone’s favourite, Umera Ahmed.
Today, some BTS pictures from the sets of Ek Thi Marium were shared with the fans. The tele-film, as mentioned before, follows the life of Marium Mukhtar, the first Pakistani female pilot to sacrifice her life in the line of duty. It will air on Urdu1. Nothing but brilliance can be expected from the team behind the this project. Sanam Baloch spent some time with the cadets at the Air Force Academy to warm up to and adapt to the environment and body language.
Talking to Express Tribune, the Lux Style Awards (LSA) Talent Manager Maaz Ghazi revealed that the day before the shocking news of Qandeel Baloch’s murder, he had approached her to perform in a comedy skit at the LSA 2016 ceremony, which will take place on July 29.
Maaz Ghazi revealed that he tried calling her several times on July 15 but she didn’t respond. “Then she called back around 9 pm and I told her that we want her to become a part of the show.”
She was asked to perform in the opening act alongside Ali Zafar, who will be hosting the ceremony.“It was not a dance or singing performance. It was a short humorous skit that we had prepared.”
“She had agreed but the very next morning we heard about her death.”
The LSA will take place on July 29. The ceremony will be hosted by Ali Zafar and Ayesha Omer. Ali Zafar just confirmed that he is also recording his first ever Qawwali which will be played in the memory of Amjad Sabri at the 15th LSA 2016.
Quratulain Balouch’s distinct style of singing and powerful vocals have earned her many fans not only in Pakistan but also across the border. Her latest single, “Saaiyaan” is QB’s take on Bulleh Shah’s poetry. The video features Pakistani model Rabia Butt and actor Danial Raheal.
With the release of her Bollywood debut, Happy Bhag Jayegi just around the corner, Momal Sheikh, in an interview with Dawn Images talked about her experience working across the border.
”I was very fortunate to sign up with a good team and fine actors. Many concepts were rather new to me since film is very different from television. The platform itself is a very challenging ground and makes you push yourself very hard.
I loved taking up the challenge and I’m excited to have had the opportunity to work with such sophisticated equipment and deliver to a much wider audience.”
Javed Sheikh is also a part of the film. ‘‘Yes, my father and I shot a couple of scenes together. He is my mentor, my counselor and obviously my critic as well. I knew he would guide me and judge my work honestly. I’m grateful that I had him by my side during my first Bollywood venture.”
About the character she is playing, ”I am playing the role of Abhay’s fiance, Zoya. An entrepreneur of a fashion house, Zoya is a strong-willed girl and holds her ground. She is confident and mature as is reflected in the way she eventually handles the odd situation she has to deal with. I don’t want to give away too much but I will tell you this: you will be surprised by a few twists in the story, especially when Zoya plays a vital part in deciding who Happy will eventually settle for.”
Momal Sheikh gave a shout-out to her stylist, Ankita. ”My stylist was Ankita, who worked with me throughout the movie and I must take this opportunity to thank her for her patience and professionalism.”
She has no dance numbers in the film.
Now my question is that what is Salahuddin going to get in return because when he changed Rehman Sahab’s diapers he got rich, now what award does the writer have in store for Salahuddin for washing Mannu’s kids’ potty!! I can’t believe that the highest rating drama of this season has more potty talk to its credit than any other drama we have seen so far!! Should I give the writer and director credit here for not leaving anything to our imagination? I have come to the conclusion that this drama is a walking talking meme maker itself therefore why waste my creativity is making memes to make fun of the characters when the writer has done the job for us! A screen shot from the episode coupled with a dialogue from the drama is funny enough! Yes!! Mann Mayal continues to be the biggest joke of the century and at this point Salahuddin is playing the role of the clown with perfection!! Did the opening conversation of this episode make any sense at all? On one hand Bia was bashing her brother and on the other she was pleading his case!!
Why is everyone so confused about Mannu’s marital status and her status in general!! Mannu is no one’s wife – she is divorced and she has no house of her own just yet therefore calling her a housewife was quite inappropriate. She is a single mother with a boyfriend who is there to help her when she wants his help and even when she doesn’t want his help. Even though Mannu has all the support in the world and now she is no longer the maid but has a maid of her own but even then somehow the becharapan just won’t go away. Mannu is a bechari because Salahuddin wants to marry her? Or is it because Jeena gave her so many bud duas??
Wow!! Aur Mannu aap ka phone utha bhi lei gi!!! All the characters in this play and the story is a big fat joke but the story just keeps on going on and on and on! I tune into every episode hoping this would be the end but the drama shows no signs of ending. Why don’t they kill Mikael, Jeena and Jamil so that Salahuddin and Mannu can have their happily ever after!! Sitting through this episode of Mann Mayal was sheer torture. One second Mannu was happy that Salahuddin loved her and the other second she wanted to be away from him. Mannu has no marzi, no personality and no goals in life. Same is true for Salahuddin’s parents! Since Salahuddin has money so he gets to have his own way! Where will ama aba go if their aklota beta does not get to have things his way. Hamza Ali Abbasi’s acting yet again was not the least but impressive. All of a sudden Salahuddin is a jolly confident man, we don’t know when and how that happened. At the end of this episode Mannu managed to lose her kids yet again more easily than most people lose their mobile phones! Now we have a real reason to maybe feel for bechari Mannu.
The preview of the next episode suggested that the next episode won’t be the last one either! And I am pretty sure very soon everyone associated with this drama will be raving about highest TRPs ever! This drama is quiet predictable in more ways than one.
Last month, fans of Sanam Baloch were delighted to hear that the phenomenal actress will be making her comeback with a tele-film based on the life of Marium Mukhtar, the first Pakistani female fighter pilot to embrace martyrdom in the line of duty. The tele-film is directed by Sarmad Khoosat, written by Umera Ahmed and produced by Mehreen Jabbar. It will air on Urdu 1. Sarmad Khoosat, Sanam Baloch, Umera Ahmed and Mehreen Jabbar – is this actually happening? The team screams perfection!
In an interview with Dawn Images, Sanam Baloch shared, “Urdu1 along with Mehreen Jabbar directly approached me for the tele-film. Although Mehreen Jabbar is not directing it, she owns the project. Also when I came to know Umera has written it, I couldn’t refuse it. It is the role of Marium Mukhtar, a national hero. This project is particularly for myself, my satisfaction as an actor – although it is extremely challenging to live her life and go through the entire process of training but I have to live [the] life of someone incredible.”
For the role, Sanam’s gone through a fair bit of pilot training. “Before the shoot, I had spent first two days with the cadets so I can adapt to their environment and body language at the Air Force Academy. I have a couple of Air force people and trainers at the shoot (set), who are helping me out with it. I am trying my best to replicate the way they move about,” she shared.
Sanam Baloch spoke highly of Sarmad Khoosat. “People often call Sarmad a maestro, and he is indeed one of them. He knows what he wants from the actor and the camera. He’s studious about his work and I think that’s what makes him Sarmad Khoosat, he can bring out best from anyone. It is such a strenuous routine; plus, the weather is horrid, But he’s on his feet through all this time – and that’s what revitalizes our energy as a team. The captain of the ship is the leader of an entire vessel and he knows how to keep that vessel well floating successfully.”
Sanam Baloch revealed that the film follows Marium Mukhtar’s life “from her training days since she joined the Air Force to her last flight of mission when she embraced martyrdom.”
About future projects, she said that she has “a couple of projects particularly directed towards my fans. Due to the tight schedule back in Karachi with the morning show, it gets pretty hard for me to sign any serial though.”
The wildly popular photo manipulation app, Prisma is now available to everyone on Android. Giving in to the hype and jumping on the bandwagon, our celebrities are also struck by the #Prisma madness.
The rating system of Pakistani dramas does not always represent just how popular these dramas actually are but most often dramas which get very high TRPs are those which are being appreciated by majority of the viewers. For example right now Udaari is one such drama which has been getting high TRPs and most people here will agree that these ratings are well deserved. Generally the highest TRPs that quality dramas get nowadays is 7. something. This rating is considered to be groundbreaking. Mann Mayal however somehow managed to break all the records set by most popular recent dramas when HUM claimed that the previous episode of Mann Mayal got 9.7 TRP which is the kind of rating which dramas like Hamsafar, Meri Zaat Zara-e-Benishan, Mera Saeein and many other dramas which fell in the same league got. This basically goes to show that when a drama gets such high TRPs there is usually a very good reason for it and people are not just watching that drama out of curiosity but are actually completely involved in such dramas. Even Zindagi Gulzar Hai, which had a star-studded cast, a very popular writer and was definitely a much better play than Mann Mayal did not secure such ratings.
There was a time when people were very enthusiastic about Mann Mayal because it promised to be an unforgettable love story. When the viewers were not able to connect to this ‘love story’ they continued watching it because they weren’t sure if Hamza Ali Abbasi will ever be seen in a drama again any time soon and Maya Ali’s acting was stupendous for the longest time. In the past few weeks majority of the people want this drama to end!! Yes, people might tune into this play every week only out of curiosity but how many people out there actually think that this is the best drama around right now because such high claims would automatically imply that Mann Mayal is getting all these TRPs because it offers quality entertainment.
Do these TRPs prove that Mann Mayal is as good a drama as all these dramas??? In fact better!!
Even those ‘fans’ who were following this drama because of their favorite actors find it hard to relate to the characters and the happenings. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that after winning over a certain number of viewers, the makers of the drama now are only stretching it at this point to make the most of the viewership. But my question is that Is a drama like Mann Mayal with a weak storyline which went off track a long time back in the same league as some of the most amazing dramas we have seen in the past? Because claiming that it is getting so many ratings basically means that it is.
It is sad that the producers, writer, director and even the actors continue to convince people that they are still on the top. Those who can see the glaring flaws in this drama and point them out are considered ‘haters’! I think that it is sad that a drama like Mann Mayal which has to be the worst drama of this season is being promoted as the biggest hit. It makes you wonder if there is hope for our drama industry! If Mann Mayal is a splendid success than God help our drama industry!
Momal Sheikh has made her Bollywood debut with rom-com flick, Happy Bhag Jayegi. The makers of the very popular Tanu Weds Manu Returns joined their heads for Happy Bhag Jayegi, which sounds an awful lot like Julia Roberts and Richard Gere’s Runaway Bride.
Happy Bhag Jayegi features Abhay Deol, Diana Penty, Ali Fazal, Momal Sheikh, Jimmy Shergill among others. Javed Sheikh is also playing a supporting character.
The trailer is out:
The team was seen promoting their film on Kapil’s show.
These days the Instagram accounts of Frieha Altaf (producer of the award show) and Ahmed Ali Butt are buzzing with images of backstage preparations and rehearsals.
In a recent interview with Dawn Images, the awards manager Fareshteh Aslam shared,“This year’s awards ceremony is primarily going to be about celebrating 15 years of the LSA’s. And there will of course be the usual performances, tributes, comedy and glamour.”
It has been confirmed that Ali Zafar will be hosting the biggest award show of the year. It’s the first time Ali Zafar will be seen hosting an LSA ceremony. Last year’s hosts Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan will be a part of the show’s major segments.
Last year, Syed Noor bagged the Lifetime Achievement Award (Male) and Musarat Misbah bagged the Lifetime Achievement Award (Female). This year, one of the finest fashion designers, Nilofer Shahid will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Amjad Sabri’s sad demise shocked the whole of Pakistan and it seems only fitting that LSA 2016 will pay a tribute to Amjad Sabri.
And what’s a Pakistani award show without Ahmed Ali Butt and Vasay Chaudhry to entertain the audience? Joining this dynamic duo will be Yasir Hussain – brace yourselves because we will be seeing a lot of him this year.
The awards manager promises a stunning finale.“The finale is going to be scintillating. People will be staying till the very end of the ceremony in order to see it.”
From being a VJ to a Bollywood starlet – Mawra Hocane’s had quite a journey. In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Mawra spoke about taking on challenging roles.
“I want to take up something like Umrao Jaan, basically period dramas. I love them on screen and it would be interesting to act in one.”
“I am reading scripts at the moment and finalising details. I am open to working in all genres and don’t want to limit myself by looking for work in a particular type of film.”
“I don’t want to plan anything. I like to take things as they come, especially when it comes to my career. I just want to keep working. Be it films in India or abroad, I am willing to take up good work. I love Priyanka Chopra’s style of work and would love to follow her career path.”
Ohkay so, I am not sure what to say about the latest developments in the story. Things are only focusing on what the ladies of the house are doing & it has been that way since the story has begun. The war between Asif/Taimur & Shujat made things looks promising & gave us a false hope that may be the focus of the story will shift towards something more meaningful but that doesn’t seem to be the case because we’re back to square one & once again, the ladies are setting traps for one another, which seems quite boring to be honest!
Farrukh Zaad was already heartbroken at how Asif Jahan got Taimur arrested, which was enough of a pain for her to deal with but things got even more difficult for her when Badshah Begum & Asif Jahan demanded the keys back from her. Farrukh Zaad actually thought that she will get away after being rude to her husband & after threatening him so disrespectfully but looks like Asif Jahan decided to show Farrukh Zaad her place by telling how she had to respect certain limits or else he would snatch everything away from her. Shahista & Farrukh Zaad had this confidence only because they thought they had a very important card under their belt which was the secret of Meher Bano & Banki, but sadly, they won’t be able to use it as things have started to become difficult for them too & Akhtari has already informed Badshah Begum about what has happened right under her nose.
Badshah Begum had to prove to Farrukh Zaad that she can change the fate of anyone if she wants to, that’s why she wanted to hand over the keys to Meher Bano through Banki. She finally met Banki & that’s when Akhtari grew suspicious of her & not only that, she actually was sure that something was definitely wrong at Banki & Meher Bano’s side. For the first time may be, Akhtari’s farsightedness didn’t disappoint her & she was right in assuming that Banki was expecting a child, which was later proved by what she heard from Meher Bano herself. Meher Bano hasn’t given up on her love Kabeer just yet but she has grown sick of being in an isolation, that’s why she wants Banki to help her out by requesting Asif Jahan to send her maid back home & for that she doesn’t mind taking up a role of being Banki’s maid too.
Akhtari reported the entire situation to Badshah Begum & it was expected that she wouldn’t believe what she’ll hear because no one could’ve imagined that this is the sort of a game that Meher Bano or Banki could play. Looks like Badshah Begum’s wrath will be directed towards Banki more than Meher Bano but I hope after the truth is exposed, Meher Bano stands up for Banki & doesn’t just leave her in the lurch because she is the one who ordered Banki to do what she did as she was helpless.
Looks like Surraya’s case is closed & she has been put to rest, which again seems odd considering how her fate was decided without the knowledge of Asif Jahan & I still find it hard to believe that he hasn’t even spoken about his new born Jamshed’s kidnapping once. Sadly, Mor Mahal’s script isn’t as good as I expected it to be & somehow this drama is turning out to be a joke which once can watch & laugh at as things & the characters are hardly making any sense anymore. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Mor Mahal if unfortunately, you’ve watched it!
Drama serial Udaari continues to be very enticing and thrilling. With this episode the story took a big leap forward and with this leap while a lot of things fell into place for many of the characters, Imtiaz’s re-entry in the drama changed everything. Sajida worked hard to start a business which seemed to flourish with every passing year. Her progress, the confidence she had in herself and the fact that she had left her past behind was shown brilliantly. Sajida’s success went to prove that anyone can achieve their goals if they are hard working and focused. The recent turn of events was also a cruel reminder of the fact that leaving one’s past being isn’t all that easy. Also, one cannot ignore the importance of all the positive support Sajida got from Sheedan and from Kashf Foundation. Kashf foundation did not only provide Sajida with the finances she needed but they also played an important role in giving her ideas which helped her expand her business. Kashf foundation gave her a vision and Sajida’s steadfastness made that vision come to life. Six years later Zebu managed to excel in studies and extra-curricular but the fact that she still couldn’t sleep peacefully at night went to show that even after so many years she had not completely healed. Sajida turned out to be the kind of role model she wanted to be for her daughter. Sajida’s constant support and the love Zebu got from Sheedan and family helped her settle down. Arsh revealed his true feelings for Meeran but just like anticipated Meeran is not looking to settle down with a man. Even after so many years she still wants to focus on her work but continues to be good friends with Arsh. This goes to show that Meeran too has not healed entirely. She still hasn’t forgotten how Illyas and his mother insulted her therefore she does not want to put herself in that position ever again. Meeran wants to be known for her work and perhaps she knows that marriage would automatically bring up the topic of her cast. Deep inside Meeran still feels that she cannot change the fact that she is a mirasi. She might have adopted singing as her profession and she has excelled in it as well but she has not forgotten all those times when people insulted and belittled her because she was a mirasi. Farhan Saeed and Urwa Hocane’s on screen chemistry makes their scenes a treat to watch. Both of them have done complete justice to their respective roles. Bushra Ansari is one of those actresses who make their presence felt in every single scene even when her character has no dialogues, she manages to convey the emotions effortlessly through her body language and expressions. Ins-e-Yazdan made his first appearance today, he did well in the brief screen time he got but we have yet to see what he really has to offer. The young actor playing the role of Jazza before was very well-suited for the character. Ins-e-Yazdan of course is a much polished version of Jazza because all these years he has been going to school and has developed a very different personality. Talking about the change in personalities, I was expecting Meeran to be slightly more polished too. Even after so many years and so much exposure she still has the same Urdu/Punjabi accent. Someone as smart as Meeran should have learned to speak in a more shehri way by now. I must say that the makeover given to Ahsan Khan in tonight’s episode was brilliant. Imtiaz is still the monster he was so many years back but the change in his look and his current status went to show that he had been through a lot too in all these years. Imtiaz was desperately looking for Sajida and now that he has found her, he will use all his contacts to make her pay for what she did. This latest twist in the story will make things very difficult for Sajida and Zebu both but it is also a great opportunity to show a much better end to Imtiaz’s character. Zebu is old enough to go to court now and hopefully even with all his contacts Imtiaz will pay for making Zebu’s life miserable. Hina Altaf Khan did complete justice to her character today but her acting skills will truly be tested when Zebu and Imtiaz meet in the next episode. Watching Imtiaz back on screen was scary but watching Ahsan Khan nail the role once again was truly impressive. Ahsan Khan deserves an award for playing this role with perfection and dedication. The actor playing Sheedan’s brother deserves a special mention here, the director deserves due credit for choosing him for playing this character because he stands out in all the scenes. His acting is beyond impressive. The preview of the next episode suggested that things will get very serious from the next episode. This was one of the best episodes of Udaari because the way the story was taken forward was very impressive. The writer, director and all the actors involved have given their best to the drama and in my opinion Udaari is the best drama on HUM right now. It is another feather in the cap of HUM TV and a drama which surely deserves to be noticed and appreciated. How many of you watched this latest episode? Please share your thoughts about it. Fatima Awan
Ohkay so, this episode of Kathputli was good because it showed the solution to the problems that Ahad & Mehru were facing & also, it showed how people like Ehtashaam can be dealt with. I think our dramas mostly focus on showing the problems & very rarely they shed a light on the solutions, but at least at this stage of this drama, they decided to show how people can bring themselves out of their misery if they want to, which was refreshing to see.
Sonia thought that Ahad & Mehru should get married because she assumed that they both not only knew but liked each other as well. Just because Sonia got to know that they were spotted at an apartment together, she believed that they actually were going out & wanted to be with each other. Even though Sonia paid more heed to her assumptions, what she decided for them was actually in good spirit & gave Ahad & Mehru a hope that they had lost after being abandoned by their families.
Ahad deemed Sonia’s proposal as a head-start that he needed in order to make his life better, that is why he tried to convince Mehru to go ahead with what was being told them to do as well. I actually liked the way Ahad tried to make Mehru realize how they both had no other option then to accept what the life was offering to them at this stage. Ahad has lived a life of desperation & with no support from his family, he understood that he had to hold onto this opportunity because this was a golden chance that life was giving to him. Mehru at first seemed a little confused but it was good to know that the phone conversation with Saira put things into perspective & she realized that she had to let go of the glimmer of hope that he was holding onto which made her feel that may be her brothers will let her come back into their lives.
I liked the way Sonia dealt with Ehtasham. She made it clear that she wasn’t going to budge & there was no amount of money that could force her to let go of her plans & make her forget her principles. Sonia convinced Ehtasham that he had already pushed Mehru out of his life, so there was no point in being concerned about her life & death, which was actually true. Ehtasham did what he wanted to, so now he shouldn’t have concerned himself with what Sonia was planning for Mehru & her future. Ehtasham found it in his heart to throw Mehru out of his life so then he should have grown the spine to let her life freely now that she was out from his home.
Mehru wanted to get in contact with Shiraz but Saira talked her out of it, which was partially wise & partially unwise too. Like Shiraz said, Mehru saw him as someone who would shape her life & he was her last hope, so may be if Shiraz had learned that Mehru was alive, he would’ve went out of the way to help her. Yes, getting married to her would’ve been impossible for now as Mehru needed secrecy the most, but may be Shiraz could’ve come up with a plan or something, but then Saira knew that Shiraz belonged to Ehtasham’s family & Mehru’s relationship with Shiraz could’ve put her life in danger, that’s why she told her not to get in contact with him & maintain a distance as much as she could. Even Shiraz finds himself guilty of leaving Mehru in the lurch & it will take some time for him to snap out of it, but for now I am unable to understand what role Shiraz & his wife will play in this drama?
Overall, this episode was good & I liked Ahad’s approach towards this opportunity & his marriage to Mehru because he not only believes in shaping up his life but he also understands that Mehru is an individual who can have certain dreams that she might want to pursue too. Ahad doesn’t want to turn this relationship into a typical marriage because he has a lot of other things to take care of & that is why he also believes in giving Mehru the freedom & space she might need to decide what sort of future she wants for herself, which I felt was quite thoughtful of him. He did seem a little selfish but then he is someone who has always felt defeated, so it is natural for him to get a little selfish in this regard plus there’s always a possibility that he would want to remain married to Mehru as he might start liking her. Anyways, the preview of the next episode showed that things will start getting ugly between Mehru & Ahad because by the end of the day, they are two complete strangers who were forced to be together. I hope they don’t drag this aspect & give coverage to it more than it requires. So far, this journey has been great & more than that, it has been on-point, so let’s see what more it has to offer. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Kathputli.
Well, apparently, everyone in the showbiz industry is on vacation – Mawra, Adnan Siddiqui, Mahnoor Baloch, Saba Hamid, Nida Yasir, I mean, you name it and they are not in the country!
One thing that has remained constant throughout this play is the positivity in Mohid’s character. I think Mohid is one of his kind because he is intelligent enough to know exactly what is going on yet he chooses to have a big heart and he stays positive. I can’t remember another hero in our dramas who changed so much and redefined his philosophy of life only because he fell in love. Falling in love with Anmol has changed Mohid in a good way. Although Anmol is a very bitter and rigid person who chooses to judge Mohid based on his first impression but Mohid very generously overlooks all her flaws and pays heed to every good advice that she gives him. Another characteristic of Mohid’s character that makes him stand out is that he is not at all judgmental. When he saw Anmol talking to that man on the street and later on when he overheard what she is saying on the phone, he did not for a second think that Anmol might be doing something wrong but he thought she probably needed his help and was not asking for it. It was only after Anmol made Mohid realize that he needed to take a stand for Sabiha that he decided he needed to do something for his sister. Mohid loves Anmol, he respects her but he is not blind to her flaws, he accepts and loves her for who she is which is something truly daring for a hero of a Pakistani drama!!! So yes!! after giving us so many strong female leads and supporting characters, Faiza Iftikhar has set a new precedent by giving us a hero who loves his wife unconditionally and is a very strong man who accepts a woman for who she is even though Anmol isn’t the perfect package. For once, the man in the relationship is doing more than the woman which is truly refreshing. Hamayun Saeed has translated this character flawlessly on screen and none of the other actors from the younger lot would have been able to add the kind of X-factor which he has added to this character. His manly aura definitely fits this character.
Anmol proved in tonight’s episode that she was quite capable of going out of her way to help someone by having that conversation with the doctor and making sure that Sabiha gets to keep her baby. The way everything worked in favor of Sabiha and Fazal was very convincing. It was also good to see Mohid’s mother worrying about what her son might think if he ever found out what she was about to do. She is the kind of person who does not like letting people down especially those who expect a lot from her down whether it is her son or those women who come to her to seek advice.
Anmol’s conversation with the maid in the beginning of the episode suggested that she was eager to know more about Mohid, it looked like she didn’t mind changing her opinion of him but the second the maid said things which would have given her a reason to change her mind, she decided to end the conversation. What is Anmol afraid of?? Is she afraid of being proven wrong? Is she scared of finding out that Mohid isn’t such a bad person after all? Later on her conversation with her sister suggested something completely different. Somehow Anmol wants to hold on to the first impression she had of Mohid. Anmol’s conversation with the nurse and Dastagir’s curiosity to find out what was going on might lead to another big misunderstanding between Mohid and Anmol. Although Mohid told Dastagir that he didn’t want him to follow Anmol but Dastagir is so eager to solve Mohid’s problems that he will continue investigating and he might end up with the wrong kind of information.
Anmol keeps you guessing – one minute it looks like she might soften up but the next minute she is seen planning an escape! Right now Mohid just wants to see Anmol happy, he is not focusing on winning her over. Anmol’s character is also very interesting, she is very rigid but she proved yet again that sometimes she uses this strength to help people too. Had Anmol not found Fazal and talked to the doctor, things would have been very different. Mehwish Hayat owns her character, I love her confidence and the fact that she knows exactly what is expected from her. Saba Hameed is another actress who adds something new to every role she plays, she is a natural and a very powerful performer.
This was a beautiful episode, beautifully written, beautifully shot and brilliantly acted out. The productions values and direction of this drama has been top-notch. Every episode of Dil Lagi is a visual treat filled with meaningful conversations and powerful performances. Another aspect of this play which makes it very enticing is the fact that the story is very unpredictable.
How many of you watched this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about it.
Syra Shahroz and Shahroz Sabzwari’s beautiful daughter, Nooreh just turned two. Last year, the star couple threw a great party to celebrate their daughter’s first birthday. This year, they celebrated her birthday with close friends and family. Nooreh is an angel! May she have many many more :)
Adnan Malik’s recent interview with HPF Magazine is one of the best interviews I have read in a while. Adnan Malik’s thoughtful responses to all the questions make for an interesting read. Here you go:
Adnan Malik confessed that he is a curious and keen observer of life. My passion for various forms of creative expression are outlets for these observations. Hence, in one lifetime I think I can be a director, an actor, a writer, a photographer, a traveler, an activist, a nature lover, a philanthropist or anything else that excites me.
What inspires him? ”Anything that makes me wake up in the morning and feel invigorated, and anything that keeps me fulfilled, engaged and is in line with my ethical beliefs is what I’m all about!”
”In certain situations I’m a self starter and in others I need a push. When I was younger, I think I was more in my head and would get caught up in inertia. I would overthink and paralyze myself.”
”I’m motivated by things that I believe in. Things that feel right. I used to be very heady, but I’ve really focused on my instinct now and use my gut to make decisions. So whatever feels authentic and right for my journey, is what I follow.”
About his goals in life, ”I have smaller goals and then one big holistic goal: which is to live a full, satisfying, rich life in which I can also benefit those around me. There’s no point getting everything you want, if everyone around you is dissatisfied. True happiness is shared and collective.”
It is no secret that Adnan Malik is a lover of nature because of which he loves to travel. ”I love traveling! My favorite film professor in College always said, “traveling is the single most effective way to become a better storyteller”. I love seeing the world and how people live. How people are different and how, ultimately, they are all the same. My job(s) allow me to travel a lot, whether its acting or directing!”
Adnan Malik made his acting debut with Sadqay Tumhare. Khalil ur Rehman’s script and the character of Khalil moved him, and in order to portray that character, he worked really hard. ”For Sadqay Tumhare, I watched old Amitabh films for research, I read Stanford Meisner’s classic book “On acting”, I designed my own wardrobe etc. In Gypsy, I even art directed my character’s room and brought all these props from my house and my production company. I needed his room to actually feel like the character’s room and since I had so many props that I believed Sikander would use, I just designed my room myself.”
When asked about the most exciting projects that he’s been a part of, he talked about three projects. He revealed that his personal favourite is his short film, Bijli about a Muslim transgender in New York that won the ”Best Short Film” award at the KARA Film Festival, Delhi Digital Film Festival, and was also a finalist the student academy awards in the US.
Also, not many people know that Adnan Malik was the video producer for Coke Studio from season 2-6. He spoke highly of Rohail Hyatt. ”Being the Video Producer for Coke Studio for 5 years, from season 2-6 was amazing! Rohail and Amber were amazing people to work with. I learnt a lot from Rohail about project management, music, video, spiritual and personal growth! I also got to work with a visionary brand: Coca Cola; developed a world class product that has made Pakistan proud, and collaborated with the best artists of this country!”
And then of course, Sadqe Tumhare is a highlight of his career. ”I think I lived as Khalil for at least a year after the shooting ended. It was a very profound experience for me to play that character!”
Talking about his work as a director, ”Directing comes very naturally to me! I really love it! I love directing commercials and music videos and cant wait to direct a film soon, Insha Allah! I love being the team leader and working with different departments to create “experiences” for viewers. I love working with my team!”
And about acting, ”Acting is very challenging and demands a very different part of me. I love losing and finding myself in a character and being part of a greater story. It’s amazing to “recreate” a life through your voice, body and actions.”
Wishing him all the best for his upcoming drama, Gypsy!
In an interview with Express Tribune a while back, Yasir Hussain revealed that he will be working on a Bollywood rom-com flick, ‘‘The director of this Indian film is a Pakistani guy Rizwan. I can’t disclose the title just yet, but for now I can tell you that it is being produced by an Indian chap called Gulraiz. The cast is essentially a ‘mixed plate’, which consists both, Pakistani as well as Indian actors. The shoot will take place in Mumbai and I will be flying off to India in about three days’ time for almost a week.”
Recently, Yasir Hussain and Sami Khan posted a few pictures to announce that they have arrived in Mumbai, India. Since Yasir Hussain mentioned that the cast of the said Bollywood movie includes both Pakistani and Indian actors, we can guess that Sami Khan and Yasir Hussain will be working on this project together.
Noman Ejaz seems to have entered into some sort of an exclusive contract with A Plus. After the fiasco Bhai, he’s now back in Dumpukht- Atish -e-Ishq. The title of the drama sounds like the name of a cooking show since dumpukht happens to be a cooking technique. The story begins with Kulsoom (Sonia Mishal) who belongs to a very conservative household comprising of her parents, younger brother, Chacha, Chachi and their daughter and Phupo’s son. Kulsoom is prepping for her exams and a next-door-neighbour, Khala (Saba Faisal) is her tutor. Khala is a divorcee and her son Bilal left her at the tender age of 12 to live with his father. Kulsoom’s family strongly believe in Peer Sahab (Noman Ejaz)- whether it is a business decision or a personal one, they consult Peer Sahab on all affairs. Kulsoom grew up in this environment and never questions their faith but Khala doesn’t think on the same lines and shrugs off the suggestion of getting a taweez to ensure her son’s safe return.
Without her knowledge, Kulsoom decides to secure a taweez from Peer Saheb’s wife despite a fair warning that the boy will come for her not his mother. Billo (Bilal) returns home and finds himself drawn to Kulsoom and she too feels a fatal attraction…
A soothing soundtrack, new faces and a different backdrop yet the story remains that of a dusri shadi. Written by Zafar Miraj (the mastermind behind the catastrophic Ashk and Sangat) and directed by Kashif Nisar (Khuda Zameen Se Gaya Nahin Hai, Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahin, Dooriyan), the drama is produced by Moomal Entertainment. This team last worked together on Sangat which was a disaster of epic proportions. Kashif Nisar has directed some fine work but he’s also directed some pretty disappointing dramas. Zafar Miraj has yet to come up with a script that gets noticed for being unique and interesting. Will Dumpukht be his chance at redemption?
The soundtrack is definitely on my playlist. What do you think?
When we talk about Pakistani celebrities that made it big in Bollywood, Ali Zafar is one of the first names that comes to mind. Ali Zafar has worked with some of the best Indian directors. These days, there’s quite some buzz about Karan Johar’s upcoming film, Dear Zindagi, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles. Ali Zafar is playing a supporting character along with Aditya Roy Kapoor.
Recently, Ali Zafar was spotted at a gathering hosted by Shah Rukh Khan.
With Lux Style Awards 2016 just around the corner, all the people associated with it are prepping for the big day with great enthusiasm since its the most anticipated and hyped-up award show covering all the fields from drama and film to fashion and music.
Some pictures were shared earlier and here are some more:
Teri Meri Love Story (تیری میری لو اسٹوری) is an Urdu film directed by Jawwad Bashir. It is the second film directed by Jawwad Bashir, where the horror film Maya released last year in June 2015 was his first film.
Jawwad Bashir a multi-talented person is mainly known for directing sitcoms, music videos and Ufone commercials. He was also part of a music band Dr. Aur Billa active in 1990s and also acted in various sitcoms.
Ushnah Shah, Omer Shahzad, Leyla Zuberi are making their debut on big screen from this film.
Cast: Salman Shahid,Leyla Zuberi,Mohib Mirza,Uzma Khan,Ushna Shah,Mohsin Abbas Haider,Ahmed Abdul Rehman,Omer Shahzad,,Hassan Khan & Jawad Bashir
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: 2 September 2016
Director of Photography:Farhan Golden
Production Designer:Sami Ullah
First Assistant Director:Ahmed Waqas
Choreographer:Nigah Hussain
Music By:Afzal Hussain & Ahsan Pervez
Hair Make up & Styling :Madiha Qaiser
Wardrobe:Hira Zeeshan
Wardrobe Consultant :Roshanay Ghumman
Co Producer:Muhammad Ehtisham
Produced by :Summit Entertainment
Written by:Jawad Bashir & Ahmed Abdul Rehman
Directed by :Jawad Bashir
Distributed by: Summit Entertainment
Here is the trailer released today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx6j-gq9wFs
Hmm so 24 episodes down and we finally learn Mehtaab’s story. Her first husband was apparently going to go ahead with marrying another woman, a singer and although it is unclear whether he actually did marry her or not but Mehtaab did not marry Yusuf till a year after her first husband’s death. As Zainy says that ‘zehn par paray parday hatt gaye’ but there are still a few questions in my mind such as what was in the letter her father had penned then? Had he fabricated a story that Zainy ended up believing or was it only half the story? Or was the letter even from her father in the first place?
Yusuf and Sherry’s conversations are interesting. I have to admire how Yusuf has stepped up to fulfil his role as a father after Mehtaab’s death and to not let Zainy feel she is alone. Sherry was always Zainy’s saviour but with Mehtaab’s death, his heart seems to have hardened against Zainy. He accuses his father of ‘spoiling’ Zainy again and feels she is responsible for Mehtaab’s death for causing her all the grief and pain that she did. When Yusuf tells him to let things go, his ‘puraani baat ussay dekhtay he nayee ho jaati hai’ made me wonder whether he was referring to the love he felt for Zainy or the anger over Mehtaab’s death that resurfaces when he sees her but the last scene where we hear his thoughts out loud make it very clear that he is still in love with Zainy.
Ahmer has taken a rigid stance against Zainy’s family. He was all for trying to make amends when he was hoping to see some cash somewhere but I suppose Mehtaab’s provident fund was ample enough to do away with that urge. Where he shares contentedly his feelings over his family’s gathering, he flares up when Zainy mentions hers. Pehlay they were all her father’s ‘qaatil’ now they are all minus Mehtaab – Mehtaab’s qaatil. Sigh. However much I do not like Ahmer spewing venom and standing in the way of Zainy and her ‘other’ family – I feel he does have a point with regards to the relationship with Sherry. No, I am not siding with dhakiyanoos Ahmer but his ‘bhai kaunsa wala – jiss say shaadi honay wali thi’ did hit a bit too close to home. Yes, cousins are often ‘bhai’ before marriage but the oscillating between Sherry bhai and then the conversations about honeymoon with Abba in tow and then flashbacks in this episode regarding ‘bad omens’ left me all confused – Ahmer tau phir Ahmer hai!
Where Ahmer is all loud, emotional and outspoken, Sherry is just as quiet, introverted and unwilling to share his thoughts with others. He spends hours in Mehtaab’s room, looking at her things and lost in old memories. Abba worries and feels he should move on but Novera took things a bit far by taking matters into her own hands and instructing Liaqat chacha to box up Mehtaab’s belongings and give them to the poor. Whether it was time to give away Mehtaab’s things or not – it was not her call to make, despite her ‘yeh mera bhi ghar hai’ squeaky speech. Yusuf, Mehtaab and Sherry all put together do not feel as angry and righteous about what Zainy has done than this Novera alone does. True, her actions are spurned by her fear of losing Sherry to Zainy but then she has always known he loves Zainy and she was well aware of that when she married him. Also, why has Sherry suddenly returned from Islamabad? Why the secrecy over why Novera has not come back? Is she coming back?!
Zainy’s mission to now mend the ‘bridge’ between both families seems quite idealistic. In my opinion, there is nothing really to mend. Mehtaab is gone, her ex husband is gone, Abba has forgiven Zainy – all she really needs is Ahmer to stop forbidding her to meet her family and how she plans to change that I do not know. When she walked back into her home I did think for a moment maybe she would be able to strengthen Sherry and Novera’s relationship and change Ahmer’s way of thinking and remain happy with him but upon learning that Novera is absent from the scene – I wonder if Zainy is destined to end up with Sherry. Sherry is angry and refusing to speak to Zainy but his wishy washy ‘ I hate you Zainy’ at the end was anything but convincing.
Zainy has won Abba over and I do not think it will be long when she will be able to win Sherry over again. What really holds my interest at this point is wondering where does this all go from here? Ahmer’s greed and disrespect for Zainy’s family and his insecurity over Sherry ‘bhai’ can not possibly disappear overnight? While it is nice to see Zainy have Yusuf’s support and love again and flourish in that love, what kind of future does she have in that household with Novera around? She is frustrated with Ahmer but she does not hate him as yet and although he is stubborn, he does show concern for her at times such as when he asked her what was wrong as he felt she had been crying etc? I am glad more screen time has been given to Sherry’s character again as I feel Agha Ali has fit into this role so well and his scenes are a treat to watch. The chemistry and unspoken feelings between him and Seher Afzal have been done so well especially in the graveyard last episode and when Zainy returns to her house in this one. I really like this aspect of Yusuf’s character where he is there for Zainy but even though he detests Ahmer and Co he still does not try to poison her or lead her astray as he says she should tell her husband where she is going etc. I love how the director has not tried to include any unnecessary characters and Phuppo and Taayi are not given more screen time than necessary so that the focus does remain on the main characters.
I suppose the drama will be wrapped up within the next couple of episodes which will be good because I would hate for it to be dragged out now. What did you all make of this episode? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Arth 2 is a remake of Mahesh Bhatt’s Indian film, Arth. It is directed, written and co-produced by Shan Shahid. The cast includes Shan himself, Mohib Mirza, Humayun Saeed, Humaima Malik and Uzma Hassan.
The hype surrounding this movie had died down but recently Shan and Yasir Hussain shared some pictures and it’s revealed that Yasir Hussain will be making a cameo in Arth 2.
Also, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Imran Momina aka Emu have lent their vocals for the soundtrack of Arth 2.
Ohkay so, these two episodes of Deewana were comparatively slow & didn’t offer much in regards to the development of the story. I really hope they don’t take things slow from now on & don’t compromise on the pace because such stories need to move on at a certain pace to keep the interest of the viewers alive. For the first time, I actually felt that the episodes were not ending & found a lot of scenes a bit too stretched & boring.
Falak & Mehru stayed in Lahore for a week but I don’t really understand why because they didn’t have any reason to be there for so long. Mehru gave Haris the answer he never expected & then Falak gave her some amazing memories to cherish for the rest of her life, so after that they should’ve returned because they are mature enough to know that their families must be worrying sick for them.
Shama has started to feel something odd about Falak & his entire family, also the sudden arrival of Shams left her bewildered but her mind was already pre-occupied with the thoughts about Mehru that she didn’t question him much. Husn Ara was just as clueless as Shama was but all she could advice Shama was to be patient. I somehow feel a lot more for Husn Ara because she is not only worried about Falak but she is concerned about Mehru too as she knows the reality of her son, she also knows that Agha could harm Falak & also, she knows how inappropriate it is for Falak to be with Mehru because he can develop feelings for Mehru which most certainly shouldn’t happen. Shama being a mother of Mehru obviously suffers a lot but being oblivious of Falak’s reality actually is a blessing in disguise for her, whereas when it comes to Husn Ara, that’s not the case as she has so much more to be afraid of.
Amtul & Tabrez went ahead with Haris’s wedding because Mehru’s arrival actually came as a shock to them too & they wanted to take some immediate measures that would close the doors of any reconciliation between Mehru & Haris. When I saw Amtul feeding negativity in Haris’s mind once again, I actually felt sorry for her because I felt that it was the only purpose of her life & it actually is sad to see someone so purposeless & blind. I actually liked the way Shama spoke to Amtul, it was a confidence that she gained after she learned about the fact that Mehru slapped Haris. It was actually good to see the sense of pride in Shama for the first time because what Mehru not only served as a closure to her but it empowered her mother emotionally too. Shama has always held her head high but for the first time, her words were backed by a strong stand that her daughter took for herself & for her entire family. Mehru decided to restore her dignity & pride but indirectly, it uplifted the morale of her mother too, which once again made me feel that Mehru was stronger than she actually thinks of herself to be.
I am not sure what was Shabnam trying to achieve when she called Kashaf. Yes, Shabnam did want Gaiti to get married to Haris but she knows that Gaiti was never into him & she already has started having feelings for Falak more, so Shabnam’s call to Kashaf seemed unjustified, however, the reaction of Kashaf that followed seemed justified because she had just learned that Haris was already married to his cousin & he had been lying to her all this while. Haris ran away because he was humiliated once again but unfortunately, this is what he deserves – getting insulted time & again by everyone around him because he lacks a backbone & also it was a karma that came back & bit him.
Falak & Mehru came back & got the welcome they both actually deserved for being missing for quite a considerable amount of time. Shama & Husn Ara’s reactions were justified & expected but what actually came as a shock was Mehru’s reaction to just a simple question that Husn Ara was entitled to ask. Falak’s presence in Mehru’s life has affected her more than Falak himself realizes, that is why Husn Ara straight away blamed him for what Mehru was going through. I am sure this is the time when Falak will realize how much he loves Mehru as he won’t be able to see her in pain.
Overall, these two episodes were strictly alright because they didn’t really offer much because where a few scenes seemed a bit repetitive, other few seemed stretched & never-ending. Anyways, the preview of the next episode actually looks exciting, looks like things will get complicated for Mehru & Falak & may be it will bring them closer to each other as well. Like always, the acting of all the actors was amazing in these episodes too & so was the direction, the only thing that put me off was the slow pace but I am sure things are about to get interesting in the episodes to come. Please share your thoughts about these episodes of Deewana.
AhaMaya Ali has been working with Maria B for quite some time now. Recently she graced the cover of a fashion magazine and showed off Maria B’s new collection.
This was another flawless episode of Mein Sitara and the perfect start to this second season. The opening scene of this episode summed up Sitara’s journey from Surraya to Sitara. After her parents left her, she had Jharna’s support, love and guidance which she treasured more than anything else but because of her bad luck and a few mistakes she lost that forever. Even though Sitara did not stay in the film industry for too long but the few months she spent in the film industry taught her that she has talent and even after everything that happened, she managed to pick up the broken pieces of her life and tried her best to put them back together. She went out looking for work but this time around she does not have the kind of support Jharna and Farhad gave her, she is all alone and her background is going to be a big hindrance in her path. Also, the constant pressure from her father in particular is likely to disillusion her further as was evident from the preview of the next episode.
Sitara started off with looking for work, then she went to see Jharna but failed in doing both. Even though the odds are strongly against Sitara but in this episode she proved that she is still as strong and focused as she always was. Everyone in Sitara’s house is banking on her to earn a living because her father in particular was always someone who preferred shortcuts. The only reason her parents brought her back was so that she could earn for them. Sitara’s father’s proposal did not come as a surprise at all, he will make Sitara do anything it takes to earn money.
All the wonderful characters we were introduced to in the beginning of this drama are now victims of fate more than anything else. None of them deserved to be so unhappy but the recent twists in the drama have made it even more interesting and I must say very realistic too. While most people view the life of people associated with this industry to be very charming and full of perks, the reality is that there are many women in particular like Sitara who are confronted with situations which are beyond their control. Sitara has been tagged ‘manhoos’ and her relationship with Jamal has also effected her reputation negatively therefore she will have to find someone who can support her. Sitara faced rejection everywhere she went but she has still not given up on her dream. Naseem Dil Ruba and Jamal continued to plot and plan like always, making sure that Sitara never gets to make a comeback.
Just like all the previous episodes of Mein Sitara, this one too made it very easy for me to relate to all the characters, their stories and most importantly their struggles. Jharna has lost everything, her status and her husband. Farhad has lost his senses and Sitara is lost in her own way. Everyone gave brilliant performances yet again but this episode belonged to Saba Qamar. Faiza Iftikhar has written every character and their stories realistically and the director has done complete justice to this amazing script. There wasn’t a single scene in tonight’s episode which seemed out of place or unnecessary. Mein Sitara is one of the most intelligently written and executed dramas on air right now which constantly gives you reasons to look forward to more excitement and drama. It also gives all the actors involved an opportunity to put their acting skills to good use. Pakistani drama industry is blessed with some amazing actors but unfortunately most of them like Mikaal Zulfiqar and Aisha Gul in particular do not always get the opportunity to showcase their talents because they most often become victims of typecasting.
The writer and the director in my opinion have not only done the viewers a great service by taking a risk and experimenting but they have also done these actors a huge favor for choosing them for these roles. Mikaal Zulfiqar hasn’t stood out this much in any other role other than the one he played in Durr-e-Shahwar. Aisha Gul got noticed for the first time because of Jharna’s character and even Saba Qamar got the opportunity to play a character which has so many different shades.
The preview of the next episode showed that Sitara will end up doing something she never intended to because of a family emergency. Although all the tracks in this story are very interesting but Sitara’s journey has always been the major part of this drama and the most entertaining one too mostly because of the way all her feelings and thoughts are always shown so clearly in every episode. Mein Sitara continues to be one of those rare dramas which stays with you long after you’re done watching a certain episode.
How many of you watched this latest installment of Mein Sitara? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it.
Revenge (بدل) of the Worthless is an Urdu film based on the events of 2009 Swat insurgency.
The music of the film comprises of five songs and its music is composed by Mehdi Raza. Four of the film songs are in Pashto, while one song is based on the classical raga of Indian classical music.
Revenge (بدل) of the Worthless is an Urdu film based on the events of 2009 Swat insurgency. Seasoned artist Firdose Jamal is playing the role of Sufi Muhammad a local political figure of Swat and Ayub Khoso is playing the role of a Taliban leader who leads the terrorist activities under his banned organization Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The film depicts a brutally disfigured cultural narrative of a land with the enviable cultural heritage highlighting the heroic struggle of a few unsung heroes during 2009 Swat Insurgency.
Jamal Shah plays the lead, Zarak Khan, whose wife and two daughters refuse to leave their ancestral home. They decide to fight the invaders, along with their household staff. Tragedy leads to the end of Zarak Khan, three servants, and one daughter
Jamal Shah who also directed the film is also playing an important role as the head of the family which stood against the terrorism of TTP. Famous artist Noor Bukhari has a cameo appearance in the film.
The film was due to release on 15th January 2016 and before that scheduled to release in May 2015 but delayed both times due to different reasons. The film is shot in scenic Swat valley.
Film: Revenge of the Worthless (بدل)
Starring : Jamal Shah, Ayub Khoso, Firdaus Jamal, Shamyl Khan, Maira Khan, Emel Karakose ,Asif Shah, Asaldin Khan, Imran Tareen, Iram, Shehrbano, Abdur Raheem, Najeebullah Anjum,Tariq Jamal Arshad, Sultan, Kaleemullah, Qazi Zubair,Wafa Khan, Rafique and Marjan
Release Date: July 22, 2016
Music: Mehdi Raza
Directed By: Jamal Shah
Cinematographer : Aamir Tehseen Rao
Written By: Jamal Shah
Screenplay By: Jamal Shah
Produced By: Amna Shah for Hunerkada Films
Genre: Action Drama
In March 2015, customs officials arrested supermodel Ayyan Ali at Islamabad airport, upon recovering $506,800 from her luggage. Ayyan later denied any role in money laundering. She was released from Adiala prison in Rawalpindi after spending almost four months in detention.
Today, a court in Rawalpindi issued arrest warrants for Ayyan in connection with the killing of a customs inspector who would have been a key prosecution witness in the money laundering case against her.
The court ordered police to arrest the accused immediately. Warrants have also been issued for others accused in the case, including customs superintendent Zargham and Dr Haroon.
Customs Inspector Chaudhry Ejaz Mahmood would have been the key prosecution witness in the money laundering case. Mahmood was in charge of the PIA cargo air freight unit (AFU) state warehouse at Benazir Bhutto International Airport in 2015 and was the person that took official custody of the currency recovered from Ayyan in March 2015. He was shot dead by two unidentified men last year.
The inspector’s wife told the police that some men threatened to kill Mahmood if he failed to make false entries in the official record to weaken the case against Ayyan and relieve her of the charges. Mahmood’s brother Chaudhry Riaz Afzal also recorded his statement before the police.
Ayyan was released but now, a Rawalpindi court has issued arrest warrants and according to the orders, Ayyan needs to be presented in the court within a month.
The latest pictures of Mahnoor Baloch got us wondering how a grandmother of one can possibly look so young and fresh. No, she is not a vampire ;) and in a recent interview with Dawn Images, she shared a few beauty and fitness tips.
“Always cleanse and moisturise before going to bed. Also, sunblock is a must.”
“Drinking plenty of water, having health supplements, and working out at least 30 mins a day, 5 days a week.”
Some of the supplements she takes are Ester-C, alpha-lipoic acid, ashwagandha, magnesium and salmon oil.
Mahnoor Baloch revealed that she follows a strict diet. “I’ve cut out sugar, wheat, and processed foods from my diet.”
According to the evergreen beauty, it’s okay to eat sugar once in three months.
Her breakfast includes a vegetable omelette, coupled with yogurt and a brown rice roti, followed by a lunch consisting of chicken, veggies with brown rice roti or brown rice. She recommends using coconut oil in food and quinoa.
Janaan is a much anticipated movie all set to release on Eid-ul-Azha. The makers have worked hard on the soundtrack of the film. Ahmed Ali is the music director and Indian composers Salim-Sulaiman have also contributed to the soundtrack. Shreya Goshal is the most followed and sought-after female singer and she has lent her vocals for the soundtrack of Janaan. Along with her, the very talented Armaan Malik has also contributed to the soundtrack. This isn’t the first time a Pakistani film is featuring songs sung by Indian artists – in Bin Roye, Rekha Bhardwaj, Harshdeep Kaur and Ankit Tiwari lent their vocals.
The makers of Janaan insist that the film will be a positive and colourful representation of Pakhtun culture, and according to the producer and music director, the soundtrack will also reflect the same thing, although there is only one Pashto song. Ahmed Ali revealed, ”The background score is a mix of Pashto and western, to bring out the essence of the narrative.”
The iconic poem, Reidi Gul (Poppy flower) penned by Ghani Khan is also part of the soundtrack. “Reidi Gul has a spiritual impact, you see. It is rebellious and speaks of finding yourself amidst the crowd … you being unique. It also says that love always wins, which resonates in our story as the film is about love and family. Therefore, we have used the poem in a song for it connects to the film and our land.”
According to Imran Raza Kazmi, ”There are some things in the script that relate to Ghani’s poetry.”
“It is purely a Pakistani story through which we aim to break stereotypes. I think the Pukhtuns are misunderstood. There are a lot of misconceptions about the people and we want to bring a truer, more beautiful picture of them to the larger Pakistani audience.”
About working with Indian composers and singers, Ahmed Ali said, ”It was great! A totally different experience because they brought something very unique to the table.”
Armeena is a very well-loved actress and after projects like Muhabbat Ab Nahe Hogi and Bin Roye, she has gained a great fan following. Her film, Janaan is coming out on Eid-ul-Azha.
Armeena interacted with her fans on Twitter using the hashtag #AskArmeena. A lot of questions poured in. Fans were curious to know about her favourite actors. When asked about favourite Lollywood actors, Armeena named her co-stars, Bilal Ashraf and Ali Rehman Khan. Armeena spoke highly of Noman Ijaz as a TV actor and said that his performance in Mera Saeein was exceptional. Armeena absolutely adores Mawra and even said that Mawra is her favourite actress in Pakistan. At the moment, Armeena’s favourite drama is Udaari and she also enjoys watching Zara Yaad Kar and Tum Kaun Piya.
Armeena has worked on quite a few films including Bin Roye, Yalghaar, a British film and a Bollywood film, but so far she enjoyed the most working on Janaan. About her experience working on Janaan, she revealed that there were ups and downs but the positives outweigh the negatives. She also spoke highly of Osman Khalid Butt and confessed that he is most down-to-earth person she has ever worked with.
Armeena did a project in Bollywood and fans were interested to know if she would be accepting any offers from Bollywood in future. Armeena made clear that at the moment, her priority is Pakistan and any offer from India would have to be in accordance with her values.
Armeena revealed that aside from acting and modelling, she also runs her own investment company.
Here are some interesting things she shared about herself:
Armeena confessed that her father is her biggest inspiration. She shared a nice childhood memory:
For the FDCI Indian Couture Week (ICW), India’s most successful fashion designer, Manish Malhotra chose Fawad Khan and Bollywood (and now Hollywood, too) diva Deepika Padukone as his showstoppers. This is no small feat for Fawad Khan and it only goes to show that be it acting or modelling, Fawad Khan is a force to reckon with.
The fashion event was held at the Taj Place in New Delhi earlier today.
