Dekho Chand Aya is the latest project Aijaz Aslam production and will air on Geo everyday throughout the month of Ramadan. The cast includes Sarah Khan, Ayesha Toor, Naveed Raza, Fawad Jalal, Sajid Hassan, Fariya Hassan amongst others.
It is directed by Najaf Bilgrami who is also the director behind ARY’s Tum Meri Ho (another production of Aijaz Aslam) and written by Farida Masroor.
Hamza Ali Abbasi and Ayesha Khan are hosting the Ramadan show, Ramzan Humara Emaan which airs on AAJ TV.
Today, Sana Javed came to the show. Have a look at the pictures:
Celebrities are active on instagram and other social media accounts.In light of the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan, celebrities wished their fans Ramadan Mubarak.
Have a look:
Azfar Rehman posted a cute picture of his niece:
There is no doubt that Minal Khan and Aiman Khan are the most loved celebrity sisters in the industry. They have a massive fan following which they always enjoy. Both these sisters have been working on television for a long time but now that they are older and there are more opportunities because of the private channels they are seen more often in dramas. Aiman Khan has not only worked in dramas but at this young age she also made her film debut by making a special appearance in the film Manto.
Aiman and Minal love sharing their pictures with their fans. These young and talented twins never let their hectic routine get in the way of their social life. They are seen looking beautiful in all the social events. Recently Aiman and Minal experimented with their dressing time by letting Maria B. design something Western and Trendy for them. Aiman and Minal are very close to one another, they are not only sisters but also friends. Some twin sisters try their best to look different from each other but as you can see in these pictures these two sisters love wearing identical outfits and they enjoy each others company.
Here are the latest pictures of Aiman and Minal Khan.
All the forced emotional scenes fell flat in this latest episode even with all the dramatic background score and mere shauhar ne mujhe ghr se nikal diya dialogues. On the contrary few of the scenes and situations were hilarious. For instance Jeena trying to ‘distract’ Salahuddin when he saw Mannu in the kitchen. It was a ‘vo dekho chirya’ sort of a scenario!!! Also, while Aba could barely breathe, everyone around him failed to notice that he was dying until the conversation ended! Mannu’s interest in Salahuddin’s love life makes her character annoying! If she still loves this man, she should just go ahead and marry him. She is a hypocrite who is constantly trying to prove that she loves her husband when actually she never got over Salahuddin. I must say though that Maya Ali unlike Hamza Ali Abbasi has tried her best to make the viewers feel for her character. The twists and turns in tonight’s episode were unconvincing to say the least.
Mannu and Salahuddin ‘love’ (fixation) for each other is supposed to be the integral part of this ‘beautiful love story’ but I am certain I am not the only one who has a very difficult time relating to their ‘undying love’! Mannu has been through so much but when she looked at Salahuddin and Jeena tonight, when actually she should have been trying to hide from them, she is reminded of their last meeting – which wasn’t really the last one! So, Mannu expects this man to be ‘sincere’ to her even now when she is married and has two kids! Mann Mayal’s story primarily revolves around Salahuddin and Mannu’s chance meetings in which they are reminded of their love for each other and then most often Mannu goes back to ‘disowning’ Salahuddin!! Salahuddin has made a lot of stupid decisions in his life but getting engaged to Jeena had to be the stupidest of them all!! Hamza Ali Abbasi looks confused and annoyed most of the times, as if he isn’t sure what is expected from him. Salahuddin’s character is the weakest link in this drama.
Mannu does not deserve an ounce of sympathy, some might call all that she ‘endured’ her hosla but that is exactly the reason why her problems are self-created! Even today, she could have asked her parents to send her a plane ticket or maybe some money – easy paisa to Jameel?? But she continued saying things like she didn’t want to be a burden on them! A statement like that sounded really strange coming from someone like Mannu who lived with a husband who did not only consider her a burden but also an irritant in his life. Mannu’s self-respect surfaces whenever it is not needed and she becomes a door-mat when it is time to protect herself! Mannu is not a role model in any way, she is a stubborn girl who likes feeling sorry for herself. She has the option of going back to her parents any time she wants but she decides to live with Mikael – still not sure why!
Mann Mayal has weak characters who have not changed in all these years. Mannu might be living a tragic life but has she really grown as a person? Salahuddin’s actions today – putting that ring on Jeena’s finger – also proved that he has learned nothing from life. He still thinks relationships are a joke. Mannu’s father’s phone call to Salahuddin also went to prove that he too had not changed one bit!!
The preview of the next episode showed that Jamil is the real hero in this play ;) Will Mikael finally divorce Mannu?? I really hope so since it won’t change much in Mannu’s life. Is it going to be another one of those ‘intelligent’ decisions by superman which will land Mannu in this situation or will it be a dream sequence? Can’t say I am dying to find out but I can say this that I am looking forward to this drama ending in the next 4 or 5 weeks!
How many of you watched this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about it.
Fatima Awan
Dua Malik is a talented TV host and singer. She is the sister of popular actors Humaima Malik and Feroze Khan, and is married to singer, Sohail Haider.
Recently, the family celebrated Dua Malik’s birthday. Here are a few pictures:
Sajal Ali and Feroze Khan wil be making their big screen debut with Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai. The details of the film and BTS pictures have already been shared. Now, the official first look has been rreleased.
Have a look:
It will be distributed by Geo Films.
Brilliant and beautiful, Sanam Saeed is one of the most well-liked actresses out there. Fans are waiting to see her in drama serial, Gypsy. Lately, she posed for Crimson Lawn.
Have a look at the lovely pictures:
Amir Khan and Faryal Makhdoom are one of the most powerful celebrity couples. Both these people have great aura and big goals. Amir Khan is a well known boxer who has always taken pride in the fact that he is a Pakistani. He and his wife keep in touch with their roots not only by helping people in Pakistan but by also being an active part of the world of glamour. Faryal Makhdoom is the international brand ambassador for the leading designer Sana Safinaz, they are also seen at shows and launches very often. She also has a cosmetic brand of her own.
Faryal Makhdoom and Amir Khan have a daughter Lamaisah who turned 2 last week. Lamaisah’s birthday coincided with her parents’ wedding anniversary which is why the function which was dedicated to their daughter’s big day was a grand affair. Faryal Makhdoom is also known as a style icon who gives beauty tips on her online blog. She got her dress for the party designed from the very famous designer Mina Hassan and her hair was done by Amir Naveed.
The function was attended by close family and friends. Here are the pictures of the invitation card and the function:
According to Brandsynario, Pakistani documentary, Flight of the Falcons has been shortlisted among the top 10 documentaries for the 2015 Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award for Television. The 45-minute-long documentary focuses on the educational struggle faced by girls in Pakistan.
It follows the journey of Sister Zeph, a Pakistani schoolteacher and her three students – 14-year-old Saira, 15-year-old Ayesha and 19-year-old Reena – as they tackle issues of grave concern such as child marriage, physical punishment and societal pressures to help women acquire education and eradicate illiteracy.
Conceived and directed by Shehzad Hameed, the documentary is produced by Infocus Asia and broadcasted by Channel News Asia.
The documentary won a gold medal at the New York Festivals in the category of ‘community portraits’. More power to them!
The inevitable happened in tonight’s episode and I must say that even with all the scenes which were supposed to be a ‘distraction’, this was an extremely upsetting episode which made it extremely difficult for me to detach myself from Zebu’s character in particular. I am certain that many other viewers like me could not help but think about all the Zebus out there especially those who never get any support at all. Zebu can never get over what has happened to her but she is lucky to have a mother who is by her side. There isn’t much Sajida can do for her daughter but at least she is there and she can ensure that what has happened never happens again but what about all those little girls and even boys out there who don’t have anyone to turn to? It would have been far better if that particular scene was much more subtle. A closed door and then threats afterwards would have been enough. Zebu’s state of mind was shown in such a way that the viewers could relate to the trauma every little child who goes through something so horrific must feel. What remains to be seen now is that whether Sajida will be able to figure out why Zebu was so upset all of a sudden and most importantly what is she going to do about it once she knows the truth. Laila Zuberi’s character will probably play a pivotal role in putting Imtiaz behind bars or helping Sajida take a step which would ensure that this man gets the punishment he deserves according to law. So far we have seen quite a few dramas in which rapists were not punished through courts but they either lost their mental balance or were shot in the end.
Imtiaz’s attitude towards Sajida changed in this episode because he wanted to make sure that she didn’t think he had anything to do with Zebu’s present condition. Sajida trusts Imtiaz blindly and she is convinced more than ever that Imtiaz genuinely loves her daughter. Ahsan Khan made me hate his character completely in tonight’s episode. He looked wicked in all the scenes and portrayed his character superbly on screen. It must not be easy playing such a dark character especially for a person who is used to playing the good guy most of the times. Samiya Mumtaz is also very convincing as a mother who has no clue that she leaves her daughter with a monster every day. The child star playing the role of Zebu has definitely breathed life into her character. I am certain that playing such a role for a girl her age must have been tough.
Meeran and Arsh’s track took a brand new turn with this episode. Arsh finally realized that he had hurt Meeran badly and ended up not only apologizing to her but also promised her that he will help her out as much as he can. Although Arsh’s outbursts have been terribly annoying but the way he admitted his mistake and decided to change his attitude towards Meeran was shown really well. Also, the dialogue about the change in Meeran’s behaviour after she moved to the city was an excellent addition because it summed up the reason for Meeran’s change in personality perfectly. While Sheedan is still as confident as she was back in the village, her daughter feel like she is not good enough – something that will change now that she has everyone’s support. Sheedan’s know-it-all attitude provided some comic relief in this episode too. Meeran’s character is very likeable so far; she is intelligent and sensitive. Urwa Hocane is doing complete justice to her role. Bushra Ansari has nailed every single scene as Sheedan. In tonight’s episode in particular Sheedan’s scenes were needed more than ever!
I have to admit, this episode was a difficult one to review because it was seriously disturbing. The preview of the next episode showed Meeran and Arsh working together as a team and Arsh admitting that Meeran was indeed very talented. Sometimes what a person needs the most is someone’s support who would have confidence in their abilities and they can achieve anything at all. Laila Zuberi’s character was also shown directly involved with the issue of child abuse therefore these two tracks are likely to meet at some point. It also suggested that Imtiaz’s intimidating tactics are not helping him keep Zebu quiet.
Do share your thoughts about this latest episode.
Fatima Awan
In the world of cricket, Wasim Akram is a legend. On his 50th birthday, he collaborated with Junaid Jamshed’s lifestyle brand, J. Fragrances to launch a perfume named 414 (the number of test wickets he has taken in 104 matches).
Mohammed Ali Mufti, the head of sales and marketing at J. Fragrances, raved about the legend, ”Wasim Akram is the the highest wicket taker in test cricket for Pakistan, having taken 414 wickets in 104 matches; We thought it would make for the perfect name for the perfume. He is a legend in all aspects — He’s a great sportsman but has also maintained the image of a responsible family man and that’s why we decided to pay tribute to him in this way.”
Many cricket stars including Imran Khan, Shahid Afridi, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Jacques Kallis sent their kind wishes to Wasim Akram.
The grand launch was a star-studded event held in Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi on 4th June 2016. Bushra Ansari was the host.
Have a look at the pictures:
Jumping on the bandwagon, Yasir Hussain who just wrapped up the shooting of his upcoming film, Lahore Say Agay, will be seen making his Bollywood debut.
Talking to Express Tribune, Yasir Hussain revealed, ‘‘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.”
This will a romantic comedy flick and some parts will be shot in Europe.
Yasir Hussain will continue to work in Pakistani films though. He has signed Yasra Rizvi’s Senti aur Mental, about which he says, “It’s a different kind of a rom-com, more like Zindagi Na Milay Gi Dobara. It is not entirely a romantic film. Bits and parts of it explore two individual lives at length in a very interesting manner.”
Best of luck!
Fawad Khan took the Indian audiences by storm. Both his films, Khubsurat and Kapoor and Sons have been well-received. In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, he shared how he feels about Pakistani actors working in Bollywood.
“I am happy, but I might just be a bit insecure, because I have been a mediocre representation of Pakistani talent. There is a wealth of talent back home. Seeing other Pakistani actors entering this market is a great feeling, and I wish them the very best in life. I think they will do much better than me.”
About Mahira and Saba Qamar stepping into the Bollywood industry, “I will be selfish to say, it is not an exciting time for me. I don’t differentiate between sexes. So, I feel they are as much of a competition to me [as any male actors].”
Fawad Khan admits that he is very selective about his projects. ”Honestly speaking, I am choosy. It’s (the process of film-making) time consuming, and I get tired very easily. I guess it’s the middle-class person in me who gets a little scared of all the flashlights and stardom. I am not in a hurry to reach anywhere; I am just enjoying the moment. If I was in hurry, I wouldn’t wait till 35. My policy is to work little, and to enjoy life.”
There have been rumours about Fawad Khan being a part of Salman Khan’s film, Jugalbandi. Fawad Khan doesn’t give a definite reply. ”I really can’t comment on that right now. Let’s just say that we have been in talks with a lot of people, maybe Jugalbandi is one of them. Nothing is concrete right now. Besides, I don’t like talking about anything until I haven’t penned it down on a piece of paper. When we are ready to make a public announcement, we will. As of now, we aren’t associated with anything.”
Oops. Seems like Ahmed Ali Butt is not the only one having an issue with the nominations of Lux Style Awards 2016. Ahmed Ali Butt wanted his nomination to be moved from Best Actor to the category of Best Supporting Actor.
Now, Ali Safina was nominated in the category of Best Supporting Actor for his work in film, Jalaibee. Through a Facebook post, Ali Safina expresses his gratitude to the people at LSA, but says that for him, the appreciation he gets from his fans is the biggest achievement and he wishes for nothing more. He also goes to highlight that he did not play a supporting character in Jalaibee and that his character was the main protagonist. LSA doesn’t get it right.
Here is his post:
With requests like these, it is becoming increasingly difficult to take LSA seriously. Such a shame. I don’t know what you are thinking, but what I am wondering is: who is next? :P
PEMRA is taking its work very seriously by taking action against channels and shows which violate its rules in any way. This time PEMRA issued a notice to Urdu1 after it got many complaints from viewers on twitter. The notice was issued because an Indian serial “Yeh Hein Mohabatein” which is airing on Urdu1 showed a scene which showed too much intimacy between the actors.
According to the notice the objectionable scene was shown in the episode which aired on June 1. The viewers who complained about these scenes showed their concerns because they watch dramas with their families and such scenes are inappropriate because they cannot be watched with family. The notice also mentioned that Urdu1 also was given a warning before when inappropriate scenes were shown in the drama “Aashiyana Meri Mohabbat Ka” which is a Turkish play.
Lahore Say Aagay (the spin off of Karachi Say Lahore)’s shooting successfully came to a close and it will be released across Pakistani cinemas in November 2016.
In an interview with Dawn Images, Yasir Hussain shared a bit about his experience and spoke highly of his co-star, Saba Qamar . “It was a great experience working with Saba Qamar because she is such a thorough professional. There’s so much I learned from her. She’s undoubtedly a brilliant actress but she is miles ahead of everyone else in professionalism.”
“I’d get tired on a outdoors shoot (which was 80% of the time) or while travelling between Lahore and Swat and Lahore and Islamabad. It was quite grueling and hectic. We were injured many times, sometime we fell and suffered cuts. But that woman didn’t budge.”
According to Yasir Hussain, this movie is even better than the first one. ”This film is better than the first one, especially the script.”
The talented actor shared his future plans. “Next year, I’m doing another film Senti Aur Mental with Yasra Rizvi and another in India that I can’t talk about right now. The shooting will be in Mumbai and I’ll be flying there next week. (armodexperiment.com) ”
Here are a few pictures from the wrap-up party:
This episode focused on Sabiha’s track just as much as it did on Mohid and Anmol’s. It seems like there is finally going to be some development in Sabiha’s track. The most important aspect of tonight’s episode was that Anmol revealed her true intentions behind ‘helping’ Sabiha. Anmol’s selfish reasons for asking Sabiha to take a stand for herself and do something against her mother and brother’s wishes were obvious in the previous episode as well but in this episode she made it quite clear that she did not want Sabiha to be happy, she only wanted to see Mohid and his mother suffering. It is ironic that Mohid has been able to convince everyone else in Anmol’s house that he only wants to make his marriage work and does not want to play games but Anmol is the only one who remains unconvinced. Mohid did not succeed in making Anmol confess that she was lying all along but it was definitely good to see her feeling annoyed and frustrated.
Anmol’s mother’s character has to be one of my most favorite characters in the play. She always makes sure that she tells Anmol why she is wrong with logic and reason. The viewers find it easy to connect to her because she is one of those very few on-screen mothers who do not want their daughters to make their marriages work because they are scared of people or what they will say. She knows that her daughter is at fault and that is the reason why she wants to make her realize that things are not the way she sees them.
The ‘supporting characters’ in this play have definitely been playing a very important role right from the start and except for Sabiha all of them are very interesting. Mohid’s mother has taken a backseat after realizing that Anmol will never listen to her – thankfully this track isn’t one of those typical saas-bahu tracks in which the saas feels that it is her mission in life is to make her bahu’s life hell!! I cannot praise Dastagir and Imran Ashraf enough; his love and sincerity for Mohid coupled with his amazing sense of humor makes his character one-of-a-kind. He is the sort of friend /brother/partner everyone wishes for and he comes with a very pleasant personality. Imran Ashraf’s acting has been top-notch right from the start. If he had gone overboard, this character wouldn’t have been as likeable as it is now. For the first time tonight, the viewers got to see Mishal and Dastagir having a ‘normal’ conversation and I must say that these two have made-for-each-other written all over them!!
Anmol continued to justify her actions based on everything that had happened in the past. While Mishal and her mother have forgiven, forgotten and moved on, Anmol finds it impossible to do so. The reality checks from her mother make her feel like a victim – she cannot tell why her mother cannot see that Mohid deserves to be miserable. These scenes in which Anmol’s mother tries to make her understand how wrong she is and Anmol reacts by crying or justifying her actions have been written beautifully and directed superbly. Mehwish Hayat is always very convincing in these scenes because of which I never have a problem relating to how Anmol feels, her expressions say it all! Anmol hasn’t questioned her actions ever even once therefore she finds it impossible to believe that her mother finds everything about her actions so wrong.
“Tumhare dil ki murad mei aise kisi sahare ke beghair puri kr du ga.” The scene in which Mohid gets up to get water and every other scene in which Anmol feels frustrated and scared was hilarious! I am sure I am not the only one who loves Mohid’s new found confidence. Hamayun Saeed makes you feel for his character and the fact that this character is so well written helps too! The opening scene at the shrine was beautifully shot yet again, the director Nadeem Baig made the most of this location. “Maaei tu sub ki sanjhi hoti hei” scene yet again proved that a good director and a good script can bring out the best in an actor! The actor we all found highly unimpressive as Asher in Gul-e-Rana manages to steal the show every time in this play! For the first time we saw a man being ‘accused’ of not being able to give his wife children – now that was something brand new which could only have come from someone like Sabiha’s mother! Saba Hameed continues to be faultless in every scene. Asma Abbas manages to fit into every role like it was written for her, she is very versatile and immensely talented.
This episode of Dil Lagi was entertaining; this drama has it all, the right kind of emotions and it makes you laugh! It isn’t easy writing or directing a play which is dead serious and funny at the same time. The emotions of the people in this drama are not a joke but the situations can be so funny most of the times. Mohid is fighting a real battle and he needs to win it, Anmol takes her ‘struggles’ very very seriously yet their scenes together are always funny in some way. Thank you team Dil Lagi for another remarkable episode.
How many of you watched this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about it.
Fatima Awan
P.S: Readers who want to discuss religious matters in particular are requested to find an appropriate forum online and discuss such matters there. This thread is only for drama serial Dil Lagi – just in case there is any confusion – and there is absolutely no need to drag religion into Mohid/Anmol’s relationship or anything else!!! I managed to discuss the whole episode without bringing Islam into the discussion, I am sure we can all do that.
Fawad Khan, the actor with the greatest fan following, is often seen in charity events and he is especially active when it comes to raising funds for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH).
Fawad Khan recently attended a fundraiser in Bahrain for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH).
He was welcomed with open arms and the response he received was delightful.
Namal Education Foundation (NEF) hosted its annual zakat dinner on Friday at a local hotel in Lahore. According to Dailytimes, the dinner was aimed at gathering donations for deserving students enrolled in the class of 2020. The donations which will be gathered will be routed through zakat fund to oay for educational expenses of deserving students. Namal has spent more than 261 Million Rupees on scholarships since 2008 and currently 90 percent of the student are on scholarships.
It was attended by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, TV actor Hamza Ali Abbasi, mountaineer brother and sister Samina baig and Mirza Ali Baig, model Rabia Butt among others.
Here are a few pictures from the event:
We know that Sana Javed will be making her debut with first-time director Aamir Mohiuddin’s film which is expected to release across Pakistani cinemas in August.
Sana Javed has now revealed that the other actors that will be seen in the movie are the very talented Gohar Rasheed and Bilal Ashraf. Gohar Rasheed has appeared in numerous dramas and films. On TV, we have seen him in some very popular dramas including Goya, Digest Writer, Shikwa, Aitraaz and the latest – Mann Mayal, where viewers loathe him as Mikail. On the big screen, Gohar Rasheed has appeared in Seedlings, Main Hoon Shahid Afridi, 021 and Jawani Phir Nahe Ani (cameo appearance).
I think we will be seeing a lot of Bilal Ashraf this year because he is part of many upcoming films including the much anticipated Janaan.
Talking to Dawn Images, the director of this film shared, “It is a film based on music, in which we are exploring the contrast between classical qawwali and modern pop music. A love story will join the
contrast.”
We wish the team all the best!
Zhalay Sarhadi is very well-known as a host and an actress but her fans know very little about her personal life. The trendy model and actress is not just a hardworking celebrity but she is also a very dedicated mother. Zhalay Sarhadi talked about motherhood while talking to Mag Weekly. She said that mother’s love transcends all other, this is something she realized only after she became a mother herself.
Zhalay Sarhadi daughter Anaya changed her life when she entered this world. Sharing her feelings Zhalay Sarhadi said,
“It was the most awaited change. I was always a responsible kid, but it was only after becoming a mother that I became completely organized, knowing what I exactly want from life. Now I’m very clear in my head with no confusion.”
Talking about her feelings for her daughter she said,
“She is the biggest joy I have and it’s not a cliché for she really is! She’s the most amazing child who doesn’t give me any trouble.”
Zhalay Sarhadi also said that she was a strict mother. She added,
“I’m not even the sort who is a friend to her kid. For parents who do that at such a young age, aren’t doing it right. She’s too young right now, but she’s not afraid of me.”
Here are some pictures of Zhalay Sarhadi’s photoshoot with her daughter Anaya:
Mira Sethi made her television debut with ARY’s Silvatein. She is quite a talented actress and we will be seeing her in upcoming drama serial, Gypsy, alongside Adnan Malik and Sanam Saeed. I am sure Sanam Saeed’s fans will be delighted to know that she is part of the cast.
In a recent interview with Dawn Images, Mira Sethi shared, “The most interesting thing about Gypsy is how all three characters are almost in a race to sacrifice deeply held longings for the sake of someone else’s love. In that sense, although Adnan Malik’s character is the obvious ‘gypsy’ in the story — he’s a photographer, a nomad — my character as well as Sanam’s are gypsies in their own way, in their desire to detach themselves from the people they love most.”
Mira makes no mention of Mawra so I am guessing that Mawra is no longer part of the cast.
The story involves a love triangle but since the drama is penned by Faiza Iftikhar, the viewers need not be afraid of this trope. “It is a baffling, maddening, and ultimately very sweet love triangle.”
Faiza Iftikhar’s plays always feature headstrong characters, and Gypsy is no different. “Most Pakistani dramas are centered around wailing women but Gypsy is different. It’s about three strong-willed people struggling to understand the nature of their own yearning.”
Oh my! A lot of us wondered why Mehtaab was so quiet about her past and now that the truth has begun to unravel, I am not surprised she was so mum about it. I do however think that there is more to the story and will not write off Mehtaab as the villain just yet but what an interesting twist for once if she really was the one at fault here. Sure did not see that coming!
Ahmer, with his ‘let me take your til and put it in my pocket’ and ‘hide your khushboo from the world’ is deep deeeeeep in love with Zainy. Please do not hate me for ridiculing those ‘romantic’ lines for I am a romantic at heart and fall for all the brooding, ‘eyes that speak volumes’ and even sigh at times at the age old ‘mein tumharay beghair nahin reh sakta’ but this til and khushboo business had to top the ‘Cheesy Lines Under The Guise of Romance’ charts!! And even though Munib Butt did not look very convincing saying those lines and seemed on the verge of laughing himself, it seems to work though for although Zainy keeps telling Ahmer that she can not be with him, she still loves him and is often lost in thought thinking about the moments she has spent with him.
Nigar and Novera – what a combo! Novera is like the match that would set the ticking bomb that is Nigar off – she just needs to find the right moment to say what she has to say and then let all hell break loose! I found it hilarious when Zainy says Novera has a crush on Sherry and when she tells her off for telling her for the umpteenth time how lucky she is was so spot on. I wonder why Nigar has not sat Novera down for a 1 to 1 for Novera sure as hell looks like she’s ready to spill the beans and then some! Nigar is not immune to Zainy’s aloofness and disinterest in the whole wedding preparations and does not mince words sharing her thoughts with Sherry. Zainy has decided that she can not play with her parents’ ‘izzat’ anymore and will marry Sherry thinking this is the right thing to do.
Ah, the bombshell! I am still wary of this latest development. Phuppo and Tayi’s conversation seems to suggest that Mehtaab had wronged her first husband and he kept quiet and forbid his family to talk about what happened. Ahmer listens in on the conversation and upon a search through his dead Chachu’s briefcase he finds a brown envelope which seems to hold a lot of answers. So did Mehtaab leave Zainy’s father for Yusuf Kamdar? Really?! I thought the whole ‘besharam aap, nahin besharam aap’ might end with Mehtaab slapping Zainy but it did not come to that. The look Yusuf gave Mehtaab and Zainy though seemed to suggest there may be some truth in what Zainy is accusing her mother of but we will have to wait and see. I thought it odd that Mehtaab stepped out when Yusuf asked her to. Why could she not have finished off her conversation with Zainy on a proper note rather than running off when Yusuf called her? I wonder what Zainy’s father had written in that letter? Was it something that he did that made Mehtaab leave him and then marry Yusuf or did she actually leave him for Yusuf? Somehow I find it hard to believe that Mehtaab and Yusuf were romantically involved while Mehtaab was married To Zainy’s father and I think there is more to this than what we have been told so far but then who knows? I suppose the story will unfold eventually.
Zainy had been accepting, although disinterested with her upcoming marriage to Sherry but it seems that now armed with this ‘truth’ she will not marry him as she clearly says to her mother. Next week’s promo shows Phuppo and Tayi’s appearance at Zainy’s house ‘demanding’ her hand in marriage and Mehtaab saying she would rather kill her daughter than agree to this marriage. Umm, ok. Just as this drama seems to settle into a sluggish pace, something comes up and the pace picks up again. I had not expected this twist in Mehtaab’s character and am looking forward to seeing what happens next.
I know some of us do not seem to like Munib Butt’s acting but I have not seen him in any other play and to me, he seems perfect as the impulsive, immature Ahmer. I love how Seher Afzal has portrayed her character where she feels she is the one being wronged and ‘judged’ and where she is not evil but we see what a confused, spoilt girl she is. The claustrophobic intricate web of relations does seem to raise its head in every other episode, such as Yusuf’s comment in this episode about Zainy now being not only a daughter but daughter in law as well so she should be extra careful about maintaining the ‘izzat’ of this house – uggh – but yet this drama has more to offer in terms of story, pace and acting and keeps my interest alive.
Seems like Zainy will get her way and marry Ahmer and I saw a photo somewhere on Facebook of Novera in bridal clothes and sitting with Sherry so seems like she may get her Prince Charming too. But what then? What did you all make of this episode? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Kunwal Javid
Neelam Muneer and Sanam Chaudhry are two wonderful actresses and both have a good fan following. They appeared together as sisters in drama serial, Mere Mehrbaan. Now, they were seen posing together for Ayesha Zahra’s Lawn Collection for Al Zohaib Textiles.
Have a look at the lovely pictures:
Today, Firdous Lawn launched their Eid collection and many celebrities including Aiza Khan, Bushra Ansari, Sumbul Iqbal etc were spotted.
Have a look at the lovely pictures:
The promos of Kathputli caught my eye primarily because of the real-life couple, Goher Mumtaz and Anam Ahmed. Goher Mumtaz made his debut with Tanhai and he was later seen in drama serials like Neelam Kinaray and Uff Yeh Muhabbat. His gorgeous wife, Anam Ahmed will be making her debut with HumTV’s Kathputli and the couple will be seen together.
Written by Faiza Iftikhar, directed by Fahim Burney, produced by Momina Duraid under MD Productions, drama serial Kathputli is expected to go on air on 11 June 2016.
According to Brandsynario, Anum plays the role of an innocent girl who falls in love with Gohar but no points for guessing that their relationship faces some obstacles.
The rest of the cast includes Sanam Chaudhry, Farhan Ahmed Malhi, Samina Ahmad, Farah Nadeem and Shaheen Khan.
Anam is excited about her debut. “MD Production -Fahim Burney’s production house has been insisting that I act for them in the past year. But I had different priorities at the time. I was completing my studies and waiting for the right time to make my debut. Of course, working with Gohar felt like the most natural and comfortable way to begin.”
Speaking to Dawn Images, Anam said that this drama was a huge learning experience. She also spoke highly of the entire team. “I’m blessed to work with lovely co-actors, director and production team who treated me like their very own. At the end of it, we became more like a family than anything else.”
Ahmad Ali Butt is one of the most talented comedians and actors out there. Any award ceremony is incomplete without Ahmad Ali Butt’s presence and perfect comedic timing.
In the LSA Nominee Reveal 2016, Ahmad Ali Butt was nominated in the category of Best Actor for his performance in Jawani Phir Nahe Ani, but listen to this: Ahmad Ali Butt has asked LSA jury to remove his nomination. Talking to Express Tribune, Ahmad said, ”I am truly honoured and thankful to be nominated in the Best Actor category for my film Jawani Phir Nahi Aani. However, I believe that my role in the movie was of a supporting actor and not the main lead, where I have currently been nominated and therefore I have officially requested the team and the respected jury members at Lux Style Awards to look into this matter and move my nomination in the appropriate category of Best Supporting Actor.”
Ahmad Ali Butt has sent an email and Fareshteh Aslam who is in charge of LSA’s media management, spoke to Express Tribune about this, “I haven’t seen the email but I have heard that he has approached the jury. A committee reviews all the nominations after they have been announced anyway. So, if there has been any mistake, it will be rectified.”
Ali Zafar is one of those multi-talented people that received a lot of praise in both Pakistan and India. Recently, in an interview with Hindustan Times, Ali Zafar shared his views about both Pakistani and Indian film industries.
“I feel that just like Indian films release in Pakistan, Pakistani movies should also release in India. I am sure people here will like them.Over the past few years, many movies have been made in Pakistan. And with the growing competition, the quality is bound to improve. I have met many talented directors and writers with some great ideas, and I want to work with them.”
According to Ali Zafar, Bollywood has an edge over Pakistani film industry. “India has an edge when it comes to the infrastructure here, because this industry has been growing for decades. I am sure the Pakistani film industry will also become more systematic in the next few years.”
He is a singer, actor, producer but now he wants to try his luck as a director, too. “Multitasking is challenging, but I enjoy it. I would love to direct a movie in the future. Film direction has always fascinated me.”
Umera Ahmed is an acclaimed fiction and drama writer of our country. She has a lot of successful dramas and novels/short stories on her credit. Her famous dramas are Meri Zaat Zarra Benishan, Shehre zaat, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Kankar.
Umera has not written any new drama for past two years or so but has provided screenplay for few dramas like currently aired Aabroo on Hum Tv and Digest Writer before that. Both these plays have also been successful.
After success in dramas, Umera is now writing the screenplay of a film. It is not a Pakistani film, but an Indian film. Acclaimed Indian artist Shabana Azmi is playing the lead role in this film.
Umera Ahmed official facebook page has posted about this film as follows
My first Indian film as a screenplay writer is being shot in Kashmir these days. Based on a short story by Munshi Prem Chand Eidgah is a co-production between India and Poland for World Cinema. Shabana Azmi is playing the main lead and Piyush Punjuani is the director.
Rashid Nazir Ali
Fawad Khan is a Pakistani who has gained a lot of popularity in India. He is always trying to find ways to bring Indian and Pakistanis together. He also believes that art has nothing to do with boundaries. He also wants people on both side of the border to be more tolerant of each other. While talking to the media Fawad Khan said,
“In the world that we live today, news thrives on disaster and catastrophe. We don’t see as many good things being reported… I guess people just like to see tragedy and drama. I think films expose you to a lot more, which is good.”
Fawad Khan also thinks that travelling is about much more than just taking a break and seeing other countries. He said,
” I believe that the best way to bridge the gap is to travel and expose yourself to the world. The more you see the world; the more you will become tolerant towards different ways of the world.”
Fawad Khan also wants Bollywood actors to come to Pakistan. He said that he had invited his co-stars to visit Pakistan and they said that they will if there is such an opportunity.
“I think there is that curiosity, but somehow because of our lifestyle and fast-paced work, we just don’t end up entertaining that curiosity to travel. I’ve always wanted to see India, my wife was keener, but I landed up here for the first time because of my work.”
Fawad Khan also said that he has always liked being in India. He said that he never felt like he was in a new place.
“When I came to India for the first time, I instantly fell in love with the country, and I felt it was like a home away from home. Well, I think we need to generate some work for Bollywood actors to come over to Pakistan. We will be doing that, Insha Allah.”
There is also news that Fawad Khan may star in Karan Johar’s next film “Kalank” which will be directed by Abhishek Verman. The movie will have two male leads. Arjun Kapoor is being considered for the second Male lead.
Qandeel Baloch is one of the most controversial people who has done everything she could to get attention from the public from posting pictures and videos which are obscene to saying things in talk shows which were shocking for many. She also caught plenty of limelight when she tried her best to meet the leader of PTI. Qandeel Baloch is also known for her emotional outbursts when things don’t go her way. She is known as a drama queen who is compared to the likes of Mathira and Veena who also astonished the public with their controversial pictures, videos and statements.
The latest news is that Qandeel Baloch will be part of the next season of Big Boss. Big Boss is a reality show which is also controversial most of the times just like Qandeel Baloch. Veena Malik and Ali Saleem were also part of this show many years ago. Qandeel Baloch made this announcement on facebook.
She is also claiming that she is being offered a large amount of money for being part of the show, something she is very excited about. While she is posting every news item relating to the show on her page, she is also using the hash tag #rumors with it.
Right now the most amazing aspect of this drama serial is the characterization and the relationships of all the characters with each other. Mein Sitara has never been a fast paced play but things always move forward a little with every passing episode giving the viewers something to look forward to. Watching this drama is like reading your favorite novel, you want to pause after you have read a few lines so that you can enjoy every little detail.
This episode showed brilliantly how hard it is for Sitara to make a decision at this point. She vows not to take this relationship with Farhad any further but then whenever he approaches her, the temptation is too much to resist. She does not want to let Jharna down and at the same time she cannot break Farhad’s heart. Tonight for the first time it seemed like Farhad was taking advantage of Sitara. At this point he is definitely the one investing all his emotions and energies into taking this relationship forward. He is not letting Sitara do what she wants to do. Although Mikaal Zulfiqar and Saba Qamar are the same age but the way their relationship has been shown right from the start has made it very easy for me at least to look at Farhad Sethi as a much older man who is taking advantage of a young girl who is probably infatuated with him – nothing more and nothing less. Saba Qamar and Mikaal Zulfiqar outdid themselves in tonight’s episode. Two scenes stood out more than any other in tonight’s episode; when Farhad goes and tells Sitara that he wanted to meet her alone and when Sitara sits in front of the mirror regretting what she had done. These scenes were directed so well and acted out so brilliantly that it didn’t look like acting at all. They have portrayed every single emotion faultlessly on screen. Farhad is blinded by his fascination with Sitara right now and Sitara is unsure. Mikaal and Saba also played the lead in Sangat but Mein Sitara’s characterization is so solid that you forget that these two have played the lead ever before too. I never feel like I am watching Mikaal Zulfiqar and Saba Qamar on screen while watching this play because they are so into their characters.
The song sequence was another addition to this episode which went to show the amount of creativity and effort that must have gone into making this play. There was absolutely no need to add this scene but adding this scene gave the viewers something different to watch, we got to hear one of the most unforgettable songs of its time and also the picturization showed the feelings of all these characters. Right now Farhad is not willing to listen to anyone. Saleem tried to tell him that he was making a mistake in very clear words but right now Farhad only wants Sitara, he does not care about his relationship with Jharna. I am hoping that the latest development in which Jharna shows up unexpectedly will serve as a wake-up call for Farhad. Farhad is just being a ‘man’ right now – I hate to generalize but there is no other explanation for this scenario! Sitara is young, beautiful and interested in him – he finds the temptation very appealing. Probably because it makes him feel young again. He is the only character at the moment who is not analyzing the whole situation in a practical way not even after Saleem told him that Jharna asked him about him and Sitara. The actor playing Saleem is another person who fits into his role flawlessly. Also, his relationship with Farhad has been shown impeccably.
Naseem Dil Ruba’s phone call confirmed Jharna’s fears although she didn’t know what was going on between Sitara and Farhad for sure. Naseem’s ‘mole’ is probably the make-up artist who keeps on giving her the information she needs. Meera’s acting yet again was a pleasant surprise. Also, the make-up artist has given everyone superb makeovers. Meera has never looked this good and Saba Qamar looked very pretty particularly in the scene in which Farhad comes to see her. Also, the person incharge of the wardrobe has complimented everyone’s looks to fit the era this drama is showing.
A lot of attention to detail, a brand new story and amazing team work is what makes Mein Sitara one of the most spell-binding dramas I have seen in a long time. It is unpredictable and enticing without being too over-dramatic. This drama has provided its viewers with 12 weeks of quality entertainment which is a huge accomplishment.
The preview of the next episode showed Jharna finally trying to convey her feelings to her husband without giving him a reason to walk out of the room. Will she be able to knock some sense into Farhad? It looks like nothing can stop Farhad right now not even Jharna.
How many of you watched this episode? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it.
Fatima Awan
The makers of the road trip/ comedy flick, Karachi Say Lahore have joined heads for the sequel, Lahore Say Agay, starring Yasir Hussain (who played quite a likable character in KSH) and Saba Qamar. Both Yasir Hussain and Saba Qamar use their instagram accounts to keep their fans posted. Have a look at the pictures:
Maya Ali takes her work very seriously and does everything passionately. No matter how busy she is, she always updates her fans about her upcoming projects. Maya Ali has been the brand Ambassador for a long time. She was the one who did the modelling for Maria B.’s lawn collection and later on she was also seen walking the ramp for the designer. Now that Maria B.’s Eid collection is out Maya Ali was very enthusiastic shooting for it. She posted pictures from the shoot when it was being done. It was something she enjoyed because all the team members were her favorites. The end result of this photo shoot is perfect. Maya Ali looks stunning in these formal dresses.
Here are some pictures from the photo shoot:
Syed Jibran is a brilliant actor who has appeared in numerous dramas, and he never fails to impress the viewers. He played the disgustingly evil Numair in Chup Raho, and we also saw him taking on the role of a doting brother and husband in Ishqparast.
Recently, he celebrated the birthday of his daughter, Eva. Here are some of the lovely pictures:
