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Tum Kon Piya – Episode 11

Tum Kon Piya continues to be a mediocre play in terms of storyline but the sleek direction and well written dialogues make it a decent watch. Although there is nothing extraordinary about the story but like I said before the fact that there are no glaring flaws in the script make it interesting enough. This episode focused on Arif’s growing frustration, gradual realization on the part of Elma’s father that he had made a big mistake, Javeria’s re-entry in the show, Ramish changing his decision and Elma’s failed attempts to win the approval of her mother-in-law.

Ramish’s father felt like a victorious man whose ego and pride both had been satisfied because his son had finally accepted Sunbal as his future wife. Muzaffar Hassan obviously must have something to gain from this marriage otherwise he would not have tried this hard to make it happen. After his father’s heart attack Ramish did not want to do anything to upset him further and ended up doing what he wanted him to do. Watching Muzaffar Hassan analyzing his son like he knew about life and relationships more than anyone else was rather ironic! He is a very narrow-minded man who thinks that the world is exactly the way he sees it when actually that is not the case. For the first time today it seemed like Mehmood Akhtar was not into his character and was just reading his lines out loud.

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Arif’s confrontation with his mother went to show that his anger and frustration is growing with every passing day. And like any other man who has achieved nothing in life he is not willing to own his failures. Yasir Shoro was beyond impressive in this scene, his acting was spot on and powerful. He has portrayed different shades of Arif’s character so well that you have no choice but to wonder how his track will develop in the upcoming episodes. Arif is the middle child who never got the attention he wanted, because of his complexes he was never able to achieve anything in life and now with a new person in the house he feels even more suffocated.

Javeria mentioned that she had been meeting Arif very casually but it implied that she might be the one who has been adding to the way he has been acting lately just to cause even more trouble in the house. Watching Zarbab’s sister talk about her bhabhi like she was a very negative person went to show that although she is always complaining about the way her mother is with her son and daughter in law but deep down she has the same thinking too. Javeria is back in the picture and it remains to be seen how she will effect Zarbab’s life now.

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The scenes in which Elma’s mother in law told her off over and over again and the way Waqar Ali told lies to convince Seema’s khala that Elma was very happy in her life were the most clichéd parts of tonight’s episode. Although Waqar Ali had no idea that Sharaft begum could be so rude and insensitive but he always knew that Elma’s in laws weren’t so welcoming either. The confrontation with Sharafat begum was unexpected and hurt Waqar Ali, something which made him regret his decision. Although there is nothing new about these developments, we have seen them over and over again in dramas but even then they were shown nicely without stretching these scenes. The only part that is getting annoying are the same kind of issues – Elma not turning up for dinner and chai engagements!

Elma always looked trim and proper before she got married and in the first 2 or 3 days of her marriage but now it is good to see that the director and Ayeza Khan both decided to compromise on her looks because that is what the situation demands. Otherwise we have seen women who go through the worse phase of their life with their hair perfectly curled and styled and without making any compromises on their make-up. These realistic touches make the story and characters easy to connect to. Ayeza Khan has a pleasing personality and an innocent face which has so far made Elma’s character likeable even though it doesn’t have much to offer.

Although Sharafat begum’s role is very typical but I am certain there are many women out there who can relate to her character. Zarbab wants to keep peace in the house and if he has to compromise on a few things in order to do that he doesn’t mind it.

The preview of the next episode showed Arif and Javeria scheming to break Zarbab’s marriage and most importantly Ramish overhearing his father saying that he faked a heart attack (surprise surprise!). This proves one thing that Tum Kon Piya definitely does not bank on never-ending misunderstandings to take the story forward.

How many of you watched this latest episode of Tum Kon Piya? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it.

 

Fatima Awan

“Star Iftar” With Sarmad Khoosat On Urdu1

Sarmad Khoosat doesn’t cease to amaze me – we all know that he can act and direct, flawlessly, may I add, but listen to this: he can cook, too! Our favourite director will be seen on Urdu1 with his own production, ”Star Iftar”. This show will air from the first of Ramadan, everyday at 6:00 pm.

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Talking to Dawn Images, Sarmad Khoosat revealed, “I am cooking and chatting with celebrity friends; it’s a recorded show. It’s the first production of my recently launched company, Khoosat Films and my sister, Kanwal Khoosat is directing it.”

We will be seeing many celebrities including Mahira Khan, Maya Ali, Junaid Khan, Reema, Mawra Hocane, Amina Sheikh. I don’t know about you, but I am excited!

Sarmad Khoosat also added, “All I can say is that I am not competing with anyone, at least not the grand, big shows. Mine is a small, cozy and personal show.”

Here are a few pictures:

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Morning Shows Hosts Talk About Their Experiences

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Farah Hussain is known for her unique style of hosting Morning Shows. Unlike other Morning Show hosts she does not add dances to her shows and mostly her show is more informative. Farah Hussain organized another interesting show recently by asking Javeria Abbasi and Noor to come to her show and talk about their experiences as Morning Show hosts.

Javeria and Noor shared some interesting aspects of hosting Morning Shows. They said that they appreciated the fact that Farah was educating people with her shows. But Farah Hussain said,

“When I meet people they appreciate me for doing a different show, for giving them information but the fact is that the shows in which there are dances and other things get more TRPs.”

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Noor said that she was more comfortable acting than hosting. Morning Show hosts and showed in a short clip what hosting Morning Shows had taught them. Sanam Baloch said,

“I think that the objective of Morning Shows shouldn’t only be entertainment but we should try to focus on social issues too and do whatever we can for the society.”

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Madiha Naqvi said,

“Hosting a Morning Show has made a better person. The only negative side of doing Morning Shows is that unless you have wedding functions on your show, the show does not get ratings. I don’t like that.”

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Javeria Abbasi also shared,

“When Shaista Lodhi’s Morning Show was banned, the channels and the Morning show hosts were very scared. We used to get all kinds of strange instructions like how to wear our duppata, how to sit and what not.”

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Faysal Qureshi said,

“Being a Morning Show host is tough for me because I am also an actor, I am doing films and I have to go to the gym. It is not easy to manage. The biggest advantage of hosting these shows is that there are so many things in my heart which I want people should hear and these shows give me the opportunity to do that. I want people to love each other and stop hating.”

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Noor said,

“Nowadays the only criteria for being a host is that you should look good, nothing else matters.”

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Watch the show here:

 

Fashion Parade London – Pictures

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Pakistani fashion industry is progressing with every passing year. With new designers and techniques being introduced the fashion industry is making waves not only in Pakistan but also globally. It is economically profitable for the country also if Pakistani designers get noticed by markets out of the country. Many designers have their outlets internationally too already and their products are liked by many.

Fashion Parade London was held in Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Knightsbridge in which leading designers like Faiza Samee , Saira Rizwan, HSY, Ali Xeeshan, Nomi Ansari, Hira Shah, Khushboo and Mehreen Noorani  were part of the team which came up with fresh ideas especially for this event. Ali Xeeshan paid tribute to Prince, who is considered an icon in music. Other designers also got inspiration from other countries and mixed it up with their own creativity and imagination.

Here are some pictures from Fashion Parade London:

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Janaan To Be Released Internationally

Directed by Azfar Jafri, written by Osman Khalid Butt and co-produced by Reham Khan, Munir Hussain and Imran Kazmi under production banner IRK Films, Janaan is an upcoming romantic comedy expected to be released across cinemas on Eid ul Azha.

According to Brandsynario, ARY Films, that is handling the distribution of the movie in Pakistan has joined hands with B4U Movies, a Bollywood movie digital TV channel, for the international distribution of Janaan. It will be released in in six countries namely UAE, England, USA, New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia. The producer hopes that Janaan will be the only Pakistani movie to be released in more than six countries. The team is currently in Thailand for post-production.
The producers also promise that after they are through with this big project, they will work on other ventures, like Parchi.

I’ll admit: the trailer/teaser of the film did put me off. Khubsurat chehray and two boys falling for the same girl – nothing groundbreaking and pretty much what we keep seeing on our TV screens so if I buy a ticket to watch a film, I at least want it to offer something different. But, that’s of course my personal preference. I really want this film to prove me wrong. Best of luck to team Janaan! :)

Enjoy a few pictures:

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Ainy Jaffri Celebrating Her Birthday

Petite and pretty, Ainy Jaffri has appeared in numerous plays that were popular among the viewers, like Meri Behen Maya, Aseerzadi, and she made her big screen debut with Main Hoon Shahid Afridi. After her marriage to Faris Rehman, viewers are not seeing her onscreen as much as they would like. She will appear alongside Osman Khalid Butt in Haissam Hussain’s upcoming film.

Recently, Ainy Jaffry celebrated her birthday in London where she currently resides, and posted a couple of pictures on her instagram:

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Amber Khan Shares Bitter Experiences Of Her Marriage

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The world of showbiz is all about glitz and glam but sometimes those people who are attached to this industry are not as happy as they appear to be. Their lives are not always perfect and they have been through trying times in the past. Amber Khan is very well know host who hosted one of the most liked and famous Morning Shows. She is also considered a trend setter for introducing new segments in her show which were followed by others too.

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Nowadays Amber Khan is not hosting a show of her own but she is seen in every famous Morning Show. Usually she is seen as a fun and bubbly personality but this time she got emotional while talking about bitter experiences she had in her wedding. She did not say anything clearly but what she said clearly shows that her husband used to abuse her and did not fulfill his financial responsibilities too. Amber said that she is the kind of person who would get into fights because of small reasons but there came a time when she could not take it any more and she had to leave her marriage.

Amber also said that she was lucky to have the support of her family.

Watch the video clip here:

 

Mahira Khan Talks About LSA Nominations

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It is that time of the year when all the people attached to the entertainment industry are awarded for their work. ARY Awards and HUM Awards were held recently and now Lux Style Awards are expected soon. Lux Style Awards are all encompassing and were there long before private channels started their award shows. Mahira Khan it appears to be is nominated in every award show and we see her bagging an award every time. This time she has been nominated for the best actress category for drama serial Sadqay Tumhare and the film Bin Roye.

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While Talking to Express Tribune after the nominations were announced Mahira Khan shared what it felt like to be nominated and whether winning or losing meant something huge for her. She said,

 “It always feels good to be nominated. Winning and losing I don’t really care about. It is good to know that these people are watching our work and recognizing it.”

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Mahira Khan also said,

“I don’t like the term ‘revival of Pakistani cinema’ being used again and again. I think the revival period is over, Pakistan cinema has been revived now we should stop using this word. We need to say that we are going to maintain what we have achieved. We have to continue churning out good films.”

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Mahira Khan said that she had no information about why Raees’ release was delayed because it was the decision of the producer.

“It is upsetting when films are delayed, same happened with Bin Roye too.”

Mahira Khan also talked about her future plans.

“Because I thought Raees was coming out in July, I stopped taking any work. I couldn’t do some amazing films that came my way. I had to let go but now I have decided that I have to work. I am going completely crazy, I need to be on a set, I need to be acting, reading a script. I am looking into a few really good things.”

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Mahira Khan said that the fans will find out very soon what she is doing next.

And The Nominees Are…

The wait is over! The nominees for Lux Style Awards 2016 were announced in an event that was hosted by Mahira Khan.

Have a look at the list.

Model of the Year (Female)

1. Amna Babar

2. Fouzia Aman

3. Nooray Bhatti

4. Rabia Butt

5. Sadaf Kanwal

Model of the Year (Male)

1. Aimal Khan

2. Hasnain Lehri

3. Jahan -e- Khalid

4. Shahzad Noor

5. Waleed Khaild

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Fashion Photographer

1. Abdullah Harris

2. Ayaz Anis

3. Guddu Shani

4. Rizwan ul Haq

5. Shahbaz Shazi

Best Hair and Make-up Artist

1. Hannan Siddique

2. Nabila

3. Omayr Waqar

4. Raana Khan

5. Shammal Qureshi for Toni & Guy (North Pakistan)

Achievement in Fashion Design – Luxury Pret

1. Mahgul

2. Misha Lakhani

3. Muse

4. Sania Maskatiya

5. Shamaeel Ansari

Achievement in Fashion Design – Pret

1. Coco by Zara Shahjahan

2. Daaman

3. Generation

4. Sana Safinaz

5. Sapphire

Achievement in Fashion Design – Bridal

1. Ali Xeeshan

2. Elan

3. Faraz Manan

4. Shehla Chatoor

5. The House of Kamiar Rokni

Achievement in Fashion Design – Lawn

1. Elan

2. Faraz Manan

3. Sana Safinaz

4. Sania Maskatiya

5. Zara Shahjahan

Best Menswear Designer

1. Ahmed Bham

2. Amir Adnan

3. Hassan Sheheryar Yasin

4. Nauman Arfeen

5. Omar Farooq for Republic

Best Emerging Talent

1. Alee Hasan (Photography)

2. Ammara Khan (Designer)

3. Anum Malik (Model)

4. Hira Shah (Model)

5. Zara Abid (Model)

FILM

Best Film

1. Jawani Phir Nai Aani by Six Sigma Productions & ARY Films

2. Manto by GEO A & B Productions

3. Moor by Azad Films Co & Mandviwalla Entertainment

4. Shah by Logo Films & Media

5. Wrong No. by YNH Films & ARY Films

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Best Film Actress

1. Mahira Khan for Bin Roye

2. Mehwish Hayat for Jawani Phir Nahi Aani

3. Samia Mumtaz for Moor

4. Sania Saeed for Manto

5. Sohai Abro for Wrong No.

Best Film Actor

1. Adnan Sarwar for Shah

2. Ahmed Ali Butt for Jawani Phir Nahi Aani

3. Hameed Sheikh for Moor

4. Humayun Saeed for Jawani Phir Nahi Aani

5. Sarmad Sultan Khoosat for Manto

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Best Film Director

1. Adnan Sarwar for Shah

2. Jamshed Mehmood Raza for Moor

3. Momina Duraid & Shahzad Kashmiri for Bin Roye

4. Nadeem baig for Jawani Phir Nahi Aani

5. Sarmad Sultan Khoosat for Manto

 

Best Supporting Actress

1. Armeena Rana Khan for Bin Roye

2. Ayesha Khan for Jawani Phir Nahi Aani

3. Nimra Bucha for Manto

4. Sarwat Gillani for Jawani Phir Nahi Aani

5. Sohai Ali Abro for Jawani Phir Nahi Aani

Best Supporting Actor

1. Ali Safina for Jalaibee

2. Javed Sheikh for Wrong No.

3. Shaz Khan for Moor

4. Vasay Chaudhry for Jawani Phir Nahi Aani

5. Yasir Hussain for Karachi se Lahore

Best Singer (Male) – Film

1. Ali Noor & Ali Humza OST Karachi Se Lahore

2. Ali Sethi for Aah Ko chahiye OST Manto

3. Javed Bashir for Talabgaar OST Moor

4. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for Teray Bina Jeena OST Bin Roye

5. Rahim Shah for Gul Bashri OST Moor

Best Singer (Female) – Film

1. Abida Parveen for Maula OST Bin Roye

2. Zeb Bangesh for Kya Hoga OST Manto

3. Meesha Shafi for Eva OST Moor

4. Harshdeep Kaur for Ballay Ballay OST Bin Roye

5. Zarrish for Rabbi Ralli OST Dekh Magar Pyar Sey

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MUSIC

Album of the year

1. Bahadur Yaar Jung by E Sharp

2. Begum Gul Bakaoli Sarfarosh by Noori

3. Ismail ka Urdu Sheher by Zohaib Kazi

4. Saturday Night Killing Machine by Adil Omar and Talal Qureshi

5. Till the End of Time by Natasha Humera Ejaz

Song of the Year

1. Jogiya by Javed Bashir

2. Rockstar Romeo by Ali Zafar

3. Sarak Sarak by Mai Dhai Band

4. Shakar Wandaan by Asrar Shah

5. Tamasha by Khumariyaan

Best Music Video Director

1. Adil Omar for Nighat & Paras by Adil Omar & Talal Qureshi

2. Kamal Khan for Wake Up/Jaago by Zohaib Kazi

3. Nadir Shehzad Khan for Baaghi by Sikandar Ka Mandar

4. Natasha Humera Ejaz & Shahrukh Khurshid for Khwab by Natasha Humera Ejaz

5. Salman Noorani for Mariam by Mooroo

Best Emerging Talent

1. Ali Suhail

2. Mehdi Maloof

3. Slow Spin

4. SomeWhatSuper

5. The Tamashbeens

TELEVISION

Best TV Play

1. Diyar-e-Dil

2. Mohabbat Aag Si

3. Muqaddas

4. Rung Laga

5. Sadqay Tumhare

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Best TV Actor

1. Adnan Malik for Sadqay Tumharay

2. Faisal Qureshi for Rang Laga

3. Noman Ejaz for Zinda Dargor

4. Noor Hassan for Muqaddas

5. Osman Khalid Butt for Diyar-e-Dil

Best TV Actress

1. Iffat Umer in Mohabbat Aag Si

2. Mahira Khan for Sadqay Tumharay

3. Maya Ali for Diyar-e-Dil

4. Saima Noor in Rang Laga

5. Sajjal Ali for Khuda Dekh Raha Hai

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Best TV Director

1. Aamir Yousuf for Aap ki kaneez

2. Anjum Shahzad for Rang Laga

3. Ehteshamuddin for Sadqay Tumhare

4. Haseeb Hassan for Diyar-e-Dil

5. Sabiha Sumar for Khuda Dekh Raha Hai

Best TV Writer

1. Adeel Razzaq for Muqaddas

2. Farhat Ishtiaq for Diyar-e-Dil

3. Imran Nazir for Muhabbat Aag Si

4. Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar for Sadqay Tumhare

5. Sana Fahad for Rang Laga

Best Original Sound Track

1. Alvida by Shafqat Amanat Ali for Alvida by Momina Duraid, Humayun Saeed, Shehzad Naseeb

2. Diyar e Dil by Zeb Bangash and Momin Durrani for Diyar-e-Dil by Momina Duraid

3. Dusri Biwi by Ahmad Jahanzeb for Dusri Biwi by Fahad Mustafa & Ali Kazmi

4. Mohabbat Aag Si by Shafqat Salamat Ali & Beena Khan for MAS by Momina Duraid Productions

5. Mol by Bushra Bilal for Mol by Momina Duraid & Satish Anand

All the best to the nominees! :)

Magnum Store Opening (Lahore) – Pictures

When Magnum Store was first opened in Karachi, many celebrities were seen showing their support. Similarly, on 30th May 2016, celebrities were spotted at Magnum Store Lahore. Have a look at the pictures:

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Veena Malik To Make A Comeback On Television

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Veena Malik’s life took a turn for the better few years back when she decided to ask Allah for forgiveness and follow a path which was very different from the one she was following before. There was a time when Veena Malik was known for her controversial projects whether they were films or photo shoots, Veena Malik never tried to follow the norms of the society. She was a rebel who did everything she could to get attention.

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It is not easy to admit that you have made mistakes in the past but Veena Malik has done that on shows which were being watched by millions of people. She said in a show that everyone makes decisions in life they are not very proud of and everything Veena Malik did in the past was a product of many wrong decisions which she will never repeat again.

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When Veena Malik came back to Pakistan few weeks back she said that she had no intentions of doing films but she was going to consider doing dramas. The promo on Aplus suggests that Veena Malik will start her journey on television with something very different from dramas and films. Not much has been revealed about what she will be doing but it appears to be that she will be contributing in some way to the Ramazan transmission on Aplus. We wish Veena Malik all the best.

Watch the promo here:

Dinner Hosted In Honour Of Amir Khan – Pictures

Born and bred in Britain but true to his Pakistani roots, Amir Khan is a professional boxer. His Amir Khan Foundation has been working globally to improve the lives of the underprivileged, and recently, their aim is to drill two water wells in Thar. For the purpose of raising funds, Amir Khan is currently in Karachi, so a dinner was hosted in his honour. Many celebrities including Ali Zafar, Ayesha Khan, Amna Baber, Anoushey Ashraf were present. Here are the pictures:

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Mera Yaar Miladay – The Blame Game – Episodes 16 & 17

So where do I start? Everyone is either offering themselves up for blame or blaming the other. If Dabbu had not thrown Fahd out he would not have run off with Mushq and a half baked plan, eventually ditching Mushq. If Mushq had not run away Zeba would not have ended up with Niyaaz, correction, evil nand. If Striker had not opened his mouth, Mushq’s feelings would not have been hurt and she would not have run away for the umpteenth time. If Mushq had not run away in the first place then Dabbu would not have had to worry about leaving the mohalla. If Fahd had not left for Karachi his mother would not have been wailing buckets. If Mushq had not bumped into Fahd at that wedding then none of this mess would have started. And if the day I thought of writing my very first review had not been the day this drama had aired its first episode, I would not be writing weekly reviews on the drama. Not to go all Dabbu-Striker on you all, but yeh sub kismet ka khail hai meray dost!

But here we are. So Zeba is not willing to forgive Mushq and egged on by her nand she asks Mushq to leave her alone. She later visits her and makes it clear to her that she wants nothing to do with her ever. She also blames her for the misery she is living in. Oh well. Mushq accepts Dabbu’s offer and goes to stay in his house. Obviously the mohalla is outraged and Aslam issues an ultimatum to Dabbu to either throw Mushq out or leave the mohalla by the next evening. Master Sb truly does not want Mushq in his life for he stood there as the ultimatum was issued and really could not care less what happens to Mushq.

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Aww Dado aww. I teared up when she says to her son that she promised her daughter on law on her deathbed that she would raise her daughters as her own. And Dado really did stand by her promise. Such a positive beautiful character and so refreshingly different from the grandmothers and saas that our dramas love to portray. Seems like Zeba vented out all her marital frustrations on Mushq when she screeched and threw Mushq out from her father’s house when Dado dies. Not sure what the point was to kill off Dado’s character though. I suppose we will have to wait and see.

So we learn Dabbu’s real story. I am curious to know what his real name is by the way. I would be very tickled if it is an old fashioned name, the very opposite of Dabbu. It was a relief to hear him speak like a normal person when he tells Mushq about his degree and his father. But he reverts back to his street wise language and mannerisms later though I noticed. Just as Fahd had been hit with that brainwave in the earlier episodes to leave Lahore and head to Karachi to find Mushq, Dabbu is hit with the same bright idea and he and Mushq head off to Lahore. Ek tau mein yeh mobiles say boht tang hoon! Dabbu’s mobile is stolen and that is just going to make it all the more harder to find Fahd (obviously).

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Ainjing and oonjing, Fahd’s mother is the queen of emotional blackmail. With the recent dramas it seemed that shaadi was the only solution to everything. While that holds true, it now comes with a twist. Shaadi or else – janaaza! Fahd’s mother threatens him to marry a girl of her choice and give up Mushq ki yaad otherwise she will lay down her life. Sigh. Seems to work because Fahd is seen having laddus stuffed in his face and his rishta done.

I wonder if this is  going to go down the Hum Dil De Chukay Sanam path. Obviously Dabbu and Mushq are not married yet but in his quest to find Mushq’s ‘lover boy’, Dabbu will go all out for her and they will ‘bhatkofy’ from here to there and in all that she will begin to develop feelings for him so much so that when they finally find Fahd, Dabbu and Mushq will be in love and realize it only when they have found Fahd. So Dabbu and Mushq will end up together, leaving a usually disoriented Fahd even more disoriented and his mother yelling ainj what the hell?!

What is with the lighting in this play? I am not sure if it is meant to have some sort of aesthetic impact but I am only left squinting. I was waiting for Dabbu –Mushq track to begin for the romantic tones it seemed to offer with Mushq falling in love with Dabbu’s ‘good heart’ but I did not realize I would enjoy the chemistry Faysal Qureshi and Sajal Ali seemed to share. I am glad Mushq is not taking out her anger and frustrations on Dabbu and sees him for the good person he is. Makes falling in love with him easier to believe and more enjoyable to watch. Ah well, I am assuming she will fall in love with him?!

I wrote this review then waited till I could watch the promo for next week’s episode on TV. Lots of touching moments between Mushq and Dabbu – as predicted!

Oh, by the way. Striker’s chacha. Another old man. With the track record of old men in this drama, I really hope this is not another leery old man. Please Mushq marry Dabbu before you decide to marry another oldie!!

What did you all think of these episodes? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Kunwal Javid

15th LSA 2016 Nominee Reveal – Pictures

Lux Style Awards (LSA), dubbed ‘Pakistani Oscars’, are always considered a big deal, especially these days when in-house award shows have emerged, people look forward to LSA for unbiased results.

Today, the Nominee Reveal Ceremony was held. The event was hosted by the face of Lux, Mahira Khan and the super talented Yasir Hussain. Have a look at the pictures:

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Mann Mayal – Episode 19

The story finally moved forward a little with this episode, now only if all this had happened some 4 weeks back things would have been much more interesting. Right now it is a case of too little too late. Mannu’s parents’ concern yet again seemed out of place since they were missing in the past few episodes and the fact that Mannu’s father turned to Salahuddin yet again went to show that he had learned absolutely nothing from his past mistakes. After trying to win Salahuddin over with her cooking and cleaning, Jeena decided to take things in her own hands by staying back at Salahuddin’s house and she also got the golden opportunity to tell Mannu’s father off. This scene and the one later on in which she told Salahuddin that she had not let the servants in because she did not want them to know she had been there all night clearly showed that she was a liar and a manipulator. Jeena is getting more desperate with every passing day. Her story about her aunts and how she was so used to getting everything she wanted solved the ‘big mystery’ behind her obsession with Salahuddin. She wants him and will do anything to have him in her life. Her character reminded me of Rameez’s character from Alvida. There must be a good reason why her aunts abandoned her, which makes me wonder if she ran away from a psychiatric ward!

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Yet again even after Jeena’s loud and clear hints, Salahuddin did not believe his mother when she told him that Jeena liked him! The relationship between these two people could have been far more interesting and mature if Jeena wasn’t obsessive and Salahuddin didn’t play naive all the time! And of course if he didn’t give confusing signals! Mannu’s parents came to meet her for the first time unannounced but she didn’t allow them to interfere in her life in any way. Mannu’s parents just like always let their daughter have her own way because Mikael was after all the father of her children!! Whatever happened to Mannu afterwards was the direct result of all the wrong decisions which she has been taking all these years. There was no reason for her to stay in this marriage in the first place, long before she had children. Now, she has a promise to keep! Mannu is incapable of taking a stand for anyone at all. She kept on talking about her children’s future but is she really preparing for it? Storing away cash and jewelry is not exactly the best way to plan your children’s future when you have a husband like Mikael! Mikael is a hopeless case, he is not only selfish and greedy but also cruel. He is incapable of feeling anything for anyone at all. He does not care that her parents are dead and could not even remember his children’s names.

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This episode did suggest that the drama might finally pick up pace now and there will be some new scenarios in the upcoming episodes. After watching the way the story was taken forward in the past few episodes however I have very little expectations from Mann Mayal.

The preview of the next episode showed Mannu taking ‘refuge’ in Salahuddin’s house probably with Jamil’s help. All the tracks are terribly messed up at the moment. The preview of the next episode reminded me of the last few episodes of Shukk. Will Mannu do something ‘normal’ for a change and call her parents and ask them to send her a ticket? Or will she continue living in Salahuddin’s house because Salahuddin will promise her to help save her marriage? Salahuddin will at some point witness Jeena’s negative side probably when she is saying something like that to Mannu. I just hope that the drama is not stretched any further and we at least get to see some fast paced episodes in the end.

How many of you watched this latest installment? Do share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

Servis 4th HUM Awards – The Highs And Lows

Hum TV left no stone unturned to ensure that the Servis 4th Hum Awards were the most grand of all the awards they have organized so far. The organizers raised the bar high last year and now it seems like it is only going to get higher with every passing year. Last year these awards covered only dramas but this time around there was a special category for films and the directors talked about Hum Films’ plans to add to the revival of Pakistani cinema. Almost all the prominent and new faces of the entertainment world especially the world of drama were seen on the award show and on the stage as well.

I would like to discuss the highs and lows of this award show by highlighting different aspects of the show one by one. Also, please keep in mind that this article attempts to discuss the award function and not the nominations or the awards.

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The Hosts:

The show was opened by Hamza Ali Abbasi and Ayesha Khan. It wasn’t the perfect beginning because although Hamza Ali Abbasi is a great speaker and he has a nice voice but he needs to lighten up. Hamza’s body language in particular made this start too serious and not entertaining enough. Also, Hamza’s reply to Feroze Khan when he said that he could never think of competing with Hamza was in bad taste! Hosting isn’t just about reading out your script but also adding some life to the evening. Ayesha Khan’s more-American-than-the-actual-Americans accent and lack of spontaneity definitely did not help kick start the show. These two hosts were much better later on once they were on the stage for a while.

Vasay Chaudhry and Ahmed Ali Butt’s entry changed the mood of this show altogether. The lyrics of the song they sang and performed on were witty and relevant to the show. Also their performance was top-notch. They brought with them the spontaneity and wit which was lacking in the show. It cannot be easy being on the stage with such a big responsibility on your shoulders but these two makes it look like a piece of cake. Ahmed Ali Butt in particular is truly gifted.

Sanam Jung hosted part of the show with Hamza Ali Abbasi and Vasay Chaudhry. Sanam Jung was confident, articulate and definitely much better than some of her co-hosts. She did not shake for a single second even and was definitely not on a mission to impress anyone with her English accent!

Vasay Chaudhry, Ahmed Ali Butt and Sanam Jung did their job well and made these award shows fun to watch.

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The Stage And The Script:

The stage was perfect in every way. Whoever was in charge of the stage did complete justice to the task assigned to them. Every time there was a new performance the background changed and it looked beautiful.

This time around there was plenty of Urdu in between too unlike the last time when the entire script was in English. Ahmed Ali Butt and Vasay Chaudhry mentioned in the beginning that some people got offended last time therefore they kept the personal jokes to the minimum and focused more on general things like the excessive rona dhona in our dramas and different reasons why people watch these dramas etc.

The introduction part in the beginning of the show however was less than average, there was more focus on rhyming and less on briefly asserting the importance of these awards. Unlike the last time the most important awards were not introduced very eloquently.

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The Dance Performances:

I have to say that after I was finally done watching the award show I felt like I had just watched a dance competition! There were too many dances in the show, some of which were truly impressive without any doubt. The costumes, set and choreography was spot on but why do we continue to be fixated with Indian songs? Honestly speaking, it was shocking to see so many dance performances on Indian songs at a time when we are all raving about the growth of Pakistani film industry. If all these producers and directors are so impressed by the growth of the Pakistani film industry then why do they choose Indian songs for these performances?

Atif Aslam’s performance was impressive but was he singing live or just lip syncing?

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Few Suggestions

I was very tempted to give a few suggestions after watching this award show. A lot of hard work went into organizing this grand ceremony – something which I truly appreciate and acknowledge but if our organizers pay a little more attention to few things here and there then they can truly give these award shows a more ‘made in Pakistan’ feel.

Pakistan is blessed with some amazing writers and our actors who hosted this show are very good at speaking Urdu therefore it would be nice to ask one of these writers to write the script which I am certain even Ayesha Khan can read and deliver without any hindrances!! I hate to say this but there were times when I felt like some actors were trying to prove their accent was more ‘English / American’ than others!

Personally, I would much rather watch an award show with absolutely no dance performances but since that is inevitable, it would be nice if the organizers put in some effort to make medleys of OSTs instead of live performances in which yet again mostly songs that are sung are Indian and recorded. Also, Pakistani films have plenty of dance number therefore these songs can easily be used for the dance performances. Dancing on Indian songs sends out the wrong message – as if we don’t have any good songs of our own! If we use our own songs, that will encourage the composers and the singers as well and give the show a more Pakistani feel.

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This award show function was thoroughly entertaining especially Ahmed Ali Butt and Vasay Chaudhry were hilarious but it was too long. I couldn’t help but wonder how the guests managed to sit and watch it for that long. I suggest separate award shows for dramas and films next year, I am certain that Hum TV can do that. I would like to thank all those people who put in so much effort and time into organizing this show and request them to implement some of the suggestions mentioned above next time.

The best thing about watching this show was seeing all these fabulously talented people under one roof being recognized and appreciated – they truly deserve it!

How many of you watched 4th Servis Hum Awards? Do share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

Bhai – Episodes 34 & 35

I found these two episodes quite difficult to watch. Not just because of the episodes themselves but also because I could not find Saturday’s episode anywhere until Sunday evening and then the print was quite awful. My complaining aside, there was not much development in these episodes except Ifrah’s eyes have dried up and all that hoarse screaming has taken a toll on her vocal chords for she barely spoke and when she did it was not very loud!

Ashraf takes ‘180 degree transformation’ to a whole new level. Hammad’s death has opened his eyes, yes we get that and although it is great to see him trying to be a good guy now, it is a bit much to stomach at times. He goes again to Saira to ask for forgiveness and she finally does except when she is talking to Sufiyan later she says she has forgiven Ashraf but not ‘dil se’. What?

Better late than never. Yes, I know. But really, Ashraf? Matric exams at this level and point in his life? I was going to switch off my laptop if he said to Jawad that he planned on asking Ifrah to teach him but thankfully he is not that crazy. Saira agrees to teach Ashraf and I could not decide whether their tuition scenes and Ashraf’s ‘mein nay homework nahin kiya’ was sweet or cheesy or bit of both or none of either and just plain absurd! Nouman Ejaz did look funny though when he licked his thumb before turning a page.

So in my teens I read loads of romantic novels and watched plenty of movies – and then I grew up. Hence, Sufiyan’s constant ‘tum mujh say naraaz ho’, ‘tum meray saath khush ho’, ‘mein kitna lucky hoon’ is getting a bit odd for my liking. I mean, Saira looks content, looks happy with him – what’s with the soppy questions?! Don’t get me wrong – I am all for romance. Rabab-Jawad, Ifrah-Hammad, even the new Ashraf’s brooding one sided ‘lurrrrve’ I can take – but Saira-Sufiyan? Not their biggest fan.

Everything seems to be working out in Ashraf’s household. Khadija is to be married, Rabab is to be rukhsatified, Ashraf is taking more interest in work and education, Sabiha Khala looks very comfortable in the new home and Ifrah seems to have given up on life. Do I sound exasperated with this drama now? Yes, I am. It is quite evident that Ifrah and Ashraf are destined to be together and I wish they would wrap up the drama now with 35 episodes on air already and every possible madness having been shown. I have a horrid feeling Shibli will return and bas I do not fancy seeing him or any violence he may have to offer.

I am wondering if anyone is really following this drama anymore and should I bother to continue reviewing it? Kindly share your thoughts!

Kunwal Javid

Stars Attend Ibrahim’s Birthday Party – Exclusive Pictures

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Nowadays celebrities go out of their way to make sure that their children get the most fantastic birthday parties. There is a trend now of themed parties in which special care is given to the decor and the guests are also asked to dress according to the theme of the party. Momal Sheikh celebrated the 1st birthday of her son Ibrahim yesterday. The birthday party was a grand affair which was attended by many famous Pakistani celebrities, some of whom were seen in public with their children for the first time. Fahad Mirza and Sarwat Gillani’s son can be seen in the pictures for the first time. Hassan Rizvi also attended the party with his son. Danish Taimoor and family can be seen in the pictures alongside Mahira Khan who is also posing with her son. Syra Yousuf is busy with the shooting of the film so she is not seen in the pictures. Shehzad sheikh and his wife with their son enjoyed the birthday party of their nephew.

Here are some pictures from the birthday bash:

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Humayun Saeed’s Latest Interview

Being one of the most well-loved celebrities, Humayun Saeed needs no introduction at all. The ‘revival of Pakistani film industry’ is something all the people in the industry are working for, and of all the celebrities involved in this much talked about revival, Humayun Saeed has been the most active in this whole process. His film, Jawani Phir Nahe Ani is the highest grossing Pakistani film worldwide, and at ARY Film Awards, it received a total of 29 nominations, winning 18. After a break from TV, Humayun Saeed has made his comeback with ARY’s Dillagi, which is being followed and praised by the viewers.

In a recent interview with Dawn Images, Humayun Saeed talked about Jawani Phir Nahe Ani and his comeback.

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About Dillagi, “Dillagi does have its fans. Viewership ratings are great and it’s getting a lot of attention on social media. I had been very busy with production and Dillagi is the first drama that I have acted in the past four years. It’s the kind of role that I enjoy doing, subtle and romantic and it’s brought my fan following back in full force.”
Talking about fitness, ”I have just been watching my weight and eating healthy, and it helps. I am not against artificial procedures but I am scared by some of the results I have seen on people. A slight overdose contorts their faces into strange expressions. I am worried that the same might happen to me.”

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Proud of his film, Jawani Phir Ani, Humayun says, ”JPNA was an ARY movie but I don’t think there was any bias at the awards. The jury consisted of industry professionals and, as I told Wajahat, there was no other movie that deserved to win in all those categories.”

When asked if he’s interested in Bollywood, “I am just not interested. I have so much work here as an actor and producer, I really don’t have the time.”

Humayun Saeed’s production house, Six Sigma Plus, churns out many drama serials every year, so when asked about the representation of women as weak, helpless beings, “It is never a priority to show women crying, but inevitably a lot of stories are like that. And there’s no denying that such dramas are hits. This, sadly, is the life that a lot of women in Pakistan live. They see the same happening to a woman on TV and they enjoy empathising with her. Eventually, there’s also a happy ending which makes them feel optimistic about their own lives. It’s a sad truth.”

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Viewers are waiting for the dramatized version of Bin Roye. “There is so much crying in it and it’s very well-crafted. People are going to love it!”

Udaari – Episode 8

The team of Udaari has definitely succeeded in making sure that things don’t get too dark and ugly in this drama. While causing awareness about child abuse is the primary reason why this drama was made but the entertainment value of the drama, the scenes that make you laugh sometimes outdo the bits that send shivers down your spine. This episode focused more on Meeran and Sheedan’s first day in Lahore. There were some scenes that were somewhat repetitive and could have easily been chopped down. For instance we have already seen enough of Arsh complaining about Meeran and her mother, that particular aspect did not deserve so much screen time. Just like all the previous episodes the scenes in which Imtiaz got an opportunity to violate Zebu was shown in a subtle yet very convincing manner. Without showing anything that would hurt the sensitivities of the viewers the director managed to put the message across. The message in the first scene was loud and clear – a molester will grab any opportunity that comes his way, he does not care if the mother is in the next room. It also goes to show that a lot of children are abused in their own home. A child should be safe inside the four walls of his or her home but that is not always the case. Although Imtiaz’s character is despicable but the word “googli” was hilarious!!! Since he is the only one who knows a little something about Google therefore he was shown bragging about it. It also went to show how this easy access to internet can be misused by people who can easily access such websites. Ahsan Khan owns his character, he is faultless as Imtiaz. He makes you forget every other character he has ever played and you only see him as a ruthless pervert. Sajida has no clue what is going on and she has also accepted Imtiaz’s insulting behaviour towards her majorly because he takes good care of Zebu and looks after her!

I must say that Sheedan’s overconfidence (I don’t agree with Arsh on a lot of things but I do agree with him on this one!) was surprising! We always saw her as a very vocal woman but I expected her to be slightly less vocal in this new environment but I was so wrong!!! Sheedan’s never-ending chatter and her confidence in her singing stood out more in this new place than it ever did in the village. Sheedan is completely different from these people and this contrast was shown brilliantly! The way she refused to give Arsh her vote of confidence was absolutely hilarious! She is so sure that Meeran can do so much better than him or anyone else! It was shocking yet entertaining to watch Sheedan feel right at home in this new place, she was not the least bit intimated by these people. Also, the reaction of Meeran and Sheedan when they were served lunch was spot on. They missed family members who would have done anything to eat such food and at the same time they enjoyed every bit of it. Meeran can tell when she is not wanted or when she is not being appreciated therefore when she starts singing with Arsh there are bound to be problems. Bushra Ansari stole the show yet again! The way these scenes were written and the manner in which they were portrayed on screen made me forget that I was watching a drama! It did remind me of all those helpers who come straight from the villages. Urwa Hocane has been doing her part really well too; her body language and dialogue delivery is on point.

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Milli’s conversation with her mother outside their house was another meaningful conversation which basically went to show that Milli’s mother was not skeptical about these people because of their financial status or background. Laila Zuberi yet again failed to deliver in these scenes. She seems to be more concerned about how she was looking when she talks instead of focusing on the dialogues.

Throughout this episode Imtiaz was trying to prove that Meeran and Sheedan had a bad character because they left for Lahore alone. This actually reminded me of a seminar I attended once in which Asma Jahangir was one of the speakers and she referred to this mentality! The way women are labeled in this way all the time because of such reasons. People who have known Sheedan and Meeran for a long time including Illays refused to believe what Imtiaz said. Imtiaz’s actions went to prove that this was his way of getting back at Meeran for refusing his ‘offer’ which basically sends out yet another message – when a man talks about a woman like that then it is highly likely that the reasons might be similar to the one’s shown in this drama! Sadly, this is actually a very true depiction of our society where defaming a woman can sometimes be the easiest thing to do! It happens not only in villages but even in workplaces where seemingly educated and enlightened men and women work together! Imtiaz’s bruised ego won’t let him rest and I am waiting to find out if he manages to accomplish anything by bad mouthing about these women.

There was a little too much of Arsh and the gang in this episode and their scenes unfortunately didn’t have much to add to the track. Other than that this episode managed to convey some truly important messages with Sheedan (Bushra Ansari) providing the comic relief  and keeping things from getting too serious.

The preview of the next episode suggested that Zebu will start showing that she is mentally disturbed and Sajida will start getting worried for her. Arsh and Meeran’s scenes in the preview showed that things will not be easy from here on. I am definitely waiting to find out how Meeran manages to overcome all these barriers and become a part of this band – right now it seems impossible for her to groom herself to come to that level.

How many of you watched this latest installment? Do share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

Aksbandh – Pakistan’s First Found Footage Horror Film

Horror movies are right up my alley.I am always ready to grab some popcorn and enjoy a spine-chilling horror film so it’s no surprise that Aksbandh (previously titled Paranormal Karachi Nights), a 2016 Pakistani found footage horror film piques my interest.

Directed by Emran Hussain and co-written with Ayaz Samoo, produced by Naveed Arshad, Seemeen Naveed, Ayaz Samoo and Emran Hussain under the production banner of Cinematic Media, Big Idea Entertainment, Aksbandh follows six friends who set out on an fun adventure trip to Larkana, Sindh, to make a small found footage film, where things take a dark turn and they find themselves in danger.

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The cast includes Ayaz Samoo, Saud Imtiaz, Danial Afzal, Bilal Yousufzai, Shehzeen Rahat, Mahrukh Rizvi and Arshad Ali. Most of them are not well-known names of the industry, but Ayaz Samoo has worked in spy thriller, 021 and Moor, for the latter he received AFA Best Actor in a Negative Role.

Talking to Dawn Images, Ayaz Samoo revealed, “When we started our script, there were only two characters instead of six. We incorporated more characters in order to make things more exciting and interesting. With fewer characters, there was a chance of monotony, something we wanted to avoid.”
On TV, Ayaz Samoo has mostly done comedy shows. “I left comedy to pursue serious roles, but it still remains my first love, I started my career as a standup comedian but wasn’t getting comedy roles on the silver screen. In Aksbandh, I saw my chance to do comedy on the big screen and I created the character of Sunny. I wanted the producers to know that I could still do comedy even after getting the Best Villain trophy at the ARY Film Awards. This was the right time to get back to the pavilion.”

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The film was released across Pakistani cinemas on May 20, 2016.

Blind Love – Trailer Is Out

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The film Blind love was in the news last year because Mohammad Amir, the cricketer said in an interview that he was going to start his film career with it. Later on however he denied any such news and said he did not have any intentions of working in films. Mathira’s dance number which she kept on promoting on her twitter and instagram page already pointed towards what her role in the film was going to be like. The film “Blind Love” has been directed by Faisal Bukhari. Most of the actors seen in the film are the ones who are usually seen in dramas. Yasir Shah, Nimra Khan, Imran Bukhari, Aamir Qureshi and Mathira are more prominent in the trailer. The trailer shows that it will be the story of people who plan to rob a bank.

Watch the trailer here:

 

Hareem Farooq’s Upcoming Project

Hareem Farooq is one of the few actors that won a huge fan following in a short span of time. She has appeared in numerous dramas including Mere Humdum Mere Dost, Mausam, Dusri Biwi etc, but by far her performance as Arjumand in Diyar-e-Dil has been the most impressive, according to viewers and critics.
Hareem Farooq got the opportunity to work with the finest directors of the industry, and she will be seen in Mehreen Jabbar’s Dobara Phir Se, alongside Adeel Hussain.

According to Brandsynario, Hareem Farooq is producing her upcoming film, Parchi, which will be romantic comedy. She will also be playing the lead role in the film. Parchi will be directed by Azfar Jafri, who also happens to be the director of Jannan. The script is penned by Shafqat Khan, while Osman Khalid Butt, Azfar Jafri and Imran Kazmi are behind the screenplay. The film will be released under the banner of IRK Films, a company owned by Farooq and Imran Kazmi. Talking to Express Tribune, Kazmi revealed that the film is expected to release in October 2016.

According to Hareem Farooq, the film ‘Parchi’ has slapstick fun moments with equally romantic moments. We wish the team all the best!

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Faiza Iftikhar Talks About “Aap Kay Liye”

Faiza Iftikhar is one of those very few writers who always make an effort to write scripts which offer a different storyline with a hidden social message. She is known for her powerful dialogues and well-etched-out characters which make her dramas entertaining. Faiza Iftikhar has given the television viewers some of the strongest female leads and that too at a time when mazloom aurat reigns supreme in our dramas!! Dramas like Akbari Asghari, Bilquees Kaur, Roag, Aunn Zara in the past and currently on air Dil Lagi and Mein Sitara have given the drama watching audience an opportunity to tune into something that is not run-of-the-mill.

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Faiza Iftikhar’s next venture “Aap Kay Liye” will air on ARY Digital soon after Eid-ul-Fitr. The drama has been directed by Badar Mehmood and produced by Big Bang Productions. The cast includes Faysal Qureshi and Arij Fatyma who will play the leading roles. Samina Peerzada, Waseem Abbas, Salma Hassan, Saife Hassan and others will be playing the supporting roles.

Faysal Qureshi plays the role of Shaheer in the play and Arij Fatima will play the role of Washma. In an exclusive interview with reviewit Faiza Iftikhar talked about “Aap Kay Liye”. Sharing a little something about the main plot and the leading characters she revealed,

Aap Kay Liye is story about contrast characters. Shaheer and Washma are totally different from each other. Shaheer is a mature business man, serious and pretty dry nature but very soft hearted and soft spoken…har kaam ghari ki soii dekh kar…very disciplined. On the other hand Washma is a happy go lucky girl, she doesn’t believe in following rules and schedule. She takes life very easy and loves unconditionally. She is also very vocal about herself and others.”

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Faiza Iftikhar is very sure that viewers will love Washma’s character. The important and intricate details Faiza Iftikhar  shared with us about the leading characters already makes it look like Faysal Qureshi and Arij Fatyma will fit into these roles perfectly. It also seems like Faiza Iftikhar is about to give us another heroine who will be remembered for a long time.

Talking further about the characters Faiza Iftikhar added,

 “Shaheer will be older than Washma with much more experience in life but in few matters Washma seems more sensible than him. Basically Shaheer is simple and can trust others easily. Although Washma is too young but she has an eye and sense to judge others.”

“phoohar, kaahil and sust” were the 3 key words used by Faiza Iftikhar for Washma apart from all her positive qualities.

Samina Peerzada just played the role of a very majbur aurat in the play Beqasoor but in this play her character will have more room for performance and the viewers will get to see her in a character which has more to offer than Sadaf of Beqasoor. Talking about her character Faiza Iftikhar said,

“It is a sort of negative character but not evil. There is also nand bhabi taakra but not in a typical way.”

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Faiza Iftikhar also revealed that Salma Hasan will be playing the role of Washma’s brother’s wife “and this bhabi has too many shades. The viewers will love this on screen bhabi. She is not too sweet neither is she unbelievably bitter,” was how Faiza Iftikhar described this character.

We are extremely thankful to Faiza Iftikhar for taking out time to answer our questions. How many of you are looking forward to “Aap Kay Liye”?

Teri Meri Love Story – Pictures and Details

The multi talented musician, actor and director, Jawad Bashir is busy in the shooting of his upcoming movie, Teri Meri Love Story. Before going on about this film, allow me to point out the obvious: the title is incredibly cheesy!

According to Bransynario, the cast includes Mohib Mirza, Ushna Shah, Omer Shahzad, Mohsin Abbas Haider, Uzma Khan and Laila Zubairi. The movie revolves around a girl who is about to get married, and the plot involves a love triangle. Kinda off-putting. The movie is being shot in Northern Areas and some of the scenes will be shot in Katas Raj Temple in Taxila.

Have a look at the pictures:

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Quratulain Baloch’s Collaboration With Noori

Drama serial, Humsafar changed the game for many artists, and one of these lucky artists is the super talented Quratulain Baloch (also known as QB). She is one of the most unique and distinctive voices out there, and for that reason, she is one my favourites.

Talking to Express Tribune, QB shared quite a bit about her work and experiences as a female singer.
Recently, she did a song, Aar Ya Paar, for Cornetto Pop Rock which was performed in Islamabad earlier this month. This was penned by the ambitious singer herself and produced by Noori. The song is special for QB, ”Not having a grasp on the language, I was able to pull off my philosophical take on life, my feelings and inspirations and how I have perceived myself as a human being.”
QB speaks highly of Noori, “When two crazy idealistic people meet, something extraordinary happens and this is what happened with our collaboration. It could not have been possible without the influence the band has had on all of us”.

About her over all journey and experience, “Our society is such that people want to be entertained by female singers but they don’t want their daughters singing. I’ve been very lucky in that department because I feel that there aren’t many female singers in Pakistan. Now is the perfect time for female singers to put themselves out there.”

Humsafar OST and Sammi Meri Waar are my favourite songs by QB, which ones do you enjoy? x240-6b9

Adnan Malik’s Comeback

Adnan Malik is known and loved for playing Khalil in the wildly popular drama serial, Sadqe Tumhare. He appeared alongside Mahira Khan and they became a well-loved onscreen couple.
After Sadqe Tumhare, fans have been waiting for Adnan Malik to return to the screens. He is set to make a comeback with drama serial, Gypsy.

Talking to Dawn Images, he shared, “Sadqay Tumhare was such a learning curve for me and in its entirety, the whole process definitely took a toll on me; I had gotten emotionally involved with my character so I decided it would be best to take some time off, return to directing. As time passed, it became evident to me how much acting had fine-tuned my directing skills as well and I just knew it was time to go back to school. I read a bunch of scripts, there was also interest from across the border but nothing clicked quite like Gypsy.”
About his character, “I play the role of Sikander, who’s an aspiring photographer, a part of him that resonates with me because that’s what peaked my interest in the arts, when my father bought me my first camera. He’s a very rugged, outdoorsy kinda guy, very different from Khalil. There’s just this lightness to him. So the show revolves around this guy who’s a bit of a wanderer and his equation with two ladies, a non-traditional love triangle of sorts.”

Penned by Faiza Iftikhar, produced by Momina Duraid and directed by Siraj-ul-Haq, drama serial, Gypsy is expected to go on air on HumTV towards the end of 2016.
Adnan Malik will be seen alongside Mira Sethi and Mawra Hocane.

Here are some of the pictures:

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Fawad Khan Will Host IIFA Awards 2016

Fawad Khan was welcomed by Bollywood with open arms. He made his debut with Disney’s Khubsurat, alongside Sonam Kapoor, which earned him not only loyal Indian fans but also the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. His latest film, Kapoor and Sons is also a major commercial success.

It’s just been confirmed that Fawad Khan will be hosting a special segment of The International Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in Madrid, Spain, alongside Karan Johar.
He will be the first Pakistani to host this big event.

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Dil Lagi – Episode 11

This was a beautifully shot episode with so many wondrous moments. I am sure some viewers will be very tempted to talk about how right or wrong it is to go to shrines, I personally feel that there was much more to this episode than just that therefore I would appreciate it if we discuss the developments in the story, acting and direction instead of sticking to that one topic!!

This episode opened with Mishaal refusing to accept Dastagir’s offer to drop her back home. The dialogue about the smirk on Dastagir’s face was very true and funny! Later on his conversation with Mohid also showed how fascinated he was with Mishaal. Dastagir is cute, witty and very funny. Mishaal is simple but at the same time she knows how to refuse an offer she is not comfortable with and she definitely believes in speaking her mind! Love both these actors in their respective roles and I find Dastagir’s fascination with Mishaal really cute!

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The information Mishaal gave Mohid breathed new life into him and gave him yet another reason to try harder to make Anmol realize that his love for her was far stronger than the hatred Anmol felt for him. The way Mohid kept on dragging Fareed into their conversations was hilarious! He now knows that Anmol does not love this man but she despises him and she wouldn’t want to talk about him therefore he kept on talking about him to annoy her! As far as the scenes between Mohid and Anmol are concerned this had to be my most favorite episode because Mohid was a clear winner in this one. Also, for a change we did not hear the same dialogues from Anmol which were gradually becoming a part of every episode. There were also plenty of light moments between these two. Hamayun Saeed is very convincing in this role; he makes you like Mohid more than any other actor could have. Mohid is genuine – that is one thing about his character which is admirable. He has never lied to get what he wanted. He is also very intelligent and believes in speaking his mind just like his wife but he does not hurt people with his words, especially people who care for him and who he respects. There is an undeniable chemistry between Mehwish Hayat and Hamayun Saeed which makes their scenes complete.

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This episode was full of meaningful conversations which were very touching. Mohid’s brief conversation with Mishaal and the one he had with Anmol’s mother showed that although he had not been able to win his wife’s heart but he has definitely succeeded in convincing Mishaal and her mother that he is a good person. Mohid does not need to show the kind of love and respect he shows to Anmol’s family but he does that because he thinks of them as family. Unlike Anmol he is not ‘using’ them for his short term goals. Anmol tried to convince Sabiha to run away because that would have worked in Anmol’s favor. Sabiha on the other hand proved that she was not as selfish as Anmol was! Mohid and Sabiha both have one thing in common – there are times when they put other people’s happiness before their own. Tonight for the first time we saw Anmol actually listening to her mother because she did not want to upset her again. There was definitely a change in Anmol’s character in tonight’s episode, she seems to be softening up or maybe she cannot find a way out yet! Anmol’s desperate phone calls to Fareed and his reaction was also an interesting addition. The scenes at the shrine were beautifully shot, they were meaningful and visually pleasing. The only problem was that it was supposed to be really hot but Mohid and Anmol were wearing very warm shawls and it was quite apparent that it was actually quite cold since Mohid was wearing a jacket before they left also!

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Another scene which I thoroughly enjoyed was Mohid’s mother’s brief conversation with the woman who was sharing her problems with her. That woman’s remark was spot on!!! Mohid’s mother was always seen siding with the woman never the in laws before but now she knows better! All these ironic yet funny scenes were the highlight of tonight’s episode. Saba Hameed’s wardrobe just like her acting in this serial is superb. I love all these colors on her and the grace with which she carries these outfits. I especially liked Mehwish Hayat’s acting in those scenes in which she was clueless!

What makes Dil Lagi different from many other plays which showed similar scenarios in the past too are the intriguing characters, the subtle yet impactful gestures by these characters which define the relationship they have with each other and most importantly the fact that every single dialogue and every scene is beautifully written and directed. Tonight’s episode had to be one of my most favorite episodes of Dil Lagi because all the scenes were very meaningful and I love the turn the story has taken. Watching Mohid start afresh with no doubts in his mind was definitely better than watching Anmol play games with him. I am waiting to find out what exactly does Mohid have in mind. He is not the kind of person who will do anything which Anmol will find insulting in any way therefore it is impossible to guess what his next move will be.

I am eagerly looking forward to what turn the story and Anmol and Mohid’s relationship will take in the next episode. How many of you watched this latest installment? Please share your thoughts about it.

Fatima Awan

What Is In Store For Zahid Ahmed Next?

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Zahid Ahmed is a household name in Pakistan. Fans love him for his voice, his looks and his talent. He was seen playing negative roles in drama serial Alvida and Sangat but is seen playing a role which is completely opposite in the drama serial Zara Yaad Kar. Zahid Ahmed chatted with his fans on facebook yesterday in which he talked about what projects he is doing right now and he also talked about his likes and dislikes.

Zahid Ahmed revealed something about his upcoming project. He said,

“It is a very tough story. I play a father in distress, something I haven’t done before.”

He is also planning to sign another script by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar. He will also be seen playing different roles, an action hero in Geo’s play and he might just step into the world of films this year too.

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Zahid Ahmed also disclosed,

“I am like my character in Zara Yaad Kar in real life, I am very loving and compromising.”

Zahid Ahmed also told his fans which characters were his most favorite and which were his least favorite.

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He also thinks that he still doesn’t know how he can use all this fame for some higher purpose but he keeps on asking Allah to guide him. Zahid Ahmed’s first love is theatre. He told his fans,

“I would love to do theatre again but it takes months to prepare and pays very little. If I ever got to an influential position. I would love to industrialize theatre so that the youth participates and gets paid.”

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Zahid Ahmed also shared that Saba Qamar was his favorite co-star.

Sehra Main Suffer – The End!

Ohkay so, usually when the drama’s are about to end, the viewers gete curious & await the last episode eagerly but I tried watching it twice & it didn’t grab my attention so I decided to put in on hold. Just completed this episode after quite a few hours of its airing & I must say I am going to ask again, was this episode necessary? The answer is no because this episode didn’t make an iota of a contribution in Iqra’s journey & it just brought forward the non-issues of an insecure spoiled immature boy who didn’t need this much of attention since we weren’t given a chance to warm up to his character, therefore understanding & feeling his predicament was out of question & he just seemed like an unthankful boy who got everything that he wanted in his life & didn’t really understand the value of it!!!

All of a sudden, we were taken forward to the point where everything in Iqra’s life was settled, so why didn’t this drama end at that note? If I look back, last week’s episode would’ve been a perfect ending because Ayaaz understood & gave Iqra the freedom to make decisions for her family. Ayaaz got a chance to establish himself & things were sorted, so why did the writer believe that we’d be interested to find out Mr. Mamur’s thoughts on his Amaan jaan’s nokri whereas he should’ve been shown as someone who had a lot of appreciation for what his mother had done for the entire family. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that a child who grew up in a loving environment where both the parents had a mutual understanding of certain things, could turn out to be so insecure, bitter & immature that he would give priority to his parent’s nashta that too expecting it from his future wife to take care of it on his behalf?

This entire episode was written for the conversation that happened between Iqra & Mamur where she makes him understand how it is alright for a girl to pursue a career especially after she has invested so much of time & money in her education & voila everything was sorted? So only apart from this meaningful scene, there was nothing that sparked an interested & there was absolutely nothing that this episode offered so I am still wondering why was the drama extended till this episode & why was it dragged for no good reason. Mamur ended up becoming another one of those short-lived villains who had no substance whatsoever that we often came across during the course of this journey!

The drama ended at a note where Iqra got to convince her son that it’s alright for his fiancee to be doing a job & that’s it? I have never seen such a meaningless & weak ending before. Where are Iqra’s parents? Where’s Ayaaz’s brother & his wife? That’s the thing with our writers & directors that they drag the story so much & unnecessarily fill the last few episodes with not-so interesting situations & when it comes to the last episode, they either have so much to wrap up or don’t really pay attention to how the drama should end, because of which a lot of supporting characters who get a lot of coverage in the beginning are ignored in the end. I think the writers & the producers really need to understand that dragging & stretching the drama doesn’t benefit anyone at all rather it ruins the drama completely. The note where Ayaaz understands the importance of Iqra’s job after he meets an accident was a perfect point to end this drama so I hope after this, the producers understand that if a story is appropriate for 16-18 episodes then they should leave it that way rather than hoping to reach the 20+ episode mark which serves no purpose & ruins the drama in the end totally! Anyways, the drama began at a good note & not sure what happened mid way. The acting of all the actors was good but Zarnish Khan stood out the most, she really is a talented actor & I hope she chooses her projects wisely. I think this drama is good for binge-watching because when I watched the initial episodes back to back, they seemed really interesting but when I had to watch this drama on weekly basis, that’s when the slow pace really kicked in & made it hard to sit through the episodes. Anyways, please share your thoughts about this entire journey of Sehra Main Safar.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

ps: This will be my last review for now as I am taking a week off for a mini trip to KSA. I will cover all the missed episodes once I return Insha Allah! :)

Syra Shahroz’s Latest Pictures

Syra Shahroz is the face of Al Karam Studio, and in her latest shoot for their Eid collection, she looks absolutely stunning.

Have a look at the pictures:

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Two + Two – Pictures and Details

Directed by Shahid Shafaat, produced by Hamza Ansari and Hassaan Azher of Epiction Films, Two + Two (previously titled Jhol) is an upcoming Pakistani movie starring Urwa Hocane, Ali Azmat, Bilal Ashraf, Mustafa Qureshi, Saleem Mairaj and Babra Sharif.

Talking to Dawn, the producer revealed, ”90% of our shoot is outdoors, and we’re showing Karachi’s culture in areas like Ranchore Lines and even parts of Hyderabad.”
The movie is said to mark the return of Babra Sharif as she will be playing the role of Bilal Ashraf’s mother while Mustafa Qureshi will play the father’s character.

Nomi Ansari is also part of the team as he has done the styling for the film. According to Brandsynario, the technical team of the film hails from China and Singapore and all the stunts have been directed by the stunt manager of Jet Lee’s Hero. The same source reveals that Ashraf will be playing the role of a doctor, Azmat is anticipated to be seen as an avatar of a middle-aged cop while the stunning starlet Urwa is playing the part of a high-profile businesswoman.

Urwa speaks highly of her co-star, Bilal Ashraf, and through Instagram, the two keep their fans posted.

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Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai – Pictures

One of the most well-loved onscreen TV couples, Sajal Ali and Feroze Khan will be making their cinematic debut with the latest project of director Anjum Shehzad, Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai.

According to Brandsynario, the film is an intense love story showing the journey of a couple, Zain Ahmed (Feroz Khan) and Mahira (Sajal Ali) who fall in love and get married at a tender age only to regret it later.
Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai is a joint production between an Australian production company RC Films, of Rafiq Ahmed Chudhary, with Mrs. Fahmeeda Abdul of Kingfisher Films.

The cast of Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai includes Sajal Ali, Feroze Khan, Aly Khan, Jibrayl Ahmed Rajput, Shafqat Cheema and Nayyar Ejaz.
The writer of the film, Abdull Khaaliq Khan also has drama serial Kaafir to his credit.

Talking to Brandsynario, director Anjum Shehzad revealed that Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai is the story of a 21st-century relationship and marriage, embarking at a young age. “Life is beautiful, and we are making a film about this gift of life that will reach out and connect to people from all walks of life – and is at the heart of it extremely Pakistani.”

Here are some of the pictures:

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Ayesha Omer – Brand Ambassador Of Jahanara Lawn

Ayesha Omer is a model, singer, actress and host. Best known for her role as Khubsurat in Bulbulay, Ayesha Omer is a prominent name in our entertainment industry.

Here are some of the pictures of her latest shoot:

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Celebrities Spotted At Director Syed Atif Hussain’s Birthday Party

Syed Atif Hussain is a well-known director with many popular dramas like Laadon Mein Pali, Asmanon Pay Likha, Maryam, Iqraar etc to his credit. His drama, Beqasoor is currently on air on ARY.

Recently, Syed Atif Hussain celebrated his birthday, and many celebrities were seen at the party, including the entire cast of Beqasoor.

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