After her divorce with Mikaal Zulfiqar, Sara Bhatti has officially become a part of the industry. She is in dramas and doing shoots and making a career for herself. But still, at many places, people refer to her as Mikaal’s ex-wife than calling her as her own person. Sara took to Instagram and shared a message about self-identity that how she should just be referenced by her own work. Here is what she wrote:
Definitely an on-point message by Sara!
It was Ahmad Shahzad’s son’s first birthday and papa made sure the little boy gets a big bash. Many stars were seen on the occasion and little Ali looked like a true cutie. Urwa Hocane, Farhan Saeed, Resham, Reema, Imran Abbas and many other stars were seen at the birthday bash. Here are some pictures:
I know when it is the 29th episode of a drama and things are still at a place where they were in the 16th or 17th episode, no one can be happy. But I have decided to be happy with this episode because as you read the title, Atif got levelled by Arsala. If you couldn’t believe it the first time, here I write it again in capital letters: ATIF GOT LEVELLED BY ARSALA! It was a surprise to see the Khamosh larki finally using her tongue, an organ she had sworn she would never use. She insulted him the way he deserved to get insulted and threw him out of her office. A good scene to watch which made the other useless and some horrible scenes of the episode tolerable. Now, let’s talk about stuff which was difficult to handle:
I am not able to understand one thing, Shahram is a billionaire, he is humble and handsome. He knows how to run the world then why he could never figure out how to get a girl and everyone in the city is busy searching a perfect dulhan for him. First, it was Nasreen who was worried for his dulhan. Then Bee Jaan was setting him up with Arsala after she found out about his slight interest and now Tahseen is yelling ke woh Shahram ke liye achi larki nahin hai. Why do these ladies not let him on his own? That’s how maybe he starts using his senses which have gone missing since his meeting with Arsala.
The other thing that REALLY bothered me was Bee Jaan’s track. They have filmed it in such a horrible way and the repetition of the track, again and again, is not helping. The constant BED NUMBER 4!!! She is in an old-age home not in a prison. Yes, these places are not really homy always and many of the people experience very hard times but still, it is not like the whole administration just keeps standing on your head calling you bed number 4 and saying bad stuff about you.
Iqra Aziz’s track has gotten lost in the drama somewhere. She just comes repeat the old scenes and goes back to do some other of her project. Her character is not even moving towards a conclusion and same is the case with the mother. It is episode 29 and there is no change in her behaviour either. The next episode is going to be the repetition of this episode with of course not a single new scene as is depicted by the preview.
Let’s wait and maybe we could see Naima’s devastation in 2019!
This latest episode of Woh Mera Dil Tha had another unexpected and important development to its credit which changed the direction of the story completely. I am wondering why a lame drama like Noor-ul-Ain has been given the 8pm slot and Woh Mera Dil Tha which is far better has been given the 9pm slot! Woh Mera Dil Tha isn’t faultless but it is definitely far more interesting that Noor-ul-Ain which has absolutely no story or direction!
Even after all the planning and convincing Zaid could not escape the situation he had put himself into because of Arham. Arham pulled back from his commitment as well as his relationship with Naina but somehow Naina didn’t even try to tell her father the truth. Zaid however did whatever he could to tell his father that this was a big misunderstanding but ultimately had to give in. Although this entire situation was really serious but somehow I found it amusing! Since Zaid had planned all this, it looked like he was paying for being over smart and for trying to outsmart everyone else! This episode as a whole however could have been even more entertaining if like the previous episode some of the scenes were not dragged. The flashback scenes were used effectively in this recent episode since they helped the viewers understand why Arham ultimately backed off. This particular development was shown convincingly and it was startling.
Right from the first episode I was wondering how these two people who simply couldn’t stand each other will ultimately end up together. That mystery has been solved tonight and now I am eagerly waiting to see how Zaid in particular will handle this situation. It will be interesting watching Naina and Zaid grow as individuals as well as partners. Even when Arham didn’t turn up and Naina was heart broken, Zaid didn’t give her a lot of concession which basically shows that he is definitely not the kind of person whose heart will melt watching a girl in distress or crying. Zaid was also shown resisting this nikkah more aggressively than Naina did which makes this entire situation even more interesting! Zaid is allergic to commitments too therefore it is impossible to tell how he will treat Naina once they enter into a nikkah. The fact that Naina was his best friend’s girlfriend for the longest time definitely doesn’t help. These two can easily pass as a match made in hell.
The latest turn in the story has made this drama even more interesting and I can’t wait to watch what happens next! Some of the scenes and situations tonight weren’t convincing enough but overall it was an entertaining episode which gave me a reason to look forward to more! Sami Khan and Madiha Imam’s remarkable performances were the highlight of this latest episode. The preview of the next episode however was a little too elaborate especially given the fact that right now we were all supposed to be wondering whether these two will ultimately get married or not!
How many of you watched this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about it.
Ohkay so, another week, another boring episode of Noor ul Ain. I am not sure what is to be blamed, the writing, the direction, the overall scenario or the half-dead characters. If there’s one word that fits this drama, it is DRY & unfortunately, it keeps on getting drier, even more drier than my freshly done laundry!
Khizar’s be-naam amman jaan came to see both Noor & Khizar & what she said to Noor was spot on. I mean I am sure even she was frustrated at Noor like we all are so she decided to do the honors & ask Noor the obvious question that what did she see in Khizar & most importantly, how did she start trusting him so much that she decided to get married to him after meeting him twice? I guess the writer should have been a little more respectful towards Marina Khan because when an actor of her stature is working in your drama, you should at least give her character a name? What is her name? Does anyone know? This is the second mystery, first one being Noor’s decision of estranging her family to be with Khizar, the guy she just met & got married but can’t even smile while looking at him!?!?!
Sofie was wailing about her phooti kismat but then again, her mother seemed pretty calm. I must say Tanveer Fatima’s calm after the storm has left me scratching my head, she seems in a very comfortable zone after whatever has happened with Noor? So much so that even the bad news from Sofie’s in laws side didn’t shock her enough!
Well, now that Khizar & Noor are married, I will honestly say that I couldn’t see them as a husband & wife, like there is no connection, no spark, no chemistry, absolutely nothing between them to make them look like a couple. I am sure this has to do with Noor’s poker face, I get it, she is a practical, bongi, serious sort of a girl but even then no one is devoid of basic emotions like happiness or satisfaction? Noor’s confessions to Khizar sounded so half hearted as if she was just delivering the dialogues without any emotions or feelings. Also, her confession came as a surprise because she claimed that Khizar had done so much for her emotionally but then where are those emotions? Why can’t we see them? Why?
To me Noor & Khizar seemed like a sibling duo who were now living in a hostel, away from their parents to make a living in the city. I wish Sarmad had directed Sajal to smile a bit because it wouldn’t have harmed anyone & would’ve definitely given me a reason to look at the TV screen for a brief moment & not at the ceiling which I usually stare at when Noor ul Ain is airing. Even though both Imran & Sajal made some contact like side hugs & holding hands but even that didn’t help much to give them an overall vibe of a couple – all thanks to our flat-faced Noor!
As if things weren’t dry enough that they decided to play that weird OST during the 2 minute long scene where Noor & Khizar were doing grocery shopping? I mean I was low-key amused & also cringing that this was the love story we were being made to watch where now we’d have to derive some sweetness out of such a boring scene of seeing a couple doing their groceries? LOL!
Khizar has been making some really tall claims like giving Noor her dream house & doing everything for her but where he should have started doing something straight away, he is arranging loans & depending on his friends for everything? Hmmmm…!
Well, obviously the writer had to bring Noor in front of her parents, so he decided to turn Kashi, a harmless soul into a thief to create that scenario. Really there was absolutely no need for all of this because Noor has left her family & vice versa, so! I wish in stead of wasting energies on side tracks & characters, the writer had put some personality, some depth, some emotions in the main leads because that would’ve done wonders to this drama & had taken it to a whole new level. Anyways, please share your thoughts.
Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.
Also, a Tip for ARY: Please start airing Noor ul Ain’s Double Episodes so that we can get over with this drama ASAP!
In the wake of #MeToo there’s a wave of women coming out with harassment stories and Ayesha Omar is one of them. She didn’t exactly accuse a certain someone of sexually harassing her but she admitted that she has been sexually harassed in the industry numerous times. Talking about the Meesha-Ali controversy she said,
“If a person has collected the strength to speak up about an injustice or something that has been bothering her or has been in her heart for a while, the way we, as a nation react, the way we slander, negate and we are so in utter denial of it is disturbing,”
The ‘Karachi Se Lahore’ starlet expressed her inability to share her own experiences due to a lack of strength to discuss it at this time.
“I hope, someday I have the strength and I am brave enough to talk about it but when people like Meesha or others who have the courage to speak up against harassment are accused of trying to pull publicity stunts.”
She continued,
“The initial reactions to Meesha’s statement were that she was doing it for money or publicity but what publicly is she to gain out of accusing somebody of harassing her. All publicity is not good publicity and she is only gaining negative publicity out of this. All she is getting is vulgar comments, angry comments, and accusations. I know she is a strong, bold and outspoken woman and she will not stand any injustice…she will speak up about it.”
She further exerted how important it is for everyone to have examples of strong women like Meesha who help others find their voice too,
“It has taken Meesha so long to speak about something that has been happening since years and she didn’t have the strength to talk about it, so think about all those women who go through sexual harassment on a daily basis and they don’t have the strength and courage to talk about it publicly or in their families.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhbY5P0AZxX/?taken-by=ayesha.m.omar
In response to a question about Ali Zafar’s response to the matter, Ayesha said the singer has the right to deny anything said against him if there is no proof of it.
“If someone says something about me tomorrow, I will also deny it, but it doesn’t mean that the honesty or intentions of a person talking about an experience they have undergone should be doubted.”
Have anything to add?
Meesha Shafi and Ali Zafar controversy is making headlines these days, in an interview with Instep the Aya Lariye singer opened up about harassment issue.
Speaking about how it was weighing on her conscience and how she needed to talk about it she said,
“The first and foremost reason [for breaking silence] is that I’m ready. I have started talking to people and divulging my experience. I’m finding it hard on my conscience to stay silent any longer than this because I’m seeing such brave girls and women speaking up – not just around the world – but here as well.”
Referring to the girls who spoke being harassed by former Patari CEO Khalid Bajwa, she added,
“I have to say, by the way, I salute these girls. It’s not easy. They are not public figures and I think it can be harder for me, in a way, but it’s hard for everyone. The more I think about it, the more I realise that if I don’t go public, nothing will change. It was eating away at me.”
Being the mother of two, a boy and a girl, she has been teaching her kids about good touch and bad touch these days and to talk to her if anyone touches them inappropriately. She said that teaching them about all this while she kept silent when these things happen to her as an adult was gnawing at her,
“I am telling my children how important it is to speak up, so it was getting difficult for me to stay silent knowing that it was not accidental or subtle.”
Meesha recalled that the harassment wasn’t about a hug that went on for too long, a greeting that went on for a little too long or a lingering handshake.
“Women who feel that that’s inappropriate and speak-up and feel harassed, that is absolutely their right and not to take away anything from them in any way but it was more than that and that people need to know.”
She continued,
“The first time it happened, I didn’t react and just left. I told my husband but also asked him to not react; I’m a public figure and so is he [Ali Zafar]. My thought process was who I am and who he is and what that’s going to lead to. Being ready to talk was far off because it had just happened. I buried it.”
But it happened again late last year or last quarter of last year. And in both instances, they were not alone. The second time it happened in a jam room. she said,
“I got booked for a concert,”
She and Ali Zafar were billed to perform on the same concert. When asked why she said agreed to perform with him, she said:
“It is my bread and butter, it was work coming my way.”
It eventually resulted in them preparing a song that they could perform together.
“I was jamming with my band in Lahore and the organisers insisted that he was trying to get in touch. It started turning into a thing, and I was being seen as difficult or a diva, I got such feelers. I was avoiding him. I was asked to jam, figure out songs, scale and it happened while we were jamming.”
The singer remarked that ever since she went public with the story a burden has been lifted. she added,
“It is liberating, it’s empowering and it’s not the end of the world. I only felt hesitant as long as I hadn’t told anyone. The more people I tell, the more power I feel. I do. That has been my direct experience in the case. I’ve done the thing I feared and I’ve taken the leap of faith. And you know what, it’s okay,”
Have anything to add?
The dramas usually get famous for the performances our favourite actors do or the chemistry between the lead pair. But mostly they get famous for the uniqueness of their scripts. A good actor/actress knows how to select the script which has that oomph that finally makes the audience tune into a channel week after week. These are the artists that finally start being counted in the most successful actors’ department because they know what to select and what can take their crafts to look the best on screen. Here are a few of them:
Noman Ijaz:
Noman Ijaz has the best eye for picking up unique stories. We have seen him give hits after hits for years which involve his versatility as well as his choice of good scripts. He has done all kinds of roles from a quiet guy torn between two women and kind of afraid of his wife in Barri Aapa and at the same time he played a feudal lord in the ground-breaking Mera Saayein. Noman Ijaz has a nick for good scripts. Sang e Mar Mar, Dumpukht, Shayad and Darr Si Jati Hai Sila are the latest additions which show how he can see the wow charm of a script. He has proven his talent of choosing the best over and over and this is what has made him the most successful actor in the drama industry.
Sami Khan:
It is not wrong to say that currently, Sami Khan is the champion of selecting the best scripts. He knows what will work for the audience and it has become the reason that he is giving back to back hits and performances that really are working for everyone. His role in Be Inteha, the intriguing factor there was in Tau Dil Ka Kya Hua, the sensitivity in Aisi Hai Tanhai, the complications of Khudgarz, he has really mastered the craft of settling for the best scripts and consequently, he is the part of many top hits right now.
Yumna Zaidi:
Yumna has really joined the league of the most refined actresses and all thanks to her strong performances as well as a bold choice of scripts. She has proved again and again that she is here to stay with the kind of choices she is making. Ye Raha Dil made us look at her in a new light. She looked smart, modern and confident and then she chose a totally different script which is a difficult choice I must say and that’s Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila. To play a sensitive character like that after a light-hearted Ye Raha Dil was a great move. Her Pukar has also proven to be quite engaging.
Ayeza Khan:
Ayeza is a champion with scripts. Yes, she is an exceptional actress but honestly, I’ll attribute her success more towards her talent with her eyes for the better script. She beautifully understands her audiences’ psyche and works according to that. She once hit a phase where she was playing a roti dhoti larki again and again but she pulled herself out of it and has never looked back since she has started making extremely intelligent choices in her career. Pyaare Afzal, Tum Kon Piya, Mohabbat Tum Se Nafrat Hai, Tau Dil Ka Kya Hua, all have struck a chord with the audience not just because of the performances but also because they were incredible stories.
Imran Abbas:
Many would say that his looks are his superpower but honestly, the guy has the best senses when it comes to selecting a good script and he has proved it over and over in the past years. Even in the very start when he was not the biggest star, he knew what will be the hit. Alvida, Dil e Muzter, Khuda Aur Mohabbat, Mohabbat Tum Se Nafrat Hai, Yaar e Bewafa and Mera Naam Yousuf Hai are just a few of his choices which show his prowess for picking the good scripts. Even if his performance goes lower in any of his dramas, the scripts are so good that the audience ends up not noticing.
Saba Qamar:
Saba knows what works! It is as simple as that. Saba is one of the best actresses in our industry and she has built her career by choosing intelligent projects and then giving stellar performances. From Maat, Digest Writer, Bunty I Love You to the recent Baaghi, Saba knows what will charm the viewers and give her more room to give her hundred percent and she acts on it. The end result: Stellar projects which people remember long after their conclusion and long to see Saba on screen again.
Mohsin Abbas Haider:
Mohsin is a full package of talent. From hosting to singing to acting, he has nailed every project he has done. Mohsin has been a part of really good projects that give him room for expression. His brief stint on television has still made people notice him because of the unique projects he chose. Muqabil was something people fell in love with, he has a different role in Meeras too and now Lashkara is also a great addition to his drama list.
Kubra Khan:
Kubra though a newbie knows how to select a project. She also has a knack for stories that will work. Mostly all of her projects were super-hit and all because the stories were extremely unique. Khuda Aur Mohabbat 2, Sange Marr Marr, Muqabil and even Alif Allah Aur Insaan kept the audience hooked to their screens and all did well on the TRP charts.
Which other actors do you think have a good eye for a beautiful script? Add to the list!
Ali-Meesha controversy has heated a lot of debate and many celebrities have weighed their opinions on it. With some siding with Meesha, others siding with Ali, a lot of them have just stayed neutral. Here are some of the opinions that have come out from the colleagues of the involved parties:
Waqar Zaka like always has his own way of taking sides. The man does not know subtlety:
Hamza Ali Abbasi also spoke out his mind:
Sonya should be appreciated for this mature stance. She has asked everybody to not go on blindly supporting their parties:
Mahira talked about the sensitivity of the issue at hand:
And so did Momina Mustehsan:
Urwa supported Meesha:
While OKB sarcastically slammed those who were slandering women who talk about this stuff:
Iffat Omar was in total support of Meesha:
Maya Ali is supporting her Teefa n Trouble co-star:
The industry is clearly divided and so are the fans. Let’s see how they bury the hatchet as the matter has really gotten out of hand!
This latest episode of Zun Mureed once again showed the difficulties Tabbasum had to face only because she refused to be beaten up and asked for some respect in return for everything she had done for her husband and his family. Tabbasum isn’t asking for much but Sajjad’s ego won’t allow him to admit that he was wrong and Tabbasum had no choice but to seek protection from the authorities. Sajjad’s ego stands in the way of a reconciliation and Mariam continues to do whatever she can in order to make sure that Tabbasum doesn’t come back to this house. Sajjad’s mother already wants that he should divorce Tabbbasum. It is truly upsetting to see these seemingly educated woman deriving pleasure out of someone’s suffering and this someone is not only their immediate family member but is also the person who looked after the house and at least one of these women for many years! Mariam and Bi Jaan have nothing to gain from making this situation even worse except control (of course!!). This entire situation has been shown realistically because unfortunately in a joint set up there are plenty of women like Bi Jaan who do not let their degrees stand in the way of their ignorance! They only want Tabbasum out of Sajjad’s life because they can’t see him giving his attention to her!
This drama aptly shows the problems a woman is most likely to face if she sends her husband to jail for beating her up. No one cares what Sajjad did, everyone is focusing on the fact that Tabbasum punished him for what he did to her. It is a common practice not just in our society but in many countries to blame the victim instead of the perpetrator and this practice is even more common when the victim is either a woman or someone from a minority group. If a woman musters up the courage to take a stand for herself, she will constantly be judged for doing so by majority of people including her own family members. Now with the freedom of media and the popularity of social media, the battle becomes even harder. It is good to see that the writer has shown that there are also people who applaud such women and acknowledge the fact that it is important for a woman to do whatever it takes to protect herself. Many of the scenes tonight showed how everyone was continuously judging Tabbasum and feeling for Sajjad. Tabbasum’s bhabhi’s remarks about the school principal who invited Tabbasum to come talk to her students showed that no matter what a woman achieves, some people will judge her based on her ‘marital status’! There are very few people who understand what Tabbasum is going through and even fewer who genuinely want to help.
Tabbasum was finally reunited with her children after Mariam figured out that Sajjad might give in to the pressure if the kids gave him too much trouble. Mariam’s husband is the only one who understands the situation but no one wants to listen to him! Fari and her class fellow’s conversation highlighted some important aspects of domestic abuse but these two actors are definitely not well-suited for the roles they are playing.
Zun Mureed’s script is faultless and some of the performances are right on point too but Nadia Khan continues to be the weakest link! I don’t understand why she chose to play such a role when she cannot compromise on her make-up and styling and I am also wondering why the producers thought that someone like her who still has a long way to go could have done justice to such a powerful character! Our drama industry is filled with talented actresses who could have done complete justice to this role. Amna Mufti’s script is intelligently written which is the only reason why it gives you a great deal to talk about and something to look forward to every week.
I am waiting to see if Tabbasum will eventually go back to Sajjad’s house. Right now it seems highly unlikely! How many of you watched tonight’s episode? Do share your thoughts about it.
After Meesha Shafi came out with allegations on Ali Zafar, the internet was divided and the fans on both sides had a lot of opinions. Many were counter-accusing Meesha on her allegations. Today, some more people came out alleging that Ali also harassed them. Hamna Raza came out with her story as she explained that she was afraid that no one will believe her:
Another incident was shared by a lady about Ali becoming very handsy towards her cousin:
Another lady also felt like Ali was crossing lines:
There has been a complete silence after the incident came out yesterday. Fans are supporting Meesha and Ali both. With Ali wanting to take it forward in a court of law, these allegations can be harmful to him!
There was a time when Pakistani viewers desperately wanted to watch dramas which highlighted important social issues, broke stereotypes and were entertaining too since most of the dramas focused entirely on family politics and there were hardly any strong female leads in our dramas. Although, even today such dramas get ratings but there are plenty of viewers out there who want to see variation in Pakistani dramas and would rather tune into a show which serves a higher purpose. Apart from this, the viewers also wanted the drama makers to experiment with different genres.
The production houses finally realized that they needed to make dramas which were for those viewers who believe that dramas are a useful medium for spreading awareness and shedding light on topics which people usually shy away from therefore they didn’t only let the writers experiment with genres but also showed quite a few hard-hitting dramas in prime time.
You can’t watch issue-based heavy-duty dramas every day of the week therefore we have made a list of entertaining shows which will keep you hooked and also offer variety. While some of them are thought provoking dramas which show a realistic picture of some really serious issues in our society, others are feel-good family dramas which keep you looking forward to more and help you unwind.
Dar Si Jati Hei Sila
Writer: Bee Gul
Director : Kashif Nisar
Produced by: MD Productions
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Dar Si Jati Hei Sila is a must-watch for all those people who like watching thought-provoking dramas which fit the bill. This drama will not disappoint you and it will give you tons to reflect upon. The writer’s direct and honest approach, riveting performances and brilliant direction are few of the reasons why this drama is a must-watch. It is intense, powerful and definitely stays with you long after you’re done watching it.
Dar Si Jati Hei Sila is the story of a family living in Noor Manzil. All the members of the family fail to see why the main lead Sila is so quite and scared all the time. It shows sexual abuse and harassment from a different perspective and questions the double standards of our society. The drama has plenty of interesting plot twists to keep you interested, the characters and the dialogues are its main attraction and the overall treatment given to this play is faultless.
Aangan
Writer: Faiza Iftikhar
Director: Qasim Ali Mureed
Produced By: Six Sigma Plus
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Aangan is one such drama that has so much to offer to every single viewer that tunes to it. It won’t be an overstatement but Aangan is such a drama which is everyone’s cup of tea because the writer has brought real life to reel life and for that very reason, everyone can relate to all the characters in this drama. Spot on direction, relatable and beautiful characters, brilliant acting and most importantly, the comic factor and perfect dialogues makes Aangan a must watch!
Aangan is a story of a huge Punjabi family where the daughters in law get to do the heavy lifting. Some days they fight and the others they come together to resolve their family issues. A situational story which warms your heart, makes you smile and at times leaves you teary eyed too. It is not an easy feat bringing so many characters to life and for that reason, Faiza Iftikhar should take a bow. If you are a fan of light-hearted dramas with some strongly embedded messages conveyed in a non-preachy manner, Aangan is the drama for you!
Aakhri Station
Writer: Amna Mufti
Director: Sarmad Khoosat
Produced by: Kashf Foundation & Khoosat Films
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Aakhri Station is just plain beautiful! Everything about this drama is brilliant right from the get-go. It is a relatively short play which is meaningful, deep as well as gripping. Once you start watching this show, you won’t be able to stop! It gives hope and educates at the same time. The OST of this drama is equally impressive. It is yet another feather in Kashf Foundation’s cap. Amna Mufti’s script is compelling and all-encompassing.
Aakhri Station is a mini-series which doesn’t only highlight the problems faced by women in a male dominated society which thrives on suppressing women but also shows how they eventually empower themselves. Aakhri Station is the story of seven women who meet by chance and end up finding out that they have a lot in common. Although the odds are against these women but they are strong and eager to fight their battles. Aakhri Station shouldn’t be missed, it is a gem which should be watched and appreciated.
Khudgarz
Writer: Rida Bilal
Director: Yasir Nawaz
Produced By: Six Sigma Plus & Next Level Entertainment
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Khudgarz drama is a result of an intelligently written script where the writer Rida Bilal didn’t lose her grip on the script, from the beginning till the end. Khudgarz’s script was strong but the director elevated its level with his strong direction and the actors took it a notch higher too with their extraordinary performances. This is one such drama that will stay with you for a long time and will touch you on a very personal level.
As the name suggests, Khudgarz was a story of a young man who couldn’t see anyone happy and then his journey from being negative to someone who wanted to do everything to revert his wrongdoings. A story also covering strong friendships, beautiful marriage which was A result of sacrifices and compromise. Khudgarz also intelligently shed a light on the sensitive subject of depression and the way this entire aspect was covered made it too obvious that depression was never tackled in such a way in our dramas before. Beautifully written dialogues and all those situations which kept you engulfed in deep thoughts when you tuned to this drama makes it a must-watch.
Zun Mureed
Writer: Amna Mufti
Director: Ahmed Kamran
Produced By: Moomal Entertainment
Rating: 3.5 Stars ☆☆☆☆
Zun Mureed highlights the issue of domestic abuse from a completely new perspective. It sheds light on how difficult it is for women to actually use the women protection bill to shelter themselves from abuse. Amna Mufti’s script is powerful and affective but unfortunately Nadia Khan, who plays the role of Tabbasum (the main protagonist) failed to do justice to her character. This drama could have been even more impactful if it was given the right treatment by the director. Zun Mureed however shouldn’t be missed because it is bound to give its viewers tons to reflect upon and raises some really important and relevant questions. Also, apart from Nadia Khan all the other actors have performed brilliantly therefore overall the viewers will have no trouble connecting to the characters and the situations.
Shayyad
Writer: Faiza Iftikhar
Director: Syed Ali Raza (Usama)
Produced By: Babar Javed
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Shayyad is a must-see drama for all the hopeless romantics out there who want to watch a different story of undying love. Uzair Jaswal’s phenomenal performance, the beautiful dialogues and an unpredictable storyline are few of the reason why everyone should tune into this drama. The filmy feel of this play is sure to cast a spell on its viewers and you will find yourself falling in love with Saad (the main protagonist) more with every passing episode.
Shayyad is a love story which will win you over as soon as you are done watching the first episode. It is poignant, inspiring and meaningful, Shayyad is also one of those very few dramas which didn’t drag at all. Some of the characters are so beautifully etched-out that at times they are the sole reason why you keep on coming back for more! Hani and Saad’s love story is unforgettable and touching. If you haven’t watched this play already, you need to tune into it ASAP!!
Nibah
Writer: Radian Shah
Director: Aabis Raza
Produced By: Big Bang Entertainment
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Drama serial Nibah is a remake of an old classic Aanch. Making a remake of a classic is always a risky affair. I remember watching Aanch and my impressions of all the characters therefore naturally I found myself comparing Nibah with Aanch and there were plenty of moments when I was convinced that this remake was a more improved and polished version of the original drama. Nibah starts off slow but once it takes off, it completely wins you over. Nibah is one of the very few family dramas on air right now which you can tune into at 8 o clock and enjoy watching it with your family. Aamina Sheikh’s performance is the highlight of this drama and the nuanced characters are the main attraction. Unlike Aanch the characters are not black and white, the overall treatment given to the play is much more impressive and I must say that some of the performances are far more compelling too.
Nibah is the story of two people who tie the knot in circumstances which are anything but ideal. This drama covers their journey and you end up forming an emotional bond with these two amazing but equally flawed individuals and you can’t help but root for a happy ending. Nibah’s script, direction, cast, performances and the pace is perfect. It is not to be missed, do tune into it. Aamina Sheikh continues to impress and enthrall the viewers and Asif Raza Mir is perfect for the role he is playing in the show. This is a perfect family drama which shouldn’t be missed!
Belapur Ki Dayan
Writer: Inam Hasan
Director: Saife Hassan
Produced by: MD Productions
Rating: 5 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Belapur Ki Dayan is a perfect combination of horror and suspense, it is the kind of drama which will give you goosebumps and keep you at the edge of your seats. Saife Hassan’s skillful direction, the excellent work done by the director of photography and a story which has tons of surprises are few of the reasons why this drama shouldn’t be missed! The overall setting of the play so far is perfect, the location couldn’t have been better and the strong attention to detail gives every scene a realistic touch.
Belapur Ki Dayan is the story of Aziz Sahib’s family which is troubled by a dayan after they move into an old ancestral house. The back story of the dayan is as interesting as the present day happenings. The past and the present are seamlessly woven together. The performances are convincing and the execution couldn’t have been better. This show is a must-watch for all those viewers who enjoy watching horror shows.
Ishq Tamasha
Writer: Misbah Nosheen
Director: Danish Nawaz
Produced by: MD Productions
Rating: 4 Stars ☆☆☆☆☆
Ishq Tamasha is an entertaining drama which shouldn’t be missed. Even though this drama has a somewhat predictable story but the execution and acting makes you look forward to it week after week. The direction of this drama is strong and to see Kinza Hashmi portraying such a boisterous character without holding back is the main attraction of this drama.
Ishq Tamasha’s story is about two cousins where one is carefree and dreams big, the other one is constantly reminded of how hard her life is. One of them gets involved with a guy and the other one happens to take the brunt for her cousin’s mistakes. Ishq Tamasha has been written brilliantly and it definitely is a must-watch because it is one of those dramas that would keep you entertained and by the end of an episode, it will give you a reason to tune to it next week too.
Teri Meri Kahani
Writer: Sumaira Hameed
Director: Ali Faizan
Producer: MD Productions & Moomal Productions
Rating: 3.5 Stars ☆☆☆
Teri Meri Kahani isn’t as deep and meaningful as most of the plays in this list and some of the performances are weak as well but overall it is definitely the kind of show which keeps you interested. This is also Saheefa Jabbar’s first drama and she is one of the main reasons why this drama has a fresh appeal. Some of the performances are below average but the story is engaging enough to keep the viewers interested. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Saheefa Jabbar makes this drama more likeable and watchable.
Teri Meri Kahani is essentially the story of relationships and how they shape up your life. It also shows how secrets can hurt your ties and the past can come to haunt you. It has different characters who are fighting to keep their relationships intact and others who find pleasure in causing pain to others. The script is interesting but the execution fails to impress at times, overall however it is entertaining and therefore is a must-watch.
Lashkara
Writer: Zafar Mairaj
Director: Kashif Nisar
Produced By: Six Sigma Productions
Rating: 4 Stars ☆☆☆☆
Even though Lashkara’s story is in the initial stages but the beginning of this drama has promised a lot. The way the director has brought the dynamics of interior Lahore to life on screen is commendable. This drama has so much to offer and there’s so much that meets the eye.
Lashkara’s story is about this beautiful girl Bubbly who has quite a lot of admirers and fans in her locality. Bubbly’s beauty is the focal point and she has earned quite a name. The way the characters are being portrayed by Ushna Shah, Imran Ashraf and Mohsin Abbas Haider is impressive. Lashkara is one such drama that is going to keep you entertained, therefore is makes it to the list of must-watch dramas.
Visaal
Writer: Hashim Nadeem
Director: Ali Hassan
Produced By: Big Bang Entertainment
Rating: 3.5 Stars ☆☆☆
Visaal is again the drama that is in the initial stages of story-telling but the simple vibe and feel along with positive characters are the main factors why this drama has that appeal to draw the attention.
Visaal’s story is about the imposter who has entered the lives of those people who are unable to see-through his intentions. Just because he fell in love at first sight with the main lead, he chose to pave his way towards her. There are a lot of misunderstandings that are brewing up a storm and along the way, a couple of love triangles are forming too. It is a simple drama executed impressively, therefore it is worth a watch.
Ghar Titlee Ka Par
Writer: Samra Bukhari
Director: Mohsin Talat
Produced By: 7th Sky Entertainment
Rating: 3.5 Stars ☆☆☆
The number one reason why this drama made it to this list is Anji’s character and the way Sanam Chaudhry has tanslated it on screen! Anji’s character has been the star of every single episode so far. The most interesting element of this is that this Anji’s character is negative (to say the least!) but even then Anji has more appeal than many other female leads we have seen in our dramas in recent times. Ghar Titlee Ka Par is addictive therefore once you start watching it, you won’t be able to stop!!
How many of these dramas are you watching and which ones are you going to tune into now? Do share your thoughts in the comments section.
OKB just worked with Saba Qamar in Baaghi and all seemed friendly between them. Yesterday, Saba took a dig at Mahira when her movie’s business surpassed that of Raees’s. OKB has responded to it as he took full responsibility of the joke made at the LSA. This is his message for Saba:
OKB has subtly taken the side of his favourite starlet but it was nice to take the responsibility whatsoever. Do you think it is a smart move from Osman’s side?
So episode 2 took off where episode 1 had left. Abrar and Shagufta are shell shocked over the revelation that they are expecting a third baby. Shagufta looks pretty rattled and asks Abrar to get an abortion to which Abrar suggests that they shouldn’t make any rash decisions in a hurry and consult some more doctors meanwhile Abeer and Momina are really worried about their mother’s health. Abrar wants Shagufta to reveal this news to their daughters because he thinks they will understand but Shagufta is too ashamed to tell anyone about this and keeps accusing Abrar of being selfish.
On the other side Arham and Momina meet up because Arham is angry with Momina over how she left his sister’s mehendi and didn’t give him a chance to put things right while Momina is adamant that his mother and sister reduced her existence to nothing with the way they treated her and that Arham should be able to see that. She also suggests that Arham should stop fighting his mother because of her and that if they are destined to end together they will and may I add how cringeworthy Arham’s pickup lines are like dude relax.
Amtul and Areej are shown discussing the same thing again since they have nothing better to do, Areej keeps mocking her mother for thinking that Arham respects her wishes and will marry Anoushay to which Amtul says that eventually she is one who will prevail and not Arham’s love for Momina.
Afaan somehow manages to convince Amtul to accompany him to Abrar’s place and ask Abrar for Momina’s hand in marriage and no surprises there Amtul is in it just to ruin it. Shagufta is over the moon because she thinks Amtul now approves of Arham and Momina’s marriage but little does she know. As she prepares for their arrival her condition worsens and she vomits which worries Momina and Abeer further more for her health.
Cut to Momina getting ready to be presented in front of her Mother in Law to be, she is still struggling with her love for Arham and her fear of Amtul as she asks God to somehow make Amtul’s heart softer towards Momina. Afaan and Amtul arrive at their place and as expected Amtul starts with how they only eat food cooked in olive oil just to derogate Abrar and Shagufta. When Momina arrives to greet them she witnesses Amtul suggesting that a guy’s advances don’t matter unless he is encouraged by the girl and that Arham is into her because Momina let him.
Abrar goes berserk after hearing this as any dignified person would and asks Afaan and Amtul to leave because he doesn’t want his daughter to be married off in a family that doesn’t respect her, he further states that there is no love if there is no respect exactly what Amtul wanted.
Arham gets really mad when he finds out what happened that is when Amtul tells him that she has a status to maintain in the society and can not let him marry the daughter of a man who was brought in their house by Afaan’s mother because he had no where else to go. The argument keeps getting worse when Arham says he won’t marry anyone that should be the end of story and leaves.
Meanwhile Abrar and Shagufta are getting as many checkups as they can to be sure what they want to do next, the doctors say mostly the same things like the pregnancy is dangerous at this age and that the abortion is pretty much out of the question.
By the end of the episode the doctor reveals the baby’s gender and it’s a BOYYYYY upon hearing that Abrar’s happiness knows no bounds and Shagufta clearly knows that any hopes of getting an abortion are dead now.
Over all the drama is going with good pace, everyone’s acting is satisfactory except Danish and the woman who plays Areej, anyone can tell how fake they look also the script can be very predictable and stupid at times.
In the pre-cap we find out thatthe next episode includes some more revelations and fierce confrontations. So fingers crossed.
How’d you like the second episode of Haara Dil?
Tonight’s episode of Bela Pur Ki Dayan was storytelling at its best, it was the perfect blend of mystery and confusion which keeps you guessing and looking forward to more. Fueled by gripping performances by all the actors involved, this recent episode gave the viewers tons to speculate about. Inam Hasan’s script is turning out to be more complex, unpredictable, innovative and compelling than I had expected it to be! Honestly speaking, I am pleasantly surprised and quite impressed by the approach the writer has taken. The direction, the visuals, lighting and the background score has always been perfect right from the get-go which gives this drama the right atmosphere and you are effortlessly drawn into the world of all these characters who are fighting their own wars. All the leading characters whether they are alive or dead have a story to tell and keep you at the edge of your seats. Perfectly shot and edited, this was definitely the best episode of Bela Pur Ki Dayan till now even though it didn’t have any horror scenes but one glimpse of the Dayan was enough to remind you what and who Aziz is dealing with!
This recent episode showed the aftermath of Rameez and Gainda’s adventure in the previous episode. The most interesting element of tonight’s story was the different versions of the back story given by Aziz and Rehmat . Irfan Khoosat is such a remarkable actor, loved every second of watching him play a character which has finally come into its own and looks like he has tons to offer. While Aziz made it sound like he was the victim right from the time he found out that Rameez landed himself into trouble, Rehmat’s story was completely different. The viewers found out today that Aziz’s taya/stepfather and rest of the family members, possibly his mother and Neelo were murdered by someone. Although Aziz is a shady character who is definitely hiding something but right now it is impossible to think that he would murder his own family or even someone else. Rehmat’s story however suggested that he was a greedy man who would have done anything for money! Right now, it seems like both the men might be exaggerating the truth but then why is Neelo after Aziz? The back story so far has shown Neelo as a sweet girl who genuinely loved Aziz’s mother but after tonight the viewers should expect to be shocked over and over again!! Aziz’s mother was shown calming Neelo down when she was about to do something extreme but she is out of the picture now and so far Neelo has killed two people.
The fact that the back story is not just being narrated verbally but is being shown, adds to the confusion. Both the versions are believable and hence keep you wondering who is telling the truth! This show so far is suspenseful and well-put-together. The real story has just started, hopefully Bela Pur Ki Dayan will continue to be this exciting in the upcoming weeks as well.
How many of you watched tonight’s episode? Which version of the back story do you believe is true? Do share your thoughts.
Ohkay so, this episode of Pukaar was definitely decent but I think its about time that they start spinning things in Samra’s favor because seeing everything transpiring against her is becoming burdensome to watch now!
Samra’s mother tried hard to convince Sarang but because he himself had a baggage attached to that name & because he wanted to stay distant from Sultan Asfand Yar Khan, Sarang refused to do anything for her.
Unfortunately, Samra was kept in the dark & the one who was trying to help her; Zulekha was sent away too because she was giving her the details which Laali didn’t want. Sadly, Samra’s father passed away & then Laali got a validation that the news of his accident wasn’t a lie. To be honest, I really think what they are showing is an unrealistic extreme. If they had kept it till his accident, it would’ve made sense but literally hiding the news of her father’s passing from Samra is a bit too much.
It is good to see Tashfeen sympathizing with Samra but I feel even her helplessness is pushed a bit too far. When Samra asked her to do something so that she could speak to her mother, Tashfeen brushed it off? How hard is it for Tashfeen to retrieve Samra’s phone from Laali & hand it over to her? Why can’t she do that? It is like despite feeling for Samra, Tashfeen doesn’t want to get involved in her issues? Tashfeen can assure Laali that Samra isn’t going anywhere so the least they can do is give her the freedom to be in contact with her parents over the phone? Too extreme I swear!
Sarang discussed Samra’s issue with Amna, he also recognized Samra because he has had brief encounters with her in the past. Let’s see what advice Amna will give to Sarang? The preview did show that Asfand will try to bring Sarang & even Amna in his house? Will Sarang try to go in order to help Samra? Let’s see. Even though they have started establishing the plot for Samra’s rescue but I really wish they hurry up a bit because seeing Laali’s dominance is a nuisance. Please share your thoughts.
Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.
So, Meesha Shafi opened up today on sexual harassment she has faced and she accused fellow singer, Ali Zafar of crossing limits, few times. Her mother the veteran actress Saba Hameed is fully supporting her in her decision to come out and share her story. She said that she has faced some uncomfortability from the star and that she is not alone. You can read her statement here. Ali Zafar has decided to not remain quiet and has given out a statement. He is going to pursue this situation according to law and order. This is what Ali said:
A safe statement to give about the whole fiasco we must say! What do you guys think?
Mahira Khan is the first Pakistani actress whose movie in Bollywood joined the hundred crore club. She starred opposite Shahrukh Khan in Raees. Later that year, Mahira Khan did a rap song on stage at the Lux Style Awards alongside Osman Khalid Butt. A line from that rap was “Kya aapki filmein bhi hain 100 crore kamatein?” which she had to sing due to the demands of the show’s script. Saba Qamar was the actress who boycotted the same LSAs for their prejudice and consequently, jokes were made on her boycott. So, Saba Qamar’s Hindi Medium has surpassed the business of Raees worldwide and Saba had the answer to Mahira’s question finally. Saba took to her Instagram and shared a screenshot of express tribune reporting that her film has surpassed Raees and she had a take on it in the caption:
And Saba has finally answered! She does not like insulting jokes and she respects her co-stars too!
As the campaign #MeToo has helped bring many cases of sexual harassment to light and helped the victims to not only speak about their experiences but has also helped them to heal.
After many celebrities who have spoken previously Meesha Shafi too decided to break her silence today and accused her co star Ali Zafar of sexual harassment.
In a note attached to a tweet this afternoon Meesha Shafi penned down,
“Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo”
Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo pic.twitter.com/iwex7e1NLZ
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) April 19, 2018
In the note she said,
“I have been subjected to sexual harassment of a physical nature at the hands of a colleague from my industry: Ali Zafar. These incidences did not happen when I was young or just entering the industry. This happened to be despite the fact that I am an empowered, accomplished woman who is known for speaking her mind! This happened to me as a mother of two children.”
She continued,
“Ali is someone I have known for many years and someone I shared the stage with. I feel betrayed by his behaviour and his attitude and I know that I am not alone.”
Ali Zafar hasn’t confirmed or denied these allegations yet as everyone awaits his response.
Have anything to add?
So today we will address the elephant in the room aka The Censor Board but first let’s see what Censor Board really is.
The Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) is a film censorship board and rating system body under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting for the Government of Pakistan. It is tasked with regulating the public screening of films under the provisions of the Motion Picture Ordinance, 1979. The head offices are located in Islamabad, while two regional offices are located in Karachi and Lahore.
Certifications is refused if, in the opinion of the board, the film or any part thereof:
Any film refused certification may appeal within thirty days of the date of refusal.
To be honest I can not name a single Hollywood, Bollywood or Lollywood movie that doesn’t defy at least one of the above criteria so based on that the only movies that would get clearance to be screened in our cinemas would be Iranian movies since their Censor Board does it right for a conservative Islamic state but here in lies the cute munafiqat of our Censor Board and the general public that claims to be conservative yet prefers a Bollywood or Hollywood movie over a Lollywood movie (relatively conservative than the former ones) any given day.
I know the entire anti-Bollywood mostly anti-Indian clan keeps asking for a ban on Bollywood releases entirely but breaking news those movies are what generate revenue for our cinemas, those Bollywood movies have a viewership larger than both Hollywood and Lollywood combined and form the back bone of our cinemas. I am not a fan of mainstream Bollywood myself but if we must rely on Bollywood to generate revenue for us let us at least be fair and choose art and not garbage to be screened at our cinemas.
Let’s look at some movies (both Indian and Pakistani) that were banned or not banned or banned and then unbanned by our prestigious Censor board and why.
1: Maalik
Everyone was bummed when this political thriller was banned because it called out the corrupt system of this country even tho CBFC claims that it has no jurisdiction or exercises any power over Punjab and Sindh Censor Broads but everyone knows who is pulling the strings. The film was banned by Sindh Censor Board and what a waste. This gem of a movie and the people who put everything they had in it did not deserve this. Banning movies that call out this system only goes to show we would rather pretend everything is okay than accept the truth. The integrity of this system can not be questioned or threatened since it doesn’t have any.
2: Verna
Shoaib Mansoor helmed Verna would have suffered the same fate as that of Maalik but it didn’t for reasons I do not know. The film was initially banned again because it called out the corrupt politicians and their abuse of power but the movie was later not only cleared and screened but was screened without any cut scenes. So what changed? The movie was screened just the way it was created so how come it was worthy of ban on first screening by Censor Board and then suddenly without any changes it was okay to be screened publicly.
3: PadMan
PadMan is a biopic that talks about menstrual hygiene and although this subject is as natural as any it is still treated as a taboo and even the slight mention of the word ‘menstruation’ still sends shivers down spines of many and makes them uncomfortable and I don’t mind if the Censor Board believes the film is too much right now that we still need time before we watch a movie that discusses menstruation with our families openly in cinemas but then again how come the same Censor Board doesn’t mind screening films like Jism, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety and even Lollywood movies that sexualize women in the name of item songs and what not? The saddest part is the Censor Board didn’t even watch the movie before banning it since the topic is too disturbing.
4: Padmaavat
I watched Padmaavat (not in cinema who’d waste money on that lol) only because of all the hype and I still don’t understand what the protest was all about. If anyone it is us the Muslims who should have protested since Khilji was portrayed less like a Muslim and more like a Viking who was a pervert. More than them if anyone had a right to protest against this it was the cinema lovers since this movie is the trashiest thing I have seen in a long long time. This is an insult to cinema and to the intellects of movies goers. The film has bad cinematography, joke of script, so many unnecessary and laughable erotic scenes and glorifies traditions like Jauhar but apparently Censor Board thought this movie was perfectly alright to be screened publicly. Watching a movie that talks about menstruation is disturbing but hey let’s watch gay Khilji onscreen because why not!
The list goes on and on. Films like Jawani Phir Nahi Ani do not disrupt the very fabric of our society but films like Verna do, films that portray women as sex objects like Jism are ethically and morally acceptable but movies that talk about issues like rape and menstruation are a threat to our moral values. Censor Boards hypocrisy in particular and our nation’s hypocrisy in general needs to be called out again and again until we acknowledge our dual standards and work on what’s actually threatening the morals of this society.
After a long wait, the teaser for Hamza Ali Abbasi starrer Parwaaz Hai Junoon is finally out. Parwaaz Hai Junoon is a tribute to Pakistan Airforce. The teaser is filled with adrenaline and we can see Hamza and Shaaz Khan as fighter pilots flying in the skies and chanting Pakistan Zindabaad. Here is the teaser:
The film is written by Farhat Ishtiaq and is directed by Haseeb Hassan. Parwaaz Hai Junoon is hitting the theatres this Eid ul Fitr. Are you guys excited? Share in comments!
Fawad Khan and wife Sadaf make a very beautiful couple and they never hesitate to show their affection towards each other. So, Fawad Khan threw a surprise birthday party for wife Sadaf and it was attended by many stars. The couple looked beautiful as always. Urwa Hocane, Mahira Khan, Anam Goher along with other stars attended the party. Here are some pictures:
The latest song release from upcoming film Motorcycle Girl, starring Sohai Ali Abro and Ali Kazmi will give you the motivation to get up and do the things you’ve been putting off for, what seems like, forever.
Composed by Adnan Sarwar, the song shows the hardships many women face in Pakistan when it comes to commuting and depicts Sohai’s frustration in a very real manner and is deservingly so titled ‘Pahiya’.
The track itself is very catchy but mellow at the same time, with a melodic beat and soft vocals by Faiza Mujahid. The pre-chorus witnesses a lot of variations within the vocals with the volume turned up a notch, making for a great conversion into the chorus.
Enjoy,
Have anything to add?
Ohkay so, this episode of Aangan was interesting too. I like how after Zoya’s wedding, the writer has started highlighting a couple of situations in every episode & then we get to see everyone’s involvement & contribution towards those situations. This way, the writer gets to show how the entire family works & is connected because of every single thing that comes their way!
Shaina decided to discuss her concerns with Abba Jee because even she knew that being the head of the family, he was the one who was going to take the final decision & if he’d agree, he’d also be able to convince her parents too. Though Abba Jee did consider what Shaina asked for & decided to grant her, her wish but after his conversation with Sajjad, even he decided to back out, which I so didn’t hope for.
I loved Sajjad & Shaina’s scene together where Sajjad half-heartedly came to deliver Abba Jee’s decision despite knowing how much Shaina wanted it & how much potential she had to excel in it. Even though Shaina accepted everyone’s decision silently, it left Sajjad restless because he knew what it meant to Shaina. I must say, as much as I like Hajra’s character, the way she turns a blind eye towards her children really makes her look unreasonable. Hajra wouldn’t allow Sadaan to get married & then she also wouldn’t allow Shaina to pursue her studies, why? Because she being a typical bahu of a conservative family can not see beyond her daughter’s marriage & also her son’s marriage based on her own liking! At least it was nice to see that Sajjad was feeling guilty but Hajra just sat their with a poker face as if her children’s liking, disliking, their dreams & goals were just not important!
Asim decided to help Sadaan & he was not holding back. From arranging jewelry for Afrah to her bridal dress, Asim was going above & beyond to make sure that Sadaan & Afrah’s dream of getting married to each other comes true. It was interesting that even though Zahid didn’t want to, he couldn’t say no because Asim low-key blackmailed him & used his secret to convince him.
Anila obviously picked on the wrong details & that was enough for everyone to further suspect Zahid. I am sure this entire situation was basically created for the final show down which will eventually reveal the big secret that Asim & Zahid are keeping. Well, as Laila said, her friend had told her about Zahid visiting some lady so it is a done deal that there’s a woman involved, but then again, I really hope it is not his 2nd marriage or something but still, the way the talks have been happening in last few episodes on this subject, I hope it doesn’t turn out to be true. Even though Rubina hasn’t gotten anything, the least she can have is a husband all to herself. It was interesting how Zaitoon easily started doubting Rubina as if she was keeping her expensive gift a secret, like the way Zaitoon often misunderstands her daughters in law while ignoring the faults & flaws of her sons makes her a very real & genuine character. Zaitoon is well aware of Zahid’s financial condition but just because Anila said, she automatically assumed that it might be true that he had gifted Rubina something expensive.
Even though Afrah Sadaan’s track wasn’t wrapped up in this episode, I am glad that the focus was shifted on other aspects like Shaina’s education & then slightly giving away some details of Asim Zahid secret too. It looks like Asim will try to convince Sajjad & I hope this time around Sajjad stands by Sadaan & supports his son because he has allowed Hajra to have an upper hand almost every single time so now, as a father, he should do something too. Let’s see. Please share your thoughts.
Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.
Ohkay so, this episode of Visaal was quite interesting & I had a great time watching it. I liked how the story in all the tracks moved forward & everyone was going through one thing or the other which collectively contributed towards the development in the plot.
Taimur couldn’t stop thinking about Pari & because he interacted with Shabbir quite often, it always kept his mind engulfed in Pari’s thoughts. Taimur’s sudden change of attitude towards Shabbir was obviously & only because of Pari as he automatically started seeing him as Pari’s father & not just as a mere worker.
Taimur got a chance to see Pari & Pari also apologized to Taimur for everything that she said, even though it was a half-hearted apology. Well, I loved the way Shabbir enthusiastically spoke about Pari’s higher education, it is so nice to see a father like him on screen who is least worried about his daughter’s marriage & actually wanted to ensure that Pari got the guidance she needed to pursue her education further. It obviously came as a golden chance for Taimur because he not only had a conversation with her but it also opened a window for future interactions as well. Even though Pari at first wasn’t too impressed but later it was obvious that even she was thinking about Taimur & those thoughts were positive as they brought a smile to her face!
I felt for Naheed a lot, she is such a bright, young & aspiring girl who has so many dreams but because she knows that her parents are interested in her marriage, she has to surrender. Everything that she said starting from her status to the sort of guys who will approach Ghufran for her actually made me feel for her & especially knowing what sort of a person Akram is, I feel for her even more!
Ghufran has pretty much made up his mind but then again, I don’t blame him because Akram has created such an impression & weaved such a trap that Ghufran & even his companions couldn’t help seeing him as an eligible bachelor. It is funny that Akram thinks he is going to get married to Pari, that is why he is going through so much of hassle of arranging everything which assures his marriage. I know it is all fun & games till this point but once everyone will start getting hurt & their sufferings will begin, things will become serious & emotional!
Akram decided to turn Dilbar Paanwala into his elder brother & not only that, Akram really is making sure that he doesn’t leave any loopholes which might hinder his plan from materializing, that is why he decided to visit Multan as well to arrange a sister in law, as well as find himself an authentic address which he could give to Ghufran!
Visaal has been quite an interesting watch so far, the dialogues, all the situations, the relationships that all the characters share & the overall setting of the story & drama is really nice & makes it a very good watch. The acting & the direction of Visaal has been superb & they are doing justice to the characters as well as the script of the drama. I can totally foresee that things will become complicated & serious but I am sure it is going to be worth it. Definitely looking forward to the next episode. Please share your thoughts.
Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.
Tonight’s episode of Dar Si Jati Hei Sila was simply amazing! This drama never fails to impress; It is a well-crafted, brilliantly told tale of both the dark and the good side of relationships. Most importantly it is filled with powerful messages which have been brought to life in a compelling manner by everyone involved. The skillful direction, a script which couldn’t have been more on point and outstanding performances make this drama one of the very few dramas of its kind which remained poignant and effective throughout.
I must say that tonight’s episode was so intense that it would be hard for me to pen my thoughts down. Also, I feel that no praise words can do justice to the depth and precision with which this drama has touched upon so many important issues. Although every episode of this drama has some important and impactful message but this episode was especially significant because Sila finally broke her silence and Bari Apa for the first time saw Joi for who he really was. Just like every other episode of this drama, this one too shed light on the important role a father plays in a family; a father’s duty isn’t only to earn for his family but his primary responsibility is to give them love and protection. Bari Apa’s character shows that with great power come even greater responsibilities! She let Joi make a complete fool out of her and it was really good to see her admitting her mistake. Her dialogues, just like all the other dialogues tonight, were spectacular. They reflected her state of mind perfectly and it could easily pass as the moment we had all been waiting for.
The underlying message behind Sila breaking her silence and the change that followed is the same as Udaari but the way it has been presented is far more powerful. The fact that this drama has no commercial element makes it a masterpiece. When a victim decides to stand up for herself nothing can stand in her way – what an inspiring message presented faultlessly on screen. Yumna Zaidi’s honest and powerfully moving performance in this episode made her scenes unforgettable. Although Nauman Ijaz has a vast career and he has given many impressive performances but this is most certainly one of his finest performances. His expressions throughout this episode were remarkable. Saman Ansari’s gripping performance in this drama has been one of the many reasons why Sadia’s character was always easy to connect to.
Zaini’s character has always been one of my favorites and tonight too she gave words to my feelings. Everything she said made perfect sense and I hope that there are fathers out there who are watching this show and will learn something from it. Aamna Malick’s convincing performance made this character even more likeable and impactful.
Bee Gul and Kashif Nisar continue to break taboos and push boundaries, we need more people like them in the entertainment industry who know how to entertain and educate simultaneously. A special shout out to MD Productions because every now and then they continue to head plays which offer something different. Dar Si Jati Hei Sila is a must-watch for all those people who like watching thought-provoking dramas which fit the bill. (primetimetallahassee.com) This drama will not disappoint you and it will give you tons to reflect upon. I sincerely believe that dramas like this one give the victims hope and courage and they show people like Sikandar, Joi and Bari Aapa the mirror. They also play an important role in educating the masses.
The preview of the next episode was the only disappointing part of this recent episode because it gave the final twist away! Tonight’s episode however couldn’t have been more powerful and hard-hitting.
Do share your thoughts about this episode.
Ohkay so, this episode of Tabeer was pretty decent too. The story is moving forward but before anything, I just wish this drama ends on a decent note without much dragging because there are very few characters so it might get tiresome watching them for a very long time!
Tabeer started taking care of Fawad’s son & she had to do that on expense of her own child. Fawad obviously grew more concerned for her seeing the sacrifice she was making. It was only because of Tabeer that Fawad now didn’t have to worry much about the well being of his son.
Daadi & Asma left but I really didn’t get why they decided to take Tabeer’s son with them & why didn’t they let him be with his mother? Yes, the doctor did say that Tabeer for now should only nurse Fawad’s son but that didn’t mean she had to distance herself from her child physically as well? This was an unnecessary twist in the story in my opinion & also quite unwanted.
Fawad & Tabeer had a little interaction where Tabeer misconstrued the entire situation but then again, there was no need for Fawad to draw closer to her. Also, it was suggested that Fawad left the room because Tabeer needed privacy while nursing the baby so even if she fell asleep afterwards, how come Fawad entered the room without prior notice like knocking the door or something? As he already knew that Tabeer was inside with his baby, so there was no need for him to come inside just so casually?
Ajju & his brother had a deal that Ajju will get Tabeer whereas his brother will get the house that belongs to Tabeer. On the other hand, Fawad contacted Saniya to apologize. I don’t think this is a wise move because I am sure Saniya will start misunderstanding his feelings once again. The way Fawad spoke to her was enough for her to mistakenly rekindle her old feelings for him & this is not what Fawad should do!
Overall, it was a decent episode but I am dreading the next episode, I really hope nothing happens to Tabeer’s child because it would be too much!!! Please share your thoughts.
Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.
Ohkay so, it was yet another interesting episode of Lashkara. It is the sort of drama that is meant to entertain you while still having a strong storyline & substantial characters. The way the personalities of all the characters are being elaborated makes it even more interesting.
So, Bubbly left quite a good impression on Nasreen because of her honesty. Nasreen did approach Kulsoom for Bubbly’s proposal only because Feeka insisted & she being his mother didn’t want to break his heart but the little interaction that she had with Bubbly let her know that she is a kind-hearted girl who would be a perfect partner for Feeka. Feeka continued to be madly in love with Bubbly & despite knowing the sort of image Bubbly has, it still didn’t put a dent on the feelings that he had for her.
This time around, Feeka’s family dynamics got a detailed introduction. Feeka’s family has acquired this overnight wealth because Nasreen got involved in the property business. Feeka’s sister Nikki & her husband Akram finally made an appearance too. Nikki doesn’t hold a high opinion for Bubbly but amusingly she still was pretty ok with the fact that Feeka was fixated with her & that Nasreen had approached Bubbly’s family for his proposal. Nikki’s husband Akram has turned into a supervisor for all the family & household affairs of Nasreen & he is just treated as a worker around the house who really doesn’t have much say of his own. Nikki is the boss in their relationship because she now has a stronger back & Akram is someone who just follows her orders!
Kulsoom wasn’t overjoyed with Feeka’s proposal for Bubbly but still, she was seriously considering it because of Feeka’s wealth & social standing at this stage. Even though Bubbly said no, Kulsoom tried to talk her into this marriage because she being a practical woman could see how it would not only benefit Bubbly but also her brother Iqbal.
I actually got confused & thought Bubbly had a soft corner in her heart for Sunny, that is why she approached him & told him to send her proposal but in reality, she just wanted an escape from Feeka because she really could not see herself getting married to him. Sunny took things seriously & decided to do something for Bubbly but little did he know that a heart break was awaiting him!
I must say, I loved the way Muneer intervened & said no to Nasreen. Even though this proposal didn’t have any such flaws which would’ve resulted in refusal but only because Muneer saw that this was not what Bubbly wanted, he chose to respect his daughter’s choices, which was super sweet & very considerate. Also, in this entire matter, the way Saima took the front seat was a pleasant surprise. I am so glad that there’s more to Saima’s character & personality than just a bookworm who gets rejected every single time. Saima tried to knock sense into Bubbly that if she didn’t want to settle for Feeka then she most certainly didn’t deserve Sunny as well & I guess her speech actually worked because then it was made clear that Bubbly was not into Sunny but was just using him as a scapegoat. Also, the way Saima confronted Sunny was quite interesting too, I really didn’t see it coming. Sunny did put up quite a show at Bubbly’s house but he got his answer which broke his heart into million pieces because he never in his wildest dreams imagined that Bubbly would turn her back on him, that too in front of her family. Also, another interesting being who emerged as Bubbly’s savior was Nazeer & I couldn’t stop laughing at the courage that his feelings for Bubbly gave him because of which he was ready to outbid a strong personality like Sunny. It was amusing but it was adorable as well!
I loved watching this episode & couldn’t really keep a track of time because this episode ended quickly. There’s so much that meets the eye when you are watching Lashkara that apart from brilliant performances every single frame & scene seems so complete & offers you so many details to observe & enjoy. I must say the girl playing the role of Nikki was beyond perfect & totally in her element like it seemed that she was Nikki right from the beginning, that effortlessness & the finesse in her acting & dialogue delivery was phenomenal. I’m keen on seeing her character & how she will contribute to the overall story – really glad with her addition. I must say, all the dialogues are so enjoyable, Lashkara really is an entertaining package. Loving everyone’s performances so far, be it Saba Faisal, Saba Hameed, Noor ul Hassan, Ushna Shah, Imran Ashraf, Mohsin Abbas Haider or any of those supporting characters, they all are perfect. Please share your thoughts.
Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.
Ohkay so, this episode of Khasara was just alright. Yes, the story did move forward but I guess it still hasn’t kick started just yet. However, the characters are being introduced in detail which is good!
Linta left quite an impression on Sila & since Sila was so impressed with Linta’s status & everything she had, she forgot to notice how cold & distant Linta was. Sila actually thought that everything that Linta did basically went well with her image & she just didn’t mind it at all. Sila lacks a wisdom & exposure to not see people based on what they have or what their social standing is but because she is in such an awe of everything material, she thought highly on Linta despite the attitude she sported while being Sila’s guest!
Sila couldn’t stop raving about Linta to her friend Areeba but at least Areeba was sane & wise enough to see how cold & rude Linta was. Sila couldn’t stop thinking about all the blessings of Linta & she actually thought that Linta had everything one could wish for; a luxurious lifestyle, a lot of wealth & most importantly a loving husband. Everything that Sila said was right based on the vibes Linta & Mohtasim gave to her but little did Sila know that the same Linta who she thought had everything was suffering from insecurity because of her disloyal husband.
So, it turns out that Linta almost found out what she came for which was a proof of a relationship between Mohtasim & Arzoo but she really didn’t do much & more so, didn’t even let Mohtasim know that she eavesdropped on him & Arzoo. Yes, Linta did insult Arzoo but then again, it wasn’t in line with what a possessive & insecure wife would’ve done upon finding out the truth. It is shocking that everyone in the office knows what sort of relationship Arzoo & Mohtasim share yet no one has told anything to Linta, who also happens to be the boss. I really don’t know why Linta is putting up with Mohtasim & his disloyalty because it was suggested that everything that Mohtasim now has actually belongs to Linta & it’s basically her blessing on him that he has a status that he gets to flaunt, so not sure why Linta has given so much control over herself to Mohtasim?
Sila & kids couldn’t stop dreaming about Karachi & more than visiting the city, Sila just wanted to see Linta’s lifestyle. Not really sure what purpose Azar’s joblessness is serving in the story? Areeba on the other hand is a very nice character. (umm.net)
Overall, this episode was just average & let’s see if it will become interesting in the future episodes. The acting & the direction is definitely good but the overall feel of the drama is not extraordinary or excellent, for now! Let’s see how things roll. Please share your thoughts.
Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.
Sajjad Ali was last seen standing next to his daughter Zaw Ali at Coke Studio and melting hearts with his cover of “Ronay Na Dia” which was a huge hit. This duo is back again with Zaw directing the video and Sajjad lending his melodious voice to these lyrics “Lagaya Dil” is a much needed treat.
In this song Sajjad Ali talks about love and heartbreak and how both exist together in a circle of life for those who have our utmost respect and love are the only ones who have the power to hurt us. The video revolves around a college campus and mostly young love. A nerd’s love for the hot shot chick, a student’s crush on his teacher, a girl’s broken heart when she gets cheated on and two people who love each other but couldn’t make it work this video covers it all.
Looks like this song is going to be a part of many people’s gham-hour playlists because heartbreak is synonymous to all mankind. Enjoy it here,
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Shehryar Munawar is finally coming back on silver screen with a romantic comedy opposite Mahira Khan. The teaser for the much-awaited movie is out and it looks fun and entertaining. Mira Sethi, Amna Ilyas, Javed Sheikh and Hina Dilpazeer are also part of the cast. Here is the story of Shehryar as Tipu and Mahira as Neeli in their first teaser:
The film is due to release on Eid ul Fitr. What are your thoughts on this? Please share in the comments!
After singing praises for this play for many months now, I didn’t want to criticise its end. Hence I watched the episode twice, thrice but cannot say anything better about it. It was a disaster, an illogical, incomplete and very silly disaster. Nothing made sense, no problem got closure and no character reached it’s intended destination. It seemed like the writer suddenly had an idea of a sequel so he lost all interest in this drama or the episodes were cut short due to some reason, because this certainly cannot be the natural progression of such a good drama. It’s like the drama didn’t end, it just died an accidental death.
If we discuss the points separately, all of them will be equally pointless. If Yawar Kamal though that police could solve the matter, why was he the one who had fired at Punar and Munir first. If he had gotten the police involved at that time and made sure that law is not taken into Punar’s hands , the drama would have had a totally different path. And Mehr Punar, the hero was reduced to a bad- mouthed abusive goon at the very end. For a drama that’s named on ishq, it didn’t suit that the hero had used and abused a girl in the name of love and then forcefully married her in the name of revenge. It’s one thing to be stuck in desperate circumstances and totally another to change your intrinsic character and nature. That is a sign of extremely poor characterisation. Aabi Khan has lost all his charm in these three episodes, going from a hero to an illiterate aggressive villain. It’s a terrible thing to show that a supposed hero does not even have basic respect for women or elders.
For the other hero, Arsalan Idrees did a brilliant job all the way but his end was also quite abrupt and out of character. Just a few tears and he was willing to forget Mahi, his love, his wife for whom he was willing to take all bullets. Speaking of cowardice, Rameen also took a very weak and pathetic stance at the end. A girl who thrived on dialogues like sharton par toh main tum say milnay na ayun, tum shadi ki bat kartay ho, and who convinced Farhad to take a stand for his love, becomes so weak that she is willing to sacrifice everything so Mehrunnisa can end the hatred and animosity. That was not Rameen, infact the whole new generation who had shown that they are different, progressive and openminded, did not bring about the change of mindsets, rather they are all sacrificed for the sake of age old battle.
At the very end, Mehrunnisa played a low blow and said jug jug jeo to Bali before turning and stabbing him with something she must’ve hidden in her shawl, and that was that. There was not even any clarity whether Bali was killed or not, or now that Rameen has been unable to save her father, will she stay Punar’s wife or not? And how will Farhad bear the loss of Mahi? Will they all just forget Mahi like that? So many questions and no real answers…
So Ayesha Khan’s wedding festivities finally came to an end with her reception. Aisha wore a gold champagne dress with side curls and fresh makeup while Major Uqbah was seen in his uniform. The couple looked beautiful together MashaAllah. Here are some pictures from the Walima:
This drama had a lot flaws in editing which made connecting all the scenes and the ongoing story together very difficult. We already knew that Mehrab will kidnap Mirha by mistaking her for Rushna, all thanks to HUM TV’s unnecessary previews. But the whole kidnapping and the behaviour of lead characters was so frustrating. First of all, Mirha did not scream right away when a man came to their door and was being kind of violent. She waited for him to take her to the car before she tried to chant chachi jaan chachi jaan. Then the worst part was Mirha not recognizing Mehrab. This girl went to his office to call him to a function. Then he again introduced himself to her as Arham’s brother but she still had to ask the maid in his prison because she had short-term memory loss maybe? Then she kept chanting main woh larki nahin hoon. So tell him who you are and maybe try to clear the misunderstanding?
The behaviour of Mirha’s family was (let me write this with extra oos) soooooooo unrealistic. Yes, the mother hates the orphan girl. But it is impossible that a house where a young girl disappeared is so calm that people are just sitting and having tea. Rushna loves Mirha so she was crying. But the other sisters also had a soft corner for Mirha, why were they so normal? It is so impossible for a house undergoing such a calamity to be this calm even if they are blaming the girl.
Mehrab who was introduced as such a sensible character became an abductor somehow and for whom he became a criminal was adorning himself as the dulha and was buying flowers for his future wife. Yes, they have shown Arham to be a person who just wants to have his toy whatever may the means be for getting it. But he could have protested a little knowing Rushna hates him already.
And they have again shown that there will be no nikkah at least for Arham in the next episode. How Mirha and Mehrab’s story will progress will be a thing to watch for!
The youngest Nobel laureate, Malala Yousafzai, landed in Islamabad in the wee hours of March 28 this year, after spending nearly six years abroad.
Now, in her blog, Malala has opened up about her visit in an emotional ode to home. She wrote,
“When I left Swat Valley, Pakistan on 9th October 2012, my eyes were closed. I woke up a week later in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Birmingham, UK — but in my mind I was still at home,”
Reminiscing about the morning she was shot by Taliban, the 20-year-old penned,
“I remembered that morning. I was in my bedroom, finishing revision of my Pakistan Studies paper and praying to Allah that I would do well on my exam.”
She went on to write.
“I remembered eating breakfast on the floor with my family, leaving my egg unfinished and rushing off to school. After school, my best friend Moniba and I were relieved our exam was over. We giggled as we watched our bus driver Usman Bhaijaan do magic tricks with a pebble,”
“My memories end there. Seconds later, I was attacked.”
Malala then expressed her bliss coming back to Pakistan.
“On 31st March 2018, I stood in my home again — and felt like the past was reversing itself,” she wrote.
She continued.
“We took a helicopter from Islamabad to Swat Valley. I saw the beauty of my home from a bird’s eye view — the never-ending mountain range, the greenery, the rivers. I could not stop myself from looking at everything. Worried that I would lose that moment, I recorded every bit in my memory and, of course, my iPhone,”
“I wondered if parents had noticed this beauty as they sat beside me when I was evacuated from Swat. My father said, “We saw neither the sea nor the mountain. When your eyes were closed, our eyes were closed too.’”
As though time stood still, I was now standing in my bedroom with my mother. When I didn’t return home from school that day in 2012, my mother wondered if I would ever see my room again, if she would ever share a quiet moment with her daughter in our home. Just seeing me standing there made my mother so happy. She said, “Malala left Pakistan with her eyes closed, now she returns with her eyes open.”
Malala wrote,
Besides our home, we had not seen our friends and family for such a long time. More than 500 of our friends and relatives came to greet us with hugs and prayers. We took so many pictures and I love looking at them now that I’m back in UK. But my greatest hope is that it will not be another five and half years before I see their faces again,”
She went on to thank the government and army for her trip.
She penned,
“This trip was the most exciting, memorable, beautiful and haunting time for me and family. I am grateful to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the government officials, the Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa, the army officials and the team at Malala Fund for making my trip to Pakistan possible for me and my family,”
“I didn’t leave my country by choice, but I did return by choice.”
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Aisha Khan’s Baraat function was held yesterday. She opted for a peachy lehenga for the occasion while Major Uqbah paired the same colour in his outfit. Hamza Ali Abbasi and Gohar Rasheed were also seen at the ceremony. Here are the pictures from her baraat:
A huge congratulations to the beautiful bride!
