The gorgeous, Syra Shahroze kicked off her career with MTV, went on to be a model and actress, and made her movie debut with Chalay Thay Saath. Recently, she celebrated her birthday along with husband and family, and we must say the lady looks absolutely stunning in that outfit.
Pakistani Film Aina 2 Will Be Shot in Canada
The sequel of blockbuster film Aina will begin shooting in September this year. The first instalment was a huge success and now we’re all set to witness the golden couple on our screens once again.
Aina 2 will be directed by Syed Noor, and the cast includes Nadeem Baig, Shabnam and Shahroze Sabzwari.
Here’s what the director, Syed Noor, had to say about the sequel:
“I’ve been contemplating Aina 2 for many years now. I recently discussed it with Nadeem and Shabnam and I think now is the right time to begin working on it,”
“Of course, Aina 2 will further the story told in Aina with the original star cast members as well as some new faces. Also, we’re planning on filming it in Canada this time.”
“At this point in the life of Pakistani cinema, I believe Aina 2 will be a good addition. I am still in the process of finalizing the details of the project. Hopefully, I’ll get to share them soon, once everything is sorted,” said Noor.
Nadeem and Shabnam will reprise their roles, while Shahroze will play the role of their son.
Faltu Larki Episodes 27 & 28 Review- The End!
Well, cat’s got my tongue. Or had. And took it for a long walk. Which was just as well for when I finished watching the last episode, I needed to sit still and mute for some time while my thoughts on the other hand were scampering all over the place! One thought that does stand out and that I walk away with at the end of this drama is how almost every female character in this drama was either pushed, prodded, bullied until the point she could take it no more and let it be known in her own way that she had reached her threshold.
I sat with my heart in my mouth as Paashi’s story reached its end. Literally. As Raaska later said to Paro ‘kaleja moo ko a gaya’. I felt the same – bas language was different. But jokes aside, even though I had my reservations over believing how easily Paashi came to such a decision, I can however easily believe how this may not seem an extreme end for her. Teenagers are impressionable – watching that movie, over-romanticizing the feelings she believed she had for Kaashi coupled with deluding herself into believing that she can not give up Kaashi and can not expect her parents to understand, she felt like she was doing the most noble and tragic thing for their love. So so twisted yes, but sadly so much more realistic than we may care to let ourselves believe for I had heard of the random similar incident or two as a teenager and so there you have it. However, I did think Paashi had more spunk and fire in her and so I did not see how a character like hers would easily come to such a decision.
Paro’s undoing was her daughter’s death. Bhaijaan’s rejection enraged her so much that she changed from a woman who could not dream of harming anyone to a ‘daayen’ – her own words. She took her anger out on Paashi thinking she could beat the notion of love out of her young mind so she did not go through what she herself did. At least that is what I am assuming she was thinking. When she realised she went too far in her verbal diarrhea session with Anwaar Sb, she tried to retrace her steps and pick up her life that suddenly seemed to be crumbling round her but it was too late. With Paashi gone, the last shreds of her composure and any other feelings of revenge and anger she may have had all vanished as she was reduced to a woman who can not face another day living with the thought that she drove her daughter to take her own life.
Jahan Ara too had been the epitome of self suffering, sacrifice and patience. Until she began to realise the truth behind the rumour that she had been ‘sold’ into marriage to MJ. And like she said, ‘woh baat chubb gayi hai’ and try as she might – she could not go ahead with the marriage. When Almas implored her to think of her and her family, I thought she might give in – true Jahan Ara style, but I felt admiration when she pushed Almas’ hands away from her and walked out. She chose a rather difficult path for herself thereon but seemingly the most practical and legal one. I am assuming hers and Yasir’s is a happy ending, although maybe not immediately so.
So, yes – all our suspicions about Anwar and Tajwar Bi seemed to be true and Tajwar Bi seemed to finally not be able to hold back her jealousy and descended on Nimo in a fit of rage. Mushtari’s response to Raaska later about Nimo not wanting to get married leaves very little else to imagination and I am a bit taken aback at this particular train of thought that the writer decided to play with in a drama that was doing so amazingly well otherwise. I watched this drama online with earphones so nobody in my family had to witness or listen to these interactions but for those of us who watched this with family I can imagine it must have been uncomfortable and I can only wonder why it was there in the first place. Oh well. Tajwar Bi loses her senses – and 25 lakhs at the same time.
Although Almas’ greed propelling her to agree to Jahan Ara being ‘sold’ is not justified, this too was another case of a woman who had suffered due to her husband’s whims and half baked business plans and when she felt she could take it no more, she was presented with a solution that was like killing two birds with one stone – financial security and Jahan Ara permanently out of Yasir’s life. Seems like Siraaj and Almas came out the winners with their happy ending. They managed to have their cake and eat it too, so to speak. Pocketed 25 lakhs and did not have to go through with Jahan Ara’s marriage or deal with Tajwar Bi when Jahan Ara left for Tajwar Bi (conveniently for Siraaj & Almas) along with her mother and brother has been escorted to a mental institution by her stepbrother.
Erum finally restored my belief in dramas depicting at least some level of reality. There was only so much she could take and sensing that things would not – could not change- she did what seemed to be the sensible thing to do and decided she had had enough and walked out of the marriage. I liked how she did not weep and cry or wail how ‘barbaad ho gayee hai’. A small part of me did hope Taabish may realise he had some feelings for her and only acted the way he did by being spurned on by his mother (probably what Erum had also hoped for which is why she stuck in that marriage for so long) but then another part of me is also relieved and pleasantly surprised to see how Erum’s track showed it is not okay, no matter what the reason, to put your wife through everything Erum went through.
Aaaaaand – that’s a wrap. A drama that drew me in with its witty dialogues, amazing acting, interesting storylines running simultaneously left me with a heavy-ish heart in the end. Yes, there were the happier endings – those of Erum’s and Jahan Ara’s – yet they were tinged with bittersweet and sad feelings too. I even felt bad for Paro who was left planning her own death. The dialogues in the last episode although not witty were no less impressive though, especially Paro’s conversation with Raaska and when Paashi spoke to her mother in her final days I felt my eyes well up.
I normally watch a drama without looking for any underlying messages but I can not help wonder at the message (s) if any the writer tried to put across. Anwaar Sb’s taunt to Paro about her not loving Paashi pushed her to find love elsewhere. Young minds being impressionable and well, young and immature need to be dealt with care and love. What one may believe to be right or wrong as a parent is alright to try to instill in their children’s minds but how do you go about getting your point across. An emotion as intense as revenge pushed Paro to destroy herself and everything that truly mattered to her. What I liked most about this play was how each character – well most of them were female so I will focus on that- although helpless in a way was not a wailing banshee whose sole purpose in life was to cry buckets. They suffered but all fought back in one way or the other. I have praised the drama enough in my overview so will not risk repeating myself but I will say that with a storyline(s) which was unique yet not so unique, this was definitely one of the actually good dramas I have watched.
I am sure we all have different (or not) thoughts about how the drama ended. There could have been a different way to end Paashi’s track is what I feel and I guess she was made to die so as to completely break Paro. And I would have preferred a more definite end to Yasir’s and Jahan Ara’s story but having seen the way it played out in this episode, I am content with this too. What did you all think – would love to hear your thoughts
Kunwal Javid
Titlee Episode 13 & 14 Review – Some People Never Learn!
After the shocking twist in episode 12, the story is back on track and I have to say that even though the story of the drama is too simple and there has been no character development so far but surprisingly enough I am still hooked to this show. Titlee always was and still is a guilty pleasure but one which I am enjoying reviewing. Usually, we avoid reviewing dramas which we watch strictly to pass time because you never take these dramas too seriously. Reviewing such dramas kills the fun because then you end up paying attention to every minor detail. Titli is an exception because I look forward to watching and reviewing it. We all need to watch a drama every now and then which is nothing more than meaningless entertainment. A major reason why Titlee is so enticing is that Hania Amir is playing the lead in this play flawlessly. You hate Naila but at the same time it is actually fun watching her character get away with everything and you wait for the time when she will finally get punished in some way. It is interesting watching someone like her who has no idea just how wrong she is doing exactly what she wants mainly because the people around her are just too nice. It is also amusing watching role models like her sister and sister in law who are complete opposites and can do no wrong.
Naila finally realized that she could not go on living in her parents’ house primarily because she could not handle the housework. Although she wanted to go back to her in laws and live the life she was living but she wanted to create such a situation that her in laws would beg her to come back. She managed to do just that and she was back in paradise!
8 years passed quickly and personally I don’t mind that but it was awkward when Amir’s wife was wearing the same clothes 8 years later too! There was absolutely no change in Naila’s behaviour and her in laws too continued to be very flexible. Although all these people are just too sweet but you also understand why they do not want Naila to go away. Ahmed’s parents value family ties more than money and can’t live without Naila’s daughters therefore they did whatever she wanted. I actually like the fact that for a change we are watching parents like Ahmed’s parents. They are open-minded, loving and mature. Ahmed’s reaction was realistic as well. Naila is a controlling mother who does whatever she needs to do in order to make her daughters do whatever she wants. Basically, her attitude with her daughters is exactly the same as it is with everyone else.
The preview of the next episode was alarming! I am wondering how Naila managed to buy herself a house. I am really enjoying watching Titlee even though it is nothing grand. It is always entertaining and gives me a reason to tune into it next week. Hania Amir is an amazing actress, love her in this role and waiting anxiously to see her in a lead role on the silver screen.
How many of you watched these episodes? Do share your thoughts about them.
Pooja Bhatt Is Back In Pakistan, Here’s Why!
Celebrated actor and director Pooja Bhatt is back in Pakistan.
According to a local newspaper, Pooja Bhatt visited Pakistan to attend Ali Azmat’s birthday party. She was specially invited to attend the birthday bash.
Asim Jofa hosted a star-studded evening for Ali Azmat’s Birthday bash in Karachi last night. Besides Pooja Bhatt, other attendees include Maria Wasti, Ali Zafar, Sohai Abro and more.
Pooja Bhatt visited Pakistan in 2016 as well and walked the ramp at Fashion Pakistan Week 2016 (FPW).
Yalghaar Trailer To Release This Month
The masterminds of ‘Waar’ are bringing yet another tribute to the honourable Army of Pakistan, ‘Yalghaar’ which is all set to hit the cinemas this Eid-ul-Fitr.
And according to a local magazine, the trailer of the film will release on April 24. Yes, you heard it right! The trailer of Yalghaar will finally release next week and it’s surely a big news.
The film has been written, directed, and produced by Hassan Waqar Rana. With its cast of coveted stars like Shaan Shahid, Humayun Saeed, Adnan Siddiqui, Bilal Ashraf, Umair Jaswal, Ayesha Omar, Armeena Rana Khan, Uzma Khan and Ayub Khosa, the film is bound to create an uproar in the cinemas.
Sajal Ali’s Bollywood Debut Mom’s, New Release Date Announced!
There’s a good news for Sajal Ali’s fans out there. The makers of Sajal Ali’s Bollywood debut film ‘Mom’ have decided to prepone its release.
The upcoming thriller drama film is now slated to release on July 7. The film, which was earlier scheduled to release on July 14, will now hit the screens on July 7, 2017, to avoid the clash with other Bollywood films.
The film also stars Sridevi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Adnan Siddiqui and Akshaye Khanna in the lead roles. Mom is a thriller directed by Ravi Udyawar and produced by Boney Kapoor, Sunil Manchanda & Zee Studios.
“I’m very particular about the actress I’m paired with and I share great chemistry and comfort with Ayeza,” Shares Imran Abbas
The chiselled face, chocolate boy Imran Abbas is a charmer when it comes to acting. He has been acting since more than a decade and his versatile acting is always adored by his fans. The Khuda aur Mohabbat star is currently seen in Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hai and is all set to appear on Geo Tv in an upcoming drama called Yaar-e-Bewafa.
Recently, the actor, spoke to Instep about TV projects, playing it safe with cinema and the importance of financial stability
Imran Abbas shared his experience of working on Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hai. “I had a wonderful time working with the production house, 7th Sky on a serial called Tum Kon Piya last year,” observed Abbas. “On top of that, this play been written by such a gifted writer and directed by someone whose work I’m very fond of personally.”
“I’m very particular about the actress I’m paired with and I share great chemistry and comfort with Ayeza. So overall, I knew it was a safe gamble. It’s something that has been tried and tested previously, so there weren’t any risks,” he added.
He further said, “It’s different in a lot of ways. There’s also a transformation for the story and my character. There are several intriguing twists and turns in the plot that you’ll discover.”
Believing that media plays a strong role in the promotion of the arts, he shared, “I think it has become very important. Previously, we used to completely rely on word-of-mouth. But now marketing strategies play an essential role in the success or failure of any project at all – I feel that promotions are no longer only limited to films, they’ve become equally relevant for television as well.”
The actor who rose to stardom with the serial Khuda Aur Mohabbat six years ago reshot the entire serial and also featured in its second installment opposite Kubra Khan.
“There were major changes in the development and detailing of the characters,” recalled Abbas. “It was originally aired in 2011 so obviously the newer version was a lot more contemporary. It was better in terms of production. Also, the second season picks up from where the last one ended and all of us have changed physically over the years as well so to make it all look relevant, we had to reshoot the first season. Nonetheless, I’m grateful to all the viewers for giving it so much love this time around as well. I feel blessed.”
Abbas also disclosed that his motive now is to earn more. “Thankfully I get paid exactly what I quote but of course financial stability is extremely important.
At the end of the day, all of us are working for survival and strive to make a living out of it. Gone are the days when we had to prove our mettle. I know I am working for money because above anything, it is my job.”
When asked, if he’s planning to do a film in Pakistan, “I have been experimenting across the border. I wasn’t satisfied with Creature 3D. I liked the film but I expected a lot more from the audience. With Janisaar, we knew our niche market and we weren’t trying to cater to the masses at all,” said Abbas. “At this point of time, I don’t want to take any risks in my career. I’ve become very choosy about what I select and I actually thank God that I had to let go of a few Pakistani films because they turned out to be beyond disappointing.”
He is still looking to resume projects across the border that were delayed in the aftermath of the Uri attacks. “There will always be people who will stigmatize the entire society. It’s not restricted to India. We have them here in Pakistan too. But I do believe that any reciprocation and mutual respect is important. If we have started playing Indian films in our theatres, they need to start airing our television serials on Zee Zindagi as well.”
“We need to get rid of this negativity. As far as my personal experience of collaborating with Indian artists is concerned, I’ve never been through any discomfort whatsoever and have only been showered with love and respect. Also, we cannot deny the fact that Bollywood is a huge industry and the international exposure it offers is not available locally. It will take time for us to build infrastructure but I see great enthusiasm in the younger lot and am very hopeful,” he continued.
The Star Studded Premiere Of Chalay Thay Saath
Chalay Thay Saath is one of the most awaited films of the year; be it the amazing music or those beautiful locations, the audience just fell in love with this movie even before it released. Starring an ensemble cast of leading ladies Syra Shahroz, Zhalay Sarhadi, Mansha Pasha, and new faces, Osama Tahir, Faris Khalid, and Kent S. Leung, Chalay Thay Saath had its star-studded premiere last night. Here are a few pictures from the premiere:
Ali Zafar’s New Look For Teefa In Trouble Has Got Us Super Excited!
The man of many talents, Ali Zafar performed at the Lux Style Awards this weekend with Teefa in Trouble’s leading lady Maya Ali. The actor has grown his hair for the film, and recently, he let it all out for the world to see!
Ali looks just like Jack Sparrow, isn’t it?
Speaking to The Express Tribune, about his transformation, Ali shared, “I had mixed martial arts training with modern-day gym techniques and most importantly, diet and dedication and a change in lifestyle. But I feel mental health is way more important than physical and that comes through various mental exercises and meditation.”
Ali plays the titular Teefa in the romantic action-comedy film. “I sometimes feel that artists or stars as you may call them get stuck in the hyped version or image of their own self and eventually become a caricature of their own image,” he said.
“Therefore, it is necessary to keep re-inventing yourself. During the process, you not only rediscover endless possibilities of your own mind and body but also give your audiences something new. For me, the process of learning is the key and that only happens when you break yourself and put yourself together, again and again.”
“In Teefa in Trouble, the director (Ahsan Rahim) wants to shoot every scene before action sequences which required extreme fitness and discipline. I like to do my own stunts because I don’t want to feel when I watch it on the screen that someone else has done this. It’s a high I get when I do it myself.”
Asked as to what will be the most interesting and unique thing we can expect from his Pakistani debut, Ali said, “Well, I think, to entertain people in a way I’ve never before. Be that with action, romance, song and dance, comedy or acting my heart out with intense emotion.”
Om Puri’s Wife Slams Amir Liaquat For Ghost Video, & Calls Him ‘A Joker’
Bollywood veteran actor Om Puri’s death is an unsolved mystery. A few months back, Pakistani anchor Amir Liaquat showed a clip and said that Om Puri’s ghost has been spotted in front of his Mumbai residence. In his show on Bol News, Amir Liaquat claimed that Om Puri’s ghost is back to seek revenge.
The video claiming that late actor Om Puri’s ghost has been haunting the area around his Mumbai residence went viral on the internet.
However, Om Puri’s wife Nandita has finally reacted to the video. In an interview with Hindustan Times, she said, “We are getting the intelligence to track it down.”
“Aamir Liaquat is a joker in Pakistan, who has survived a lot of these cheap thrills earlier too. According to my sources, he was given this from somebody in India and there are many people involved who have scripted this whole thing, which is disgraceful and in extremely bad taste. The video was shot in a night vision CCTV camera and we have traced down the building. Of course it’s not where Om lived. He won’t live in a shoddy building, but it’s very close to our house,” she added.
Watch the viral video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a55twiQK7ts
Nazr e Bad Episode 25 & 26 Review – Make Some Progress!
Oh dear, I so wish I could say that this week’s episodes of Nazr e Bad were interesting because even though there were a handful of developments that were made in the story, the overall progress was next to zero & the happenings weren’t interesting to say the least. For the first time I found myself glued to my cellphone while Nazr e Bad played in the background. This definitely has nothing to do with the characters or anything like that because the characters are still strong & the essence of the drama is also the same but it looked like there was a lot of focus on nominal things which made these two episodes a bit slow & uninteresting. Make no mistake, I am still a fan of this drama, I am still looking forward to it & will definitely watch it till the end, but I want things to move forward now!!!
So, Maham has started accepting Parvez & their relationship. At first she couldn’t actually believe that she not only said yes to his proposal but she also ended up getting married to him. I thought this would serve as an eye-opener & she will get back to her old ways where she couldn’t stand the sight of Parvez but that thing changed quickly. I am not too sure how I feel about this change in Maham’s attitude where she is showing acceptance towards her marriage like it makes her look like she has no personality & is just going with the flow, whereas she was introduced as a girl who knew what she wanted & would never budge for someone. Yes, I do understand that Maham was under the influence of black magic but later when she did realize that things were odd, I wish she had maintained her stance against Parvez despite him being her husband, because that would’ve spiced things up & also, it would’ve showed that Parvez’s magic wasn’t working on her!
To be honest, I so don’t want them to show that now that Parvez has Maham in his life, he is ready to give up on everything & he wants to redeem himself because that would be too unrealistic & unjustified. Just because Parvez felt that his life was complete after getting married to Maham, he immediately decided that he was done with black magic, which made me think that the story will lose its purpose if Parvez will be forgiven in the end because this is something that shouldn’t happen. No matter what, they should at least show that Parvez had to pay the heavy price for ruining so many lives & also for being a murderer of quite a few people. I really hope they don’t show Parvez walking away scot-free just because he repented & was forgiven by all the ladies who are already drooling over him now that he has earned a few bucks because the fact still remains that he is the one who destroyed so many lives, magic or no magic!
Parvez ended up meeting this Baba in the prison, who obviously was on the same path as Parvez & looks like he knows a little more than him. To be honest, his scenes were creepy & quite scary, so after I learnt what he was going to offer, I started forwarding his scenes because I don’t want to watch all of that as it was a bit too OTT for my liking & was way too scary. I am sure that Baba also has an ulterior motive & he isn’t that much of a well-wisher of Parvez as he is posing to be at this stage because he knew that Parvez was thinking about giving up on his magic, so he made sure to talk him out of it by telling that he fixed everything & also that he empowered Parvez in such a way that he could now do things that he couldn’t even think of before!
To be honest, I hated seeing Nazr e Bad turning into Saas Bahu, Devrani Jethani, Chachi Bhateeji saga this week as these were the situations & scenes that made me lose my interest in the drama real quick. The missing wall hanging scenario was dragged for no good reason. Almas giving Nusrat a hard time & taunting her like there’s no tomorrow was another thing that was boring. Parvez & Maham’s shopping spree was least interesting too. Humera insulting Nusrat was again something that was quite boring. The preview of the next episode also suggested that from now on even Parvez will get involved in this mess & he will be taking a stand for Maham tunring Nazr e Bad into one of those typical dramas that only have gharelu politics to offer.
To be honest, at this stage this is not what I want to see, I think they should now bring the story to the point where Maham will learn the truth about Parvez. I was thinking with Parvez gone for the entire night & Almas being downstairs because of her injury, Maham had a good chance to stumble upon the things that Parvez & Almas use for their magic. This is how Abeera found out too, so why couldn’t that happen with Maham because she was looking for her Wall Hanging anyways, so it would’ve made so much of sense if Maham had spotted those weird things in Parvez’s home & had grown suspicious of his activities for starters. I really think the team has taken its sweet time in showing what Parvez & Almas are capable of, so now they really need to hurry up & show their downfall especially with Maham finding out about everything first.
I hate to say this but I don’t know why after these two episodes, I got a feeling that the writer won’t give this drama the end that we all want to see, like I don’t know why I feel that Parvez will get away with everything & he will be forgiven by the writer citing his apology as enough of an excuse to forget what he did. They are in any case highlighting Parvez’s positive side by showing him as an ideal husband who can do anything for his wife, which I am definitely not buying because while watching him, I can’t get everything that he has done out of my mind. Also, I so wish there was more to Shazia or she wasn’t there in the first place, like seriously seeing a girl drooling over a khatarnaak jadugar is puke-worthy, like have some standards gurl!!!
Yes, the only thing that made sense & was interesting in these two episode was how Jins started disturbing Parvez & made him endure some of the hardships because they were mad at him as he decided that he was giving up on everything. It was something that I found interesting as it taught Parvez that moving away from everything won’t be so easy & effortless.
Anyways, I wish they move the story forward now & start revealing the truth about Parvez as they have taken a lot of time already. I really hope before Maham falls in love with Parvez completely, she finds out who he is & what he has done, because if she will fall in love, the writer will show that she forgave Parvez for all that he has done, which I don’t want to see as this is something that ladies in our dramas with no personality whatsoever end up doing! I hope they stay true to the purpose & the essence of the story & show us the downfall of the wretched characters ASAP! Please share your thoughts about these two episodes of Nazr e Bad!
Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.
Four Reasons Why We Are Waiting For ‘Alif Allah Aur Insaan’
The month of April brings with it a promise to give us loads of drama treats. With new dramas releasing every other day, there’s a lot to watch out for. The latest play which has us super excited is none other than ‘Alif Allah aur Insaan‘. The play has created an uproar about its arrival, seizing all the limelight from the rest. So, here are our top 4 reasons why we are desperately waiting for Alif Allah Aur Insaan.
1) The love triangle of Kubra Khan, Shehzad sheikh and Mikaal Zulfiqar
The first reason is the gripping love triangle. For those who have seen the promos of Alif Allah aur Insaan, will know how intense and extraordinary the tale of the drama appears to be. The promos of the play elucidate that Alif Allah aur Insaan is going to have a touch of a love triangle. Remember how Shireen loved Aurang in Sange Marma? It’s the other way around this time. As Shahzeb (Mikaal Zulfiqar) loves Nazneen (Kubra Khan), but Nazneen is head over heels in love with Shehzad sheikh‘s character. So, what makes us wait for the drama is the fate of this love story, because we are sure that Kubra Khan and Mikaal Zulfiqar will create a magic on-screen. We love their chemistry, and the bottom line is, we are super excited to see them together!
2) Ushna Shah in a whole new avatar
After working in Pakistani dramas for several years, Ushna Shah has finally chosen a character that has a lot to offer. The role of Rani is somewhat different from all the characters she has played till now, not a typical one, but a girl who embarks on a journey of evolution. A girl who is innocent yet strong at the same time.
3) Qaisra Hayat’s Pen & Ahson Talish’s Direction
Qaisara Hayat is joining hands with Ahson Talish to dramatise a play based on her novel of the same name. Alif Allah aur Insaan is a popular novel with a unique approach on the spiritual bond of Allah and human. The play will show four different stories, discussing the different qualities of human body, emotions, human nature and the relationship between an Insaan and Allah. The drama revolves around individuals discovering the nature of life. The storyline is bound to grip the viewers as it’s relatable and talks about life. Sound interesting right?
4) The Stellar Cast
The makers of Alif Allah Aur Insaan have wisely chosen the actors who could relate to life and play different characters. The ensemble cast of the drama flaunts quite the big wigs of the entertainment industry and some strong supporting actors such as Imran Ashraf, Sana Fukher. The drama also stars Farhan Ali Agha, Firdous Jamal, Naima Khan, Leyla Zuberi, Ainy Zaidi, Azra Mansoor, Farrukh Kareem Darbar in pivotal roles.
Tune into Alif Allah aur Insaan, starting from April 25, every Tuesday at 8 pm, only on Hum TV.
Rimsha Butt
Worst Dressed Celebrities At Lux Style Awards 2017
With Award Functions being at their peak in Pakistan since last few years, these events give the celebrities to exhibit themselves and their sense of styling. Where some celebrities love to experiment and succeed in making their looks work, some celebrities fail and things go terribly wrong for the reasons best known to them. May be in the pursuit of looking different or standing out from the crowd, or may be because of being too bold and not being ashamed of experimenting, some of the celebrities ended up sporting the worst looks at the Lux Style Awards that was held last night.
Here is the list of the Worst Dressed Celebrities at Lux Style Awards:
Ayesha Fazli
Ayesha Fazli always knows how to stand out but this time around, she has stood out for all the wrong reasons. As much as the color of her dress is to die for, the broad neckline accentuating her shoulders seem pretty unflattering on her. The lack of clothing on her shoulders makes me think how good it would have been if the designer hadn’t wasted the entire fabric in giving her the trail which must be brushing the dust off the carpet only and other than that serving no purpose whatsoever.
Imran Abbas
After speaking about Lux Style Awards’ credibility and describing it as an event where Aunties exhibit their jewelry to the rest of Puphos and Chachees, looks like Imran Abbas understood the true spirit of the event and hence, showed up only to flaunt his untimely sunglasses. The polka dot bow also shows how someone can make retro go wrong.
Momal Sheikh
While her brother Shehzad sheikh made it to the list of the best dressed celebrities, I wish that could have been said about Momal Sheikh too but that is not the case here unfortunately. From dress design to dress color to the shade of her foundation to her lipstick, everything is immensely wrong with Momal Sheikh’s styling. Not sure what happened may be the designer had a personal vendetta against her or the makeup artist wasn’t in the right state of mind for makeup artistry.
Meera
May be Meera wanted to be remembered as the Golden Lady but looks like the dress designer couldn’t really conceptualize what she wanted and ended up giving her the most ill fitted dress of all times. It seems that just because she ran out of time and was in a hurry, she ended up using the wicker basket as her purse and covered it with the remaining fabric with which her dress was made.
Goher Rasheed
He makes me wonder how can he always look so messy so effortlessly!! The only idea I got from Goher’s outfit was that when you get bored of your old curtains don’t throw them away, get a jacket made out of it.
Hasnain Lehri
It looks like he got struck by meteorite shower when he was on his way to LSA. It is good that he got the award based on his talent because he must’ve put the jury in jeopardy if they had to award him based on his sense of styling.
Amna Babar
Do I need to say more? Isn’t the image self explanatory?
Mawra Hocane
Can someone please tell Mawra Hocane that dressing up like a Disney princess and carrying a carriage around (the purse!) won’t guarantee that her prince charming will come looking for her with a glass slipper which will fit only her!
Aamina Sheikh
Aamina Sheikh usually looks gorgeous on awards functions but this time her hair and make-up is so messed up that it looks like she ran to the venue!! I found this on Instagram and couldn’t agree more!!
Sadaf Kanwal
Sadaf Kanwal should know that you can look nice without revealing your body! I would love to see her in a classy gown which does not show her legs, for a change.
Mahira Khan
Mahira Khan is on this list simply because her dress did not leave much to the imagination! Her make-up and styling is perfect but I expected better from someone like Mahira Khan! I know she has worked hard to loose all this weight but she would have looked equally great if she wore something less revealing and more chic.
Quratulain Baloch
I am all for wavy hair but this isn’t even a proper hairdo especially when you are going for a formal wear. QB’s look is a weird combination of formal and too casual, even messy! She looks like a character from Adam’s family!
Nadia Hussein
She is a make-up artist and a model yet her look is all wrong. Her face has nothing but highlighter and her dress is all shimmery. What was Nadia Hussein thinking?
Best Dressed Celebrities At Lux Style Awards 2017
Lux Style Awards are all about acknowledging the work of all those talented individuals who work hard all through the year to give the entertainment and the fashion industry their best. These awards are also a time for celebrities to showcase their dressing sense because this is the time when they get to show just how much style they have. All the celebrities always choose their favorite designer, stylist and make-up artist for the job but not all of them always get it right even with all this homework. This year at LSA many celebrities wore black, which made us wish that we saw more color on the red carpet. There were a few who looked stylish and chic on the occasion.
Here is a list of those celebrities who looked stunning on the Lux Style Awards 2017:
Sanam Saeed
Sanam Saeed is known to be one such celebrity that doesn’t put a lot of effort in makeup and hair styling, be it in her dramas or her TV appearances, but this time around, it is evident that Sanam Saeed not only put in the effort but carried the overall look with a lot of comfort and confidence as well. Dressed in monotones, with simple hairstyle and minimal accessories to dress herself up, Sanam Saeed surely looked her best at LSA Event.
Atif Aslam and Sara Bharwana
Atif Aslam and Sara Bharwana always look great together no matter what function they are attending. This time too their color combinations and styling which was simple but appealing at the same time made them look effortlessly chic. They compliment each other.
Sunita Marshal
Sunita Marshal happened to be one such celebrity that broke the monotony of black theme that every other celebrity was sporting this year at LSA. Sunita’s elegance made her vibrant dress work and she carried it with a lot of confidence as well. Sunita also sported a very simple and minimalist styling to go with her dress making it seem like a statement within itself.
Faysal Qureshi and Sana Qureshi
What a charming couple, looking at them it is easy to tell that these two thought things through before getting their outfits designed. The red, black and gold combination adds the right colors to the base color. We love Faysal Qureshi’s sunglasses because they give him a trendy look.
Tooba Siddique
Amidst all the celebrities who wore black at LSA this year, Tooba Siddique surely made it work. Loose Hollywood curls tucked at one side, smokey black eyes and a dress that accentuated her physique in a most appropriate manner seemed flattering on her making her look stylish and elegant.
Syra Yusef
Syra Yusef does not need a lot of styling and make-up to look attractive. This beautiful dress is enough to make her stand out and she looks elegant in the straight hair and make-up which isn’t too loud. The outfit is especially pretty and looks good on her.
Mehreen Saeed
Mehreen Saeed is another celebrity who wore a black outfit and stood out from the rest of the crowd because of the way she carried herself. Even though her dress is quite simple, the way she glammed herself up with a bit of a backcombing and loose curls that dangled over her shoulders added a lot of grace to her overall look.
Zahid Ahmed
Zahid Ahmed looked handsome in a tuxedo. Since the viewers do not get to see him in this look very often in dramas so this formal look is brand new. There aren’t a lot of men who can carry a tuxedo the way he is.
Humayun Saeed
No one looks as handsome in black as Humayun Saeed. He carries a simple outfit with grace and looks effortlessly handsome. He proves that you don’t always need a jacket to look utterly charming.
Saud.
Lux Style Awards 2017 – Winners List
Every year, the prestigious Lux Style Awards celebrate the best of the entertainment fraternity with a star-studded event, full of glamour. So, for all those who were anxiously waiting for the results, here are the winners of the Lux Style Awards 2017.
Best TV Play: Dillagi
Best TV Actress: Maya Ali – Mann Mayyal
Best TV Actor: Ahsan Khan – Udaari
Best OST: Quratulain Baloch – Mann Mayyal
Best TV Writer: Farhat Ishtiaq – Udaari
Best TV Director: Mohammad Ehteshamuddin – Udaari
Best Film Actor: Fahad Mustafa – Actor In Law
Best Film Actress: Mahira Khan – Ho Mann Jahan
Best Supporting Actor: Sheheryar Munawar – Ho Mann Jahan
Best Supporting Actress: Sanam Saeed – Dobara Phir Se
Best Singer (Male): Atif Aslam – Dil Dancer Dancer (Actor In Law)
Best Singer (Female): Aima Baig – Kalabaz Dil (Lahore Se Aageey)
Best Film Director: Nabeel Qureshi – Actor In Law
Best Film: Actor In Law
Best Music Director: Kamal Khan – Ho Jao Azaad ( Zoe Viccaji)
Song Of The Year: Saiyaan – Quratulain Baloch
Album Of The Year: Na Bhulana – Uzair Jaswal
Best Emerging Talent: Hira Shah
International Icon Award: Halit Ergenc – Mera Sultan
Lux Style Lifetime Achievement Award: Tariq Amin
Yakeen Ka Safar Episode 01 Review – A Very Strong Start!
Ohkay so, based on a Farhat Ishtiyaq novel ‘Wo Yakeen Ka Naya Safar’, Yakeen Ka Safar is produced by Momina Duraid Productions & is directed by Shehzad Kashmiri & from now on it will be airing on Wednesdays on Hum TV. The first episode gave us a glimpse into all the characters & their stories & they gave us just enough to understand all of the characters & their struggles. I must say, the very first episode was directed perfectly because it gave equal coverage to so many characters, it shows the clarity & the vision that the director had while directing this drama. The very first episode introduced us the story & character in such a manner that I am already looking forward to the next episode. I am sure it is going to be a ride & with the first episode being just so perfect, my hopes have skyrocketed already.
So, the first episodes showed us three scenarios in three different locations, where in 2 of those scenarios, they shed a light on the physical & emotional abuse that women were being subjected to. In Rab Nawaz Village, a school teacher named Noori (Suhai) was abducted & sadly, in stead of looking for her, her father blamed her for being too ambitious for wanting to educate the children of her village. In Karachi, they showed Zubiya (Sajal Ali) & her family mourning the loss of her mother (Fazila Qazi) & lastly, in Islamabad, they showed us a light-hearted scenario where two maternal cousins Daniyal (Shaz Khan) & Gaiti (Hira Mani) were getting married & their families were making the most of this happy occasion.
So, Daniyal & Gaiti got engaged 6 years ago but the very same day Daniyal left for London to pursue his education. He has returned as a lawyer & he acknowledges & appreciates the fact that Gaiti stood by him & gave him enough time just when he was getting pressurized by his mother to come back & get married. Even though they didn’t show much about Gaiti but I loved how subtle her character seemed at this stage because of which I felt I wanted to know more about her. Daniyal’s father Usman (Farhan Ali Agha) & Gaiti’s mother Durdana are siblings, that is why both the families seemed pretty happy with this family affair. It seems that Daniyal’s younger brother Asfand & Gaiti’s younger sister are engaged to be married as well but Asfand is not mature or settled enough to take the responsibility of a marriage at this stage. I liked the way they showed that both the brothers Daniyal & Asfand share a very strong bond, where Daniyal is protective of his younger brother & Asfand looks up to him.
In Rab Nawaz Village, even though the first impression that I got of Noori’s father was disturbing but seeing him shedding tears did make me feel for him. However, I felt that the helplessness that he was feeling was self-imposed because he just didn’t want to help himself & gave up because he wasn’t ready to face the world & take a stand for his daughter as deep down even he felt that she was at fault & she herself invited the trouble she was facing. Very subtly yet clearly they shed a light on how men in these type of settings deem education as a burden & don’t have the courage to stand up for their daughters due to their false pride that they cling onto as they are afraid of facing the world because of their own fears.
Zubiya lost her mother & it was her Khala Mehjabeen (Huma Nawab) that tried to console her as she could see that losing her mother took a toll on Zubiya. Very briefly they introduced us to the dysfunctional relationship that Zubiya’s father Khalil (Ehtashamuddin) & her mother shared. It looked like Khalil always subjected his wife to mental torture because of his conservativeness & didn’t give her enough freedom to even stay in touch with her family. Zubiya has an elder brother Rehan who is married to Sheema & they both have a son Haram.
Even though the promo of the next episode gave away everything but the moment I saw the uneasiness on Khalil & Zubiya’s faces when they both faced each other, it did make me feel that Khalil was uncomfortable about something & was trying to cover it up as if even he knew he was guilty of something. The way he put Mehjabeen down & reminded her of where she comes from spoke volumes about his personality. It is sad to see that Khalil is shown as a rigid religious man who only believes in performing the rituals but doesn’t actually understand the essence of the religion that he follows. Mehjabeen’s concern for her younger sister was heart-warming, like even though she knew that her sister suffered because of Khalil but she couldn’t say much, however she did find it odd that all of a sudden her sister passed away & her family was unable to give her a clear cut answer to what exactly happened to her.
The direction, camera work, editing, equal coverage of all the scenarios & characters made the first episode a treat to watch. All the actors performed phenomenally but for me, Sajal Ali stole the show, I actually felt for her a lot when she cried as she was missing her mother. Even though Fazila Qazi’s character got a very little coverage but it was enough to show how special of a bond she shared with her daughter & how important she was in her life. Where Khalil was a rigid, emotionally detached & conservative father, his wife made sure to shower her daughter with all the love to keep her distracted from something that was terribly wrong in her life. I can already see how all these stories will be linked in the future episodes & I can not wait to see the story unfold.
I must say Hira Mani looked absolutely beautiful. Shaz Khan fitted his role perfectly. Asfand & his fiancée got a little too much coverage for my liking but it seemed justified for now as obviously they had to keep things a bit light hearted considering this was the first episode. However, I did pick a little mistake, because in the beginning they made it clear that Daniyal’s parents were Gaiti’s Mamu Mami, whereas Asfand’s fiancée while speaking about his parents said Chacha Chachi chalay gaye or something like that. I feel especially in the first episode where everyone is figuring out who is related to whom, the director should’ve paid a bit more attention as these sort of mistakes can create a lot of misunderstand & confusion. Anyways, I must say I am impressed with the hard-work that was put in this episode & even though there was so much happening in this episode where they kept on switching between completely different situations, I didn’t find the editing choppy or the sequence haphazard. I will thank the director for giving us a very strong first episode of this drama. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Yakeen Ka Safar.
Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.
PS: Dear readers, please excuse me for a short review, as this is the best I could do considering how unwell I am. I will get back on track starting from next week & will give you guys the sort of a review this drama deserves. Also, since this drama is based on the novel, I am sure a lot of readers here must’ve read it, so I think I do have to impose the no spoiler alert policy once again because it just kills the charm of the drama for viewers like me who haven’t read the novel. I have seen that some readers deliberately discuss the novel, promos, OST’s & upcoming bits as the curiosity gets the better of them but I hope they will respect the no spoiler alert policy because I & I am sure quite lot of other viewers have not read the novel as well. Also, I haven’t watched any promos or even the OST as I know they can give away the entire story so I hope that will be respected too. Let’s just keep the discussions strictly about the episode that will be airing without making it all about the future happenings & please bear in mind that novel reading & drama watching are two completely different things. Last but definitely not the least, if I will spot anyone discussing future happenings of a drama based on what they have read in the novel, I will delete those comments because that’s the only option that I’ll be left with. Let’s enjoy this ride together & remember we are not reading the novel together, we’re watching a drama here. ;)
LUX Style Awards 2017 – RED CARPET
The most prestigious award ceremonies of Pakistan, the 16th Lux Style Awards are happening this very moment and we all are super excited to witness the resplendent ceremony. The pictures of the celebrities hitting the red carpet are emerging online, and we can’t help but wait for the whole show to air on our screens. So, to make the wait easier, here are a few pictures from the red carpet of the Lux Style Awards 2017.
Ghardari 101 – As Learnt from Pakistani Dramas
Ghardari 101 – As Learnt from Pakistani Dramas – With two children under two, I have had my fair share of crazy moments during their earlier years where I have struggled to get food cooked, kids tended to and managed to live to see the next day. I would google nap routines, read those mommy guide books, etc. Some helped, some did not. For there really is not a Mommyhood 101 that is exactly on point and works for all of us. Similarly while Ghardari 101 (probably) does not exist, I have gleaned a few pointers as pointed out in our very own Pakistani dramas. Please note that these are random thoughts which cross my mind when I have seen these scenarios more than a couple of times in our dramas and this article, like most of my writing, is meant to be in good humour. Some points actually may ring quite close to home for some of us, even for me. I love most of the dramas I watch but they’re not perfect :)
So, without further ado presented below are some of the basic guidelines:
Victim – MIL or DIL?
From the time of rishta up until the actual wedding day – do your assessment. Save a very rare few, no household (as portrayed in our dramas) has lived to see a saas and bahu living happily together. One of them is the victim, be it the evil saas or the evil bahu. Figure out who it will be in your case.
The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach
Age old saying. True to a huge extent – granted. But please remember as times have changed so has the man’s stomach. For where a home cooked meal by the pretty wife seemed to suffice to bring out the truth in that saying, now the dramas have taken it to a whole new level. Jab boht pyaar aye, be it husband or grown son, do not cook his most favorite meal. No – cook all of them! This recent ‘dekho mein nay tumhaari saaaaaari favorite dishes banaayi/banwayi hain’ leaves the foodie in me very confused. Biryani, kebab, koftay – heavy plate but still can be had together but chowmein? Where does that fit? Soup before or after or poured on top as curry? Baffling!
Bye bye to a promising career
Or bye bye to hubby and the kids. Because if you pursue a career, reality – the woman still is expected to pick up the brunt of housework. Dramaworld – she becomes a screeching, disorganized, selfish, evil woman – whose husband will most likely marry another woman. So be ready to undergo a personality change or else, keep the peace and give up any professional ambitions you may have had.
Housework all day
Every minute, every second. From the moment you wake up, hair perfectly done till the moment you rub on those creams on your hands before bed – the house is to be tended to all day long. Then and only then are you the perfect, sughar bahu/wife. No days off where you slouch around in your favourite PJS, order in food and binge watch a very new and interesting TV show. Ah, those days! Oh, I mean – God forbid! Haha.
Babies to remained swaddled in those big baby shawls/blankets until they are safely more than a year old
Weeks and months pass, major events unfold in the drama but the ‘baby’ remains in its forever present shawl. No milestones hit when baby is given tummy time, learns to sit, crawl, cruise – no! Keep the baby in that shawl until the baby will overnight grow into a walking, talking toddler who more times than not as portrayed in our dramas will yell one fine morning – aap gandi hain! Haye he talks!
Oh yes, besides housework there is something else you can do – shopping pe jaana. This one tickles me no end. Humans love/need to shop. Some more than others. Maybe women more than men. But if you want to be a cute, newly wed bride then pout and tell your husband – mujhay shopping pe jaana hai. The shopping pe jaana (emphasis on ‘pe’) always gives me a mental image of an expedition or cruise or a horse – like you sit on shopping and go somewhere. Go figure.
When looking for proposals for any males you are related to, son/brother/mamu etc – always finalise a household which has more than one daughter. For if the woman your son/brother/mamu gets engaged to decides to run away at the last minute, there is no need to have one person fall prey to a heart attack by the sudden shock nor call off the wedding – the to be bride’s sister will more than likely be offered as the replacement bride. Win-win.
Doctor without a degree
That can be the only profession you can openly practice and that too with expertise and ease. Nausea, vomiting, upset stomach – no ORS, hydration – announce it to be a clear cut pregnancy case. Self diagnosis. Best cure for a headache? Move over, Panadol – chai is the ultimate answer. Always assumed tea was used to fight off the tiredness, but there is also the ‘I am off to sleep in a bit, pehlay chai la do’. What?!
When writing an article for reviewit – cook pulao. That one is entirely mine, haha. For everytime I have written in the past couple of weeks, I seem to be checking on the pulao I have on the stove simultaneously.
You know how your hear those taunts (again in the dramas) of how watching TV has messed with the young woman’s (impressionable?) mind. I wonder if we all took to heart these lessons and pointers presented in our dramas – what kind of a household and family would we be running or be a part of. Again there is the suitcase, where the speed at which the woman packs her clothes and zooms out without having to look back or rush back to forget one minor thing makes me think a step ahead which is that she need not worry about financially supporting herself for with that kind of skill she could put the professional packing companies to shame and run her own. I could not resist penning these down and would really love any additions from your end. I am off to take a page out of my own book, rather article, so to speak. The saari dishes one. Now where did I keep that food delivery menu again? Haha!
Kunwal Javid
Hindi Medium’s Second Song ‘Hoor’ Is A Soothing To The Ears
Hindi Medium’s second song featuring Atif Aslam released today and the singer has done his magic again. The song called ‘Hoor’ shows the brewing love of the leads of Hindi Medium, backed by Atif Aslam’s strong yet soft vocals.
The music of Hoor is soulful and a pleasure to listen to, it is composed by Sachin-Jigar.
Saba Qamar’s Bollywood debut Hindi Medium is slated to release on May 21st, 2017. The film is directed by Saket Chaudhary, produced by Dinesh Vijan, Bhushan Kumar, and Krishan Kumar.
The OST Of Alif Allah Aur Insaan Is Out & Its Bound To Give You Goosebumps
Heart-wrenching vocals by Shafqat Amanat Ali and a strong pen by Ahsan Talish, the ost of Alif Allah aur Insaan is absolutely beautiful. The soulful track moves you to the core with its boundless energy and passion.
The OST shows all the ups and downs that the characters of the drama will go through while showing their struggle for love.
Alif Allah aur Insaan stars Kubra Khan, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Ushna Shah, Imran Ashraf, Shehzad sheikh and Sana Fukher in pivotal roles. Directed by Ahsan Talish and written by Qaisara Hayat, the play will air on April 25, on Hum TV at 8pm.
Actors That Sell The Drama With Their Names
Pakistani drama industry is filled with talented actors who are continuously working hard, even after decades of being part of the field, to entertain the viewers with performances which translate the character they are playing on screen impeccably. It is a fact that even with so many talented actors in the industry, there are very few who actually sell a drama; these are the actors who are the USP of a drama and because of whom people tune into these dramas. The reasons for this are many but the most important reason is that these actors always give every role they play their best even if a character is average, they make it likeable with their performance. Another reason is that some of these actors are very particular about the projects they choose to be a part of therefore the viewers have more faith in them. The viewers know that if one of these actors is going to be a part of a drama then that drama will definitely be worth watching and even if the drama as a whole is not impressive, these actors will most certainly deliver.
There are also those actors who haven’t been around for too long and in fact are only newcomers but they impressed the viewers with their debut performances so much that many of the viewers are already waiting anxiously for their next project.
Here is a list of few actors who make a drama a must-watch and the viewers look forward to their upcoming projects.
Humayun Saeed
Humayun Saeed has been a part of the industry for such a long time but over these years he not only proved his mettle as an actor but showed his passion to the drama buffs by opting for different roles every now and then. This is the reason why Humayun Saeed’s work is not only acknowledged but followed by the viewers on such a large scale as they know that if Humayun Saeed is gracing any drama with his presence, it is meant to be good. Even though he has gravitated towards movies now but Dil Lagi marked his return to the dramas after a long time which was well-received by the viewers and showed that even if he was going to do selective work, he was going to make sure it is different and unique.
Saba Qamar
Another big name and star of our industry who believes in selective, different and quality work that is why the moment the news of Saba Qamar’s upcoming drama makes it to the social media, people find themselves waiting for it as they know Saba Qamar’s work is going to guarantee quality entertainment. Saba Qamar is not afraid to experiment and that is why she has earned a lot of credibility over the years by opting for different roles, which represent her vision as an actor who believes in variety. Bunty I Love You, Digest Writer, Sangat, Besharam and Main Sitara are some of Saba’s recent works and all of them were quite popular among the drama viewers which showed Saba Qamar in different sorts of roles.
Noman Ijaz
Noman Ijaz can never wrong with his performance no matter what. He is a skillful performer who knows exactly what is expected from him which is why there is a special place in the hearts of the viewers for him. He has acted in so many dramas but there wasn’t even one instance when he gave a weak performance. His portrayal of a very difficult character in Sang-e-Mar Mar recently impressed the viewers and during the promotions of Khan he was clearly used to sell the drama for obvious reasons.
Sanam Baloch
The biggest regret that Pakistani drama buffs have is that Sanam Baloch doesn’t appear in dramas anymore. Even though her fans get their fix by watching her morning shows but seeing her in dramas used to be a treat within it self. Sanam Baloch was in her glory when she used to work in dramas, that is why in such a short span of time she experimented so much and showed her abilities as an actor. Akbari Asghari, Nadamat, Dastaan, Daam, Manchalay and her last work Kankar, all these dramas had so much variety which showed that Sanam Baloch enjoyed doing all kinds of roles. However, her fans are already excited as she just announced her come back to the dramas and we obviously can not wait.
Mohsin Abbas Haider
Mohsin Abbas Haider’s impression on the viewers completely altered, in a good way, when he made his acting debut in drama serial Muqabil. The singer who some viewers did not even take very seriously, when they saw him performing in Mazak Raat, swept the same viewers off their feet with his mature and remarkable performance as an actor in his debut drama serial. Mohsin Abbas takes his acting career very seriously which is why the passion with which he performs has won him a lot of fans in a short span of time. He is definitely the kind of actor who keeps you entertained and leave you in awe of his performance no matter what the situation in the drama maybe. Everyone who is watching Muqabil is already waiting to see him in another drama.
Sania Saeed
Sania Saeed is another actress who has been around for a very long time but viewers still get excited whenever they see her on screen. She has a unique acting style which always resonates with the viewers. She always looks and acts the role that she is assigned with. Her recent performances in drama serial Tum Yaad Aye, Sang-e-Mar Mar and Sammi were poles apart but she managed to translate all these demanding roles flawlessly on screen. Sania Saeed’s career is an example of the fact that brilliant actors do not have a shelf life.
Imran Abbas
Imran Abbas has made quite a name for himself and he has been a part of Pakistani drama industry for such a long time. Imran Abbas has a massive fandom and he makes sure he brings something new to the table every time he works in a drama. Even in recent years we have seen so much of variety from him and even before the promos make it to the television, his dramas are already highly anticipated as the drama buffs know they are going to be in for a treat. Even though Imran Abbas took a long break for a while as he was working in India but now people are enjoying watching him on their screens in Pakistani dramas again. Dil e Muztar, Alvida, Mera Naam Yousuf Hai, Khuda Aur Mohabbat and currently airing Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hai are all of Imran’s recent dramas that did extremely well in terms of popularity because they had Imran Abbas’s name attached to them.
Maya Ali
Maya Ali has a popularity which is undeniable. Maya Ali proved her acting by doing different roles in different dramas. Yes, lately she has given two flop dramas back to back but this is a fact that no matter how the drama itself it, Maya Ali’s association with it brings a lot of attention to it. Maya Ali did similar kinds of roles but then she received a lot of appreciation for her work in blockbuster Diyar e Dil, but after that, her drama choices didn’t do anything good for her but we still have hope in her as she is a very strong actor.
Faysal Qureshi
Faysa Qureshi is a household name. His experience as an actor is huge that is why no matter what he does, it always gets hyped up and the viewers await his drama serials. Faysal Qureshi also likes to experiment with different roles because of which his fans get a lot of variety and they follow his dramas keenly. Bashar Momin and Mol are two of his recent dramas which were followed by a lot of people and both these dramas showed Faysal Qureshi in a completely different light.
Mahira Khan
Mahira Khan has star power and a massive fan following. The fact that she does only one drama in a year makes her one of those actors whose dramas people watch for her more than anything else. Mahira Khan proved herself as a polished actress in drama serial Sadqay Tumhare, her character and acting was the only good thing about Bin Roye. Lately, she is also one of those actors who are either completely loved or severely criticized but the fact is that even those people who don’t approve of her tune into her projects just as often as those who like her.
Saba Hameed
Saba Hameed was always a powerful performer but in the past few years she proved that even when you are around for decades, you can still make an impact and experiment by choosing the right projects and most importantly make people tune into your dramas just by being part of them. Saba Hameed’s performance in Marasim, Guzarish, Dillagi, Khuda Mera Bhi Hai and Muqabil recently showed how versatile she is as an actress. She is also one of those very few actresses who truly live and breathe the characters they play.
Kubra Khan
Model turned actress and despite being new to the drama industry, Kubra Khan is not only lucky but she is quite smart when it comes to her drama choices, because of which she has done so many different dramas and has already proved herself as a good actor with a strong screen presence. In such a short span of time, Kubra Khan has appeared in so many dramas portraying characters that are completely different from one another. Kubra Khan has shown that she is always going to experiment and will never become a victim of typecasting which is commendable. Sang e Marmar, Khuda Aur Mohabbat, Muqabil, Andaz e Sitam are the dramas that Kubra has appeared in and has received a lot of appreciation for. Kubra’s upcoming drama Alif Allah Aur Insaan is already one of the highly anticipated drama of 2017.
Masroor Paras
With only a handful of TV dramas to his credit, Masroor Paras showed what he is capable of especially with his appearance in the recent blockbuster Sang e Marmar. It wasn’t easy portraying a character like Torah Khan but Masroor Paras shone and showed what he is made of when it comes to acting that is why made Torah Khan become the talk of the town. After Sang e Marmar, a lot of viewers are awaiting for his next project as they expect nothing but the best from him.
Sajal Ali
Sajal Ali has a huge fan base and that is why almost every single drama of hers is well received by the viewers. Sajal Ali is an eye candy and on top of that, she is a very strong actress, that is why irrespective of the nature of the role that she plays, she always gets praised for it. There was a time when Sajal Ali was being typecast and she was doing role which were too mature for her age but with those, she got to prove her acting skills. Chup Raho and Gul e Rana are two of her most-watched dramas in the recent times and her drama Yaqeen Ka Safar which is going to go on air tonight has already garnered a lot of attention already.
Ayeza Khan
Ayeza Khan is one such celebrity that is loved by so many people. Even though Ayeza was a victim of typecasting but ever since her come back she has proved that she can do something new and is enjoying experimenting with different characters. Due to her huge fan base, any drama that has Ayeza Khan in it is already sold before it makes it to the screen because people love watching her and undoubtedly, she has proved her acting skills in all these years too. Tum Kon Piya and Shehrnaz did extremely well and her currently on-air drama Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hai is garnering a lot of appreciation already.
Asif Raza Mir
Asif Raza Mir is a legend, we have been watching him for a really long time now. He has a class of his own which is why just watching him perform on screen is a treat. He took the most crucial decision of his acting career by choosing to play the role of a rapist in drama serial Muqabil and is getting tons of appreciation for giving a superb performance which leaves the viewers spellbound every time. He is rarely seen in dramas therefore the viewers look forward to his projects and tune into his plays just to enjoy his presence on screen.
So, here’s the list of all those actors that according to us are able to sell the drama with their association with it, because of their top-notch acting, experience and massive fan bases. Please feel free to add more such names of the celebrities that get you excited and make you anticipate their dramas eagerly.
Zahra Mirza & Fatima Awan
If You Are Judging Me Based On My Nationality, You Are A Racist, Shares Adnan Sami
The famous Pakistani Pop Singer Adnan Sami left his very own country Pakistan for India. He surrendered his Pakistani Nationality to get Indian citizenship in 2016. The singer received backlash from his former nation Pakistan for getting the Indian citizenship.
In an interview with India.com, when asked if it bothered him, Sami said, “I know people criticised my decision, but honestly, I don’t care. And why should I? I am a singer. You love me or hate me based on my music. If you are judging me based on my nationality and religion, you are a racist. This is very offensive. I cannot encourage that.”
“Some people will criticise your actions and I cannot stop expressing my opinion based on that. As far as my opinion on surgical strikes is concerned, I explained it to the media clearly,” said, Adnan.
“I always stood by my opinion and will do that in future as well. I have never made any frivolous comment and never will.”
He’ll working on a Bollywood project soon. “We will be announcing the project very soon. I am composing songs for it.”
Shamoon Abbasi Slams Sonu Nigam For Hurting The Sentiments Of Muslims
Indian singer Sonu Nigam’s tweets on the use of loudspeakers for Azaan in mosques sparked off a controversy. The singer later reiterated that his tweets were not anti-Muslim as he only spoke about the loudspeakers. However, the fact that he called Azaan ‘forced religiousness’ is still unacceptable.
Just yesterday, Pakistani actor Shamoon Abbasi, took to Facebook to question Sonu Nigam in a live video message.
“I’m amazed to see such a great, soulful singer, who is adored by everyone, giving such a statement,” said Shamoon.
“Did you hear Azaan for the first time in India?” he questioned. “Do you want Azaan to vanish from this world and everybody listen to your songs only?”
He also asked Sonu Nigam to explain his stance that hurt the sentiments of Muslims all over the world.
“We didn’t expect this from you. I hope that something positive will come up from your end. We still respect you and your voice and want to continue with the same. But if you don’t provide an explanation for what you’ve said, you’ll lose it,” he concluded.
Fawad Khan’s Wife Sadaf Khan’s Birthday Bash
Honestly, there are a million reasons to love the ultimate Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan. And the fact that he is the real life example of a perfect husband makes him too good to be true.
Just yesterday, Fawad threw a birthday bash for his wife, Sadaf and we couldn’t help but adore this beautiful couple.
Muqabil Episode 20 Review – Going Around In Circles
Muqabil set the bar really high in the first 15 weeks or so with its steady pace, well-executed scenes, an unpredictable story and of course phenomenal performances. Even the previous few episodes which were slow-paced and one which was somewhat ambiguous (the one in which Arman went to Sara’s office) had some important developments to their credit but this episode in my opinion was directed more towards keeping the viewers at the edge of their seats for absolutely no reason, more than anything else!! At least twice, the viewers got the impression that Arman was going to tell his father or mother the truth but both these scenes ended with him blaming Pareesa.
The viewers can only hope that there is a good surprise in store for them which will be worth the wait. Right now the story is all over the place and Arman’s reaction was definitely unexpected and disappointing. These episodes are the most crucial ones because they are going to cover which turn Arman and Pareesa’s story takes from here on but for the first time I felt like the writer was testing my patience. Even the past few episodes had quite a few scenes which could have been easily chopped down but this one had far too many of them. There were a lot of conversations which could have ended in a more dramatic manner, like the conversation which Arman had with his father. It would have been awesome if he confronted his father and continued to support Pareesa. Even if he told his mother the truth, her annoying existence could have been put to some good use.
Shehnaz’s reaction to the whole scenario was another disappointment. It was good to see her going out of her way to make an effort to help her daughter and understand her in the previous few episodes. In this episode however she reminded me of the person she was in the first few episodes. Shehnaz was of course doing what she thought was in her daughter’s best interests but the way she did it wasn’t exactly pleasing. Shaheen Khan’s scenes once again had nothing new to offer, I actually kept on adjusting the volume every time she was on screen and I kept on wondering if all this pointless shouting was even needed!
The only good thing about this episode was the way Maulvi sahab gave Mahmood a reality check. Mahmood’s increased sense of guilt was the only important development in this episode. The performances once again were top-notch but I do feel like the viewers deserve more because they wait all week to find out what turn the story will take next. Having said that, I feel that Muqabil so far has done better overall than many other dramas. I hope that the makers do not spoil the whole experience by ruining the story in the end and give the viewers an ending which is both logical and satisfying.
For the first time, the preview of the next episode did not appeal to me. The story is going around in circles at this point which is just plain sad considering the fact that Muqabil has been such a brilliant play throughout.
How many of you watched this episode? Don’t forget to share your thoughts about it.
Here’s Everything You Need To Know About The Rant Across The Border!
I think by now you are all aware of the Sonu Nigam twitter rant. For those who don’t know, Indian singer Sonu Nigam shared a series of tweets describing how the Azaan, disturbs his sleep every morning. The tweets sparked a controversy and people from all over the world including Pakistan reacted to this gratuitous statement.
God bless everyone. I’m not a Muslim and I have to be woken up by the Azaan in the morning. When will this forced religiousness end in India
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/sonunigam/status/853760205368078336
He said the same for other religions as well:
I don’t believe in any temple or gurudwara using electricity To wake up people who don’t follow the religion . Why then..? Honest? True?
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 17, 2017
However, that doesn’t justify what he said, because he picked on a really sensitive topic and that too in an unexpected way! He managed to hurt the sentiments of Muslims from all over the world.
Gundagardi hai bus…
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 17, 2017
There were numerous reactions from both sides of the border.
@ashu3page This is total nonsense…Azaan is for 1,2 minutes…Sonu nigam program is 2 hours…How many ppl getting disturb?
— Aleem (@enggaleem) April 17, 2017
@sonunigam Azaan wakes up sonu nigam daily but it failed to wake up his mind and soul. Sad! I would have been blessed if i had been in his place.
— Nikhita Biswas (@Nikbis21) April 17, 2017
Azaan ki awaaz sunkar musalman nahi uthte aajkal namaz ke liye, lekin Sonu Nigam ki neend toot gayi.
— Danish Khan (@DanishKh4n) April 17, 2017
When you wake up for azaan only to realise that your alarm tune is a Sonu Nigam song. pic.twitter.com/92GoPjZwKh
— Gabru Tippler (@MrTippler) April 17, 2017
@NagvekarTirath @rose_k01 @sonunigam and brother , i hope you a bit aware of Muslims , in India ,Why don’t they have freedom of speech ?
— Dr Shahid Nabi (@ershahid1998) April 17, 2017
His ‘forced religiousness’ statement was slammed by some yet praised by others. In midst of the controversy, filmmaker Pooja Bhatt posted a tweet in favour of the morning prayer.
I wake each morning to the sound of church bells & the Azaan in a quiet by-lane of Bandra.I light an aggarbatti & salute the spirit of India
— Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) April 18, 2017
Just when the debate was raging, a few old videos of Indian actors respecting the prayers went viral.
In the video, Priyanka Chopra is seen describing the Magrib Azaan time as her ‘favourite time.’
So She Said this is peaceful time during azaan,
Aur janab @sonunigam ki nend khrb hoti hai.pic.twitter.com/LLOXUckZAx
— Haroon (@IHarOonN) April 17, 2017
Here, Salman Khan was at the launch of Bigg Boss 8 and while interacting with media, a nearby mosque gave a call for Azaan. And the actor called for a break, the moment he heard the Azaan.
There aren’t many reactions from Pakistani celebrities, and this is probably the only one I found. Here’s what Syed Jibran shared on his Instagram handle.
After receiving backlash on social media for his statement regarding Azaan. Still standing by his statements, this is what Sonu Nigam shared today:
Dear everyone. Your stand exposes your own IQ. I stand by my statement that loudspeakers should not be allowed in Mosques & Temples. Period
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 18, 2017
This is how Sensible people Interpret an issue. Respects Mr Ahmed Patel. It is not about Azaan or Aarti. It's about Loudspeaker. https://t.co/8aABhYLic2
— Sonu Nigam (@sonunigam) April 18, 2017
Islam is undoubtedly one of the most peaceful religions of the world. The Azaan is an Islamic call to prayer and a symbol of Muslim presence.
Yeh Raha Dil Episode 10 Review – Utterly Sweet!
Ohkay so, this episode of Yeh Raha Dil was absolutely amazing. I love how the human emotions have been conveyed in this drama that too with so much of clarity, like you actually understand what each & every character is going through. I think this is the strength of Mustafa Afridi & shows his intelligence as a writer where he gives so much of personality to his characters & adds so much of an insight that the viewers not only form a connection with them but understand them easily as well. It is amazing how the drama that started off on such a simple note has become so interesting that I find myself waiting for Mondays these days because of Yeh Raha Dil!
I don’t think I can praise the character of Haroon enough. I actually enjoy his ways where he always makes sure to convey what he wants without imposing his ideas on people. Haroon told his wife that for Zaki he found a better partner in Hayat than Nida & if Zaki will ever speak about it, he wouldn’t oppose the idea. Even though both Haroon & Azra want what is best for their son Zaki but what sets Haroon apart from Azra is that he analyzes the situation & makes sure to convey to his son what is better for him & what isn’t like a true well wisher, whereas Azra only believes in fulfilling his desires even if they aren’t fruitful for him. Both the parents have different ways of loving & caring for their son but in this case, I truly believe that Haroon has an upper-hand because he always wants to save his son from any such thing that he might regret later in life, which in this case could be his decision of marrying Nida.
So, obviously at first Zaki was taken aback by his father’s sudden mention of Hayat & he even tried to avoid that conversation but then when he gave it a little thought, he decided to continue that conversation with his father because he wanted a little more guidance, support & clarity. Even though Zaki did say that he loved Nida but may be because he saw that his father wasn’t actually ready to oblige & he wasn’t thrilled with the idea, he put up an entire act to show that he couldn’t live without Nida, exactly like a child with a reverse psychology who believes in doing what he is being told not to. However, ever since Zaki has gotten to know Hayat, at the back of his mind, he had these budding feelings for Hayat which he wasn’t aware of but now hearing about her from Haroon gave him nudge to think on those lines. I absolutely enjoyed the conversation that Zaki had with Haroon where in very easy words, his father made him understand how life was going to give him numerous options but the best option would be where his heart will come into the picture & will guide him to go for it!
I must say, the change in Zaki’s behavior with Hayat after his conversation with Haroon was quite sweet, like even though on his own he was always supportive & caring towards Hayat but this time around, it was something else. Yes, the change in Zaki might make one feel as if he doesn’t have a mind of his own but that’s not the case here because even before he had this conversation with Haroon, Zaki seemed emotionally attached to Hayat & quite a lot at that, but it’s just that getting a green signal from his father made things easier for him. So, Hayat was all busy in her thoughts when Zaki showed up, I absolutely love how Zaki makes Hayat feel that he is all ears to her problems because of which Hayat immediately starts discussing everything with him that is on her mind.
I must say, after Wali & Farah (Diyar-e-Dil) & Hammad & Imaan (Khuda Aur Mohabbat), Zaki & Hayat’s little interaction where Zaki hinted about his feelings to her made me feel that this is how beautifully & innocently romance should be elaborated on our screens. The chemistry, the ambiance & little gesture of assurance from Zaki’s side to tell Hayat that he was going to be there for her & he wanted her was absolutely magical. What made it even more special was that Hayat immediately understood what he was trying to say & Zaki, without saying much said it all but then Hayat obviously had to remind Zaki that he was involved with someone else & that someone else was Hayat’s sister. The usage of the OST in that entire scenario & the scenes that followed was spot on because the lyrics perfectly fitted the situation that both Zaki & Hayat were facing.
I just loved how effortlessly Hayat brought herself out of that situation but even she was affected by it because all of a sudden she reminded herself that if she was deducing Zaki’s intentions accurately, then she will land herself in deep deep trouble & this wasn’t something that she could afford at this stage in her life. Zaki & Hayat’s hesitance was portrayed really well too where later when they met, they tried to be very normal while still feeling a little pressurized by the interaction that they had. I just loved watching all these minute details in this episode because it added so much of depth & charm in the entire situation & what made it even better was how aesthetically everything was done.
I actually had a good laugh when Zaki had this expression on his face when he received a phone call from Nida, it was like he was so done with her & her questions but was just putting up with her because he obviously knows he can not end things all of a sudden especially when he feels burdened thinking what Nida must’ve gone through because of her father’s heart-attack. Even though all this while I have always said that Nida is honest & has no filters but hearing her thoughts about being dependent on Zaki made her seem a little too emotionally detached. Even Nida herself isn’t really sure if she loves Zaki or if she loves the idea of the life that she will have with a guy like him. Nida has always said that she loves him but whenever she had to show it, she couldn’t prove her love, may be that’s why Haroon has never wholeheartedly accepted her as Zaki’s better half because even he can see her shortcomings.
Another thing that I actually like is how the writer has balanced out Haroon’s character like before even noticing or speaking about Nida’s shortcomings, he spoke about all the flaws that his son Zaki had, which makes him a very wise & fair person. Even after Affaq told Haroon that he should sell Hayat House to him for Hayat, despite not being a fan of Nida’s personality, Haroon didn’t go ahead with it & told Affaq that he should convince Nida first as he saw how happy she was after getting this house as a gift & also how she considered it as her own now. It showed that Haroon just didn’t see Nida as a perfect life partner for his son Zaki & apart from that he had no ill feelings towards Nida, rather he respected her wishes & her feelings like a true gentleman.
So, I know, what Nida did & said at the end of the episode was basically an attempt by the writer to put her in a bad light, only to later justify Zaki & Hayat’s relationship but I think more than that, the writer relied on it to make Zaki turn against her because even though chances are slim that something like that would happen, he will eventually find out what Nida was trying to do & will call everything with her quits. I thought Nida believed in keeping her feelings to herself & yes, she actually does but then it makes it seen even more realistic that Nida kept her feelings bottled up for such a long time but now when she lost her cool she pushed herself to such an extreme where she has even lost the ability to think straight. It was good to see Jimmy back in the picture & looks like he will try to help Nida in keeping her relationship intact. I think after this episode, the notion about Nida being immature has been invalidated because if she was immature, she would’ve never sensed the change in Zaki’s attitude & she also wouldn’t have sensed something odd in Hayat & Zaki’s bonding as well.
Overall, this episode of Yeh Raha Dil was perfect & I thoroughly enjoyed watching it, like I had this smile on my face whenever Hayat & Zaki were on screen together. The chemistry between Hayat & Zaki was portrayed subtly yet perfectly by Yumna Zaidi & Ahmed Ali, like they both are such strong actors & it was a treat to watch them, especially in this episode. Anum Gohar has improved so much & her acting keeps on getting better & better with each passing episode. Arjumand Azhar Hussain as Haroon has really added so much of grace in this drama. The writer Mustafa Afridi has done it once again & he has given us another beautiful play. The director Siraj Ul Haq has done justice to such a beautiful script & has directed the drama phenomenally, especially by keeping things so simple & effortless, because it actually shows how his input made things easier for the actors & how it helped them own their characters. Everything about this drama is on-fleek. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Yeh Raha Dil.
Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.
Virat Kohli Sends A Gift For Shahid Afridi & Here’s How Twitterati Reacted!
Our lala, Shahid Afridi is not just loved by Pakistan but India as well. Recently, Shahid Afridi announced his retirement from International cricket leaving fans disheartened. Many celebrities and fans wished him the best and now, team India is also sending out their respect and love for him.
Captain of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli gifted Shahid Afridi his T-Shirt signed by him and the rest of the team India with a message: ‘always a pleasure playing against you’.
Virat Kohli's shirt, signed by Indian team, for Shahid Afridi, with a message "always a pleasure playing against you." pic.twitter.com/KexlCjTNeZ
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) April 15, 2017
And here’s how the twitterati reacted:
@faizanlakhani good to see that players of both nations respect each other.
— amir sohail (@amirsohail392) April 16, 2017
@faizanlakhani @namaloomafraaad Nice gesture
— Ra' biya (@is_with_me) April 16, 2017
@faizanlakhani Did they send him one shirt for each retirement?
— Yo!! Paisan….. (@sairamufc) April 16, 2017
@faizanlakhani Retirement Gift tha phir se dusri sign karne padegi kuch time baad ??
— A.J ✍ (@juswanasay) April 17, 2017
@faizanlakhani that is what its all about kohli he is not just good player he also khows how to respect greats like Boom boom or ABD
— usama iqbal (@roman52613212) April 17, 2017
@faizanlakhani Seeing this made me genuinely happy! Its not the players but the politics that has sank one of the greatest sporting rivalry. #ShahidAfridi
— CricWeed (@DivyeshAhir07) April 16, 2017
@faizanlakhani I admire Kohli. It only he is great Batsmen but a great Human being and being aggressive in the field is his Class!!
— Tanveer Khatana (@iamrjtanveerkh) April 16, 2017
@faizanlakhani @faizanlakhani Not a gr8 fan of kohli & Indian cricket but this made me to love them. It shows cricket is gentlemen game with no boundaries
— Muhammad Fawad (@iamFawadanjum) April 18, 2017
Afridi may have retired from International Cricket, but he’s still the favourite cricketer of the nation. Pakistan and India have been arch-rivals in sports. With the Indian team showing a good example of sportsmanship, let’s see how Afridi replies.
Let’s Embark On A New Suffering…
For every one good drama that airs on TV, they bombard us with twenty that are so bad it makes you rethink your life choices! I’ve been walking around with a constant look of horror these past few weeks as I have witnessed the demise of our TV dramas. They all seem to start with a promise of showcasing something new- or maybe I’m just way too gullible to fall for it every single time…
Here is a recap of some of the recent dramas that have numbed my sensibilities so much so that I started coming up with conspiracy theories such as maybe PML-N is behind all this to distract us from the chaos in the country… Don’t blame me, my husband watches Pakistani Political news like it’s mandatory!
Ahsaas
Noman Ejaz is in every other drama and I think his primary condition for signing up is to let him enjoy at least two weddings! So the drama is about Noman Ejaz and his wife Zeba Bakhtiyar- they are a happily married couple with 2 grown up, married kids. But Zeba Bakhtiyar dies leaving a mourning Noman Ejaz behind who ends up marrying a much younger woman (Sara Khan) to help out her family… They threw in everything- from misunderstandings to what-have-you and by the end, they even kill off Noman Ejaz’s character to allow the other “hero” to take centre stage- Faisal Qureshi. I didn’t know why it had to end that way? I must’ve completely missed the point if there was even one to begin with? The drama went round in circles and you pretty much knew they’d give Sara Khan a happy ending just because she was poor and honest?
Dil Banjara
The big draw here was Adnan Mailk and Sanam Saeed both of who were so awful, I cringed until it left a permanent scar on my face! They did free publicity by promoting Nepal which made a handful of episodes watchable but not enough to salvage the drama. This drama was such a drag fest with predictable clichés and very weak acting. I really liked Adnan Mailk as Khelu is Sadqay Tumharey- granted he may have exhibited his “angry young man” side a tad too much but he made it work. This time around, however, it was just not working. Sanam Saeed needs to up her game. She’s just not managed to resurrect some of her brilliant roles like the ones in Talkhiyan, Daam, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Mera Naseeb…
Khoobsurat
Now here I was in a pickle to determine who was the most khoobsurat of them all? Tbh, I think Azfar Rehman’s pretty boy look was the winner but oh well! So Azfar loves his cousin who tries too hard to play cute- she even sports two braids for good measure. And after some hurdles, once they are married, there’s a vamp in the form of her new neighbour whose intentions I don’t care for and then there’s the broken hearted botoxy boss – Mahnoor Baloch who had a hard time getting her feelings across because, um, botox. The ending was very open-ended- I don’t know if they left it like that on purpose to confuse the audience or they stopped caring and just wanted to finish it off?
Mere Humnawa
Yet again Noman Ejaz succeeds at what he does best- dusri shadi! ARY dramas rarely entice me as they mostly end up being mediocre at best. However, this one has Noman Ejaz, Alishba Yusuf and Azfar Rahman so I thought I’d give it a shot. The drama was extremely predictable, Noman Ejaz managed to annoy me to the core and the ending, although predictable, didn’t really have any impact after weeks of putting up with the same old ghissi pitti story. My faith in humanity was severely shaken with this one.
Saya-e-dewaar
I don’t know who is responsible for this monstrosity but OH.MY.GOD! There was such misery in this drama that squeezed every last glimmer of hope that I usually hold on to. The messaging was lost probably due to being reinforced in such a harsh manner. Naveen Waqar and Ahsan Khan had zero chemistry and Emaad Irfani is super annoying- he tried too hard and failed. Naveen Waqar was an orphan raised in a Syed Khandaan who never knew of his reality until the time came for her marriage and she finds out she can’t marry the love of her life. She gets married to Emaad Irfani who abuses her but continues having children with her only to torture her further. Then he divorces her and she goes and marries a non-muslim guy then he divorces her too… As a result, her kids suffer from neglect and negative feelings and grow up as troubled individuals. The way Naveen was tossed around made me sick to my stomach and I really wish that PEMRA had gotten involved to raise an issue on the amount of abuse being shown. It has been extremely disturbing to come across such images and I hope that drama makers take note and make some much needed changes. There seemed to be no end to her misery- she even dies a horrible, cancer- related death! Ouch!
These were some of the ones I suffered through that have fortunately ended but there are a couple more like Seeta Bagri and Mushrik that have yet to disappear.
Did any of you sit through these dramas- before you ask “What were you thinking?” let me say there’s absolutely no intention of self-induced suffering. I just happen to get hooked to a very lame drama and it becomes somewhat of a mission to see it through to the end. Mind you, I probably cue most of the 40 odd minutes but see just enough to stay in the loop.
Kanwal Murtaza
Saba Qamar’s Hindi Medium Song Hoor Feat Atif Aslam Teaser Released!
Many Pakistani actors made their debut across the border but none seemed to get so much of praises from the neighbouring nation as much as the gorgeous, Saba Qamar!
Saba Qamar’s Bollywood debut Hindi Medium is slated to release on May 21st and to make the wait easier, the makers of the film have released the teaser of another song called ‘Hoor’. And the singer is none other than Atif Aslam who is known for singing soothing melodies.
These Cute Snapchats of Fawad Khan’s Son ‘Ayyan’ & Daughter ‘Elayna’ Will Make Your Day
Fawad Khan might not be returning to our screens anytime soon. But anything related to him cooks up a storm on social media every now and then. And we all love these adorable kids of the heartthrob of Pakistan. So, fans of FK can rejoice as we have got our hands on the Snapchats of Elayna and Ayyan and we just can not stop gushing over them! Snapchat of Baby Elayna with this Bunny filter is bound to make you go Awww!
And here’s a too-cute-to-ignore glimpse of Ayyan.
Fawad, who has always come across as a family man, keeps sharing his pictures with wife and kids.
Top 5 Actresses As Mothers In Our Dramas
Supporting characters play a pivotal role in dramas. A solid supporting cast can change the overall quality of the drama and the impact which it has on the viewers. In our dramas, mothers are an integral part of the story because very often they effect the lives of the main leads in more ways than one. They are key to move the story forward and many time they make it even more interesting. Whether they are in a positive role or in a negative role, their characters are most important after the main leads. Fortunately, we are blessed with some amazing actresses and they are immensely talented.
Here are top 5 actresses who are best at their craft:
1. Saba Hameed
For me she is the best of them all and top of the ladder. Whenever I watch her portraying a character, I feel she would have been the only one who could have done this character and no one else could have done it like she did.. She is perfect, she can pull off any character and she nails it every time. Saba Hameed is the most versatile actress I have seen. Saba has given us some outstanding performances in ‘Baraat series, Manjali, Qaid-e-Tanhai, Pyarey Afzal, Dillagi and list goes on and on. Recently she is acting in Muqabil and she is outstandingly portraying the character of Shehnaz. You won’t find any flaws in her acting. The best thing about her is that she always challenges herself and comes up with different characters almost every time. Rabia of Baraat sreies, Zareena of Manjali, Ruqqaiya of Pyarey Afzal and Zulekha of Dillagi are my favorite characters that she has portrayed and you can’t right her off when it comes to comedy especially after watching her comedy in family front. She is an institute of acting. It’s literally understood that when you watch her portraying a character, you just relax because she is not going to bore you or irritate regardless of the story and you won’t find her acting below par. I hope she keeps giving us phenomenal performances in her upcoming projects. She is a wonderful human being as well. Saba is one of those people who feel pain after seeing the misery and helplessness.
2. Samina Peerzada
She is another great actress and has an aura about her. She is best when it comes to portraying a loving, caring, generous and a self made woman. I was fond of her as Kashaf’s mother in Zindagi Gulzar hai and she has given us splendid performances in Durr-e-Shahwar, Dastaan, Rehai and in Mera Naseeb. She is a natural actress and she pays attention to every detail from make up to styling. Simply, she is glamorous. Now let’s flip the coin and see the other side of the coin and on the other side of the coin you will find ‘Tai Amma’ of Meri zaat zara-e-benishaan( the most viewed drama on Geo TV to date), a ‘jhooti’, ‘Makaar’ and a jealous woman who destroyed the life of her own son because of hate and her blind love for her son. She portrayed that negative character splendidly. Samina Peerzada has also done some movies in 90’s and a very famous movie of Shaan, named Bulandi is also one of them. She is a lady to adore and she makes us feel her presence in every project that she does. Artists in this industry love her work ethics and for the young actresses, she is an inspiration and a role model to follow.
3. Bushra Ansari
What you can say about her? ‘She is an all-rounder’, this is the best sentence to describe her. I mean she can act, sing, write, dance and mimic. Bushra Ansari is by far the best actress when it comes to comedy and mimicking someone. It has been almost 50 years since she is working in this industry. Bushra Ansari was introduced as a child artist in PTV’s special program for children. She took off from that show and hasn’t gone down yet and she won’t be bcz she is a legend. Who can forget her phenomenal performances in fifty fifty, Anghan Terha and Baraat series? Saima Chaudhary from Faisalabad is the best character for me that she has portrayed. The best thing about her is her adaptation. She observes, changes her accent and starts portraying that character and rest becomes history. A recent example was Udaari in which she played the role of Sheedan and for people who don’t know, she wrote her character’s dialogues by herself because Farhat Ishtiaq wasn’t much familiar with sariki. Before Moin Akhtar died, people used to say that Moin, Umer Shareef and Bushra Ansari are the triangle of Pakistan’s comedy. Her performances in Balqees Kaur, Mera Naseeb and Mere dard ko jo zuban MIley are admirable and proof that she is not one dimensional. I hope she entertains us for many more years to come.
4. Hina Khawaja Bayat
She is a late addition to our industry but a valuable and outstanding addition to our pool of mothers. After watching her act, you ask yourself that where was she before and what was she doing? She is graceful, very well mannered and a vocal personality. She can pull off any role and after watching her in any character, you feel she is very comfortably doing it. She has quite a decent amount of dramas to her credit even though she is in this industry only for 7 years. Some of her notable work is in Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Aunn Zara, Humsafar, shehr e zaat, Aik Nayee cindrella, Mera Naam Yousuf ha and recently in Dil banjara.
5. Samiya Mumtaz
She first appeared in Shahid Nadeem’s directed drama serial “Zard Dopehar” (The Yellow Noon) aired on PTV in 1995 but then haven’t worked for a while. She came back and played the role of Saba in Meri zaat zara e be nishaan as leading lady which was a blockbuster and she became popular but the age wasn’t at her side so she ended up being a mother almost in every other drama but that doesn’t stop her to show her immense talent. She has worked in Maaye ni, Ali ki Ammi, Ranjish hi sahi, 2 saal ki aurat, sadqey tumhary, Udaari and many others. She is a great actress and arguably she has played the role of most hateful mother in a drama in sadqey tumhary. She is a simple, down to earth, generous and a happy go lucky personality. She has also worked in two movies, ‘Dukhtar and Moor.
So do you agree with me? Please share your opinion. There are some other actresses who could have been in this list like Saba Faisal, Shamim Hilali, Rubina Ashraf, Samina Ahmad and Sakina Samo etc. Feel free to add anyone or even subtract. This list is according to my liking.
PS: I beg your pardon if you find any mistakes especially grammatical errors. I have proof read as much as I could but even then if there are any mistakes, please point them out politely.
Ahsan Arshad
Veena Malik To Host A TV Show
The Dushman-e-Watan singer is back with a bang. After making comeback with a music video, Veena Malik is now all set to host a Tv show.
According to reports, Veena Malik will host a show called ‘PAK LIVE With Veena Malik’, which will air on a private TV channel called ‘PAK’. The channel is reportedly owned by BOL.
Let’s see what she has in store for us!
Pakistanis Bashed Adnan Sami & You Need To See Why
Snapchat controversy in India has been creating a lot of buzz in the media. For those who don’t know, a few online reports state that the CEO of Snapchat called India, a poor country. This, unfortunately, didn’t go well with the Indians. Former Pakistani singer (now Indian) Adnan Sami took to twitter to share his opinion on the matter.
Here’s how the Pakistanis reacted:
Even Indians should disown Adnan Sami. What a piece of crap with existential and identity crisis.
— S (@PsychedSam) April 16, 2017
If life gives you Sami, try to be even Mohammad Sami but never be an Adnan Sami !
— M Asim Ameer Khan (@itsasimameer) April 16, 2017
Would rather listen to Taher Shah than @AdnanSamiLive (the man who hates his own father)#AdnanSami
— Nida Feroz (@NedaFiroze) April 17, 2017
In the fiasco of #snapchat & poor #india, #AdnanSami is trying hard to look relevant.
Someone give him a glass of “lassi” please.— Sheep (@Another__Sheep) April 17, 2017
And then, Adnan Sami hit back to prove his patriotism for India. Adnan being Adnan (anti-Pakistan)!
Dear Pak trolls,
My tweet wasn’t bout U.It ws bout Snapchat.Stop trying 2 jump in & b relevant like a jilted lover!Get over it.Jai Hind!???— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) April 16, 2017
I know ur BS 2 well 2 b intimidated by it! U can fool d world. Not me! I grew up midst d Pak Corridors of Power & Know its Truth btr thn U! https://t.co/r2Ce3s7uWx
— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) April 17, 2017
20 Pakistani Celebrities To Follow On Instagram & Snapchat
The Internet has changed the way we (fans) interact with the celebrities. Snapchat and Instagram are the favourite social media platforms of the Pakistani celebrities and many of them love to share stuff with their fans. Celebrities share silly, glamorous, and behind-the-scenes moments with us. Be it our friends or popular celebrities, we always want to add more people on Snapchat and Instagram and take a sneak peek into their lives. So, to make things easier, we’ve rounded up top 20 celebrities you all should follow on Instagram and Snapchat.
1) Imran Abbas Naqvi
Snapchat username: imranabbasnaqvi
Instagram username: imranabbas.official
2) Hania Amir
Snapchat username: thehaniaaamir
Instagram username: haniaheheofficial
3) Bilal Ashraf
Snapchat username: iambilalashraf
Instagram username: ashrafbilal
4) Minal Khan
Snapchat sername: minalkhan9
Insagram username: minalkhan.official
5) Sanam Chauhdry
Snapchat username: sanamchauhdry
Instagram username: sanamchauhdry
6) Anoushey Ashraf
Snapchat username: anoushey
Instagram username: anousheyashraf
7) Mehreen Syed
Snapchat username: mehreensyed
Instagram username: imehreensyed
8) Osman Khalid Butt
Snapchat username: aclockworkobi
Instagram username: aclockworkobi
9) Hareem Farooq
Snapchat username: hareem.farooq
Instagram username: hareemfarooq
10) Uzair Jaswal
Snapchat username: uzairjaswal
Instagram username: uzairjaswalofficial
11) Nadia Hussain
Snapchat username: nadiahussain_nh
Instagram username: nh_nadiahussain
12) Sohai Ali Abro
Snapchat username: sohaialiabro
Instagram username: sohaialiabroofficial
13) Aiman Khan
Snapchat username: aimankhan2
Instagram username: aimankhan.official
14) Muneeb Butt
Snapchat username: buttmuneeb9
Instagram username: muneeb_butt
15) Shoaib Malik
Snapchat username: realshoaibmalik
Instagram username: realshoaibmalik
16) Danyal Zaffar
Snapchat username: danyalzafar
Instagram username: danyalzee
17) Ayeza Khan
Snapchat username: Ayezakhan
Instagram username: ayezakhan.ak
18) Ali Rehman Khan
Snapchat username: alirehmankhan
Instagram username: alirehmankhan
19) Urwa Hocane
Snapchat username: urwatistic
Instagram username: urwatistic
20) Mahira Khan
Snapchat username: mahirah
Instagram username: mahirahkhan