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“I’m Passionate, Honest & Calm,” says Junaid Khan

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Despite being a very popular singer, Junaid Khan decided to kick start his acting career 6 years ago and he managed to impress us with every piece of work! He’s currently seen some meaty projects and is leaving his mark in the industry.

We love our celebrities and it’s never enough to know more about them. Hip had a chat with Junaid Khan and asked him some 20 candid questions for the rapid-fire round!

Describe yourself in 3 words?
Passionate, honest and calm.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Lahore.

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Who discovered that you were a great singer?
It was, in fact, my neighbour with whom I used to jam with discovered my talent.

Which song of yours is the most favourite?
*Sab Bhula Kai* has to be the one.

Favourite colour?
I just love white.

One word which you use the most?
Khamawwnnn…

Are you a night owl or a morning person?
Definitely a morning person.

Favourite food?
I’m not fussy and I like all kind of foods, but if I have to choose my favourite then it’s *payas.*

Best leading lady, you enjoyed working with and why?
Mahira khan because I like how she is so honest with her work and not to forget that she is very sweet at heart.

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Three major turn offs?
Pretentiousness, diva attitude and body odour.

Last book which you read?
Oh, gosh now that was a few years back and they were the ones which I read during my MBA.

Facebook or Instagram?
Facebook.

Best gift ever received?
You know I’m not into material gifts but I do think that a mother’s love is the best gift that God has given me.

Favourite travel companion?
Myself

Biggest inspiration?
Life itself.

Hard work or luck?
Both go hand in hand, I’m a firm believer of that.

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If you had any one superpower which would you choose?
I would choose to fly because I love travelling and exploring.

List any three all-time favourite dramas starring yourself.
Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai, Sun Yara and Mata e Jaan.


What is an ideal day for you?

An ideal day would be when I am able to make myself and others around me happy.

Lastly, what is next for Junaid Khan the actor?
A few tv serials as well as reading a few film scripts so let’s see what works out.

Sang e Marmar Episode 26 Review – Blatant Lies!

Ohkay so, this episode of Sang e Marmar was quite interesting because every other situation & scenario was revolving around Shireen. Shireen has become such a focal point at this stage of the drama that every single person around her is thinking about her, but it is only Gulistan who wishes well for her, whereas the rest of them are just targeting her because of their own insecurities & personal vendettas. This episode had few developments to its credit but I am most certainly waiting for some fireworks which the precap of the next episode most certainly promised so I am already excited!

Gulistan had to face his worst fears because he got confronted by Aurang & he actually assumed that it was Shameem who told him everything but it was good that the entire misunderstanding got sorted out & Aurang himself told his mother that he overheard when Gulistan was confessing his sins. Gulistan tried to come clean but looks like he couldn’t convince Aurang. At first I thought that may be after being emotionally & mentally shattered, Aurang would leave everything but like I felt, now that Aurang has Gulistan’s weak point in his hand, he got the courage to openly tell Gulistan what his plan of action in the future is going to be. Just because Aurang confronted Gulistan, he has found this new confidence in himself where he can put forth his opinion in front of his father because he knows that firstly Gulistan is guilty & secondly, Aurang has lost a bit of respect he had for Gulistan in his heart which actually forced him to surrender in front of him every-time he suggested something before. Aurang not only told his father that he intended to make a hospital & a school in the village but also that he intended to get married to Palwasha. Even though Gulistan has given Aurang complete authority over what he wants to do & decide for the village & its matters but he most certainly wants his son to get married to Shireen!

Gulistan once again spoke to the wrong guy with the the wrong tone. Gulistan might have changed but the habitual chauvinism still remains that is why very conveniently in front of Torah, Gulistan blamed Palwasha for instigating the love angle with Aurang whereas he never once confronted Aurang & told him that he wouldn’t approve of the love marriage that Aurang was planning for. Gulistan knows that his children aren’t saints but he does everything to cover their deeds even if Gulistan doesn’t agree with any of them, that is why Gulistan told Torah to stop Palwasha in stead of speaking to Aurang about it. Torah immediately thought of a way to come back at Gulistan because he felt insulted & everyone knows what Palwasha means to Torah so it’s a done deal that he won’t sit still & allow his enemy to insult his sister & blame him for something even his son is guilty of. It was good to see Bulbul but the things he said didn’t suggest that he intends to go against Torah Khan, in fact he gave him an idea that he would tell his mother to spread the rumor. I don’t think at this stage, Bulbul being a naive soul even understands the trump card he has in his hand which is Torah’s secret but let’s see if he will turn the table or he will continue to act all naive right till the end because I feel if there’s any chance for Torah to get exposed, it completely depends on Bulbul!

It was actually quite distasteful seeing Pari spewing one lie after another just because she hated Shireen & the way she involved Holy Qur’an to convince Sherbano that everything that she was saying was the truth sealed the deal. Sherbano despite knowing that Pari was lying got the validation she wanted because even she is against Shireen herself & that is the moment when for the first time, Shireen gave up & ended up cursing Pari because she has had enough. Pari got a result of her lies & that entire scene was quite depressing but yes, I didn’t feel any sympathy for her because she invited this upon herself!

I really felt bad for Shireen when Aurang rejected her & chose not to understand her love. Even though Aurang on his own is justified & he resorted to honesty & truth when he was telling everything to Shireen about what he feels for her & what he has felt for Palwasha all his life but I still felt really bad for Shireen because she spent her entire life dreaming about her one-sided love only to find out that despite everything being in her favor, Aurang wasn’t ready for it. I know Aurang & Palwasha are justified in loving each other but I do feel bad for Shireen & for the first time after such an upfront rejection, I really think Shireen shouldn’t get married to Aurang because he & meesni Palwasha deserve each other!

Overall, this episode was interesting but was once again on a slower side. It was hard seeing every single person be it Pari, Gul Begum, Sherbano, Bulbul, Torah & to some extent Palwasha being against Shireen. I actually smirked when I heard Torah speak about Insaaf & Allah, like these words didn’t seem appropriate coming from a murderer’s mouth so let’s see, whose side luck’s going to be. The preview of the next episode surely got me excited, I think just like Pari got bitten by karma, Torah will meet the same fate but Sherbano is someone who Shireen will take down herself & I guess that would be enough of a humiliation for Sherbano. Everyone acted really really well in this episode & Kubra Khan surely made me feel so bad for Shireen but I really think she had a hard time acting in the scene where she had to deliver the dialogues while crying, nonetheless, she has flawlessly conveyed Shireen’s struggles & pain every step of the way, that is why till date, I don’t feel for any character as much as I feel for her. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Sang e Marmar.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Abdullah Qureshi’s PSL Song Is Making Waves

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The young sensation Abdullah Qureshi started off with covers a couple of years back and with only three original singles, he won numerous hearts. He has now marked a solid and powerful niche for himself in the world of Pakistani music and is the latest talk of the town.

His song for PSL season 2 ‘Kitna Rola Daalay Ga’ has been ruling the internet. According to reports doing rounds, Abdullah’s song was recorded before PSL initiated and had been pitched to PSL. However, it wasn’t chosen despite of the enthusiasm since brands now prefer to tag stars instead of young singers. The song is now picked on by PTCL, who bought it for Islamabad United.

Listen to the energetic song here:

Fashion Pakistan Week 2017

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Day one of the FPW kicked off last night with designers Ayesha Farook Hashwani, Nauman Arfeen, Huma Adnan of FnkAsia, Arsalan Iqbal, Bank Alfalah Rising Talent featuring Tooba Chottani, Areej Iqbal, Fatima Abdul Rauf and Zafar Ahsan Naqvi; Zaheer Abbas by Urdu 1, Humayun Alamgir, Nida Azwer and Teena Durrani.

Pakistan’s best designers and retail brands presented their trends for Spring/Summer 2017 at the 11th Fashion Pakistan Week. The show was choreographed by Freiha Altaf. The star studded night was a beautiful display of all kinds of trends.

Here’s a sneak peek into the main show:

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Nigar Awards Ceremony Might Be Postponsed

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Nigar Awards, the oldest prestigious awards in Pakistan, are back after a 12-year hiatus. The awards are already making headlines around the country, but not for good reasons. First it was the nominations which received serious backlash from the audiences and now the latest controversy is that the organisers of Nigar Awards have been sued by proprietor of Lush, Osama Qazi on the pretext of violation of contract and betrayal.

According to recent reports, court has issued a stay order to stop the proceedings of Nigar Awards until some issues are resolved. Usama Qazi, has filed an application with the High Court against the Chairman of Nigar Awards, for breaking a ten-year contract with him and joining hands with another party for the ceremony.

However, according to the sources of Instep, it is not true and the contract with the businessman was terminated on December 4, 2016.

“The court hasn’t issued any stay order for the Nigar Awards and it’s just a way of pulling us down,” the source told Instep. “Those who were trying to bring the awards back for the last 2 years but didn’t succeed are doing it since we managed to do what they couldn’t. They are portraying it in such a way so that it causes damage to us; the court hasn’t asked us to delay it.”

The award ceremony is expected to be held on March 16, 2017. However, the source explained that due to the damage caused by rumors against Nigar Awards, there is a possibility that the ceremony maybe postponed. Let’s wait for an official statement from the organizers.

Shaan Shahid’s Latest Photoshoot!

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After serving the film industry for more than two decades and with hundreds of films under his belt, Shaan Shahid has now also stepped into directing. Besides shooting for films, Pakistani Film Industry’s iconic superstar, was clicked shooting for Niche Lifestyle 2017 cover.

The female model Kiran Malik is a vision in Shehla Chatoor and Shaan is adding the star power, setting the temperature high and we just couldn’t stop swooning over them.

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Shehrnaz Episode 17 Review – A Complete Disappointment

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The award for the most sloppy storyline and the most inaccurate use of background score goes to team Shehrnaz!! After this episode I am officially done with watching and reviewing this play. Honestly speaking I even watched this episode only out of sheer curiosity, just to find out how ridiculous the storyline could get. The most funny scene in tonight’s episode was the one in which KK’s assistant comes and gives Shehrnaz flowers, the background music and the overall feel of that scene suggested that Shehrnaz was heart broken because KK could not make it!! Hello! you are getting married woman please get over KK, was the first thought that ran through my mind.!! Shehrnaz’s colorful personality and her foolish decisions make it impossible for the viewers to feel for her character. Later on Shehrnaz thought of KK when Sherry called her princess! When she was with KK she used to miss Sherry and now that she is married to Sherry, she cannot stop thinking about KK!

Shehrnaz’s character was introduced to the viewers as that of a girl who was both ambitious and intelligent but now instead of getting even more ambitious and street smart with time and exposure, she actually acts naive a little too often, something which is impossible to relate to. Shehrnaz’s marriage to Sherry and as the preview suggested her decision to invest in his career have to be the most stupid decisions she has made. Once again after getting divorced she will be lonely. I am still wondering where Imran Ashraf’s character has disappeared!

Shehrnaz Episode 17 Review - A Complete Disappointment

KK’s newly developed love for the child he has not even officially adopted is another ridiculous development in the story. I have a bad feeling that Shehrnaz and KK will end up together and live happily ever after!! Ayeza Khan looked pretty in all the scenes just like all the previous episodes but I wish the production team invested less time and money on Ayeza Khan’s looks and more on hiring a good writer! The fact is that the writer did not put in a lot of thought into writing this script. The first few episodes were well written and the story had a definite direction but for the past few weeks the story has gone completely haywire. We have watched many damsels in distress in dramas but I must say Shehrnaz is one-of-a-kind because all her problems are mostly self-created. This is especially disappointing because in the beginning episodes she was introduced as someone who could tackle any problem. That Shehrnaz died a long time ago and this new Shehrnaz isn’t exactly appealing!

How many of you watched this latest episode and how many of you, like me, are looking for something more entertaining and logical to watch on a Wednesday night? Do share your thoughts about this episode.

FPW 2017 Kicks Off

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Entertainment space is abuzz with one of the most-anticipated events of the year, ‘Fashion Pakistan Week (FPW)’ which opens drapes tonight.

We are already very excited and restlessly looking forward to designers to wow and impress us with their latest work. The Spring/Summer 2017 event was earlier set for three days – February 22-2, but the management brought it down to two days.

Here’s a sneak peek into the red carpet.

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#Titli sensation Ali Abbas at #Urdu1 #FPW2017 #RedCarpet #Day1

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Mr. & Mrs. Humayun Alamgir at #Urdu1 #FPW2017 #RedCarpet #Day1

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Incredible Nina Kashif with Anoushay Ashraf at #FPW2017 #Urdu1 #RedCarpet

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In conversation with Anisa Farooqui at #FPW2017 #Urdu1 Red Carpet

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Shoot For Zarrar’s Final Spell Begins

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Ruling the Pakistani film industry for more than two decades, Shaan Shahid has clearly been a timeless actor who has served the industry with his power-packed performances. And now, he is all set to direct Arth 2 and Zarrar.

As per Hip, Zarrar’s final spell of shooting is about to begin from 28th February!

The final spell begins by the end of February and will be shot in Lahore, Gawadar as well as up north. The cast members which will be a part of the spell are Shaan himself, Kiran Malik, Nayyer Ejaz and Nadeem Shb.

Zarrar is an action drama film, expected to release this year. Apat from direction, Shaan has written the film and will play the lead role as well. Zarrar is also one of first Pakistani movies to land UK’s biggest studio, Pinewood, for its post production phase!

Zarrar is produced by 5th Dimension Films in partnership with Blue Orca Pvt Ltd. Besides, the leads, the film also stars London-based actor Adnan Butt who will mark his debut as an antagonist.

Waqar Zaka’s Facebook Account Got Hacked & Here’s What He Has To Say!

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Waqar Zaka’s Facebook account was reportedly hacked last night. Fans of the controversial celebrity went into total shock when one of the statuses on his account claimed that the account had been hacked and threatened to ‘expose’ the celebrity.

Waqar Zaka's Facebook Account Got Hacked & Here's What He Has To Say!

Last month, a video of him getting beaten up by Junaid went viral on social media and became a subject of joke. Which later on turned out to be a different story. According to Waqar, he got his account back and here’s what he has to say.

One can only wonder if his account was really hacked for real or is it just a publicity stunt. However, this man surely managed to stay in the limelight.

Sheheryar Munawar Confirms Signing Film Opposite Mahira Khan

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There were rumors and the buzz doing rounds that Sheheryar Munawar and Mahira Khan, who first appeared together in Ho Mann Jahaan last year, will be coming together for another film. According to the social media, the two actors would pair up for Farjad Nabi and Meenu Gaur’s next, the duo known for Jeewan Hathi. However, no official announcement was made on the subject until now.

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The male lead of the film has finally confirmed the news. Instep contacted Sheheryar Munawar and confirming the news he said, “Yes I’m doing a film with Mahira Khan, which will be directed by Farjad and Meenu.”

However, he refrained from disclosing any further details as he’s under a contract. “I think it’s too early to talk about it. I’m not sure if I am allowed to reveal anything further about the film.”

So, the rumors turned out to real indeed and we’re really looking forward to this one.

Nouman Ijaz Is All Set To Make Comeback In Pakistani Films

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Nouman Ijaz, is associated with drama industry since years and is the soul of every drama he appears in. He continues to prove his mettle as an actor with his strong and gripping performances. The actor who’s acting at times can get you goosebumps is set to make his comeback in Pakistani cinema after almost 9 years with upcoming film ‘Maidaan’

Speaking to the Images the Khan actor, Nouman Ijaz said, “What tempted me to do Maidaan was quite honestly, the subject. It is our genre. It is a film being made out of a reason. It offers something substantial.”

“It’s an honest effort and I see great potential in the vision of its makers. All you need is a new approach and a veteran actor, the product of which is always positive [laughs]. I yet have to go through the final draft, but I have said yes to the project for now.”

Maidaan, which will also star co-producer Gohar Rasheed and Besharam-fame actress Ghana Ali in lead roles, is based on true events and Ijaz plans on taking it in his stride. “People will be able to relate to it,” he says confidently. “Sultan Rahi’s films worked because the audience at that time was able to relate to the aggression, and that is something that is ought to happen when you present real-life stories on the reel.”

When asked to share his views on the current state of local cinema, he replied:

“Films are not being made in Pakistan right now. We are just seeing television dramas releasing on the big screen,” he observes. “We are only running after everything that India does, hence, I was only being offered rom-coms. We need to understand that we have a different genre. Shah, to me has been one of the best films Pakistan has produced in recent times.”

Maidaan might not be your usual run-off- the-mill extravaganza that offers romance or comedy, and despite having an ensemble cast, Ijaz says that screen-space or box-office numbers have never bothered him and he remains clear about his priorities as an artist.

“I’m not bothered about whether the film does well at the box office or not,” the Nijaat actor expresses. “I’m not a hero; I’m a character actor, hence, screen-space is never a concern as long as my character has some sort of a turning point in the script. To me, personal satisfaction in a project is what matters the most.”

The upcoming film titled Maidaan is under the banner of Shuffler Films, co-founded by Waqas Rizvi and Gohar Rasheed. Nouman Ijaz will be seen essaying the character of a coach to 12 street children who come together for the ‘Street Child World Cup’ that took place in Brazil three years ago.

Homosexuals In Pakistani Series – Breaking Taboos Or Crossing Limits?

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The series Kitni Girhein Baaki Hei has always been known for its bold topics but this time it crossed all limits by showing the story of a woman (Sania Saeed) whose husband (Ijaz Aslam) was shown having an affair but in the end the woman who he was having an affair with (Farah Shah) turned out to be his wife’s ex-partner. This episode of Kitni Girhein Baaki Hei was titled “Chewing Gum” and it aired few weeks back. The real shocker was when Sania Saeed’s character eloped with her homosexual partner in the end, leaving her husband in complete distress.

There are many Pakistani dramas which tackle with bold topics but usually there is a logic behind showing such tabooed topics. Showing something which is not only a taboo but extremely objectionable on a television channel which is watched by families is highly irresponsible behavior. Showing these lesbian lovers did not highlight any important issues neither did it cause awareness but it was more of a selling tactic using shock and causing sensation.

The Kitni Girhein Baaki Hei team managed to achieve what it wanted to, getting a lot of attention from all quarters but not all attention is good! People complained to PEMRA, they showed their discontent on social media and as a result PEMRA finally issued a warning to HUM TV stating that what was shown in the show was against the norms of our society.

The viewers also criticized those actors who were part of the show because they expected someone like Sania Saeed especially to make better choices. Crossing such limits does not help anyone and it does not even start a healthy discussion on tabooed topics. Hopefully, Pakistani drama makers will not follow this bad example and we will not see any more such topics in dramas again.

 

Moray Saiyaan Episode 16 Review – Light-hearted Much?

Ohkay so, just when I thought that if Ghaziyan will make it I will continue watching this drama, the preview of the next episode sealed the deal that he is probably going to die so I think after next week I won’t have any reason to tune to this drama because Ghaziyan’s character was the saving grace of Moray Saiyaan & now when he isn’t going to be a part of the journey anymore, then there’s no reason to watch this drama either!

It is amusing that all the things I have said about Zubaria are proving to be right. It is just beyond me that why this young girl is so sad & unhappy when everything in her life is working out. The entire portrayal of Zubaria’s guilt because she & her husband practiced the rights of being legally married was absolutely bizarre like the entire episode was dedicated to her caterwauling & it was annoying. I can’t believe that Zubaria’s character has been reduced to this level where it is hard to even tolerate her. I can’t count how many times I forwarded her scenes because I can’t see another copy of Zakia. For me, Zubaria is another Zakia in the making & I am saying no, thank you!

The only good thing about this episode was that it only had 1 scene of Zakia which I forwarded as well just after I heard Waris & his concerns. It is good that finally he has understood how he is punishing his own son because of his psychotic sister. I think probably for the first time in his life, Waris took a step in the right direction where he gave a verdict that he wouldn’t care anymore if Zakia won’t budge.

It is amusing that this has turned into one such drama where loopholes stand out more than the actual story. Farah & Ghaziyan met an accident & I wonder where was Altamash all this while that he not only took a flight & made it to the hospital just when Ghaziyan got admitted too? I really want to know which Airlines provide such a fast flight to the passengers, it would make travelling a lot easier for me , so if anyone knows please let me know, thanks!

While Zubaria was mourning the happening of such a nominal thing, she finally earned herself a reason to mourn for the rest of her life because Ghaziyan is eventually going to die. I can’t emphasize enough how hard it has become to tolerate a stone-faced girl like Zubaria who despite having alllllllll the reasons to be happy just doesn’t know how to smile!

I think next episode is probably going to be the last episode that I am going to watch of Moray Saiyaan because after Ghaziyan, I ain’t interested in the zulm o sitam that Zubaria will face & the incessant mourning that she will resort to. Zubaria wanted a reason to be unhappy, bitter & sad, she finally got one so I think I am going to leave this drama at that note & once again, I am quite amused that I was personally told by the writer that this drama is going to be a ‘light-hearted entertainment’, seriously, things we’re promised & the things we’re shown! Also, can I just add how cringe-worthy the conversations between Ghaziyan & Zubaria discussing their personal affair were! Anyways, please share your thoughts about the 2nd last episode (for me) of Moray Saiyaan!

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Anuska Sharma Look-Alike Goes Viral on Internet

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Finding doppelgangers is pretty rare, especially when it comes to someone who looks really similar to a celebrity. We found the doppelganger of Bollywood’s reigning star Anushka Sharma. The girl is making people start and stutter, thanks to her uncanny resemblance with the Bollywood diva.

The girl sitting behind the guy in the video looks so much like Anushka Sharma that we couldn’t help ourselves from drawing a comparison. Now, without further ado, we bring to you the doppelganger, have a look at the video below.

Muqabil Episode 12 Review – Mind-Blowing!

Muqabil is turning out to be one of those outstanding plays which keep you glued to your television screen right from the get-go. It is the kind of drama you look forward to watching all week and when it finally airs you feel like it ended too soon! I am beyond sold after watching these 12 amazing episodes of Muqabil which were not only meticulously creative but also extremely engaging. Tonight yet again Arman and Pareesa’s scenes alone were enough to bowl me over completely, Mohsin Abbas Haider in particular was faultless in all the scenes although all these scenes had completely different demands. All his interactions with his friend, his mother, his father and Pareesa gave him tons of room for performance and he made the most of all these opportunities. He was particularly impressive when Arman got upset and wanted to know who had abused Pareesa. This scene was also very well written and directed. The clarity with which all these characters have been written and translated on screen makes them few of the most interesting characters we have seen on screen in recent times.

Muqabil Episode 12 Review - Mind-Blowing!

The psychiatrist asked Pareesa to share her secret with Arman, a development which was definitely refreshing! Watching Pareesa trying to make this marriage work and the manner in which this big change in her personality has been handled is truly commendable. She is not doing this because she has no other choice but Arman’s love won her over and since she is a good person at heart she does not want Arman to get hurt over and over again. Pareesa got married because she did not have a choice and she could not think of any other way to punish Mahmood and her mother. Although she does not admit that it was the reason why she married Arman but it was quite evident that this was her main purpose. Her conversation with her mother however clearly showed that she knows better now. Everything that the viewers saw later on also showed that she wanted to make this marriage work and Arman’s feelings mattered to her. I also feel that she has fallen in love with Arman but she does not want to explore these feelings probably because she is too scared of loving anyone because everyone who she loved and trusted betrayed her whether it was her parent or Mahmood sahab. Kubra Khan is also a phenomenal actress who has breathed life into a very difficult character.

Mahmood found out about Pareesa and Arman’s conversation by the pool side from Shehnaz’s friend and that is when he decided to plead his case in front of Pareesa and also tried to create doubts in his son’s mind by saying that Pareesa might have psychological issues. Asif Raza Mir was the perfect choice for playing this character; he is brilliant and convincing in every single scene. Tonight, for a change I even enjoyed Arman’s mother’s scenes because of the way she changed her tone and attitude whenever Pareesa was around. I found her behavior realistic, although she does not like Pareesa at all but she knows she is madam’s beti and she cannot be rude to her.

Muqabil Episode 12 Review - Mind-Blowing!

Although Arman’s meeting with the psychiatrist was somewhat abrupt but whatever she said to him was right on point. Also, this episode couldn’t have ended on a higher note. This was my most favorite episode of Muqabil which I have already watched twice!! The director Ali Hassan deserves tons of credit and appreciation for making every scene count. The background music, the lighting and the camerawork couldn’t have been better. This episode was also one of the best episodes of Muqabil because every single scene added something important to the story. This drama never ceases to impress its viewers, now we have something completely new to look forward to. It was great watching a victim share the truth with her partner and it will be even more great watching her partner stand by her side.

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

Pemra Raises Objection Over Zong & Oppo Tvc’s

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Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has showed concerns over two TV advertisements from Zong and OPPO Mobile.

According to details, these advertisements are beyond Pakistan’s cultural limits and they are shot in a manner that’s unacceptable. PEMRA has issued a notice to Pakistan Broadcasters Association in this regard which mentions that PEMRA received numerous complaints on indecent scenes in these ads.

Zong is warned over its recent Ad, that plays on a song “Boom Boom”, in which a male model gets hit inappropriately. While, the OPPO Mobile is for its objectionable clothing of female Models appearing in a TVC.

Pemra has warned them to either remove the objectionable scenes or by completely stopping its publicity on TV.

In accordance, a deadline of February 20, was given been given to both Zong and OPPO to get their ads fixed or they could be banned as per regulations and authority of National Laws. If not removed then they’ll have to face strict charges under section 27 of PEMRA Ordinance.

How many of you also found the advertisements objectionable?

Sana Shares Details About Her Role In Alif Allah aur Insaan

Sana Fukher is a very well-known name in the world of entertainment and has done numerous films till date. From starring in locals projects to doing Bollywood films, Sana is surely a popular name. The famous star has also stepped into the drama industry and is geared up to slay us all in upcoming drama ‘Alif Allah aur Insaan‘.

HIP got in touch with Sana to know more about her role in the drama.

Sana replied, “I play a character called Nigar, I really liked this role because it was very challenging and quite different from what I have done up till now.”

Sana has worked with many directors but this time around she got a chance to work with veteran director Ahson Talish. “It was quite an experience,” Sana added,

“It was an honour for me to work with Ahsan, as an actor it was a dream come true to work along a man who is so talented and understands his actors so well and gets the best performance out of them.”

Sana will be paired opposite Farhan Ali Agha and was all praises for the whole concept behind Alif Allah aur Insaan.

Beside Sana and Farhan Ali Agha, the drama will also star Meekal Zulfiqar, Kubra Khan, Ushna Shah, Abid Ali, Shehzad sheikh, Sana, Saba Hameed, Mohsin Gillani, Ainy Zaidi and Naima Khan. Mikaal Zulfiar will be playing the lead role of Shahzeb Shah in the drama and the story will be about his spiritual evolution and his struggle to obtain the love. Alif Allah aur Insaan is Hum tv’s next big project written by Qaisra Hayat and is an MD productions serial.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui Aspires To Do Justice To Manto

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Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is busy preparing for his upcoming biopic on the celebrated writer Saadat Hasan Manto. The actor is all pumped up with the process of the film. To be intellectually emotionally and physically equipped to play the Urdu litterateur Sadat Haasan Manto, the Raees actor is getting prepared to fit into the role.

According to DNA India, the actor shared that he’s in a complete quest for creative quarantine, “Thanks to Nandita’s research on Manto, I feel I know him well enough to get into his mind and body. The body part is relatively easier. I need to dress the way he did, and as long as I’m playing him, I need to live my life the way he did. Alone. Writing words that created magic on paper.”

The actor plans to free himself of all other commitments now that Raees is out. “I will shut myself away from all communication,” he insists.

“I plan to recreate Manto’s world around me. I will have my room re-furnished with the things that Manto lived with. I will dress like him, try to eat the food that he ate, sleep on the kind of bed that he did, wear the kind of clothes he did and talk like him. If I enter Manto’s physical world, I feel I can penetrate his mind,” he adds.

“As long as I play him I won’t be taking on any other project. I want to do justice to the awe-inspiring personality of this great man. And to be able to do this I am willing to make any sacrifice required,”
he says.

Nandita Das’ directional biopic of popular writer Manto will go on floors in March. Earlier in a Pakistani biopic of Manto, the critics favourite Sarmad Khoosat did extreme justice to the role.

Ali Gul Pir & Ahsan Bari To Perform Free Live Gig in Sehwan

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Last week, nearly 85 people were killed and over 300 injured in a suicide bomb explosion at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’s dargah in Sehwan Thursday evening.

A day after the attack, devotees gathered at the shrine to resume dhamal in defiance of not only the attackers but also the police. While we still recover from the pain and shock of what has happened, others have been quick in terms of the message they want to give back to terrorists. Amongst those people is dancer/activist Sheema Kermani who showed consolidatory with the victims and people of Sehwan by dancing at the shrine and now, the rapper; comedian Ali Gul Pir, whose family originates from Dadu, Sehwan will be performing at the shrine.

Ali Gul Pir along with Ahsan Bari and others will perform free live gig in Sehwan on Saturday, February 25. These guys are set to show their resilience to their best ability.

Edward Maya Concert Postponed

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Romanian DJ, Edward Maya was set to perform in Karachi on 18th February at Port Grand. It was suppose to be his first ever commercial show in Pakistan along with Zoe Viccaji but was postponed due to the Sehwan attack. The whole country had breather the air of terror after the deadliest attack of 2017 which took numerous lives.

Zoe viccaji and Edward Maya- This should be fun. 18 Feb Karachi #zoeviccaji #edwardmaya

A post shared by Zoe Viccaji Official (@zoeviccajime) on



“We have delayed it to the first or second week of March now,”
co-organiser Atif Zubair told The Express Tribune. He cited the Sehwan attack as the primary reason for the delay. “Secondly, the security agencies warned us. They said the next 72 hours were crucial and we must not take any risk.”

Zubair said Maya left for Romania soon after and they will announce new dates soon. “Now the concert that is rescheduled for March will be a tribute to Pakistani people because whatever happens, we continue to be a resilient nation.”

Yeh Raha Dil Episode 02 Review – Thoroughly Enjoyable!

Ohkay so, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this episode of Yeh Raha Dil. What I’m loving about this drama is that they are showing us the issues & the problems that all the main characters & their loved ones are facing while still having a comic relief throughout the drama because it makes things a lot more interesting, light-hearted & entertaining. I think this approach makes a drama a complete package where the problems are highlighted as well but are balanced out with a little bit of wit & humor. While watching this episode, I couldn’t stop thinking that it is the same director who has directed Dil Banjara too but he couldn’t extract such effortless & casual kind of acting from Adnan Malik & Sanam Saeed, but look what he has done here that he has literally brought out the best in a newcomer like Anam Ahmed who was actually quite weak in her previous drama. I think as much as it depends on the director to bring out the best in the actors, it also depends on the actors to do their best by following the lead of the director because I can’t emphasize enough on how much impressed I am with Anam Ahmed’s acting in this episode & in this drama in general.

So, Nida’s family-like friend Jimmy (Adnan Jaffer) got introduced in this episode & looks like he is not only a designer but is Nida’s manager too because he literally makes most of the decisions on her behalf as he knows what her worth is. Just like any practical man out there who is well aware of how the fashion industry works, Jimmy grew overly concerned for Nida because he knew that she couldn’t afford to get married at such a stage in her life where she is at the peak of her modelling career. Jimmy is someone who can easily manipulate people by showing them the practical side of the picture, plus he knows that Nida has given him a lot of edge, that is why he openly voiced his disagreement at her decision of getting married. Just because Nida has lived quite an independent sort of life, away from her home, away from her parents, basically away from any kind of a safety net, she has become quite practical, that is why it took only a few facts mentioned by Jimmy for her to second guess herself & her decision of getting married to Zaki. There’s no doubt about the fact that Nida loves Zaki a lot & wants to settle down with him but she is also someone who won’t just go with the flow & follow what Zaki or his parents would want, in fact she is someone who believes in making her own ways & following them, so it will be hard for her to compromise or make sacrifices just because of the fact that she loves Zaki.

I really really like the relationship that Hayat shares with Salman. Once again, Salman was being warned about the audit that is soon going to take place but Salman somehow believes he will dodge the bullet. Just like Hayat, Salman is also someone who can easily persuade people into believing him, that is why he convinced his friend to lend him the money. It was nice to know that Salman actually has so much of respect for Hayat & treats her like a family because he feels indebted to her as she was the one who helped him & his wife when they decided to get married for which his wife eloped from her house. At first, I did feel that may be Salman’s wife won’t be too happy about Hayat & Salman’s friendship but it was so good to see her getting along with Hayat like a friend as well. I think it was quite sweet of Salman & his wife to gift Hayat a trip to Nepal, just because he understood that she is someone who should explore the world & should step outside of her comfort zone. I think it was quite thoughtful of Salman that just because Hayat told him that her novel got rejected because the publishers didn’t see any authenticity in her writing as she herself hasn’t visited those places that she writes about, Salman decided to do something about it. Seeing how Salman is, like how he thinks about his profit & wants to make money, I really wish that this gesture is purely based on his true friendship & doesn’t have any ulterior motive like where he must be thinking that this trip will help Hayat in a way that her novel might get published & she might start making a lot of money so that later he can mooch off her. This is a thought that has crossed my mind purely based on how Salman is in his professional life which is hidden from his wife & also his friend Hayat too but then, seeing how much he respects Hayat, I really hope it is just a friendly gesture with no strings attached.

So, finally Jimmy accompanied Nida to the dinner that she was invited for at Zaki’s place. Jimmy is someone who might pose to be all sweet & gullible but he surely knows when to push the buttons, that is why all the things that he kept on saying about Nida & even Zaki only showcased how his only intention was to stuff this meeting up so that the talks about Zaki & Nida’s marriage is left in the lurch. Zaki’s father, who already wasn’t thrilled with the idea of Zaki’s marriage with an independent practical girl like Nida got a confirmation when he had a conversation with her, like it was good to know that he didn’t mind Jimmy’s presence & neither did he judge Nida based on the sort of a friend she had, but he was more concerned & worried about his son as he is well aware of his restless & adventurous nature that doesn’t allow him to be content with what he has in his life for a longer period of time. I liked the fact that Haroon didn’t try to put the blame on Nida but only made her familiar with his own son’s short-comings.

Overall, this episode was amazing. I can’t even remember how many times I had a hearty laugh, which was so refreshing because I loved the humor & I loved the situational comedy. The conversations were so interesting especially the one that happened between Hayat & Salman in the beginning of the episode & the one that Haroon & Jimmy had as well. I love how casual & unapologetic sort of relationship both Salman & Hayat share, like in literal sense this is how friendships should be like & it is good to see two characters sharing such a bond. I must say the addition of Adnan Jaffer was a treat in this episode, even though he will be stirring some troubles for Nida here & there but the comic relief that he provided was amazing & I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don’t know the name of the actor playing the role of Salman (I’d appreciate if someone could help me with that) but I like the effortlessness in his acting as well. The scenes where Salman, his wife & Hayat bonded were really nice too. I must say, I am so impressed & pleased with Anam Ahmed’s acting that literally for a second I thought she should’ve been in the article that Fatima & I just posted about the Top Fresh Faces of Pakistani Television, like seeing such an improvement in an actor is a treat & I really think the director deserves a special mention for giving all the actors such a brief to act themselves & be comfortable in front of the camera. I think Anam Ahmed on her own has worked really hard on her dialogue delivery, her body language, her expression & her over all acting because she now looks a lot confident while facing the camera & I can not believe she is the same girl who was the only weakling in Kathputli which aired just a few months ago. Anyways, overall I am pretty pleased with the drama, the plot & the characters. Yumna Zaidi makes all her scenes a treat to watch & Ahmed Ali so far has gotten a bit of a limited coverage but he made the most of the scenes in which he was present. I can’t wait to see the next episode & I think yeh Raha Dil is going to make us wait for Mondays from now on. Please share your thoughts about this amazing episode of Yeh Raha Dil.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Atif Aslam To Collaborate With Arijit Singh For A Bollywood Movie Song

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The singing sensation of both the countries are set to unite for an upcoming Bollywood movie song. Just when we though that Pakistani artists might not work in India again, a news of Atif singing another Bollywood song broke out.

The man with the magical voice, Atif Aslam is undoubtedly our biggest rock star and has received immense popularity not just in Pakistan but across the borders too.

Swag? #atifaslam #aadeez

A post shared by Atif Aslam (@teamatifaslam) on

According to Times of India, Atif Aslam along with the India’s ultimate singing sensation, Arijit Singh have come together to sing the melody ‘Musafir’ for upcoming Bollywood film ‘Sweety Desai Weds NRI’.

The music composer of the film, Palash Mucchal speaking to Times of India, revealed that he’s reallly looking forward to the release of the song.

“Arijit and Atif have done a fabulous job of the song. Palak, as usual, sounds phenomenal and has even written the song for me, so I have dual reasons to thank her.”

How many of you are looking forward to the song?

Twitter Goes Berserk As Shahid Afridi Announces Retirement!

So, our very own Boom Boom announced his retirement once again. Pakistan’s all-rounder Shahid Afridi has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending an illustrious and controversial 21-year career. The 36-year-old cricketer had already quit Tests in 2010 and ODI cricket after the 2015 World Cup but played for T20 at the 2016 world championships in India.

“I have said goodbye to international cricket. I am playing for my fans and will continue to play this league for another two years but it’s goodbye from international cricket. Now my foundation is important for me. I have played with seriousness and in a professional way for my country,” said Shahid Afridi after smashing a 28-ball 54 in a PSL match for Peshawar Zalmi in Sharjah.

The legendary star, has retired time and again but returned again. Shahid’s fans might be sad over this recent news but people on social media didn’t fall for his statement and wondered if he’ll be back again.

However, Lala was and will always be a legendary star. If this announcement is for true then we’ll surely miss him.

Top 5 Fresh Faces Of Pakistani Television

There are some actors who get polished with time and then there are those who perform so effortlessly and impeccably that the viewers are convinced that they were born to perform! They came, they saw and they conquered would be the best way to sum up the journey of the talented actors in this list because by nailing every single character which was assigned to them they did not only get tons of praise from the viewers and critics but they also managed to make a special place in the hearts of many fans. Some of these actors have been associated with the entertainment industry for quite some time now but their recent projects on television made them a household name.

Here is a list of those 5 most talented actors who bowled us over recently not just once but innumerable times because of their spell-binding performances.

Bilal Abbas Khan

Dramas: Dumpukht, Saanp Seerhi, Rasm-e-Duniya & Kitni Girhein Baaki Hein

The fact that Bilal Abbas Khan already has multiple good projects on television to his credit and has also done a film is proof enough that he is definitely someone who has what it takes to make it big on television and cinema. He has the most expressive eyes and he is a brilliant performer. Apart from being immensely talented Bilal Abbas Khan has also been intelligent while choosing the projects he works in. This is the reason why he already has a massive fan following.

Top 5 Fresh Faces Of Pakistani Television

Hania Amir

Dramas: Titlee

Hania Amir is another one of those actors who know their craft only too well. She made her presence felt with her solid performance in the film Janaan and is now playing a role which most actresses wouldn’t choose to start their careers with in drama serial Titlee. This goes to show that she is not going to be one of those actresses on bank on their innocent looks and choose to play similar roles, mostly those of becharis! Hania Amir’s confidence, talent and intelligent choices qualify her for this list and we have huge expectations from her. Hania Amir’s choices show that she does not like to play it safe and the viewers love actors who dare to be different.

Top 5 Fresh Faces Of Pakistani Television

Kubra Khan

Dramas: Sang e Marmar, Khuda Aur Mohabbat, Muqabil & Andaz e Sitam

Kubra Khan has been working as a model and she earned a name for herself in that genre too but she rose to prominence as an actor last year when she grabbed everyone’s attention through her flawless performance in Sang e Marmar. Being a new-comer, Kubra Khan surely made a lot of viewers skeptical as to how she would perform but as the viewers got a chance to see her acting, she surely earned a lot of praises and fans. In such a short span of time Kubra Khan has become one such actress who can sell a drama because of her name being associated to it because with a fresh beautiful face and strong screen-presence, she has acting skills up her sleeves as well. Kubra surely got lucky to be debuting in a drama like Sang e Marmar having an ensemble cast, which is being followed and loved by so many people but being a debutant, Kubra surely exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Currently, 4 of Kubra’s dramas are on-air and all of them have a considerable viewership because everyone is impressed with this young fine actress. Also, another thing worth mentioning is that in such an early stages of her acting career, Kubra is experimenting and is doing roles that are completely different from one another, which shows that her graph will remain promising and we will get to see a variety in her work.

Top 5 Fresh Faces Of Pakistani Television

Masroor Paras

Dramas: Sang e Marmar

With only one drama to his credit, Masoor Paras has proved his mettle because of his flawless performance as Torah Khan in Sang e Marmar. It is quite an exception that in a debuting drama, an actor gives his heart and soul to portray such a complicated character phenomenally and so convincingly that he ends up becoming the talk of the town. Masroor Paras showed what he is capable of as an actor because it takes a lot of talent to become the center of attention and convince the viewers to look forward to his projects. The character of Torah Khan required such an actor who could emote with minute expressions and tell the tale of what storm is brewing in his mind and Masroor Paras achieved that flawlessly. Masroor is capable of becoming a character actor and we can’t wait to see what he’ll bring for his fans in his future projects.

Top 5 Fresh Faces Of Pakistani Television

Mohsin Abbas Haider

Dramas: Muqabil

Mohsin Abbas Haider made his acting debut on television with drama serial Muqabil playing a rather unusual role with tons of room for performance. He proved that he was jack of all by surprising the viewers with a captivating performance which brought out the best in his role. Mohsin Abbas Haider has so far proved that he is the kind of performer who alone could be the reason why the viewers would tune into a show. He is definitely someone to watch out for and is bound to go a long way.

Top 5 Fresh Faces Of Pakistani Television

What do you think about these newcomers? Please share your thoughts and feel free to add to the list.

Zahra Mirza & Fatima Awan

Hamza Malik’s Rendition Of ‘Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo’

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Hamza Malik, the young singing sensation sung a beautiful rendition of “Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo”. The song will surely make the inner patriot alive in you and is a tribute to the soldiers of our nation.

Hamza Malik has been getting fame from quite sometime now and even did a cover of Jee Lay Har Pal, his new single “Aye Rah-e-Haq Ke Shaheedo” has already garnered more than 100k views. The song is originally sung by Pakistani film playback singer Begum Naseem and lyrics are penned by ‘Saif-Ud-din Saif.’

After Chaiwala, This Guy Is Pakistan’s Latest Crush

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After Chaiwala Arshad Khan, Pakistan has a new crush and that is ‘Burger wala’. You might have seen pictures of this guy doing rounds on social media. The guy Shah Fahad, aged 18 was discovered by Raza Mehdi.

Here’s ‘The Burger Wala’

According to Raza Mehdi, the lad Shah Fahad sells burgers in Ayoob Park in Rawalpindi and contacted Mehdi and asked to make him famous like the Chaiwala. In a live session at Facebook, Raza revealed that Fahad contacted him through his Twitter account.

Here’s the live video chat.

Raza shared, “He sent me his picture, which I tweeted, and I had no idea it will circulate this fast.” He went on to reply people who couldn’t locate Fahad at the stall “Fahad told me he quit. He said that he left his job at the burger stall to pursue his studies since he will soon be enrolling in grade 9.”

“So, I asked him to go back to the park and record a message from his stall, and he did so. Even if he is telling half the truth, and does not work at a burger stall, why do we feel the need to criticize everything and everyone.”
shared Raza.

Later on, Raza posted a video of Burger wala.

Since then, the young man has caught the fancy of Internet users on social media.

Sheheryar Munara & Mahira Khan To Star In A Film?

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The fans of Mahira Khan and Sheheryar Munawar might get to see them together for a second time. There are rumors that the best of friends will be collaborating with Meenu and Farjad for an upcoming project.

A post shared by Mahira Khan (@mahirahkhan) on

If rumors are to be believed than the upcoming film will be written by Fasih Bari Khan, the writer of Jeewan Haathi and directed by Farja-Meenu. Farjad and Meenu are known for a very different kind of cinema and might have something really great in store for us. Though, nothing as such is confirm yet and the news broke out when an entertainment portal page shared the following post.

Sheheryar Munara & Mahira Khan To Star In A Film?

Mahira Khan is currently shooting for Shoaib Mansoor’s Verna while Sheheryar Munawar is finishing the last spell of Pakistan’s first ever super hero movie ‘Project Ghazi’. Mahira and Sheheryar were previously seen in Ho Mann Jahan and they were absolutely amazing. We can’t help but wait for an official statement from the makers or the actors.

Munkir Episode 02 Review – Quite Interesting!

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Ohkay so, honestly speaking, I liked the second episode of Munkir too. I must say I wasn’t expecting much out of this drama & thought just because it has a different story I am going to give it a go but somehow everything that was portrayed in this episode seemed pretty realistic & believable. They are trying to break some stereotypes while still portraying some of them but I didn’t find any of that odd because this is what actually & usually happens.

So, the episode started with Runa’s mum in law all worried about her because she saw a bad dream about her. Obviously, her intuition is telling her about the trial that her entire family, especially her son is going to go through & this was just the beginning. Even though her daughter’s tried to calm her down but she being a very staunch believer in her beliefs & intuition did feel that something was wrong. On the other hand Runa’s grandmother was also feeling a little anxious because she knows what her granddaughter is upto & this is something that she wasn’t in a favor of but gave in because Rania tried to make her understand Runa’s perspective. Even though the grand mother got a news that Runa & Anjum reached Islamabad safely & just when she & Rania could sigh with relief, they faced another problem & that was a sudden & uninformed visit of Runa’s in laws. It was actually sweet to see Runa’s mum in law being quite concerned about Runa but yes, the conversation Batool had with her mother hinted a little on the fact as to how people who tend to practice religion a little & are settled abroad form some very strong opinions against people living in Pakistan & their lifestyle. I know it might not sit well with a lot of people that they are showing a tiny bit of contradiction that where at one hand Zain’s family consists of practicing Muslims, on the other hand they tend to be a little judgmental too but then again, both these things do exist in the society & it is often seen that those who move outside the Pakistani society then can see some issues from afar & find it hard to relate to them. I won’t say that I agree to the fact that Batool & her mother were being a little judgmental but I won’t also say that everything that they said was completely wrong because yes, they are practicing Muslims so for them a lifestyle different from theirs is a little hard to accept, so they will have some say against or about it. I will say that even though the writer is touching upon these subjects but what I like the most is the fact that he hasn’t over-done anything & that is why what the characters say & do seem quite relocatable & realistic because we do understand their perspective with a lot of clarity & no one is a completely black character for that matter!

So, the visit of Murree was basically a walk down the memory lane for Runa. The things she shared with Anjum & all the tales that she told her shed a light on the fact that she has spent a good chunk of her life in Murree & how she has learnt about life long lessons, good or bad, while she was there. It was good to see Runa getting a chance to visit the place that is so close to her heart but yes once again I will say, the one who put me off big time was Anjum & her rants. It’s friends like Anjum who are also responsible for ruining the lives & the relationships of their friends. Runa seems to be at a happy place in her life where she is ready to get married & get settled with Zain because she is not such a complicated person but Anjum never leaves an opportunity to talk her out of this. It was quite annoying to hear Anjum telling Runa to call this marriage quits that too when she knows that there are just a couple of days left till the big day. I am sure that later when Runa’s life will take a turn & she will face a lot of complications, Anjum will be equally responsible for it because she is already playing a part & is trying to push Runa into a deep pit!

Gulrez’s character got a detailed introduction in this episode. He is a suicide bomber & he was in Murree for a mission because he had to attack someone. At first I thought his target would be Sister Kathryn because the things his boss told him did suggest that he was speaking about someone who he didn’t see in the circle of Islam, also Sister Kathryn belonging to a minority in Pakistan does make her a little vulnerable & prone to hate crime, so anyways, this is what I assumed but it seemed like Gulrez’s target was someone else because he tried to reach the guests who were leaving the college in their cars after the function was over. I am sure they will shed a light on this in the upcoming episodes so we’ll have to wait for that. Anyways, Anjum & Runa ended up distracting Gulrez without having any idea that they saved a few lives & probably their own as well because they were in such a close proximity where the blast would’ve affected them as well. Runa, Gulrez & Anjum’s first interaction was quite interesting like it seemed quite situational & believable as it was done very nicely!

So, Gulrez met his old friend & probably his batch mate in the Madrassa that he was attending in Murree too. Looks like Gulrez ran away from the Madrassa & met those people who believe in terrorism because of their twisted logic & concepts. I will say that hearing the word Madrassa did stir some thoughts in some other tangent but just when Gulrez’s friend got a little coverage, I liked the fact that the writer broke the stereotype by showing such a character who also got his education at a Madrassa but is now leading a very normal & simple life. Usually Madrassa’s are labelled to be the breeding grounds for the terrorists but I liked that the writer showed a very different perspective in order to negate the opinions people do have about such Madrassas by showing a character like Gulrez’s friend. Gulrez might have chosen a very different path in his life but looking at his friend, all I could think of was that it depends on each & every single person; their mentality & mind set as to what they absorb & what their mental capability allows them to understand because where Gulrez has been brain-fed, his friend, who got the basic education from the same institution seems to be leading a very normal life.

Overall, this episode of Munkir definitely exceeded my expectations & I had a great time watching it. It looks like so far the writer has tackled with this subject with a lot of maturity, neutrality & intelligence so I am hoping that it will stay that way in the upcoming episodes too. I liked the fact that they still have kept Gulrez’s character a little mysterious & will then reveal little by little in the episodes to come. I had a good laugh at the idea that Rania came up with in order to save Runa’s reputation, it was quite witty & amusing. It is amazing to see a stepmother like Rania who is more like a friend to Runa & would do anything to protect her. All the actors are performing quite effortlessly & the direction seems pretty decent too. A very small mistake that I found was that Runa while standing outside Cadet College told Anjum that this was her school, whereas after showing that she lived in a hostel & was raised by a nun they should’ve showed a Convent school because Cadet Colleges fall in the authority of defence forces & are not Convents, which usually girls get their education from, in a place like Murree. I know this detail wouldn’t have bothered many viewers but being someone who has spent quite a few years in Murree, I am well aware of how the education system in Murree works. :) Anyways, I am definitely looking forward to the next episode already. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Munkir!

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Sammi Episode 4 Review – Tough Times Ahead

With this episode the story moved forward in a different direction. One aspect of Sammi’s story which has been the same right from the first episode is that she had absolutely no say in all those major decisions which altered her life completely not once but over and over again. This time it was Chaudhry’s wife and Rashid who decided her fate, they obviously had their own best interests in mind and were not thinking about how Sammi would end up once she reaches Karachi. Sammi’s fears and her confusion was translated impeccably on screen by Mawra Hocane in this episode. Her expressions were right on point when Rashid told her what the plan was and even when she was in the train. While Mawra Hocane’s facial expressions won me over completely I have to say that I am waiting for an episode when she will have more dialogues too. The flashbacks scenes showed how Sammi was naturally thinking about a time not very long ago when everything was perfect and she thought there were a lot of people around her who loved her but Sammi has not been shown thinking about her circumstances at all. A few dialogues would have made her scenes even more impactful.

Sammi Episode 4 Review - Tough Times Ahead

Rashid once again made a half-hearted promise to his wife. Nadia Afghan’s character is playing a positive role in the drama; she is there to educate Rashid and those people out there who are watching this show and need to know more about the importance of family planning – an issue which was tackled in detail in drama serial Nijaat which aired many years back but the message it gave was so strong that it is still fresh in the minds of the viewers even today. This track definitely reminded me of drama serial Nijaat for various reasons. Rashid’s character is one of the most interesting characters in the drama and I am waiting to see how he deals with Chaudhry now that he has vowed to kill him if he is not able to find Sammi. Rashid too is a pawn in the hands of Chaudhry and his wife just like Sammi. Rashid’s house, that infant and the overall feel of the track is also very realistic.

Chaudhry’s conversation with his son was one of the most meaningful conversations in this episode which showed the mentality of those people who fail to see those individuals as humans who are not as influential or rich as them. Chaudhry’s son does not see Sammi as a human but he wants to flaunt her like a thing he owns and is proud of. His father’s overall personality and Chaudhry’s conversations with his son clearly showed where that mindset came from! Rehan Sheikh is one of the most impressive actors of our drama industry who manages to nail every single role assigned to him almost effortlessly. He never ceases to impress the viewers.

Sammi Episode 4 Review - Tough Times Ahead

I am looking forward to finding out more about Sania Saeed’s character because it seemed quite intriguing. So far whatever we have seen in these 4 episodes suggests that Sammi is going to cover multiple subjects from the feudalistic mindset to the importance of family planning and the evil of human trafficking. I would like to see Chaudhry Rab Nawaz shooting Sammi’s brother in the upcoming episode or doing something which would prove that he is ruthless because so far his empty threats haven’t helped shaping up his character’s cruel side.

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

Celebrities At Hum Fashion Brunch

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Hum Television Network has contributed a lot in reviving Pakistani dramas a few years back and produces some quality content every year. It is also taking the initiative to celebrate the Fashion industry too.

HUM TV organized a fashion brunch and invited all the fashion related people to celebrate the success and victory of Fashion industry and it was nothing less than a star studded event, have a look at the pictures below.

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Nigar Film Awards Nominations Chosen By Audiences, Not Jury!

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The Nigar Film Awards released their nominations recently and the whole industry couldn’t stop talking about it. Many celebrities took to social media to comment and criticize the nominations. The biased nominations triggered many reactions.

Nigar Film Awards Nominations Chosen By Audiences, Not Jury!

However, the makers of Nigar Awards revealed through a press release that the nominations were chosen by the public and not the jury. The Nigar Weekly’s readers choices were communicated to the committee through coupons published in Nigar which were filled by the readers and then sent to the committee. The nominations were finalized based on the readers’ selections which were thoroughly evaluated by the team of Nigar Awards.

Which basically sums up that the nominees were not chosen by the jury but only the audiences.

Kapoor & Sons director: I Miss Fawad Khan A Lot

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Fawad Khan’s second Bollywood venture Kapoor & Sons was a box office and success. He managed to impress the audiences with his acting and even received a nomination at Filmfare for his role.

In a recent interview with The Indian Express, Kapoor and Sons director Shakun Batra shared how he misses Fawad Khan.

“I miss him a lot. I don’t know if I am supposed to be quiet about it.. and I don’t miss him because of any other things, I miss him simply because he is a great guy and he is a lovely collaborator.”

He added, “We Indians who work around the world, we do it legally, similarly, if somebody else wants to work legally in our country, it should be open. It should be a two-way street.”

Fawad Khan had managed to cast his magic on the audiences with his role in Humsafar followed by his Bollywood debut Khoobsurat, after which he went on to do two more Bollywood films. However, he had to drop his upcoming projects in India due to the ban imposed on Pakistani artists.

Fawad Khan – Biography, Family, Wedding, Wife, Son, Daughter, Movie, Dramas

The Ghazi Attack: Bollywood Film Distorts The History Yet Again

If you thought Bollywood has exhausted the theme of Pakistan-India wars, think again because The Ghazi Attack which released recently is all about Indo-Pak underwater war. It is India’s first war at sea film based on their perspective of the war which happened in 1971 in Indian waters.

Before i begin, i would like to say that i have many Indian friends and every time we discuss about the history of neighbouring countries, it always gets messed up since the history they know is really different from what we ‘Pakistani’s’ know. This clearly states that both countries have different perspectives of the history be it partition or any other war, the facts always contradict.

When it comes to stories ‘inspired’ by history, filmmakers actually enter a dangerous territory by the fact that cinema commands a much larger audience than textual history. They are expected to make something which delivers a story closest to the truth, But Bollywood has done distortions of history previously too (take Mohenjo Daro as example).

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Coming back to ‘The Ghazi Attack’, the film is about Pakistani submarine PNS Ghazi, which was one of the fastest submarines at the time of the war. As much as it is going to be patriotic for the Indian’s, the truth was never cleared. The film shows Indian navy’s struggle to destroy their rivals along with the submarine called “Ghazi’.

The Ghazi Attack opens up in 1971, showing how West Pakistan mistreated East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Followed by Indian naval forces going for a classified search mission to check the presence of Pakistani forces in their waters and they do manage to track Pakistan’s submarine ‘Ghazi’. According to the film, Pakistan attacks Indian submarine a multiple times but even after many attacks Pakistan wasn’t able to destroy Indian submarine. And at the end the Indian forces attack Ghazi and manage to destroy it with a single torpedo.

There are disputed versions of sinking of Ghazi. To date, there is no clear confirmation to how she sank. The submarine sank under circumstances which aren’t clear. There’s a Pakistani version and an Indian version which are totally opposite.

Indian version states that Indian Navy destroyed Ghazi using depth charges fired by INS Rajput.

And according to Pakistan Navy’s investigation, there were two probable reasons connecting to this mishap:

1) Magnetic Exploder/Hydrogen explosion
2) Detonation of a mine inside the submarine

The contradictory statements from within the Indian naval force itself maintains that Ghazi sank under mysterious circumstances. Official statements from Indian navy officers actually claim that the investigations carried by their own team reveal that there had been internal explosions inside the submarine and there’s a certain amount of possibility of Ghazi’s sinking due to internal explosion.

The truth still actually lies within Indian waters and there is no report of how Ghazi actually sank. However, the film implies that Ghazi was destroyed by Indian army. It came with a huge disclaimer welcoming other perspectives of the story but somehow managed to show Pakistan as an evil and enemy country in every minute of the film.

Although, people from both the countries try to join hands with each other through sports and arts but extremist factions present in all the fields don’t want the countries to have a peaceful start. Indian film industry in last six decades has made countless anti-Pakistan films and these films do nothing but force the audience to consider the neighbours as the enemies. I have always been a peace lover and i believe films like this create rift between already disputed neighbours.

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Bollywood has often touched upon the topic of Indo-Pak wars in several of their movies which mainly focus on glorifying the Indian side and, it is happening this time again, where Pakistan is referred as the enemy in the whole movie and loses at the end. And guess what? the Pakistani’s are actually shown as the stereotypical evil people. The filmmakers are leaving no stone unturned to cash out the conflicts between Pakistan and India. It is the high time when both the countries should move on and look forward to a better future.

What impact will these kinds of films leave on the audiences and where will this take the status of the already tense relationship between India and Pakistan? Do share your thoughts.

Rimsha Butt

The Shooting Of ‘Teefa In Trouble’ Begins

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The shoot of Ahsan Rahim’s highly anticipated directional debut ‘Teefa In Trouble’ finally begins.

The film promises to be a power packed with action and romance. The pictures from the first spell are already surfing on the social media.

#TeefaInTrouble -Behind The Scene Cast #AliZafar #MayaAli Director By #AhsanRahim Camera #ZainHaleem #Lightingale Productions

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Produced by Lightingale Productions, Teefa In Trouble is a rom-com starring debutants Ali Zafar as the lead character ‘Teefa’ and Maya Ali as his leading lady, ‘Anya’. The film was announced last year, and Ali revealed the title in early January followed by announcing the leading lady Maya Ali in February.

Jackpot: Teaser Song ‘Hay Naya Naya’

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The wait is over as the second song teaser of ‘Hay Naya Naya’ from the movie Jackpot starring Inayat Khan and Indian actress Reyhna Malhotra is finally out. Asim Azhar and Afshan Fawad have lent their voices for the beautiful composition that has been shot in beautiful locations of Thailand. The composition and direction of the teaser song is so good that it’ll really make you go ‘Hay Naya Naya’.

Jackpot is a musical-comedy, and is the first Pakistani film to be shot on the James Bond Island. The film stars debutants Noor Hassan, Sanam Chaudhry, Inayat Khan and Reyhna Malhotra in the lead roles. The film also marks Shoaib Khan’s directional debut and is produced by Khurram Riaz and Shoaib again. Jackpot is expected to release this year and we cannot wait!