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!
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
A post shared by Mikaal Zulfiqar (@mikaalzulfiqar) on
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Somewhere between Shahid afridi retiring from cricket and Shahid afridi retiring from cricket we all grew up! #shahidafridi
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What do you think about these newcomers? Please share your thoughts and feel free to add to the list.
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 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’
After Chai Wala here comes Burger Wala. 18 Yrs Old Shah Fahad belongs to Rawalpindi sells Bun Kabab at Ayub Park Rawalpindi. #BurgerWalapic.twitter.com/gD28I9YoV0
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.
Since then, the young man has caught the fancy of Internet users on social media.
After Chai wala Here Comes Burger wala.18 Years Old.Shah Fahad Belong to Rawalpindi Sells Bun Kabab at Ayub Park Rawalpindi. #BurgerWala. pic.twitter.com/nIjaCshILh
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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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.
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!
Noor’s track moved forward considerably in this episode and the most important aspect of this track was that for the first time Noor openly told someone about his true identity. Noor has accomplished a lot with the help of Mikael and due to the confidence he has in himself. He has a vision and is constantly working to make his goals become a reality. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Noor and Sania’s track and where it was headed but so far this development has made the story more interesting. I am waiting to find out how it is handled in the future. Noor introduced Sania to his mother, this was like leading her on knowing that she might have feelings for him although that wasn’t Noor’s intention. There are times when Noor is shown as someone who is highly sensitive and receptive and there are other scenes in which he is shown as someone who does things impulsively too. In my opinion these shortcomings in Noor’s character make it more relatable and human. Noor also sensed that perhaps Mikael had feelings for his mother and it looked like he would like to see them both together.
The scene in which Noor shared his feelings with God would have been a lot more impactful if those dialogues were written differently. The way these dialogues were penned down made Noor sound like someone who was complaining more than relying on Allah. While it is okay for someone to complaint to God every now and then but it did seem like the writer wanted to convey a different message. It would have been better if this scene conveyed that Noor saw an ally, a friend in God instead of someone who had been unfair to him.
Kashmala and Zain’s track has been going around in circles; their scenes never have anything new to offer. There has been absolutely no change in Zain, he never even paused to think about his child and the decisions he took in his life. He keeps on saying that he is still in love with Mahi and has been unable to live a happy life with Kashmala but that somehow isn’t enough. Arshi has also not changed a bit in all these years. She has always seen herself as a victim and has not budged from her initial stance. These tracks are stagnant because there has been absolutely no character development. H on the other hand has finally figured out what he wants to do now therefore it is easier to connect to the changes in him.
Mahi decided to get married to Mikael in the previous episode and it will be good to see them together. Mahi and Mikael have been shown as positive individuals who deserve to be happy. Aly Khan and Aisha Khan look good together and fit perfectly in their respective roles. Although some of the tracks in the story have come to a standstill but Noor’s track has been handled well so far. The preview of the next episode was disappointing because it focused on those tracks which are stagnant at the moment. The viewers are more interested in what happens in Noor’s life next instead of watching Kashmala and Mahi fight over Zain!!
How many of you watched this latest episode? Do share your thoughts about this.
Ohkay so, I’ll be completely honest with you guys, I enjoyed the first half of this episode a lot which revolved around the transition that Hammad was making & the closure he gave to all his relations before moving to USA, but for first time ever, while watching the second half of episode, I couldn’t wait for it to end because I found quite a lot of characters, situations & scenarios a bit too unconvincing & unnecessary. Please, make no mistake, I am still a fan of this drama, still a fan of Hammad’s character, still have a lot of faith in the overall message that this story is going to convey but I really hope that they make us fall in love with the second half of the story & the characters just as effortlessly as they made us fall in love with the first half of the story & those characters. I am glad I found 1 such character in the new lot which I’d be looking forward to but the rest were meh!
Seeing Hammad finally agreeing to go to USA was good but his final meeting with every single person who mattered to him the most was quite an emotional sight. It was quite hard for Hammad to leave everything, especially when it was a reminiscent of Imaan every step of the way but he finally understood how important it was for him to get back to normal because this is what Imaan expected him to do & this is something that his family wanted as well. It was evident that Hammad decided to move forward in his life because this is the promise that he made to Imaan, also his traveler friend put things into perspective & made him look at the bigger picture, which made Hammad realize that his love no where demanded him to forsake everything or not be normal & now that he has already proved his love, he has achieved everything!
I loved watching how warmly Hammad was greeted by everyone, especially Ghafoor & Abdullah. It was quite emotional seeing Ghafoor telling Hammad not to forget him because he shared such a beautiful bond with him & the amount of respect Ghafoor had for Hammad was something special. Molvi Aleem seemed quite apologetic but still, no ounce of sympathy for him! I will say, I was actually looking forward to Hammad’s final meeting with Najma & Siddique Sahab but I think they made the biggest mistake by not including that scene because Najma & Hammad have shared some very deep & meaningful conversation in the previous episodes, also the way Najma always encouraged Hammad & showed him the light at the end of the tunnel was absolutely beautiful, so to see Najma missing in such an important part was disheartening. It might’ve been that the actress playing the role of Najma wasn’t available for shooting those scenes, otherwise there’s no justification to why her character wasn’t given coverage in such an important time when Hammad was ready to finally move on & when Hammad needed her encouragement & motivation the most. I was actually looking forward to another meaningful conversation but, sigh!
So, Hammad finally came to the USA & decided to get back to normal by enrolling in the university & pursuing his education but the things that happened one after another made me lose interest in this episode pretty quickly. Let me talk about the good thing first because there’s only one & that was the introduction of a new character who became Hammad’s friend in just a single meeting, yes, I am talking about the Muad’dhin (sorry I missed his name), it was nice seeing how effortlessly he & Hammad related to each other & once again, that guy ended up being someone who motivated Hammad to come to the Masjid, even though Hammad on his own was holding onto his habit of praying that he instilled in himself back in Pakistan.
Now let’s talk about all the bad things, firstly, Sir Isaac’s character, like seriously, if they had introduced him as a random stranger then his judgmental attitude would’ve seemed justified because Muslims usually get judged a lot, but to see a Professor & a dean of the university filled with students from all over the world, belonging to all sort of ethnicity, religions, cultures, races – being so judgmental that he decided to conduct another personal interview of Hammad was quite unconvincing. Hammad’s replies were the only apt part of that entire scene but then again, I wonder how many students were questioned by Sir Isaac because they were Muslims? Yes, I do get it, they are still focusing on the fact that everywhere Hammad goes, he attracts people good & in this case bad, but then again, if they wanted to show that, they could’ve done it a little effortlessly because everything seemed a little too forced. Also, Sir Isaac’s call to his PA telling him to keep an eye on Hammad was actually quite funny, also I am still not sure why was he being bothered about the fact that Hammad was a practicing Muslim? Like seriously!?!?! I am sure they will show us a change in the perspective of all the Hammad haters as the story will progress but at this stage, I found it a little too funny & unconvincing!
Second bad thing, Zeeshan, like seriously? Just because Sara had a misunderstanding he had to take the matters in his hands & beat Hammad up? I don’t know why Hashim Nadeem loves getting his male characters beaten up by goons in his dramas, like this entire scenario of seeing Hammad with a bandage around his head was such a reminiscent of Dhaani because in the second half of the drama, Sameer was bruised & bed ridden the entire time because he was like a punching bag or a stress buster for the villains, lol! I don’t think they needed to rely on such a similar scenario because we all have a lot of sympathies for Hammad already, he is such an amazing character & he is not weak like Sameer that these things are needed to stir emotions for Hammad that is why this entire scene seemed unnecessary where Zeeshan beat Hammad just because he was furious. I won’t say I have formed an opinion about Sara because she is like this for a reason & that is pretty understandable because as the story will progress, she will eventually fall for Hammad because of his niceness so I’d rather wait to see that side of hers before saying much about this ignorant side which is being shown right now!
I found a little too many editing issues in this episode, like Rebecca was excited that Hammad was going to the USA with Kami & her & she also confirmed that she had completed Hammad’s registration process at the university & later, she was shown receiving both Hammad & Kamran at the airport & then Kamran asked her about Hammad’s registration as if she never left USA & was there taking care of Hammad’s admission & stuff while still being there when Hammad & Kami were travelling? Another mistake was that Hammad was in white jumper & Rebecca in orange shirt when Rebecca tells him that he has to go for another interview, next thing we know, Hammad was in a checkered shirt during his interview scene, later again as suggested it being the same day, Hammad informs Rebecca that he cleared the interview & he is was once again wearing that white jumper & Rebecca was in orange shirt. Also, I am not too sure why Zeeshan called Hammad ‘molvi’ & told Isaac that he is known for bothering girls, whereas it has been suggested that this is the new university that Hammad is attending & considering his admission was still in process so probably he was there for a couple of days, so how come Zeeshan had a knowledge about Hammad & his activities or his behavior? I really hope, I really really hope this drama doesn’t go down Dhaani’s lane because it was quite interesting in the first half too but just because they had to stretch it till the 30th episode, they butchered the entire thing, but yes, I do have faith in Khuda Aur Mohabbat because there’s a lot left to be revealed & Sara/Hammad’s track has yet to begin, so I am definitely hoping for the best!
Overall, the first half of this episode was interesting because it included the set of characters which we have formed a connection with so far, but the second half wasn’t my favorite as the new characters, apart from Hammad’s neighbor’s, weren’t amazing. While watching this episode, I had a feeling that just to keep things spiced up, they are introducing a couple of new villains which would be Zeeshan & Sir Isaac, also it was justified by reminding us of what the traveler uncle said ‘mohabbat mai aur bohat imtehaan ayeinge’, but again, abhi Hammad ki mohabbat kisi aur se shuru hi nahi hui so wo imtehaan wahin pe ruk jana chahiye tha but let’s see. I am interested in Kubra Khan’s character only at this moment. Also, another reminiscent of Dhaani was seeing Rebecca being overly concerned for Hammad which did showcase her feelings for him, she played the same role in Dhaani as well where she was in love with the hero only to get ditched in the end because he fell in love with someone else, so I am getting the same vibes too, I really wish they had kept her strictly as Hammad’s friend because that would’ve been refreshing & better. Obviously, needless to say, Imran Abbas made me teary eyed in the scene where Hammad visits Imaan’s grave for the last time & bids farewell to her for the time being with a very sweet promise that she is going to be with him & his soul is going to be with hers, sigh, absolutely beautifullll! Let’s hope the next episode is just as amazing as all the previous episodes have been! Please share your thoughts about this episode of Khuda Aur Mohabbat.
Keep Supporting,
Cheers, Zahra Mirza.
ps: I have noticed that every time I share an opinion, those who have read the novel start justifying what is being shown by telling me about the future happenings in the novel saying that everything is going to be explained later, but please try to understand that I am not a novel reader, I am a drama viewer, so I am going to form an opinion about what is being shown at the moment because yes, I knew what the first half of the story was about but when it comes to the second half, I am oblivious & I have no idea. So, I do feel a lot of those guys who have read the novel might find my objections that came along with this episode uncalled for & will try to reason with me but seriously, this is my opinion, based on what I watched in this episode & I am going to take things as they come because I have not read the novel & I don’t want to find out about everything beforehand, so I hope you guys understand & leave the arguing for some other day, thanks! ;)
Many Pakistani celebrities have been falling prey to fake online news and rumors. The recent one to be effected is Noor Bukhari who managed to win over critics with her performance in Saya e Khuda e Zuljalal, is rumored to be using slimming supplements.
A Local Fashion blog, has openly claimed that Noor has used weight loss supplements because she was not satisfied with the response received from her latest film. Since then, the actress is receiving a lot of criticism from audiences for endorsing such an unhealthy method of getting slim.
Hip got in touch with Noor, to know what she has to say regarding the growing controversy. Noor shunned all claims Fashion Central has made so boldly in their feature regarding the slimming supplement. Noor told HIP she would never resort to such low measures just to shed pounds, and will take serious action against people using her name for petty publicity. Her television show was doing very well and she was satisfied with the acclaim she had been receiving for her role in Saya e Khuda e Zuljalal.
“Nobody should sell their ethics for petty news,” she said. It is often disturbing to see how a fake online news can create a mess.
Upcoming Drama Wafa Ka Mausam is directed by Babar Qayyum and produced under the banner of Tv One productions. The cast of the drama includes Neelam Munir and Aijaz Aslam in lead roles, while Nouman Habib and Maryam Effendi will be seen in pivotal roles. The teasers of the drama are out already and it seems like a intense love story involving three people, ‘a love triangle’. So will true love die for ego? Tune into Wafa Ka Mausam starting from 23rd Feb to know all your answers, only on Tv one.
The evergreen film actress of yesteryear Shabnam is back in Pakistan for Karachi Press Club. While Shabnam is not working in local cinemas anymore but she can still break a million hearts with her smile and charishma.
One of the celebrated actress of 70’s is highly overwhelmed with the love she’s receiving from Pakistan which she considers as a home. When asked if she’ll like to work in Pakistani films once again, the Bangladeshi actress replied that she’s willing to work in Pakistani cinemas again. “Artists and sportspersons cannot be held back by borders. We build bridges for friendships. I was in Pakistan over four years ago, in 2012, and I was surprised that even the younger generation here knew about me. They wanted me to do films here, and quite frankly I have no issues with that,” she said, adding that if she finds good roles specially written with her in mind, she was definitely going to think about it.
She gave Pakistani cinema the most significant years of her life and will always be an important part of the industry. It will be great to see her back in the films, which will also promote better relationships with Bangladesh.
This year is going to be high on entertainment with lots of amazing movies coming our way. One of the most anticipated films Chalay Thay Saath is all about discovering love, friendship and family values. Starring an ensemble cast of leading ladies Syra Shahroz, Zhalay Sarhadi, Mansha Pasha, and new faces, Osama Tahir, Faris Khalid, and Kent S. Leung, the film is all set to release on April 21, 2017.
Talking exclusively to a blog, the cast of Chalay Thay Saath, and its producers Beeinish Umer, Umer Adil and Sheikh Sheraz Mubashir discuss their expectations from the upcoming flick which will hit the screens soon.
Syra Shehroz:
“I’m honestly super nervous as this is my debut film but I signed this film because it was so different from the rest of scripts I had read. I hope the audience feels the same way.”
Mansha Pasha:
“Very excited and nervous about the release of my debut film Chalay Thay Saath. Our team and cast were extremely hard working and diligent and I have my fingers crossed! Hopefully, the hard work everyone has done will pay off!”
Umer Adil:
“The aim is to showcase the positive and progressive image of the country on the big screen. Chalay Thay Saath is our humble effort in the path of creating an identity of the Pakistani cinema, which is independent and true to itself. It is a pure family entertainment film and the story has many layers; it is inspired by real events and shot in one of the most stunning landscapes in the world. With CTS we hope to contribute towards bringing the audience back into the cinema and we want to send see them step out of it happy.”
Zhalay Sarhadi:
“Chalay Thay Saath, as the name embodies, is a peek into relationships from all angles. I feel that people of all ages would resonate with it at some level. It is a simple story told about the intricacies of human emotions. I expect that it would garner an audience from almost every age and that is what we haven’t yet been successful in as an industry. I have full faith in these stories and that they would make a mark if not just spark a feeling of warmth.”
Beenish Umer:
“Chalay Thay Saath is a result of sheer hard work and determination by the entire team. It has been a constant battle for finding THE mix, (of entertainment with some substance and gravity). It is a new industry; we are very excited for being a part of this rebirth of Pakistani cinema. For me the reality of this project and it’s standing today, comes as if from divine intervention, a bigger reason for it to happen which is beyond my understanding. Only time can tell what the future holds and how CTS will be received by the audiences, but I do know that it is a glimpse of everything we stand for, it has not been a formula solution for us and we hope that the audience also get out of it the heart and soul that has gone into its making”
Faris Khalid:
“I’m hoping people enjoy and appreciate the work that has gone into telling this story, character development and departure from Bollywood influence to promote a new wave of Pakistan cinema.”
Sheikh Sheraz Mubashir:
“We are very excited to release this movie all over the world and with high hopes that people will not only enjoy this movie for its story but also appreciate the attempt at highlighting the Pak – China Relationship along with the exploring the immense natural beauty of our country which should be known around the world for the positives as well. A simple message to all the audience out there to come and watch this film and witness the immense beauty of Pakistan.”
Pakistani actress Saba Qamar, who will make her Bollywood debut with Irrfan Khan in Hindi Medium, in a jovial mode, made fun of Indian stars like Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan on a talk show.
Defending it, she says it was all in good fun. When IANS contacted Saba, she said over phone: “It was a fun show… There was nothing in it… ‘Koffee With Karan’ mein kya kuchh nahi hota (What all does not happen on ‘Koffee With Karan’)… I love everyone, and he’s (Salman) a big superstar and so humble. Why would I say anything bad about him?”
A video of Saba at a morning show while talking about Bollywood stars, is doing the rounds on social media platforms and is creating buzz.
With so many dramas on air nowadays on innumerable entertainment channels, sometimes it can be difficult for the viewers to decide which drama is worth watching and which one they should not even bother tuning into. There was a time not very long ago when it was difficult to make even one list of must-watch dramas of the season in a year because there weren’t enough dramas which were truly worth watching but things have changed for the better now since there are many writers and producers who have come up with quality scripts which have also been executed brilliantly on screen by skillful directors.
Here is a list of must-watch dramas of this season. The list is in alphabetical order.
Munkir
Written by: Zafar Mairaj
Directed by: Nadeem Siddique
Produced by: Everready Group of Companies
Channel: TvOne
Timing: Sunday 8PM
Cast: Nida Khan, Osman Khalid Butt, Ahmed Ali, Mahjabeen, Nayla Jaffery & others.
Munkir has just recently hit our TV screens and the very first episode seemed to be quite promising. Munkir is going to be a story of a girl who falls in love with a terrorist that too when she herself is at the verge of getting married to someone else. The first episode laid a foundation of how the girl’s life is about to get changed because she makes a choice to please herself just before she is getting married. The first episode of Munkir seemed straight forward with a lot of detailing about the characters and their priorities in life. The conversations in the very first episode seemed meaningful and interesting. The best part so far was the relationship that has been shown between a stepmother & a daughter. Even though this drama is going to revolve around a love triangle but the different plot definitely makes it a must watch.
Muqabil
Written by: Zafar Mairaj
Directed by: Ali Hassan
Produced by: Big Bang Entertainment
Channel: ARY
Timing: Tuesday 8pm
Cast: Mohsin Abbas Khan, Kubra Khan, Asif Raza Mir, Saba Hameed, Saife Hassan, Shaheen Khan & others.
It is always refreshing as well as entertaining to watch dramas which break free from the usual formulas and dare to be different. Not all dramas which attempt to be different succeed in doing so intelligently. Muqabil definitely manages to be not just different but also unpredictable and extremely enticing. Muqabil can easily be termed as a complete package which has some spell-binding performances, a strong, well-thought-out script and has been directed superbly. Muqabil will keep you at the edge of your seat. Mohsin Abbas Haider, Kubra Khan and Asif Raza Mir’s performances in particular are bound to sweep the viewers off of their feet and the plot will keep the audience hooked to their television screens.
Among all the dramas on air right now and those which have aired in the recent past which dealt with the issue of child abuse or rape Muqabil is the best one so far. If you haven’t watched Muqabil already, tune into it as soon as you can and you will definitely enjoy the ride.
Nazr-e-Bad
Written by: Imran Nazir
Directed by: Iqbal Hussain
Produced by: Moomal Entertainment
Channel: Hum TV
Timing: Wednesday & Thursday 9PM
Cast: Azfar Rehman, Sara Khan, Ali Abbas, Waseem Abbas, Sakina Samo, Fazila Qazi & others.
If you are in a mood for a rollercoaster ride of reality based story, then Nazr e Bad is the drama for you. Nazr e Bad’s story depicts how envy, hatred, jealousy and stubbornness can get the better of people and push them to the limit where they start playing with fire by resorting to black magic. The fact that makes Nazr e Bad a very interesting and gripping story is that the drama makers have stayed true to the message that they are trying to convey because everything has been presented realistically, after a lot of research.
This drama is showing the evil that is widespread in our society and it is a done deal that those who themselves have been affected or know of someone who is going through it can actually relate to what is being portrayed in the drama. Nazr e Bad surely is one of a kind drama because we haven’t seen any such drama in ages, which depicted black magic and its grave consequences in such an apt manner.
Pinjra
Written by: Imran Nazir
Directed by: Kashif Nisar
Produced by: Twenty Sixth Frame Entertainment
Channel: Aplus
Timing: Wednesday 8pm
Cast: Yumna Zaidi, Hassan Ahmed, Samina Ahmed, Hassan Niazi, Faiza Gillani, Kiran Haq, Azra Aftab, Daniyal Raheal, Farah Tufail, Sonia Nazir & others.
Pinjra is a must-watch for all those viewers out there who like a heavy dose of reality depicted on screen impeccably by a strong cast. It is also a different take on Vani which involves a lot of raw emotions. This isn’t the first time that Kashif Nisar has done complete justice to a complicated script by making it come alive on screen in a realistic manner. Imran Nazir’s powerful script enacted on screen brilliantly by a team which put in a lot of hard work into making this serial a drama which is bound to transport you to another world which is very different and dark from the one we live in.
Rasm-e-Duniya
Written by: Imran Nazir
Directed by: Roomi Insha
Produced by: Abdullah Seja
Channel: ARY
Timing: Thursday 8pm
Cast: Armeena Rana Khan, Bilal Abbas Khan, Sami Khan, Javed Sheikh, Samina Peerzada, Dia Mughal, Dania Anwar, Saba Bukhari, Nida Mumtaz & others.
Only one episode of Rasme-e-Duniya has gone air so far but even then it is in this list because this drama will remind you of dramas like Mera Naseeb and even Sadqay Tumhare because of the complicated relationships, secrets which are not yet revealed. Also, the chemistry between Armeena Rana Khan and Bilal Abbas Khan makes it a must-watch. Those viewers who enjoyed watching Armeena Rana Khan nail her role in Mohabbat Ab Nahi Hogi will love watching her play the role of a simple girl for whom life will very soon get complicated. Bilal Abbas Khan is one of the most powerful performers among all the newcomers and he once again is all set to make his presence felt in Rasm-e-Duniya. Do watch the first episode of Rasm-e-Duniya and you will have tons of reasons to tune into it next week too.
Titlee
Written by: Sameena Ejaz
Directed by: Ahmed Bhatti
Produced by: Gold Bridge Media
Channel: Urdu1
Timing: Friday 8pm
Cast: Hania Amir, Ali Abbas, Abid Ali, Saba Faisal, Seemi Pasha, Atif Rathore, Shahmeen Khan, Tauqeer Ahmed, Shazia Shah, Taqi Ahmed, Neha Laj & others.
Titlee marks the debut of Hania Amir on the small screen and she makes her presence felt in a role which definitely does not qualify as those run-of-the-mill characters which most actresses choose to begin their acting careers with. One of the main reasons why Titli is a must-watch is that for a change it isn’t just the story of a woman but the male protagonist’s story is just as important as that of a female. We have seen women getting married to men who don’t value them a little too often, Titli tells a different story of a man who is in that situation. Titli manages to achieve what many drama serials in the recent past failed to do; it shows that sometimes men can also be victims of marital abuse. (Xanax) The latest turn in the story clearly indicated that the viewers will get to see many interesting twists in the story. Also, for a change it is good to see a female protagonist who is not perfect but she is someone you will love to hate!
Yeh Raha Dil
Written by: Mustafa Afridi
Directed by: Siraj ul Haq
Produced by: MD Productions
Channel: Hum TV
Timing: Monday 8PM
Cast: Ahmed Ali, Yumna Zaidi, Anam Ahmed & others.
After impressing people with a phenomenal script like Sang e Marmar, writer Mustafa Afridi has another treat for the viewers and it is Yeh Raha Dil. There is no doubt about the fact that this drama got a lot of attention because Mustafa Afridi’s name was attached to it and also because the drama makers promised it to be a romantic comedy. Yeh Raha Dil happens to be a story of three people belonging to different walks of life and having completely different personalities. It is obvious that the viewers are going to get a love triangle but there’s nothing objectionable about it if it falls in the category of romantic comedy. Till date only one episode has gone on air and it surely gave it a promising start, especially the witty and humor filled dialogues made it a very entertaining drama. All those who are a fan of Yumna Zaidi’s acting and Mustafa Afridi’s writing, then this drama is surely for you.
Feel free to share your thoughts about the dramas which are in this list and do add to the list if you have any recommendations. Those of you who think some of the must-watch plays are missing from the list, please read another list we made a little while ago of must-watch dramas of the last season which are still on air by clicking on this link https://reviewit.pk/must-watch-dramas-of-this-season/
Mawra Hocane is a name synonymous with talent, glamour and liveliness. The diva made her Bollywood debut at a very young age and has charmed us yet again with her acting in Sammi.
Speaking to theImages Mawra said, “I believe in finishing what I start; not being able to do that makes me feel weak. As to why I chose to go back to studying [when she already has a blossoming acting career], I have never considered studies as a means to obtain a job. For me education is all about knowledge. While I polish my career, I want to polish my intelligence as well.”
Back in 2014 she had enrolled in an LLB programme but after being offered the lead role in Bollywood flick Sanam Teri Kasam, Mawra decided to take a break from her studies. Now, however, she has planned to finish her degree.
“Before taking up law, I studied medicine for six months and then tried my hand at fashion designing for another six months. I wanted to find something that excited me. Finally, it was law that captured my interest,” said the actor.
“The last year, my study schedule revolved around my work schedule. These past couple of months, leading up till May (her first Law exam) my work schedule will revolve around my study schedule,” she added.
When asked that wouldn’t it hinder the shoot of her drama Sammi?
She explained: “For instance I am shooting a spell of Sammi next week for which I have to miss classes, which I will eventually need to make up for by studying extra. Shoots for campaigns/TVCs are planned for weekends so I don’t have to miss too many classes.”
“It’s a complicated process to manage all of this but I feel I have the ability to do 48 hours of work in 24 hours,” she said. “I don’t want to waste my life by being lazy. Just today my class got cancelled and I was so upset! I want to make the most out of it.”
“I want young girls and boys to utilise themselves to their full potential,” she added. “Do not follow anyone else’s opinion of your capabilities; find for yourself what you’re passionate about and chase it!” she said.
Promos of upcoming drama Dil e Jaanam are out. Dil e Jaanam is an MD productions serial, directed by Faheem Burney and penned by veteran writer Seema Ghazal. The cast includes Zhalay Sarhadi, Zahid Ahmed and Hina Altaf in lead roles while Saba Faisal, Shaheen, Usman Peerzada and Shameem Hilali will be seen in supporting roles. Zhalay Sarhadi had revealed earlier that the drama will revolve around relationships, work priorities, love, loss and family drama. The promos are really refreshing and promising.
The newest heartthrob in town Bilal Ashraf is geared up for two major films this year, Yalghaar and Rangreza. He swayed the audiences with his performance in Janaan, is now all set to blows us away with his performance as a soldier in Yalghaar. Being the brand ambassador of Lahore Qalandars, Bilal is currently supporting his team in full swing.
In a recent interview with a blog, the Janaan star revealed more about his upcoming projects.
When asked how did he manage the time when he’s busy with two films and also attending PSL matches in Dubai?
Bilal replied,“Right now I’ve put a few things on the back burner, trying to finish PSL. I’ll go shoot my film Rangreza, then come back for PSL, then go back to finish the visual effects for Yalghaar which is going to be an Eid release while Rangreza is going to be released this year as well. So big, big year for me, two films this year.”
He will be playing two characters poles apart from each other in real life. “Both films are extremely different. I play a musician in one and an SSG soldier in the other.”
Bilal added that his work in Yalghaar was physically challenging. “It has lot’s of action in it, we fired live weapons and I did all my stunts myself. So physically it took a lot of toll on me. I had to get into a particular physique for the poster, which you’ll see soon. I dropped myself to 8% body fat for that.”
When asked about the mixed reviews he recieved for his character in Janaan, Bilal replied:
“Janaan was a very one dimensional character; it was very straight forward. But my other characters in Rangreza and Yalghaar have a lot going on.”
Speaking about his role in Janaan, Bilal added “Of course there’s room for improvement. I’m not going to say that anyone’s perfect, we are all always learning. It was my first proper acting job so a lot of room for improvement and I’m trying my level best. The good thing is that I got a lot of love and support from my fans and now because of them, I’m going to work even harder, Inshallah.”
Pakistan and India’s political relationship are not stable post the URI attack. The dispute between the neighbors has also effected art. Indian filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, said his upcoming Punjabi movie ‘Dushman’ is based on the relationship between neighbors India and Pakistan, is their way of working towards improving ties between the two countries.
Mahesh Bhatt has time and again spoken in favor of Pakistan and was often bashed by Indians too. According to him, he is now taking an initiative to work towards improving the ties between the neighboring countries. The veteran filmmaker unveiled the first look of his upcoming Punjabi film ‘Dushman’. The film, written by Shagufta Rafique – who has also made her directorial debut with it – features actors Jashan Singh, Kartar Cheema and Sakshi Gulati.
“Indo-Pak relationship is a topic which ignites pain in the hearts of people for both the countries. Everyone wishes to see India, Pakistan as friendly neighbors, but a deep wound is still fresh which is bleeding till date and we haven’t been able to soothe it. This movie is our attempt to improve sentiments between the two countries,” Bhatt said.
“The film will take the audience through a variety of emotions and a high voltage action,” added Bhatt, who often calls himself a facilitator of the cultural dialogue between India and Pakistan.
According to Shagufta Rafique, who has worked for 11 years as a screenwriter with Bhatt’s home banner Vishesh Films, Dushman is “about love, hate and brotherhood”.
The film is produced by Vinay Bhardwaj under the banner Yellowstone Production Pvt Ltd in association with PVR Pictures. The music has been composed by Jaidev Kumar and the album is an assorted collection of four songs with music maestros of both India and Pakistan on T-Series. The film is slated to release on 3rd March, 2017.
Nigar Film Awards, which had been the sole representative of Pakistan’s film awards for nearly seven decades are now set to make a comeback after 12 years.
The awards had been initiated in 1957 by Mr. Ilyas Rashidi, the founder of Nigar Weekly, have now been revived by his son, Aslam Ilyas Rashidi. The 47th Nigar Awards are to be held on March 16, 2017 in Karachi and the nominees are already announced.
Here’s the complete of nominations
Best Film
Actor in Law – The Film (Fizza Ali Mirza/Mehdi Ali)
Ho Mann Jahaan (Sheheryar Munawar, AsimRaza)
Maalik (Ashir Azeem/ Bushra Ashar Azeem)
Mah e Mir (Khurram Rana , Sahir Rasheed, Badar Ikram)
Janaan (Reham Khan, Hareem Farooq, Munir Hussain, Imran Raza Kazmi
Dobara Phir Se (Salman Iqbal, Jerjees Seja, Mehreen Jabbar)
Best Director
Nabeel Qureshi (Actor In Law)
Azfar Rizvi (Janaan)
Mehreen Jabbar (Dobara Phir Se)
Best Actor
Fahad Mustafa (Mah-e-Mir)
Fahad Mustafa (Actor In Law)
Mohib Mirza (Bachana)
Yasir Hussain (Lahore Say Agay)
Sajid Hassan (Rehm)
Best Actress
Mahira Khan (Ho Mann Jahaan)
Maira Khan (Revenge Of The Worthless)
Mehwish Hayat (Actor In Law)
Saba Qamar (Lahore Say Agay)
Armeena Rana Khan (Janaan)
Best Supporting Actor
Ehteshamudin (Malik)
Manzer Sehbai (Mah-e-Mir)
Alyy Khan (Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay)
Hameed Shaikh (Abdullah)
Ajab Gull (Salute)
Best Actor In a Negative Role
Hasan Niyazi (Maalik)
Sheraz Butt (Salute)
Sunil Shankar (Rahm)
Sanam Saeed (Mah-e-Mir)
Amir Qureshi (Blind Love)
Best Debut Director
Ashir Azeem (Malik)
Asim Raza (Ho Mann Jahan)
Anjum Shehzad (Mah-e-Mir)
Jamal Shah (Revenge Of The Worthless)
Hashim Nadeem (Abdullah)
Ahmed Jamal (Rehm)
Best Debut Actor
Sunil Shankar (Rahm)
Feroz Khan (Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay)
Yasir Shah (Blind Love)
Shehryar Munawar (Ho Mann Jahaan)
Adeel Hussain (Ho Mann Jahaan)
Best Debut Actress
Sajjal Ali (Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay)
Sanam Saeed (Bachana)
Nimra (Blind Love)
Rabia Butt (Hijrat)
Best Screenplay
Yasir Hussain (Lahore Say Agay)
Ashar Azeem (Maalik)
Muhammad Pervez Kalim (Blind Love)
Fizza Ali Mirza (Actor In Law)
Abdul Khaliq Khan (Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay)
Best Story
Sarmad Sehbai (Mah-e-Mir)
Ashar Azeem (Maalik)
Fizza Ali Mirza (Actor In Law)
Asim Raza (Ho Mann Jahaan)
Khaliq Khan (Zindagi Kitni Haseen hay)
Best Dialogue
Yashir Hussain (Lahore Say Agay)
Ashar Azeem (Maalik)
Fizza Ali Mirza (Actor In Law)
Sarmad Sehbai (Mah-e-Mir)
Mehmood Jamal (Rahm)
Best Music
Shani Arshad (Actor In Law)
Zaib Bangash,Fakhir,Ehtesham Malik (Ho Mann Jahaan)
Soch Band (Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay)
Haniya Aslam & Justin Gray (Dobara Phir Se)
Shiraz Uppal (Lahore Say Agay)
Best Lyricist
Oh Khudaya (Actor In Law)
Lar Gayan (Dobara Phir Se)
Baifikriyan (Lahore Say Agay)
Tootiya Taraa (Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay)
Nazaria (Maalik)
Best Singer Male
Atif Aslam – Dil Dancer Hogaya (Actor In Law)
Asrar – Shakarwandan (Ho Mann Jahaan)
Rahat fateh Ali Khan, Oh Khudaya (Actor In Law)
Soch Band – Tootiya Taraa – (Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay)
Best Female Singer
Aima Baig -Bai Fikriyan-(Lahore Say Agay)
Mai Dhai -Sarak Sarak (Ho Mann Jahaan)
Masooma Anwar – Naina Roye (Maalik)
Zaib Bangash – Dil Pagla (Ho Mann Jahaan)
Natasha Baig – Jhoom Lay (Janaan)
Best Choreographer
Nigah Hussain (Ho Mann Jahaan)
Wahab Shah, Hasan Rizvi (Lahore Say Agay)
James Koroni (Dobara Phir Sey)
Faizan Ehbab (Janaan)
Papur Samrath (Mah-e-Mir)
Best Cinematography
Ali Bukhari (Blind Love)
Adil Askari (Salute)
Rana Kamran (Actor In Law)
Salman Razzaq (Ho Mann Jahaan)
Asrad Khan (Lahore Say Agay)
