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Furqan Qureshi opens up about playing an intersex boy

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One thing the Pakistani drama industry is abundant in is its TV dramas and as much as we love the plethora of dramas hitting our screens every season, we can’t help but be more impressed with the ones which aim to break stereotypes. One such drama is Khuda Mera Bhi Hai which talks about raising intersex children and how they are treated in our society.

The drama and its reviews took the social media by a storm as for the first time, the taboo topic of this marginalized group was being talked about.

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Recently, Something Haute got into touch with Furqan Qureshi, the boy who plays the role of an intersex character. The star gave an insight into his role and how he feels about.

Furqan used to come in a show called Dreamers where he played a problematic young adult. And now, he plays the character of Noor, the intersex boy in Khuda Mera Bhi Hai.It would be an understatement to say that he has acted well because, in fact, he has acted brilliantly.

While talking to Something Haute about his transformation from the problematic youth in Dreamers to his role in Khuda Mera Bhi Hai, Furqan had to say:

“I was the cool boy, I thought looks didn’t matter if I could act…but in reality it’s the wrapper that sells in our industry, even if there is shit inside it.”

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Furqan apparently got involved in actind due to financial troubles:

“I had no money back then to look good, but the struggle and hunger made me realize how important looks are in my career.” He added that “acting is a cheap escape for people like me,” and “When actors say they do this to make people smile, it’s a lie.”

Furqan also expressed his initial thoughts regarding the consequences he would face for playing an intersex boy:

“I thought I would have to act like a stereotypical khusra; I refused to cross-dress or act like a woman.I was worried about the stereotyping that would come with this role, people questioning my orientation etc, but I had nothing to lose, I’m not Shahrukh Khan!”

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Furqan also highlighted that he feels that this might be his big break but his previous good performances have gone unnoticed because they were not associated with big banners like ARY.

While speaking about the message and cause behind a drama like Khuda Mera Bhi Hai, Furqan had to say:

“I was too cool to care about their (the trans community’s) problems.”

Upon researching on the topic later, he got to know and realize the seriousness of the identity crisis faced by these people in our society. He discussed the marginalization they face and are given no chances to improve their situation.

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“When it comes to gay people, they are still more accepted at least in our industry. Like no one would care if I was gay and I was the boss and had someone working for me. But these people aren’t even given the chance to work anywhere.”

When questioned about the preachy style of the drama, Furqan had to say that the show is message oriented instead of being preachy and that the content needs to be outright so that the masses understand it.

Furqan Qureshi surely sounds like an enlightened actor and we can’t help but become a fan!

5 Times Ali Kazmi and his son made us go aww

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Ali Kazmi, the son of veteran TV personalities Rahat and Sahira Kazmi has stunned us with his prominent roles in drama serial, Jackson Heights and in the movie Dobara Phir Se.

Apart from being an amazing actor, Kazmi has a very active social media life where he keeps his fans updated with his life and our favorite part about his active social media personality is his adorable pictures with his cute son. Hence, Review it brings you 5 of their most aww-worthy shots together:

We can’t help but fall in love with his son here as he calmly poses for the camera while being carried by his dad

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When the father son were spotted enjoying a sunny day and grinning for the camera.

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When they were goofing around with toys and clicking photos.

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When they both were seen having a blast in winter wonderland amidst all the snow and the beauty of it.

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And finally, when Kazmi posted a photo of them together napping and our heart exploded into a tiny million marshmallow puddles.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BP1jNVuBNON/?taken-by=thealikazmi

Mahira Khan’s ex husband remarries and here are the photos

Mahira Khan’s ex husband, Ali Askari who was also the owner of MTV Pakistan has reportedly gotten married again. The ex couple even share an adorable son together named Azlan.

Mahira and Ali divorced in 2012 and up till now, Mahira is still single and fabulous while it seems, Ali has found someone.

According to some sources, Ali has married Zara Dadabhoy and here are the photos:

Mahira Khan's ex husband remarries and here are the photos

Mahira Khan's ex husband remarries and here are the photos

Mahira Khan's ex husband remarries and here are the photos

Mahira Khan's ex husband remarries and here are the photos

Mahira Khan's ex husband remarries and here are the photos

Review It wishes the newly wed couple all the best in life!

Munkir Episode 03 Review – Fairly Decent!

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Ohkay so, nothing substantial happened in this episode of Munkir & it looked like the happenings from the previous episode were carried forward in this one. Having said that I won’t say that I was bored or was looking forward to some drama because this episode was interesting & done well. However, I will say that in a drama with a plot revolving around a love triangle, the chances are highly likely that it will slow down after a certain stage which I am definitely dreading, so we’ll have to wait & watch. So far things have been simple & straight forward so let’s see when things will become complicated & dramatic!

Just like Rania had to deal with Zain’s mother & younger sister in the previous episode, in this one she had to deal with the elder sister Sughra who wanted to meet Runa. Rania dodged the bullet & informed Runa that she needs to get back. Just when she was done with Sughra, Rania was faced with her husband Jamshed who decided to show up a couple of days before his scheduled plan because he wanted to surprise his daughter. Obviously, Rania had to fabricate one lie after another & she once again used the same excuse that just because Runa was observing Aitkaaf, she couldn’t mingle with anyone at the moment!

To be honest, even though I am enjoying the scenic views of Murree & the coverage that Runa’s character is getting, I am finding it a little unconvincing that Runa is waiting for Sister Kathryn in a hope that she will return from her home now or later? When Runa met the priest, he told her that he heard from Sister Kathryn that Runa will be coming to meet her, so like when did Runa speak to her because what priest said did suggest that Runa & Sister Kathryn were connected to each other over the phone, so not sure why a conversation between Runa & Kathryn hasn’t been shown till date? Also, if Sister Kathryn knew that Runa was coming to see her that too when she was just a few days away from her marriage, so why did she leave in the first place? Like what was so important for her that she had to tend to while keeping Runa waiting for her? Also, I guess in the beginning they did suggest that Runa was about to get married in just 2 – 3 days so not sure how her wedding has been pushed to give Runa a grace period where she has so much time to spend in Murree while aimlessly waiting for Sister Kathryn to return when she will sight the mood? Well, these were a few things that I found unconvincing & felt that they weren’t tackled properly but then obviously they are doing all of that to being in the twist that is going to change Runa’s life.

I swear, I can’t believe that the character of Anjum is shown to be so annoying, immature & unreasonable where she was seen brainfeeding Runa about Gulrez saying that he is her type & she is already in love with him? Like is this something a friend says to her best friend when she is at the verge of getting married? That too when the bride-to-be is completely alright with her fiancé & has never once complained? Anjum has formed an opinion about Zain & his family based on her own prejudices because other than that I don’t think Runa has ever told Anjum that she isn’t happy with this marriage as every single time Anjum says something of that sort, Runa is shown to be snubbing her as if she doesn’t take Anjum seriously. It would have been nice if they had shown Runa’s friend as someone who at least shared the same mental wavelength as hers & wasn’t just an immature brat because I am sure later when Runa & Zain will suffer as Runa will get interested in Gulrez, we all will be holding Anjum responsible for that!

The series of interactions that Runa & Gulrez had were quite believable, even though some were coincidental but they didn’t seem forced. Gulrez spotted Runa at the hotel where his friend worked & later he saved her & Anjum from the boys who were bothering them. Runa obviously being a good Samaritan that she is decided to help Gulrez & take him to the hospital. Somehow, Runa finds him lost & sees some sort of similarity between herself & him that is why at this stage she sympathizes with him a lot. I found it actually quite annoying that at one stage Anjum was labeling Gulrez as a thief & the next moment she was arranging a meeting of Runa & Gulrez but he obviously ran away as he was under the radar because his informer & his friend, both got caught.

Overall, this episode was pretty decent. At this stage they have built the curiosity pretty perfectly & that is why I am definitely looking forward to what life has in store for Runa. I really hope she gets to meet Sister Kathryn because that entire aspect is turning out to be a bit lame & uninteresting. All the actors have done a decent job so far & the direction & writing seems great too. Let’s see what they have to offer next week. Please share your thoughts about this episode of Munkir.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Shabnam Signs the Sequel Of ‘Aina’

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Urdu was not her first language, yet film star Shabnam became the poster girl for Lollywood in the 70s. She ruled the Pakistani cinema as she had it all from ethereal looks to grace and a powerful onscreen presence. There’s a good news for her fans because she is all set to appear in Pakistani film after decades.

The Ace film-maker Syed Noor is planning to make the sequel of ‘Aaina’ with Nadeem Baig and Shabnam in the cast. The director has approached Shabnam for a prominent role in the film and according to reports the actress has agreed to be a part of the film.

Shabnam attained stardom across Pakistan with the box office hit “Chanda” (1962). She was introduced to the Pakistani film industry by ‘Chocolate hero’ Waheed Murad, who gave her a lead role in his film “Samundar” in 1968.

Shabnam had earlier demanded a strong script for her comeback in Pakistani cinema and Syed Noor has assured her that the sequel’s story will be entirely different and interesting whereas it will also have memorable roles for both Nadeem and Shabnam.

With these evergreen stars entering the industry again, we wish that Pakistani film industry once again experiences the golden era.

Feroze Khan Is Up to Something & You Can’t Miss That

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Feroze Khan is the latest heartthrob of Pakistani industry, he already has a successful film to his name, and is more connected to the world of glamour and television than ever before. There are hardly a few people who get to do so much in a short span of time and this guy has it all figured out.

Well, we’re all in for a double dose of Feroze Khan this year as Woh Aik Pal will air soon and he’s already shooting for his upcoming play ‘Khaani’ directed by Anjum Shehzad. Pictures of him shooting for Khaani, are doing rounds on social media, and rumors are a buzz that he went to interior Sindh for the shoot and it’s going to be an intense story. He’s seen channeling some serous vibes in these pictures and what more? He’ll be seen as Pir Sahab along with Sanam Ansari and Mehmood Aslam in pivotal roles.

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Here’s Why Mikaal Zulfiqar Will Not Work In Bollywood After ‘Baby’

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The past few years have seen many Pakistani actors such as Fawad Khan, Ali Zafar and Humaima Mallick jump onto the Bollywood bandwagon and make their feature film debuts in the neighboring country. For those who don’t know, Mikaal has worked in many Bollywood films and the most prominent was ‘Baby’ which was banned in our home country for anti-Pakistan content. Since then, Mikaal did not signed any Bollywood film and he finally reveals why!

Here's Why Mikaal Zulfiqar Will Not Work In Bollywood After 'Baby'

Speaking to Instep, the newest heartthrob revealed, why he had decided to work more in local projects instead of Bollywood. Apparently, he finds it too risky to work in India.

“Quite honestly it hit me in 2008 when I started getting a lot of work opportunities in India, but the Mumbai attack took place after which I realized that it’s always a risk to be working there,” said Mikaal.“I also feel that I am a lot more satisfied and comfortable working in my own country,” he added.

Mikaal’s last Bollywood film Baby, had previously got him into trouble as he received backlash from critics for starring in an anti-Pak film.

“I wasn’t told the entire premise when I signed the project, especially the anti-Pakistan aspect, and I wasn’t involved in the promotions either”

He revealed a couple of more details too, and the most amazing part was, that this year he’ll be doing a whole lot 5 films. Na Band Na Baraati, The Trial, Ae Dil Meray Chal Ray, Qaid, Cake. Morever Mikaal is all geared up for Hum tv’s next big venture Alif Allah aur Insan.

How many of you are looking forward to Mikaal’s upcoming films?

Hareem Farooq Reveals Whom She’d Like to Be With While Stuck In An Elevator

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The extremely talented actress Hareem Farooq made her screen debut with a leading role in the 2013 horror thriller Siyaah, which earned her a nomination at The Lux Style Awards for Best Actress. In addition to films, she has also featured in several hit television serials too.

In a candid conversation with The Express Tribune, the fun loving girl shared some really cool stuff (looks like these celebrities never fail to amaze us no?)

Describe your dream vacation:
A vacation where I can switch off my phone and disappear.

From all the characters you have ever played, whom can you relate to the most?
None of them!

Name one person you’d like to work with that you haven’t already worked with:
Nauman Ijaz — he is a very good actor.

Early bird or night owl?
Night owl.

Janaan or Dobara Phir Se?
Right now, Dobara Phir Se.

List three things you need to have on set:
Good energy, good energy and good energy.

What is the last picture you took?
I just took a picture on my Snapchat 15 minutes ago. It’s a bad picture!

Who is your favourite designer?
I don’t have a preference; if I see something I like at itwar bazaar I’ll buy it. I am a thrift shopper.

My 2 besties??❤️ @imranrazakazmi @imranrazakazmi

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Tell us something you learnt about Sanam Saeed on set:
She zones out. Anything over 30 seconds, don’t even bother!

What is the next big thing on your bucket list?
Skydiving!

If you could be stuck in an elevator with anyone dead or alive, who would it be and what would you do?
Definitely my friends, Ali Rehman and Gohar Rasheed —they are both very entertaining.

What is the weirdest pet name anyone has given you?
I have a lot of weird pet names: my whole A-Level crew called me Lalum, as I was the only girl amongst 30 boys, my father calls me Limta and my mother calls me Heemu.

How many hours of sleep do you get every night on average?
When I am working, around three to four hours as I sleep at around 6:30am. When I am not working, I sleep for 20 hours.

#tb to dps days.. #dobaraphirse #toobasiddique #adeelhussain #Throwback #hareemfarooq

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If you could be any other nationality, what would it be?
None. I am a proud Pakistani.

What was the worst punishment you received as a child?
I have never really been punished, but when I was eight years old I ran away from home and so my dada slapped me.

What is the strangest thing a fan has ever done or said to you?
The weirdest thing I have received is a bloody letter — it actually had blood on it. I have had stalkers too.

What is your favourite scene from Dobara Phir Se?
It would have to be the wedding dances.

Who is your favourite style icon?
Audrey Hepburn, I love her style.

Isn’t she making us fall in love with her all over again!

Maan Jao Naa’s Leading Lady Anounced

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The makers of Maan Jo Naa had kept their leading lady’s identity a secret until they made an official statement at the cast meet up on Saturday. The female lead of the Rom-Com film is German-born Iranian beauty Naaz Norouzi. She is an international model and has has walked the ramp and been the face of several international brands. Maan Jao Naa will mark Naaz’s debut in acting opposite Adeel Chaudhry.

Maan Jao Naa's Leading Lady Anounced

Apart from Naaz and Adeel, the cast includes talented actors like Ayaz Samo, Hajra Yameen, Asif Raza Mir, Asma Abbas, and Nayyar Aijaz. Maan Jao Naa is directed by Aabis Raza and produced by Mohammad Khalid Malik under the banner of Crew Motion Pictures. The film is a story of today’s youth, their carefree attitude and their interpretation of love. It was mostly shot is Karachi while some parts of the movie were shot is Sukkur.

The makers also revealed that Ali Gul Pir, of Saeein Tu Saeein fame, will make a special appearance in the film.

Sammi Episode 5 Review – Interesting Developments

The most important issue which is being highlighted in Sammi right from the first episode is the exploitation of women at the hands of men with the help and support of women who are their accomplice! Everyone who has power over these women in some context or the other abuses their position to use either their sister, wife, daughter or even an ex-girlfriend for their own selfish interests. One thing which stood out more than any other in this episode was the way Sammi has been completely disowned by everyone. There was a time not very long ago when Sammi had a mother, a father, a brother and a lot of relatives and friends. Now she has absolutely no one who wants to own her. The way her parents have disowned her completely was the most upsetting part of this episode. The only person who is looking for Sammi is someone who wants to destroy her.

Rashid could not care less what Chandni does to Sammi, he did what he was asked to do and now Sammi’s fate is in Chandni’s hands. Chandni’s dialogues were misleading in the previous episode therefore watching her run a parlor was a good twist in the story which also promises that there is hope for Sammi. Although Sammi’s new boss (maalik?) is a bitter person but she has taken up the responsibility of training Saami. Chandni threatened Rashid that she might do something terrible with Sammi but it seems highly unlikely that she would do something like that. Chandni’s character is the kind of character which grabs your attention instantly and it is even more interesting watching Sania Saeed nail this role. Sania Saeed is an exceptional actress who always highlights all the different shades of the characters she plays through her expressions and body language. Chandni is tough from the outside only and I am waiting to find out more about her past. Sania Saeed’s overall look goes perfectly with the character she is playing and the focus on how “kamina” she thinks Rashid is yet she cannot let him go completely was interesting.

Sammi Episode 5 Review - Interesting Developments

Mawra Hocane played the scared and vulnerable girl who had no idea what fate had in store for her but was trying her best to survive perfectly in this episode. She looked innocent and scared in all the scenes which made me relate to her character more than ever in this episode. Also, it was good watching her wear clothes and sporting a hairstyle which went well with her character. I have a feeling that Chandni and Sammi’s relationship is going to be the highlight of this drama very soon.

The writer has etched-out Chaudhry Nawaz’s character brilliantly. His mentality is translated through his words, he has no problem calling someone who has been loyal to him for years his “paltu kutta”. He actually thinks that Rashid should take this as a compliment! He is so ignorant but he is incharge because he has the power and the financial resources. Rehan Sheikh and Adnan Siddiqui both are excellent performers, who makes their scenes even more impactful. I am waiting to find out how Rashid gets out of this situation.

The viewers also found out more about Nadia Afghan’s character in this episode. She is someone who spreads awareness and is considered an expert when she is at the clinic but when she is home she is also a vulnerable woman who is being exploited by her brother.

Overall, this was an interesting episode of Sammi. I like where the story is headed and there are plenty of tracks in the drama to keep the interest of the viewers alive as long as all these tracks are handled well. I must say though that this isn’t just Sammi’s story but it is the story of many women who are fighting different battles.

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

People Are Bashing Sarwat Gilani & You Won’t Believe Why

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One of the most talented actors of Pakistani television Sarwat Gilani tied the knot with surgeon cum actor Fahad Mirza in 2014. Sarwat is now expecting her second baby and the couple recently did a photo-shoot for a lifestyle magazine, Good Times. In the photo, Sarwat is proudly flaunting her baby bump but unfortunately, the gorgeous actress is facing criticism from some people on social media.

People Are Bashing Sarwat Gilani & You Won't Believe Why

There were all kind of reactions and these are just a few to say.

People Are Bashing Sarwat Gilani & You Won't Believe Why

People Are Bashing Sarwat Gilani & You Won't Believe Why

People Are Bashing Sarwat Gilani & You Won't Believe Why

People Are Bashing Sarwat Gilani & You Won't Believe Why

People Are Bashing Sarwat Gilani & You Won't Believe Why

However, some people had good stuff to say.

People Are Bashing Sarwat Gilani & You Won't Believe Why

People Are Bashing Sarwat Gilani & You Won't Believe Why

People Are Bashing Sarwat Gilani & You Won't Believe Why

Updated to add: To all those criticizing me, i respect everyone’s opinion and yes, being a reader you have a right to criticize my work but you can’t pass judgments on ‘ME’ because i don’t give anyone any right to judge me. What Sarwat did is not acceptable in our society, i don’t support her nor i’m trying to justify her act but i don’t support the bashing either. Those talking about Muslim code of conduct, let me make it clear, this is an entertainment website and i’m sorry but you can’t always expect to see Islamic things here. And all those talking about ‘sharam’, i’m amused to see, how do you even justify yourself as a better person by targeting me and that too personally?

However, i appreciate those who are here to share their thoughts. Thank you.
Regards,
Rimsha Butt

Will Mahesh Bhatt Succeed In Finishing The Cultural Gap b/w Pakistan & India?

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The political tension post the URI attack has widened the cultural and artistic gap between Pakistan and India. Mahesh Bhatt who has been supporting Pakistan, despite of the rising tensions, approached few Pakistani singers for a song which is to be featured in a cross-border peace play!

It was earlier reported that Mahesh Bhatt has offered a song to Ali Zafar for his upcoming play. However, latest reports suggest that he’s not just taking Ali on board but Shafqat Amanat Ali too and is thinking to approach Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan as well.

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According to a report from DNA, Mahesh Bhatt is all set to bring back Pakistani artistes to India. Last week Bhatt made a call to singer-actor Ali Zafar in Karachi offering him a song on the theme of cross-border peace. Ali responded favourably. So did Shafqat Amanat Ali who has agreed to contribute a song to Mahesh Bhatt’s endeavour free of cost.

Delhi-based actor Imran Zahid who will be working with Mahesh Bhatt on this project says, “Every Pakistani artiste Bhatt saab has approached has responded enthusiastically. Shafqat Amanat Ali’s manager said he doesn’t want any money for this song. We are also working on getting Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam on board.”

But what about the unofficial ban on Pakistani artistes in India? Says Imran, “We are going to use the voices of the Pakistani artistes, for a play called Milne Do which will be staged in Delhi on June 8 and Mumbai on June 23. Furthermore the Indian government has clarified that it has not banned Pakistani artistes. When the Government has taken a clear stand on the issue, what chance do the protesters stand?”

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“Bhatt saab is not new to protests,” he continued. “Dialogue with Pakistan must re-start on a cultural level. The Delhi government is supporting our endeavour here in Delhi and in West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has extended support to our mission.”

However, BJP spokesperson Shaina NC is clear on the issue. “Relations with Pakistan have deteriorated to such an extent that there is a move now to declare Pakistan a terror state on an international level. Given the current crisis I don’t think we can have Pakistani artistes coming here.”

Khuda Mera Bhi Hai Episode 19 Review – Positive Messages

This drama still makes me look forward to more mainly because of my interest in Noor’s journey and it is always refreshing watching people help lift each other up but there is no denying the fact that like every other episode of Khuda Mera Bhi Hai this one too had some glaring flaws. There are times when the editing is so choppy that there is absolutely no continuity in scenes, this has been happening for a few weeks now. In tonight’s episode Bubblu Mian’s scene in the beginning came out of nowhere. The idea behind the scene was easy to understand but the timing was quite odd. This scene should have come after some major confrontation or something which Zain had done specifically before this scene. Zain’s scene in which he meets Mikael by chance was also confusing and Zain’s dialogues seemed out of place. Also, Kashmala and Arshi’s issues with each other are getting more and more monotonous with every passing week. Kashmala’s visit to Mahi’s office too had been there seen that written all over it. All these people have not moved forward an inch in their lives in all these years and I am certain that I am not the only one who wants to see them move in some other direction.

This episode like all the other episodes of Khuda Mera Bhi Hai had highs and lows therefore if I sit down to asses this episode with a critical eye there were many shortcomings which were difficult to overlook but as a viewer I can say safely say that there are also several aspects of this drama which are refreshing. Watching Noor talk to Mikael about his feelings for his mother and indirectly giving them his blessings was one of those scenes in this episode which was extremely positive. Also, watching Mahi and her mother’s efforts paying off in more ways than one is a reason why I like this drama. All these people are heroes but they are not perfect, they are flawed and that is what makes their characters beautiful. They have struggled hard for a long time to get what they wanted. There were times when Noor struggled, he felt something for his friend which he knew he shouldn’t be feeling because he knows he cannot be with a girl and at the same time he could not muster up the courage to tell her the truth. Personally, I love this aspect of Noor’s personality. When he is planning his future vis-à-vis what he wants to do in life, he is very sure and is a go-getter but he is sensitive and vulnerable around people he loves. Mahi is also one such character who has achieved so much in life but it took her a lot of time to finally leave Zain. The imperfections of these characters make it easier for the viewers to relate to their characters.

Khuda Mera Bhi Hai Episode 19 Review - Positive Messages

While watching Kashmala’s scenes I was wondering if she is supposed to be a punishment for Zain and Arshi! If that is the case then I must say that it is not good enough! Even now Zain never sits down and thinks about what he has done. Arshi has never reflected on her actions. When Palwasha and Zain’s track was being shown in this episode, I had to constantly remind myself that many years had passed since they had been married because this track is so stagnant! Right now, Khuda Mera Bhi Hai needs to pick up pace because all the different aspects of the tracks have been covered in detail for now and it is time to move on.

The story has loopholes but overall it is interesting enough but the direction and editing could have been much better if the director and the editors paid more attention to detail. The preview of the next episode showed Noor and Sanam convincing Mahi to get married to Mikael, watching her live a happy life with someone who truly deserves to be with her would be the best and it will also give another positive message.

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

This Photoshoot Of Ahsan Khan Is Not To Be Missed!

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Ahsan Khan is one of those actors who not only manages to amaze us with his performance but manages to cast his magic too. He did a photoshoot for a lawn brand earlier this month for charity purpose and has taken a good step towards the society as some profit will go to the charity. Ahsan Khan along with Rabia Butt are changing the fashion game with their new looks. It’s always great to see Ahsan Khan fitting into every job assigned and Rabia Butt looks a vision.

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Khuda Aur Mohabbat Episode 18 Review – A Very Good Episode!

Ohkay so, I am glad that this episode restored the faith that I had in the story of Khuda Aur Mohabbat. I enjoyed watching Hammad’s journey, like everything related to Hammad was quite interesting & was portrayed perfectly as well. I liked the pace of this episode too because now that I have sat down to share my views on this episode, I feel a lot has happened & they gave us a lot to speak about. I will say that everything that the writer showed especially in this episode was quite realistic & believable because Muslims that are living in such countries will be able to relate to these events on a personal basis.

So, the episode began with Hammad getting to know about the current political situation where Muslims were being verbally attacked only to ignite more hate crimes against them. Hammad & Kamran’s reactions were believable because any Muslim living in such a country where the leaders openly speak against Muslims & Islam would make them feel vulnerable & threatened. Just because Hammad has had a religious awakening, his thought process was completely different & far more wise in comparison to Kamran & Rebecca’s because he understood that in such a dire situation, the only way to make yourself feel accepted was to portray a very different perspective of Islam than what the media portrays. Hammad understood that in this current situation all he had to do was portray a true picture of what Muslims are like & what Islam teaches its followers to do, which is something almost all the regular & practicing Muslims feel when they have to face such a scenario.

I actually enjoyed watching how Hammad despite being disheartened & threatened came up with a plan of forgiving & letting everything go because he knew that this path might be difficult but it will surely reap rewards & this is exactly what happened by the end of the episode. Zeeshan as usual attacked Hammad because he is a bully on the loose & luckily Sara spotted them & saw what exactly happened. Isaac definitely has a personal vendetta against Hammad because like Sara while speaking to her mother discussed, Isaac can not stand Pakistani Muslims as according to them all of them are extremists. Isaac has seen how Hammad has gotten himself involved in the Muslim community & the activities related to it, that is why he has formed a very strong opinion against him, having said that I do understand that they had no other way to show how Isaac was getting to know about Hammad’s activities & interests but I found it actually quite amusing that Isaac walked on Hammad just when he was seeing his Muazzin friend off, like that walk-in-the-park-near-Masjid seemed a little forced but chalo, it’s alright!

Just because Isaac is biased, he decided to punish Hammad equally for what Zeeshan did but it was quite interesting how Hammad decided to bring Sara into the picture as may be he had this faith in her that she won’t lie or also because he wanted to test them & see where they stand. Isaac was obviously taken aback by the fact that Sara decided to support Hammad & not her cousin Zeeshan but this is exactly what I wanted to see in Sara’s character & I loved it. Isaac obviously had no reason to punish Hammad but he most certainly didn’t expect that Hammad would not only forgive Zeeshan but would also request to cancel out his punishment as well, like it was good to see Isaac getting a very subtle reality check which forced him to admit that Hammad was a ‘nice boy’.

I liked that they didn’t only focus on Hammad being the only Muslim facing the racism & problems, rather they highlighted how Kamran, an owner of a small business was also feeling the brunt of the political situation that was putting Muslims in the spotlight. Even though I understand Rebecca’s concerns as Hammad’s friend but I found it a little uncalled for that every single time Hammad did something, she had to whine non-stop about it & had to question his decisions. I am glad that at least Hammad has 1 sane & wise person by his side who shares the same mental wavelength as Hammad’s & can understand Hammad’s perspective & that is his Muazzin friend, I really enjoy their conversations. It was actually quite beautiful that his friend told him to cover for him & give a call for Fajr prayer in his absence, like at that moment Hammad realized how Allah elevated his status & he was reminded of all the things his traveler friend said where he told Hammad that such rewards are given to very special people. It was like at that moment Hammad felt that all his prayers were accepted & that he was someone very special, may be that is why Hammad found this inner strength in himself which told him that he could fight his enemies with a lot of patience & could change their perspective about him & Muslims in general.

So, Hammad & Sara became friends, firstly because Hammad had to thank her for supporting the truth & testifying in his favor & secondly when Sara had to thank him for forgiving Zeeshan. It was good that at least the first step that Hammad took hit the perfect spot where he succeeded in changing Sara’s perspective about him a little. Hammad handed her over some books about Islam because he knew that she is also a victim of misunderstandings about the religion, so he thought these books will definitely help. I am sure this is something that won’t sit well with Isaac because he already is feeling a little threatened by Hammad’s steadfastness in the path of his religion!

Overall, I had a great time watching this episode because the focus was on Hammad & then on Sara. I must say in a few scenes that Hammad & Sara shared, Imran Abbas & Kubra Khan’s chemistry was amazingggg, like they looked so good together. I just can’t wait to see their love story now like I am already excited. A little mistake that I picked was Hammad telling his friend that the dean of the university being a ‘Muslim’ himself was against Muslims, like at that moment I thought Hammad was misunderstood & may be later he would find out that Isaac is not a Muslim but later in the episode when Hammad gave Sara those books knowing that she is Isaac’s daughter sealed the deal that Hammad was completely aware of the fact that Sara & Isaac weren’t Muslims, so this was basically a mistake that the director overlooked which he shouldn’t have, like at this stage of the drama they can’t afford such mistakes because they are serving a bigger purpose through the story so a little attention is most certainly required. Kubra Khan once again gave me a reason to become a fan of her acting. Imran Abbas was amazing as usual. I know it would sound mean but I actually felt this pleasure seeing Rebecca all forlorn when she spotted Hammad & Sara together, like while she was feeling jealous & hurt, I was smirking that she is once again going to get ditched. I am sure if another actor had played the role of Rebecca, I would’ve felt some sympathy for her but not for this actress. Also, can someone please pick Zeeshan from his ponytail & chuck him out of the drama because just like I am getting tired of Rebecca’s rants, I am getting sick of Zeeshan’s ghundapan too & can I add how he overtakes Rebecca in being annoying, hands down! Anyways, please share your thoughts about this amazing episode of Khuda Aur Mohabbat.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

Rafay Rashdi’s ‘Shahvaar’

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Rafay Rashdi, the director who seems to be giving a new diretion to Pakistani cinema is all set to bring a series of short films. He released the first poster of his short film ‘Shahvaar’ which makes us spell bound with the depth.

HIP got in touch with Rafay Rashidi to know who Shahvaar is and what she’s all about…

“Shahvaar is a short film highlighting social taboos. It’s a women centric film. A film about women empowerment. It’s about our own women, bound and shackled by the society unable to perform to their true potential. Shahvaar highlights the potential of women. It shows us real life scenarios of how women, when liberated, can perform twice as much as men and earn a respectable position for themselves despite the gender bias they confront on each step they take,” Rafay revealed.

He further added, “Our central subject, Shahvaar, is an accomplished, well established and well-settled woman. She has achieved each and everything on her own but there has been sacrifices she have had to make and prices she had to pay. Shahvaar highlights how this woman has emerged from the depths of her helplessness and her plight to become what she is today.”

Rafay Rashidi also told HIP that he had come across women in his life, who has when given the chance, performed to their true potential and stunned everyone around. He quotes Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, and his mother Mahtab Akbar Rashidi, to be his true inspirations of how powerful women can be and how much they can achieve, defying all odds, if they set their mind to it.

The face of Shahvaar, will be unveiled in the last week of February 2017, while the film will go into post production mid-March. “I have passed on the direction mantle to Umair Najeeb Khan for Shahvaar- a person truly deserving to be leading a powerful film of this sorts,” Rafay said on a parting note.

Face Music Mela 2017 postponed

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In the aftermath of a series of horrifying terror attacks that have gripped the country, with the latest devastation happenings in the country, the mood in the entertainment industry, much like the rest of the country, is both grave and sad

After PFDC, now the Face Music Mela 2017 which was scheduled to take place next month, on March 3 and 4 in Islamabad has been postponed. The decision has been made as a way to showcase solidarity in these harsh days.

The artist which were suppose to perform were Ali Ashraf and the Crazy Vibes, Bulbulik (Gojal, Hunza), The Canvas, Iqbal Baloch Banjo, Rap Engineers, Natasha Baig, Kyub Yul Sa (France), Sibti & the Retrosexuals, Sain Tanveer Bros (Dhol), Call the band, Zoha Zuberi, Surge, Sikander Ka Mandir, Uzair Jaswal, Sattar Jogi, Azal, Sara Haider and Qawalistan. A new date for the event is still awaited.

Komal Rizvi’s ‘Yeh Kya Huwa’ Is Out!

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Cornetto Pop Rock Season 1 was a massive success with its jazzed up music drama. This time again, Cornetto Pop Rock Season 2 will come up with six different songs alongside cinematic masterpieces in the form of music videos. This year the singers include Qubee, Qurram Hussain, Komal Rizvi, Ayma Baig, Momina Mustehsan, Meesha Shafi. There will also be a dance number by Hasan Rizvi, BodyBeats, and Ayesha Umer on a song by Qurram Hussain, while the host will be Anushay Ashraf.

The song that is opening the new season is called ‘Yeh Kya Huwa’ and it is by Komal Rizvi. It released already and is creating buzz, the song is produced by Saad Sultan and is accompanied by a music video that has been directed by Wajahat Rauf and choreographed by Wahab Shah, featuring Komal herself.

Speaking about her new song, Komal said in a press statement earlier this month: “I’m so excited for this season! The success of ‘Desan Da Raja’ inspired me to make this song. I have written this song aiming it to be simple and fun that puts on a smile on faces and then throw in a classic nostalgic tune in a contemporary fashion. It was so much fun working on this song and I hope people enjoy it as much as I loved the process.”

Nike’s Latest Ad Featuring Muslim Women Is An Empowering Tool!

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For the last 40 years Nike have been empowering women to achieve their dreams. Nike’s follows recent marketing trends meant to appeal to a larger female audience, and spreading positive body messages. They’ve had some of the most successful marketing campaigns ever, teaming up with inspiring Muslim athletes to help motivate woman all over the world.

Nike’s Middle East advertisement shows women in Hijab running and skateboarding, despite the looks they get from the people around them. We see strong women boxing, skating, playing football, free running, fencing and dancing.

“What will they say about you? Maybe they’ll say you showed them what’s possible.” Nike is taking the initiative of empowering Arab and Muslim women to do the things they love.

This commercial is part of a campaign featuring Middle Eastern athletes as the powerful, strong women they are. What makes this ad special is that it touches on the insecurities of women in a society, empowers rather than just commercializing a product. Have a look at the advertisement below and share your thoughts.

Is Technology Being Used Authentically?

From the way people consume news to how they keep in touch with friends or meet new people, it’s safe to say, technology use has drastically altered behavioural patterns. Rising technology and mediums of the same have various pros and cons. There is no denying that we live in the age of technology. It is an essential part of everyday life and is improving with every passing day. Along with the developing technology, the way we think and operate is also coming along as a consequence to the technological advances.

Despite of being in a busy day and age, audiences still need regular access to news to know various events taking place, both locally and around the world, that have an impact on their lives. And television is believed to be one of the most authentic mediums for news. However, TV channels covering news are now eager to score big in the world of technology and this trend might never end because people now believe more in television and social media platforms. At one hand its a source of information but on the other hand can cause trouble too. In order to be the first one to cover a news, TV channels often forget their responsibility which is to break a news only after it’s confirmation.

A blast in Lahore Defence, on Thursday shook the whole nation. Where police officials confirmed it as a blast, the authorities still claimed it to be some sort of other error in the building. After the sudden and saddening blast which took over 8 lives, different TV channels starting reporting another blast in Gulberg, Lahore. As soon as the news of second blast broke out, the social media of Pakistan went into a complete frenzy and people all over the country were extremely shocked. Almost all media news outlets started to add fuel to the rumor and published news of a bomb blast in Gulberg right after the news of a bomb blast in Defence as a breaking news. According to TV channels reports, the blast took place outside a restaurant of an international food chain in Gulberg. On its account, police forces and rescue teams immediately reached the place only to find out that nothing had actually happened. The news turned out to be a mere hoax.

Just to be the first one to announce the news, every channel started spreading news without any sort of confirmation which resulted in causing panic all over Pakistan. Major news outlets and journalists reported the news of the second blast, not just through television but social media too and went on to share their personal thoughts on the same, yet again without any sort of confirmation.

It’s a common trend in print and electronic media where every outlet starts copying the other instead of confirming whether the reported incident even occurred. This wasn’t acceptable for audiences and PEMRA. The media watchdog decided to take an action against all media outlets for spreading a false news and causing unnecessary anxiety among people. A total of 30-31 news channels have been issued notices and asked to explained their intentions behind this news. PEMRA has given 1 week time to channels to present their explanation for airing false news without any confirmation.

February has sadly become a month of mourning for the whole nation as terror attacks across the country including Lahore and Sehwan blast have left people devastated. Pakistan has seen a terribly tragic month with one bomb blast following the other in all the major cities which has left the whole nation heart broken. The news channels really need to make sure to spread only authentic and correct news. They need to take things seriously and confirm the news before causing more panic to an already disturbed nation. Let’s hope the media outlets make sure to avoid false news’ in the future.

Rimsha Butt

Ali Zafar To Sing For Mahesh Bhatt’s Play Based On Indo-Pak Love Story

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Mahesh Bhatt has always tried to maintain the peace and has been an ambassador of peace and a supporter of art exchange beyond borders. He is now about to take the initiative to resume Indo-Pak cultural dialogue with a stage adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet which will convert the original play into an Indo-Pak love story.

According to Bollywood Hungama, the play entitled Milne Do will feature artistes and musicians from both sides of the border. India’s theatre actor Imran Zahid who will play Bhatt’s Romeo says, “Bhatt Saab has already approached Ali Zafar to write a theme song for the play. We are now in the process of approaching some more Pakistanis singers and composers.”

The play will feature artistes from India and Pakistan. “It will address itself to the theme of us, instead of them,” said Mahesh Bhatt.

Let’s see which Pakistani artists will be approached for the project.

Moor Fame Shaz Khan Will Play A Pivotal Role In ‘Parwaz Hai Junoon’

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American-Pakistani actor Shaz Khan is all set to play a pivotal role in upcoming film ‘Parwaaz Hai Junoon’. He first appeared as a Pashtun in critically acclaimed Moor in 2015, followed by Mehreen Jabbar’s Dobara Phir Se as Hareem Farooq’s estranged husband.

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“I’m playing one of the 16 pilots in Parwaaz Hai Junoon, it’s one of the main roles in that track,” Shaz Khan, who hails from an Air Force background told Instep. “My grandfather was an air commodore and my uncle also holds one of the senior positions in the Air Force, so this was a project I couldn’t say no to. It’s a grand story and a pretty big production.”

He also informed that he was cast in the film months back but no official announcement had been made on that due to some issues. He will begin shooting his part in the coming days.

Starring Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ahad Raza Mir and Hania Amir in lead roles, Parwaaz Hai Junoon is directed by Haseeb Hassan and is based on Pakistan’s Air Force. The film will go on floors soon.

Pakistan Fashion Week 2017 Final Day

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Day two of the Fashion Week Pakistan (FPW) had it all, the glitz and glamour of the fashion industry. The line-up for Day Two of FPW 2017 included collections by acclaimed designers such as Nida Azwer, Amir Adnan, Deepak Perwani, and a special showcase by Munib Nawaz, Zuria Dor, The Pink Tree Company, Jeem, Sonya Batla and Gulabo.

There was a special segment featuring the top designers of Pakistan, including Bunto Kazmi, Shamaeel Ansari, HSY, Umar Sayeed, Sana Safinaz, Nomi Ansari, Amir Adnan, Nilofer Shahid and Maheen Khan.

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The star @anousheyashraf on the red carpet looking gorgeous in @inaayaonline at #day2 #fpw17 #fpw #fashion #week

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#MehreenSyed and #SunitaMarshall for #NidaAzwer's gorgeous white collection at #FPW17 Day 2! ???

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PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week Postponed Due To Lahore Blast

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Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) has decided to postpone the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week

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The show was originally scheduled for March 3-5. The decision came after the Lahore Blast which took numerous lives and injured many.

According to Image, the council’s publicist, designers, the council and Lahore on the whole feel very disturbed following yesterday’s blasts. It was considered prudent that an event as high-profile as PSFW, hosting media and fashion fraternity from across the country, should be delayed. The event is expected to be held soon.

Veteran Actor Farooq Zameer Passes Away!

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Veteran Pakistani actor, Farooq Zameer, passed away on Thursday, at the age of 76.

The legendary actor started his career in the 60s and rose to fame with his plays like Guriya, Shamail and ‘Suragh-i-Zindagi’. He has also been working for private drama channels. One of the most successful dramas of his career was ‘Mukammal and Mahira’.

He passed away after a protracted illness at the Combined Military Hospital, Lahore. According to Dawn, funeral prayers for the late actor will be offered on Saturday on the return of one of his sons from the US. He left behind a widow, three sons and a daughter.

Pakistani artists and scholars expressed over the demises of one of the finest actors of Pakistan.

Nazr e Bad Episode 9 & 10 Review – Absolutely Incredible!

Ohkay so, these two episodes of Nazr e Bad were again quite interesting but came with quite a few scary scenes too. I love how this drama has turned out to be such a complete package where it has a message, it shows all sorts of human emotions like jealousy, hatred, envy, sorrow & grief, it also has some family politics & most importantly it is dealing with the subject of black magic in a very appropriate & believable manner because nothing has been overdone & nothing has been over-dramatized to chip in the ratings. In fact, I feel they have kept things quite -subtle because I feel if they had taken it a notch higher, the faint-hearted me who watches this drama at night wouldn’t have been left with the courage to watch it anymore, so thumbs up for Team Nazr e Bad for making such an interesting drama & showing everything in such a convincing manner that it has become one such drama that I look forward to every single week & honestly, I find 2 episodes a bit too less!

So, Parvez continued to target Maham & Aftab’s new formed relationship & unfortunately, everything that Parvez was trying to achieve started happening because Aftab has become paranoid who can’t get the idea of Parvez & Maham being involved with each other out of his head. Even though Maham on her own is suffering too & she can’t find a solution to her problem because she also doesn’t want her mother or her family to stay concerned about her all the time, but looks like her fear has subsided & she has stopped feeling the discomfort that she used to feel when Parvez started off with his black magic. This time around it looked like Parvez directed all his black energies at Aftab because he knows that Maham might not leave him but Aftab can do that if he will continue to burden him & his soul.

I found it actually quite believable that Parvez made sure that Aftab faces some mishaps in his professional life too because that is something which actually becomes a bone of contention between a husband & wife as usually husbands get so entangled in their professional life issues that they don’t really pay much attention to their wives. This is exactly what happened that when Aftab learned about the robbery at his office, he called Maham & just because she received his call after a little while, he made an issue about it too. It seems that Aftab is now finding a reason to get agitated with Maham because he is not himself anymore & he has no control over his emotions.

This is exactly something that I had in my mind all this while too when I saw Shahista siding with Parvez & was trying to malign Maham’s reputation, like I would always think that why was she against Maham whereas she was just as much of an aunt to Maham as much she was to Parvez but the entire thing got revealed & it seemed quite convincing too. At first Shahista really took pride in the fact that just because she called Parvez to Maham’s home & reminded everyone about the friendship that Maham & Parvez shared, Aftab sent Maham back, but it was good that Nursat not only heard what she was saying but confronted Shahista as well. I felt really bad for Nusrat when I found her pleading in front of Shahista to not create further misunderstandings between Maham & her husband. Just because Nusrat disapproved of the guy Shahista was interested in before her marriage, Shahista was now making Maham face the brunt for it which actually was so mean & bizarre but most certainly believable because you never know what & how many grudges people can harbor in their hearts against you. I found Shahista quite shallow that just because she couldn’t get married to the one she loved, she was now after Maham because back in the day, Maham’s mother stood against Shahista’s wishes & didn’t allow her to get married to him.

So, finally Almas found out what her son was upto & even though she felt a little uncomfortable, she couldn’t say anything because she herself believes in such things & resorts to black magic thinking it will solve all of her problems. Almas’s gave Parvez a nod of approval just after confirming that whatever Parvez was doing would guarantee him Maham. What Parvez is doing at this stage is only because of Almas as she got him introduced to this dark world & she made him so immune to all of this that he doesn’t find anything odd. Almas made sure that Parvez nourishes Maham’s love in his heart & now when Maham didn’t reciprocate those feelings, he resorted to such extreme measures. They showed that Parvez was not only practicing black magic because he wanted Maham in his life, but he now turned it into a money-making business because being the only son, he had to take the role of a bread winner too. Almas & Parvez might think that things are shaping up for them but little do they know what this black magic would do to their lives!

Even though it came as a surprise but it was good to see Shahista realizing her mistakes & telling Parvez to forget Maham. Looks like Shahista has understood that everything that she was doing, especially to someone’s daughter could come & bite her in the future too because she has a daughter as well but Parvez gave her a reply which she wasn’t expecting. It seems that Shahista has also learned that Parvez is into black magic but I am waiting to see if she will inform Nusrat about it or not, I really wish she does because Nusrat wants a validation to the feeling she has always had about Almas & her family. I think this would be a huge favor that Shahista would do to Nusrat’s family & she should in order to redeem herself.

I will say I loved the note at which the 2nd episode ended, like they showed that Parvez was trying to cast magic on Maham but because she was offering prayers, Parvez couldn’t do anything & was shocked as to why his magic wasn’t working. It subtly highlighted the importance of prayers & being in touch with your spiritual & religious side because every time someone complains about these things, those who do the spiritual healing tell the affected people to hold strongly onto the Holy Qur’an & Prayers. In the initial episodes, they also showed that when Maham started feeling uncomfortable because of Almas’s amulets & practices, every time Nusrat would recite Holy Qur’an while being on her side, Maham would feel better & normal again. I really think the writer & the director should be commended for maintaining a balanced approach where they have not only shown that black magic is powerful & the evil is winning over. Even though they are showing that right now just because Nusrat’s family hasn’t put the finger on what actually is the root cause of the problems that Maham & Aftab are facing but I am sure once that will be revealed, they will definitely show the power of Holy Qur’an, Prayers & everything related to it in comparison to black magic, but yes, I will once again say that so far they have dealt with the entire subject brilliantly & for that the entire team of Nazr e Bad deserves a lot of appreciation!

Overall, I had a great time watching the episodes of Nazr e Bad this week, even though this drama deals with darkness & the widespread evil but it gives me enough reasons every week to tune to it the next time because everything that has been showed so far is quite convincing & realistic. The first 10 episodes of Nazr e Bad have been quite amazing & the story has been revealed brilliantly, I just hope they keep their game strong right till the end & turn it into a memorable drama which conveyed a strong message to the viewers & showed how getting involved in these prohibited things ruin the lives & the families. I will say I feel bad for both Aftab & Maham because they have no idea why they are facing so many issues at such an early stage of the marriage. Also, I can’t stand Aftab’s mother, like she is that bitter lifeless woman for no good reason who is finding solace in seeing her daughter in law & her son suffer. I love Nusrat’s character, like the way she feels for her daughter & goes out of the way to make sure her daughter isn’t dealing with any unnecessary pressure goes to show what a mother is capable of & what she can do when it comes to her children. I am not too thrilled with Abreea/Ahmer track, I am sure Nusrat won’t approve & I really hope Ahmer doesn’t wage a war against his mother for Abeera’s sake, like this entire family has caused enough stress in their lives, so Nusrat shouldn’t deal with anything anymore. I will say all the actors especially Fazila Qazi, Sakina Samo, Ali Abbas, Sara Khan & Azfar Rehman have done a commendable job, they have made their characters quite realistic & believable & can I also add how gorgeous & beautiful Sara Khan looks!!! I can’t wait for the next episode already. Please share your thoughts about these two episodes of Nazr e Bad.

Keep Supporting,
Cheers,
Zahra Mirza.

“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.