Author: newsdesk

  • Valentine’s Day: Five Bollywood movies that shaped the idea of love in the 90’s

    Valentine’s Day: Five Bollywood movies that shaped the idea of love in the 90’s

    We have all grown up watching Bollywood movies and we have learned about our ideas of love and romance from those movies. I mean, we all remember: “Hum ek baar jeete hai, ek baar marte hai, shaadi bhi ek baar hoti hai … aur pyar ek baar hi hota hai,” dialogue by heart. We all took inspiration from those movies about what a perfect relationship should be like. Our idea and thoughts about love are still a reflection of the conditioning we received from watching them.

    However, the movies we grew up watching were not really progressive and reinforced pre-defined gender roles and stereotypes. So, here is the list of five Bollywood movies that despite being problematic, we still love.

    Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

    The film included Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, one of Bollywood’s most legendary on-screen couples, Rani Mukerji’s amazing performance, Karan Johar’s magnificent visuals, Salman Khan’s guest appearance, the typical Indian mother like Fareeda Jalal and some very memorable characters like Anjali, among other things. The songs from the film are still very much fresh in our minds as they simply refuse to age. If you ask someone to share their favourite dialogues from the movie, they will reply without skipping a beat. Though it’s hard to choose one, as there are many iconic dialogues in the movie.

    “Pyar dosti hai … agar woh meri sab se achchi dost nahin ban sakti, to main usse kabhi pyar kar hi nahi sakta … kyun ki dosti bina toh pyar hota hi nahin … simple, pyar dosti hai.”

    “Kuch kuch hota hai Rahul, tum nahi samjhoge.”

    Hum Aapke Hain Kaun

    Without a doubt, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun will always be a romantic comedy that 90’s kids will associate with our childhood and Sooraj Barjatya, who has always endorsed love in his films. The chemistry between Nisha (Madhuri Dixit) and Prem (Salman Khan) was loved by many. Their love boomed in a family setup and like every clichéd love story, they saw some obstacles but lived happily ever after. From entertaining dance numbers like Didi Tera Devar Deewana and Joote Do Paise Lo to sad ones like Mujhse Juda Hokar, the movie had songs for every mood.

    Dil To Pagal Hai

    Dil To Pagal Hai made us all think that someone, somewhere, is made for us. It was a film full of dancing, drama, romance, and some of the most iconic songs that we still sing today. Shah Rukh Khan was India’s favourite loverboy at the time, who made us fall in love with him again with his character. The movie was relatable for many people as it discussed the character of Nisha (Karishma Kapoor) whose love isn’t reciprocated, and Nisha too wonders if she’s so bad that her friend is not loving her back. The scene that was loved by many was how his friend Rahul apologised to her for not loving her back and did everything to comfort her. It’s quite rare to see one-sided love treated with such delicacy, which is the reason this movie is still fresh in our memories.

    Dil Se

    The movie was full of endearingly romantic moments. The movie taught 90’s kids to confess their feelings before it’s too late and when it comes to matters of the heart, one should not wait for the moment. The film does not follow the conventional “guy meets girl, they fall in love and live happily ever after” plot. This was a film about battle, trauma, loss, and sadness. While it is a serious political drama, there are also wonderful moments that celebrate love. Amar and Meghna’s romance has a poetic beauty to it, like a divine connection that brings their love to life. If we talk about Dil Se and do not mention the beautiful songs, that would be unfair. The song Dil Se depicts the true meaning of love and the lovely melody by A R Rehman stole everyone’s hearts and it is still engraved in our hearts.

    Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

    It’s the best modern love story that India has to offer. DDLJ is the longest-running film in Indian cinema history, and it made SRK and Kajol the most popular on-screen couple in Hindi cinema. Raj and Simran became #CoupleGoals for 90’s kids even before social media. The film has managed to touch millions of hearts because of its unforgettable characters, intriguing narrative, and legendary music. The movie had some problematic scenes, like Raj making advances towards Simran when she was clearly not interested. However, the ending scene with Simran sprinting towards Raj in a moving train brings a grin to many people’s faces.

  • Imran Abbas opens up on hit films he was offered opposite Katrina, Deepika and Shraddha

    Imran Abbas opens up on hit films he was offered opposite Katrina, Deepika and Shraddha

    Actor Imran Abbas has opened up on Bollywood films that he lost out due to various reasons. In his latest Q&A session on Instagram, Imran revealed that he was offered Katrina Kaif and Aditya Roy Kapoor starrer Fitoor.

    Fitoor Movie Posters - Koimoi

    Earlier the Mera Naseeb hero revealed in an interview that he regrets refusing Aditya Roy Kapoor’s role in Aashiqui 2 and Ranveer Singh’s role in Ram Leela, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The Thora Sa Haq star refused these big-budget films as he was contract bound by another production house.

    Aashiqui 2 - Rotten Tomatoes
    Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela Official Trailer | Watch Full Movie On Eros Now - YouTube

    In a candid chat on Speak Your Heart with Samina Peerzada the Khuda Aur Mohabbat star made these candid confessions, “Rejecting Aashiqui 2 and Ram Leela were one of the few decisions I regret at that time. Now, I don’t have any remorse. I did a Bollywood film which didn’t really work at the box office. When I was offered projects that went on to become some of the highest-grossing films of their times, I later realized that it was imperative to make the decision (rejecting them) that I took in order to get my perspective right,” shared Imran.

    He eventually made his Bollywood debut with Bipasha Basu in Vikram Bhatt’s Creature 3D. The Ae Dil Hai Muhskil actor will be seen next in Tumhare Husn Ke Naam co-starring Saba Qamar and Sidra Niazi.

  • Pemra issues show-cause notice to News One for airing ‘derogatory’ remarks about Murad Saeed

    Pemra issues show-cause notice to News One for airing ‘derogatory’ remarks about Murad Saeed

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Friday issued a show-cause notice to News One for airing “derogatory/demeaning remarks” about federal Minister for Communications Murad Saeed “without any editorial check” in a programme.

    On Thursday, News One aired a show, ‘G for Gharidah’, at 10:05pm in which anchorperson Gharidah Farooqi questioned the decision of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan to award appreciation certificate to Murad Saeed as the top minister in his team for his outstanding performance.

    Gharida asked the panelists on her show: “The Prime Minister seems satisfied with Murad Saeed. He is in the top position, what could be the reason?”

    Analyst Mohsin Baig responded, “The reason [for Murad Saeed being at the top place] is written in Reham Khan’s book. I don’t really know about the projects.”

    Senior journalist and analyst Iftikhar Ahmed said, “You took the name of the person on the top position,” Gharida interjected and said, “Murad Saeed Saab,” Ahmed continued, “Yes, everyone is aware of his [Murad Saeed’s] performance and the accusations against him.”

    Journalist and analyst Tariq Mehmood said, “Two people are serious in this, one Imran Khan Sahib, second Murad Saeed Sahib. We shouldn’t be so serious about this. One conducted the ceremony, second came on the first place,” adding, “Some things are self-explanatory, Pemra will be keeping a close eye, don’t make us say all the things. A book has been mentioned.”

    “He [Murad Saeed] is a very hardworking minister and very close to the prime minister. Once again he has proved through his performance and left everyone behind,” said Mehmood.

    Senior defence analyst General (retired) Amjad Shoaib said, “I have not read the book that was being discussed. However, I will agree with Mohsin Baig’s analysis, which he just made.”

    Twitterati started a debate with trends against the host of the show. Some questioned why was Gharidah Farooqi the subject of criticism as she had not said anything but just asked a question.

    However, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf official Twitter handle shared a clip of the show and wrote, “Extremely shameful on Ghareeda Farooqi’s part to lead a program with such derogatory language.”

    Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) condemned “PEMRA for taking News One off-air on cable networks without following due process“.

    Several political parties condemned News One being taken off-air.

  • ‘Islamophobia has taken a most lethal form in India’: Noam Chomsky

    ‘Islamophobia has taken a most lethal form in India’: Noam Chomsky

    Renowned Scholar and Professor Noam Chomsky, in a video message to a webinar organised by the Indian American Muslim Council, said that India has turned its community of Indian Muslims into a “persecuted minority”.

    He further said, “The pathology of Islamophobia is growing throughout the West, it is taking its most lethal form in India.”

    Referring to the violence in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK), the famed activist stated that the situation is painful in particular not because of what is happening but because of what is not happening.

    During the webinar on “Worsening Hate Speech and Violence in India,” Chomsky compared the brutal situation of IoK to Israeli forces occupying Palestine and blamed Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s right-wing Hindu nationalist regime for it.

    Several other personalities who took part in webinar condemned the barbarous acts by Indian authorities.

    Angana Chatterji, an Indian anthropologist took a jibe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and stated, “Hindu spiritual leaders are involved in [the] ethnic cleansing of Muslims.”

    According to an Indian author, Annapurna Menon, the situation in IoK is even more dire, where the journalists routinely face police questioning, ban on reporting, suspension of internet services and financial constraints in line with BJP’s recent ‘media policy’.

  • Biden faces backlash for keeping $3.5 billion for 9/11 victims from Afghan assets

    United States (US) President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to release and split the Afghan assets worth $7 billion between humanitarian aid for war-torn Afghanistan and a fund for September 11 attacks victims, reports Associated Press (AP).

    In a statement, Washington said, “The order is designed to provide a path for the funds to reach the people of Afghanistan while keeping them out of the hands of the Taliban and malicious actors.”

    Half of the frozen assets worth $3.5 billion would go to trust funds for distribution through humanitarian groups for Afghan relief and basic needs. However, the other $3.5 billion would stay in the US and remain “subject to ongoing litigation by US victims of terrorism” as still, 9/11 victims’ relatives have ongoing lawsuits.

    Moreover, the Biden administration states that the procedure for the release of Afghan assets will take months.

    Afghanistan has more than $9 billion in reserves, including just over $7 billion in reserves held in the US. The rest is largely in Germany, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Switzerland. The amount is largely derived from donations by the US and other nations to Afghanistan. 

    In response, Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem lashed out at the US. He tweeted, “The theft and seizure of money frozen by the United States of the Afghan people represent the lowest level of the human and moral decay of a country and a nation.”

    Twitterati criticised Biden’s decision and urged the US to release the funds to prevent famine in Afghanistan. Presently, the country is facing a major humanitarian crisis.

    It is pertinent to mention that Afghanistan’s economy is on the verge of collapse. The United Nations (UN) has said 96 per cent of Afghans could fall into poverty in 2022.

  • ‘Aamil’ did not instruct pregnant woman to hammer nail in head, husband claims

    ‘Aamil’ did not instruct pregnant woman to hammer nail in head, husband claims

    Ahmed Sabir, husband of a pregnant woman who allegedly hammered a nail in her head a few days ago on the instructions of an ‘Aamil [faith healer]’ has denied any involvement of the faith healer in the incident.

    Sabir, while speaking with journalists on Thursday, claimed that his wife is suffering from a mental illness for a long period of time. She had previously received treatment from psychiatrists.

    Sabir rejected all media reports that he had threatened his wife that he will divorce her and remarry if she did not give birth to a boy. He revealed that this woman is his second wife with whom he has three children, including two sons. He has eight children with his first wife, including four sons.

    While talking to journalists, he said, “You people would not believe this, but she is possessed by spirits.”

    Sabir said that his second wife had previously jumped from their house, which is a three-storey building.

    Earlier, a statement was given by Sabir’s wife that an ‘Aamil’ instructed her to hammer a nail into her skull when she found out that she was about to deliver a daughter again from an ultrasound.

    She got injured and was rushed to Lady Reading Hospital, and underwent emergency surgery to remove the nail from her skull.

    The woman left the hospital with her family after the nail was removed from her head.

  • ‘Na Jaa Yar’: Sarfaraz Ahmed disheartened after Mohammad Nawaz’s injury

    ‘Na Jaa Yar’: Sarfaraz Ahmed disheartened after Mohammad Nawaz’s injury

    Quetta Gladiators all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz’s injury left team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed disheartened as he expressed his sadness on Twitter.

    Taking to Twitter Sarfaraz wrote: “Na jaa yar. (Don’t go mate). Get well soon.”

    Replying to his team’s captain, Nawaz said: “I wish skipper. Ameen.”

    On Friday, Gladiators suffered a huge blow as Nawaz was ruled out of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) seventh edition due to an injury.

    Nawaz’s injury was another big setback as earlier pacer Mohammad Husnain was banned.

    After his injury, Nawaz took to Twitter and wrote: “I’m absolutely gutted on leaving my team during @thePSLt20 due to an ankle injury. Now I’ll be cheering for #PurpleForce from my home @TeamQuetta.”

    According to reports, Nawaz has suffered a navicular bone nondisplaced fracture.

    Ever since the first PSL edition in 2016, Nawaz has been an instrumental part in Gladiators’ success both with the bat and ball, as well as with some great fielding as well.

    Gladiators are yet to play some crucial PSL matches as Sarfaraz-led side is still struggling to get into the play-offs. They have played five matches and only won two out of them.

    Meanwhile, the former champions will be locking horns with Islamabad today (Saturday) at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

  • PDM to table no-trust motion against the government

    PDM to table no-trust motion against the government

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) president Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced on Friday that the Opposition alliance has decided to move a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and would contact the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s allies in the Centre for this purpose.

    “All parties in the PDM have agreed on bringing a no-confidence motion against these illegitimate rulers and contacting the government’s allies in this regard,” said Maulana.

    “[We will ask government allies] to have mercy on this country and nation, considering their impoverished condition,” he added. “[We will tell them] that remaining an ally of such a government is not politically and economically beneficial for the country.”

    When asked why the PDM announced the decision to bring about a no-confidence motion against the government without completing the “homework”, Fazl said that the Opposition should be allowed to make preparations first.

    “The PDM has announced the no-confidence motion at this stage because we have a firm intention of doing so. Without preparations, we cannot give a date, so let us do our work,” he said.

    Answering a question about the planned long march, he said that it will take place as per the schedule, while the PDM’s steering committee will chalk out a plan for this purpose.

    When a reporter asked Fazl what the PDM will do if the government’s allied parties refuse to cooperate, he said: “In that case, we will hold talks with them once again and try to convince them.”

    He added that the PDM will “not contact any PTI member,” adding that if they contact the anti-government alliance themselves, there could be any reason for that.

    “We are neither going to bribe anyone nor lure them [to join us] by offering any seats [political incentives],” Fazl maintained.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif said that the citizens of Pakistan are protesting against inflation and the ensuing poverty.

    “Who else would come forward to rid them of this tyrant government if not us?”

    Reacting to PDM’s announcement of bringing about a no-confidence motion against the PTI government, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that the move will serve as a “victory for democracy”.

    Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “It is a victory for democracy that most Opposition parties now agree to bring a no-confidence motion against the government. The PM has lost the confidence of the people, it is about time he lost the confidence of Parliament.”

  • Shah Mahmood Qureshi ka dil toot gaya, doesn’t like being placed at 11th spot

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi ka dil toot gaya, doesn’t like being placed at 11th spot

     Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi has questioned the performance evaluation criteria of federal ministries.

    Qureshi, who is also the vice president of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), wrote a letter to Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Establishment Arbab Shahzad, expressing serious reservations over placing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the 11th spot.

    In his letter, Qureshi expressed reservations over both the performance of ministers and the distribution of certificates among them.

    Letter written by FM Qureshi
    Letter written by FM Qureshi

    The foreign minister wrote that in the first quarter set in the nine-month performance agreement, the Foreign Ministry achieved 22 out of the 26 targets assigned. Out of the remaining four, one of the targets was completed 99 per cent, and the reasons for delaying the remaining three projects were mentioned in a letter written on Oct 27, 2021, he stated in the document that is also being widely shared on social media.

    The minister claimed that the performance of his ministry in achieving targets in the first quarter – first three months of the fiscal year — remained by 70 per cent, while that of the rest of the ministries was 62 per cent. In the second quarter, the ministry achieved 18 targets out of 24. He raised questions and said no written guidelines were issued for the third quarter.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday, taking a jibe at Qureshi, said that Imran Khan had committed a ‘great injustice’ to Multan for not conferring a certificate on Qureshi while distributing performance certificates.

    Earlier this week, Prime Minister Imran Khan awarded appreciation certificates to the “top 10 best performing federal ministries” under his government, with the communications ministry, planning ministry, and poverty alleviation division getting top honours of first, second and third respectively.

  • Sindh revives student unions after three decades

    Sindh revives student unions after three decades

    The Sindh Assembly on Friday unanimously passed the Sindh Students Union Bill 2019 to revive student unions. According to the bill, a student union will be formed in every private and government educational institute.

    Students will be able to vote for or participate in the student union, according to the bill. The bill defines the student union as “a body or association of students of any educational institution by whatever name called for promoting the general interests of its members as students for academic, disciplinary, extra-curricular or other matters related to the affairs of the students in the educational institutions”.

    As per the bill, students would be able to form a union with seven to 11 student members through elections every year. The union will have representation in the institute’s syndicate, senate, and anti-harassment committee.

    The bill states that no student will be allowed to use or keep firearms on campus. The bill states that educational institutes will decide the rules and regulations related to the union two months after the bill is passed.

    During General Ziaul Haq’s military government, student unions were banned throughout the country in 1984.