Author: umair.abbas

  • Barzakh: A mystical journey through family ties, hidden secrets

    Barzakh: A mystical journey through family ties, hidden secrets

    Barzakh, is a drama that combines elements of myth and reality. The show follows a stranged family’s journey as they uncover old resentments and buried secrets. The web series reunites Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, who previously starred together in the iconic drama ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai.’

    It has a talented cast, including Salman Shahid, Syed Arham, Khushhal Khan,and Franco Giusti. The story begins with three siblings reuniting for their father’s third wedding. Their father, Aaqa, is an old man who still has his wits about him. His daughter, Scheherezade looks after him and the family hotel, Mehtab Mahal, which was built in memory of his first love. The two sons from his first marriage, Shehryar (played by Fawad Khan) and Saifullah, seem distant from their father.

    Barzakh touches on controversial topics like homosexuality and unusual family relationships. Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed play half-siblings instead of romantic interests, which might surprise some viewers, but these elements add depth to the story.

    The web series is visually beautiful, with a great set in the beautiful mountainous locations in Hunza valley.The first episode leaves viewers eager to see more, hinting at hidden family secrets and interesting possibilities.

  • Zard Patton Ka Bunn episode 10 reveals challenges for doctors in remote areas

    Zard Patton Ka Bunn episode 10 reveals challenges for doctors in remote areas

     

    Episode 10 of Zard Patton Ka Bunn showed the harsh reality of rural Pakistan, where children are forced into labour and violence with no support from parents, or even the law.

     

     It highlighted the poor situation of medical facilities in villages. People living outside big cities struggle to access basic healthcare facilities.

     

    It bravely portrayed the violence these children endure. Dr. Nofil’s character sheds light on the difficulties faced by medical professionals working in villages.

     

    They confront numerous challenges, from limited resources to societal pressures.
    Despite tackling heavy issues like overpopulation, women’s education, reproductive health, and child labour, the drama balances it out with comedy and light-hearted moments. Zard Patton Ka Bunn wants us to be entertained and think about these issues.

     

    Talking about things like healthcare, children’s rights, and doctors’ challenges makes us see our problems more clearly. It’s a mirror for our culture, showing us the realities we often ignore. The drama has a talented cast, including Sajal Aly, Hamza Sohail, Ali Tahir, Samiya Mumtaz, and Rehan Sheikh. It is written by Mustafa Afridi and directed by Saife Hasan.

  • How a murderer stole Daniyal Raheal’s phone

    How a murderer stole Daniyal Raheal’s phone

    In an interview with The Current, Daniyal Raheal revealed that a director involved in a murder once stole his phone.
    The host asked, “And a murderer stole your phone? What’s the story behind that?”

    Daniyal replies, “The story is that one film director, who made a movie a long time ago, was later implicated in a murder case. He came to my house with two or four friends, and when he left, my phone was missing. He came to my house with a few of his friends. And when he left, my phone was missing. I tracked him down to the point where he asked me to tell him the phone’s serial number, and he’d help me locate it,” he added.

    Daniyal Raheal is the son of the renowned Simi Raheal. Both starred in Umro Ayyar: The Beginning.
    As an actor, Daniyal Raheal has appeared in films such as O21 and Motorcycle Girl. He has also starred in dramas like Momin Aur Dua and Serial Killer

  • Hania Aamir steals the show in latest episode of ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’ 

    Hania Aamir steals the show in latest episode of ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’ 

    The new drama serial ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’ has already got everyone talking. The first two episodes introduced us to the lead characters, Mustafa (Fahad Mustafa) and Sharjeena (Hania Aamir), and their families. But it’s Hania Aamir who’s stealing the spotlight with her amazing performance as Sharjeena.
     
    This all happened when Adeel refused to marry Sharjeena. In the third episode, Sharjeena faces some tough challenges as a daughter and a sister. But she handles all the situations with confidence and grace, showing us what it means to be a strong and independent woman. From breaking bad news to her family to making sure her sister’s wedding day is special, Sharjeena handles it all beautifully.

    The drama revolves around the concept of opposites attract, where Hania, aka Sharjeena, portrays the role of a bibliophile and class topper with a practical approach, while Fahad’s character is a little laid-back.
     
    ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’ airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:00 PM on ARY Digital.

  • ‘Sans par bhi tax ley lein,’ Sindh to tax Netflix subscriptions

    ‘Sans par bhi tax ley lein,’ Sindh to tax Netflix subscriptions

    If you’re a Netflix user in Pakistan, get ready to pay more for the streaming service. The Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has added new taxes to your subscription fees.
    Starting now, Netflix users will have to pay a 3% sales tax on IT services. Additionally, if you’re making an international transaction to pay for your subscription and you’re a tax filer, there’s a five percent advance tax. On top of that, there’s a four percent card transaction charge when using debit or credit cards, plus a federal excise duty.

    Out of all the over-the-top (OTT) streaming services, Netflix continues to be the most well-known. It offers highly regarded TV series, films, documentaries, and other original material in various genres.
    The platform allows viewers to stream content on-demand over the internet to a variety of devices, including PCs, mobile phones, tablets, TVs, and consoles. While Pakistanis consume a lot of free content, many are happily paying for premium OTT services like Netflix.

    Recently, a new Finance Bill was introduced in 2024 that imposes tax on tech companies like Netflix that earn income in Pakistan through digital means and presence, even without a physical establishment.
    Last month The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has served a notice to Netflix for recovery of over Rs. 200 million in income tax.
    Effective immediately, subscribers will see additional charges on their Netflix subscriptions. Here’s how the new taxes will affect the current subscription rates:

    Mobile Plan: PKR 250
    Basic Plan: PKR 450
    Standard Plan: PKR 800
    Premium Plan: PKR 1,100

    Here are the Netflix subscription plans and their rates in Pakistan after the new taxes:

    Mobile Plan: PKR 324.80
    Basic Plan: PKR 584.64
    Standard Plan: PKR 1,039.36
    Premium Plan: PKR 1,429.12

    These new taxes are part of the government’s efforts to generate more revenue from digital services. So, the next time you settle down for a Netflix binge, be prepared for these extra charges on your bill.
    This new taxes significantly increase the total cost of Netflix subscriptions in Pakistan. This is something users need to be aware of when budgeting for their monthly entertainment expenses.

  • From ‘Man Jogi’ to ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’

    From ‘Man Jogi’ to ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’

     
    The Current recently had a conversation with Saji Gul, the writer of the drama ‘Mrs. & Mr. Shameem’ where details about why the title changed from its original name ‘Man Jogi’ have emerged.

     

    Gul revealed, “Initially, we named it ‘Mann Jogi,’ but later we found ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’ to be more appealing. We wanted a title that highlighted both lead characters, and ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’ resonated better with Zee.”

     

    Reflecting on the first title, Gul said, “While ‘Man Jogi’ sounded funny ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’ just fit the story and characters better.”

     He also noted that Man Jogi was tricky to pronounce, so choosing Mrs. and Mr. Shameem was simpler for viewers.

    Mrs. & Mr. Shameem is a 2022 web series released initially on ZEE5 on March 11, 2022. Written by Saji Gul and directed by Kashif Nisar, it was co-produced by Misbah Shafique.  

     

     

     

    The web series revolves around Umaina, an independent woman residing in a Lahore hostel. Shameem, the elder brother of Umaina’s friend, faces ridicule from society due to his effeminate nature.

     

    Circumstances compel Umaina and Shameem to live together and enter into a marriage of convenience. As their relationship unfolds, they gradually develop feelings for each other, navigating the challenges that life throws at them.

     

     

    On April 26 2024, ‘Mrs. & Mr. Shameem’ became available on the Zindagi YouTube channel, with two episodes releasing weekly on Tuesday and Friday.

     Saji Gul is a renowned screenwriter of television industry, he has writeen drama serials include ‘Ilteja’, ‘Pyari Bitto’ and the award winning ‘O Rangreza’, which was a massive success in 2017-18 and brought him critical acclaim.

     

    Currently he is the head of content at Green TV entertainment and general secretary screenwriters association of Pakistan.

     

  • Taxali Gate wins big at LAFA 2024 for best thriller film

    Taxali Gate wins big at LAFA 2024 for best thriller film

    ‘TaxaliGate’, directed by Abu Aleeha, has won the prestigious Best Thriller Film award at the 2024 Los Angeles Film Awards (LAFA). The film, which received praise in Pakistan upon its release, is now gaining international acclaim. The film is directed and written by Abu Aleeha and the cast includes Ayesha Omar, Yasir Hussain, Babar Ali, Mehar Bano, Nayyer Ejaz.

    The story of ‘TaxaliGate’ highlights issues of injustice and betrayal while depicting the complex lives of its individuals within Taxali gate. It portrays their struggles with societal norms and an ineffective legal system, ultimately defending their rights. The film was theatricality released on 16 February 2024.

    The director, writer wrote on X (formerly Twitter) “Taxali Gate received the top accolade for Best Thriller Film at the 2024 Los Angeles Film Awards.” LAFA 2024 refers to the 2024 Los Angeles Film Awards. It’s an annual event where films from around the world compete in various categories, aiming to receive recognition and awards for their achievements in filmmaking.

  • Sajal Aly, Sheikh Mubashir steal the show in latest episode of ‘Zard Patton Ka Bunn’

    Sajal Aly, Sheikh Mubashir steal the show in latest episode of ‘Zard Patton Ka Bunn’

     

    Zard Patton Ka Bunn is a new drama that’s getting a lot of attention. It’s about significant issues like girls not getting educated, and needing more medical help in rural areas of Pakistan. These are issues that many people deal with and the drama is portraying reality in a beautiful way.

     
    The drama has a talented cast, including Sajal Aly, Hamza Sohail, Ali Tahir, Samiya Mumtaz, and Rehan Sheikh.

     

    They’re doing a fantastic job of bringing the story to life. Sajal Aly and Sheikh Mubashir Mehmood are outstanding as Meenu and Roshan.

    Episode 07 was particularly amazing. The performances were excellent, and the story was engaging. Hamza Sohail and Rehan Sheikh also stand out as great performers.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The drama takes a political turn with the entry of Doctor Nofil, played by Kaesar Kallan, making the story even more captivating. The upcoming episodes promise to be exciting.
    The drama, written by Mustafa Afridi and directed by Saif Hassan, airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on HUM TV and is produced by Kashf Foundation and Momina Duraid Productions.

  • Take a sneak peek into Fahad Mustafa and Hania Aamir’s ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’

    Take a sneak peek into Fahad Mustafa and Hania Aamir’s ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’

    The highly anticipated drama ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’, starring Fahad Mustafa and Hania Aamir, released its latest teaser, promising a mix of romance and drama.
    The new teaser shows the growing relationship between the two main characters. Excited fans are eager to see more of the couple’s chemistry on screen.

    Fahad Mustafa will be back on TV after 10 years. The drama is written by Farhat Ishtiaq, directed by Badar Mehmood and produced by Big Bang Entertainment. It will premiere soon on ARY Digital.

    Badar Mehmood has also directed hit projects like ‘Dunk’, ‘Cheekh’, ‘Balaa’, ‘Ishqiya’, ‘Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha’ and ‘Mein.’

  • ‘She was my everything’: Irshad Bhatti on missing his wife

    ‘She was my everything’: Irshad Bhatti on missing his wife

    Renowned political analyst Irshad Bhatti has been through a devastating personal loss that has shaped his life and career.
    He lost his wife, his best friend and support, leaving him to care for their young children alone.
    Recently Irshad Bhatti appeared on the show ‘On The Front Eid Special’ hosted by Kamran Shahid.

    “When my wife died, I felt like I lost my companion, my best friend, the woman who used to pray for me. I remember her every day, and I believe that I will meet her one day,” he poignantly said.

    Safina Bhatti passed away on December 9, 2020, after a long battle with cancer.