Category: Entertainment

Best entertainment news in the industry, we break entertainment stories as soon as celebrities post on their social media and do Pakistani drama reviews.

  • ‘I asked is this related to the motorway incident’: Hadiqa Kiani on motorway rape survivor statement

    ‘I asked is this related to the motorway incident’: Hadiqa Kiani on motorway rape survivor statement

    Intense backlash rose on Monday when journalist Fereeha Idress revealed how the drama ‘Hadsa’ was similar to the horrific motorway rape crime, stressing that the survivor was traumatised after seeing her ordeal being depicted online without her consent. Now actress Hadiqa Kiani has responded to the backlash with a lengthy statement where she clarified that initially while reading the script, she had found a lot of similarities between the crime and the storyline, but agreed to do the project after several discussions with the writer.

    “When I was asked to do the role of Taskeen for Hadsa my first question was ‘Is this related to the motorway incident?’ ‘Is this based off the true incident?’ – I made it clear that I would not do the project if it was based off anyone’s story. The team behind the project explicitly told me ‘No’. After many conversations with the team and only after reading the script I understood that Hadsa was not related to or based off on the motorway story.”

    The ‘Janaan’ singer then shared how necessary she felt it was to do a project like Hadsa which was about how rape was a reality of the world that we live in.

    “These are the realities of the world we live in. I have sadly been exposed to so many stories like this one but I can say that Hadsa is not based off on any one’s story, but based off on a sickly common part of our reality.”

    While we appreciate the fact that Hadiqa recognised the reason behind the backlash and came forward to give her side of the story in, the reality remains that the team behind ‘Hadsa’ should have done a better job in executing such a sensitive topic. If the actress had felt in the beginning while reading the script that it was quite similar to the 2020 crime, it should have been her duty right away to step away from a project that was profitting off from the misery and trauma of a survivor, or even chosen to consult her to keep them in the loop.

    Also, ‘Hadsa’ team should have consulted with experts about depicting sensitive topics- such as calling rape a “misfortune”‘, or displaying acts of violence and sexual abuse so graphically, so that rape and sexual abuse survivors are not forced to relive their trauma.

    Actress Hadiqa Kiani is starring in a new drama series ‘Hadsa’ which depicts the life of a headstrong woman, who is raped while travelling with her son on an empty highway. Many users since the drama began airing, pointed out how the drama’s storyline was similar to the horrifying motorway rape case of 2021, when a woman travelling on motorway with her two children was assaulted and raped by two men infront of her two children. The drama is written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah, and directed by Wajahat Rauf, and stars Aly Khan, Romaisa Khan, Khaqan Shahnawaz.

    Journalist Fereeha Idress, who reported the account of the anonymous survivor, has now taken to X, formerly Twitter, to slam the makers behind ‘Hadsa’ for violating the privacy of the lone survivor, who revealed that the makers, nor the star-studded cast and crew, had approached her for consent on making a drama about a horrifying ordeal she had undergone.

    In a lengthy statement, Fereeha said the survivor, Z, had tried to keep her and her family’s identity protected, after undergoing the trauma, but was once more triggered by the depictions in the show.

    “They have made a drama on my life,” Fereeha tweeted Z told her. “As if I am nothing, no one asked me, it’s same, they are showing the same things, oh my God! Why didn’t I die before reliving this again? You know , I didn’t sleep after the incident for many many nights and it’s all back now, I haven’t slept a wink since I saw this terrible, horrendous depiction of the most terrible moments of my life which I so want to forget. It’s unbearable, I start shivering every day at 5 pm because I know the drama is coming at 7 pm. Why are they doing this to me?”.

    The journalist slammed the creators for forcing the survivor to re-live the trauma and not taking into consideration the ordeal she, her loved ones, including the children had gone through. Rather than allowing her to heal and tell the incident on her own choice, they made a drama out of it.-

    “The moment the drama episode goes on air, all comments start talking about motorway incident. Can’t they let me forget about this? They have followed my life. Isn’t this harassment? How they traced things in my life when I was so clear of keeping everything so private? My in laws must be watching it, my brother in law, my mother, my neighbours, oh my God! No one even cared to ask me? I am not dead yet! Do they want me dead? Can’t I just forget about this and move on?”

    In the next tweet, Fereeha wrote that Z, the survivor, was in extreme distress, speaking to the journalist on the phone. The drama had forced her to re-live the ordeal all over again.

    “My question is when everyone knew I never wanted to come in the limelight, why was I thrown into it again and again? So many known people, celebrities, politicians etc wanted to come and meet me or talk to me post incident, but I always declined because I wanted my privacy and didn’t want anything else but the culprits punished. Is it all about making money? Does no one care what I am going through by this triggered trauma? What my kids and husband will be going through? Do they even know how I am spending my life? Everyday is a struggle. I am being thick skinned and staying alive only for my children. They didn’t even care for my children. Do you know my kids have not forgotten..”

    Z requested the journalist to get the drama stopped, so that she would stopped being approached by public figures or being recognised as the ‘motorway wali’.

    “Can you pls get this drama stopped? Can Pak pls help me stop this? It’s like whole world is watching my misery and pain as I am reliving it. Pls tell them to make this once I am dead, I am alive right now or did they think I would have died? And pls not even after my death as I have children, they can make this after we have all died”

    There has been no response from the makers behind the drama, or from the lead star Hadiqa Kiani and the rest of the actors on this accusation.

    This is not the first time Pakistani dramas have been accused of ripping of the trials and ordeals of survivors, without taking consent from the family members or giving them a portion of the profits earned. Previously, it was Bhaagi, starring Saba Qamar, which was accused for depicting the life of the social media star Qandeel Baloch, without the consent of her family members. As Nighat Dad tweeted the father of the murdered star, Azeem Baba, was informed by other villagers that a drama was made on his daughter’s life.

  • ‘Hadsa’ writer Zanjabeel Asim Shah refutes allegations from motorway rape survivor

    ‘Hadsa’ writer Zanjabeel Asim Shah refutes allegations from motorway rape survivor

    After Hadiqa Kiani, the writer behind the controversial drama ‘Hadsa’ has come forward to address allegations that the script is based on the horrific motorway rape case, in which a woman was gang-raped in 2020 in front of her young children. Episode 5 of the drama shows the female lead, Taskeen, and her son driving down a highway at night when their car suddenly stops. Soon after, a group of men arrive who subject the female lead to torture and rape. Journalist Fereeha Idrees called the story a serious violation of privacy, and demanded that PEMRA shut down the show for exploiting a survivor’s trauma for ratings, without her or her family’s approval.

    Now, in a conversation with BBC Urdu, the writer has denied these allegations, pointing out that every woman, regardless of her background, can suffer from rape:

    “The similarity is just a coincidence. Every woman who goes through this incident, whether she is rich or poor, or whether she comes from an educated family or not, will get affected. Our dramas speak about our sufferings and our situations.”

    ‘When you fight this war, you’re also getting your catharsis,” he said.

    Zanjabeel went on to discuss writing on other topics like child sexual abuse and said that sometimes, drama scripts can bear resemblance to real life cases.

    “I have shown a young son who was getting married. We often say that a woman is going out alone, but she would still be helpless even if her husband went with her.”

    Since the allegations by Idrees went viral, on X, formerly Twitter, the hashtag #banhadsa began trending, with social media users criticing the cast and crew behind for violating the privacy of the rape survivor, and called for PEMRA to ban the drama. To which, Zanjabeel had responded:

    “PEMRA had banned my drama ‘Pyaar Ke Sadqaay’ too. But does this mean girls are not abused inside their homes? PEMRA had annoyed even Bee Gul so much over her drama ‘Darr Si Jaati Hai’. If they keep doing this, then should we only make dramas about saas-bahu conflicts? If we can’t make dramas about sensitive topics, then should we only make romance dramas,” he asked.

    Hadiqa Kiani released a statement on her social media account, saying that when she first read the script there were similarities with the motorway rape case, but after discussions with the writer and team, she understood that the drama was entirely different.

    Her statement was slammed by social media users, who demanded that she stop gaslighting survivors of rape and trauma.

  • Miley dedicates song to Sinead O’Connor, ending dispute with late singer

    Miley dedicates song to Sinead O’Connor, ending dispute with late singer

    Pop star Miley Cyrus has dedicated her song ‘Wonder Woman’ to Sinead O’Connor during an ABC concert special ‘Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions), ending a decade long dispute with the late Irish singer.

    In 2013, the two songstresses engaged in a public clash when Miley’s ‘Wrecking Ball’ video came out. O’Connor wrote an open letter to Miley advising her not to “obscure your talent by allowing yourself to be pimped” by the industry. “None of the men ogling you give a s*** about you either, do not be fooled,” she wrote.

    In response, Miley shared a list of tweets by the late singer, and compared her to the actress Amanda Bynes, who was publicly struggling with her mental health at the same time. O’Connor had been open about mental health struggles, especially the time she spent in psychiatric hospitals. The late singer slammed Cyrus for the response, writing:

    “You have posted today tweets of mine which are two years old, which were posted by me when I was unwell and seeking help so as to make them look like they are recent… In doing so you mock myself and Amanda Bynes for having suffered with mental health issues and for having sought help. I mean really really… who advises you?”

    Now, in the concert special, the former ‘Hannah Montana’ star reflected on the feud, confessing that she wasn’t prepared to be publicly humiliated by another woman, especially one who had been in her position before- but also apologised because she wasn’t aware of Sinead’s fragile mental health state:

    “I was expecting there to be controversy and backlash, but I don’t think I expected other women to put me down or turn on me, especially women that had been in my position before,” said the ‘Flowers’ singer. “This is when I’d received an open letter from Sinead O’Connor, and I had no idea about the fragile mental state that she was in, and I was also only 20 years old, so I could really only wrap my head around mental illness so much. All that I saw was that another woman had told me that this idea was not my idea.”

    “Our younger childhood triggers and traumas come up in weird and odd ways, and I think I’d just been judged for so long for my own choices that I was just exhausted, and I was in this place where I finally was making my own choices and my own decisions, and to have that taken away from me deeply upset me,” she continued. “God bless Sinead O’Connor, for real, in all seriousness.”

  • With ‘Midsummer Chaos’ Season Two returning, here are some meme-worthy moments from Season One

    With ‘Midsummer Chaos’ Season Two returning, here are some meme-worthy moments from Season One

    After a hilarious season one, Ahmed Sarym has announced that his web series ‘Midsummer Chaos’ is set to return once more on September 9 for the second season. This time, the show will feature a whole new cast. The short series revolves around the lives of teenagers in high school dealing with mental health, depression, parental relationships and social media influence. The trailer for the second season released online yesterday and already has 1.9k likes on YouTube.

    But since some of y’all might need to recall all of the hilarious moments from the previous season before sitting down to binge a new one, you must remember how the internet broke when the series was released in 2021

    We’ll take charge and share some of our favorite moments from the previous season, which featured actors like Khushhal Khan, Meher Bano and Mamia Shahjaffer.

    1 Episode One will remain iconic in Pakistani pop culture history because of the hilarious phadda between Harris and Sameer.

    2. Gossip girl but set in Islamabad’s upper class circles.

    3. Everyone, even your five year old brother, was quoting ‘Alyna I love you’ after this episode.

    4. This entire dance sequence in the end of episode 2 was memed to infinity the second the internet got a hold of it.

  • ‘No one was available’: Ali Rehman on why transgender actors weren’t hired for Guru

    ‘No one was available’: Ali Rehman on why transgender actors weren’t hired for Guru

    Actor Ali Rehman Khan is currently playing the role of a transgender woman in the Express Entertainment drama ‘Guru’. The drama is facing intense backlash from social media users, especially transgender activists like Shahzadi Rai, who condemned the limited spaces allowed to members of the transgender community within the entertainment industry to be able to tell their own stories.

    Speaking to The Current, the activist expressed her dismay at how cis men were constantly taking up roles about people belonging to the third gender, and used the incorrect term used to describe the community like ‘intersex’.

    “People who do not want to declare themselves as intersex, why are you pushing the label on them? And roles that are about the third gender, you should give them to people who identify under it. A man’s role would be played by a man, while a woman’s role would be played by a woman.”

    READ MORE: Transgender activist Shehzadi Rai, Twitter users criticise ‘Guru’ for hiring cis man to play intersex character

    Several social media users also pointed out that films like ‘Joyland’ which starred transgender actress Alina Khan were met with intense backlash and banned in the country, but it was dramas like ‘Guru’ which were not met with the same scrutiny since members of the transgender community aren’t involved in production.

    Speaking to BBC Urdu, the actor has come forward to address these allegations, saying that despite the studio’s best efforts, they couldn’t find transgender actors to take on the role, and encouraged more members of the community to come into the field.

    “We were planning that one or two of the chelas in the show should be members of the transgender community. But we did a lot of auditions and couldn’t find any actors. And with a huge production there is a lot at stake, since you have to shoot for 40-50 days. You can’t just rely on one actor: you have to have a cohesive list.”

    The actor went on to express his desire to see more transgender people coming into acting, who can play these kinds of roles even more efficiently than he has.

    The actor also elaborated on how he had prepared for the leading role, revealing the process involved. He spoke with members of the transgender community, along with watching documentaries and movies related to the topic.

  • Jubh hum sub ko pyaar hua tha: the KKKG scene we’ll never forget

    If we ask y’all when did your love affair with the superstar Shah Rukh Khan begin, we’d get a lot of different responses but mostly it is the cult classic ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum’ that struck the hearts of fans. It is remembered as one of Karan Johar’s most iconic rom-com’s of all time, and the pairing of SRK with Kajol to be one that can outshine all the Hollywood romcoms ever created.

    But looking back at the song from the film ‘Shava Shava’ a scene continues to find its way back on Twitter once again, when Rahul dreams up Anjali dancing at his father’s party and then re-calls how he fell in love with her at first sight. You know which scene we’re talking about, and yes it completely set the bar for how superior the SRK-Kajol chemistry is.

    No matter how many rom-coms Bollywood will keep churning out, the beauty and simplicity of this heartfelt confession within 25 seconds will never ever be matched by any Bollywood films. Once more Twitter users began falling back in love with the film.

  • ‘Ya Allah Reham’: Mohib Mirza, celebrities react to recent electricity bill hike

    ‘Ya Allah Reham’: Mohib Mirza, celebrities react to recent electricity bill hike

    Social media users and public figures expressed outrage over the weekend at the hike in electricity bills. The exorbitant sums led to protests across the country with citizens burning their bills. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakaar has responded to the outrage by tweeting that an emergency meeting would be called at the Prime Minister’s residence on Sunday to address the sudden hike.

    READ MORE: PM calls emergency meeting as public outcry grows over high electricity bills

    Celebrities have also decried inflation and how it impacts an ordinary citizen’s life.

    Actor Sami Khan shared a tweet by a journalist who shared a video of a man protesting against the price hike, and in the caption he wrote:

    ‘Ya Allah Reham farma.”

    Mohib Mirza addressed the situation with his own hilarious but rather dark twist:
    “Thank god we have not gone on the moon, otherwise the fuel adjustments for the rocket would have been taken from our bills!”

    Actress Mariyam Nafees shared a screenshot of a request of an imam, asking him to pray that inflation goes away, so a family could afford to eat. In the caption, she had requested all her followers to be thankful for having food to eat and a place to stay, because such things are luxuries for others.

  • Vicky Kaushal calls a very special person whenever he has good news

    Vicky Kaushal calls a very special person whenever he has good news

    Truly the internet’s boyfriend

    Vicky Kaushal worships the ground his wife, Katrina Kaif walks on. Truly a fresh breath of air compared to actors who demand their wives not wear lipstick while outside.

    In a recent interview with Grazia, the ‘Sardar Udham’ star is making us feel even more single. He revealed that Katrina was the first person he calls when he has good news, adding that previously he would call his mom.

    “When I cracked my first audition and I told my mom about it and she started dancing. That was the first time I saw her dancing. Many such moments, like even on film sets there have been moments when you feel like something special just happened. You felt it. Those moments are very special.”

    Vicky also spoke about the most important days of his life.

    “My wedding, the happiest three days of my life,” he firmly stated.

    In July, the duo moved social media with their heartfelt comments about each other, when Kaif revealed that Kaushal pampers her and calls her his “panic button”.

  • Moammar Rana’s wife says Nadir Ali responsible for comments made by her husband

    Moammar Rana’s wife says Nadir Ali responsible for comments made by her husband

    Lollywood A-lister Moammar Rana made headlines two days ago when a clip from his interview with controversial host Nadir Ali went viral. In the clip, Rana criticised Indian actress Priyanka Chopra’s looks, stating that crush on her ended after seeing her in real life.

    The comment was slammed by social media users for being degrading and sexist. The duo also called the actress a ‘maid’. Actress and television host Mathira slammed Nadir Ali in a post on her Instagram stories

    A user on X, formerly known as Twitter wrote:

    “Nadir Ali & his equally vile guest Moammar Rana made deeply offensive rac1st & elitist comments on @priyankachopra comparing her to a ‘maid’ owing to her complexion. Domestic workers are beautiful, Ms. Chopra is an achiever but the minds of these 2 failed men are HORRIBLY UGLY.”

    Now, the actor’s wife Mehnaz has stepped in to defend her husband in a lengthy statement on her Instagram stories, pointing out that it was the controversial Youtube host who had made the disgusting comments about the Indian actress, not her husband.

    “It’s not as big of a deal as much as people are making it, as usual. Moammar never commented on her skin tone/complexion as the host tried really hard to make him comment on that, simply saying he couldn’t recognise her as screen beauty is totally different. I don’t see any of our beloved Pakistanis speaking up against her comments on Pakistan and Kashmir while she’s a “human rights activist” as much as you guys are siding with her on this statement, Moammar simply couldn’t recognise her and honestly sharing his experience with the host about it, he’s not responsible for the hosts comments. it’s being taken out of context as you all can see the host was looking for a controversy and got one. Thanday hojayein, much love and peace??”

  • Who ‘run the world’? Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are fuelling the US economy

    This is definitely an un-cruel Summer

    The US economy can thank Taylor Swift and Beyonce for the extra leg up. According to CNBC, Swift’s critically acclaimed Era’s tour is set to make more than $1 billion, making it the highest grossing tour of all time. While Beyonce’s ‘Renaissance’ tour, according to CBS, could rack up more than $2 billion from concert shows.

    The anticipation of the tours, as well as the two pop icons, has also reportedly boosted local tourism within America, with brands and small business stores churning out creative ways to captivate fans, greatly boosting their income. According to the New York Times, a survey by the Federal Reserve shows hotel revenues have risen in the Philadelphia region, where Swift has booked stadiums for her tour, and Sweden has already said Beyonce’s tour is to thank for to help recover from inflation.

    Moreover, AirBnB reported that the most popular tourist destinations during the Fourth of July weekend was not Greece or Italy, but Ohio city, where Taylor was hosting a concert.

    Small business owners told The New York Times that their earnings tripled in income since the tours began, as Swifties and the Bey Hive flock to athetize their looks ahead of concerts. Shade Hotel in California spoke to the publication about hosting a Taylor Swift-pre party where guests could wear costumes, sip on the ‘Lavender Haze’ cocktail- boosting their earnings.

    Similarly, the bead industry has also witnessed a revival after a lyric from Taylor’s song ‘Midnights’ album went viral. ‘So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and embrace it’, the lyrics said. Fans began showing up to concerts wearing friendship bracelets, and viral videos on social media show fans exchanging bracelets with each other, with the likes of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban joining in.

    Speaking to Seattle Times, a staff member of Maple Leaf’s Beadworld said that since the Era’s tour began, they’ve attracted more clients than they can handle.

    “We were full all day,” Sands said. “Definitely busier than normal.”

    Nail technicians and hair salons can thank the Bey Hive for the tripling their income. Raven Voorhees told The New York Times she spent the entire summer working with clients attending Beyonce’s concerts, requesting colors alligned with the themes of the Renaissance tour.

    “It’s boosting business,” Ms. Voorhees said. “We’re talking about someone who’s paying about $60 max for her service to now $150 because she’s doing a new set, she’s getting the works, all of the nail art and then, even after that, having to come back and having to do it again.”

    It turns out even public transit services can thank Beyonce and Taylor Swift for never going out of style. In Los Angeles buses stayed open late for concert-goers, thanking Swift for the boost.

    “We’re enchanted that Taylor Swift fans have given a big boost to public transit across the United States this year — and we’re looking forward to spending our midnights with many of you very soon,” the city’s metro system punned on its website.