Best entertainment news in the industry, we break entertainment stories as soon as celebrities post on their social media and do Pakistani drama reviews.
American reality television star Kim Kardashian is “re-evaluating” her relationship with Balenciaga after the luxury fashion brand was widely criticized for a campaign featuring children posing with teddy bears in what appeared to be bondage gear.
“As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images,” she said on Twitter. “The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society — period.”
Last week, photos surfaced of a Balenciaga campaign that showed children holding teddy bears in leather gear resembling that used in BDSM, an abbreviation for bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, and sadomasochism. One photo showed a child holding a bear that was dressed in wrist and ankle restraints with a lock and chain around its neck.
Fashion house Balenciaga has been heavily criticised over a photoshoot showing child models posing with fetish-themed teddy bears. The shoot went viral, especially in the US among users who object to what they see as “over-sexualising” young children.
As criticism built, a sarcastic tweet from YouTuber June Nicole Lapine gained a lot of traction and Balenciaga deleted all the images a short time later.
After this, some right-wing US media channels ran with the story, and accused the fashion house of “endorsing child pornography”. The accusation was fuelled by the campaign for its Adidas collaboration featuring the case notes referring to “virtual child porn”.
Balenciaga posted an apology to its 14 million Instagram followers and said its plush bear bags “should not have been featured with children”.
It said it had removed the items from sale and deleted the images from all web platforms.
Actor Iqra Aziz in an Instagram post announced last month that she is retracting from a project with Feroze Khan after he was accused of domestic violence.
“To stay silent in the face of injustice is to side with the oppressor.’ In lieu of the situation regarding domestic violence, I have made the difficult but necessary decision to retract my project with Feroze Khan as a sign of support for victims of domestic abuse. I support Aliza Sultan for seeking justice, more strength and power to you,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
After Iqra’s announcement, her sister Sidra took to her social media handle to share details of Iqra’s decision-making process while opting out of the project.
Now Iqra has opened up on her decision in a chat show, the Ranjha Ranjha Kardi diva said she simply was not comfortable working with him after he was accused of domestic violence by his wife Aliza Sultan. She said everyone has the right to choose how they want to work and who they want to work with.
Aziz appeared on The Talk Talk Show and talked about her retraction. “For me, it was a very personal decision. I did what I thought was right for me and [it was] what I wanted to do, what according to me was the right choice. I took a decision — I wasn’t comfortable working with him, so I said no. I wasn’t waiting for anything to be proved to take action because, before that, there was a time in which we worked together (Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3) and I wasn’t comfortable with him during that so I said no this time.” she said.
The host summarised her point saying that the bottom line is it’s okay for an actor to have the liberty to say no if they’re uncomfortable working with someone. “Of course!” Aziz responded. “I think that we live in an era where, whether it’s a woman or a man, working in this industry or anywhere, other than the choice of career, they have the right to say yes or no to however they want to work according to their comfort level and to who they’re comfortable working with.”
The interviewer then asked her if her take would be any different if in the future the allegations proved to be false in court. “I think we have to wait for that time then. We can only decide that then, we can’t decide before time thinking what if this happens, just based on assumptions,” replied the Suno Chanda actor.
When the host tried to dig into the matter some more, Aziz put a stop to it with an uncomfortable chuckle and asked him to leave it at that instead of delving deep into it.
Claim: The FIFA World Cup in Qatar opened with a glittering ceremony and many stars in attendance, including egendary actor Morgan Freeman. The Oscar-winner performed in the inauguration ceremony along with 22-year-old Qatari disabled activist and motivational speaker Ghanim al-Muftah, who read from the Holy Quran.
Freeman shared a message of unity, declaring, “What unites us here in this moment is so much greater than what divides us. How can we make it last longer than just today?”
Ghanim Al-Muftah, a Qatari activist for the disabled, born with the rare Caudal Regression Syndrome, appeared with Freeman and stated to the crowd, “Everyone is welcome”.
After the ceremony , Twitterati widely speculated that Freeman had converted to Islam.
Today’s biggest news! Famous Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman has accepted Islam, may Allah make him steadfast in Islam. Ameen pic.twitter.com/ffGYOGUTYK
Fact: Online claims that Freeman has converted to Islam date back to at least 2015.
This is not the first time Freeman has been subject to fake news regarding his religious beliefs. Freeman previously presented “The Story of God with Morgan Freeman,” a National Geographic show that dived into various religions, including Islam. This also led to similar speculation regarding his religious affiliations.
However, Misbar, an independent Arabic fact-check platform, investigated the assertion regarding Freeman converting to Islam and found it to be fake.
The platform quoted, “The actor has not announced converting to Islam and also, no reliable media outlet has reported on the news.”
Stage actor and comedian Tariq Teddy passed away at the age of 46 on Saturday, days after he was shifted to a ventilator after his health deteriorated.
Teddy’s son told the media that his father was suffering from pulmonary and liver-related illness, and was admitted to Pakistan Kidney & Liver Institute and Research Centre for the last 10 days.
The funeral prayers for the late comedian will be held in Lahore today.
Teddy’s family earlier appealed to the authorities for his treatment and Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi later announced financial assistance.
Information Secretary Asif Iqbal Lodhi and Chief Minister Press Secretary Chaudhry Iqbal handed over an Rs0.5 million cheque to the deceased son.
Earlier, several personalities from the showbiz industry visited the hospital and expressed their best wishes for the noted comedian.
Teddy stepped into theatre at a very young age in the 90s. He entertained Pakistanis with his particular style of comedy. His performances in various stage dramas accumulated audience appreciation for his style.
Teddy has to his credit many popular commercial stage plays including Mama Pakistani, Sabse Bara Rupaiya, Jee Karda, and Dosti.
The government of Pakistan banned Saim Sadiq’s Oscar contender “Joyland” for containing “highly objectionable” material, earlier this month.
An order dated Nov. 11 from Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting says that the country’s censor board had granted a censor certificate to the film on Aug. 17. But it has since reversed the decision.
“Written complaints were received that the film contains highly objectionable material which do not conform with the social values and moral standards of our society and is clearly repugnant to the norms of ‘decency and morality’ as laid down in Section 9 of the Motion Picture Ordinance, 1979,” the order states. “Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 9(2) (a) of the said Ordinance and after conducting a comprehensive inquiry, the Federal Government declares the feature film titled ‘Joyland’ as an uncertified film for the whole of Pakistan in the cinemas which fall under the jurisdiction of CBFC with immediate effect.”
Head of Prime Minister of Pakistan’s Strategic Reforms, Salman Sufi publicly requested the current federal minister of Information & Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb to review the ban and meet the film’s team.
PM @CMShehbaz has constituted a high level committee to assess #Joyland and review its ban.
The committee will assess the complaints as well as merits to decide on its release in Pakistan.
— Salman Sufi (Get New Covid Booster Today) (@SalmanSufi7) November 14, 2022
Sufi later revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a committee to assess Joyland and review its ban.
Latest Update (Ban Reversed)
The globally acclaimed and multiple award-winning Pakistani film Joyland has been given green signal by the censor board of Pakistan after reviewing it on the Prime Minister’s directions.
The full board has allowed the local screening of Joyland after deleting some parts. The film was initially set to have a commercial release in Pakistan on November 18.
PM Shehbaz Sharif formed a cabinet committee to look into the matter after some schools of thought had objected to the movie.
Release Stopped By Punjab Government
Following yesterday’s clearance by the censor board, Joyland’s theatrical release has once again been halted, this time by the government of Punjab.
The Government of Punjab has retracted its No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued to the movie Joyland. The notification issued by Information and Culture Department reads that Punjab government, in the wake of complaints, has decided to ‘recall’ the movie by “exercising powers conferred under Section-9 (1 and 2) Motion Pictures Ordinance, 1979.” “You are therefore directed not to exhibit above titled film in the jurisdiction of Punjab province till further orders of the Govt,” reads the notification.
Reactions On The Ban
Saim and his team members raised their voices against the ban imposed by the government. Terming the ban a “grave injustice,” Sadiq, in an Instagram post, says that the ban is “absolutely unconstitutional and illegal” and has urged the country’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to review the decision.
Apart from the film’s team, A-list celebrities and media personalities also reacted to the news and expressed their support for the film.
#ReleaseJoyland ! There is no reason not to. Be proud of the work that our artists create not afraid! Give your own people the respect they get in foreign lands. Support us, stand by us and we as Pakistani artists will make this country proud! https://t.co/6jQizg0Xbx
Set in Lahore, the film revolves around Haider, the youngest son of the middle-class, patriarchal Rana family. As the Ranas yearn for the birth of a baby boy, Haider secretly joins an erotic dance theater and finds himself falling for a fiercely ambitious trans starlet. Their love story illuminates the secrets and desires of the entire Rana family.
The film debuted at the Un Certain Regard strand at Cannes earlier this year, where it won the jury prize. Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai later joined the project as an executive producer. It is Pakistan’s entry in the Oscars’ international feature category.
Recently it also won the Asia Pacific Screen Awards’ young cinema award, given in partnership with critics’ association NETPAC and the Griffith Film School.
After hearing of the ban, APSA said in a written statement: “ ‘Joyland’ represents a significant new cinematic talent in Saim Sadiq from Pakistan, who has crafted a moving and entertaining drama about family in his debut feature film. The Young Cinema Award Jury commends Saim Sadiq for his brave and joyous celebration of community diversity and the universality of love.”
Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was stopped for hours by the Customs Department at Mumbai Airport last night over some luxury watches that he and those accompanying him were carrying in their baggage. Sources said he had to pay INR 6.83 lakh in Customs Duty before being allowed to leave the airport.
The DDLJ star was returning after attending an event in Sharjah and had landed at Terminal 3 of Mumbai International Airport on a private jet.
The luxury watches were found in the baggage when SRK and those accompanying him were leaving the terminal.
According to reports, while Khan and his manager left the airport upon completion of Customs formalities, some members of his entourage, including his bodyguard, were allowed to leave only around morning.
Reports said packaging for six luxury watches valued around ₹ 18 lakh was also found in the baggage of the star.
Mr Khan attended the Sharjah International Book Fair 2022 yesterday, where he was honoured with the Global Icon of Cinema and Cultural Narrative Award for his contribution to international cinema and culture.
Actor Humayun Saeed’s Netflix debut The Crown’s season 5 premiered on 11th November. The London Nahi Jaunga star is receiving rave reviews for his performance in the series based on the royal British family.
While the local media and audience is glorifying Humayun’s reach as an artist, a section of netizens are criticising him for kissing his co-star Elizabeth Debicki in the show.
Here are a few comments by netizens:
Earlier this year, Ahad Raza Mir has also come under scrutiny for locking lips in Netflix’s web series Resident Evil.
Pakistani film actor Meera recently shared her take on superstar Mahira Khan’s craft in The Legend Of Maula Jatt. The veteran artist stated that Khan’s Punjabi in the film was “terrible”, while chatting with Fame Pakistan.
Meera also added that she would have done a better job than the Raees star in the film.
Earlier this year Meera claimed that the showbiz industry suffered a massive financial loss worth billions due to the “Dual Nikah” case against her.
The Baaji actor, who is known for heaps of scandals delivered the statement during the hearing of the dual Nikah case at a local court in Lahore today.
A local court conducted the hearing of the dual nikkah case against the Lollywood actor on Wednesday. The Inteha star appeared along with her counsel in the hearing.
During the hearing, Meera broke into tears before the judge after approaching the rostrum.
The actor told the judge that she was seeking justice for 10 years and was properly heard at the US court but justice was not delivered in Pakistan’s court.
According to a report, after the Nazar actor started shouting in the courtroom, the judge Rai Ahmed Khan asked her to lower her voice otherwise get back to her seat.
Later, the sessions court adjourned the hearing till October five and ordered the lawyers for arguments on the amended evidence in the case.
While talking to the media, Meera said that a film’s shooting was being termed as her real Nikah. She claimed that the showbiz industry suffered a massive financial loss worth billion due to the case against her.
It is pertinent to mention here that her alleged husband Atiq-ur-Rehman had accused Meera of entering into a Nikah with another person named Naveed when she was already married to him. This he said was a crime, as per law.
Actor Madiha Rizvi recently announced her separation from her husband of nine years, Hasan Noman in a touching post. The couple tied the knot in 2013 and have two daughters.
On Tuesday, the Parizaad star took to Instagram to announce her separation and Rizvi asked for privacy during this difficult time.
“With much gratitude for our time together, Hasan and I have amicably finalised our divorce. We’ve been working hard for well over a year, some of it together, some of it separated, to see what might have been possible between us. And the final conclusion is to part our ways for the best,” she wrote.
“However, we are and will always be a family, as we continue to co-parent our two incredibly wonderful girls. Therefore, we ask for their and our space and privacy to be respected at this difficult time. We’ve always conducted our relationship privately, and we hope that as we consciously uncouple and co-parent, we will be able to continue in the same manner,” Rizvi concluded.
Hasan’s Statement
Post the news went viral, the Sang-e-Mah star issued his official statement on the matter. He revealed that the split isn’t mutual.
Noman noted: “I would like to announce that although our divorce has been finalized, but it was not through mutual consent.”
He added, “I have been very concerned about our daughters to have a well rounded life experience and would want to reiterate that I strongly believe in the institution of marriage and did not want this divorce. Mostly because I do not want my daughters to go through life without both their parents.”
“Madiha exercised her right to divorce which resulted in this decision that I condemn as a Muslim,” his note concluded.
After Hasan went public with his stance. Madiha posted a cryptic story on her Instagram handle.
In November 2016, a private video of actor Rida Isfahani got leaked and went viral on social media. The controversy affected her career in a huge way and she lost out on work. Now the artist has discussed the matter on Nadir Ali’s podcast for the first time.
Allegedly her ex-fiancé, who was DOP betrayed her and leaked her private moments.
Rida said, “I would discuss it with you because you respect women. If your trust is breached, then it means it is the end of humanity. I would say it’s Allah who gives respect and who reveals your bad side in front of others, sometimes, the punishment comes early because Allah doesn’t want someone special to fall astray.”
She added, “Well, my trust was broken by my fiancé. I convinced my parents for him. My mindset was conservative as I wanted to be with one person. I had a relationship with DOP. He wasn’t even wealthy, he proposed to me and I accepted. After three years of my engagement, he leaked my pictures when I was in the US. People urged me to do a press conference but I didn’t as it was his deed, this is my tragedy and it will go to my grave with me. People don’t forgive and keep accusing you for your past and I have been facing this. I was also cut down from projects after this. I contacted him through agencies after this because I was clueless at that time, his act was bad, I will be embarrassed in front of my loved ones who never said a bad word to me after this tragedy, they were so hurt.”
