Best entertainment news in the industry, we break entertainment stories as soon as celebrities post on their social media and do Pakistani drama reviews.
Yasir Hussain has highlighted the plight of Ainak Wala Jinn cast and has requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to help them amidst the ongoing debate on royalties.
Sharing a photo of PM Khan with Ainak Wala Jinn’s cast, Hussain drew attention towards the financial troubles these icons have had to undergo since the 90s comedy show ended years ago. The purpose was to add onto the nationwide movement backed by showbiz personalities to be paid royalties for their work and serials that are re-run repeatedly.
Hussain also mentioned how gruesome it has been for the cast to find suitable roles after Ainak Wala Jinn.
“Did you know that the cast of Ainak Wala Jinn was never cast for any other drama? Some of them died of hunger while others are hardly surviving on charity,” lamented Hussain.
The actor also reminded the PM how these actors are the sole reason why he could build all the hospitals he has so far.
“[PM] Imran Khan, these people have supported you from the days when you placed the first brick of your hospital to the beginning of your political journey,” Hussain asserted, adding that our government needs to offer help to veteran artists and have mercy on those who have been part of our showbiz for generations.
Ainak Wala Jinn was one of the biggest serials that children grew up watching on PTV for years. The show continued for four seasons with the same cast as. Be it Zakota Jinn or Bil Batori, the dialogues are still remembered till this date with many in their homes mimicking their favourite characters.
This is not the first time that Hussain has raised his voice in support of senior artists. He was also among the first Pakistani celebrities, who spoke in support of Naila Jaffery and urged the government to help the ailing actress.
Nabeel Qureshi has revealed that his upcoming project Khel Khel Mein featuring Bilal Abbas Khan and Sajal Aly will be a historical drama.
Responding to a follower during a question & answer session on Instagram, Qureshi revealed that Khel Khel Mein is “something different from my previous movies” and will be a historical drama.
Responding to other questions related to the lead pair, Qureshi shared that he had an amazing experience working with Khan and that Sajal was his first choice for the film.
Meanwhile, other details about the new project have been kept tightly under wraps and are limited. The actors had earlier expressed their excitement over the film while announcing the news on social media.
“Bismillah,” Sajal had said while sharing a picture of the script, while Bilal had said: “Working with the finest producer/director duo in the country for the first time. Iss baar milte hain theatre mei.”
Speaking about Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa’s Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad that was expected to hit cinemas on Eid ul Azha 2020, Qureshi shared that he plans to release the film this year.
Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad has been directed by Nabeel and produced by Fizza Ali Meerza. A teaser for the film had also been released earlier.
Qureshi also mentioned that there are two upcoming movies that are pending for release.
Mariyam Nafees wants people to normalise not pretending to fast when you are not.
“Brothers, don’t ask a sister why she’s not fasting,” wrote the actor on social media. “In fact, don’t ask anybody who’s not fasting why they’re not fasting.”
Taking a dig at the moral bigrade, Nafees said: “Apne rozay pe dihaan do bhai. Ajeeb!”
“Go offer your prayers instead,” she added. Nafees also used the hashtag ‘#RozayKeThaikedaar’ to assert her point.
• Brothers, don’t ask a sister why she’s not fasting. In fact, don’t ask anybody who’s not fasting why they’re not fasting. Apne rozay pe dihaan do Bhai. Ajeeb! Go offer your prayers instead.
Hania Aamir, who has often opened up about her fears and insecurities, has penned yet another heartfelt note about her struggles saying that she doesn’t want to be a star who is unapproachable.
Expressing her thoughts on social media, Hania said: “When I took this picture, I was completely shattered inside. I would recite the kalma all the time hoping Allah would give me sabr to deal with the hurt I was feeling. Tears were ready to stream even in this picture and I was keeping it together as a front.”
“I know I express too much on Instagram and let you guys in on what a part of my private life is about but just bear with it because I feel this is how it should be,” she added.
The actor further said: “I don’t think I’m from a generation that believes a celebrity needs to be ‘unapproachable’ to be a star! Actually the quite opposite.”
Explaining her words, Hania said: “A star in my eyes is the one who is compassionate and vulnerable and scared and emotional and brave and knows what being famous means. Someone who knows the importance of their platform, someone who appreciates their followers their blessings and knows the fact that they can use their voice and influence lives for the better.”
“That’s the star I want to be,” she added, urging everyone to be kind to those around them and “most importantly, be kind to your own selves.”
Earlier, Hania had written a detailed note on the importance of self-love and urged people to be kind to each other and accept difference of opinion.
“I pride myself on being the person that I am today,” Hania had said. “Yes, I make the most of each day. Yes, I speak my mind. Yes, you might think I’m too much. I am. I am all of these things. I am extra. Extra. I love more. Laugh more. Feel more. Every emotion is heightened and that is the person that I am.”
Cult classic How I Met Your Mother is finally getting a sequel and Hilary Duff has been roped in as the lead.
Titled How I Met Your Father, the gender-swapped upcoming show, which will stream on Hulu, will feature the Lizzie McGuire star play the female version of the original’s lead character, Ted Mosby.
According to a press release, the story will “catapult us back to the year 2021 where Sophie and her close-knit group of friends are in the midst of figuring out who they are, what they want out of life, and how to fall in love in the age of dating apps and limitless options.”
The sequel’s format will be the same as the original CBS comedy which ran from 2005 to 2014.
Duff, in a statement, expressed her excitement over the development, saying: “I’ve been incredibly lucky in my career to play some wonderful characters and I’m looking forward to taking on the role of Sophie. As a huge fan of How I Met Your Mother, I’m honoured and even a little nervous that Carter and Craig would trust me with the sequel of their baby.” Carter Bays and Craig Thomas are the co-creators of the new show.
“Just fangirling over here getting to join the Hulu Originals and 20th families. I realize these are big shoes to fill and I’m excited to slip my 6 ½’s in there,” added Duff.
The actor later also shared the news on social media “The news came out that I am going to be shooting How I Met Your Father. Today is a good day,” she captioned the post.
This is not the first time a sequel to the superhit series has been planned. Back in 2014, soon after How I Met Your Mother wrapped up CBS had ordered a pilot episode of a similar-sounding spinoff show called How I Met Your Dad starring Greta Gerwig (who has since written and directed the movies “Little Women” and “Lady Bird”), but it was ultimately scrapped.
Earlier, Bushra Ansari, who is also Sumbul’s sister, had shared the news of Sumbul testing positive for coronavirus.
“My darling sister Sumbul Shahid is fighting a battle with coronavirus these days. Please pray for her speedy recovery. Char Chand salamat rahain ameen,” said Ansari.
Sumbul last appeared in ARY Digital’s masala drama Nand.
Actor Asad Siddiqui, who is also Zara Noor Abbas’s husband, took to Instagram stories and requested to pray for Sumbul’s recovery.
“A request to all, please pray for Sumbul Shahid, sister of Asma Abbas and Bushra Ansari. She’s on ventilator. May Allah keep us all safe and healthy,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Faysal Quraishi, Aagha Ali and Yasir Hussain prayed for the actor’s swift recovery.
Sending duas for actress #SumbulShahid who is currently on the vent. Allah aap ko bohot sehat de. IA praying that you recover soon. pic.twitter.com/g3FBQYxY7V
Aamir Liaquat left the internet in fits with his recent shenanigans during his Ramzan transmission. Liaquat’s ‘naagin dance’, in particular, has gone viral.
Yasir Hussain, who recently appeared on Liaquat’s show, recreated the naagin pose with the politician and shared pictures of it on social media.
“Entertainer of The Decade,” said Hussain, praising Liaquat. “Aap k Nagin dance ne bohot hansaya. Aur yehi such hai. Keep entertaining us.“
On Monday, Aamir became a centre of attention on social media platforms for the second time this week with his stunning performance on naagin music during his show Jeeway Pakistan.
While shaking his leg to the beat, the most hilarious moment came when he stretched on the floor and displayed his naagin dance skills.
The video had gone viral on social media users with some enjoying it and others criticising him.
Earlier, Liaquat had invited a Pakistani star Naseem Hameed on his show. The host challenged Hameed, who had won a gold medal at the South Asian Federation Games in 2010 for a 20-meter race on stage.
In an unexpected turn of events, the race did not end well and Liaquat took a slight fall on the floor.
Babu jee dheeray chalna ..Amir Liaquat was racing with Naseem Hameed in Ramzan Transmission n slipped pic.twitter.com/LfILTPKZth
A Mrs World winner facing criminal charges after an on-stage fracas at a Sri Lankan beauty pageant has relinquished her title, organisers said Wednesday.
Caroline Jurie made international headlines after yanking the crown off the winner at the local segment of Mrs World in Sri Lanka at a Colombo theatre this month.
Jurie won the entire Mrs World competition last year in Las Vegas but California-based Mrs World Inc. said in a statement she had now voluntarily stepped down and the 2020 crown has now gone to runner up Kate Schneider of Ireland.
Jurie had faced social media calls to give up her title after being arrested with an associate Chula Padmendra, following the unruly scenes on stage.
Both have been charged with using criminal force and causing damage. They are on bail ahead of a first hearing on June 28.
Jurie had claimed that this year’s Mrs Sri Lanka winner Pushpika de Silva was ineligible for the prize as she was divorced. The Mrs Sri Lanka victor qualifies to enter the next Mrs World competition.
To qualify for the title, contestants must be married. De Silva is estranged from her husband, but they are legally married.
The local franchise holder for the pageant, Chandimal Jayasinghe, has demanded compensation from Jurie for damage to the stage and dressing rooms where several mirrors were smashed.
De Silva told reporters outside the Cinnamon Gardens police station in Colombo on Thursday that she was ready to drop charges if Jurie made a public apology, but she had refused.
“I tried to end this out of court, but she has refused,” de Silva said. “I can forgive, but not forget.”
There was no immediate comment from Jurie or her lawyer.
Police sources had told AFP that a court hearing was likely next week and Jurie and her associate, who crashed onto the stage, could be granted bail.
Jurie had come onto the stage claiming that de Silva was divorced and therefore not eligible for the prize. To qualify for the title, contestants must be married. De Silva is estranged from her husband, but they are still legally married.
Ali Safina has responded to the criticism on a character he is playing in a Hum TV’s special Ramzan series Chupke Chupke.
When a social media user asked Safina how he feels about the criticism on his role of a ghar damad, the actor said: “Bhai jab Miskeen bhai apni family k saath khush hai to logon ko kya fikar hai? Chill karein sab and enjoy the show (If Miskeen is happy with his family then why are people worried? Chill and enjoy the drama).”
Bhai jab miskeen bhai apni family k sath Khush hai to logon ko Kya fikar hai? Chill karein sab and enjoy the show. https://t.co/8aDM6C073C
Safina’s character has sparked a heated debate on social media with many saying that the drama is showing sons-in-law in poor light. Safina, who plays Miskeen is married to Gul (Mira Sethi) and lives in his wife’s house with her family. His duty is to look after the kitchen and to do all the other house chores.
Miskeen’s in-laws and wife never leave a chance to insult him and mock him for being “useless” and only a burden to the family. Some viewers are unhappy with this problematic portrayal of a ghar damad.
Earlier, Osman Khalid Butt had justified the character saying that Miskeen is ridiculed because he refuses to work even though he has an opportunity to join the family business.
“And while he’s played for broad comedy, has his own arc,” he had added.
Maybe she just doesn’t…want to? I think if anything, Gul-e-Rana is in complete control of her life. I can’t believe we’re policing the choices of a fictional character?
Written by Saima Akram Chaudhry and directed by Danish Nawaz, Chupke Chupke is a comic caper involving two families. It also features Ayeza Khan, Asma Abbas, Farhan Ali Agha, Aymen Saleem, Arsalan Naseer, Mira Sethi and Tara Mahmood besides Butt and Safina.
Pakistani artists from the entertainment industry on Monday came together to start a campaign on social media. The hashtag #GiveRoyaltiesToArtists was posted all over Instagram and Twitter as actors, musicians, models and others stood together to demand royalties for artists.
Following the feedback which some artists got on their posts, along with some hate comments, Ayesha Omar and Faysal Quraishi took to their respective Instagram accounts to give a crash course of what royalties are and what is it that artists are really asking for.
Omar wrote: “I did some research…. was very helpful. All over the world, artists get residuals and royalties. It is their due right. That’s how they survive.”
“P.s. A couple of decades ago, royalties were given to Pakistani artists by PTV. Then it all changed. This movement has been started to secure the future of actors/artists/performers in their times of need. More like a pension of sorts, for their hard work and contributions and for all that comes with being in the entertainment industry,” she added.
“Lots of people don’t understand the meaning of royalties and are not even bothering to check what this term means, before writing insensitive, mean and derogatory comments,” said Ayesha. “Some do know but are still being demeaning and downright horrible. Some don’t understand why this campaign has started. Others are genuinely curious and want to find out more. Some agree wholeheartedly. Some are offering excellent explanations. Some think artists are asking to be ‘treated’ like ‘Royalty’ and mocking us. So, let’s talk about royalties.”
Omar went on to address the difference between royalties and residuals, as some tend to confuse the two terms. Sharing definitions of each term, Omar shared a screenshot highlighting the difference between the two. “Royalties are payments made to you by a one to one contract between you and the licensor or publisher” while “Residuals are payments made to you because of a UNION collective bargaining contract Union representing Actors, Writer or Directors and Producers and Studios covering reuse (reruns) and new use” read the slide. According to the same, “residuals tend to scale down over time while royalties always remain the same percentage.”
While Omar also shared some comments which were made under her post regarding royalties for artists.
Faysal Quraishi chose to address the matter through a video.
Speaking directly to his followers, Quraishi explained how the whole movement began as a result of Naila Jaffery’s plea for royalties. Referring to artists around the world, Quraishi mentioned how writers get royalties for each book sold and the same applies to actors and painters for their services. However, more than actors, it is the producer who usually suffers more. After paying off the team and investing in a project, producers in Pakistan tend to face delays in their payments. Quraishi mentioned how independent producers like him even tend to give up on the profession due to these problems.
Coming to ‘royalties’ and what they mean, the actor provided quite a simple definition. Quraishi explained how royalties are much like pension which is received by an individual after they have retired and have reached the end of their career. The same way, artists are also entitled to receive a certain amount even after they have stopped providing their serviced.
Quraishi also explained how the campaign is not just for actors, but everyone involved in creating projects for the entertainment industry. Elaborating on the number of people employed for a single production, Quraishi emphasised on how royalties are meant to benefit everyone, and not just actors and are essential in keeping the cycle going.
Earlier, Ruswai actor Osama Tahir had also explained what royalties are and why Pakistani artists are demanding them.
