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.

  • Youth from Swat to release Pashto version of ‘Ertuğrul’ after Eid

    Youth from Swat to release Pashto version of ‘Ertuğrul’ after Eid

    Ever since the popular Turkish historical series Diriliş Ertuğrul aired in Pakistan on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan, it has become a sensation in the country. From wedding entrances to birthday cake, the Ertuğrul fever gripped Pakistan. A group of young YouTubers based in Swat have taken their love for the series one step further and are all set to release a Pashto version of the first season after Eid.

    Read more – GCU students produce Pakistan’s first-ever fan-made Harry Potter movie

    According to a report in Dawn News, the young group hailing from Odigram, a historical town of Swat valley, said they were inspired by the Turkish history series after PTV started broadcasting an Urdu dubbed version.

    The group is shooting the series at different locations in the Swat valley, with a majority of the scenes being shot at the seventh-century archaeological site of Raja Gira Castle and 11th century Mahmood Ghaznavi Mosque, both of which are in Odigram town.

    Muhammad Abbas, a student of BS Mathematics at the Government Post Graduate Jahanzeb College, is essaying the role of Ertuğrul Ghazi in the drama besides also serving as the producer. Other roles for the dramas have been assigned either according to looks or preference.

    Abbas shared that he and his friends watched the popular series during the first wave of COVID-19 and were impressed by the story and action which inspired them to “remake the series in Pashto language” with their own resources. The team behind the project also said that they wanted to show the “glorious history” of Muslims to Pashto-speaking people through this drama.

    Abbas said he and his friends collected their pocket money and made wooden swords, axes, shields as well as jackets with low-cost materials. They also made iron swords and leather jackets used in the original Turkish series.

    “I also work as a tailor after school so I know how to sew the jackets. Now we are such experts in making the dresses that we receive orders from different parts of the country,” said Abbas.

    The youngsters involved in the project are purely driven by their passion because all of them have day jobs – they are either students or shopkeepers. Most of their shoots take place on Friday since it’s their day off.

    Read more – ‘Raj Rani’: Sindhi channel introduces new show inspired by ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’

    “We collect money and arrange for good food including biryani or other dishes for the shooting day. So, we shoot the scenes and have fun,” says Abbas.

    According to Abbas, shooting for the drama is almost complete and only the post-processing and editing is left, which they will also do themselves despite offers from different editing companies.

    Meanwhile, the team said they will also make films on their own historical heroes if they were provided support and story ideas.

  • Osman Khalid Butt defends ‘Chupke Chupke’ for ‘presenting ghar damads in negative light’

    Osman Khalid Butt defends ‘Chupke Chupke’ for ‘presenting ghar damads in negative light’

    Soul Sisters Pakistan’s (SSP) Kanwal Ahmed recently called out Chupke Chupke for portraying ghar damads in a negative light.

    Ahmed, who was recently selected by Facebook as one of its 115 ‘Community Leaders’ using the social network to help others, criticised the serial for “disempowering audiences by reinforcing problematic stereotypes.”

    Referring to a character (played by Ali Safina) belittled in the drama for staying with his in-laws, Ahmed said: “Such as here the ‘ghar damad‘ character is an object of constant ridicule. Only yesterday a woman on SSP was asking how she and [her] sisters can manage her old parents as none of them can move in with them.”

    Responding to Kanwal’s tweet, Osman Khalid Butt – who plays the lead character in Chupke Chupke – said that in the context of the drama, the ‘ghar damad’ is not the victim.

    “This is an interesting take. However, it’s important to mention that this ‘ghar damad‘ refuses to work despite being offered a job in the family business. He isn’t with his in-laws because of financial (or any) duress and while he’s played for broad comedy, he has his own arc,” said Butt.

    Ahmed, in response, argued the character’s incompetence is to deliberately put him in a bad light to validate age-old stereotypes.

    “My concern though is that comedy that identifies with problematic, existing stereotypes reinforces them in society. For example, how many men would want to be ‘ghar damads’ after watching this?” questioned Kanwal.

    Agreeing with Ahmed that the stereotype was not as nuanced as it should have been, Butt said: “But viewers will also be considering the fact that his wife is shown to be quite obviously dominating / demeaning (which she’s called out on, albeit in a comedic manner). And he’s a slacker, no?”

    Though the two are yet to reach a cohesive conclusion, it won’t be wrong to say our TV screens are yet to project behaviour that does not conform to societal norms in a positive light.

    Written by Saima Akram Chaudhry, Chupke Chupke is a story of two families of late Daar Ji (grandfather), who married twice. The first wife Bebe (Asma Abbas) is a Punjabi woman and the second wife Bakhto (Uzma Beg) is Saraiki. Both gave birth to two children (hilariously emphasizing his equal treatment of wives) and unfortunately, both lost one of their children. We see Farhan Ally Agha as Bebe’s stingy son who has two daughters; Meenu (Ayeza Khan) and Muneeba aka Mirchi. On the other hand, Fahad aka Fazi and Gul (Osman Khalid Butt and Mira Sethi) are twin siblings and grandchildren of Bakhto.

    If this seems confusing to you, embrace for more actors: Hadi and Wali (Arslan Naseer and Aadi Khan) are brothers, Ali Safina (Gul’s husband and a ghar damaad), Mishi (Aymen), and Roomi as OB’s sisters.

  • Pakistani celebrities unite to demand royalties

    Pakistani celebrities unite to demand royalties

    Veteran actor Naila Jaffery’s appeal for royalties spearheaded a movement for royalties in the Pakistan entertainment industry. While initially only a handful of celebrities came forward to demand their “due right,” the movement soon gained traction with A-listers from the industry including Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed, Adnan Siddiqui, Vasay Chaudhry, Mehwish Hayat, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Maya Ali and Ahmed Ali Butt uniting to demand royalties for their work.

    Others who are also participating in the campaign and have raised their voice for it include Yasir Hussain, Iqra Aziz, Mansha Pasha, Sakina Samo, Asad Siddiqui, Zara Noor Abbas, Armeena Khan, Kübra Khan, Bilal Abbas Khan, Yumna Zaidi and Junaid Khan.

    “Actors and producers must get royalties for their hard work. That’s no favour, it’s their right,” said Humayun.

    “In every industry, there are some rules. Some laws,” said Zara Noor Abbas. “Let’s have it set in ours too. Let’s acknowledge the ones who entertain you on the cost of their lives.”

    Asad Siddiqui said: “In tough times, solidarity is the force. We stand together, hand in hand.”

    “In the words of Irshad Kamil, ‘Sadda haq, Aithe rakh‘,” said Osman Khalid Butt.

    Mehwish said: “Royalties must be paid to artistes on all re-runs,foreign & cross platform sales as is the case everywhere else in the
    Actors on my fav show “Friends” for example make more out of royalties each yr than the original fees they were paid.”

    She also added: “Bottom line-Artists need to be valued!”

    Sharing her thoughts on the matter, Kübra said: “Not Just actors. Writers, musicians, directors.. and soo many more.”

    “In the passing years, we’ve seen some of our seniors who have ruled the industry request respect when it should’ve been their right. There are rules and regulations that set a well-run system and it’s high time we implement them so that our industry can run as smoothly as it should. Every artist deserves that,” asserted the actor.

    “It’s time to play fair,” said Sanam Saeed.

    Meanwhile, Osama Tahir, who gained popularity for his roles in Ruswai and Mushk, explained the concept of royalties and what exactly Pakistani artists are demanding.

    “Actors normally aren’t paid very well, and most times they aren’t paid on time in Pakistan (not talking about A-listers),” said Tahir. “But what channels and production companies do is that they pay you for that project (if they do), and keep selling the drama again and again to different channels and countries.”

    Elaborating his point, Tahir said: “So the least we should be offered is royalty from every show that we do. If royalties are not possible then at least pay actors well enough that they don’t rely on royalties. As it is the case, everywhere else, where there’s a thriving TV industry.”

    “Pay 100× times better or pay solid royalties… it’s not complicated,” he added.

    Later, the actor further explained: “#GiveRoyaltiesToArtists isn’t a ‘give us more money,’ it’s a right.”

    “You use us to make money many times in Pakistan and beyond, and you refuse us to ever have that conversation. Many artists have struggled and can’t make ends meet because they aren’t paid on time or at all. So pay up,” he added.

    Similarly, Ayesha Omar while explaining the concept to a social media user, said: “I think you haven’t understood the meaning of ‘royalties’. Artists are not demanding to be treated like royalty.”

    “‘Royalty’ is a fee to artists who have created or contributed to create something whenever that work is performed/used/aired,” she added.

    ‘Govt working to introduce royalty payments for artists’

    Earlier on April 12, PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan had announced that the federal government is working to introduce a comprehensive bill to ensure that artists are given financial credit for their work.

    “Most countries around the world give royalties to artists every time a show, their work is re-run, a second time or more,” Senator Faisal had said. “Sadly in Pakistan where many artists are already underpaid, there is no policy or law ensuring that artists be given financial credit for their work.”

    The Senator further said that it is “very critical to fill the gaps and bring proper framework via amendments in legislation to ensure that our producers [and] artists get their rights to royalties.”

    Speaking exclusively to The Current on the matter, Senator Faisal said: “Royalty is very important and I am working on this bill to ensure our artists get their due right. I am hoping to get it passed soon without any further delays.”

    Asserting that the government is committed to addressing this issue, Senator Faisal said: “Actors, musicians, singers – all artists must be supported,” adding that they will soon be entitled to royalties.

  • Meesha Shafi, Samina Peerzada mourn Gunga Saain’s demise

    Gunga Saain, a specially-abled dhol player, passed away in Lahore, after suffering from a heart attack, Hum News has reported.

    Saain was famous across the country for his spiritual dance on the beats of dhol. The famed musician used to dance and perform while playing the dhol himself. He used to perform on Thursdays on the shrine of Baba Shah Jamal in Icchra. He had also performed in various national and international festivals.

    IN PICTURES: Queen Elizabeth bids goodbye to Prince Philip

    Saain’s death left many fans heartbroken.

    https://twitter.com/KuchBhiNahin/status/1383986862834929664

  • Turkey appoints Imran Abbas as goodwill ambassador from Pakistan

    Imran Abbas, who was recently shooting a special Ramzan Transmission from the heart of the Ottoman Empire Istanbul, has been selected as a ‘Goodwill Ambassador from Pakistan’ to visit different countries in Africa along with the ‘leading Turkish actors’.

    “Honoured to be selected by the government of Turkey and its Ministry of Religious Affairs as the Goodwill Ambassador from Pakistan to visit, this week, to Tanzania and many African countries along with leading Turkish actors to provide water, food, education and other basic needs of life to the people of those countries,” wrote Abbas on social media while announcing the news.

    He added that he will also be “presenting the gift of thousands of Quran to Muslims as well” during the trip.

    Abbas has made several visits to Turkey in the past couple of month and is popular among Turkish stars. He was earlier also spotted hanging out with renowned actors including Celal AL, Yeşim Ceren Bozoğlu (Hazal Hatun in Kuruluş: Osman) and Cenk Kangöz (Diriliş: Ertuğrul). Abbas also visited the sets of Kuruluş: Osman, where he was presented the flag of the Kayi tribe.

  • Baby on the way for Sarah and Falak?

    Baby on the way for Sarah and Falak?

    Falak Shabir has left fans confused after he shared an illustration of a woman carrying a baby and her husband worried about it.

    “This is the beauty of a relationship! Subhan Allah,” Falak captioned the photo.

    While Falak did not explain his post further, many are convinced that this is a pregnancy announcement from the couple.

    Sarah had earlier been hospitalised due to ill health. Her manager had confirmed to The Current that the actor has contracted typhoid due to which she had to be admitted to the hospital.

    Later in a short video clip, Khan had informed her fans that she has returned home from the hospital and is doing better.

  • Anushka, Virat share some ‘special’ paw-tastic moments from 2020

    Anushka, Virat share some ‘special’ paw-tastic moments from 2020

    Anushka Sharma has shared a video of her ‘priceless moments’ from 2020, which shows her and her husband, Virat Kohli playing with dogs.

    In the new video, the couple, who are strong animal activists, could be seen playing with a bunch of dogs; feeding them, going on walks with them, and petting them, around what appears to be a farmland where they spent some time last year. Anushka’s dog, Dude, can also be seen with them.

    Fans showered love on the couple in the comments section with some commenting that the video was ‘superb’ and ‘awesome’. The video also crossed five million views on Instagram.

    Earlier this month, Virat had announced that he was collaborating with an animal healthcare company and NGO supporting stray animals to build safe spaces and ensure easy medical access to the stray animals of our city. Kohli said that the the aim of his shelters is to “ensure health and support” to stray animals. He also thanked Anushka for inspiring him.

    “Looking after the welfare of animals is a cause very close to my heart now as Anushka is very passionate about this issue. Her vision to help stray animals across India is truly inspiring for me and since I have met her, I have tried to understand more about animal rights and the urgent need for medical assistance for strays. It is our dream to create a safer space for the stray animals of our city,” Kohli had said in a statement.

    Anushka and Virat became parents for the first time earlier this year. Their daughter Vamika was born in January, but they’ve been particular about not sharing pictures of the baby on social media. They have also requested the press to not carry unauthorised images of the baby.

  • ‘Peaky Blinders’ star Helen McCrory passes away at 52

    ‘Peaky Blinders’ star Helen McCrory passes away at 52

    Helen McCrory, the “beautiful and mighty” British actress known for playing steely female characters on stage and screen, has died of cancer at the age of 52, her husband, Damian Lewis, said on Friday.

    “I’m heartbroken to announce that after a heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family,” said the Homeland actor.

    “She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God, we loved her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.”

    The shock announcement drew tributes from author JK Rowling, fellow actors including Michael Sheen and from the artistic director at London’s National Theatre who hailed McCrory as “unquestionably one of the great actors of her generation”.

    Read more – GCU students produce Pakistan’s first-ever fan-made Harry Potter movie

    Born in London to a Welsh mother and Scottish-born father, McCrory spent a year in Italy before studying acting at the Drama Centre. Her film roles included portraying Cherie Blair – wife of former prime minister Tony Blair – in Peter Morgan’s The Queen and The Special Relationship in 2006 and 2010 respectively. She also played Narcissa Malfoy – mother of Draco Malfoy – in the final three films in the Harry Potter franchise and appeared in the James Bond film Skyfall.

    On television, she had a leading role as the Shelbys’ matriarch Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders. The BBC show began filming the sixth series this year, expected to air later in 2021, with McCrory understood to have reprised her role.

    Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy described McCrory as a compassionate friend and fearless actor.

    “I am broken-hearted to lose such a dear friend,” Murphy said in a statement. “Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being. She was also a gifted actor — fearless and magnificent. She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played. It was a privilege to have worked with this brilliant woman, to have shared so many laughs over the years. I will dearly miss my pal. My love and thoughts are with Damian and her family.”

    The couple, who had two young children, married in 2007. They had recently raised over one million pounds to give health workers restaurant meals during the pandemic.

  • Kartik Aaryan ousted from ‘Dostana 2’ after alleged fallout with Karan Johar

    Dharma Productions has announced that they will be recasting for their upcoming film Dostana 2 due to “professional circumstances”. Dostana 2 is the standalone sequel to the highly popular 2008 film Dostana starring John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra and Abhishek Bachchan. Karan Johar had announced the sequel in June 2019, revealing that Janhvi Kapoor and Kartik Aaryan were cast in the lead roles.

    In an official statement, the Johar-led production house said: “Due to professional circumstances, on which we have decided to maintain a dignified silence – we will be recasting Dostana 2, directed by Collin D’Cunha. Please wait for the official announcement soon.”

    Rumours of Kartik Aaryan leaving Dostana 2 have been doing the rounds on social media for several days. While there was no confirmation from anyone, sources close to the development revealed that after having shot for 20 days, Aaryan didn’t give further dates to the film due to a clash in schedule.

    “After numerous queries from Kartik’s talent agency KWAN, Dharma failed to get the schedule dates. There’s Janhvi and Lakshya trying to accommodate dates amid their juggling schedules,” stated a report, adding that Johar has decided to never work with Kartik in the future.

    “The team was a mess after a point. Dharma Productions have now decided to officially not associate with Kartik ever in future,” added the report.

    Other reports have suggested that Kartik had creative differences with the director of the film which caused tension between the two prompting Dharma to replace the actor.

    Aaryan’s ouster from the project will reportedly cost Dharma a whopping Rs 20 crores.

    Read more – Kartik Aaryan pays 0.5 crores to airlift Lamborghini from Italy

    On the other hand, rumours are abuzz that there has been a fallout between Kartik and Johar.

    According to Pinkvilla, Kartik expressed his displeasure with the second half of the script after shooting for 20 days, irking Karan.

    Another report said that Johar became fed up with Kartik for not giving dates and giving other projects like Ram Madhvani’s Dhamaka more importance.

    “For the longest time, Kartik gave a genuine reason of the COVID-19 pandemic to not start the shoot. He wanted to ensure safety so Karan didn’t push him much. But when he shot for Dhamaka, Karan was upset. They had an indoor meeting where Karan expressed his disappointment,” a source told the media outlet.

    He added: “Kartik later got upset with the banner when they gave Shashank Khaitan’s Yoddha to Shahid Kapoor. Although Shahid soon quit, they never approached Kartik for the role. Furthermore, since Kartik’s dates were not available for Dostana 2, Karan decided to go ahead and start Mr Lele with Vicky Kaushal and Janhvi Kapoor from April. The moment Kartik got to know about this development he informed the production house that the only dates available for Dostana 2 this year will be April onwards.”

    “Karan understood what Kartik was doing and quickly reprimanded him for the same. He was genuinely upset with Kartik as Janhvi had to pick between Dostana 2 and Mr Lele,” said the source, adding: “The last we heard, Karan and Kartik are not speaking a word to each other.”

    To add more fuel to the fire, it has emerged that Johar has unfollowed Kartik on Instagram shortly after the announcement. However, Kartik continues to follow Johar on the picture-sharing app.

    Meanwhile, Rajkummar Rao and Vicky Kaushal are reportedly being considered for the role Kartik was supposed to play.

    Earlier, Kartik had expressed his excitement over the film saying: “The evolution is from one Dostana to the other. Dostana one that released in 2008 and the Dostana 2 that’s releasing in 2020, you will see that the representation is accurate, non-caricaturish and on point, talking about sexuality in a way that will not make you cringe while watching it.”

    Aaryan made his Bollywood debut with Luv Ranjan’s Pyaar Ka Punchnama in 2011.

  • ‘Salam-e-Ajizana’: Atif Aslam releases special Naat for Ramzan

    ‘Salam-e-Ajizana’: Atif Aslam releases special Naat for Ramzan

    With Muslims across the globe celebrating Ramazan 2021 with zeal and zest, Atif Aslam has lent his voice to recite a special Naat for this year’s Ramzan Salam-e-Ajizana.

    Aslam has recreated the most renowned Kalaam of Hazrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan – Mustafa Jaan-e-Rehmat Pe Lakho Salaam – for the holy month of Ramzan.

    Besides Aslam, Ali Pervez Mehdi, Nouman Javed, Ahsan Pervaiz Mehdi, and Kumail Jaffery also took part in the recitation. All five can be seen standing with their hands folded in respect.

    The video has been directed by Nouman Javaid and produced by Ahsan Pervaiz Mehdi.

    Aslam’s naat recitations have been highly appreciated. The singer earlier recited Wohi Khuda Hai and Asma-Ul-Husna winning appreciation from fans across the world.

    Listen to Salam-e-Ajizana here: