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.

  • Priyanka Chopra wishes for harmony between India & Pakistan

    Priyanka Chopra wishes for harmony between India & Pakistan

    Priyanka Chopra, in her memoir Unfinished, has reportedly talked about tense Indo-Pak relations and has hoped that things would improve between the two countries.

    BBC Asian Network journalist Haroon Rashid, who recently posted a teaser of his upcoming podcast with the actor, while responding to a social media user who asked if he asked Priyanka about her comments on the February 27 Balakot incident, said: “She talks in her book about her hopes for harmony between India and Pakistan giving a lovely anecdote of how a Pakistani British Airways agent gave her parents a seat on a flight when they really needed it.”

    “She said she hoped the countries could share such warm exchanges always.”

    “And you’ll have to find out if I ask her more on her increasing public silence when the full interview releases,” he added.

    Haroon further shared that Priyanka in the podcast talks about “lack of opportunities for South Asians in Hollywood” and “how important her humanitarian work is to her.”

    Earlier, in July 2019, Priyanka had sparked outrage with her response to a Pakistani woman Ayesha Malik, who had called her a hypocrite for “encouraging nuclear war against Pakistan”.

    “So it was kind of hard hearing you talk about humanity because as your neighbour, a Pakistani, I know you’re a bit of a hypocrite,” Malik can be heard saying in the video widely circulated on social media. “You tweeted on February 26, ‘Jai Hind #IndianArmedForces.’”

    Malik continued, “You are a UNICEF ambassador for peace and you’re encouraging nuclear war against Pakistan. There’s no winner in this. As a Pakistani, millions of people like me have supported you in your business of Bollywood and you wanted nuclear war.”

    However, the microphone was taken away from Malik before she could make any further comments.

    Priyanka had started off her response by saying “Whenever you’re done venting… got it, done? Okay, cool.”

    “So, I have many, many friends from Pakistan and I am from India, and war is not something that I am really fond of but I am patriotic. So, I’m sorry if I hurt sentiments to people who do love me and have loved me, but I think that all of us have a sort of middle ground that we all have to walk, just like you probably do as well,” she continued.

    “The way you came at me right now?” Chopra had remarked. “Girl, don’t yell. We’re all here for love. Don’t yell. Don’t embarrass yourself. But we all walk that middle ground, but thank you for your enthusiasm and your question and your voice.”

    Priyanka’s memoir Unfinished, which released on February 9, has become a bestseller, trending in both India and the United States.

  • Meesha Shafi says ‘Groove Mera’ is a win over ‘classism & post-colonial inferiority complex’

    Meesha Shafi says ‘Groove Mera’ is a win over ‘classism & post-colonial inferiority complex’

    Meesha Shafi has said that Groove Mera is a win over classism and post-colonial inferiority complex.

    Sharing a behind the scenes (BTS) video of the song, the singer said: “Groove Mera isn’t just a musical win! It’s a win over classism, over post-colonial inferiority complex, over a rigged system that favours only a select few repeatedly.”

    “A shame that we deny ourselves legendary talent like Naseebo Lal over these hangups,” continued Meesha, adding: “Kudos to the whole team.”

    Meesha had earlier also praised the song referring to Naseebo as “Queen”.

    The official anthem of the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Groove Mera has stirred up a storm in the country. While some, including celebrities, have appreciated the song, others have strongly criticised the composition and choice of artists.

    After Shoaib Akhtar claimed he could have done a better job with the anthem, the speedster had to face immense backlash from Pakistani celebrities including Adnan Siddiqui, Farhan Saeed and Hira Mani.

    Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has defended its decision to hire Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig and Young Stunners to perform the anthem, saying that the three artists were chosen as the board wanted to feature voices that were new and had not sung any PSL anthem before.

  • It’s a happy ending for ‘Mushk’

    It’s a happy ending for ‘Mushk’

    Imran Ashraf’s ‘dream’ Mushk came to a close Saturday night with a perfect fairytale ending giving all us hopeless romantics just what we wanted on Valentine’s Day eve.

    The final episode of the drama had all the usual tropes of a happy ending with star-crossed lovers coming together and riding into the sunset for their happily ever afters.

    On one hand, Mehak (Momal Sheikh) and Shayan (Osama Tahir) finally reunite after Shayan managed to escape his evil Mamu Muqaddar Khan’s (Aehsun Talish) clutches while on the other, Adam (Imran Ashraf) realises his love for Guddi (Urwa Hocane) and the two get married.

    Adam also turned into the knight in shining armour for Guddi after she is kidnapped and forced to marry Chotay Malik, helping her escape, though not before she slit her wrists in an act of defiance. Once she recovers, she decides to head back home and is waiting for her train, when Adam catches her and asks her to marry him. The drama ends with Adam saying ‘Shukar Alhumdulillah‘ to everything that transpired.

    Meanwhile, the evil characters in the drama are punished with Chotay Malik jailed for killing Dr Rana (Raja Haider) and Muqddar Khan paralysed and confined to the wheelchair, leaving viewers satisfied with their anjaam.

    While the drama had most viewers hooked with its interesting storyline and unpredictable twists and turns, it faltered at places and was slow-paced with some scenes unnecessarily dragging on. But what did work for the drama was its dramatic dialogues and brilliant performances. Imran proved to be a wonderful romantic hero and was a delight to watch on the screen. Osama was brilliant as Shayan and the range of emotions he expressed deserve a round of applause, even though most of the time you just wanted to give him [Shayan] a slap for his stupidity.

    As unfortunate as it is, dramas currently trending on Pakistani television are those which are either centred on women running after other women’s husbands or the usual family issues in which two people who like each other are not allowed to get married for whatever XYZ reason. In all this hullabaloo, Mushk was like a breath of fresh air and a great example of a solid script enhanced by brilliant performances.

  • Azaan Sami Khan’s ‘Main Tera’ is the perfect Valentine’s Day song

    Azaan Sami Khan’s ‘Main Tera’ is the perfect Valentine’s Day song

    Azaan Sami Khan has released the title track of his debut album Main Tera, along with a music video just in time for the day of love. The song features Khan taking over the vocals and songwriting units for the first time. Meanwhile, the music video features Khan, alongside a newcomer Maheen Siddiqui.

    Backed by some serene visuals, the video shows us glimpses of the couple – Khan and Siddiqui – engaging in an adorable meet-cute.

    “It’s a very nostalgic ode to all the traditional, classic love stories that we, our parents and our grandparents have grown up watching,” says Khan while talking about the song. “It is a very simple, straightforward video. Rest assured, if you watch it in any part of the world, you still get what’s happening even if you don’t understand the language.”

    “It’s about the pure innocence of that first date or when you first interact with someone you like, and whenever you recount that feeling,” he explained.

    The music video of Main Tera has been directed by Ehteshamuddin, who has previously worked with the singer on Superstar.

    “It’s always an incredible experience working with him, and ever since Azaan started working on his album, he had wanted me to direct his first music video, despite me not having worked on music videos before. We’re really great friends and companions, and always learn a lot from each other. When two similar minds collide, it leads to great things,” said the director.

    The track is produced by Meghdeep Bose and features Baqir Abbas on flutes.

    Khan also performed a rendition of the track at the HUM Bridal Couture Week last week and garnered favourable reviews from the industry and fans alike.

    Sharing the pictures from the event, Azaan said: “I put a piece of my heart out there last night for all of you… zara khayal mera rakh lena.”

    Check out the song here:

  • ‘Rasode Main Kon Tha’s’ Yashraj Mukhate is back with an epic take on ‘Pawri Ho Rai Hai’

    ‘Rasode Main Kon Tha’s’ Yashraj Mukhate is back with an epic take on ‘Pawri Ho Rai Hai’

    Rasode Main Kon Tha’s Yashraj Mukhate is back with an epic take on Pawri Ho Rai Hai, a viral video trending on social media.

    Mukhate, who became famous overnight after he released a hilarious rap featuring Saath Nibhaana Saathiya’s Kokilaben, Gopi bahu and Rashi, has now made a video of the girl vacationing in Northern Pakistan while saying “Yeh humari party ho rahi hai“. Mukhate created the video after many Pakistani and Indian fans tagged him in the video and requested him to make a rap on it.

    Sharing the video on social media, Mukhate wrote: “Aaj se me party nahi karunga sirf pawri karunga. Kyuki party karneme wo mazaa nahi jo pawri karneme hai (From now on I will only do ‘pawri’ instead of party. Because partying is not as fun than pawriing).”

    According to details, the girl who posted the original video is an Instagram influencer Dananeer. While commenting on Mukhate post, even she couldn’t stop praising the rap version.

    Meanwhile, Pawri Ho Rai Hai has become a trend on social media with many people including celebrities creating their own take on it.

    Here are some of the videos:

    https://twitter.com/MemonHizba/status/1359911934146019331?s=19

    This is not the first time that Mukhate used a Pakistani viral video to make a rap. Earlier, he used a video from a Pakistani show, in which the girl was mimicking street hawkers who sell Garam Anday (boiled eggs) on the streets.

  • PCB defends Naseebo Lal, ‘Groove Mera’

    PCB defends Naseebo Lal, ‘Groove Mera’

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday defended its decision to hire Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig and Young Stunners to perform the anthem of the sixth edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    According to a report, a PCB spokesperson said that the three artists were chosen to do the song as the board wanted to feature voices that were new and had not sung any PSL anthem before.

    “Naseebo Lal is an extremely talented, underutilised vocalist whose voice has the strength to carry this cricket anthem,” the official is reported to have said. He further added that Aima gave young energy to the anthem. 

    The spokesperson said that Young Stunners were a “natural choice” to be a part of the anthem as they are leaders in the country’s hip-hop scene.

    “Cricket and music have always formed a natural union in Pakistan. The thought process was to pave the way for a new sound of cricket in Pakistan that appeals to the multi-dimensional audience that comes with Pakistan’s biggest cricketing event,” added the spokesperson.

    Meanwhile, PSL also shared a behind the scenes (BTS) video of the song’s shoot in which the singers spoke about the song and their role in it.

    “It feels so good because this is the first time I’ve done a project which is making me happy,” said Naseebo in the video.

    “My groove is my beloved Pakistan and the camera is also my groove,” added the singer.

    On the other hand, the song’s producer Zulfiqar Jabbar (Xulfi) while talking about cricket and music, said: “There is one thing common in cricket and music, which is rhythm. You might have heard commentators talking about a bowler’s rhythm and rhythm is excitingly called as ‘groove’.”

    Elaborating further, Xulfi said: “We usually say that if Shaheen Afridi has taken 4 wickets in a match, then on that day, he’s in groove.”

    “Groove Mera is everyone’s groove in PSL. This can be anyone’s groove – a commentator’s groove or a cricketer, batsman, baller or we all musicians and artists’ groove, who are singing or it may be yours [public] as well,” he continued.

    Xulfi further said that he “could feel Naseebo’s voice echoing in the stadium.”

    “We knew how to get the balance among Naseebo, Aima and the Young Stunners. We exactly knew what their vibe is separately and we then made a connecting melody, which is basically the hook of the song,” he added.

    “It is the hybrid of all the personalities of the singers, who are in this song,” he concluded.

    Meanwhile, Aima speaking about the song said: “The anthem’s vibe is pretty street and I really like it because our public really like street songs and music and it is very festive EDM. Overall I love the vibe.”

    Groove Mera has created a stir with social media divided on the song. While many including Shoaib Akhtar slammed the song, other celebrities including Mehwish Hayat, Adnan Siddiqui, Faysal Quraishi, Haroon Shahid and Farhan Saeed praised the anthem and its composition.

    Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan also criticised the song. Talking to media, Dr Awan said that she did not like it at all, adding that it “could have been improved further”.

    Referring to Naseebo as Pakistan’s ‘laal,’ or beloved, Dr Awan said: “Here we were representing the league in front of international players. This is not district-level league. The Lal should have been presented as a jewel and voice of the nation.”

    “If there is any chance of improvement, then we should go for it,” she concluded.

  • Ali Xeeshan responds to criticism on ‘anti-dowry’ bridal campaign

    Ali Xeeshan’s latest collection ‘Numaish,’ which debuted at the Hum Bridal Couture Week 2021 last week, has created a bit of a storm on social media. The collection, aimed to highlight the burdening culture of dowry in our society, was designed in collaboration with UN Women Pakistan.

    While the campaign was well-intended, the designer received backlash on social media, with people criticising Xeeshan for the cost of his outfits and referring to Ali’s campaign as an act of hypocrisy.

    Responding to the criticism, Xeeshan said: “When I was developing it [the campaign], I was only looking into girls’ struggle but later I realised that dowry pressurises the parents more.”

    “I remember last year a client’s wedding was called off because one of the demands from groom side was to have a gold-plated shaving kit,” shared Xeeshan.

    He continued: “Many people say that you make expensive outfits, then why are you talking about this? These two are very different things – that [designing outfits] is my business and no one is compelled [to buy them].”

    “If you can afford my clothes please be my guests and if you can’t then don’t put yourself under the pressure,” added Xeeshan.

    The designer concluded by saying, “Agar meray say koi poochay keh mere kapray khareeday ya beti ko education de, toh beti ko education day dein. Mein kapray baich loon ga.”

  • IN PICTURES: Hania Aamir’s birthday bash

    IN PICTURES: Hania Aamir’s birthday bash

    You can always count on Hania Aamir to have the most exciting birthday bash ever. After last year’s ‘Stranger Things’-themed party, this year the actor went low-key with an intimate bash with her closest friends from the industry.

    Shazia and Wajahat Hussain hosted the party for Hania at their residence. Pictures from the star-studded celebrations were widely circulated on social media. Those in attendance included Iqra Aziz, Yasir Hussain, Ali Rehman Khan, Aashir Wajahat, Farhan Saeed, Shehzad Sheikh and his wife Hina Mir, Imran Ashraf, Danyal Zafar, Ali Ansari, Azam Khan, Walid Siddiqui and Mariam Ansari and husband Owais Khan.

    Check out pictures below:

    Later, the birthday girl shared a grid of her birthday cake and setup on her Instagram.

  • Bakhtawar’s nikkah dress took over 7000 hours to make

    Bakhtawar’s nikkah dress took over 7000 hours to make

    Karachi-based fashion designer Wardha Saleem who designed Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari’s nikkah outfit has revealed that the jora took over 7000 hours to make.

    Read more – Designer spills details on Bakhtawar’s green reception jora

    In a recent interview with BBC Urdu, the designer shared the process that went behind designing the gold outfit and also addressed rumours surrounding the dress.

    “She [Bakhtawar] was very clear what she wanted,” revealed Wardha, adding that the bride wanted to wear a colour combination similar to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s white and gold wedding dress but also wanted it to reflect her own personality.

    Read more – Bilawal shares unseen family photo from Bakhtawar’s wedding

    Addressing rumours of using gold and diamonds in the outfit, Wardah said: “Neither did we use a gold wire nor did we put in diamonds on this dress.”

    “It was made with locally sourced fine material that is available for any designer to use,” stated Wardha.

    The designer also revealed that 90 craftsmen were involved in making the dress and that it took over 7000 hours to complete because it all the embroidery was done with the hand.

    “If you calculate in normal working hours this goes to about 6 to 7 months,” said Wardha, adding that the craftsmen worked in double shifts of 24 hours, reducing the preparation time to two and a half months.

    Wardha further said that Bakhtawar was the dream bride as she was very cooperative and did not interfere in the process, adding that she had complete trust in her [Wardha].

    The designer also revealed that she also designed Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari’s outfits for Bakhtawar’s mehndi and reception.

    Meanwhile, Bakhtawar’s makeup artist Shamain also opened up about her nikkah look saying: “It was a pleasure to be the wedding makeup artist for the delightful Bakhtawar.”

    “Bakhtawar requested subtle and glowing looks, that felt very much in line with who she is. Getting to know Bakhtawar in the process, and her genuine love for art and culture, I was inspired to create a natural glowing look, which was complemented by sleek, modern hair- stylish and standout, like the lovely bride herself,” said Shamain further.

    Bakhtawar and Mahmood Choudhry tied the knot on January 29 in an intimate nikkah ceremony at Bilawal House. The nikkah was preceded by a mehndi and followed by a grand reception.

  • ‘Dhoop ki Deewar’ producer shares pictures of Ahad, Sajal from the sets

    ‘Dhoop ki Deewar’ producer shares pictures of Ahad, Sajal from the sets

    Shailja Kejriwal, who is producing Sajal Aly and Ahad Raza Mir’s upcoming web series Dhoop Ki Deewar, has shared pictures of the actors from the sets of the series.

    “For all Ahad Raza Mir and Sajal Aly fans,” wrote Kejriwal in the caption. “Dekhein set pe kitna kaam ho raha hai!“

    “Ab ki baar thoda intezaar,” she added hinting that the web series will be releasing soon.

    As per details, the series follows the story of two teenagers whose lives change forever overnight.

    Besides Sajal and Ahad, other actors who play key roles in the series include Adnan Jaffer, Zara Tareen, Paras Masroor, Hammad Siddiqui, Ainy Zaidi, Salma Hasan, Lubna Aslam, Raza Talish, Samiya Mumtaz and Zaib Rehman.

    Written by Umera Ahmad, Dhoop Ki Deewar is directed and co-produced by Haseeb Hassan under the banner of Hamdan Films along with Shailja. Haseeb is one of the leading directors in the industry with popular drama serials including Nanhi, Mann Mayal as well as feature film Parwaaz Hai Junoon to his credit.

    Earlier, while speaking to The Current, Haseeb had shared his experience of shooting the series, saying that he had total creative liberty with the project.

    “It had creative input but I enjoyed total liberty which was becoming a challenge in the [local] industry each passing day,” said Hassan. “Indeed there were better budgets which justified enabling to achieve the required product and standards,” adding that the budget was “not crazy enough to buy an aeroplane”.

    Read more – Pakistanis can no longer subscribe to Zee5

    The series is expected to stream on Indian media platform, Zee5. A release date has not announced been yet.