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.

  • CS2020 Episode 3 is all about mysticism and spirituality

    CS2020 Episode 3 is all about mysticism and spirituality

    Coke Studio 2020 unveiled their third episode with three powerful songs featuring veterans Umair Jaswal and Sanam Marvi and budding artists Sehar Gul Khan and Zara Madani.

    The first song of this episode is a powerful solo performance by Sehar Gul, written and composed by lyricist Asim Raza. Ishq da Kukkar has a spiritual message with a prayer of love towards God. The song is an early morning call to prayer being given by a bird deeply in love with the Almighty and in profound devotion, it beckons the believer to come to say a loving prayer alongside.

    Speaking about how much the song touched her, Sehar said, “As I sang the song, with each verse, I felt like I was being transported, elevated into a completely different world. I’ve tried my best to share that experience through the song.”

    Pardesiya, the second song of this episode is an eastern classical-inspired raga rock track performed by classically trained singer Zara Madani. The song is about one’s search for God and the longing for peace which one prays to the Almighty for in times of distress.

    Explaining the concept of the song, Zara said: “In life, as humans, we are constantly in search of something. We await the arrival of something bigger, some form of an answer. This thirst for an answer or an impending destination is common to us all.”

    This experimental song has a bluesy feel and has been sung in Raag Bhimpalasi in madh laya of eastern classical music. Raag Bhimpalasi has originated from thaat Kafi and is considered to be the Shanti Rasa (a conscious cultivation of inner balance, equilibrium, wisdom, and serenity) of Indian classical music.

    The third song for the episode, Har Funn Maula, has been written by Shuja Haider and is a Sufi dhamaal power track with drums giving it a rock element. Har Funn Maula has been performed by Umair Jaswal and Sanam Marvi. Despite the upbeat music, this song curiously touches upon the chords of one’s soul with its spiritual message. It is man’s quest to make him better at everything he does, it is his prayer and longing for perfection.

    While the song starts off in Jaswal’s rock musician voice, it borrows elements from the dhamaal, a devotional dance/music practice that honours qalandars or Sufi saints bringing in a Sufic flair to the message.

    Talking about the song, Marvi said, “When you set foot on the first step of love, without even realising it, you take a step in the direction of Ishq-e-Haqqiqi (love for God Almighty). Somewhere along the way, you feel the pain of heartbreak, loss and you realise that only prayer can give you a sense of peace and calm.”

    Coke Studio 2020 also marks the return of the house-band, with Asad Ahmed on the electric guitar, Kamran ‘Mannu’ Zafar on bass, Babar Khanna on eastern percussions, Shehroze Hussain on the sitar, Nawazish Nasri on rabab, and Abier ‘Veeru’ Shaan on percussions. On backing vocals, this season will feature Nimra Rafiq, Wajiha Naqvi, Kumail Jaffery, Shahab Hussain, and Zara Madani.

    Given the new format and advantages of technology, this season has also collaborated with international musicians from across the world including Turkey, Nepal, Lebanon and Serbia. In fact, Turkish artist, Volkan Öktem, has also joined the house-band this season featuring on the drums.

  • Yumna Zaidi amazes fans with her singing skills

    Yumna Zaidi amazes fans with her singing skills

    Pakistani actor Yumna Zaidi tried singing and fans are amazed after listening to her singing skills.

    In the video, Mushk aka Yumna was singing the OST of her drama Raaz-e-Ulfat.

    According to the post’s description, there will be an OST singing competition and Yumna has taken the competition to the next level with her amusing vocals.

    The Drama is featuring Yumna and Shehzad Sheikh in lead roles. The OST is originally sung by Aima Baig.

  • Cher shares motivation behind freeing world’s ‘loneliest elephant’

    Cher shares motivation behind freeing world’s ‘loneliest elephant’

    American pop singer Cher opened up and revealed how she ended up campaigning for and working towards freeing the ‘world’s loneliest elephant’ Kaavan.

    In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Cher said, “I didn’t plan to at all. These kids on my Twitter feed started sending this thing and it was ‘Free Kaavan’, and I thought if I will not answer, they’ll stop but they didn’t and it was in Pakistan and then I thought that I’m just an entertainer, how am I gonna go to Pakistan and free an elephant. “

    “We had to work through two administrations and when [PM] Imran came in, everything got much easier,” she remarked.

    Read more – Cher thanks PM Khan for ‘making her dream come true’

    She also said that she worked on the cause for three years.

    “As we started doing it, I wasn’t going to give up. So, we went to Pakistan and we saw him, he was beautiful,” said Cher. “We started meeting Pakistani people and they were so nice to me.”

    She added: “So, then he landed and we were so excited and after a five hours drive to the sanctuary and I could see him walking around, taking a dirt bath and talking to the girls.”

    Cher has proven that she is a star in the best possible way. She worked towards freeing Kaavan, who had been named ‘the world’s loneliest animal,’ after his partner Saheli passed away in 2012. Kaavan was kept in Islamabad’s Marghazar Zoo for 35 years and had been chained after zookeepers complained that he exhibited violent behaviour.

    He caught Cher’s attention in 2016, who then fought a long legal battle for his release and transfer.

    He was airlifted from Islamabad to Cambodia in a Russian cargo plane and before his departure, Cher visited Pakistan to see him off. She also sang A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes to soothe his nerves.

    Later, she also arrived in Cambodia to receive Kaavan and ensure that he settles well in his new home.

  • Hilary Duff confirms ‘Lizzie McGuire’ reboot cancelled

    Hilary Duff confirms ‘Lizzie McGuire’ reboot cancelled

    Hilary Duff has confirmed that the Lizzie McGuire reboot planned at Disney+ has been cancelled, saying that “the stars just didn’t align” for the project.

    “I know the efforts and conversations have been everywhere trying to make a reboot work but, sadly and despite everyone’s best efforts, it isn’t going to happen,” Duff wrote in her post.

    “I want any reboot of Lizzie to be honest and authentic to who Lizzie would be today,” she continued. “It’s what the character deserves.”

    “I’m very sad, but I promise everyone tried their best,” she added.

    Meanwhile, Disney in a statement, said: “Lizzie McGuire fans have high expectations for any new stories. Unless and until we are confident we can meet those expectations, we’ve decided to hold off and today, we informed the cast’s representatives that we are not moving forward with the planned series.”

    The revival was first announced in August 2019, a few months ahead of Disney+’s launch. Duff was to play a grown-up version of the character living in New York City working as a decorator’s assistant and finding luck in love. Adam Lamberg, Hallie Todd, Robert Carradine and Jake Thomas were set to reprise their roles as well.

    Series creator Terri Minsky was also attached to the revival, but she exited the series in January after two episodes had been filmed. “We concluded that we need to move in a different creative direction and are putting a new lens on the show,” a Disney had spokesperson said at the time.

    VIDEO: Tom and Jerry are back in action in new trailer

    Following Minsky’s departure, Disney+ said it would search for a new showrunner, but none was ever announced. Duff and Minsky both lobbied for the show to reflect the adult Lizzie’s life in full and supported moving the series to Hulu.

    “I’d be doing a disservice to everyone by limiting the realities of a 30-year-old’s journey to live under the ceiling of a PG rating,” Duff had written in a February Instagram post. “It would be a dream if Disney would let us move the show to Hulu if they were interested, and I could bring this beloved character to life again.”

  • ‘Shehwar aur thappar ki goonj’: Adnan Siddiqui recalls the iconic slap from MPTH

    ‘Shehwar aur thappar ki goonj’: Adnan Siddiqui recalls the iconic slap from MPTH

    Remember the iconic scene in which Danish (Humayun Saeed) burst into Shehwar’s (Adnan Siddiqui) office and slapped him in Meray Paas Tum Ho?

    Siddiqui, who has recently been sharing his highlights from 2020 on social media, recalled memories of the famous slap scene and revealed what transpired behind the scenes on the sets.

    Read more – Adnan Siddiqui says he was double-minded about ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’

    “So I reach the set and see Humayun and Nadeem Baig talking in hushed tones, darting glances at me all this while,” said Adnan while talking about what happened on set while this scene was being shot. “‘Perhaps they sold me off to aliens last night,’ I try to make light of it to myself when they decide to include me in the discussion.”

    “Turns out, the matter on hand is much more serious. In the first-ever scene that will commence MPTH, Danish will be slapping Shehwar in his office as his employees look on. ‘Not bad’, I chuckle though both Humayun and Nadeem look nervous about my “seniority” and the close friendship I share with Humayun.”

    “Cameras roll and there is pin-drop silence. Danish raises his hand on Shehwar and before we know it, we are rolling into full-throttled guffaws Nadeem included,” he continued. “When Humayun and I are shooting together, especially an intense scene, it is a laugh riot and this couldn’t be an exception. In fact, it became essential to put everyone at ease.”

    Concluding his remarks, Adnan said: “I still joke with Nadeem why did he stop at just one slap? For a woman as beautiful as Mehwish, Shehwar would have easily taken a few more.”

    Meray Paas Tum Ho also featured Ayeza Khan and Hira Mani in the lead. Written by Khalil ur Rehman Qamar and directed by Nadeem Baig, the drama was produced by Humayun and Shahzad Nasib under their production house Six Sigma Plus.

  • Tom Cruise loses it after crew members break COVID-19 protocols on ‘Mission: Impossible’ sets

    Tom Cruise loses it after crew members break COVID-19 protocols on ‘Mission: Impossible’ sets

    Tom Cruise reportedly lost his cool after an apparent breach of COVID-19 safety protocols on the London set of the new Mission: Impossible movie, telling crew members they would be fired if they don’t obey the rules.

    In expletive-filled remarks captured on audiotape obtained by The Sun, the star and producer of the action film yelled at the crew about lapses of social distancing and other rules that allow movies to be made during the coronavirus pandemic.

    A source close to the production said the tape was authentic. However, Cruise’s representative declined to comment on the matter.

    “I’m on the phone with every fucking studio at night, insurance companies, producers, and they’re looking at us and using us to make their movies,” Cruise told the crew on the set.

    “Do you understand the responsibility that you have? Because I will deal with your reason. And if you can’t be reasonable and I can’t deal with your logic, you’re fired,” he can be heard saying in the audiotape.

    The Sun did not say when the incident took place, but the filmmakers arrived in London in early December.

    The seventh Mission: Impossible was one of the first movies to shut down production because of the coronavirus when it abandoned filming in Venice, Italy, in February.

    Production resumed in September, with filming in Italy, Norway and London. Cruise in July personally appealed to Norway’s prime minister to shoot parts of the film in Norway under modified quarantine rules.

    Cruise told the crew Hollywood was relying on movies like Mission: Impossible to keep the beleaguered industry going.

    “We want the gold standard. They’re back there in Hollywood making movies right now because of us! Because they believe in us and what we’re doing,” he said.

    Mission: Impossible is one of the biggest franchises in Hollywood, with 2018’s Mission: Impossible-Fallout taking more than $791 million at the worldwide box office.

    The Paramount Pictures film is scheduled to be released in November 2021.

  • Celebrated Pakistani actor Firdous Begum passes away at 72

    Celebrated Pakistani actor Firdous Begum passes away at 72

    Veteran film actress Firdous Begum has passed away at the age of 72 today (December 16) in Lahore.

    According to reports, the actor had been admitted to a local hospital three days ago after she suffered a brain haemorrhage. Her family said that she was on the ventilator and that her condition had deteriorated rapidly. They further shared that the doctors tried their best but her situation worsened due to a paralysis attack after a brain haemorrhage.

    The legendary actress, whose real name was Parveen, is best known for her roles in Heer Ranjha (1970), and Heer Sial (1965). She debuted with the film Fanoos (1963) before going on to deliver several hits including Khandaan, Malang, Lai Laag and Aurat. She also received the Best Actress Award for her role in the films Heer Ranjha, Aansoo and Ziddi.

    Read more – Legendary Pakistani actress Sabiha Khanum passes away at 85

    Firdous Begum was considered as one of the classiest film actors of her time and was paired with the top Punjabi actors of her time including Habib-ur-Rehman, Lala Sudhir and Yusuf Khan.

    Following her demise, Shaan and director Asim Raza took to social media to remember the late actor.

  • Shoaib Akhtar says women should be allowed to wear whatever they want

    Shoaib Akhtar says women should be allowed to wear whatever they want

    Pakistan former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has opened up about his spiritual side. While the cricketer, also referred to as the Rawalpindi Express is known for his aggression and hard talk, in an interview insisted on revealing another side of himself.

    Read more – Tom Cruise in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ reminds Shoaib Akhtar of himself

    In the recent interview with Mira Sethi, Shoaib said, “In my life I have been taking lessons from Islamic scholars. I have read Islamic books for knowledge.”

    “Then the fantasy of life started again. From the age of 16 till 36, I left everything and lived my life. I saw the world,” he continued.

    He further said: “I’m not a scholar, but I’m very close to my religion. Our religion gives us freedom and advises us to give freedom to others too. Our forefathers were brilliant personalities as they were very close to our religion. I have even visited Karbala and it was a great experience.”

    Talking about women and their choice of clothing, he said, “If you can’t help women at least give them space. Whatever they wear, it is between them and their Allah. Who are you to say anything? [Tum mamay lagtay ho? Saray thanaydar ban kay aa jatay ho].”

    Talking about his wife, he said that she does the niqab and that it is her own decision.

    “I’ve never asked her to wear it,” shared Akhtar.

  • Celebs spotted at Aima Baig’s sister’s wedding

    Celebs spotted at Aima Baig’s sister’s wedding

    Aima Baig’s sister Komal Baig recently tied the knot with a Dubai-based blogger Salem AQ in a beautiful afternoon wedding and the event had several celebrities in attendance including Momina Mustehsan, Shahbaz Shigri and Ammara Hikmat.

    Komal and Salem

    Aima looked stunning at the wedding in a red Mohsin Naveen Ranjha saree with a velvet blouse. Aima’s beau Shahbaz Shigri was also seen at the event wearing a light-coloured suit.

    Aima and Shahbaz

    Read more – It’s official: Aima Baig is Shahbaz Shigri’s ‘better half’

    Momina Mustehsan
    Ammara Hikmat

    Heer Maan Ja director Imran Raza Kazmi was also spotted at the event with his wife Sadia.

    Komal and Salem had gotten married at the Faisal Masjid in Islamabad on December 12.

  • Faryal Mehmood wants everyone to leave her marriage alone

    Faryal Mehmood wants everyone to leave her marriage alone

    Faryal Mehmood has quashed all rumours and speculation regarding her and husband Daniyal Raheal’s split. Fans and followers had been speculating that all is not well between the couple and that the two are heading towards a divorce just a few months after their marriage.

    In a note posted to social media, Faryal said: “I have been noticing posts all over social media about me and my husband splitting up! Just because I don’t post pictures of him on a regular basis considering we have conflicting schedules, we chose to spend time with each other instead of trying to show and prove to you guys that our marriage is surviving.”

    “I’d like you guys to leave my marriage up to me and Daniyal and focus on issues that are important in your own lives,” she added. “It’s a shame honestly!”

    Faryal and Daniyal tied the knot in an intimate nikkah ceremony in May this year. Earlier when the divorce rumours first circulated, Daniyal posted pictures of the two celebrating Faryal’s birthday to shut them down.