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  • ‘The Legend Of Maula Jatt’ set to release in India?

    ‘The Legend Of Maula Jatt’ set to release in India?

    The Legend of Maula Jatt headlined by Fawad Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Mahira Khan is by far the most expensive film to come out of Pakistan. The film opened to packed houses on October 13th and continues to earn over 200 crores globally.

    In December 2022, Pinkvilla reported that Bilal Lashari’s blockbuster was set to release in India on December 30th after gaining massive appreciation from countries worldwide.

    However, Hindustan Times has reported that the film will not release in India. It was earlier speculated that the Pakistani film’s screening has been stalled indefinitely.

    “We have been informed by the distributors that the film’s release has been postponed. We were told this two-three days ago. No further date has been shared with us,” a PTI report quoted an INOX official as saying.

    The official added, “Zee Studios had acquired the rights of The Legend of Maula Jatt as they were expecting the film to do well. But because of the resistance from certain sections, the decision was made to not release the movie.”

    Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader and president of their cinema wing Ameya Khopkar tweeted about the cancellation of the release of The Legend of Maula Jatt and wrote, “Impact Of Raj Thackeray’s Warning! After the warning given by MNS, the screening of the Pakistani film ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ has now been completely cancelled. Not only in the state but also anywhere in the country, this film will not be released anymore.”

    He added, “Again, if anyone has feelings of love for Pakistani artists, then this one warning is enough for them. Heartfelt congratulations to all my colleagues for this victory of the MNS movement.”

    Previously, Bollywood Hungama had reported that the release has been stalled for the unforeseeable future. A source close to the development revealed, “Zee Studios had already acquired a clearance for The Legend Of Maula Jatt from the Central Board of Film Certification. But on Monday the CBFC recalled the film.”

    Since 2019, there has been a cultural exchange ban between both India and Pakistan. But still, some of India’s Punjabi films managed to release in Pakistan.

    Bilal Lashari’s directorial film has set high records not only in domestic cinemas but also in America, Europe and Gulf markets.

    Previously, Jawani Phir Nahi Aani 2 was the highest-grossing film in Pakistan that earned PKR 73 crore globally. But The Legend of Maula Jatt has tripled up those numbers.

    The Legend of Maula Jatt releases in cinemas across Pakistan and worldwide - Minute Mirror

    Initial Release Issues In Pakistan

    Several cinema owners initially refused to screen the film due to a clash with the makers over commissioning ratios. Journalist Hassan Choudary shed light on the matter on Twitter.

    Film’s producer Ammara Hikmat exclusively confirmed to The Current that the news is factual.

    According to theatre owners, the makers and distributors of movies have been requesting more money than was specified in the contract. Film distributors and producers are asking for more money than was specified in the contract.

    In an official statement, Nueplex Cinemas have shared that they are not screening the film due to their exhibition terms, which are beyond the industry norms. Apparently, the film distributors are asking for more shares than what is considered normal in Lollywood.

    Actor Syed Jibran called it a “deadlock” and said the distributor’s demand to increase ticket prices for a larger share was “very unwise” and a bad step. The Ghabrana Nahi Hai star took to Twitter on Friday and wrote that the deadlock happening at the moment for The Legend of Maula Jatt is between distributor Nadeem Mandviwalla and officials of Cinepax cinemas and Nueplex.

    Jibran suggested that instead of increasing the price, it should’ve been reduced to Rs800 instead of Rs1,200 or more so that revenues “go through the roof”.

    “Increasing the ticket price they are just decreasing the repeat customers. It’s short-sightedness. Plain and simple. This will badly damage the reputation as well as a chance to create a historic box office first day score for the film,” he reasoned.

    The actor added that of 122 screens in Pakistan almost 50 of the main multiplex screens have not yet released any schedule for The Legend of Maula Jatt a day after the film’s release, which he called “the most important trend setting first day of the film”.

    He called it a bad decision on the distributor’s part and demanded that the problem be resolved as soon as possible otherwise no one else could be blamed for the “underperformance of probably the greatest film of Pakistan ever made” other than ourselves.

    After two weeks of the film’s release, the screening issues were resolved, nationwide.

  • ‘Together we will bounce back as a nation’: PM Shehbaz remembers flood victims on Jan 1

    ‘Together we will bounce back as a nation’: PM Shehbaz remembers flood victims on Jan 1

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif began the first day of the new year by remembering the victims of 2022’s devastating floods.

    On his twitter account, Shehbaz Sharif said, “In 2022, one-third of Pakistan paid the heavy price due to climate change and for no fault of theirs”. He also hoped that Pakistanis as a nation will bounce back.

    President Alvi, in his message, said that the past year saw the loss of life and money due to floods in 2022 but the nation faced the challenges with steadfastness, unity, and determination.

    However, as the new year has arrived, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan pledged that his party will form a strong government through elections in 2023.

    In a series of tweets, mentioning the best and worst times of 2022, Imran Khan shared, “A government with one of the best econ performances was removed through a conspiracy triggered by supreme self-interest, and Pakistan was handed over to a bunch of criminals.”

  • Bushra Bibi is not like Maryam Nawaz, does not wear make-up: Imran Khan compares wife to his political opponent

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday said his wife Bushra Bibi is not like his political opponent Maryam Nawaz because, “she does not wear make-up”.

    The comments were allegedly said during a meeting with journalists at Imran Khan’s Lahore residence in Zaman Park.

    Imran Khan told media persons that Bushra Bibi only steps out of the house to visit asylums and langar khanas.

    He went on with comparing his wife to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice-president, stating that his spouse does not wear make-up, but Maryam Nawaz spends plenty of money on cosmetic surgeries.

    “The setup of General Bajwa is still working in the establishment. They have asked three PTI lawmakers to remain neutral in the matter of Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi’s vote of confidence,” he said during the conversation.

  • 2023 will be the year of the Pakistani woman

    2023 will be the year of the Pakistani woman

    Look, Pakistani men: you no longer have a choice. This year, Pakistani women are taking over. And don’t we deserve it. Looking back at 2022, we had to bear the burden of abuse, rape and gruesome murders.

    Pakistan faces a gender gap in ways and incidents unimaginable. The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2022 ranked Pakistan at 145 out of the 146 countries ranked on the index. Pakistan was just ahead of Afghanistan, where women can’t go to school and universities. The report gauges how immense the gender gap is in areas, including education, economic participation, health, and political empowerment. Pakistan’s second-last position came as no surprise, at least not for the women in the country.

    Women in Pakistan are yearning for the day when our society will learn to provide the strength where it is required and stand with the survivors of sexual assaults, when no one will be afraid to talk about their horrific experiences and when no woman will be blamed for being a victim and celebrated for being a survivor. But until that day arrives, we can all try to bridge the gap and make it better for the women in our country. Our leaders and decision-makers can really try and make an effort to make Pakistan safe for women. It is time to stand up for the ones suffering and give women safe spaces.

    We as a country were still dealing with the horrors of the murder of Noor Mukadam and we hadn’t healed, when we witnessed the bone-chilling gruesome murder of Sara Shahnawaz in September at the hands of a man who, too, was raised as a result of the patriarchy.

    From glorifying abusers and then giving them awards, the Lux Style Awards (LSAs) became a sorry affair in 2022. The coveted LSAs rolled out nominations for its 21st edition and as soon as the names were dropped, viewers condemned what they felt was an injustice to other artists and women.

    So listen up: we hope that 2023 is a year when better sense prevails, we learn from our mistakes as individuals and start to become a country where our women and men are given their due rights and respect.

  • Faisalabad man climbs Ghanta Ghar to protest against family pressure to get married

    Faisalabad man climbs Ghanta Ghar to protest against family pressure to get married

    A young man in Faisalabad climbed up the Ghanta Ghar to protest against his family for pressuring him to get married, SAMAA has reported.

    The man climbed the tower after knocking out the guard. He then hurled bricks from his vantage point at the people down below. This alarmed locals who later called the police and rescue services.

    He was finally subdued and brought down from the tower after three and a half hours of effort by the authorities.
    The police are investigating the case.

  • ‘There’s love, we interact privately’: Mahira Khan opens up about friends in Bollywood

    ‘There’s love, we interact privately’: Mahira Khan opens up about friends in Bollywood

    Actor Mahira Khan has opened up about her work experience in India and friendship with Bollywood celebs in her latest interview. Speaking of her experience, she said, “I had the most amazing time working in India. I am still in touch with so many people and there’s a lot of love there. Unfortunately, we are easy targets, soft targets, whether it’s us here in Pakistan, whether it’s them there in India. Because we’re artists, and we’re connected by that thread of art, we actually get each other.”

    Sonam Kapoor meets Mahira Khan at Cannes, and we can't keep calm
    THIS photo of Hrithik Roshan, Jackie Chan and Mahira Khan is taking the internet by storm; see more pictures : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama

    She further said, “So we’re trying to look out for each other, more than anything. Even now, we are so careful with what we write on social media. It’s not that we don’t talk to each other. It’s not that we don’t wish each other on our birthdays. It’s not that we don’t meet each other in different countries. It’s not that – it’s just that we are actually not just protecting ourselves but protecting each other.”

    Mahira also mentioned that the reason behind this feud is politics. She said, “Unfortunately, it’s politics, it’s not a personal thing. On both ends, until the time that scapegoats are needed, we will always be that… But let’s say that it gets better. Let’s say that there is someone in power who does not use us as easy targets. That would be lovely. Can you just imagine the collaboration? It would be lovely.”

    Last year, Khan shared a seven year old picture from the sets of her Bollywood debut, Raees. The Verna star shared the picture on her Instagram story and made a heart emoji.

    Shah Rukh Khan | Raees mahira khan, Maira khan, Mahira khan

    She starred opposite Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in the hit movie Raees (2017).

    This scene from Raees melts the Heart | Shah rukh khan movies, Shahrukh khan, Bollywood

    On the work front, the Humsafar diva will soon be seen in Neelofer opposite Fawad Khan.

  • ‘May peace be with you’ Bollywood actor Sushmita Sen sends her love to Saboor, Sajal Aly in a video

    ‘May peace be with you’ Bollywood actor Sushmita Sen sends her love to Saboor, Sajal Aly in a video

    It is heartening to witness those rare moments when Pakistani and Indian actors are able to put aside their differences and express their love for each other’s talent and creativity. As Mahira Khan had put it in a recent interview: “Because we’re artists, we are connected by that thread of art, we actually get each other.”

    Recently, Saboor and Sajal Aly’s brother Muhammad Ali bumped into Bollywood actress and model Sushmita Sen, and asked her to send a message to his sisters, which he later uploaded on his Instagram story.

    In the video clip, Sen was seen sending her love to the actors and also lauded their acting skills:

    “Hi sweetheart, Sushmita here! You both have the sweetest brother who insisted that a photograph wasn’t enough and I also had to say hello in a video too. Wish you all the best, you are amazing actors, keep growing. May peace be always with you.”

  • Politics edition: Five things Pakistanis don’t want to see in 2023

    Politics edition: Five things Pakistanis don’t want to see in 2023

    In 2022, we collectively experienced episodes that turned Pakistan upside down. Many incidents shook the entire nation, some of them worth condemnation. Significant happenings shook the world of politics, from Prime Minister Imran Khan getting removed through a no-confidence motion to the ugly fight between Pervaiz Elahi and Hamza Shehbaz for Punjab’s Chief Minister (CM) seat.

    After a year full of constitutional crises in Pakistan, we hope that we don’t witness another year full of drama.

    Another Prime Minister not completing his constitutional term

    For the first time in the history of Pakistan, a sitting prime minister was removed through a no-confidence motion. In April, PM Imran Khan was removed after being the head of government for more than three years. In the 75-year-long history of Pakistan, not a single Premier stayed for their full term. We hope that next time when the public chooses their leader, he or she gets to keep their promise and serve their full term.

    Politicians not getting harassed

    Right after the formation of a new government, in April, a group of Pakistani pilgrims accosted, heckled and chanted slogans against incumbent PM Shehbaz and his entourage at the Masjid-e-Nabwi in Madina during their three-day visit to Saudi Arabia. Such incidents continued happening throughout the year. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb was heckled at a coffee shop in London. Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal was harassed by PTI supporters at a restaurant while Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was heckled by unidentified people in Washington DC. It was observed that a particular party was being targeted. Whether these incidents happened because of a false narrative or not, no one has the right to harass someone.

    Not making public figures a target of gun

    This year, we also saw how some of our public figures remain targeted. In the second half of the year, two unfortunate incidents took place. On October 23, senior anchorperson Arshad Sharif was shot dead near Nairobi, Kenya, by the local police. The local law enforcing authorities termed the killing, calling it a case of ‘mistaken identity’. However, some termed it an assassination. Till now, authorities are unable to find the real culprits. Almost a week later, on November 3, Imran Khan survived an assassination attempt on day seven of PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Long March’ as his container moved through Punjab’s Wazirabad. Salman Taseer, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, Shahbaz Bhatti; how many assassinations do we have to witness?

    No more constitutional crisis

    We saw legislators getting into a brawl in Punjab Assembly over the CM seat. The beginning of summer wasn’t good for Pakistan as in April a scuffle between treasury and opposition benches in Punjab Assembly took place, resulting in PML-Q leader and Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi getting injured. The same day, PML-N’s nominee Hamza Shehbaz was elected as CM, however, later the Supreme Court struck down Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari’s ruling on the election. Later, Pervaiz Elahi took over the CM seat, however, he doesn’t enjoy a great majority in the Assembly.

    Terrorism wave in Pakistan

    Just when we thought that terrorism has finally ended, attacks started escalating. Currently, the capital is on high alert because of extreme threats. In late November, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said that they had called off a ceasefire with the federal government and ordered its militants to stage terrorist attacks across the country. On December 23, a suicide bomb shocked the residents of Islamabad— which is considered one of the safest cities in Pakistan. After dealing with terrorism for decades, Pakistanis dont want to start living again in fear.

  • ‘Let’s go Rajasthan’: Kiara Advani, Sidharth Malhotra’s wedding details revealed

    ‘Let’s go Rajasthan’: Kiara Advani, Sidharth Malhotra’s wedding details revealed

    Bollywood actors Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani had successfully kept their relationship under wraps for quite a long time. But it was Karan Johar who made them confess that they were more than just ‘good friends’ on Koffee With Karan Season 7.

    As per the latest media reports,  the couple’s wedding festivities will begin in the first week of February at the Jaisalmer Palace Hotel in Rajasthan. According to a report by ETimes, Malhotra and Advani will get married in the first week of February and the pre-wedding functions will reportedly take place on February 4 and 5 during which the groom and bride’s families will host traditional events like mehndi, haldi, and sangeet ceremonies.

    It has also been reported that the big day will be held the next day on February 6, which is expected to be a grand affair, perhaps even a destination wedding. A source told ETimes, “The wedding is slated to take place at Jaisalmer Palace Hotel. It is going to be a lavish event with high security.”

    The report also claimed that a group of security personnel and bodyguards will be sent to the hotel in Rajasthan a day before the pre-wedding festivities begin.

    According to Pinkvilla, Malhotra and Advani were spotted outside ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra’s store where the Juggjugg Jeeyo star was all smiles.

    While wedding rumours run rampant, the couple was spotted at the Mumbai airport on Thursday.

    Kiara and Sidharth met for the first time at the wrap-up party of Lust Stories (2018). They struck the chords in no time and their on-screen love was widely reflected in their sizzling chemistry in Shershaah. Shahid Kapoor and Karan Johar were very keen on Advani’s marriage and even declared that she seemed ready during their conversation at KWK.

    Allegedly the couple was earlier to get married in Goa but due to the inconvenience it will cause their families to travel from Chandigarh and Delhi, the plan was dropped.

    Sidharth Malhotra reveals intentions to marry Kiara Advani

    On the work front, Malhotra will next be seen in Mission Majnu, a spy thriller that also stars Rashmika Mandanna. He also has Yodha with Disha Patani and Raashii Khanna coming up. As for Advani, she was recently seen in Govinda Naam Mera with Vicky Kaushal and Bhumi Pednekar in the lead roles. She will be seen next in Satya Prem Ki Katha opposite her Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 co-star Kartik Aaryan, and RC15 with Ram Charan.

  • The best part about 2022 was witnessing the rise of Shae Gill.

    The best part about 2022 was witnessing the rise of Shae Gill.

    2022 could be best regarded as the year Pakistani music went global, with singer Arooj Aftab winning a Grammy for her song ‘Mohabbat’, then Ms. Marvel debuting on Disney Plus while showcasing Pakistani singers like Eva B, Hassan and Roshaan and then Coke Studio happened. But perhaps in all of this, Shae Gill becoming the absolute queen she was always going to be, was the brightest spot of the year.
    Shae Gill uploaded a post on Instagram on Friday where she posted video clips and pictures of her finest moments of 2022, which included new music she released and performances abroad. But it’s safe to say that witnessing the rise of the singer this year has to be proof that the Pakistani music industry is in safe hands. There is something amazing and unique Gill is bringing to the table.

    Gill had previously been an Instagram star, who sang covers of songs like Neeyat-e-Shauq and Kahaan Ho Tum, and her fans would often encourage her to release a solo song.

    Soon enough, Gill took the world by storm with the song Pasoori, belting out what turned out to be a global hit with Ali Sethi. Many of us who didn’t know about her Instagram covers, fell in love with her mesmerizing, soothing voice. Pasoori soon reached more than a 100 million likes on Youtube, dominated Spotify global charts all over the world, and even making a feature on pop singer Britany Spear’s Instagram account.

    You thought that this would be enough for Gill? She once more captivated followers with her dreamy solo in the song ‘Sukoon’. The video instantly became a hit on social media and fans commented on how much Shae Gill’s voice was similar to Nazia Hassan’s melodious voice.

    https://twitter.com/KashaffZulfiqar/status/1607844822508765191?s=20&t=PrOwpG8UYPIp0BX-AzYFuw

    It wasn’t only limited to Pakistani fans, even Bollywood celebrities like Rohit Saraf and Ayush Mannk became instant fans of the song.

    Soon afterwards, Spotify announced that Gill is the brand’s new EQUAL ambassador, and was featured on the Times Square billboard in New York.

    If this is all that took for Shae Gill to become a household name in a year, then we aren’t prepared for the magic she will bring for the rest of the years to come. It’s wonderful to witness how Shae Gill is bringing the world’s attention to Pakistani music with her melodious voice, and we’re so excited to witness her rise in the years to come.