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  • Shah Rukh Khan has the sweetest wish for Dilip Kumar

    Shah Rukh Khan has the sweetest wish for Dilip Kumar

    Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar celebrated his 98th birthday on Friday.

    While the veteran actor received a plethora of wishes from across the world, the sweetest one was without a doubt from Shah Rukh Khan, with whom Kumar shares a beautiful bond.

    “To the one and only, who amazed and inspired the world by just being himself,” wrote Khan on social media. “I cherish and remember every time we’ve met in vivid details and you have always loved me like your own. Love you too much.”

    Dilip Kumar’s wife Saira Banu, in an interview had once said that if she and her husband had had a son, he would have looked like SRK.

    “I have always said that if we had a son, he might have looked like Shah Rukh,” said Banu. “Both he and saab are alike and have similar hair, which is why I like to run my fingers through Shah Rukh’s hair when we meet.”

    Shah Rukh Khan with Dilip Kumar on his 89th birthday

    It is also pertinent to add here that both Shah Rukh and Kumar’s ancestral roots can be traced to Peshawar’s Qissa Khwani Bazaar. Khan is reported to have visited the city twice during his childhood.

    Earlier this year in September, the KP archaeological department announced that it had allotted Rs 50 million for the renovation and restoration of 15 historical sites in the province including the Kapoor Haveli and Dilip Kumar’s house located in Peshawar’s historical Qissa Khwani Bazaar.

    “This is our cultural heritage and we take pride in preserving it. We are very proud that Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor were from Peshawar,” KP Director of Archaeology and Museums Abdul Samad had said.

    Kumar’s house in Peshawar

    Kumar’s wife Saira Banu had praised the government’s decision to restore her husband’s childhood home.

    “I wish the provincial government success in its efforts and sincerely hope that this time the dream comes true. MashAllah,” the actor had said. “My heart fills up with joy each time I receive the same news about the ancestral home of Yousuf Saheb in Peshawar which the provincial government has been repeatedly trying to turn into a monument for posterity. It has come up so many times in the past and I have appreciated the tenacity with which the government is pursuing the mission of turning the house into a museum for the public to visit and feel the vintage charm of the house where Dilip Saheb grew up like any bright boy of the province.”

    Popularly referred to as the ‘King of Tragedy’, Dilip Kumar was born as Muhammad Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922, in Peshawar. He made his acting debut with the 1944 film Jwar Bhata. He is best-known for iconic roles in films like Devdas (1955), Naya Daur (1957), Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Ganga Jamuna (1961), Kranti (1981), and Karma (1986). He was last seen on the big screen in Qila in 1998 and was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.

  • ‘I’d pick Mohammad Amir in every white ball game I’d coach’: Mickey Arthur

    ‘I’d pick Mohammad Amir in every white ball game I’d coach’: Mickey Arthur

    Former Pakistan Cricket Team coach Mickey Arthur, in an interview, talked about Mohammad Amir’s skills and experience, saying: “I definitely think that Amir has got a future in middle of his career. I still think that he is one of the best white ball bowlers around at the moment.”

    Appreciating Amir’s courage, he said, “The one thing I do like about Aamir is when there is a tough situation he wants the ball he doesn’t shy away from the tough situations.”

    “His execution is good. He still has got enough pace. He is a wise, more experienced player,” said Arthur.

    Concluding his remarks, he said, ”I would have Amir in any white ball cricket team that I coach.”

    Read more – Kyun Nikala?: ‘Misbah Saab he bataa saktay hain,’ says Mohammad Amir

    In a response to Mickey’s remarks, Amir replied in a tweet, “Thanks coach I would love to play under your coaching anywhere in the world.”

    It is pertinent to add here that Amir was dropped from the 35-member squad, which is currently touring New Zealand. Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq, explaining the decision said: “[Shoaib]Malik and Amir are not part of the white-ball matches as for this tour we have opted to invest, develop and focus on the promising and emerging players who are likely to be available to Pakistan for all formats.”

    John Michael “Mickey” Arthur was the coach of Pakistan Cricket Team from 2016 to 2019. He is the currently the Head Coach of the Sri Lanka national cricket team as of December 2019.

  • Taylor Swift surprises fans with a new album ‘Evermore’

    Taylor Swift surprised fans with a new album titled Evermore, her second album of this year, saying “we just couldn’t stop writing songs.” Evermore comes less than five months after Swift’s eighth studio album Folklore.

    The award-winning singer described the 15-track album as a “sister record” to Folklore, which she produced entirely during the coronavirus lockdowns and released unexpectedly in July. Folklore, a change of style that showed an indie-folk sensibility, earned Swift some of the best reviews of her career as well as triggering six Grammy nominations, including for the coveted album of the year.

    “To put it plainly, we just couldn’t stop writing songs,” Swift wrote on Thursday. “I’ve never done this before. In the past, I’ve always treated albums as one-off eras and moved onto planning the next one after an album was released. There was something different with Folklore. In making it, I felt less like I was departing and more like I was returning.”

    “I loved the escapism I found in these imaginary/not imaginary tales. I loved the ways you welcomed the dreamscapes and tragedies and epic tales of love lost and found in your lives. So I just kept writing them,” she added.

    The mysterious William Bowery, who Swift last month revealed was a pseudonym for her British actor boyfriend Joe Alwyn, is also credited as a co-writer on the new album.

    Evermore features collaborations with alternative artist Bon Iver and Aaron Dessner, guitarist with indie rock band The National

    Taylor also dropped the music video for its lead single ‘Willow’, which she directed herself.

    In the YouTube chat before the album’s premiere, Swift revealed the meaning behind the visual. “One scene represents how I feel about fame,” she said.

  • Newsletter – 11th December 2020, Friday

    Newsletter – 11th December 2020, Friday









    *|MC:SUBJECT|*

    Morning subscriber. Today is Friday, 11th December. The weather in Karachi and Quetta will be sunny, while light rain is expected in Islamabad, Peshawar and Lahore. This week a lot is happening in Lahore. At one side Maryam Nawaz is roaming around the city, giving out Jalsa’s invitation. While on the other hand, ‘Ertugrul’ has come to Lahore.

    Morning Meme

    Jalsa invitation by Maryam Nawaz

    Did Maryam Nawaz come to your neighbourhood yesterday? Details kay mutabiq she is going around Lahore to invite people to the December 13 Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally. Unho nayy kaha kay aab waqt agaya hai to “get rid of the incumbent government once and for all”. 

    “The PML-N has served this country and InshaAllah it is the PML-N that will serve it now,” she said, prior to departing from the Sharif family’s Jati Umra residence. She gave addresses at Shanghai Bridge, Ichhra and Lohari. 

    Are Justin Bieber and Bilal Khan buddies? 

    Pakistani Musician Bilal Khan seems to be spending most of his quarantine making new friends from the West. Unki recent Instagram video post k mutabik, his newest friend is none other than worldwide singing sensation Justin Bieber. Oh and not to forget that recently, Bilal has also released a new single, featuring Pakistani-Canadian YouTuber Zaid Ali T and his wife Yumnah Ali. 

    FAQs with The Current’s tech guy

    Head over to our page to catch our Tech-guy replying to some of your questions related to improving communication skills, selecting a career path and starting a business. Let us know if you have any other questions you want to ask him.
      

    Read on

    ‘Ertugrul’ is in Lahore!

     

    Engin Altan Düzyatan, or you may know him as Ertugrul, is in Lahore for a short visit. Details kay mutabiq, the actor is in Pakistan “at the invitation of a private business company”. But there’s a piece of bad news for his admirers. Due to a surge in coronavirus cases in the country, he may not be able to meet his fans. 

    Read on

    Current Baba’s prediction

    I know you have been saving for the new year’s party but you know what? Ek bohat bara kharcha is on its way, just hope k ye saal ka akhri kharcha ho.

    HEY, WAIT A SECOND PLEASE. 
     
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  • Upcoming Pakistani dramas on our radar

    Upcoming Pakistani dramas on our radar

    With several Pakistani dramas coming to an end soon, TV channels have started dropping teasers and promos of their upcoming releases. Four new dramas with brilliant casts and directors are expected to hit our screens in the coming weeks and we are looking forward to them.

    Read more – ‘Jalan’ continues to be a cringefest

    Dunk

    Starring Bilal Abbas Khan, Sana Javed and Naumaan Ejaz in the lead, Dunk is about sexual harassment in universities and colleges. The first promo of the drama dropped to a mixed response but we’re going to hold our thoughts and opinions till we watch the first few episodes.

    Pehli Si Mohabbat

    The drama will mark Maya Ali and Sheheryar Munawar’s return to the small screen after a long break. From the BTS and first looks, the drama promises to be an intense love story and I am definitely looking forward to this. It has been written by Faiza Iftikhar and directed by Anjum Shehzad of Khaani fame.

    Maya, in a recent interview, revealed that the drama will not have “typical saas-bahu fights and affairs in it”.

    “You will feel that you have heard or seen this story, because there’s a love story as evident from the title Pehli Si Muhabbat, and everyone has experienced their first love story. Some people find their first love and some people live with keeping it in their hearts,” she shared.

    Raqs-e-Bismil

    Raqs-e-Bismil will see Sarah Khan and Imran Ashraf share the screen together for the first time. A fresh pairing is always intriguing and given that both are brilliant actors, I am sure this drama will be a treat. From the teasers, the drama appears to be intense and uncomfortable. According to the makers, the drama “follows the soulful story of a conservative and conformist family who adhere to strict family values”. Raqs-e-Bismil will also see Hadiqa Kiani make her television debut.

    It is expected to air on Hum TV by the end of the month.

    Amanat

    A multi-starrer drama, Amanat will feature Imran Abbas, Urwa Hocane, Saboor Aly, Haroon Shahid, Saba Hamid, Sheheryar Zaidi, Babar Ali, Asad Siddiqui and Gohar Rasheed.

    According to Imran, Amanat is a “circumstances-based love story”, while producer Sana Shahnawaz says it is “a family drama with love, romance and all other elements audiences wish to see in our dramas.”

    Which drama are you looking forward to the most?

  • VIDEO: Engin Altan says ‘Lahore Lahore Hai’

    VIDEO: Engin Altan says ‘Lahore Lahore Hai’

    Turkish actor Engin Altan Düzyatan arrived in Lahore on Thursday for a short visit “at the invitation of a private business company”.

    Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Friday, the star of Diriliş: Ertuğrul revealed that he had signed some new projects in Pakistan, adding that he was set to become the brand ambassador for a private textile company. He also said that this visit was the first of many more to come.

    Talking about the popularity of series in Pakistan, the Turkish actor said it was a “great pleasure” for him that Prime Minister Imran Khan praised the drama series and recommended his countrymen to watch it.

    “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Imran Khan for praising Diriliş: Ertuğrul,” said Engin at the press conference. “It was a big drama series based on an Islamic story.”

    Sharing details about how his visit is going, Engin said: “I know Pakistani people love me. I am also aware about the natural beauty of the country,” adding that he would love to visit the mountains the North.

    He also said that he enjoyed tasting Pakistani food and that it was “very delicious, but much too spicy”.

    When asked if he would consider working in Pakistani dramas, Engin responded: “Why not! I would love to work in a Pakistani drama or film, given the right opportunity. If the script is good then why not.”

    Engin also showed off his Urdu vocabulary by saying “Shukriya” and “Lahore, Lahore Hai“.

    Altan landed in Pakistan on Thursday upon the invitation of a business company Chaudhary Textiles with who he has reportedly signed a contract worth Rs 17 crores. Pictures of his visit have been going viral on social media.

    Photo Credits – Asad Bukhari

    Often described as the Turkish Game of Thrones, Diriliş: Ertuğrul is being aired on the recommendation of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Set in 13th century Anatolia and based on the struggle of Ertuğrul Gazi, father of Osman I – the founder of the Ottoman dynasty, Diriliş: Ertuğrul has been trending in the country ever since its first episode aired on the first of Ramzan.

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, Senator Faisal Javed Khan had revealed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had gifted the drama series to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.

    Earlier in September, Cavit Çetin Güner, who plays Dogan Alp the series also visited Pakistan and spent a few days in Islamabad.

  • Lahore’s popular Butt Karahi sealed after Maryam compliments their food

    Lahore’s popular Butt Karahi sealed after Maryam compliments their food

    Lahore admin has sealed Butt Karachi, Lakshmi Chowk, for violating coronavirus SOPs after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz ate there along with her party leaders following the conclusion of a rally in the area.

    The police have also registered cases against Maryam, PML-N leaders, and at least 200 other people. Two cases have been registered at the Gawalmandi police station, and one each at the Mozang police station, Ichra police station, and Lohari Gate police station.

    The cases were filed in response to the rally that was taken out by Maryam from Jati Umra to Data Darbar. The aim of this rally to galvanise supporters ahead of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) jalsa in Lahore on Sunday.

    Earlier, a video of Maryam Nawaz eating ‘karahi’ had gone viral on Twitter. As she had her food, a large number of people could be seen in the background trying to get a glimpse of the PML-N leader.

    The video clip was shared on Facebook and Twitter on Thursday. On Twitter, it also got the attention of the PML-N leader, who retweeted it with a caption, “Kamaal karahi thi.”

    Maryam had spent several hours canvassing supporters in Lahore ahead of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on Sunday. The PDM leadership said it will take ‘big decisions’ at the jalsa, which probably includes mass resignations. 

  • PM appoints Sheikh Rasheed as interior minister

    PM appoints Sheikh Rasheed as interior minister

    In another reshuffle in the federal cabinet, Prime Minister Imran Khan has appointed Sheikh Rasheed as the interior ministry while Brig (r) Ijaz Shah, who had held the portfolio of the interior ministry, has been named as the narcotics minister.

    Senator Azam Swati, whose portfolio has been given to Ijaz Shah, will replace Sheikh Rasheed as the railways minister.

    Meanwhile, Hafeez Sheikh, who was serving as PM’s aide on finance, has been inducted in the cabinet as a federal minister for finance. Sheikh is not a member of parliament, but the PM can appoint “an unelected individual as a minister for six months under Article 91(9) of the Constitution”. He took oath as a federal minister earlier in the day.

    “A Minister who for any period of 6 months is not a member of the National Assembly shall, at the expiration of that period, cease to be a Minister and shall not before the dissolution of that Assembly be again appointed a Minister unless he is elected a member of that Assembly,” reads Article 91(9).

    Earlier, the Islamabad High Court had ruled that a special assistant or PM’s aide cannot head a public body without being an elected member of parliament. After this decision, Sheikh was unable to head the Economic Coordination Council (ECC) meeting.

    This is the fifth time Prime Minister Imran Khan has reshuffled the federal cabinet since assuming office in 2018.

  • Yasir Hussain welcomes Ertuğrul at Lahore airport

    Yasir Hussain welcomes Ertuğrul at Lahore airport

    Ever since the star of Diriliş: Ertuğrul Engin Altan Düzyatan arrived in Pakistan on Thursday, Yasir Hussain has been at the receiving end of jokes and memes. However, the actor in his true style enjoyed the jokes and even welcomed Engin to Pakistan. Engin arrived in Lahore for a short visit “at the invitation of a private business company”.

    Sharing the news of Engin’s arrival, Yasir wrote: “Welcome to Pakistan”.

    Later when he was boarding a flight back to Karachi from Lahore with wife Iqra Aziz, Yasir took a selfie at the airport and captioned it: “Ertuğrul mery peechay, main Ertuğrul k peechy. Too much fun.”

    Saheefa Jabbar Khattak, with whom Yasir had stayed with during his time in Lahore, also shared a picture of him and Iqra at the airport while seeing them off and said: “Yasir agar Aaaartugul milay toh Khawaja Saab ka paigaam dena, kehna Ai-Wallah.” Khawaja Sahab is Saheefa’s husband.

    Earlier, Ahmed Ali Butt had also tagged Yasir in a meme which made the actor laugh.

    Yasir has often found himself at the receiving end of flak with his comments on Turkish actors and dramas. When Diriliş: Ertuğrul had initially aired in April, the actor had likened Turkish dramas to ‘landay k kapray’.

    “Landy k kapray aur Turkey k dramay, dono hee local industry ko tabah kardein gay,” the actor had said.

    Later, the actor was reported to have likened Turkish actors to ‘kachra‘ (garbage). According to details, Yasir while sharing a picture of ‘Pakistani Turgut and Pakistani Ertuğrul’ had commented: “Inko koi nahi poochega (no one will give them any attention). Kyunke ghar ki murgi daal barabar or bahar ka kachra bhi maal barabar,” insinuating that Pakistanis do not appreciate local talent enough.

  • Video of Maryam enjoying ‘kamaal karahi’ goes viral

    Video of Maryam enjoying ‘kamaal karahi’ goes viral

    A video of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice President Maryam Nawaz eating ‘karahi’ at a Lakshmi Chowk restaurant in Lahore has gone viral on Twitter.

    A large number of people can be seen in the background trying to get a glimpse of the PML-N leader, who is seen enjoying her food along with other party leaders.

    The video clip was shared on Facebook and Twitter on Thursday. On Twitter, it also got the attention of the PML-N leader, who retweeted it with a caption, “Kamaal karahi thi.” 

    Maryam had spent several hours canvassing supporters in Lahore ahead of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on Sunday. The PDM leadership said it will take ‘big decisions’ at the jalsa, which probably includes mass resignations. 

    Meanwhile, the prime minister has said that the government will not stop the opposition from organising a jalsa in Lahore, but cases will be registered nonetheless. He said the government never shied away from a national dialogue.

    On Wednesday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf senior leader Shireen Mazari alleged that the PDM, a joint opposition alliance, is receiving foreign funding. The federal minister had claimed that a lot of people who are part of the PDM have received “a lot of foreign funds”. She, however, couldn’t provide any proof.

    “If we get the evidence […] but when we receive hardcore evidence, then it will become the responsibility of the government to take action,” she had.