Tag: adnan siddiqui

  • ‘Govt working to introduce royalty payments for artists’

    The federal government is working to introduce a comprehensive bill to ensure that artists are given financial credit for their work, PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan has announced.

    “Most countries around the world give royalties to artists every time a show, their work is re-run, a second time or more,” wrote Faisal on Twitter. “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.”

    Khan added that he is in touch with all stakeholders and is looking to introduce a comprehensive bill to address the matter.

    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.

    Responding to Senator Faisal’s announcement, several artists including Mikaal Zulfiqar, Ali Zafar, Ali Safina and Sakina Samo lauded the initiative and hoped that it would resolve artists’ concerns.

    https://twitter.com/SakinaSamo/status/1381551181483413504?s=20

    Ever since Naila Jaffery appealed to producers and the government to pay royalties to actors for the work and content that is re-run, the conversation around royalty payments for artists has gained momentum with several actors demanding it.

    “Why is it even a matter of discussion?” Siddiqui had questioned. “Artists rightfully deserve to be paid royalty.”

    “So many producers and channels rake in copious amount of money through reruns. It is only ethical to pay actors their due,” he added.

    “We as a community of artists, singers, actors, writers, producers, directors, composer, editors and so on, need to be recognised by our government as an industry,” asserted Ahmed Ali Butt had.

    Zulfiqar was the first one to demand payment for reruns and after Jaffery’s appeal, several artists including Yasir Hussain, Sabeeka Imam, Ayesha Omar and Mansha Pasha had demanded TV channels for royalties.

    Earlier in July 2020, the government had announced that it will be creating a film task force to promote the entertainment industry and resolve its issues. Members of the government including Senator Shibli Faraz had held a virtual meeting with artists and stakeholders involved and shared the government’s intentions. They also discussed issues being faced by the film industry and their proposed solutions. Among those present during the meeting included Humayun Saeed, Vasay Chaudhry, Ali Zafar, Fizza Ali Meerza and Nadeem Mandviwala.

    Chaudhry, while speaking to The Current, had said that Senator Shibli had shown a “keen interest in the issues of royalties when it was brought up by me.”

    “He told us that the issue of royalties of artistes is very close to his heart and he will make sure to do something about it,” shared Vasay.

  • Adnan Siddiqui recalls memories with Strings with an unseen music video

    After entertaining us for more than three decades, Strings called off their partnership as a band on March 25, leaving fans heartbroken across the world.

    Among those upset with the news was Adnan Siddiqui. To express his sorrow over the development and to recall memories with them, Adnan shared an unseen music video from 1993, which featured him alongside Natasha. The video was directed by Bilal and shot in Gwadar and Hawk’s Bay.

    “Millions of us are still anguished with Strings ending their divinely gifted partnership of more than three decades. An entire generation grew up on their legendary music,” wrote the actor in the caption. “Whether it was the first brush of love, careless abandon of youth, heartbreak or experiments with finding our calling—Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia were always there with their symphonies, ballads [and] rock songs.”

    “I am also overcome with a flurry of emotions and gush of memories as I see them going their own way,” shared the actor further. “My personal and professional association with them dates back to the late 80s, almost from the time Strings made a splash in the world of Pakistani music for the first time.”

    Recalling the memories, Adnan said: “My first performance with them was in 1989 during a stage show at Funland where they played Maine Tujhe Kabhi Dekha Na Tha. We were in our early 20s, ready to take on the world. From then on till 2015 World Cup, we worked together at intermittent intervals.”

    “In Aankhen Chhupa Ke from their third album Duur in 2002, I shared space with my wife. The video was shot on a shoe-string budget at Mubarak village. The World Cup theme Phir Say Game Utha Day was the last time we performed together. I think I would be the most common face in their videos,” he remarked.

    Talking about the video he shared, Adnan said: “Sharing here a rare gem from their talented stable with an almost juvenile looking yours truly. The song is Aaj Main Khudi Say Ladta Gaya.”

    “The year was 1993. Bilal decided to expand his genius to direction, but more so to give me orders and directions,” said Adnan. “Natasha and I shot it at Hawk’s Bay and Gwadar desert in Balochistan. A rather bold video for its time with animal carcass and snakes featuring along with two good looking people and a very hummable song.”

    Replying to Adnan’s post Faisal said: “Thank you for always being there.”

  • Nadia Jamil gets emotional after she finds an old post of Haseena Moin on her

    An old post by Haseena Moin addressed to Nadia Jamil, in which the late writer talked about her experience of getting diagnosed with breast cancer and sent love and prayers to Nadia, also a breast cancer survivor has made the actor emotional. The celebrated playwright passed away on Friday at the age of 79.

    Sharing Moin’s letter, Nadia said: “I had not read this post before. I sit here crying, reading it now and it’s as if you are speaking to me from wherever you are. I’m shaken to the core today.”

    “Thank you for this and all the words of love and encouragement you gave me since I’ve been sick,” said Nadia further.

    The actor continued: “You said you were working on a script for me. You really wanted me to work again and kept encouraging me to get back to work. I promise you, I will. And I will make you smile with pride, wherever you are.”

    “Thank you for being such a strong, inspirational, dignified woman,” said Nadia. “But most of all Haseena Apa, thank you for being Haseena Moin. The most amazing, legendary TV writer this country has ever known. You were empowering women with your stories years before we were empowered. You were such a down to earth woman, yet your heart full of romance and feeling.”

    Thanking the late writer, Nadia further said: “Thank you for introducing me to TV with Jaane Ajnaane and for writing Raana Shaikh Khalas [and] Dua, so beautifully.”

    “You have always been a quiet voice of strength and encouragement in my life. You will always be that. I only wish in these last months I’d spoken more to you. Heard more of your incredible journey through life,” added Jamil. “I will always be eternally grateful to you, for all this and so much more.”

    Nadia also shared the words of Albert Schweitzer to remember Haseena.

    “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”

    “Haseena Apa thank you for lighting the flame in so many millions of hearts with your writing. You will forever shine on through it after the rest of us are long gone,” she concluded.

    Earlier, other celebrities including Adnan Siddiqui and Mahira Khan also paid rich tributes to Haseena Moin.

  • Adnan Siddiqui, Mahira Khan pay rich tributes to Haseena Moin

    Adnan Siddiqui and Mahira Khan have paid rich tributes to Haseena Moin who passed away this morning at the age of 79.

    Remembering Moin, Siddiqui said: “No amount of adjectives would do justice to the immense talent of Haseena Moin or Haseena Apa as she was lovingly called. Her acclaimed writings brought a refreshing angle to dramas and plays, positioning women as independent and empowered.”

    “That was the time when hashtags didn’t drive feminism, real work did,” continued Adnan. “Her characters – be it the sisters in Tanhaiyaan, Dr Zoya in Dhoop Kinare [or] Shehzori’s Tara – broke glass ceilings in a conservative Pakistan of the time.”

    Praising Moin’s heroine’s, the actor further said: “Young women who were not afraid to speak their minds, believed in equality of genders and typecast emancipation in the truest sense of the word. They were never a second fiddle in any of Apa’s stories. Instead, they emerged stronger than the men.”

    Adnan also said that he felt “privileged to have worked in one of her dramas serial, Pal Do Pal and a long play Chup Daria.“

    “Though my favourite memories of Haseena apa would always be tuning into PTV to watch Zara and Sanya manoeuvre through life courageously and independently,” he concluded.

    Similarly, Mahira also remembered Haseena fondly, admiring her strong work.

    “There will never be another like Haseena Moin Sahiba,” said Mahira. “You shall live for generations to come.. through your service to this nation and our industry.”

    Other celebrities who remembered Moin include Faysal Quraishi, Imran Abbas, Sanam Saeed, Usman Mukhtar and Fahad Mustafa.

  • Humayun Saeed ‘overwhelmed beyond words’ with Pride of Performance award

    Humayun Saeed ‘overwhelmed beyond words’ with Pride of Performance award

    Humayun Saeed is “overwhelmed beyond words” after receiving the Pride of Performance award from President Dr Arif Alvi for his contribution to the Drama and Film industries of Pakistan.

    Sharing a picture of himself with his medal on Instagram, Saeed said: “Extremely very grateful and humbled by all the messages of love and adulation I have been receiving. Thank you so much my beloved fans, friends and family for your constant support and encouragement.”

    “The Pride of Performance is my most special accolade for it is a recognition by the State,” said Humayun. “I have always firmly believed that being Pakistani is my only true identity and have tried my utmost best to make Pakistan proud.”

    “Any award that Pakistan gives to me thus will always remain closest to my heart,” he added.

    Humayun also promised to work even and do everything in his capacity to “serve our beloved country.”

    “I once again, in all humility, thank each and every one of you for your love. I am overwhelmed beyond words.”

    Many of Humayun’s friends and colleagues including Mahira Khan, Adnan Siddiqui, Ahmed Ali Butt, Sajal Aly, Vasay Chaudhary and Shaan Shahid congratulated the super-hit actor-director-producer for receiving the ‘deserving award.’

    Meanwhile, several other notable Pakistanis were also recognised for their contributions in different fields at the investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

    President Alvi presented various awards to 88 recipients including six Nishan-e-Imtiaz, three Hilal-e-Imtiaz, 24 Sitara-e- Shuja’at, eight Sitara-e-Imtiaz, 14 President’s Award for Pride of Performance, one Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam, one Sitara-e-Khidmat, one Tamgha-e-Pakistan, 22 Tamgha-e-Shuja’at and eight Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.

    Prominent personalities who received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz include Sadiqain Naqvi (Art), Abida Parveen (Singing), Ahmad Faraz (Literature) while Bushra Ansari (Art), Syed Farooq Qaiser (Art) and Sultana Siddiqui (Art) received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz. Maulana Tariq Jameel (Religious Scholar), Muhammad Ali Shehki (Singing), Resham (Acting), Humayun Saeed (Acting) and Ali Zafar (Singing) were conferred the President’s Award for Pride of Performance. Meanwhile, Zaiba Shehaz (Acting) and Faisal Edhi (Public Service) were awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.

  • Mehwish, Adnan, Sanam congratulate Riz Ahmed on his Oscar nomination

    Riz Ahmed, who played the role of a drummer who begins to lose his hearing in Amazon Studio’s Sound of Metal charted history by becoming the first Muslim to be nominated in the leading actor category at the Academy Awards.

    Read more – Obamas to adapt Mohsin Hamid’s ‘Exit West’ for Netflix with Riz Ahmed in the lead

    The actor, while responding to the nomination said that he was “honoured to be nominated by my fellow actors alongside such inspiring performances”.

    “I am grateful to the Academy for their support and encouragement,” the actor added.

    Mehwish Hayat, Adnan Siddiqui and Sanam Saeed celebrated Riz’s big achievement and congratulated the actor on social media.

    “Congratulations Riz. You have created history with your nomination as the first Muslim for lead actor at the distinguished Academy Awards,” said Siddiqui. “Hard work and talent always get recognised.”

    “Pakistan is proud of you,” added the actor.

    Mehwish Hayat also expressed her delight over the nomination, saying: “In a world where we’re fighting for fairer representation in mainstream media, a Muslim nominated for Best Actor for the first time since 1929 is one hell of a big deal.”

    Sanam Saeed also congratulated her ‘dosst‘, saying: “Proud moment, you totally deserve it.”

    “Go on then keeping making waves and bringing about change,” she added.

    The 2021 Oscar nominations were announced from London by presenters Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The Academy Awards would typically have happened by now but this year will be telecast on April 25. The film academy said Monday that the show will be held at both its usual home, the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and the city’s railway hub, Union Station.

  • Adnan Siddiqui wishes to ‘relive glory days’ with Angelina Jolie

    Adnan Siddiqui wishes to ‘relive glory days’ with Angelina Jolie

    Adnan Siddiqui has taken a trip down the memory lane and recalled old memories with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt from the shoot days of his film A Mighty Heart.

    Read more – ‘Fake News’: Adnan Siddiqui says he never faced discrimination on the sets of ‘A Mighty Heart’

    Sharing the pictures on social media, the Meray Paas Tum Ho actor wrote: “What are the odds that some bygone treasures will pop up on my phone memory a day after I mused about what memories leave in their wake when they come calling!”

    “A Mighty Heart will always hold an indisputably prized place in my heart for professional and personal reasons. Looking at these photographs, I suddenly have an overwhelming urge to go back in time at The Taj Mahal Palace, Colaba and relive the glory days,” he added.

    Siddiqui worked with Angelina in The Mighty Heart which released in 2007. The film which also featured the late Irrfan Khan in a prominent role was directed by Michael Winterbottom and co-produced by Brad Pitt.

    Meanwhile, the actor was feeling nostalgic on Thursday and shared several throwback pictures on his Instagram stories.

  • Adnan Siddiqui reveals why he plays the flute

    Adnan Siddiqui reveals why he plays the flute

    We’ve often seen Adnan Siddiqui create magic with his flute and never really found out what draws the actor to this musical instrument.

    Read more – Adnan Siddiqui thinks ‘Pakistanis are more tolerant than Indians’

    Siddiqui, in a recent social media post, opened up on his love for the flute and what drew him to it.

    “I started romancing the flute quite fortuitously when a flute seller who looked more like a vagabond playing for the love of music, caught my fancy many years ago in Karachi Boating Basin,” shared Adnan.

    “Having had an inherent ear for music, I had trained myself to play harmonica during my young days,” he continued. “So the decision to dabble into a new territory was an obvious transition.”

    “Though memory fails me to recall the composition that man regaled me with at the time time, it did leave me with a strong affinity towards the flute” wrote Adnan further. “The next day I found myself wandering through by-lanes of the walled city of Karachi, scouting for a flute that would instantly metamorphose me into Mozart! Well, that didn’t happen and I have made peace with being a Pied Piper.”

    “It’s been a long time and I am still in love with the flute,” added the actor. “Despite being self-taught, not once has it rejected my advances to compose seemingly novice notes. It loves me back equally, offering me experiences that are therapeutic and divine at the same time.”

    Adnan was recently spotted bonding with Turkish actors. Last month, Celal Al welcomed Adnan Siddiqui and other Pakistani actors Humayun Saeed, Reema Khan and Sadia Khan in Turkey.

  • ‘Turki Lala’: Everything you need to know about Pak-Turk’s joint production venture

    Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to air Diriliş: Ertuğrul on state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) has opened new doors for the Pakistani entertainment industry with a new alliance formed between Pakistani production house Ansari Films and Turkish production house Tekden Films.

    According to a press release, “Countering the narrative of Islamophobia and highlighting the teachings of Islam and the goodness the religion propagates will be a key focus of the new alliance between Pakistan-based Ansari Films and Turkish production house Tekden Films. This was discussed during one of the many meetings held during the recent Turkey visit of Pakistani delegation to Turkey.”

    The Pakistani delegation comprising of Adnan Siddiqui, Humayun Saeed, producers Dr Kashif Ansari of Ansari Films and Dr Junaid Ali Shah met senior ministers in the Turkish government and discussed an upcoming series Turki Lala, which will be a joint production venture between the two countries. Turki Lala is expected to go on floors soon. The plot of the upcoming venture is based on “Turki Lala who is considered to be one of the most glorious Muslim nationalists to have assisted Turkey during the Balkan War and World War I.”

    According to the Ansari-Tekden team, this will [the partnership] start a new chapter in the cross-border talent exchange including actors and writers and more programmes on popular names in the history.”

    During their three-day visit, the Pakistani delegation also met several Turkish dignitaries including Governor of Istanbul Ali Yerlikaya, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Youth and Sports Minister M. Muharrem Kasapoglu.

    Speaking about the project, Humayun said: “Turkey has very graciously extended its cooperation to us when we start shooting the series. Turki Lala is a formidable figure in Pak-Turkey relations that go back centuries. The programme will be a tribute to his heroics as well the great friendship between the two nations.”

    Similarly, Adnan while sharing his thoughts on the project said: “Plans are afoot to create content that breaks the myth surrounding Muslims which, unfortunately, has led to unnecessary hatred towards the community. We want people to know that Islam is all about purity of thought and deeds through our future productions. We had a detailed dialogue on the same with the communication director of Presidency Fahrettin Altun.”

    Earlier, Turkish actor Celal Al warmly welcomed Humayun, Adnan, Reema Khan and Sadia Khan in Turkey.

    In January when a Turkish delegation visited Pakistan, Humayun had announced that he and his “friend Adnan Siddiqui” are bringing the biggest project ever in collaboration with Kashif [Ansari] and “our Turkish brothers”. He revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed between Tekdin Films and Dr Kashif Ansari of Ansari Films and TRT Films which would lead to a collective project and Adnan and Humayun would be overseeing casting and production-related decisions in Pakistan.

    While a release date for the project has not been announced, it is being speculated that the series will begin to air some time in 2023.

    Meanwhile, Adnan and Humayun have been sharing pictures of themselves enjoying the beauty of Turkey.

  • IN PICTURES: Celal Al welcomes Humayun, Adnan and Reema to Turkey

    IN PICTURES: Celal Al welcomes Humayun, Adnan and Reema to Turkey

    Turkish actor Celal Al on Sunday welcomed Pakistani actors Humayun Saeed, Reema Khan, Sadia Khan and Adnan Siddiqui in Turkey.

    Sharing a picture of Pakistani celebrities enjoying their meals together in his Instagram stories, Celal wrote: “Adnan, Humayun, Reema and Sadia welcome to Istanbul. Turkey-Pakistan brotherhood zindabad.”

    Earlier, Humayun Saeed and Adnan Siddiqui left their fans excited when they informed them of their visit to Turkey.

    Reema also shared a picture with the production team of Diriliş: Ertuğrul on her Instagram account.

    Later Reema shared some fascinating pictures and video of their tour to Hagia Sophia Mosque. Posting a video on Instagram, she also shared the history of this Mosque and wrote: “The world-famous Hagia Sophia mosque ( Which has converted into museum also in Istanbul. A world Heritage site, was originally built as a cathedral around 1,500 years ago by the Bazantine Empire.”

    She also shared some pictures of the meetup with Kamal Tekdin, the famous series’ executive producer and other participants.

    Adnan Siddiqui also took to Instagram and shared a video of their tour. Sharing how he felt, the actor wrote: “It was spellbinding to offer prayer at the iconic Hagia Sophia Holy Grand Mosque. It is grand in ever sense of the word—history, beauty, political significance.”

    “A little lesson in history for those who may not be aware. The world-famous Hagia Sophia museum in Istanbul, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, was originally built as a cathedral around 1500 years ago by the Byzantine empire. The architectural marvel was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1453. In 1934, it became a museum,” he added.

    “Only in July last year, it became a mosque again and opened for prayer and worship,” he wrote.

    Earlier this year, a Turkish delegation comprising Diriliş: Ertuğrul executive producer Tekdin and actor Celal visited Pakistan where they met Prime Minister Imran Khan, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz, Shehryar Afridi, Humayun and Adnan. It was reported that the two countries are working together on a joint production to strengthen ties and people-to-people contact. This tour of Pakistani celebrities to Turkey depicts that something very interesting is coming our way.