Tag: Alif

  • The Sajal Aly Five: Unforgettable roles that defined her career

    The Sajal Aly Five: Unforgettable roles that defined her career

    Sajal Aly is undoubtedly one of Pakistan’s most talented actresses today. She has also made her mark in international cinema with roles in Bollywood’s Mom and the British romantic comedy What’s Love Got to Do with It, written by Jemima Khan.

     

    Aly has received a number of awards, including the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz from the Government of Pakistan.

     

    Here are five of Sajal Aly’s most unforgettable performances:

     

    Meri Ladli (2010)

    Sajal Aly’s career took off after she played the role of a young girl in Meri Ladli, who faces numerous challenges in life. Her portrayal of a strong, independent character resonated with viewers and paved the way for her future success.

     The drama was written by Maha Malik and directed by Nadeem Siddique.

     

     

    Yakeen ka Safar (2019)

     

    Yakeen Ka Safar was one of Aly’s most recognized dramas. She portrayed Dr. Zubia, a kind and independent woman whose personal and professional growth captivated viewers.

     

     

    Aly earned two awards for her outstanding performance: Best Actress (Popular) and Best Onscreen Couple (Popular). The cast also included Ahad Raza Mir, Farhan Ali Agha, Hira Mani, Qazi Wajid, and Maryiam Nafess. The drama was written by Farhat Ishtiaq and directed by Shahzad Kashmiri.

    Kuch Ankahi (2023)

     

    Sajal Aly played the role of Aliya, a strong woman who battles against the odds to protect her family’s rights.

    Her portrayal of a woman confronting misogyny and asserting her place in the world highlighted her ability to capture attention and convey strength and determination.

     

    The cast includes Bilal Abbas Khan, Mira Sethi, Mohammed Ahmed, Irsa Ghazal, Asma Abbas, and Ali Safina. The drama was written by Mohammed Ahmed and directed by Nadeem Baig.

     

    Alif (2019)

     

    Aly played the role of Momina Sultan, delivering a masterclass in understated brilliance that showcased her versatility as an actress.   

    Her extensive and heartfelt performance depicted a character on a profound journey of faith and self-discovery.

     

    The cast includes Hamza Ali Abbasi, Manzar Sehbai, Pehlaaj Hassan, Osman Khalid Butt, Kubra Khan, and Sadaf Kanwal. Sajal Aly was nominated for two awards: Best Television Actress (Critics’ Choice) and Best Television (Viewer’s Choice). 

     The drama was written by Umera Ahmed and Haseeb Hassan. 

     

    Zard Patton ka Bunn (2024) 

     

    In her latest drama, Zard Patton Ka Bunn, Sajal Aly plays the role of Meenu. The talented cast includes Hamza Sohail, Ali Tahir, Samiya Mumtaz, and Rehan Sheikh. The drama explores themes of social justice, gender dynamics, and personal transformation. 

     

    The story centres on Meenu, a strong and determined woman who challenges societal norms and fights against injustices. 

     Zard Patton Ka Bunn is written by Mustafa Afridi and directed by Saife Hassan. 

     

  • Sonam Bajwa leaves the cutest comment on Sajal Aly’s post

    Sonam Bajwa leaves the cutest comment on Sajal Aly’s post

    Indian actress Sonam Bajwa left fans delighted with the cutest comment on Sajal Aly’s latest Instagram post. Bajwa’s sweet words caught the attention of fans and brought up a lovely exchange between the two actresses.
     
    Sajal posted her own picture on her Instagram account with the caption, “Few shades that capture the many layers of my journey.Many more to explore I guess !!! ”

    After this post, Sonam Bajwa commented, “Sweet Sweet Sajal ❤”

    This sweet gesture shows just how much love and respect artists can have for each other despite being across the border.
    This is not the first time Sonam Bajwa commented for Sajal Aly. A few months ago when the teaser of ‘Zard Patton ka Bunn’ was released on the HUM TV Instagram account, the Kudi Haryane Val Di actress congrats Aly for her new assignment saying, “You never fail to amaze me.” 

    Sajal has won hearts with her power performances in several dramas like Chup Raho, O Rangreza, Yakeen Ka Safar, Alif, and Kuch Ankahi.
    Currently, Sajal Aly is starring in Zard Patton ka Bunn along with Hamza Sohial. The drama air on HUM TV on Sunday at 8:00 p.m..

  • From hopeless ashiq to feared warrior: celebrating three powerhouse performances by Hamza Ali Abbasi on his birthday

    From hopeless ashiq to feared warrior: celebrating three powerhouse performances by Hamza Ali Abbasi on his birthday

    Happy birthday Hamza Ali Abbasi! Since his debut thirteen years ago, he has been gracing our screens with powerful performances revered by audiences. Within a short time, he has played a lovelorn man willing to decieve parents for his crush, a rebellious filmmaker who learns how to find a path back to God and a terrifying villain, cementing his status as one of Pakistan’s most versatile stars. While Abbasi has announced that he is set to come back on the big screen with two new projects, lets take a jog down memory lane in celebration of his birthday, and review three outstanding performances.

    1 Alif

    If there will be a Pakistani drama remembered years from now, it will definitely be ‘Alif’. The serial aired I 2020 but has remained alive within Pakistani pop culture as one of the few times a drama dominated all public discourse. Abbasi plays the troubled and rebellious Momin, who is grieving from childhood trauma and has completely lost his way in life. When he crosses paths with Momina (played by Sajal Aly), a struggling actress trying to make a living for her family, they help each other reach their destinations, and Momin learns to find refuge in God.

    2 Maula Jatt

    Action-thriller Maula Jatt made a wave around the world, raking in money and praise alike. Abbasi and Fawad Khan took the remake to dizzying heights, recreating old magic and generating plenty of new thrills. Hamza took the feared Noori Natt to new heights with his chilly portrayal of a psychopathic killer.

    3 Pyarey Afzal

    If Maula Jatt changed the way Hamza Ali Abbasi went from being the token good boy to a dark villain, then the lovelorn aashiq in ‘Pyarey Afzaal’ was the role that cemented his position in the industry. Acting opposite Ayeza Khan, who played Farah, Abbasi portrayed the titular character Afzal, who has a crush on Farah, and writes letters to himself that he claims to have received from her. But his world changes when Farah reaches out to him and requests him to pretend to be a love interest, so her parents don’t marry her off against her wishes.

  • Kubra, Hadiqa and Srha respond to Lux Style Awards snubbing their superlative performances

    Kubra, Hadiqa and Srha respond to Lux Style Awards snubbing their superlative performances

    The most-prestigious awards of the country, Lux Style Awards recently announced their nominations for 2021 in the categories of music, fashion, and television. A number of prominent celebrities stood up and called out the awards for nominating television dramas solely on the basis of their popularity and high viewer ratings, without considering the quality of the content itself.

    Read More – Lux Style Awards 2021: Nominations announced

    Kubra Khan has also joined fellow celebrities to express her stance on the matter.

    Kubra Khan shared her feelings over not getting a single nomination for her superlative performance as Husn-e-Jahan in Alif.

    Raqeeb Se star Hadiqa Kiani issued a clarification for her fans on being asked that why isn’t she nominated for her debut performance in the Naumaan Ijaz starrer.

    The Pyar Ke Sadqey actor, Srha Asgr requested her fans to stay positive even if she isn’t nominated at the best emerging talent in LSA.

    “It’s okay if I didn’t make it this year but I surely did make it [to] your heart,” she wrote.

    She went on to say: “Mazeed mehnat keraingay aur aik din award bhi lay jaygay. #loveyouall”

    Earlier, the celebrities who called out the nominations include Sonya Hussyn, Nausheen Shah and Yasra Rizvi.

    Meanwhile, Kubra can currently be seen in Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay, while Srha is garnering praise for her role in Aakhir Kab Tak opposite Haroon Shahid.

  • Shahroz Sabzwari is proud of him and Sadaf for not being ‘Liberals in Pakistan’

    Shahroz Sabzwari is proud of him and Sadaf for not being ‘Liberals in Pakistan’

    Sadaf Kanwal and Shahroz Sabzwari created headlines with their statements in a recent interview. The duo appeared on ARY’s Hamary Mehmaan, the Alif actress was asked about her take on equality in marriage, to which she answered that ‘Mard ka darja upar hai, wo kamata hai, khilata hai, bachon ka khayal rakhta hai’.

    She added that, ‘Humara culture humara shohar hai, mujhe Sherry ka zyada pata hona chahiye’, because she’s the wife.

    The celebrity couple has been trending on Twitter since the interview is out.

    The Hassad star took to his Instagram stories to express his gratitude on not being a Liberal. He even tagged his wife Sadaf in the post.

    On the work front, Shahroz was last seen in ARY’s telefilm Mr and Mrs Chooza.

    Read More: ‘Mard ka darja upar hai, wo kamata hai, khilata hai’: Sadaf Kanwal on equality in marriage

  • ‘Mard ka darja upar hai, wo kamata hai, khilata hai’: Sadaf Kanwal on equality in marriage

    ‘Mard ka darja upar hai, wo kamata hai, khilata hai’: Sadaf Kanwal on equality in marriage

    Celebrity couple of Sadaf Kanwal and Shahroz Sabzwari appeared on ARY’s Hamary Mehmaan. The Alif actress was asked about her take on equality in marriage, to which she answered that ‘Mard ka darja upar hai, wo kamata hai, khilata hai, bachon ka khayal rakhta hai’.

    She added that, ‘Mujhe Sherry ka zyada pata hona chahiye’, because she’s the wife.

    This interview has gone viral on the web and Sadaf also trended on Twitter for her gendered statements.

    Earlier this month, the couple appeared on Nida Yasir’s morning show on July 7, this was their first appearance as a married couple on any morning show.

    During the show’s conclusion Nida highlighted how post his marriage with Sadaf he got a blockbuster project in Nand. To which the Dilruba star responded saying that yes she has indeed brought luck to his life and even his parents are very happy with her.

  • Five Pakistani dramas PM Khan should watch

    Five Pakistani dramas PM Khan should watch

    Ever since he assumed office, Prime Minister Imran Khan has given us plenty of recommendations on drama serials and books – the most prominent being Turkish drama series Diriliş: Ertuğrul and Elif Shafak’s The Forty Rules of Love. Earlier this week, PM Khan recommended the youth to watch another Turkish show on Sufism Yunus Emre: Aşkin Yolculuğu, which is also being aired on PTV in Urdu.

    While we love the fact that the PM takes out time to recommend stuff to the youth, we decided to turn the tables and recommend him a few recent (in the past two years) Pakistani drama serials which are worth watching. Check out our suggestions below:

    Sabaat

    While Hum TV’s Sabaat in its essence is a family drama exploring familial relations and dynamics, its presentation was very refreshing, in particular Anaya and Hassan’s storyline. The drama highlighted the importance of having a healthy, loving relationship with your children and gave out a strong message on the importance of empowering women and daughters and gave viewers a new heroine after Zindagi Gulzar Hai‘s Kashf. It also showed how ego, money and misunderstandings can ruin relationships and your life. All these themes are the ones which PM Khan has time and time again urged our drama writers to show on television.

    Read more – ‘Sabaat’ manages to tie up loose ends in a rushed finale

    Alif

    Starring PM Imran’s BFF Hamza Ali Abbasi and Sajal Aly in the lead, Alif, written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Haseeb Hasan focuses on the spiritual journeys of two individuals Qalb-e-Momin (Hamza) and Momina Sultan (Sajal), who despite coming from completely different backgrounds help each other find peace in righteousness. Alif was a brilliant example of good storytelling and sensitive direction. Moreso, the entire cast of the drama including Hamza, Sajal, Ahsan Khan, Manzar Sehbai and Kubra Khan gave strong and solid performances. It is pertinent to add here that Hamza in several interviews has shared that his life reflects what is shown in the drama.

    Suno Chanda Season 1

    Perhaps one of the most-loved dramas in the country, Suno Chanda (Season 1) is chaotic, fun and will leave you with a warm feeling. The show which ran through Ramadan and had everyone hooked is about a household in which the children of two brothers get married just before the family’s patriach passes away. Directed by Aehsun Talish and written by Saima Akram Chaudhry, Suno Chanda is a comedy drama done just right. From the performances to the witty dialogues to the direction, everything about this drama was brilliant. The show gave us some memorable characters and there was bound to be one person in the cast you could relate too.

    Out of the list, if there is one drama the prime minister should be watching, it should be Suno Chanda. Will also give him some much-needed respite from the day-to-day political tensions.

    Aangan

    Yet another multi-starrer drama starring some big dramas of the drama industry, Aangan brought back and romanticised living in joint family systems while at the same time highlighting the issues that come with it. The drama very delicately and tactfully challenged societal norms while keeping viewers engaged and hooked. Aangan is without a doubt one of Faiza Iftikhar’s finest works. I am pretty sure Khan sahab is going to love this one. It is everything he wants to promote through television and dramas.

    Sammi

    Perhaps the darkest drama on this list, Mawra Hocane and Adnan Siddiqui’s Sammi sheds light on the custom of vani (or exchange brides) and how women are forced to continuously bear children in the quest for a son. It is gritty and makes you uncomfortable but that is because you know that this is exactly what happens to women in this country. The drama has been sensitively written by Noor ul Huda Shah and directed by Saifee Hassan.

    Is there any other drama you would recommend PM Imran to watch? Let us know in the comments below.

  • Fawad Chaudhry requests Netflix, Amazon to invest in Pakistani content

    Fawad Chaudhry requests Netflix, Amazon to invest in Pakistani content

    Former Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry in a recent tweet requested Netflix and Amazon to look towards Pakistani content and invest in them because “we have immense talent and experience.”

    The minister asserted that Pakistani dramas have recently made a huge comeback and that he can assure the movie streaming website successful partnerships.

    Speaking exclusively to The Current, Fawad said that after observing the ratings and business done by Pakistani dramas, he was motivated to share Pakistani content with the world which is why he devised a strategy and pitched Pakistani content to Netflix and Amazon while he was the information minister. While in office, Fawad had also planned to digitise PTV and the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) as well as introduce a digital sports channel. However, his plans were shelved soon after he left office.

    Fawad further said that he had also reached out to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey to collaborate on content creation. Content from Turkey and Egypt is the highest viewed in the Arab world and Pakistan can learn a lot from it. It is pertinent to mention here that Prime Minister Imran Khan is a fan of Turkish content and has even directed PTV to dub his favourite series Diriliş: Ertuğrul in Urdu so more people can view it.

    Earlier, in an interview with The Current, Special Assistant to the PM for Overseas Pakistanis Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari said that PM Imran has a vision to produce good quality films that showcase the culture, religion and heritage of Pakistan.

  • ‘Alif’ Episode 7: Ahsan Khan makes a fleeting appearance

    ‘Alif’ Episode 7: Ahsan Khan makes a fleeting appearance

    Seven episodes later, in, we’re still waiting for Alif to pick up. The drama boasts a brilliant cast, direction and story but because of its slow pace, it is unable to captivate the audiences the way it should have given its unique storyline.

    One of the lead characters of the show, played by Ahsan Khan, has finally made an appearance. But that too lasted for less than ten seconds. Till now the only thing we know about his character is that he is Momin’s (Hamza Ali Abbasi) father and left him and his mother for reasons unknown.

    The seventh episode mostly explored the relationship between Momin and his grandfather. Their relationship has been wonderfully portrayed and Manzar Sehbai as Abdul Aalaa has given a phenomenal performance.

    Meanwhile, Neha (Sadaf Kanwal) is out to get her revenge from Momin and is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that.

    Momina is still coping with the death of her brother. However, she fulfils her commitements and returns to work even though her mother told her that she doesn’t really need to. Her former love interest Faisal (Osman Khalid Butt) has also returned from America and there is friction between the two characters. As always, Sajal’s expressions are on point – is there any character she can’t do flawlessly?

    Towards the end of the episode, we’re shown that the drama is heading towards a twist. Hoping that this twist finally leads to Momin and Momina meeting again – the wait is getting a bit too long now. I probably sound like a broken record by now but I hope the drama starts moving a little faster. The pace kinda kills the buzz.

  • ‘Alif’ is slow-paced but intense

    ‘Alif’ is slow-paced but intense

    Hamza Ali Abbasi and Sajal Aly’s Alif hit screens early October amid a lot of hype and fanfare. This is their first pairing and fans were naturally excited to see two acting powerhouses come together. Not only that, the speculation that this might be Hamza’s last venture also added to the drama’s attraction.

    So far five episodes of Alif have aired and though the drama’s plotline is engrossing and interesting, it’s slow pace distracts you from it.

    Alif follows the life of two individuals Momin and Momina – oh the irony. The two belong to completely different worlds: Momin is a hotshot director who objectifies women and promotes vulgarity to sell his films, while Momina is a struggling actor, who is only in the profession to raise money for her sick brother. Their paths cross when Momina auditions for one of the Momin’s films and given their dissenting views, they clash.

    Till now, the drama largely focuses on Momin and his relationship with his grandfather with constant flashbacks to his childhood and Momina and her financial struggles.

    While the plotline and synopsis of the drama is captivating, the slow-pace makes your attention waiver. It is not gripping enough as yet but considering only five episodes have aired so far, we’re willing to let this go for now. The dialogues are also powerful.

    Both Hamza and Sajal have put up remarkable performances. Sajal as the struggling Momina is great – her expressions and the way she portrays the depth of her character is superb. Sadaf as Hamza’s love interest is also charming. We haven’t seen much of Kubra Khan but she does fit into the character of Husn-e-Jahan smoothly. The supporting cast is also commendable.

    Alif has been penned by Umera Ahmed and directed by Haseeb Hassan of Parwaaz Hai Junoon fame.

    The drama does appear to be promising watch given the teasers and cast but I do hope the pace doesn’t make it mundane and tiresome to watch.