You all remember Dananeer Mobeen, right? The girl who made “Pawry Horahi Hai” the coolest catchphrase overnight? Well, she’s back in the spotlight again, but this time for her Ramadan charity video – and not necessarily in the way she hoped.
Dananeer has been riding high on her newfound fame since her viral video, branching out into acting with two successful dramas under her belt: ‘Sinf e Aahan’ and ‘Mohabbat Gumshuda Meri.’ Now, she’s making waves in a Ramadan special drama called ‘Very Filmy’, where she stars alongside Ameer Gilani.
But let’s get back to the charity buzz. Dananeer, along with her celebrity buddies Anika Zulfiqar (you might recognize her from ‘Namak Haram’) and the talented designer-cum-actress Parishae Adnan, decided to spread some Ramadan joy. They hit the streets to shop for iftar goodies and distributed them to those in need. Sounds heartwarming, right? Well, not everyone saw it that way!
Unfortunately, instead of receiving praise for their charitable act, the video stirred up quite the chatter online – and not all of it positive. People seemed more focused on the girls’ accents and why they filmed the charity than the actual act of giving.
Actor Mawra Hocane shared adorable pictures of her fancy 30th birthday celebrations on her Instagram handle.
The ‘Jawaani Phir Nahi Aani 2’ star, who marked her special day in the presence of her close ones, including her alleged boyfriend, Ameer Gilani in Lahore.
With a 10-picture birthday picture dump, Hocane wrote, “Best Birthday eve with the Best ever!!!! ☀️”
The Sammi star looked absolutely gorgeous in a silver midi dress curated by the celebrity designer Hamza Anwar as she posed with her family and friends in front of a balloon backdrop at the homely celebrations. She styled the look with strappy stilettos and statement earrings while keeping the makeup simple and dewy, and her hair tied up in a high ponytail.
Hocane’s elder sister Urwa was also spotted at the affair.
Pakistani actor Mawra Hocane, while answering fan questions on the completion of her decade in showbiz, has revealed who is one in million for her.
Hocane answered fans’ questions on Twitter on November 30, on the occasion of completing her 10th year in the showbiz industry, and also revealed when her first drama aired.
The shooting of the first play of her career started in November 2011 but this playaired in February 2012. However, according to the shooting, she completed 10 years in the industry, she revealed in her tweet.
“Shot my first serial in November 2011 that later aired in February 2012. 10 years & almost 25 projects later.. all I have is utmost gratitude. ALHUMDULILLAH. Being an artist has given me so much more than I could’ve asked for!”
Shot my first serial in November 2011 that later aired in February 2012.. 10 years & almost 25 projects later.. all I have is utmost gratitude♥️ ALHUMDULILLAH ✨ Being an artist has given me so much more than I could’ve asked for!
While answering to another fan, who asked her to say one word for Ameer, she said: “One in a million, unique and honest! I hope we see more of him! He’s truly gifted.”
One in a million.. unique.. honest! I hope we see more of him! He’s truly gifted #10yearsofMawrahocane
Talking about Ayeza, Hocane said: “Ayeza is a brilliant human being.. I worked with her in shaadi mubarak.. she was warm then she’s super super warm today.. this mad world didn’t change her even one bit!”
Ayeza is a brilliant human being.. I worked with her in shaadi Mubarak.. she was warm then she’s super super warm today.. this mad world didn’t change her even one bit! ♥️#10yearsofMawrahocane
In response to a question, Mawra called Mahira Khan her best friend and wrote that although they rarely meet, they are best friends.
Meri Dost♥️ one of my very few friends in the industry.. we don’t stay in touch all the time.. but whenever we reconnect we are able to start, exactly where we left it ✨
On the work front, Urwa can be seen currently in Amanat , opposite Imran Abbas while Mawra is currently working in Hum TV’s Qissa Meherbano Ka opposite Ahsan Khan and Zaviyar Ejaz.
Later, while responding to a question on when is he is getting married, the actor said: “Not any time soon.”
Meanwhile, responding to a question on his studies, the actor said that he is currently doing his Masters and would like to pursue a PhD some time in the future. Gilani is enrolled at Harvard University for an LLM. He has been attending classes online due to the pandemic.
Gilani rose to popularity with Hum TV’s Sabaat in which he shared the screen with Hocane, Sarah Khan, and Usman Mukhtar. The drama was a critical and commercial success. While Ameer hasn’t revealed the details of his next project, he has shared that he will be returning to the screen soon.
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.
I strongly recommend the serial Yunus Emre being shown on PTV for all those who are interested in Sufism (Marayfat).
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.
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.
The second wave of COVID-19 has arrived in Pakistan with infections spiking. Several Pakistani celebrities and noted personalities have tested positive for the virus in recent days including Sabaat co-stars Usman Mukhtar and Ameer Gilani and models Saheefa Jabbar Khattak and Farwa Ali Kazmi and singer Jawad Ahmed.
Saheefa, on Tuesday, shared that she is “COVID positive” and requested her followers to pray for her. She is isolating at home with her husband.
Late Monday night, Ameer Gilani, during a question-answer session with his followers revealed that he too had tested positive for the virus and was isolating in his room.
“I’m COVID positive and there is no sense of taste and smell. I request you all to remember me and my family in your prayers as your prayers are very powerful,” shared the actor.
Last week, Gilani’s co-star Usman Mukhtar had also tested positive for the virus.
Pop musician Jawad Ahmad also tested positive for COVID-19, earlier this week. The singer is also isolating at home.
Last week, model Farwa Ali Kazmi, had also tested positive for the virus, days after walking the ramp for Hussain Rehar’s solo show. Farwa had initially dismissed her symptoms, thinking it was seasonal flu only to discover later that she had COVID-19.
“All those with cough, body aches and headaches but no fever, please get yourself tested. I had delayed it thinking its seasonal cold but it’s not,” stated the model.
Farwa added that she thinks she got it by “sharing food and cigar with a COVID-positive”.
Other celebrities, who had earlier tested positive for COVID-19, include Rubina Ashraf, Nida Yasir, Yasir Nawaz, Naveed Raza, Noman Sami, Alizeh Shah, Alyzeh Gabol, Abrar ul Haq, Sakina Samo, Shehzad Roy and Bilal Maqsood. All of them have recovered from the virus now.
Meanwhile, several politicians including PTI’s Ali Haider Zaidi and PML-N’s Dr Musadik Malik have also tested positive for COVID-19.
So they just told me I have tested #COVID + Means I have to quarantine & isolate myself! Maybe down, but not out. Will keep using Social Media & expose those who have robbed this nation & continue to damage us even today May Allah give strength to all those who stand for justice!
Sabaat’s Ameer Gillani has tested positive for coronavirus, days after his co-star Usman Mukhtar announced that he had also contracted the disease. The actor revealed his test results in a question-answer session on his Instagram stories.
A number of actors and models have recently shared that they are in quarantine because they have tested positive for coronavirus.
Detailing his experience, Gilani said, “I was unable to connect with my fans and answer your questions. But now I am able to answer your questions because I am isolating in my room and you all know that why you isolate yourself.”
“That’s because I’m COVID positive and there is no sense of taste and smell. I request you all to remember me and my family in your prayers as your prayers are very powerful.”
He further said: “If you look at the bright side, we can interact and communicate because of this. So remember me in your prayers.”
The actor also shared pictures of his grandfather’s phone call interview on a news channel where he confirmed that his son and grandson have tested positive for coronavirus.
While requesting for prayers, Ameer’s grandfather senior lawyer Iftikhar Gilani got emotional.
Budding actor Ameer Gilani, who won applause for his role in the recently concluded Sabaat as Hassan Fareed, has launched his own YouTube channel where he released his first song titled Sabaat.
Gilani has also penned the lyrics for the soulful melody as well as done its original composition. Meanwhile, the music video has been directed by Usman Mukhtar.
Later, in an Instagram post, Ameer said that the song was in response to the love he has received from his fans.
“Mere pyaaray doston,” said the actor. “Mein bata nahi sakta ke aap ka pyaar kitna special hai. Mein ne koshish ki hai ke likh ke bayaan karoon. I’m sure this represents the feeling of the entire team.”
He also said that the song was a small gift from the team of Sabaat to their audiences.
“Ek chhota sa gift humari taraf se. Ek aakhri baar Sabaat ke liye. Aap ka Aur humara saath ho Sabaat.”
Sabaat, with its refreshing storyline and empowered female characters, won acclaim over the weeks for being different from other dramas being shown on television. It drew to a close Sunday night with a finale that felt a bit rushed but successfully managed to tie up loose ends.
Warning: Spoilers ahead
Miraal & Dr Haris
The final episode of the drama saw Miraal (Sarah Khan) get involved in a car accident and damage her spinal cord which leaves her paralysed from the hip down. That one incident changes everything and gives all major characters in the series a happy ending. When Miraal regains consciousness after her accident, she discovers that her current love interest and ex-fiancé Ali, who was driving the car has run away, while her estranged husband Dr Haris (Usman Mukhtar) is by her side. She realises that she has done wrong to a lot of people and starts redeeming herself – first by telling Hasan (Ameer Gilani) that she was the one who ruined his relationship with Anaya (Mawra Hocane) and then apologising to Anaya personally (That one scene was very well executed). Later, she also seeks forgiveness from her husband, who she was seeking khula from. Everything comes full circle and all characters in the series get a happy ending, including Anaya’s mother (Simi Raheal).
Anaya and Hassan
Though in its essence, Sabaat is a family drama with all the usual tropes like a mistrusting husband, nand-bhabhi tensions, etc, its treatment was what set it apart from other dramas. Besides, the drama resonated well with audiences because of its realistic presentation.
Sabaat was beautifully written by Kashif Anwar (Fun fact – Kashif played Yasir Qureshi in the drama), with some impactful dialogues and brilliant story development (I will forgive the makers for stretching the drama in the last few episodes). The performances were solid – it will not be wrong to say that Mawra Hocane delivered her career-best performance as the quiet but headstrong Anaya, while Sarah Khan played the manipulative and spoilt Miraal to perfection. The boys (Ameer and Usman) also gave great performances and Usman, in particular, blew me away. Not only was Dr Haris an incredibly likable character but Usman also did complete justice to it. I will never forget that tear that dropped from his eye when he received the divorce papers. Laila Zuberi and Simi Raheel were wonderful as the supportive and encouraging mothers while Moazzam Ali Khan was brilliant as the arrogant Fareed Sahab.
Another reason why the drama stood out was because of its strong and empowered female characters. Though Anaya was a mild-natured person, she did not resort to being a bechari when things went bad and made the best of her circumstances. Even Hassan and Dr Haris were a rare breed – they were shown as sensitive and caring individuals. It is unusual to come across such characters on Pakistani television these days.
Personally, what I liked best about Sabaat was that nothing about it was over-the-top. Even in her angriest moments, Miraal was restrained and did not resort to screaming (read: screeching) like a mad person.
The OST and background music was lovely and perfectly complemented the drama and storyline. Also a shoutout to the drama’s styling team – Miraal’s wardrobe was amazing. I loved each and every outfit and Sarah carried them all so well.
Sabaat is definitely one for the keeps and is highly recommended. For me, it is going in the same category as Humsafar, Diyaar-e-Dil, Yakeen ka Safar, Ehd-e-Wafa and Zindagi Gulzar Hai.
