Tag: Bilal Ashraf

  • Shahid Afridi, Feroze Khan, Fatima Bhutto lash out at Sindh Govt over Karachi floods

    Shahid Afridi, Feroze Khan, Fatima Bhutto lash out at Sindh Govt over Karachi floods

    With rains lashing Karachi, as many as 19 people died in various rain-related incidents in the port city on Thursday, taking the tally of deaths during the three-day monsoon spell in the city to 30.

    Meteorological officials said downpours in August have shattered the 90-year-old record for the city. Some 484mm (19 inches) of rain has fallen this month so far, 130mm on Thursday alone, they said.

    According to data released by the Met Office, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Faisal Base recorded 130 millimetres of rain while Nazimabad has recorded 105.6mm since Thursday morning. Mausamiyat received 74.3mm of rain, while Saadi Town recorded 72mm. About 98.5mm of rain was recorded in PAF Masroor Base, Surjani received 73mm while Kemari recorded 82.5mm.

    Many major arteries witnessed severe traffic jams. Power was suspended in several areas as a precautionary measure, a K-Electric spokesperson said. Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Suhail Rajput urged people not to leave their homes during the spell which, according to a Met Office prediction, is expected to continue for another two days.

    Videos and photos making rounds on social media showed submerged cars and motorcycles and water entering houses and buildings, wreaking havoc in the provincial capital.

    Given the devastation in Karachi, several celebrities and notable personalities including Feroze Khan, Shahid Afridi, Fatima Bhutto, Ayesha Omar, Samina Peerzada and Ali Safina have lashed out at the Sindh Government for being incompetent and “destroying” the city.

    Feroze expressed his outrage by hitting out at PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and demanding answers from him and his government.

    When a Twitter user asked him to hold the PTI government accountable as well, Khan said that they “have literally just come in and I at least can’t expect them to over night work everything around”.

    Former captain Shahid Afridi expressed his disappointment with the management and those in charge of the city.

    “Who will save Karachi,” questioned the cricketer. It is pertinent to mention here that Afridi’s foundation Shahid Afridi Foundation has stepped up to help those affected by the flooding in the city.

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1298310388656664576?s=20

    Fatima Bhutto, Ayesha Omar, Gohar Rasheed, Yasir Hussain, Ali Safina and Samina Peerzada also expressed outrage over the government’s negligence.

    Meanwhile, other celebrities including Humayun Saeed, Wasim Akram, Shaniera Akram, Farhan Saeed, Ali Rehman Khan, Ali Zafar, Bilal Ashraf, Hira Mani and Maya Ali sent prayers for the city and those affected by the catastrophic rains.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEZdlVontM-/

    Ayeza Khan shared a dua that can be recited while it is raining.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CEYrLLKhTmV/
  • QMobile’s decision to appoint Esra Bilgiç as brand ambassador leaves the entertainment industry divided

    QMobile’s decision to appoint Esra Bilgiç as brand ambassador leaves the entertainment industry divided

    Yasir Hussain’s criticism of QMobile appointing Esra Bilgiç as their brand ambassador has left the entertainment industry divided once again. While some actors have seconded Yasir’s opinion, others have said that it’s not a big deal and that international artists should be welcome in Pakistan.

    Read more – Yasir Hussain likens Turkish dramas to ‘landay k kapray’

    While Minal Khan and Aiman Khan agreed with Yasir, Bilal Ashraf, Anoushey Ashraf and Agha Ali were of the opinion that there is no harm in foreign artists working in Pakistan.

    “If Fawad and Mahira can work in India, I’m sure international artists can work here,” said Anoushey.

    Agha said that actors like to be international and that we should work to welcoming them in our country. He said that we should respect them and work on building ties with other countries.

    “Let outsiders feel welcomed here. And please stop making all of us actors [look] insecure,” commented Agha.

    Bilal said that “art has no language or boundaries”.

    He added, “Pakistan zinda dil logon ka mulk hai (Pakistan is a country of lively people).”

    Aijaz Aslam said that “healthy competition is always good”.

    Read more – Yasir Hussain vs Turkish dramas: the debate heats up

    Later, when the trolling got intense, Anoushey said that she will interview Yasir live to discuss both point of views.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCn3jWPj4sV/

    Meanwhile, Iqra Aziz requested everyone to respect each other’s opinions and not point fingers at anyone.

  • VIDEO: Bilal Ashraf makes his favourite healthy chocolate snack

    VIDEO: Bilal Ashraf makes his favourite healthy chocolate snack

    Quarantine and self-isolation has brought out the inner chef in all of us. While the rest of us Google recipes for fun but fattening foods, Bilal Ashraf is sticking to his healthy regime.

    The actor, who recently sported an amazing six-pack in the song Dharak Bharak (Superstar), shared a video of himself making healthy chocolate peanut butter balls in the kitchen. Bilal said that while working on Superstar he developed a habit of eating healthy and one of the snacks that he really liked during that time was these chocolate peanut butter balls.

    The recipe for the chocolate balls is very simple. You’ll need almond flour, cocoa powder, peanut butter, honey, salt and a processor.

    Watch the video for the complete recipe and the process.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-otey9lN38/

    Meanwhile, Mahira Khan had a few suggestions for Bilal.

    Are you trying this healthy snack or will you stick to your favourites?

  • Ahmed Godil is no longer part of PSL

    Following the opening ceremony of the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Pakistanis found a new person to hate on: Ahmed Godil. The Karachi-based VJ opened the opening ceremony of the PSL 5 and drew irk and widespread criticism from audiences for his performance on stage.

    The backlash and trolling became so unbearable that the next morning, Godil made several TV appearances in which he appealed to the audiences to spare him, explaining that he wasn’t even the host of the show – Fakhre Alam was. He also requested the audience to leave his mother and sisters out of this.

    https://twitter.com/VJGodil/status/1230835348542021632?s=20

    In his latest post, Godil has announced that he is no longer part of the PSL or PCB. In a five-minute video, the host explained that PCB let him go following the trolling and his appearances on multiple media channels.

    Godil also expressed his frustration with the PCB for their mismanagement and not supporting him amidst the trolling. He said that he gave the organisation his everything and in return, they fired him.

    “I was just about to get in the car and leave for the stadium around 12 pm when I received a call from the PSL management to inform me that my services are no longer needed,” said a visibly emotional Godil in the video, adding that all he did was try to save the opening ceremony from failing without a script in hand or any preparation.

    https://www.facebook.com/651890267/posts/10163407042365268/

    Earlier, while speaking a private news channel, Godil had remarked that the opening ceremony of PSL 2020 was a “very poorly managed show”.

    “I was told to come to the stage for the pre-show as they [organisers] said the audience was bored since 4:30 pm,” he said, iterating that he was not the host of the event.

    When Shoaib Akhtar, who was also on the show, commented that he didn’t understand the opening ceremony, Godil responded, “It was a very, very poorly managed show.”

    Read more – ‘It’s not funny anymore’: Ahmed Godil responds to the trolling

    Meanwhile, social media began to speculate that Godil was reportedly sacked for revealing that PCB has strictly banned Ali Zafar’s songs from being played in the stadium. Godil responded to the rumours.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B83yXjwpu0x/

    Bilal Ashraf, Imad Wasim and Asim Azhar voiced their support for Godil and requested fans to stop trolling and hating on him.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B813E-slSb0/

    PCB has not yet officially commented on the matter.

  • WATCH: How Bilal Ashraf became Pakistan’s sexiest man

    WATCH: How Bilal Ashraf became Pakistan’s sexiest man

    Bilal Ashraf has been voted as Pakistan’s sexiest man.

    British Pakistani showbiz reporter Asjad Nazir, who founded the list and compiles it annually, shared the news on his Twitter account. The list is based on votes from fans around the world.

    At number seven, Bilal was the only Pakistani to feature on the top 10 list based on votes from fans around the world. Hrithik Roshan topped the list followed by Shahid Kapoor (2), Tiger Shroff (4), Zayn Malik (5), Harshad Chopda (6), Bilal (7), Mohsin Khan (8), Virat Kohli (9), and South Indian superstar Prabhas (10).

    Speaking to the local media, the 39-year-old shared that he was surprised by the news and felt “beyond humbled.”

    “I am beyond humbled to be featured as part of a list among such legendary gentlemen and that, year on year, has generated so much attention globally. This has come to me as an amazing surprise and such moments make the struggle and commitment we all put into our work all worth the while. This encourages me to try my best to further myself in my field. I’m extremely grateful for this recognition.”

    Bilal from his latest film Superstar

    Bilal, who is 39 years old (yes 39) was born in Karachi. He made his film debut in a cameo appearance in the 2014’s thriller O21. Two years later in 2016, Ashraf made his lead acting debut in Janaan, a romantic comedy, alongside Armeena Khan and Ali Rehman Khan. The next year he appeared in the war film Yalghaar and the romantic drama Rangreza. Bilal latest and most recent project was Superstar, with Mahira Khan, which propelled him into the spotlight and established him as an actor who is here to stay.

    Meanwhile, Bilal, in an exclusive video with The Current, revealed how he achieved those abs, which contributed towards his sexiness.

    “I think the first thing is to eat healthy. You are what you eat,” said the 39-year old. “If you eat clean, eat in moderation, apart from the occasional cheat meal [you’re good to go].”

    Watch him share all the details in this video:

    Other Pakistanis to feature on the list included Ali Zafar at number 12, Fawad Khan at 14, Ali Rehman Khan at number 29, Sheheryar Munawar at number 43 and Azfar Rehman at number 49.

  • Eid releases: A starry affair

    Eid releases: A starry affair

    Three major releases, namely Parey Hut Love, Heer Maan Ja and Superstar, are hitting the screens this Eid ul Azha and the excitement and promotions for the films are in full swing. Moreso, all three films have A-listers in their cast. From Mahira Khan to Hareem Farooq, from Sheheryar Munawar to Ali Rehman Khan, the casts of all the films are lit which make them all the more appealing.

    But what’s interesting is that it appears that every member of the Pakistani film industry is part of at least one of three films which makes the films even more starry than before. While Meera Jee and Fawad Khan have cameos in Parey Hut Love, Hania Aamir and Syra Shehroz make an appearance in Superstar. Mikaal Zulfiqar and Ahmed Ali Akbar have guest appearances in Heer Maan Jaa. The names above are just a few and the makers of the film have promised us even more stars.

    Essentially cameos, especially starry cameos, are added to draw more attention towards the films and increase their star value and every film’s director and producer has applied that formula in their films. Basically, this means that even if the films have no storyline, no plot, we’ll still be excited to watch them because you don’t know who’ll pop up onscreen next.

    Nonetheless, The Current asked the makers behind the films to decode this concept for us and this is what they had to say.

    Speaking exclusively to The Current, Asim remarked, “Feature films are made to entertain people and you have to keep looking for any and every possibility on how you can entertain them. Mixing things such as cameos or guest appearances by known faces with characters brings vibrance and excitement that is needed for any film.”

    “This is not the first time that I have done this,” he continued. “In my first feature film, three years ago, Ho Mann Jahaan, I introduced this concept. Why others are doing it, I don’t know, but I’m doing it because I believe in it. It’s a way of adding more entertainment for my viewers.”

    Asim concluded his remarks saying that his films are for the masses and he would do anything that is decently possible to keep them entertained and engaged.

    We also caught the producer of Heer Maan Ja, Hareem Farooq as she was promoting the film and asked her the same. Hareem started off by laughing that this was done to add more star power to the film and make it more attractive for the audiences. She then commented that guest appearances were the need of the film as the script demanded it.

    When asked how the filmmakers decided who to cast, Hareem replied, “Some actors were decided when we were writing the script. So some of the guest roles were written keeping in mind the actor. Others were cast once the script was finalised and we felt that they would be best suited for the role.”

    Looks like this Eid is all about the more the merrier. But hey, we’re not complaining.

    Which film are you most excited for?