If you are an Insta-stalker like myself, you may have noticed that several A-list celebrities were spotted lounging and posing away in the pool. While I initially thought that it was just a new Pakistani trend, I stumbled upon pictures of Hollywood celebrities posing in the pool as well, establishing the fact that getting wet (and wild) is the new trend in fashion and editorial photoshoots.
It all started with Emmad Irfani, who did an entire editorial shoot wearing dress pants and a dress shirt while standing in a pool.
We then spotted Minal Khan also posing away in the pool wearing a black high-neck sweater.
Next up we have Jennifer Lopez aka JLo, who turned up the heat and she stood in the pool. The shoot was from her upcoming skincare brand ‘JLo Beauty’. From where does the actor look 51?
Last but not the least there is Sacha Baron Cohen, who also suited up in the pool. Though we do have to add here that our boys slayed it better.
Which pool shot was your favourite? Ours has to be JLo and Sheheryar.
Every season, there is at least one, if not more, drama which creates a stir and causes an uproar on social media. This season, it is Jalan, with its twisted and very problematic storyline.
For those who have been oblivious to the drama and PEMRA’s short-lived ban on it, Jalanis about two sisters Nisha (Minal Khan) and Misha (Areeba Habib) who are after the same guy. While Misha is the sweet and obedient sister, Nisha is a spoiled brat and wants to be better than her sister, so she sets her sights on her brother-in-law Asfandyar (Emmad Irfani) because he’s rich and good-looking. Ignoring the fact that her sister is married to Asfandyar (Asfi) and pregnant with his child, Nisha openly flirts with him and urges him to divorce his wife. Nisha eventually gets her way and Asfi not only divorces his wife but also pushes her as a result of which she falls to the floor and ends up delivering their baby prematurely. Nisha’s parents throw her out of the house and she seeks refuge with Asfi pushing him to marry her as soon as possible. As Nisha and Asfi get married, Meenu, who cannot bear the heartbreak and humiliation sets herself on fire and eventually dies leaving behind her infant child.
Asfi and Nisha’s marital bliss doesn’t last long and the cracks become wider when Nisha’s ex-fiance Ahmer (Fahad Sheikh), makes a dramatic re-entry into her life richer and better-dressed. Nisha then sets her sights on him, straight-up asking him to marry her the second time they meet after their breakup.
If the entire situation wasn’t bizarre enough, it’s execution is even more mind-boggling. The script is weak and the characters terribly developed. It’s as if the writer after every scene forgot what she had written in the previous scene and started the new chapter afresh – there is no flow in scenes. Even though Nisha is the protagonist, her character and callous actions are incomprehensible and beyond basic understanding. The drama’s writer Sidra Sehar Imran, in a recent interview, said that the drama is a true story but I’m finding that a little hard to believe. In the past (I’m looking at you Meray Paas Tum Ho), several writers have used the ‘true story’ trope as a marketing gimmick in an attempt to hype up their dramas and push up ratings. This time round I am not definitely not buying it.
If we thought Nisha was messed up, Asfi is even worse. He barely has any dialogues and mostly just moves around with either a sullen expression on his face or screaming his head off. While Irfani does a decent job with the role, Asfi’s one-dimensional personality is irritating, to say the least.
I am unable to fathom what the makers of the drama are trying to show with this plot and storyline. A few words simply cannot sum up the disaster this drama is. It is quite clear that ARY just wanted to create a stir with this and they have gotten exactly that. Substance and content do not matter. It appears that with Jalan, we’ve hit a new low.
Jalan is one of those dramas which are so bad that they don’t even qualify as a guilty pleasure. Every time you tune into it, you are bound to get your blood pressure high.
A post shared by Minal Khan (@minalkhan.official) on
Jalan had gained attention for its problematic storyline which followed a woman Nisha flirting and later marrying her own brother-in-law Asfandyar. Minal plays Nisha in the drama, who is a selfish girl and wants everything her sister Misha (Areeba Habib) has. Misha, on the other hand, dotes on her sister and will do anything that will make Nisha happy. Nisha gets engaged to her cousin Ahmer (Fahad Sheikh) who loves her intensely but after her engagement, Misha gets married to the super-rich and handsome Asfandyar (Emmad Irfani).
Nisha, seeing her sister’s expensive gifts and big house breaks her own engagement with Ahmer, accusing him of physically abusing her and playing the victim in front of Asfandyar to gain his sympathy.
A post shared by Minal Khan (@minalkhan.official) on
Meanwhile, Misha finds out she is pregnant but totally oblivious to her sister’s evil plans, invites her into her home to stay for a while. Nisha continues to estrange her sister from Asfand, luring him into liking her and finally succeeding. Asfandyar divorces Misha, who goes into premature labour and delivers a baby boy. Nisha, on the other hand, runs away from home and pushes Asfi to marry her asap. When Misha finds out that her sister is marrying her ex-husband, she lights herself on fire and dies. Nisha does not regret any of her actions and tries to secure her husband’s wealth.
In September, the drama was banned by PEMRA over ‘immoral content’ but the ban was later suspended by the Sindh High Court (SHC).
Directed by Aabis Raza, Jalan has been penned by Sidra Sehar Imran and produced by Fahad Mustafa and Dr Ali Kazmi under the banner of Big Bang Productions.
Though all films scheduled to release this year have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, filmmakers in Pakistan have already started working towards their next projects which means that audiences will be in for a treat once cinemas reopen.
After a hiatus of almost three years, renowned director Shoaib Mansoor will be reportedly be donning the director’s hat once again as it has emerged that he is all set to direct his next film, featuring Maya Ali and Emmad Irfani in the lead. While the director is yet to make an official announcement, the lead pair of the film has confirmed the news and expressed their excitement.
Speaking to a local media outlet, Maya said: “I feel lucky, I feel blessed. One day I get a call from Shoaib Mansoor and the next thing I know is that I am doing the role. The feeling is truly indescribable. It’s a big deal for me.”
While the actor refrained from sharing further details about the film or her character, she revealed that the acronym of the title is ABG, adding that she has never done a role like this in her career before.
Emmad on the other hand, while talking about the project said: “Having this opportunity to be a part of his next feature film is a great honour for me and I feel all excited and raring to go already.”
The film will be the first time the two actors will be seen together on screen. Maya was last seen in the film Parey Hut Love and Emmad is currently making waves with his ongoing drama Jalan. The actor was supposed to make his film debut with Gawah Rehna. However, its release got delayed due to the pandemic.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has ordered an immediate ban on ARY Digital’s ongoing drama Jalan, saying that the content of the drama goes against the “social and moral ethics of Pakistani society”.
In a notification, PEMRA said that the content of Jalan goes against the values of the Pakistani society and that viewers and audiences have been strongly criticising the drama and its storyline. It further said that the channel and the drama’s makers had been repeatedly told to modify the script and content of the drama and bring it in line with Pakistani morals and ethics. But because they did not comply with PEMRA’s order and ignored its warnings, the regulatory body had no choice but to ban the drama under Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance.
Jalan is about two sisters Nisha (Minal Khan) and Misha (Areeba Habib). While Misha is the sweet and obedient sister, Nisha is a spoiled brat and wants to be better than her sister, so she sets her sights on her brother-in-law Asfandyar (Emmad Irfani) because he’s rich and good-looking. Ignoring the fact that her sister is married to Asfandyar, Nisha openly flirts with him and urges him to divorce his pregnant wife. Despite, its convoluted and twisted storyline, the drama trends on TV and social media every week.
Earlier, in a notice issued on September 4, PEMRA had directed ARY Digital and the makers of Jalan to review its content and script and modify it in accordance with Pakistani values.
In the press release, the media regulatory body said that it has been getting multiple complaints regarding the drama, its content and script through the Pakistan Citizens Portal, PEMRA social media accounts, and PEMRA call centres. It added that the content of the drama, especially the main storyline, is being strongly criticised by audiences on social media.
“Audiences have strongly criticised the drama saying that it has made a mockery of sacred relationships,” the notification had read.
PEMRA had also requested all stakeholders, including TV channels and production houses, to immediately review the content of their future dramas.
“Regardless of the cost and time invested in the drama, if the content of a play is against national values and expectations of the audience, the play will be banned without any warning,” stated the press release.
While the lead cast and makers of the drama have yet to respond to the ban, Fahad Sheikh who plays Ahmer in the drama, expressed his disappointment over the decision.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has directed ARY Digital and the makers of Jalan to review its content and script and modify it in accordance with Pakistani values.
In a press release, the media regulatory body said that it has been getting multiple complaints regarding the drama, its content and script through the Pakistan Citizens Portal, PEMRA social media accounts, and PEMRA call centres. It added that the content of the drama, especially the main storyline, is being strongly criticised by audiences on social media.
“Audiences have strongly criticised the drama saying that it has made a mockery of sacred relationships,” said the press release.
Jalan is about two sisters Nisha (Minal Khan) and Misha (Areeba Habib). While Misha is the sweet and obedient sister, Nisha is a spoiled brat and wants to be better than her sister, so she sets her sights on her brother-in-law Asfandyar (Emmad Irfani) because he’s rich and good-looking. Ignoring the fact that her sister is married to Asfandyar, Nisha openly flirts with him and urges him to divorce his pregnant wife. Despite, it’s convoluted and twisted storyline, the drama trends on TV and social media every week.
پیمرا کی اے آر وائی ڈیجیٹل اور ہم ٹی وی کے ڈرامہ سیریل “عشقیہ” اور “پیار کے صدقے” کی نشرِ مکرر پر پابندی pic.twitter.com/ZEarENCEU7
Similarly, PEMRA also banned the repeat telecast of Ishqiya and Hum TV’s Pyar Ke Sadqay saying that the content of the dramas is against the “morals” of society. Though both dramas have completed their prime time run, they are being re-aired at different times. The notification added that the dramas cannot have a repeat telecast on the ARY Zindagi or HUM Sitaray sub-channels either.
Furthermore, the regulatory body warned drama makers that if they do not oblige with their recommendations, PEMRA will take strict action under Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance and stop the drama from being aired without any prior notice.
Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance prohibits the broadcasting or re-broadcasting or distributing of any programme that PEMRA deems is against society values. The section states: “The Authority shall by order in writing, giving reasons, therefore, prohibit any broadcast media or distribution service operator from broadcasting or re-broadcasting or distributing any programme or advertisement if it is of the opinion that such particular programme or advertisement is against the ideology of Pakistan or is likely to create hatred among the people or is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order or is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility or endangers national security or is pornographic, obscene or vulgar or is offensive to the commonly accepted standards of decency.”
PEMRA said that the channels have been repeatedly informed about viewers’ concerns regarding the content and have been directed to produce content according to Pakistan’s social, religious, social and moral values. It is pertinent to mention here that in June Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a video meeting with renowned writers across the country, urged them to promote family values and national identity through their writings and dramas.
“As there was no improvement in the script of the dramas by the channels, a final instruction was given to the channels on August 18 to produce the content of the dramas in accordance with the values of Pakistan,” read the press release.
PEMRA has also requested all stakeholders, including TV channels and production houses, to immediately review the content of their future dramas.
“Regardless of the cost and time invested in the drama, if the content of a play is against national values and expectations of the audience, the play will be banned without any warning,” stated the press release.
The first look of Emmad Irfani and Ghana Ali’s Gawah Rehna based on the Khilafat Movement is out.
Emmad, who stole the audiences with his performance in Cheekh, shared the poster on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ZrVJZn664/
According to the film’s official social media account, Gawah Rehna “is a story celebrating our history and our unsung heroes.” It is set in the 1900s when the Muslims of the subcontinent stood up against the British Raj and started the Khilafat Movement.
“It is a story of courage, hope and resilience against incredible odds and that’s why it will make its viewers proud of their history and their heroes who stood up against tyranny and injustice.”
The film is written and directed by Tahir Mahmood who has served as an official of the Foreign Service in Turkey. It will be released in Pakistan and Turkey both. Earlier, it was being reported that the film is a joint production with Turkey but Emmad later clarified that the film is entirely a local production and that it will be released in Turkey. Veteran actor Qavi Khan is also an integral part of the film. An official release date has not been announced.
Meanwhile, speaking exclusively to The Current, Emmad shared that the vision for the film came about when the director was living in Turkey. Mahmood was intrigued by the respect the Turks have for the Pakistanis and that is what motivated him to study the history of the two countries. He found that the brotherly ties of both the countries date back to the early twentieth century and the findings fascinated so much that he decided to make a film on it to further the ties between the two countries as well as highlight them.
Talking about his own character, Emmad said that his character belongs to interior Punjab and through the course of the film realises his life goal and purpose.
When asked what motivated him to do this project, given that it is his debut film, Emmad said that he wanted to highlight Pakistan’s history and that films are a very powerful medium to do that.
“Much of the subcontinent’s history has been presented to the world through Bollywood. Pakistan’s point of view is not known as such,” the actor remarked, adding that our history it is imperative for the world to see our history.
Irfani also said that the strong script and the director’s blind faith and passion is what motivated him even further.
Here are some BTS shots from the sets of the film.
Emmad Irfani made everyone sigh as the loving, supportive husband Shayan in the superhit Cheekh. While we are yet to see Emmad grace our screens once again, the model turned actor took a trip down the memory lane and recalled the moment that changed his life.
Sharing an eight-year old picture of himself with Mahira Khan and director Asim Raza, Emmad wrote, “What happened next is what I call #theturningpoint.” The picture was taken on January 4, 2012.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B65cLOzHQSa/
In response, Asim commented that the change only came about because Emmad made an effort. Asim also offered more words of encouragement to the actor.
The picture is from the sets of an ad shoot for Tapal Family Mixture.
