Tag: exclusive

  • Jhooti: The drama that replaced ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’

    Jhooti: The drama that replaced ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’

    Meray Paas Tum Ho left some big shoes to fill. The Humayun Saeed-Ayeza Khan starrer received unprecedented success and was reported to be television’s highest-rated drama of all time. The serial wrapped up on January 25 and the next week on February 1, Iqra Aziz, Ahmed Ali Butt and Yasir Hussain’s Jhooti took over.

    Much before its release, when the teasers of the drama were released, Jhooti had stirred up controversy for allegedly showing women in a bad light and portraying them as money-hungry, two-faced creatures and the first episode did nothing to change the perception.

    The drama opened with the same-old storyline. Nirma’s (Iqra) parents want their daughter to get married and settle down. But the rebel daughter wants a better life for herself and doesn’t want to settle for the “useless” boys in her “poor” neighbourhood. She spends her days shouting or passing snide remarks to her family members. There are a lot of screaming sessions as Nirma clashes with her family over the rishtas that come for her. The only person who supports her is her father.

    In comes Ahmed Ali Butt as Nasir, a simple man *yawn* madly in love with Nirma. He runs a small store in the neighbourhood and lives a fuss-free life. He comes over with his family with a rishta for Nirma. While Nirma herself rejects him by constantly calling him fat, her family thinks that he is a good choice for her. Eventually, Nirma’s partner in crime and equally vile friend advises her to marry Nasir only if he agrees to put his shop and house in her name. Interestingly Nasir’s parents agree to her condition and they come over to fix the date for the wedding when Nirma flips and tells them that she’s already rejected the proposal.

    While the drama doesn’t appear to have anything new to offer as yet and is as regressive as it can get – I mean Nirma’s mother tells her that she cannot go to university because she needs to get married – the only department in which it excels is acting. Iqra has given a solid performance and you absolutely hate her at the end of the episode. The rest of the actors including Butt and Asma Abbas as Nirma’s mother put up commendable performances.

    The drama has a bit of a negative vibe to it and reminds you of the over the top Star Plus sagas. But I’m going to watch a couple of more episodes before deciding whether the drama is worth watching or not.

    Jhooti has been directed by Syed Ramish Rizvi and penned by Ali Moeen. It airs every Saturday at 8pm.

  • ‘Zindagi Tamasha’s fate hangs in limbo

    ‘Zindagi Tamasha’s fate hangs in limbo

    In an emotionally-charged country like Pakistan, where religion is a sensitive topic, it was no surprise that Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha ruffled many feathers and sparked controversy. Despite the director’s assurance that the film does not hurt any religious sentiments, people jumped to conclusions based on a two-minute teaser trailer. Nonetheless, fearing public unrest, the federal and provincial governments decided to stop the film from being released, just days before it was scheduled to.

    While the Federal Government has said that the film will be reviewed by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), the Punjab Government directed the filmmaker to hold a screening on February 3 so that the film can be reviewed again. It is pertinent to mention here that the provincial and central censor boards had earlier cleared the film for release with a few cuts.

    The ban on the film sparked public outrage and members of the civil society and the film fraternity stepped forward to support the film and filmmaker. They also requested the government to extend more support to filmmakers and called for a more open creative space.

    After all the hue and cry, the hype and criticism around the film has died as its fate hangs in limbo.

    When The Current reached out to the Central Board Of Film Censors Islamabad for an update regarding the film, a source shared that it is “in limbo”. When probed further they asserted that work on the film’s clearance is still underway.

    Read more – Council of Islamic Ideology to ‘critically review’ ‘Zindagi Tamasha’

    Meanwhile, local media had reported that the CII is awaiting the green signal from the censor board so they can go ahead with reviewing the film for any objectionable content.

    As per reports, a three-member committee has been set up to review the film. The censor board has also been informed of this but no response was received from their end. The CII’s media coordinator Rana Zahid shared that the film can only be reviewed after they receive an invitation from the censor board.

    While the three-member committee does not include members of the council, it includes officers from the council’s research wing.

    According to the CII official, “All the members are competent and hold qualifications in Islam and social sciences. They were selected for this task after going through an interview process. We have shown them the CBFC letter and advised them on how to review the film, keeping religious sentiments in mind.”

    The committee will review the film and then submit a report to council Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz. The report will further be analysed 20 members of the CII after which a decision will be taken. The council members including the chairman will also watch the film after the report has been submitted.

    The CII has informed the censor board of all the preparations they have made but are yet to hear back from the body.

    Read more – Damning bans

    Meanwhile, no progress has been made on the review directed by the Punjab Government. They had directed Khoosat to arrange a review of the film on February 3.

    Khoosat has also made no public comment after the film was barred from release.

    Read more – Sarmad Khoosat appeals to PM, President to facilitate his film’s release

    Petition against Zindagi Tamasha screening withdrawn

    A petition filed against the screening of Zindagi Tamasha was withdrawn on Thursday (Jan 30).

    As per reports, the petition was filed on Monday (Jan 27) by a man named Chaudhry Qadeer Ahmed who alleged that that the film was against the spirit of the Constitution, hurt religious sentiments and violated PEMRA’s rules.

    The petition was heard in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) by Justice Aamer Farooq who questioned the petitioner if he had seen the film anywhere or if it had been released yet.

    In response to the judge’s question, the petitioner’s lawyer said that he has not seen the film.

    “How can you comment on something that no one has seen,” questioned the judge.

    Ahmed’s lawyer explained that the film’s trailer had been released online and it “disrespected” naat khawans.

    The court asked the petitioner’s lawyer when the film was scheduled to screen. The lawyer informed the court that the film had not been released yet as the Punjab government had made a decision against it.

    Ahmed’s lawyer then requested the court to take back the petition which the court accepted.

    Khoosat’s father had also filed a petition against the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) for trying to interfere with the release of the film. However, after the film’s release was delayed, he withdrew the petition for reasons unknown.

  • No time to hit the gym? Check out these Youtube workouts for the busy woman

    No time to hit the gym? Check out these Youtube workouts for the busy woman

    Let’s be honest. We all began the year with the intention to hit the gym to bring out the healthiest version of us. But then January hit hard and we couldn’t muster up the energy to hit the gym every day. When February came along, we renewed our resolution and resolved to be more active. The truth is that our overworked schedules usually leave us with little time to pay attention to our bodies.

    Lucky for you, The Current has put together a list of workout videos that you can do in the comfort of your home and without any equipment.

    20 Minute Walk at Home Exercise by Leslie Sanson

    Level – Beginners

    Leslie Sanson’s workout at home videos are immensely popular across the globe and people swear by it for effective weight loss. Though these videos appear easy to do, they really are not as simple and really work the leg and arm muscles.

    30 Minutes Aerobic Dance Workout by Bipasha Basu

    Level – Moderate

    Who wouldn’t like to groove to the beat of Bollywood songs while getting their workout done at the same time? Bipasha’s aerobic dance workout effectively works all the muscles in the body, leaving you sweating buckets.

    Ultimate HIIT Workout for People Who Get Bored Easily by Fitness Blender

    Difficulty Level – Hard

    This HIIT workout is super challenging and intense, but fun at the same time as you have to do each exercise just once. It also shows the number of calories you have burnt with each exercise.

    30-Minute No-Equipment Cardio and Strength-Conditioning Workout by Pop Sugar

    Difficulty Level – Moderate

    Pop Sugar has some of the best available workouts on YouTube and this one tops the list because it has an easy to follow routine but at the same time really works the muscles and gets your heart rate going.

    Yoga Shred for Weight Loss, Fat Burn & Whole Body Strength by Sadie Nardini

    Difficulty Level – Beginners

    A combination of yoga and cardio truly sounds like the best post-work stress release. Sardine’s high-intensity workout stretches your body and works those muscles in such a way that they become stronger yet relaxed and more flexible.

    Ladies (and gentlemen), it time to ditch those excuses and get moving because exercise not only leads to a healthy body, it also releases toxins for a healthier and fresher mind as well. That endorphin kick is like nothing else!

  • Which celebrity friend of outgoing ISPR chief are you?

    Which celebrity friend of outgoing ISPR chief are you?

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  • Bye Bye Buzdar? ‘Chaudhrys mulling no-confidence motion against Punjab CM’

    Bye Bye Buzdar? ‘Chaudhrys mulling no-confidence motion against Punjab CM’

    While rumour has it that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Punjab “is about to collapse”, Chaudhry brothers’ Pakistan Muslim League (PML) – a much-needed ally of the PTI on both provincial and federal levels – is mulling to get done with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s blue-eyed Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar, The Current has learnt.

    According to sources, the PML had taken after the 2018 general election a principled stance to not join hands with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) so as to not get itself labeled as blackmailers of the country’s political quarters, and had helped the PTI form its government instead.

    “Moonis Elahi had decided that the party would support the PTI in both Punjab and centre, where we are an important ally of Imran [Khan] considering how his party cannot do much with its strength in the hung houses of parliament,” party sources said.

    They added that Moonis had been commended by both his father and uncle, as well as other veteran politicians of the PML, since it was a principled stance. “But it wasn’t later that we realised we had shot ourselves in the foot.”

    “We could’ve joined hands with the PML-N and easily been handed the Punjab CM slot, but we decided to form the coalition with PTI in good faith and support Buzdar. [Punjab Assembly Speaker] Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi supported him [Buzdar] like he would support any person from his own family, but what we got in return was the fear of drowning,” they said.

    Sources added that the party was mulling to get rid of Buzdar because they were being compelled by no delivery of works in their constituencies in particular and in Punjab in general. “We don’t want to be among those lawmakers in Punjab who are drowning under Buzdar’s leadership. We do not want to lose our constituents’ support only because we contested elections with the PTI and can’t do anything for our people after coming to power.”

    When asked about how the PML was planning to remove Buzdar as the provincial chief executive of Punjab, they said, “We have the support of around 20 to 25 lawmakers from the PML-N and PTI each. A majority among the group is that of women lawmakers of the PML-N on reserved seats.”

    “We gave Buzdar multiple chances but he doesn’t care about all what we have done. He knows he doesn’t have to cave since he enjoys the support of PM Imran,” sources said, adding that the party leadership was discussing if a no-confidence motion should be tabled against him.

    “Both Buzdar and the premier know we can gather the support needed to get the Punjab CM changed, and that is why Imran has now hit at us by indirectly calling us ‘conspirators’. Although it’s not like how the PM thinks that someone in our party wants the CM slot for himself, but enough is enough.”

    ‘DO WE?’:

    Speaking to The Current, Moonis Elahi neither confirmed nor denied the claims made by his colleague on the condition of anonymity. “Do we?” he said with a winking emoji when asked about the support of around 60 lawmakers his party allegedly enjoys in Punjab.

    Responding to other queries, the lawmaker said the PML had undoubtedly formed the coalition in good faith and the party were sure about it back then, however, he did not comment over if they regretted it now.

    “We don’t want to topple Buzdar government. On the contrary, we are seriously contemplating not to support any other candidate from [the] PTI,” he said further, adding that the PML was satisfied with Buzdar.

    Moonis maintained that Imran should clearly name the ‘conspirators’, and distanced himself from any of the claims made by his colleague. “The pressure group has nothing to do with the PML. It is, in fact, supporting Buzdar.”

    The PML leader, however, said that they did not want to be among Punjabis drowning because of the PTI government. “We are an independent party that is accountable to its constituents and will keep their interest above all,” he said.

  • Quiz – Which Danish Are You?

    Quiz – Which Danish Are You?

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  • ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’ memes light up audiences after a dull finale

    ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’ memes light up audiences after a dull finale

    If there is one thing Pakistanis are an expert at, it has to be memes. While the finale of the blockbuster Meray Paas Tum Ho left audiences wanting more, the memes that came after it is what we are living for.

    Here are some of our favourite memes:

    The writer of the drama, Khalil ur Rehman Qamar was brutally trolled for killing Danish.

    https://twitter.com/obscured_minion/status/1221128940699443201?s=20

    There were plenty of ‘Bhutto Zinda Hai’ memes.

    https://twitter.com/Iambilalyounus/status/1221141206144516096?s=20

    People couldn’t help but quote Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    https://twitter.com/abbas_nabeel/status/1221112400830783488?s=20

    Or bring in former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

    Danish’s death even made it to the headlines.

    https://twitter.com/shecallsmeanon/status/1221370193009696770?s=20

    Umar Akmal’s rendition of the title song of the drama was also brought in.

    Danish’s death even caught the attention of US President Donald Trump.

    Some people made fun of those who watched the finale in cinemas.

    And then there were those who marked themselves safe from the drama serial.

  • Which ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’ character are you?

    Which ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’ character are you?

    The record-breaking show airs tonight (Saturday) at 8 pm, and everyone watching, has a favourite character or one they can relate to.

    Take the quiz to find out.

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  • PML-N rejects claims of a secret meeting in Birmingham; reporters stand by their story

    PML-N rejects claims of a secret meeting in Birmingham; reporters stand by their story

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif has rejected reports claiming that an “important” party meeting was being convened in the United Kingdom (UK).

    In an exclusive conversation with The Current, Asif said all reports regarding such a meeting were false and none of the party’s members were leaving the country to attend any such moot.

    Earlier, a private media outlet and some journalists, including 24 News and Geo’s Arshad Waheed Chaudhry, had claimed that an “important” meeting was to soon be held in Birmingham, UK, where PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his brother and party chief Shehbaz Sharif are present for the former’s medical treatment.

    Reporters are standing by their story. In response to Khawaja Asif’s tweet to this effect, Arshad Waheed Chaudhry tweeted:

    The report had quoted sources as saying that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance and other legislative business were to be discussed by top PML-N leadership beside the party’s future course of action as a new wave of inflation grips the masses under the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    It was also reported that Asif would be discussing with party leaders recent rifts that had emerged within the PML-N, and leaders, including Rana Tanveer, Ayaz Sadiq, Attaullah Tarrar among others were to leave for the meeting on Thursday.

  • ‘Ruswai’ gets frustrating with each passing episode

    ‘Ruswai’ gets frustrating with each passing episode

    Seventeen episodes of Sana Javed and Mikaal Zulfiqar’s Ruswai, based on the story of a rape victim, have been aired so far and recent episodes just make you want to pull your hair out. What irks you further is the fact that the drama has been written and directed by women – namely Naila Ansari and Rubina Ashraf.

    The premise of the drama is fairly simple – Sameera (Sana) and Salman (Mikaal) are family friends and are in love. Their parents are also well-acquainted though Salman’s mother looks down upon Sameera’s family because she considers herself to be above them. At the same time, Sameera’s brother, Hamza is hitched to Salman’s sister, Wardah. Its a perfectly normal case of watta satta. Though Salman’s mother is okay with Wardah marrying Hamza, she doesn’t want Sameera as her bahu. But Salman is insistent about marrying Sameera. So she is left with no choice.

    However, one evening when the family is walking out of a restaurant after dinner, a group of men abduct Sameera and rape her before dumping her back on the road. The intentions behind their actions are not yet known. Sameera’s father ends up saving his bahu, Wardah instead of his daughter. After the incident, life goes on and the weddings take place as planned though Salman is now disgusted with his wife because she is no longer the pure virgin he wanted to marry. Soon after the wedding while Hamza and his wife enjoy marital bliss, Sameera is miserable at Salman’s house. He starts mistreating her and with each passing episode his actions get worse. He also starts having an affair with another girl who his mother had wanted him to marry. Meanwhile his parents especially his mother doesn’t care about Sameera and in the latest episode even commented that she deserves to die.

    This is where the drama starts getting frustrating. Sameera is a qualified, well-educated doctor who has been working in the hospital well before her marriage. However, she chooses to give into her husband’s demands while her parents encourage her to stay in an abusive marriage just for the sake of marriage and because Salman “nay usko apna naam aur izzat di“. She doesn’t pursue a case against her rapists because of her husband and father who want the matter brushed under the carpet and erased from their memories. On the other hand, Hamza who initially appeared to be a level-headed character chooses to ignore his sister’s misery and focus on his own marriage.

    Hamza & Wardah

    Why are we time and time again shown miserable women? Showing Sameera’s miseries were fine in one or two episodes but extending it is making the whole drama, which was probably an honest attempt to depict the ordeal of a rape victim, a drag. The only glimmer of hope appears to be Sameera’s senior at the hospital Dr Feroze. He seems to genuinely care about Sameera and is trying to ensure that she does not go down the rabbit hole which she is going.

    At the same time, what sends a chill down your spine is the fact that the drama, if not 100 percent, does depict reality. Rape victims are often ostracised and shunned for something that is not even their fault. Instead of being handled with care and dealt with gently, they are shunned and seen as impure.

    Salman’s mother and Sameera

    Sana has done a great job as Sameera. Osama Tahir as Hamza and Irsa Ghazal as Salman’s mother stand out among the rest of the cast with their brilliant performances. However, Mikaal falls short as Salman – his body language is too stiff and his expressions wooden.

    While Ruswai does a decent job in sensitising us towards the plight of a rape survivor, it also chooses to lean on the typical saas-bahu drama and meek, helpless larki to garner ratings.