Tag: exclusive

  • Your choice: Who will die in Meray Paas Tum Ho?

    Your choice: Who will die in Meray Paas Tum Ho?

    The most anticipated Saturday night: The double episode finale hits television screens and cinemas tomorrow and almost all cinema tickets in major cities are sold out. So we asked you the question that everyone is talking about: Apparently, someone is going to die in the last episode: Who is it going to be?

    More than 450 of you replied to our poll and here are the results:

    Poll results are in

    Poll results show that 43 percent of people think that Danish (Humayun Saeed) is going to die in the last episode, followed by Mehwish (Ayeza Khan) at 35 percent, baby boy Rumi at eight percent, Hania (Hira Mani) at seven percent, Shehwar (Adnan Siddiqui) at six and three percent of you said writer of the drama, Khalil ur Rehman Qamar would die after the final episode.

    READ MORE: Advance booking for ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’ finale sets new record at the box-office

    We saved the top conspiracy theories and here are some of the best:

    Murderer Shehwar
    The Mehwish Advantage
    The Real Conspiracy
    Hira Hating
    Killing off Everyone
    The ‘Factual’ Conspiracy
    Aurat Power

    READ MORE: Ending of ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’ still undecided

    The episodes airs on Saturday at 8PM on ARY Digital.

  • Council of Islamic Ideology to ‘critically review’ ‘Zindagi Tamasha’

    Council of Islamic Ideology to ‘critically review’ ‘Zindagi Tamasha’

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha will be critically reviewed by the Council of Islamic Ideology on the request of the Central Board of Film Censors. The film’s producer was also directed to postpone the release of his film for the time being.

    Awan’s announcement came hours after censor boards in Punjab and Sindh stopped the film’s release.

    Earlier on Tuesday, the Government of Punjab through its Information and Culture Department barred filmmaker Sarmad from releasing Zindagi Tamasha “in wake of persistent complaints received from different quarters”. Following this, the Sindh Government also placed a ban on the film as it may create unrest within the religious segment of the society and disrupt peace.

    According to a notification issued by the provincial government, the film will be re-examined and the film’s makers have been directed to arrange a show in this regard “in any cinema house” on February 3 at 3pm, so it may be reviewed. The film’s team has also been told to ensure the presence of a representative “for personal hearing, if required by the committee”.

    Meanwhile, the director has also been instructed not to release the film “till final decision of the committee”.

    Notification by the Punjab Government
    Notification by the Sindh Government

    It is pertinent to mention here that the censor boards of Punjab and Sindh had earlier cleared the film.

    It is also being reported that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) will once again hold a board members meeting to review the film in which a representative of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and a representative of the ministry will also participate.

    “Film will only be cleared if the members of the religious party and government officials approve of the content,” said the report.

    Following the temporary ban on the film, the TLP has cancelled its protest against the film that was scheduled to be held Wednesday.

    Many people are criticising the government decision especially considering that earlier this month, Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar had announced the formation of a task force on Art and Culture, in accordance with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    According to the notification, the initiative was taken to promote and revive performing arts, culture, heritage and the film industry. Shaan, Resham, Ali Zafar, Yousaf Salahuddin and Vasay Chaudhry are among the members of the task force.

    Written by Nirmal Bano and directed by Sarmad Khoosat, Zindagi Tamasha starres Arif Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Eman Suleman and Ali Qureshi in the lead. The film is centred around a naat khwan Rahat Khawaja (played by Hassan) and his family who are outcast from the society when a secret of Khawaja’s is leaked.

    The official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

    The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival held in October 2019 where it also won the prestigious Kim Ji Seok Award.

    Petition filed against TLP for hindering the release of Zindagi Tamasha

    A few hours before the Punjab Government’s notification, a Lahore Civil Court heard the petition filed by Sarmad’s father Irfan Ali Khoosat against the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) for “trying to interfere into the smooth running, public screening/releasing” of Zindagi Tamasha. Judge Ziaur Rehman heard the petition and issued notices to all respondents to appear before the court on Wednesday to present their arguments.

    According to reports, Irfan who serves as the director of Khoosat Films Private Limited, appealed to the court to “[restrain] the defendant permanently from interfering into the peaceful releasing/public screening of above-named film on big screen/cinema in all over Pakistan illegally, unlawfully”.

    Sindh Film Censor Board, Punjab Film Censor Board and Markazi Film Censor Board were also named as though it was clarified that the censor boards were “mere [proforma] defendants and the plaintiff has not claim (sic) any relief against them”.

    Irfan had also filed for interim injunction from the court under Rules 1 (cases in which temporary injunction may be granted) and 2 (injunction to restrain repetition or continuance of breach) of Order 39 read with Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

    Last week, the filmmaker had appealed to the Prime Minister, President, Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chief of Army Staff to facilitate his film’s release explaining that he was receiving threats. Sarmad shared that there were attempts to stop his film from releasing despite it being cleared by the central censor board

    In his letter, Sarmad clarified that “As a law-abiding citizen and with full conviction that there is nothing offensive or malicious in the film, in response I submitted the film for another review to the censor board. It was cleared once again with a few cuts to appease the complainants.”

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

    Following that he penned another letter, this time addressed to “my beloved Pakistan and Pakistanis” detailing that he is getting dozens of threatening phone calls forcing him to reconsider the release of his film.

    Read more – Sarmad Khoosat considers not releasing ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ amidst threats

    Zindagi Tamasha was scheduled to release on January 24.

  • Pakistani movies releasing in 2020

    Pakistani movies releasing in 2020

    2019 was not a very lucrative year for the Pakistan film industry. Films were few and not entirely up to the mark. The highest-grossing film of the year, Superstar, made only PKR 30 crores at the box-office.

    2020 looks promising in terms of the film industry with more than a handful of releases expected to release this year. Moreso, a lot of favourite TV actors including Imran Ashraf and Junaid Khan will also be making their debut this year. Here is a list of all the film that have been announced.

    Zindagi Tamasha

    Sarmad Khoosat’s controversial film Zindagi Tamasha is the first release of 2020. The film is expected to tackle some serious issues regarding religion and societal stigmas.

    Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad

    Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa’s first project together has fans excited. Given that the duo behind Load Wedding and Actor in Law, Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza, are helming this project, anticipation levels are high. The film is expected to release around Eid.

    WATCH: Fahad Mustafa practices his action stunts for ‘Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad’

    Fatman

    Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza’s other project is a superhero film titled Fatman with Ahmed Ali Butt in the lead role.

    Speaking exclusively about the film to The Current, Ahmad had said, “It’s a different and bold take on superhero films but at the core, it is a story about a father-son relationship.”

    He added, “It also addresses body shaming, yet keeps the family entering factors in mind.”

    Kamli

    Saba Qamar is returning to the silver screen with Sarmad Khoosat’s Kamli. Though there is not much known about the film as yet, we are sure it’ll be a must-watch. Shooting has wrapped up and the film is currently in its post-processing stage. It is expected to release on Eid-ul-Fitr.

    PICTURES: From the sets of Saba Qamar, Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Kamli’

    London Nahi Jaungi

    Humayun Saeed and Nadeem Baig are coming back with a new film titled London Nahi Jaunga. Not much is known about the film, except that it has nothing to do with Punjab Nahi Jaungi. Mehwish Hayat and Kubra Khan are also reported to be part of the project.

    Money Back Guarantee (MBG)

    Faisal Qureshi’s star-studded film MBG is expected to be a mad comic caper. It starres Fawad Khan, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Wasim Akram and Gohar Rasheed among others. Given that Faysal is directing the film, we’re sure it’ll be a laughing riot.

    The Legend of Maula Jatt

    Just hoping it comes out this year.

    Patakh De

    Azaan Sami Khan will be making his film debut opposite Hania Aamir in this film which will be produced by Momina Duraid Productions. Shamoon Abbasi will also be part of the film.

    Tich Button

    Urwa Hocane production Tich Button starring Farhan Saeed, Iman Aly, Sonya Hussayn and Feroze Khan is expected to release this year also. It is being directed by Qasim Ali Mureed and has been written by Faiza Iftikhar. According to Urwa, the film is a fun-filled one about love and friendship.

    Dum Mustam

    Imran Ashraf will be debuting on the big screen with Dam Mastam. Amar Khan, who has written the script, will also be part of the film as will social media sensation Momin Saqib. The film is being directed by Mohammed Ehteshamuddin and produced by Adnan Siddiqui.

    Ishrat made in China

    Ishrat Made in China will mark the directorial debut of Mohib Mirza. It will star Sanam Saeed and Shamoon Abbasi among others. While no further details about the project are known, Mohib has been kept his fans updated with pictures from the sets.

    Dhai Chaal

    Dhai Chaal starring Ayesha Omar and Shamoon Abbasi is an action film inspired by story of Indian spy convicted in Pakistan Khulbushan Yadhav. The film has gone on floors and shooting has commenced.

    Delhi Gate

    Looks like 2020 is going to be Shamoon Abbasi’s year because his nth venture for the year is Delhi Gate. According to the actor, the film is a romantic thriller where he will be playing the role of ‘Malik Gold’, the main antagonist in the film. The film will be related to one of the 13 gates of the old walled city of Lahore.

    Gawah Rehana

    Emaad Irfani and Ghana Ali’s film based on the Khilafat Movement is currently under production and is expected to release in 2020. 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. Veteran actor Qavi Khan is also an integral part of the film.

    Half Fry

    Real-life couple Yasir Hussain and Iqra Aziz will be coming together for this action-comedy by writer/director Abu Aleeha. Faizan Khawaja, Faryal Mehmood, Saleem Meraj, Sana Fakhar, Ismail Tara, Danish Nawaz and Iffat Omer make up the supporting cast of the film.

    Kahay Dil Jidhar

    Junaid Khan is debuting on the big screen opposite Mansha Pasha in Kahay Dil Jidhar. The film is being directed by Jalal Rumi. Popular RJ turned actor Dino Ali will also be debuting in the film.

    Zarrar

    Shaan has been teasing us with this film for a long time now. Hoping it releases this year.

    Rehbra

    Described as a ‘love story with a twist’ Rehbara, starres Ayesha Omar and Ahsan Khan in the lead and has been directed by Amin Iqbal. Ghulam Mohiyuddin and Saba Hameed will also be part of the film.

    Qulfee

    Crime-caper Qulfee has an ensemble cast which includes Shahroze Sabzwari, Moamar Rana, Saeeda Imtiaz, Sana Fakhar and Wali Hamid. It is being directed by cinematographer Salim Karim Daad, whose previous works include Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, Balu Mahi and Sherdil.

    Sorry: A Love Story

    Produced by Faysal Qureshi, Sorry will mark the actor’s comeback on the big screen. Directed by Sohail Javed, the film stars Faryal Mahmood, Aamina Sheikh and Zahid Ahmed in the cast.

    A lot of other films are also supposedly in the works but details on them are limited which is why they haven’t been included on the list. In a lot of cases, films are announced and later shelved.

    Here’s to hoping that 2020 is the year Pakistani cinema grows even bigger and audiences have plenty of movies (good ones of course) to watch on the big screen.

  • The Current Quiz: Which newsmaker PTI minister are you?

    The Current Quiz: Which newsmaker PTI minister are you?

    The Current Quiz:

    Let’s find out which newsmaker PTI minister are you?

    Edit quiz
  • The Royal Fab Four: Which one are you?

    The Royal Fab Four: Which one are you?

    Edit quiz
  • DG ISPR Gen Asif Ghafoor praises Deepika for being ‘a brave person’

    DG ISPR Gen Asif Ghafoor praises Deepika for being ‘a brave person’

    DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor praised #DeepikaPadukone for being a brave person and “standing both with youth and the truth.”

    However, later he deleted his tweet for reasons unknown.

    Deepika won the appreciation of the public after she visited Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to stand in solidarity with the students who were protesting after masked assailants wielding batons and iron rods attacked the university leaving more than two dozen injured.

    According to an Indian journalist, the masked mob was linked to a BJP linked student group. They barged into hostel rooms and assaulted left-wing students and also beat up visually impaired people. There were reports that they were carrying acid as well.

    Deepika’s presence at the protest signifies that she is most likely standing with them in protest of these BJP-linked attacks and not the tuition fees hike protests that had been happening at the university earlier. The hostel fee hike is an ongoing issue and protests were held against it previously.

    Read more: ‘Mad respect’ for Deepika Padukone after she stands in solidarity with JNU students attacked by BJP supporters

    Previously, in a media interaction when asked about the ongoing protests, Deepika had said that she is proud that the students are not scared of expressing themselves.

    “I feel proud about it that people are coming out – be it on the streets or wherever they are – they are raising their voice and expressing themselves as it is important. If we want to see change in life and society, it is important that a point of view be put forward,” Deepika had said.

    Meanwhile, several other Bollywood personalities including Vishal Bharadwaj, Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Dia Mirza, Rahul Bose, Richa Chadha and Taapsee Pannu led hundreds of people in a peaceful protest against the violence.

  • LUMS is back to being LUMS

    LUMS is back to being LUMS

    After brutal social media trolling and protest by students and alumni, the Lahore University of Management Sciences which became LUMS University aka LUMSU is back to being LUMS.

    In an email sent out to the faculty, staff and students, LUMS VC Dr Arshad Ahmad said that the earlier email was sent out in good faith and “to reflect the reality of our five schools that comprise our university.” He said that the message was not intended to change the university’s name and that there is no change in the formal name of the university.

    On Monday, LUMS announced that it was renaming itself Lums University as part of a recent overhaul. Soon after the email was sent out to students, professors and staff, the news made its way to social media and people started poking fun at the university’s new name. So much so, that LUMSU is currently trending on Pakistani Twitter at number 2.

    https://twitter.com/raasnabeel/status/1214099934875701248?s=20

    https://twitter.com/45623584/status/1214173454884323333?s=20

    Alumni were not having it.

    https://twitter.com/wingsforus/status/1214081225553534976?s=20

    Meanwhile, others called out users for directing their energy onto frivolous matters.

  • Nida Yasir reveals why she doesn’t allow male fans to take pictures with her

    Nida Yasir reveals why she doesn’t allow male fans to take pictures with her

    Pakistan’s number one morning show host Nida Yasir is anything but shy. She is full of energy, spunk and sass and is loved by millions of viewers across the world.

    While Nida loves her audiences and is always willing to interact with them, in an exclusive interview with The Current revealed that she doesn’t allow male fans to take selfies with her.

    When asked what is the worst thing about hosting a morning show, Nida, “You’re not left with any privacy. No matter where you go, to the bazaar or anywhere – I like to meet them [my fans] – but when I’m out with my guests and they have to stop and wait while I click pictures with my fans, I don’t like that,” adding that she can’t even say no.

    Nida then shared that she never gets photographed by her male fans.

    “It’s a rule,” she said. “The reason is because I have seen photographs of a lot of actresses on random pages with captions. They [other actresses] must’ve posed considering them their fans but the captions on Facebook etc say ‘Meet my friend, [XYZ].’”

    “I don’t judge anyone ever since, but I’ll get photographed with families, with female friends, but not with male fans,” she remarked.

    Watch the full interview here:

  • EXCLUSIVE: Fawad reveals why he is no longer friends with Mubasher Lucman

    EXCLUSIVE: Fawad reveals why he is no longer friends with Mubasher Lucman

    Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, who made headlines for slapping journalist Mubasher Lucman on Sunday, has shared as to why is he no longer friends with the anchor he was once seen sharing rather fun moments with.

    “It was Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s maiden interview and only six journalists could be invited for it,” Fawad said in an exclusive conversation with The Current, as he started to shed light on how it all started.

    The former information minister said that senior anchorperson Kamran Shahid was coincidentally present in the federal capital at the time of Imran’s first interview as the country’s chief executive, and was invited. “Mubasher got upset because he was excluded,” Fawad said as he explained what later became a bone of contention between the two.

    When asked if journalists and politicians should be friends, he said the two should be like “colleagues”.

    Fawad further said that he would discuss the issue on the floor of the National Assembly later in the day, which he was doing by the time this report was filed.

    FAWAD SLAPS MUBASHER:

    On Sunday, the federal minister slapped the anchor during a spat over Lucman’s allegations against Fawad regarding TikTok star Hareem Shah.

    According to reports, Geo News bureau chief for Lahore, Raees Ansari, said the event took place at the wedding reception of Punjab Irrigation Minister Mohsin Laghari’s son. The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leaders, Jahangir Tareen and Ishaq Khakwani, were also present at the event.

    Ansari revealed that Tareen and Fawad were talking about the allegations that Lucman had levelled on the minister during a TV show, salaciously linking the federal minister to Shah, who recently made headlines after accusing government officials, including lawmakers, of sending her indecent pictures.

    It was at that moment that Lucman arrived at the event, triggering a war of words between him and Fawad over the issue. The federal minister reportedly protested against the claims, later slapping and shoving the anchor. The altercation stopped when people intervened and broke up the fight.

    Soon after, both Fawad and Lucman left the event.

    Chaudhry tacitly admitted to the act, slamming the TV anchor on Twitter, saying: “People like Mubashir Lucman have nothing to do with journalism… they are [sexual slur] who have barged into journalism.”

    “It is everyone’s duty to expose [such journalists],” he tweeted.

    FIR AGAINST FAWAD:

    Meanwhile, Lucman, who had refrained from publicly commenting on the incident, has submitted an application to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the minister.

    According to Dawn, Lucman, in his application submitted to the Model Town police station late Sunday night, said he was attending the event along with Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar, Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, Tareen and various federal and provincial ministers.

    He said he was talking to his friends when Fawad attacked him along with 10-12 of his “mussala ghundas (armed goons)”.

    “They subjected me to severe violence,” the anchorperson said, adding that after threatening him of serious consequences and of murder, they left the site of the incident.

    He claimed that prior to this incident, the federal minister had called and threatened to have him killed if he did not stop his allegations.

    Lucman further stated in the application that a case should be registered against Fawad and others, while the federal minister says he would move the cyber-crime wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against the journalist.

    As per an application submitted to Punjab inspector general of police (IGP) by the minister’s protocol officer, an FIR against the journalist for defaming and threatening Fawad, as well as his protocol officer, has also been sought.

    The protocol officer has also accused Lucman and his accomplices of stealing his wristwatch.

    Repeated attempts were made to contact journalist Mubasher Lucman, but he was unavailable.

  • EXCLUSIVE: Mahira Khan reveals what she was like in school

    EXCLUSIVE: Mahira Khan reveals what she was like in school

    It’s Mahira Khan’s birthday. The actor who turned 35 on December 21 is without a doubt one of Pakistan’s biggest stars and she’s had a stellar year – her film Superstar is the highest-grossing Pakistani film of the year, she walked the ramp at the Paris Fashion Week and she has been appointed a Goodwill ambassador for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

    But did she know that she was going to be a superstar? In an interview with The Current, Mahira said that she never thought she would reach so high but she always wanted to be an actor even though she was a very shy person in school.

    “I was in my own little world at that time,” said Mahira when told that the boys in school used to ask their female friends to become friends with her so that they could hang out with her [Mahira].

    Mahira further revealed that she was a backbencher in school. When asked the best thing about being a backbencher, Mahira replied, “I had my best friend in class with me. The both of us used to chatter all day long. And I hardly attended [classes] that year in school.”

    Watch the complete interview here:

    Born in Karachi, Mahira started her career as a VJ in 2006. She made her screen debut opposite Atif Aslam in Bol (2011) and over the years climbed the ladder of success to become one of Pakistan’s biggest stars.