Tag: ExcuseMe

  • Syed Noor, Jannat Mirza face-off on responsibility for flop debut film

    Syed Noor, Jannat Mirza face-off on responsibility for flop debut film

    Social media star and TikToker Jannat Mirza is a social media sensation with 25.1 million TikTok followers and 5.8 million Instagram fans and recently appeared in the movie, Tere Bajrey Di Rakhi, directed by veteran director, Syed Noor.

    Recently, Mirza appeared as a guest on ‘Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, Excuse Me’.
    Host Ahmed Ali Butt asked her, “Syed Noor thought your followers would watch the film, but they didn’t. How do you feel about his statement, especially since you were part of his film?”

    Jannat replied, “Well, I think the movie’s script was a little weak. Let me tell you, that movie was good; I did it with my parents’ permission; I’m not sure why he said that, and a successful film needs a modern script and story. Syed Noor is my uncle, and I respect him a lot. Also, I did the movie because I thought that I should try acting in films.”

    “I thought they [the producers] were telling me a nice story, but it was actually something else. I didn’t do my homework because it was my first time, and the Canadian male lead also made his debut in this movie,” she explained, “I was let down after seeing it. I had no idea at the time that I should read the script before shooting a movie.”

    Talking about her debut, Jannat Mirza confessed,

    “I understand that people don’t always come for great stories, and that sometimes Shahrukh Khan’s films fall flat. I also realize that my fans didn’t show up. Many of our well-known actors perform badly; the script is everything.”

    The director of the film, Syed Noor also had a lot to say. He recently gave an interview to Ambreen Fatima on her Youtube channel. Talking about the experience of working with Jannat Mirza,
    Noor said, “Jannat is a very educated girl; she comes from a very learned and well-off family. She was an accomplished Tiktoker and didn’t feel affected by the film’s failure because she didn’t have the desire to be a movie star. I added her in the film because I like her and we get along well with her family. We didn’t force her to dress provocatively or imagine scary scenarios. We signed her because we wanted her fans to see the movie, but Humayun Saeed was correct, not many people showed up.”

    Noor added that he felt that Mirza’s fan didn’t show up because they had to pay to watch the movie. “It happened because Tiktok content is typically viewed for free. Jannat had previously experienced great success in her life, and her fans were receiving free content from her.”

  • ‘Princess Diana’s wedding inspired me to pursue fashion’: HSY

    ‘Princess Diana’s wedding inspired me to pursue fashion’: HSY

    Fashion maestro Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, popularly known as HSY, recently appeared as a guest on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, ‘Excuse Me,’ where he reminisced about his younger days and discussed his fashion inspirations.

    Hassan Shehryar Yasin recalled spending time in a women’s hostel with his mother, where he would enter and exit through the window because children were not allowed to stay with their mothers in the hostel.

    “I was so scared of being caught that I didn’t speak for two months,” he said.

    When Hassan started working abroad at the young age of 12, he realised that having money would lead to a better life.

    “I’ve had many different jobs. I worked at a petrol station, a burger shop, and even carried bricks at construction sites,” he remembered.

    Talking about his journey to becoming a fashion designer, HSY reveals that Princess Diana’s wedding played an important role in inspiring him.

    “I watched Princess Diana’s wedding with my mom and loved her dress. I thought, ‘That’s what makes someone famous.’ I wanted to make clothes like that too. I even made tissue paper dresses for my sister. That’s how my dream of becoming a fashion designer started,” he said.

    HSY deems his first fashion show as “a turning point” in his career.

    He auditioned in Lahore in 1994 and got selected. “It was a dream come true,” he says.

    “I rose to fame quickly, but I don’t attribute it to any special talent or skill. I believe it was pure luck and divine blessings that got me where I am today. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to do what I love,” HSY believes.

  • ‘I refused anti-state roles’; Sajid Hasan on Bollywood offers

    ‘I refused anti-state roles’; Sajid Hasan on Bollywood offers

    Veteran actor Sajid Hasan was invited as a guest on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast ‘Excuse Me’.

    During the recording, Sajid discussed his relationship with Sahira and Rahat Kazmi on the ground-breaking series ‘Dhoop Kinare’, which was a major turning point in his career.

    He also discussed declining parts that would have encouraged an anti-Indian attitude.
    Speaking about the reasons behind his dislike of actors portraying anti-state roles, he said, “I’m disappointed with Tiger 3, which I’m currently watching, as it contains harmful stereotypes and biased content against Pakistan. I strongly dislike this approach and believe it’s unfair to actors. Even when I was new to the industry and faced pressure to play such roles, I’ve always rejected them. I believe our relationships with people from other countries should be respectful and positive, even if we disagree with their views. Moreover, I urge Pakistanis to appreciate the freedom we have, which was fought for by Quaid E Azam, and recognize the value of living without oppression, as I personally experienced suffocation during my time in India.”

  • ‘From Economy to Business class’: composer of Meray Pass Tum Ho’s song reveals interesting details 

    ‘From Economy to Business class’: composer of Meray Pass Tum Ho’s song reveals interesting details 

    Composer and singer Naveed Nashad, couldn’t believe how much the audience loved his song.
    Recently, Nashad appeared in Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast where he discussed his hit song, the OST of ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho.’

    “The title track of ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’ was a huge hit,” Butt said, “even more so than the drama itself, that’s true.” In response to Ahmed Ali Butt’s praise, Nashad replied, “Please refrain from saying that, Nadeem Bhai (Nadeem Baig) doesn’t like it when someone mentions this.”

    Ahmed Ali Butt remarked, “but it’s true, no doubt. It’s like Humsafar; the drama was a hit, but the OST was a blockbuster.”
    Nashad explained how ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’ upgraded his status from “economy to business class” and also added, “I felt like I landed on the moon”.
    Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar wrote the OST, while Nashad composed it. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan lent his voice for the song. You can also listen to the song here:

    Nashad has previously composed songs for dramas like ‘Mannat Murad’’s ‘Alif Allah Aur Insaan’.

  • Actress Amar Khan praises Wahaj Ali’s kindness, dreams of working with Fahad Mustafa

    Actress Amar Khan praises Wahaj Ali’s kindness, dreams of working with Fahad Mustafa

    Actress Amar Khan has starred in several projects. In the early stages of her career, she collaborated with renowned Pakistani actor Wahaj Ali. Since then, she has also written a Ramazan drama serial.

    Amar Khan joined Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast where she discussed Wahaj Ali’s attitude and also expressed a desire to work with Fahad Mustafa.
    She talked about Wahaj, mentioning that she had the opportunity to work with him at the beginning of her career, praising him for being exceptionally humble

    She said, “Even though he’s highly successful and popular, he remains humble. I believe he’s learned humility from other actors as well.”
    Talking about working in a film with the actor of her choice, she said, “I really want to manifest this right now, I desperately want to work with Fahad Mustafa, he’s a brilliant actor. He’s the most hardworking film actor of Pakistan. No one is as hardworking as him. He also has that rock stars’ aura”.

  • Aftab Iqbal hits back at Sohail Ahmed

    Aftab Iqbal hits back at Sohail Ahmed

    In a recent interview with Ahmed Ali Butt, veteran star Sohail Ahmed discussed various topics such as theater in Pakistan, his experiences working with several individuals including Aftab Iqbal, and the country’s political landscape, including periods of dictatorship.

    During the interview, the comedian heavily criticized Aftab Iqbal, his co-worker on Hasb e Haal. Ahmed accused Iqbal of lacking respect for his colleagues and behaving arrogantly, considering himself a know-it-all, charges that have been levelled at the host many times. Ahmed also disapproved of Iqbal’s conduct, suggesting that he should adopt a more humble attitude towards life and his colleagues.

    Not one to take criticism lying down, Aftab Iqbal fired back at Sohail Ahmed’s comments, stating that he used to feel shy in front of the camera but clarified that he had been writing columns before starting Hasb e Haal, a show he had come up with. Aftab also praised Sohail’s acting abilities and highlighted the significance of having a good writer and director for an actor’s success. He also expressed respect for Sohail’s talent, noting the lack of greatness in various fields in the country nowadays.

    He said, “I was the one who suggested to Sohail Ahmed to bring on more comedians. Initially, he didn’t want to bring on more actors. However, later on, he implemented everything I had suggested for Hasb e Haal. I understand how my clothing provides material for comedians, and that’s something I aim for every time I make a fashion statement.”

  • Sohail Ahmed advises Aftab Iqbal to be ‘respectful’ to his team

    For years, television anchor Aftab Iqbal has hosted shows on various channels and platforms. But he has been dogged with publicized issues between him and some of the comedians he has worked with.

    Aftab began hosting his first show with Sohail Ahmed, a legendary actor known for his many memorable performances. In his role as Azizi on the show Hasb e Haal, he showcased his skills time and again. Recently, Sohail Ahmed appeared as a guest on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, where he openly discussed the controversies involving Aftab Iqbal and other comedians he collaborated with.

    He said, “I think of Aftab Iqbal as a younger brother, and I would like to advise him to be humble.” He went on to say that Aftab needs to understand that one person alone does not run a show. “You need to respect your whole team.”
     Addressing some of the claims Aftab Iqbal has made, he added, “I was a star way before joining Hasb e Haal, but I still respect the team I work with and always put in my 100%.

    Therefore, Aftab needs to understand that you cannot be disrespectful and a know-it-all if you want to be respected in return.”

  • Guess which superstar was supposed to play Pyare Afzal?

    Guess which superstar was supposed to play Pyare Afzal?

    Nadeem Baig has made many TV shows and movies. He’s been focusing more on making films lately, but he’s also made hit TV dramas in the past. Some of his popular dramas include ‘Pyare Afzal’ and ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’.
    Baig was a guest on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast where he disclosed the name of the actor who was initially supposed to play the lead role in Pyare Afzal.

    The host asked him if the cast had ever been compromised. He said, “I never compromised on the script, but there are times when you have to give a chance to a new actor, even if you’ve already decided on someone else. You know that the actor you want will also excel in that specific role. Well, Humayun [Saeed] was supposed to play the character of Afzal in Pyare Afzal, but I told him, ‘This role isn’t for you.’ He accepted it, and that’s how it went to Hamza Ali Abbasi.”

  • Shahzad Sheikh’s family stayed together even after his parents got divorced

    Shahzad Sheikh’s family stayed together even after his parents got divorced

    Actor Shahzad Sheikh is the son of 80s and 90s superstar Javed Sheikh. Shahzad’s childhood was marked by his parents’ separation.

    In an interview with Ahmad Ali Butt, Shahzad Sheikh shared how his mother Zeenat Mangi played an important role in their upbringing.
    “Credit goes to my mother; she never once thought, ‘I haven’t met the kids, so this won’t happen or that won’t happen.’ Always in the summers, during vacations, she sent us to Lahore for two or three months. We spent time with my father and cousins, bonding with them. Obviously, I see regret in my mother’s eyes, in my father’s eyes, that the decision wasn’t right. If you see regret in someone’s eyes, you can’t do anything more than that.”

  • Tabish Hashmi’s take on Celebrity Podcasts

    In a recent podcast, Ahmed Ali Butt discussed celebrity interviews, posing a thought-provoking question: Everyone has their story; who narrates it best?

    The podcast format allowed for candid discussions, with Tabish Hashmi, host of ‘Hasna Mana Hai’ show and a renowned stand-up comedian, as the guest.

    Tabish talked about how interviews with famous people work. “Doesn’t this seem strange, a guest asking for huge amounts of money for interviews, like 1 crore rupees?” He wondered why they wanted so much, suggesting a more sensible option of 20,000 dollars.
    Reflecting on his experiences, Tabish shared, “I’ve seen that guests have different reasons for doing interviews. Some ask for a lot of money, while others join because of respect or personal connections. It’s interesting to see how fame and money play a role.”
    Throughout the discussion, Tabish emphasized, “I believe it’s crucial to uphold professionalism and mutual respect in interviews. Despite some difficulties, I’ve found that most interactions conclude positively, leaving both guests and hosts satisfied.”
    At the podcast’s end, Tabish’s thoughts offered valuable understanding of how celebrity interviews really work, giving a peek into the complex dynamics behind them.