Faisal Quershi has roped in over 25 celebrities in his directorial debut, titled as Money Back Guarantee. It features Fawad Khan, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Ayesha Omar and cricket legend Wasim Akram along with an ensemble cast and multiple guest appearances in this comedy of errors.
The ensemble cast also includes names like Afzal Khan (Jan Rambo), Kiran Khan, Marhoom Ahmad Bilal, Gohar Rasheed, Adnan Jaffer, Shafaat Ali, Javaid Sheikh, Hina Dilpazir, Ali Safina and Aqdas Waseem are also the part of the project.
Fawad’s Humsafar co-star Mahira Khan has also been roped in for a cameo. Several other actors will be making a special appearance in the film such as Ali Rehman Khan, Ahsan Rahim, Adnan Bashir Khan, Faysal Qureshi, Faisal Qureshi (the director), Hajra Yamin, Muniba Mazari, George Fulton, Syeda Marium Batool, Khadija Arshad and Ataullah Jan.
Wasim Akram’s wife Shaneira Akram will also play a guest role in the movie. The movie was set to be released in 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic woes.
HUM TV launched the first two teasers of their much awaited magnum opus, Laa Pata starring Ayeza Khan, Sarah Khan, Ali Rehman Khan and Gohar Rasheed in lead roles. The teasers promise a colourful visual delight with loads of extravagance, great performances, weddings, light-hearted comedy, musical elements and top notch production value, vibrant sets, stellar ensemble cast, Khizer Idrees’s vision toppled with a crisp editing.
The drama also stars veteran actors like Asma Abbas in its supporting cast. Amidst the melodramatic and serious plays, Laa Pata seems like a breath of fresh air. Although the posters do give us a hint of some dark elements too especially with Ali Rehman’s character poster. The drama promises to be a blockbuster with all the right ingredients served with a star-studded star-cast.
The play has been directed and written by Verna fame Khizer Idrees, it is produced by Momina Duraid and will be aired soon on HUM TV.
The local drama industry is going through major content crises due to the repetition of themes and lack of experimentation. This was the reason that kept megastars like Mahira Khan and Saba Qamar away from the small screen platform for the last few years. However, the scenario seems to be getting better as some key upcoming projects are based on unique stories and trailblazing screenplays with fresh star-cast. We present to you the six most exciting dramas to look forward to in the second half of the year.
Ishq-e-Laa
Riding high on the success of his last venture, Dushman E Jaan, Director Amin Iqbal has managed to pull off a casting coup by getting on-board a stellar cast in his upcoming biggie. Powerhouse performers Sajal Aly and Yumna Zaidi are the leading ladies of this ambitious project, penned by the veteran writer, Qaisera Hayat of Alif Allah Aur Insaan fame. It features debutant Azaan Sami Khan as the leading hero, along with Adnan Samad Khan of Ehd-e-Wafa fame.
Superstar Mahira Khan is making a comeback to the medium of television after 5 years in this Farooq Rind directorial, co-starring Kubra Khan and Usman Mukhtar. Based on Umera Ahmed’s novel of the same title, this drama is apparently based around a dysfunctional family and sheds light on the impact of flawed parenting on children.
Actress Zainab Qayoom plays a pivotal role in the drama and also shared her excitement for the shooting spell.
Amidst a barrage of melodramatic scripts and emotionally turbulent screenplays, this drama promises to be in the light-hearted space. Produced by Momina Duraid, Laa Pata boasts of a stellar star-cast headlined by Ayeza Khan, Sarah Khan, Ali Rehman Khan and Gohar Rasheed.
Gohar shared an interesting BTS from the sets of this Khizer Idrees directorial on Instagram. Ayeza plays the character of a TikToker, “Geeti Princess” and asked fans to follow her character’s account on video sharing app.
Imran Abbas and Saba Qamar are collaborating for the first time in this Saqib Khan directorial. After giving stellar performances in Baaghi and Cheekh, Saba Qamar took a break from television and shot for two feature films which will release post the pandemic woes. Written by Sara Qayyum, it also features Chupke Chupke fame, Sidra Niazi and Asad Siddiqui in significant roles. In his latest interview with Dawn, Imran said, “The subject is very nice and unusual, different from what is happening these days.”
Fahad Mustafa has roped in Danish Taimoor and Minal Khan for his upcoming production venture. The serial is touted to be a love story with some major plot twists. It is being directed by Jalan fame Abiz Raza. The project has been on floors since March 2021 and is expected to release towards the end of this month. Ishq Hai‘s team shared its multiple posters today on social media platforms, giving their fans a solid tease.
Urwa Hocane and Imran Abbas put their fans into frenzy when they announced their next drama for ARY Digital, Amanat. This dynamic on-screen pair has been having great fun on their sets and even shared some moments with their fans, including a video in which they are singing together. It boasts of an ensemble star-studded cast with names like, Saboor Ali, Haroon Shahid, Gohar Rasheed, Salman Saeed, Saba Pervaiz, Babar Ali, and Sheheryar Zaidi among others.
Music composer, Naveed Nashad has worked on its OST after delivering a chartbuster with Do Bol.
Ayeza Khan will be playing the role of a TikToker in her upcoming drama Laa Pata after Hania Amir, who played a mischievous teen in Dilruba, smitten by the video-sharing app.
Ever since Ayeza revealed about her character in the play, her fans have been asking for more details about the Khizer Idrees directorial.
The Mere Paas Tum Ho actress recently created a TikTok account by the name of her character, “Geeti Princess” and urged her fans to follow and support the account.
While Hania received a mixed response from the audience on her portrayal of a flirtatious social media star, Ayeza seems to be involving her fans in the process much before the serial’s telecast.
In her live stream chat, the Chupke Chupke actress only revealed that Laa Pata cast includes Sarah Khan, Ali Rehman Khan, Goher Rasheed, and Asma Abbas, many more names are a part of the cast like Rabia Naureen and Munazzah Arif, giving us an interesting set of actors.
Kubra Khan has hit back at a local media news outlet for misreporting her comments about un-following Prime Minister Imran Khan on Twitter. Khan, in an interview, had shared that she unfollowed PM Khan (and Hamza Ali Abbasi) on Twitter because she didn’t want any political updates.
Sharing the misreported news on Twitter, Kubra said: “I am and will always one of the biggest supporters of [PM] Imran Khan.”
“I don’t need to follow him on “social media” to show my support,” said the actor further, adding: “But thanks for adding the negative connotation?”
I am and will always one of the biggest supporters of @ImranKhanPTI – I don’t need to follow him on “social media” to show my support. But thanks for adding the negative connotation? https://t.co/eSoNScQzyA
Earlier, during the 2018 General Elections, Kubra had said that if she had the option to vote, “it would be no other than PTI.”
So, because I’m a UK resident I can’t personally vote in Pakistan as of yet. So even if I was in the country It wouldn’t make a difference. However if I could vote it would be no other than PTI. Tomorrow will map out the future for Pakistan. Make the right decision. #NayaPakistanpic.twitter.com/t39U3Z9Tpj
Atif Aslam is creating waves with his latest single Raat.
The music video of the songwalks the viewer through the journey of a striving artist – making it big and subsequently losing everything else in the process. It features Syra Yousuf, Kiran Malik Mansha Pasha, Gohar Rasheed and Khalid Malik.
As the song commences, we see Khalid introducing Atif as Asif as he doesn’t know his name in the first ‘dimension’. In this phase, Atif is a struggling artist, hoping to make it big in the entertainment industry. The scene then shifts towards the next dimension where we are introduced to an Atif who has made it big. Looking dapper in a well-fitted suit, the singer can be seen working in a romantic scene with the gorgeous Syra. The two break eye-contact as the director asks them for a re-take and right on cue, the two throw a starry tantrum.
In the next dimension, we see the Aadat singer in an argument with a woman, presumably his wife, played by Mansha. The two are embroiled in an argument as a child sits in the back. The rift causes Atif to lose control of the car, resulting in an accident.
In the final dimension, we see Atif who could be seen defeated and broken. Just as he walks towards an unknown location in an alley, he is caught up in a mugging attempt and we see Gohar as the notorious robber. In a failed attempt to rob the man, the two wrestle, which results in Atif being shot. In the last dimension, we see an Atif who was left to die – alone and in dark.
The song, directed by Yasir Jaswal, is beautifully shot. Raat encapsulates the essence of how anything and everything is possible in the darkness of the night.
“The night is as beautiful as it is mysterious,” reads the tagline of the song and the video appears to do justice to it. The music of the song has been composed by Atif while the lyrics have been penned by Aslam and Munir Niazi.
Meanwhile, fans are thoroughly enjoying Aslam’s new song.
Mehwish Hayat, Gohar Rasheed and Fatima Bhutto among others have stepped in to defend the official anthem of the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL)Groove Mera after it received criticism on social media. This year’s anthem, released on Saturday, features Aima Baig, Naseebo Lal and Young Stunners.
“I don’t know what the fuss is about?,” wrote Mehwish on Twitter. “I loved the new PSL anthem 2021. It was bold and fresh.”
“This is what stifles creativity in our country, we always want more of the same and not prepared to accept anything different,” continued the actor. “This bashing has to stop. We need a diversity of voices and ideas.”
Idk what the fuss is abt? I loved the new #pslanthem2021 .It was bold & fresh! This is what stifles creativity in our country,we always want more of the same & not prepared to accept anything different.This bashing has to stop. We need a diversity of voices & ideas.Well done PSL! https://t.co/hYMuZqkx8D
Similarly, Rasheed questioned: “Why do we always have to bash PSL anthem? Has it become a ritual?”
“Groove Mera has a nice stadium anthem vibe to it,” said the actor, adding: “Remember putting up a show in these times is not easy. So let’s show some respect and support, because the world is watching us.”
Why do we always have to bash the #pslanthem ♂️? has it become a ritual ? #GrooveMera has a nice stadium anthem vibe to it, I LIKE IT !! remember putting up a show #PSL6 in these times is not easy so let’s show some respect and support coz the world is watching us !!
Saboor Aly has expressed that she is a “proud sister” after Sajal Aly bagged a role in Jemima Goldsmith’s upcoming production What Love Got to do with It?. Sajal will be sharing the screen with Emma Thompson, Lily James, Shabana Azmi, and Shazad Latif in the upcoming film directed by Shekhar Kapur.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Saboor congratulated her sister, writing: “Proud sister. Your hard work paid off. We believe that sky is your limit, so go out and spread your wings and soar high.”
Meanwhile, Sajal’s colleagues and other Pakistani celebrities including Humayun Saeed, Mahira Khan, Bilal Abbas Khan, Ali Rehman Khan, Zara Noor Abbas and Yasir Hussain celebrated Sajal’s big achievement and congratulated the actor on achieving the milestone.
Humayun and Mahira said that this was a very proud moment for them.
What a proud moment for Pakistan; many congratulations to you Sajal. Your tremendous hard work and passion has brought you here and will take you further insha Allah. May you continue to shine @Iamsajalalihttps://t.co/xUUJEzZUEt
Jemima also shared that her and Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sons Qasim and Suleman are ecstatic that musician Asim C has agreed to be part of the film.
There are only two people more excited than me that @AsimC86 has agreed to be in this film- my two sons- who are massive fans. https://t.co/VtRhojGI9b
Written and produced under Goldsmith’s production house, Instinct Productions, What’s Love got to do with It? is set between London and South Asia and will explore cross-cultural conflicts of love and marriage.
A release date for the film has not yet been announced.
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.
– do you even know anything? What’s been up all these years in Sindh ? What’s your party been really doing handing out ajrak’s ?? Where did the tax go ? Zero infrastructure ?? My city and the people both are underwater Mr.Zardari. https://t.co/f4wlrn4zXS
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”.
– they have literally just come in and I at least can’t expect them to over night work everything around and turn this place into Dubai ? PPP and MUSLIM LEAGUE (N) should be held responsible. https://t.co/AQqzu3fK4O
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.
کاش دنیا کے کسی میٹروپولیٹن سے ہی سیکھ لیں، مصنوعی جھیلیں بنا لیں۔ کیا یہ ہمارا قصور ہے کہ رہنے کے لئے اس شہر کا انتخاب کیا، یہاں ٹیکس دیتے ہیں لیکن بدلے میں انتظامیہ کون سی ذمہ داری پوری کرتی ہے؟ کراچی کو کچراچی بنانے والوں کے گریبان پر ہاتھ کون ڈالے گا؟ #WhoWillSaveKarachihttps://t.co/2VpaUozk97
With the videos I’m seeing, the stories I’m hearing, its a National Emergency situation. People are homeless, stuck on the streets, or being swept away. Are there relief packages being prepared? Is help coming? When? @MuradAliShahPPP#SindhGovt#KarachiSinks#KarachiRain
#Karachi had an estimated GDP of $164 billion approximately 25% of the national GDP. The metropolitan city, The financial hub of #Pakistan dose not deserve to be treated like this. Sorry #Karachi corrupt politicians and negligence has brought you down to this #FixKarachi
Please Karachi walo, issay bhoolna mat!! I’ve seen the city move on because they’ve gotten to see this too often and they’ve learnt to move on but not this time. #KarachiRains
Inn corrupt siasatdanoN key liye protest or march bhee ghareeb karta hei, inkey liye Ek doosray sey larayee hathaapayee bhe ghareeb karta hei aur jab inki corruption ki waja sey baarishoN ke paani ka sailaab aata hei toh doobta bhee sabsey pehle bechara ghareeb hey.#KarachiSinks
Not sure whether 2 laugh at our fate or cry: Karachi the metropolitan center of Pakistan still not equipped 2 store rainwater, water-shortages r part of daily life here & is still not equipped to drain monsoon rains which cause damage & claim lives every year. #KarachiSinks
An absolutely heartbreaking state of affairs! #Karachi needs immediate attention followed by urgent corrective action. The situation resulting from the absolute apathy of those in positions power must change. Enough of all the tall claims – time to walk the talk.
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.
Prayers for everyone’s safety and well-being. Please help anyone you can in whatever way possible in this extremely challenging situation. May Allah protect us all
Can’t believe the footage coming out of Karachi. Bypass’ filled with water, ship containers & cars floating down highways, back yards become pools & street turned into rivers: The city that has no water is now under water. My Prayers are with you Karachi
Dear All, it is extreme rain today, the Hub Dam has already overflow.Take special care, don’t take this rain as fun, Karachi is not capable to deal with it. Stay Indoors, Stay Safe, take care of all people around you ..ALLH pak sab ko apni amaan mey rakhay ameen
– I have been hearing nothing but absolutely gruesome accounts of people grappling with the Monsoon back home. Hope everyone is doing the best to keep safe, let this be the end of our trials and prayers for all! #StaySafeStayHome#KarachiNeedsAttention#KarachiRains
Seeing images & videos of my city drowning. So heartbreaking to see no one own Karachi. The city that gives so much, has lost when it needed us yet again. I pray for everybody in my city , please stay safe. Ya ALLAH Karachi ko iss mushkil waqt se bachayen, Aameen. #KarachiRains
Hania Aamir, Feroze Khan, Ramsha Khan and Gohar Rasheed’s painstaking romantic saga Ishqiya came to a close Monday night with a finale that left viewers torn. While some thought the ending was fitting, others were rooting for a happy ending for Rumi (Hania) and Hamza (Feroze). But alas that did not happen, even though Hamna (Ramsha) and Azeem (Gohar) got their happy ending. If you ask me, I’m just glad that no one died or lost their sanity.
To be honest, I really was not a big fan of Ishqiya given its ridiculous storyline and I made that pretty clear at several instances (Here and here). But given the nature of my job and the fact that the drama trended every week on YouTube (the last episode is trending at number two on YouTube Pakistan) and social media, I had no choice but to follow it and try to figure out what exactly made it a hit. After much thought and going through audience comments, I came to the conclusion that strong performances by the lead and supporting cast, Rumi (Hania) and Azeem’s (Gohar) characters and the chemistry between Hania and Feroze is what attracted audiences and made them tune in every Monday.
To sum up the plot in a few lines, Ishqiya was the story of two sisters Rumi and Hamna (Ramsha Khan) who have conservative, yet loving parents. Hamna is in a relationship with her class fellow Hamza but her father Siddiqui sahib (Shabbir Jan) gets her married to Azeem. Being an obedient daughter and a weak person, Hamna does not protest and goes ahead with her father’s wishes. This is when the problem begins. Hamza is heartbroken over Hamna’s marriage and thinks she betrayed him so he sets out to seek revenge from her by marrying her sister so he can be close to her and mentally torture her. In the process, he ends up falling for his wife but as they say, you reap what you sow. Pretty convoluted if you ask me.
While the actors did complete justice to their roles and delivered above-average performances – Hania was great as the bubbly, chirpy Rumi, while Ramsha fit perfectly as the sober and introverted Hamna; Gohar was wonderful as the soft-spoken Azeem and as for Feroze, he seems to have perfected the role of the ‘bad boy’ – they were let down by a weak script, bizarre plot and poorly written characters. The drama relied heavily on flashbacks, greatly testing our patience because while the present featured someone crying, the flashback saw the person crying even more. Basically, there is lots of crying in the drama, except a few moments of comic relief by Hania. Gohar and Hamna became monotonous in a few episodes because they maintained the same expressions. But then again that was more of the script’s fault than their own.
Similarly, Hania and Feroze’s chemistry was crackling and straight out of a Mills and Boons novel but again it was neither explored nor developed properly. The two complimented each other well and were one of the highlights of the drama.
Badar Mehmood has given us many memorable dramas including Cheekh and Balaa and I’m still trying to figure out why he opted for a project like this. But given the drama’s success, I’m scared that our directors and producers will continue to churn out such senseless and nonsensical stories. Written by Mohsin Ali Shah, Ishqiya was produced by Fahad Mustafa and Dr Ali Kazmi under their production house Big Bang Entertainment.
