Its now official that Pakistan is about to get it’s first ever Netflix drama, starring our own actors. In July journalist Hassan Kazmi broke the news on social media, announcing that Lollywood’s A-list celebrities like Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi are set to star in a Netflix adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaq’s novel ‘Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samiat Lo’, with director Momina Duraid on board.
Now, Variety has revealed kay waqai mein the drama will live up to its name by leaving no actor behind, as the cast is chockfull of Pakistani A-listers like Sanam Saeed, Ahad Raza Mir, Bilal Ashraf, Maya Ali , Iqra Aziz , Hania Aamir , Khushaal Khan, Nadia Jamil , Omair Rana and Samina Ahmed.
According to the publication, Momina Duraid will serve as the show runner, and her firm Momina Duraid Films FZ, will be producing the series. The show is currently being shot in US, Italy and Pakistan.
The novel revolves around Sikandar, a Harvard law student who undergoes an incident that compels him to keep people away. He then comes across Lisa when he’s travelling to Italy, an energetic artist with a troubled past.
Ishtiaq’s other novels ‘Humsafar’ was adapted into the critically acclaimed 2011 drama, starring Mahira and Fawad. Her other novels have also been turned into screen fare, including ‘Bin Roye’ which was adapted into a 2015 film starring Humayun Saeed and Mahira, and ‘Yakeen Ka Safar’ which was adapted in 2017 into a drama starring Sajal Aly and Ahad Raza Mir.
Fawad is riding high on the blockbuster ‘The Legend Of Maula Jatt’ which also starred Mahira Khan and Hamza. He is set to come back to television screens with the series ‘Barzakh’ starring Sanam Saeed, and directed/ written by Asim Abbas.
Teenage domestic helper Rizwana has received plastic surgery from doctors on her face, while her head injuries were disinfected during the procedure, ARY has reported. Hospital sources say the procedure was three hours long, while the possibility two or three more plastic surgeries in the future cannot be ruled out.
“She was shifted to the ward after applying bandage on her wounds,” the doctors said.
The horrifying case shocked Pakistan when the teenage domestic helper was tortured and abused while working at a civil judge’s home in Islamabad, after she was accused of stealing jewelry. The family has revealed the girl was not paid a single penny by the family for the extensive workload she was doing.
Since the case went viral, actress and children rights activist Nadia Jamil spoke out publicly against employing children for domestic labor, leading a campaign to get the perpetuators arrested, while prominent celebrities like Mahira Khan, Wahaj Ali and Hamza Ali Abbasi have also lend their voice.
Jamil shared an update yesterday that Rizwana had opened her eyes, but was still in casts.
Look who can open her eyes now! A reminder they were viscously gouged. Alhamdolillah Alhamdolillah Shukar Alhamdolillah they are now opening.
She is still in casts from fingers to shoulders in both arms. Her wouldn’t are still open and healing slowly. She’s still susceptible… pic.twitter.com/w5eeQjxv1v
Happy birthday Hamza Ali Abbasi! Since his debut thirteen years ago, he has been gracing our screens with powerful performances revered by audiences. Within a short time, he has played a lovelorn man willing to decieve parents for his crush, a rebellious filmmaker who learns how to find a path back to God and a terrifying villain, cementing his status as one of Pakistan’s most versatile stars. While Abbasi has announced that he is set to come back on the big screen with two new projects, lets take a jog down memory lane in celebration of his birthday, and review three outstanding performances.
1 Alif
If there will be a Pakistani drama remembered years from now, it will definitely be ‘Alif’. The serial aired I 2020 but has remained alive within Pakistani pop culture as one of the few times a drama dominated all public discourse. Abbasi plays the troubled and rebellious Momin, who is grieving from childhood trauma and has completely lost his way in life. When he crosses paths with Momina (played by Sajal Aly), a struggling actress trying to make a living for her family, they help each other reach their destinations, and Momin learns to find refuge in God.
2 Maula Jatt
Action-thriller Maula Jatt made a wave around the world, raking in money and praise alike. Abbasi and Fawad Khan took the remake to dizzying heights, recreating old magic and generating plenty of new thrills. Hamza took the feared Noori Natt to new heights with his chilly portrayal of a psychopathic killer.
3 Pyarey Afzal
If Maula Jatt changed the way Hamza Ali Abbasi went from being the token good boy to a dark villain, then the lovelorn aashiq in ‘Pyarey Afzaal’ was the role that cemented his position in the industry. Acting opposite Ayeza Khan, who played Farah, Abbasi portrayed the titular character Afzal, who has a crush on Farah, and writes letters to himself that he claims to have received from her. But his world changes when Farah reaches out to him and requests him to pretend to be a love interest, so her parents don’t marry her off against her wishes.
Social media can be a blessing because of how it is able to bring people together regardless of their background. It provides people with an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. But we have to admit that the downside of social media -particularly in regard to how women on the internet are openly criticised and trolled- is something that cannot be overlooked. Mahira Khan was attacked online for not wearing a dupatta, and now Naimal Khawar is getting trolled after people assumed the actress had gotten a nose job.
Pakistani women exist in an invisible cage that follows them to their graves. They are a vessel of opinions other people have about them, and have no say in how they choose to live their own lives. Men tend to perceive Pakistani women as their personal nannies, therapists and full time mothers. In the particular case of Naimal Khawar, its amazing how entitled babus on the internet have so much to say about a woman who is financially independent and has a caring and attentive husband and family.
What had led to such a vicious response? The actress had merely posted pictures of herself next to some flowers, which led to some trolls making heinous comments about how her alleged nose job made her face look different.
Like seriously, the comments section really proves how as Pakistanis, misery is the flag we love to wave. We cannot remain happy, therefore we cannot see other people happy.
I’m sorry but did Naimal Khawar personally reach out to you for money even if she had gotten a surgery? Why would you feel so entitled to make such negative comments about a woman’s face? Why do Pakistanis feel that making hideous remarks about women’s bodies passes is acceptable? Naimal Khawar has not survived so many years in a competitive industry solely because of her looks, but because she is a talented person. She owes no one an explanation about how she chooses to live.
Trying to justify your body shaming by using the religion card? Didn’t Islam also tell us to keep our opinions to ourself, and to never open our mouth if we have to make a mean comment about someone? In a country like Pakistan where already 75 per cent people suffer from mental illnesses like depression, could we try to understand that, now more than ever, women need to stop pilling on hate on each other, and help by being a little kind and compassionate?
By the end of the day, we simply have to say that take your rules and restrictions away from the bodies of Pakistani women. Naimal Khawar is her own person. She can decide by herself what she wants with her life, whether she chooses to go under the knife or not. It’s all about what makes her feel more secure in her body. For the rest of us, there are more things to worry about while living in Pakistan rather than taking it out on a woman who has nothing to do with it.
If you’re still having a problem in undestanding how to possibly mind your business and manage not to tear down a happy person, then take a note from Mathira, who manages to keep a classy and cool persona by uplifting people when they need it the most.
After the tragic death of Karachi Zoo’s ailing elephant Noor Jehan after years of neglect and abuse, Sri Lankan authorities announced that they were donating two elephants to Pakistan. According to Geo News, Sri Lankan Honorary Counsel Yasin Joya announced that one will be given to Karachi Zoo and the other one to Lahore Zoo.
Sri Lanka’s Honorary Consul Yasin Joya has expressed grief over the death of Noor Jahan, who was orphaned at the Karachi Zoo. In an exclusive conversation with Geo News in Lahore, Yasin Joya said that Sri Lanka will donate two elephants to Pakistan…https://t.co/FSwrAIdAf6pic.twitter.com/LMPNldhMQy
— City’s for Elephants & Rhinos (@CitysFElephants) April 23, 2023
Celebrities like veteran actress Nadia Jamil spoke out against this decision, slamming the Pakistani government for providing poor facilities for the animals that had led to Noor Jehan’s death.
“I beg Sri Lanka, DO NOT GIVE PAKISTAN ANY ELEPHANTS. NOT until Pakistan develops a policy to protect animals in its zoos and learns to take care of animals as they should be taken care of. Please. No more tragic deaths. Please spare more animals from suffering like Noorjehan.”
I beg Sri Lanka, DO NOT GIVE PAKISTAN ANY ELEPHANTS. NOT until Pakistan develops a policy to protect animals in its zoos and learns to take care of animals as they should be taken care of. Please. No more tragic deaths. Please spare more animals from suffering like Noorjehan https://t.co/cQmczn5DxB
Other celebrities like Anushay Ashraf and Ahmed Ali Butt mourned the loss of Noor Jehan, and slammed the Karachi authorities for their limited resources which had led to the neglected conditions of animals at Karachi Zoo. In a now-expired post on her Instagram stories, Ashraf pointed out how zoos are not safe places for animals, and should not be entertainment facilities for humans:
“Another reminder for the govt that zoos are a place where animals are kept in captivity for our entertainment. This narrative cannot work in 2023. Am sure they tried their best with Nuri, but the concept is faulty to begin with. No one trusts the animals are getting the best possible care anyway. And chargingn money to see animals behind cages is a narrative the world has grown out of.”
Singer and actor Ahmed Ali Butt slammed the decision to import elephants from Sri Lanka, because as he wrote:
“We don’t deserve a zoo, just like everything else in this country, animals and their care is the least of our worries. This is just a feather in our incompetetnt cap.”
Actor Yashma Gill shared a video clip of her visiting Karachi Zoo to see the facility’s ailing elephant Noor Jehan, whose condition is growing worse day by day.
Karachi Zoo has been slammed by animal right activists for neglecting the animals under its care. Noor Jehan’s prolonged illness and mishandling of her ailment led to national outrage on social media.
Gill discussed her experience of watching the elephant fight for her life:
“As I stood before Noor Jehan, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration for her unrelenting spirit. Despite her illness, she remains hopeful and determined, a true symbol of resilience. Her eyes hold a gentle yet unwavering gaze, a testament to her will to live. Her sheer strength and perseverance were truly inspiring, leaving me with a renewed sense of hope and optimism.”
Gill rejected eeports that the elephant will be euthanized as her illness shows no improvement, asking authorities to keep fighting hard for Noor Jehan and give her the best possible chance at life:
“For me, the answer is clear – we must do everything in our power to give her a chance to heal and recover. No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, we owe it to Noor Jehan to give her the best possible chance at life. After all, where there’s a will, there’s always a way.”
Anoushay Ashraf had also joined the growing cry to shut down Karachi Zoo when she shared a clip of herself visiting elephant Noor Jehan and talking to the wildlife expert Maira over there.
Update on #NoorJehan Requesting everyone to keep the pressure going. Its 2023, zoos are an outdated concept tbh. Yes to sanctuaries, parks and conservation of nature/wildlife. No to caged animals in zoos! pic.twitter.com/MjobyUuxOX
Celebrities like Hamza Ali Abbasi, Arooj Aftab and Ayesha Noor had joined the rallying cry to shut down zoos across Pakistan, by sharing how the animals suffering in cages are deprived of the natural habitat and are not given the proper facilities they need to survive:
Arooj Aftab had re shared a clip of her interview with The Current, and in the caption she said that authorities could build much better entertainment facilities for children:
The ‘Maula Jatt’ actor had shared pictures of the lions in Karachi Zoo, who were suffering from starvation and neglect, and demanded that authorities shut down the zoo and transport the animals to proper shelters.
If #NoorJehan’s suffering was not enough, these r the lions of Karachi Zoo. Plz raise ur voice to close all Zoos in Pak & transfer these animals to thr natural habitat. The suffering of these animals is unnecessary & can be easily ended. Pic by @tapujaveri#CloseAllZoosInPakpic.twitter.com/WATeYVAy4Q
Actor Hamza Ali Abbas has joined the chorus of voices calling for zoos across Pakistan to be shut down. As the country watches veterinarians try to save the life of one of Karachi Zoo’s elephants, Noor Jehan, celebrities have lent support to the demand that the animals be shifted to sanctuaries.
Taking to Instagram, the ‘Maula Jatt’ actor shared a clip of a post by Express Tribune, slamming authorities for not caring about the welfare of the animals:
“We can’t take care of animals in zoo’s- it is better than to receive curses from animals that we should ban zoos and send the animals to a safer place.”
Abbasi’s criticism comes after countless celebrities, including Grammy award winner Arooj Aftab, raised their voices to support animals and shut down zoos. Aftab re-shared a clip from her interview with The Current where she had talked about the abysmal conditions of animals in Lahore’s zoo, calling for better facilities to be set up for animals.
Just as Noor Jehan improved, she fell into a concrete pond built inside her shelter, leading to worsening of her condition. Authorities had remained in contact with the animal welfare organization Four Paws to coordinate for her treatment.
Yesterday, The Nation reported that Minister of Climate Change and member of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Sherry Rehman, had advised Sindh government to shut down Karachi Zoo, and for the animals to be moved to enclosures where they are provided with proper facilities.
Great news for fans of The Legend of Maula Jatt. After Hamza Ali Abbasi won accolades for his performance as the manacing Noori Nath, Abbasi is making his way back to television screens. The actor took to his Instagram page to announce his next project ‘Jaan-e-Jahan’ which will air in 2023. The drama will be produced by Samina Humayun Saeed, written by Rida Bilal and directed by Qasim Ali Mureed. The actor wrote:
“Happy to introduce you to the captivating world of our upcoming project ‘Jaan-e-Jahan’ written by Rida Bilal, directed by Qasim Ali Mureed, starring Hamza Ali Abbasi and many more. Produced by Samina Humayun Saeed and Sana Shahnawaz coming soon on a TV screen near you!!”
There was previous speculation that Abbasi was leaving the television industry when he announced in a Youtube video that he was taking an indefinite hiatus from showbiz. However, in 2020, the ‘Maula Jatt’ actor revealed during a game show ‘Kasooti Online’ that he was not done with his career, and still had two more projects under his belt.
Actor Shaan Shahid while promoting his forthcoming film, Zarrar chatted over his career, controversies, and colleagues, exclusively with The Current.
On being asked about why he rejected the Bollywood film Ghajini starring Aamir Khan and Asin, Shaan said, “There are some differences between the two nations (India and Pakistan), so picking up a villain from Pakistan puts more pressure and limelight on that relationship. Unko Villain sirf yahan pe nazar aatay hain or heroes sirf wahan pe. (They only see villains in Pakistan and heroes in India.)
The veteran actor added, “Also, the geopolitical system, Both India and Pakistan have a lot of baggage of the past and in the present as well. I think whatever is happening in India with Muslims is heartbreaking. I believe as a person you start creating an opinion and you have a set of rules or morals or values that you would rather put before making a financial decision.”
Moving forward, we asked Shaan if he gets offered a remake or a sequel of his 2006 Punjabi blockbuster Majajan, then who would be his preferred leading ladies? The film was released on 24 March 2006, across Pakistan. Majajan celebrated its Diamond Jubilee (100 weeks) in Lahore’s cinemas.
The Khuda Kay Liye star excitedly revealed that he finds Mahira to be very good and would want her as one of the heroines, whereas he wants to rope in Mehwish Hayat as his other leading lady as he finds her to be stunning as well.
On being quipped further, Shahid mentioned that he would like to see Mahira essaying Saima Khan’s character of a courtesan and Mehwish in Madiha Shah’s role.
Film’s synopsis
Zil-e-Shah (Shaan), an unhappily married man who belongs to the Syed clan, falls in love with a courtesan, by the name of Taari (Saima) who arrives to perform in his village. His wife (Madiha Shah) and family condemn their relationship.
Biopic Woes
On being asked by the host Uzair Anwer that if a biopic gets made on him, which young actor would he want to essay him in the film? The veteran artist was given four options (Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ahad Raza Mir, Bilal Abbas, and Imran Ashraf).
Watch his answer in the interview attached below:
The Majajan hero wasn’t too excited about these younger actors playing him in his biopic. He In fact hinted that it should be Shaan himself who should feature in a film based on him.
Shaan stated, “I think if they would have cast Sanjay Dutt in Sanju (2018), it would have been better. I personally feel that a biopic should be made on an actor when he passes away.”
He added, “Jesa bhi kaam kartay hain, they are all good actors, and they’ll approach the character according to their own set of skills.”
Shahid concluded by saying, “Its a difficult question and I haven’t yet given it a thought.”
The Legend of Maula Jatt headlined by Fawad Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Mahira Khan is by far the most expensive film to come out of Pakistan. It is unquestionably the biggest Pakistani release ever internationally.
The film opened to packed houses on October 13th and earned record-breaking figures on day one despite the fact that it is not currently playing in every theater in the country.
Bilal Lashari’s directorial has become the first film in Pakistan’s history to earn 100 crore domestically. This achievement was announced by the makers on social media handles.
Breakdown
It earned 4.4 crores locally and 4.9 crores internationally on its opening day, making it a total of 9.3 crores.
Four-day Weekend Collections
In its extended weekend, the film collected over 50 crores globally.
According to a recent report in Deadline, this action-fantasy movie has broken box-office records within its opening weekend. So far, The Legend of Maula Jatt has collected over half a million dollars. Across 79 locations in the UK, the film has earned $355,000, making it trend at no. 9 on the charts. In the US and Canada, the film grossed $290,000 and $235,000 respectively. On the other hand, in Australia, it earned $160,000. In both Canada and Australia, the Pakistani movie is trending at No. 6 in the charts, while in the United Arab Emirates, it reached No. 1 after earning over $515,000.
The Legend of Maula Jatt has opened in 25 markets worldwide, including Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, and South East Asia, and overall it has grossed $2.3 million globally.
First Week Collections
The Humaima Malick and Gohar Rasheed starrer has garnered 80 crores, globally in its first week of release.
These figures surpass the lifetime receipts of every Pakistani movie and have set new records. The Legend of Maula Jatt is poised to set additional records now that the second weekend has begun.
Second Weekend
Its second-weekend collections gave a new hope to the industry. The magnum-opus crossed the unprecedented 100 crore mark post its second-weekend collections. This made it the first-ever Pakistani feature film to achieve this target.
200 Crore Club
TLOMJ‘s winning streak continues as the magnum opus becomes Pakistan’s first offering to hit the PKR 200 crore mark, globally.
Producer Ammara Hikmat shared the update on her Instagram handle.
Earlier this month, the official Instagram account of TLOMJ shared that the Bilal Lashari directorial has beaten the Laal Singh Chaddha and South Indian blockbuster RRR’s box office collection in Britain.
The post read, “Another day, another achievement! The Legend of Maula Jatt beats the highest-grossing Indian movie of 2022, RRR’s lifetime business in just 17 days in the UK.” A few days ago, it was reported that Pakistan’s most expensive movie has beaten the lifetime number of Aamir Khan starer Laal Singh Chaddha in the UK, in just 13 days.
According to British film publication Screen Daily, Maula Jatt, released by Moviegoers Entertainment, accumulated £44,149 (Rs11.5 million) on its fifth weekend. Its performance has dropped considerably lower than many competitors as its run continues at 54.6 percent, bringing the film to almost £1.3m (Rs340 million). That’s more than the £1.26m (Rs329 million) of this year’s Tamil epic Ponniyan Selvan: I.
The Legend of Maula Jatt has become the highest-grossing Punjabi film globally according to its official Instagram account, the film made $7.8 million (Rs1.7 billion) at the worldwide box office within four weeks of its release.
The movie’s first teaser was released in 2019, which managed to receive a thunderous response worldwide for its cinematic grandeur, exceptional star cast, and mega-scale production.
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