Pakistani writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar reprimanded women writers for humiliating relationships in dramas.
In an interview when Khalil-ur-Rehman was asked what was the reason that people in showbiz are so afraid of him, he said: “People are afraid of me because I am honest with my work. They will be afraid of dishonesty.”
He added: “Female writers have stigmatised relationships like that of a sister-in-law, mother-in-law and brother-in-law.” He said that there are 99.9 per cent women who are writing in the industry but they only write about family politics and stigmatise sacred relationships.
The Mere Paas Tum Ho writer spoke on a variety of topics. While giving his opinion on the friendship between males and females, he said that there is no such thing as a friendship between a girl and a boy. “This is the biggest lie in the world.”
Qamar has been involved in many controversies including a debate on Aurat March slogans with Marvi Sirmed. He said to Ms Sirmed that “no one would even spit on your body” and that she was a “cheap woman” who should “shut up”. He was criticised by politicians and prominent figures, while Geo TV suspended his contract. He said, he did not interrupt her but she interrupted him when he was talking.
Imran Abbas and Babar Ali, who are all set to share the screen in Amanat, “killed time” on the sets by showing off their singing skills.
The two sang Aik Pal Ki Khushi from the movie Karz which featured Ali and Nirma in the lead. The film was written by Khalil ur Rehman Qamar.
Talking about the song and movie, Imran said: “Aap iss film kay gaanay sunain. Eik eik gaana itna khoobsurat likha hai Khalil sahab nay. Kya composition hai.“
He continued: “I am very fortunate to work with Babar Ali once again. We have worked together once in a serial Sanwali. And now for the second time I am playing another role with him.”
“And don’t forget to watch this film [Karz],” he added. “It is a beautiful film and is available on YouTube.”
Fans of the actors loved their video and praised them in the comments section. Reema also appreciated their singing skills, commenting “Wow.”
Aik Pal Ki Khushi was originally sung by Shazia Manzoor and Waris Baig.
https://youtu.be/szvauBHXSd4
Besides Abbas and Ali, Amanat will also feature Urwa Hocane, Saboor Aly, Haroon Shahid, Saba Hamid, Sheheryar Zaidi, Asad Siddiqui and Gohar Rasheed.
According to Imran, Amanat is a “circumstances-based love story”, while producer Sana Shahnawaz says it is “a family drama with love, romance and all other elements audiences wish to see in our dramas.”
Meanwhile, in another post Imran said that we all should be thankful to Allah for keeping us alive in 2020.
“Life itself and health are the biggest gifts of God. Stay grateful,” said the actor.
Remember the iconic scene in which Danish (Humayun Saeed) burst into Shehwar’s (Adnan Siddiqui) office and slapped him in Meray Paas Tum Ho?
Siddiqui, who has recently been sharing his highlights from 2020 on social media, recalled memories of the famous slap scene and revealed what transpired behind the scenes on the sets.
“So I reach the set and see Humayun and Nadeem Baig talking in hushed tones, darting glances at me all this while,” said Adnan while talking about what happened on set while this scene was being shot. “‘Perhaps they sold me off to aliens last night,’ I try to make light of it to myself when they decide to include me in the discussion.”
“Turns out, the matter on hand is much more serious. In the first-ever scene that will commence MPTH, Danish will be slapping Shehwar in his office as his employees look on. ‘Not bad’, I chuckle though both Humayun and Nadeem look nervous about my “seniority” and the close friendship I share with Humayun.”
“Cameras roll and there is pin-drop silence. Danish raises his hand on Shehwar and before we know it, we are rolling into full-throttled guffaws Nadeem included,” he continued. “When Humayun and I are shooting together, especially an intense scene, it is a laugh riot and this couldn’t be an exception. In fact, it became essential to put everyone at ease.”
Concluding his remarks, Adnan said: “I still joke with Nadeem why did he stop at just one slap? For a woman as beautiful as Mehwish, Shehwar would have easily taken a few more.”
Meray Paas Tum Ho also featured Ayeza Khan and Hira Mani in the lead. Written by Khalil ur Rehman Qamar and directed by Nadeem Baig, the drama was produced by Humayun and Shahzad Nasib under their production house Six Sigma Plus.
Humayun Saeed’s younger brother Salman Saeed got married in Lahore Friday night and the wedding ceremony was a star-studded affair with Adnan Siddiqui, Shaan Shahid, Imran Ashraf, Ahmed Ali Butt, Vasay Chaudhry, Nadeem Baig, Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar and Azhar Ali in attendance.
Social media users are calling Khalil ur Rehman Qamar a “hypocrite” after he was spotted at the protest in Lahore held to demand justice for the motorway rape victim.
According to details, Qamar was also called out by a member of the civil society Husnain Jamil Faridi while he was addressing local media channels, the clip of which has gone viral on social media. Netizens lauded Faridi for bashing Qamar and hit out at the writer for his misogynistic comments.
I proudly bash this hypocrite, dual and ignorant misogynist who constantly negates the genuine issues of women. He is convicted in body shaming, misleading people. I confronted him with the word ‘Ap’ (which he doesn’t deserve) but Just check the language of this jerk. https://t.co/LcT0hzWFM6
Khalil ur Rehman Qarmar was about to address the media today at the protest against the motorway gang rape case in Lahore when @HUSNAINJAMEEL called him out for his misogynistic comments against women and the @AuratMarch. The channel was also fined by PEMRA for airing his views. pic.twitter.com/WcxVwzjJlN
Problem with limiting debate to severity of punishment is that vile men can pose as allies. Khalil ur Rehman Qamar is responsible for the most perverse attacks on women’s movements, including pushing blasphemy charges against feminist organizers. Such ppl are enemies, not allies. https://t.co/NdDlorhz6w
He’s a typical hypocrite and a deadly misogynist. He spreads hate and white lies. The man doesn’t have an iota of character. Good people should never listen to him and unduly promote his views .
Khalil ur Rehman Qamar has been at the receiving end of criticism and hate ever since he publicly abused journalist Marvi Sirmed on live television, back in March.
ICYMI, a few days before the Aurat March, Qamar and Marvi were invited to be a part of a panel discussion on Neo TV’s show Aaj Ayesha Ehtesham Kay Saath. The topic of discussion was a petition against the Aurat March in the Lahore High Court (LHC). The petition, which had called the march “un-Islamic” with a “hidden agenda to spread vulgarity”, had been dismissed by the court that said it couldn’t be banned under the law of the land. Qamar while speaking against the slogan ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi‘ launched a tirade against Sirmed when she murmured the same as he was talking. He hurled expletives her way and abused her on live television. The TV channel was later fined Rs500,000 (0.5 million) for airing Qamar’s abusive and misogynistic remarks.
Meanwhile, as per the latest reports, the police have identified one of the suspects behind the gruesome incident that shook the nation. The individual, namely Abid Ali is a resident of Haroonabad town of Punjab’s Bahawalnagar district, is a proclaimed offender, and has been nominated in multiple cases earlier as well. While Ali is still at large, the other suspect identified by the Punjab government Waqarul Hassan reportedly surrendered himself on Sunday at Lahore’s Model Town police station. He claimed that his brother-in-law was using the mobile phone which had wrongly implicated him in the crime, adding that he himself was not involved. The police have said that they will conclude the matter after they receive the DNA report of the suspect.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has slapped a fine of Rs500,000 (0.5 million) on private TV channel Neo News for violating its law and codes and airing abusive and misogynistic remarks by writer-director Khalilur Rehman Qamar in one of its programmes earlier this year. The regulatory body had earlier also issued a show-cause notice to the channel when the incident took place.
According to reports, the authority also instructed the TV channel to strictly observe the laws and code of conduct in matters pertaining to gender and to adopt a strict policy in this regard.
Back in March, a few days before the Aurat March, Qamar and journalist Marvi Sirmed were invited to be a part of a panel discussion on Neo TV’s show Aaj Ayesha Ehtesham Kay Saath. The topic of discussion was a petition against the Aurat March in the Lahore High Court (LHC). The petition, which had called the march “un-Islamic” with a ” hidden agenda to spread vulgarity”, had been dismissed by the court that said it couldn’t be banned under the law of the land. Qamar while speaking against the slogan ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi‘ launched a tirade against Sirmed when she murmured the same as he was talking. He hurled expletives her way and abused her on live television.
The incident had stirred a debate on social media with artists, journalists and politicians condemning the incident and calling for a boycott of Qamar.
A number of high court lawyers reportedly also filed complaints in Pemra’s Council of Complaints against the programme. All three complainants stated that Rehman abused Sirmed for chanting the slogan mera jism, meri marzi, calling his conduct “highly objectionable” and against Pemra laws. They argued that the channel violated PEMRA’s directives and failed to perform their duties. It is pertinent to mention here that NEO News issued an apology to Sirmed and did not invite Qamar to any of its programmes again.
On our complaint against NEO TV for allowing Khalil ur Rehman Qamar to air misogynist remarks against @marvisirmed & women, @reportpemra has imposed a fine of Rs 0.5 milion!
After hearing the arguments from both sides, the Council of Complaints concluded that Qamar’s comments were “abusive and gender-biased” and that the channel violated several laws, including the Constitution by airing his remarks. The council also noted that the channel “failed to observe an effective delay mechanism” and that “the host of the programme could have employed various other methods to control the situation which were not opted at that time.”
Though the council recommended that a fine of Rs1m be imposed on the channel and a warning be issued to it, they later approved a fine of Rs0.5m on the channel along with a warning.
Turkish drama series Diriliş: Ertuğrul has created a sensation in Pakistan to the point that there is nothing else anyone can talk about. The drama has become the most-watched television show in Pakistan this Ramazan and is being widely discussed on social media and in Whatsapp groups.
Following the excitement, Khalil ur Rehman Qamar announced that he is working on a historical saga similar to Ertuğrul. The writer said that it was time to “introduce our heroes to the younger generation who don’t know them”.
Speaking to a private media outlet, the writer said, “We have decided to make a serial on a great Islamic hero. I am currently doing research, reading various books and will start writing it in a week.”
The writer further shared that he will once again join hands with the team of Meray Paas Tum Ho for this and will cast Humayun Saeed as the lead hero. Nadeem Baig will direct the show while Humayun’s production house Six Sigma Productions will produce it.
Qamar added that he has been asking Humayun to “work on something like this for the last twelve years” but due to limited facilities, they have been unable to turn their dream into reality.
While Qamar refrained from sharing further details, he said that the TV show will match international standards and will be based entirely on facts. He said that the team will soon hold a joint press conference to formally announce the project and other details.
The writer appreciated Ertuğrul and said that he “salutes” the creators of it and the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for producing this masterpiece. He also lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to air this series in Urdu for Pakistani audiences.
“Ertuğrul was the hero of the Muslims, whether the serial is made by Turkey or any other country, heroes don’t change,” said Qamar.
On the other hand, Humayun while talking about the project said that he hopes it will be the “grandest drama ever produced in Pakistan”.
“I had contemplated making a historical drama nearly two years ago, which is when I saw Ertuğrul,” said Humayun. “When I saw Ertuğrul‘s popularity in Pakistan as soon as it started airing on PTV, I was even more convinced that we needed to create a historical drama of our own.”
“We are yet to decide who the story will be based on and the planning is still in its initial stages, but yes, Khalil sahab is writing it,” he added. Some reports are suggesting that the drama will on the great warrior of Islam Sultan Salahuddin Ayubi.
Diriliş: Ertuğrul is being aired in Urdu on PTV on the recommendation of PM Imran who wanted to “help youngsters connect with their roots.”
Set in 13th century Anatolia, before the establishment of the Ottoman Empire Diriliş: Ertuğrul illustrates the struggle of Ertugrul Gazi, the father of Osman I – the founder of the Ottoman dynasty.
Mahira then, temporarily deactivated her Twitter account, and Twitterati believe it is because of the massive backlash she was facing from twitter trolls about her positive stance on Aurat March.
Congratulations to all the activists who trolled Mahira Khan. You got what you wanted. She has deactivated her Twitter account. Hope you count it as a win. Idiots.
This makes me so upset honestly. Mahira Khan is probably the only person from the industry who is so vocal about every topic and she has never been harsh towards anyone. You guys don't deserve her.
Mahira Khan deactivated her account because people can’t respect an opinion here anymore. You all campaign for free speech but you start schooling instead of a respectful discourse. Good luck with recruiting for a cause with this sort of mental rigidity.
Mahira had beautifully stated why she was speaking up on behalf of Pakistani women and why there is a need for Pakistani women to be given a voice and a platform.
I’m sure those who have been organizing the Aurat March are experienced, have been working for years for the cause of women..they have a better idea of what should and should not be done. I write out of pure observation. #WhyIMarchpic.twitter.com/D3AUQYM3Re
Following Khalil ur Rehman Qamar’s abusive behaviour towards social activist and journalist Marvi Sirmed on live television, Geo Entertainment and 7th Sky Entertainment on Thursday announced that they had suspended their contract with the writer.
The television channel made the announcement on social media. The official statement by the channel said that the contract would remain suspended until Qamar apologises for his actions. It added that the company had entered into a non-exclusive agreement with the writer, similar to the ones he has with other TV channels. According to the contract, Qamar was to write four dramas and a movie for the channel.
“Geo believes in exchange of ideas and promoting the culture of Live and Let Live (Geo our Jeenay do) we believe that everyone has the right to express their opinions and the culture of healthy debate should be encouraged,” read the statement.
Following Geo’s announcement, Qamar responded by saying that he will not apologise for his comments and assured his followers that he will “not work with this institution for my life to come.”
Meanwhile, celebrities, politicians and other members of the civil society lauded Geo for taking this step.
Good action by Geo. No matter who the woman is, no one has the right to abuse and use filthy language against her especially on TV. It should never be acceptable & never be tolerated. https://t.co/QTrJizyXXG
Khalil ur Rehman Qamar, who is rather infamous for his misogynist views both on and off the screen, has stirred a storm once again after he launched into verbal vitriol against journalist and rights activist Marvi Sirmed on live television.
The incident sparked widespread debate on social media and TV channels, following which journalist Mansoor Ali Khan invited Qamar to his show to discuss the matter and understand why Qamar did what he did.
Qamar was extremely unapologetic about abusing a woman on live television iterating that she started it. When the anchor probed him further, Qamar lashed out on him and the two exchanged heated words on the matter. However, the anchor managed to settle the matter before inviting his other two guests – Resham and Dr Aamir Liaquat – to the show.
Resham, who was initially part of Qamar’s directorial Kaaf Kangana but later opted out of the movie, said that Qamar is a big name in the country, remarking that he has been blessed with a lot of respect and love, an honour most writers usually don’t get.
Referencing to Qamar recent superhit drama Meray Paas Tum Ho, Resham continued, “Main kehti hoon keh yeh do takay ki aurat ka dialogue likhnay wala Khalil ur Rehman Qamar aaj khud aaj eik takay ka bhi nahi raha (I will say that the Khalil ur Rehman Qamar who wrote the infamous ‘do takay’ dialogue, is not worth a taka today).”
Resham further said that she, as a woman, was a big fan of the writer’s work and like other women, would make her family watch his dramas. She said that Qamar because of his actions has turned all those women against him. She reminded him that he has only been given respect and love by his fans, but people die to work with him. However, he lost all that respect with his actions.
The actor also appealed to PEMRA take notice of Qamar’s comments and take action against him.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9UwXJ7hzJY/
Meanwhile, Dr Aamir Liaquat said that Qamar needs medical treatment and should be kept in an isolation ward because he does not know how to interact with people. Dr Liaquat’s comments elicited a peal of laughter from Resham. Dr Liaquat further added that everyone’s opinion needs to be heard and that no one has the right to abuse others.
Qamar on Tuesday had appeared on a talk show to discuss the aftermath of a petition against the forthcoming Aurat March being trashed by the Lahore High Court (LHC). The petition calling the march “un-Islamic” with a ” hidden agenda to spread vulgarity” was wrapped up by the court that said it couldn’t be banned under the law of the land.
Qamar appeared to have a problem with the slogan, ‘Mera jism, meri marzi‘ and was commenting on it when Marvi murmured the same. This irked Qamar who started abusing her.
While some say the slogan ‘mera jism, meri marzi’ is “vulgar” and is used by women marchers in “an attempt to westernise the Pakistani society”, the marchers themselves say it pertains to “the right of choice and that to safety of women and even minor girls who are subjected to sexual assault in this very society”.
