Tag: Mahira Khan

  • Six Dramas to look forward in the second half of 2021

    Six Dramas to look forward in the second half of 2021

    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.

    Hum Kahan Kay Sachay Thay

    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.

    Laa Pata

    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.

    Tumharay Husn Ke Naam

    All You Need To Know About Saba Qamar's Upcoming Drama

    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.”

    Saba makes sure through her Instagram that her fans remain curious about the project.

    Ishq Hai

    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.

    Amanat

    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.

  • ‘Shine on Baby Girl’: Transnational Celebs laud Malala’s Vogue Cover

    ‘Shine on Baby Girl’: Transnational Celebs laud Malala’s Vogue Cover

    Pakistan’s Nobel Peace laureate Malala Yousafzai has made it to British Vogue‘s July cover. The interview covered her life after her graduation from Oxford University, her big plans for her future, love and marriage.

    Popular celebrities across borders, including Mahira Khan, Katrina Kaif and Aima Baig have lauded Malala for being on the cover of this illustrious magazine.

    Have a look at some of those posts:

    Katrina Kaif left a heart under Malala’s post.

    Meesha Shafi, Azfar Rehman, Eman Suleman and Mira Sethi also appreciated the shining star.

    https://twitter.com/sethimirajee/status/1399794253610426369

    “A role model and an inspiration for young people-and old people-everywhere,” wrote Canada’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Wendy Gilmour on Twitter.

    Malala, who was shot in the head by the Taliban as she was returning home from school in Swat Valley, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her efforts for children’s rights in 2014. The young activist recently also graduated from Oxford University.

    She is now internationally known for her human rights advocacy, especially the educational rights for women and children.

  • Yasir Hussain hits back at trolls telling Mahira Khan to wear a dupatta

    Yasir Hussain hits back at trolls telling Mahira Khan to wear a dupatta

    While many are appreciating Pakistani celebrities for raising their voice for Palestine, others have their priorities displaced and are moral policing Mahira Khan for not wearing a dupatta to the pro-Palestine protest outside the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday.

    Yasir Hussain and Ahmed Ali Butt stepped forward to defend their colleague and hit back at trolls moral policing Mahira for not wearing a dupatta.

    “Bohot achy,” remarked Hussain sarcastically. “You get your summer looks with shorts and Mahira should wear a dupatta in the heat of May.”

    “Get out of clothing and talk about real issues,” asserted Yasir, adding: “Khuda ka khof karo (Fear God).”

    Ahmed Ali Butt also schooled trolls attacking Mahira, saying: “Jin logo ko dupatta nazar nahi aya unko aqal kahan se nazar ai ge? Sharam apni nazar main dhoondo, aurat kay libas main nahi. #growup”

    Meanwhile, Sheheryar Munawar, Ayesha Omar, Sanam Jung among others celebrities were spotted at the protest. Yasir could not attend the demonstration due to his surgery after suffering a hand injury. 

    Yasir protested, however, with a Palestinian flag on his bandage.

    Mathira also defended Mahira, saying: “It’s the mindset that needs to be changed. Stop being so sex hungry in your mind, stop it!!”

    Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced a ceasefire on Friday in Gaza after 11 days of violence, Al Jazeera has reported.

  • IN PICTURES: Celebs in Karachi come out in support of Palestine

    Protests in solidarity with the people of Palestine were held in several cities yesterday, including Karachi. Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawar, Anoushay Ashraf, Faysal Quraishi, Mansha Pasha, Ayesha Omar, Sanam Jung and Hania Amir were spotted amongst other celebrities there.

    Have a look at some pictures from the protest:

    At least 227 Palestinians, including 64 children, have been killed in 11 days due to Israeli attacks.

  • Mahira Khan urges Shireen Mazari to protect minorities, ‘lead by example’

    Mahira Khan urges Shireen Mazari to protect minorities, ‘lead by example’

    Mahira Khan has urged Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari to “lead by example” and look into giving protection to minorities after a 200-strong mob attacked a Christian family in Okara.

    Read more – Mahira Khan wants more swift action against child rapists

    The actor tagging Mazari in a tweet wrote: “Dear Shireen Mazari, your attention needed here please. We need to lead by example.”

    According to reports, Christian boys were beaten in a Muslim-majority village in the Okara district of Punjab following which a mob of villagers attacked the Christian community in the area.

    Father Khalid Mukhtar, parish priest of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Chak 5 said the attack was sparked following an attack on Catholic youngsters on May 14.

    “The boys were cleaning the church when one of the Muslim landlords, passing by the church, accused them of throwing dust on him. They attacked the boys and then raided 15 houses of our community the next day,” said the priest.

    Mangta Masih, a labourer lost his thumb when the mob attacked his house.

    “We hid our women inside while they tried to break in,” said Masih. “One of them grabbed me from behind and another struck with a sickle blade. I tried to prevent the blow with my right hand. I fell down and they kept beating us with batons.”

    He further shared that the attackers were “armed with glass bottles, stones, axes, batons and bricks”.

    “Others used stairs to climb to our roofs and started breaking our furniture. We pleaded to spare the women but the attack continued for half an hour,” said Masih.

    Another woman who was wounded in the attack said that the mob “broke the locks, grabbed our hair and pulled us out one by one”.

    “Young girls were assaulted and left with torn clothes,” said the woman, detailing the horror. Christian activists have been sharing disturbing footage of the attack on social media.

    Following the attacks, Father Mukhtar conducted a meeting of parish committee members on May 16 at St. Thomas Church, gathered statements of the injured and filed a complaint at the local police station.

    The local deputy superintendent of police visited the site and assured locals that a first information report (FIR) would be registered against the assailants under Section 452 (house trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

    Meanwhile, Osman Khalid Butt also urged the Federal Minister to take notice and protect religious minorities in the country.

  • Mahira Khan says she was scared of doing Indian projects

    Mahira Khan says she was scared of doing Indian projects

    Mahira Khan has opened up about the ban on Pakistani artists in India, saying said she was “scared” to sign web series on Indian platforms.

    Talking about the ban on Pakistani artists, Mahira in an interview with Film Companion, said: “I guess, having experienced it firsthand, it’s just sad. When I think about it… I mean, we have all moved on.”

    “That’s what we do, if we don’t have this, we do something else. That’s what happens. But I feel like a great opportunity for the entire subcontinent to come together and collaborate was lost. I think it might happen again. Who knows?” continued the actor.

    Khan, who will narrate one of the short stories, Guriya in an upcoming Zee5 series, said that she received offers for other digital projects but turned them down.

    “A lot of the other series were offered to me and at that time… I don’t know if anybody will understand when I say this, I was scared. I was genuinely just scared. It wasn’t about what people say, I was just like, ‘I don’t know if I want to go there.’ And there was some content which was amazing, and I didn’t want to miss out on it,” shared the actor.

  • Pakistani celebrities raise voice against Israeli atrocities in Palestine

    Pakistani celebrities raise voice against Israeli atrocities in Palestine

    With the nonstop bombardment of missiles by Israelis and destruction of Palestinian homes, offices, security buildings and residential property, nearly 200 Palestinians have been killed, including 58 children, in the Gaza Strip as Israeli monstrosities enter the second week.

    People across the world including Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik are raising their voices for the Palestinians with Pakistani celebrities too using their social media presence to call out atrocities of Israeli military on innocent people.

    Read more – Mahira Khan, Babar Azam, Maya Ali among others condemn Israeli brutality in Palestine

    “Can you imagine kissing your child to sleep and not knowing if you all will see them again? That’s the reality of life in Palestine right now. That’s the horror those children, those innocent beings live in,” said Ayeza Khan. “My heart aches to even think about this. We can’t do much. But we do have a voice. And together, we can use it to stop the cruelties on our brothers and sisters.”

    Taking to Instagram, Mahira Khan wrote: “If we remain silent, there is blood on our hands too.”

    “Free Palestine,” she added.

    Maya Ali also took to Instagram and wrote: “All of my prayers are with the Palestinians.

    She also prayed for the people of Palestine. “O Allah, please help, protect and support the people in Palestine and ease their pains and sufferings. Ameen!”

    Maya added: “I’ve been absolutely speechless and heart broken of seeing the horrifying attacks on the innocent people of #Palestine. Its high time that we all come together, raise our voices and spread awareness about the current situation in Palestine. When the world unites, miracles happen!”

    Sharing a viral video of a Palestinian girl questioning what her fault is and whether it is fair to attack them like this, Ayesha Omar said: “No it’s not. It’s not fair. It’s not fair. It’s not human.”

    https://twitter.com/ayesha_m_omar/status/1393891986055249921?s=19

    Yasir Hussain also expressed his sadness over the situation, saying: “Khamosh rehny waly tamaam Muslim mumaalik ye bhool rhy hain k aisa unky sath bhi ho sakta hai. Hamen khamoshi ki aadat dali ja rahi hai.“

    Bilal Abbas Khan also shared pictures of protestors demanding to save Palestine from injustice and apartheid of Israel.

    Read more – Asim Azhar, Shahid Afridi, Farhan Saeed call out Israel’s atrocities against Palestinians

    Other celebrities including Feroze Khan, Haroon Shahid, Shehzad Roy, Zara Noor Abbas and Hania Aamir among others also rose their voice and called out Israeli violence on Palestinians.

    Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) Security Council met on Sunday to discuss the violence but failed to agree on even a joint statement of concern.

  • Mahira Khan, Azaan Sami Khan turn up the heat in ‘Tu’

    Mahira Khan, Azaan Sami Khan turn up the heat in ‘Tu’

    Azaan Sami Khan has released the music video for Tu, the second single from his debut album titled Main Tera. Featuring Mahira Khan, the song has been released under the banner of HUM Music.

    The music video of the song has been made like a short film and is packed with special effects which are enhanced thanks to Mahira and Azaan’s sizzling chemistry. It shows a couple’s journey from early romance and infatuation to overwhelming feelings of love. Mahira is looking like a total diva in the video and the two are turning up the heat with their dance moves. The song is very upbeat and catchy and will have you tapping your feet.

    Speaking about the song, Azaan in a statement said that the song “lyrically revolves around the stages of being in love, and the dilemma that comes with falling for somebody who you know isn’t good for you.”

    The musician shared that Micheal Jackson’s Billie Jean was the inspiration for the track and that he wanted to do a “lyrically solemn song with an upbeat tune”.

    While speaking about the music video, Azaan said: “It was basically delving into the stages of love you feel when you’re falling in love with somebody. So, you feel bigger than the world, and at times, you feel really small when the person completely controls you. You feel like you’re literally falling, and enjoying it.”

    The music video for the song has been directed by Hassan Dawar and features tonnes of visual effects by The KROOT, an animation studio that has previously worked with international artists like Billie Eilish, Coldplay, and Travis Scott.

    Meanwhile, Azaan’s debut album Main Tera includes nine songs, namely Maahiya, Dholna, Mein Tera, Jaadugari, Aashiqui, Ik Lamha, Meri Sajna Re feat. Ustaad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Zama, and Tu.

    Watch the music video here:

  • Mahira Khan, Babar Azam, Maya Ali among others condemn Israeli brutality in Palestine

    With Jerusalem under attack, people across the world are raising their voice against human rights violations by Israeli police against the people of Palestine. As per reports, at least 24 people were killed including 9 children in the recent air raids on Gaza.

    Tensions escalated in Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and Gaza throughout the month of Ramzan, amid growing anger about potential forced expulsions of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah, on land claimed by illegal Jewish settler, Al Jazeera has reported.

    Several Pakistani celebrities including Mahira Khan, Ahsan Khan, Maya Ali, Feroze Khan and Amir Khan have condemned the Israeli brutality in Palestine and called for the world to take action.

    “Call it out. Call it what it is. Terrorism,” said Mahira Khan, adding Palestinian Lives Matter.

    “The world is standing by and witnessing a massacre in the whole month of Ramzan in Jerusalem,” said Ahsan. “Allah will not forgive us if [we] remain silent.”

    https://twitter.com/Ahsankhanuk/status/1391849619282440200

    Internationally acclaimed boxing champion Amir Khan also stood in solidarity with the people of Palestine by putting up the flag of Palestine in his home in the United Kindgom (UK).

    Praying for the people of Palestine, captain of the Pakistan cricket team Babar Azam said: “We just have to be human to stand up for humanity.”

    Feroze Khan, Sami Khan and Muhammad Amir expressed their support by using trending hashtags to give more traction to the cause.

    Neelum Muneer, Naimal Khawar, Ali Rehman Khan and Faysal Quraishi were also among those who condemned the violence in Palestine.

    “Where is the justice?,” questioned Sheheryar Munawar.

    Earlier, Asim Azhar, Shahid Afridi and Farhan Saeed also called out Israel for their atrocities against the people of Palestine.

    Meanwhile, the Government of Pakistan and Prime Minister Imran Khan have also condemned the incident and have “reiterated their support for the Palestinian people.”

  • Mahira Khan to turn storyteller for Zee’s ‘Yaar Julahay’

    Mahira Khan to turn storyteller for Zee’s ‘Yaar Julahay’

    Mahira Khan is all set to be seen again on Indian screens with Yaar Julahay, a series of dramatic readings that will air on Zee Theatre.

    According to reports in the Indian media, Mahira will feature in the opening episode of the 12-part Zee Theatre series, which will be airing next week. She will be reading Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi’s classic story, Guriya.

    Guriya follows two best friends Mehra and Bano. Bano has a doll (Guriya) that resembles Mehra, but the latter doesn’t like that doll at all. With time, their fondness and hate for the doll grows. Towards the end comes an unexpected twist that unfolds the mystery around the doll.

    Yaar Julahay also brings to life stories of legendary Urdu and Hindi writers such as Gulzar, Saadat Hasan Manto, Ismat Chughtai, Munshi Premchand, Amrita Pritam, Qurratulain Haider, Balwant Singh, Asad Muhammad Khan, Ghulam Abbas, Rajinder Singh Bedi and Intezar Hussain.

    Read more – Pakistanis can no longer subscribe to Zee5

    Other readers who are part of the series include Sarmad Khoosat, Sarwat Gilani, Nimra Bucha, Yasra Rizvi, Fawad Khan, Sania Saeed, Irfan Khoosat, Samiya Mumtaz, and Faisal Qureshi.

    Humsafar maker Sarmad Khoosat, who is directing as well as reading, said in a statement that the series is inspired by ‘Dastangoi‘, a tradition of creating and telling stories that defines South Asia.

    “We have interpreted Dastangoi in a contemporary way and there is also live and recorded music along with suggestive details articulating the theme of the story. For instance, when I directed Mahira Khan for Guriya, the set was strewn with dolls. They created an eerie atmosphere that augmented the narration and enhanced the mood of the reading”, he added.

    Read more – The ‘Churails’ are the superheroes we wish we had

    Chief Creative Officer Special Projects ZEE Shailja Kejriwal, while speaking about the project said: “Each episode of Yaar Julahay features the immersive reading of a remarkable story that is as unique and complex as the subcontinent we live in. Each one of the featured writers has processed reality through characters that we can still identify with.”

    “It was a joy to work on these classic tales with Kanwal and Sarmad Khoosat because we have collaborated with them before and they always approach a project with a certain artistic sensitivity and deep respect for the material they are working with. Their sensibility was needed for a project as unique as this,” she added.

    The first episode of the series featuring Mahira is expected to air on May 15, 2021.