Sports presenter Zainab Abbas has left India, citing safety concerns after an Indian anti-minority lawyer filed a complaint against her over ‘anti-Hindu’ tweets. Her exit was met with severe criticism from Pakistani celebrities who expressed their disappointment at the lack of their country’s representatives at the World Cup.
Director Nabeel Qureshi slammed Zainab’s departure as “ridiculous”, saying that already few fans and journalists from Pakistan are present in India.
“This is the limit! Ridiculous, already so many fans and journalists are not getting a visa’s either.”
Actor and singer Ahmed Ali Butt called it a pathetic move to target professional women.
“A very pathetic move from a very pathetic world cup. Seriously!! We shoudl BAN going such Pathetic Hosting countries who target professional women.”
According to the lawyer Vineet Jindal, the tweets were posted approximately nine years ago under the username zainablovessrk, which afterwards changed to ZAbbasofficial, and is currently the active account of the sports presenter.
The upcoming anthology film ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’ is bringing together a star-studded cast with some of the biggest directors and actors for three short films which will be directed by Nadeem Baig, Nabeel Qureshi and Marina Khan.
The film will feature diverse tales from the minds of storytellers like Khalil-ul-Rehman Qamar, Vasay Chaudhry, Ali Abbas Naqvi and Basit Naqvi. Pakistan’s biggest stars like Wahaj Ali, Mehwish Hayat, Shehryar Munawar, Ramsha Khan, Hira and Mani are cast in lead roles, making it one of Pakistan’s biggest creative collaborations.
The Current spoke to veteran actress, director and producer Marina Khan, one of the directors helming the project. We asked her how this collaboration came into being, and she revealed that originally, Qureshi had made a short film for See Prime. But the production house decided to expand it into an anthology film by reaching out to Baig and then her:
“Nabeel had been making a short film for See Prime, which turned out nicely, and they did not want to only upload it on YouTube. So the team of See Prime approached Nadeem for the second film, who reached out to me for the third film.”
The film features three unique stories with a different cast. Nadeem Baig will be narrating a classical love story “Aik Sau Taeswaan” written by Khalil-ul-Rehman Qamar, which will star Mehwish Hayat and Wahaj Ali. Nabeel Qureshi will helm a ghost story “Jin Mahal” which will feature celebrity couple Hira and Mani, while Khan will be directing a modern love story “Pasoori” which will star Ramsha Khan and Sheheryar Munawar. Speaking on what her short film is about, the ‘Dhoop Kinare’ actress revealed:
“It is the story of a girl whose childhood dream has come true. But, she now has to make a choice between the dream or her wedding day.”
Nadeem Baig was also contacted by See Prime for the idea of an anthology film. Speaking to The Current, he said he was also looking forward to watch it in the theatre.
Discussing the casting choice behind his short film, which will feature a classical love story between the main leads, the ‘Kuch Ankahi’ director revealed that he felt that there would be good chemistry between Mehwish and Wahaj:
“I thought Wahaj would suit the character and I thought he and Mehwish would have quite interesting chemistry, and I hope it works for the audience as well.”
Feature films Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad and London Nahi Jaunga received commercial and critical success at the box office on Eid-ul-Azha. However now these successful films have become a victim of piracy, a widely and eternally decried practice affecting film and entertainment businesses worldwide.
The pirated version of these films is being sold on Pakistan’s biggest online shopping website, Daraz.
Actor Mahira Khan and director Nabeel Qureshi took to their Twitter handles to express their shock and anger on the app’s stint. Nabeel even announced that he will pursue the legal route
Theor film was being sold with a meager price tag in the name of “Azadi Sale”.
Innumerable copies of both films have been sold on the website of the shopping giant, as is evident from the comments section of the website. And it is surprising that such a huge platform would commit a such blatant violation of Pakistan’s piracy laws.
It is pertinent to mention that Daraz is owned by the multi-billion dollar international giant AliExpress, and that makes AliExpress equally involved in this case.
The makers of forthcoming film Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad starring Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan recently released the first song of their film, Loota Rey.
The leading pair exudes good chemistry, despite working for the first time together. They compliment each other visually and yet stay true to their parts.
A very colourful and fun track with the lead pair oozing impressive chemistry, Loota Rey is a vibrant display of ‘sing and dance’ culture on a mammoth scale. With the music by Shani Arshad, and Aima Baig and Asrar Shah helming the vocals, the song is upbeat, has loads of masala, and is extremely peppy as well.
Choreographer Nigah Jee has choreographed easy yet enjoyable hook steps.
Mahira Khan looks breathtakingly gorgeous whereas Fahad Mustafa brings his superstardom and charisma on-screen. All in all, the song is as fun as it is entertaining.
The film is set to release in cinemas all across Pakistan on Eid-ul-Azha this year.
Written by Fizza Ali Meerza and directed by Nabeel Qureshi, it is touted to be amongst the costliest film productions of Pakistan till date.
Ghalib Market police in Lahore have lodged a case against social media sensation Nabeel Akram aka Bhola Record under section 376 on the complaint of a victim.
Shaista Talib, a resident of Lahore, said that Nabeel called her to a private hotel and sexually assaulted her. Further investigations are underway in light of the victim’s statements.
Bhola Record denied all allegations in a video clip in which he can be seen talking to another person about the incident.
Akram, who achieved fame through indecent videos with girls in a foreign country, said the whole matter is a failed attempt to defame him.
Sharing his side of the story, Nabeel said the complainant earlier hurled such allegations about Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid and controversial personality Mufti Qavi.
He added that he never forced or blackmailed the woman to meet him, she wanted to marry me, he said. ‘Bhola Record’ mentioned that he filmed some videos with her during the stay at the private accommodation facility.
The case is the second in a row as earlier ‘Bhola Record’ was apprehended by police for raping another girl back in 2018. The complainant, who was a resident of Wazirabad, said Nabeel lured him for a job and sexually assaulted her at his residence.
A-list director Nabeel Qureshi took to his Instagram stories and lashed out at the TikToker.
Nabeel is currently gearing up for his forthcoming biggie Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad starring Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan.
Speaking to The Current, Nabeel had shared that the film will be a satirical action-comedy, something along the lines of their previous film Actor in Law. Fahad had said that the film will feature action sequences that have never been tried before in Pakistan and that he performed all the stunts himself.
“We have tried to pull off Mission Impossible type stuff in Pakistan with Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad,” said the actor. “I endured multiple injuries while performing these stunts. My heel was injured throughout the course of filming and I couldn’t even walk properly but still, I did all the stunts myself and no double was used.”
Khel Khel Mein starring Bilal Abbas Khan and Sajal Aly became the first Pakistani film to release post the pandemic and it has brought the life back to cinemas which were witnessing a lull since the last two years.
Based on the fall of Dhaka, the film has garnered good word of mouth from the public.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIprxEg5AQg
The film has collected a total of 1.85 croresin its first week which considering the limited screens it got and being the first film to come out post the pandemic is a good enough result.
Daily breakdown:
Friday: 28lacs
Saturday: 60lacs
Sunday: 42lacs
Monday: 14lacs
Tuesday: 15lacs
Wednesday: 14lacs
Thursday: 12lacs
Total:1.85 crore
The numbers indicate two positive factors for the film, a massive jump on Saturday and it has maintained approximately 50% of Fridays collections on weekdays.
The film opened in a few overseas markets and was able to collect a total of 65 lacs in the first week. With this the Nabeel Qureshi directorial currently stands at a total of 2.5 croresworldwide.
With little competition in week two, the film is set to add more business in its Kitty. Even with moderate business, it will be remembered for starting the cinema going experience all over again.
The leading lady of the film, Sajal exclusively told The Current about her experience of working in the film.
Morning show host Nida Yasir is known to hit back at the trolls. The Nadaniyaan star recently trended on social media due to a blunder regarding Formula cars that she made on live television.
After trending for days over a throwback F1 racing car video, Nida has finally addressed the ongoing debacle post that clip has resurfaced on social media.
In 2016, the morning show host had invited two NUST students who had invented their own Formula 1 racing car.
The super talented duo Abdul Aleem and Mohammad Shariq Waqar had joined the host in hopes to shed light on their project but were left puzzled by the host’s questions.
As Twitter basked in the meme glory, netizens trolled Nida over her ‘poorly’ researched interview.
Now, the Uff yeh biwian diva has responded to the controversy by saying, “After watching the clip, I’m laughing at myself, I find the interview hilarious. This was a mistake though. I will make sure that I research first before discussing any topic.”
“I’ve done several important shows, whose feedback has been very positive. However, no one ever talks about that or makes it viral. That really demotivates me.”, she concluded.
Actor In Law fame director Nabeel Qureshi criticised the morning show host, saying: “One can always do small research before inviting the guest.”
Aadi Adeal amjad also turned to Instagram stories to school her.
On the work front, Nida was praised for her performance in the telefilm Uff Yeh Biwiyaan and its sequel alongside Shaista Lodhi.
Star director Nabeel Qureshi has impressed the web with his witty replies in a question and answer session on his offcial Instagram handle.
Taking to Instagram stories, Nabeel gave humrous replies to fan questions:
In another post, a fan asked when will QAZ come? He said: “Ab toh muje bhi nahi pata.”
He jokingly replied to a fan who asked about the reason for casting actor Bilal Abbas Khan in his forthcoming film: “Istekhara Kiya tha bhai.”
A fan quipped him on the trailer of Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad to which he replied: “Cinemas to Khul jayen?“
On being asked about the release chronology of his films, he hillariously responded by saying: “Adhi Adhi.. Interval se pehle QAZ, interval ke baadKKM.”
The Actor in Law director also shared that once KKM will be released in theaters, it will be released on an OTT platform as well.
Many fans lauded the Load Wedding director for his directorial skills amidst the session.
On the work front, Nabeel is waiting to release two feature films, Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad and Khel Khel Mein starring A-list stars.
Nabeel Qureshi has revealed that his upcoming project Khel Khel Mein featuring Bilal Abbas Khan and Sajal Aly will be a historical drama.
Responding to a follower during a question & answer session on Instagram, Qureshi revealed that Khel Khel Mein is “something different from my previous movies” and will be a historical drama.
Responding to other questions related to the lead pair, Qureshi shared that he had an amazing experience working with Khan and that Sajal was his first choice for the film.
Meanwhile, other details about the new project have been kept tightly under wraps and are limited. The actors had earlier expressed their excitement over the film while announcing the news on social media.
“Bismillah,” Sajal had said while sharing a picture of the script, while Bilal had said: “Working with the finest producer/director duo in the country for the first time. Iss baar milte hain theatre mei.”
Speaking about Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa’s Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad that was expected to hit cinemas on Eid ul Azha 2020, Qureshi shared that he plans to release the film this year.
Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad has been directed by Nabeel and produced by Fizza Ali Meerza. A teaser for the film had also been released earlier.
Qureshi also mentioned that there are two upcoming movies that are pending for release.
After teasing the fans with stills from the film and behind the scenes, Filmwala Pictures has finally dropped the teaser of Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad.
The short teaser is packed with action, muscle flexes, and fire cracking chemistry between the two leads. We already know that Fahad Mustafa will be playing a ‘dirty cop’ in the film and the teaser shows him jump on cars and crack skulls in his uniform. The teaser is catchy and exciting and the film promises to be a rollercoaster ride.
Featuring Mahira Khan and Fahad in the lead, Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad has been directed by Nabeel Qureshi and produced by Fizza Ali Meerza. The duo has previously delivered hits including Load Wedding and Actor in Law – both of which had Fahad in the lead.
Speaking to The Current, Nabeel had shared that the film will be a satirical action-comedy – something along the lines of their previous film Actor in Law. Fahad had said that the film will feature action sequences that have never been tried before in Pakistan and that he performed all the stunts himself.
“We have tried to pull off Mission Impossible type stuff in Pakistan with Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad,” said the actor. “I endured multiple injuries while performing these stunts. My heel was injured throughout the course of filming and I couldn’t even walk properly but still, I did all the stunts myself and no double was used.”
The film was scheduled to hit screens on Eidul Azha but because of the coronavirus lockdown, its release was delayed. Latest reports have suggested that the film’s makers are eyeing a December 2020 release now.
