As social media users and human rights activists rally across the world for a free Palestine with an end to the genocide, several Twitter users in the past week were critical of Pakistani actresses who were silent. Mahira Khan was a target of such accusations when a post on her X (formerly Twitter) account went viral with users accusing her of playing both sides. The actress wrote about praying for peace and humanity to triumph over evil.
Prayers for those suffering.. those who have lost their children, their entire families, those who don’t have homes, those who are in pain every single second.. and especially for those who are ignorant and misinformed about the suffering around them. May the universe be kind to…
A user in the comments section slammed the actress for posting a vague message so that she can continue working in Hollywood, to which Mahira responded bluntly. “Uhhh I call it loud and clear. Sit down. Use your time to pray for Palestine.”
Uhhh I call it loud and clear. Sit down. use your time to pray for Palestine. https://t.co/1YVhNNxCKO
Over the past week, the ‘Humsafar’ actress has used her social media account to consistently share updates on the on-going genocide in Gaza, where the death toll has reached to 4200 civilians as reported by Al-Jazeera. She has also shared clips of activists and scholars who condemned Israel’s apartheid-like policies towards the Palestinian community.
Actress Nawal Saeed recently appeared as a guest on Momin Saqib’s show ‘Had Kar Di’ where she completely shocked audiences by revealing she has recieved flirtatious messages from Pakistani cricketers.
The actress said that she had not taken screenshots but still had the messages in her phone, hilariously pointing out the absurdity in the matter:
“You’re representing Pakistan and you have a blue tick on your profile. How are you randomly messaging any girl and praising her?” Nawal laughed, further adding that this was not the right thing to do.
When Momin asked what the actress says to the cricketers, Saeed said she tells them she will pray for them. “You are representing Pakistan with your green shirts. Please don’t do this it looks weird.”
Nawal did not reveal the names of the cricketers who had sent her messages.
Mahira Khan has uploaded a video of the Qawali night held at PC Bhurban during her wedding celebrations. Among the star-studded celebrity guests was her Humsafar co-star Fawad Khan.
Mahira Khan continues to enthrall social media audiences with her graceful outfits and her gorgeous glow as she danced the night away celebrating her marriage to Salim Karim. We’re ranking all of our favorite looks Pakistan’s sweetheart wore during the festivities.
Looking like a sunflower in her Elan saari, we’re putting this one on top of our list.
Talk your talk, whatever, but we’re ready to die on this hill because Mahira proves you don’t need flashy photography, cakey makeup and an emerald encrusted jora to look like the belle of the ball. She looks picturesque in this elegant yellow sari made by Khadija Shah. Also with her hair in a pigtail and her glowing face, this is going to be the look women will sought to recreate for their weddings.
Second one will obviously be her Faraz Mannan gown which put the world in standstill
This was the look that had to be the highlight of celebrity weddings this year. Mahira looked absolutely breath taking in the ivory ensemble crafted with silver embroidery, paired with an elegant, no makeup look and a diamond set.
If pastels were the theme for the nikkah, then you end the wedding celebrations with a bang wearing a poppy color like red. Mahira looked gorgeous in this lengha choli by Zara Shahjahan, looking equally glamed up and classy at the same time.
Mahira stayed true to keeping things classy yet elegant for her wedding as she started the celebrations with her Bismillah where she wore a gorgeous two piece ensemble from Umar Sayeed couture.
This is definitely a good color to wear, but personally Mahira looks better in pastels than she does in dull colors. It’s a pretty outfit, but had the silver craft been replaced with gold or green it would have been among our top three favorite looks worn by the actress.
As the Palestine-Israel conflict rages on in the Middle East, several celebrities have come forward in favor of the Palestine struggle or against it.
Rapper Talha Anjum took to Twitter to share how social media users should not encourage the war, as it might further aggravate the oppression Palestinians were already suffering from, leaving users divided.
“An average Pakistani knows how to post praises for Hamas for killing hundreds of Israeli soldiers/citizens but isn’t smart enough to realise what’s stored in for Palestinians in coming days. 600 already dead. Stop glorifying wars. Grow the f*** up!!”
An average Pakistani knows how to post praises for Hamas for killing hundreds of Israeli soldiers/citizens but isn’t smart enough to realise what’s stored in for Palestinians in coming days. 600 already dead. Stop glorifying wars. Grow the fuck up!!
Many users sided with the ‘Gumaan’ rapper, as one user wrote: “I tend to agree to this to some extent. These praises aren’t for Hamas, these praises are for the fightback. but yeah, things were already bad and are about to get worse for Palestinians. Prayers for Palestine.”
I tend to agree to this to some extent. These praises aren’t for Hamas, these praises are for the fightback. but yeah, things were already bad and are about to get worse for Palestinians. Prayers for Palestine ✊#PrayForPalestine#PrayForPeacehttps://t.co/29lu3L43ia
While other user’s felt that Talha’s statement was extremely problematic as a user wrote: “No one knows this better than the Palestinians. Imagine the desperation of them to fight like this as a last resort! If peace talks ever worked they would have done it a long time ago. Each and every time Israel has broken their contract. They would never be liberated w/o war”
No one knows this better than the Palestinians. Imagine the desperation of them to fight like this as a last resort! If peace talks ever worked they would have done it a long time ago. Each and every time Israel has broken their contract. They would never be liberated w/o war
Another user wrote: “Bhai rebellion against oppression..which the people of Palestine have been facing since years now isn’t w@r and Hamas doens’t even have the resources to compete with Israel atm ..what are you even saying ..the only ones suffering were and are suffering now are Palestinians.”
Bhai rebellion against oppression..which the people of Palestine have been facing since years now isn’t w@r and Hamas doens’t even have the resources to compete with Israel atm ..what are you even saying ..the only ones suffering were and are suffering now are Palestinians https://t.co/NQBrmZySpv
Talha Anjum’s take alone did not trigger a debate about the conflict. Screenwriter and ex-wife of former prime minister Imran Khan, Jemima, shared on Twitter that she was standing in favour of innocent human beings who were killed in this war.
“I stand with the innocent human beings on both sides of this conflict, especially the children. Condemn both.”
I stand with the innocent human beings on both sides of this conflict, especially the children.
While others accused the ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ filmmaker of playing on both sides and refusing to take a solid stance against Israel’s senseless massacre of countless Palestinian civilians. On another post where Jemima shared a quote saying “I stand with international law and human rights. There is no humanity in political tribalism”, most of the comments from Pakistanis were overwhelmingly negative.
lol what the hell is this non statement. the all lives matter jumped out https://t.co/kK8ozTXNLt
First time they are up with international law and human rights… never stood with Palestinians when Israel was violating international laws and human rights.. Hypocrites. https://t.co/8hR6AXMvkd
Actress Mahira Khan has kept us enthralled with a steady stream of wedding pictures on her Instagram account, emphasizing the dedication and love that went into planning the looks. She moved social media users last by sharing how she honoured the women in her family by starting the wedding ceremony with a prayer, as per her mother’s wish, and wore a motia in her ear to commemorate her dadi.
Now Mahira has shared pictures of her Mehndi ceremony, and added how she honoured her best friend Asim Raza by wearing a string of motias in both her arms, “he is Asim and I’m his mahiru.. forever InshAllah.”
As war rages on in Gaza, celebrities from Pakistan came forth in throngs to extend their solidarity to the Palestinian community, offering prayers to see them free from the oppressive Israeli occupation.
Celebrities from Pakistan arrived in throngs to extend their solidarity to the Palestinian community, and are praying in their lifetimes to see a free country removed from the oppressive Israeli reign.
Actress Saba Qamar wrote the rallying cry for Palestinian freedom: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”
From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free! InshaAllah
Actress Armeena Khan lauded the bravery of the Palestinian people who were prepared to fight with all they had for their freedom.
“The Palestinians, in my opinion are the bravest people on planet earth. Zero support and the entire world against them. My God, I am terrified for the little children about to lose their lives. Sigh..”
The Palestinians, in my opinion are the bravest people on planet earth. Zero support and the entire world against them. My God, I am terrified for the little children about to lose their lives. Sigh..
Actress and VJ Anoushay Ashraf prayed that the international community would do more to help the Palestinian cause:
“Goodness violence begets violence..I wish the world would do more to help Palestinian’s cause so we wouldn’t see such bloodshed.”
Actress Ushna Shah expressed her disappointment with how many celebrities and politicians she had to unfollow after witnessing their reaction to the ongoing genocide of Palestinians
“The amount of Hollywood celebrities and propaganda news publications I’ve had to unfollow…” she tweeted.
The amount of Hollywood celebrities and propaganda news publications I’ve had to unfollow…
The Lux Style Awards were met with criticism this year, with major film and drama actors speaking out against the unfair selection process that only seemed to recognise few of the best projects that came out this year. The production team behind the critically acclaimed film ‘The Legend Of Maula Jatt’ had justified their reason for not sending their nomination for the awards in a statement, that criticised the lack of categories honouring film directors and writers, “disregarding their major and substantial creative contributions, while including one for best playback song doesn’t resonate with our vision for comprehensive film recognition. Therefore, we’ve decided not to make an exception in this case.”
Several fans expressed their disappointment on Wahaj Ali’s, pointing out that the actor was not nominated despite having submitted his portfolio for the drama series ‘Jo Bichar Gaye’.
Actress Sajal Aly took to Instagram to call out the selection jury, suggesting ways to improve their criteria so that deserving performances are given due credit. She questioned why several actors who gave excellent performances this year including Zara Noor Abbas for ‘Badshah Begum’ or Ushna Shah for ‘Habs’ weren’t given awards.
“It is greatly dissapointing to me as an artist that LSA routinely ignores other artists who are doing great work. For example, Mehwish Hayat who was great in London Nahi Jaunga’. Zara Noor Abbas for ‘Badshah Begum’ and Ushna Shah for ‘Habs’. Who exactly are the jury members, do they watch our shows even? Or do they simply choose who is popular? It is one thing not to win an award but to simply be ignored even if you have done great work is heartbreaking!”
Moving on, the ‘Kuch Ankahi’ actress requested the Lux Style Awards to include categories honouring the technical teams “who create magic for us, us actors and for the audiences who see us.”
Lastly, the ‘Ye Dil Mera’ actress expressed her disappointment at Wahaj Ali’s snub from the Lux Style Awards, and called for a seperate category honouring supporting actors in films and actors to be set up.
‘My third request is: please add a way/caetgory to honor supporting actors. We have great actors who make our plays stronger because of their contributions. Let’s appreciate them please. PS: How could Jo Bichar Gaye not even be nominated?”
Sajal Aly was not the only actress who expressed her disdain at the jury board, but Farhan Saeed, who was nominated for his performance in drama ‘Mere Humsafar’, but then lost to Arsalan Naseer for ‘Paristaan’, called out the awards in an Instagram post for refusing to honour actors for their hard work.
“If you had to fix it , it could have been done intelligently at least #LSA2023 ! I don’t say this for myself but for anyone who deserves a fair chance at winning for their hard work at any platform, I say this to encourage ppl who aspire to join our industry! I say this to keep people’s faith in us intact ! Nevertheless Your Love Is The Biggest Award I Have !! Congratulations to all the winners!”
Mahira Khan is currently sharing more pictures of the intimate wedding festivities where only her close friends and family members were present. Yesterday, she shared pictures of the mayoun her childhood best friends had thrown for her, thanking them in the caption for showering immense love and joy for her special day.
“So when I told my friends about the wedding,” the ‘Raees superstar wrote on Instagram. “I also laid out a few ‘requests’. This is how they went –
Me – Guys please I’m too old for dances, can we not have dances ? Friends – No. we have to. M – Ok just one? F – Hell No. M – Ok please no dholkis before Bhurban. We should all just chill. F – talk to the ✋
As time came close and they all were over everyday.. I realised they just wanted to celebrate me and us. My childhood friends, work friends, my cousins… had seen it all with me – held me when I was down and clapped when I succeeded. I had done the same with them.
To these insanely amazing humans I call family. I love you all so freaking much. Alhumdulillah. MashAllah. ”
Here are some of the people present in the pictures, whom Mahira calls her closest friends. The people present are makeup artists Anam Farooq Khan, Adnan Ansari and Babar Zaheer, stylist Nida Khan, and Mahira’s former manager Seher Hafeez. Among her childhood friends are Feeha Jamshed, Sana Hafeez Shaikh, Narood Dharani and Sarah Ajmal.
The celebrities present in the picture are Momal Sheikh, who is currently starring in Mahira’s drama ‘Razia’, as well as singer and actor Azaan Sami Khan.
Mahira’s childhood friend and fashion designer Feeha Noor Jamshed shared a message on Tuesday about how she was the one who linked up Mahira and Salim together eight years ago, writing that she ‘manifested this union’.
Among the celebrities present, actor Sheheryar Munawar was invited to the actress’s wedding reception, and on his Instagram he penned a long note celebrating his friendship with Mahira and gushed about her gorgeous wedding.
“Meri Pyari Muni,
From our first meeting a decade ago when you asked me who i was and what business i had being there ( you have a knack for setting the tone in the first meeting ) to dancing all night and pouring our hearts out to each other, knowing we both have “halka paits” … “but mahira this one you can’t tell anyone” – “sherry i’ll kill you if you tell anyone – and i mean ANYONE” , From having different methods and annoying each other on sets to being each others confidants and support system on the toughest ones. From Competing to be @asimrazatvf favourite child to standing up for each other when it comes to everyone else – it’s been a beautiful journey, one i wouldn’t want to be on with anyone else. As you embark on a new journey, here’s celebrating you and wishing you all the love and magic the universe has to offer ! Even though i’ve shared the wedding stage with you on film so many times and was making fun of people for crying at the mehndi – seeing you walk down that aisle had me bawling you and saleem both looked beautiful and you both lucked out ❤
Actor and former singer Ahmed Ali Butt has released the first episode of his podcast series ‘Excuse Me’, featuring comedian and host of ‘Hasna Mana Hai’, Tabish Hashmi. A clip from the episode is going viral in which Tabish opened up about the time he performed stand- up comedy in colleges, stating that the main purpose of such events was to pick people from crowds and mock something about them.
“This was 2009-2010, we were all misogynist, mocking people for skin tone, body shaming them and even for short height,” remarked the comedian. “We didn’t know what we were doing was wrong.”
To which, Ahmed Ali Butt responded that this kind of comedy was not wrong at all, elaborating:
“I don’t think such a thing as this is wrong. Comedy is always done at the expense of others. Otherwise you shouldn’t do comedy at all.”
