Tag: Pakistani Celebrities

  • ‘Every frame is a painting’; Heeramandi captivates audiences

    ‘Every frame is a painting’; Heeramandi captivates audiences

    Netflix’s new series, ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,’ is now available on the streaming service. It’s created by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and it’s all about the world of courtesans. People have had lots to say about it.

    Some love the amazing acting and catchy music, while others have questions about how the show was put together.

    One person shared their thoughts on social media about the show, praising the acting, saying, “Heeramandi has to be congratulated for its pitch-perfect acting by Richa Chadha and the actor playing Ustad Ji. Manisha Koirala as a flawed madam was outstanding. I liked Sonakshi too. Songs were superb.” However, they also felt that the director went a bit too far with the grandeur, saying, “Just wish the director had not overindulged and got carried away by his reputation for grandeur. There’s a thing as ‘give me excess of it so the appetite may sicken and so die.”

    For some people, the series really connected with them because it showed how women faced challenges throughout history. One person said, “People who aren’t familiar with Heeramandi: ‘This is such a powerful story showing the real struggles of Indian women.’” But for others, they were drawn to it more for its beauty. One viewer jokingly said, “When I watch Heeramandi: ‘I want those clothes, that jewelry, and definitely those ghagras”.

    Another user said, “Bhansali made something amazing! Really impressive art, dance, acting, and dialogue. It’s such a delight to see another fantastic movie from the legendary Sanjay Leela Bhansali.”

    Despite all the praise, some people had different opinions. One viewer thought Manisha Koirala did a great job, but they didn’t feel the show was as good overall. They said, “Manisha Koirala was amazing in Heeramandi. But the show itself didn’t impress me much.”

    It’s not just the acting that got people talking. Some moments of deep emotion also stood out. One viewer vividly described a scene with Alamzeb and Tajdar: “Alamzeb writing poetry in her diary, and Tajdar softly guiding her hand towards his chest to use it as a flat surface, I am speechless.”

    And of course, the music got a lot of love too. One viewer was amazed by the teamwork of Shreya Ghoshal and Sanjay Leela Bhansali: “The combination of Shreya Ghoshal and Sanjay Leela Bhansali in ‘Chaudhavi Shab’ is pure magic. Every scene looks like a beautiful painting. The visuals are just extraordinary.”

    People really admire Bhansali’s talent. One person said, “No one does it like him.” Another praised Sonakshi, saying, “She was amazing in just one scene of the first episode.”

  • ‘Girls are not display items’, Maya Khan on rishta rejections

    ‘Girls are not display items’, Maya Khan on rishta rejections

    A video of actress and TV host Maya Khan talking about how people search for girls for marriage is making rounds on social media and it seems like a lot of people agree with her.

    In the video that got a lot of attention, she talks about how people visit a girl’s house to consider marriage, but they end up not marrying her

    The actress said, “After seeing the girl, the people who come ask the girl’s parents for a few days and then say on the phone that their istikhara is not correct, they cannot have a relationship. In the same way, the girl’s parents get a call from someone else to come to see the girl and then the family asks the girl to stay at home or leave the office early.”

    Maya Khan stated, “The people who come for the second time also do the same, see the girl, leave after drinking tea and water and ask for an answer after a few days.”
    She added, “Calls for girls to see relationships are coming again and again and every time the girls are decorated and dressed like a ready-made item in a showroom.”

    The actress’s video discussing Pakistani culture regarding girls’ relationships became really popular. Users commented on it and agreed with her. They said that some people pretend to pray for guidance (istikhara) when they don’t really intend to marry the girl.

  • Bella Hadid stops modeling: ‘I won’t pretend anymore’

    Bella Hadid stops modeling: ‘I won’t pretend anymore’

    Supermodel Bella Hadid is stepping back from her glamorous career and starting afresh in Texas with her partner, Adan Banuelo.
    “After 10 years of modeling, I realized I was putting so much energy and love into something that, in the long run, wasn’t necessarily giving back to me,” Hadid told Allure magazine, as reported by ‘The Hollywood Reporter’.

    She explained that her life in Texas is different now, with a strong group of friends. She said that she enjoys her time with them without feeling the need to overdo it when getting ready for a night out.

    “For the first time now, I’m not putting on a fake face. If I don’t feel good, I won’t go. If I don’t feel good, I take time for myself… And I’ve never had the opportunity to do that or say that before,” she said.

    Hadid emphasized that when people see her in pictures and say she looks happy, she genuinely is. “I am feeling better; my bad days now were my old good days,” she added.

    Over the past year, Hadid has been quietly working on her mental and physical health. She has opened up about her battle with Lyme disease on social media and has shared that she is “finally healthy.”

  • ECP once again raises concerns over PTI’s intra-party polls

    ECP once again raises concerns over PTI’s intra-party polls

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has raised concerns over the recent intra-party polls of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The electoral body asked PTI to submit a response in written form.

    The PTI’s political future is at risk as the ECP raised concerns that the party is holding central meetings without intra-party polls.

    The ECP asked how various PTI party organisations are working if the intra-party polls have not been held for five years. It was the opinion of the commission that PTI has no structure and no electoral symbol.

    It also objected to the PTI’s new intra-party elections. After the initial hearing on April 30, they told the PTI to submit its response

  • After EMIGALA honor, Mahira Khan thanks family and fans

    After EMIGALA honor, Mahira Khan thanks family and fans

    After winning the ‘Artist in Fashion’ title at the EMIGALA event in Dubai, Mahira Khan shared her excitement on social media. She posted a picture wearing a beautiful blue gown that grabbed everyone’s attention. In her Instagram caption, she expressed gratitude for the positive energy at the event.

    “In moments like this, I feel an overwhelming amount of gratitude,” wrote the star. Mahira included everyone and everything she could think of in her short but heartfelt note. She expressed thanks for life, courage, family, friends, and both big and small blessings, especially saying “Alhamdulillah” for the tender ones.

    Continuing her theme of gratitude, Mahira shared a video of herself holding her award at the gala and giving her acceptance speech.
    “When women support other women, and when people support each other, miracles happen. Magic happens. Sometimes we think we should keep something for ourselves, but the real magic is when we share.”

    She then talked about her career in film and television, saying, “My lifelong dream has been to see myself on the big screen, and I hope to keep doing that. But another important purpose in my life is to do what my parents taught me – to pay it forward. If we’re fortunate enough to be in the positions we’re in, then I believe our job is to help others in any way we can.”

  • Sidhu Moosewala murder suspect Goldy Brar alive and free, US authorities verify

    Sidhu Moosewala murder suspect Goldy Brar alive and free, US authorities verify

    Goldy Brar, the main suspect in the killing of Indian rapper Sidhu Moosewala was falsely reported dead in a shooting in the US. The Fresno Police in California has clarified that the man killed in the firing incident wasn’t Brar.Sidhu Moose Wala – renowned for fusing modern hip-hop and classic Punjabi music – was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in May last year in Mansa, Punjab.

    “At first, it was said that Brar got shot while he was outside a house with a friend. But Fresno Police said it wasn’t true,” Lieutenant William J. Dooley of the Fresno Police Department stated.

    “The confusion came from wrong information on social media and news sites,” Lieutenant Dooley explained. “The person who got shot was actually Satinderjeet Brar, a gangster from Canada with ties to Bollywood and Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang.”

    Satinderjeet Brar, wanted for crimes in Canada, was called a terrorist by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs. He once threatened Bollywood star Salman Khan in a TV interview in 2023.

    During the interview, Brar also admitted to killing Sidhu Moosewala, saying, “Sidhu Moosewala was an egoistic person. He misused his political and money power. It was necessary to teach him a lesson, and he was taught one.” Brar added, “Bhai Sahab (referring to Lawrence Bishnoi) had stated that he wouldn’t apologize. Baba will show mercy only when he feels merciful.” He also asserted that they have more targets, and they won’t stop until they achieve their goal.

  • Final episode of ‘Ishq Murshid’ to premiere in cinemas this Friday

    Final episode of ‘Ishq Murshid’ to premiere in cinemas this Friday

    In an Instagram post on HUM TV’s account, it was revealed that the final episode will be showcased in multiple cinemas across major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and many more.
    Ishq Murshid, starring Durefishan Saleem and Bilal Abbas Khan in the lead roles, has received praise from people all over the world.
    The drama which revolves around the love story of two individuals from different backgrounds, has captured the hearts of millions of viewers worldwide.
    ‘Ishq Murshid’ has gained millions of views on YouTube, showing how much people like it.

    The drama is written by Abdul Khaliq Khan,and directed by Farooq Rind, Ishq Murshid boasts a stellar cast including Omair Rana, Zarmeena Ikram, Samiya Mumtaz, and more.

    The compelling storyline, coupled with stellar performances, has cemented its place as a must-watch drama series.
    Shameer, son of the late politician Zubaida Sikandar, stays out of politics and media. He falls for Shibra, a kind girl studying for CSS exam. Shibra’s family opposes corruption. Shameer disguises himself to win her heart.
    Showing TV shows in theaters is not new. Many famous series have aired their final episodes in cinemas before, including ‘Meray Pas Tum Ho’ and ‘Parizaad’.

  • Aima Baig, Muhammad Shiraz meeting has social media saying awww

    Aima Baig, Muhammad Shiraz meeting has social media saying awww

    Aima Baig, a prominent female artist in the music industry, has showcased her talent across various platforms, from film soundtracks to live performances. She is a sought-after choice for events nationwide, known for her distinctive style and original songs.

    Meanwhile, Muhammad Shiraz has emerged as a rising star in Pakistan, captivating audiences with his charming vlogs and close connection to nature, as well as his bond with his sister Muskan. He regularly shares updates about his life with his followers.

    During a recent launch event, Aima Baig delivered yet another captivating performance, drawing the attention of attendees and fans alike. However, the unexpected highlight of the evening occurred when she crossed paths with Muhammad Shiraz, leading to a surprise encounter captured in a video.

    Here is the meet up:

    This unexpected meeting sparked a variety of reactions from the public, with many expressing their thoughts and opinions on social media.

    Check the comments below:

  • Asim Azhar’s debut album features colabs with big names

    Asim Azhar’s debut album features colabs with big names

    Asim Azhar is getting ready to start a new part of his music career with his first album, ‘Bematlab’, releasing on May. The album will include seven songs, with five being collaborations with other artists.

    Asim Azhar cleared his Instagram feed last week, suggesting big changes in his career. He posted a mysterious message hinting at something new, leaving fans eager for more details. Then, as the countdown started, the 27-year-old revealed the songs on the album, teasing exciting collaborations with both big names in the industry and up-and-coming stars.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Asim Azhar (@asimazhar)

    Familiar names like Talha Anjum and Talhah Yunus, who worked on tracks like ‘Bematlab’and ‘Karma,’ are featured in there. But what really gets fans excited is the promise of new partnerships, especially the collaboration with Hasan Raheem on the song ‘You,’ while Nehaal Naseem will add energy to the album with ‘Mujhsa Na,’ and Umair will appear on ‘Kyun.’

    After being in the music business for 11 years, Asim caused a stir online when he deleted all his Instagram posts on Tuesday, similar to what Taylor Swift did once. Shortly after, he came back with an exciting teaser for his first album.
    The teaser gives a sneak peek into Asim’s life as a musician, from his childhood to his youth, making it clear that fans can expect a personal seven-track album. In the caption, he announced the release date, saying, “A new journey, a new beginning, Bematlab, my debut album.”

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Asim Azhar (@asimazhar)

    Fans and colleagues from the entertainment industry rushed to the post to show their support and best wishes. Asim’s fiancée, Meerub Ali, also joined in, hyping him up with comments like “the most dramatic entry ever” “ap cha gaye hou” (you are everywhere)
    The story of ‘Bematlab’ goes back to Asim’s early days when he gained attention by singing heartfelt covers of Western songs on YouTube. But it was his standout performance in Coke Studio 9 that really put him in the spotlight, showing off his talent and making him a star. Since then, Asim has been delivering hit singles and captivating audiences with his versatile voice and emotional performances in popular dramas.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Asim Azhar (@asimazhar)

    As the release date gets closer, the excitement around ‘Bematlab’ grows, fueled by Asim’s mysterious teasers and the anticipation of fans around the world. May 1 isn’t just the debut of an album; it’s a big moment in Asim’s impressive career.

  • 4 years after TikTok ban, India’s influencers still searching for solid ground

    4 years after TikTok ban, India’s influencers still searching for solid ground

    Choreographer Sahil Kumar found fame showcasing folk dances on TikTok but his profile has been dormant since the video he posted four years ago supporting India’s decision to ban the platform. The world’s most populous country offers a glimpse of what the social media landscape could look like in the United States next year, if a move to block local access to the Chinese-owned short video app goes ahead.

    Several local copycats tried to fill the void left by TikTok’s departure – prompted by a wave of nationalist fervour that followed a border clash between Chinese and Indian troops – but the biggest beneficiaries of the decision were YouTube and Instagram.

    Kumar and many other content creators eventually flocked to those US-owned platforms, but few were able to replicate their earlier followings. “It is difficult to recreate the success elsewhere, because I haven’t got the same engagement on any other platform,” Kumar, 30, told AFP from his studio in Rohtak, a short drive south of the capital New Delhi.

    “It takes years to grow an audience on Instagram and especially on YouTube,” he added. Kumar was an engineer by training but ditched white collar work when he found an audience for his dance routines on TikTok, eventually garnering more than 1.5 million followers.

    His newfound celebrity netted him paid opportunities to choreograph dance numbers for other influencers on the platform and music videos featuring Indian celebrities. But his career was derailed in June 2020 after a deadly clash far from his home on the Himalayan frontier dividing India from China.

    ‘India comes first’ 

    Twenty Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed in the encounter, the deadliest face-off between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in half a century, and two weeks later the app vanished from Apple and Google’s online stores.

    The official government order mandating the removal made no reference to the incident or even China, only saying that TikTok had engaged in activities that were “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India”.

    Kumar said in his final video on the platform that he agreed with the ban, urging those watching to follow him over to Instagram and YouTube. “They must have thought thoroughly before making this decision,” he said in a short speech to camera. “India comes first.”

    Four years later, just under 94,000 people follow him on Instagram – a tiny fraction of his earlier audience – and he laments that his chances to make money have dried up. “For us, the work stopped,” he said.

    TikTok arrived in India years after other established social media platforms, but quickly became a national phenomenon. A year before it was kicked out of the market, the platform said it had more than 200 million users in India – one out of every seven people in the country.

    ‘Everyone was helter-skelter’ 

    “Every influencer, every personality trying to build an online following had to tap into the platform whether or not they liked it,” Viraj Sheth, co-founder of influencer marketing agency Monk Entertainment, told AFP.

    “As soon as we got the news of TikTok getting banned, everyone was helter-skelter.” Several local tech start-ups attempted to capitalise on TikTok’s disappearance by rushing their own short-form video apps to market.

    But it was established US platforms that eventually proved best primed to triumph in the new market. In the first year after the ban, Instagram saw about six million short videos from India posted each day to Reels, its own interface attempting to match TikTok’s content model.

    That compared to 2.5 million videos posted each day to Indian video sharing platform Moj, according to local media reports. Market tracker Statista estimates that more than 362 million people in India use Instagram and 462 million more use YouTube — which rolled out Shorts, its own TikTok rival, the same year as the India ban.

    That compares to a total audience of 250 million people across manifold homegrown video apps, according to estimates by Redseer Strategy Consultants published last November.

    “When TikTok was banned, we were all expecting that there will probably be some other app which will come and take over,” Amiya Swarup of professional services firm EY India told AFP. “But you know, it’s still the Instas and the YouTube Shorts which are still really ruling in terms of short-form videos.”

    While that had been beneficial for their respective parent companies Meta and Google, Sheth of Monk Entertainment said some influencers had struggled to make the transition.

    TikTok’s endless-scroll interface and algorithm are renowned for both matching audiences with the content they want to see and boosting niche content creators, but Sheth said its rivals require a different formula for success.

    “You probably didn’t need to show personality on TikTok as much,” he said. “On a platform like Instagram, that’s not something that replicated that well.”