Tag: Pakistani dramas

  • Social media users share wholesome stories about happy brides after Sarah Majeed shares BTS of ‘Fairytale’

    Social media users share wholesome stories about happy brides after Sarah Majeed shares BTS of ‘Fairytale’

    In celebration of the upcoming episode of ‘Fairy Tale’ where Umeed and Farjaad will finally get married, drama writer Sarah Majeed asked her followers to share stories of how they became happy and excited brides, just like Umeed. Because obviously, happy brides are the prettiest brides and women should be allowed to celebrate their big day the way they want without worrying about being called ‘besharam’ or ‘khandaan ko bandaam kar rahi hai’.

    Social media users rose to the challenge and shared some adorable instances of the times they shattered patriarchal expectations to happily celebrate their wedding days rather than looking like they were attending a funeral.

    A user shared how she clapped back at a relative who told her not to sit close to her husband. At her fricking wedding day!!!

    “Someone sent my cousin on the stage to tell me not to sit so close to my husband (literally right after the nikkah) and laugh with him because “loug kya sochenge?” so I did the exact opposite, pulled him closer, and smiled widely for the pictures while laughing and talking.”

    Another shared how despite being scolded for giggling, the bride continued to laugh and enjoy her wedding day.

    “I was a super chirpy bride, like Umeed. Got told off by an aunty to stop giggling so much but luckily my Farjaad was just as happy & giddy. We were two kids & it was our Fairytale. The constant smiling with heavy jewelry did end up giving me a headache but I never stopped lol.”

    “I was smiling so widely at my engagement that the next day my jaw hurt.” Yahan humein bohat zor se humari ingleness dard kar rahi hai

    We have to add another wholesome happy bride story by actress Nadia Jamil. Responding to a fan’s tweet about her character being similar to Umeed, Jamil said that she had also happily danced at her wedding with her dad the same way Umeed and her father did.

    Remember gals, the goal is to be just like Umeed and be a happy, chirpy bride on your wedding day! It’s your special moment so never let any one try to be a Debby downer and destroy it.

  • ‘People should rise in love’: social media users defend viral Sajal Aly quote about relationships

    ‘People should rise in love’: social media users defend viral Sajal Aly quote about relationships

    Actress Sajal Aly is once again going viral on the internet but for a very absurd reason. A user on X (formerly Twitter) shared a clip of the actress speaking at a red carpet interview.

    When asked about her opinion on relationships, the ‘Ye Dil Mera’ actress said:

    “People will start rising in love instead of falling in love,” responded Sajal. “You know what I mean? You know we say ‘fall in love’, why do you fall in love man? Just rise in love!”

    The user who shared the tweet mocked the actress but other tweeps defended the actress by pointing out ‘rising in love’ is a healthier alternative approach to relationships, where one is encouraged to gain a fresh insight to life after meeting someone new, even by sharing how previously writers and films defending this concept.

    A user shared a quote from Toni Morrison’s book ‘Jazz’ which talked about the same concept of rising in love.

    “Nobody gave you to me. Nobody said that’s the one for you. I picked you out. Wrong time, yep, and doing wrong by my wife. But the picking out, the choosing. Don’t ever think I fell for you, or fell over you. I didn’t fall in love, I rose in it. I saw you and made up my mind. My mind. And I made up my mind to follow you too.”

    Another user shared a quote from the 1999 Bollywood movie ‘Taal’ where a dialogue was: “Pyar Mein Giro Mat Bachche … utho, Rise in Love.”

    Another shared the proclaimed Urdu poet Ahmad Faraz had defended the same concept in an article and spoke about the need to rise in love rather than fall in it.

    Another user shared a clip by screenwriter and producer Jemima Khan, who had also worked with Sajal for ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ and had spoken in an interview about encouraging more women to walk into love rather than fall in it.

    Other users defended the actress’s healthy approach to love by pointing out that it should make people better, not encourage them to submit themselves entirely to another person.

    Exactly our point. Please go touch grass or read a book before coming after female celebrities this way.

    Some also slammed the user for indirectly mocking the actress’s English skills, and criticised trolls today for relentlessly targetting female actresses for small reasons.

  • Shagufta Ejaz gets Botox injections and she’s not afraid to own it

    Shagufta Ejaz gets Botox injections and she’s not afraid to own it

    Veteran actress Shagufta Ejaz wants more women- especially those who aren’t young- to break down the misconceptions and stigma surrounding cosmetic surgery.

    The actress recently uploaded a vlog where she opened up about getting Botox surgery and provided a breakdown of what the procedure entails. The actor said her intention was to reduce the wrinkles on her forehead and eyes, adding that this was the fourth time she was getting Botox.

    “So, I didn’t want a frozen expression. I wanted to frown and lift my eyebrows and go sad and all. So, this is why I told [the doctor] that I wanted a 40% erase, and 60% expressions.”

    The actress showed her fans how the procedure progressed, showcasing the bruises around her eyes and the wrinkles on her forehead fading.

    Shagufta also talked in her vlog about the stigma surrounding Botox.

    “I believe that one should be honest about whatever you do,” pointed out the ‘Mere Damad’ actress. “A lot of people are getting it done; some want to disclose it, some do not. This is their personal choice and I thought this is the fourth time in my entire life that I’m getting this done and this time I wanted that I should share with you.”

    We’re incredibly happy that more actresses are encouraging women to stop listening to the stereotypical remarks that as women age, they must stop focusing on their looks and be sent out to pasture. Previously, Shahista Lodhi slammed age-shaming remarks while speaking about being mistaken as her son’s girlfriend. Lodhi reflected on how in Pakistan, women here are shamed if they invest too much attention on their looks as they grow older:

    “If you’ve had kids at a young age then is that also my fault? Apparently, that becomes a taunt too here…Why should I lie about it? It feels good that I have maintained myself even at this age.”

    On ‘The Talk Talk Show’, the aesthetic physician recalled counselling a woman who was kicked out of her house because of stretch marks, stressing that its not worth saving an abusive marriage if it depends on you getting surgery.

    Read more: ‘A patient revealed she was kicked out of her house by her husband because of her stretch marks’: Shahista Lodhi

  • Why wasn’t ‘Maula Jatt’ nominated for the Lux Style Awards?

    Why wasn’t ‘Maula Jatt’ nominated for the Lux Style Awards?

    Nominations for the 22nd Lux Style Awards were announced on 3rd September, with industry members being quick to notice one notable omission. ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’, the biggest hit of the year, was not nominated among the films. Surprising considering that the movie received critical acclaim for its writing, acting, action sequences and made $13.8 million worldwide.

    Journalist Hassan Kazmi has uncovered the reason now, by releasing a statement from film producer Ammara Hikmat, who stated:

    “While we are honoured that Lux considered our film for their nominations, we find that their limited range of film categories doesn’t align with our values. The absence of categories for best director or writer, etc, 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.”

    Kazmi further tweeted that the team behind ‘TLOMJ’ had stepped back so to give other films a proper chance:

    “The Legend of Maula Jatt is not even up for votes in #LSA2023 I have learnt that the makers have #TLOMJ have regretted as it was the biggest film, so the makers have decided to give others a chance. I have learnt from the sources that The Legend of Maula Jatt will be acknowledged at the main event in October this year.”

    While Maula Jatt is out of the running, once more male actors charged with abuse have been nominated for the Lux Style Awards. Feroze Khan, who was publicly accused by his ex-wife Syeda Aliza of domestic violence and torture, was nominated twice for best male actor in dramas, and also for his performance in ‘Tich Button’.

    While Mohsin Abbas Haider, who was publicly accused by his wife of domestic abuse, and then found guilty by a Lahore court in 2019, was nominated for his performance in the drama ‘Siyani’.

  • ‘Psychiatrist told me I had manic depression’, Mahira opens up about mental health

    ‘Psychiatrist told me I had manic depression’, Mahira opens up about mental health

    Superstar Mahira Khan was a guest on Frieha Altaf’s podcast where she opened up about learning to face her mental health struggles, especially after stepping into Bollywood with the Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Raees’, and the 2017 incident where pictures of her smoking with Ranbir Kapoor emerged online. She also talked about the 2016 Uri attack, after which Pakistani actors were banned from working in Bollywood.

    Reflecting on that time, the actress revealed she dealt with immense backlash, calling it “unexpected”.

    Mahira said she was getting scary calls, hateful messages to the point that she couldn’t travel to India to promote ‘Raees’, which was heartbreaking and it began creating anxiety and depression. The ‘Hum Kahan Kay Sachay Thay’ actress revealed she was constantly seeing her image on television screens, and getting hateful messages telling her to leave India, and it escalated to the point that her faith broke.

    “I developed severe anxiety to the point that one day I had a panic attack and fainted’ recalled Mahira. “That’s the first time I went for therapy.”

    “But that didn’t work out, as I went to several therapists. But either I was not opening up, or the therapist sitting across me would be looking at me with awe thinking ‘what would she have to complain about’?”

    Raees released in 2017, the same year Mahira’s Pakistani film ‘Verna’ released across Pakistan, and at the same time, the picture scandal happened.

    “I couldn’t sleep, my hands would shake,” the ‘Bin Roye’ actress confessed.

    Mahira said she eventually visited a psychiatric hospital, where she was informed that she had manic depression. The actress said for the past six or seven years she has been on anti-depressants. She once tried quitting the meds in the middle which put her in a dark hole.

    “I did understand that there is something beyond me. Beyond the prayers i will do, beyond the friends that will cheer me up, beyond work and success. There is something not right, and it’s okay.”

    The ‘Superstar’ actress said that by talking about her mental health struggles and breaking the stigma surrounding the topic, she hoped more people would learn to approach others for help rather than treat it with shame.

    “I talk it every chance I get. This is the first time I’m opening up about the fact that I’ve been taking medicine for so many years. And when I tried leaving it like I said it was bad… And I was again in and out of hospitals trying to get help. But yes, everybody has ups and downs, bad times and happy times, but clinical depression is real like any other mental illness or physical illness.”

  • ‘No one was available’: Ali Rehman on why transgender actors weren’t hired for Guru

    ‘No one was available’: Ali Rehman on why transgender actors weren’t hired for Guru

    Actor Ali Rehman Khan is currently playing the role of a transgender woman in the Express Entertainment drama ‘Guru’. The drama is facing intense backlash from social media users, especially transgender activists like Shahzadi Rai, who condemned the limited spaces allowed to members of the transgender community within the entertainment industry to be able to tell their own stories.

    Speaking to The Current, the activist expressed her dismay at how cis men were constantly taking up roles about people belonging to the third gender, and used the incorrect term used to describe the community like ‘intersex’.

    “People who do not want to declare themselves as intersex, why are you pushing the label on them? And roles that are about the third gender, you should give them to people who identify under it. A man’s role would be played by a man, while a woman’s role would be played by a woman.”

    READ MORE: Transgender activist Shehzadi Rai, Twitter users criticise ‘Guru’ for hiring cis man to play intersex character

    Several social media users also pointed out that films like ‘Joyland’ which starred transgender actress Alina Khan were met with intense backlash and banned in the country, but it was dramas like ‘Guru’ which were not met with the same scrutiny since members of the transgender community aren’t involved in production.

    Speaking to BBC Urdu, the actor has come forward to address these allegations, saying that despite the studio’s best efforts, they couldn’t find transgender actors to take on the role, and encouraged more members of the community to come into the field.

    “We were planning that one or two of the chelas in the show should be members of the transgender community. But we did a lot of auditions and couldn’t find any actors. And with a huge production there is a lot at stake, since you have to shoot for 40-50 days. You can’t just rely on one actor: you have to have a cohesive list.”

    The actor went on to express his desire to see more transgender people coming into acting, who can play these kinds of roles even more efficiently than he has.

    The actor also elaborated on how he had prepared for the leading role, revealing the process involved. He spoke with members of the transgender community, along with watching documentaries and movies related to the topic.

  • Usama Khan, Yumna Zaidi set to star together in sports film ‘Nayab’

    Usama Khan, Yumna Zaidi set to star together in sports film ‘Nayab’

    It is confirmed now that actor Usama Khan will star along side nation’s darling Yumna Zaidi in the sports film ‘Nayab’. This will be the first time the two will be co-starring together on the big screen.

    Yumna Zaidi set expectations high when in an interview with Independent Urdu, the actress revealed that her character Nayab is a girl from Karachi who dreams of becoming a cricketer, but is hesitant to follow her dreams, fearing patriarchal society backlash.

    “It’s a brilliant story and it is meaningful,” the ‘Tere Bin’ actress gushed. “The whole team is trying their best to execute it the way it should be. Now that we’ve chosen good content, we want to do justice with it so that the audience also enjoys it when they go to the cinema.”

    Speaking about how much she has been practicing to learn how to play cricket, admitting that she had never picked up a bat or ball before this shoot.

    “I believe that cricket is almost a craze in Pakistan but I don’t know why or how but I had never picked a bat or ball before this shoot. I have been practising a lot. From the initial ABCs of cricket to practice matches on the final pitch, it’s been a long process and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

    But Yumna elaborated that she did her best to learn all she could about the sport in an effort to do justice to her character, to avoid stereotyping the role

    “When you’re trying to perfect an accent for a role, or representing a tribe in a drama, you have to work very hard to avoid stereotyping them. It’s the same with this role. All of my attention, my focus has been here. I want to do justice to this character, to this girl who worships cricket.”

    Yumna became uber-popular with her portrayal of Meerab in the drama ‘Tere Bin’. Her co-lead and real-life best friend Wahaj Ali has gone to greater heights with the Green Entertainment drama ’22 Qadam’. We are happy to witness the two consistently setting the bar higher, and reviving the sports genre that the Pakistani entertainment industry truly needed.

  • Koyi bacha hai? Star stuffed cast for Pakistan’s first Netflix series

    Koyi bacha hai? Star stuffed cast for Pakistan’s first Netflix series

    Its now official that Pakistan is about to get it’s first ever Netflix drama, starring our own actors. In July journalist Hassan Kazmi broke the news on social media, announcing that Lollywood’s A-list celebrities like Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi are set to star in a Netflix adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaq’s novel ‘Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samiat Lo’, with director Momina Duraid on board.

    Now, Variety has revealed kay waqai mein the drama will live up to its name by leaving no actor behind, as the cast is chockfull of Pakistani A-listers like Sanam Saeed, Ahad Raza Mir, Bilal Ashraf, Maya Ali , Iqra Aziz , Hania Aamir , Khushaal Khan, Nadia Jamil , Omair Rana and Samina Ahmed.

    According to the publication, Momina Duraid will serve as the show runner, and her firm Momina Duraid Films FZ, will be producing the series. The show is currently being shot in US, Italy and Pakistan.

    The novel revolves around Sikandar, a Harvard law student who undergoes an incident that compels him to keep people away. He then comes across Lisa when he’s travelling to Italy, an energetic artist with a troubled past.

    Ishtiaq’s other novels ‘Humsafar’ was adapted into the critically acclaimed 2011 drama, starring Mahira and Fawad. Her other novels have also been turned into screen fare, including ‘Bin Roye’ which was adapted into a 2015 film starring Humayun Saeed and Mahira, and ‘Yakeen Ka Safar’ which was adapted in 2017 into a drama starring Sajal Aly and Ahad Raza Mir.

    Fawad is riding high on the blockbuster ‘The Legend Of Maula Jatt’ which also starred Mahira Khan and Hamza. He is set to come back to television screens with the series ‘Barzakh’ starring Sanam Saeed, and directed/ written by Asim Abbas.

  • Khalil-ul-Rehman Qamar is still not over Mahira Khan schooling him for his misogyny

    Khalil-ul-Rehman Qamar is still not over Mahira Khan schooling him for his misogyny

    Controversial drama writer Khalil-ul-Rehman Qamar has said that he will never work with superstar Mahira Khan again. The writer had landed in a storm when during a TV appearance alongside journalist Marvi Sarmad on Neo TV, he hurled swear words at her after she chanted the famous Aurat March slogan ‘Mera jism meri marzi’. Several prominent figures lashed out at Qamar on his misogynist behavior, including actress Mahira Khan. Her outspoken condemnation became the source of a grudge against the actress that Qamar seems to carry till date.

    How dare a woman correct a man for using degrading, disgusting language against another woman, right?

    Recently, while talking on ‘Public Demand with Mohsin Abbas Haider’ the ‘Mere Pass Tum Ho’ writer was asked about whether he would ever ‘forgive’ Mahira Khan. Qamar replied that despite efforts made by others to fix the feud between the two, the screen writer has no desire to ever work with the actress again.

    “I’m still shocked today that the way the two of us respected each other, it gave her no right to tweet the way she did. She had every right to phone me, she could have discussed with me and I could have explained…She is a beautiful and accomplished actress but I’ll never be able to work with her.”

    Mahira has never publicly expressed regret or spoken about the feud, however, KRQ keeps talking about it three years later, openly expressing resentment towards her.

    Last year, KRQ shared a screenshot of Mahira condemning the brutal language Khalil used against Marvi, and in the caption he wrote: “May iska behad ehtram karta tha lekin iski ye zaban aur ghatiapan mujhay martay dam tk nahi bhoolay ga.”

    Like last year, KRQ shared a screenshot of Mahira ciondemning the brutal language Khalil used against Marvi, and in the caption he wrote: “May iska behad ehtram karta tha lekin iski ye zaban aur ghatiapan mujhay martay dam tk nahi bhoolay ga.”

    During an interview with Nadir Ali in October 2022, KRQ said Mahira had lost out on the opportunity to star in ‘London Nahi Jaungi’ and ‘Mere Pass Tum Ho’ because of her comments.

  • ‘Sach chupta nahi hai’: Alizeh Shah responds to Minsa Malik’s FIR

    ‘Sach chupta nahi hai’: Alizeh Shah responds to Minsa Malik’s FIR

    Actress Alizeh Shah has responded to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by Minsa Malik, addressing the allegations in a detailed post by blogger Ayesha Jahangir Malik on her Instagram stories, debunking the version of events narrated by Malik.

    According to Ayesha, Malik slapped Alizeh first and accused her of misconduct.

    “…In reality this other woman slapped Alizeh first and initiated physical violence breaking all and any professionalism on set.”

    The post also mentioned that despite the claim made by Minsa, footage exists of evidence that Alizeh began the conflict, while crew members sided with the ‘Tanaa Banna’ actress had been professionalism and kept work ethic in check despite being assaulted:

    “The crew, fellow artists and everyone involved is on Alizeh’s side because the incident occurred around 6 pm and Alizeh did not even leave the set till 12 am after she completed her shoot even after being humiliated and assaulted infront of everyone and that speaks volumes of her work ethic.”

    Actress Minsa Malik has filed an FIR against Alizeh Shah, accusing her of abuse and misbehavior during a shoot.

    According to multiple news outlets, the FIR was filed in Islamabad on August 15, with Malik requesting authorities to provide her with security.

    Speaking to Samaa, Malik revealed that an accident occurred during filming of a scene for an upcoming drama. She stated that Alizeh was unprofessional towards her since the day they started shooting, nagging her in a variety of ways, describing her behaviour as a case of “professional jealousy.”

    “The camera was rolling, and I was in the scene. Alizeh Shah was also present, and she was clearly high on drugs. She approached me and threw a marijuana cigarette at me. I moved back to avoid her, and in reaction, I slapped her. She then started acting violently. She used abusive language and tore her own clothes while yelling.”

    “Alizeh Shah tried to throw her sandal at me, but I moved out of the way. She was completely high when she misbehaved. The camera shooting the scenes also captured the video of us during the chaos. Alizeh insisted that the video should not get out, as it would be the ultimate source of her defamation.”

    We will update this article after we receive a statement from Alizeh Shah or her team.