Tag: Pakistani entertainment

  • Indian High Court rejects plea asking for ban on Pakistani artists

    Indian High Court rejects plea asking for ban on Pakistani artists

    In a significant move, the Bombay High Court in India has dismissed a petition that sought to ban Pakistani artists from working in India. According to details, the petitioner in question was cine worker Faaiz Anwar Qureshi, who said that Pakistani artists working in India during the World Cup could reduce job opportunities for Indian artists.

    In his complaint, Faaiz demanded that artists from Pakistan like actors, singers, lyricists or technicians who are being invited by Indian citizens and companies are banned.u

    The bench comprised of Justice Sunil Shukre and Firdosh Pooniwalla rejected the plea, stating that such a move would be a step back in creating cultural harmony and unity between India and Pakistan.

    “One must understand that in order to be a patriot, one need not be inimical to those from abroad especially, from the neighbouring country,” the court responded.

    Previously, Bollywood films involving Pakistani artists were met with extensive fanfare. Khoobsurat released in 2014 starred Sonam Kapoor and Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, was met with praises. Fawad Khan also won ‘Best Male Debut’ at the Filmfare Awards. While Sajal Aly and Adnan Siddiqui’s collaboration with Sri Devi for the 2017 ‘Mom’ received six nominations at the Filmfare awards.

  • ‘Sit down’: Mahira Khan shuts accusations against her of not supporting Palestine

    ‘Sit down’: Mahira Khan shuts accusations against her of not supporting Palestine

    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.

    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.”

    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.

  • Saba Hamid’s recollection of her feminist parents is what every Pakistani parent needs to hear

    Saba Hamid’s recollection of her feminist parents is what every Pakistani parent needs to hear

    Responsible parenting everyone needs to take some good notes from!

    Veteran actress Saba Hamid was a guest on Maliha Rehman’s Youtube channel where she opened up about her childhood, especially the impact her late father, journalist Hameed Akhtar, had on her.

    “My father was a feminist,” described the actress, adding that “He was a big believer in equal rights till his last breath from day one.”

    Speaking about her family, the ‘Jaisay Apki Marzi’ actress said she was one of four daughters and obe son but her parents never made them feel like there was inequality between them on the basis of gender. Hamid elaborated how chores around the house that are generally male-oriented like calling the plumber, or driving, were taught to all the siblings. Her parents also didn’t put any restrictions on their daughters while allowing their son to stay out late. “I was scolded just as much as he was if he stayed out late.”

    These teachings, Saba observed, made her assume that the world would treat men and women equally the way her father had. But soon grew to realise that it was the opposite.

    The ‘Laal Ishq’ actress further opened up about how liberated her mother was, not seeking permission from their father to go anywhere because he gave her liberation. She spoke about her mother announcing to their father that she was visiting her sister in Islamabad for a day, and his reaction being simply “okay”.

    “We grew up thinking this is how it is, this is the way the world is. It was quite later I realised you had to seek permission from a partner to go somewhere.”

    We are completely moved by Saba’s account of her father and his gentle parenting that made her into the fierce woman she is today- and also helped her raise two phenomenally powerful individuals like Meesha and Faris Shafi. We hope more parents, especially fathers to newborn daughters, watch this clip and take a lesson in how giving girls independence can help them later in life.

  • ‘Cry to my lord’: Pakistani celebrities shocked at Gaza hospital bombing

    ‘Cry to my lord’: Pakistani celebrities shocked at Gaza hospital bombing

    On 17 October, Israeli jets bombed the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, where countless Palestinians had sought medical treatment and refuge from the ongoing genocide. Reports say that the strike was the deadliest attack committed by Israel in its history, with 500 confirmed dead and the death toll rising, according to Al-Jazeera.

    Celebrities like Ushna Shah and Osman Khalid Butt took to social media to express their outrage at the world’s apathy towards the Palestinian genocide.

    Ushna Shah wrote: “A hospital. A HOSPITAL! What do we boycott? Where do we strike? What do we do? Someone tell me what to do! All I am able to do currently is pray and cry to my Lord, hold my dear ones close and write on this platform. Someone tell us what to do, where to begin.”

    Actor Osman Khalid Butt demanded an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to enter into Gaza.

    Writer and columnist Fatima Bhutto criticised Israel’s attempts to distract the world from its crimes by attempting to thwart the narrative.

    British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan shared videos of the sea of dead bodies found after the bombing, and expressed his grief over the loss of lives in Gaza.

  • Ushna Shah, Sakina Samoon criticise Pakistani celebrities not speaking out against Palestine genocide

    Ushna Shah, Sakina Samoon criticise Pakistani celebrities not speaking out against Palestine genocide

    As the tide shifts around the world with protests calling for an end to the Palestinian genocide, many global celebrities like Riz Ahmed have joined in the cause. However in Pakistan, there is a noticeable absence of many prominent celebrities whose voices are critically needed during this time, and public figures are calling this silence out.

    Actress Ushna Shah took to her Twitter account to criticise many of her peers who have chosen to remain silent rather than call out the slaughter of Palestinians by Israel.

    “To my peers who haven’t spoken up: Say with me: I don’t support the ethnic cleansing of Palestine or Israel’s illegal occupation. I stand with Palestine.

    No excuses, no ‘both sides’, no vague ‘peace wishes’. Most of Hollywood is using their platform to be clear about their stance; we need to be clear in ours. Vague posts might protect brand deals, but this issue is bigger than ad money. Speak out, take a stand. DISINFORMATION IS EVERYWHERE; If you follow any Hollywood celebrity or western media you’ll see this clear as day. Palestine needs your voice. A massive ethnic cleansing is happening right now, this is bigger than all of us.”

    Veteran actress Sakina Samoon reshared a post by writer Fatima Bhutto on her Instagram account which condemned the silence of brown celebrities and influencers on their silence over Palestine. In the caption, the actress wrote: “Indeed pathetic. They want work from the western industry, endorsements etc.”

  • ‘A lot of cricketers flirt with me in DM’s’: Nawal Saeed

    ‘A lot of cricketers flirt with me in DM’s’: Nawal Saeed

    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.

    Watch the hilarious interaction below:

  • In pictures: Fawad Khan spotted at Mahira Khan’s wedding

    In pictures: Fawad Khan spotted at Mahira Khan’s wedding

    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.

    Screenshots show Fawad Khan lounging among the celebrity guests as they enjoy a performance by Abida Parveen.

    Instagram users were overjoyed over the five second cameo of the heart throb, who co-starred opposite Mahira in the blockbuster ‘Maula Jatt’.

    Other celebrities spotted at Mahira’s wedding in the video were Sarmad Khoosat, Sheheryar Munawar and Momal Sheikh.

    READ MORE: Here are all the celebrities who were present at Mahira Khan, Salim Karim’s wedding

  • ‘Actors are not prostitutes’: Mariyam Nafees slams stalker sending vulgar messages

    ‘Actors are not prostitutes’: Mariyam Nafees slams stalker sending vulgar messages

    Actress Mariyam Nafees has had enough with stalkers assuming it’s their right to be lewd to actresses.

    Nafees shared a screenshot on her Instagram stories of a message she recieved from an unknown person, who was trying to solicit a meeting with her after seeing her at the Lux Style Awards. The stalker tried to persuade Mariyam to hold a meeting, and asked her to name an amount.

    To which she had responded: “Bet your mom is ashamed to have a child like you. Not every woman is ‘bought-able’ you s****. Good luck dealing with my ‘friends’!”

    Mariyam shared the screenshot of the conversation and wrote in the caption: “Married or not- this never stops! Actors are not prostitutes!”

    In her next post, Nafees shared the complete contact information of the stalker, writing that she plans to expose the harassers this way.

    Another woman messaged Mariyam, whose conversation screenshots the actress shared in her Instagram stories. In the conversation, the woman solicited the actress to agree to take a photoshoot with a Pakistani magazine which innvolved “political level parties and bold shoots.”

    In 2021, Mariyam shared pictures of the indecent messages she recieved on Instagram from a man who asked her to visit his friend for a few hours and in return she’d recieve three lacs. Sharing the messages, the actress wrote in the caption:

    “The point of putting this up is because I truly want to put a stop to this.
    I don’t know who’s responsible for these morons to think this way and who’s entertaining them but no! Absolutely not! I and my esteemed co-actresses respectfully work for twelve hours (sometimes more) everyday and we refuse to tolerate this mentality. We come from educated backgrounds to make a name for ourselves, nobody and I mean NOT A SINGLE PERSON is allowed to disrespect us.

    Actresses are not prostitutes!”

    Her outspoken message was applauded by Adnan Siddiqui who defended her in a tweet, pointing out that actors were professionals like everyone else and were not for sale.

    “For those who think otherwise, let me put the record straight. Actors are NOT for sale. We work hard and work honestly as much as any other professional. No one’s allowed to disrespect us. Atta girl MariyamNafees”, Adnan tweeted.

  • ‘Reach out’: on Mental Health Day, celebrities are opening up about prioritising mental health

    ‘Reach out’: on Mental Health Day, celebrities are opening up about prioritising mental health

    International Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10, when people are encouraged to take steps to take care of their mental well-being. Celebrities like Mawra Hocane and Bollywood director Karan Johar are opening up about their mental health issues and encouraged other people to destroy the stigma that it’s a sign of weakness.

    Actress Mawra Hocane shared a video clip on her Instagram of pictures from her childhood to present, and spoke candidly about how she spent three years trying to take care of her mental health.

    “I have spent the last three years of my life focusing on this little girl.. she needed to heal.. to rest.. to be with herself.. to walk away from the noise & the lights.. find that light within instead.. to work just enough for joy & not find validation in exhaustion… most importantly she wanted to be ‘home’ & home she was after many many many years..”

    The ‘Nauroz’ actress urged her followers to never be afraid to reach out for help, and remember to listen to their body to know when it’s time for them to take a break.

    “Don’t shy away for making yourself a priority, if 2020 taught me anything, it was to not ignore my inner voice, to listen to my body, to chase happiness & nothing else because at the end of the day it’s all that matters..
    Sending love & strength to those who still suffer in silence.”

    ‘Rocky and Rani’ director Karan Johar also took time out to speak about the anxiety attacks he suffered in 2016. In March, the director wrote that his anxiety attacks came back and he knew immediately how to address them.

    “In 2015-2016 I felt the first burst of anxiety and knew within that something was wrong… my friend guided me to a psychologist and after a series of conversations I knew what I was dealing with and adressed it medically and with a change of lifestyle…. Things got better and I weaned off the meds … This year in March this year ( I knew the trigger ) it returned and I knew I had to address it immediately….”

    The K3G director urged followers to take time out to address their mental health the same way they would respond to a physical ailment, and never be afraid to take a break from life and seek professional help if they’re suffering from depression or anxiety.

    “For someone who does battle anxiety or depression “simple solutions like “ … go for a drive !!! Meet friends !! Go for a holiday …. Get a massage … these are red flag conversations to have and you must be educated enough in this zone to even offer advice…
    To family members my advice is simply to make sure that the person going through it seeks professional help…
    We tend to address blood pressure , diabetes , etc with so much instant ease then why neglect mental health….
    More power to those brave ones who acknowledge the issue and address it head on…”

  • Mahira’s Mehndi look revealed and the ‘something special’ on her arm

    Mahira’s Mehndi look revealed and the ‘something special’ on her arm

    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.

    READ MORE: How Mahira honoured her mother’s wish in her wedding

    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.”

    Asim Raza was clearly moved by the dedication as he wrote: “Meri phoolon jaisi mehekti Mahira”

    Celebrities gushed about how gorgeous the actress looked at the ceremony. Yumna Zaidi wrote: “Sab say pyaari”