The nominations for the prestigious Lux Style Awards have been announced a few days ago, and among the nominated dramas was ‘Sinf-e-Ahan’, starring Sajal Aly, Syra Yousaf, Kubra Khan, Ramsha Khan. The series, directed by Nadeem Baig, was praised by audience for exploring the issue of women empowerment.
It received several nominations including Best Ensemble Play (Critic’s Choice), Best TV Play (Viewer’s Choice), Best TV Play Writer (Critic’s Choice) for Umera Ahmed, Best TV Director (Critic’s Choice) for Nadeem Baig, Best TV Actor (Critic’s Choice) for Sajal Aly, and Best Emerging Talent (Critic’s Choice) for Dananeer Mobeen.
Taking to her Instagram account, Sajal Aly reacted to the nominations by expressing gratitude, sharing how the project wasn’t easy. She also wished good luck to the rest of the team for the awards:
“This project wasn’t easy for anyone. When Sana Shahnawaz called me, I knew I am playing this character without even reading my part,” reflected the ‘Kuch Ankahi’ actor.
The actress went on to thank the director Nadeem Baig and the producers and rest of the cast for their commendable effort to make this show succeed.
Sinf-e-Aahan is the story of seven women from diverse backgrounds of Pakistan who each decide to join the Pakistan Army and prove their critics wrong, who assume they won’t be able to handle such an intense environment. Sajal Aly’s character Rabia Safeer, longs to do something exceptional with her life rather than wait around for a marriage proposal, and decides to take the test of the Pakistan Armed Forces selection process to join the military.
Happy birthday Ahad Raza Mir! The singer and actor turns 30 today and fans are celebrating the occasion by sharing some of their favorite performances by the actor. Since the moment he stepped on to the screen in 2017 as Dr Asfandyar in ‘Yakeen Ka Safar’, he has been praised consistently. Here are some of the dramas fans are highlighting as their favorites
Hum Tum
We will start this article by mentioning the highlight of Ahad’s career because seriously, how could y’all forget the range he has? Ahad plays the studious Adam Sultan, who is rivals with Neha (played by Ramsha Khan). The two regularly compete to get the highest grades in college. However, their rivalry takes a huge turn when a proposal comes for Neha, and Adam realises that he has fallen for her.
Ye Dil Mera
Ahad plays the serious and reserved CEO of an oil industry, Amanullah Khan, who is traumatised by the death of his parents- and he believes the murderer to be Mir Farooq (played by Adnan Siddiqui) who is the father of college student Aina (played by Sajal Aly). When Amanullah attempts to get back at Mir Farooq by getting closer with Aina, both realise their past traumas are connected and work to uncover the mystery about the deaths of their loved ones.
Yaqeen Ka Safar
We couldn’t end this without mentioning the performance that made Ahad a household name. In this drama, he plays the traumatised Dr Asfandyar, who is grieving the death of his brother Daniyal, after he challenges a landlord’s son for gang raping a girl. He meets Zubia (played by Sajal), who ran away from her home after false accusations and suffering abuse from her family members, and the two slowly fall in love as they continue to work together.
Sajal Aly is by far one of the best actors the Pakistani entertainment industry has ever produced. Her older dramas still garner praise from people who are just now getting to see the actor’s filmography. Recently, an X user responded to a tweet quoting a powerful paragraph from Trevor Noah’s book ‘Born A Crime’ where his mother talks about how men love breaking down women and molding them to their tastes, by sharing a clip from Aly’s old drama ‘Rangreza’.
In the clip, Sajal’s character is seen shutting down her father, tired of him mistreating her mother all these years. The video has received praise from social media, with people blown away by the powerful monologue, some of them stating that they had underestimated the actress for so long.
Pakistani dramas rare depict daughters who refuse to go down the sati savitri trope, standing up to their abusive dads to let him know that their misbehavior is not acceptable. Social media users were enthralled by Sajal’s powerful performance.
I love the type of roles Sajal Ali has taken on recently. Full unapologetic, powerful roles. She’s kinda taken over the baton from Saba Qamar https://t.co/92n7EKb6TS
Every time I see @Iamsajalali act, I RISE in love of her freakishly exceptional craft once again. She is a generational talent, only one of her like, matchless, flawless & impregnable. She is here to conquer to world ❤️#SajalAlyhttps://t.co/3s5B04uIGx
Never getting over this performance of Sajal’s. Everytime I come across a scene of hers from O Rangreza, I’m left in awe. Sassi is and will always be a . One of my all time favorite characters. https://t.co/VYMZ9dz2SQ
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 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.
I have read an interview of Ahmed Faraz published in a newspaper. He said same thing that we rise in love… But y'all are hating on her bcz of her diiferent political views than that of yours… https://t.co/VSAH938C13
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.
Well, “You don’t fall in love but you walk into love” – Jemima Khan.
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.
English is my first language I see nothing wrong in what she said In fact Its a good thought Love should make us better https://t.co/wEmwB8wWDp
Exactly our point. Please go touch grass or read a book before coming after female celebrities this way.
I’m sorry but none of you read or engage in books as much as yall say you do? Because if you did, you’d know this isn’t a new thought she’s come up with. I’ve heard yhat saying before. And you’d also know what she meant was you’d want to empower in love not just submit aka fall https://t.co/Dcbt77Qqmd
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.
Well, “You don’t fall in love but you walk into love” – Jemima Khan.
English film producer and screenwriter Jemima Khan has finally shut down rumors surrounding her fake social media accounts, clarifying that she is not on the social media platform TikTok.
The screenwriter of ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ has taken to her X account to share a picture of two fake Tiktok accounts, telling her followers that neither of them were hers.
The filmmaker released ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ in Febuary 2023, which starred Pakistani actress Sajal Aly along with Lilly James and veteran English actress Emma Thompson. The film received positive reviews from audiences and even won four awards at the National Film Awards including Best Screenplay, Best British Film, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor.
The Jaranwala attacks have shocked the entire nation after the town’s Christian community came under siege on Wednesday by a violent mob. Speaking to The Current, a local resident said violence broke out after a Christian father tried preventing a group of boys from harassing his daughter.
“This is a case of harassment. A girl from the Christian community was being teased by some members of the Muslim community and when her father and brother tried to stop them, allegations of blasphemy were raised.”
Since the incident went viral on social media, politicians including Interim Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar ul Haq Kakar have come forward to condemn the riots. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) the Premier said that strict action would be taken against those who violate the law and target minorities.
I am gutted by the visuals coming out of Jaranwala,#Faisalabad. Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities. All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits and bring them to justice. Rest assured that the government of Pakistan stands… https://t.co/GHWUGA1NNq
Celebrities in Pakistan like activist and singer Shehzad Roy have taken to social media to condemn the incident and called for justice for the Christian community residing in Jaranwala.
“If the state does not arrest each and every person involved in it through video footage and make an example, then we are doomed,” tweeted the ‘Laga Re’ singer.
Pehlay bolnay se dartay thay, Ab na bolain to dar lagta hai… “If the state does not arrest each and every person involved in it through video footage and make an example, then we are doomed @anwaar_kakarhttps://t.co/U25W1SEkTu
‘Kuch Ankahi’ actress Sajal Aly called the violent attack ‘shameful’ and tweeted that there is no place for violence in religion.
Such a Shamfull act! Absolutely heartbroken & disgusted. I strongly condemn this act of violence against minorities. Praying for unity and peace. https://t.co/KS9vBksiw6
Actress Azekah Daniel slammed the incident as ‘not Jinnah’s Pakistan’ and asked why do people not show the same respect to a church that they demand for a mosque. She also called on mainstream media organisations and journalists of Pakistan to report against the growing ethnic violence against Christians in Pakistan.
“This is NOT Jinnah’s Pakistan! I strongly condemn this atrocity against the Christian community. Why can’t show some respect for Holy places be it a Church or a Mosque? I stand against these atrocities and unjust acts of violence! I DEMAND JUSTICE FOR ALL”
This is NOT Jinnah’s Pakistan! I strongly condemn this atrocity against the Christian community. Why can’t show some respect for Holy places be it a Church or a Mosque? I stand against these atrocities and unjust acts of violence! I DEMAND JUSTICE FOR ALL https://t.co/agfgYOgyEp
“Today we are witnessing the beginning of ethnic cleansing in Pakistan. Pakistani Christians are being persecuted,Church burnt down & the whole colony ablazed,will you raise your voice for us?”
Dear Mainstream Media & Journalists of Pakistan, Today we are witnessing the beginning of ethnic cleansing in Pakistan. Pakistani Christians are being persecuted,Church burnt down & the whole colony ablazed,will you raise your voice for us? #Faisalabad#CryWithUs#PrayWithUs
It’s been five years since Bollywood superstar Sridevi passed away in 2018 from accidental drowning in Dubai, leaving behind a celebrated legacy with films like ‘Chandni’, ‘English Vinglish’ and ‘Mr India’. The beloved Indian actress starred with Pakistani actors Sajal Aly and Adnan Siddiqui in the 2017 release ‘Mom’, and the two have always remembered her in fond words.
Aly commemorated the Bollywood icon by sharing a picture of her on her Instagram stories with the caption “Happy Birthday! I miss you”.
In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Aly had praised the late actress, stating that she was “like a mother to me” and discussed her experience of working with her on ‘Mom’ by recalling how kind the ‘Mr India’ actress was to her.
“…The first thing a good person and a good actor would do is make the other person comfortable,” the ‘Ye Dil Mera’ actress gushed. “She was that kind of actor. She had a lot of empathy and kindness towards me. For instance, I had that one scene where I was wearing this red dress and when I got ready she was like ‘Oh! You should curl your hair more!’ She was acting like a mother to me, although she was just a co-star. But the fact that she cared about how I’m looking and how I could look better, that is something that stole my heart.”
The host recounted meeting Sridevi for an interview for a film at her house, where she praised Sajal, by saying she’s someone “you need to lookout for.”
“I didn’t know she said that about me, but of course in some interviews she pra
ised my acting a lot. These kind of compliments, I get scared because I feel the pressure. I never talk about her a lot and the relationship we had, it’s something I can’t explain. Because it was really real.”
Aly was also close to Sridevi’s daughter Janhvi Kapoor, whom she could emotionally connect with because both of their moms had passed away.
“We met after six years[in Dubai],” recalled Aly. “When my mother had passed away as well as hers. Probably because of our mothers as well we got a lot more closer. So I connect with her and she connects with me. We used to keep in touch but then she started her career and she’s busy with that.”
Kapoor shared a picture of her mother on set on her Instagram, writing that she wished her mother was still here today.
“And today as I’m on a set on your birthday I wish more than ever I had you with me like this, so we could convince everyone it was actually your 35th and not 60th birthday. And you could tell me if I’m pushing myself hard enough or not. And I could see in your eyes if I was making you proud. I know you’d be happy seeing us try, in your memory. Every day. I love you, you are the most special woman on this planet.”
The last episode of Kuch Ankahi aired on Saturday night, receiving high ratings from audiences for a satisfying wrap up to its gorgeous story telling and moving performances by Sajal Aly, Bilal Abbas and Qudsia Ali. The build up to this spectacular finale was besieged with questions about who would Aliya finally pick: Salman or Azfar? Would Sofia phupoo give in and marry uncle Thanvi? Would Samiya abandon her husband and his toxic mother to start being independent on her own? But in the final episode, Kuch Ankahi wrapped up all these questions, leaving all of us hoping that this is the show that should be getting a season 2.
We finally see Aliya and Salman put aside their differences, a win for fans of the show who had shipped the cat-and-mouse duo from the very first episode. Many were left heart broken by how Azfar was rejected, despite the love he had for Aliya. But hopefully, there are better things in store for him?
We also got a beautiful wedding as Sophia Phupoo and Uncle Thanvi wed, a satisfying resolution to her reluctance of letting go of her first love and husband who had passed away quickly. But then their heart tugging meeting at the train station, when Thanvi promises to prove his love to Sophia, just proved the show made a breakthrough by focusing on two aged people getting married.
Clearly, we’re not over the episode, and neither is social media. As since yesterday, users sobbing over the ending of a gorgeous drama that gave us everything we’ve been asking Pakistani dramas to provide us.
Kuch Ankahi is a huge upgrade to Pakistani TV! No glamorous houses, no conniving saas, or evil puphos, or crying bahoos, heck not even confused cheating men…#kuchAnkahi is a huge step away from the horrible tv content that we have! You want quality content – watch this show!
My fav part about #KuchAnkahi was Sophia Phupho and Thanvi uncle.
Not only did it give a former supermodel and a former film superstar a chance to shine again but we as viewers also got lucky to experience a beautifully done mature middle age romance 💓 pic.twitter.com/j5cYrEiQf4
appreciation post for @bilalabbas_khan for playing salman flawlessly thank u sm for giving me my new comfort character i will cherish #KuchAnkahi forever
From the moment it graced our screens, ‘Kuch Ankahi’- with its story of three sisters dealing with marriage pressure, workplace harassment, taking on a challenging careers- seared itself on the Pakistani entertainment industry as a cultural milestone that told a gorgeous story about the bond of sisterhood.
Only 26 episodes long, ‘Kuch Ankahi’ won our hearts with its flawless story telling and brave portrayal of issues that today’s political climate would have prevented them from doing so.
With the final episode coming up on Saturday, our hearts are heavy as we will no longer have to look forward to Shamoo Begum and Agha Jaan kay jhagray, Alia and Salman’s cat and mouse chase and the wholesome love between the three sisters. Let’s look back at the five moments where ‘Kuch Ankahi’ truly proved that it was a masterclass in good story telling.
1 The men in the drama won our hearts.
At a time when dramas today think a hit series needs a man slapping a woman or a girl being forcibly married without her consent, ‘Kuch Ankahi’ set the bar higher by proving that what audiences want is not violence, but well-written characters that are supportive of the women around them. The bond that the father Agha Jaan had with his daughters, and how he kept taking their side regardless of what society told him, moved us to tears. His defence of youngest daughter Tanya and her passion to become a filmmaker, or backing Samiya if she wanted to back out of her marriage at the last minute.
kuch ankahi keeps on getting better, first showed men doing chores, now them knowing how to sew button?? like damn yess, these are basic life skills, and has nothing to w gender.#kuchankahipic.twitter.com/4vowCbv2VD
2. When the show made a breakthrough by supporting Joyland
In a scene in episode four that takes place in Tanya’s room, Aliya stands behind her wall of posters, among which is Saim Sadiq’s film ‘Joyland’, a love story between a transgender woman and a man. It was a small, but powerful display of support towards Pakistani filmmakers.
Was shocked at first. Turned out this is #kuchankahi by @nadeembaigg starring Sajal, Mira Sethi &many more amazing people so it all made sense then.This is the sweetest and smartest way to show support to your fellow artists. Thank you team ! ✨ @KashfFoundation#joylandpic.twitter.com/w0h53BQL1G
3 The nikkah scene that defended the right to divorce clause and urged for women to be aware of their rights in the marriage contract
The nikkah scene from episode 11 received praise on Twitter when Sofia phupoo (played by actress Vaneeza Ahmed) passionately urged the molvi sahab to not cut out the clauses from the nikkah where the woman writes down her demands, highlighting that these are essential for a woman’s safety in marriage, as Islam has rightfully granted them.
Kudos to team Kuch Ankahi for such an excellent drama & raising awareness for this issue in particular. The right of divorce is a clause in Nikah form that everyone including girl’s family are are upon ignoring. It protects a woman in marriage,specially in our patriarchal culture pic.twitter.com/bi0qRrwhuS
With the story of Deepak, the son of the family’s Hindu house helper, the drama dwelled into the growing issue of child abuse, as he is raped by the tailor he works with. Later, when Sofia phupho and the family learn about the crime, they take in Deepak as a family member and enroll him in a good school so that he regains his confidence in a safe environment.
5 Neha and her dream to become a tiktok star
Any woman on screen who isn’t a gharelo good girl married off at the age of 20, is either an awaragard or too bold for society or someone who meets a tragic end. Especially so for women who are obsessed with using social media apps like TikTok . But ‘Kuch Ankahi’ debunks this mindset with the wholesome story of Neha, the daughter of a Hindu working class family, who loves using TikTok. However , she fears her father will beat her if her videos are found. But as the story progresses, Neha finds new-found courage with the support of Taniya to keep making videos, and soon she gets a job as an actress, with her father completely supporting her choice.
Aliya Nazir, one half the successful fashion duo behind designer brand ‘Nickie Nina’, passed away on Sunday, media outlets reported.
Publisher and Editor of Diva Magazine Rahael Rao broke the news on social media, calling the death ‘devastating’ and remembering the Pakistani fashion giant as an ‘extraordinary friend’.
“I woke up this morning to the heartbreaking news of the passing of my dear old friend, #NickieNazir, from @nickieninaofficial. Nickie was not only warm and gracious but also an extraordinary friend to have. The memories we shared together are invaluable, and the void left by their absence will be deeply felt. Nickie, your presence will be dearly missed, and the impact you made on our lives will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, dear friend.”
Soon, models and actors in the entertainment industry came forward to offer condolences and remember the late fashion designer. Actress Sajal Aly, Areeba Habib and Sami Khan were among them.
Model Mushk Kaleem was among the celebrities who sent their condolences, calling this “incredibly sad”.
Actress and singer Hadiqa Kiani sent her condolences to the late designer’s family.
VJ and actress Anoushay Ashraf remembered the late designer as a humorous and smiling person:
“Rest in peace beautiful Nickie. Today, I choose to celebrate your short but wholesome life. You lived so much more than so many. Forever in our hearts. Smiling, humorous and beautiful. To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. Wrapped in His eternal love and endless bounty, you’re home.”
Ushna Shah remembered the “Nickie Nina’ designer as a warm and kind person:
“This is so heartbreaking. She was such a warm and kind person. So beautiful, so graceful, so witty and so full of life. Inalilahewainaelerajiun- what terrible terrible news.”
Actress and former model Frieha Altaf mourned her late friend by sharing some past pictures with Nazir on vacation, and also sent love to her family.
