Shailja Kejriwal, the chief creative officer at Zee Entertainment’s Zindagi channel, is on a mission to unite Indian and Pakistani artists and writers. In a recent interview with Press Trust of India, Kejriwal expressed her desire to see more collaborations between talents from both countries, despite the challenges posed by political tensions.
Shailja Kejriwal said, “My ultimate desire, I don’t know whether it will happen or not, is that we collaborate… writers and artists from both sides should be on a set together. I am trying to follow that path. Hopefully, we will be able to do something because we flourish more if we are open and inclusive.”
It has been a journey of one step forward, two steps back for the producer who was instrumental in making Pakistani actors like Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed, and Mahira Khan household names in India by showcasing dramas such as Zindagi Gulzar Hai and Humsafar through the Zindagi platform launched in 2014.
The channel Zindagi, led by Kejriwal, has successfully produced a number of projects with Pakistani actors and directors. Popular series like Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam, Churails, Mrs. & Mr. Shameem, and the new web series Barzakh starring Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed are among the noteworthy productions. The channel has aired iconic Pakistani dramas like ‘Thakan’, Shukk, Pyarey Afzal, Meri Beti, Mere Harjai, and Main Bushra.
Kejriwal highlighted her commitment
“I felt my work would be incomplete if I didn’t play a role in bringing these artists back. My ambition extends beyond just pan India. My dream is to unite South Asians and Asians through collaboration,” Shailja added.
Pakistani actress Sanam Saeed delighted her fans by sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses from the set of the upcoming web series ‘Barzakh.’
She posted nine photos on Instagram showing the scenic beauty and challenges of filming ‘Barzakh.’ The pictures feature Sanam Saeed against rugged mountains and masked women in red abayas, capturing the essence of the series. She shared her experience of shooting, describing it as magical, challenging, and exhilarating.
“A peek from the Barzakh sets—a magical, challenging, and thrilling experience,” Sanam Saeed wrote.
Check the scenes below:
She talked about the challenges faced during filming, like balancing on cliffs and enduring extreme temperatures, witnessing mountain falls and hinted at the series having a deep story, describing it as a journey from one life to the next.
Directed by Pakistani director Asim Abbas and produced by ZEE5, ‘Barzakh’ stars Sanam Saeed alongside renowned actor Fawad Khan.
Umr-o-Ayyar is everything I could not have imagined: badly written fanfic and a thrilling display of VFX-laden action unknown to Pakistani films.
Invited to the premier on behalf of The Current, I recalled all I had ever known about the character of Umr-o-Ayyar. Having been an avid reader of the legendary series of Dastaan-e-Ameer-i-Hamza and Talism Hoshruba, I was a fan of the conniving, quirky character of Umr-o-Ayyar, a friend and close confidant of the protagonist, Ameer-i-Hamza, but a legend in himself. The expectations were a little too high. The reality was a bit of a downer.
It was a marriage of convenience between the magical world of Harry Potter and the legendary period drama of Ertugrul.
My father, a master in Arabic language and literature, always told me that the name’s correct pronunciation was Ammar-Ayyar and not Umr-o-Ayyar, as per the rules of the Arabic language. Ammar, the protagonist played by Usman Mukhtar, really marked the right box with the name, but unfortunately, that’s about it.
His portrayal of the ‘clueless chosen one’ who remained true to character till the end made him look stupid more than likeable. Just like it was said about Harry Potter that magic still surprised him, Usman embodied the same traits, keeping his quintessential baffled expression intact whether it was his Schrodinger phase or him as an Ayyar.
The hero’s entourage, comprised of Ali Kazmi Salman Shaukat and Sanam Saeed, did leave their mark. It was the story that let them down. Manzar Sehbai’s Guru is there to mentally prepare the chosen, pure-blood Ammar Ayyar just like Master Shifu did with Po in Kung Fu Panda, but his styling, like that of Ertugrul’s Ibn Arabi, seemed out of place in the uber-cool setting. His verbose speeches and boasting of the power to know it all led to an all too predictable ending.
Director Azfar Jafri, known for family entertainers like Janaan and Heer Maan Ja falls short on this period cum super-hero cum action genre. Despite the fact that the two legends featuring the titular character are quite internalised in our language and culture, the movie comes across as an adaption of foreign celluloid. It has elements of Harry Potter’s pure-bloodedness, Voldemort’s black magic, inconsequential mention of physics, a motor-bike chase, Marvel’s VFX, fight sequences, and a world of supernatural elements ironically being dealt with both guns and knives. Consequently, the original plot, if there was any, got lost.
A sign of a flawed storyline is that the movie does not reflect much on the very conflict of the plot as to why the two parties are at war with each other. Ayyars, weak enough to get possessed, riding on bikes, and combating magic with internal powers, guns, and daggers made it all funny, even funnier than the comic reliefs in the film.
The best thing about the movie was the villains. The plot was driven by Sana’s Cheno, inspired by Bellatrix Lestrange, and Laqqa-a desi Voldemort- played by Faran Tahir. They were visibly ominous, and however flawed their dialogues were, their actions made more sense as they acted their part well. At one point in the film, Laqqa, the villain, has his first showdown with Ammar Ayyar, the hero, where the former says to the latter, “I am extremely disappointed after meeting you.” As an audience, you agree with him because such is the extent of Ammar’s incorrigibility. While it is not a well-written character, it performed even worse.
Hamza Ali Abbasi’s styling and acting take the cake. During those five minutes of his guest appearance, you are reminded of the beauty of the original tale. His portrayal of the OG, vivacious and witty Umr-o-Ayyar, who has especially come to knock some sense in the hero, made me reminisce about the accessories he owned, such as “zanbeel,” a satchel he used to carry everywhere that contained all the things under the sun, including the jinns he had entrapped. Alas! Its a lost opportunity.
While the storyline keeps boggling the mind, VFX in the final showdown really gives that larger-than-life experience. It deserves all the praise for being groundbreaking in Pakistani cinema. It’s the story which is the hamartia, a fatal flaw of this presumed epic of a film. The title, Umr-o-Ayyar-A New Beginning, indicates that the makers intend to make a series under the same banner. The next effort should not be as frivolous as this one. Overall, the movie is a good one-time watch that really lacks originality.
In a recent interview with Independent Urdu, Pakistani actor Ali Rehman Khan expressed his surprise and admiration after being compared to a Hollywood heartthrob for the first time.
Ali Rehman, known for his role in ‘Bebasi,’ was pleasantly surprised and flattered when he was compared to Ryan Gosling. He praised Gosling’s ability to handle serious roles and excel in comedy. “It’s a big compliment to be compared to him. He’s a very big actor,” Ali said. “Personally, I have never felt a resemblance… He is one of my favorite actors because I think that Ryan Gosling does serious roles with finesse but his comedic timing, too, is extraordinary. His film ‘Bad Guys’ is one of my favorites. His performance in it is just amazing,” he added.
Talking about his life, Ali, originally from Islamabad but now living in Karachi since six years, described Karachi as a busy metropolitan city compared to the more laid-back Islamabad. “Karachi is a bustling metropolitan city where day and night merge into one. In Islamabad, you feel the difference between day and night very strongly,” he explained.
Ali loves Karachi, highlighting its dynamic atmosphere and delicious food, especially the famous dishes of Burns Road. “I love the food on Burns Road. As actors, we can’t eat a lot because we have to watch our diets, but you can find great food anywhere in Karachi,” he said.
Looking ahead, Ali said he wants to work with leading actresses of Pakistani cinema like Mahira Khan, Sanam Saeed, and Sajal Ali, praising their talent and the potential for diverse opportunities such collaborations could bring.
As Ramadan nears its end, people continue to gather for Suhoor and Iftar, sharing blessings with loved ones.
Celebrities are coming together for Suhoor, Iftar, and game nights. Atiqa Odho too hosted an Iftar dinner recently.
Stars like Fawad Khan, Mawra Hocane, Mohib Mirza, Sanam Saeed, Asim Raza, Maria Wasti, Vaneeza Ahmed, Leila Zuberi, and others attended the event, delighting fans.
Actor Mohib Mirza has addressed rumours surrounding his second marriage to actor Sanam Saeed, debunking claims he cheated on his first wife Aminah Sheikh, his spouse from 2005 to 2019, and the mother of his child. The secrecy behind his and Sanam’s relationship led to allegations that Mohib had cheated on Aminah, leading to a divorce.
The actor appeared on the FHM podcast where he cleared the air by saying that the two began a relationship after his divorce.
“Who is assuming this?” the actor responded to the accusations. “Do you have my divorce certificate or does Wikipedia say so? My marriage had ended when I pursued Sanam.”
“No one can question this because I have my divorce deed with me, I know what had happened,” the ‘Razia’ actor fired back. Mohib reminded the audience his and Sanam’s relationship was a private affair, and it is their prerogative to reveal it to the public or not.
Opening up about the couple’s wedding, Mohib revealed that it was a private event with only five people present at Sanam’s house.
Actress and UN ambassador Mahira Khan joins the rallying cry to protect Afghan refugees from deportations. Right now, Aurat March reports several Pakistani Pushtuns were picked up and taken to deportation centers because they ‘looked Afghan’.
The ‘Humsafar’ actress shared pictures wearing her UNICEF vest and standing next to women. In the caption she wrote:
“No one leaves their home behind by choice. Here in Pakistan, I’ve been proud of our tradition of hospitality towards those in search of safety, dignity and respect. For over 40 years we have provided safety to our Afghan brothers and sisters in need.
There are people who are still in need of our kindness and compassion, who are at risk if they return.
I appeal to my government to continue to support those who need it.”
Several prominent celebrities have raised their voices as gruesome stories of the brutal treatment of Afghan refugees arrive from activists. Sanam Saeed appealed to the Pakistani government to show mercy to those seeking a better life. She wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“Deporting refugees who seek shelter here will not make our fundamental issues go away. It looks like we are deflecting blame from challenges that the govt or the country overall is facing. At a time like this in the world right now, we need to show more mercy.”
The Pakistani government is set to deport more than 90,000 Afghan refugees by November 1, prompting protests among civil rights activists. Actors, too, are condemning the expulsion. Viral videos show Afghan children in tears as they say goodbye to their friends, expressing sadness over being deported.
Your Namak (Salt) was enough. Thanks everyone. An Afghan student says goodbye to his classmates. pic.twitter.com/DSg16wBeKv
Actress Sanam Saeed has appealed to the government of Pakistan asking that in light of circumstances around the world, Pakistanis must extend their kindness to people seeking shelter in this country.
“Deporting refugees who seek shelter here will not make our fundamental issues go away. It looks like we are deflecting blame from challenges that the govt or the country overall is facing. At a time like this in the world right now, we need to show more mercy.”
Deporting refugees who seek shelter here will not make our fundamental issues go away. It looks like we are deflecting blame from challenges that the govt or the country overall is facing. At a time like this in the world right now, we need to show more mercy. @GovtofPakistan
Veteran actress Nadia Jamil expressed her outrage over a post showing how Afghan children were taken to court and treated as criminals. She shared Osman Khalid Butt’s post and wrote “Statelessness. Their crime is their families Afghan refugee past. Most of them were born here.”
Statelessness. Their crime is their families Afghan refugee past. Most of them were born here. @taherahasan@valekhan please correct me and throw some light on this for us. https://t.co/5Ny6gS6tUd
Columnist Fatima Bhutto shared a video of an Afghan child tearfully saying goodbye to his classmates as he was set to be deported. In the caption she wrote: “This is just wrong of Pakistan. It’s inhumane. We must protect the Afghan refugees of this country and allow them a chance to rebuild their lives.”
Once again, its common knowledge that at the heart of every single celebrity scandal, a woman is targeted with the most blatant misogynist taunts by the public. Over the past two days, two major scandals have broken out in Hollywood. The way publications framed out the narrative to paint the women as scheming shrews who have manipulated the men in their lives proves the public loves nothing more than pushing women down as a public sport.
Today, news outlets confirmed ‘Jonas Brothers’ singer Joe Jonas has officially filed for divorce from his wife of four years, actress Sophie Turner, and sources representing the actor told TMZ that the breakdown of their marriage happened because Sophie, who was by the way 23 when she married 30 year old Joe, was to be blamed for her extravagant lifestyle:
“She likes to party, he likes to stay at home. They have very different lifestyles.”
The source also claimed Joe was the one who was taking care of the couple’s two children while Sophie had been shooting for a project in the UK. We have to ask, why does a man need to be applauded over the fact that he took up the parental responsibility, and a woman is being blamed for working. Suddenly, she’s a bad mom?
trying to paint her as a bad mother while he drinks onstage and parties himself? you’re the one who married a girl in her early twenties as a 30 yo like wtf?? she gave up her life in the uk to live with him and start a family and now he tryna ruin her rep not on my watch !!! https://t.co/MxdlpDPSu2
The way his PR team has been quick to attack Sophie – first claiming she isn’t taking care of her kids bc she’s on set for 3 months despite putting her career on hold to primarily raise them – and now this, esp when she’s openly spoken of post-partum depression… Hell is hot. https://t.co/JalwAQyRgl
On the other hand, actor Timothee Chalamet and beauty tycoon Kylie Jenner decided to go public with their long-rumored relationship. The two were filmed kissing at a Beyonce concert- but most of the talk on the internet once more was sexist, blaming Kylie for stealing a heartthrob just so that she could get ratings for the reality show ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’. Several users have come to Kylie’s defence.
Fans being overly obsessed with their favourite celebrities is a mental illness https://t.co/tolhFc3sJE
A few days ago, a now deleted article written by Vogue about Timothee Chalamet and Kylie’s relationship went viral, where the writer expressed that it was difficult for her to believe that the two could be a couple because Kylie’s career was nothing compared to Timothee Chalamet’s as the quote goes:
What do they do together? Does he hold her makeup brushes while she contours? Does she help him sift through Wes Anderson scripts? Does he give Stormi French lessons?”
“And how did they end up together, anyway? Legend has it that Kylie’s sister Kendall introduced them, but it’s hard for me not to picture Kris sifting through a laminated binder full of leading men, debating which of the Hollywood Chrises would pair best with Kylie’s latest haircut.”
The piece was criticized for insensitivity and for diminishing the reality TV star’s achievements, including Kylie Cosmetics, an enterprise worth around $750 million.
I am not one to ever give a damn about celebrity romances but this is one of the most sexist things I’ve ever heard. “does he help her hold her makeup brushes” ? were you saying that about cheerleaders dating people in high school? what, lmao
While the rest of the world is angry at the way the two women are being publicly humiliated and blamed for events they weren’t responsible for, we have to reflect on the way this is commonly happening in Pakistan. Female celebrities like Sadaf Kanwal, who married Shahroze Sabzwari, was subjected to brutal trolling on social media for months because it was insinuated that she had played a hand in the break up of her husband’s previous marriage, even though both partners confirmed that their breakup was consensual.
Similarly, Sanam Saeed was targeted by trolls for being a ‘home wrecker’ and a cheater when she went public with her relationship with actor Mohib Mirza, after his divorce to actor Aminah Sheikh. Or when actress Ayesha Omar had to clarify that she was not a home wrecker, because some modelling shoots between her and cricket player Shoaib Malik fuelled the fire that she was the culprit behind his rumored divorce to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.
We’d really like to urge our audience to keep their opinions to themselves, especially those about female celebrities. How Kylie and Sophie choose to live, and who they date, is none of our concern because by the end of the day, they’re human beings as well as public figures. It is natural to be a fan of a celebrity and to respect their work- as its understandable since its Timothee Chalamet- but its crossing a line when you’re ranting about the women he dates.
But most importantly, its necessary now more than ever that women- even female celebrities like Sadaf, Kylie or Taylor Swift- are no longer held responsible for the decisions made by the men in their lives, and we learn to understand the fact that it is not our business to know who they’re dating or not. There are better things on this planet to worry about!
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.
