Every year the world celebrates Father’s day on the third Sunday of June. This time around despite the pandemic woes, celebrities made sure they empower their fathers with heartfelt social media posts.
Take a look at some of the sweetest wishes on social media by our celebrities:
American sitcom Friends is amongst the most viewed television shows of all time. Being a blockbuster series, it lasted for ten seasons and enjoyed worldwide viewership with multiple re-telecasts. The series is currently available on Netflix and has a significant viewership in Pakistan. It revolves around the bonding and regular life routines of six friends in their thirties.
If a local producer decides to buy its copy rights and remake it with a Pakistani cast, Here’s the ideal leading cast:
Rachel Green – Mahira Khan
Rachel is a beautiful fashion enthusiast with an inconsistent love life, she became a rage in pop culture for her dressing sense and hairstyles. Mahira has it in her to essay a role like this going by her great sense of fashion and her impeccable looks making her the right choice for the role.
Ross Geller – Fawad Khan
Ross is a suave paleontologist with three failed marriages and an interest in philosophical conversations which his friends don’t find intriguing. Ross is Monica’s elder brother and Rachel’s on and off love interest.
Joey Tribbiani – Sheheryar Munawar
Joey is a struggling actor and a foodie with flirtatious traits, Sheheryar has played similar roles in his films like Ho Mann Jahan. The Parey Hut Love actor has the charm to pull of this iconic character.
Phoebe Buffay – Saba Qamar
Phoebe is the funniest of the lot with a heart of gold and a failed music career. Saba displayed her comic histrionics on Hum sub umeed se hain and Miss Fire, giving us assurance about a promising comic timing on celluloid.
Monica Geller- Mehwish Hayat
Monica had elements of a bossy, competitive, and obsessive-compulsive nature who wants things to be perfect but still manages to choose the wrong men for herself except for Chandler. Monica is stylish and has the ability of binding the group together.
Chandler – Fahad Mustafa
Chandler is the guy who can make you laugh and can effortlessly confuse you with his sarcasm. Fahad Mustafa is an apt choice for this role going by his performances in Na Maloom Afrad series and Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 which showcased his convincing witty performances.
Sheheryar Munawar has opened up about his struggles and shared some shocking revelations about his first play’s shoot Zindagi Gulzar Hai in a recent interview.
In conversation with Something Haute, Munawar said that his experience of working on the hit HUM TV drama was ‘terrible’. In fact, he thinks it’s his worst performance ever.
When he was asked about his bitter experience, the Parey Hut Luv star revealed that it was due to the absence of a mentor despite him being Sultana Siddiqui’s nephew.
Moreover, he also shared that there was nobody to teach him how to convey his lines or understand the character. Even his co-stars were of no help.
Speaking of Fawad Khan, the main lead of the drama, Sheheryar said he was tough on him and that made his overall experience more bitter.
“Fawad was straight out of Humsafar and I was just a newbie. The fact that I was the nephew of the director also contributed to it. He was tough on me. He wasn’t a bully like the ones we see on television, but he was hard on me.”
“That was a very tough one and a half month,” he added.
But they are on good terms now. He respects Fawad as a senior actor and he has also made his cameo in two of Sheheryar’s films.
He further said that the actors weren’t helpful either. Sheheryar was only a student when he was offered the role of Osama in Zindagi Gulzar Hai and didn’t know anything about the reel life.
Read more – Did you know Priyanka Chopra’s mother is a fan of Sheheryar Munawar?
While Israel continues to commit atrocities against Palestine and Palestinians despite a ceasefire, many people, including Mark Ruffalo and Gigi Hadid who initially called out Israel for committing war crimes and genocide, have now steered the debate towards Antisemitism, urging people to stop harassing Jews for what Israel is doing. Furthermore, Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi was also labelled anti-Semitic by CNN journalist Bianna Golodryga after he accused Israel of having “deep pockets”.
Read more – Celebs support SMQ after CNN reporter calls him ‘anti-Semitic’
Following the brouhaha, Sheheryar Munawar, while sharing his thoughts on the matter, commented: “When reputable foreign media agencies quote more than 200 ‘dead’ (How? Did they one day just internally combust?) and, on the contrary, 12 Israelis ‘killed’, it proves Israel either has deep pockets or has Professor Xavier on their pay roll controlling minds.”
“Or maybe ‘credible’ journalists choose to bring in their own personal biases when reporting on the region (which could count as what racist? No wait, there’s no word for it – it’s known as Islamophobia which in itself justifies the act by using fear as reasoning and takes blame away from the one committing it – wow),” continued the actor.
Munawar further said: “Either way how does stating facts make one anti-Semitic? Does saying Arabs have a lot of oil money make you…umm wait, yeah no word for it…for the sake of argument, Islamophobic?”
In a separate note, the actor explained: “There’s a difference between anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist. Just as every Muslim is not a Taliban, every Jew is not Zionist.”
Munawar further said: “Am I or can the narrative from this side be called anti-Zionist? Yes! But we anti-Zionist because we are anti-fundamentalism, whether Muslim or Jewish.”
Agreeing with Qureshi’s “deep pockets” remark, Sheheryar said: “But when Jewish toxic fundamentalism is backed by $3.8 billion dollars of US Military funding (sponsored by US tax payer money), then I have no qualms about calling a wolf a wolf specially when it doesn’t even have the courtesy to at least try and hide in sheep’s clothing.”
Meanwhile, Hania Aamir called out a local media outlet for “yellow journalism” and portraying Qureshi in negative light.
“Please choose your captions wisely. Other aspects of the interview could have been highlighted but you chose to highlight the one that portrays the only official Muslim representative who is being vocal about the genocide and calling a spade a spade in a negative light,” said Aamir, adding: “Also at a time when bringing about change on a matter of grave concern – terrorism, settler colonialism etc – is relying on social media you need to show a bit more responsibility.”
“Yellow journalism will be called out. Goes for all other publications. Please use your words wisely and realise your responsibility,” asserted Hania.
Protests in solidarity with the people of Palestine were held in several cities yesterday, including Karachi. Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawar, Anoushay Ashraf, Faysal Quraishi, Mansha Pasha, Ayesha Omar, Sanam Jung and Hania Amir were spotted amongst other celebrities there.
Have a look at some pictures from the protest:
At least 227 Palestinians, including 64 children, have been killed in 11 days due to Israeli attacks.
Sheheryar Munawar has urged his fans and followers to speak for the people of Palestine.
Taking to Instagram stories, Munawar wrote: “I have never asked you anything for myself, but today I ask you not to stay quiet. To open your minds and hearts and speak for the people of Palestine. Speak against the injustice.”
The actor urged his followers to educate themselves on the current situation in Palestine and further educate others.
“Take some time to first educate yourselves, not only about what’s happening now in the region but what has been going on for the past 70 odd years,” he added.
Munawar said: “And then if it feels right to you, educate those around you.”
In another post, Sheheryar went on to say, “There are 14.7 million Jews in the world – and a total of around two billion Muslims in the world. How many narratives (films) each year do we consume on the holocaust? Now compare that to the number of films, documentaries, shows about the ethnic cleansing, genocide in Palestine? Or for that matter, what’s happening in Syria, Yemen (I could keep going but you get the point), exactly right?”
“We need more narratives, we need media agencies to start talking, we need people to start talking,” he concluded.
With the constant airstrikes pounded on Gaza, at least 212 Palestinians, including 61 children, have been killed since the attacks began. About 1,500 Palestinians have been wounded.
With the nonstop bombardment of missiles by Israelis and destruction of Palestinian homes, offices, security buildings and residential property, nearly 200 Palestinians have been killed, including 58 children, in the Gaza Strip as Israeli monstrosities enter the second week.
People across the world including Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik are raising their voices for the Palestinians with Pakistani celebrities too using their social media presence to call out atrocities of Israeli military on innocent people.
Read more – Mahira Khan, Babar Azam, Maya Ali among others condemn Israeli brutality in Palestine
“Can you imagine kissing your child to sleep and not knowing if you all will see them again? That’s the reality of life in Palestine right now. That’s the horror those children, those innocent beings live in,” said Ayeza Khan. “My heart aches to even think about this. We can’t do much. But we do have a voice. And together, we can use it to stop the cruelties on our brothers and sisters.”
Taking to Instagram, Mahira Khan wrote: “If we remain silent, there is blood on our hands too.”
“Free Palestine,” she added.
Maya Ali also took to Instagram and wrote: “All of my prayers are with the Palestinians.
She also prayed for the people of Palestine. “O Allah, please help, protect and support the people in Palestine and ease their pains and sufferings. Ameen!”
Maya added: “I’ve been absolutely speechless and heart broken of seeing the horrifying attacks on the innocent people of #Palestine. Its high time that we all come together, raise our voices and spread awareness about the current situation in Palestine. When the world unites, miracles happen!”
Sharing a viral video of a Palestinian girl questioning what her fault is and whether it is fair to attack them like this, Ayesha Omar said: “No it’s not. It’s not fair. It’s not fair. It’s not human.”
Yasir Hussain also expressed his sadness over the situation, saying: “Khamosh rehny waly tamaam Muslim mumaalik ye bhool rhy hain k aisa unky sath bhi ho sakta hai. Hamen khamoshi ki aadat dali ja rahi hai.“
Bilal Abbas Khan also shared pictures of protestors demanding to save Palestine from injustice and apartheid of Israel.
Read more – Asim Azhar, Shahid Afridi, Farhan Saeed call out Israel’s atrocities against Palestinians
Other celebrities including Feroze Khan, Haroon Shahid, Shehzad Roy, Zara Noor Abbas and Hania Aamir among others also rose their voice and called out Israeli violence on Palestinians.
Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) Security Council met on Sunday to discuss the violence but failed to agree on even a joint statement of concern.
Sheheryar Munawar has apologised for attending a birthday amid the deadly third wave of the coronavirus in Pakistan. The actor was recently spotted at Fahad Mirza’s 40th birthday celebrations, where he was photographed sans mask enjoying a candid moment.
After he was called out for being irresponsible, Sheheryar Munawar, in a statement apologised for his actions, saying: “Last week I went to wish my neighbour on his birthday on an invitation I had accepted two weeks prior.”
Munawar said that he was not expecting such a crowd and left five minutes after wishing the birthday boy.
“In a candid moment I was asked to take my mask off and pose for a picture,” continued Sheheryar. “Rightly so, I was called out for doing that and not following the SOPs. There is no justification for my actions and I stand corrected.”
Taking full responsibility, Sheheryar apologised for his “ignorance, lapse in judgement and lack of better sense” and thanked his social media family for “keeping my moral compass in check”
“Times are tough and we must all follow SOPs outlined by the government,” added the actor before extending prayers for those affected.
Later, while responding to a social media user, Munawar asserted that there are “no justifications for my actions”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Munawar had tested positive for COVID-19 when Pakistan experienced its first wave.
Meanwhile, Mirza’s birthday party was an extravagant affair with many celebs including wife Sarwat Gilani, Zeba Bakhtiar, Frieha Altaf, and Mansha Pasha in attendance. After pictures from the celebrations went viral on social media, people present at the event were heavily criticised for not following the SOps.
Frieha had defended the celebrations, saying: “First of all, it was a very small gathering and it was on an open rooftop. All SOPs were followed, there were masks, temperature checks at the gate and I believe most of the guests already vaccinated or had antibodies.”
Sheheryar Munawar has revealed that Priyanka Chopra’s mother was a fan of his acting in the drama Kahi Unkahi.
Read more – Sheheryar Munawar reacts to his viral interview with ‘The Current’
Recalling the time when he worked with Chopra on a project in 2015, Munawar in a recent interview, said that Priyanka called him during the shoot and told him that her mother is a fan.
Munawar shared that he was blowing out her hair for the shoot when she called him by his name.
“I instantly died when I realised she knew my name,” laughed Sheheryar. “She then said, ‘My mother is a fan of you’. And I was like ‘huh’? She said yeah, she’s in the vanity, would you join me there for a bit? She wants a picture with you.”
“My play Kahi Unkahi was airing on Zee Zindagi [at the time] and Chopra’s mother found me cute as a child,” said Sheheryar further.
“It was very interesting,” he added, remarking that he was surprised how Chopra’s mother wished to meet a guy who at the time was running around the sets, fetching water bottles and sweeping the floors.
“I was so shocked when it was happening but Priyanka was so sweet about it. She said Sheheryar obviously I know you, my mother is a fan, come with me to the vanity,” he said, adding how there was strict security on the sets and to cross the boundary to make it to the star’s vanity was rare.
“But they were both so sweet, we clicked a few pictures, and there was that,” he added, concluding the story.
“Later, I was the blower guy again when we shot an ad campaign with Sonam Kapoor,” said Munawar, laughing.
Read more – Sheheryar Munawar hits back at troll who called him ‘ghareebon ka Bradley Cooper’
During the interview, Munawar also revealed that he was once interested in becoming a cricketer and practised a lot for it but didn’t pursue it further.
Sakina Samo, who was recently honoured with the Pride of Performance has announced that her next film will be a love story set in interior Sindh and will feature Sheheryar Munawar, Asad Siddiqui and Humaima Malick in the lead.
“By the grace of Allah, I am able to announce some details about my next film,” said Sakina in the announcement. “I am so pleased to say Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui and Asad Siddiqui (not related) are confirmed cast members.”
In a successive post, the veteran actor and director revealed the female lead and some additional details about the film.
“And here is our leading lady, the talented Humaima Malik,” shared Sakina, adding: “I’m humbled and proud to be directing a story set in interior Sindh. All I can say at this point is it’s a love story inspired by true events and characters.”
“It’s a script that I’ve been mulling over for decades, finally I’ve put pen to paper,” she shared further.
Though Sakina did not share further details, The Current’s sources have revealed that Sheheryar and Humaima will be paired opposite each other.
The rest of the cast is yet to be finalised and shooting for the project will begin sometime in October.
Meanwhile, the lead cast also expressed their excitement over their upcoming film on social media.