In an interview with The Current, Simi Raheal shared her thoughts on the industry’s obsession with fair complexion. “We are such ‘colonised’ people; the entire industry has changed its colour with whitening injections, and you are asking me this question,” she commented.
Many celebrities now have significantly different skin tones compared to when they first started their careers, highlighting a trend in the industry.
When asked are why are we colonised, Raheal said, “Our society isn’t aware, despite getting an education. An education doesn’t just mean that you can read ABC. Education means expanding your thoughts, seeing other people, accepting them, and enjoying their diversity. Till the time we don’t learn this, we will remain colonized.”
The veteran actress is currently starring in ‘Umro Ayyar’, now screening in cinemas.
Veteran actress Simi Raheal recently starred with Salman Shahid in the acclaimed Eid telefilm ‘Budhi Ghori Lal Lagham’, about an elderly couple who are struck with a tragedy, then choose to live adventurously. The short film was written and directed by actor Sheheryar Munawar, who previously received rave reviews for his Mahira Khan starrer short film ‘Prince Charming’.
We spoke to Raheal at the premier of ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’ at Cue Cinema and asked what drove her to the role.
“He wrote and directed it, and the inspiration came from his own parents. We had recently done a tv series and I don’t know why but he wanted both Salman saab and myself as pivotal characters,” she disclosed.
Raheal was also of the opinion that people want to listen to stories other than the typical saas bahu dramas. “There are a lot of stories out there, and different types of people and a lot of issues. Elderly people have their own set of problems. They want to do things. It’s not necessary that everything is for the youth.”
Recently, veteran actress Mahnoor Baloch also apoke up about why she refused to work in Pakistani dramas, citing a lack of roles for women who are in their forties or fifties. Speaking on this matter, Raheal said it’s because stories that didn’t fit into the ‘hero heroine’ formulae are not considered ‘commercially viable’:
“It’s not written actually, because people don’t write stories about aged women. Mostly people are interested in writing stories about heroes and heroines, which all have the same formulae. Other stories, people feel will not be commercially viable hence they remain untouched.”
‘Budhi Ghori Lal Lagham’ is available to watch on Youtube.
Right now, it looks like the Pakistani film industry is morphing, with a string of upcoming movies that cover a range of diverse topics. Babylicious is gearing up for release, an exes-to-lovers story. Kukri which explores the story of serial killer Javed Iqbal. And now, director Azfar Jafri is developing an adaptation called ‘Umro Ayyar: A New Beginning’ from the Urdu novel “Dastan-e-Amir Hamza”.
The beloved Urdu novel, is based on the Persian folklore written by Ghalib Lakhnavi in 1855. It is an epic tale about the legendary exploits and adventures of Amir Hamza and his crew. Umro Ayyar, the central character of this film, is described as a thief who is known for his cleverness and steals from the rich to help the poor.
The upcoming film will star Usman Mukhtar, Sanam Saeed, Adnan Siddiqui, Ali Kazmi and veteran actor Simi Raheal.
The Current reached out to Mukhtar to ask why he chose to take part in such a project, and spoke about his love for the original novels:
“I chose this project because I have loved Umro since I was a child, and have read all of its books. I was very excited when I became a part of this film.”
Mukhtar also talked about the need to familiarise today’s generation with stories like Umroo Ayyar.
“I think that it’s about time. I think there are so many stories we have in the sub-continent, in our own culture, that are un-explored that we don’t make films about. I honestly don’t understand why producers don’t focus on our own stories. I think it’s about time that it’s happening and I’m really excited and I hope people, when they watch the film, they like it.”
Mukhtar last appeared in ‘Sinf-e-Ahan’ along side Sajal Aly and Kubra Khan. In 2022, he released his horror short film ‘Gulabo Rani’ which received rave reviews from audiences, and also received the ‘Best Short Horror Film’ Award at the Los Angeles Sci-Fi & Horror Festival.
Veteran Pakistani actor Simi Raheal has extended her support to Usman Mukhtar after an artist Mehrooz Waseem, who worked with the Sabaat actor in 2016 accused him of harassing her.
The Dastaan actor commented under a portal’s post, “Those who know Usman know that all this maliciousness is a lie, false accusation and attention seeking. Usman is a wonderful, respectful, kind and compassionate one a rare one!”
Earlier, Usman took to Instagram where he shared a series of pictures under the title My Story, saying that he was being harassed for more than a year now.
Although the 36-year-old refrained from naming the harasser, it was revealed when Mehrooz took to social media and shared her side of the story.
Mehrooz shared a letter written to the FIA along with voice notes on her Instagram. “Is this the professional gentleman?” the caption reads.
Furthermore, the budding artist also accused Usman of charging her a lot of money.
In a startling revelation, she mentioned “unprofessional behaviour” of Usman. “He started telling me about his girlfriend and his private life and what kind of women he liked,” she said.
Notable personalities from the local entertainment industry have taken to social media to criticise the dressing of female celebrities. Several actresses are receiving flak for wearing allegedly ‘bold’ dresses.
Veteran Indian actor and comedian Johny Lever has praised legendary Pakistani actress Simi Raheal’s acting skills during a video call.
The Khuwahish actress shared a screenshot of their interaction on Instagram. “It is a delightful moment when an Indian film legend calls you to say that he enjoys a character you play,” Simi wrote.
The Sabaat star thanked him for his words of appreciation. She mentioned that she is a fan of his work as well.
Simi Raheal is furious with the management of Pakistan Television Corporation(PTV) for sending her a cheque of worth Rs 1400 only.
Sharing a picture of it on social media, the actor said: “This is how artists are honoured by the state! This is the acknowledgement of Pakistan Television. After four decades, this was truly appalling!”
While fellow actors, fans and members of the media industry extended their support to Simi and criticised PTV for their act, others told the veteran actor to not make a big deal out of it.
Later, in a social media post, Simi, thanked those who supported her and explained that her reason for voicing her concern was not about money but was “about social attitudes concerning art and artists”.
“It’s quite visible what people think of artists,” she said. “This dialogue this debate was essential. It does not matter what the actual amount is or should have been it’s about the respect regard of an artist.”
She also explained her stance while replying to multiple users who left comments on her post.
It is pertinent to add here that Raheal is not the only actor who accused PTV of mistreating artists. Earlier this year, senior actor Rashid Mahmood bashed PTVfor sending him a cheque of Rs 620 of which Rs 500 is the Pride of Performance fees, leaving him with only Rs 120.
The baffled actor has voiced his confusion and distaste on social media, saying “What are the criteria of paying a Pride of Performance winner in this country and who spent 50 years of [his] life in PTV.”
Hi. I Received this Cheque from PTV And i can’t understand. Total amount 620/- Pride of Performance Fee. 500/- Payment of my Work. 120/- only. What are the criterias of paying a pride of performance winner in this country and who spend 50 years of life in PTV. #Ptvpic.twitter.com/Id1yPo1bGo
Later, in a video message, he shared how he was invited to recite a marsiya two years ago in Muharram.
“I hadn’t really received any work opportunities from PTV in the past two years. During Muharram, Pakistan Television Lahore had commissioned me to recite Mir Anees’s marsiya. I recorded it and it aired on the 9th and 10th Muharram multiple times. After two years, I received a cheque of only Rs 620,” he said, referring to the compensation as an ‘insult’.
“In this Naya Pakistan, will my mother institute insult me and give me this sort of attitude? People whose worth in the showbiz industry is questionable take Rs 1.5 to 2.5 million. Today I announce that I will never work for PTV,” he lamented.
PTV management later apologised to Mahmood and clarified that the cheque was “mistakenly issued in his name”.
Accepting the stance of MD PTV Aamer Manzoor that a check was mistakenly issued in his name, the Veteran actor Rashid Mahmood has thanked his viewers for their unconditional love. pic.twitter.com/rvlua8WzVr
However, PTV then issued a new cheque to the veteran actor which was worth Rs 9600 only. Posting a picture of the new cheque, Mahmood said that he will not work with PTV in the future and will not be cashing the cheques either.
After Apologies Ptv Management, I Receive An other Cheque from Ptv, (Revised) Rs. 620/- in to Rs. 9600/-. I have do not Cash Both Cheque. But I Framed and Decorate in my Dringroom. And i am Not Work in Future With PTV. This is Final. #RashidMahmood#PTV@INFOEMPIRE_PKpic.twitter.com/z2umMOd8Ve
It appears that celebrity weddings are undeterred by the ongoing pandemic because ever since the country went into lockdown, at least three celebrity weddings have taken place: Nimra Khan, Agha Ali and Hina Altaf and most recently model Faryal Mehmood and Daniyal Raheal, who is Simi Raheal’s son and Mehreen Raheal’s brother.
The two got married in a simple and intimate ceremony with only their close family present. Daniyal announced their wedding on social media and said that the couple drove to Lahore so that they could get married in the presence of their family.
He shared that “everything was perfect. Except it was not” because Faryal’s entire family was in the States and couldn’t be part of the celebrations in person. Despite the setback, his family managed to “pull together a day that will forever warm the cockles of my heart”.
While there are limited pictures from the event, check out a few of them below, as well as of Faryal enjoying her first Eid as a newlywed.
The groom’s mother and sister
Daniyal’s mother Seemi Raheal also expressed her excitement on social media and welcomed her new bahu.
