Tag: topent

  • ‘Another anti-Pakistan project’: Mehwish Hayat lashes out as SRK’s ‘Bard of Blood’ stirs controversy

    ‘Another anti-Pakistan project’: Mehwish Hayat lashes out as SRK’s ‘Bard of Blood’ stirs controversy

    As disappointing as it is, it appears that Bollywood is on a mission to produce as many nationalistic films as possible and portray Pakistanis as the bad guys.

    King of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan’s latest project, Bard of Blood, is set in Balochistan and follows three Indian spies who’re on a “suicide mission,” to rescue four other RAW agents captured in the Pakistani province. The seven-episode thriller series is based on Bilal Siddiqui’s 2015 book of the same name and is being produced by SRK for Netflix. Emraan Hashmi is playing the lead in the film.

    Khan described it as “a thrilling tale of espionage, vengeance, love, and duty”.

    However, considering tensions between the two neighbouring countries are currently at an all-time high, it is frankly irritating to see Bollywood churn out such content which only serves to create more divide. The ironic bit is that such a plot has been done to death.

    Hence, it comes as no surprise that Pakistanis have had enough of being portrayed as the villains in every single Bollywood movie of recent times – think Uri: The Surgical Strike. Which is why they took to Twitter to vent their frustrations. Even DG ISPR, General Asif Ghafoor had something to comment on the matter.

    Recently, Mehwish Hayat in a powerful speech had called out Bollywood for vilifying Pakistanis and after the trailer of the series released, she lashed out on Twitter once again. This time she also called out SRK for being part of such content.

    Similarly, Mansha Pasha also expressed her anger.

  • UN responds to demands, says ‘Priyanka has right to speak in personal capacity’

    UN responds to demands, says ‘Priyanka has right to speak in personal capacity’

    The United Nations (UN) has responded to Pakistani demands seeking the removal of Indian actor Priyanka Chopra as United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) goodwill ambassador for peace.

    According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson, when UNICEF goodwill ambassadors speak in their personal capacity, “they retain the right to speak about issues that interest or concern them”.

    “Their personal views or actions do not necessarily reflect those of UNICEF,” he said, adding, “When they speak on behalf of the UNICEF, we expect them to adhere to UNICEF’s evidence-based impartial positions.”

    Antonio remarked that UNICEF goodwill ambassadors are prominent individuals who have agreed to generously volunteer their time and their public profile to promote children’s rights.

    The development comes after Pakistanis, including Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari, demanded that Priyanka be removed by the UN over a February tweet amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and India.

    The tweet had come a day before Indian fighter jets crossed into Pakistani territory, conducting air raids that resulted in an escalation in hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

    The campaign against Priyanka had started after she was asked to comment on her tweet at a conference in Los Angeles by a Pakistani girl, to which she had responded harshly, inviting criticism from all-around.

    Mazari had last week also lodged an official complaint with the UN, demanding Chopra’s removal over her “support for war”.

  • Sanam Jung, Affan Waheed’s ‘Mein Na Janoo’ is…basic

    Sanam Jung, Affan Waheed’s ‘Mein Na Janoo’ is…basic

    Sanam Jung’s, much-hyped comeback to dramas had everyone buzzing. The actor has been an extremely popular morning show host and her fans were eagerly awaiting her return to the screens. Sadly, her latest offering Mein Na Janoo, which also stars the new heartthrob Affan Waheed and Zahid Ahmed, has fallen flat, leaving the audiences confused.

    Till now, six episodes have been aired and with every passing episode, the plot spirals into some unknown universe.

    The drama, produced by Adnan Siddiqui, revolves around Saira (Sanam) and her half-sister Kiran, played by Komal Aziz Khan. Both the girls have the same father but different mothers. While Kiran’s mother has been accepted by the family as their own, Saira’s mother (Huma Nawab) is an outcast and treated like a maid in the house, for reasons still unknown. All through the first six episodes, Saira’s mother is referred to as a “chalaak, gunegaar, behaya aurat” because she apparently stole her husband. Saira is also mistreated and vilified by the family even though her father supports her and defends her when the rest of fam accuses her of chalaoing her “jadu” on the men.

    Meanwhile, Nain (Zahid Ahmed), a former Airforce officer and Nehat (Affan Waheed) are Saira and Kiran’s cousins. Both of them are in love with Saira and want to marry her. However, Nehat’s mother refuses to make Saira her bahu (because you know she belongs to a behaya mother) and wants Nehat to marry Kiran, while Saira’s father is unsure about giving his daughter to a person who is blind, even though Nain’s family loves Saira.

    In short, the plot is basic and has nothing new to offer – crying heroines and abusive families have been done to death. Though I have to admit, the level of abuse in this drama is over the top and makes you cringe. Dialogues like “Iss larki nay izzat mitti main mila di,” “Iss ko main aisa sabaq sikhaoon gee keh dunya dekhay gee,” etc have been generously used. And of course, girls and boys have no right to fall in love with each other and if they do, it’s the girl’s fault because she trapped the guy.

    Both Saira and her mother as victims are seen crying in almost every scene. Saira’s mother barely says anything, just walks through every episode with her head down as the rest of the family members vilify her and call her names. Sanam’s expressions come across as wooden in most scenes, but then again her character has been written like that. Affan does a decent job as the arrogant spoiled brat as does Zahid as a blind former Airforce officer. But none of the actors give their best. Their acting is slightly above average at best.

    The drama is currently moving at a snail’s pace and leaving many questions unanswered which is why it is getting boring and dry. I hope the writers shake things up because if they continue like this, no one’s going to watch it. Affan is expected to turn into the antagonist and become a complete psychopath so that is one thing to look forward to.

  • The Current EXCLUSIVE: Is PM Khan attending Hamza Ali Abbasi’s wedding?

    The Current EXCLUSIVE: Is PM Khan attending Hamza Ali Abbasi’s wedding?

    Hamza Ali Abbasi’s wedding to is all anyone and everyone can talk about this week. Once everyone got over the initial shock, questions were raised as to who will be on the coveted guest list and what the couple will be wearing.

    Like everyone else, we also wondered if Prime Minister Imran Khan will be attending the wedding given that he shares a close relationship with the actor.

    “I don’t think so,” says Special Assistant to PM on Media Iftikhar Durrani. “Ever since he has become PM, he has not attended any social events except for two weddings one of which was his Military Secretary daughter’s wedding.”

    PM Imran at his MS’ daughter’s wedding

    Cricketer Imad Wasim has also invited the PM to his wedding which is being held on the same day as Hamza’s valima. But it appears that the PM will be skipping both.

    It is pertinent to mention here that PM Khan also did not attend his nephew and niece’s wedding in April even though his sons were in attendance.

    Hamza is getting married to actor Naimal Khawar this weekend in a “small nikkah” which will be held on Sunday, August 25 followed by a “small valima” the next day.

  • Mika Singh apologises to India for performing in Pakistan

    Mika Singh apologises to India for performing in Pakistan

    After the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) banned Mika Singh from working in India for performing in Pakistan, singer Mika Singh has apologised to the association and his fans and said that he will never work in Pakistan again.

    Mika shared the update on Twitter and also held a press conference in which he apologised and said that he will not perform in Pakistan again. Other members of the FWICE were also present with Mika during the press conference.

    Mika explained that he had done the concert because it was a prior commitment. However, he admitted it was a mistake that he would never repeat.

    “This was a commitment signed long back. The timing was wrong that I went there because the decision on Article 370 has just been taken. I called the federation and told them that this was a mistake. I apologise for the mistake and I won’t repeat it again. I got a visa, so I went (to Pakistan). If you get a visa, you will go, too,” said the singer.

    When the media asked Mika why he even went to Pakistan in first place after the Pulwama attack, Mika started a heated argument.

    “Do you know that Neha Kakkar and Atif Aslam performed here only two months ago? Do you know that Sonu Nigam also performed together with Atif four months ago? Why did no one say anything then?” he questioned.

    Meanwhile, members of the FWICE said that they agreed to lift the ban after Mika explained his actions and regretted performing.

    “We were in shock that Mika performed in Pakistan and at a time when India is bleeding due to Pakistan. Such an approach on part of Indian artists is not acceptable. However, we are now taking back the circular to ban Mika Singh,” they said.

    They added that FWICE stood firm on its decision of banning Pakistani artistes from working in Bollywood and that they would ban anyone who works with a Pakistani artist anywhere in the world.

  • Hamza Ali Abbasi’s shaadi announcement has Pakistanis divided

    Hamza Ali Abbasi’s shaadi announcement has Pakistanis divided

    One of Pakistan’s hottest bachelors Hamza Ali Abbasi announced his wedding to actor Naimal Khawar Wednesday evening leaving the whole country divided over his announcement.

    In case you missed it here’s Hamza’s announcement.

    As expected, Hamza’s announcement had Pakistanis on Twitter divided. While some congratulated the happy couple, others began to dissect his post and called him out for being a narcissist.

    https://twitter.com/BeenishKN/status/1164093985549365249?s=20

    Meanwhile, others called out Hamza for his lengthy explanations of why he is marrying Naimal.

    https://twitter.com/MizzSheikh/status/1164201282220908544?s=20
    https://twitter.com/AsadNasir80/status/1164202999914344449?s=20

    https://twitter.com/karachiiite/status/1164264046092279810?s=20
  • ‘Remove Priyanka Chopra as goodwill ambassador,’ Mazari writes to UNICEF director

    ‘Remove Priyanka Chopra as goodwill ambassador,’ Mazari writes to UNICEF director

    Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari has written to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Henrietta Fore regarding the Priyanka Chopra controversy.

    As per the details, Dr Mazari has asked Fore to remove the Indian actor as UN’s Goodwill Ambassador for Peace as she has “made a mockery of the title” by supporting the Modi government’s unlawful actions in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK), besides “supporting a nuclear war”.

    Chopra had come under fire for her patronising and dismissive comments when asked by a Pakistani-American activist Ayesha Malik about her support for war with Pakistan.

  • Sonam Kapoor is not ‘done venting’

    Sonam Kapoor is not ‘done venting’

    Not the best of days for Bollywood.

    After Priyanka Chopra, actor Sonam Kapoor has landed in the line of fire for her comments on Kashmir, Pakistan and patriotism.

    After India revoked Article 370 which granted special status to Indian occupied Kashmir, tensions between the two neighbouring countries have reached an all-time high.

    In a recent interview with BBC Asian Network, Sonam had said, “It’s heartbreaking to see where the situation has landed right now but I’m very patriotic. So I think for me now it’s better to keep quiet and let this pass because even this too should pass. Our countries were one country like 70 years ago and the fact that there is so much divisive politics at play is really heartbreaking.”

    Sonam continued that she is very upset about the ban on Bollywood in Pakistan because “as an artist, you want to be represented everywhere and you want your work to be shown everywhere,” adding that she was heartbroken when her film Neerja wasn’t allowed to be screened in Pakistan.

    Speaking about Kashmir, Sonam said, “I think it’s very complicated and I don’t understand it as much because there is so much contrasting news everywhere so I don’t really know what the truth is.”

    “I believe in having a peaceful discourse and understanding what’s going on. So when I have the complete information is when I think I can give an opinion.”

    Sonam’s comments irked people on both sides of the border. While Pakistanis called her out for not seeing beyond her nationalism, Indians called her a traitor for wanting her films to be screened in Pakistan and talking about her Pakistani roots.

    “I am half Sindhi and half Peshawari. It’s heartbreaking to see that part of my culture is something that I can’t explore as well because of that,” Sonam had said.

    As the situation continued to boil, Sonam took to Twitter and asked everyone to calm down and “get a life.”

    Regardless, the trolling on Sonam’s status continued.

    Even Shaan couldn’t resist passing a comment.

  • Shaan is upset with President Alvi for ‘not doing anything’

    Shaan is upset with President Alvi for ‘not doing anything’

    President Arif Alvi’s recent comments calling for the revival of arts and preserving of culture in Pakistan have upset Shaan Shahid. As of recent, the actor has regularly been tweeting to the Government of Pakistan and Prime Minister Imran Khan to improve and promote the field of art and cinema in the country.

    When President Arif Alvi called for promoting arts and preserving culture, Shaan responded, “Saying only…not doing anything about it.”

    According to the media report to which Shaan had responded, President Alvi had laid stress on the promotion of arts and crafts through adequate preservation of the rich diversity of Pakistani culture and assured his support in this regard. Referring to the Islamic and European Renaissance, the president observed that civilizations could only prosper by promoting arts, crafts and architecture.

    Meanwhile, here’s a look at Shaan’s efforts to work on the revival of arts and culture.

  • Sacred Games: The new ‘Game of Thrones’

    Sacred Games: The new ‘Game of Thrones’

    We’re disappointed…

    The much-awaited second season of Netflix’s Sacred Games was
    dropped on Indian Independence Day, and if you want us to save you some time…
    we’re disappointed.

    It isn’t easy to be divided between watching Ganesh Gaitonde
    (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) back in action and sticking to the idea of shunning Indian
    productions at a time when Pakistan and India aren’t the best of friends.

    However, having watched the eight-episode series, we can
    guarantee that you won’t miss out on anything as great as the first season, in
    case you’re planning not to watch it.

    Expanding beyond the novel by Vikram Chandra, the second season has left us disillusioned of Anurag Kashyap and co.’s ability to do wonders.

    To quickly recap the first season, because Netflix won’t, Sacred Games is one drawn-out game of cat-and-mouse between notorious Mumbai gangster Gaitonde and his chosen police mark, Sartaj Singh (Saif Ali Khan), trying to figure out the former’s dastardly (and as-yet-unknown) plans set in motion.

    SPOILERS AHEAD!

    The second picks up halfway through the 25 days left to save
    Mumbai from uncertain calamity. Singh dives back into the investigation,
    following a trail that points to nuclear weapons, terrorism and Gaitonde’s link
    to Khanna Guruji (Pankaj Tripathi).

    Gaitonde, still narrating to Singh but actually to us, calls Guruji his third father, to whom he and so many others are drawn like moths to a flame.

    But, as one could’ve imagined (keeping in view flashbacks and
    those mysterious mandalas from the first season), the ashram is actually a cult
    and its leaders the liaisons between Gaitonde’s drug trade and the weapons
    Singh suspects will be used to attack Mumbai over a decade later.

    Just after the new twists are registered – and half the season is gone – one starts waiting for things to get as interesting as promised by cast members time and again. You start looking forward to something big enough for the season to beat its predecessor… and in all honesty, to make sense.

    It isn’t later you realise that Sacred Games has successfully
    pulled a Game of Thrones and disappointed you more than Gaitonde was upon realising
    how Guruji deceived him as a pawn, for his own plans to create a “new world”.

    All this remains the tip of a story lost somewhere between
    juggling too many balls – crowing Singh as the hero, unnecessary exaggeration,
    Pakistan being portrayed as the villain, gang wars, Soviet-Afghan War, 9/11 and
    26/11 attacks and so much more.

    Without spoiling the not-so-much a cliffhanger finale, it’s safe to say that both Gaitonde and the show might have lost the legacy which followers strived to honour after the first season (and we don’t really mind).