Recent comments by veteran actor Firdous Jamal on Mahira Khan have set social media ablaze and everyone, including members of the film fraternity, have something to say on the matter.
In case you missed it, Jamal sb while appearing on Faysal Qureshi’s morning show Salaam Zindagi had remarked that Mahira is not “heroine stuff,” before proceeding to say that she is “a mediocre sort of a model, she’s not a good actress and not a heroine.”
He didn’t end there. The 65-year-old continued, “She’s quite aged as well and we don’t have heroines at this age, they only play the characters of mothers.”
Firdous’ outdated comments on one of Pakistan’s most successful actors sparked enrage on social media and many actors also called him out for belittling Mahira like this.
Late Sunday night, Firdous Jamal’s son, Hamza Firdous, who is also an actor, took to Twitter to defend his father.
Some of you might remember Hamza from O Rangreza. He played Tipu.
He said that his father is a very successful man on his own and does not need to hold any grudges. He commented that people should not shove everything “under the rug of chauvinism and misogyny.” He concluded his statements saying that he has immense respect for Mahira and hopes that her film is a superhit.
Award-winning actress Mehwish Hayat has vowed that she will work towards promoting Pakistan’s national sport, hockey.
After a video of thirsty hockey players searching for water outside the stadium during the ongoing National Hockey Championship went viral, Mehwish took to Twitter to express her shock at the conditions of the players and called for the revival of the sport in Pakistan.
This is shocking state of affairs for hockey in Pak. We were world champions, Olympic champions – the best in the world.Wht happened to our national sport?! Like cinema, we need a revival of Hockey in Pak. We need to take drastic measures. No reason Y gold cannot be ours in Tokyo https://t.co/zA6UsTuz4E
The following day, she visited the Abdul Sattar Hockey Stadium in Karachi to promote the ongoing championship. Mehwish even tried her hand at the sport with the players.
At the stadium, while speaking to the media, Mehwish expressed her disappointment on the conditions of the players and stadium in general. Mehwish said that more attention needs to paid to the sport and requested the government and Prime Minister Imran Khan to help the sport. She even urged the authorities to integrate sports into the school curriculum.
@MehwishHayat went to a national hockey league game today at Abdul sattar edhi stadium and was horrified at conditions our young talent was playing in..why the disparity with cricket on funds wht is the gov doing? pic.twitter.com/maRY0boXnW
Mehwish later shared her thoughts on Twitter as well and encouraged others to also support the game.
Visited Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey stadium & was appalled at wht I saw. Can’t believe that our national sport has fallen into such neglect. Frm the most successful team in the world; 4x world champions 3x Olympic Gold to no.17(lowest)in the world. Let’s not dwell on blame but ..1/2
see how we can fix this. We need govt support,sponsorship &more media coverage. We as a nation need to get behind our team &show them the love &support we do to cricket. If we do something now, maybe by Paris Olympics 2024 we will be able to win Gold again! 2/2 @PHFOfficial
Mehwish’s initiative gathered a lot of appreciation on social media and several other renowned personalities also spoke on the matter.
@MehwishHayat I am always up for anyway that I can serve our country. You have done really well to take this initiative. Truly appreciate it I am sure @ShehzadRoy@AzharAli_ and many others would be more then happy to be part of anything that brings glory to Pakistan.
Veteran actor Firdous Jamal’s outdated statements on Mahira Khan have enraged a lot of the superstar’s fans.
On his recent appearance on Faysal Qureshi’s morning show, Salaam Zindagi where they played a game giving advice to different actors, Firdous remarked, “Sorry to say if someone likes it or not, but Mahira is not heroine stuff. She’s a mediocre sort of a model, she’s not a good actress and not a heroine.
He didn’t end there. The 65-year-old continued, “She’s quite aged as well and we don’t have heroines at this age, they only play the characters of mothers.”
09IexEKEDNeAmSiv
On Sunday, Mahira subtly responded to Jamal’s comments in an Insta post which she captioned, “Desi me rollin’ they hatin’.” Nice on Mahira!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0dQGrDhm5z/
Meanwhile, Firdous’ outdated comments on one of Pakistan’s most successful actors sparked enrage on social media and many actors also called him out for belittling Mahira like this.
And it is her dedication and passion towards her work that has led her to this position. She is a heroine and a star in every sense of these words. As far as age is concerned, an actor and their talent is not bound by it.
@TheMahiraKhan jab log aapke baray main achee ya buree batein karen aapke naam se kuch chaar min kee importance chahen to is ka matlab hai you must be doing something right ..you are and you will be My Super Star ⭐️ Shine More ✨
If we as members of the film & television fraternity can’t keep our chauvinism in check, if we keep reinforcing regressive & sexist stereotypes, how do we expect the public to treat our industry – and specifically the women in it – with respect?
Taking a dig at the biggest name of your country makes you as small as it gets. Disrespectful remarks in the garb of opinions need to STOP. Hope the two mins of fame were worth it. Mahira works extremely hard to be where she is. It’s not easy So Proud of you my M❤️ @TheMahiraKhan
I am really appalled that senior and respectable persons like #Firdousjamal sahab still think that a woman has a heroine by date….till when will we continue on this repressive path and pull peers down. @TheMahiraKhan is a star in every sense of the word like her or hate her. pic.twitter.com/fZTEBUgJDj
First of all, what kind of a show is that where randos comment on people and not their work or outfits as is the norm in fashion based TV shows. Secondly, the host is still romancing girls young enough to be his daughters on tv serials. How do they even get the nerve!!! https://t.co/ObDJSqXI07
Sounds like a personal interaction might not have gone well. #MahiraKhan is fit. Many younger women aspire to look like her. Ignore one man. The rest of the Indian subcontinent can’t help drooling over her. https://t.co/3yjYmmxd9v
Faysal’s comments also received a lot of backlash even though he tried to cover them up later. At the beginning of the segment, he had said, “I honestly wish that at least one of Mahira’s films is a hit this year. Because so far, none of Mahira’s films have done well.”
Thats how he thinks kiya faraq parhta hey …she is super star and i was shocked too. I meant jo hit milni chahiye woh mily #binroye was hit but bari wali hit .khir i praised her 1000 times in my show no one shared that https://t.co/xb5IYwukgs
Thats his opinion uss mey ary mera show ya main kahan sey aagaya bhai …and watch complete clip aadi is saying something about me https://t.co/y3dPaA8YDv
But no matter what anyone says, Mahira Khan is one of Pakistan’s biggest stars and no one can say otherwise. And age is just a number. Has Firdous sahab even seen the teasers/songs of her latest films? The woman looks dazzling!
Meanwhile, don’t forget to watch our interview with her this Sunday on our social media channels.
As more people come forward with their accounts of their run-ins with vlogger Umar Khan, popularly known as Ukhano, the latter has approached the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and filed his case against alleged fake accounts who have been tarnishing his name.
Taking to social media, late Wednesday night, Ukhano had pledged his innocence and said that his “private, personal and two-way conversations were leaked.” He added that the conversations were censored and blurred to suit a certain purpose.
Umar explained that only a few of the leaked conversations were authentic, while the rest of them were fake. He claimed that even from the consensual chats, the responses of the girls were “censored to frame me as a sexual harasser and predator.” He said that he didn’t want to name and shame anyone publically which is why he has decided to take his case to the FIA. Ukhano signed off saying that he apologises to anyone who might have felt uncomfortable with his behaviour.
Following this video, on Friday morning, Ukhano shared videos and pictures of himself at the FIA office and said that that he has filed his complaint and shared the screenshots, usernames and other details to the relevant authorities. Umar is being legally represented by lawyer Hassaan Niazi.
The Pakistani film industry may appear to be just about fun Eid releases but young, independent filmmakers are working hard to expand the industry and take it up a notch.
Pakistani filmmaker Saim Sadiq’s Darling is on its’ way to becoming the first Pakistani film to be screened at the 76th edition of the prestigious Venice Film Festival. The oldest film festival, the Venice Film Festival is part of the ‘Big Three’ a term used for the three most prestigious film festivals in the world namely Cannes, Berlin and Venice.
Set in a dance theatre in Lahore, Darling revolves around a young boy and a trans girl. Speaking exclusively to The Current, the film’s director said, “Darling is loosely based on my feature film in-development ‘Gulaab’ – both being an exploration of masculinity and femininity set in a highly sexualized erotic dance subculture that exists like an open secret in an otherwise repressive Pakistani society. It’s in equal parts a coming-of-age story, a queer celebration, and a love letter to the Bollywood dream.”
The main cast of the film includes Abdullah Malik who plays Shani and Alina, a trans girl from Lahore who makes her acting debut with this film.
The supporting cast of the film includes Nadia Afgan of Suno Chanda fame and Mehar Bano. Nadia will also be producing the film along with Mahak Jiwani. The film has been directed by Saim Sadiq, who is currently a student of Film Directing at Columbia University in New York. Mo Azmi, of Cake, was the Director of Photography.
The world premiere of Darling will take place in Venice in September 2019.
Fatema Sohail’s account of being domestically abused by her husband actor-singer Mohsin Abbas Haider has sparked a much-needed debate on the practise which is so prevalent in Pakistan behind closed doors. Fatema, while speaking to the media, had shared that many women had come forward and recounted their ordeal of being domestically abused.
One such person who has also opened up about being a victim of domestic violence is actor Humaima Malick. Humaima revealed that she was beaten almost to death multiple times and she feels ashamed that she did not stand up for herself earlier. The actor, however, did not name or shame anyone.
Humaima was married to actor-director Shamoon Abbasi for a brief period before the couple parted ways.
Previously Humaima’s sister, Dua Malik had come forward to support Fatema’s claims and said that she herself has witnessed Mohsin’s cruel behaviour towards his wife.
Fans and followers are waiting, with bated breaths, for Bollywood’s IT couple Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor to tie the knot. The two made their relationship official last year in May when they made an appearance at Sonam Kapoor’s wedding together and since then we’ve been waiting for the big day. After all, what’s more fun than a celebrity wedding?
According to reports in the Indian media, Alia has ordered her wedding lehenga. And it is no surprise who the designer is! Just like Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, Alia is all set to be a Sabyasachi bride. An exclusive report by SpotboyE revealed that Alia met Sabyasachi earlier this year to discuss her wedding lehenga and it appears that the preparation for it has already begun.
Alia has donned Sabyasachi saris, lehengas and dresses on many occasions in the past.
Meanwhile, Rishi Kapoor – who is completing his cancer treatment in New York – has told IANS that he is looking forward to coming home as he has a “wedding to plan”.
Looks like the Kapoors and the Bhatts are gearing-up for an early 2020 wedding!
Fatema Sohail’s allegations of domestic abuse and cheating on Mohsin Abbas Haider have sparked a debate on the issue of domestic violence and the rights of a wife in our society. Though it’s sad that the issue is gaining traction now, considering that it something that almost every woman in this society has experienced, better late than never, right?
Meera, who recently shared the screen with Mohsin in Baaji, expressed her thoughts on a matter, saying that men have no clue on how to talk to women.
“There is a problem of sexual harassment and sexism in Pakistan,” Meera said while talking to a media outlet. “Women are treated like paon ki jooti and are not given their due rights.”
Meera then said that films on the issues of domestic violence need to be made.
When asked on how Mohsin is as a person, Meera responded that all actors have two different lives – their personal/family life and their screen life. She said that her relationship with Mohsin was that of a colleague and she doesn’t know any details of his married life. She said she will get a clearer picture after she meets Mohsin and his family and fully understands the matter.
Meera and Mohsin while promoting Baaji
On whether Mohsin should be punished or not, Meera said, “If the woman is at fault, then the man should be served justice. And if the man is at fault, then the woman should be given justice.”
In an explosive account posted to social media late Saturday night, Mohsin Abbas Haider’s wife, Fatema, came forward with accusations of cheating and domestic abuse against the actor-singer.
In a tell-all account posted to Facebook, Mohsin’s wife Fatema Sohail recounted her ordeal in which she alleged that in November 2018, she caught Mohsin cheating on her. When she confronted him, “instead of being embarrassed he started beating” her even though she was pregnant at that time. Luckily her child survived and Fatema said that she moved past the incident for the sake of her child. She continued that her childbirth was a complicated process but Mohsin never supported her and was instead, busy having an affair with an emerging model, Nazish Jahangir.
Fatema further alleged that Mohsin’s talks about being depressed and suicidal are just attention-seeking stunts. She signed off her post telling her husband that she will now see him in court. Fatema also attached proofs of the incidents of violence in her post.
On Sunday night, Mohsin held a press conference in Lahore in which he denied all allegations. Mohsin placed a copy of the Quran in front of him as he spoke and kept his hand on it during the entire conference. He began by saying that his upbringing doesn’t allow him to drag women into the public eye and disrespect them. He said that he has been brought up in a female-dominated environment where he cannot even think about raising his hand on a woman.
Sharing details of his marriage, Mohsin shared that their marriage happened in the heat of the moment and there was no mutual understanding between the couple and throughout the marriage, they were aware of this. He said that his marriage was toxic and he felt suffocated in his own home. Mohsin added that his only reason to stay in this marriage was his son.
Mohsin and Fatema tied the knot in 2015. Mohsin claims that he and his wife only lived together for one out of the four years they were married. Their son Haider was born earlier this year in May. Mohsin often posts pictures of himself with his son on social media. They previously also had a daughter who passed away when she was only a month old.
Mohsin said that the picture in which Fatema had a bruised face and hand, was from 2018 and taken after she fell off the stairs. He then invited Fatema to come to the press club or to even go to the police and submit a medical report of any recent injuries. He said that he has recorded his statements at the police station where the FIR against him has been registered.
He alleged that Fatema has a habit of lying and cheating and that her whole family can testify to that.
“A few days after our wedding, her lies started to surface,” Mohsin claimed. “She used to tell me she was going someplace but went somewhere else.”
Haider asserted that Sohail’s father was a witness to her lies. “When his daughter’s lies were caught, he told me, ‘Son, even God forgives one sin.’”
Mohsin said that he has always fulfilled his responsibilities, including the financial ones, as a father and husband. He said that he bears his family’s expenses and has all the bills of Fatema’s hospital visit and discharge slips. Fatema had alleged that Mohsin refused to bear the financial burden of her and their son.
Mohsin said that Fatema is trying to play the “woman card,” before adding that she is a troubled woman and the only way forward is a divorce. He said that he doesn’t have anything against her and the entire situation is because of Fatema’s jealousy.
Nazish Jahangir’s statement
Following Mohsin’s press conference, his alleged girlfriend Nazish Jahangir shared her version of the story. She explained that she has been unnecessarily dragged into the couple’s marital issues and that only Mohsin can explain why her name is being dragged through the mud. Nazish said that the entire episode has left her mentally shattered and she has no idea why Fatema dragged into this, especially because she considered Fatema to be a friend and well-wisher.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0MDetIn-bP/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0MD-GTnlm_/
Meanwhile, members of the Pakistan film industry came out in support of Fatema and raised their voice against domestic violence.
Gohar Rasheed and Dua Malik claimed that they witnessed Mohsin’s abuse first hand but did not do anything because Fatima wanted them to maintain silence.
Hamza Ali Abbasi stepped forward to support Gohar’s account while Humaima Malick corroborated Dua’s claims.
I’m a witness ! @DuaMalikk use to call me and tell me how painful it was for her to listen to Fatima sohail and her suffering from pain it’s been 3 years … I wish Fatima did this before what she did now
Mahira Khan said that no one has the “right to raise their hand on anyone.”
Sick to my stomach. What gives anybody the right to raise their hand on anyone? Nothing. No excuse. For eons now we have normalised abuse (of all kinds) and for the sake of our children this needs to stop.
Shaan said that “real men don’t hit or disrespect women and the ones that do are not one of us.”
Real men don’t hit or disrespect women .. the ones that do are not one of us ..they should be treated as criminals and given the same treatment by the law..
Mohsin’s Baaji co-star Osman Khalid Butt said he had no words for the allegations before proceeding to say that those men who “lay so much as a finger on a woman” deserve a special place in hell.
I’ve been staring at this screen, grappling with the images I saw, trying to form a coherent sentence. … There is a special place in hell reserved for anyone who would lay so much as a finger on a woman. You cannot justify abuse. It is indefensible. I am sick to my stomach.
The sickest person is a man who abuses and violates women. The same being who gave birth to you. To all the women violaters out there, watch out because hell has fallen for you NOW.#BeginTrial#Timesup
— Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui (@ZaraNoorAbbas) July 21, 2019
Mansha Pasha requests all men to think twice before raising his hand on a woman.
Dear men, Before you even think abt hitting your women, JUST DONT. There is no excuse, no validation, nothing u can offer that in ANY way makes this okay. We are stronger than we look & we will fight back. Silence is not, was not & never will be an option.
Fatima’s story is heart wrenching. We should respect her courage and bravery, and stand together to support the victims of domestic violence. #StopDomesticViolence
Domestic abuse ( or abuse of any kind) should not be taken lightly!! There is a reason why women find it hard to come out and speak about this. For every man that commits this hideous crime, there are many more that will always stand against it.
The oppressed will no longer remain quiet. ThankGod #TimesUp . I hope this is made into an example & not forgotten. NO side of story can explain domestic violence. Serious action must be taken by concerned channels & production houses. Abuser must be shamed out Loud.#MohsinAbbas
“Mohsin Abbas Haider, shame on you,” wrote singer/actor Haroon Shahid on Twitter.
Growing up I remember, once my father got really upset when he saw my mother crying. Upon inquiring, he found out that one of our neighbor used to beat his wife. He went up to his house the same day and put him in his place. The guy was a wuss. #MohsinAbbasHaider shame on you!
I have just been talking all evening about walking away from domestic abuse only to come home & see this #MohsinAbbasHaider WALK OUT before it’s too late.#StopDomesticAbuse
Mohsin Abbas Haider’s wife Fatema’s explosive allegations of domestic violence and cheating against the actor-singer sent Pakistan’s entertainment industry reeling on Sunday. Members of the film fraternity stepped forward to extend their support to Fatema and raised their voice against domestic abuse.
Mahira Khan, who often voices her opinions on matters of social interest, took to Twitter to share her thoughts on the allegations.
“Sick to my stomach. What gives anybody the right to raise their hand on anyone?,” she wrote.
Sick to my stomach. What gives anybody the right to raise their hand on anyone? Nothing. No excuse. For eons now we have normalised abuse (of all kinds) and for the sake of our children this needs to stop.
A Twitter user in response to Mahira’s tweet commented that everyone from the entertainment industry is part of the abuse.
I’m sorry but everybody from the industry is a part of it. Those of you who know certain people are abusers, emotional or physical and yet you people are happy to click pictures with them and invite them to parties and after they’re exposed you ppl speak up.
In response to this, Mahira commented that she is “bloody proud of the industry she works in” because they “side with the right thing” and “use our voice for the right reasons.”
Disagree! So bloody proud of the industry I work in. We are mere entertainers but we constantly stick our necks out and side with the right thing. Go find an industry like ours where at the cost of being abused we still use our voice for the right reasons. https://t.co/BlUk9hOT5s
While sharing her thoughts on the accusations, Mahira also remarked that the matter of abuse should be dealt with seriously and people from a young age should be educated about consent, domestic abuse and sexual abuse.
We need counsellors in schools for children going through issues at home (And truth be told we have all been there). Girls and boys in school should be taught about consent, domestic abuse, sexual abuse etc. These should be subjects as basic as math and science.
