Tag: TV Shows

  • Malala Yousafzai is all set to produce Hollywood films

    Malala Yousafzai is all set to produce Hollywood films

    Pakistan’s youngest Nobel Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai is all set to produce Hollywood films after signing a three-film deal with Apple Inc, Variety magazine has revealed.

    Yousafzai is among creative leaders honoured for Variety’s 2022 Power of Women presented by Lifetime.

    Her production company Extracurricular has partnered with the indie studio A24 for a still-untitled feature documentary on the legendary “Haenyeo” society of fisherwomen, who live on South Korea’s Jeju Island.

    The second project is a scripted series based on Asha Lemmie’s coming-of-age novel “Fifty Words for Rain,” about a woman’s search for acceptance in post-World War II Japan

    The third is a feature film with “Don’t Look Up” director Adam McKay, based on Elaine Hsieh Chou’s book “Disorientation” — a satire about a college student’s revealing dissertation about a young poet.

    “What I hope to bring to the table are the voices of women of color and debut writers and Muslim directors and writers. I hope we can have a wide range of perspectives and that we challenge some of the stereotypes we hold in our societies. And I also hope that the content is entertaining and that people fall in love with the characters and have the best time together,” she said.

    She told the magazine that she has watched ‘Succession,’ ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘Severance,’ and pointed out that in those shows there were a lot of white men.

    “If we can watch those shows, then I think audiences should be able to watch shows that are made by people of colour, and produced and directed by people of colour, with people of colour in the lead. That is possible, and I’m gonna make it happen,” she avowed.

    Malala disclosed that her favourite TV shows include adult animated sitcom “Rick and Morty” and Netflix comedy “Sex Education”.

    Talking to the magazine, Yousafzai said that she doesn’t want to get into British politics.

    “This activism for girls’ education and gender equality is already a form of getting involved in politics. So I’m not sure if I’ll become the prime minister of a country.” Still, she adds, “We’ll see in the future”. After a beat, she said mischievously, “Maybe that is also a political answer”.

  • Saheefa Jabbar takes offence at Ramzan transmissions for being problematic

    Saheefa Jabbar takes offence at Ramzan transmissions for being problematic

    Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has called out Ramzan Transmissions for having problematic content and not following COVID-19 SOPs.

    The model-turned-actor, in a series of Instagram stories, said that on one hand, the government and the public are trying their best to follow SOPs, make compromises on their luxurious lifestyle and give up all activities to contain the spread of the virus. But on other, the Ramzan transmissions are allowing large people gathering which will be a serious threat to the life of people.

    “COVID is at its peak. Cricket leagues are getting cancelled, countries in the subcontinent are going into lockdown and strict curfews are imposed on peoples everywhere — we are well in the middle of this horrendous and treacherous third wave,” said Saheefa urging everyone to follow SOPs and wear a mask at all times.

    Khattak then pointed out how she read somewhere how social distancing was a privilege.

    “It means you live in a house large enough to practice it. Hand washing is a privilege too. It means you have access to water. Hand sanitisers are a privilege. It means you have the money to buy them,” she said.

    Saheefa also took the opportunity to highlight the problematic content in Ramazan transmissions.

    VIDEO: Aamir Liaquat sings ‘Laila o Laila’ on the sets of Ramzan transmission

    “They do not follow protocols and are filmed on sets where crews as large as 60 to 70 people are not quarantined and don’t operate inside a bio secure environment. This is a blatant breach of government policy and just shows our inherent insensitivity to the situation,” protested Khattak.

    “Rather, they seem hellbent on ridiculing and insulting human beings in the name of entertainment and profit. It’s crass, rude, and has zero respect for human dignity. I’m sorry but this frustrates me a lot!” she added.

    Khattak also presented a solution to the problem, suggesting that the airtime can be used to “spread awareness about COVID and enforce message sent out by the government.”

    “There was no better time to do it in Ramazan, but no, how would people win a Corolla then?” she sighed, reminding people to take the pandemic seriously.

    “Spend Eid while practicing social distancing, recognise your privilege and try to see through the lies we consume through the magic box!” concluded Saheefa.

    Meanwhile, according to the latest statistics by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 4,109 cases of COVID-19 and 120 deaths were recorded in past 24 hours. The positivity ratio in the country is at 8.54 percent.

  • ‘Our industry is very hypocritical,’ says Yasir Hussain

    ‘Our industry is very hypocritical,’ says Yasir Hussain

    Yasir Hussain has addressed all controversies surrounding him and has opened up on why he feels he ends up in one.

    Speaking to BBC Urdu, Yasir said: “Our industry is very hypocritical – it has always been. The actors in our industry are hypocrites. Whenever I get into a controversy, they call me. Why do they call me? Who are they to talk to me about the controversy if I have done something right or wrong? They talk to me for like 15 minutes over a phone call and then just hang up.”

    “Why don’t they speak about it on social media and say they support me?,” questioned Yasir, adding: “They will not because they know if they will support me or say that they support my point of view, they will get bashed as well. I don’t care about the backlash, but they do.”

    Talking about his “controversial” comments, Yasir asked why don’t people question the talk show hosts or the channels for asking silly questions.

    “I went on a show and was asked some controversial questions. They told me that if I will not answer the questions then I have to drink some spicy drinks. I had no other option but to answer those questions – it was either that or I give myself a stomach ulcer. I even took my name or their name to play safe but they told me saying that taking our or your name is not allowed. So I had to take some names.”

    The actor further said: “I took Azfar Rehman’s name because I knew he won’t mind as he is one of my closest friends in the industry. Even he said in an interview that I am overrated. This is because we know each other and we won’t mind passing such comments on each other.”

    “Why am I always wrong? Why aren’t the hosts, the producers or makers of those shows are not wrong?,” asked Yasir.

    “People say that I am controversial and share only controversial stuff. I also share good things but no one shares that,” said Yasir. “No one talks about my good things, they only share my controversies because they know that no one will read anything which is not masalaydaar.”

    Meanwhile, talking about his comments on Diriliş: Ertuğrul being aired on Pakistan Television, Yasir said that he was not against the series being aired but was pushing for a joint production venture between the two countries.

    Hussain is well known for speaking his mind and passing statements which often evolve into controversies. Recently, his comments on a television show erupted a clash between him and Shahroz Sabzwari. When Yasir was asked to name an actor who should have stayed on television instead of doing films, the actor had named Shahroz.

  • PM Imran urges TV writers’ to promote family values, national identity through dramas

    PM Imran urges TV writers’ to promote family values, national identity through dramas

    Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a video meeting with renowned writers across the country, urged them to promote family values and national identity through their writings and dramas. Writers who were part of the meeting included Hasina Moin, Amjad Islam Amjad, Bee Gul, Fasih Bari Khan, Zafar Meraj, Zanzbeel Asim Shah, Amna Mufti, Saima Ikram Chaudhry and Jahanzeb Qamar.

    According to APP, the prime minister assured the government’s support for the promotion of national culture and identity. In the meeting, PM Khan discussed the importance of highlighting national culture and identity and said that the education and training of the youth had been jeopardized by modern communication tools, internet, easy access to objectionable content and onslaught of alien culture and traditions.

    The PM asserted that foreign content – such a Bollywood – is putting our history, culture and social values in danger and reducing the youth’s knowledge about Islamic personalities, sagas and national history.

    PM Imran also said that the government was aiming to revamp and digitalise Pakistan Television (PTV) and revive its previous glory.

    Fasih Bari Khan, and other writers present on the occasion, speaking to a private media outlet, said that PM Khan had highlighted that the whole society was in a state of moral decay and that the country was leading in child pornography. PM Khan attributed rising divorce rates to the moral degradation of society and the influence of Western cultures. He expressed his distress at the rising divorce cases in society and spoke at length on the topic. He urged playwrights to help the new generation in moral training and character building.

    Read more – PM Khan calls out Bollywood for spreading vulgarity

    PM Khan also expressed his desire for an Ertuğrul -type drama to be produced in Pakistan.

    Meanwhile, when Bee Gul disagreed with PM Khan’s point of view and said that while divorce should be discouraged, it should not be stigmatised as it puts stress on the woman, her mic was switched off and PM Khan said that divorce has a negative effect on children and the family structure.

    The writers hoped that this meeting would bear fruit and would bring positive changes, because more often than not, they are pressurised into writing a certain type of story by private channels.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Lt Gen (Retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa were also part of the meeting.

  • Last minute ideas for Mother’s Day

    Last minute ideas for Mother’s Day

    Mother’s Day is this Sunday. While you don’t really need a day to appreciate your mother, it is that one day of the year when the whole world comes together to celebrate the blessing that is a mother. Some of you might have prepared in advance for what to give your Mom, but most of us are just sitting here and thinking “Damn, I thought I’d be better prepared this year.” But fear not, The Current has got your back. We’ve prepared an exciting list of things you can gift your Mom on this special day and put a smile on her face.

    Flowers

    Finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift can be tricky if you’re on a budget. In that case, how can you tell her how much she means to you without breaking the bank? Don’t stress yet! You can buy her a beautiful bouquet which will not only brighten up her room but her mood as well.

    Take her out for Iftari

    Our mothers are usually the ones who ensure that the table is laid out with our favourite food on aftar every day for. So how about you turn the tables around this time and take her out for a fancy aftari to her favourite restaurant? Tell her to dress up and wear her favourite lawn jora for this aftar date. This way you not only get her to relax for a few hours, but you also get to spend some quality time with her, minus the madness.

    Make Iftar for her

    Alternately, if your Mom is the sort of person who likes to stay at home, then its time to put on the apron and cook a meal for your Mom. And don’t forget to clean up the mess you make.

    Book her a massage

    Moms deserve a luxurious break given all the work they do for us. We all know she rarely treats herself, so do it for her. Book a massage for her and make her feel relaxed.

    In Lahore, our go-to place for a massage is Arammish, while in Islamabad we love Nirvana. In Karachi, Pengs has to be our favourite.

    Shopping Spree

    How often do Moms indulge in themselves? Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to get your Mom that jora she has been eyeing. It’ll be great given that Eid is also coming up.

    Turn
    on the TV

    Mother’s day does not have to be about spending money on gifts and dinners. You can also make her feel special by planning a movie night in and watching her favorite movie. Get some popcorn, snacks and drinks, and watch a movie at home.

    If you’re in the mood to watch something new together, check out our list of ‘Netflix shows to watch with your parents‘ or ‘Pakistani films to watch on YouTube with your family.‘

    Happy Mother’s Day to all the supermoms out there!