Tag: Wahaj Ali

  • Season 2 of ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Ishq Jalebi’ not happening, says writer

    Season 2 of ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Ishq Jalebi’ not happening, says writer

    Saima Akram Chaudhry, who has penned the wildly successful Chupke Chupke, Ishq Jalebi and Suno Chanda has said that there will be no second or third seasons of these dramas.

    “Dear fans, viewers and followers, I know you loved Chupke Chupke, Ishq Jalebi and Suno Chanda. I am grateful to all but it’s not possible for me to take your Instagram calls and talk [to] everyone,” wrote Akram on social media.

    “Please accept my apologies and don’t call directly. Trust me it’s too irritating and it is too unethical to call someone at midnight,” she said further.

    Chaudhry also said that she cannot help anyone launch their career in the entertainment industry as it’s not her department.

    “And channels are not planning for season two or three,” added Chaudhry.

    Meanwhile, earlier fans had speculated that a sequel of Chupke Chupke was in the works after Ayeza Khan shared a clip of herself and Osman Khalid Butt dressed up as Meenu and Faazi from the drama.

    Furthermore, director Danish Nawaz said that there is a possibility for a sequel if the script and story are good. He said discussions on the topic are ongoing and that he cannot confirm anything as yet.

    On the other hand, Arslan Naseer, who played Haadi in the romantic comedy, has shut down rumours of a second season.

  • How to spend Eid ft. your favourite celebrities

    How to spend Eid ft. your favourite celebrities

    Like last year, this year’s Eid is different too with no Eid parties, ban on travelling and Apa Firdous keeping a close eye on all jhappis and pappis. However, nothing can hold back Pakistanis from celebrating even if they are confined to their homes. The Current asked your favourite celebrities how they plan to spend their Eid weekend and here is what they said.

    Ahsan Khan

    Ahsan, who hosted the super successful Ramzan transmission on PTV, while speaking to The Current said he does not plan to attend any Eid gatherings or meetings this year, even though he and his entire family have been vaccinated. The actor added that if he does, he’ll only meet some friends who have also been vaccinated but with all COVID-19 protocols in place.

    “As it is Sunnah to dress up and wear new clothes, my family and I will dress up, spend time together and enjoy lots of delicious food,” said Ahsan.

    He further said: “We should try to keep Palestinians in mind today as they are going through very tough times and we should try to donate for them also. I am also trying to organise relief for them.”

    Aijaz Aslam

    Fresh off his stint on Jeeto Pakistan, Aijaz Aslam says that he plans to spend Eid “mostly indoors with family”.

    “It’s best to stay at home and do some activities with family. I don’t have any plans of going out visiting friends. It’s best for us and everyone else,” shared the actor.

    Wahaj Ali

    Ali, who recently won hearts as Basim in Ishq Jalebi, shared that he’s going to spend some quality family time, minus the celebrations.

    “With the on-going pandemic, it’s best to spend Eid at home with family,” Wahaj told The Current. “Family celebrations are out of the question! I’m not going to be risking it at all and so it’ll be a small and simple affair where I’m going to be relaxing and enjoying my time with my family.”

    Faysal Quraishi

    “The only way to make Eid in lockdown better is being with your family,” said Quraishi while sharing his Eid plans. The actor said that after a hectic Ramzan with back to back shows, he hopes to stay home and chill out with his family and children.

    Ramsha Khan

    Ramsha’s Eid is going to be all about chilling with her favourite girls. If not for the pandemic, this one party we would have loved to be a part of.

    “I plan on spending it with my mum, sister and Bella (my dog),” shared Khan. “Just going to get all dressed up with nowhere to go!”

    The actor added: “It’s so important to follow SOPs right now and avoid huge gatherings. We need to take responsibility and play our part so that we can get back to normal life as soon as possible.”

    Anoushay Abbasi

    Anoushey Abbasi plans to avoid all large family gatherings this year.

    “I’m going to be spending Eid at home with my loved ones, where everyone is safe and sound. It should definitely be kept low-key with everything that is going on, we should really be more responsible and careful,” said Abbasi.

    “It’ll definitely be a simple affair, nothing too crazy. Big family celebrations are a huge no for me this year, I’ll be avoiding those for sure,” added the Raqs e Bismil actor.

    Junaid Khan

    “The plan is to spend Eid with my family in a simple way,” shared Junaid, asserting: “Keeping the COVID situation in mind, the fewer people we meet, the better.”

    “Even within the family, we need to stay careful because there are elders and kids. So just like last year, I plan to spend Eid the same way and I think we’ll be spending the next few Eid’s like this too,” said the actor. “We should get used to this if we want our family and loved ones’ safety. We will spend these festivities with simplicity, and even while doing so, we will keep all SOPs in mind.”

    Usman Mukhtar

    Food is going to be the central theme of Usman’s Eid celebrations.

    “I plan of spending Eid at home with family,” shared Usman, who recently tied the knot.

    “We’re gonna cook some food and spend some time together because the past few months I haven’t been getting a lot of time to spend with family. So this is a good opportunity to do that instead of going out and meeting a lot of people because I feel that we should really starting being responsible now,” said the actor.

    Ayeza Khan

    Khan and husband Danish Taimoor gave their fans a treat on Eid with a romantic video of themselves.

    The actor said that while one should celebrate Eid as it is a gift from Allah for those who fasted during the month of Ramzan, one should strictly adhere to all COVID-19 SOPs. Ayeza added that one should also not forget to include those suffering in Pakistan, India and Palestine in their prayers.

    As most of our favourite stars said, stay home and spend time with your family. Dress up, have an intimate dinner or plan a game night or movie night with your fam and chill with some snacks and food. And don’t forget to pray for those going through a tough time.

    Meanwhile, to help you all out, The Current has made a list of Do’s and Don’t for Eid in lockdown and the ultimate guide to Eid TV and telefilms airing over the Eid weekend.

  • ‘We cannot make saas-bahu dramas only,’ Yumna Zaidi tells PEMRA

    ‘We cannot make saas-bahu dramas only,’ Yumna Zaidi tells PEMRA

    Yumna Zaidi has hit back at the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for their notice on Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi (DNUTN), saying “we cannot make saas-bahu dramas only.”

    Speaking to BBC Urdu, Yumna said that she doesn’t understand why PEMRA would take notice on her ongoing drama’s content.

    “I was very disappointed [with PEMRA’s notice],” said Yumna. “I don’t understand what they want to promote [or show on television].”

    “If we don’t talk about problems faced by people in government schools, gali mohallas or in the villages, then we’re only going to listen to bad news. If we force society to think about [such issues] through such content, then at least let it through instead of holding it back.”

    “We cannot make saas-bahu dramas only,” lamented the actor further. “We make romantic dramas also. Different genres are given space [on television]. So this [DNUTN] should also be given a small space.”

    Directing her comments towards PEMRA, Zaidi said: “I just want to ask PEMRA: ‘How can you do this?’”

    The actor further said: “Other projects of mine have also previously received notices from PEMRA [Pyaar Ke Sadkay] but this one hurt more. It should not have happened. I was not happy with that.”

    “Matlab kyun?,” she questioned, referring to the drama as a “very special project”.

    Featuring Yasra Rizvi, Wahaj Ali, Nadia Afgan, Naumaan Ijaz, Omair Rana and Samiya Mumtaz besides Zaidi in the lead, Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi is a harrowing tale of child abuse and human trafficking in Pakistan. The drama has been written by Amna Mufti and directed by Kashif Nisar and is a Kashf Foundation Presentation.

    According to a press release issued earlier, Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi will “bring some of the most heinous and deeply sensitive issues to light – while showing how humanity can still prevail in even the most insurmountable of situations.

    The press release further said: “With three parallel stories on prostitution, human trafficking, and child abuse, the drama exposes the lowest ebb of our society.”

    Read more – Omair Rana responds to PEMRA’s notice on ‘Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi’

    Meanwhile, while talking about her character in the drama, Yumna said that she plays a prostitute and while shooting for the party scenes, she was very grateful that this wasn’t her “real life”.

    “The feeling was so haunting. And I felt so sorry for those women who are entrapped in such lives,” said the actor. “But I am happy that I am portraying the character of such a woman, who fights the system and breaks free.”

  • PEMRA directs ‘Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi’ makers to review drama’s content

    PEMRA directs ‘Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi’ makers to review drama’s content

    The Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued a notice to the makers of Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi and has directed TV One to review the drama’s content and modify it according to the regulatory body’s guidelines.

    In a notification shared on social media, PEMRA said: “PEMRA has issued a notice to TV One over content televised in the drama serial Dil Na Umeed To Nahi.”

    “The channel has been directed to follow the quality of censor, according to the rules,” it adds.

    The notice further directed TV One’s administration to modify the content according to PEMRA’s Code of Conduct and submit a report regarding the editorial board within five days.

    Featuring Yumna Zaidi, Yasra Rizvi, Wahaj Ali, Nadia Afgan, Naumaan Ijaz, Samiya Mumtaz, and Omair Rana in the lead, Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi is a harrowing tale of child abuse and human trafficking in Pakistan. The drama has been written by Amna Mufti and directed by Kashif Nisar and is a Kashf Foundation Presentation.

    Six episodes of the drama have aired so far. According to a press release issued earlier, Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi will “bring some of the most heinous and deeply sensitive issues to light – while showing how humanity can still prevail in even the most insurmountable of situations.

    The press release further said: “With three parallel stories on prostitution, human trafficking, and child abuse, the drama exposes the lowest ebb of our society.”

    Yumna, in an earlier interview, while talking about the drama had said: “The story is based on multiple causes. It has three major tracks: human trafficking, child abuse and a young girl who wants to become a cricketer. As far as my track is concerned, it is about women trafficking. Parents from slums sell their young daughters. The drama explores where these girls end up and what kind of a life they spend. And, if any of them dreams big, how does she manage to pursue that.”

    Earlier, PEMRA had also banned ARY Digital’s Jalan for going against the “social and moral ethics of Pakistani society” and had also directed the makers of Fitoor to check for “inappropriate dialogues and content” in the drama.

    Read more – Of freedoms and censorship

    Meanwhile, audiences have strongly criticised PEMRA’s notice and have called out the regulatory body for interfering unnecessarily.

  • ‘Ghissi Pitti Mohabbat’ ends on a positive, happy note

    ‘Ghissi Pitti Mohabbat’ ends on a positive, happy note

    Ghissi Pitti Mohabbat has turned out to be one of those rare dramas which concluded on a positive and satisfying note and viewers couldn’t be happier.

    The drama, which had audiences hooked from the first couple of episodes, ended with Samia (Ramsha Khan) choosing the single life after a string of failed relationships and marriages. She decided that she has had enough of societal pressures and dealing with workplace issues and set up her own restaurant where she employed transgender staff. The ending was refreshing and remarkably different from what we are used to seeing on Pakistani television.

    Writer Fasih Bari Khan brilliantly used satire and sarcasm to send across social messages and presented a solid script and story. That coupled with brilliant performances from the lead cast including Khan, Wahaj Ali, Ali Abbas, Shahood Alvi, Saba Faisal, and Sajeeruddin made the drama a winner.

    Read more – Did you know Ali Abbas and Ramsha Khan are cousins?

    Audiences have lauded the show for showing a positive and empowered woman in the form of Samia. Check out some reactions below:

    https://twitter.com/BingNorah/status/1352529566305112064?s=20
    https://twitter.com/grizzzbear_/status/1352534341897871360?s=20

    Meanwhile, Ramsha, said the drama was “the greatest experience [of her] career”.

    In a note posted to social media, the actor said: “Thank you Samia Anwar for teaching me the things I never thought I needed to change in me.”

    “Goodbye Samia…you’ll always be with me,” she added.

  • Neelam Muneer’s ‘Bikhray Moti’ is not for the faint-hearted

    Neelam Muneer’s ‘Bikhray Moti’ is not for the faint-hearted

    Every now and then Pakistani dramas touch upon topics of social issues which highlight societal ills. The latest to do so is Bikhray Moti starring Neelam Muneer, Wahaj Ali, Yasir Nawaz, Samina Ahmed and Nausheen Shah. The drama, which airs on ARY Digital aims to highlight domestic and child abuse and exploitation. It is raw, unfiltered in a few places and honest which is why it makes a depressing watch.

    Ayeza

    Bikhray Moti is centred on Ayeza (Neelam Munir), the daughter of an abusive and misogynistic father (Waseem Abbas) who believes daughters to be a burden. He is ruthless and egotistical and doesn’t appear to care much about the women of his house. Ayeza’s elder sister Faiza (Nausheen Shah) is married to Zulfi (Yasir Nawaz), who is lafanga (useless person). Faiza and Zulfi have three children together and are expecting a fourth but due to Faiza’s weakness and years of abuse, she is unable to give birth to the child and passes away in the process. Before dying, she entrusts Ayeza to take care of her children and save them from their father, who will also not hesitate to use them for his gains. Ayeza vows to become independent and financially stable so that she can take care of them and fulfil the promise she made to her sister.

    After Faiza’s death, Zulfi takes his children back home much to Ayeza’s protests and hands them over to his mother (Samina Ahmed) because he can’t be bothered to take care of them. The children’s grandmother sends her elder grandson Jaanu to Hyderabad to work at Zulfi’s brother’s shop and decides to sell her teenage granddaughter Shehzadi to an older man in marriage.

    Read more – Naumaan Ijaz slams Pakistani dramas for spreading negativity

    On the other hand, Ahad (Wahaj Ali) is Ayeza’s childhood friend and neighbour who she loves very much and wants to get married to. He is the son of a maulvi sahab and wants to become an actor much to his father’s disapproval. Ahad also loves Ayeza and is willing to go any length for her. Wahaj has done a fantastic job as Ahad: he is soft-spoken, warm and gives a very measured performance which deserves an applause.

    Ahad

    Ahad and Ayeza plan to run away and get married. However, before that can happen, Zulfi’s manipulative brother and Ayeza’s father plot to trick Ayeza into marrying Zulfi. While the earlier episodes have been slow-paced, the latest one (Episode 9) was packed with action, masala and a lot of slaps to get the momentum going. Ayeza’s father abhors her defiant and independent nature and despite knowing Zulfi is useless, insists on getting his daughter married to him to teach her a lesson. Over the course of his career, Waseem Abbas has perfected the role of a heartless father and his performance as Ayeza’s father is no less.

    Given that the central theme of the drama is domestic and child abuse, there is a lot of it in the drama, in graphic detail. The honesty with which it is presented is a true reflection of society and is bound to shake you up, especially given how cases of child abuse have been on the rise in the past couple of years.

    While the lead actors have given solid performances, it is the child actors who stand out in the drama especially Jaanu. They have delivered brilliant performances and are so convincing that you end up feeling every emotion with them.

    Jaanu

    Bikharay Moti is not everyone’s piece of cake and takes a lot of courage to watch. Written by Edison Idrees and directed by Shahid Shafaat, it every Tuesday at 8pm on ARY Digital.

  • Did you know ‘Ehd-e-Wafa’ was shot in 16 cities?

    Did you know ‘Ehd-e-Wafa’ was shot in 16 cities?

    Apart from a stellar star cast, Hum TV and ISPR’s joint project Ehd e Wafa also boasted some breathtakingly beautiful shots of Pakistan. And it turns out that the drama was shot in 16 cities across the country.

    Osman Khalid Butt, who played the spoiled Malik Shahzain, revealed this little fun fact in a social media post in which he thanked director Saifee Hasan for his unrelenting effort in making the drama. Butt also shared that the drama’s shoot was spread over nine months.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9zZS1ep8oX/

    The last bumper episode of the drama was released on Sunday (March 14). It was initially supposed to be screened in cinemas but the coronavirus outbreak lead to a closure of cinemas across the country.

    Earlier Zara Noor Abbas also took to social media to share some fun BTS from the sets of the drama and thank her co-stars for the experience. She also offered “special thanks to Col Asif and Major General Asif Ghafoor for all his love and hard work for this project which was his dream to fulfil.”

    Read more – Zara Noor Abbas congratulates General Asif Ghafoor for fulfilling his dream

    Directed by Saifee Hassan and written by Mustafa Afridi, Ehd-e-Wafa is centred around the SSG, short for Secret ‘S’ Gang, consisting of Shehryar (Ahmed Ali Akbar), Shariq (Wahaj Ali), Saad (Ahad Raza Mir) and Shahzain (Osman Khalid Butt). The series won the hearts of the audiences because of its heartwarming storyline and great performances by the ensemble cast which also includes Alizeh Shah, Hajra Yamin, Vaneezah Ahmed, Zara Noor Abbas, Faraz Yahya, Syed Muhammad Ahmed and Adnan Samad Khan (Gulzar) among others.

    Check out The Current‘s review of the drama here:

  • Kashmir, Kartarpur, Abhinandan, Humayun Saeed: ‘Ehd e Wafa’s finale will have it all

    Kashmir, Kartarpur, Abhinandan, Humayun Saeed: ‘Ehd e Wafa’s finale will have it all

    Ehd e Wafa’s last episode is coming to cinemas on March 14 and it appears that audiences will be in for a thrilling ride. At least, that’s what the trailer promises.

    To celebrate ‘Surprise Day’ – the day Abhinandan’s plane was shot down in Pakistani airspace – Momina Duraid Films released a trailer for the last episode of the super hit drama serial.

    The two-minute teaser doesn’t give away much but introduces two new characters in the drama – Major Humayun and Indian Airforce’s Wing Commander Abhinandan. It is likely that the episode will shed light on the retaliatory attack by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after India’s Balakot airstrike.

    Apart from that, there is also a glimpse of the Kartarpur Corridor which marked a monumental moment in Pakistan’s history and action on the Line of Control.

    The teaser ends with an injured Captain Saad (Ahad Raza Mir) trudging through the trees.

    Directed by Saifee Hassan and written by Mustafa Afridi, Ehd-e-Wafa is centered around the SSG, short for Secret ‘S’ Gang, consisting of Shehryar (Ahmed Ali Akbar), Shariq (Wahaj Ali), Saad (Ahad Raza Mir) and Shahzain (Osman Khalid Butt). The series won the hearts of the audiences because of its heartwarming storyline and great performances by the ensemble cast which also includes Alizeh Shah, Hajra Yamin, Vaneezah Ahmed, Zara Noor Abbas, Faraz Yahya, Syed Muhammad Ahmed and Adnan Samad Khan (Gulzar) among others.

    Read more – ‘Ehd-e-Wafa’ to release in cinemas one day before TV

    Watch the trailer here:

  • Man files petition against ‘Ehd-e-Wafa’

    A man has filed a petition against the drama serial Ehd-e-Wafa in the Lahore High Court arguing that the drama has negatively portrayed politicians and media personnel.

    The petitioner, Muhammad Zeeshan, in his petition stated that the show has represented a politician, media anchor, bureaucrat and army official but have ignored the judiciary.

    “Four pillars of the state were displayed but the role of the army was shown instead of the judiciary,” read the petition.

    Zeeshan further said that Ehd-e-Wafa could damage the image of politicians and media personnel. He said that the roles shown in the drama portrayed a negative image of Pakistan internationally and requested the court to stop the airing of the drama episodes.

    The case has been taken up by the court.

    Read more – ‘Ehd-e-Wafa’s latest episode comes with a bucketful of tears

    In Ehd-e-Wafa, Shahzain (Osman Khalid Butt) is a politician, Shariq (Wahaj Ali) a successful journalist, Shehryar (Ahmed Ali Akbar) an assistant commissioner and Saad (Ahad Raza Mir) an army officer.

    Directed by Saifee Hassan, Ehd-e-Wafa is a joint collaboration between ISPR and Hum TV. It has been penned by Mustafa Afridi of Sang-e-Mar Mar and Aangan fame.

  • ‘Ehd-e-Wafa’s latest episode comes with a bucketful of tears

    ‘Ehd-e-Wafa’s latest episode comes with a bucketful of tears

    Ehd-e-Wafa promised to be an emotional rollercoaster but truth be told, I was not prepared to shed a few tears while watching it. The 21st episode of the drama serial aired last Sunday and though it was a bit of a drag and completely disconnected from the last scene of the previous episode (the last episode ended in Waziristan and this one began in Pindi on a happy note), two emotional scenes – Saad (Ahad Raza Mir) and Shahzain’s (Osman Khalid Butt) reunion and Shehryar’s (Ahmed Ali Akbar) effort to help Khursheed (Muhammad Hunbal) – made the entire episode worth a watch.

    All four members of the SSG (Special ‘S’ Gang) have settled into their respective lives. Saad (Ahad Raza Mir) is now Captain Saad, while Malik Shahzain (Osman Khalid Butt) is a well-known politician. Shehryar (Ahmed Ali Akbar) cleared his CSS exams and is currently serving as an Assistant Commissioner, while Shariq (Wahaj Ali) is an established journalist.

    Shehryar, who is serving as the Assistant Commissioner, comes across his old teacher Firdous Baig, whose son, Khursheed was his class fellow at Lawrence College. In a tear-jerking scene, it is revealed that Khursheed was put behind bars by some powerful land mafia over a dispute. Sheheryar uses his power to release Khursheed from jail and when the two meet and Khursheed throws himself in his friend’s arms. This scene was brilliantly executed and pulls at your heartstrings, leaving you misty-eyed.

    On the other hand, Saad is about to get married to the love of his life, Dua when he happens to run into Shahzain. After exchanging the usual pleasantries, Saad pulls down the barriers between the two and they have an endearing conversation in which they bury their hatchet and promise to start their relationship afresh. If you’ve ever reconnected with an old friend after a long time, you’d feel the scene.

    But everything aside, this episode was without a doubt Ahmed Ali Akbar’s, who owned every scene of his. Ahmed played Shehryar with utmost ease and slipped into the many layers of his character without a hiccup. It was an absolute treat to watch him.

    Read more – ‘Ehd-e-Wafa’ takes a dramatic turn, begins to gather momentum

    And we’re not the only ones who thought this episode was an emotional roller coaster. Osman Khalid Butt also felt sentimental after watching this episode.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ZMYIAJwO2/

    Directed by Saifee Hassan, Ehd-e-Wafa is a joint collaboration between ISPR and Hum TV. In the stream of dramas which are either tackling serious topics such as rape (Ruswai) or are the usual masala fest (Jhooti/Kaheen Deep Jalay), Ehd-e-Wafa is a great entertainer and something you can enjoy watching with your family. It airs every Sunday at 8pm.