Tag: writer

  • Pakistani director thinks horror comedy is Bollywood’s winning formula

    Pakistani director thinks horror comedy is Bollywood’s winning formula

    Director and writer Abu Aleeha believes that the success of a film lies in picking the right genre. He points out that horror comedy, which is gaining huge popularity worldwide, especially in Bollywood, is a winning choice for capturing audiences and hitting box office targets. Abu Aleeha also made a horror comedy film ‘Kataksha’, earning 19.3 million rupees at the box office.

    The conversation started when the CEO of 422 Murad Kazmi asked him for advice in choosing a film genre.

    The Taxali Gate writer said, “I suggested horror comedy, which made him laugh. He teased me, saying I was one of the few who had attempted it, and asked about the outcome. I admitted that either we didn’t execute it well or audiences weren’t ready for cinema post-Covid. However, I emphasized that horror comedy is a globally popular genre that doesn’t require a large cast or elaborate production design.”

    Abu Aleeha continued, saying “With compelling characters, you can captivate audiences for two hours in a single location. The success of Stree 2, which will soon cross 300 crores, and Munjya, which earned over 100 crores two months ago, proves this point.”

    He concluded, “My advice is to create a film that audiences want to see, rather than what’s easily producible.”

    Here is a look at the box office results of some well-known horror-comedies:

    Indian Movies
    Stree – INR 180 crores
    Bhool Bhulaiya- INR 266.88 crore.

    Munjya – 132 crore at the box office.
    Pakistani Films
    Rangreza (2017) – PKR 2 crores.
    Koi Tujh Sa Kahan (2014) – PKR 1 crore.

  • Khalil ur Rehman Qamar kidnapped and beaten up 

    Khalil ur Rehman Qamar kidnapped and beaten up 

    Controversial writer Khalil UR Rehman Qamar was abducted and robbed in Lahore, as confirmed by the police.
     
    The incident happened when a woman named Amna contacted Qamar, inviting him to her home to discuss a drama project. When he arrived, armed men kidnapped him and carried out the robbery.
     
     
    The First Information Report (FIR) states that the suspects assaulted Qamar and moved him to various locations. The scriptwriter alleged that the kidnappers threatened to kill him and demanded money from his relatives. The FIR also states that the suspects took Rs. 250,000 from Qamar’s ATM card and took his watch, cell phone, and cash.
     
    Qamar is widely criticised for his misogynistic statements while remaining unapologetic and unwavering in his opinions in the face of controversy.
     
    Qamar is safe now and has reported the incident to the police. The police have started investigating.
    the case.

  • From ‘Man Jogi’ to ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’

    From ‘Man Jogi’ to ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’

     
    The Current recently had a conversation with Saji Gul, the writer of the drama ‘Mrs. & Mr. Shameem’ where details about why the title changed from its original name ‘Man Jogi’ have emerged.

     

    Gul revealed, “Initially, we named it ‘Mann Jogi,’ but later we found ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’ to be more appealing. We wanted a title that highlighted both lead characters, and ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’ resonated better with Zee.”

     

    Reflecting on the first title, Gul said, “While ‘Man Jogi’ sounded funny ‘Mrs. &Mr. Shameem’ just fit the story and characters better.”

     He also noted that Man Jogi was tricky to pronounce, so choosing Mrs. and Mr. Shameem was simpler for viewers.

    Mrs. & Mr. Shameem is a 2022 web series released initially on ZEE5 on March 11, 2022. Written by Saji Gul and directed by Kashif Nisar, it was co-produced by Misbah Shafique.  

     

     

     

    The web series revolves around Umaina, an independent woman residing in a Lahore hostel. Shameem, the elder brother of Umaina’s friend, faces ridicule from society due to his effeminate nature.

     

    Circumstances compel Umaina and Shameem to live together and enter into a marriage of convenience. As their relationship unfolds, they gradually develop feelings for each other, navigating the challenges that life throws at them.

     

     

    On April 26 2024, ‘Mrs. & Mr. Shameem’ became available on the Zindagi YouTube channel, with two episodes releasing weekly on Tuesday and Friday.

     Saji Gul is a renowned screenwriter of television industry, he has writeen drama serials include ‘Ilteja’, ‘Pyari Bitto’ and the award winning ‘O Rangreza’, which was a massive success in 2017-18 and brought him critical acclaim.

     

    Currently he is the head of content at Green TV entertainment and general secretary screenwriters association of Pakistan.

     

  • Khalil ur Rehman Qamar doesn’t just hate women, he hates Naumaan Ijaz too

    Khalil ur Rehman Qamar doesn’t just hate women, he hates Naumaan Ijaz too

    Fresh off an appearance on a television show where he again misbehaved with women, controversial screenwriter Khalil ur Rehman Qamar has passed harsh remarks about Naumaan Ijaz during an appearance on Ayesha Jahanzeb’s show.

    The host asked the ‘Meray Pas Tum Ho’ writer, “Does Khalil Ur Rehman hate anyone,” to which he replied, “There is only one man in the whole world that I have hated, and that is Naumaan Ijaz. I have been angry at people, but he is the only person I have hated. Naumaan is undoubtedly a brilliant actor, but personally, he is a disgraceful man. I cast Naumaan in one of my plays for a very negative character.”

    Ijaz, a veteran of the television screen, is known for speaking his mind. He responded to Qamar’s controversial remarks, stating: “He is mentally sick. I feel sorry for him.”

    We agree with Noumaan, Qamar really does appear to be mentally unwell. This much misogyny is not the product of a healthy or sane mind.

  • Actress Madiha Rizvi weds writer Junaid Ali Perwez in the most romantic ceremony ever

    Actress Madiha Rizvi weds writer Junaid Ali Perwez in the most romantic ceremony ever

    Actress Madiha Rizvi weds writer Junaid Ali Perwez in the most romantic ceremony ever

    Madiha Rizvi, daughter of veteran actor Deeba Rizvi, is known for her versatile roles in various TV dramas.
    She was once married to Hasan Noman, but after the unfortunate end of the marriage, she has remarried, tying the knot with Junaid Ali Perwez.

    Perwez, also known as J.P., shared a heartwarming wedding video on social media, expressing love and gratitude towards Rizvi. The video showcased intimate moments from their ceremony, including Rizvi’s entry with her daughters, exchanging rings, and signing their Nikah papers.

    In his Instagram caption, Perwez wrote, “You have become the flower of my life, filling it with love and happiness that words can never express. May Allah bless us and strengthen our bond with faith and each other. I LOVE YOU @diyariz.”

    Rizvi reciprocated the love, commenting, “You are the blessing I never knew I needed, a reward from God in the shape of a wonderful partner like you. I love you more.”

    Rizvi and Noman, who share two daughters, were married from 2013 to 2022.

  • Maryam Nafees will not work with Khalil Ur- Rehman Qamar

    Maryam Nafees will not work with Khalil Ur- Rehman Qamar

    Actress Maryam Nafees recently took the decision of not working with controversial script writer Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar. “I won’t work on any TV drama written by Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar,” she said, explaining her choice on a TV show. “It’s because of different beliefs, not because Qamar isn’t talented. I wants to work on projects that match my values.”

    She’s worried about how Qamar shows women in his dramas, even though she respects his skills. Nafees wants to support women’s rights and feels she can’t do that by working with him.

    Qamar has often picked fights with actresses and female analysts over his misogynistic comments. Actress and former supermodel Iffat Umar recently refused to engage with him, criticizing Qamar for his narrow-mindedness and bitterness. This confrontation reflects mounting industry frustration with Qamar’s controversial remarks and treatment of women. In a TV appearance, Qamar dismissed Miss Pakistan 2022 winner Sana Hayat’s experiences, sparking further debate about gender equality and respect in the entertainment industry. Women are hesitant to work with him because they believe his beliefs and comments harm women’s progress and representation in the industry.

  • Palestinian poet Dr. Refaat Alareer killed in Israeli strike in Gaza

    Palestinian poet Dr. Refaat Alareer killed in Israeli strike in Gaza

    Palestinian poet, writer, literature professor, and activist Dr. Refaat Alareer was killed in an Israeli airstrike, announced on Thursday evening.

    “My heart is broken, my friend and colleague Refaat Alareer was killed with his family a few minutes ago,” wrote his friend, the Gazan poet, Mosab Abu Toha.

    The Israeli airstrike also killed his brother, his sister, and four of her children. He is now survived by his wife, Nusayba, and their children.

    Dr. Alareer was one of the leading contemporary authors in Gaza who settled on writing in English to tell stories of the besieged strip. He was one of the most prominent voices conveying details of the atrocities Israel is committing to global audiences.

    He had been working as a professor of literature and creative writing at the Islamic University of Gaza since 2007.

    His other contributions included co-editing Gaza Unsilenced (2015) and being editor of Gaza Writes Back: Short Stories from Young Writers in Gaza, Palestine (2014).

    Dan Sheehan quotes in LitHub that in his contribution to the 2022 collection Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire, titled “Gaza Asks: When Shall this Pass?”, Refaat writes:

    “It shall pass, I keep hoping. It shall pass, I keep saying. Sometimes I mean it. Sometimes I don’t. And as Gaza keeps gasping for life, we struggle for it to pass, we have no choice but to fight back and to tell her stories. For Palestine.”

    He was also one of the founders of We Are Not Numbers, a nonprofit organisation founded in Gaza following the 2014 Israeli attack and devoted himself to establishing “a new generation of Palestinian writers and thinkers who can bring together a profound change to the Palestinian cause.”

    In November, Alareer published a poem on X entitled “If I must die” that was shared tens of thousands of times. It concludes with the words: “If I must die, let it bring hope, let it be a tale.”

    Via his X (formerly Twitter) account, “Refaat in Gaza“, Dr. Alareer also openly condemned Israeli atrocities being committed in Gaza and was also vocal against the US who has been supporting Israel in its operations.

    Remembering Refaat

    The announcement of Dr. Refaat Alareer’s death evoked a cascade of sorrow and anguish across social media, shared by his friends, colleagues, former students, and followers:

  • ‘There’s no place for me in the entertainment industry’: Anwar Maqsood expresses disappointment

    ‘There’s no place for me in the entertainment industry’: Anwar Maqsood expresses disappointment

    Legendary scriptwriter Anwar Maqsood who is famous for his cult projects like Fifty Fifty and Aangan Terha has expressed his dissapointment on the current content and scripts of drama seriels. He also cited it as a reason for not working actively in the entertainment industry.

    The veteran writer stated that, “I have stepped back [from writing] because what is happening on the television in the recent times, there is no place for me. Now that the rating has occupied a decisive place, the directors or producers have been left behind in every respect. The marketing department decides which actors are needed and which are not”.

    The industry veteran believes current television content is influenced by Indian soap operas, “When Indian dramas paved their way to the Pakistani screens, we thought that they would learn something from our dramas, but on the contrary, our writers started learning from them. It was then that our drama industry began its demise.” 

  • Ken Rosenthal lays bare Manfred’s thin skin

    Calling a spade a spade is one of the cardinal virtues of journalism and is what all journalists are meant to do. The broader challenge, however, is when it comes to having the gall to speak up against those in the upper echelons of power and it is then when impartial journalism can congeal into a baptism of fire. When 59-year-old Ken Rosenthal, one of baseball’s highly regarded and acclaimed baseball journalists, dared to dip his toes in that fire, he had to pay a heavy price in the form of abrupt termination of his 12-year association with the MLB Network.

    It may not have been the start Ken Rosenthal would have wanted for the new year. Way back in 2020, when all industries and organisations moiled to stay afloat amidst the deadly coronavirus pandemic, Ken Rosenthal penned dismissive columns in The Athletic in which he launched scathing attacks on Major League Baseball’s commissioner Rob Manfred and brought his mishandling of the situation into focus.

    “He (Manfred) and the owners, supposed stewards of the game, are turning the national pastime into a national punch line, effectively threatening to take their ball and go home while the country struggles with medical, economic and societal concerns,” Rosenthal wrote in his column.

    Questioning Manfred’s abilities to do his job properly, Rosenthal further wrote: “Manfred and the owners keep sinking lower. Unless making dead-on-arrival proposals, tone-deaf public remarks and other assorted blunders is your idea of negotiating savvy.”

    Unable to digest the vitriol hurled at him, Manfred flexed his muscles and Ken was taken off the air. On January 4, 2022, Andrew Marchand, senior sports writer for the New York Post, broke the unfortunate news that the MLB Network had let go of Ken Rosenthal. Manfred’s decision invited severe backlash from journalists and deservedly so. The Athletic’s senior MLB writer Britt Ghiroli tweeted that Ken cares about the truth and doing things the right way even if it’s uncomfortable.

    Former American professional baseball player and television sports commentator Ken Singleton, an Orioles Hall of Famer, called the decision terribly shortsighted and stated that it reduces the credibility of the whole product. MLB has long grumbled about how it strives to offer quality journalism to its viewers.

    However, if it thinks that a bit of criticism is a fireable offence, it would be foolish to hope that impartial journalism can thrive in the baseball industry. As a matter of fact, Major League Baseball has historically been dictatorial and authoritarian. Prior to firing Rosenthal, MLB surprisingly ended much-loved Intentional Talk’s co-host Chris Rose’s contract at the end of 2020. Rewind to September 1964, New York Yankees terminated Mel Allen’s contract before the start of the World Series for reasons unbeknownst to all save Yankees themselves.

    Luckily for baseball fans, Ken Rosenthal, a seasoned journalist and author of “Best of the Best: 35 Major League Superstars” and “Dean Smith: A Tribute”, hasn’t been completely consigned to the scrapheaps and would still be plying his trade for multiple widely-followed platforms like Fox Sports and The Athletic. Still, whichever way you look at it, it cannot be disregarded that the dictatorial firing of Ken from the MLB Network epitomises thin-skinned MLB’s hubris syndrome and their attempts to divest the sport of impartial journalism, which sets an extremely wrong precedent for up-and-coming journalists that they should not dare to speak up against those in power.

  • Sadaf Kanwal gets Khalil-ur-Rehman’s support

    Sadaf Kanwal gets Khalil-ur-Rehman’s support

    The Mere Paas Tum Ho writer Khalil-Ur-Rehman Qamar believes Sadaf Kanwal’s views on marriage are ‘not wrong at all’ her personal opinion and the model should not be scrutinized for it. He shared his opinion on the controversy in an interview with ’24 News’.

    Qamar while responding to criticism on Sadaf’s statement said: “Sadaf Kanwal has not imposed anything on anyone, whatever she is doing at her home for her husband is her personal act. Where is it even happening in the houses, if a lady is doing such things for her husband it is not wrong at all, Sadaf Kanwal has not said anything wrong, people can do whatever they want to do. No one has the right to shout and impose their rules on anyone”.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF18oFQonoU

    Read More – Twitter reacts to Sadaf Kanwal’s statement on feminism and marriage, Sabeeka Imam schools her

    Sadaf’s statement went viral across various social media platforms and received a polarizing response from netizens.