Tag: writer

  • When Haseena Moin wrote dramas for India’s ‘Star Plus’ and ‘Doordarshan’ starring transnational actors

    When Haseena Moin wrote dramas for India’s ‘Star Plus’ and ‘Doordarshan’ starring transnational actors

    Veteran Pakistani writer Haseena Moin, who passed away in March 2021 has innumerable literary contributions to the Pakistani drama industry. Be it the cult classic Tanhaiyan or Dhoop Kinaray, her small screen marvels have broken popularity records.

    In 1997, when the sociopolitical terms of Indo-Pak were better, the countries collaborated for a joint production drama serial. Haseena wrote the script of the hit seriel Tanha starring Marina Khan and Sajid Hassan who went to India for the drama’s shoot that aired on Star Plus.

    Tanha did exceptionally well commercially and the Indian audiences enjoyed the realistic execution and inspiring storytelling on television. The title track of the project was written and composed by renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar.

    Read More – IN PICTURES: Twelve Lesser known Bollywood debuts of Pakistani stars

    As per details, the cast of the project includes veterans Marina Khan and Sajid Hassan, among several Indian artists namely Aasif Sheikh, Anang Desai, Milind Soman, and Tanaaz Irani. Unlike regular dramas, Tanha was shot in multiple cities of India including Aligarh and Lucknow. The forty episodes family drama had a successful run of two years on Star Plus from 1997 to 1999.

    The veteran writer also wrote a play for Doordarshan called Kash-m-kash, Arshad Mahmood composed its OST and Tina Sani sang it. The series starred Javed Jaffery ad Aly Khan in key roles.

  • Iman Aly vows not to work with Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar

    Iman Aly vows not to work with Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar

    Iman Aly has vowed not to work with writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar. She shared her decision in a recent interview with Vasay Chaudhry in his show, Ghabrana Mana Hai.

    Read more – Rabia Anum schools Iman Aly for using ‘khusra’ as a demeaning word

    Vasay asked Iman about a list of popular films that she rejected, answering the question, she said: “I might have rejected the film because I may not be in friendship with the writer of that film or might not be fond of him.”

    “Koi zehr bhi lag sakta hai na, islie mana kia ho sakta hai,” she added.

    Vasay then went on to ask her that how many films have she rejected? The Khuda Kay Liye actress said: “There are a lot of them.”

    Iman added: “I rejected Karachi Se Lahore, Punjab Nahi Jaungi, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, Na Maloom Afraad, and there was one film Azaadi by Irfan Malik and many more.”

    Vasay asked Iman that why did she refuse to work in Jawani Phir Nahi Ani? To which she replied: “Ye to all boys film thi islie.” And what about Na Maloom Afraad, asked Vasay, “Ye bhi all boys film thi,” she answered.

    He then asked that why did she not work in Punjab Nahi Jaungi? She started laughing and said: “I think the writer cheated on the character of the heroine. The writer is from Punjab and knows about Punjab, then he should only write about that. Why are you writing about a girl who came from Karachi or London, write something that you know about.”

    “Khalil-ur-Rehman was the writer of that movie,” added Vasay. Then she said: “He writes really well about Punjab and Punjabi characters but my character was a little out of his comfort zone.”

    She continued: “I did watch the film after it released but there were some issues which remains there.”

    Vasay also asked: “What happened to Karachi Se Lahore?” She said: “Don’t even talk about that, the character does not make any sense. That she’s a nerd, in ghar kay kurtay and pajamay.”

    She also revealed that she has done some films for the sake of friendship like Tich Button and Mah-e-Mir but she still had some issues with the story and some things in them.

    When Vasay concluded the interview by saying that he hope writers are listening that she is ready to work, the moment he took Khalil’s name, Iman said she hopes he doesn’t listen to this announcemnet.

  • 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.

  • Yasra Rizvi dismayed with media coverage of pregnancy

    Yasra Rizvi dismayed with media coverage of pregnancy

    Yasra Rizvi, who is expecting her first child, is disheartened with the media coverage of her pregnancy, saying that outlets should have also talked about her upcoming project instead of focusing only on her baby bump.

    “In our country, the newsworthy bit is that I am pregnant,” said Rizvi. “Not the fact that I am also directing probably the most important script I have gotten to direct so far while due any time now!”

    “Indeed we are a nation totally obsessed with marriage and one’s ability to procreate,” she added.

    Later, Yasra explained her story saying: “Aik tou poori baat nahi samajhta koi. Aap ki duaaon aur naik tamannaaon ke liye main tah e dil se shukar guzaar hoon .. maddaahon aur khair khwaaon ki mohabbat aur wishes se masla nahi hai!”

    “Shukriya Shukriya Shukriyaaaa,” she added.

    Rizvi’s post hints that she received flak for her earlier comments.

    Rizvi is currently directing the drama Working Women, which has been penned by Bee Gul of Raqeeb Se fame.

    Meanwhile, Yasra’s sister-in-law Jenaan Hussain, sharing a picture of Rizvi, wrote: “This post is actually about a woman inspiring other women to do and be whatever and whoever they wish to be at any point in their lives regardless of their age and domestic commitments.”

    Explaining how people should celebrate the capability Rizvi holds as a woman rather than only focusing on the fact that she is expecting, Hussain added: “It’s not about ‘Oh look I am pregnant and that’s the only accomplishment you must celebrate me for’ but taking things in your stride. Being this pregnant and directing a high-pressure set is just the kinda thing only a woman can pull off, just like her a lot of women around us everyday juggle between the most daunting tasks and nail it and some get trapped in myths and preconceived don’ts.”

    “Women are doers, and if there is a time to stop underestimating us and what all we are capable of it’s now,” she added.

  • Priyanka Chopra wishes for harmony between India & Pakistan

    Priyanka Chopra wishes for harmony between India & Pakistan

    Priyanka Chopra, in her memoir Unfinished, has reportedly talked about tense Indo-Pak relations and has hoped that things would improve between the two countries.

    BBC Asian Network journalist Haroon Rashid, who recently posted a teaser of his upcoming podcast with the actor, while responding to a social media user who asked if he asked Priyanka about her comments on the February 27 Balakot incident, said: “She talks in her book about her hopes for harmony between India and Pakistan giving a lovely anecdote of how a Pakistani British Airways agent gave her parents a seat on a flight when they really needed it.”

    “She said she hoped the countries could share such warm exchanges always.”

    “And you’ll have to find out if I ask her more on her increasing public silence when the full interview releases,” he added.

    Haroon further shared that Priyanka in the podcast talks about “lack of opportunities for South Asians in Hollywood” and “how important her humanitarian work is to her.”

    Earlier, in July 2019, Priyanka had sparked outrage with her response to a Pakistani woman Ayesha Malik, who had called her a hypocrite for “encouraging nuclear war against Pakistan”.

    “So it was kind of hard hearing you talk about humanity because as your neighbour, a Pakistani, I know you’re a bit of a hypocrite,” Malik can be heard saying in the video widely circulated on social media. “You tweeted on February 26, ‘Jai Hind #IndianArmedForces.’”

    Malik continued, “You are a UNICEF ambassador for peace and you’re encouraging nuclear war against Pakistan. There’s no winner in this. As a Pakistani, millions of people like me have supported you in your business of Bollywood and you wanted nuclear war.”

    However, the microphone was taken away from Malik before she could make any further comments.

    Priyanka had started off her response by saying “Whenever you’re done venting… got it, done? Okay, cool.”

    “So, I have many, many friends from Pakistan and I am from India, and war is not something that I am really fond of but I am patriotic. So, I’m sorry if I hurt sentiments to people who do love me and have loved me, but I think that all of us have a sort of middle ground that we all have to walk, just like you probably do as well,” she continued.

    “The way you came at me right now?” Chopra had remarked. “Girl, don’t yell. We’re all here for love. Don’t yell. Don’t embarrass yourself. But we all walk that middle ground, but thank you for your enthusiasm and your question and your voice.”

    Priyanka’s memoir Unfinished, which released on February 9, has become a bestseller, trending in both India and the United States.