Author: News Desk

Sanam Saeed is officially returning to television after seven years, and is taking a moment to reflect on how far she’s come.

The renowned actor will soon be seen in the upcoming drama Main Manto Nahi Hoon, alongside Humayun Saeed and Sajal Aly.

To celebrate her return, she shared an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday, reflecting on the powerful female characters she has played over the years and how those roles helped shape her.

“Miss Maria But first… dipping into the past for some inspiration and motivation to continue playing these amazing, vulnerable yet empowered women,” she wrote, along with a series of throwback pictures from her past dramas, including a glimpse of her new role.

She also shared how special TV is to her, writing, “I have to admit, there’s really nothing like television and the love and appreciation we get from the audience. TV is also the most impactful medium and the best place to showcase pure Pakistani talent, from the storytelling to the cinematography, direction, acting and soundtracks.”

Sanam listed some of her most memorable roles from dramas like Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Talkhiyan, Mera Naseeb, and Diyar-e-Dil. She said each character gave her the “privilege” of playing strong and complex women.

She added, “Excited to be back to long form after an extended hiatus, in a totally new role. Also thrilled I got to work with a new team and some of my favourite actors for the first time.”

Her post included characters from Main Manto Nahi Hoon, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Shukk, Mera Naseeb, Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu, Diyar-e-Dil, Deedan, Talkhiyan, Kadoorat, Dil Banjara, and the telefilm Dil Mera Dharkan Teri. She also mentioned missing photos from Daam and Aakhri Station.

Sanam didn’t forget her film career and posted memories from her movies like Bachaana, Mah-e-Meer, Rehm, Cake, Dobara Phir Se, and Ishrat Made in China.

Legendary American singer Connie Francis has died at the age of 87.

According to reports, the news was confirmed by her close friend and label president, Ron Roberts, in a Facebook post on Thursday, July 16. He wrote that it was with a heavy heart and deep sadness that he shared the passing of his dear friend Connie Francis the night before.

Her death comes just weeks after Francis revealed that she had been hospitalized due to extreme pain and was undergoing medical tests.

Born Concetta Franconero in Newark, New Jersey, Connie Francis became a global music sensation in the late 1950s. She gained fame with hit songs such as “Who’s Sorry Now?,” “My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own,” and “Where the Boys Are.” In 1960, she became the first solo female artist to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with the song “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool.”

Francis expanded her fanbase by recording songs in multiple languages and appearing on major TV shows like American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan Show.

Her life, however, was marked by several personal tragedies. In 1974, she survived a rape incident. She also lost her singing voice temporarily due to nasal surgery. In 1981, her brother was murdered in a mafia-related case. These events led to mental health challenges, including multiple psychiatric hospital stays, which she later said were due to misdiagnosis.

Despite all these hardships, Connie Francis made several comebacks in her career. She worked with the Ronald Reagan administration to support victims’ rights and partnered with Mental Health America to raise awareness about trauma and recovery.

Francis was married four times and adopted a son, Joseph Garzilli Jr. In a 2017 interview, she shared that she hoped people would remember her not just for her success but for the strength she showed through her struggles. She is survived by her son.

Pakistan’s biggest horror film Deemak has set a new record in Pakistani cinema, earning a massive Rs. 160 million in just 38 days.

This hit from Geo Films has grabbed public attention and even surprised critics.

“The film’s scary moments, gripping plot, and emotional characters kept the audience hooked in cinemas,” said a spokesperson for Geo Films.

Featuring brilliant performances by Faysal Quraishi, Sonya Hussyn, Samina Pirzada, Javed Sheikh, and Bushra Ansari, Deemak has turned horror into a hit genre on the big screen in Pakistani cinema.

“Long queues of moviegoers in cinemas across the country are testimony to the fact that the Pakistani people are now fully accepting quality and unique content,” added the spokesperson.

The film is written by Syed Murad Ali and directed by Rafay Rashdi and Ayesha Muzaffar.

 
Deemak, however, isn’t just about jump scares. The film dives into deeper issues like emotional trauma, generational neglect, domestic abuse, and the complicated bond between women in a household, especially the tense dynamic between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law. The haunting becomes a metaphor for how unspoken, unresolved pain can slowly and quietly destroy families from within.

Geo Films has previously delivered several blockbuster hits, including Khuda Ke Liye, Bol, Teefa in Trouble, The Legend of Maula Jatt, Donkey King, and Glass Worker, further solidifying its place as a pioneer in modern Pakistani cinema.