Author: News Desk

Pakistan’s first-ever hand-drawn animated movie, ‘The Glassworker’ directed by Usman Riaz, has made it to the list of eligible films for the 97th Academy Awards.

The Academy released its latest list of eligible films in the animated, documentary, and international feature categories. The list includes major blockbusters and acclaimed projects from both big studios and independent creators.

The shortlists will be announced on December 17, ahead of the final nominations on January 23, 2025.

The Glassworker, produced by Mano Animation Studios, is one of 31 animated features and 85 international features in the running.

This is a historic moment for Pakistan as it is the country’s first animated submission to the Oscars.

The nominees are chosen through a rigorous voting process. For animated features, members of the Academy’s Animation Branch evaluate submissions. For international features, Academy members from all branches meet specific viewing criteria.

In the animation feature category, The Glassworker is listed alongside big names like Pixar’s Inside Out 2 and DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot.

Other notable entries in this category include Kung Fu Panda 4, Despicable Me 4, and the Japanese film Kensuke’s Kingdom.

In the international feature category, The Glassworker joins films from 84 other countries, including India’s Laapata Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao.

Palestinian submission From Ground Zero, a 2024 anthology film directed by 22 Palestinian directors, is also on the list. This film includes 22 short films about the situation in Gaza. The same list includes Israel’s submission, Come Closer.

This year’s competition also features critically acclaimed works such as France’s Emilia Pérez, Germany’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig, and Brazil’s I’m Still Here.

Earlier, Pakistan’s first Ghibli-style animated film, The Glassworker, was screened at the Hiroshima Animation Festival in Japan. Among thousands of entries from 97 countries and regions across the world, it competed in the ‘Feature Competition’ category.

This is an achievement that showcases Pakistan’s animation talent on the global stage. The Glassworker promises a heartwarming and visually stunning experience.

The film, directed by Usman Riaz and Mairam Riaz Paracha and produced by Geo Films, was released on July 26, 2024, in Pakistan. It has now crossed the 30 million milestone at the box office.

When Pakistani actor Ahad Raza Mir stepped into the world of Resident Evil, he knew the bold scene would spark conversations. But what went through his mind as he took on the role? 

In a recent interview with Gloss Etc by Maliha Rehman, the Dhoop Ke Deewar actor opened up about the controversial scene, the process behind it and the double standards he faces as a Pakistani actor in international projects.

“Did you feel comfortable doing the bold scene in Resident Evil? Did you ever think ‘should I do it or not’?” asked the host.

“It was quite scary because I know that it’s going to happen. But we have to also understand that we show slapping, violence, and abuse on screen. We see all of this… sometimes to the extent where I feel it shouldn’t be something children are watching. But when it comes to affection, suddenly, there’s a big problem. The reality is, we’re all watching these things in Indian and Hollywood films, but when a Pakistani actor does it, we think we must judge… we must say something about this,” he replied.

Ahad also went on to explain the process behind shooting such scenes.

“I understand that everyone has their own opinion, but when I was shooting in the UK or America, I didn’t refuse to perform such scenes. Why? Because it’s a part of the story. It’s not just about doing the scene… it’s a very technical process. There’s a checklist and a very thorough process that goes behind it. It’s not just about showing up and doing whatever you feel like. There’s a whole structure to it,” the HUM TUM actor added.

In the same interview, Yakeen Ka Safar actor opened up about upcoming projects.

In Meem Se Mohabbat, Ahad Raza Mir will star opposite Dananeer Mobeen, marking their first on-screen pairing.

“It’s lighthearted with a little bit of a heavy undertone. It’s the kind of story I’ve been looking for because it’s multi-dimensional… has its moments of depth. Not to say that lighthearted work doesn’t have depth, but this has something worth exploring, and that’s why I signed up. It’s written by Farhat Ishtiaq, and I have trouble saying no to her scripts. Her storytelling is phenomenal. Every time I read or hear one of her stories, I get hooked.”

Speaking about his much anticipated Netflix project Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo, the Ehd-e Wafa actor reflected on the timing and significance of the series.  

 “I think I’m waiting for ’Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo’. I’m hopeful and all, but everything has its time, you know? It had to happen at this time, and that’s when it did. I think there are reasons for that. There must be a reason behind it in the cosmos. That’s kind of how I’ve been living life anyway now. I think there’s no point in worrying as long as we, as human beings, think that way… like there’s a greater plan for everything. That’s the way I look at it. I’m just happy it’s coming.”

Amitabh Bachchan has shared a mysterious post amid reports of troubles brewing between the veteran actor’s son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai.

In a blog post, the actor discussed “unclear information” and its societal effects. His post came amid speculations that Abhishek and Aishwarya were facing issues in their married life.

“Speculations are speculations, they are speculated untruths, without verifications,” the 82-year-old actor wrote.

“It takes immense courage, conviction and sincerity to be different and believe in its presence in life… I rarely say much about family, because that is my domain, and its privacy is maintained by me,” he added.

He said that “seekers seek verifications to authenticate their business” and “commercials of the profession they are in”.

“I shall not challenge their desire to be in the profession of their choice,” he wrote.

The veteran actor also discussed the impact of spreading false and unverified information on society and individuals.

“Fill the world with untruth or questioned untruth and your job is over… how it may have affected the subject individual or situation has been washed away from your hands… your conscience, if ever you had one, has been overridden.”

Earlier, he has shared some interesting advice for married couples on how to keep the romance alive.

For the past year, rumors of a divorce between his son, Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya have been circulating online, as the two have been seen attending events separately. Their silence on the matter also raised concerns.

However, a few days ago, a Times of India report claimed that Abhishek Bachchan gave an interview to Bollywood UK media, where he was asked about the persistent divorce rumors.

Abhishek responded, “I don’t have much to say in this regard. You guys just give a different spin to the news, which I understand.”

He then showed off his wedding ring and added, “See, I’m still married.”

On his show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati,’ Amitabh offered advice to husbands and wives around the world for a happy married life.

A couple on the show mentioned that they had been married for 25 years and still loved each other deeply. They shared that they make short videos (reels) wherever they go.

Bachchan responded, “You’ve given a very good idea. I also suggest that to keep the romance alive, husbands and wives should make videos wherever they go. Whether it’s a walk or a trip, make it a point to create a video together.”