Category: Entertainment

  • Usman Mukhtar talks to CNN about bringing Pakistani superheroes to life

    Usman Mukhtar talks to CNN about bringing Pakistani superheroes to life

    Who needs fireworks when Usman Mukhtar lights up New Year’s Eve with exciting revelations? Mukhtar’s career seems as versatile as his comic book collection, with diverse subjects, from superheroes to statesmen.


    Usman Mukhtar had an exciting New Year’s Eve. He spoke to CNN about his movie Umro Ayyar: A New Beginning and his plans for the future. 


    Umro Ayyar: A New Beginning is Pakistan’s first superhero fantasy film. It came out in June with Mukhtar, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Sanam Saeed, Faran Tahir, and Adnan Siddiqui included in the cast. Unlike many typical movies in Pakistan, the film was unique in that it talked about myths, legends and superheroes.

     
    “I love superheroes, and playing Umro Ayyar was a big honor for me,” he told CNN. The movie took four years to make and was finally released last year. When he and the other actors saw it for the first time in the cinema, they were amazed by it.


    He was especially happy that kids loved the film. “Kids in Pakistan don’t have a lot of movies to watch, and they enjoyed this one. We hope to make more superhero and sci-fi movies for the global audience,” Mukhtar said.


    When asked if he saw a global market for films like Umro Ayyar, he believed there was a lot of untapped potential in Pakistan. “People want to see something different from Pakistan,” he explained.


    Mukhtar is also a big fan of DC Comics and Superman. He collected comic books and action figures as a child. “I want to create content my children can watch and be proud of,” he added.


    For 2025, Mukhtar is not working on a sci-fi or fantasy project. Instead, he will play Allama Iqbal in an upcoming series about Fatima Jinnah, the famous Pakistani stateswoman and sister of Quaid-i-Azam. He hopes people will enjoy it when it is released in 2025.

  • Is Yashma Gill ready to leave acting for the right man?

    Is Yashma Gill ready to leave acting for the right man?

    Actress Yashma Gill hasn’t received many marriage proposals, but she’s open to leaving acting for the right man.

    Appearing as a guest on Girls Only podcast with Dananeer Mobeen, the Azmaish actress revealed that when a potential match does come along, the first condition is that she must leave her career.

    Yashma Gill said, “Whenever a marriage proposal comes, people always demand that I leave acting but I don’t want to do that. If I meet a man who is 100 percent right for me, I will leave acting for him.”

    The Ishq Munafiq actress shared that, to date, she hasn’t received any proposals for marriage, nor has any man approached her due to fear. 

    “I have not received a single proposal, and no man has reached out to me because they are scared,” Yashma Gill said.

    Addressing the topic of marriage, Yashma revealed that many people mistakenly believe that women who work, especially actresses, don’t need marriage. However, she disagrees with the notion. “People think that career-oriented women and especially actresses don’t need to get married, but that’s a wrong assumption. They are just like any other women, and they need marriage too,” she explained.

    Yashma also addressed the common misconception that women in showbiz are always out and about and wouldn’t have time for a family.

    She said, “There is a belief that actresses are always out, and people wonder if they can manage their home life or even understand the importance of marriage.”

    However, she made it clear that actresses know how to balance home responsibilities. 

    “We know how to manage our homes, cook, and take care of everything. We understand the importance of marriage just like any other woman,” the Ahasaas actress added.

     Yashma  Gill highlighted that many men avoid approaching actresses for relationships, believing they are arrogant, too busy, or live in a different world.

    “Some men don’t approach actresses because they think we are arrogant, that we don’t have time, or that we live in a different world. But that’s not true. Actresses are just like anyone else. We have problems too. If someone is a good person, they can definitely reach out for a relationship,” she emphasized.

     Earlier, renowned Pakistani actress Yashma Gill also wants to marry in the holy cities after Saudi Arabia has allowed weddings there.

    Yashma Gill announced her intention to get married soon. The actress shared her excitement on Instagram by posting a screenshot of a news story that went viral on the platform.

    She was happy with the Saudi government’s recent decision to allow marriages in Makkah and Madina. In her Instagram story, she wrote, “It’s time to get married,” indicating her eagerness to tie the knot in one of the holy cities.

    The news of Yashma’s upcoming marriage has been met with joy and well-wishes from her fans and social media users alike.

  • Emotional notes, vision boards and humour; here’s how celebs welcomed 2025

    Emotional notes, vision boards and humour; here’s how celebs welcomed 2025

    As Pakistan, like rest of the world, steps into 2025 with renewed energy and hopes of change and prosperity, celebrities too have shared heartfelt messages with the commitment to embrace the new year with positive vibes.

    Actress Mahira Khan reflected on the highs and lows of 2024 with an emotional note on Instagram.

    “When you came, it felt like you would never end.. every moment felt like forever.. and now when you’re ending it feels like time just flew. That’s the thing about happiness and sadness, highs and lows.. it all passes. Nothing stays the same forever. Little moments of joy though.. they remain the same. And those are to be made the most out of. I learnt so much this year.. felt so much this year. More than anything I learnt so much about myself and by the end of the year felt so much like myself [sic],” she wrote.

     

    The Humsafar actress expressed gratitude for her personal growth over the past year and ended with an optimistic outlook for the future.

    “When I look back, I will remember this you as the year of faith, looking ahead always… but do put in a good word for me with 2025,” she concluded.

    Veteran actor Adnan Siddqui added a touch of humor to his New Year’s wish by sharing a video message.

    “Ah, 2025! A brand-new year, already judging us for the promises we probably won’t keep. But that’s the charm of life — it’s messy, unpredictable, and still worth every second. Here’s to another year of winging it with style. Happy New Year!” he said.

     

    Actress Sarah Khan shared a picture of herself in a black dress with the caption: “Pouring my heart and soul into this, with my vision board behind me. This is the moment when I take the inspiration and goals visually represented in front of me and bring them to life. 2025, lets do this! PS. The song represents my feelings right now [sic].”

     

    Veteran actress Reema Khan also extended her warm wishes through a heartfelt video message, captioning its: “Happy New Year 2025! May this year bring us endless joy, success, respect and cherished moments with our loved ones. May Allah guide us to choose the right path Ameen .”

     

    Actress Hiba Bukhari posted a video collage summarising her memorable moments from 2024. “So much happened this year… thanking you all for your love. Saying goodbye to 2024 thanking Allah for a blissful year, and wishing the best to everyone for 2025 ,” she wrote and asked fans to remember her in their prayers.

     

    Mawra Hocane also expressed her excitement for the new year with a sweet message. “Grateful to be witnessing yet another new year… 2025 I’m looking forward ✨♾ .”

     

    She went on to wish everyone a happy new year.

  • Salma Zafar on allowing husband to marry again instead of ‘having affairs’

    Salma Zafar on allowing husband to marry again instead of ‘having affairs’

    Veteran actress Salma Zafar has revealed why she allowed her husband to bring another wife instead of having an affair, and how it transformed her life.

    Appearing as a guest on Fuchsia Magazine, Zafar shared the story of her bold decision to allow her husband a second marriage instead of having to accept his affairs, and she is completely at peace with it.

    “I chose to let my husband marry again rather than tolerate his affairs… and I am happy with my decision,” she said.

    The Ghair actress, who got married back when she was just 18, recalled when her marriage was arranged by her aunt and how her husband’s kind personality made their relationship smooth.

    “My husband was always well-liked, and I never faced any issues with him,” she said.

    However, Zafar added, after hearing about his affairs from various sources, I grew concerned and decided to keep a close watch on him for three months.

    The actress said she consulted with her father-in-law when things became clearer. “I was devastated at first, but after talking to my father-in-law, I was able to move on and allow my husband to marry again,” she explained. 

    “I can’t tolerate affairs, but if you feel you can manage a second marriage, then go ahead,” she said.

    Zafar said her decision was not only about keeping peace in her marriage but also about maintaining harmony in the family.

    After her husband remarried and had a son with his second wife, Zafar said she found joy in accepting her new child. “I was overjoyed and I consider him my own child.”

    The actress said she also took the time to speak with her husband’s second wife, advising her that the children should live together as one united family.

    Zafar believes her openness about her marriage and thoughtful decision-making brought peace to her life, proving that her choices, though unconventional, were the right ones for her and her family. “It was difficult at first, but now, things are easier, and I feel at peace,” she concluded.

    Salma Zafar was married to Tariq Mehmood for 22 years. The two got divorced much after her husband’s second marriage and have two daughters.

    Salma Zafar starred in dramas such as, Paadash, Mirat-Ul- Uroos, Aahat, Kohar, Nijaat, Tumse Kehna Tha, Kifayat, Rajjo Masi, Shamim. Currently she is starring Qarz-e- Jaan and Ghair.

  • Sajjad Ali was the most talented kid and we have receipts to prove it

    Sajjad Ali was the most talented kid and we have receipts to prove it

    Some kids hum nursery rhymes; Sajjad Ali, it seems, was busy mastering classics before he even hit double digits.


    The maestro, favourite singer of many Pakistanis, comes from a musical family. His songs have been topping charts since the early 90s. Some of his biggest hits nclude Babia, Laari Adda, Ravi, and Chal Rehn De. Known for his hard work and dedication, Sajjad is a relatable star.


    Sajjad Ali’s singing journey didn’t happen by chance. He was trained from a young age, which is why his melodies are so powerful. Recently, he shared a beautiful audio clip of himself as a child, singing the difficult song Yaad Piya Ki Aaye. Even as a kid, he impressed everyone with his incredible talent.


    Fans are amazed by Sajjad Ali’s childhood singing abilities. The sight of a young boy gearing up to turn into a singing sensation is one to behold.

  • Diljit Dosanjh lands in hot water over controversial lyrics, singing ‘banned’ songs

    Diljit Dosanjh lands in hot water over controversial lyrics, singing ‘banned’ songs

    Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh is in legal trouble after his New Year’s Eve concert in Ludhiana. 

    As per the details, Punditrao Dharenavar, an assistant professor from Chandigarh, filed a complaint urging the singer to stop performing certain songs during his live show on December 31, 2024. The complainant maintained he was worried about the impact of these controversial songs on young people as scores of minors attend Diljit’s concerts.

    Dharenavar also cited a 2019 ruling from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which directed the police to ensure that songs promoting drugs, alcohol or violence were not to be performed at public events or live concerts.

    While the deputy director of Indian Punjab’s Women and Child Department issued a notice to Ludhiana’s district commissioner, asking him to bar Diljit from performing songs that promote alcohol, including ‘Patiala Peg’, ‘5 Tara Theke’ and ‘Case (Jeeb Vicho Feem Labbiya)’, Diljit went on to perform the same with altered lyrics.

    The performances came even though Diljit had been advised against them as per the warnings issued by various commissions earlier as well. He had also been told to not perform the songs even with tweaked or modified lyrics.

    While action against the singer for flouting the ban is awaited, he and his team are yet to react to the reports.

    This is not the first time Diljit has faced such controversies. He received a legal notice from the Telangana government for performing songs that promoted alcohol and violence during his concert in Hyderabad in November.

    Despite these legal issues, Diljit’s Dil-Luminati tour remains a major success. The Ludhiana show, announced on December 23, marked the grand finale of his three-month-long India Tour.

  • ‘Bilawal used to watch Ainak Wala Jin episodes a day before they actually aired,’ recalls Hamoon Jadugar

    ‘Bilawal used to watch Ainak Wala Jin episodes a day before they actually aired,’ recalls Hamoon Jadugar

    Remember the days when magic and laughter filled your TV screen? Ainak Wala Jin, the iconic Pakistani children’s drama, not only entertained but also created unforgettable memories for a generation. Produced and aired by PTV Lahore, the series became a cultural phenomenon, blending humor and fantasy into a timeless story loved by all.

     

     One of the cast members of Ainak Wala Jin, Haseeb Pasha known as Hamoon Jaudgar, appearing as a guest on Adeel Asif podcast, he revealed that Ainak Wala Jin was such a hit that it would often be screened at Bilalwal House, the residence of the Bhutto family, two days before it aired on television.

    Haseeb Pasha recalled saying, “Our drama Ainak Wala Jin used to go to Bilawal House two days in advance, first Bilalwal and Bakhtawar would watch it, and then a day later, the children of the general public would watch it. They would tell each other in school that ‘Today, Hamoon Jadugar will do this, Zakoota Jin will do that’, they would say such things. Our children would watch it a day later.” 

    Pasha also noted that despite the show’s massive popularity, the ruling elite never thought about creating content for children.

                     

    “The Government said they would continue the drama. Now, they have a big position, Zardari Sahab is in charge. He never thought about what to do for the children,” Haseeb Pasha added.

     

    Ainkak Wala Jin was directed by Hafeez Tahir and written by Abdul Hameed. 

    The first episode was broadcast on April 25, 1993, and the series ran for a total of 152 episodes, concluding on July 4, 1996. The second season, Ainak Wala Jin 2, aired starting March 27, 2005, and continued until July 29, 2008, with 90 episodes in total.

  • Tintin, Popeye among US copyrights expiring in 2025

    Tintin, Popeye among US copyrights expiring in 2025

    From “A Farewell to Arms” to the cartoon character Popeye the Sailor, thousands of artistic works will enter the public domain in the United States on Wednesday.

    US copyright law expires after 95 years for books, films and other works of art, while sound recordings from 1924 will also be copyright-free.

    By entering the public domain, the pieces can be copied, shared, reproduced or adapted by anyone without paying the rights owner.

    This year’s crop includes internationally recognized figures such as the comic character Tintin, who made his debut in a Belgian newspaper in 1929, and Popeye the Sailor, created by cartoonist Elzie Crisler Segar.

    Every December, the Center for the Study of the Public Domain publishes a list of the cultural works that lose their copyright in the new year.

    The center, part of the Duke University School of Law in the southeastern US state of North Carolina, makes the list available on its website for anyone to peruse.

    “In past years we have celebrated an exciting cast of public domain characters: the original Mickey Mouse and Winnie-the-Pooh, and the final iterations of Sherlock Holmes from Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories,” center director Jennifer Jenkins wrote on its website.

    “In 2025 copyright expires over more aspects of Mickey from his 1929 incarnations, along with the initial versions of Popeye and Tintin.”

    Among the literary works entering the US public domain on January 1 are the novels “The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner, “A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemingway, “A Room of One’s Own” by Virginia Woolf and the first English translation of “All Quiet on the Western Front” by the German author Erich Maria Remarque.

    Films that will be in the public domain include “Blackmail,” directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and “The Black Watch,” the first sound film by Oscar-winning director John Ford.

    Musical compositions published in 1929, such as “Bolero” by French composer Maurice Ravel and “An American in Paris” by George Gershwin, will lose their copyrights, though only recordings from 1924 or earlier will be in the public domain.

  • Kamal Rashid Khan alleges Kapil Sharma staged ‘security drama’ outside his home

    Kamal Rashid Khan alleges Kapil Sharma staged ‘security drama’ outside his home

    When it comes to controversies, KRK and Kapil Sharma might just be the ultimate comedy duo—except this time, the joke’s on them.


    Kamal Rashid Khan, also known as KRK, a well-known yet controversial film critic, actor, and social media influencer, claimed that his security guard slapped comedian Kapil Sharma.


    According to Indian media, Mika Singh recently revealed that Kapil Sharma caused a commotion at KRK’s house.


    In a video on his YouTube channel, KRK talked about the incident. He stated, “Both Mika Singh and Kapil Sharma came to my house in Mumbai one night, and they were drunk.The security guard did not let them in, so they took pictures outside and insisted on meeting KRK. They refused to leave, which led to the security guard slapping them and kicking them out. Kapil then tweeted about it, and KRK responded the next morning.”


    Mika Singh, who is KRK’s neighbor, apologized the next day after KRK warned him not to repeat such behavior.



  • ‘Qarz-e-Jaan’: An emotional rollercoaster to keep you hooked

    ‘Qarz-e-Jaan’: An emotional rollercoaster to keep you hooked

    Some dramas give you tea but ‘Qarz-e-Jaan’ serves you an entire buffet full of twists, emotions and jaw-dropping moments that will have you questioning everyone’s intentions — including your own!

    The drama features Yumna Zaidi, Usama Khan, Nameer Khan, Aniqa Zulfiqar, Faisal Rehman, Deepak Parwani, Tazeen Hussain, Daniyal Aamir, Sakina Samo, Salma Asim, Ismat Zaidi, Fajr Sheikh, Tabassum Arif, and Mubassir Khan. Written by Rabia Razzak, directed by Saqib Khan and produced by Momina Duraid, it airs on HUM TV every Saturday.

    ‘Qarz-e-Jaan’ isn’t your typical drama about a sexual assault survivor seeking justice. It goes deeper, showing complex characters like Bakhtiyar and Ammar, who are smart and not to be underestimated.

    Nashwa, on the other hand, represents people who want to stand up against wrongdoings but feel frustrated and helpless in face of harsh realities.

    Here’s a crash course for you on the latest episode…

    Nashwa: The emotional yet brave character remains a bit naive and trusts her family despite their flaws.

    Bakhtiyar: Cleverly manipulates the situation, challenging Nashwa to prove Ammar’s wrongdoings.

    Maheen: Unexpectedly withdraws her case, leaving Nashwa in a tough spot.

    Nashwa finds a friend and ally in Burhan, whom she confides in. While their relationship offers hope and support, Nashwa’s character development continues as the story progresses.

    She, however, struggles with her family’s reality and is slapped by her grandmother after confronting them about Ammar.

    The drama continues to show how society reacts to a girl’s honour, highlighting how restrictive and unforgiving it can be as Maheen feels like a criminal despite being the victim. She is also silenced by threats of video leaks.

    The show continues to explore whether Maheen’s claims are true, adding complexity to the story but highlighting the flawed approach of doubting the victim.

    We just can’t wait for the next episode!