Category: Entertainment

 What if Rubab from ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum had been played by actress Areej Chaudhary instead of Naeema Butt? 

During an appearance on Hasna Mana Hai, Areej Chaudhary shared her thoughts on the role, the show’s ending and her experience working in the blockbuster drama. 

Tabish Hashmi asked, “Do you think you would have done it well? Have you practiced at home to become Rubab?”

Areej replied, “I know I would have done it well.” Her statement reflects her belief in her abilities as an actor, especially after her standout performance as Natasha. 

Tabish Hashmi also addressed the show’s ending, which left many viewers questioning unresolved storylines, particularly regarding Rubab’s track. He asked, “And since there was no closure, many people had complaints like, ‘What happened to it?’ Did you feel the same, like, ‘what happened to it?’”

  In response, the Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum actress said, “There’s no Season 2, since the writer had beefed it up so much, I think I’m satisfied with that, there was no need to show it even more. Everyone understood what happened, so the focus on the remaining aspects was more important.”

 

 Earlier, Areej Chaudhry appeared as a guest on ‘Something Haute’ where she talked about her character in the trending drama.

The host, Hassan Choudhry, asked, “What similarities are there between Natasha and you?”

“I could never be her in real life. I may be like Natasha when it comes to appreciating art, but other than that, I don’t like anything about her. I would never do something like that in my life,” she responded.

Talking about the “Humpty Dumpty” reference in the drama, Chaudhry said that she would never want to say such a thing in real life.

“We see these kinds of characters in films and dramas. Did you take inspiration from any specific character?” the host asked.

To which she responded, “No, I didn’t want to do that because, I believe, when you try to copy or understand something by watching someone else, you lose the ability to bring your own touch to it.

I wanted to think about it in my own way. If I were like this [Natasha], what would I do? That’s how I approached it,” she explained.

Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, written by Farhat Ishtiaq and directed by Badar Mehmood.

The world has lost a musical legend with the death of Indian tabla maestro Zakir Hussain who passed away at the age of 73 in the US, leaving behind a legacy that crosses multitudes of borders.  The Indian music community and fans worldwide have been deep affected by his death.

 Bollywood stars and music icons have expressed condolences on social media, mourning the loss of the maestro who brought the tabla to world stage. Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their tributes, highlighting Zakir Hussain’s unmatched contribution to music and his influence on generations of artists.

 Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendular shared a moving tribute, saying “The curtains have fallen, but the beats will continue to echo in our hearts forever. If his hands delivered the rhythms, his smiling face and humble persona conveyed a melody – always respectful to everyone around him, putting them at ease. Rest in peace, Ustad Zakir Hussain ji. We were fortunate to witness your magic. Your music knew no boundaries, and your loss is deeply felt by music lovers worldwide.”

 Indian actor Riteish Deskmukh also paid tribute saying, “The irreparable loss of Zakir Hussain Sahab is a devastating blow to India and the global music community. Sir, Your music was a gift, a treasure that will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come. Your legacy lives on. May your soul rest in eternal glory, surrounded by the rhythms and melodies. Condolences to the family and loved ones of the legendary Zakir Hussain Sahab. ”

Action star Akshay Kumar wrote, “Very pained to know about the sad demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain Saab. He was truly a treasure for our country’s musical heritage. Om Shanti.”

“The maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away a few hours ago. Goodbye Ustadji. The man who made the tabla sexy, who brought an accompanying instrument to the forefront is gone. Deepest condolences to his family, fans and students around the globe,” director Hansal Mehta said.

The king of compositions, AR. Rahman penned down: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un, Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim . His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned an album together . You shall be truly missed. May his family and his countless students worldwide find the strength to bear this immense loss .”

“India has lost its cultural rhythm keeper Rest in peace maestro,” stated actor Randeep Hoda.

Zakir Hussain’s passing has left a deep impact, but his music and influence will keep inspiring generations of musicians around the world. Rest in peace, Ustad Zakir Hussain.

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 on Sunday 15 December in US after a battle with heart disease.

His manager Nirmala Bachani confirmed the news, stating that Hussain had been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco.

 Zakir Hussain, born on March 09, 1951 in Bombay, was the eldest son of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Allah Rakha.

He followed his father’s path while also pushing the boundaries of Indian classical music, earning global recognition. His collaboration with renowned international artists helped bring the tabla to a wider audience, solidifying his place as a world music icon.

Zakir’s skill earned him praise for his flawless technique and playful creativity, The New York Times, in a 2009 review of his Carnegie Hall performance, said his “fearsome technique” combined with artistic playfulness made his music both joyful and virtuosic.

 His lightning-fast fingers were compared to a hummingbird’s wings, producing a sound that was both detailed and full of energy.

Veteran filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma believes that South Indian superstar Allu Arjun’s recent arrest after ‘Pushpa 2’ release was a publicity stunt to boost the film’s box office collections.

For those who missed it, Allu Arjun was arrested by the Chikkadapally police in Hyderabad on Friday and sent to 14-day judicial custody in connection to a tragic stampede at the film’s screening in Sandhya Theatre, which resulted in the death of a woman named Revathi and serious injuries to her nine-year-old son, Sri Tej.

The incident occurred when Allu Arjun made a surprise visit to the event, causing a massive crowd of fans to gather. The stampede-like situation led to Revathi losing consciousness and being declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Arjun was released on a four-week interim bail by the Telangana High Court on Saturday.

Reacting to the news, Ram Gopal Varma took to his official X handle, claiming, “Regarding everybody’s SURPRISE SHOCK about why the Honourable chief minister of TELANGANA @revanth_anumala did this to @alluarjun, I think it is because he wanted to give a BIG PUBLICITY BOOST to the Telangana state’s FAVOURITE SON for a HUGE RISE in #Pushpa2‘s week 2‘s collections.”

He continued, “This explains why the STATE did such a deliberately weak PROSECUTION so that he could be BAILED OUT in a few hours and become even more MEGA POPULAR to RULE the BOX OFFICE for a LOOONG LOOOOONGGG TIME.”

Varma concluded by thanking the chief minister, “Thank you shri @revanth_anumula garu, for holding the TELANGANA STATE’S PRIDE as SUPER HIGH as #Pushpa2‘s SUPER COLLECTIONS.”

CM Reddy has denied state government involvement in Arjun’s arrest, stating that the law is taking its course. “He’s a film, it’s his business to make a movie and earn money, what does that have to do with us? Did he fight any India-Pakistan war at the border and win for India? He made a movie, it’s minting money, that’s all there is to it,” he said.

As for the action sequel, ‘Pushpa 2’ features Allu Arjun in the titular role of Pushpa Raj, with Fahadh Faasil as the main antagonist SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, and Rashmika Mandanna reprising her role as Srivalli. The film has grossed INR 1300 crores in worldwide ticket sales over the first 10 days of release.

Indian tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 on Sunday 15 December in US after a battle with heart disease.

  

His manager Nirmala Bachani confirmed the news, stating that Hussain had been admitted to a hospital in San Francisco.

 Zakir Hussain, born on March 09, 1951 in Bombay, was the eldest son of the legendary tabla maestro, Ustad Allah Rakha.

He followed his father’s path while also pushing the boundaries of Indian classical music, earning global recognition. His collaboration with renowned international artists helped bring the tabla to a wider audience, solidifying his place as a world music icon.

Zakir’s skill earned him praise for his flawless technique and playful creativity, The New York Times, in a 2009 review of his Carnegie Hall performance, said his “fearsome technique”  combined with artistic playfulness made his music both joyful and virtuosic.

 

 His lightning-fast fingers were compared to a hummingbird’s wings, producing a sound that was both detailed and full of energy.

Throughout his career, Zakir collaborated with international artists, introducing the table to a broader global audience and securing his place as a world music icon. He often reflected on his early years, recalling how, at just 13, he boldly arranged his first concert. When an invitation came for his father to perform, Zakir responded instead, offering himself as the performer without revealing his age, showing his passion and determination for music.

 

 One of his notable achievements was his groundbreaking 1973 collaboration with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H Vikku Vinayakra. The project combined Indian classical music with jazz, creating a new fusion that had never been done before.

Amid hype surrounding his wedding festivities,  YouTuber Rajab Butt has been arrested over receipt of questionable wedding gifts, reports said.

As per the details, Chung police, along with Punjab Wildlife Department, raided Rajab’s house and took him into custody after a viral video showed him receiving a lion cub as a wedding gift.

Illegal arms were also recovered from the social media star’s residence, police said.

While the details of the weapons have not yet been released, rumours claim at least one rifle was also gifted to him at his wedding. A viral video also showed him receiving a large case that he stopped the guest from opening in front of cameras.

Earlier, Rajab’s wedding remained the top trend on social media in Pakistan.

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Rajab Butt, Emaan tie the knot: Barat day pictures and videos

Rajab Butt, one of Pakistan’s top trending content creators, recently tied the knot with his beloved Emaan in a grand celebration that spanned several events. The big day took place on Thursday evening with family and friends joining the couple to celebrate the joyous occasion.

Rajab Butt looked dashing in an off-white sherwani, while Emaan looked stunning in a maroon bridal dress. They both appeared incredibly happy in the many videos and pictures from the main event have surfaced online.

Here are some highlights from Rajab Butt and Emaan’s wedding:

Mehndi Ceremony: Rajab’s close friends and family attended the festivities with a vibrant mehndi ceremony. The event was filled with music, dance, and lots of fun.

Check the pictures below:

Barat Day: The barat day was a grand affair, with Rajab and Emaan looking radiant as they greeted guests and celebrated their special day.

Romantic Photo Shoot: Rajab and Emaan also had a romantic photo shoot, capturing beautiful moments together.

Family Moments: The couple shared many heartfelt moments with their families, making the day even more memorable.

With Nasir Adeeb’s comments about star actor Reema Khan drawing strong reactions from celebrities and general public alike, the veteran scriptwriter has issued a public apology over his claims.

The Legend of Maula Jatt writer had in a recent podcast claimed that Reema was once rejected by him and film director Younus Malik while visiting Lahore’s Heera Mandi area for casting.

Adeeb’s claim had sparked backlash from fans and celebrities, including Imran Abbas, Sanam Jung, Rabia Enum, Bushra Ansari and Fahad Mustafa, all of whom shamed the writer.

“I apologise in front of everyone… to Reema Ji… [I am] asking for her forgiveness… that she may forgive me for saying something I did not verify,” the writer said while taking back his claim of Reema belonging to the infamous Heera Mandi area known for housing brothels until a few years ago.

Adeeb said that Allah has ordered us to not believe in hearsay, and he had committed a grave mistake by not verifying the claim. “We need to verify news before spreading it,” he added.

Earlier, Rabia Anum, Imran Abbas slams Nasir Adeeb for defaming Reema

Senior scriptwriter Nasir Adeeb has come under fire for derogatory remarks about film star Reema’s past. Several showbiz personalities have demanded that he apologize to the actress.

In a recent podcast, Nasir Adeeb claimed that he and director Younis Malik went to Heera Mandi in Lahore to find a heroine for a film.

He stated, “We were shown several girls, including Reema Khan.” However, he did not cast her because he “did not like her.”

Although Nasir Adeeb did not cast Reema, he acknowledged that she later became a superstar in the film industry.

Social media users and celebrities criticized Nasir Adib for the weird remarks about the famous actress.  Imran Abbas,  Sanam Jang, and Rabia Anam were among those who spoke out against him.

In a social media post, Imran Abbas called Nasir Adeeb’s comments “shameful,” writing, “Even today, some people take pleasure in humiliating and disturbing others by talking about the past of actors.”

Actress Sanam Jang expressed surprise at Nasir Adeeb’s remarks, questioning why he was discussing someone’s past in this manner.

TV host Rabia Anam also criticized Nasir Adeeb and demanded that such podcasts, which tarnish others’ honor, should be stopped. She encouraged women not to lose heart, writing, “Women should remember that some people can criticize them to put them down, but they should not lose heart.”

South Indian actor Allu Arjun of Pushpa fame has been released from prison after the Telangana High Court granted him four-week interim bail in the stampede case against him.

Allu had been arrested after a woman died in a stampede during the premiere of ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ earlier this month.

The actor had on December 4 arrived at Sandhya Theatre around 9:30 PM. As he and his security team entered the theatre, a large crowd tried to follow him inside, leading to chaos. Things got worse when his security team started pushing the crowd back.

Amid the chaos, 35-year-old Revathi lost her life while her son Sritej, 9, sustained injuries.

With Allu being arrested Friday, a local court in Hyderabad sent him on a 14-day judicial remand. However, with the victim’s husband pulling out of the case, the Telangana High Court on Saturday granted the actor temporary relief.

The court will revisit the case on January 21, 2025, reports said.

Earlier, South Indian actor Allu Arjun was arrested after his appearance at a movie screening allegedly caused a stampede that resulted in the death of a woman on Friday, police and local media reported.

A huge crowd had gathered at a theatre in Hyderabad to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun as he arrived for the screening of his film “Pushpa 2: The Rule.”

Arjun, 42, was arrested on suspicion of three offences, including causing hurt by dangerous means, a police officer told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The victim of the December 4 stampede was a woman in her 30s attending the screening with her son, who was also seriously injured. The woman’s family later filed a complaint against Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management, media outlet India Today reported.

Arjun said he was “deeply heartbroken” two days after the accident. “While respecting their need for space to grieve, I stand committed to extend every possible assistance to help them navigate through this challenging journey,” he wrote on X.

Arjun is hugely popular in southern India, and the Pushpa film franchise has made millions at the box office.

On Thursday12 December, A violent altercation during the screening of Pushpa 2 at Kajal Talkies in Phalka Bazar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, resulted in a man’s ear being bitten off by a canteen staff member.

The incident occurred on December 10 and has drawn attention because of its similarity to a scene from the film where the protagonist, Pushpa, fights back by biting his enemies.

Indian media reported that the altercation began during the intermission when the victim, Shabbir Khan, got into an argument with canteen staff members Raju, Chandan, and MA Khan over a food bill. The disagreement escalated into a physical fight, with one of the staff members reportedly biting Shabbir Khan’s ear, causing significant bleeding.