Category: Entertainment

In the entertainment industry, where most actors accept any role, rising star Ali Raza rejected 16 scripts to chase only lead roles.

 Appearing as a guest on Something Haute hosted by Amana Isanai Haider, the Noor Jahan actor discussed the importance of rejecting roles to clear the way for main leads.

Ali Raza said, “I rejected 16 scripts, after ‘Noor Jahan’, because my debut as a lead was with Kubra Khan I got 16 scripts. I counted them properly and they were lying at my house. I told them, “I am not doing it. I am only doing the main leads.’”

The Mohabbat Gumshuda Meri actor highlighted the importance of setting boundaries in an actor’s career.

“Our actors, especially those in supporting roles, as someone’s friend, or as part of a parallel lead, don’t say ‘no’ to anything. Unless you start saying ‘no’ to certain roles and make it clear that you only want to do main leads, no one will ever offer you a main lead.” 
Ali Raza also touched upon other opportunities that came his way, “While I was doing Noor Jahan, I was offered a role from the office for a character that Emmad Irfani eventually played in Jaan-e Jahaan. Musadiq Malik (Noor Jahan director) told me, ‘Look, you’re doing the main lead here. If you do this other role, it will be a second lead.’ I thought it through and decided not to do it. It was actually a scheduling issue because the dates they wanted overlapped with Noor Jahan’s shooting schedule.”

 
 “First, Jaan-e- Jahaan aired, after it concluded, Noor Jahan aired. It was a smart decision on their part to space them out, and I think I also made the right decision by not taking that role,” Raza added.

 
Aamna Haider Isani then asked, “How was your experience working with Naumaan Ijaz?” 

Ali Raza replied, “It was great, though we had limited interaction. But whatever little interaction we had was excellent. Noman Bhai guided everyone, telling us, ‘Don’t deliver the line like this; say it like that.’ He’s incredibly helpful to everyone. The biggest lesson I learned from him was that all actors should give their best performances in a scene, so the scene as a whole turns out perfect.”

Currently Ali Raza is starring in two dramas, DuniyaPur and Iqtidar.

Sometimes, healing is more important than moving on.

Appearing as a guest on Subh Samma Kay Sath, actress Salma Hassan opened up about why she decided to focus on her daughter instead of remarrying after her divorce from Afzal Ali.

Host Madeha Naqvi asked, “Did you ever consider moving on or remarrying?” to which Hassan replied, “I think it’s about finding someone and wanting to find someone. Maybe I never even tried.”

She explained, “It feels like a shock when your trust is broken. You reflect on yourself, thinking that maybe I’m not good enough. There’s a sense of inferiority that comes with it, and it takes time to recover from that.”

Salma Hassan and Afzal Ali tied the knot in 2001 in Karachi and divorced in 2012.

She has starred in several notable dramas, such as Dhoop Mein Sawan, Tum Hi Ho, Sub Set Hai, Umrao Jaan Ada, Vasl, Dareecha, Talafi, Tanhaiyan Naye Silsilay, Namak Paray, Choti Google Mohalla, Aap Ke Liye, Socha Na Tha, Phir Wo Mohabbat,  Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha, Pyar Kay Saday, Fairy Tale, Do Bol, Very Filmy, and Ishq Murshid. Currently, she is starring in Jaan Se Pyara Juni and Bharam. 

 She also starred in films such as, The Giraffe, Baron 3D, Garmee, XXL and telefilms like, Bubbly Darling, Saiyaan Motorwalay, Romantic Razia.

Earlier, Salma Hassan appeared on Hasna Mana Hai, hosted by Tabish Hashmi.

The host asked her, “In our society, divorce is considered taboo. Naturally, when people get divorced, they don’t see or speak to each other. But you and Afzal continued to work together even after the divorce. Doesn’t that feel awkward?”

Salma replied, “I was told this is haraam and asked, ‘How can you work with your ex-husband?’ But I’m an actress, so I’d work with anyone. And for our daughter’s sake, I want to put our differences aside and have a good relationship with her father.”

 Earlier, actress Salma Hassan, famous for her near flawless acting in Urdu dramas, actually speaks English as her mother tongue?  

Appearing as a guest on Toh Set Hai with Aadi Adeal Amjad, Salma Hassan shared an interesting detail about her heritage. 

“Urdu is not my mother tongue. My mom was part British. My mother tongue is really English. My maternal grandmother was British”, Salma Hassan.

Honestly, we can’t really tell. Her Urdu diction and accent are quite good. 

Rajab Butt, a popular YouTuber and family vlogger, has become a sensation over the past few years. Known for his engaging vlogs, family adventures, and controversies, he was the most-watched creator of 2024. Now, he is stepping into a new chapter of his life as he prepares for his grand wedding.

Last night, Rajab Butt and his wife-to-be, Emaan, hosted a spectacular dholki. The event was filled with joy, laughter, and music, attended by their family, friends, and fellow YouTubers like Ducky Bhai, Iqra Kanwal, Zulqurnain, and many others. The couple looked radiant as they celebrated this special occasion together.

Emaan wore a stunning light pistachio- coloured outfit, matching Rajab’s attire, and they both looked awesome. The dholki featured lively traditional songs, dancing, and delicious food, making it a night to remember. Rajab Butt shared some stunning pictures and videos from the event, capturing the vibrant atmosphere and the love shared among the guests.

Check out these pictures from Rajab Butt’s grand dholki as everyone enjoyed the festive night:

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Turkish actor Engin Altan Düzyatan, known for his lead role in the popular historical Turkish drama Ertuğrul Ghazi, recently credited Pakistanis for his global fame.

According to Dawn Images, the actor discussed the popularity of his drama in Pakistan at the Red Sea Film Festival, which was recently held in Saudi Arabia.

He acknowledged that while his drama was appreciated worldwide and was a hit in Turkey, its impact was different after it aired in Pakistan.

“Pakistan has played an important role in my popularity,” he said.

Düzyatan recalled that during the shooting of Ertuğrul Ghazi, the character had a strong influence on him, which took him a long time to shake off.

He also expressed his desire to portray Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, in a drama or film.

When asked about his invitation to participate in the Saudi Arabian Film Festival, he said, “I was happy and pleasantly surprised when I received the invitation to participate in the festival.”

Ertuğrul Ghazi was broadcast on Pakistan Television (PTV) and set new records of popularity in Pakistan.

Remember the good old days when you knew that a Yumna Zaidi drama would entertain you and yet have strong social themes? 

 Although her previous dramas like Tere Bin were very popular despite the masala content,  Gentleman didn’t click as much with audiences. 

Qarz e Jaan is different. With strong performances, a gripping storyline, and important issues at its core, this drama is perfect for those looking for more than a love story and saas-bahu conflicts.

Nashwa, played by Yumna Zaidi, and Bisma, played by Tehseen (Nashwa’s mother in the drama), have great onscreen chemistry. Their conversations remind you of the debates any girl would have with her mother. The way Nashwa understands what Bisma went through after being harassed by her brother-in-law, without Bisma saying a word, is emotional and moving. Kudos to the talented actors and director for this great scene.

Another beautiful moment was when Nashwa asked her mother about sharing at least one emotional moment with her father. The bond between mother and daughter was heart-warming. A big shoutout to both Yumna Zaidi and Tazeen Hussain for their great performances.

The dialogue “Bewah aurat ka koi ghr nhi hota” (A widow has no home) hits hard, highlighting the societal challenges faced by women in such situations.

Does Bakhtiyar’s wife not know what her husband is up to? Or is she choosing to stay silent, as having Bisma at home is convenient for her?

Bakhtiyar cleverly permitted Nashwa to practice law, saving money on other lawyers and avoiding the headache of dealing with his mother’s affairs. But little does he know that he just created his biggest enemy by letting Nashwa practice law.

Without knowing it, Nashwa has become a key witness in the murder and rape case of Mahi. She saw Ammar returning early in the morning and knew he didn’t go to the mosque as he claimed, from the warmth of the car’s bonnet. Ammar talking with his friends hinted at something bad happening, but the story of gang rape and murder was shocking.

 I have seen many “justice for rape” stories; how will this one be different? I am curious to know. Will Yumna Zaidi highlight, once again, that choosing a script with a message is a game-changer?

Burhan, played by Usama Khan, is a lawyer. Why is Burhan purchasing a property that already belongs to his father? What is the mystery there? Is Burhan someone who will stand for justice?

It looks like all the female lawyers are smitten by Burhan’s good looks and personality. Will this play a big part as the drama unfolds?

Next episode 

Nashwa has stepped into the legal profession, a shift from the typical career choice of teaching for young women. This episode revolves around conversations about working women. Are they just wasting time, as veteran lawyer Baari Sahab suggests, or are they there to work with charming lawyers, as Nashwa’s friends imply? Mohid thinks they should be homemakers, while Nashwa believes they can juggle both work and home if valued by their husbands.

Nashwa argues that women are made to adjust, but this mindset reinforces the stereotype of superwomen. Why should women have to adjust in all situations? Why not expect men to share the responsibilities equally? Nashwa’s calm and rational argument wins, but the idea of ‘adjustment’ might undermine her point. A more progressive view would be for both partners to adjust for a fair and satisfying relationship.

The episode also highlights the struggles of a rape survivor. Maheen faces pressure to stay silent about her ordeal. Reporting rape can reopen wounds, lead to threats, and bring social stigma. The show aims to support those who speak out and encourage others who may choose not to.

Questions arise about Ammar’s friends’ involvement in the crime and his actions afterwards. Maheen’s statement against him and his friends sets the stage for a tense storyline. Will justice prevail, or will family conspiracies complicate matters?
Nashwa’s training as a lawyer who stays objective is just beginning. The show also highlights the pressures lawyers face, including bribes and threats from influential people. Burhan might be in trouble as he stands firm against Chaudhry Shafique, but his calm approach raises questions.

Qarz e Jaan features 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. It was written by Rabia Razzak, directed by Saqib Khan, and produced by Momina Duraid. It airs on HUM TV every Saturday.

 Ever wondered what it’s like to play a character who’s neither a hero nor a villain?  Actor Usama Khan’s role as Salis in the drama serial Ghair breaks all the usual rules.

In a recent interview with Mahwish Ajaz, the Sunn Mere Dil actor opened up about playing the role in Ghair and how fame has changed his life. 

 Talking about his character, Usama explained, “When I discussed it with Yasir Bhai (Director), we thought of taking Salis out of the category of ‘hero’. If we make Salis a hero, then tomorrow someone might accuse him, saying that he got married and the next day he will fall in love with someone else. Their chemistry will develop, and it shouldn’t be like that with Salis. I think we have overdone the idea of red and green flags. So, I think it’s always like this, when we see a story, everyone is the hero of their own story.”

Usama Khan described his character Salis as indecisive and “a mama’s boy”. 

“Salis is someone who can’t make decisions, an indecisive person, he is a mama boy. If you look at people in his age group, you’ll notice that the clothes they wear are very colorful. Normally, people who are sorted don’t wear such colorful things. They prefer black, white, and grey – those are the sorted colors. All of Sali’s energy, his brain energy, is probably spent in his wardrobe, and he hasn’t paid much attention elsewhere,” Khan added. 

The host asked “When you gain fame and attention, a lot of people are uncomfortable with it. For some people, it’s just part of their routine. How do you personally react? How are you in real life?” 

           
The Qarz –e – Jaan actor replied, “I used to be a very lonely dull person, just eating food and not interacting much. I still don’t interact much with people; I prefer not to talk too much because if I do, I might say something wrong. But when people tell me I’m famous and ask about my fame, I feel like it’s a temporary phase. Yes, I became famous, but I always stay connected with my family, especially my parents.”

 “When I go out and meet people in my city, they meet me with love. I don’t feel like fame has changed me much. People who are close to me, like my parents, are always with me. They help me stay grounded. Fame is a phase that doesn’t last forever,”  he said.  

 Reflecting on his experiences, Usama Khan “When I went to a wedding, everyone stopped me and said, ‘Don’t leave Wafa!’ My inbox was filled with messages saying, ‘Don’t leave her.’ After that, I went to the gym, and people would tell me, ‘Why did you marry Sadaf?’ and that I shouldn’t have married her. People are invested; they’re watching. Before, when I was in another drama, people would ask when I was getting married. They are invested; they are watching.”

Javeria Saud, a renowned actress, has always captivated audiences with her brilliant acting and high-energy hosting. Viewers have now been praising her emotional performance in the sequel Baby Baji Ki Bahuwain.

She recently shared a post on Instagram explaining why she is refusing to give interviews or appear on podcasts for popular TV channels and digital creators.

Javeria Saud said, “Dear friends, to everyone asking me for a podcast or interview, my response is the same: I prefer to spend that time enjoying with my family or writing scripts rather than giving interviews for free. As creators monetize their content, I’ll focus on paid opportunities aligning with my values. I talk to my fans on my YouTube channel and answer their questions there.”

Saud is set to appear in Green Entertainment’s highly anticipated upcoming drama serial.

Earlier, Javeria Saud appeared as a guest on Subh Ka Samaa where she claimed that she did not receive credit for writing the song.

Madeha Naqvi asked her, “Ishq Murshid was written by you as well, right?”

Javeria replied, “Yes, I wrote the song, I didn’t get any credit for it, they’re friends, and I’ll let people know, sometimes, it’s the blows from friends that make you strong.”

Reflecting on her experiences, Javeria recalled writing the famous song for Khuda Aur Mohabbat drama.

“For example, the song from Khuda Aur Mohabbat that I wrote is still being played today. People love it so much that when they produced the next seasons of that drama, they didn’t change the song at all, in any season.”

The drama Ishq Murshid was written by Abdul Khaliq Khan and directed by Farooq Rind.