Category: Entertainment

An Indian stage production has reportedly adapted the popular Pakistani drama ‘Humsafar’ as part of an initiative to promote peace between India and Pakistan. Theater and film actor Imran Zahid confirmed the news to the Indian media.

In parallel, the Bombay High Court has rejected a petition to ban Indian nationals, corporations, and associations from working with Pakistani artists. The court said the move would “disrupt cultural harmony and peace” and advised not to be myopic.

The adaptation of ‘Humsafar’ is significant in light of the All India Cine Workers Association’s (AICWA’s 2019) ban on Pakistani artists after the Pulwama attack. This is not the first time that Pakistani artists have been barred in India; similar instances were reported back in October 2016, when the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association announced a ban on all Pakistani actors, singers, and technicians working in Bollywood films.

Zahid revealed they approached Pakistan’s HUM TV to secure the stage adaptation rights for ‘Humsafar,’ which originally starred Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan.

He further revealed that “conversations are being held with Momina Duraid, the creative head of HUM TV and also the creator of the show.” Both parties have reached an agreement in principle to proceed with the project.

Times Now also reported that according to Zahid, the show will be free of charge with no monetary gain “as part of an initiative to promote Indo-Pak peace following recent decisions by the Indian high court and Supreme Court”.

The final announcement is due shortly, and talks are reportedly being held with Sultana Siddiqui, the founder and president of HUM TV.

The play has not been officially named, nor the location or casting finalised. The revelation surfaced amidst speculation that Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, who starred in ‘Humsafar,’ could appear in some future Bollywood films.

High-profile South Korean actor Yoo Ah-in was found guilty Tuesday of illegal use of the anaesthetic drug propofol and handed a one-year jail term, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Yoo, whose real name is Uhm Hong-sik, was accused of using propofol on 181 occasions between 2020 and 2022. The drugs were administered at professional clinics, under the guise of having cosmetic procedures done.

The prosecution had sought a four-year sentence for the “Hellbound” actor, but the Seoul Central District Court handed the 37-year-old a one-year jail term, Yonhap reported.

“He is deemed guilty of all his purchases for habitual drug use,” the court stated in its ruling, according to Yonhap News TV.

The court said Yoo had committed the offences “in disregard of relevant regulations” and displayed a “lack of caution against drug substances”.

A doctor who administered propofol to Yoo without a proper prescription was fined 40 million won ($30,000) last month.

Propofol, while primarily used as a surgical anaesthetic, is sometimes abused recreationally, often with the involvement of medical professionals who may be willing to provide it without a legitimate clinical need.

An overdose of the drug was cited as the cause of pop star Michael Jackson’s death in 2009.

“I am sorry for having caused concern to many people,” Yoo was quoted as saying in court by Yonhap.

Yoo rose to stardom in the South following his debut in 2003, starring in a range of television dramas and films across genres, and becoming one of the country’s most recognisable actors.

This trial marks the latest drug scandal to hit South Korea.

In a similar incident, K-pop star G-Dragon faced allegations of drug use and was questioned by police, but the case was dropped in November due to insufficient evidence.

Actor Lee Sun-kyun, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite”, took his own life in December after being accused of illegal substance use, sparking public outrage over what many perceived as an excessive investigation by the police without substantial evidence.

Lee Jae-yong, then vice-chairman of Samsung Electronics, was convicted in 2021 of illegally using propofol and was fined 70 million won. He was found guilty of repeatedly receiving the anaesthetic at a plastic surgery clinic in Seoul on numerous occasions over several years.

After a break of two years, Ahad Raza Mir is making a highly anticipated comeback to television screens alongside social media influencer and actress, Dananeer Mobeen in the new drama Meem Se Mohabbat. The serial will be written by Farhat Ishtiaq and directed by Ali Hassan.
 
Dananeer Mobeen has starred in dramas like Sinf -e- Aahan, Mohabbat Gumshuda Meri’ and Very Filmy. Ahad Raza Mir’s last project were Ehd-e-Wafa, Ye Dil Mera, and Hum Tum.
 
‘Meem Se Mohabbat’ story offers a narrative beyond a typical love story.
Fans are excited as they await this drama’s release date and more details.

Netflix, an international streaming media service, has bowed to the Indian government and announced a withdrawal notice from the controversial web series.

There is a controversy in India over using the names of Bhola and Shankar for the hijackers in the web series IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, which was released last week on the platform.

The Indian government reached out to Netflix, calling out to change their names in the show.

In compliance, Netflix India’s head of content, Monica Shergill, responded, “For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking, the opening disclaimer has been updated… code names in the series now reflect those used during the event.”

In December 1999, an Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Delhi was hijacked and taken to Amritsar, Lahore, Dubai and Kandahar. Maulana Masood Azhar, Ahmed Umar Saeed and Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar were released.

According to passengers on the plane and journalists who reported the incident, the hijackers used to call each other Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola and Shankar while talking to each other.

However, in a statement issued by the Indian government on January 6, 2000, the hijackers were identified as Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistry Zahoor Ibrahim and Shakir.

The drama is made by Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Shrivastava, starring actors Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Arvind Swamy, Patralekhaa and Dia Mirza.