Veteran actors Behroze Sabzwari and Javed Sheikh appeared as guests on Madeha Naqvi’s show ‘Subh Ka Samma Madeha Kay Sath’ where they talked about their family dynamics.
Sabzwari particularly talked about his ex-daughter-in-law Syra Yousaf, who went through a public divorce with his son Shehroze in 2020. “I never pressured my son when it came to choosing a life partner. I also praised Syra, calling her a great woman and she is still like a daughter to me.”
Javed Sheikh also spoke up, saying, “Behroze went to pick Syra up from the airport when she returned from Umrah, accompanied by Zahra, who is very close to both Nooreh and Syra and spends hours with her ‘Mimi’ (the affectionate name she has for Syra).”
Syra recently returned from Umrah with her daughter after Eid.
Since their secret wedding in 2020, Shehroz Sabzwari and Sadaf Kanwal’s marriage has been under public attention. Social media users began spreading rumours about the relationship in 2019, with some claiming that Sadaf was the reason behind Shehroz’s divorce from his ex-wife, Syra Yousuf.
Internet sensation Chahat Fateh Ali Khan has shared an update about his upcoming film ‘Sabaq.’ Khan took to X, previously known as Twitter, to post the film’s trailer, along with the message, “My first film, Sabaq, will be released on Eid Mubarak day, InshaAllah.” Fans are eagerly anticipating its release.
Directed by Faraz Ahmed, ‘Sabaq’ is a comedy film exploring second marriages and the world of social media influencers. The trailer, which gained popularity online, shows Khan in his usual style. Viewers see Khan portraying himself, recording his famous video snippets on his phone. True to his style, the singer-influencer says his signature catchphrase, “King of hearts, Chahat Fateh Ali Khan, all the way from London.”
The film promises a humorous look at current societal issues, blending Khan’s unique personality with a storyline that reflects the complexities and funny side of modern relationships and digital fame. Khan’s portrayal of himself adds authenticity and charm to the project, making ‘Sabaq’ a highly anticipated release for fans and comedy lovers.
Khan’s move into cinema signals a new phase in his career, and ‘Sabaq’ is set to bring laughter and entertainment to audiences this festive season. In December, the British-Pakistani sensation, famous for his viral singing videos, surprised many by stepping into the world of politics.
Veteran actress Babra Sharif recently attended the launch event of filmmaker Altaf Hussain’s film ‘Tere Pyar Nu Salaam.’ The reclusive yesteryears superstar discussed the revival of cinema in the Pakistan film industry.
“We have never focused on dividing Karachi, Peshawar, and Lahore. Our work is for the entire film industry. This divide shouldn’t be a topic of discussion. We owe a lot to Altaf Hussain. He has always promoted films with social messages, never violent ones. He taught me rhythm and dance and is still working hard for the industry’s revival. Revival isn’t a single event; it’s our collective effort and small steps. Let’s not divide the industry. Keep making films, and I hope Altaf Hussain creates another great movie like before.”
Babra Shairf hasn’t worked for many years, but ,she ruled the silver screen in 1980,s with her captivating performances, stunning looks, and charming on-screen presence. Babra Sharif has given us some of the most iconic films in Pakistani cinema including Mere Apne (1981), Kabhi Kabhi (1983)
Atif Aslam and Abida Parveen, beloved Pakistani singers with millions of fans, performed together in a concert last night in Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena. The concert showcased their hit collaborations like ‘Parda Daari’ and ‘Noor E Azal,’ which were adored by fans. Actresses Saba Qamar and Mehwish Hayat were also spotted in the arena, enjoying the energetic performances, adding to the excitement of the evening.
Check out their stunning pictures from the concert here:
In a heartwarming display of solidarity, US supermodel sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid joined Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan in generously donating for families impacted by the Gaza genocide. Bella, Gigi, and Nicola’s combined contributions total $2.2 million, offering crucial support through humanitarian organizations and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
The Hadid sisters’ donation will be split equally among Heal Palestine, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, World Central Kitchen, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. These organizations provide food, medical aid, psychological services, and support for displaced families in Gaza.
Bella and Gigi Hadid, daughters of Palestinian property tycoon Mohamed Anwar Hadid, have always supported the Palestinian cause. Bella recently shared her heartbreak over the “devastating loss of the Palestinian people” in an Instagram post.
Bella also highlighted her commitment to Palestine by wearing a dress made from keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian cloth, at the Cannes Film Festival. She called it “a beautiful way to represent the history and resilience of Palestinian culture.”
Nicola Coughlan, star of the popular Netflix series Bridgerton, has raised $1.2 million (£1.01 million) for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) through a social media campaign.
Known for her role as Penelope Hetherington, Coughlan used her platform to support humanitarian causes, especially those affecting children in genocide zones. Her campaign received much support, and she shared the news on Instagram.
Coughlan thanked everyone who contributed, saying, “I’m overwhelmed by the amount raised so far and very grateful to everyone who has shared it. Please continue to do so if you can.”
The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund confirmed that the fundraiser attracted donations from Coughlan herself and 82,794 other supporters worldwide.
The Netflix hit “Heeramandi” depicts the plush and powerful lives of courtesans in the 1940s, but there is little glamour for modern Pakistani sex workers in the faded red-light district where the series is set.
The eight-part show — subtitled “The Diamond Bazaar” in English — portrays courtesans in the “royal neighbourhood” of pre-partition Lahore, once a hub of culture and political intrigue.
With dazzling Bollywood-style opulence, it shows women consorting with aristocrats, forging influential alliances and rivalries against the backdrop of India’s struggle for independence from British rule.
But in the derelict remains of the neighbourhood, 65-year-old former sex worker Shagufta scoffed.
“This is not what Heera Mandi is like,” she told AFP, using a pseudonym to protect her identity.
“Now the girls just put their bodies on display,” explained Shagufta. “There is nothing left in Heera Mandi.”
Shagufta can trace back seven generations of women in her family who worked as “tawaifs” in Heera Mandi, and she began dancing and being prostituted at the age of 12.
While courtesans did command respect for their artistry in dance and music during the Mughal period, the show exaggerates the wealth and glamour of the British-ruled era in which it is set.
“It was never like this,” she said.
Taboo ‘tawaifs’
The glittering jewels and swooning melodrama of the show attracted nearly 11 million views in its first three weeks on Netflix, as well as a deluge of interest on social media.
Fascination has been split across Pakistan and India, where TikTok has lit up with videos of influencers dressing in traditional costumes and lip-syncing to the show’s songs and dialogues.
A sequence from a seductive classical dance inspired by the gait of an elephant — considered regal and dignified — has gone viral, with the dancer gracefully moving her hips from side to side.
Some vloggers have performed in front of shops selling shoes and musical instruments that have replaced the once-grand brothels, their crumbling art deco facades framing filthy alleyways.
But whether the show is breaking down barriers around sexuality in deeply conservative Pakistan or simply compounding them with titillation is up for debate.
Ar. Naveen Zaman, a cultural researcher, is excited about the renewed attention Heera Mandi is getting.
“People are once again talking about the tawaif culture,” he said. “So actually, they are starting researching about these topics which were considered taboo in the past years.”
For Zaman, it is a step towards reviving an uncomfortable history.
“Old connections are being built here,” he said.
The courtesans were at the height of their power in the Mughal era, which lasted from the 1500s to the mid-1800s.
During British rule, Victorian morality codes were threatened by the women’s influence over the adoring local aristocracy, and the “diamond bazaar” was relegated to a red-light zone.
Decades after Pakistan gained independence, the dictatorship of President Zia ul-Haq introduced hardline Islamic reforms which pushed sex work further into the shadows.
A police crackdown in 2009 finally shuttered Heera Mandi’s brothels and ended the music and dancing with which sex workers entertained their clients.
Painful realities
For 38-year-old Noor — also a pseudonym — the Netflix series does not wash away the stigma of being a sex worker from Heera Mandi.
Unlike in the series, where the term “tawaif” evokes ideas of art and etiquette, sex work in present-day Pakistan is a raw and dispiriting business.
Forced into sex work when she was a child to support her family, Noor is ostracised even by her relatives for the work she does.
“Women in this field are not considered honourable and are not treated with respect. It doesn’t matter how pious they become, they will never be respected. People will always call her a tawaif.”
“Even though in other areas of the city more sex work occurs — because of Heera Mandi’s reputation this place is still notorious,” she said.
Classical Indian dancer Manjari Chaturvedi has been working to reclaim the storied culture of courtesans for 15 years.
In her New Delhi studio, she called the Netflix series a “missed opportunity” which “could have created a different narrative for women, who were stigmatised for many centuries for the work they did”.
“The saddest thing that a cinema like this does is it again brings sexuality into the foreground rather than the art, and again it brings the same stigma,” Chaturvedi said.
A woman was detained after she arrived outside Bollywood star Salman Khan’s Panvel farmhouse to meet and marry him.
Indian media reported that the woman, claiming to be a die-hard fan of the Wanted star, was constantly heard saying she wanted to marry the actor.
While Khan was not at his residence as he is currently in Italy for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding bash, locals alerted the police who detained her outside the farmhouse.
The incident came to light at the same time that reports have stated that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has planned another attack on Salman Khan, reportedly at his Panvel farmhouse.
The woman, from Delhi, was later handed over to an NGO for counseling.
An official at the NGO said that the fan was brought to the shelter home on May 22 and was found in a serious condition. “She refused to listen to us and wanted to marry Khan. She was fully in love with his screen image,” he added.
The woman was then referred to a local hospital for psychiatric treatment. At the same time, the authorities also called her mother from Delhi, who took her daughter back home after eight days of therapy and counseling.
Meanwhile, the woman said. “After coming to Panvel and undergoing all this (treatment), I have realized that I was wrong. He (Salman) is living his own life, and is not the same as what he does in films,” she added.
Actress and model Sanam Saeed has given fans a thrilling glimpse into her upcoming film ‘Umro Ayyar’ She posted few picture on Instagram of her character ‘Meenu’ dressed in warrior attire, looking fierce and determined.
The picture also include a selfie with co-star Usman Mukhtar and a behind-the-scenes photo of the cast. Saeed’s caption on her Instagram, “Ayyaron tayyar ho!? Some bts shots of the Ayyars and myself as Meena! Coming to a cinema near you this Eid Al Azha 2024!”
Sanam Saeed is also set to appear in the Indian web series ‘Shandur’ alongside Fawad Khan, as well as in ‘Barzakh’ and the Netflix film ‘Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo.’
In the second episode of the new season of ‘We Are Lady Parts,’ viewers got a big surprise: a guest appearance by women’s rights activist Malala Yousafzai.
The Channel 4 comedy follows an all-women Muslim punk band trying to make it big. The main characters, Amina, Saira, Ayesha, Momtaz, and Bisma, are the show’s heart. Malala, the youngest Nobel Prize winner in history, made a special appearance, stunning the audience.
In the episode, Bisma’s daughter, Imani, is suspended for throwing eggs at a teacher who removed slavery from the curriculum. She tells her mother, “I did what Malala would do.” This inspired the band to write ‘Malala Made Me Do It,’ with lyrics praising Malala’s bravery.
Malala appears in a fantasy scene, wearing a beaded dress and a crystal-studded cowboy hat, riding a fake horse in a western-themed setting. Malala shared her experience with Vogue, revealing she is a fan of the show. She praised its representation of Muslim characters as leads. At a film premiere, she met the show’s creator, Nida Manzoor, and expressed her admiration for the series. When Manzoor suggested the cameo, Malala was unsure but agreed after seeing the team’s preparations.
On filming day, Malala enjoyed the experience, from the costume fittings to horse riding with a ladder’s help. She appreciated the detailed costume design, which included a custom dupatta.
Malala also spoke passionately about global issues, especially the crisis in Gaza, calling for humanitarian aid and peace. She emphasized the importance of shows like “We Are Lady Parts” in connecting people through stories.
Reflecting on her cameo and the song ‘Malala Made Me Do It,’ Malala expressed pride in its message about education and speaking out. She hopes the new season brings joy to viewers and highlights the importance of humanizing and connecting with others.
Malala also mentioned her role as an executive producer on the documentary ‘Bread and Roses,’ which focuses on Afghan women fighting for their rights since the fall of Kabul. She hopes the film will raise awareness and support women’s rights in Afghanistan.
News anchor and marathon runner Muhammad Junaid, one of the most recognizable faces on prime time television, got nikkahfied to Aamina.
Junaid Zafar has been associated with Geo News since many years, one of the channel’s most recognizable faces. He shared the news on his X (Twitter) handle, posting the pictures with the caption, “My today’s 9:00 pm news is that I had my Nikkah. Alhamdulillah” Muhammad Junaid and his wife Aamina’s families have shared some lovely moments from their close nikkah ceremony.
