Category: Entertainment

TV host Tabish Hashmi has responded to actor Ahmed Ali Butt after he criticised Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai for not speaking about Iranian girls killed in a US-Israeli attack on a school last month.

Ahmed Ali Butt took to Instagram and questioned Malala’s silence following reports of an attack on a school in Iran. He wrote, “More than 160 girls were killed by US on the first day of W** [War], still waiting for this pupit [Malala] to say anything.”

His remarks quickly drew attention online.

Tabish then shared a response on his Instagram story. He posted a screenshot of Malala’s earlier statement in which she condemned the attack on the school.

Referring to Ahmed Ali Butt’s criticism, Tabish wrote, “She actually was the 1st one to speak about it Butt sb.”

Malala took to X on March 1, condemning the attack on the school and expressing concern over the loss of young lives.

She wrote, “They were girls who went to school to learn, with hopes and dreams for their future.”

“Today, their lives were brutally cut short. I am heartbroken and appalled by the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, including reports that a girls’ school in southern Iran was hit, resulting in the injury and death of many girls. The killing of civilians, especially children, is unconscionable, and I condemn it unequivocall,” she added.

She further added, “My heart is with the children, families and communities affected by escalation across the region. I stand firmly against violence and the targeting of schools and civilians. I call for the escalation of violence across the region to end. Justice and accountability must follow. All states and parties must uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians and safeguard schools. Every child deserves to live and learn in peace”

On February 28, a missile struck a girls’ school in southern Iran, killing more than 170 people, most of them schoolgirls.

Since then, Israel and the US have tried to distance themselves from the attack, even evidence mounted up pointing towards the US being responsible for the killings.

An investigation by Amnesty International into the strike has blamed the US for the deliberate, deadly attack and urged the authorities to ensure a transparent and thorough investigation to ensure accountability.

Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has sparked a discussion about truth in Bollywood after criticising what he described as “fake” films being produced in the Hindi film industry.

The 51-year-old shared his views during a session at NDTV Creators’ Manch Season 2, where he spoke about storytelling, honesty in filmmaking and the influence cinema can have on society.

Siddiqui said that filmmakers should avoid spreading misleading narratives and instead focus on presenting stories with honesty.

“There is no need to take society in the wrong direction. Truth is very important, and today people understand the truth. People know what kind of films are being made and what reality lies behind them, even if no one openly talks about it,” he said.

The actor also noted that audiences today stay informed about global developments and can easily recognise how certain narratives are shaped.

According to Siddiqui, many films in the industry rely on constructed narratives rather than authentic storytelling.

“False films are being made here. Fake films are being made. Everyone knows what is happening in the world and what the real truth is. People also understand what kind of narratives are being created,” he added.

Siddiqui continues to remain one of the most respected performers in Indian cinema. He gained international recognition for his performances in films such as Gangs of Wasseypur, The Lunchbox and Mom.

Most recently, he appeared in the Netflix crime thriller Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders. Looking ahead, the actor has joined the cast of the upcoming sequel to the critically acclaimed horror fantasy film Tumbbad.

Pakistani pop singer Hasan Jahangir has revealed that he received $50,000 for the use of one of his songs in a film.

Jahangir shared the details during a recent appearance on a Ramadan special programme.

During the conversation, Yasir asked the singer whether filmmakers pay him when they use his songs in movies. Jahangir confirmed that they now seek permission and compensate him for using his music.

“A film that was made with a budget of Rs 300 crore and had earned Rs 1,100 crore recently has paid me $50,000 for featuring my song,” he said.

Jahangir added that several of his classic songs continue to appear in films today. He named tracks such as Shawa Ve, Nakhra Gori Da, Aa Jaana Dil Deewana, Hato Bacho, and his iconic hit Hawa Hawa.

“Now I receive money whenever these songs are used. Earlier it wasn’t like this. There was no proper copyright system in the world. But now, whoever uses my songs first takes permission from me,” he said, adding that he allowed his music to be used for free only once for the singing reality show Pakistan Idol.

Jahangir explained that he recorded the song in 1986 before releasing it in 1987. The track later became the defining hit of his career and remains widely recognised across generations.

He also recalled a memorable visit to India during the peak of his popularity. According to Jahangir, the level of excitement from fans surprised him when he landed in Mumbai.

“I didn’t know that music lovers were so crazy about me. When I landed at Bombay airport, I realised no one was at their duty posts. All the customs officers and intelligence staff were following me. I didn’t know I created such a craze among the people,” he recalled.

Jahangir said several film personalities came to welcome him at the airport, including Bollywood actor Govinda, who had also sung Hawa Hawa during that period.

“Then from there, because there was such a huge crowd, they took me in a convoy to Hotel Sea Rock. From Sea Rock, I had to go to the stadium for the show. When I was going to the show, I saw so many cars, fire brigade vehicles, and ambulances. So I asked my manager, ‘Hi, what’s going on here? Why are there so many cars?’ He said, ‘Nothing. This is for you, sir.’”

“That’s when I realised what real stardom is,” Jahangir added.

One of the recent films linked to the discussion around music and cinema is Dhurandhar, as the song ‘Hawa Hawa’ was used in the movie. The budget and box office figures he mentioned also appear to match those associated with Dhurandhar.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film follows an Indian spy operating in Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood and describes the area in its trailer as “the very core of terrorism in Pakistan,” with the lead character arriving to “wipe out terrorism” from the region.

The cast includes Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, a character portrayed as having influence over Pakistani politics. R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt and Akshaye Khanna also appear in key roles.

The production references figures from Karachi’s past. Sanjay Dutt portrays the late police officer Chaudhry Aslam Khan, while Akshaye Khanna plays Rehman Dakait, whose real name was Abdul Rehman Baloch.

Filmmakers describe Dhurandhar as “inspired by incredible true events.” However, the links the film draws between these Karachi figures and cross border terrorism do not have documented historical evidence.

The trailer also shows imagery resembling the Indian Airlines Flight 814 hijacking, suggesting the film blends multiple storylines under its “true events” claim.

Pakistani television host Rabia Anum Obaid has revealed that a well known Ramzan transmission host once proposed to her. 

During a recent interview, she confirmed a long standing rumour and said that the proposal reached her family but did not progress further.

The interviewer brought up the rumour during the conversation.

“I heard a rumour about you. You were once proposed to by a very famous person during Ramadan, but you refused.”

Rabia confirmed the story and explained that the proposal came through a respectful approach to her family.

“Yes, your research is true. There were some reasons behind my refusal. That person reached out directly to my family. He approached my family very respectfully and spoke to them with great respect.”

She said her family had already decided that the proposal will not be accepted. 

“However, my family had very clear ideas that it was not going to happen, so they said no, and it didn’t happen.”

Rabia also said people within the media industry were aware of the situation, although she rarely spoke about it publicly.

“I think this is the first time anyone has ever asked me about this. No one had asked before, so I never really got the chance to confirm it. I think most people in the industry know about this, but people outside the industry don’t.”

When asked whether she remained satisfied with the decision, she responded that she had no regrets.

“Yes, I’m happy with my decision.”

Rabia Anum built a strong reputation in Pakistan’s television industry through her work as a news anchor and host. 

Over the years she has hosted several current affairs and special transmission programmes on the channel, including Ramadan broadcasts and discussion shows.

Hakeem Shehzad, popularly known as Loha Paar, has reportedly married a student currently studying in the ninth grade, marking this his fifth marriage, Express News has reported.

Shehzad, a well-known herbal practitioner from Multan, previously attracted media attention after marrying Dania Shah, the former wife of late television host Aamir Liaquat Hussain. The couple also has a son together.

Shehzad has often remained in the spotlight for multiple marriages. In 2024, he married Dania Shah, a move that drew widespread public attention at the time.

According to Express News, Shehzad has now married five times in total. His first wife passed away, while he currently lives with four other wives.

A video going viral online shows him gifting a mobile phone to his new wife as a ‘muh dikhai’ gift.

After pictures and claims related to the latest marriage surfaced online, many social media users criticised the reported age of the bride. Others questioned the legal and social implications of the marriage.

So far, Hakeem Shehzad has not issued any official statement regarding the reports.

Security arrangements around the upcoming Academy Awards have been placed on alert after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned law enforcement about the possibility of a “surprise attack” linked to Iran.

The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday evening in Los Angeles and is expected to draw major figures from the film industry. Actors including Timothée Chalamet, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Brad Pitt and Nicole Kidman are expected to attend the event.

According to an alert cited by ABC News, the FBI informed law enforcement agencies across California in recent days that Iran could attempt retaliation for US military action by launching drones toward the West Coast.

Authorities have not reported any confirmed threat linked directly to the ceremony, but officials say precautionary measures are in place ahead of the event.

Oscars telecast producer Raj Kapoor said that the production team is coordinating with security agencies to ensure the ceremony proceeds as scheduled.

“We want everybody to feel safe and protected and welcome, so it’s our job as a producing team to make sure that that translates,” Kapoor told journalists.

He said that organisers are working with federal and local law enforcement agencies to coordinate security arrangements for the event.

“This show has to run like clockwork. But we want everybody that is coming to this show, that is witnessing the show, that is even a fan of the show when they’re standing outside the barricades.”

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said that it had raised its level of vigilance amid developments linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

“In light of current global events, the Department remains at an elevated level of readiness and is maintaining increased vigilance as we continue to protect our residents of Los Angeles County,” the department said.

According to sources cited by Variety, security around the red carpet has been increased, though the measures are not visibly prominent.

The alert comes amid rising tensions following a joint illegal strike by the United States (US) and Israel on Iran on February 28. The attack led to the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after which Iran launched strikes on American bases in the Middle East and military targets in Israel. Airspace across several Gulf states was later closed following the escalation.

Weeks after former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim’s second marriage, his ex-wife Sannia Ashfaq has claimed that she and her children are being forced to leave their home.

“I never imagined I would have to speak publicly about something so personal, but the situation my children and I are facing has left me with little choice,” Ashfaq wrote in a post on Instagram.

She claimed to have been informed by Wasim that the contract for the home she currently lived in with their children was being cancelled, and they were being asked to relocate to Manchester, a city, she said, where they have no family or support system.

Instagram Post

“My children’s lives, schools, friends and sense of stability are here. Being faced with losing our home and being asked to move somewhere completely unfamiliar is incredibly distressing, especially when my only priority has always been their safety, stability and wellbeing,” Ashfaq wrote.

“Right now, I am doing everything I can to protect my children and keep their lives as stable and secure as possible,” she added.

While Wasim has not yet responded to the claims, they come amid ongoing public disputes between the former couple following their separation and subsequent divorce last year.

The two, who got married in 2019, have three children together. Ashfaq maintains that she is raising the children alone and Wasim has neglected his financial responsibilities.

Wasim got married to lawyer and social media influencer Nyla Raja in February this year. The wedding announcement came months after Ashfaq accused her then husband of “involving a third party” in their relationship.

Veteran actor Asim Bukhari has died at the age of 76 after facing health complications. The senior performer passed away on Wednesday, March 11, after remaining under treatment for several days.

Reports have said that the actor had been dealing with kidney and heart-related health issues. He had been admitted to hospital for around two weeks before his condition worsened.

The actor had also been hospitalised in 2025 after suffering a heart attack, which had affected his health.

Bukhari remained associated with Pakistan’s entertainment industry for many years and appeared in television dramas, stage productions and films. Alongside his acting career, he also worked with emerging performers and spent time teaching acting to new artists.

He received recognition from television audiences for his role in the drama Sona Chandi, which remains among the projects linked with his career.

In 2014, Bukhari was awarded the Pride of Performance for his contribution to the country’s entertainment sector.

Bukhari is survived by his family, including his son Ajlal Bukhari, who is currently undergoing treatment for gallstones at a hospital in London.

Pakistani superstar Mahira Khan delighted fans after meeting viral journalist Chand Nawab and recreating his famous railway station reporting moment.

A video of the meeting shows Mahira warmly greeting Nawab, seemingly excited at finally meeting the reporter whose clip became one of Pakistan’s most memorable viral videos.

During the conversation, Mahira kept the mood playful. She told Nawab that instead of discussing her film, they should talk about him. When the reporter asked what she would say about the film, Mahira replied that his story was far more interesting and memorable.

The lighthearted exchange ended with the actress joking that she would send him a special ticket to watch her film.

Chand Nawab rose to fame in 2008 when a video of his reporting from a crowded railway station in Karachi went viral online.

At the time, he attempted to record a travel report during the Eid rush, but passengers repeatedly walked behind him and interrupted his piece-to-camera, forcing him to restart several times.

The clip later became one of the most widely shared internet videos from Pakistan.

The story gained global attention again in 2015 when Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui portrayed a character inspired by Chand Nawab in the Bollywood film Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

The film, directed by Kabir Khan, featured a humorous scene that paid tribute to the reporter’s famous railway station broadcast.