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Category: Entertainment

  • Bradley Cooper, Dua Lipa, Florence Pugh, other artists sign open letter urging Gaza ceasefire

    Bradley Cooper, Dua Lipa, Florence Pugh, other artists sign open letter urging Gaza ceasefire

    An open letter was posted on social media by Pakistani-British actor Riz Ahmed, calling for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza. The letter urged world leaders and civilians to end the ongoing bombing in Gaza, where currently the death toll is set to hit 7000, including 3000 children.

    “We urge your administration, and all world leaders, to honor all of the lives in the holy land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay- and end to the bombing of Gaza and safe release of the hostages.”

    “We refuse to tell future generations the story of our silence, that we stood by and did nothing. History is watching,” the letter, addressed primarily to US President Joe Biden, said.

    The letter is signed by actors like Alyssa Milano, America Ferrera, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Bradley Cooper (who had also signed the other letter calling for release of all Israeli hostages), Channing Tatum, Politician Cynthia Nixon and Sandra Oh.

    Jewish director of the film ‘Bottoms’, Emma Seligman, was also among the signatories. She clarified on Instagram that she was wrong to sign the letter demanding more funding for Israel. She released a post on her Instagram stories clarifying her position was always pro Palestine.

    Here is the complete letter.

  • ‘Fear is not an option’: Bella Hadid speaks out on Palestine genocide

    ‘Fear is not an option’: Bella Hadid speaks out on Palestine genocide

    Palestinian-American model Bella Hadid has broken her silence to speak out against Palestinian genocide. Currently, the death toll has reached 7500, with 3000 of them being children.

    Bella apologised for her silence for the past two weeks, and spoke about the threats she was given to remain silent: “I’ve been sent hundreds of death threats daily, my phone number leaked and my family has felt to be in danger. But I can not be silenced any longer. Fear is not an option. The people and children of Palestine, especially in Gaza, cannot afford our silence. We are not brave- they are.”

    Gigi, Bella and her family were targeted with threats because of their outspoken support for Palestine. The family members recieved threats on emails, phone calls which gave graphic descriptions of how they would be murdered.

    READ MORE: Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid are receiving death threats, phone numbers doxed after Palestine support

    Bella wrote her heart is bleeding on the bloodshed and violence Gaza has witnessed in these past two weeks, when hospitals, mosques and bakeries were bombed by Israeli airstrikes.

    “My heart is bleeding with pain from the trauma I am seeing unfold, as well as the generational trauma of my Palestinian blood. Seeing the aftermath from the airstrikes in Gaza, I mourn with all the mothers who have lost children, and the children who cry alone, all the lost fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, friends that will never again walk this earth.”

    Bella reflected on the history of her father, Mohammad Hadid, who was a survivor of the 1948 Nakba when Israeli forces expelled 750,000 people from Palestine.

    “My father was born in Nazareth in the year of the Nakba (the displacement of 750,000 Palestinians in 1948.) Nine days after he was born, he, in his mother’s arms, along with his family were expelled from their home in Palestine, becoming refugees, away from a place they once called home. My grandparents, never being allowed to return. My famiyl witnessed 75 years of violence against Palestinian people- most notably, brutal settle invasions which led to the destruction of entire communities, murder in cold blood and the forcible removal of families from their homes. The practice of settlements on Palestinian land still continues to this day. The pain of that is unimaginable.”

    READ MORE: There is a painful history behind why supermodels Gigi, Bella Hadid support the Palestinian cause

    Bella urged her followers to be aware of the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to keep pressurising governments to listen to the needs of Palestinians:

    “There is an urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza that must be attended to. Families need access to water and food. Hospitals need fuel to power generators, tend to the wounded and keep people alive. Wars have laws – and they must be upheld, no matter what. We need to keep pressure on our leaders, wherever they are, not to forget the urgent needs of the people of Gaza, and to ensure that innocent Palestinian civilians are not the forgotten casualties of war,”

  • ‘It had to happen’: Aina Asif defends why Mayi-Ri had to end with divorce of Ainy and Fakhir

    ‘It had to happen’: Aina Asif defends why Mayi-Ri had to end with divorce of Ainy and Fakhir

    Child star Aina Asif was a guest on ‘Mazaaq Raat’ where an audience member asked her about the controversial ending of the drama ‘Mayi-Ri’. The serial centered around the forceful marriage of a 15-year-old girl to her cousin, and the birth of their daughter. The drama’s ending divided opinions when Ainy divorces Fakhir, decides to live with her single mother to raise her daughter and completes her education.

    The ending was applauded by some users for showing divorce as something that empowers a woman rather than shameful, with Ainy choosing to live her life on her own terms. While other users slammed the show-makers for ‘glamorising divorce’.

    READ MORE: ‘Mayi Ri’ ends with mixed responses from fans

    Aina defended the scene as something that was necessary to depict in order for audiences to fully understand why child marriage is wrong. “There could have been a different ending, but we have to emphasise that child marriage is wrong. We were trying to show that.”

    Aina further stressed the drama’s characters Ainy and Fakhir were good for each other but their timing was wrong, hence they had to part ways.

    Watch the clip

  • Ranveer Singh reveals how he proposed to Deepika Padukone on Koffee With Karan

    Ranveer Singh reveals how he proposed to Deepika Padukone on Koffee With Karan

    Iconic Bollywood couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone were the first guests on Season 8 of Koffee With Karan, where the duo spilled secrets about their relationship. This marks the first time the two made an appearance together as a married couple on television.

    Speaking about how they got engaged, Ranveer revealed he had proposed to Deepika back in 2015 by popping the question at a gorgeous location. The ‘Rocky and Rani’ actor said that after consulting his mother and sister, he purchased the ring that was “far above my means at the time.”

    As reported by India Today, the actor and Deepika were set to leave for a vacation to Maldives. They were on a boat ride when Ranveer got down on one knee with the ring and proposed.

    ‘We go to the Maldives. And I’ve secretly carried the ring with me. We do the sandbank adventure. A boat takes us out in the middle of the sea and there’s just one tiny sliver of sand in the middle and all around is just infinite sea. They drop you there and put up a tent. It was literally just her and me in the middle of the sea. I was like, this is just perfect”

    Ranveer recalled Deepika was overwhelmed with emotions because she was shocked, and said yes right away.

    The couple further revealed that convincing Deepika’s parents was the hardest part of their journey. Deepika recalled that they met her at parents after returning from Maldives, and went directly to Padukone’s house in Bangalore. Ranveer said he had prepped everything to tell her family:

    ”We’re having this wonderful evening. I am trying to charm them. Then she whispered ‘I am going to tell them now’ and I was like ‘Don’t’ ”.

    Deepika opened up how she blurted the news out during dinner, and her mother’s face “had just gone cold”, Ranveer mentioned.

    ”After all the hugs and celebrations, I’ve gone to my room and I put my ear to the door. Outside, Amma and Deepika are having it out. She’s (Deepika’s mother) saying ‘Who is this guy? He’s proposed marriage and you’ve said yes also?’ Is this any way?’ With my ear on the door, I was like ‘God save us’ ”.

    But despite her initial concerns, Deepika said her mother truly loves Ranveer now.

    “It took a lot of years and work on my part to make a place in Amma’s heart. It has happened. And I am one of Amma’s favourite people in the world.”

    Perhaps what was even more wholesome about this entire interview was when the couple released a snippet of their wedding video during the episode. Watch and weep at your own risk.

  • Shae Gill, Maanu headlining concert to raise humanitarian aid for Gaza

    Shae Gill, Maanu headlining concert to raise humanitarian aid for Gaza

    As the number of Palestinians killed in Israel’s bombing of Gaza continues to rise, Pakistani musicians are coming together for a fundraiser to help provide humanitarian aid for the strip.

    Shae Gill, Natasha Noorani, Maanu and five other artists are performing at a fundraiser at COLABS campus in Gulberg. COLABS announced on their Instagram account that the event will be held on October 27, with all proceeds from the event going to Anera Organisation in order to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

    Commenting under their post, the organisation mentioned the event will include a panel talk with Palestinians settled in Pakistan who are innvolved in taking the initiative forward.

    “COLABS as a brand understands the sensitivity of the cause, and initiates a dialogue of how companies can do their part to raise funds.

    Sounds of Solidarity with Gaza is a first of its kind fundraiser where we host events that support a cause that we truly believe in. We have gathered artists from around the city who believe in the cause and can leverage their influence to raise funds for millions of people affected in Gaza, where humanitarian aid is severely limited.

    100% of the proceeds will be going directly to Anera Organization, to provide urgent aid to affected families amidst the unfolding crisis in Gaza. The fundraiser will be covering a panel talk with Palestinians settled in Pakistan who are helping us take this initiative forward, followed by artist performances using their art and talent to create an impact.

    We urge people to donate however they feel comfortable and join the cause.”

  • ‘History will remember’: Mahira Khan condemns those in power who remained silent during Palestinian genocide

    ‘History will remember’: Mahira Khan condemns those in power who remained silent during Palestinian genocide

    The ongoing seige of Gaza has led to a death toll of 6000 innocent civilians, which includes 2000 children. President of America, Joe Biden, was criticised by protestors around the world for refusing to impose a ceasefire as hospitals in Gaza run out of fuel to provide care for the injured, including premature babies.

    Actress Mahira Khan shared a series of clips from Gaza photographer Motaz Azizi, who shared a video of the complete destruction of Gaza after Israeli airstrikes. It followed with a clip of Gazan civilians who revealed how they fled to the south of Gaza to escape the bombs, but Israeli airstrikes bombed homes and markets there. Another clip showed Jewish Americans protesting inside the Capitol building.

    “This is the genocide of Palestinian people,” the ‘Humsafar’ actress wrote. “This is killing of innocent human beings – men, women and children ( majority children). History will remember those who had the power to make a difference and didn’t, those who could bring an end to this and remained quiet.. they will always have blood on their hands. Praying every moment with a broken heart.”

    Other prominent Pakistani celebrities have consistently used their platform to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and criticised Israel for targetting women and children with airstrikes. Ayesha Omar shared a picture of Gazan children holding the Palestinian flag and wrote in the caption: ‘Hoping and praying for an immediate ceasefire. May Allah ease the pain and suffering of all the innocent lives, especially children, in Gaza. May the truth always win. May Allah bless the souls of the ones who have lost their lives in this genocide. Ameen.”

  • Mariam Ansari talks about ‘mental breakdown’ after social media backlash

    Mariam Ansari talks about ‘mental breakdown’ after social media backlash

    Mariam Ansari gave an interview to BBC Urdu titled “How to deal with body shaming and negative comments during pregnancy” which featured interviews from several women on how they dealt with bullying during pregnancy.

    The actress opened up about the backlash she recieved for her a pregnancy photoshoot. Ansari and her husband did a photoshoot to reveal the birth of their baby daughter Amaya Khan. Trolls then shamed her for openly displaying her baby bump. Mariam shut down the comments in a video clip posted on Instagram stories by expressing her outrage:

    “It’s my profile; my choice. I’ve even had my child. It’s my choice whatever I post. If you don’t like it, you shouldn’t follow me. I don’t understand, since when is being pregnant some sort of badtameezi or behayai. You too were born just like this, so what?”

    READ MORE: Mariam Ansari is not okay with holier-than-thou comments on her pregnancy shoot

    Ansari told BBC Urdu the comments demoralised her:

    “There are a lot of comments slamming me by saying this was western culture, to which I responded don’t Muslim women have babies..it felt like the happiest moment of my life was turned into something shameful.”

    She eventually had to deactivate her Instagram account because of hateful comments she recieved.

    “I broke down emotionally. I became very vulnerable,” the actress recalled.

  • 300 celebs thank Biden for recovering Israeli hostages but don’t mention 5000 dead Palestinians

    300 celebs thank Biden for recovering Israeli hostages but don’t mention 5000 dead Palestinians

    A letter circulating widely on social media titled #NoHostagesLeftBehind has the signatures of 300 Hollywood celebrities who thanked USA president Joe Biden for recovering two Israeli hostages, Nurit Copper and Yocheved Lifshitz, from Hamas. Previously Hamas had released two American captives Judith Ranaan and her daughter Natalie Ranaan.

    The letter went on to express concern over 220 innocent people “including 30 children, remain in captive by terrorists, threatened with torture and death. They were taken by Hamas in the savage massacre of October 7, where over 1,400 Israelis were slaughtered – women raped, families burned alive, and infants beheaded.”

    However, the death toll of Palestinian children killed from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has reached 2,055. But the letter chooses to not mention them or any casualty on the Palestinian side.

    The letter went on to thank President Biden for supporting the Jewish people who were “terrorized by the Hamas since the group’s founding over 35 years ago” and also for helping the Palestinians “who have also been terrorized, oppressed, and victimized by Hamas for the last 17 years that the group has been governing Gaza.”

    According to Al-Jazeera, the death toll of Palestinian has reached to 5000 after consistent bombing in the past 24 hours. Dozens of buildings have been destroyed, one million people are displaced who are also denied basic necessities like food, water and electricity.

    The letter ended with the celebrities claiming their aim is “Freedom for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace. Freedom from the brutal violence spread by Hamas. And most urgently, in this moment, freedom for the hostages.”

    Here are all the celebrities who had signed the letter.

    Adam & Jackie Sandler
    Amy Schumer
    Aaron Sorkin
    Barry Diller
    Behati Prinsloo
    Bella Thorne
    Ben Stiller
    Bob Odenkirk
    Bobbi Brown
    Bradley Cooper
    Brett Gelman
    Chris Rock
    Constance Wu
    Courteney Cox
    David Alan Grier
    David Chang
    David Geffen
    David Oyelowo
    Diane Von Furstenberg
    Eli Roth
    Emma Seligman
    Eric Andre
    Ewan McGregor
    Gal Gadot
    Gwyneth Paltrow
    Harvey Keitel
    Isla Fisher
    Jack Black
    James Brolin
    Jason Blum
    Jason Sudeikis
    Jeff Goldblum
    Jerry Seinfeld 
    Jesse Plemons
    Jessica Biel
    Jessica Seinfeld
    Joey King
    John Slattery
    Jon Hamm
    Jordan Peele
    Josh Brolin
    Judd Apatow
    Judge Judy Sheindlin
    Julia Garner
    Julianna Margulies
    Julie Rudd
    Justin Theroux
    Justin Timberlake
    Karlie Kloss
    Katy Perry
    Kirsten Dunst
    Lana Del Rey
    Laura Dern
    Liev Schreiber
    Madonna
    Martin Short
    Michelle Williams
    Mila Kunis
    Nicola Peltz
    Noa Tishby
    Olivia Wilde
    Orlando Bloom
    Paul & Julie Rudd
    Richard Jenkins
    Rita Ora
    Ross Duffer
    Sacha Baron Cohen
    Sam Levinson
    Sarah Paulson
    Sean Combs
    Shira Haas
    Sting & Trudie Styler 
    Taika Waititi
    Thomas Kail
    Tiffany Haddish
    Tyler Perry
    Will Ferrell
    Andy Cohen
    Alex Edelman
    Amy Sherman Palladino

    Aubrey Plaza
    Barry Levinson
    Billy Crystal
    Brad Falchuk
    Brian Grazer
    Bridget Everett

    Brooke Shields

    Chelsea Handler

    Chloe Fineman

    Chris Jericho

    Colleen Camp

    David Schwimmer

    Dawn Porter

    Dean Cain

    Debra Messing

    Elisabeth Shue
    Erin Foster
    Eugene Levy
    Gene Stupinski
    Gina Gershon
    Guy Oseary
    Henry Winkler
    Holland Taylor
    James Corden
    Jason Reitman
    Jessica Elbaum
    Jimmy Carr
    Jonathan Ross
    Josh Charles
    Juliette Lewis
    Kristen Schaal
    Kristin Chenoweth
    Lea Michele
    Mark Foster
    Mary Elizabeth Winstead
    Matthew Weiner
    Michael Rappaport
    Molly Shannon
    Noah Schnapp
    Pattie LuPone
    Regina Spektor
    Sara Foster
    Sarah Cooper
    Scott Braun
    Seth Meyers
    Sharon Stone
    Zack Snyder
    Zoey Deutch
    Zosia Mamet
    Zoe Saldana
    Alex Aja
    Aaron Bay-Schuck
    Amy Chozick
    Aron Coleite
    Adam Goodman
    Alan Grubman
    Adam Levine
    Allan Loeb
    Amy Pascal
    Angela Robinson
    Antonio Campos
    Anthony Russo 
    Alexandra Shiva
    Andrew Singer
    Alison Statter
    Alona Tal
    Ali Wentworth
    Ari Dayan
    Ari Greenburg
    Arik Kneller
    Ashley Levinson
    Asif Satchu
    Barbara Hershey
    Barry Rosenstein
    Beau Flynn
    Ben Turner
    Ben Winston
    Ben Younger
    Blair Kohan
    Bobby Kotick
    Brad Slater
    Bradley Fischer
    Bruna Papandrea
    Cameron Curtis
    Casey Neistat
    Cazzie David
    Charles Roven
    Chris Fischer
    Christian Carino
    Cindi Berger
    Claire Coffee
    Craig Silverstein
    Dan Aloni

    Dan Rosenweig

    Dana Goldberg

    Dana Klein

    Danny Strong

    Daniel Palladino

    Danielle Bernstein

    Danny Cohen

    Daphne Kastner

    David Bernad

    David Baddiel

    David Ellison

    David Gilmour &

    Polly Sampson

    David Goodman

    David Joseph

    David Kohan

    David Lowery

    Deborah Lee Furness

    Deborah Snyder
    Donny Deutsch
    Doug Liman
    Douglas Chabbott
    Eddy Kitsis
    Edgar Ramirez
    Elizabeth Himelstein
    Embeth Davidtz
    Emmanuelle Chriqui 
    Erik Feig
    Evan Jonigkeit
    Evan Winiker
    Francis Benhamou
    Francis Lawrence
    Fred Raskin
    Gabe Turner
    Gail Berman
    Gary Barber
    Genevieve Angelson
    Gideon Raff
    Grant Singer
    Greg Berlanti
    Guy Nattiv
    Hannah Fidell
    Hannah Graf
    Harlan Coben
    Harold Brown
    Henrietta Conrad
    Howard Gordon
    Iain Morris
    Imran Ahmed
    Inbar Lavi
    Jackie Sandler
    Jake Graf
    Jake Kasdan 
    Jamie Ray Newman
    Jaron Varsano
    Jason Fuchs
    Jason Biggs & Jenny Mollen Biggs

    Jason Segel
    JD Lifshitz
    Jeff Rake
    Jen Joel
    Jeremy Piven
    Jesse Itzler
    Jesse Sisgold
    Jill Littman
    Jody Gerson
    Joe Hipps
    Joe Quinn
    Joe Russo
    Joe Tippett
    Joel Fields 
    John Landgraf 
    Jon Bernthal
    Jon Glickman
    Jon Liebman
    Jonathan Baruch
    Jonathan Groff 
    Jonathan Tropper

    Jonathan Marc Sherman
    Jonathan Steinberg
    Jonathan Tisch
    Josh Goldstine
    Josh Greenstein
    Josh Grode
    Julia Lester 
    Julie Greenwald
    Karen Pollock
    Kelley Lynch
    Kevin Kane

    Kevin Zegers

    Kitao Sakurai

    KJ Steinberg

    Laura Pradelska

    Lauren Schuker Blum

    Laurence Mark

    Laurie David

    Lee Eisenberg

    Leslie Siebert

    Leo Pearlman

    Limor Gott

    Lina Esco

    Liz Garbus

    Lizanne Rosenstein

    Lizzie Tisch

    Lorraine Schwartz

    Lynn Harris

    Lyor Cohen

    Mandana Dayani

    Maria Dizzia 

    Mara Buxbaum

    Marc Webb

    Marco Perego

    Mark Feuerstein

    Mark Shedletsky
    Mark Scheinberg
    Mathew Rosengart
    Matt Lucas
    Matt Miller
    Matthew Bronfman
    Matthew Hiltzik
    Matti Leshem
    Dame Maureen Lipman
    Max Mutchnik
    Maya Lasry
    Meaghan Oppenheimer
    Melissa Zukerman
    Michael Ellenberg
    Michael Aloni
    Michael Green
    Michael Rapino
    Michael Weber
    Mike Medavoy
    Mimi Leder
    Modi Wiczyk
    Nancy Josephson 
    Natasha Leggero
    Neil Blair
    Neil Druckmann
    Nicole Avant
    Nina Jacobson
    Noa Kirel 
    Noah Oppenheim
    Noreena Hertz
    Odeya Rush
    Oran Zegman
    Pasha Kovalev
    Paul Haas
    Paul Pflug
    Peter Traugott
    Rachel Riley
    Rafi Marmor
    Ram Bergman
    Raphael Margulies 
    Rebecca Angelo
    Rebecca Mall
    Reinaldo Marcus Green
    Rich Statter
    Richard Kind
    Rick Hoffman
    Rick Rosen
    Robert Newman
    Rob Rinder
    Roger Birnbaum
    Roger Green
    Rosie O’Donnell
    Ryan Feldman
    Sam Trammell
    Sarah Baker
    Sarah Bremner
    Sarah Treem
    Scott Tenley
    Seth Oster
    Scott Braun
    Scott Neustadter
    Shannon Watts
    Shari Redstone
    Sharon Jackson
    Shauna Perlman
    Shawn Levy
    Sheila Nevins
    Simon Sebag Montefiore
    Simon Tikhman
    Skylar Astin 
    Stacey Snider
    Stephen Fry
    Steve Agee
    Steve Rifkind
    Susanna Felleman
    Susie Arons 
    Todd Lieberman
    Todd Moscowitz
    Todd Waldman
    Tom Freston
    Tom Werner
    Tomer Capone 
    Tracy Ann Oberman
    Trudie Styler
    Tyler James Williams
    Vanessa Bayer 
    Veronica Grazer
    Veronica Smiley
    Whitney Wolfe Herd
    Will Graham
    Yamanieka Saunders
    Yariv Milchan
    Ynon Kreiz

  • Atif Aslam donates Rs1.5 crores for Gaza

    Atif Aslam donates Rs1.5 crores for Gaza

    Atif Aslam continues to prove he’s a hero whether on the stage or behind the scenes.

    The ‘Doori’ singer has won the hearts of Pakistanis with the astounding Rs 1.5 crore donation he made to Al-Khidmat Foundation to provide necessary food and medical aid to the suffering civilians of Gaza living under Israel’s brutal occupation.

    Al-Khidmat Foundation’s post read: “Deep gratitude to the esteemed Atif Aslam for his generous contribution of 15 million PKR towards essential medical and food aid in Gaza, Palestine during these trying times. We humbly request your support for the Alkhidmat Gaza Fund.”

    Fans of the singer expressed their gratitude in the comments section.

    The catastrophe in Gaza is growing with recent reports saying October 23rd was the longest bloodiest nights for the civilians after Israel bombarded several residential areas which included the densely populated Jabalia refugee camp, and areas close to Al-Shifa and Al-Quds hospital, leaving more than 400 dead. This brings the total death toll of Palestinian civilians murdered to 4,651.

  • Indian High Court rejects plea asking for ban on Pakistani artists

    Indian High Court rejects plea asking for ban on Pakistani artists

    In a significant move, the Bombay High Court in India has dismissed a petition that sought to ban Pakistani artists from working in India. According to details, the petitioner in question was cine worker Faaiz Anwar Qureshi, who said that Pakistani artists working in India during the World Cup could reduce job opportunities for Indian artists.

    In his complaint, Faaiz demanded that artists from Pakistan like actors, singers, lyricists or technicians who are being invited by Indian citizens and companies are banned.u

    The bench comprised of Justice Sunil Shukre and Firdosh Pooniwalla rejected the plea, stating that such a move would be a step back in creating cultural harmony and unity between India and Pakistan.

    “One must understand that in order to be a patriot, one need not be inimical to those from abroad especially, from the neighbouring country,” the court responded.

    Previously, Bollywood films involving Pakistani artists were met with extensive fanfare. Khoobsurat released in 2014 starred Sonam Kapoor and Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, was met with praises. Fawad Khan also won ‘Best Male Debut’ at the Filmfare Awards. While Sajal Aly and Adnan Siddiqui’s collaboration with Sri Devi for the 2017 ‘Mom’ received six nominations at the Filmfare awards.