Great news for fans of The Legend of Maula Jatt. After Hamza Ali Abbasi won accolades for his performance as the manacing Noori Nath, Abbasi is making his way back to television screens. The actor took to his Instagram page to announce his next project ‘Jaan-e-Jahan’ which will air in 2023. The drama will be produced by Samina Humayun Saeed, written by Rida Bilal and directed by Qasim Ali Mureed. The actor wrote:
“Happy to introduce you to the captivating world of our upcoming project ‘Jaan-e-Jahan’ written by Rida Bilal, directed by Qasim Ali Mureed, starring Hamza Ali Abbasi and many more. Produced by Samina Humayun Saeed and Sana Shahnawaz coming soon on a TV screen near you!!”
There was previous speculation that Abbasi was leaving the television industry when he announced in a Youtube video that he was taking an indefinite hiatus from showbiz. However, in 2020, the ‘Maula Jatt’ actor revealed during a game show ‘Kasooti Online’ that he was not done with his career, and still had two more projects under his belt.
Sar-e-Rah dropped its most anticipated episode this Saturday which explored the struggles of a transgender boy who tries to gain acceptance from his family by studying hard. The episode delved into how Sarim (played by Muneeb Butt) is bullied by his step-mother and brother a because of the fact that he is an intersex man, who is regularly pushed away from spending time with them. However, Sarim and his father have a close bond, who encourages him to work hard and is the only one who embraces his true nature rather than hiding it away. In a scene that is gaining praises on Twitter, the father and Sarim are sitting near a beach where he teaches his son that there is no shame in wanting to be feminine, and he can choose to be whatever he likes because it won’t diminish his father’s love for him. Prominent transgender activist Mehrub Moiz Awan praised this scene for its ‘beautiful message’.
‘What a beautiful message! Who wrote this scene?’ she wrote.
Many users praised the way this episode depicted the relationship between the father and son, as portrayed by Nabeel Zafar and Butt’s moving acting. They lauded the show for handling a tabooed in a delicate manner, and showing how important it is for parent’s to empathize with and support their children.
“The relationship between Sarang & his father is beautiful in #SarERah this week. This father is honest with his son, loves & supports him – what every child needs, but particularly those struggling against society. Nabeel Zafar & Muneeb Butt are brilliant,” one user wrote.
The relationship between Sarang & his father is beautiful in #SarERah this week. This father is honest with his son, loves & supports him – what every child needs, but particularly those struggling against society. Nabeel Zafar & Muneeb Butt are brilliant. #PakistaniDramaspic.twitter.com/AAMKZ0WGWv
In a time when censorship overrules freedom of thought, and many drama creators refuse to engage with the audience they are creating stories for, this user praised Sar-e-Rah for taking a bold step in crafting unique stories that tackled social issues in a sensitive but thorough manner.
“#SareRah @arydigitalasia a breath of fresh air,every minute worth spent. Meticulously crafted stories reflect talent, passion and time spent to study each one. Brought alive by superb acting,a rare positive take on negative social issues,absolutely no loose ends.”
#SareRah@arydigitalasia a breath of fresh air,every minute worth spent. Meticulously crafted stories reflect talent, passion and time spent to study each one. Brought alive by superb acting,a rare positive take on negative social issues,absolutely no loose ends.
Unfortunately this message did not resonate with everyone, as harsh critics like fashion designer Maria B once more stepped up to criticize the drama for promoting vulgarity and encouraging the acceptance of the transgender community. On her Instagram stories, the fashion designer said:
“So this is how you sell your soul…well done Pakistan.
So this kid is intersex??? And instead of following sharia and getting corrective help to become male or female, his DAD is telling him to be gender fluid!!! Like transgenders.
Now will you wake up Pakistan??
Is the agenda still not clear? Lannat on all the people who sold their souls and will contribute to the destruction of our kids.”
ARY drama serial ‘Mujhay Pyar Hua Tha’ aired its 12th episode last night and Twitter users have collectively agreed that there’s no jori that deserves more praises than Maheer and Saad. In the episode, we witness the couple begin their married life together and slowly open up to each other. What is wholesome is how despite the fact that their marriage was arranged at the last minute, Saad still assures her that he would never restrict her to living the way he wants and will respect her wishes as he did as a friend before.
We also witnessed some light husband and wife banter between the two, which has made fans declare that no one has served chemistry in the past like the way Hania Amir and Wahaj Ali are. Have they defeated ‘Humsafar’s’ long-held topslot?
So they did eat outside and Maheer was "I told you we shouldn't eat outside" and Saad was "Please eat a bit for their efforts/feelings" SO ADORABLE AND DOMESTIC 😂😂❤❤ But why didn't we get to see that scene 😭😭😭#MujhePyaarHuaTha#WahajAlipic.twitter.com/eYv8St53Pf
We have to agree with the rest of Twitter that Saad is one of the finest male leads we have watched on television screens. A caring and compassionate man who is gentle to the women in his life? Is kind and selfless to his lover, despite the fact that she may not be on the same page as him, but promises not to impose his feelings or force her into marrying him? Respects the fact that Maheer loves someone else and assures her that he will help her, regardless of the pain he feels? Print this in history books please.
Saad is such well written male character – soft, empathetic, compassionate and sensitive. Dont remember last time I saw a character like this one on TV. What makes Saad even more endearing is #WahajAli's incredible performance.#MujhePyaarHuaTha
And we’re particularly marking down the days until the next episode releases because it looks like Maheer and Saad will be serving more couple goals, and keeping us singles crying in our sleep.
Ever wanted to witness two completely opposite genres colliding together, out of the blue? It seems like Twitter has found an excuse to make that happen. On Monday it was confirmed that ‘Welcome to Derry’, a prequel series to ‘It’ has been greenlit. The project will explore the origins of creepy clown Pennywise, and how he became the monster that loves hiding under gutters. When the news popped up on social media, every television fan on Twitter could think of one thing: the popular Irish series ‘Derry Girls’. Soon, a plethora of memes flooded Twitter when people tried to work out what would happen if Uncle Colm found Pennywise creepily dancing near some shed.
First of all, how would the news break around town?
A special dedicated to Pennywise and Aunt Sarah discussing makeup? We’ll take it!
"And I just wanna say, although I'm not happy about this thing with the weans, I have to give it you, that is some cracker make up. Great symmetry, lovely lines" https://t.co/Qwy0qXMpX6pic.twitter.com/3cnSRk33qd
The slightly taller fella with the makeup, he says to me, says he, "Time to float", and gave ma balloon. Now, I don't mind a wee balloon but not when I'm running me errands https://t.co/R9fKuYRWoSpic.twitter.com/DzBqBMI977
When one thinks of Pakistani dramas, we all know what comes to our minds: weddings, divorce, the cheap version of 50 Shades of Grey, more weddings etc. But to distract ourselves from the current mundane pile of breakups, crying and abuse, we can’t forget that kabhi kabar you can find a gem, a refined drama that accurately reflects the stories we want Pakistani drama creators to tell. It’s not often that dramas with original, well crafted stories are brought into the spotlight as they get targeted with endless criticism from right wing critics and are even sent notices for displaying ‘vulgar’ content and soon are forgotten as the next show steps into the spotlight. We have found some dramas that were helmed by prominent women like Bee Gul and Angelina Malick, which shone light on taboos.
1 Kitnay Girhain Baki Hain (2011-2017)
Produced by Angelina Malick and written by Bee Gul, this series was an anthology of short stories that reflected the struggles of women in our society, and explored topics like homosexuality, infidelity, rape etc
2 Cheekh (2019)
When Mannat (played by Saba Qamar) finds out that her closest friend Nayab was raped by her brother-in-law and then murdered for trying to reveal the truth, she strives hard to find justice for her friend in court and in the process, has to face hurdles from her in-laws.
3 Dil Na Umeed Tou Nahi (2021)
Penned by Amna Mufti and produced by Kashf Foundation, the show received several notices from PEMRA for ‘vulgarity’, so that’s even more reason to give it a watch. It delves into the lives of child sex workers, who are kidnapped from their homes and forced to work in prostitution in order to make a living.
4 Dastaan (2010)
Adapted from the novel ‘Bano’ by Rabia Butt, the show explores the trauma caused by Independence, and how it upturned the life of one woman, Bano. Bano and her family lived in India, where her brother supports the cause of the Indian National Congress, and is against the cause of setting up Pakistan. However, when the separation of the two countries was announced in 1947, Bano’s life was completely overturned overnight.
5 Neeli Zinda Hai (2021)
Aman and Sumbul are a married couple who have had stillbirth, and are now trying to restart their lives in a new home. When they shift with their daughter to a new house, the couple keeps hearing noises at night which convinces them that the house is haunted.
6 Manto (2017)
Directed by and starring Sarmad Khoosat, the series was previously released as a film in 2015, and then as a television drama in 2017. The drama revolves around the popular Urdu writer Saadat Hassan Manto, and the last seven years of his life when he had to face charges of obscenity for his short stories like ‘Thanda Gosht’, ‘Peshawar say Lahore’ and ‘Toba Tek Singh’.
7 Talkhiyaan (2012)
Written by Bee Gul, the drama is an adaptation of Arundhati Roy’s acclaimed novel ‘The God of Small Things.’ It revolves around the life of Bibi, who leaves her abusive husband and moves back to her parents home with her two children, Zoya and Jugnu, where her parents criticize her for taking such a stand, but refuse to treat her divorced brother the same way.
Actress Sajal Aly sat down for an interview with BBC Urdu where she opened up about the difficulties of finding good scripts in the Pakistani entertainment industry which do not romanticize toxic relationships. She reflected on how she had to work hard to ensure progressive dramas aren’t just once in a blue moon happening, but then the industry goes back to making sexist, regressive shows: “We have to fight hard, we have to say no to a lot of scripts. Right now you would notice there are a lot of dramas airing on our Pakistani screens where harassment is shown to be a sign of love. And then at the end of the day that harasser falls in love with the girl and that gets a lot of views, unfortunately. But I think television has the power to change the mindset of the audience. Because we think our audience isn’t smart but they’re very intelligent. So we will keep fighting for better roles in dramas.” Aly also talked about how she got selected for her role in the upcoming rom-com ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ and revealed it was her agents who told her this was a role she could excel at. “My agents, who are responsible for international projects, had told me about this role and said I was made for it. They sent me two scenes and asked me to record them…Later I got an email saying I was on board.”
Pakistani singer Kaifi Khalil has thanked his fans for their support and love after his hit single ‘Kahani Suno 2.0’ became one of the Top 10 most watched global music videos. The ‘Kana Yaari’ star wrote in a tweet on Sunday,
“Thank you Allah Taala & Thank you so much all for your pure love and support lots of love and prayers for my all fans main humesha shukr guzaar rahunga or humesha koshish karunga ap sub k liye k humesha liktha rahun jo main mehsos karta hon ap sub k liye Love you all my broken homies “
Music producer Xulfi, who had produced Khalil’s Coke Studio hit ‘Kana Yaari’, also congratulated the singer, praising him for making the hit song on his own without any music label’s help.
“Kahani Suno 2.0 reaches the Global Top Ten! Wah! What a news for all of us!
This is probably one of the biggest achievements for a song and artist on the global stage in recent times for Pakistan. Kahani Suno 2.0 by Kaifi Khalil right now sits at no.8 on the @youtube Global Music Video Charts. The first song in Pakistan to ever do that. Others in the top include Rema and Selena with Calm Down, Shakira and Miley Cyrus and also a recent Latin hit Que Vuelvas. Also, there are Blackpink, Rihanna, Ozuna, Arijit outside the top ten. Just look at the company Kaifi is with in the charts!
This is a humble guy from Lyari making music for the love of it. Expressing for the love of it. Expressing authentically without any layers. Sitting in his small studio space, creating while learning the ins and outs of music production and recording.. collaborating with others from Lyari only for audio engineering as well. And just like that, he brewed Kahani Suno. An independent artist releasing a song independently without any labels. What’s a more heartwarming and amazing belief story in recent times. I can’t think of one.
I want to tell all of you that this is possible for all the artists. We have seen Pakistani music, with and without platforms, reaching global charts now in the recent past. The gate is open. The world is listening. The world wants to know our stories. Our unique stories with our unique narratives, textures, ideas and melodies. Just one thought – just try baking all of this in humility. It will have the universe’s blessing then.
@kaifikhalilmusic – MashAllah. Jeete raho and aisay hee sacchay expressionist raho. Saari Dunya mein perform karte raho aur hamesha seekhte raho. Ye sub bhee ek aur shuruaat hee hai apke liye ✨♥️”
Our morbid fascination with domestic violence seems have become one of the essential tools required to make a hit drama. There aren’t many television dramas which depict healthy family relations, where women are accepted and loved without being told to lose their identity. Kuch Ankahi, therefore, is an anomaly, a breath of fresh air on our screens because it depicts a supportive family where the father isn’t holding back his daughters from their dreams, women aren’t constantly plotting to one-up each other and the male lead isn’t a toxic, triggering person. It proves that more dramas need to follow its lead and start portraying women in a positive light. On last night’s episode, we witnessed how the youngest sister, Tania, is openly dancing at her sister’s wedding event when a person behind her body shames her, forcing her neighbor to stand up for her.
The moment resonated with viewers and clips of the scene are now being widely shared.
Its the way #KuchAnkahi tells you whats right and whats wrong without making it in your face. Salman's mom telling off the lady who body shamed Taniya👏🏼👏🏼 we dont need 100 pages long speeches, just one little dialogue blended in well is enough
What social media users have called the most touching moment in this episode is the scene between the father, Agha Jee, and the eldest daughter Samiya where he witnesses her unhappiness and reminds her that if she refuses, then he will call off the wedding. This kind of empowerment and kindness is rarely depicted in Pakistani dramas, and is teaching fathers to be more gentle to their daughters as Agha Jee assures Samiya that he will keep holding her hand regardless of whether she chooses to get married or not.
#KuchAnkahi winning my heart again! Agha Jaan explains his POV w/out putting down his wife infront of his children. He knows she's wrong but how he explains her errors in judgement to Samiya – so touching, poignant & free from toxicity. Thank you #MohammadAhmed@KashfFoundationpic.twitter.com/f091XE0Cpm
This kind of warmth and support between the family members is not once-in-a-blue-moon, but a regular occurrence in this drama. Agha Jee never shies away from praising his daughters’ strengths and consistently empowers them to advance further in society. In several episodes, we witness Agha Jee doing his own chores while telling his daughters that they’re not responsible for household duties.
This gentleness and respect towards women isn’t just prevalent in Agha Jee, but extends to all the men in the drama. The way they are completely the anti-thesis to the kind of male lead we have grown up watching is frankly shocking. Like the male lead Salman, who is time and again shown doing his own work. In one scene, he makes his own roti, an act we have only ever seen women perform.
Actor and ex-member of Call, Junaid Khan, was a guest on the show ‘The Fourth Empire’ where he addressed the reason why he had chosen to switch to acting. Khan said, “I thought it was a logical decision to try another art form.” Khan also addressed the breakup of his band, Call, and whether he was on good terms with the rest of the members. Call the band, which also included music producer Xulfi, had been responsible for a number of hits including ‘Sab Bhula Kay’ and ‘Lari Chooti’. Khan said that the band members are like family which is why they would sometimes fight, but there is also a lot of love between them. ‘Just like there are problems in a relationship, similar things can happen in a band…When we broke up there were some differences between us. But when we got back together, we were able to put our differences behind us.”
Pakistani singer Farasat Anees took to Instagram to call out Bollywood production company T-series for plagiarising his song ‘Biba’ for the soundtrack of an upcoming movie. The song ‘Biba’ was originally written for the Pakistani Oscar-shortlisted film ‘Joyland’. Anees also spoke to the Indian magazine The Print, where he revealed that the music corporation had not reached out to him for using his song: A billion-dollar company like T-Series should be professional in its approach. They (the music directors) could have at least reached out to me or perhaps mailed me once before putting out the song. There was no communication from their end. Perhaps there could have been a counter-quote, and we could have made something together.” Anees also said that he felt weird when he heard T-series’ ‘Biba’ and said the organization is known for plagiarising Pakistani songs: “This is not the first time they have done something like this. They’ve earlier done this with Abrar’s song. If nothing else, this only motivates me that such a big label has copied my song and that makes me want to do better work further,” he said. In his post, Anees shared clips of both songs to point out their similarity, and called the organization a ‘disgrace’.
“What a disgrace @tseries.official stealing out work because it has been trending in the world.
Me & my brothers @toshaayy@slicktrickk worked day & night to bring this song where it is. PLEASE HAVE SOME SHAME & stop ruining every good song from
The love & respect indians showed to our version of Biba was massive. We will always be greatful for that. Also Supporting us on the comment section of this cheap copy of BIBA. Will always be thankful to listeners across the border! ♥️
Even if you wanted to reproduce the song, you should have done with original stuff. Clearly stole chords, intro, arrangements of our version. CLEAR THEFT!
Really hoping someone responsible take action from @tseries.official & I request all of our fans, friends & family to share this.”
