Cricketer Naseem Shah, who became an overnight sensation last year with his two massive sixes against Afghanistan in Asia Cup, opened up about his English-speaking skills in a recent interview.
Naseem shared that he has passed his matriculation and didn’t continue his studies after that as he was more focused on cricket.
Shah also gave an opinion about the importance of English for a cricketer. The talented athlete said that knowing English is an advantage for cricketers as it makes communication easier internationally, but it is his not first language so he does not bother much about it. However, he added that his English skills have improved now and have increased from 30% to 60%.
Naseem concluded by saying that he has learned some by speaking to others whenever he is traveling.
Earlier last year, he candidly told a foreign journalist that his English-speaking skills are limited on being asked questions in the same language.
Actor Sarwat Gillani, in an interview with JORE, expressed her drive to flip the script on female representation in Pakistani TV and cinema. And with that, she also reflected on her earlier roles, and what all she took away from them.
“I feel as entertainers, we have a responsibility towards the kind of behaviours we encourage. Even when I was doing the satisavitri, girl-next-door, damsel in distress kind of roles, I would think to myself that there are unbelievable women doing unbelievable things, why aren’t we talking about them? My struggle even then was, how much of these sob stories are we going to do?” Sarwat shared.
When Churails came to her, Sarwat felt things shifting. “In fact, even before Churails, I was always advocating for women’s rights on various platforms. I felt like, I would not be able to justify a character this weak and meek anymore because I’m encouraging women to raise their voice on one end, how can I be acting like a woman who cannot do anything for herself on the other. There is a huge contradiction there.”
When asked about the type of narratives women and girls need to be seeing on TV, Sarwat said, “I think our girls should be watching 26 episodes of how not to get married – because the whole premise of dramas today is whether a girl is good enough to be married or whether she will be accepted by her in-laws.”
Sarwat, unabashedly continued, “Girls have improved their standards in Pakistan, they are more career-oriented, they are multi-taskers, they are wise, even if they are housewives, they take care of so many things alone, there are so many successful women who have struggled so much. Not just professionally but privately. And we aren’t allowed to talk about that. Art is a beautiful medium where you can talk about the nastiest of things in the purest of ways. Like Hania in Mataye Jaan. Why aren’t we talking about more realistic, more practical, more elevating content for Pakistani women?”
The actor insisted, “Why are we talking about putting down women all the time? That content won’t help women. It’ll only encourage [problematic] behaviour in men!”
Going on to talk about how women are shown falling in love with harassers and stalkers, Sarwat urged drama makers and filmmakers to use art to instill basic values in society. “We need to talk about values and self-respect. We need to teach. I mean, media can’t just be about entertainment. It’s a huge responsibility. You need to teach younger people, men, how to behave around women. A man is not someone who beats his wife or stalks girls. Until we don’t show what a man is supposed to be, men will continue to be how they are.”
Addressing how deep-rooted misogyny is in Pakistani society, Sarwat asserted, “I think we’re just social animals. We want to be in a society that is living a lie. All these women who are cheated, beaten, and harassed by men, actually support that narrative, they want to cover up the truth. So a wife is not supposed to talk about her husband’s extramarital affairs in public because ‘izzat ki baat hai’. So, it is completely okay for a man to cheat but it’s disrespectful if a woman talks about it? I mean, all the lives you teach us that cheating is bad, lying is bad and now, you’re telling us that beta it’s okay, let it go… No! You’re so confused.”
When asked about what she thinks artists and filmmakers should do if one of them is accused of harassment, Sarwat stated, “I feel until and unless somebody is proven guilty and there’s enough evidence, our court system is really messed up. But one can really tell right from wrong. And if you feel somebody has done something wrong, to anyone, I think it’s your responsibility to take a stand. To not associate with such a person.”
She went on to remind everyone that saying, “Hey, he’s a great artist but he’s a child molester,’ or ‘He’s beaten up his wife but he’s a great actor,’” is messed up. “You should not work with such people by the principal. Even in Hollywood, when the #MeToo movement started, so many female artists, A-listers, had not spoken up about these filmmakers who had harassed them. But they spoke their truth when they could and this whole movement followed.”
To make it easier for those who feel one should separate the art from the artist, she added, “Art is not about hushing people, it is about expression. So, if someone is a great artist but a bad human being, it should be clear what one needs to do.”
Circling back to her film, Joyland, an edited version of which was allowed to screen in parts of Pakistan, and the critical reception it received based on the edit available, Sarwat shared, “People fell in love with Joyland abroad because they saw it in its entire spectrum. Even if people didn’t understand the language, the subtitles did it for them. They felt the human emotions.”
Last year while promoting her Zee5 series Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam the Ahista Ahista diva opened up about problematic content on Pakistani television.
Sarwat agreed to do QHKN because of its ‘powerful scheme of narrative’. “I did QHKN after Churails because both shows are completely different.”
She added, “Noir was essential. The idea of playing femme fatale seemed promising, so all of this just came together for me. And then Mehek is very different from Sara in Churails. The latter was very contained, very put together. Mehek, on the contrary, is a hopeless romantic. There’s a lot of ambiguity in this character. She’s stuck in a scenario that doesn’t let her become the person she really wished to be.”
Sarwat shared how she doesn’t have any reasoning as to why the producers are unable to provide good content. “TRPs are a major problem,” the actor asserted.
“Media heads need to be more vigilant of current issues. Safe storytelling is a no. There has to be progression. We have the talent; we have the actors – we have the potential to make something brilliant. Thanks to OTT, we have done it. You can’t just cast the biggest star and call her ‘2 takkay ki aurat’,”
“I did Mata-e-Jaan a decade ago. I changed some scenes from it because I didn’t agree with them but I cannot change the script. I don’t conform to half of the content that is airing now. It’s irresponsible.”
Adding to the same argument her costar Meherbano thinks that the channel owners are to be blamed. “We need people who are willing to take chances. Yes, it will be an experiment and the profits will be lesser than usual but it will be quality content,” she shared
“Showbiz is a money-making business, therefore stakeholders are less inclined to take risks. We, as actors, do not have the ultimate call to change the script. If we do express some reservations, there are people who will not agree to it. The onus doesn’t fall on us.”
In a recent interview, Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi revealed what she considers the “greatest red flag in a male.” Due to her connection to accused conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, who has been charged with extortion and was detained last year, Nora has been under investigation.
Without using any names or denying that she was speaking from experience, Nora stated in a recent interview that the biggest red flag in a male was his tendency to “disappear.”
The distinction between “disappearing” and “ghosting” was made by Nora. She said to Bollywood Hungama “Disappearing is a guy’s biggest warning sign. Not ghosting, where he talks to you a lot today and tomorrow, then is silent for five days, then returns and has an intense conversation with you before disappearing once more. When questioned if this occurs with her, she replies, “I don’t know,” when asked how you can tell he is chatting to more than one girl. I speak widely.”
In the same interview, Nora was questioned about what she considered to be the “pettiest thing” a person might do following a breakup. The actor claimed she had “not done anything petty yet,” but she made hints that she had come dangerously near. “I haven’t yet committed any minor offenses. I was considering performing one (petty thing). I believe it is impolite to disclose a person’s private affairs to the public. That is pretty petty, in my opinion “said Nora.
Nora Fatehi had attacked Jacqueline Fernandez’s allegations in December 2022 and denied getting any presents from alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. Nora said that Sukesh had promised her “a beautiful house and a luxurious lifestyle” if she consented to be his girlfriend in a recent statement to Delhi’s Patiala House Court in the alleged extortion case. Sukesh responded to Nora’s statement in a recent statement to the media, saying, “Today she (Nora) talks about me promising her a house, but she already has taken a significant amount from me to buy a house for her family in Casablanca, Morocco. All these new stories are crafted by her to escape law after ED statement 9 months ago given by her.
Nora’s first serious relationship in Bollywood was with actor Angad Bedi.
Nora recently appeared in the Achha Sila Diya music video alongside actor Rajkummar Rao. The song’s lyrics were penned by Jaani and were sung and performed by B Praak. Achha Sila Diya Tune Mere Pyar Ka from the 1995 Hindi film Bewafa Sanam is recreated in the song.
Shah Rukh Khan’s comeback film ‘Pathaan’ released in cinemas across India on Wednesday and is already being considered a blockbuster hit with fans and movie critics giving rave reviews to the film and Khan’s performance. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film has made more than Rs. 50 crore on the opening day alone, and is about to cross Hrithik Roshan’s War (Rs. 53 crore) and Amir Khan’s Thugs of Hindostan (Rs. 52 crore). Pathaan has also earned more than Rs. 5.56 crores from ticket sales from Day 1, the second film to earn the most amount from sales tickets alone, after ‘Baahubali2 ‘.
TOP 5 Ticket Sales Of *Day 1*… #Hindi and #Hindi dubbed films… NOTE: National chains only.
This is welcome news for long time fans of SRK, after the actor was being threatened by religious clerics who accused ‘Pathaan’ of promoting anti-hindu sentiments with the song ‘Besharam Rang’. Zoom reported today that 30 activists were arrested for attempting to halt the release of ‘Pathaan’ in theatres of the Karnataka district on Wednesday morning. They had torn down banners and condemned the release of the movie.
Khan plays RAW agent Pathaan who has been under exile in the film. The hero comes back when he hears that his old nemesis Jim (played by John Abraham) is leading ‘Outfit X’ a terrorist organization, that is planning to spread a deadly virus across India.
Pakistani film Joyland failed to bag its first Oscar nomination in the International Feature Film Category. Joyland, which became Pakistan’s first ever film to have been shortlisted for the Academy Awards, didn’t get a nomination.
Hollywood’s Multiverse sci-fi smash Everything Everywhere All At Once on Tuesday topped the Oscar nominations with 11, as Hollywood formally kicked off the race to the Academy Awards on March 12.
Irish dark comedy The Banshees of Inisherin and World War I film All Quiet on the Western Front tied for second place with nine nominations, followed by rock biopic Elvis at eight and Steven Spielberg’s quasi-memoir The Fabelmans at seven.
The nominations were announced by British Pakistani Oscar-winning actor, Riz Ahmed and Hollywood star Allison Williams. Saim Sadiq’s directorial became the first Pakistani film to have been shortlisted for Oscars. India grabs one nomination in the Original Song category for RRR‘s Naatu Naatu.
Here’s the complete list of Oscar nominations:
Best Picture
All Quiet on the Western Front Avatar: The Way of Water The Banshees of Inisherin Elvis Everything Everywhere All at Once The Fabelmans Tar Top Gun: Maverick Triangle of Sadness Women Talking
Actor in a Leading Role
Austin Butler Colin Farrell Brendan Fraser Paul Mescal Bill Nye
Actress in a Leading Role
Cate Blanchett Ana de Armas Andrea Riseborough Michelle Williams Michelle Yeoh
Directing
Martin McDonagh Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert Steven Spielberg Todd Field Ruben Ostlund
Actor in a Supporting Role
Brendan Gleeson Brian Tyree Henry Judd Hirsch Barry Keoghan Ke Huy Quan
Actress in a Supporting Role
Angela Bassett Hong Chau Kerry Condon Jamie Lee Curtis Stephanie Hsu
Animated Feature Film
Pinocchio Marcel Puss In Boots
Documentary Feature Film
All That Breathes All The Beauty and the Bloodshed Fire of Love A House Made of Splinters Navalny
International Feature Film
All Quiet on the Western Front Argentina Close EO The Quiet One
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
All Quiet on the Western Front Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Living Top Gun: Maverick Women Talking
Writing (Original Screenplay)
The Banshees of Inisherin Everything Everywhere All at Once The Fabelmans Tar Triangle of Sadness
Cinematography
All Quiet on the Western Front Bardo Elvis Empire of Light Tar
Film Editing
The Banshees of Inisherin Elvis Everything Everywhere All at Once Tar Top Gun: Maverick
Best Original Song
Applause from Tell It Like a Woman Hold My Hand from Top Gun: Maverick Lift Me Up from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Naatu Naatu from RRR This Is a Life from Everything Everywhere All at Once
Music (Original Score)
All Quiet on the Western Front Babylon The Banshees of Inisherin Everything Everywhere All at Once The Fabelmans
Production Design
All Quiet on the Western Front Avatar: The Way of Water Babylon Elvis The Fabelmans
Costume Design
Babylon Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Elvis Everything Everywhere All at Once Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
Makeup and Hairstyling
All Quiet on the Western Front The Batman Black Panther Elvis The Whale
Live Action Short Film
An Irish Goodbye Ivalu Le Pupille Night Ride The Red Suitcase
Documentary Short Film
The Elephant Whisperers Haulout How Do You Measure a Year Stranger at the Gate
Animated Short Film
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse The Flying Sailor Ice Merchants My Year of Dicks An Ostrich Told Me the World is Fake and I Think I Believe It
Sound
All Quiet on the Western Front Avatar: The Way of Water The Batman Elvis Top Gun: Maverick
Visual Effects
All Quiet on the Western Front Avatar: The Way of Water The Batman Black Panther Top Gun: Maverick
Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan recently responded to the Twitter trend #BoycottBollywood in which netizens are urging to boycott Bollywood movies. The Jab We Met star questioned how people will be entertained in the absence of movies during a function in Kolkata on Sunday for the Indian Chamber of Commerce-Young Leaders Forum event.
The “#Boycott Bollywood” campaign began last year, before a number of movies, including Laal Singh Chadha, Liger, Brahmastra, and Raksha Bandhan, were released. The tendency had an impact on some of the movies’ box office performances.
Kareena said, “I don’t agree with it at all. If that happens, how will we entertain, how will you have joy and happiness in your life, which, I think everybody needs And which cinema and films are promising, which we have always done, films have always done? Agar films nahi hogi toh entertainment kaisa hoga (If films aren’t there how will the people be entertained).”
Before Laal Singh Chaddha was released, a group of Twitter users urged people not to see the film by trending the hashtag #BoycottLaalSinghChaddha. Many urged for boycotting movies like Liger, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Ananya Panday, and Brahmastra, featuring Ranbir Kapoor. But Brahmastra was one of the highest-grossing movies of 2022 because of its strong box office performance. Prior to the release of Pathaan, starring Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan, the trend once more gained momentum.
On the work front, Kareena will be seen next in Netflix’s The Devotion of Suspect X, directed by Sujoy Ghosh.
Coke Studio’s season 14 smash hit Pasoori has crossed 500 million views on YouTube, making it the first ever song from the music juggernaut to reach this milestone.
Taking to Instagram, lead singer Ali Sethi shared the news of the record with his followers alongside a few pictures and videos from a close-knit party commemorating the achievement. In the clips, Sethi can be seen happily celebrating with many others including Shae Gill, Abdullah Siddiqui and Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan.
The official YouTube channel of Coke Studio also shared a heartwarming video to hail their latest accomplishment. The description of the video included a touching note to their supporters.
“Celebrating your ever-growing love for Pasoori, helping us transcend borders and boundaries and making it a global phenomenon. Congratulations to all of you on helping Pasoori achieve more than 500 Million views across YouTube,” said the statement.
Every time Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan announces an #AskSRK session on Twitter, we know it’s going to be nothing short of memorable. Fans have approached the actor for everything like advice on working out, his upcoming films and even tips on how to win a woman’s heart.
The session kickstarted with a fan bravely coming to the actor with a hilarious question.
Beta ek hafta ho gaya abhi tak honeymoon nahi kiya!!! Now go see #Pathaan with wife and do honeymoon later… https://t.co/yqmvzQX5Ai
Socialite and CEO of Kylie Cosmetics Kylie Jenner was a guest at the Schiaparelli ss23 couture show, while wearing a gown that had a huge lion head attached to it.
The second the dress made its appearance on social media, twitter users had almost the same reaction, like pointing out that PMLN has appointed Kylie Jenner as their brand ambassador.
Speaking to Express Tribune, the ‘Joyland’ team confirmed the report that the Oscar-shortlisted film is set to release in India and other countries as well. This news comes on the heels of the cancellation of the Indian release of The Legend of Maula Jatt after the film faced opposition by BJP politicians. Joyland will be the second Pakistani film to release in India, nearly a decade after Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol was released in the country.
Despite the ban in Punjab and backlash from religous clerics, the film is among the shortlisted films for the ‘Best International Film’ category for the Academy Awards. The final list of nominations will be announced on 24th January, with the final ceremony to be held on 12th March.
Speaking to CNN, Sadiq said that films like Joyland were important because they provided a realistic depiction of Pakistan:
“What’s different in Joyland than perhaps all the other Pakistani films is that it is the most realistic depiction of our society without romanticising any aspect of it. It’s not something that people are used to seeing, that is, a reflection of yourself – that can be haunting but also uncomfortable.”
The filmmaker added, “For me, seeing a film set in Pakistan about patriarchy and gender roles and the impact of those on human beings was important.”
