Claim: The FIFA World Cup in Qatar opened with a glittering ceremony and many stars in attendance, including egendary actor Morgan Freeman. The Oscar-winner performed in the inauguration ceremony along with 22-year-old Qatari disabled activist and motivational speaker Ghanim al-Muftah, who read from the Holy Quran.
Freeman shared a message of unity, declaring, “What unites us here in this moment is so much greater than what divides us. How can we make it last longer than just today?”
Ghanim Al-Muftah, a Qatari activist for the disabled, born with the rare Caudal Regression Syndrome, appeared with Freeman and stated to the crowd, “Everyone is welcome”.
After the ceremony , Twitterati widely speculated that Freeman had converted to Islam.
Today's biggest news! Famous Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman has accepted Islam, may Allah make him steadfast in Islam. Ameen🤲 pic.twitter.com/ffGYOGUTYK
Fact: Online claims that Freeman has converted to Islam date back to at least 2015.
This is not the first time Freeman has been subject to fake news regarding his religious beliefs. Freeman previously presented “The Story of God with Morgan Freeman,” a National Geographic show that dived into various religions, including Islam. This also led to similar speculation regarding his religious affiliations.
However, Misbar, an independent Arabic fact-check platform, investigated the assertion regarding Freeman converting to Islam and found it to be fake.
The platform quoted, “The actor has not announced converting to Islam and also, no reliable media outlet has reported on the news.”
Leading channel ARY Digital’s drama Pinjra is a heartbreaking tale of child abuse and neglect. It’s a story that offers multiple lessons to parents by showing two contrasting households.
One household is projected as a comparatively liberal and progressive home for children, where the mother listens and communicates openly, and the other is termed as a cage.
Abhaan, belonging to the latter home is battling severe anxiety, depression, and distress due to the restricting rules instilled by his parents, Khadija (Hadiqa Kiani) and Javed (Omair Rana). In the latest episode, Abhaan takes up pills to rid himself of the pain in his life. Although he is still young, his anxiety and inability to meet his parent’s expectations lead him to consider suicide.
Parenting is a difficult job and everyone isn’t born with the right skills to know exactly how to be a “good” guardian. Narratives like Pinjra have brought out interesting pointers to consider while raising a child.
Negative Impact Of Physical Abuse
Physical abuse can never have a good outcome: it leaves prominent scars on a child’s mind. Abhaan suffers from anxiety and has a great fear of his parents due to facing physical abuse at the hands of his father. Deep down, he knows that doing anything against his parents would result in another traumatic incident, therefore Abhaan tries his best to be the ideal kid like his brother, but ends up failing each time. What’s worse is that Abhaan would have never opted for suicide or drugs if he had a parent who would listen to him, instead of abusing him.
Intense RestrictionsHave More Disadvantages
Having suffocating restrictions creates an extremely toxic environment for people, and definitely, children who are forced to live under rules that don’t let them have any freedom in life. This often creates a place that offers more distress and worries. Like Abhaan, a child can also go to a darker space towards suicidal thoughts and drug addiction. Most boundaries are instilled by parents to garner more control in their household and protect their kids from the perils of society, but sometimes it can go really far and create the opposite effect.
Child’s Choices Should Be Valued
Every child has their own likes and dislikes, and their voice counts. Their desires are valid and every parent must understand this before deciding to have a baby. Abhaan is an artistic child, different from all his siblings, and that’s his strong point. Many students aren’t good at academics but have different talents that can be nourished to make a career. Not every child needs to grow up to be a “doctor” or “engineer.” It’s a choice and should be treated as one by their parents too. Sadly, Abhaan’s parents don’t see this and unintentionally make their child suffer.
Importance Of Mutual Respect
Your child won’t respect you if you won’t do the same for them. Javed and Khadija treat their children as an extension of their own desires. They want the “perfect” child, yet ironically aren’t the best parents for them. Therefore, parents need to treat their children as separate humans that should receive respect, love, and trust
Necessary To Value Child’s Mental health
Children suffer from mental disorders and troubled traumas as well. Like adults, their struggles are valid and in need of attention from a qualified professional. Abhaan deserves to visit counselors who can guide him to a better outlet for his miseries in life, but again his anxiety and depression are not taken seriously, resulting in a devastating outcome in the end. Parents should regard their child’s mental health with the same importance as their physical health, both are equally responsible for creating a child fit.
Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan took to Twitter to react to the rumours of moving-in with his girlfriend Saba Azad in a INR 100 crore (PKR 275 crore) apartment, as reported by Hindustan Times.
The Bang Bang star reposted a media report saying that he is going to move in with Saba soon. Hrithik stated that there is no truth to such information and that people should stop spreading such misinformation about him.
Responding to a media report that stated, “lovebirds Hrithik Roshan and Saba Azad to move in together soon,” Hrithik tweeted, There is no truth to this. As a public figure, I understand I’ll be under the lens of curiosity, but it’s best if we keep misinformation away, especially in our reportage, which is a responsible job.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlaPc83EuJ8
The duo started dating earlier this year and are often spotted at filmy events.
On the work front, Hrithik was last seen in Vikram Vedha alongside Saif Ali Khan and Radhika Apte.
Stage actor and comedian Tariq Teddy passed away at the age of 46 on Saturday, days after he was shifted to a ventilator after his health deteriorated.
Teddy’s son told the media that his father was suffering from pulmonary and liver-related illness, and was admitted to Pakistan Kidney & Liver Institute and Research Centre for the last 10 days.
The funeral prayers for the late comedian will be held in Lahore today.
Teddy’s family earlier appealed to the authorities for his treatment and Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi later announced financial assistance.
Information Secretary Asif Iqbal Lodhi and Chief Minister Press Secretary Chaudhry Iqbal handed over an Rs0.5 million cheque to the deceased son.
Earlier, several personalities from the showbiz industry visited the hospital and expressed their best wishes for the noted comedian.
Teddy stepped into theatre at a very young age in the 90s. He entertained Pakistanis with his particular style of comedy. His performances in various stage dramas accumulated audience appreciation for his style.
Teddy has to his credit many popular commercial stage plays including Mama Pakistani, Sabse Bara Rupaiya, Jee Karda, and Dosti.
Popular TikToker Jannat Mirza is generating negative comments for her series of posts about her relationship with TikToker fiance Umer Butt.
The Tere Bajray Di Raakhi recently announced that she has ended her relationship with Butt. In an Instagarm story, she stated, “I am not in a relationship anymore, I am single, don’t ask me why?”
This generated a lot of attention on social media. Here are both her post and her fiance’s posts.
When people were on the verge of accepting the rumor, Jannat and Umer corrected it and said that the status was made in jest because Jannat had rejected Umer Butt’s decision to go clean-shaven, which led to the sarcastic status.
Mirza further clarified her relationship with Umer.
Netizens trolled the duo for their ‘immature’ gimmick.
The government of Pakistan banned Saim Sadiq’s Oscar contender “Joyland” for containing “highly objectionable” material, earlier this month.
An order dated Nov. 11 from Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting says that the country’s censor board had granted a censor certificate to the film on Aug. 17. But it has since reversed the decision.
“Written complaints were received that the film contains highly objectionable material which do not conform with the social values and moral standards of our society and is clearly repugnant to the norms of ‘decency and morality’ as laid down in Section 9 of the Motion Picture Ordinance, 1979,” the order states. “Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 9(2) (a) of the said Ordinance and after conducting a comprehensive inquiry, the Federal Government declares the feature film titled ‘Joyland’ as an uncertified film for the whole of Pakistan in the cinemas which fall under the jurisdiction of CBFC with immediate effect.”
Head of Prime Minister of Pakistan’s Strategic Reforms, Salman Sufi publicly requested the current federal minister of Information & Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb to review the ban and meet the film’s team.
PM @CMShehbaz has constituted a high level committee to assess #Joyland and review its ban.
The committee will assess the complaints as well as merits to decide on its release in Pakistan.
Sufi later revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a committee to assess Joyland and review its ban.
Latest Update (Ban Reversed)
The globally acclaimed and multiple award-winning Pakistani film Joyland has been given green signal by the censor board of Pakistan after reviewing it on the Prime Minister’s directions.
The full board has allowed the local screening of Joyland after deleting some parts. The film was initially set to have a commercial release in Pakistan on November 18.
PM Shehbaz Sharif formed a cabinet committee to look into the matter after some schools of thought had objected to the movie.
Release Stopped By Punjab Government
Following yesterday’s clearance by the censor board, Joyland’s theatrical release has once again been halted, this time by the government of Punjab.
The Government of Punjab has retracted its No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued to the movie Joyland. The notification issued by Information and Culture Department reads that Punjab government, in the wake of complaints, has decided to ‘recall’ the movie by “exercising powers conferred under Section-9 (1 and 2) Motion Pictures Ordinance, 1979.” “You are therefore directed not to exhibit above titled film in the jurisdiction of Punjab province till further orders of the Govt,” reads the notification.
Reactions On The Ban
Saim and his team members raised their voices against the ban imposed by the government. Terming the ban a “grave injustice,” Sadiq, in an Instagram post, says that the ban is “absolutely unconstitutional and illegal” and has urged the country’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to review the decision.
Apart from the film’s team, A-list celebrities and media personalities also reacted to the news and expressed their support for the film.
#ReleaseJoyland ! There is no reason not to. Be proud of the work that our artists create not afraid! Give your own people the respect they get in foreign lands. Support us, stand by us and we as Pakistani artists will make this country proud! https://t.co/6jQizg0Xbx
Set in Lahore, the film revolves around Haider, the youngest son of the middle-class, patriarchal Rana family. As the Ranas yearn for the birth of a baby boy, Haider secretly joins an erotic dance theater and finds himself falling for a fiercely ambitious trans starlet. Their love story illuminates the secrets and desires of the entire Rana family.
The film debuted at the Un Certain Regard strand at Cannes earlier this year, where it won the jury prize. Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai later joined the project as an executive producer. It is Pakistan’s entry in the Oscars’ international feature category.
Recently it also won the Asia Pacific Screen Awards’ young cinema award, given in partnership with critics’ association NETPAC and the Griffith Film School.
After hearing of the ban, APSA said in a written statement: “ ‘Joyland’ represents a significant new cinematic talent in Saim Sadiq from Pakistan, who has crafted a moving and entertaining drama about family in his debut feature film. The Young Cinema Award Jury commends Saim Sadiq for his brave and joyous celebration of community diversity and the universality of love.”
Alina Khan, the transgender star of the award-winning film Joyland recently chatted with The Guardian over her journey as a transgender and the ban on the movie in Pakistan.
Khan said she was rejected by her family when she came out as trans. “My family did not accept me, but neither did society.” She was told she embarrassed relatives, and her mother was constantly angry with her. “She would tell me not to make exaggerated hand gestures like a woman while talking, to sit like a boy and not be in the company of girls,” said Khan. Her siblings called her khusra – a derogatory term, which was originally used to refer to eunuchs but is also a slur against trans people. But as Khan said: “I had never met a transgender [person] in my life so did not know what they were like.”
After she received global appreciation for her work, Khan’s family welcomed her with warmth. “They accepted me finally. They realised that I was not earning by begging or doing sex work,” she said.
Joyland has been hailed on the festival circuit. It was the first Pakistani film to be selected as an official entry at Cannes in May, winning two festival awards and receiving a standing ovation in a packed Salle Debussy theatre.
“Tears were trickling down my face while I continued smiling. I don’t know whether the tears were of joy, were for all the hard work that I put in, or for my struggles since I was a child and that continue,” said Khan, who made her screen debut in the short film Darling in 2019. “For the first time in my life, I felt my talent preceded my gender, I was given so much respect.”
The Saim Sadiq directorial was banned last week by the Pakistani government. Canceling the film’s license, which puts its Oscars’ contention in doubt, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, announced: “Written complaints were received that the film contains highly objectionable material which do not conform with the social values and moral standards of our society and is clearly repugnant to the norms of ‘decency and morality’ as laid down in Section 9 of the Motion Picture Ordinance, 1979”.
Alina expressed her disappointment with the film’s ban in Pakistan, “I’ve been very sad. There’s nothing against Islam and I don’t understand how Islam can get endangered by mere films.”
The 24-year-old added: “The Pakistani trans community was also very upset.”
Set in Lahore, the film tells the story of Haider, a married man who joins a dance troupe and falls in love with the lead transgender dancer, Biba, played by Khan.
Khan told the Guardian she adores Biba.
A poster for Joyland, designed by the Pakistani artist Salman Toor. Photograph: Courtesy of Alina Khan
“She’s a badass, strong-willed, fiercely independent, dominating, outspoken woman, everything that I am not; I loved the role I played,” said Khan. When she was offered the role, she was relieved not to play an “oppressed” character “which is the life for most transgenders in Pakistan”.
Actor Feroze Khan has supported designer Maria B’s stance on the ban of the feature film Joyland. He compared her mindset to a Rolls Royce with a 100-year road life. The Khaani star dissed several celebrities who are supporting the film and termed them as “rotten scooties”.
Khan tweeted, “Maria B’s mindset – Is like Rolls Royce 100-year road life while “other” you know who are like those rotten scooties. Push push no move, you dirty.” He also asked for the film’s ban earlier in an Instagram story.
An order dated Nov. 11 from Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting says that the country’s censor board had granted a censor certificate to the film on Aug. 17. But it has since reversed the decision.
“Written complaints were received that the film contains highly objectionable material which does not conform with the social values and moral standards of our society and is clearly repugnant to the norms of ‘decency and morality as laid down in Section 9 of the Motion Picture Ordinance, 1979,” the order states. “Now, therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Section 9(2) (a) of the said Ordinance and after conducting a comprehensive inquiry, the Federal Government declares the feature film titled ‘Joyland’ as an uncertified film for the whole of Pakistan in the cinemas which fall under the jurisdiction of CBFC with immediate effect.”
“Joyland” was due to release in Pakistan on Nov. 18.
Saim and his team members are raising their voices against the ban imposed by the government. Terming the ban a “grave injustice,” Sadiq, in an Instagram post, says that the ban is “absolutely unconstitutional and illegal” and has urged the country’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to review the decision.
Apart from the movie’s team, several A-list celebrities condemned the ban and extended support to the team.
#ReleaseJoyland ! There is no reason not to. Be proud of the work that our artists create not afraid! Give your own people the respect they get in foreign lands. Support us, stand by us and we as Pakistani artists will make this country proud! https://t.co/6jQizg0Xbx
Musician Arooj Aftab, the first Pakistani to win a Grammy, has been nominated for the second time in the Best Global Music Performance category for her song Udhero Na with Anoushka Shankar.
Taking it to Instagram on Wednesday, Aftab shared the announcement via The New York Times list of full nominations.
In another post, Aftab said, “Oh my God! ‘Udhero Na’ has been nominated for a Grammy. Congratulations to me and to Anoushka Shankar, Maeve Gilchrist, and Nadje Noordhuis. Four badass women come together, play a song that I wrote when I was 15 and it’s getting its flowers. So, I’m very emotional and I’m very glad and I’m really really, just, I don’t even know. I’m in this hall of a ship, we’re about to perform in about 20 minutes or so. I don’t know how I’m going to do that but this is great. So, thank you.”
Several celebrities congratulated Aftab for her consecutive achievements.
Actor Ushna Shah commented under her video asking if the nominated song ‘Udhero Na’ is from back in the day and if this means ‘Bolo Na’ will be re-release for a third consecutive Grammy in the future. “Bring ’em all home, superstar!” she wrote.
The post also received comments from transgender rights activist Dr Mehrub Moiz Awan, pianist Meritxell Neddermann, Spanish singer Marta Sánchez and more.
Actor Sarwat Gilani dropped by in the comment section and wrote, “you go girl” to cheer her on. American singer Jessica Betts, Devonté Hynes, also known as Blood Orange, singer-songwriter Rachel Eckroth, Indian actor Priyanka Bose, singer Priya Darshini, Never Have I Ever actor Poorna Jagannathan and others also commented.
After giving Bollywood a hit film with the Katrina Kaif starrer Sooryavanshi in November 2021, all of his films- Bachchhan Pandey, Samrat Prithviraj Raksha Bandhan and Ram Setu, turned out to be flops. He is also trolled for being a selfish actor who just takes away all the money from producers and just does an average job in each film.
His flops have sent the filmmakers in dismay. This has also resulted in his replacement from the sequels of his films.
Now budding superstar Kartik Aaryan has replaced him in the next edition of his cult film franchise Hera Pheri. He even replaced Akshay in Bhool Bhulaiya‘s sequel last year.
Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty became one of the most loved comedy trios after Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri were released decades ago. Soon the film became a cult. As the third installment is in the making, Paresh Rawal now reveals that Kartik Aaryan has come on board.
Producer Firoz Nadiadwala recently confirmed that he is planning to bring back the comedy films franchises. The much-awaited Hera Pheri 3 that fans have been demanding for so long is finally seeing the light of day. Amidst this, speculations were rife that Kumar has backed out and the new actor will be Kartik.
A Twitter user, seemingly a fan of Akshay Kumar, tagged Paresh Rawal and asked whether the reports of Kartik Aaryan joining the cast of Hera Pheri 3 is true. The veteran actor confirmed it by replying, “Yes it’s true.”
Akshay Kumar attended the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on Sunday. He broke his silence on the controversial matter as he said, “Hera Phera has been a part of me and I have good memories about it. Mujhe bhi dukh hota hai ki itne saalon se woh film bani nahi matlab uske aage ka part 3. (I am also upset that this film has still not been made, the third part.) We have to dismantle things. We have to start thinking in a different way.”
In a rare scenario, Akshay Kumar revealed why he made an exit from Hera Pheri 3. He revealed, “The film was offered to me and I was told about it. But the screenplay, script and everything, I was not satisfied, not happy with it. I have to do what people want to see and that is why I backed out, I took a step behind. For me, it’s a part of me, my life, my journey, in a huge way. Mujhe bhi bahut dukh ho raha hai. Main khud bhi bahut dukhi hun iss baat se ki main kar nahi paa raha hun (I am also very upset. I am very upset with teh fact that I won’t be doing it) because I’m not happy with how things have shaped up. That’s why I backed out”
Just not that, Akki also got emotional with a heavy heart as he expressed gratitude towards his fans who demanded his return as Raju.
“Kal hi ki baat hai, mai dekh raha tha that ‘No Raju No Hera Pheri’. As much as hurt they are, I myself am hurt. It’s a very sad thing but at the same time, unhone is baat ko trend karaya, thank you very much. Mai bata nahi sakta, mere fans jo hai wo, unki pagal pan ki intehaan toh bohot upar tak hai. Bohot pyaar karte hai mujhe wo log. I apologize to them that I won’t be doing Hera Pheri,” Akshay Kumar concluded.
After Paresh’s confirmation, Akshay’s fans started a troll fest on Twitter.
Earlier this year, Akshay opened up about his consecutive failures.
Kumar said, “If my films are not working, it is our fault, it is my fault. I have to make the changes, I have to understand what the audience wants. I want to make changes, I want to dismantle my way of working and think what kind of films I should be doing. Nobody else is to be blamed but me.”
Akshay also replied to a question where he was asked if releasing a film directly on OTT is a safe route amid back-to-back failures, as his Cuttputlli will be directly arriving on Disney+ Hotstar. The Raksha Bandhan actor said, “It is not safe, that also requires people to say if they like the trailer or not. Nothing is safe, it is not our safety net. Even here (on OTT) people are watching, the media is watching it, the critics are watching it, the audience is watching it, they give feedback whether they like it or not. So, there’s nothing like creating a safe space, you have to work hard, period.”
Meanwhile, Akshay’s Cuttputlli is releasing on Disney+ Hotstar on 2nd September 2022.
