This year marks the 75th year of independence for the country and to commemorate the occasion, 253 Pakistani citizens from all walks of life, as well as foreign nationals, were awarded the highest honors: the Pakistan Civil Awards by the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi, for showing excellent courage and remarkable achievements in their respective fields. A number of prominent Pakistani celebrities, belonging to the field of entertainment and sports were also conferred with the Civil Awards.
The list of the celebrity recipients is as follows:
Nishan-e-Imtiaz
Musical composer Ahmed G. Chagla
Actor Qavi Khan
Hilal-e-Imtiaz
Writer, author Amjad Islam Amjad (Urdu Literature)
Sitara-e-Imtiaz
Filmmaker Riaz Shahid
Poet Naseer Turabi
Singer Hassan Jahangir
Actor Tauqeer Nasir
Actor, singer, anchorperson, pilot Fakhr-e-Alam
President’s Pride Of Performance
Singer Gul Zari Wagma
Singer Arooj Aftab
Actress Anjuman
Actor Afzal Ahmed
Actress Sangeeta
Tamgha-e-Imtiaz
Urdu poet Neelam Bashir
Author Noorjehan Bilgrami
Actor Arbaz Khan
The awards were conferred on the occasion of the country’s 75th Independence Day. However, the Investiture Ceremony of these awards will take place on Pakistan Day, 23rd March, 2023.
Actor Minal Khan got trolled on social media earlier this year after she copied American reality television star Kylie Jenner’s Instagram story. The netizens scrutinised her for cropping the name Jenner from the photo and shared it as her own.
Now her brother-in-law, Muneeb Butt has responded to the Jalan diva’scontroversy on Tabish Hashmi’s show, Hasna Mana Hai.
The Daldal actor said, ‘When this news was viral on social media, we were all laughing and the family’s WhatsApp group was flooded with memes on Minal.”
Defending Minal Khan, he said that some people are in the habit of posting too many stories on Instagram. She must have seen the picture and shared it. She didn’t mean for people to think it was her breakfast picture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqhjrW8VR7M&t=17s
Recently Aiman responded to her Butt’s humorous comment on her brother-in-law Ahsan Mohsin Ikram’s post. Ahsan shared a picture of Minal and him holding each other’s hands and captioned the post as, “This is how it all started.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvbWy3x3Xcw&t=47s
Muneeb was quick to comment on the post, which caught Aiman’s attention. The Ishq Tamasha star asked him under his comment that why does he comment on everything?
Today is the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan. In seven decades of Pakistan’s history, many mili naghmas (national songs) were produced. We have listed the top five mili naghmas that we think are loved by everyone.
Yeh Watan Tumhara Hai
This mili naghma was sung by Mehdi Hassan in 1962. “Mir-e-karwaan hum thay, rooh-e-karwaan tum ho. Hum to sirf unwaan thay, asal dastaan tum ho.” These lyrics will surely re-ignite the patriotic spirit in you.
Dil Dil Pakistan
It won’t be unfair to say that Dil Dil Pakistan by Vital Signs can be termed as the unofficial national anthem of Pakistan. It was released on Independence Day in 1987. It was also copied and used in an Indian film in 1990.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ezU7MtrF0
Ae Watan Pyare Watan
Ae Watan Pyare Watan was released in 1965 and is sung by Ustad Amanat Ali Khan.This mili naghma evokes strength, jubilance, and a sense of patriotism.
Ae Watan Ke Sajeelay Jawano
Malika-e-Tarranum Noor Jehan recorded 12 songs during the 1965 war. Ae Watan Ke Sajeelay Jawano was one of them. Composed with love and passion, this is a song that is guaranteed to evoke patriotism in you.
Ae Rahe Haq Ke Shaheedon
The song was composed and sung for the film Madar-e-Watan released in 1966, a year after the 1965 War to pay homage to the martyrs of the 1965 War and is sung by Naseem Begum. The lyrics and music of this song never fails to touch our hearts.
A video of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan is resurfacing on social media in which he admits to having regretted passing on Pakistani superstar Fawad Khan’s role in Kapoor & Sons.
Co-guest Kangana Ranaut said that Saif should have done the film while praising the Zindagi Gulzar Hai star for his performance. “Fawad was so good in the film, I love Fawad.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqhjrW8VR7M&t=16s
Earlier in another interview, Said revealed that, “I’m not a petty guy with a narrow-minded mentality. I’m very liberal in my views and can look beyond things. It’d be amazing to have a gay character as one of the roles in my portfolio and I look forward to playing one. It’s got nothing to do with being perceived as an alpha male, like your article argued, as I don’t think I have a particularly macho image. At the time when Kapoor and Sons was offered to me, I didn’t feel it was the right project for me to get into.”
“It’s very sad if people have perceived my rejection of Kapoor and Sons as something to do with homosexuality, something that I wholeheartedly support. Everyone makes mistakes, but when Karan (Johar, film producer) and Shakun (Batra, film director) came to me, I just didn’t feel like doing the film… just like when Sajid Khan came to me, I had felt like doing Humshakals, which now I know was horrible. Shit happens.”
When Shakun Batra’s Kapoor And Sons was released back in 2016, no one had thought that the film would be what it is. It is probably one of the most realistic yet entertaining family films that, instead of painting a rosy picture, gives us a glimpse of what really goes on in a family. The way the vulnerabilities, flaws, and shortcomings of each character were portrayed has been lauded for years and it made us empathize with the family. Fawad Khan was unanimously praised for his acting in the film. His portrayal of a closet man was spot on. However, the role was rejected by multiple A-list actors before it fell in Fawad’s lap.
Popular film critic Rajeev Masand wrote in a leading daily, “As many as half a dozen actors are believed to have turned down the role of the elder brother in Shakun Batra’s hit Kapoor & Sons, before the makers approached Fawad Khan. Saif Ali Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Shahid Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapoor were all approached. While some explicitly admitted that they didn’t want to play a character that happens to be gay, others reportedly cited different excuses.”
Rajeev also sighted that Farhan was the only one who gave declined in the most professional way. “Farhan, whom Shakun had assisted previously, said he loved the film but didn’t see himself playing the older sibling. Of the lot, the makers say he was the most professional and upfront about his reservations.”
Actress Urwa Hocane opened up about the plight of Pakistani Television and the glorification of toxic masculinity in an interview with journalist Maliha Rehman. The Punjab Nahi Jaungi star said that PEMRA issued multiple notices to the producers of her drama Udaari for highlighting child abuse, which is a serious issue in the country.
She also agreed with the host’s stance that domestic violence and toxic masculinity are being romanticised in recent dramas, which is extremely problematic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqhjrW8VR7M&t=16s
“We have romanticized domestic violence, domestic harassment, and martial rape we have romanticized all that and it’s wrong. Have you lost your mind?”. While she added, “And if a girl is silent we consider it as a heroine?”.
she added, “I’ve come up to the point that I end up singing on the script that is less problematic”.
“And I hope that I get to convince the director to make the story slightly better, there are full of angry heroes in stories until they pull your head and until they torture you, you can’t fall in love with them. Is it really good what we are portraying over television screens? Someone harassed you and later you fall in love with that man?”.
The Neeli Zinda Hai actress also shed light on her journey, “I started working as a VJ at the age of 17, but actually I the first time I started earning was the age of 14 when I started giving tuitions. I had a thought in my mind that we should never put a burden on our parents and I always wanted to be independent.”
Hocane shared her take on a man’s importance in a woman’s life, “What do you need a man for? You don’t need a man to live your life. I’m sure you would like to have one but it’s not compulsory. In my opinion, there’s no need of having a man in your life.”
Urwa was dragged into a controversy when actor Aijaz Aslam appeared with his wife Sabeen on The Couple Show hosted by Aagha Ali and Hina Altaf earlier this year.
On being asked about a leading lady who has attitude problems, unprofessional and needs to work on her behaviour, the Nand star gave a shocking answer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvbWy3x3Xcw&t=17s
Aijaz named Urwa Hocane and stated, “Although I haven’t worked with her but I have heard (from friends and colleagues) that it is Urwa, she gets very angry on the sets, quickly loses her temper and even instructs the director on creative aspects.”
The hosting duo kept nodding while Aslam was talking, however, Aagha mentioned later that he recently met the Tich Button diva at an event and felt that she was grounded.
Hocane then issued a statement, responding to the “baseless allegations” that were circulating about her. She explains that she is respectful of her seniors in the fraternity, and emphasizes that seniors too must be mindful of the responsibility they have towards younger actors, keeping in mind how their words can deeply impact the “image, mind, and even work” of these younger stars.
She called herself “creatively charged,” and states that she always indulges in “healthy discussions” with her directors and producers.
The Amanat star also stated that she is certain that the senior actor meant no harm, given that they do not know each other personally, nor have they ever starred together. However, she does state that “irresponsible statements leave us at a mercy of internet trolls, therefore everyone must watch what they say in public about someone else, especially when it’s mere hearsay.”
She concluded by thanking Aagha and Hina, who understood the gravity of the situation and did not become party to it.
Farhan Saeed & Urwa Hocane were signed on to star together in HUM TV’s Meri Shehzadi Diana. While the nature of this relationship on-screen remained a mystery, fans were overjoyed to hear that the two would star together soon.
The forthcoming Qasim Ali Mureed directorial was going to feature Farhan Saeed, Imran Abbas, and Urwa Hocane for the first time together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvbWy3x3Xcw&t=17s
However now Saeed will no longer be seen opposite his Udaari costar Urwa Hocane in Meri Shehzadi Diana as he has opted out of the serial. Farhan has been replaced with Ali Rehman Khan and the shooting is expected to wrap up by the year-end.
According to media reports, even Imran Abbas is double-minded about the project.
After being a fan favourite couple, the reel pair of Sajal Aly and Bilal Abbas Khan are set to reunite in ARY Digital’s forthcoming drama.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em4MqlrtmsA&t=24s
The popular ‘O Rangreza’, and Khel Khel Mein duo is all set to share the screen yet again in an upcoming drama serial of ARY Digital. Directed by ace filmmaker Nadeem Baig of London Nahin Jaunga’fame, who also has super hit dramas like ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’ and ‘Sinf e Aahan’ to his credit, the project is written by veteran actor and celebrated script writer Mohammed Ahmed.
The upcoming drama is tentatively titled Kashaf and is being produced under the banner of Six Sigma Plus Productions of Humayun Saeed and Shahzad Nasib. The currently on-air blockbuster show Mere Humsafar and Habs are also from the same production. According to the reports, ‘Kashaf’ will be a unique story that will touch viewers’ hearts in an impactful manner.
Sima Taparia of Indian Matchmaking fame is back with the second season of her show on Netflix. While several original cast members returned to the show, such as Pradhyuman Maloo, Aparna Shewakramani and Nadia Jagessar, the highlight of the season was the matchmaker rejecting Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ pair.
In the second episode of the latest season, Taparia asks Jagessar about how her relationship with Shekhar, the bachelor she set her up with, is going. She told the matchmaker that despite giving multiple hints, she doesn’t feel he has the same feelings for her as she does for him. But Taparia knew the truth that Jagessar had flirted with another single at a party and she had not told Shekhar about it. The person whom she flirted with, Vishal, was seven years younger than her.
To prove that Jagessar’s relationship could work, Taparia jokingly gave the example of Chopra and Jonas who have an 11-year age gap. “But I don’t feel it’s a good match, sorry to tell them,” Sima said. She added, “Just they have married, but it’s not a good match. He looks so small and petite in front of her, and she looks elder.” Jagessar let out a shocked laugh in response to what the matchmaking aunty said on the show.
Chopra and Jonas tied the knot in 2018 in a grand Indian wedding after a whirlwind romance. Earlier this year the couple welcomed their first child via surrogate, a baby girl whom they named Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. Clearly, they’re doing just fine, regardless of what a random matchmaker says.
Netizens are calling out Sima for her ageist remarks.
People who used to bully Priyanka-Nick and Arjun-Malaika as couples, have problems with Indian Matchmaking Show. That show is the most realstick Indian reality show, I have seen recently. They show, what you are. #indianmatchmakingnetflix
Last year Indian television actress Nausheen Ali Sardar, known for her role in Kkusum, revealed that Sima refused to find her a match because she’s Muslim.
In a recent interview, Nausheen said that she was “blatantly” told by Taparia that she doesn’t cater to Muslims or Catholics.
Speaking to Pinkvilla, Sardar said: “My family was insisting on getting me enrolled on a matrimonial site since the lockdown was going on, and I wasn’t even going on dates or anything as such. So they thought of approaching Sima Aunty, the famous marriage maker from the show Indian Matchmaking.”
“We were in for a shock when she blatantly told us on our face that she did not cater to Muslims or Catholics,” continued the actor.
“I mean it’s 2021! Yes, I am a Muslim, so what? I have an equal right too in society…I had gotten so annoyed at this that I put this entire bitter experience on her social media page where I had asked her to broaden her mindset,” said Sardar further, adding that she later took down the post on her family’s insistence as they feared that someone would try to hurt Nausheen.
In the same interview, Nausheen shared that this wasn’t the first time she had to face discrimination on the basis of her religion.
The actor shared that she was rejected by housing societies because ‘they do not give houses or flats in their building to Muslims.’
“I was shocked! It’s so important to respect every religion and if any society is going to be so rigid in their thoughts, it will be extremely difficult to survive there,” lamented Sardar.
Nausheen made her television debut with Ekta Kapoor’s hit soap opera, Kkusum in 2001.
Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor lauded Alia’s decision to start a family at the peak of her career in a recent interview. Kapoor even termed it as the actress’ ‘bravest, coolest’ decision.
In the month of June, Alia Bhatt announced that she is expecting her first child with Ranbir Kapoor. The actress will be embracing motherhood at the age of 29 and Kareena Kapoor Khan is all praise for Alia.
In an interview with Mid-Day, Kareena said, “I think it’s the bravest and coolest decision for Alia. She is promoting her film, looking ravishing as ever. There is no bigger star than her today, and I am not being biased because she is a part of my family. I am saying this because she is a spectacular actor. After delivery, she will go on to do the best of films. She has stood up for the most beautiful [feeling], which is, ‘I want to have a child with the man I love.’ She wants to experience the most beautiful thing in life, and I love her more for that. I am her fan.”
In July 2022, Kareena announced that she is not pregnant with her third child.
The talented actress faced speculation after a picture of her and Saif from their recent family vacation in the UK was widely shared online. “It’s pasta and wine guys… Calm down… I am not pregnant,” the actor wrote on Instagram as she denied rumours she was expecting.
Saif and Kareena, who married in 2012, are parents to sons Taimur Ali Khan, 5, and Jehangir Ali Khan, 1.
Saif is also the father of actor Sara Ali Khan and assistant director Ibrahim Ali Khan, his children with ex-wife Amrita Singh.
Earlier this year the Kambakht Ishq star hit out at trolls for age-shaming her along with her friends Amrita Arora and Malaika Arora after their pictures from Karan Johar’s 50th birthday circulated on social media.
Taking to her Instagram stories, Kareena shared a hard-hitting message to all netizens who keep calling her ‘buddhi’ in social media comments.
Sharing a screenshot of one such post featuring the word in the comments, the actress wrote, “I keep seeing this on comments! If n when I bother to check, unless it’s the one that comes up on top!”
Continuing further and calling out trolls, Kareena Kapoor Khan wrote, “So…. buddhi is meant as an insult?? Cos for me it’s just a word.. a word that means old?! Yes we are older.. n wiser… but you, are nameless, faceless, ageless? And so are your folks?!”
The Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham actress has had to face online users who keep bringing up her age and call her ‘buddhi’ or old, time and time again. Seems like, the Heroine star is done with having to put up with this nonsense and has taken to social media to slam all tagging her with such names.
In April 2022 she was trolled on social media for looking old at cousin Ranbir Kapoor’s wedding with Alia Bhatt.
Netizens associated her aged looks to smoking and other alleged lifestyle habits.
On Tuesday, model Mehreen Syed took to Instagram to announce the news. “Mashallah, Allah’s mercy. Congratulations,” she wrote. Judging by her caption, the couple has been blessed with a baby girl.
Later Shahroz also shared the adorable interaction between his eldest daughter Nooreh with her half-sibling Zahra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvbWy3x3Xcw&t=17s
Their appearance on Fahad Mustafa’s Jeeto Pakistan fueled the pregnancy speculation further as the Nand star was seen telling her to be careful at many junctions.
Fellow models Abeer Iftikhar and Huma Khan and makeup artist Sara Ali dropped down in the comment section and sent their love to the couple.
The duo tied the knot in May 2020 and their union attracted a lot of buzz as the timing overlapped with Shahroz’s divorce from his ex-wife Syra Yousuf. The announcement of his marriage with Kanwal came with several video statements clarifying infidelity was not the reason that led to the dissolution of his marriage with his former wife.
In The Couple Show hosted by Hina Altaf and Agha Ali, the Alif star said that she always knew when she met Sabzwari that he will be the father of her children.
In April, Behroze Sabzwari announced that he has become a grandfather for the second time during an appearance on Rabia Anum Obaid’s Ramazan show Piyara Ramazan.
This is Kanwal’s first child and Shahroz’s second as he shares a daughter named Nooreh with actress Syra Yousuf.
