Zara Noor Abbas has questioned Special Assistant to the Punjab Chief Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan’s misconduct and getting into a physical altercation with the PPP MNA Qadir Khan Mandokhail.
Raising a very important question on Twitter, Zara said: “And had this been a man slapping a woman and abusing her on a talk show. What would have we done to him?”
Zara further wrote: “But now it’s a man! What will we do now? Please don’t let the abuser get by. Man or woman!”
And had this been a MAN slapping a woman and abusing her on a talk show. What would have we done to him?! But now it’s a MAN! What will we do now? Please don’t let the abuser get by. MAN OR WOMAN!
— Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui (@ZaraNoorAbbas) June 10, 2021
The incident occurred when the two appeared on Express News’ talk show, Kal Tak, hosted by Javed Chaudhry. What started as a discussion about the government’s performance and excessive load shedding in parts of the country, turned into a shouting match between the two over the recent train collision in Sindh’s Ghotki district which claimed the lives of more than 60 people.
Singer and actor Farhan Saeed, also condemned the incident, saying: “Thapar, chantay, galiyan, taney, trolling, memes, judgemental. Which country comes to mind?”
“Khuda ke liye be a nation and not a crowd, Allah ki kasam Pakistan ko kisi se khatra nahin hai but Pakistanis se ! Abhi bhi time hai, hamesha nahin reheyga,” he added.
Ali Zafar also agreed with the Sajni singer on his stance.
Hira Mani and Sami Khan are set to star together in Badar Mehmood’s directorial, produced by Fahad Mustafa. This will be their first project together as a pair. The first shooting schedule is already wrapped up and the team is ready to start their second schedule later this month.
Written by Qaisera Hayat of Alif Allah Aur Insaan fame, the drama also features Sumbul Iqbal and Raqeeb Se actor, Hamza Sohail in pivotal roles. Senior actress Marina Khan has been roped in for a significant role too.
In a recent interview with Something Haute actor Affan Waheed revealed that he refused a character in a Hollywood project which could have landed him a role opposite Nicole Kidman.
Affan shared he could not accept the role because he had commitments with his project MASTANI, and the role demanded a lot of effort and time which he could not commit to adding that his family and friends were disappointed due to his decision.
The actor further revealed that he had received an offer on Facebook by Rajkumar Hirani but he had gotten to know about it after 2-3 years.
On the work front the Galati actor can be currently seen in ARY’s Shadi MubarakHo.
In a recent interview with Something Haute, Faryal Mehmood opened up on the reality of the casting couch and sexual harassment that aspiring young actresses have to face. “They would ask me to go for a drive.”
The Raqeeb Se actress said because she didn’t give in, she was constantly told that she was a difficult actor to work with. “I won’t laugh at your vulgar jokes and will tell you not to have the same jokes again.”
The actress shared her experience with two channels and she praised Geo TV, calling it “ghar Ki baat” and lauded Abdullah Kadwani’s 7th Sky Entertainment.
Talking about another channel and a producer, Faryal said “There was one producer, who saw me on an event and called me and said that you need a stylist. Look at me, I mean do I need a stylist? I was working on my weight and dealing with a new body at that time.”
“One day I showed up at a premiere at 2:30 at night, after the premiere, he saw me and texted me on Facebook, saying you know you’ve got potential but you need a stylist. I said, sir I am going through a process, I’m also getting to know what needs to be done. It was a new body for me as well.”
“The same person called me to his office, to the other side of the world (Karachi City) and then he tells me that you’ve got behavioral issues and why people don’t want to work with you. I keep giving your name and they keep rejecting you. The sad part is that i believed that,” said Faryal.
She further said: “After six years i decided that I don’t want it anymore, i’ll do whatever i like. Here no one knows the professional language and how to speak. I’ve also worked outside this country. They teach you how to communicate with people ad taking work from them, without hurting them or disrespecting them.”
“They have no manners and no professionalism,” she added.
“Now, all of them know me how I work. So, i don’t face anything like that anymore,” said Faryal.
But the actress also said the main reason why a lot of young actors don’t speak out against harassment is the fear of losing work and getting blacklisted in the industry. Faryal did, however, mention that there are good producers and directors as well who treat actors with respect.
Mahira Khan is undisputedly the queen of Pakistan film and drama industry but she has also gained this title in rejecting scripts.
Ainee Ki Ayegi Baraat
Mahira Khan was offered the titular role in Ainee Ki Ayegi Baraat, but she turned it down for being a multi-starrer and the role went to her Humsafar co-star, Naveen Waqar. The script was written by Vasay Chaudhary who even pulled Mahira’s leg for rejecting his show at Fawad Khans production launch event.
Mera Naseeb
Mera Naseeb was supposed to be Mahira Khan’s first drama. It was revealed when a fan tweeted about how he would love to see Sanam Saeed and Mahira appear together on a “friendship movie or a chick flick”, Khan replied that her debut drama was actually supposed to be Hum TV’s Mera Naseeb. The Raees actress mentioned in an interview that she rejected the script as it had the concept of a pretty cousin sister vs an unpleasant-looking cousin sister and how it impacts their married life.
Kankar
After the thunderous success of Humsafar, Mahira refused the drama Kankar which was later done by Sanam Baloch. The drama dealt with the subject of domestic abuse. Mahira instead chose to do Sarmad Khoosat’s directorial Shehr-e-Zaat as she found it to be more challenging as a performer.
Punjab Nahi Jaungi
Mahira Khan was approached for the role of Amal Dastoor in Humayun Saeed’s blockbuster film. Humayun revealed in an interview that they had multiple meetings for the same but the talks couldn’t materialize.
Jawani Phir Nahi Ani
Mahira Khan rejected Mehwish Hayat’s role in Jawani Phir Nahi Ani as she was already working for Ho Mann Jahan and felt the script wasn’t empowering for women.
Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2
Post Raees, Mahira didn’t find it appropriate to take on a multi-starrer with misogynist elements despite it being mounted on a lavish scale.
Parwaaz Hai junoon
Momina Duraid, the producer, offered the film to Mahira but she couldn’t adjust it in her busy diary.
Parey Hut Love
Although Mahira was part of Parey Hut Love in a cameo role as Zeena, but firstly, she was offered the lead role of Saniya. After she refused it, the role was later played by Maya Ali.
Minal Khan and Ahsan Mohsin Akram have annouced to tie the knot soon.
Minal Khan took to her Instagram account to share a card that looks like the wedding invitation card of the love birds. Minal sharing the card wrote, “You are invited”. She also tagged her fiancé Ahsan Mohsin Ikram in the post.
In May, after months of teasing fans with loved-up pictures and a secret engagement, Minal Khan and Ahsan Mohsin Ikram finally made things official, sharing pictures from their baat paki on social media.
The young couple officially confirmed their relationship on Minal’s birthday in November 2020 with a picture that received immense backlash on social media.
Harshvardhan Kapoor has confirmed the rumours about Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal’s relationship.
In a conversation with Renil Abraham on Zoom’s By Invite Only Season 2, Harshvardhan said, “Vicky Kaushal and Katrina are together, that’s true.” A few moments later, he asked the host, “Am I going to get in trouble for saying this? I don’t know.”
Both the actors have maintained their silence about their equation and have not yet announced their relationship publicly despite media speculation since 2019.
In a 2020 interview with Bollywood Hungama, Vicky was asked if he is dating Katrina, to which he said, “I hope you respect this… I really want to guard my personal life to some extent because if you open up, it leads to discussions and interpretations and misinterpretations. That is something I am not inviting.”
The alleged lovebirds got infected with Covid’19 earlier this year.
They featured together on Film Companion’spodcast together to discuss personal and professional topics.
Trivia: Vicky was supposed to play a supporting role in Raat Baaki which got shelved post the URI attack and had Fawad Khan and Katrina Kaif as the lead pair.
Entertainment industry is not easy to get into, its cut-throat competitive nature makes it more challenging for the newer lot to gain opportunities and professional growth. Every day hundreds of aspirants try their luck in the acting realm but only few can get themselves noticed.
Here’s a list of the most promising fresh faces of recent years:
Zubab Rana
Zubab Rana made her acting debut with a role in Hum TV’s series Naseebo Jali in 2017. She further appeared as an antagonist in Shahood Alvi’s directorial Mere Khudaya in 2018 and as a protagonist in horror series Bandish 2019, which landed her a nomination at the Lux Style Awards. Her recent biggie Fitrat along with ARY’s Bharaas presented her range as a performer. Rana has been praised for her acting nuances and strong screen presence.
Danyal Zafar
After launching a series of popular songs, Danyal finally made his acting debut in Saife Hassan’s Tanaa Banaa opposite Alizeh Shah. Being a Ramadan special play, the series had thirty episodes and got Danyal noticed for his acting skills and impressive dressing sense. Danyal is also interactive with his fans on social media.
Hamza Sohail
Hamza made his debut in Kashif Nisar’s Raqeeb Se, co-starring Faryal Mehmood. Playing a layered character with grey shades, Hamza was impressive in his part and fans want to see more of him in the future. His chemistry with Faryal was also one of the highlights of the show. Rumour mills are buzzing that Hamza will be seen next in Fahad Mustafa’s production, directed by Badar Mehmood.
Nazish Jahangir
Nazish made her television debut in 2017 with drama serial Bharosa, followed by Gali Mein Chand Nikla and Khatakaar.Dil Tanha Tanha and Kahin Deep Jaley showcased her growth as an actress.
Arez Ahmed
Arez received fame with his breakthrough role of Asim in Saima Waseem’s Kahin Deep Jaley. The Meherposh actor received critical acclaim for his performance in Uraan where he shined in the role of Waqas. His pairing with co-stars Hiba Bukhari and Nazish Jahangir have been appreciated by netizens. Arez will be seen next in Mere Apne co-starring Zoya Nasir and Hajra Yamin.
Aymen Saleem
Aymen Saleem started her acting career with the hit Ramadan special play Chupke Chupke, despite it being an ensemble, Aymen got herself noticed for her natural and likeable performance.
Arsalan Nazeer
Prior to his acting debut, Arsalan has been a successful youtuber with a loyal digital fanbase. With an effortless comic timing in Chupke Chupke, Arsalan managed to stand tall opposite seniors such as Osman Khalid Butt and Ayeza Khan. His chemistry with co-star Aymen Saleem is one of the highlights of the show.
Usama Khan
Usama debuted with Hania Amir starrer Mujhay jeene do in a brief role, before delivering his breakthrough performance in Hum TV’s Sanwari as Tabrez Farasat Ali for which he also received a HUM award. Usama gained further prominence with dramas like Uraan and Ishq Jalebi and is currently featuring on Geo Entertainment’s Mohlat as Essa.
Zainab Shabbir
Zainab Shabbir started her drama career in 2018 with Maa Sadqey where she played a negative role. She is well known for her characters in Malaal e Yaar and Meherposh, Zainab has the skills to perform mature characters. Currently she is working in Hum TV’s drama serial Yaar Na Bichray.
Hammad Shoaib
After enjoying fame on digital platforms such as TikTok, Hammad turned a mainstream actor with dramas such as Soteli Mamta and Deewar-e-shab. Hammad featured in ARY’s Eid Telefilm Uff Yeh Biwiyan in which the actor displayed his diverse acting range.
Momin Saqib
After being an internet sensation post his viral world cup meme, Momin forayed into the world of acting with HUM TV’s Bey Adab, followed by Wajahat Rauf’s Raqs-e-Bismil, in which the actor impressed his critics by essaying the role of Isa in the show.
Dur-e-Fishan Saleem
Dur-e-Fishan made her acting debut in 2020’s Dil ruba, followed by an engaging performance in Bharaas alongside Omer Shehzad. The two have been like for their on-screen pairing.
Momina Iqbal
Post debuting with Ishq Mein Kafir opposite Gohar Mumtaz, Momina gained recognition for her performance in Ehad-e-wafa. She is currently playing a significant role in Geo TV’s Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3.
Mirza Zain Baig
Zain is a growing name of the local entertainment industry, with a right balance of lead and supporting parts, Zain is getting popular with the drama audiences. After entering showbiz with Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat starrer Dillagi, Zain achieved popularity with his roles in Dil-e-Gumshuda, Fitrat and Malal-e-yaar. His latest outing is Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3 in which he plays a love-struck Taimoor.
“Koi aisay stupid actors ka moo band karwado yaar,” said Rabia while addressing Iman’s statement on her Instagram stories.
She further said: “Every other day some new level stupidity. Iman Aly now thinks ‘Khusra’ is okay to use as a demeaning word and these people are paid to be in these shows.”
Iman in her recentinterviewwith Vasay Chaudhary opened up about the insecurities she has about her physical appearance.
“A lot of people tell me I’m beautiful, but when I look at myself in the mirror, I think all these people are lying,” said Iman.
“When people tell me you like your face and you just lie in front of us, it’s not so,” she added.
She continued “I don’t even take pictures because of my face because I don’t like any picture and that’s why I post very few pictures of myself on social media.”
The actress referred herself as a transgender, which lead Rabia to criticize Iman for using the term of transgender with a derogatory connotation.
Aamir Liaquat is a controversial name, be it his show or frequent social media scandals, he is always in the news for the wrong reasons.
Galaxy Lollywood has confirmed the news about Express TV firing Aamir Liaquat due to his problematic media coverage citing reliable sources. Aamir was recently bashed by netizens for being too frank with the female guests on his show such as Saboor Aly and Kinza Hashmi. Another female guest, Nausheen Shah even scolded him on live television for his uncomfortable conduct and use of words.
His name has also been riled up in controversies recently such as an estranged third wife scandal or bashing by PTI leaders earlier this year. All these controversies have resulted in the channel ending their association with Aamir.
Drama critic Lubna Faryad recently started a conversation on her show about Aamir’s uncomfortable and vulgar antics, she also mentioned that someone needs to control his conduct on national Television.
Aamir has also unfollowed Express TV from his official Instagram handle.
