It’s that time of the year when notable Pakistanis are recognised for their contributions in different fields at an investiture ceremony at Aiwan-i-Sadr. Despite rising cases of COVID-19, this year was no different and on March 23, 2021, President Dr Arif Alvi conferred top civil and military honours upon various personalities, including those from the entertainment industry.
According to Radio Pakistan, President Alvi presented various awards to 88 recipients including six Nishan-e-Imtiaz, three Hilal-e-Imtiaz, 24 Sitara-i- Shuja’at, eight Sitara-e-Imtiaz, 14 President’s Award for Pride of Performance, one Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam, one Sitara-e-Khidmat, one Tamgha-i-Pakistan, 22 Tamgha-i-Shuja’at and eight Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.
Prominent personalities who received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz include Sadiqain Naqvi (Art), Abida Parveen (Singing), Ahmad Faraz (Literature) while Bushra Ansari (Art), Syed Farooq Qaiser (Art) and Sultana Siddiqui (Art) received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz. Maulana Tariq Jameel (Religious Scholar), Muhammad Ali Shehki (Singing), Resham (Acting), Humayun Saeed (Acting) and Ali Zafar (Singing) were conferred the President’s Award for Pride of Performance. Meanwhile, Zaiba Shehaz (Acting) and Faisal Edhi (Public Service) were awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.
Check out the list of celebrities who were honoured at Pakistan Day:
Bushra Ansari and Sultana Siddiqui (Sitara-e-Imtiaz)
I bow down my head in humility for this honour. Thank you for your prayers, support and well wishes. I pledge to do as much as I can for the arts, the artists, my country and the people. #prideofperformance 🏅 pic.twitter.com/NWTM0evufQ
President Dr. Arif Alvi conferring the Presidential Award for Pride of Performance upon Maulana Tariq Jameel. pic.twitter.com/uzif3SldpT
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 23, 2021
انہوں نے پاک فضائیہ میں مختلف اہم عہدوں پر خدمات سرانجام دی ہیں۔ قبل ازیں ان کی خدمات کے اعتراف میں انہیں 2019 میں ہلال امتیاز ملٹری سے نوازا گیا۔ pic.twitter.com/RuP6fHmnPH
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 22, 2021
Shahid Afridi has become the latest celebrity to jump the bandwagon and launch a range of skincare products. Earlier, Aijaz Aslam, Ayesha Omar, Waseem Badami and Shoaib Malik had launched their own respective skincare lines.
Announcing the news on social media, Afridi shared that the new line, from the world of Hope Care, is named ‘Ooh Lala‘.
“Ooh Lala offers premium quality personal care products for both men and women so they feel confident and shine like a star,” added Lala.
The promotional video for the line features Afridi himself as he uses the different products to groom himself.
Meanwhile, sharing the promotional video on Instagram, the former captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team said: “I have always believed that whatever I am today is because of my parent’s blessings and the love of my fans. My fans bring meaning to my life.”
“That’s the reason whatever I do on-the-field or off-the-field, I try to give something to my fans and countrymen,” he added, sharing that the personal care products will give both men and women the confidence to “shine like a star”.
Besides this new skincare line, Afridi also has a clothing brand ‘Hope Not Out’.
The Hope Not Out assortment features comfortable and cosy daily wearable denims, sweatshirts, graphic t-shirts, polo shirts and more. The brand’s motto is to make premium quality clothes in Pakistan “while giving back to the community, returning to the roots and help in creating a greater team that provides the perfect platform for people to grow and providing hope for all”.
Real-life siblings Shahzad Sheikh and Momal Sheikh, who are also Shahroz Sabzwari’s first cousins, have recently opened up about the controversy that followed after Shahroz’s split with Syra Yousuf and his marriage to Sadaf Kanwal.
Talking to Ahsan Khan on his show Time Out with Ahsan Khan about the matter, Momal said: “Shahroz and Syra handled it so well – it was the best thing and that is the way it should be. People do talk about things, they have always been talking and will continue to do so.”
When Ahsan asked her about her thoughts on how the former couple handled it, Momal said: “They are mature individual adults, who handled things maturely. Both [of them] are beautiful from the inside.”
At this point, Shahzad added: “The third member, Sadaf is the most mature and down to earth woman you will ever meet. And we are so proud of the way she handled the negative feedback online. So, I guess I can say on the basis of her pure heartedness, that God’s will was always with her.”
Momal further said: “She handled everything so maturely and she is good from the heart and Allah is with such people who are good from the heart.”
Syra and Shahroz ended their seven-year marriage in February 2020 after which Shahroz tied the knot with Sadaf in May 2020 in an intimate nikkah ceremony.
Kubra Khan has hit back at a local media news outlet for misreporting her comments about un-following Prime Minister Imran Khan on Twitter. Khan, in an interview, had shared that she unfollowed PM Khan (and Hamza Ali Abbasi) on Twitter because she didn’t want any political updates.
Sharing the misreported news on Twitter, Kubra said: “I am and will always one of the biggest supporters of [PM] Imran Khan.”
“I don’t need to follow him on “social media” to show my support,” said the actor further, adding: “But thanks for adding the negative connotation?”
I am and will always one of the biggest supporters of @ImranKhanPTI – I don’t need to follow him on “social media” to show my support. But thanks for adding the negative connotation? https://t.co/eSoNScQzyA
Earlier, during the 2018 General Elections, Kubra had said that if she had the option to vote, “it would be no other than PTI.”
So, because I’m a UK resident I can’t personally vote in Pakistan as of yet. So even if I was in the country It wouldn’t make a difference. However if I could vote it would be no other than PTI. Tomorrow will map out the future for Pakistan. Make the right decision. #NayaPakistanpic.twitter.com/t39U3Z9Tpj
British-Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed’s family reacted to his historic Oscar nod in the most desi fashion ever.
In a social media post Riz revealed that his cousin was unaware of what the Oscars were and was unable to understand why his nomination was such a big deal.
“My cousin Adnan legit didn’t know what the Oscars were,” wrote Riz on social media. “‘Why all the gas? I won [the] Best Client Engagement Award for the financial quarter’.”
“Other cousin steps in ‘Na it’s not as big as that, cos he didn’t win anything. It’s more like getting an email from your boss.’ Thanks, boss,” added the actor.
My cousin Adnan legit didn’t know what the Oscars were. “Why all the gas? I won best client engagement award for the financial quarter”. Other cousin steps in “Na it’s not as big as that, cos he didn’t win anything. It’s more like getting an email from your boss.” Thanks, boss.
For the unacquainted, Ahmed bagged the nomination for Best Actor for his performance in Sound of Metal, making him the first Muslim and Pakistani actor to get the nod in the category.
Hareem Shah has registered an FIR against her friend at the Golra Sharif Police Station in Islamabad for attempting to assassinate her.
As per details, the FIR was registered against Hareem’s friend Ayesha, who was accompanied by Bahadur Sher Afridi. The FIR was lodged from Shah’s real name Fiza Hussain.
According to the FIR, the assassination attempt was made on March 18 at Hareem’s flat.
“I, resident of E-11 (III) Omni Arcade, came to Islamabad from Karachi for shooting on March 16 and two people Ayesha Naz and Bahadur Sher Afridi forcefully entered my flat on March 18 (Thursday) and started assaulting me as soon as they entered my residence,” stated the FIR.
Further details on the FIR and arrests are unknown.
Hareem, who rose to fame through her TikTok video, often makes headlines. In January 2021, a video of Hareem slapping Mufti Abdul Qaviwent viral on social media.
Speaking exclusively to The Current, Hareem had shared that she had gone to visit Mufti Qavi with her friend. During their meeting, the religious leader passed inappropriate comments and was rude to them prompting Shah to slap him. She said that she left his hotel room after slapping him.
Meanwhile, Shah is all set to foray into the world of acting with a web series on Pakistan’s first Urdu OTT platform – UrduFlix. According to a press release, UrduFlix will be featuring the TikTok star in a never-seen-before avatar in a new Urdu web series.
Ahsan Khan has responded to the controversy surrounding the inclusion of animals “as props” on his talk show Time Out with Ahsan Khan.
“Let me clarify. These rabbits are basically pets and the person who owns them brings them to the set,” said Ahsan, while speaking exclusively to The Current. “When they are on set, we make sure that they are well-fed and taken care of and are not facing any issues. They are not uncomfortable at all. The person whose pets they are keeps them indoors and they are very easy to play with.”
“Araam say haathon main aa jaatay hain,” explained Khan.
Khan further went onto share the segment has been inspired by the Hop Quiz on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
“Basically, this segment has been inspired by Hollywood’s The Tonight Show,” said Ahsan.
The actor then said that being a pet lover he is very careful with the animals on set and cares for them.
“I myself am a pet lover,” said Ahsan. “I have dogs at home. I have cats. I also have parrots and hens and they are all like my own children. We try to provide them with comfortable environments. So naturally, we are very careful with the animals – all of us on set.”
He further said that after the show invited backlash for “using animals as props,” he and his producer decided to avoid it.
“My producer and I thought that if this is hurting people and they are not liking it, then we can avoid it. So we have cut out the segment in the last three to four episodes we’ve recorded,” stated Ahsan, clarifying that the ones which included the animals were shot before.
“Although this segment is one of my favourites because this is the only one in which we discuss general knowledge, which not only educates my guests but also those who are watching the show. Whoever gives a wrong answer has to hold the pet in their lap,” he shared. It is pertinent to add here that the male guests usually enjoy petting the animals but the female guests are scared of them and often jump around screaming when asked to hold them.
“We on our end have been very careful with handling them, but if some people don’t like it then we, including my producers and all can apologise to them,” concluded Khan. “It’s a mutual thing. If something is not right, we should look into it.”
Earlier, a Lahore-based law firm Crown Chambers had filed a complaint before the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) against Express Entertainment and the show for using animals as props.
Our Law Firm has filed Complaint in PEMRA Council of Complaint against use of Rabbit as Props in Show aired on Express Entertainment hosted by Actor Ahsan Khan. The said act is violation of Article 9 of Constitution, Animal Cruelty Act 1890 and Judgment of Islmabad High Court. pic.twitter.com/fwfJMz8Ytw
— Barrister Abuzar Salman Niazi (@SalmanKNiazi1) March 19, 2021
“The said segment on the TV show, subjecting a sentient living being, an animal, to unnecessary suffering is not only an offence under the law but a breach of the constitutionally guaranteed right to life under Art. 9 of the constitution, as laid down by Islamabad high court in Islamabad Wildfire Management board Vs Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, cited in 2021 CLC 262,” read the complaint.
It further said: “The format of the segment involves a series of questions and answers with known celebrities as guests, who if fail to answer properly, as a “punishment” or “penalty”, are required to hold an animal or at times required to pile several animals such as petrified rabbits/pigeons etc, on their laps, causing distress not only to the animals but to the guest at times as well.”
“Morever, it has spread the message to masses through the said TV channel that projecteing such treatmeant onto animals is acceptable.”
The inclusion of animals on Time Out with Ahsan Khan sparked outrage after a video of Maya Ali screaming and jumping around while being teased with the rabbits went viral on social media. She had appeared on the show with Bilal Ashraf.
An old interview of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has recently gone viral on Indian media in which the actor shares why she refused the role of Tina Malhotra in Bollywood’s iconic Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The role which was finally played by Rani Mukherji was also offered to Twinkle Khanna and Karisma Kapoor besides Rai.
“I’m in a catch-22 situation, really,” says Aishwarya in the video, which initially came out a year after the film released. “Though I’m a newcomer, I’m [being] compared [to] all senior actresses.”
“If I’d done the film, it would have been tittered that, ‘Look, Aishwarya Rai is back to doing what she did in her modelling days — leaving her hair straight, wearing minis, and pouting glamorously into the camera.’ Ultimately, the hero goes back to the more real person.”
“I know if I’d done Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, I would have been lynched,” she added.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, which released in 1998, featured Sharukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukherji in the lead. It was directed by Karan Johar and produced by Yash Johar. The film was a box office hit and went onto receive many accolades. It has also been listed as one of Bollywood’s most iconic films of all times.
Trust Priyanka Chopra Jonas to pass the most inconsiderate comments ever.
The actor while speaking to Oprah Winfrey opened up about her religious side and gave an insight into how her life was while growing up.
Talking about her spiritual journey, Priyanka said that she had been influenced by different religions throughout her life, ranging from Hinduism to Christianity and Islam.
“With the swirling number of religions that live in the country [India]… I grew up in a convent school,” said Chopra. “So I was aware of Christianity. My dad used to sing in a mosque and that made me well aware of Islam. Being a Hindu and coming from a Hindu family, I adapted the rituals and teachings from Hinduism.”
“Spirituality is such a large part of India that you can’t ignore it,” she added.
Priyanka further shared that her late father educated her about all faiths.
“I am a Hindu. I pray and have a temple in my home. I do it as often as I can. But truly to me, I am a believer that a higher power does exist and I like to have faith in that,” she said.
Soon after Priyanka’s comments about her dad “singing” in a mosque went viral on social media, Ahsan Khan among countless others, expressed their shock over the actor’s religiously insensitive comments.
Besides Ahsan, several other social media users also expressed their outrage of the Priyanka’s comments.
Hira and Mani do not shy away from publicly expressing their love for each. Earlier, Mani had also penned a sweet wish for his wife, calling her “Cinderella”.
Hira and Mani tied the knot in 2008. The couple has two sons together. In an interview with Samina Peerzada, Hira had revealed that she had a big crush on Mani while she was in college and met him through a friend who was dating Mani at the time.
