Current Final

Category: Entertainment

  • ‘Why can’t people be happy in others happiness?’ questions Hania Aamir

    Hania Aamir recently posted a lengthy note on Instagram in which she talked about self-love and urged people to be kind to each other and accept difference of opinions. In her note, Hania also questioned why people can’t be happy in others happiness.

    Read more – Hania Aamir opens up on how damaging mean comments are

    “I pride myself on being the person that I am today,” wrote Hania alongside a picture of herself. “Yes, I make the most of each day. Yes, I speak my mind. Yes, you might think I’m too much. I am. I am all of these things. I am extra. Extra. I love more. Laugh more. Feel more. Every emotion is heightened and that is the person that I am.”

    She further said: “But what I’ve been seeing on social media lately makes me not sad exactly but confused.”

    “How can people not be okay with seeing someone happy? Why can’t people be happy in others happiness? Somebody smiling can put you off? Because they’re not what you expect them to be or they don’t lead their life how you do?”

    “There are all kinds of people in this world,” said Aamir further. “Some you get some you don’t but [hate] is not even an option. At least not in 2021 when we’ve seen so much together as a world.”

    “Kindness is attractive. Being supportive is attractive. Respecting people is attractive. Coexisting with a difference of opinion is attractive.”

    “Basically I am amazing you should get to know me,” she concluded on a humourous note.

    Hania recently sparked backlash after she talked about colour shaming and flawed beauty standards. Netizens and social media users had called the actor out for using a beauty filter and not showing her own raw skin while talking about embracing flaws.

    Later, Hania took to her Instagram to respond to the criticism saying, “I was even wearing makeup that day. The point is being comfortable with who you are, doing things because you want to do them, not doing things because [of] the beauty standards that are set.”

  • ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ sweeps awards at 6th Asian World Film Festival

    ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ sweeps awards at 6th Asian World Film Festival

    Zindagi Tamasha may not have seen the light of the day in Pakistan, but it is receiving accolades and recognition internationally.

    Pakistan’s official entry to the Oscars, Zindagi Tamasha bagged the Snow Leopard Award for Best Film at the 6th Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) held on March 15. Lead actor Arif Hassan won the Snow Leopard Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film. Director Sarmad Sultan Khoosat received the award from Jury member Luba Balagova Kandoor, while Jury member Joanne Goh presented the award to Hassan.

    According to a press release, “Almost 40 films from over 20 participating countries were presented during the six-day Festival that included 11 Oscar submissions for Best International Feature Film and 12 Golden Globe submissions for Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language.”

    Directed and co-produced by Khoosat and written by Nirmal Bano, Zindagi Tamasha features Hassan, Eman Suleman, Samiya Mumtaz and Ali Kureshi in the lead roles. The film is centred around a naat khwan Rahat Khawaja (played by Hassan) and his family who are outcast from society when a video of him enjoying a song is leaked. The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival held in October 2019 where it also won the prestigious Kim Ji Seok Award.

    The official synopsis states: “The film is an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on little gods on this earth who police our private passions.”

    Meanwhile, Zindagi Tamasha is yet to release in cinemas in Pakistan. It was initially scheduled to hit screens on January 25, 2020, but immense backlash from religious circles forced the federal and provincial government to halt its release. However, in July 2020, the Senate HR committee cleared the film and allowed it to be screened once cinemas open post-COVID-19.

    While the director and team are yet to comment on their big win, Wahab Riaz congratulated the makers of the film for their achievement.

    About the Asian World Film Festival

    The Asian World Film Festival (AWFF), founded by Kyrgyz public figure Sadyk Sher Niyaz, brings the very best of a broad selection of Asian World cinema to Los Angeles to draw greater recognition to the region’s wealth of filmmakers and strengthen ties between the Asian and Hollywood film industries. Uniting through cross-cultural collaboration, the Festival champions films from over 50 countries across Asia, spanning from Turkey to Japan and from Russia to India and South-East Asia. The Festival is unique in that it predominantly screens Oscar and Golden Globe submissions for Best International Feature Film and Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language respectively. All films are showcased to members of the Motion Picture Academy, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and all Guilds for enhanced exposure, media attention and awards consideration. AWFF is a non-profit organization under Aitysh USA.

  • VIDEO: ‘How to deal with corruption’ ft. Ali Gul Pir

    Comedian and rapper-vlogger Ali Gul Pir, who is known for his sarcastic and funny takes on different issues, has now shared a video on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s plan to eradicate corruption.

    “How to deal with corruption #NoMoreParty #NoMoreShaadi,” wrote Ali in the caption. He also PM Khan and added the original clip in the thread.

    In the video Ali, who has dubbed PM Khan’s voice on him, can be heard saying: “Woh koi jail se niklta hai. Arbon rupay ki corruption ke charges per, log phool pheank rahe hain uske uper.”

    “Mujhe yeh batein kaise corruption khatam hogi?,” says Pir further. “Jo corruption karega, rishwat dega, woh hamare me se nahi hai.“

    “Unn gharon me[jahan corruption hoti hai] log shaadi nahi karein gein, unko log parties per nahin bulaein ge,” adds the comedian.

    Meanwhile, netizens are loving the video. Check out some reactions below:

    https://twitter.com/farazazhar/status/1372205552898506755

    Earlier, on February 27, Pir released a song as a humorous tribute to the four trees Pakistan lost in the Balakot airstrike. In the song, the rapper talked about fantastic tea and fallen trees while gyrating in a forest in the video.

  • RFAK dedicates Lifetime Achievement Award to Pakistani citizens

    The Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) has honoured Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (RFAK) with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding and great services to the field of entertainment. In addition to that, he was also given an Honourary Lifetime Membership, the Associated Press of Pakistan has reported.

    Sindh Minister for Culture Syed Sardar Shah, while speaking at the occasion he said that it was an honour for them to have such an esteemed artist of the present era among them. He further said that the two renowned voices of the sub-continent – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen – had emerged because of their own talents adding that a concert would be held in honour of these both artistes in the metropolis.

    He continued: “We are proud to present the lifetime achievement award and lifetime membership of Arts Council to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in recognition of his massive achievements.”

    Later, RFAK also planted a tree at the occasion.

    Rahat expressed his joy over receiving the award and dedicated the award to Pakistani citizens.

    In 2019, received Wembley Arena Award. He is the first Asian singer to have received the award.

    https://twitter.com/RFAKWorld/status/1191328735770894336

  • ‘Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi’ actor shares casting couch encounters that ‘broke’ her

    Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi actor Saba Bukhari has opened up on her experience with the casting couch and shared the advice she got from different ‘men’, and ‘directors’ in the industry and how those words broke her from Inside.

    “He said that: Tum may itna confidence toh hai nahi k tum is media may agay ja sako (You don’t have enough confidence to go forward in media industry),” wrote Saba alongside a picture of herself.

    “He said that: Masla yay hai tum good girl ho aur iss field may good girl nahi chalti (The problem is that you are a good girl and good girls don’t survive in this field).”

    “He said that: Aisa kaisay ho sakta kisi nay tum par attempt na kia ho (How is this possible that no one ever made a move on you).”

    “He said that: Hum tumhay kaam q dain or paisay bhe dain jab k yaha larkian kam k liye sonay ko tayar hain (Why should we give you work and money when girls are ready to sleep for work).

    “All these lines, words from different men’s (person’s) (director’s) broke me inside [and shattered] my dreams,” concluded the actor.

    Featuring Yumna Zaidi, Yasra Rizvi, Wahaj Ali, Nadia Afgan, Naumaan Ijaz, Samiya Mumtaz, and Omair Rana in the lead, Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi is a harrowing tale of child abuse and human trafficking in Pakistan. The drama has been written by Amna Mufti and directed by Kashif Nisar and is a Kashf Foundation Presentation.

    A few weeks back, the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority issued a notice to the makers of Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi and directed TV One to review the drama’s content and modify it according to the regulatory body’s guidelines.

  • Mehwish, Adnan, Sanam congratulate Riz Ahmed on his Oscar nomination

    Riz Ahmed, who played the role of a drummer who begins to lose his hearing in Amazon Studio’s Sound of Metal charted history by becoming the first Muslim to be nominated in the leading actor category at the Academy Awards.

    Read more – Obamas to adapt Mohsin Hamid’s ‘Exit West’ for Netflix with Riz Ahmed in the lead

    The actor, while responding to the nomination said that he was “honoured to be nominated by my fellow actors alongside such inspiring performances”.

    “I am grateful to the Academy for their support and encouragement,” the actor added.

    Mehwish Hayat, Adnan Siddiqui and Sanam Saeed celebrated Riz’s big achievement and congratulated the actor on social media.

    “Congratulations Riz. You have created history with your nomination as the first Muslim for lead actor at the distinguished Academy Awards,” said Siddiqui. “Hard work and talent always get recognised.”

    “Pakistan is proud of you,” added the actor.

    Mehwish Hayat also expressed her delight over the nomination, saying: “In a world where we’re fighting for fairer representation in mainstream media, a Muslim nominated for Best Actor for the first time since 1929 is one hell of a big deal.”

    Sanam Saeed also congratulated her ‘dosst‘, saying: “Proud moment, you totally deserve it.”

    “Go on then keeping making waves and bringing about change,” she added.

    The 2021 Oscar nominations were announced from London by presenters Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The Academy Awards would typically have happened by now but this year will be telecast on April 25. The film academy said Monday that the show will be held at both its usual home, the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and the city’s railway hub, Union Station.

  • ‘I’ve done it’: Bushra Ansari celebrates as she receives first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

    Bushra Ansari has received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

    Sharing a video of herself receiving the shot, the veteran actor wrote: “Yyyyyeeee. I’ve done it.”

    She urged her followers to get the vaccine saying that it was necessary for themselves and their loved ones.

    “This vaccine is so important to get for our friends and family,” said Ansari in her video.

    She also joked about getting the jab first since she is a senior citizen.

    “I never had fun being a senior citizen until today,” she joked.

    Earlier, Reema Khan, Samina Peerzada, and President Dr Arif Alvi along with his wife shared pictures and videos of themselves getting vaccinated for the novel coronavirus.

  • Harry has ‘unproductive’ conversation with Charles, William after bitter TV interview

    Harry has ‘unproductive’ conversation with Charles, William after bitter TV interview

    Prince Harry has spoken to his father and brother after he and his wife Meghan Markle raised allegations of racism in the royal family during an explosive TV interview, a friend said Tuesday.

    In the interview, Harry said that his father Prince Charles had cut him off financially and at one point stopped taking his calls, and also described his damaged relationship with Prince William.

    The British monarchy has been rocked by the couple’s allegations that an unnamed royal asked how dark their child’s skin would be before he was born.

    “I did actually call them to see how they were feeling, and it’s true Harry has talked to his brother and he has talked to his father too,” Gayle King, a US television presenter and friend of the couple, said on CBS.

    “The word I was given was that those conversations were not productive, but they are glad they have at least started a conversation.”

    King said the couple were “frustrated” that alleged racism in the royal family had dominated the news agenda since the interview was broadcast on March 7.

    “All they wanted all along was for the royals to intervene and tell the press to stop with the unfair, inaccurate, false stories that definitely have a racial slant,” King said, adding that no one had spoken to Meghan as yet.

    She added that Harry and Meghan wanted “healing” in the family, but that Meghan had “documents to back up everything” she had said in the interview with Oprah Winfrey.

    As for what Meghan and Harry hope will happen in the future, King explained, “The family has to acknowledge that there are issues, and right now, no one is acknowledging, ‘Houston, we have a problem here.’ That’s really all they want. They want a conversation.”

    The allegations, which the royal family said would be investigated, have plunged the monarchy into its biggest crisis since the death of William and Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, in 1997.

    Meghan, a former actress, told Winfrey she was “naively” unprepared for life as a royal and had contemplated suicide while pregnant with their first child. On the other hand, Prince Harry said that he felt let down by his father Prince Charles and that his late mother Diana would have been angry and upset at the way the British royal family had treated his wife Meghan.

    “My family literally cut me off financially,” Harry had said. “But I’ve got what my mum left me and without that we would not have been able to do this.”

    Meanwhile, William while responding to the interview had said: “We’re very much not a racist family,” while Buckingham Palace, in a statement, said that they will address the couple’s grievances privately.

  • Maya Ali refutes relationship ‘scandals’ with co-actors

    Maya Ali refutes relationship ‘scandals’ with co-actors

    Maya Ali has shut down relationship scandals with co-actors.

    Ali, who was recently seen with Bilal Ashraf on Time Out with Ahsan Khan opened up about her link ups with co-actors.

    Upon being questioned about her pairing with Sheheryar Munawar, Ali said: “When I started my journey as an actor, everyone linked me with Osman Khalid Butt.”

    “I think there’s a certain pairing that delivers a chemistry fans love or adore. Hence, they start to ship the two celebrities as couples,” said the actor.

    The Mann Mayal actor further shared: “When we were at the premiere of Parey Hut Love, people called us a ‘Filmy Jodi’ which, for me, was a compliment. But this does not mean I will limit myself to only be seen with Sheheryar. From all the actors whom I have worked with, I absolutely adore Bilal Abbas.”

    Adding onto the expectations of being an actor, Ali added, “People aren’t familiar with what goes on behind the scenes. I’ve come to the conclusion that these netizens are prepared to pen negative feedback, waiting for something to pick on.”

    “I always tell people that we are public figures, not public property. Pick on our work! Be it negative or positive, we will happily entertain you. But judge till what we show you and not beyond the lines that are set for you to never cross,” said Ali.

    The actor has recently made a comeback on our TV screens with Munawar in ARY Digital’s Pehli Si Muhabbat.

    Meanwhile, when asked by Vasay Chaudhry onhis show Ghabrana Mana hai, that if he [Sheheryar] is single, the actor quickly replied, “Yes definitely I am single.. Alhamdulillah!”

  • Riz Ahmed is the first Muslim to bag ‘Best Actor’ nomination at Oscars

    Riz Ahmed is the first Muslim to bag ‘Best Actor’ nomination at Oscars

    Riz Ahmed, who played the role of a drummer who begins to lose his hearing in the Sound of Metal charted history by becoming the first Muslim to be nominated in the leading actor category at the Academy Awards.

    This is also for the first time that two Asian actors have been nominated in the Best Actor category. Nine of the 20 acting nods went to non-white performers, including Riz and a South Korean Yuh-Jung Youn of Minari, in what Variety Magazine described as the most diverse acting Oscars slate ever.

    Sharing his excitement on social media, Riza said: “Wow! I’m honoured to be nominated by my fellow actors alongside such inspiring performances, and am grateful to the Academy for their support and encouragement.”

    “I’m equally thrilled for our visionary writer-director Darius Marder and the brilliant Paul Raci As well as our editor Mikkel, sound designer Nicolas, and co-writer Abe Marder,” he added.

    “These nominations represent the time, generosity and talents of so many — all of our incredible cast, crew, producers,” said the actor further. “Sound of Metal is about how a health crisis can cut you off from your life and loved ones, and force you to grow in unexpected ways. In a challenging year for so many, I hope this story can inspire us to forge new and deeper connections with ourselves and others.”

    “And in particular I’d like to thank my mentors in the drumming, addiction recovery, and D/dead communities” Riz concluded.

    Meanwhile, six nods each were earned by the other best picture contenders The Father, Black Panther story Judas and the Black Messiah, Korean-language drama Minari, Nomadland, #MeToo revenge tale Promising Young Woman, 1960s Vietnam War courtroom drama The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Amazon Studio’s deaf drama Sound of Metal.

    The late Chadwick Boseman also got a first Oscar nod for his final film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

    The nominations were announced from London by presenters Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The Academy Awards would typically have happened by now but this year will be telecast on April 25. The film academy said Monday that the show will be held at both its usual home, the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and the city’s railway hub, Union Station.

    This year’s awards season — typically a month-long circuit of screenings, cocktail parties and schmoozing — has been entirely virtual, taking much of the buzz and predictability out of the Oscars. Eligibility was extended to early 2021 releases and to movies that bypassed theatres.