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Category: Entertainment

  • Indians lose it after an old picture of Rihanna with Zulfi Bukhari surfaces

    Indians lose it after an old picture of Rihanna with Zulfi Bukhari surfaces

    Rihanna on Tuesday created a flutter in India by wading into months-long farmer protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agricultural reforms. Tens of thousands of young and old farmers have blocked roads leading into New Delhi for more than two months, sheltering in tractors from the cold.

    A tractor rally by farmers last week in New Delhi turned violent. Police responded by shutting down the internet, digging ditches, driving nails into roads and topping barricades with razor wire to prevent farmers from entering the capital again.

    “Why aren’t we talking about this?!” Rihanna said in a Twitter post, sharing a CNN article on the demonstrations with her 101 million followers on the platform, using the hashtag #FarmersProtest.

    Rihanna’s tweets triggered an online storm in India, with Indians claiming that Rihanna is an ‘ISI agent’. To make matters worse, an old picture of Zulfi and Rihanna surfaced on social media further convincing Indians that the star is backed by Pakistan.

    https://twitter.com/pushpendra__kul/status/1356742818811637762?s=20
    https://twitter.com/razaikvillan/status/1356691985713795075?s=20

    What’s interesting is that most of the tweets have the same text indicating that they are part of a online campaign against the singer.

    While it is not clear when the picture of Zulfi and Rihanna was taken, reports indicate that it was taken in September 2018.

    Later, Zulfi also lauded Rihanna for raising her voice, saying: “Well said and well done.”

    Meanwhile, India’s government has bristled at international remarks on the protests, calling them an “internal matter”.

    In an official statement, the foreign ministry said that the celebrities needed “a proper understanding of the issues”.

    “The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible,” read the statement, with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda.

    “We would like to emphasise that these protests must be seen in the context of India’s democratic ethos and polity, and the efforts of the Government and the concerned farmer groups to resolve the impasse,” it added.

    The Indian government has also activated its PR machinery with several Bollywood bigwigs including Karan Johar, Ajay Devgn and Suniel Shetty and cricketers urging their Indian followers not to let anyone divide the country or fall for “false propaganda”.

    https://twitter.com/karanjohar/status/1356897467850059780?s=20

  • Kangana defines ‘porn singer’ for Ali Gul Pir

    Ever since Rihanna extended her support for the farmers’ protest in India, Kangana Ranaut is having a meltdown and has been brutally attacking the singer on social media.

    During the Twitter tirade, Kangana referred to Rihanna as a “porn singer”. The actor also accused the singer’s friend and Canadian politician Jagmeet Singh of being a “terrorist”.

    “There is a Khalistan in his head also,” said Kangana about Jagmeet. “A porn star followed him and that’s his biggest achievement.”

    Responding to Kangana’s tweet, Pakistani comedian Ali Gul Pir asked her to define “porn singer” for him.

    “Porn singer? Is that a singer who makes music for porn films only?” asked Pir.

    “They will refuse to sing for normal films? Please explain further. I didn’t know such a niche existed, just curious,” he added.

    Replying to Pir’s tweet, Kangana explained the meaning of “porn singer” saying: “Someone who can’t sell music without making it sensual/adult. Unlike classical and genuine singers where the body is of no consequence.”

    “A porn singer is hugely dependent on his/her flesh show off, private parts exposure, and mediocre talent. This makes them absolutely massy, and junk,” added Kangana.

    https://twitter.com/KanganaTeam/status/1356891798011052032

    “Like someone who doesn’t have talent, hasn’t done much work and relies on controversy and putting people down to stay in the news,” said Ali after Kangana explained the meaning to him.

    “Thanks for clearing it out for me,” he added.

    To further prove her point, Kangana tweeted pictures of herself and Rihanna side by side.

    What do the protesters want?

    According to details, farmers hailing from northern Punjab and Haryana states, the two biggest agricultural producers, are demanding the repeal of laws passed by the parliament in September that they say will favour large corporate farms, devastate the earnings of many farmers and leave those who hold small plots behind as big corporations win out.

    On the other hand, Modi has billed the laws as necessary to modernise Indian farming.

    At the heart of these protests are Indian farmers’ fears that the government’s moves to introduce market reforms to the farming sector will leave them poorer — at a time when they are already frustrated over their declining clout as the government aims to turn India into a hub for global corporations.

  • Bilawal shares unseen family photo from Bakhtawar’s wedding

    Bilawal shares unseen family photo from Bakhtawar’s wedding

    Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has shared an unseen family photo from Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari’s wedding celebrations while wishing his sister Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari on her birthday.

    The picture which also features Bakhtawar’s husband Mahmood Choudhry shows Bilawal and Aseefa enjoying a light moment as the bride and groom pose for the photograph.

    Bilawal also shared pictures of himself and his siblings from their childhood and one of him and Aseefa with their late mother Benazir Bhutto in the post.

    Similarly, Bakhtawar also shared an old picture with Aseefa while wishing her on social media.

    Meanwhile, newlyweds Bakhtawar and Mahmood visited Garhi Khuda Baksh in Larkana, days after their wedding. Bakhtawar shared pictures their visit on social media.

    Garhi Khuda Bakhsh is a small village in Ratodero, notable for the Bhutto family mausoleum, where Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Murtaza Bhutto, Nusrat Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto are buried.

    Read more – ‘All in the details’: Bakhtawar shares closeup of mehndi outfit

    Bakhtawar and Mahmood tied the knot on January 29 in an intimate nikkah ceremony at Bilawal House. The nikkah was preceded by a mehndi and followed by a grand reception. While pictures and other details from the wedding festivities were limited considering the ‘no cellphone’ policy at the event, Bakhtawar while thanking everyone for their prayers and wishes, had promised that the couple “will be sharing [their] joy” with their wellwishers through the moments captured.

  • India slams Rihanna, Greta Thunberg, Mia Khalifa for supporting farmers protest

    Rihanna on Tuesday created a flutter in India by wading into months-long farmer protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agricultural reforms. Tens of thousands of young and old farmers have blocked roads leading into New Delhi for more than two months, sheltering in tractors from the cold.

    A tractor rally by farmers last week in New Delhi turned violent. Police responded by shutting down the internet, digging ditches, driving nails into roads and topping barricades with razor wire to prevent farmers from entering the capital again.

    “Why aren’t we talking about this?!” Rihanna said in a Twitter post, sharing a CNN article on the demonstrations with her 100.9 million followers on the platform, using the hashtag #FarmersProtest.

    The same article was shared by teen climate activist Greta Thunberg, who also expressed solidarity with the farmers.

    US Vice President Kamala Harris’ niece Meena Harris also extended her support to the protest, writing: “We ALL should be outraged by India’s internet shutdowns and paramilitary violence against farmer protesters.”

    https://twitter.com/meenaharris/status/1356747965713371138?s=20

    Similarly, Mia Khalifa and John Cusack also extended their support to the protesting farmers.

    The international celebrity tweets triggered an online storm in India, where the farmers’ protests have become one of the biggest challenges to Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he took power in 2014. Modi has asserted the laws are necessary to modernise India’s agriculture sector, but farmers fear they would be placed at the mercy of big corporations.

    India’s government has bristled at international remarks on the protests, calling them an “internal matter”.

    In an official statement, the foreign ministry said that the celebrities needed “a proper understanding of the issues”.

    “The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible,” read the statement, with the hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda.

    “We would like to emphasise that these protests must be seen in the context of India’s democratic ethos and polity, and the efforts of the Government and the concerned farmer groups to resolve the impasse,” it added.

    Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut, a vocal Modi supporter, responded to Rihanna by calling the protesting farmers “terrorists” and Rihanna a “fool” and an “American porn stars”. She also called Thunberg a “dumb and spoilt brat.”

    Similarly, Akshay Kumar offered traction to MEA’s statement by sharing it and writing: “Let’s support an amicable resolution, rather than paying attention to anyone creating differences.”

    India — the world’s biggest democracy — regularly uses internet shutdowns to limit information sharing during disturbances.

  • Kangana Ranaut has a meltdown after Rihanna tweets about Indian farmers

    Just as expected, Kangana Ranaut had a meltdown after Rihanna extended her support for the ongoing farmers’ protest in India. Sharing an article which reported on the internet shut down in several districts of Haryana amid violent clashes between police and farmers over the weekend, the multi-Grammy award-winning singer said: “Why aren’t we talking about this?”

    Soon after Rihanna’s tweet, Kangana, who has been actively slamming those participating in the protests, reacted to the singer’s tweet calling her a “fool” and referring to the farmers as “terrorists”.

    “No one is talking about it because they are not farmers they are terrorists who are trying to divide India so that China can take over our vulnerable broken nation and make it a Chinese colony much like the USA,” wrote an agitated Kangana.

    “Sit down you fool, we are not selling our nation like you dummies,” she added.

    https://twitter.com/KanganaTeam/status/1356640083546406913

    When Twitter user brought up an old tweet of Kangana’s in which she had said: “Alexa play Diamonds by Rihanna”, the actor lashed out saying: “I took over my account in August last year. Before that, it was a team fan page.”

    “Mujhe na pop music samajh aata hai, na hee main English gaane zyaada sunti hoon,” she added.

    Kangana then launched into a full blown attack against Rihanna, calling her a porn star and saying that there is nothing special about her.

    Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has appreciated Rihanna’s gesture of support for the farmers.

    “You have earned the respect of every farmer of the world and particularly of Punjabis all around the world,” said Chaudhry in a tweet. “You have shown your heart is in the right place.”

    “Loads of respect,” he added.

    Farmer’s Protest

    Thousands of farmers have gathered at Delhi’s gateways to demand a repeal of the Centre’s three new farm laws. The protesting farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana as well as Uttar Pradesh, are worried the new laws will eliminate the safety cushion of a Minimum Support Price and procurement system while rendering ineffective the mandi system that ensures earnings for various stakeholders in the farm sector.

  • Naumaan Ijaz says artists nowadays are forced to work like donkeys

    Naumaan Ijaz is not one to mince words. In a recent interview with filmmaker Rafay Rashdi, the actor candidly discussed and shed light on issues and problems faced by actors and producers of the entertainment industry.

    Responding to a question about the issue of pending payments in the entertainment industry, Naumaan said: “There is no actor or producer in the industry who does not have pending payments.”

    “My [own] payments are also pending,” stated the actor. “One channel owes me almost five crores, while another owes me around two and a half crores. They all are big channels and they are not paying. If they [artists] are not going to get paid on time then how will they deliver?”

    Ijaz, however, clarified that the delay in payments is the broadcaster’s fault, not the producers.

    “What is happening in Pakistan? Which ethics? Which morals? Which professionalism? Which contract? Which law? Who will listen to them? This all rubbish,” remarked Naumaan angrily.

    “No law provides them [people working in the entertainment industry] safety,” asserted the actor. “No law stands behind them. No one raises their voice for them.”

    He added: “There is no unity among us.”

    Naumaan further sarcastically remarked: “We do not need an outsider to drown us, Alhamdulillah we are self-sufficient in this regard.”

    “Artists these days, I apologise for my words, are all donkeys. We work like donkeys,” stated Naumaan. “If they are not going to get paid on time, then how will they deliver?”

    Further talking about working in tough COVID-19 times, Naumaan said: “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the broadcasters blackmailed the producers to provide content, so the producers went to artists and warned them that if they won’t work, they will be blacklisted.”

    “Artists are forced to work by placing a gun on their head,” claimed Naumaan, clarifying that he did not mean it in the literal sense. The actor added that if something happens to anybody, no one is willing to take the responsibility of covering the financial burden.

    Read more – Naumaan Ijaz slams Pakistani dramas for spreading negativity

    Ijaz further said that private TV channels have ruined the essence of Pakistani dramas.

    “Dramas used to educate people. What are dramas giving to society nowadays?” questioned the actor. “You [private TV channels] have ruined the mindset of people.”

  • Iqra Aziz calls ‘Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3’ director Wajahat Hussain ‘Sanjay Leela Bhansali of Pakistan’

    Iqra Aziz calls ‘Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3’ director Wajahat Hussain ‘Sanjay Leela Bhansali of Pakistan’

    Iqra Aziz has penned down a heartfelt note for the team of Khuda aur Mohabbat 3, weeks before it is expected to go on-air.

    Sharing a picture of the team including Feroze Khan, director Wajahat Hussain and producers Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi, Iqra said: “Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3 has been a long yet the most beautiful journey.”

    The actor then thanked the producers Kadwani and Qureshi for their efforts, before going on to praise director Hussain, referring to him as the ‘Sanjay Leela Bhansali of Pakistan’.

    “Wajahat Hussain, you [are the] Sanjay Leela Bhansali of Pakistan,” wrote the actor. “The best part about you as a director is that you’re fantastic at creating moments. You know what you want and you know how to make it happen.”

    Writing about her co-star Feroze, Aziz said: “Feroze, it was a delight to work with you and I hope and wish this project creates a benchmark for all projects in the future.”

    The actor also recalled fun moments on set, saying: “And who all are not in this picture, I’m so happy to work with you all and would never forget all the off-screen moments, jokes, late-night Bahawalpur ki sardi aur Multan ki tapti garmi wali shoots, and whatnot.”

    Read more – Iqra Aziz, Naumaan Ijaz’s ‘Raqeeb Se’ an unconventional love story

    Beside Iqra and Feroze, the cast of Khuda aur Mohabbat 3 includes Zain Baig, Sunita Marshall, Junaid Khan, Tooba Siddiqui, Momina Iqbal, Asma Abbas, Usman Peerzada, Rubina Ashraf, Javed Sheikh, Hina Khawaja, Meher Bano, Sohail Sameer and Noor-ul-Hassan. The drama has been written by Hashim Nadeem.

    While a release date for Khuda aur Mohabbat 3 has not been announced, it is being speculated that the drama will air on Geo Entertainment in the upcoming weeks. The OST of the drama was recently released and was an instant hit with the audience.


  • Sonic the Hedgehog will save the multiverse in new Netflix series

    Sonic the Hedgehog will save the multiverse in new Netflix series

    A new Sonic the Hedgehog series is in the works at Netflix.

    Read more – Netflix to release a new movie every week in 2021

    Sonic Prime, a family-friendly, 24-episode animated series starring the popular video game character, is set to premiere on the streamer in 2022, Netflix, Sega of America and Wildbrain announced Monday.

    According to the announcement, the show will focus on Sonic’s race to save the multiverse. The “high-octane adventure” will also be “a journey of self-discovery and redemption” for the hero. Man of Action Entertainment — known for creating Ben 10 and the characters of Big Hero 6 — will serve as showrunners and executive producers. The series will be animated by Wildbrain.

    “Sonic is a beloved character and holds a special place in everyone’s heart including my own,” said Dominique Bazay, Netflix’s director of original animation, in a statement. “I spent many hours with the blue blur as a kid and it’s a privilege to be able to bring this character everyone knows and loves on a brand-new adventure with Netflix — one that a generation of loyal fans and brand-new fans around the world can enjoy.”

    Since debuting in Sega’s 1991 video game Sonic the Hedgehog, the critter has been the face of a media franchise that has grown to include TV shows, comic books and movies.

    Meanwhile, the beloved video game is completing it’s 30th anniversary this year.

    The beloved blue speedster was seen most recently in the 2020 movie Sonic the Hedgehog, starring Ben Schwartz, James Marsden and Jim Carrey. The film grossed almost $320 million worldwide.

  • Mahira Khan turns producer with web series ‘Baarwan Khiladi’

    Mahira Khan turns producer with web series ‘Baarwan Khiladi’

    After acing pretty much everything else, Mahira Khan is stepping into production with a web series titled Baarwan Khiladi. The actor has set up a production house Soulfry Films with her dear friend and producer Nina Kashif. Baarwan Khiladi will be their first project together.

    Read more – We can’t show a woman being assaulted and falling in love with the same man, says Mahira Khan

    “I’m nervous and excited to share with all of you my first venture into production,” said an excited Mahira while announcing the news. “I would have no one better to be my co-pilot on this trip with me other than Nina Kashif.”

    Mahira also gave a sneak peek into their upcoming project, revealing that Baarwan Khiladi is “a coming of age story set against the backdrop of the OG of all games – cricket.”

    According to Mahira, the web series featuring Danyal Zafar, Shahveer Jafry and Kinza Hashmi in the lead, is “a story about friendships, relationships, unity, failure, success, love and courage.”

    The series has been penned by Shahid Dogar and directed by Adnan Sarwar of Motorcycle Girl fame. Saba Faisal, Sarmad Khoosat, Mira Sethi and Khaqan Shahnawaz are also part of the cast.

    Baarwaan Khiladi has reportedly been shot inside the Walled City of Lahore and Shahveer in an Instagram story revealed that shooting lasted one and a half month. While a release date has not yet been announced, the series will stream on Tapmad, a South Asian OTT platform.

    Read more – UrduFlix to launch with Alizeh Shah’s ‘Dulhan aur Aik Raat’

    Meanwhile, Mahira while announcing her new venture had said: “There is a story behind everything and I live for stories – hearing them and telling them.”

  • ‘All in the details’: Bakhtawar shares closeup of mehndi outfit

    ‘All in the details’: Bakhtawar shares closeup of mehndi outfit

    Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari and Mahmood Choudhry’s wedding extravaganza over the weekend is all anyone can talk about. The two tied the knot in an intimate nikkah ceremony on January 29 with a wedding reception the next day. Pictures and details from the wedding festivities are limited considering there was a no cellphone policy at the event and guests were also limited because of COVID-19 SOPs.

    However, while thanking everyone for their prayers and wishes, the bride promised that the couple “will be sharing [their] joy” with their wellwishers through the moments captured.

    Staying true to their word, Bakhtawar and Mahmood shared pictures of themselves from their mehndi night on social media. While the groom donned a cream shalwar kameez with a shawl for the occasion, the bride glowed in a red and green outfit by Zara Shahjahan. Bakhtawar also shared a closeup of her outfit to show the details which included a tribute to her late mother Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

    The dupatta was embroidered with the poem, ‘Woh ladki laal qalandar’ and Bakhtawar also held a pouch an embroidered portrait of Benazir on it.

    Speaking to a local media outlet, the designer shared that the “lehnga had patchworks of Sindhi embroidery and mirrors” on it. She further revealed that the embellishments on the shirt “were worked with flowers and at the centre of every flower, we embroidered Bakhtawar and Mahmood’s names.”

    “It was all done very minutely which is why it isn’t easily visible in the photographs,” she added.

    The couple had earlier also shared glimpses of their nikkah ceremony.

    Mahmood also shared a picture of himself tying his own turban saying: “Gentlemen always tie your own pugree.”

    Meanwhile, check out pictures from the reception below:

    UAE Minister for Culture Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan also flew to Pakistan to attend the reception.

    Bakhtawar and Mahmood got engaged in an intimate ceremony in November 2020 at Bilawal House. Bilawal was unable to attend the event since he had tested positive for coronavirus at that time and was in quarantine.