Category: Entertainment

  • ‘Ichhra looking hairpiece’: Nabila receives flak for ridiculing local makeup artist’s work

    Nabila is at the receiving end of flak for leaving “bitter” comments and mocking a makeup artist Fatima Nasir’s work.

    Commenting on Eman Suleman’s post, in which the model had shared pictures from a recent shoot, Nabila wrote: “Great idea, executed badly, especially the Icchra looking hairpiece. When the subject is so beautiful it’s a sin to not up to our game.”

    While Nabila’s comments appear to be well-intentioned, her choice of words did not sit well with the makeup artist and model.

    Defending Nasir, Eman wrote: “I think it’s a job well done, better than any parlour could have done.”

    Instead of ending the debate there, Nabila continued her criticism saying: “In my opinion, the hair finish looks too synthetic and takes away from the regal styling.”

    “Obviously we can choose to be reactive or grow from criticism. I prefer the latter,” added the makeup maestro.

    At this point, Fatima jumped in to defend her work and explained the process behind the hairdo.

    “It’s a lot easier to just criticise someone’s work don’t you think?,” she questioned, to which Nabila replied: “I see you choose to react and defend. All the best.”

    During the exchange, Fatima pointed out to Nabila that it was wrong of her to use the word ‘Ichhra’ to describe her work.

    “Sorry if I hurt you, but false empathy can be interpreted as false flattery in my dictionary. If I were you, I would investigate how I can improve my finishing skills. But you are not me. Let’s leave it at this,” concluded Nabila.

    Soon, models Farwa Kazmi and Rehmat Ajmal also jumped in to defend Fatima and called out Nabila for her comments.

    “It’s sad to see such a condensing and wicked comment coming from a very senior artist who has been in the industry for 35 years. One can only claim their right to criticise when they also praise the work others do,” wrote Kazmi.

    Similarly, Ajmal wrote that the senior makeup artist’s comments were “quite disgusting and off-putting”.

    Farwa further wrote: “If I were you, I would write my opinion and leave my suggestion in a polite way without attacking the artist, the work and the locality which would have been well received.”

    “But you aren’t me, you are Nabila. Let’s leave it at that,” she added.

    Nabila had earlier come under fire when she had demanded for salons to be opened when coronavirus cases were at an all-time high in Pakistan.

  • Ameer Gilani clears the air on his relationship status

    Ameer Gilani clears the air on his relationship status

    Ameer Gilani has put to rest all rumours regarding his relationship status and clarified that he is single.

    Responding to a question during an interactive session on Instagram, the Sabaat actor said that he has no girlfriend and is single.

    It was being speculated that Ameer is in a relationship with his Sabaat co-star Mawra Hocane.

    Later, while responding to a question on when is he is getting married, the actor said: “Not any time soon.”

    Meanwhile, responding to a question on his studies, the actor said that he is currently doing his Masters and would like to pursue a PhD some time in the future. Gilani is enrolled at Harvard University for an LLM. He has been attending classes online due to the pandemic.

    Gilani rose to popularity with Hum TV’s Sabaat in which he shared the screen with Hocane, Sarah Khan, and Usman Mukhtar. The drama was a critical and commercial success. While Ameer hasn’t revealed the details of his next project, he has shared that he will be returning to the screen soon.

  • Netflix crosses 200 million subscribers

    Netflix crosses 200 million subscribers

    Netflix on Tuesday topped subscriber growth expectations in the past quarter, keeping ahead of new streaming rivals competing for viewers stuck in their homes during the coronavirus pandemic.

    Read more – Netflix’s five most-watched original series revealed

    As per details, the streaming platform added some 8.5 million paid subscribers in the quarter to reach 203 million, topping 200 million despite recent price hikes, its quarterly earning update has revealed.

    “COVID-19 has accelerated that big shift from linear to streaming entertainment,” said Netflix chief financial officer Spencer Neumann. “So, the underlying long-term looks good.”

    The company’s cash flow was so strong that it will no longer borrow money to pay for operations, and is considering starting to buy back shares, according to a letter to investors.

    Netflix shares jumped more than 12 percent in after-market trades following the release. Profits dipped to $542 million in the fourth quarter, compared with $587 million in the same period in 2019. But overall revenue in the quarter surged 21.5 percent to $6.6 billion.

    According to the earnings report, Netflix added a record 37 million paid memberships for the full year. Paid membership increased 23 percent in the final quarter of 2020 when compared with the same period a year earlier, but average revenue per membership was flat, according to the Silicon Valley-based company.

    While Netflix raised rates slightly in the US late last year, the majority — some 83 percent — of its new subscribers were from outside North America, the earnings report indicated.

    Read more – ‘Bridgerton’ is the arranged marriage we all want

    Meanwhile, Netflix has invested heavily in original shows and films to make itself a must-have service in the increasingly competitive streaming market. Netflix executives said their productions are back up and running in most regions after being derailed by the pandemic.

    Netflix boasted having more than 500 titles in post-production or being readied for release on the service, with the plan being to launch at least one new original film every week.

    Already the master of the pandemic-era movie landscape, Netflix last week offered a preview of upcoming 2021 releases, a list with no fewer than 70 star-studded feature films.

    From drama, comedy, and science fiction to horror and even Westerns, the slate will take in every major film genre before the year is out, with some releases poised as potential competition for major awards.

  • After ‘Tandav’, case filed against ‘Mirzapur’ for ‘damaging social harmony’

    After ‘Tandav’, case filed against ‘Mirzapur’ for ‘damaging social harmony’

    A case has been filed against the producers of Mirzapur, as well as Amazon Prime Video, for allegedly hurting “religious, social and regional sentiments” and “damaging social harmony”.

    As per the reports, the complainant, Arvind Chaturvedi, has alleged that the Amazon Prime Video show hurts religious, social, and regional sentiments and damages social harmony. Chaturvedi also claimed that the series has hurt religious beliefs and feelings by focusing on abusive and illicit relationships. It is pertinent to add here that Chaturvedi is a local journalist, who has also written a book on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    The makers of the superhit web series have also been accused of spoiling the image of Uttar Pradesh (UP).

    An FIR has also been reportedly filed against Mirzapur producers Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, and Bhaumik Gondaliya. They have been charged under IPC sections 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or reli­gious beliefs), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the IPC along with sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act.

    This is not the first time that the show has found itself embroiled in a controversy. Last year, a day after its release, Mirzapur’s MP Anupriya Patel had also demanded action against the show.

    In a tweet on October 24, 2020, MP Anupriya Patel had written that under the leadership of PM Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the city of Mirzapur has shown development and is “a centre of harmony”.

    The complaint against Mirzapur comes days after an FIR was lodged against the makers of Tandav. The recently-released show is facing backlash for its portrayal of Hindu Gods and it has been alleged that the show depicts them in a poor light. Several BJP leaders have called for a complete ban on the show.

    Tandav creator Ali Abbas Zafar on Tuesday announced that the cast and crew of the show has decided to implement changes in the series in order to pacify viewers who have been hurt because of the content.

    Zafar shared an official statement from the cast and crew of Tandav on Twitter and asserted that the team had no intentions to hurt or offend the sentiments of any caste, race, community, or religion.

    “We have the utmost respect for the sentiments of the people of our country. We did not intend to hurt or offend the sentiments of any individual, caste, community, race, religion or religious beliefs or insult or outrage any institution, political party or person, living or dead,” read the statement.

    The team also thanked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for guiding and supporting them in the matter.

    “We thank the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for guidance and support in the matter. We once again apologise if the series has unintentionally hurt anybody’s sentiments,” it added.

    Earlier on Monday, the cast and crew of the political-drama had extended their apologies to the viewers for “unintentionally” hurting their sentiments.

  • Maya Ali, Hira Mani celebrate five million followers on Instagram

    Maya Ali and Hira Mani have crossed five million followers on Instagram. The actors shared the news and excitement on social media and thanked their fans for the love.

    “Thank you for all the five million family,” wrote Maya on social media, adding: “So grateful for all of you, and for all the love and appreciation you guys show me.”

    Similarly, Hira Mani, who recently said that she has become an official singer, announced that she has crossed five million followers on the social media application.

    Sharing a goofy picture of herself, Mani wrote: “Thank you for liking me and liking my Instagram and liking my song and liking my face and liking my kids and liking my originality.”

    “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she added.

    Read more – The Current Ranking: Pakistani celebs and their followers on Instagram

    Meanwhile, Ayeza Khan and Aiman Khan are the most followed Pakistani celebrities on Instagram with 7.9 million followers each. Mahira Khan follows closely behind with 7 million followers.

  • The All Girl Band wins social media with new track ‘Mera Nahi Hai’

    The All Girl Band wins social media with new track ‘Mera Nahi Hai’

    The All Girl Band has taken over social media with hit new track Mera Nahi Hai.

    The band recently shot to fame, with music aficionados predicting that the girls will usher in a new era in the music industry. The girls’ newest success came after their latest track Mera Nahi Hai scored them an interview on Geo News’ morning show Geo Pakistan.

    According to details, the band includes Anna Salman Dar (lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist) Amal Nadeem (violinist) Mishal Faheem (drummer and percussionist) and Sumera Waris (tabla player) – four women in their 20’s, navigating their way through life whilst living their dreams.

    Speaking exclusively to The Current, The All Girls Band revealed that their band was formed on Nescafé Basement Season 4.

    “Xulfi, who was our mentor and producer on that show had this idea of having female musicians perform on a song called Love Me Again by John Newman. He held auditions all over Pakistan and 10 female musicians were selected,” shared the band, adding that the band now compromises of the above-mentioned four.

    When asked if the girls faced any resistance from their family or parents, the band said: “There was no hesitation from the families. Mishal and Sumera have a family background of musicians, so there was support from the immediate family.”

    They further shared that the band is the first female band of Pakistan that consists of female singers as well as female musicians.

    Meanwhile, check it out their new track below:

  • Adnan Siddiqui, Christian Turner pledge to promote cultural ties

    Adnan Siddiqui and British High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr Christian Turner have pledged to promote cultural exchange between the United Kingdom and Pakistan.

    Sharing pictures of their meeting, Siddiqui said: “In these times of global inclusivity, the world is an oyster in every sense of the word. I firmly believe that cross-cultural exchange across all fields will shape the new order of diplomacy.”

    He said the two have pledged to further Pakistan-England ties through “education, entertainment, and cricket.”

    The actor also thanked the British High Commissioner for his time, writing: “May our friendship grow personally and diplomatically.”

    Responding to Siddiqui’s post, Dr Turner said: “The pleasure was mine.”

    “Great to hear about Mere Pass Tum Ho and discuss UK-Pakistan dosti,” he added.

    Later, Dr Turner shared another picture with Siddiqui and The Legend of Maula Jutt producer Ammara Hikmat and wrote: “Pakistan’s TV and films attract a big following in the UK, working to boost the industry”, hinting towards future cross-cultural collaborations between the two countries.

    Recently, Humayun Saeed announced that he and Siddiqui are working on a project in collaboration with Turkish artists.

  • Fresh allegations of sexual misconduct emerge against Sajid Khan

    Fresh allegations of sexual misconduct emerge against Sajid Khan

    More than two years after Sajid Khan was first accused of sexual harassment and misconduct, Sherlyn Chopra has leveled fresh accusations against the Bollywood filmmaker, alleging he had flashed his genitals in front of her and asked her to feel his penis.

    Recounting an incident that took place back in 2005, the Indian actress wrote, “When I had met him in April 2005, a few days after my father’s demise, he had taken his penis out of his pants and had asked me to feel it. I remember having told him that I know how a penis feels like and that the purpose of my meeting with him was not to feel or rate his penis.”

    Sherlyn went on to say that she is not accusing him but disclosing facts, adding that their phone record is proof of the incident.

    “It’s not an accusation but the disclosure of a fact. Our phone records of the past may be checked regarding the same. After flashing his penis, he had not only asked me to touch it and feel it but also asked me if I had ever seen a penis as well endowed as his.”

    She further said: “I was emotionally broken at the time as in early April 2005, I had lost my father, late Dr Prem Sagar Chopra. A few days after my father’s demise, I was called for a meeting by the filmmaker. Little did I know that the meeting would be centred around his penis!”

    Later, when a Twitter user asked why she did not file a complaint about her own experience, Sherlyn replied: “He has the ‘superstars’ of Bollywood to vouch for his ‘character’. It’s my word against theirs.”

    Chopra’s “disclosure of facts” come days after BBC released Death in Bollywood. The three-episode documentary series traces the mysterious death of late actress Jiah Khan who allegedly died allegedly by suicide in 2013. It has only been released in the United Kingdom for now.

    In the second episode of the series, Khan’s sister Karishma made explosive revelations, saying that Khan subjected her sister to sexual abuse. She alleged that the filmmaker had asked Jiah to remove her top and bra while shooting for Housefull movie. The film also featured prominent actors such as Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Riteish Deshmukh, Arjun Rampal, Lara Dutta, Boman Irani, Randhir Kapoor, Chunky Pandey, and Malaika Arora.

    https://twitter.com/siddanthdaily/status/1350959307718881282?s=20

    Jiah is the sixth woman from the showbiz industry to have accused the director of sexual misconduct.

    Read more – Mariyam Nafees shuts up man looking to ‘buy sex’

    Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar, in 2019 had said that he would work with Sajid if he is acquitted.

    “I don’t know exactly what has happened in his case but if everything goes well and if he is acquitted, I will surely work with him in the future,” Kumar had said.

  • Is Ertuğrul’s Esra Bilgiç in Pakistan?

    Is Ertuğrul’s Esra Bilgiç in Pakistan?

    Dirilis: Ertuğrul’s Esra Bilgiç aka Haleema Sultan has left fans in a tizzy after she posted a picture of Islamia University Peshawar with the caption “The City of Flowers”. This led to fans and followers speculating if the star was in Pakistan.

    While it has not yet been confirmed whether the star is in Pakistan, it is being speculated that Esra will be visiting soon as she has reportedly signed a contract with Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi.

    Shortly after Esra posted her story, Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi posted one on his Instagram account writing “The City of Flowers” and tagging Esra, further convincing fans.

    Earlier in July 2020, Afridi had asked Zalmi fans what they thought about having the cast of Dirilis: Ertuğrul as the brand ambassador of the team.

    Responding to Afridi’s tweet, the Turkish actress had said: “I will be sharing some good news with you soon.”

    https://twitter.com/esbilgic/status/1279772401853702150?s=20

    Recently, several Turkish actors from the super hit drama series have visited Pakistan for different purposes. From Engin Altan Düzyatan (Ertuğrul Bey) to Cavit Çetin Güner (Dogan Alp) and Celal AL (Abdur Rehman Alp), almost every prominent actor from the drama series has visited different cities of the country.

    While it is too early to say if Bilgiç is in Pakistan, we are sure she will be coming soon.

  • Sarmad Qadeer’s ‘Ishq’ to feature TikTok star Alishba Anjum

    TikTok star Alishbah Anjum is all set to make her acting debut with a music video. Anjum, who has more than 10 million followers on TikTok, will make an appearance in Sarmad Qadeer’s song titled Ishq.

    The song has been written, composed and sung by Qadeer himself and the music video will be released under the banner of One Two Records.

    Earler, Alishba’s sister Jannat Mirza also debuted in Sarmad Qadeer’s Shayar. The song was a hit with15 million views so far.