Category: Entertainment

Actress Sara Khan has clarified her stance on feminism, stating that a woman’s true strength lies in her femininity.

Back in May, Sara expressed her views on feminism during an interview, which drew criticism from writer and former journalist Reham Khan. 

In the interview with a private media outlet, Sara had said she does not consider herself a “big feminist” but rather aligns with conventional gender norms and traditions. 

According to her, men should be given the position that is traditionally “reserved for them” so that women can live peacefully.

“I am a woman who stays at home. I don’t like standing in queues for bills, and I want to be treated the same way traditional women were treated,” she had said.

Reham Khan later criticised her remarks. During an interview, she said, “Sara Khan is also the mother of a daughter, and tomorrow her daughter will be married off to another house. What will be Sara’s reaction if something goes wrong with her? Sara should understand that she is working in showbiz only because of feminism and is famous because of that.”

Now, Sara has revisited the subject by sharing a new Instagram story to further clarify her position.

On her Instagram story she wrote, “When I say I’m not a feminist, it does not mean I don’t believe in equality. I completely believe in equal respect, equal rights, and equal opportunities for women.”

She elaborated, “What I mean is, I’m not today’s feminist, I’m an original, real, and old-school feminist.”

Sara emphasized, “I believe the real strength of a woman is not in imitating men, but in embracing her femininity,” she said.

She further added, “Women are so powerful that they should be given respect, love, and importance like queens, because that’s what they truly are.”

In her statement, Sara rejected the notion that women must function like machines. “Women were not made to work like machines. We are made to decorate homes, raise generations, build empires, and lead with dignity.”

Referring to Hazrat Khadija (RA) as an ideal role model, she said, “She was a successful businesswoman, dignified, balanced, and a perfect example of femininity. She had the right to work, and so do we, but she also valued family, purpose, and faith. She never allowed herself to get lost in the race for recognition.”

Sara also questioned modern societal values. “I don’t understand this mentality, going to an office and fulfilling someone else’s dream is appreciated, but making breakfast for your husband or raising your children is considered inferior. Since when has being a faithful wife or mother become something to be looked down upon?”

She concluded by advocating for balance and respect for personal choice. “A woman’s role is sacred. She can be educated, determined, and ambitious, but also gentle, dignified, and grounded. She doesn’t have to choose between the two. Let her create her own balance,” she added.

In her final words, Sara remarked, “Feminism should not mean abandoning femininity. It should mean respecting our own choices, whether that choice is home, motherhood, gentleness, or the power wrapped in love. That is divine power. Let’s not replace it with the kind that makes us forget our true identity.”

The first thing that will strike you about ‘Mai Manto Nahi Hoon’ is the cinematography. Director Nadeem Baig hits it right out of the park in the very first episode and, in the very first few scenes, you realise that this isn’t your regular Pakistani drama. And how could it be?

The drama is packed with superstars like Humayun Saeed, Sajal Aly, Sanam Saeed and Hajra Yamin, as well as a villain entry by Azaan Sami Khan. The storyline, while like the ones we see routinely about feuding families (you will really feel the connection if you’re watching Danish Taimoor’s drama Sher right now) and how it exploits the lives of the younger generation, is nuanced and not in your face. It’s a drama that unfolds very, very slowly, which is the main criticism of the three episodes that have been released so far, and while one can really appreciate the development of characters and the easing into the story, it sometimes gets dull and the dialogues get heavy.

While writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar is rightfully criticised for the outlandish and misogynistic remarks that he makes, it must begrudgingly be accepted that the man is a great writer and develops characters very well. Although his dialogues can seem steeped in deeper meanings and references, they are interesting as they unfold. Dialogues like Mehmal (Sajal Aly)’s Phuppo Suraiyya (Saima Noor) telling Mehmal that she became Suraiyya after she lost family, really strike you as central to the character’s role in the whole drama.

Before the drama was released, there was criticism that Sajal Aly’s character is paired with Humayun Saeed, and the age gap between the two was highlighted as being an issue. But it isn’t so in the drama itself. It is made very clear that Mr Manto (Humayun Saeed), an eccentric and single professor, is much older than Mehmal and one can see the chemistry developing between him and Miss Maria (Sanam Saeed), including a crush developing between Mehmal and the hero professor, as Mehmal enters the forbidden land of university life. 

While all characters are heavy and really well set in their roles, it is Saima Noor who, from the very beginning, has taken the whole drama by storm. She is absolutely superb as Suraiyya and owns the fact that she is the main reason that reconciliation between the feuding families cannot take place. She takes over the screen and anyone else who is with her, absolutely terrifying in her quiet presence and every scene with her is one to watch. 

                                                                        

It’s also important to note why the drama is called ‘Mai Manto Nahi Hoon’, and you understand that as soon as you meet Mr Manto in his classroom. Saadat Hasan Manto was one of Pakistan’s most provocative writers – someone who did not care what anyone thought of what he said or believed. He wrote about sex workers, and other taboo subjects in his time, and made readers uncomfortable with his views on romanticism and human psychology. Most of his works remain relatable for society till date.

Humayun Saeed, in his role as a strong hero with superhero style, clearly shows that he is not Manto in playing his character. Mr Manto almost feels like an oxymoron, something that Qamar intentionally put in to develop his lead role. Mr Manto will make us uncomfortable because while one expects him to live up to his character’s namesake (and to Humayun’s ultra-male persona in other dramas), it is clear that he might not be the hero we want, but still hope he will be.

                                                                           

While the drama might not be everyone’s cup of mirch masala tea, as seen by the faltering YouTube views (6.1 million on the first and a low 2.7 million on the second), it is going to be the biggest drama to watch as one expects many twists that will emerge slowly and steadily. There are inklings of it already and keeps the viewer on their toes. It is, however, not a drama you can watch with limited concentration, so sit back and watch it play out.

The episodes air on ARY Digital on Friday and Saturday at 8pm, and are uploaded to YouTube the same night.

Senior actress Bushra Ansari has appealed to parents to closely monitor the madrassas they send their children to and keep an eye on the clerics who teach there.

In a recently posted short video on Instagram, she spoke about the tragic case of a young boy who died in a Swat madrassa following alleged violence by a teacher.

“Everyone, including the parents of the child who died in Swat, knows he wasn’t killed just for not studying. There was something else behind it,” she said.

She also criticised the lack of accountability, adding, “In the past, there was talk about monitoring and registering madrassas, but to this day, no madrassa has been monitored or registered.”

Bushra Ansari called on prominent clerics and scholars who frequently appear on television, asserting that they must take responsibility and speak out against such cases. “They should monitor madrassas and keep an eye on the teachers who work there,” she said.

She also raised concerns about the qualifications of many madrassa teachers, saying, “Most of them are not properly educated. They are teaching incorrectly and can’t even translate Hadiths or verses of the Holy Quran accurately.”

She added, “Usually, anyone who can just read and write a little is given a job in a madrassa and even a house. They receive free things on Eid and other occasions, and because of that, they lack true love for Islam.”

Appealing to parents, she said, “Have mercy on your children. Don’t hand over their lives to clerics and teachers without question. Listen to your children, look into their concerns.”

While discussing the child’s death in Swat, Bushra Ansari also criticised the victim’s family for their lack of awareness and inaction.

It merits mention that earlier this week, Farhan, a young madrassa student from the village of Chilyar in the Khwaza Khela tehsil of Swat, tragically died after allegedly being subjected to brutal physical violence by his teachers.

Police have submitted the challan to the prosecution branch in the murder case of TikToker Sana Yousuf, who was killed in Islamabad.

According to the reports citing sources, the police have named TikToker Omar Hayat as the main accused in the murder.

“The challan includes the statements of Sana Yousuf’s mother, aunt, and other witnesses,” sources confirmed.

It also contains Omar Hayat’s confessional statement, recorded under Section 164, as per police sources.

A two-member prosecution team has been formed by the federal prosecutor to review the challan in detail.

“Once the scrutiny is complete, the challan will be presented in court,” a source familiar with the legal process reportedly stated.

The trial will begin in the relevant court after the challan’s submission.

American model Hailey Bieber has taken to Instagram to call attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza where thousands of children and families are suffering from extreme hunger.

“Starvation is a horrific reality for children and families in Gaza. Aid at scale must be allowed in urgently,” Bieber wrote in an Instagram story.

She went on to state that children in the Gaza Strip were starving to death and severe malnutrition was spreading faster than aid could reach them while the world was watching it happen.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 115 Palestinians have starved to death since Israel began its military campaign in October 2023. Most of the victims have been children, with the majority of these deaths occurring in recent weeks as conditions continue to worsen.

On Thursday, Israeli attacks killed at least 62 Palestinians, including 19 people who were trying to collect desperately-needed aid. According to reports, the hunger crisis is now claiming lives faster than humanitarian aid can reach those in need.

Meanwhile, dissent is growing within Israel itself. In Tel Aviv, dozens of Israeli teenagers publicly burned their draft orders, refusing to serve in the military as a protest against the war on Gaza. 

Their act of defiance highlights increasing internal opposition to the ongoing assault.

One of Pakistan’s biggest reality shows, Tamasha, is set to return with its fourth season, bringing back all the drama and thrill on August 10, 2025.

This season will feature a mix of talent from the entertainment world, including actors, models, fitness experts, and social media stars. 

So far, the confirmed contestants are actors Fazal Hussain, Sarah Omair, and Omi Butt, model Maham Mirza, fitness trainer Maddy, and influencer Owais Riaz. More names will be revealed soon.

All contestants will move into the Tamasha house on August 7.

Adding to the excitement was the post shared by the show’s host, veteran actor Adnan Siddiqui, on Instagram.

In the photo, Adnan is seen sitting on a hay bale, wearing a black cowboy hat, red bandana, denim shirt, and leather shoes. Next to him is a wooden stand with signs that say ‘Jail,’ ‘Bank,’ ‘Saloon,’ and ‘Outhouse’, giving strong Wild West vibes.

The post was captioned: “Leather’s worn, soul’s seasoned; still got a few surprises under this hat. Wanna take a wild guess?”

Model Saheefa Jabbar Khattak has spoken out about the harsh realities of Pakistan’s drama industry in an Instagram post.

From unfair working conditions to meaningless storylines, she revealed what really goes on behind the scenes in a detailed carousel post. Saheefa criticised drama makers for prioritising glamour over real issues.

She wrote, “I always had work, more than enough, actually. But I didn’t say yes to everything. There were projects I simply didn’t believe in.”

Out of all her projects, she said she only chose to work in two dramas, Beti and Bhool, because they conveyed real messages.

She added, “It’s rare that a drama is taken seriously during production. Most scripts aren’t treated with the depth they deserve… As long as we’re making dramas just to sell, we will keep losing our purpose, our integrity and the real stories that need to be told.”

She also questioned the over-the-top styling of characters, saying, “Hire professional stylists and artists who actually understand how to dress a character according to the story, class and culture. We need realism, not fantasy.”

She urged drama creators to focus on important topics and stories rooted in real-life issues.

“Why not turn to documentaries? We have endless stories around us, just take a walk outside Data Darbar and see the heroin addicts no one talks about, or the child abuse ring in Kasur. These are the stories we need to show, stories that wake us up instead of numbing us,” she wrote.

She also called out the poor treatment of actors on set, including delayed payments, long working hours, and lack of proper facilities.

“Let’s talk about how production houses delay payments for months… There is no structure, no contracts that are honoured, no sense of responsibility,” she wrote.

She revealed, “There are sets where we don’t have clean bathrooms… Most of the time, there’s one shared room for the entire cast, where everyone is eating, changing, doing makeup, trying to sleep, all in one place, with no consideration for gender or personal space.”

Saheefa also criticised the toxic culture on sets.

She wrote, “If you show up on time, stay in your zone, and focus on your work, you’re ‘difficult’. But if you throw tantrums, come late, act like a diva, you’re seen as ‘worth it’.”

Saheefa concluded her post with a question: “Why aren’t we talking about what matters?”

Her honest words come at a time when several Pakistani actors, including Marina Khan, Syed Mohammed Ahmed, Alizeh Shah, Ramsha Khan, and Khushhal Khan, have also spoken out about industry issues such as delayed payments and a lack of professionalism.

Famous TikToker Rabeeca Khan has hit back at critics after her Umrah photos and videos went viral, advising them to “think ten times before speaking against anyone.”

Rabeeca is currently in Saudi Arabia with her husband, Hussain Tareen, to perform Umrah. She shared photos and videos from their spiritual journey on social media.

In some clips, Rabeeca and Hussain were seen taking selfies and recording videos while performing Umrah. These visuals sparked criticism online, with many accusing the couple of being disrespectful.

In response to the backlash, Rabeeca addressed the controversy in a short video posted to her Instagram Stories.

She said, “Hussain and I have performed Umrah three times, and all our affairs are going well.”

She continued, “Those who criticise our videos and photos should think about what they’re saying before speaking.”

She further stated, “People who leave comments should reflect on where they are standing and what they are doing before judging others.”

She also made it clear that she does not retaliate against those who speak ill of her, adding, “I’ve left everything to God. But those who speak against someone should think ten times before doing so, because they don’t know the other person’s intentions.”

This is not the first time Rabeeca Khan has faced online backlash. Earlier, her extravagant wedding with Hussain Tareen also drew criticism, especially after her father, comedian Kashif Khan, claimed it would outshine the Ambani wedding. The comment went viral and sparked a wave of sarcastic reactions online.