Current Final

Category: Entertainment

  • PM Imran urges TV writers’ to promote family values, national identity through dramas

    PM Imran urges TV writers’ to promote family values, national identity through dramas

    Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a video meeting with renowned writers across the country, urged them to promote family values and national identity through their writings and dramas. Writers who were part of the meeting included Hasina Moin, Amjad Islam Amjad, Bee Gul, Fasih Bari Khan, Zafar Meraj, Zanzbeel Asim Shah, Amna Mufti, Saima Ikram Chaudhry and Jahanzeb Qamar.

    According to APP, the prime minister assured the government’s support for the promotion of national culture and identity. In the meeting, PM Khan discussed the importance of highlighting national culture and identity and said that the education and training of the youth had been jeopardized by modern communication tools, internet, easy access to objectionable content and onslaught of alien culture and traditions.

    The PM asserted that foreign content – such a Bollywood – is putting our history, culture and social values in danger and reducing the youth’s knowledge about Islamic personalities, sagas and national history.

    PM Imran also said that the government was aiming to revamp and digitalise Pakistan Television (PTV) and revive its previous glory.

    Fasih Bari Khan, and other writers present on the occasion, speaking to a private media outlet, said that PM Khan had highlighted that the whole society was in a state of moral decay and that the country was leading in child pornography. PM Khan attributed rising divorce rates to the moral degradation of society and the influence of Western cultures. He expressed his distress at the rising divorce cases in society and spoke at length on the topic. He urged playwrights to help the new generation in moral training and character building.

    Read more – PM Khan calls out Bollywood for spreading vulgarity

    PM Khan also expressed his desire for an Ertuğrul -type drama to be produced in Pakistan.

    Meanwhile, when Bee Gul disagreed with PM Khan’s point of view and said that while divorce should be discouraged, it should not be stigmatised as it puts stress on the woman, her mic was switched off and PM Khan said that divorce has a negative effect on children and the family structure.

    The writers hoped that this meeting would bear fruit and would bring positive changes, because more often than not, they are pressurised into writing a certain type of story by private channels.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Lt Gen (Retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa were also part of the meeting.

  • Hamza Ali Abbasi says he is the ‘happiest’ he has ever been

    Despite stepping away from the public eye to focus on his spiritual journey, Hamza Ali Abbasi continues to attract attention from his countless fans from across the world.

    In a recent Twitter interaction, when a follower asked Hamza if he doing good, the actor responded, “I am the happiest I have ever been Alhamdulillah.”

    In a follow-up tweet, Hamza said:

    While Hamza has mainly been using his platform to impart religious knowledge, his wife Naimal Khawar has been sharing snippets of their life in America. The couple has reported set up base in Texas, where Hamza is studying at the Ghamidi Center of Islamic Learning.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_hbSsjM6_/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VjW-3DcoB/

    Meanwhile, Hamza also requested those who he may have hurt by his words or actions to forgive him.

    Read more – Hamza Ali Abbasi says he now ‘trembles’ before saying something publicly

    Late last year, Hamza had announced that he was quitting acting to focus on his spiritual journey.

    “I had this divine revelation some time back, that all that I am doing in this world will end the moment I die,” Hamza said in a video message, adding that death is inevitable.

    “All these trophies, all these accolades will not bring me any good on the day of judgment when I meet my Maker. I have decided that I want to leave everything that might be a hurdle when it comes to making my matters easier on the day of Judgment.”

    Though Hamza will be quitting acting, he shared that he will still continue to make videos and use his voice and popularity to spread the message of Islam and inspire others to undertake this spiritual journey.

  • ‘I’m fine’: Alamgir shuts down death rumours

    ‘I’m fine’: Alamgir shuts down death rumours

    Renowned pop singer Alamgir has shut down rumours and reports of his death and clarified that he is doing fine in Karachi.

    Alamgir’s clarification comes after rumours started circulating on social media that the singer has passed away due to COVID-19.

    Read more – Pakistan mourns as Tariq Aziz passes away

    Veteran actor Bushra Ansari also shared a video of herself talking to Alamgir to clear the air and elucidate that he is still alive.

    Talking to Alamgir, Ansari jokes, “You are 100-years-old and have not passed away. You have survived till now so you don’t have any right to die.”

    In response, Alamgir laughs and says: “I will not die before 200.”

    “I was so scared [when I heard the rumour]. Mujhe aadat hogayi hai teri. I have told everyone to stop spreading such nonsensical stuff,” continued Bushra, adding, “We’re already receiving such bad news and I would never want to hear something like this. You are so brave and fighting against your illness for so long. I love you. Stay safe.”

    For the unacquainted, Alamgir inherited the polycystic kidney disease (PKD) from his mother.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CBn6XKup26F/

    Alamgir Haq is one of Pakistan’s most notable singers and one of the pioneers of pop music in Pakistan. He is popularly known as ‘Babae Pop‘ which translates to ‘King of Pop’. His style of singing is inspired by playback singer Ahmed Rushdi and Elvis Presley. Alamgir received the Pride of Performance Award in 2013 by the President of Pakistan.

  • Hadiqa Kiani pays a rich tribute to Ertuğrul with a song in Turkish

    Hadiqa Kiani pays a rich tribute to Ertuğrul with a song in Turkish

    Turkish historical series Diriliş: Ertuğrul continues to create waves in Pakistan, with fans tuning in to the watch the show in Urdu on PTV regularly.

    Pakistan’s renowned singer and musician Hadiqa Kiani paid a rich tribute to the series and the people of Turkey by “remastering Turkish song Sen Ağlama“. Kiani had earlier sung it at the AKM Opera House in 2005. The Atatürk Cultural Center (Atatürk Kültür Merkezi in Turkish), better known as AKM, is a cultural centre in Istanbul.

    In a statement, the singer’s team said: “The love between Turkey and Pakistan is unlike the love of any other country. Hadiqa Kiani’s maternal ancestors are from İzmir, Turkey and she has had an affinity for the country since her childhood.”

    “As a child prodigy, Kiani represented Pakistan in the International Children’s Festival in Turkey and as an adult in 2005 she returned to the great country to once again represent Pakistan at the iconic Atatürk Cultural Center and Opera House,” it added. “The biggest surprise for the audience was said to be when Kiani sang Sen Ağlama (Turkish song of Living Legend Sezen Aksu) to a standing ovation from the audience. She told the audience that as Turkey stood beside Pakistan in good and bad times, she wanted to convey the love of Pakistani people for the Turks.”

    VIDEO: ‘Ertuğrul’ star Engin Altan sings ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’

    The statement further read: “Now in 2020, a new milestone in the relationship between Pakistan and Turkey was cemented by the mammoth success of Ertuğrul in Pakistan and we thought of no better time to pay a public tribute to the people of Turkey by officially releasing Hadiqa’s original performance of Sen Ağlama.”

    “This is the first time a Pakistani singer has sung in the Turkish language but it won’t be the last. The friendship between the two countries will continue to shine through music, art and love,” the statement concluded.

    Kiani’s gesture was positively received, especially by the Turkish people.

    https://twitter.com/meldadoan/status/1273953665485877251?s=20
  • Sanam Jung hits back at troll who says a woman’s first job is to cook

    Sanam Jung hits back at troll who says a woman’s first job is to cook

    Our celebrities are getting pretty good at hitting back at trolls.

    Read more – Mehwish Hayat has the perfect response to a misogynist troll

    Popular talk show host and actor Sanam Jung recently hit back at a troll, who commented that Sanam’s mother did not raise her well as she does not know how to cook. Sanam had recently shared a new video of herself with her Mom in the kitchen.

    In response, to the social media user’s comment, Sanam remarked that not knowing how to cook doesn’t mean the end of the world and that there are bigger things in life for girls to learn. Sanam also requested the user to stop with “unnecessary criticism”.

    Read more – After intense trolling, Mahira Khan temporarily deactivates Twitter account

    Pakistani celebrities, especially female actors, have long been the target of social media trolls. From their dressing to the way they talk, they have been at the receiving end of endless criticism.

  • ‘Chhalawa’ director Wajahat Rauf reveals he had COVID-19 for a whole month

    ‘Chhalawa’ director Wajahat Rauf reveals he had COVID-19 for a whole month

    Chhalawa and Karachi Se Lahore director Wajahat Rauf has revealed that he had COVID-19 for 31 days.

    In an Instagram post, Rauf said “Corona fell in love with me for 31 days and just wouldn’t let go. It was probably the longest one-sided affair I’ve had in my life. But she didn’t love me all the way hence I had mild symptoms only.”

    The director said that he isolated himself for the whole time and “didn’t tell anyone as haven’t met anyone in 45 days and didn’t want the attention for the wrong reasons. But I’m cool with seeking attention now.”

    Rauf also thanked those who helped him in this testing time, namely his wife Shazia Wajahat and their sons.

    “A big thank you to Shazia Wajahat for taking such good care of me, my sons for keeping me entertained from a distance and immediate family for their prayers.”

    Summing up his experience, Rauf said: “The only real advice I can give you is, don’t panic! I know it sounds a lot worse when the PM says it.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CBjNy8KDx9t/?utm_source=ig_embed

    When a follower asked him what remedies he followed to recover, Rauf shared that he took cinammon, laung, doodh haldi and all necessary vitamins.

    Besides Rauf, Vasay Chaudhry and Nida Yasir, who had also tested positive for the virus, have also recovered from the illness.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CBc07Okp_ew/

    Rauf had been shooting his upcoming film Parde Main Rehnay Do with Ali Rehman Khan and Hania Aamir when the coronavirus situation in Pakistan took a turn for the worse and a lockdown was imposed in the country. Consequently, the shooting of the film was postponed.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9T8faEjPtl/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/B97QPnSn4BO/

  • HSY shares how Lady Diana inspired him

    Princess of Wales Lady Diana was loved by millions across the world. She touched hearts wherever she went and inspired an entire generation.

    Renowned fashion designer, Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY) recently shared how the late princess inspired him. Sharing a picture of himself with Prince William and Kate Middleton from their recent visit to Pakistan, HSY wrote, “Life is unpredictable and magical. Let me take you back.”

    Throwing it back to the day of Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s wedding, HSY said “I was a little boy who she [his mother] took along with her to stand way back in line to get a glimpse of the procession. She held me up on her shoulders the entire time so I could see beyond the sea of people in front of us. I was lucky to catch a glimpse of the Royal Carriage with the beautiful Queen of Hearts waving to the jubilant crowd as it passed us by.”

    “It was a magical moment. I was captivated. I would think about her and her regal posture, that stunning gown and her elegance and kindness for decades to come,” he said further. “She inspired me like she inspired countless others.”

    Read more – What did Mehwish Hayat & Prince William talk about and other inside details from the grand royal reception

    Coming back to the present day, HSY shared how honoured he was to have met the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

    “I was celebrating my 25 years in fashion, it felt like I had come full circle,” said the designer while talking about his meeting with the royal couple. “This recognition of being invited from a handful from Pakistan to be introduced to them for your contributions in your field. I was overcome with gratitude. The son and daughter-in-law of the very same person who sparked my desire to be who I am were standing right in front of me and acknowledging my work,” he added.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CBiIK8phuh6/

    Meanwhile, HSY is gearing up for his official film debut. The designer will be making an appearance in Muhib Mirza’s Ishrat Made in China with a role that has been specially written for him. According to reports, the film is an action flick which revolves around gang rivalries and that HSY will be playing a negative role in it.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CA5ZCUvBR5K/
  • Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide elicits three deaths

    Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide elicits three deaths

    The untimely and tragic death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput has elicited three more deaths, including two suicides. According to reports, Sushant’s sister-in-law passed away from shock when she heard of his death, while two young fans committed suicide.

    Sushant’s sister-in-law, Sudha Devi, the wife of his cousin, couldn’t bear the loss and breathed her last in Purnea district of Bihar while the actor’s last rites were being performed on Monday, in Mumbai, reported the Times of India.

    A liver cancer patient, Sudha had reportedly stopped eating when she was informed about Rajput’s death by suicide. Family sources revealed that she kept weeping and recalling Sushant’s visit to his ancestral home last year.

    “Sushant’s untimely demise virtually shook her from within. She could not bear the loss,” said a family member.

    Meanwhile, a young fan of Sushant, who was suffering from depression, committed suicide a day after the actor’s death. According to reports, the 17-year-old girl allegedly hanged herself at her home in Patna after continuously watching the news of the actor’s suicide on TV.

    The victim’s mother told the police that her daughter was in depression because she was not performing well in her examinations. She had been watching and reading about the actor’s suicide and death on TV and social media, despite her mother’s warnings and insistence to not watch it.

    When her mother went to the terrace for a stroll, the girl hanged herself inside the bedroom.

    “She tied her mother’s sari to the ceiling fan to commit suicide,” said a police officer, adding that though her mother and neighbours rushed her to the hospital, she was declared dead upon arrival.

    Similarly, another fan of the actor committed suicide after he learnt of his demise.

    Did not know of son’s depression, says Sushant’s father

    While reports have stated that the Sushant was suffering from depression and was on medication, his father K K Singh told the police that his son would often feel “low” but he did not know that he was suffering from the illness.

    A senior Mumbai Police official revealed that “the family informed us that they do not know why Sushant was depressed and also did not mention if they had any suspicion on anyone.”

    The police are investigating Sushant’s suicide to ascertain what might have driven the young actor to end his life.

  • Pakistan mourns as Tariq Aziz passes away

    Pakistan mourns as Tariq Aziz passes away

    The passing of Pakistan’s renowned TV/radio host, film actor and politician Tariq Aziz has left an irreplaceable void in the country and Pakistanis, including Prime Minister Imran Khan, mourned his death and remembered him and his work.

    According to Radio Pakistan, Aziz passed away due to cardiac arrest in Lahore on Wednesday. He was 84. ARY reported that the veteran host did not have any underlying ailments or conditions. He had been isolating at home ever since the coronavirus outbreak. Quoting his wife, the reporter said that a while before his death Aziz said he felt cold and put his head on his wife’s shoulder for some relief. He passed away soon after.

    Read more – Legendary Pakistani actress Sabiha Khanum passes away at 85

    In a condolence message, the Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Aziz was “an icon in his time and a pioneer of our TV game shows”.

    President Arif Alvi said that “a chapter closes with the sad demise of Tariq Aziz”.

    Meanwhile, from celebrities and politicians to sportsmen and journalists, everyone fondly remembered the legend and his iconic presence on the screen.

    https://twitter.com/RFAKWorld/status/1273186450826280960?s=20
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CBh4hApDDZr/
    https://twitter.com/ushnashah/status/1273178220725141504?s=20

    Born in 1936 in Jalandhar, Aziz began his professional career from Radio Pakistan Lahore and was one of the most recognisable voices on the radio. Later, he joined PTV, where he not only became the state-owned television’s first announcer, he also became popular for his work on PTV’s Quiz Show Neelam Ghar, first aired in 1974. The show was later renamed the Tariq Aziz Show and also known as Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz.

    Aziz’s unique hosting skills on Neelam Ghar made him a household name in Pakistan over the past four decades in the country.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CBh5kIDhdoV/

    Other than that, Aziz was also a poet and a film actor – he was part of several films over the course of his career. He also featured in the super hit musical Salgira (1969), which went on to win two Nigar Awards that year.

    Aziz was also a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan between 1997 and 1999.

    He was awarded Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 1992 for his services to the nation.

    May his soul rest in peace.

  • Sushant Singh Rajput’s death exposes the toxic side of Bollywood

    Sushant Singh Rajput’s death exposes the toxic side of Bollywood

    Indian police will probe whether the Bollywood actor who committed suicide the past weekend was depressed in part due to “professional rivalry,” in a film industry that is dominated by big names and has been accused of being insular, Reuters has reported.

    34-year-old Sushant Singh Rajput, who won acclaim and fans for his roles in several top-draw films, hailed from a middle-class family with no Bollywood connections – a relative rarity in the industry.

    He was found dead at his residence in Mumbai on Sunday.

    “There are media reports that he allegedly suffered from clinical depression because of professional rivalry. Mumbai Police will probe this angle too,” the home (interior) minister in Maharashtra, which includes the film capital Mumbai, tweeted late on Monday.

    Several of Rajput’s friends in the industry have written about his struggles to break through, while social media and some cultural commentators have criticised the allegedly closed culture in Bollywood, where some families have dominated for up to four generations.

    Rajput’s family has not commented so far.

    At least half a dozen accounts by Rajput’s industry colleagues suggested Bollywood’s clique-drive culture ostracised him, although none provided concrete details and it was not immediately clear who specifically they were talking about. However, hours after the actor’s death, the actor’s fans pointed fingers at Alia Bhatt and Karan Johar for driving him into depression.

    “I knew the pain you were going through. I knew the story of the people who let you down so bad that you used to weep on my shoulder,” Shekhar Kapur, who was supposed to direct Rajput in a film that was eventually shelved, wrote in a tweet on Monday.

    Legendary actor Dharmendra, while expressing his condolences said: “This beautiful beloved ‘show business’ is very cruel.”

    Raveena Tandon also voiced similar views.

    Meanwhile, actress Swara Bhasker called accusations against Bollywood personalities “the height of idiocy.”

    Sonam Kapoor also had a similar stance.

    Veteran actor Saif Ali Khan too, became part of the conversation as he showed distaste towards the hypocrisy the film industry is indulging in, soon after Singh’s demise.

    “Out of respect for him, for Sushant’s tragedy, maybe a day of silence or introspection would be a little more becoming than this outpouring of love – an outpouring of love from people who obviously didn’t care about him and people who famously don’t care about anybody else,” he stated.

    “We don’t care about anybody. You know, it’s a very cutthroat line of work. But to pretend that you do care is like the ultimate hypocrisy and I think that’s an insult to the dead, you know, it’s an insult to the soul that’s gone.”

    He went on to say, “Nobody really cares in this town. So to pretend they really care is, you know, it’s a little much for me, it’s a little much to digest. They’re really coming across as the most ‘feeling’ people because they want their fans to think that they’re the most, feeling people – but that’s just untrue! Just for Sushant’s memory, there should be some dignity. If nothing else, you should just create some silence. I don’t think this is the time to comment.”