A video by Indian composer Mayur Jumani is going viral on social media after he claimed that there are a lot of similarities between the newly released song ‘Mast Aankhen’ by Jubin Nautiyal and ‘Eye-to-Eye’ by Pakistani singer Tahir Shah.
The composer uploaded a video on Instagram where he said: “I just heard this new song called ‘Mast Aankhen’ on T-series and this is how Jubin Nautiyal looks in the video. Am I the only one who thinks that the song is inspired from..”
Nautiyal also shared that both Nautiyal and Shah had the same look in the video.
T-series has been criticized by Pakistani singers in the past for copying songs without providing credit to the original artists. Musician Farasat Anees wrote an open post to the Indian organization, calling them a ‘disgrace’ for stealing his song ‘Biba’.
“What a disgrace @tseries.official stealing out work because it has been trending in the world.
Me & my brothers @toshaayy@slicktrickk worked day & night to bring this song where it is. PLEASE HAVE SOME SHAME & stop ruining every good song from
The love & respect indians showed to our version of Biba was massive. We will always be greatful for that. Also Supporting us on the comment section of this cheap copy of BIBA. Will always be thankful to listeners across the border! ♥️
Even if you wanted to reproduce the song, you should have done with original stuff. Clearly stole chords, intro, arrangements of our version. CLEAR THEFT!
Really hoping someone responsible take action from @tseries.official & I request all of our fans, friends & family to share this.”
Ranbir Kapoor opened up about the emotions he experienced while watching his late father, Rishi Kapoor, on the Netflix documentary ‘The Romantics’.
Kapoor passed away in 2020 at the age of 67 from leukemia.
At a press conference ahead of his upcoming movie ‘Tu Jhooti Mein Makaar’, the Indian Express reports that the actor revealed he missed his father everyday and had gotten incredibly emotional about the experience of losing one parent, and how it has shaped his relationship with his daughter:
“I miss him a lot. I miss him every day. Especially now, I have seen The Romantics and hearing him talk I felt really emotional. I remember that day when he was shooting for the show – the next day, he was admitted to the hospital and we lost him in a month’s time. Losing a parent is a very big deal in anyone’s life. I think of him every day. I am also blessed with a daughter. I feel like somewhere he would have been very happy for this moment in my life. He is with me every day. My phone’s wallpaper still has him.”
The ‘Tamasha’ actor had previously talked about his experience of parenting with his wife Alia Bhatt, and revealed that currently his wife and child were in Kashmir and he was missing them both:
“Naturally your heart, body and mind wants to do everything for your child. Unfortunately, Alia is shooting in Kashmir and has taken Raha away with her. I’m terribly missing them both. They are going to be back (in Mumbai) after another five days. So, I am looking forward to that. Alia and me, both being actors, and both being busy at work, we will have to divide our priorities to balance it out.”
Veteran actress and politician Jaya Bachchan wouldn’t consider celebrity photographers to be her best friends, as in the past few years she has had a few altercations with them when they tried to approach her at events. However, lag raha tha bahaar agayi when Bachchan pleasantly posed for photos with two other women and cheekily remarked, “dekha mein kitna smile karti hoon.”
Pakistani singer Farasat Anees took to Instagram to call out Bollywood production company T-series for plagiarising his song ‘Biba’ for the soundtrack of an upcoming movie. The song ‘Biba’ was originally written for the Pakistani Oscar-shortlisted film ‘Joyland’. Anees also spoke to the Indian magazine The Print, where he revealed that the music corporation had not reached out to him for using his song: A billion-dollar company like T-Series should be professional in its approach. They (the music directors) could have at least reached out to me or perhaps mailed me once before putting out the song. There was no communication from their end. Perhaps there could have been a counter-quote, and we could have made something together.” Anees also said that he felt weird when he heard T-series’ ‘Biba’ and said the organization is known for plagiarising Pakistani songs: “This is not the first time they have done something like this. They’ve earlier done this with Abrar’s song. If nothing else, this only motivates me that such a big label has copied my song and that makes me want to do better work further,” he said. In his post, Anees shared clips of both songs to point out their similarity, and called the organization a ‘disgrace’.
“What a disgrace @tseries.official stealing out work because it has been trending in the world.
Me & my brothers @toshaayy@slicktrickk worked day & night to bring this song where it is. PLEASE HAVE SOME SHAME & stop ruining every good song from
The love & respect indians showed to our version of Biba was massive. We will always be greatful for that. Also Supporting us on the comment section of this cheap copy of BIBA. Will always be thankful to listeners across the border! ♥️
Even if you wanted to reproduce the song, you should have done with original stuff. Clearly stole chords, intro, arrangements of our version. CLEAR THEFT!
Really hoping someone responsible take action from @tseries.official & I request all of our fans, friends & family to share this.”
Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has addressed backlash from Indian fans after he was called ‘unpatriotic’ for saying that he would love to work with Pakistani actors, and that art has no boundaries. The incident took place last year at the Red Sea International Festival as shown by Diva Pakistan.
The Indian Express reports that the ‘Tamasha’ actor addressed the controversy while at a promotion event for his upcoming film ‘Tu Jhooti Mein Makkar’ where he said: I think my statement was misconstrued. I had gone to a film festival and there were a lot of Pakistani filmmakers asking me this question, ‘If you’ve got a good subject would you do it?’ So, I didn’t want it to be controversial in any way.’ Furthermore, Kapoor said he had previously worked with Pakistani actors like Fawad Khan and didn’t think that art should have any boundaries: I don’t think it was such a big controversy. But, for me, films are films, art is art. I have worked with Fawad (Khan) in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. I have known a lot of artists from Pakistan. Rahat (Fateh Ali Khan) and Atif Aslam are such great singers who used to contribute to Hindi cinema. So, cinema is cinema. I don’t think cinema sees boundaries.”
Sajal Aly has only praise for Bollywood superstar the late legendary Bollywood actress Sridevi, her costar in the Indian film ‘Mom’.
Aly talked about her relationship with the superstar on BBC Asian Network show and her experience of working with her on the film. “First of all the experience was unbelievable for me that I’m sitting right in front of her, acting and giving dialogues, all that. And it’s just like looking at her you would forget everything. But I think the mark of a good actor is that they also need to be a good person. We are sometimes intimidated by actors in front of us, and also realize that this person is scared while standing next to us. But if you know, then the first thing a good person and a good actor would do is make the other person comfortable. She was that kind of actor. She had a lot of empathy and kindness towards me. For instance, I had that one scene where I was wearing this red dress and when I got ready she was like ‘Oh! You should curl your hair more!’ She was acting like a mother to me, although she was just a co-star. But the fact that she cared about how I’m looking and how I could look better, that is something that stole my heart.”
The host Haroon Rashid reminded her of what Aly said once about not being able to open up to people easily, but finds it easier to act in front of the camera. He recalled his interview with Sridevi at her home in Mumbai, and told Aly that the ‘Chandni’ actor had said “the exact same thing, ‘I don’t know how but when I’m in front of the camera,and the camera is my friend and I open up.’”
Aly said she felt the same way because the camera acts as a mirror in front of which you can be any character, and everything else just blurs.
Rashid, also recounted asking Sridevi about ‘Mom’ after the interview, which had not being released at that point. To which the late actress had only said ‘It is Sajal you need to look out for.’
Aly had expressed feeling extremely flattered and scared because she feels the pressure of proving she is a better actor
“I didn’t know she said that about me, but of course in some interviews she praised my acting a lot. These kind of compliments, I get scared because I feel the pressure. I never talk about her a lot and the relationship we had, it’s something I can’t explain. Because it was really real. Because when we think of showbiz, its a glamorous and refined. But to find a genuine connection within this place is incredibly hard. But for me its been very easy. It’s the only reason why I say that I’ve been very lucky.”
Aly also opened up about her friendship with Sri Devi’s daughter, Jhanvi Kapoor, and how the two developed a closer bond after both of their mothers passed away. “We met after six years[in Dubai], when my mother had passed away as well as hers. Probably because of our mothers as well we got a lot more closer. So I connect with her and she connects with me. We used to keep in touch but then she started her career and she’s busy with that.”
Aly also addressed being cast the main lead for the upcoming adaptation of ‘Umrao Jaan’, revealing that she was already learning kathak lessons.
The ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ actor said that this project was handed to her as a surprise:
‘My agents Hammad and Yaqoub came to my house as a surprise and said ‘You know how once we were talking about the project ‘Umrao Jaan?’ I said okay, hmm. Then they said ‘You’re doing it! We’re not asking you if you’ll do it, we’re telling you!’
Bollywood actress and model Sonam Bajwa held a Q&A session with fans on Twitter and announced that she will definitely come to visit Pakistan this year.
“I will definitely come this year,” she responded to a fan’s request to visit Pakistan.
Previously, Bajwa had expressed her love for Pakistani actor Mahira Khan on a Twitter post. When a twitter user had asked her to comment on the trolls coming after Mahira Khan for looking similar to her, Bajwa responded: “I love love and love Mahira Khan.”
Bajwa had also previously revealed that she had a crush on singer and actor Fawad Khan. In a conversation with Connect FM Canada, Bajwa revealed that if Khan was not married, she would have dated him.
“I don’t eye on married men. It’s Fawad Khan, so if he wasn’t wed, I’d make my move.”
Indian poet Javed Akhtar’s comments about Mumbai attacks at the recent Faiz Festival circulated heavily on social media. Akhtar attacked Pakistan for refusing to hold accountable the terrorists behind 26/11 attacks. He also said that India had always honored and celebrated the legacies of Pakistani musicians like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mehdi Hassan, but Pakistan refused to do the same thing.
Pakistani actors have slammed the Indian screen writer for his inappropriate comments and especially for misleading the audience into believing that Indian actors and musicians were not respected in Pakistan. Actor Ejaz Aslam criticized Akhtar for refusing to own up to the destruction India had done in Kashmir, instead of hating on the country that had invited him as a guest.
“Mr javed akhtar would you mind shedding some light on Kashmir issue ? You shouldn’t have come if you have so much hatred for pakistan, we still let u go back safely & thats our answer to your nonsense”
Mr javed akhtar would you mind shedding some light on Kashmir issue ? You shouldn’t have come if you have so much hatred for pakistan, we still let u go back safely & thats our answer to your nonsense #javedakhtar#goback#nonsense # pic.twitter.com/b7DCIdnH1o
Actress Saboor Aly reacted to the celebrities who were praising Javed Akhtar at the mehfil, and said she was ashamed that they refused to set professional boundaries towards someone who had disrespected them in this manner. She also felt that it was shameful how many local celebrities who are equally as talented are not given the honor and respect Akhtar was given for three days.
“These people were celebrating someone who had insulted them in their own home, and then sat at his feet and singing praises. What a shame! So-called educated people. You have never respected your own talent the same way. Some of the biggest stars in this country had passed away in severe circumstances when they didn’t even have any money to pay for their operation. Where were these people then who respected talent so much?”
Fashion designer Zara Shahjahan criticized the elite participants who had attended the conference where Javed Akhtar had said this, and also later had hosted a mehfil for him.
“He was not just allowed to come to Pakistan, he was allowed to shit on Pakistan and then the Lahori “fake” elite hosted a party for him where they cried on his knees.”
He was not just allowed to come to Pakistan, he was allowed to shit on Pakistan and then the Lahori “fake” elite hosted a party for him where they cried on his knees. 🤮 https://t.co/jUgDFVUtdP
Actress Resham, who had also shared video clips of attending the mehfil hosted by Ali Zafar where Akhtar was honored, gave her defence on her Instagram stories. She shared that she deeply respected her country and its people, and was not aware of the comments he had made.
“I hold my country Pakistan in deep respect, and was not aware of the type of comments Javed Akhtar had made at the conference on the Faiz Festival that day. I condemn his words. As per our customs of special treatment, we consider guests God’s mercy but Pakistan is more precious to us than our hearts and lives.”
There is a poignant moment in the documentary ‘The Romantics’ where filmmaker Aditya Chopra reflects back on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks that shook the entire country. At the time, his production company had been gearing up for the release of his upcoming romantic comedy film ‘Rab Ne Banadi Jodi’. Many of his colleagues had urged him to push forward the dates to prevent an uproar. Chopra said in the documentary that he knew that more than ever, that was the time people needed a reminder of joy and happiness in their lives, so he decided to stick with the original date. When the film released in cinemas across India, it became a hit.
Currently in the state ‘Bannistan’ is in, with our economy struggling, inflation rising and more women finding it difficult to access public spaces without the fear of sexual assault or harassment, we have now developed an allergy to joy. Anything that prompts laughter or makes people happy. Solution: ban it. We ban our films, we call for festivals to be stopped because of fears like “western sazish” or “anti-Islamic” and then we wonder why our upcoming generation has no creative skills or any motivation to find work.
Art is not just a prop to promote state policies, but a way to encourage members of society to find joy and reflect on the way they are living their life. We need art because it encourages us to express our inner selves and also because it is a powerful way to spread messages on social issues to the masses. Perhaps this is why art terrifies our public officials so much, and why it is censored more than any other industry in this country. We label the art we don’t like as ‘immoral’ because it is the only medium that can reflect the tabooed topics we are so afraid to speak about. Consider dramas in the past like “Dil Na Umeed to Nahi” which got several notices from PEMRA because it discussed the issue of child sex trafficking, and the difficulties survivors face in rehabilitating themselves. Another notice was sent to ban hugs or caressing, because God forbid any marriage is seen as being happy or affectionate. But we refuse to think about the numerous domestic violence and abuse scenes we watch on our screens every day.
A few days ago, a video began trending online featuring Bollywood day at LUMS, where students showed up dressed as their favorite characters from movies and dramas. But in response, social media users began criticizing the university for promoting vulgarity, and called the participants “kanjarkhana”
Slur words are labels that we put on people who do not conform to the idea that it is shameful to seek celebration and joy in our lives, and words like these can be traced to our colonial roots. The British had demoralized the kunjar community in the sub-continent, a nomadic community of folk entertainers. As Jasir Shahbaz writes for Samaa, under the British rule, the kanjar community had been socially outcasted and under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, they were listed as “addicted to the systematic commission of non-bailable offences.”
These terms are thriving under the ongoing reign of Bannistan: shame anyone who works in entertainment as a ‘kanjari’. We criticize female actors for performing on screens, deem women who seek their independence or protest for equal rights as loose and immoral, when in reality anything that challenges our misogynist and regressive mindset is improving our lives.
In defense of the students who celebrated the end of their University days and any other woman out there trying to live her life, kanjari is an empowering term because it means we’re celebrating life. In times of repression and censorship, celebrating art can be the greatest form of living because it allows us to represent ourselves on screen. And gives space to every individual in society, regardless of caste or background. So instead of shaming these children for celebrating Bollywood day or just protesting in the streets, hold back your thoughts and just go about your own day if you’re not interested in what they have to say. Because now more than ever, we need joy in our lives. We need a reason to keep moving and find solace in the countless stories we see in films or read.
Javed Akhtar and the Indian media are congratulating themselves for “dushman kay ghar mein ja kar usko marna” after his comments criticizing Pakistan for not taking strict action against the terrorists responsible for 26/11 Mumbai attacks went viral. In an interview with NDTV channel, Akhtar claimed that Pakistanis had clapped when he had made the remark, and agreed with him. “They all clapped. They agreed with me. There are many people who admire India, want to have a relationship with us. We tend to think of countries as monolith. That is not the case. How do we connect with millions of people, who want to connect with India,” he stated.
However, the statement is incorrect as according to the complete video of Javed Akhtar’s response to a question from an audience member, there was complete silence during his Mumbai comments.
Only after the host, Adeel Hashmi, asked another question can scattered applause be heard, signaling that the audience was applauding the end of a guest’s response to a question and not a specific comment like they had done before after Akhtar’s comment on Lata.
The audience did appreciate another comment by the Indian poet. Javed Akhtar had said that Indian musicians were not celebrated in Pakistan: “We [India] have held concerts for people like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mehdi Hassan, but your country has not held a concert for Lata.” This statement is also incorrect as Indian musicians and actors have been honored with some of the highest awards given by the Pakistani government and especially have been invited to talks in Pakistani cities. Journalist Yusra Askari shared pictures of the Bollywood actors and singers who had received accolades in Pakistan.
We might not have had the privilege of hosting the genius of Lata ji but talent from across the border has always been lauded, appreciated and celebrated on our shores.
