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Tag: Iqra Aziz

  • Shocking facts about Iqra Aziz that you didn’t know

    Shocking facts about Iqra Aziz that you didn’t know

    Our very own Chanda from Suno Chanda, Iqra Aziz is one of the most versatile actresses among the new generation. She has worked on numerous drama projects until now and almost all of them have been super hits. She knows how to own the character and play it the way it should be.

    She has been nominated for several awards and has already won seven. She is currently nominated in the Best Actress category at the Lux Style Awards 2020 for Ranjha Ranjha Kardi.

    If you are a die-hard Iqra fan, or just like her for who she is, here are some less known facts about her that make her all the more appealing.

    Iqra’s Debut Performance

    Iqra started her career with modeling and commercials. She still does commercials but her priority is dramas.

    Iqra made her debut in 2014 in a drama serial Kissay Apna Kahein in a supporting role alongside Arij Fatyma and Danish Taimoor. The surprising thing is that Iqra was only 17 years old when she played this role.

    She was later cast in a leading role in drama serial Muqaddas opposite Noor Hassan. It was written by Adeel Razzak, directed by Ali Masud Saeed and produced by MD Productions. The drama aired on Hum Tv. It proved to be her “breakthrough” drama and she received Hum Award for Best Television Sensation Female.

    Iqra’s mother was Karachi’s first female Careem driver

    Iqra was born on November 24, 1997 and belongs to a Sindhi family. Her family includes her mother and sister Sidra Aziz, and herself. Her mother raised the two girls as a single parent. Iqra’s mother is one of the best examples of women empowerment in Pakistan as she struggled hard for her children and was the first female Careem driver in Karachi.

    Iqra and her mother

    Iqra once revealed in an interview that they went through a financial crisis but her mother made it through by struggling for her family with dignity and pride. She also shared in another interview that her mother wanted a son and was disappointed at her birth.

    Iqra didn’t meet her father until she was three

    Iqra didn’t have a clue who her father was until she was three. Her father worked in Saudi Arabia and came back home when she was three years old. Unfortunately, he died of a heart attack when Iqra was only twelve. She frequently talks about the time spent with her dad and misses the nine years they spent together.

    She couldn’t complete her studies

    Iqra couldn’t complete her graduation and holds an unfinished Bachelors of Commerce Degree from the University of Karachi. She is, however, looking to complete her education as soon as possible, when she gets a break from acting and modeling.

    Her Engagement with Yasir Hussain

    For those who don’t know, Iqra and Yasir had a very public engagement at the 18th Lux Style Awards. Hussain went down on one knee at the event and proposed to her. Some say that the proposal was planned and Iqra knew that he was going to propose. The couple formally tied the knot on December 28, 2019.

    Iqra has a YouTube Channel

    Iqra has a YouTube Channel. Her initial two videos introducing the channel — titled ‘I AM NOT BORING!!‘, comprised of a montage of photographs with a cutie named Mogambo, and “You Me and Youtube”.

  • ‘National Amateur Short Film Festival’ launched with a star-studded ceremony

    ‘National Amateur Short Film Festival’ launched with a star-studded ceremony

    The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has announced the National Amateur Short Film Festival (NASFF) to give amateur filmmakers a platform to showcase their talent and skills. The purpose of NASFF is to give a chance to the creative and talented youth of the country to make high-quality short films projecting a positive image of Pakistan. Winners of the competition will be awarded prestigious scholarships in film schools across the globe.

    Read more – Did you know ‘Ehd-e-Wafa’ was shot in 16 cities?

    According to a press release, the film festival is “to proffer a chance to our enormously creative and talented youth to produce high-quality short films projecting a positive image of Pakistan.”

    The launch event of NASFF was held on Monday and was a star-studded affair with Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed, Zara Noor Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Farhan Saeed, Wahaj Ali, Bilal Abbas Khan, Mashal Khan, Ayub Khoso, and Qasim Khan from Alpha Bravo Charlie in attendance. All of them will serve as brand ambassadors of the festival.

    Encouraging everyone to apply, Farhan said: “If you have talent, I promise you this is the best opportunity.”

    Sharing pictures from the event, Mahira said: “There are so many young artists who come to me all the time wanting to direct, act, write stories, etc. I’m so glad that I can be part of this initiative along with all my other colleagues.”

    “NASFF is a great step forward in stimulating the youth of Pakistan, who aspire to be innovative filmmakers. With opportunities like these, there is so much creative room to explore talents beyond the traditional approaches,” she added.

    Similarly, Zara said that she was very happy to be supporting the initiative.

    Meanwhile, Humayun Saeed urged aspiring filmmakers to take the advantage of the opportunity.

    “If you have the knack for films and television and want to produce some quality content then this platform is your stepping stone,” said the actor.

    “Getting an opportunity to study your creative field with a full scholarship at one of the top filmmaking institutions in the world would be a dream come true right?” said Iqra in her social media post.

    “NASFF is the right place to be for all the budding creative minds that are ready to break the norms,” she wrote, adding that she is very happy to be part of the project.

    Bilal Abbas, who is also one of the brand ambassadors, gave a “huge shout out to NASFF for understanding and evolving the talents of ambitious potential filmmakers in Pakistan.”

    “For anyone who aims to work for the entertainment industry to yield good classic content then grab this opportunity,” said the actor.

    Wahaj said that NASFF will pave the way for all ambitious and creative filmmakers to a brighter future.

    How to apply

    Registration for the event is free and the last date to register is January 1, 2021. The last date for the submission of the project is March 10, 2021, while the festival is scheduled to take place in April. Participants can make films of all genres including fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental films. However, the film must be original. Entries can be submitted in Urdu, English & Regional Languages but with English subtitles.

    Further details are given on ISPR’s official website: ispr.gov.pk/NASFF

  • Iqra Aziz, Naumaan Ijaz’s upcoming drama ‘Raqeeb Se’ to be an unconventional love story

    Iqra Aziz, Naumaan Ijaz’s upcoming drama ‘Raqeeb Se’ to be an unconventional love story

    The writer-director duo – Bee Gul and Kashif Nisar – of the award-winning Darr Si Jati Hai Sila, centered on the theme of sexual harassment, are all set to bring another serial in collaboration with Hum TV. Titled Raqeeb Se, the drama has been inspired by Faiz’s poem of the same name and promises to be different from Bee Gul’s previously written dramatic works.

    “It was a deliberate thought-out decision,” says the writer. “I convinced myself that I do not have to write another issue-based serial, for we seem to have amplified and unwillingly exploited social issues by presenting them inconsistently for ratings. The subjects have lost their sensitivity as a result and do not come as hard-hitting narratives anymore. Therefore, I decided to go for something that is equally important, equally meaningful and maybe equally ignored as well, and the sentiment of love came to my mind. This is how Raqeeb Se happened.”

    L- Bee Gul R- Kashif Nisar

    Speaking to The Current, director Kashif Nisar says that the serial is entirely the writer’s story, her own “brainchild” as he puts it.

    “It came to me in complete form, unlike most of the times in which the writer and director are working together on a project,” he said. “Bee Gul wrote it on her own and it was when it got finished that it reached me, and it is admirable like all of her works.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CFgl79BHmWq/

    When asked if he [Nisar] had any difficulty choosing actors considering Gul’s scripts require performers who can read and enunciate the Urdu language well, the director said that as much as Gul’s sentence structure is literary and complex, her dialogues have a very natural flow to them.

    “It looks as if Bee Gul speaks to herself while she writes, imagining the characters delivering their respective dialogues,” he said, adding, “Apart from that, I am one of those directors who give space to the performers instead of imposing things on them, which makes execution a bit easier for everyone.”

    The writer herself, when asked about her apprehensions regarding the cast for a poetic project like Raqeeb Se, said, “Well..not all of the dialogues, but yes, a few narrations in the serial might sound poetic. However, with greats like Noman Ejaz, Sania Saeed, Iqra Aziz, Saqib Sameer and Hadiqa Kiani, whose debut serial this is going to be, I do not have any apprehensions.”

    “Besides, cast selection is the director’s domain. Kashif was kind enough to keep me posted regarding every choice that he made. He is undoubtedly one of those directors I trust and who I believe know who to choose for which character,” she added.

    According to the director, Raqeeb Se is going to be an unconventional love story, revolving around people who get stranded in unavoidable situations when they meet their loved ones after a long, long time and therefore face difficulty trying to connect their past with their present.

    The serial is expected to air by either the end of December or the start of January.

    “We are done with fifty percent of it, and fifty percent is left,” tells Nisar.

  • Yasir Hussain is angry with QMobile for appointing Esra Bilgiç as brand ambassador

    Yasir Hussain is angry with QMobile for appointing Esra Bilgiç as brand ambassador

    Ever since Diriliş: Ertuğrul started airing in Pakistan, it has taken over the country by storm. The Turkish historical series has a cult following in the country and fans have been very excited since the cast expressed their wish to visit Pakistan. Esra Bilgiç who plays Halime Sultan in the series is particularly a favourite and the actor had earlier revealed that she will be endorsing three Pakistani brands. 

    One of them appears to be mobile company QMobile, who have announced that Esra will be the brand ambassador for their View Max Pro series.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCi0YAGMNIK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Following their announcement, Yasir Hussain, who has been very critical of the government’s decision to air the drama on PTV, expressed his anger and disappointment over QMobile’s decision, saying: “Apko nahi lagta k Pakistan brand ki brand ambassador bhi Pakistani honi chahiye? Na Indian na Turkish? Pakistan Zindabad (Don’t you think Pakistani brands should have Pakistani brand ambassadors? Neither Turkish nor Indian).

    The actor questioned why Pakistani actors like like Mahira Khan , Saba Qamar, Yumna Zaidi, Hira Mani cannot be brand ambassadors.

    He added that he is not including his wife Iqra Aziz’s name in the list because she is already a brand ambassador for a mobile phone company.

    Aiman Khan and Minal Khan also supported Yasir’s point of view.

    Back when things were cordial between India and Pakistan, Pakistani artists had also criticised local brands for featuring Bollywood stars in their campaigns.

  • Asim Azhar responds to plagiarism allegations

    Asim Azhar responds to plagiarism allegations

    Not too long ago, Asim Azhar was celebrating 100 million views on YouTube on his song Jo Tu Na Mila and now the same song is embroiled in a plagiarism controversy.

    According to social media users, Jo Tu Na Mila has been loosely copied from Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service. Kiki’s Delivery Service is a 1989 Japanese animated film about a young witch, Kiki, who moves to a new town and uses her flying ability to earn a living. The soundtrack of the anime was composed by Joe Hisaishi.

    https://twitter.com/starryasui/status/1281198862577864708?s=20
    https://twitter.com/notsoblondegirl/status/1281238555365425162?s=20

    After the allegations surfaced, Asim while speaking to a local media publication said that the rights for the music had been acquired through legal means.

    “That part of the song has been sampled through proper and legal means under Universal Music India, who released the song,” he said, adding, “Such a big company won’t let such a big release go just like that.”

    It is pertinent to mention here that the song’s music in the video is licensed to UMG (on behalf of Universal Music India).

    Jo Tu Na Mila is a love ballad which talks about unrequited love. The song, which features Iqra Aziz, has been composed and sung by Asim while the lyrics have been penned by Kunaal Vermaa.

    Listen to the song here:

  • Legendary Pakistani actress Sabiha Khanum passes away at 85

    Legendary Pakistani actress Sabiha Khanum passes away at 85

    Legendary Pakistani actress, popularly known as the First Lady of Pakistan’s silver screen, Sabiha Khanum passed away in the United States at the age of 85, leaving behind a rich legacy.

    “It is with great sadness that we share the news of the demise of our beautiful and beloved Sabiha Raza (Sabiha Khanum) who passed away earlier today, June 13th, 2020,” her granddaughter, Sarish Khan, said in social media update.

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

    According to reports, Sabiha who ruled the silver screen in the 1950s and 1960s with superhit movies including Kaneez, Mukhra, Anokha and Tehzeeb, was suffering from renal disease.

    Though Sabiha starred in a number of movies, she was mostly cast opposite her husband, the late Santosh Kumar (Syed Musa Raza). Sabiha and Santosh were branded as the “perfect couple”.

    Sabiha and Santosh
    Sabiha and Waheed Murad

    Sabiha also received the Pride of Performance award from the president of Pakistan in 1986.

    Having been in the public eye for four decades, she finally retired, and migrated to the United States where she lived with her eldest daughter. Her son and the youngest daughter are also settled here.

    Several Pakistani actors including Mahira Khan, Iqra Aziz, Yasir Hussain and Ali Rehman Khan mourned her death and remembered her rich legacy.

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    https://www.instagram.com/p/CBZaleLHPyO/
  • Celebrities who refused to endorse skin-lightening products

    Celebrities who refused to endorse skin-lightening products

    The murder of a black man George Floyd, allegedly by a police officer, in Minneapolis has sparked protests and outrage all over the world. While in the United States, people are taking to the streets to protest, in other parts of the world people are expressing their anger on social media. Celebrities and prominent personalities across the world are also raising their voice on the matter.

    Read more – Zara Noor Abbas defends her decision to promote fairness products

    The incident has also started a debate on the obsession with fair skin, especially in South Asia and the use of skin lightening products. Celebrities who have endorsed fairness products – like Sajal Aly, Mawra Hocane, Priyanka Chopra, Disha Patani – are being called out for doing so.

    Following the debate, journalist Haroon Rashid asked his followers to name “Pakistani/Bollywood celebrities who have never endorsed a skin lightening product.” Several Pakistani female actors, including Mahira Khan, Hareem Farooq, Sanam Saeed, Ayesha Omar and Momina Mustehsan responded to Rashid’s tweet and said that they had never endorsed skin lightening products, despite multiple offers.

    Long before this debate, Yasir Hussain had publicly lauded his wife Iqra Aziz for rejecting an advertisement for a whitening cream. He said that even though a lot of money was being offered, Iqra stood her ground and rejected the offer.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2yBgr2jhsk/?utm_source=ig_embed

    Later when Haroon asked if those, who have in the past endorsed such products and later apologised for doing so, should be used as examples in a bad light, Mahira said they shouldn’t be.

    “We are quick to cancel, not to converse,” said Mahira.

  • Iqra Aziz’s doppelgänger is confusing everyone, even her sister

    Iqra Aziz’s doppelgänger is confusing everyone, even her sister

    Social media users have found Iqra Aziz’s doppelgänger and the resemblance is uncanny. Nour is an architect from Lebanon who looks just like Iqra.

    For a moment even Iqra’s own sister Sidra thought it was Iqra with someone in the video. Sharing a video of Nour, Aziz said, “For a minute I thought.. but no no this is another beautiful human being guys.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B8jE76dnxn4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqfv44VBsiB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    The comments made Nour look up Iqra and she was stunned to find her doppelgänger.

    Replying to Sidra’s tweet she shared that her fiance was almost convinced that she is leading a secret double life.

    Similarly, a local media outlet has noticed that Hamza Ali Abbasi and Diriliş: Ertuğrul’s lead actor Engin Altan Düzyatan also look alike.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CBAG8jjFKwG/?igshid=18u9cg3tsufes
  • Yasir Hussain likens Turkish dramas to ‘landay k kapray’

    Yasir Hussain likens Turkish dramas to ‘landay k kapray’

    The debate around the airing of Diriliş: Ertuğrul doesn’t seem to end.

    After Shaan and Reema, Yasir Hussain has also come forward and urged PTV to make a historic drama using those artists and technicians who pay taxes to the country.

    “Landy k kapray aur Turkey k dramay, dono hee local industry ko tabah kardein gay,” wrote the actor.

    Read more – Humayun Saeed to play an Islamic hero in Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar’s historical epic

    It appears that actor received criticism for his comments because, in a successive Instagram story, Hussain said that when someone’s father or brother lose their jobs to Turkish people, only then will they understand what he is saying.

    Meanwhile there are some actors who have praised the series.

    Turkish historic drama series Diriliş: Ertuğrul has been trending ever since its first episode aired on PTV Home. Pakistanis are loving the drama series and it has become a sensation in the country to the point that PTV is now aiming to set a new record with the series.

    In an exclusive interview with The Current, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed Khan revealed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had gifted the drama series to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.

  • ‘Jhooti’: Can Iqra Aziz’s acting save a lame storyline?

    ‘Jhooti’: Can Iqra Aziz’s acting save a lame storyline?

    There is no doubt that Iqra Aziz is a great actor. From her role in Suno Chanda to her portrayal of a greedy, selfish manipulator in Jhooti, she gets her roles down. But why she picked Jhooti is a question she might soon need to answer. 16 episodes in, the drama is going from lame to lamer and watching it makes it even more painful.

    Lovesick husband Nasir with classic manipulator Nirma, handing her money to save his marriage

    Maybe the pain comes from the fact that Yasir Hussain really can’t act or that the storyline is so typical that only an Indian soap opera miracle can help it. Nirma (Iqra Aziz) is a self-absorbed thief who manipulates sad, lovestruck Nasir (Ahmed Ali Butt) into giving her a lot of cash and property because he wants to marry her. They marry, get divorced and she meets Ali (Yasir Hussain) who she thinks is this loaded bachelor and is going to invest all her ill-gotten money in property.

    Read more – Jhooti: The drama that replaced ‘Meray Paas Tum Ho’

    She falls for him, marries him but turns out he’s just as big a manipulator as her. He’s using Nirma to get money so he can pay back his ex-wife who is threatening him if he doesn’t. So here he is, lying to Nirma, trying to get money out of her while she turns from manipulator to manipulated.

    Ali, played by Yasir Hussain, is probably the most important but the most mediocre character in the series

    Painful isn’t it? And so very typical. The running into your lying husband who says he is in Dubai but ends up at Park Towers Mall is so overdone. Bus kardo yaar, we all know she will find out that she got what she deserved and everyone was right about what a jhooti she was and oh ho, she totally deserved it.

    Read more – Iqra Aziz, Yasir Hussain’s ‘Jhooti’ sparks outrage for trivialising domestic abuse

    There is no doubt that Iqra Aziz is a fantastic actress as she fully takes on the role of Nirma

    The only saving grace is Iqra. Her acting as Nirma is on-point perfection. She seems like a greedy sister, a classic narcissist right down to her nails. Even Iqra’s height suits the role, this little innocent girl who is lying to everyone around her. But that’s just it. The drama doesn’t inspire anything else. It’s one that can be watched while you’re doing something else and it just plays in the background, or be seen because you have to write a review on it. Otherwise, it’s a dead bore and the only way it can be redeemed is if…well can’t really think of anything that can help this storyline.