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Tag: Pakistani Celebrities

  • Here is a complete list of the nominations from the Lux Style Awards 2023

    Here is a complete list of the nominations from the Lux Style Awards 2023

    The final nominations for the prestigious Lux Style Awards 2023 are finally here, celebrating the best of the art and culture of Pakistan. The 22nd award ceremony will be held in Karachi, attended by the creme de la creme of the entertainment industry.

    This year marks a cultural shift as Pakistani entertainment is fresh off the high of global praise. Songs from Coke Studio like ‘Pasoori’ by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill received international acclaim, and the later was also the subject of a controversial re-make in the Bollywood film ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’.

    Pakistani films like Kamli by Sarmad Khoosat were well received , as well as ‘The Legend Of Maula Jatt’ which was sadly not included in the nominations after the producers released a statement saying the ceremony’s limited film categories honoring writers and directors is the reason why they did not submit their film as consideration.

    READ MORE: Why wasn’t ‘Maula Jatt’ nominated for the Lux Style Awards?

    ‘Joyland’ by Saim Sadiq which featured the transgender actress Alina Khan, is among the most nominated films in the awards ceremony. The movie received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, and was shortlisted as a nomination for the Academy Awards.

    Check out which one of your favorite film, drama or actors made it as the final nomination.

  • Mahira Khan’s ‘Razia’ is speaking about the plight of young women in Pakistan like no one else

    Mahira Khan’s ‘Razia’ is speaking about the plight of young women in Pakistan like no one else

    Bold, confident and hard-hitting, Mahira Khan is back once more and this time she is not afraid to hold up a mirror to society’s face. Her new drama ‘Razia’ is creating buzz on social media. Mahira is no longer the sweet and naive female lead as we have known her. She’s the narrator who tells the story of how a young girl born in a conservative household in Pakistan learns to overcome every hardship to chase her dream.

    From the get go, this show keeps you hooked by telling you a story we’re all familiar with, but every episode is a gut punch on how Pakistani girls are robbed of their dreams and hopes because of patriarchy. Mahira waltzes around the stage and speaks with the audience about the journey of the young girl Razia, whose birth was a disappointment for the grandmother who wanted a boy. From that point, she continues to be punished for the crime of being born a daughter.

    Two episodes in, and we’re already awed by how the show speaks out on the ways young women are deprived of their dreams, whether it is something as small as eating after their brother does, or as monumental as Razia’s father banning her from playing outside because she is older now. And already, some of the powerful monologues in the episodes are gaining praise on social media.

    A user praised this scene where in a monologue from episode 1, Mahira points out how young girls today are no longer murdered on their birth, but are today buried alive by the consistent backlash society imposes on them

  • Adnan Siddiqui has unusual reaction to criticism of his stint as host of ‘Tamasha Ghar’

    Adnan Siddiqui has unusual reaction to criticism of his stint as host of ‘Tamasha Ghar’

    The beloved reality television show ‘Tamasha Ghar’ ended on Sunday with contestant Aruba Mirza declared as the winner of the second season. Social media users are still criticising the way several well-deserved constants like actress Natasha Ali, model Zainab Raza or Neha Khan were removed. Many of these comments have targeted the host,’Badshah Salamat’ actor Adnan Siddiqui, who has now addressed them with a long note on Instagram.

    Posting a picture with the actor sitting on a throne chair during the finale, the ‘Mom’ actor wrote: “‘Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.’ Shakespeare’s King Henry IV poetically agonised how those in the seat of power are beset with restlessness and worry. The burden of responsibilities never ceases to lessen for them. From the vantage point of Badshah Salamat for Tamasha the second time round, I can see why the throne is a two-edged sword. It gets you power to take decisions but not without constant accountability. You aren’t allowed to slip, you can’t falter and you definitely cannot let your prejudices creep in.”

    The ‘Maat’ actor went on share that the job as a host of a reality show is not easy, with the scrutinising gaze of millions of viewers judging every decision you make: “While you are judging the housemates, you too are under scrutiny by them and by the millions who are watching you on the screen analysing your every move. Every decision that you take brings you bouquets or brickbats and sometimes both. How demanding it is to maintain a balanced approach? I’d say yes.”

    “Reality shows expose human beings at one of their most base levels,” continued the ‘Meray Pass Tum Ho’ actor. “When people are thrown together with strangers in a closed, hostile environment which is also competitive, your most basic instinct, that’s survival, is activated. There’s no loved one around to confide in, friendships are transactional, affection is a rare commodity and to top it all, they are always striving to outdo their fellow mates wittingly or unwittingly. For two years in a row, I have seen human emotions as raw as they could be inside Tamasha Ghar. And believe me, it takes immense mental strength to live under the glare of camera 24 hours for weeks together.”

    Ending the note, the actor requested fans to stop assuming they’re much better judges than he is, and to hold back on the criticism.

    “I have often been criticised for being biased by fans and supporters of the contestants. My comment section and DMs is their favourite playground these days. They not only feel short-changed sometimes but also are supremely confident that they would done a more objective, more fair job. I read the feedback, amused by the simplistic view the audiences offer. And I again go back to King Henry IV.”

    Adnan also added a cryptic note addressing the critics on his Instagram stories, with the caption: “There are many people out here who would be in great shape if they ran as much as their mouth does.”

    Read his complete statement here:

  • Aijaz Aslam was once mistaken for another celebrity by robbers

    Aijaz Aslam was once mistaken for another celebrity by robbers

    Karachi walahs never change.

    Aijaz Aslam was a guest on Samaa News’ show ‘Had Kar Di’ where he opened up about a hilarious instance when he was robbed twice in Karachi, and how when the first time this happened, the robbers thought he was the late religious television host, Junaid Jamshed.

    The actor recalled that when he was in Karachi during Ramzan, a group of robbers approached him by first politely tapping on his car window. The ‘Cheekh’ actor chuckled saying that when he rolled down the window, the robbers greeted him by saying ‘Junaid bhai’, but after recognising him, they apologised and asked for his phone.

    The second time Aijaz recalled being robbed was when he was coming out of a friend’s studio, and when they were about to enter their car, two young boys approached him with a silver gun and demanded that the actor and his friend hand over their phones.

    “I took out my phone, he looked up to recognise me and said: ‘Array! Oh maaf kardien Aijaz bhai, mein tou boaht bara fan hoon’,” the actor laughed. The robbers handed them back their phones and apologised as they left.

    Listen to the hilarious encounter here.

  • Juggun Kazim was harassed by fans for this reason

    Juggun Kazim was harassed by fans for this reason

    Actress Juggun Kazim was a guest on Momin Saqib’s show ‘Had Kar Di’ where she criticised Pakistani audiences for turning a blind eye to toxic love stories promoting violence and sexism towards women.

    The ‘Gunah’ actress said that she had once shared a picture on her Instagram where she was kissing her husband’s cheek. The picture got her severe backlash.

    “I couldn’t understand! This was four or five years ago. I said what is everyone’s problem? That’s my husband!”

    Juggun questioned why it is appropriate to display violence on television screens but controversy ignites when romance is shown.

    Drama channels profiting off of women’s misery is often discussed by public figures, including ‘Kuch Ankahi’ writer Syed Mohammad Ahmed. In a June appearance on ‘Mazaaq Raat’, he spoke at length about television channels prioritizing viewership ratings over honest storytelling.

  • Programs need to stop having sexist Khalil Ur Rehman as a guest after he insults yet another Pakistani woman

    Programs need to stop having sexist Khalil Ur Rehman as a guest after he insults yet another Pakistani woman

    It’s about time that television programs and producers stopped giving screen time and importance to sexist writer Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar, because it seems like he can’t stop spewing his misogyny everywhere he goes.

    We thought the entertainment industry had felt the ‘Mere Pass Tum Ho’ screenwriter had crossed all boundaries when he abused journalist Marvi Sirmad on live television for defending the slogan ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi’, and then bashed actress Mahira Khan for criticising this horrifying display of violence. It was shocking that despite this, the screenwriter was invited back on public shows and wrote dramas for entertainment channels but like always- the industry knows the best way to capitalise and earn ratings is when women are made into punching bags.

    Now once more, we have the misfortune to bear witness to Mr Qamar’s disgusting rants towards women. The writer appeared as a guest on a show by 7 News Digital along with the winner of the Miss Pakistan 2022 competition Sana Hayat, where the pageant winner can be seen talking at length about the difficult realities Pakistani women must endure at workplaces in order to achieve success. Sana spoke about how women have to face all kinds of pressures from their families and society.

    When it was Mr Qamar’s turn to respond, he started by rudely saying that Sana might have had some bad experiences. When Sana tried to elaborate, he snapped, “Don’t interrupt me,” launching into a rant about how Sana is wrong when she says Pakistani women have it hard in the workplace. Khalil Ur Rehman said any person who gives their own personal experiences when discussing issues have poor knowledge of the world.

    Acknowledging that women are being exploited by the workplace, Qamar said men are also being exploited in some places.

    “For example in the private sector if a woman is determined that she will find work based on her merit then she will find work on that basis. But then they use other ways to find work, through which men lose their right to work.”

    “If women want equality,” the screen writer further drawled. “Then they should give up on the 33% quota they are offered and make everything on merit.”

    It’s shocking that in 2023, Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar is being invited on shows to dismantle and mansplain the very issues that women in Pakistan actively suffer from. Why is it necessary to get his opinion, a man, on the issues that women are dealing with? Even after witnessing him time and time again misbehave with actresses, make light of the growing issues of rape and violence against women in Pakistan, why do our channels constantly need to offer him a platform? On top of everything, it was disappointing to watch a female host partaking in this spectacle by humiliating her female guest this way. For her to dismantle the articulate explanation by Sana Hayat by inviting a man who is known for his misogynist rants just proves how television channels are aware that women’s misery= more money for them.

    Khalil Ur Rehman represents every toxic man in our society. His popularity that surged after the meltdown on live television is proof that what our audiences love is to watch a woman in misery. Our channels endorse his mediocre scripts that peddle the narrative that an ambitious woman is a toxic woman, and turn violence inflicted upon women into comedy relief because there’s nothing that fuels money and ratings more than capitalising on the pain and misery of other women- and Khalil Ur Rehman is nothing but a sum of everything that is wrong with Pakistani men.

    We could go on and on with the numerous examples of how brazingly unfiltered Mr Rehman continues to be when it comes to his open disregard towards women and their issues- but we’re tired of constantly writing the same think pieces over and over again. We’d honestly just ask entertainment channels to stop relying on Mr Qamar for your ratings, because we can see through your formulae. Relying on toxic narratives and gossip tabloids that turns women into scapegoats is no longer acceptable, and Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar owes Sana Hayat, and every other female public figure he’s publicly misbehaved with- an apology for his actions.

  • ‘Went out for a pack of cigarettes, still waiting for him to come back’: Ushna Shah talks about her absent father

    ‘Went out for a pack of cigarettes, still waiting for him to come back’: Ushna Shah talks about her absent father

    Actress Ushna Shah responded to a thread on X, (formerly Twitter) which asked users to tell something about their fathers. The ‘Habs’ actress responded with a heartbreaking anecdote about how her father abandoned her.

    “Went to buy a pack of cigarettes when I was an infant, will be back any minute…” the actress tweeted.

    Underneath the post, users expressed sorrow but Ushna said that because of her strong mother, she grew up to be an accomplished woman.

    The actress shared a very important point yesterday about how she hoped dramas would stop turning issues like divorce into a stigma, and write scripts that encourage women to walk out of toxic marriages. She said her mother worked hard to raise Ushna on her own, which is something we also wish more Pakistani show producers would understand.

    READ MORE: ‘Divorce is not a stigma, fix the drama scripts’: Ushna Shah

    “Many scripts I work on perpetuate shame around divorce. While I can’t reshape the conventions of scriptwriting or opt for unemployment, I stand by a vision. As the child of a divorcee who hustled with three jobs to raise us, the stigma on divorced characters feels deeply personal. I’m eager to be part of a story that addresses the stigma of divorce and combats the shame of being single after, celebrating the journey to independence and joy. Convincing producers to back such a risqué script, which may face societal backlash, is very challenging.”

  • ‘Young people are difficult to work with’: Fahad Mustafa on why he’s not acting anymore

    ‘Young people are difficult to work with’: Fahad Mustafa on why he’s not acting anymore

    Actor and producer Fahad Mustafa was a guest on Vasay Chaudhry’s talk show ‘Gup Shab’, where he opened up about giving a break to acting.

    The ‘Mein Abdul Kadir Hoon’ actor revealed that he missed the times when he was working with big names like Vasay Chaudhry, Humayun Saeed and Mahira Khan, and said it was difficult to work with young actors of today.

    “I worked with Vasay, Humayun, Mehwish, Mahira Khan, who are all stars now. It’s easy to work with them and there is a reason why they’re all stars because I feel that it’s incredibly easy to work with them. Currently looking at the young actors of today, it’s hard to work with them. I’m not criticising their talent, just pointing out regarding getting along on set.”

    “Because we had not witnessed any vanity on sets,” the ‘Actor in Law’ actor added. “We could all sit in a room and get along. When it gets incredibly hard to sit together in a room during set, then you can’t work together either. This is my biggest fear.”

  • Here are all the celebrities who attended Shaheen Afridi’s valima

    Here are all the celebrities who attended Shaheen Afridi’s valima

    Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi’s valima to Ansha Afridi was held on Thursday in a lavish ceremony in Islamabad, where several A-list celebrities and sports stars were present to celebrate the occasion. Check out some pictures of all the big names who were at the event.

    Former cricket star Shahid Afridi shared several pictures, posing along with members of the cricket team including Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Imam ul Haq, Shadab Khan, and with former pacer Shoaib Akhtar. He thanked his friends for gracing his daughter’s valima with their presence.

    “I would like to Thank Team Pakistan, My former team mates, diplomats and dignitaries from different walk of life for gracing my daughter’s Valima. Their presence made me feel loved and honored. I am grateful that we got to celebrate this moment together.”

    Javelin champion Arshad Nadeem was also among the attendees, smiling along with the groom and the rest of the cricket team.

    Geo reports there the scrumptious menu featured biryani, lamb korma, chicken reshmi kebab, tandoori lamb chops and prawns.

    Shaheen and Ansha’s nikah was held in February at a daytime ceremony. Shaheen shared pictures on his Instagram account, requesting fans to respect the privacy of his wife and the rest of his family members, after a picture of Ansha’s face was leaked on social media.

  • ‘Divorce is not a stigma, fix the drama scripts’: Ushna Shah

    ‘Divorce is not a stigma, fix the drama scripts’: Ushna Shah

    Actress Ushna Shah took to her Twitter account to condemn drama scripts for stigmatising divorced women- and treat the topic like a taboo. The actress reflected on her own upbringing with a divorced mother, who had worked three jobs to bring her up, and said she would like to be a part of stories that refuse to resort to toxic stereotypes:

    “Many scripts I work on perpetuate shame around divorce. While I can’t reshape the conventions of scriptwriting or opt for unemployment, I stand by a vision. As the child of a divorcee who hustled with three jobs to raise us, the stigma on divorced characters feels deeply personal. I’m eager to be part of a story that addresses the stigma of divorce and combats the shame of being single after, celebrating the journey to independence and joy. Convincing producers to back such a risqué script, which may face societal backlash, is very challenging.”

    Many users on Twitter shared the opinion, stating that they wanted a stop to narratives that actively discourage divorce.