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Tag: shahzeb Khanzada

  • Emotional and Powerful: The Finale of Case No. 9

    Emotional and Powerful: The Finale of Case No. 9

    It’s very hard to make a drama about social issues, especially a courtroom drama, and get it to become a smash, viral hit. 

    Case No.9 became just that, not only because of the storyline but also because of the supreme acting by everyone in the drama. A huge shoutout to Saba Qamar, Faysal Quraishi and Gohar Rasheed who embodied their characters so well, it was like watching the case in real life. Chilling performances with emotional return. 

     

    The last few episodes of the drama focused more on a media trial rather than the court. And with a lot of cases, that is what happens. Real-life cases of Zainab, the little girl who was raped and murdered, Noor Mukkadam and others first played out on the media, generated pressure and then came to their favourable ends. One question is that would Noor Mukkadam’s killer still be in jail had it not been for constant media pressure? It’s sad that the question arises but unfortunately it does.

     

    We have heard actual police officials tell people in meetings that Case No. 9 is a drama that everyone should watch because of how the law and police proceedings are covered in the drama. It’s fact and anchor Shahzeb Khanzada shows it as much in the finale of the drama.

     

    But the blurring of real life and a drama was a bit too pronounced at the end of Case No. 9. Perhaps, it might have been better that a ‘drama anchor’ had done the media trial because the shift between the real show and the one in the drama was a bit disconcerting. The ending as well, it might have been better if an actor from the drama (read Saba Qamar) had read off the stats on rape cases in Pakistan. The uneasy feeling lingered near the end of the drama but then perhaps that’s what the writer was going for. To make you feel uneasy that real life and drama, in this particular case, are very comparable. 

     

    Whether you agree with the drama or not, it is true that media trials, in a lot of cases trump actual courtroom proceedings. We have seen it many times and we will continue seeing it, and it’s a global phenomenon, perhaps more pronounced in Pakistan. 

     

    Case No.9 became a drama that will remain in the list of the best social issue dramas in Pakistan and hopefully, we sincerely hope, that the positive effect it had and presented lasts for a very long time. Will a rape victim watch it and feel hopeful and fight for justice? We hope so. Will society watch it and think that should a woman be judged if she comes out and says a crime has been committed against her? We hope not. Would this play a big role in women empowerment? It better.

  • Case No. 9: the double-cross no one saw coming

    Case No. 9: the double-cross no one saw coming

    Episode 19-20 of Case No.9 was full of suspense and a twist that no one expected.

     

    Kamran (Faysal Quraishi) bribes Inspector Shafeeq (Gohar Rasheed) to figure out a way to ruin Sehar’s (Saba Qamar) reputation and case online and Shafeeq makes a killer good plan by getting a woman Shazia, to pretend she is Kamran’s earlier victim and gain Sehar’s trust. He figures out that Sehar and her team will want to use the victim’s story and he’s banking on them using social media to do it. Once they do, Shazia will release a video of herself saying Sehar and her team bribed her to lie.

     

    It did feel like Shazia was shady. The way she randomly got in touch and randomly had a thing with Kamran when he was single without showing any form of proof. It seemed strange from the start and it was also strange that Manisha (Navin Waqar) was so pushed to get her statement on social media. It wasn’t very clear what kind of information Ali (Ali Rehman Khan) Sehar’s ex-husband was going to gather from Kamran’s workplace but this is the episode that shows exactly why he was needed, at the right place at the right time.

     

    Without a doubt the most stellar performance in the series is by Inspector Shafeeq. It is hard to hate a character as much as you learn to hate Shafeeq and credit goes to Gohar Rasheed for really playing the part of the greedy, corrupt police officer to the T. 

     

    Even though Sehar finds out in time that the woman has been planted by Kamran, it is Beenish (Amina Shaikh) that becomes a soft voice of reason where she, when talking to Manisha, says that maybe it’s not a good idea to use social media – almost because it’s a tool that was used and abused by Kamran as well. Beenish realises the value and sanctity of the case and even though Manisha does too, Manisha knows the power that social media holds. The point being that there is no quick fix to cases like this and that maybe it’s best to let things off social media, no matter how tempting it is to take a battle on that front as well. 

     

    But things are bad when Bukhari (Noor-ul-Hasan) is also trying to convince Kamran to use his underhanded ways to help them gain sympathy in the case. The lawyer, who was so arrogant and sure of himself in the past, now seems shaky, which shows where things are going.

     

    Even though Kamran figures out that Ali is in fact, Sehar’s husband and now Ali’s cover is blown, the more telling part is how everyone expects that a divorce is the woman’s fault. Kamran and Bukhari wanted to find Ali to prove Sehar was a bad wife (a point inadmissible in court) but Ali clearly shows us how it is – it was him and he is man enough to admit it.

     

    But the biggest point is that it is now crystal clear that Rohit (Junaid Khan) will have to take the stand. Beenish explains that even if Rohit doesn’t want to, the court can force him to and it’s something that will either make or break the case for Sehar. Watching Rohit go through his moral struggle, with his marriage and family on the line, is the real suspense and Junaid Khan doesn’t disappoint. 

     

    We will definitely be seeing more of him and his internal struggle in the next few episodes and also Beenish poking holes in the testimonies of Kamran’s staff. Things aren’t looking good for him as he realises that money can’t buy everything.

  • Episodes that give every Pakistani woman her voice: Case No.9 makes history

    Episodes that give every Pakistani woman her voice: Case No.9 makes history

    It was episode 17 of Case No.9 that totally blew up Pakistani television. An episode that said things with such clarity and force that have never been said before, an episode that made women feel empowered by law, highlighted the struggle rape victim’s deal with with such legal force that you couldn’t help but thank Pakistan’s law on rape and in particular Justice Ayesha Malik. Beenish (Amina Shaikh) delivered the performance of a lifetime, her best yet, and it was goosebumps on screen. Her counterpart Bukhari (Noor-ul-Hasan) also was the perfect contrast to her as Beenish laid down facts vs. fictions, truth vs. stereotypes. 

     

    She mentions a rape case verdict that says a woman’s past cannot be called into question if shes been raped. The background doesnt matter: the rape does. It doesnt matter if the woman is a virgin or not, it doesn’t matter if she is divorced or not, all that matters is that she is raped – or not. It is these true, landmark cases that we need our society and its women to be aware of and Beenish does a stellar, stellar job.  She quotes statistics that are hard, and scary truths about Pakistan: Eight children are sexually abused in the country everyday, women, regardless of what they wear are harassed on a daily basis and you also see Bukhari trying to find stats to counter her, but unable to do so.

     

    This was Beenish’s moment, every Pakistani woman’s moment too. Hope is here in Case No.9 and here to stay.

     

    That’s not it. In a day-dream sequence we see Sehar (Saba Qamar) getting up in the courtroom and confronting her attacker, her rapist regardless of court decorum. She faces him with the strength we know she possesses but is unable to show given court decorum and in that moment, we are happy for her as she is mentally able to face her worst nightmare. Hope is here to stay for Sehar too.

     

    And Kiran (Rushna Khan) is not far behind either. In episode 18, Kiran finally leaves Kamran (Faysal Quraishi), as she is finally convinced, after confronting Rohit (Junaid Khan) that her husband has done ‘something wrong’ when he admits that he flirted with Sehar – unknowingly admits it, of course. We see her leaving with her little baby girl, a very scary thing to do for a new mother, but she takes the stand nonetheless. There is hope of freedom for Kiran too.

     

    And we also hear of an older rape survivour, who was raped by Kamran before, who contacts Sehar and says that she finally as the guts to speak up after hearing Sehar did too. Hope that others will also have hope to speak up and get justice.

     

    Case No.9 is the breakthrough drama we didn’t know we needed, where women come together to support each other in life and in its struggles. Be it a wife, a survivor or a lawyer, they are all connected and lets not also forget that the words used are also so important. Sehar calls herself a rape survivor and she proves that she truly is not a victim. She has survived and that’s why there is hope.

  • Journalist Shahzeb Khanzada looks absolutely unbothered in latest click by wife

    Journalist Shahzeb Khanzada looks absolutely unbothered in latest click by wife

    Days after a viral video showed journalist and anchor Shahzeb Khanzada being publicly harassed by an unidentified alleged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporter, actor Rushna Khan has taken to social media to share a picture of her husband, suggesting that the journalist remains unbothered in the face of conflicting opinions.

    As per the details, netizens are divided over a viral video that showed Khanzada being accosted by a frustrated man who hurled abuses at him at what appeared to be a clothing store. In the video, the man told the anchor he should be “ashamed” of “what he has done against [former ousted prime minister] Imran Khan and his wife”.

    With the video drawing widespread condemnations from journalists, politicians and the general public alike, who also praised Khanzada for not engaging with the man, some chose to defend the unidentified man’s actions.

    Amid a war of words over the internet, Khanzada’s wife on Monday took to her Instagram account to share a picture of her husband’s athletic build, underscoring his commitment to fitness.

    “This is what commitment looks like,” she wrote, prompting netizens to point out how the journalist and his family seemed unbothered by what was termed unacceptable behaviour of the alleged PTI supporter.

    It may be noted that the man from the viral video did not provide an explanation for the allegations he levelled against the anchorperson. However, former PTI minister Shahbaz Gill shared an old clip of Khanzada talking about the Iddat case, filed against Bushra Bibi and Imran by her former husband Khawar Maneka, on his show.

    The video had come two days after The Economist published an article covering Imran’s marriage to Bushra Bibi and her alleged influence in his decision-making as the country’s premier.

    As several people on social media came to Khanzada’s defence, they also lauded his reaction, terming it graceful.

  • Case No. 9: When Ego Takes the Stand and Justice Fights Back

    Case No. 9: When Ego Takes the Stand and Justice Fights Back

    Case No.9 Episodes 15 and 16 were like we predicted it! Kamran (Faysal Quraishi) was unable to control his ego and thought he could take down Beenish (Amina Shaikh), in a dream no less and thought he was fully able to make it a reality. He failed of course, revealing that he had no evidence that Sehar (Saba Qamar) had been flirting with him whereas Sehar had evidence that he was the one who was after her. Beenish’s epic takedown of Kamran’s staff member was also full of suspense when the information was being relayed to her by her fellow lawyer. In that moment, when Beenish was given information that could help the case, you couldn’t help but think that doing the right thing is so very hard with so many hurdles.

    But it seems like the hurdles are clearing, as we see Inspector Shafeeq (Gohar Rasheed) also feeling the burn has his superior tells him that Kamran is taking the stand and he might be exposed, we see Kamran’s lawyer pleading with Kamran not to take the stand (when the law gave him the right not to take it), but Kamran’s ego getting in the way and we also see it, in the most complicated way with Rohit (Junaid Khan).

    It is clear that the drama will take the direction of Rohit having to make a choice between his friend who saved him from a blasphemy mob and his friend who is a rapist and he knows about it. He will have to accept that Kamran is not the same person he thought he was but can Rohit’s guilt of convicting his friend get out of his way of doing the right thing? That will be the most important break and crack in the case and Kamran and Rohit’s business and friendship.

    The show is getting so gripping that you have to see the teaser for the next episode because you must know what happens. We see in the teaser that Kiran (Rushna Khan) confronts Rohit and he has a breakdown and a big showdown in court between Sehar and Kamran. 

    While the showdown seems to be one of Sehar finally taking charge of her rights and really letting go and giving it to Kamran, it also seems a bit out of place in this very realistic drama. Are there really outbursts like that in court between a rapist and a rape vicitim? One would like to believe so, despite seeing that Sehar might be taken in for contempt of court, but secretly happy that she faced her attacker and told him exactly what she thought of him. 

    Only time will tell until next week.

  • Trauma bonding: Shahzeb Khanzada, Tabish Hasmi recall being thrashed by schoolteachers

    Trauma bonding: Shahzeb Khanzada, Tabish Hasmi recall being thrashed by schoolteachers

    Top TV hosts Shahzeb Khanzada and Tabish Hashmi seem to have bonded over their respective traumas of being thrashed by their teachers, with Shahzeb going on to recall how he was once saved by his mother in the 6th grade.

    The rather relatable school-era stories surfaced when Tabish, on his show ‘Hasna Mana hai’, asked Shahzeb how he managed to make it big.

    Shahzeb said that even though he was from a small village in Sindh, his parents were the ones who always made him ask questions, recalling being slapped really hard by his teacher in the 6th grade for asking too many questions.

    The journalist said he was extremely embarrassed and went home. There, he added, his mother asked him why he was upset, over which he started crying and told her about what had happened at school. Also noticing the fingermarks on his face, his mother got up and said she was going to go to his school to talk to the headmaster.

    Shahzeb recalled that he told his mother that she shouldn’t because, at that time, women would not go outside as much, especially to their children’s schools. But his mother was determined to go with him and “wore her black burka”, taking him to school with her. 

    His mother then met the headmaster and told him that her son had been slapped and she was angry about it not because he was slapped but because he was slapped for asking too many questions.

    He recalled how embarrassed he was that his “mother had to come to school to save him” and how other kids made fun of him because of it. But, Shahzeb added, while every other child would get beaten, teachers stopped beating him.

    This prompted Tabish to share a similar story of his own, recalling how he would be beaten by his teachers for no reason. He said that once he dropped something from his small table and his teacher hit him upon reaching down to pick it up. “You dirty boy,” the comedian and host recalled the teacher as calling him.

    During the show, the two also discussed how bad the situation was in their youth and how it was actually part of the law of Pakistan that children could be beaten by teachers. The law, however, was later changed to ban corporal punishment, with several legal cases being reported over violations in recent years.

  • Here’s what made Saba Qamar say yes to Shahzeb Khanzada’s ‘Case No 9’

    Here’s what made Saba Qamar say yes to Shahzeb Khanzada’s ‘Case No 9’

    When actress Saba Qamar reads a script, she only says yes if the story is able to leave an impact on audiences, and that was exactly the case with journalist Shahzeb Khanzada’s upcoming legal drama ‘Case No 9’.

    Appearing as a guest on Geo TV’s ‘Kaisa Raha 2024, Kaisa Hoga 2025?’, the Baaghi actress revealed why she said yes to the upcoming serial.

    “I wouldn’t have said yes without reading the script… and when I read it, I felt like it was written by a very senior writer. It felt like Umera Ahmed had written it. I called my director and asked if it really had been written by Shahzeb and he said, ‘Yes, you’re going to love it’,” said Qamar.

    On the same New Year segment, Shahzeb admitted he was initially unsure how the script would be received, especially since it dealt with sensitive issues-based topics.

    “The response I received from 7th Sky Entertainment was incredible. Wajahat Hussain Syed was excited and wanted to work on it. I thought Saba Qamar and Faysal Quraishi might say no, but they immediately agreed,” he added.

    The upcoming drama is being produced by 7th Sky Entertainment and is directed by Wajahat Hussain Syed. The stellar cast includes Qamar alongside Faysal Qureshi, both of whom were eager to be a part of the project.

    Junaid Khan and Aamina Sheikh are also a part of Case No 9.

    With a talented cast and compelling script, Case No 9 is shaping up to be another hit for the dynamic duo of Qamar and Qureshi. 

    Fans are eagerly waiting for the drama, which is sure to be packed with intense performances and gripping storytelling.

     Earlier, it was reported that, renowned journalist Shahzeb Khanzada is stepping into the entertainment world with his first ever scripted project.  

     The ace journalist, known for hosting Geo’s flagship Aaj Shazeb Khanzada Kay Saath, has penned a crime drama that promises suspense and intrigue.


     
     Known for his hard-hitting news coverage and sharp insights, Shahzeb is now exploring the art of storytelling in the world of television dramas. 

    Shahzeb’s first ever yet to be titled crime thriller is being produced by 7th Sky Entertainment and directed by Wajahat Hussain Syed. Sources confirms that Saba Qamar and Faysal Quraishi have joined the cast.


      
    The highly anticipated drama is set to air soon on Geo Entertainment, and viewers can’t wait to witness Shahzeb Khanzada’s thrilling debut in the entertainment industry. 


     Fans of Khanzada’s investigative reporting can now expect the same intensity and depth in his dramatic storytelling. 

    Wajahat Hussain Syed has directed popular dramas such as, Do Bol, Ishq Jalebi, Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3, Chaudhry and Sons, Khaie, and most recent Faraar.

  • Exclusive: Shahzeb Khanzada writes crime drama starring Saba Qamar, Faysal Quraishi

    Exclusive: Shahzeb Khanzada writes crime drama starring Saba Qamar, Faysal Quraishi

     Renowned journalist Shahzeb Khanzada is stepping into the entertainment world with his first ever scripted project.  

     The ace journalist, known for hosting Geo’s flagship Aaj Shazeb Khanzada Kay Saath, has penned a crime drama that promises suspense and intrigue.


     
     Known for his hard-hitting news coverage and sharp insights, Shahzeb is now exploring the art of storytelling in the world of television dramas. 

    Shahzeb’s first ever yet to be titled crime thriller is being produced by 7th Sky Entertainment and directed by Wajahat Hussain Syed. Sources confirms that Saba Qamar and Faysal Quraishi have joined the cast.


      
    The highly anticipated drama is set to air soon on Geo Entertainment, and viewers can’t wait to witness Shahzeb Khanzada’s thrilling debut in the entertainment industry. 


     
    Fans of Khanzada’s investigative reporting can now expect the same intensity and depth in his dramatic storytelling. 

    Wajahat Hussain Syed has directed popular dramas such as, Do Bol, Ishq Jalebi, Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3, Chaudhry and Sons, Khaie, and most recent Faraar.

  • Geo Anchors fight it out for News Anchor Muhammad Junaid’s love

    Geo Anchors fight it out for News Anchor Muhammad Junaid’s love

    Geo News Anchors Hamid Mir and Shahzeb Khanzada are in awe of News Anchorperson Muhammad Junaid for his reporting of election results during Geo’s election transmission.


    It all started with Managing Director of GEO News, Azhar Abbas who posted on Twitter, “There is a reason why Junaid is so good in Marathons, whether it’s running or marathon transmissions (almost three hours non-stop announcing results).


    Shahzaeb Khanzada retweeted this response by writing “230 minutes and counting.. no break, no mistake, no fumble and only he knows how he manages to breathe in between.”


    Didn’t end there as Hamid Mir went a step ahead with the appreciation and tweeted, “Our marathon runner news anchor Junaid created a record by speaking non-stop on Geo News since last three hours without any fumble. He is announcing results of #Election2024 with full speed and energy.”


    Investigative Journalist Fakhar Durrani also posted an appreciation note stating “hats off to you.”

  • Who said NO to a civil award this year?

    Who said NO to a civil award this year?

    On June 18, Dawn News’, Snaullah Khan tweeted that a senior anchor has refused the presidential award being offered by the government, stating that it goes against his professional responsibilities. He then asked his followers to guess, the name of the TV host, including Kamran Khan, Hamid Mir, Sohail Warraich, Nadeem Malik, Shahzeb Khanzada, Saleem Safi, Chauhdary Ghulam Hussain in his list of probables.

    On August 13, Sanaullah mentioned while quoting his previous tweet that he has been following the process of awarding of civil honours for a long time and has observed that a lot of journalists use their connections to be nominated for the award, but Geo’s Shahzeb Khanzada refused the prestigious award after it was offered to him, stating that it might impact his neutrality.

    Sources told The Current that Shahzeb Khanzada was informed about his name being recommended for the civil awards back in May. He politely declined, saying he doesn’t want his impartiality to be questioned as he is a professional and would like his work to remain professional and unbiased.

    Khanzada’s fellow journalists are applauding him on the decision.

    Dunya’s Ajmal Jami called Khanzada’s refusal “commendable”.

    Journalist Asad Ali Toor stated in a tweet that he is proud of Shahzeb Khanzada.

    Editor Investigation at Hum News, Zahid Gishkori, commended Khanzada’s decision while mentioning that something similar was done by his executive former editor Zia ud Din.

    Journalist and Columnist Shahnila Ammar Sikandar mentioned that journalist Talat Hussain also refused to take Pride of Performance award during Nawaz Sharif’s government.