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Tag: Ushna Shah

  • ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’: Celebrities extend support as war rages on in Gaza

    ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’: Celebrities extend support as war rages on in Gaza

    As war rages on in Gaza, celebrities from Pakistan came forth in throngs to extend their solidarity to the Palestinian community, offering prayers to see them free from the oppressive Israeli occupation.

    Celebrities from Pakistan arrived in throngs to extend their solidarity to the Palestinian community, and are praying in their lifetimes to see a free country removed from the oppressive Israeli reign.

    Actress Saba Qamar wrote the rallying cry for Palestinian freedom: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”

    Veteran actress Nadia Jamil applauded a clip where the Palestinian representative Husam Zomlot gave an interview to the BBC.

    Actress Armeena Khan lauded the bravery of the Palestinian people who were prepared to fight with all they had for their freedom.

    “The Palestinians, in my opinion are the bravest people on planet earth. Zero support and the entire world against them. My God, I am terrified for the little children about to lose their lives. Sigh..”

    Actress and VJ Anoushay Ashraf prayed that the international community would do more to help the Palestinian cause:

    “Goodness violence begets violence..I wish the world would do more to help Palestinian’s cause so we wouldn’t see such bloodshed.”

    Actress Ushna Shah expressed her disappointment with how many celebrities and politicians she had to unfollow after witnessing their reaction to the ongoing genocide of Palestinians

    “The amount of Hollywood celebrities and propaganda news publications I’ve had to unfollow…” she tweeted.

  • ‘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.”

  • ‘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.

  • Shamoon Abbasi skips daughter’s wedding, posts note about removing shameless, immodest people from his life

    Veteran actress Juveria Abbasi’s daughter Anzela Abbasi recently got married in a lavish ceremony to Tashfeen Ansari, however many were quick to point out that her father, Shamoon Abbasi, was not present during the ceremony.

    Abbasi posted a cryptic note on his Instagram stories during the wedding, writing about wanting to remove “shameless people” from his life:

    “I never wanted to be attached or known to have anything with impudent and immodest, shameless people in my life and never I will… no matter what my relationship with them I prefer to stay away from them no matter what!”

    The couple divorced after ten years together, after which the actress has been vocal about how she loves being single during an interview with Fuchsia Magazine:

    “Our society loves telling women that they cannot survive in this world if they don’t have a husband to take care of them. But I don’t encourage this kind of thought process because it was not difficult for me at all. I have a good job from where I earn a good amount which allows me to have a comfortable lifestyle and also take care of my daughter. I’m proud of the person she has become since she’s well educated, well groomed and now is also working as an actress.”

    Many users expressed anger at how publicly Shamoon was disowning his daughter and creating controversy on a special day. However, celebrities like Shahood Alvi, Ushna Shah came forward to publicly praise Juvaria for raising her daughter to become an accomplished, beautiful woman. Alvi praised Abbasi for going through all the tough times and coming out to be an even stronger, confident woman in spite of all that she has undergone:

    “I’ve always witnessed you being a great single parent, the amount of love and support you’ve shown her throughout life even after undergoing all the pain and challenges. Now that you’ve wedded her off in a great family. I’m so proud of you because I saw you struggle everyday and in your worst times, which is why i’m extremely thrilled for you! You’ve done a great job dost!”

    Actress Ushna Shah praised Juvaria for raising Anzeela all on her own as a single mother, and making her into a strong, king and well-rounded person:

    “I know what it means for a single mother to wed her daughter to the best of her ability, I saw how happy it made my mother and I saw how happy it had made you.”

    Social media users also praised Juvaria’s grace and strong-spirit to refuse to let her bitter ex-husband’s resentment destroy such an important day for her daughter, as one user lamented how society doesn’t acknowledge the strengths of single mothers

    Other’s came forward to defend Anzala’s choice of wedding outfits, pointing out that this was her special day and its about time people stopped telling brides how they should dress up on their big day!

  • Sonya Hussyn will play an addict in her next drama

    Sonya Hussyn will play an addict in her next drama

    Actress Sonya Hussyn is setting up her career to be that of a thespian with the wide range of characters she has played on screen. In a post yesterday, she revealed that her next character, Murshid, is an addict, and debuted her look on Instagram.

    The drama’s name is “Gangs of Kharasaan”

    The actress also revealed that this character held a special place in her heart.

    “Addicts are humans too!!!! Meet “ MURSHID
    Unveiling the first look of my new project, Gang of Kharasaan!
    After playing horain in saraab, Murshid is another character that holds a special place in my heart “

    Hussyn had previously played a boxer from Lyari in the film ‘Daadal’ who set out to avenge her sister’s honor by becoming a contract killer.

    Since she debuted her look on Instagram, celebrities like Yumna Zaidi, Imran Ashraf Awan and Kinza Hashmi have showered praise on the actor’s commitment to completely alter her appearance to portray a character.

    “The most stunning girl,” actress Ushna Shah wrote. “Always picking off track roles that show off her acting chops. Beautiful, brave, and badass. I am SO proud of you.”

  • Beware, Biparjoy: our celebs are armed with safety tips and they’re not afraid to use them

    Reports are coming in that 62,000 people have been evacuated from the country’s coastal line, according to Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman, and 75 relief camps have been set up at schools and colleges, according to Samaa.

    Celebrities and public figures are taking to social media to send helpful advice and prayers to those who could be affected by the natural disaster, as well as encouraging followers on social media to not listen to misinformation while stocking up on all the necessary things they need incase of emergency.

    Veteran actress Bushra Ansari shared a video of the sea outside her apartment to disseminate the misinformation that the storm had already reached Karachi, and sent her prayers to the resident’s of this city

    Philanthropist and actress Shaniera Akram urged her followers to help the ones living along the coast and whose lifestyle could be harmed due to the floods.

    Founder of ‘Something Haute’ Amina Haider Isani encouraged all her followers to bring their pets inside to a safer enclosure

    Actor Adnan Siddiqui sent well wishes to the people of both Pakistan and India, and prayed that the cyclone passes away soon.

    Actress Mishi Khan urged her followers to keep an emergency bag with them which included medicines, valuables, and cash etc, and to also remain in contact with friends and family members.

    There is no harm in finding some humor in dark times, like actress Ushna Shah can as she makes a funny quip about boarding a plane while a cyclone looms over Karachi

    “My flight to Karachi is taking off and there is a Cyclone warning there. I just want my husband to know that God forbid if the plane crashes & I don’t make it, I hope he finds happiness with someone new one day.. and I hope he knows she will never be as awesome as me. He will have settled. (It’s really sad that I have to give this disclaimer but I do: this is a joke).”

    https://twitter.com/ushnashah/status/1668738871440338947?s=20

  • ‘Domestic violence is not a personal issue’: Social media slams Ushna Shah for justifying support for Feroze Khan

    Actor Ushna Shah has been in hot waters in the past few days after she shared a picture of herself with controversial actor Feroze Khan at a gym on Instagram. She quoted a hadith that called for Ramzan to be a month of mercy and forgiveness. In her next post, she recalled the death of controversial televangelist Amir Liaqat, and asked her followers not to pass quick judgement that could lead to people committing irreversible acts.

    Feroze Khan has been accused of domestic violence and neglect by his former wife Aliza Sultan. The two divorced in 2022, after multiple celebrities including Oscar winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and actor Sarwat Gilani rallied behind her.

    In November, Feroze Khan was criticized for leaking the personal phone numbers and home addresses of ten celebrities -including Mira Sethi, Osman Khalid Butt and Yasir Hussain- who had declared that they would take action by suing Khan for emotional and mental trauma.

    On Saturday, Shah once more defended her stance by sharing a detailed statement on Twitter, where she called herself a “human sympathizer” rather than an “abuser sympathizer”.

    Shah went on to reveal that as someone who became the target of unfair bullying, like the backlash to her Indian lehnga that Shah wore on her Mehndi, she didn’t think that social media users should abuse a person and their families for something they “allegedly did”.

    “The backlash at my choice to wear the supposed ‘Indian style lehnga’ and dance at my own wedding, was prime example. So when hundreds and thousands of people abuse a person for whatever they allegedly did and abuse their families relentlessly, day and night, non-stop, I know what that can do and it isn’t fair punishment.”

    https://twitter.com/ushnashah/status/1644702178458710017?s=20

    Shah’s statement has received extensive backlash on social media for refusing to recognize how problematic her stance to support Khan is, and for being an abuse apologist.

    One Twitter user wrote:

    “Sympathizing with a human who is an alleged abuser/involved in domestic violence is basically being an abuser apologist. “even if the alleged criminal was found guilty” so u r telling me that a guilty criminal shouldnt have to face the consequences. also what even’s w the lehnaga.”

    “Pakistani celebrities are hypocrites,” another user wrote.

    https://twitter.com/peesho444/status/1644992794442993665?s=20

    “Why is it always ”let’s forgive abuser Muslim m3n because it’s Ramzan”, that man has literally brutalized his wife, you are not only a domestic violence apologist but a traitor to your own women class, using your privilege to disregard the voices of numerous DV women victims,” another user wrote.

    https://twitter.com/auratsoch/status/1644970742549819393?s=20

  • For Pakistanis, happy brides aren’t the prettiest

    For Pakistanis, happy brides aren’t the prettiest

    Was there an earthquake on our Instagram account last night? We found some distressing comments bunched under the old war cry of ‘Is This The Islamic Republic Of Pakistan?!’. Some people declared that they will unfollow our account for posting such content. At first, naturally we thought this was in reaction to a murder story, or regarding the number of rape cases we post everyday. But surprise, surprise, it wasn’t. No other post got this kind of attention or criticism like a video of actress Ushna Shah dancing at her wedding did.
    Pakistani women walk a tightrope everyday. They can’t declare to the world that they want to remain childless and single for the rest of their lives; not without attracting criticism for “hurting the sentiments of millions”. Or if they do choose to marry and remain happily in love with one man for the rest of their lives, they’re criticized for being extremely vulgar, refusing to confide with traditions of our society, and even promoting Western values.
    Because for Pakistan, a happy woman is a sinful woman. And any woman enjoying her life and living it to her own terms is what will trigger an already joy-less nation. Nothing else will attract this much hostility and negative backlash the way a woman dancing away on her wedding will.
    Like here is someone declaring that the reason for earthquakes striking Pakistan is because of a bride dancing the night away in a red dress?


    Ma’am, what sort of crime did Shah commit by spending her own money on her own wedding, and then happily dancing because she was in love? Did this massive earthquake over look the rise of poverty, corruption, terrorism and murder cases and clutch it’s pearls because of a woman being happy and in love?
    Or like this azeem shakhs who declared Shah was a kafir for dancing away in a ‘shameless’ dress which showed her bare midriff.

    Did you get invited to her wedding, or even pay for the events and more specifically her dress? No! Then keep your nose out of it. Women don’t need to mold their lives according to how people’s expectations matter. It’s her dress, she decides what to wear.
    And we haven’t forgotten the pile of hateful content that specifically targetted Ushna Shah’s dress, insulting her with terms like ‘Indian’ like this commentor is.

    Because color me pink, red was solely a color that Indian brides have worn. Anyone familiar with the history of Pakistan knows our culture and wedding practices are no different from Indian ones. Many Pakistani brides have worn wedding dresses made by popular Indian designers like Sabyasachi, while the same happens across the border. Besides that, Shah, or any other woman, has the right to choose what dresse she wants to wear on her own wedding.
    Ushna Shah had herself stepped in to silence the critics by reminding them that by the end of the day, it’s her choice to wear what she wants and celebrate in any way that makes her happy.

    “To those who have a problem with my dress:

    You weren’t invited, nor did you pay for my shade of red.

    My jewelery, my jora: purely Pakistani.”

    And that extends to every woman in Pakistan. They can celebrate the happiest day of their lives without paying attention to the negative voices in the shadows.

  • Farhan Saeed, Imran Abbas, others express disappointment on Pakistani economy’s plight

    Farhan Saeed, Imran Abbas, others express disappointment on Pakistani economy’s plight

    Pakistan recently faced a nationwide power breakout, several parts of the country also battled severe gas shortage, and now with the rupee losing its value further against the dollar, netizens and celebrities are struggling to feel patriotic. Prominent Pakistani actors weighed in on the deteriorating conditions of the country’s economy and whether we, as a nation, have lost all hopes for betterment.

    “How will we ever recover from this? Since I’ve been alive, I’ve never seen the Rupee strengthen against Dollar drastically,” Farhan Saeed wrote on Twitter on Saturday while reacting to the Pakistani rupee standing at an all-time low against the dollar.

    Concerned about how non-serious people are taking the economic distress we’re in, he added, “But still we are either this party or that party, but not Pakistan. No one’s serious about where we are, have we lost hope?”

    Actor Imran Abbas also made a cryptic post while sharing Finance Minsiter’s viral video.

    Ushna Shah shared her two cents on the subject. Claiming that she loves Pakistan and its people, she added how it gets harder to feel love when you can’t live a hassle-free life due to the unavailability of basic resources.

    https://twitter.com/ushnashah/status/1619223808526917632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1619223808526917632%7Ctwgr%5E4c4200e61eacd4a29beac53175f178928d6af7a5%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F2398283%2Fhow-will-we-ever-recover-from-this-ushna-farhan-on-pakistans-deteriorating-economy

    “I love my country, I love my identity, and I love my fellow Pakistanis. But when there is no electricity and no gas at the same time, there is a shortage of petrol and UPS crashes due to overuse, and literally, no way to power the house when I need coffee, well, tarana gana thora mushkil hei. (it’s hard to sing the national anthem then)” she wrote.

    Actor Aijaz Aslam questioned how productive political press conferences are if all that happens is leaders blaming each other while the civilians struggle to live.

    “What’s the point of these press conferences? Leaders just blame each other and nothing else. No one ever discusses the strategies to bring stability to the country. The currency devaluation is unstoppable and basic commodities are unaffordable for a common man, Reham karo (Bless us)” read his tweet. 

  • ‘Sickening’: Ushna Shah appalled by treatment to religious minorities in Pakistan

    ‘Sickening’: Ushna Shah appalled by treatment to religious minorities in Pakistan

    Actor Ushna Shah took to her Twitter handle to condemn the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan amidst Daya Bhel’s tragic murder news.

    https://twitter.com/ushnashah/status/1608738785734578177?cxt=HHwWgsDSwd7ZsdMsAAAA

    The Habs star wrote, “I have some close Hindu Pakistani friends. Wonderful, kind people, some are even like family to me. They happen to be from privileged homes. I shudder to think that their lives would have been bad if they had not been, like the majority of minorities, who have no voice #dayabhel.”

    Who is Daya Bhel and why her body was dismembered in gruesome Sindh killing - Pakistan Aaj English TV

    Shah also raised awareness on the matter in a follow-up tweet.

    https://twitter.com/ushnashah/status/1608737532824395777?cxt=HHwWgoCxzeeQsdMsAAAA

    Earlier this year during the holy month of Ramadan, she shared an instance where she was helped by a Christian and a Hindu as she went on to offer her Asr prayers in Ramadan. 

    “A Christian and a Hindu helped me pray Asr just now and set an example of tolerance,” Shah tweeted.

    https://twitter.com/ushnashah/status/1513128227794944003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1513128227794944003%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F2352006%2Fcelebration-of-tolerance-ushna-shah-shares-how-a-hindu-and-christian-helped-her-pray-namaz

    “At Nabila salon, the makeup artist for today (who is Hindu) held up the faucet so I could perform Wudu easily and another makeup artist (who did my makeup last night), who is Christian, spread out the Janemaz for me.”

    Last year the Balaa diva expressed her solidarity with the minorities in the country on the 75th Independence Day.

    Ushna Shah expresses solidarity with minorities on Independence Day

    Taking to Instagram, the Punjab Nahi Jaungi actor said “I’ll celebrate Independence Day when the minorities in Pakistan are given the economic, physical and religious securities as well as the civic liberties promised to them. The very promise which laid the foundation of this country.”

    Ushna Shah expresses solidarity with minorities on Independence Day