With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the entertainment industry the world over, Pakistan’s own showbiz scene too has seen dwindling activity as self-isolation and social distancing become the new buzzwords. Like most in the country, our actors have been following the instructions given by the government while encouraging their followers to do so, too. Most are staying at home and avoiding social gatherings, while practically all shoots and media-related activities have been called off.
The rare idle period has presented itself as an opportunity for many stars to better acquaint themselves with their social media following. Some have gone ahead with live text chat sessions with their fans and a few of them have even live-streamed video sessions with their colleagues.
It is also an interesting fact, that these live sessions have been used by some celebrities for showcasing their singing talents and other unique skills which the world otherwise might not be aware of as well as using the gap period for promoting their on-air television shows. Here’s a list of the most entertaining and engaging social media sessions that became the talk of the town, in this age of lockdowns and curfews.
Ali Zafar
The Teefa In Trouble actor has been creating waves online ever since he shared the PSL anthem announcement, which eventually led to his own popular track for the tournament. During the coronavirus outbreak, the actor has been streaming loads of social media content and has also been using his handle productively by spreading awareness on the essential precautionary measures to exercise.
Ali also came up with an interesting live session separately with Humayun Saeed and Saba Qamar. Bringing the Cheekh star onboard resulted in quite a lighthearted, fun banter, where the two stars also expressed their desire to work with each other. Ali narrated his experience of sharing screen-space with Saba for a scene in Lahore Se Aagay and praised her by saying that he finds her amongst the finest actresses of all time. That is no small compliment!
He also shared a video that has him paying a tribute to doctors engaged in battling the outbreak with his rendition of the patriotic anthem, Yeh Watan Tumhara Hai. Ali also entertained fans with a live digital concert.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-cgnMzlS6v/?igshid=170z7r285efhn
Saba Qamar
Besides her appearance with Ali Zafar, the Kamli star also celebrated her birthday online with her fans. She also regaled her fans with a series of live sessions to mark the occasion, which included one about skincare. Saba joked about turning 18 and also attended HSY’s call during the live session, keeping the proceedings engaging, funny and very entertaining. This is one star who sure knows how to keep the spirits up during the current lull!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-hcCN0hJGx/?igshid=xxrkwxd5ob2u
Humayun Saeed Ends Up On Candid Camera
This live session takes the cake for being unintentionally hilarious. Joining Waqar Zaka for a live-streamed video chat, Humayun, who was in quarantine with his Meray Paas Tum Ho co-star Adnan Siddiqui, used some rough language in jest on camera thinking it’s a video chat with only Waqar and not a live-streamed session. When Adnan made Humayun realize that he’s being watched by many, the JPNA star made a hilarious expression of shock and disbelief before moving away from the camera screen.
His priceless gaffe also became a meme-worthy situation for social media content creators who used it for their digital posts with funny captions.
Hira Mani & Junaid Khan
Hira Mani and Junaid Khan live-streamed a session for the digital promotion of their new drama, Kashf, through a joint video chat on Instagram. Hira praised Junaid for agreeing to a project that has a woman playing the lead. Mansha Pasha also dropped by a message greeting the two. Hira also talked about her hit pairing with Affan and expected to ignite the same kind of chemistry with Junaid. The two mentioned they are doing regular house chores such as “jhaaru pocha” themselves. She also sang one of their drama’s OST (Sun Yaara) to entertain her fans.
Ali Sethi
Ranjish Hi Sahi singer, Ali Sethi is also a regular with his live videos and had one with Ghungroo toot gaye fame Indian singer Shilpa Rao. Here he made her sing the iconic Pakistani song Paar Channa Dey which had us humming along. In another video of his a troll abused the singer and he in a humorous way replied back by using the same beep for him and his extended family in jest.
Hania Amir & Asim Azhar
Hania also promoted currently on air Dilruba before its second episode. She urged the fans to watch it and tag her with their feedback on the same. She also showed Zara Noor Abbas and Mehwish Hayat’s visuals from Challawa while watching its TV premiere. Hania also shared a glimpse of her video chat sessions with rumored boyfriend, Asim Azhar, and the upcoming actor and satirist Momin Saqib.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-NLYzsDZpt/?igshid=13vu4yinx3grp
Iqra Aziz & Yasir Hussain
Iqra and Yasir did a joint live session for their fans. Yasir, as usual, was at his humorous best, and this time was also being all flamboyant for his lady love. Iqra also brought her pet dog for her fans to see. The Jhooti actress took this opportunity to thank her fans for all the love and affection she has been showered with following her wedding and for Jhooti. Iqra mentioned that she is not an expressive person but that shouldn’t be taken as a sign of indifference. We hear her!
The Fabulous 5
Resham, Sonya Hussayn, Ahsan Khan and Adnan Siddiqui did a joint video session where they talked about the on-going situation and also indulged in lighthearted banter as friends. Interestingly Adnan and Sonya shared a great camaraderie considering Sonya’s recent statement of not signing Mere Paas Tum Ho opposite him and Humayun Saeed. Singing sensation Shafqat Amanat Ali (who lent the vocals of Meray Paas Tum Ho’s OST) joined them in and impressed them with his musical talent by singing one of their favorite songs while everyone seemed to be mesmerized by his vocals.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-g-KlOgxkq/?igshid=v14qolb4ey1o
Osman Khalid Butt
Being the funny man he is Osman revealed in one of his Instagram chat sessions that his first email address was dancerswith_underwear@yahoo.com on being asked about his unusual username. The Baaji star had his humor game and peppered his entertaining banter with much hilarity. Interestingly, he also mentioned that Maya Ali is one of the most loving and caring individuals that he has ever met.
Osman posted a rather hilarious meme of his Ehd-e-Wafa poster with everyone sporting masks amidst the Corona wave.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B99I1yZp8ua/?igshid=1ob4dn09lkpme
Mohsin Abbas Haider
The Na Maloom Afraad and Baaji actor has been coming in live every day for his fans. Mohsin does interactive live singing sessions for his fans where he sings for them and also engages in questions and answers. He recently collaborated with a young singer Urooj from Balochistan for the rendition of some Sufi verses. His rumored lady love, Nazish Jahangir also sent her requests of songs which the actor was more than happy to accept.
Our verdict
It’s great that our celebs are using digital platforms to keep their fans entertained with dollops of entertainment and insight into their lives. We hope this trend continues and make our social media feeds are full of exciting content, even after (hopefully) getting through this crisis.
