Welcome to the rollercoaster ride that was 2023 — a year filled with jaw-dropping WTF moments and victorious FTW instances that kept the entertainment industry, and our social media feeds, buzzing. From explosive divorces and legal battles to the birth of fresh narratives on the small screen, and Pakistani talent conquering global platforms, it’s been a year of highs and lows. Join us as we revisit the FTW and WTF moments that defined the drama, glamour, and gossip of 2023.
Feroze Khan – Aliza’s divorce fiasco (WTF)
Feroze Khan, having made himself the unofficial poster boy of toxic masculinity in the entertainment industry, had more to offer. Despite his tumultuous divorce with ex-wife Aliza Sultan happening in 2022, the shitstorm also catapulted into 2023. Things took a bizarre turn when the Khaani star, in his usual bombastic fashion, filed a defamation lawsuit against several celebrities and even went as far as to leak their addresses and phone numbers in his complaint.
This ugly turn of events took the legal battles to a whole new level when Muneeb Butt, one of the celebrities affected by this leak, also decided to take the legal route in retaliation. The matter did end up getting resolved between the two and it managed to stay out of court. However, it’s crazy how far this cold war went on for and is a major WTF moment from the year.
Green Entertainment’s 2023 Debut and the End of TV Clichés (FTW)
In 2023, the much-anticipated arrival of Green Entertainment was nothing short of a showbiz comet. After years of fervent anticipation fueled by big industry names, the channel was unveiled. The dramas that followed shattered traditional narratives, bidding farewell to clichés like saas-bahu conflicts and love triangles. Instead, Green Entertainment offered a diverse range of compelling stories addressing themes of classism, corruption, gender equality, morality, and societal norms — that resonated with audiences of all tastes. The Green Entertainment wave has not only swept through screens but has become a defining force, setting a new standard in the drama industry.
Adil Raja vs Pakistani actresses (WTF)
In more disgustingly misogynistic news with more defamation lawsuits, we had ex-Army major Adil Raja proclaiming in a YouTube video that several renowned actresses and models often stayed at ISI safe houses. He alleged that they had carnal relations with several officials and were used as “honey traps” for politicians.
While no one was explicitly named, easily decipherable initials of several actresses were shared. The industry united against him and came to the defence of all the speculated actresses, calling the remarks misogynistic. Kubra Khan, one of the alleged names, even threatened to file a defamation lawsuit.
Urwa Hocane and Farhan Saeed back together (FTW)
In a plot twist sweeter than a rom-com, our beloved celebs, Farhan Saeed and Urwa Hocane, squashed separation rumors and sent fans into a frenzy with a heartwarming reunion on Eid. After a stint of mysterious social media silence and a poker face during Tich Button promotions, the couple unleashed a flood of loved-up pictures on Instagram last year. The cherry on top? They blessed Urhaan enthusiasts with the delightful announcement of expecting their first bundle of joy.
Javed Akhtar: an ungrateful guest (WTF)
Brace yourselves for drama with a capital D as we rewind Javed Akhtar’s visit to Pakistan earlier last year. The Indian screenwriter, poet and lyricist was part of Faiz Festival, which set off fireworks, but not the celebratory kind. A simple question about the Pakistani people’s hospitality catapulted our social media into a rollercoaster ride of drama and chaos. When quizzed about the warmth of Pakistanis, Javed Akhtar responded how their legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar was never hosted by Pakistanis. What was worse was when he insinuated that the bomb attack in Mumbai was done by Pakistanis. The plot thickens. Later, the public got in a state of fury after Javed Akhtar arrived fashionably three hours late, at a party hosted by Ali Zafar the next day. Will we hit ‘skip’ on this drama and ‘next’ to brighter moments, or keep it in the recycle bin of bygones?
Glamorous ‘I Do’s: Celebrity Weddings That Stole the Spotlight in 2023 (FTW)
From surprise nuptials to dreamy celebrations, last year’s celebrity weddings served up glam and romance, leaving us starry-eyed and secretly hoping for a front-row invite to the next fabulous affair. Feeling left out? No worries, we got you.
Amidst the glitz and glamour of 2023, our favourite celebrities decided to say I do in style. Umer Mukhtar opted for a star-studded affair, Madiha Imam and Moji Basar swooned us with an Insta wedding, later throwing a lavish reception in India. Ushna Shah’s union with golfer Hamza Amin brought global flair to the scene. But the pièce de résistance? Mahira Khan’s Bhurban wedding was straight out of a fairy tale. With ethereal vibes and royal splendour, it had us all enchanted.
Nida Yasir’s 1992-2006 World Cup Match Meme (WTF)
Nida Yasir is notorious for getting herself into new controversies all the time and entertaining audiences even at her own expense. So, when she appeared on Shoaib Akhtar’s show, the morning show host gave a gift to all the meme-makers out there.
She was asked “When did Pakistan win the 1992 World Cup?” and the ‘Nadaaniyaan’ star was dumbfounded by the trick question, failing to come up with the answer. The clip went viral, and netizens naturally took to hardcore meme-ing.
Hamza Ali Abbasi makes television comeback (FTW)
Heartthrob Hamza Ali Abbasi made a dazzling comeback to the small screen in 2023 with the drama ‘Jaan-e-Jahan.’ After a rollercoaster of emotions in 2019 when he dropped the bombshell of an entertainment hiatus on YouTube, leaving fans in collective heartbreak, Hamza received a lot of love for his acting in the 2022 blockbuster ‘The Legends of Maula Jatt.’ He’s now back on television reuniting him with Pyarey Afzal co-star Ayeza Khan. Clearly, the man knows how to keep us guessing and eagerly anticipating his next move.
Tere Bin’s OST and Rape Scene Controversy (WTF)
Ever heard of the ‘’Tere Bin’ Effect’? Move over James Bond, there’s a new influence in town. With billions of views and being the most-discussed drama in Pakistan and garnering unwavering recognition abroad, it does not serve us right if we do not have ‘Tere Bin’ on this list.
Shani Arshad’s ‘Tere Bin’ OST took the town by storm, setting the stage for a rollercoaster drama ride. It wasn’t just the catchy lyrics that caught everyone’s attention; the show left our jaws dropped in a cliffhanger moment. The plot then took an unexpected detour, diving into a shockingly controversial promo where Pakistan’s Mr. Darcy aka Murtasim Khan was depicted having raped his wife. We still cannot decide if the change in the plot and reshot scenes were better following the criticism received after the promo. Was it better to save the reputation of our beloved Murtasim Khan or ‘Tere Bin’ itself? Dear readers, help us decide.
Ali Sethi at Coachella (FTW)
Ali Sethi took the stage at the Coachella music and art festival in 2023. He appeared for the second weekend of the festival and sang to a packed tent. While the Mughal angrakha he donned did not go over too well with netizens, the event was a huge win for inclusion overall. “No representation without inclusion.” proclaimed the singer in an Instagram post. He also performed his mega hit song Pasoori at the event which just as big at the event as well.
Pasoori in an Indian movie (WTF)
Bollywood’s love affair with remakes struck again in 2023, and this time, Ali Sethi and Shae Gill’s hit ‘Pasoori’ were the victims. The song got a Bollywood makeover for the movie ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’ starring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani, but the magic of the original proved irreplaceable. Pakistani netizens weren’t shy about expressing their collective disappointment, reminding everyone that sometimes, you just can’t beat the classic vibes.
Pregnancy announcements (FTW)
Celebrity baby bumps were the real stars of social media in 2023, and we were here for it! From Aiman Khan and Sarwat Gillani expanding their adorable families to Minal Khan, Mariam Ansari, Urwa Hocane, and Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui announcing to stepping into the world of parenthood — these celebs not only brought joy but also flooded our feeds with happy tears and cheerful vibes. Who knew baby announcements could be this heartwarming?
Naimal Khawar’s alleged cosmetic surgery creates a social media storm (WTF)
As a nation we cannot help but stop poking our noses in someone’s business, can we? The desi gossip aunty in us resides waiting for the right moment where we can give our judgement and then say “sanu ki” (not our business). Naimal Khawar inadvertently found herself in the limelight of social media scrutiny when her recent cosmetic surgeries became our prime-time gossip. After pictures got released from a brand photoshoot, our nation’s rumour mill set into overdrive. Suddenly, it was open season for opinions and a nationwide debate on personal choices. But let’s be real, she looks just as stunning as ever. Ah, we do have a flair for dramatics.
Vasay Chaudhry exits ‘Mazaaq Raat’ after 7 Years; Imran Ashraf steps into the host’s shoes (FTW)
Vasay Chaudhry bid farewell to Mazaaq Raat this year, a show he hosted for seven years. Despite the sad goodbye to the beloved host, excitement resurged when Imran Ashraf was announced as the show’s new host.
Audiences have fallen in love with ‘Ranjha Ranjha Kardi’ star due to his numerous highly acclaimed performances over the years, so this news came as a delight for fans.
Pakistani artists shine on the global stage (FTW)
Brace yourselves for how Pakistani artists have gained international recognition for the country. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is smashing ceilings and taking names. The Academy Award-winning director and journalist is about to light up the ‘Star Wars’ universe, becoming the first woman of color to direct a ‘Star Wars’ film. Jedi Master Rey’s story gets a new chapter, and we are anticipating the magic on-screen.
But wait, there’s more! ‘In Flames’, a Pakistani-Canadian horror flick directed by Zarrar Kahn, hit Cannes with a fiery world premiere. This spine-chilling film’s been turning heads at the 76th Annual Cannes Film Festival, rocking the screens and earning its spot at the prestigious Director’s Fortnight. Keep it coming, folks.
First Pakistani drama coming on Netflix – ‘Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo’ (FTW)
Brace yourselves for a wave of Pakistani talent on Netflix! The much-anticipated original series, ‘Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo,’ is set to mark our country’s debut on the global streaming platform. The star-studded lineup includes Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Sanam Saeed, and Ahad Raza Mir in leading roles, with a powerhouse ensemble featuring Hamza Ali Abbasi, Bilal Ashraf, Maya Ali, Iqra Aziz, Hania Aamir, Khushaal Khan, Nadia Jamil, Omair Rana, and Samina Ahmed. We can’t wait for this saga.
And there you have it, — a year that kept us on the edge of our seats, oscillating between “What on earth?” and “Yes, please!” As the curtains fall on 2023, we’re left with a whirlwind of memories — the unforgettable, the eyebrow-raising, and the downright astonishing. From the courtroom dramas of celebrities to the heartwarming reunions that melted our hearts, 2023 has etched its mark in the annals of showbiz history. we eagerly await the next act, curious to see what surprises and spectacles the future holds for our beloved entertainment industry. Until then, here’s to a year of us anticipating more riveting tales. Team Galaxy Lollywood wishes you a joyful new year!
