Mahira Khan never fails to surprise, effortlessly dropping captivating bombs with each move, keeping her fans on edge, eagerly anticipating her next steps. Collaborating with a clothing brand for a tribute to Indian icon Parveen Babi is her latest endeavour, following Maya Ali’s homage to Sridevi. While these tributes were appreciated, it was natural for us to ask where are the salutes to our Pakistani legends? As we unwrap this debate, let’s see what our celebrities had in store for us.
Mahira Khan impresses as she pays tribute to Parveen Babi
Mahira Khan dazzles us yet again, proving she’s not just a star but an icon in her own right. In a stunning tribute to the late Indian legend, Parveen Babi, Mahira wowed hearts, nailing her look in a recent clothing brand shoot. But behind those glamorous shots, Khan shared her backstage story on Instagram – and it wasn’t all glam! “This was a tough shoot, my first since my foot injury (three fractures in my right foot to be precise). I couldn’t move much and I was hating it. The team was so loving and caring,” she revealed.
But that’s not all! Mahira went all-in to perfectly embody the iconic Babi. She even got a haircut just like Parveen Babi’s for that extra touch! With a shoutout to her stylist, she playfully wrote, “Also..you rockstar! (tagging the artist)-cut my hair right before the shoot because I knew that we needed that for the Parveen Babi look. Your hands are magic.”
Mahira donned a shimmery rani pink saree, channelling the legendary Parveen Babi’s glamorous vibes. But wait, it gets better. This Bollywood-inspired shoot wasn’t just about dressing up. The spontaneous haircut coupled with Mahira’s graceful moves as she groves to the late icon’s song was a treat to watch.
When asked about her inspiration, Mahira’s eyes sparkled with nostalgia as she recalled discovering Parveen Babi through a Time magazine cover. She spilt the beans, saying, “I remember seeing this Time magazine cover and it had the gorgeous Parveen Babi on it. It’s because of that cover that I actually watched her films. Some of her songs I just love. She was so beautiful, such a style icon.”
In another captivating segment, Mahira’s silver kurta ensemble stood against a backdrop projecting Parveen Babi’s legendary song, setting the scene as Mahira grooved.
Regarded as a fashion icon and perhaps one of the most celebrated and finest actresses of Indian cinema, Parveen Babi left a lasting impact that was cemented through her performances and charisma.
Stunning Maya Ali’s tribute to Sridevi in a blush sari
A few months back, Maya Ali collaborated with the same brand, donning a sparkling light-pink sari. Accentuating her stunning attire, she adorned herself with silver and emerald green dangling earrings. For her makeup, she opted for a delightful blush-pink appearance. The ‘Mann Mayal’ star flaunted her dance moves, captivatingly grooving to one of Sridevi’s iconic movie songs. Alongside her dazzling performance, she expressed her admiration for the late Indian actress in a heartfelt note, “I’ve always cherished revisiting the most impactful films, and when I laid eyes on this shimmering blush sari for my role, it was pure love. After rehearsing my part, I knew this was the outfit I wanted to wear.”
Why tribute to only Indian actors
While these photoshoots took us on a nostalgic trip, witnessing our actresses channelling their inner heroines while paying homage to these two legendary stars, it raises a pertinent question. In the current climate of hostility between India and Pakistan, coupled with a restricted content exchange, one might ponder the appropriateness of honouring Indian stars. Moreover, it prompts us to address the elephant in the room: Why do we seemingly overlook paying homage to our homegrown icons and legendary stars who have laid the foundation for Pakistani cinema and television, contributing immensely to their growth? When will we prioritize honouring our own?
Picture this: our very own glamourous Sajal Aly pays a tribute to the iconic singer and pop queen of Pakistan, Nazia Hassan. We could get a playful collaboration between Sajal Aly and actor Sheheryar Munawar as they recreate memorable pictures of brother-sister duo Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan for a photoshoot. What could be better than seeing Sajal Aly recreating Nazia Hassan’s look and adding that playful charm?
Or imagine the current Pakistani television industry’s ‘IT’ couple, Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi paying an ode to the power couple Rahat and Sahira Kazmi. What could be better than going back in time and reminiscing a time when both the stars paved a name for themselves in the entertainment industry of Pakistan and gave it its gems such as the likes of drama ‘Dhoop Kinaray’.
While our dearest Mahira Khan was perfect in portraying Parveen Babi, we cannot help but think if that star power and dedication was spent in recreating celebrated looks of Pakistani film star Babra Sharif from her renowned films like ‘Mera Naam Hai Mohabbat’ or ‘Shabana’.
There is no doubt that cross-culture collaborations and celebrations of culture and artists pave the way for harmony and respect across borders and it is always encouraged. Nevertheless, it’s pertinent to not forget local legends in the process who deserve recognition and appreciation for their contributions. Let’s not forget the likes of Marina Khan and Vaneeza Ahmed who are our nation’s Meryl Streep and Rekha. Their enduring legacy in our industry deserves royal treatment, acknowledging their eminence as the queens they are.
