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Is The Conversation Around ‘Ertuğrul Ghazi’ Getting Out Of Control?

By
Faisal Ali H
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Ertugrul Ghazi

Sooner or later, it had to happen. Given the crazy response Ertuğrul Ghazi has received, it was only a matter of time before reality struck home for those few die-hard fans, who well, bought into literally all that the show depicted. And it had to be those unfortunate Instagram pictures posted by the cast which shattered that illusion and bore the brunt of the disappointment. 

Yes, the characters they were seeing on screen were, in fact, being played by Turkish actors. Oh, and Turkey has always allowed its citizens (including the women) the freedom to dress the way they want, too.

Does all of this sound too absurd to be true? Well occasionally, reality ends up being stranger than fiction, and this certainly seems to be the case here.

The actors are well, actors

It all started with Ertugrul’s leading man Engin Altan Düzyatan. A few social media users objected to a photograph of his that has him posing with quite a few dogs. Dogs, according to the moral code they advocate and prescribe (but perhaps not follow), should be anathema to a true believer. A user going by the handle @razi.ahmed commented “I am sad to say that this is not the Ertugrul I saw in the show. How can you have a dog indoors when you know Islam prohibits it?”

https://www.instagram.com/p/1fcscjxFUC/?utm_source=ig_embed

The outrage over such comments – from Pakistanis themselves – quite hearteningly was far more vocal and rightly set the record straight, generally noting that the trolls needed to fix their act, and perhaps their minds too.

Esra Bilic is not Halima!

Another victim ended up being actor Esra Bilgic, who was put under the microscope by the moral police for what it saw as inappropriate dressing. Esra plays the character Halima Sultan in the historical-adventure series, and let’s just say a few social media trolls decided to equate the actor’s values with that of 12th century Halima Sultan. Sigh.

Given the unprecedented popularity the show is currently experiencing, literally everyone has something or the other to say about it or those too surreal to be true responses to cast members’ photographs. At the time of filing this story, Halima Sultan was the top trend on Pakistan’s twitter indicating that, well, a pandemonium has been put in motion.

 

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Some Twitter users pointed out that Esra had actually objected to Priyanka Chopra’s comments during the late February India Pakistan tensions last year, and that it was unfortunate that she had to face some unsavory criticism at the hands of some social media users who live in the deep neck of the woods.

Celebrity reactions pour in

Earlier, we had reported how Shaan Shahid had tweeted about his disapproval for the show. In the ensuing period, many more celebs have jumped onto the bandwagon, with each weighing their opinion(s). Actor and musician Haroon Shahid tweeted his ardent backing, saying that everyone needs to watch the show “as much as possible”.

Bilal Ashraf too was all for it, praising the series for what he called a “great story and awesome production.”

Meanwhile, Ahsan Khan, as usual, came up with the sane perspective regarding all the unfortunate trolling some fans had thrown the Turkish actors’ way, pointing that “It’s bloody shameful what’s going on (the social media).”

Indeed, as Ahsan points out, many actors including the biggest names in the industry like Mehwish Hayat and Ayeza Khan have been slut-shamed and have borne the brunt of social media over their onscreen performances that the moral brigade has been offended by.

Actor Adnan Malik too chimed in and noted the unique interpretation of Islamic culture and how it should be seen as a welcome move.

How could any discussion on social media be without Jibran Nasir’s two cents? The socio-political activist felt that all the Ertugrul craze was the product of an ‘identity crisis.’ While we note that genealogy, race, identity, and culture are complex and often contentious subjects that cannot be addressed by sweeping generalities, Jibran opined in a tweet that “…(Previously) we mimicked Arabs tracing our roots to Bin Qasim. Now we’re trying being Turks.”

Meanwhile, Galaxy Lollywood contributor Zeeshan Mahmood was irked by Ertrugrul fans taking a liking to the show without realizing how modern Turkey has evolved, into a shape and form they might not necessarily find agreeable. A better idea, he felt was to focus on the country’s own unique history, spanning the millennia that predate independence from British India.

Meanwhile, Twitteratis were quick to counter Jibran’s comments.

A few even had some zany recommendations, which truly put an end to any debate and controversy about Ertugrul.

Final word

Given the bipolar nature of the debate, it would be prudent to advise that the show only be taken at face value for the entertainment it provides, and not be treated as some deep religious sermon or an authentic lesson in history and morality that needs to be aped by the cast members or those in the audience. However, given its only early days when it comes to exposure to international entertainment for a large swathe of the masses (the show is being broadcast on PTV’s terrestrial network, too), such reactions are not surprising. We at Galaxy Lollywood will continue to update you on the latest developments about the show, so stay tuned and watch this space!

Pakistani Celebrities Have A Lot To Say About ‘Ertuğrul Ghazi’ And It’s Not All Good

By
Faisal Ali H
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ertugrul ghazi

Turkish historical adventure series Diriliş: Ertuğrul, titled Ertuğrul Ghazi in Urdu, has received an unprecedented response in Pakistan, rivaling records held by some of the biggest blockbuster Pakistani dramas in recent memory.

The show, also referred by fans as the ‘Turkish Game of Thrones’ is being screened during Ramadan on PTV and has generated stellar ratings for the state-run channel that is often labeled as the perpetual sick man of cable, satellite and terrestrial networks. It is also being simultaneously streamed on YouTube where it has been trending at the top (hits for the first episode alone have exceeded 11 million views) and viewership only seems to be building up.

Stars weigh in

That a foreign dubbed show is doing so well has generated some interesting reactions in the media fraternity. Actor turned televangelist Hamza Ali Abbasi who maintains considerable social media clout has lent his wholehearted support for the show, even playing its opening theme in a viral video that created a stir.

hamza ali abbasi ertugrul

Hamza also injected some religious fervor into the discussion…

The other side

On the other hand, are the show’s detractors, this time surprisingly led by film actor Shaan Shahid, who see it as an invasion of foreign content for an audience which just might be destined to watch the usual conveyor belt television variety of soaps for eternity, otherwise.

While lamenting the massive response the show is receiving, Shaan is likely not considering the fact that Ertuğrul Ghazi fills the enormous void on local TV screens of diverse entertainment that is not purely women-centric — and that includes history-themed shows and films.

Not for the lack of trying, though. The Waar star himself directed a historical with strong religious themes titled Moosa Khan, but that was about two decades back and the end results were less than encouraging. Productions such as Moosa Khan perhaps have bolstered the confidence, or the lack of it, of local media houses and studios in creating content that will meet the quality expectations of an audience increasingly exposed to sharply produced foreign content. 

Flashback

Previously in 2013, the craze for Turkish soaps following the sensational success of Ishq-e-Memnun had created a much stronger outcry by local celebs and producers that eventually led to restrictions being placed on foreign television shows on local channels. The United Producers Association was pretty vocal around that time and it remains to be seen how they react to the newfound love for Turkish content.

With all the attention coming the show’s way in the country, the opposition and the federal government (which has been instrumental in getting it on air) are naturally at loggerheads about it. However, Ertuğrul Ghazi continues to wins over new stars, with the latest to join the audience being celeb couple Ali Safina and Hina Tareen of Khaas fame.

Interestingly, the show, whose central theme about the inception of the Ottoman Empire doesn’t sit well with quite a few middle-eastern governments, has been banned in some countries of that region. That though clearly is not an issue here.

Final word

The success of the show should serve as a wakeup call for Pakistan’s media fraternity to step-up their game and cater to an audience that is very receptive to shows that delve beyond the never-ending household sagas. If there’s one thing that Ertuğrul Ghazi’s success proves is that conceptually rich shows, be that about history or other diverse themes, if done right, have the potential to exceed anything that has been made previously in terms of popularity.

‘Naumaan Ijaz Will Play My Dad In The Next Film,’ Jokes Humayun Saeed

By
Uzair Anwer
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naumaan ijaz scandal humayun saeed

In a live video session with Vasay Chaudhry, actor Naumaan Ijaz had commented on certain famous stars’ acting skills, which included Humayun Saeed, Hamza Ali Abbassi, Adnan Siddiqui, the deceased Holywood star Marlon Brando among others. While the others are yet to respond to the remarks, Humayun addressed the episode in a sporty manner that drew much laughter. 

How it happened

The Punjab Nahi Jaungi star appeared on Fahad Mustafa’s show today as the team captain of Karachi Lions. Also participating in the game show were actors Ayesha Omar and Shahood Alvi.

On seeing Humayun and Shahood in the same team, Fahad mentioned that he wants to take a moment to provide some trivia. Fahad stated that in his first television drama, Raj Hansni directed by Iqbal Ansari, he played Humayun’s son. In a quick-witted comeback, Humayun said that Fahad was playing the character of his fourth wife’s son.

And then Humayun added the hilarious repartee. “Naumaan Ijaz bhi mere abba banay thay, mere pehle dramay mein, seriously.” Fahad gave a cheeky reply saying that “Apke aur Naumaan Ijaz ke pangay mein me parhna nahi chahta.” Humayun continued with his tongue in cheek humor by adding “Lekin wo aaj bhi mere Abba banay gein, meri next film mein.”

Fahad made another humorous comment during a segment where the participants had to guess the contents of a briefcase. When Shahood Alvi made his prediction about the prize, Humayun asked Fahad: “Kaisa lagta hai yeh?”, Fahad responded by saying “Jaisa Naumaan Ijaz ko lagta hai” leaving Humayun in splits.

Final word

All in all, Humayun with his presence took away any possible negativity that Naumaan’s viral video may have generated. Indeed, it was a demonstration of a good sportsman’s spirit by the Karachi Lions captain.

On his end though, Naumaan Ijaz doesn’t quite seem to have gotten over the troubles of his own making, with the rumbles of an angry, classist rant that we are hearing. It seems pretty clear who is the lesser man here.

Stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood for more on this story and the latest in Pakistani showbiz.

Adnan Siddiqui ‘Mocked’ Sarfaraz Ahmed And People Are Not Happy!

By
Galaxy Lollywood
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adnan siddiqui sarfaraz ahmed scandal

With its new format, Fahad Mustafa’s popular gameshow Jeeto Pakistan has been the hub of much celebrity activity of late. That, of course, is in no small measure to its stellar lineup of team captains such as Adnan Siddiqui and cricketer Sarfaraz Ahmed, among others.

The two, who head the Lahore Captains and Quetta Knights teams respectively on the show’s PSL inspired format, were in the spotlight yesterday with some interesting verbal duels that attracted much attention. And not entirely for the right reasons, might we add.

Adnan and Sarfaraz are team rivals in the show’s many competitive contests, so naturally, some amount of verbal tussling is expected, as happens on the cricket pitch too. However, the line between tongue in cheek back and forth and tense, harsh exchanges can be pretty blurry.

Facing each other off, the Meray Paas Tum Ho actor and the former national cricket team captain seemed to be getting into some volatile exchanges, with Adnan Siddiqui going as far as to ‘mock’ Sarfaraz’s stuttering, according to the feedback from social media.

The whole affair set microblogging platform Twitter on fire, with Adnan Siddiqui being the top national trend for quite some time on Wednesday. Twitteratis called out what they felt was an inappropriate way to deal with a speech disability, using terms such as ‘insensitive’ and ‘ugly.’

Some drew attention to Adnan’s recent apology over what he felt were comments made in poor taste by Amir Liaqat, on another show, and others chose to express their displeasure quite vociferously. 

Some were quite angry and outraged…

https://twitter.com/ayeshazebabbasi/status/1258095913047855104

     

The conspiracy theorists made sure to add their two cents.

A few even decided to wax philosophically…

What do you think? Does Adnan Siddiqui deserve the harsh feedback he has received from Twittersphere? Is all this worthy of the scandal it’s being made out to be? Let us know in the comments below!

Humayun Saeed And Hamza Ali Abbasi’s Acting Comes Under Fire From Naumaan Ijaz!

By
Faisal Ali H
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naumaan ijaaz humayun saeed hamza ali abbasi

It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say that Naumaan Ijaz and controversy go hand in hand. The veteran actor has over three decades worth of work behind him and has won much acclaim from critics, the audience as well as leading industry luminaries.

He is also one celeb who has never minced words when it comes to voicing his often provocative opinions even if that has meant rubbing important people the wrong way and facing bans from TV channels – something which he claims to be part of his nature. “I can’t be politically correct because it just isn’t who I am. I speak my mind and I speak the truth,” he says.

Well, let’s just say that the actor stayed true to himself in an Instagram Live session with Vasay Chaudhry a few days back, where he voiced some strong opinions about stars who have been creating waves in recent times, be that Hamza Ali Abbasi or Humayun Saeed, and even didn’t spare films such as The Godfather (Ijaz spotted imperfections when it comes to the acting department).

Not a Hamza Fan, To Put Mildly

While the fiery live chat in question, posted on Vasay Chaudhry’s Instagram account, had a temporary shelf life, you can count on us to fill you in on the details you missed on. To start with, a particular focus of the conversation remained Hamza Ali Abbasi, who Ijaz feels is not that great of an actor. The industry veteran even took digs at Hamza’s very vocal fans on social media, however, the point that was underscored quite emphatically throughout was that the Alif actor had a lot of ground to cover when it comes to the complex craft of acting.

It wouldn’t be entirely wrong to say that Hamza ended up being completely dissed.

Didn’t Watch Meray Paas Tum Ho

When it comes to stars and controversy, how could any interview or statement be complete without their two cents on the smash hit of the season, Meray Paas Tum Ho? Ijaz claimed that he had not watched the show as he was “busy with his shoots,” but also didn’t seem to give a pass to stars Humayun Saeed and Adnan Siddiqui’s acting skills. According to him, Saeed doesn’t quite cut it as far as his histrionics are concerned but just might eventually get there through trial and error. 

And if you fretted about Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar being beyond any criticism from the industry’s leading figures, worry no more. Ijaz completely canceled the Punjab Nahi Jaungi writer’s work and claimed the credit for introducing him to the television industry. 

Final word

To be sure, the Rehaai star did claim to be making these comments in a lighthearted way. Whether that was the case or not, we leave for our readers to decide. Unfortunately, with the fiery clip being around no more (it was an Instagram Live session, after all), you just might have to go with your gut and take it for what it really seems.

Khabees Phuppos No More? These Dramas Break The Stereotype!

By
Hammad Akbar
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In Pakistan, the debate over phuppos is a tale as old as time. In our standard cultural narrative, they are usually depicted as ruthless characters who would stop at nothing to destroy their brothers’ or sister-in-laws’ lives. And when it comes to Pakistani dramas, their representation naturally reflects the social stereotype, i.e. they are always khabees — which don’t get us wrong, can actually happen. But all the time?

Not so khabees, after all?

Coming back to the usual phuppo in television shows, if there is a character who is constantly poking her evil nose in her brother’s married life, it has to be her. While it’s debatable to what extent this stereotype is grounded in reality, it is only fair that all characters be not be painted with the same prejudice, just on the basis of their relationship.

And while we are on this subject, it has to be said that phuppos in the real world often break the wicked stereotype and actually end up having good relations with the brother(s) in question and their family. Yes, they can be quite likeable. And this is exactly what the dramas Kashf and Pyar Ke Sadqay are trying to show.

Aashi in Kashf

When Kashf started, it had the usual line up of stock characters that often dot Pakistani dramas. A father of three daughters who constantly nags his wife for not giving him a male child (Waseem Abbas can do this role with his eyes closed at this point), a helpless mother who cannot seem to stand by her daughters, a mother-in-law with views as outdated as herself and a sister who is apparently eyeing her sister’s fiancé.

However, when we get to know about the phuppo of the main lead Kashf, the portrayal feels quite non-stereotypical. Now divorced, Aashi (essayed by the talented Hajra Khan) is living with her brother but does not depend on him as the breadwinner. Instead, the whole house depends on her as she is the sole earner.

Moreover, instead of handing over her salary to her mother or even her brother, she gives all the money to her sister in law, who is in charge of running the house. Apart from financial help, Aashi provides great emotional support too. She defends her sister-in-law from her mother and brother and is more of a best friend to Kashf. Hajra Khan is doing a marvelous job with her character. It feels natural, realistic, and indeed quite refreshing.

Pho from Pyar Ke Sadqay

Pyar Kay Sadqay is a complete entertainment package; it has superb performances, skilled direction, a fresh story, and a wide array of characters. One of these characters is Abdullah’s phuppo, Pho, played effortlessly by Shermeen Ali. As of the latest episode, her real name isn’t revealed. Everyone in the drama calls her Pho, which is short for phuppo.

sharmeen aliWhat makes this character so refreshing is that she is the sister of Abdullah and Washma’s deceased father in the play. Even though their mother, Mansoora, married another man, Sarwar, Pho never left their lives. In fact, Washma practically lives with Pho. That’s how close she is to all of them.

Pho actively participates in their decisions and offers genuine advice and she does not depend on the family to feed her even though it was her late brother who set up the entire business.

If she wanted, she could have made a thousand excuses for either not having to do something with that family or for managing the entire business herself. However, she understood that her late brother’s wife and children were as much important to him as she was.

Pho truly is that phuppo with a heart of gold!

Final word

While both of these characters are miles apart, what unites them is the affectionate bond they share with their brother’s families. Some people might not consider this a big deal, but given the way phuppos have too often been shown as mean and manipulative, these dramas deserve a round of applause!

 

Will Major Upcoming Pakistani Films Go Straight For A Digital Release?

By
Faisal Ali H
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pakistani films netflix

The entertainment business – as it has traditionally worked — is currently in a tricky spot. As a result of the ongoing pandemic, theaters have closed doors, while film and television shoots have more or less stalled, affecting the industry’s entire supply chain. Absent an unexpected scientific breakthrough, things are unlikely to change much anytime soon, although there is talk about movie theaters adopting new, stringent operating procedures to deal with the still-emerging reality. To what extent these measures work, if they happen at all, and the kind of audience response cinemas can generate post-Covid19 still remains an open question though.

A new reality?

This reality is not lost on film industry personnel. In light of all the prevailing uncertainty, it is now more likely than at any point in the past that many films, including those produced in Pakistan, will end up on a digital/OTT platform such as Netflix. One of Hollywood’s leading studio honchos even went on record stating that more digital film releases from big studios such as his are inevitable. With the leading figures from the world’s largest film making setup opening up to digital/OTT platforms, the question remains, will others follow suit?

the legend of maula jattCloser to home, local studios and filmmakers too are weighing the possibility of their productions premiering on digital platforms. This is somewhat unfortunate. 2020 was expected to be a watershed year for the local movie industry and exhibition sector, with major productions such as The Legend of Maula Jatt, Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad, and Tich Button carrying positive reports and investor expectations of a bumper response.

Nabeel Qureshi is optimistic

With the theater business looking all the more uncertain to resume normal operations by Eid-ul-Fitr, Galaxy Lollywood spoke with some leading filmmakers whose projects are on the line. Director Nabeel Qureshi has a string of hits behind him and also has much riding on his upcoming action caper Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad currently slated for an Eid-ul-Azha release.

Qureishi sounded bullish on the prospects of Pakistan’s exhibition circuit resuming operations. “Things will be fine soon insha’Allah, (Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad) is a big budget production so it has to have a theatrical release,” he says, adding that “the movie is made for the big screen experience.”

The director also believes that the digital/OTT platform has not gained much traction in the country. “As far as going for a digital release is concerned, we don’t have any local OTT platform, plus Netflix has a limited amount of consumers in the country. Besides that, the math (of a digital release) doesn’t work out as well.”

About the film’s eventual release platform, he said: “Hopefully, there will be some new way … so let’s hope for the best.”

Irfan Malik: ‘Not giving up’

tich buttonARY Films’ Irfan Malik too echoed similar sentiments. The studio has Farhan Saeed-Feroze Khan starrer Tich Button lined up for an Eid-ul-Fitr rollout, with its promotions generating a positive buzz. “As yet we have not given up hope on a theatrical release. We are working with exhibitors to chalk out a post-Covid plan. Let’s see what happens. It’s too early to explore alternatives,” is what Malik has to say about exploring a digital release.

In addition to these two films, release plans of major projects such as The Legend Of Maula Jatt too are likely to be disrupted in light of the prevailing uncertainty. Previously, the grapevine has been abuzz with rumors about the Fawad Khan-Mahira Khan revenge-saga heading for Netflix, something which its makers had denied. Recently, the rumors have again resurfaced and it remains to be seen what course of action producer Amara Hikmat pursues. 

Final word

While it’s still early days to make a final call on the kind of release strategy the affected filmmakers would take, what is likely is following the end of the pandemic, a new release strategy just might emerge that takes into account the emerging dynamics of public exhibition infrastructure. Will the local film and television industry be finally prodded to join forces to launch an exclusive Pakistani digital platform, or will filmmakers settle for other alternatives? Time will surely tell.

Why Have These Characters Disappeared From Our Screens?

By
Faisal Ali H
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pakistan drama characters

It goes without saying that Pakistan’s television scene is a rather vibrant one, and has gone through many phases over the last several decades. Following their golden period during the late 70s and 80s, television shows once again are enjoying resurgent popularity, with some such as Meray Paas Tum Ho breaking records in terms of popularity.

While lighthearted romantic dramas dominated the scene following the advent of the medium, television shows today can be broadly segmented genre-wise, with storylines exclusively dedicated to slapstick comedy,  social drama and even crime sagas, although it is the usual complex household fare revolving around several families that takes the largest chunk.

Missing in action are the feel-good characters that depict a positive, progressive yet very human side of our society. Interweaving subtle, realistic conflict into an engaging plot with elements of romance, comedy and even a smattering of social issues is a challenging task, however, a fast jog down the memory lane reveals that such stories, each with their own popular characters, have been the mainstay of local productions during the peak popularity years.

Has pandering to social stereotypes and unhealthy saas-bahu domestic routines taken all the fun away from local shows? Here we look at five characters we would like to see back on the screens again, which will present a welcome change from the sob-a-minute routines currently dominating the airwaves.

The rebel heroine who comes of age

Yes, we are talking along the lines of Nilofar Aleem in Shehzori, Sana Murad in Ankahi, and Zara Ahmed in Tanhaiyaan. These characters have acquired an iconic stature over time, which has much to do with their rebellious nature. While the first two had quite a free-spirited and devil may care attitude, Zara in Tanhaiyaan was the more sedate of the three, however, she too defied the usual social expectations by focusing solely on her ambition. Writer Haseena Moin has to be credited for crafting the all-new gutsy Pakistani drama heroine who spoke her mind and knew what she wanted — however, no writer so far has successfully attempted to carry her legacy forward.

The ambitious woman who isn’t the villain

More often than not, women pursuing careers are usually treated pretty negatively in plays that have been on air recently. Reflective of the misogynist mindset, ambitious women are often depicted as she-devils who get ‘what they deserve’ by the last episode. Be it Ayeza Khan in MPTH, Naveen Waqar in Humsafar, or the vilest portrayal in lesser-known Inteha, women with career goals simply cannot seem to strike the work-life balance in the mind of our writers. Little surprise they usually end up being painted with broad strokes of sheer villainy.

AYezaA large chunk of Tanhaiyaan, which was aired in 1986 (yes, that’s well over three decades back) in an ultra-conservative environment, revolved around the struggle of Shehnaz Sheikh’s Zara to reclaim the former wealth and status of her deceased parents. Can we even imagine something like that happening today?

The middle-aged bachelor who isn’t a lecher

The lecherous, sleazy 40 and 50 somethings hitting on women half their age seem to have captured the imagination of today’s scriptwriters and drama makers. Meanwhile, the well-mannered gentleman courting a woman compatible with his age and stature has seemingly gone AWOL.

Veteran actors such as Qazi Wajid and Shakeel usually excelled at enacting such characters, and it will be refreshing to see these again on-screen perhaps with actors like Nauman Ejaz or even Adnan Siddiqui.

meray paas tum hoQuirky kids central to the plot

Before Meray Paas Tum Ho’s Roomi, there were quite a few child artistes who gained overnight popularity with television. However, as was the case with Ankahi’s Jibran, the children in these shows pretty much occupied the limelight as the story concluded. This was true for Kasak and Aahat as well, both of which ran in the early 90s. (Spoiler Ahead) In Ankahi, Jibran’s illness and his subsequent treatment is what catalyzes the romantic proceedings, whereas Aahat had many young stars taking center stage in a plot that revolved around the importance of birth control.

The romantic hero – who doesn’t die

tanhaiyaan

Once upon a time, television shows’ lead pairs used to enjoy fairly healthy relationships, with neither meeting an untimely demise to give way to an endless tale of tears. Now, lost among the cacophony of husband-wife conflict, doosri shaadi, and extramarital affairs is a simple concept that love is actually a beautiful emotion that can be uplifting and inspiring. Not all love stories on television are meant to be doomed! Don’t believe that? Well just catch a glimpse of Dhoop Kinare which offers a vignette into a web of complex, nuanced relationships among doctors happening in a clinic. 

It would be heartening to see these characters make a comeback on our screens, and with the talented array of stars we have at present, they surely will be able to make the same impact which they used to.

How Did Imran Ashraf End Up In A Project Like ‘Kahin Deep Jalay’?

By
Ozair Majeed
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imran ashraf kahin deep jalay

The very thought of watching an Imran Ashraf project excites every drama buff. Right from Alif Allah Aur Insaan to Ranjha Ranjha Kardi his performances have stood out from the rest.

It has to be said though, actors usually deliver a range of performances over their careers, with their highs and lows. However, sometimes, a particular performance draws into question the previous opinion one may have about an actor.

Imran Ashraf’s recent outing Kahin Deep Jaley (KDJ) has not been received too well by the audience. His act as the ‘conventional hero’ is receiving a fair amount of flak too, something that doesn’t happen often for the actor. The television show itself comes across as a mediocre attempt with a script and teleplay that needed more work, more so given it spans a massive 30 episodes.

Pressure to deliver high ratings?

The show makes me wonder whatever happened to Imran’s well-regarded script sense. By now, he has the luxury of picking and choosing what suits him the best. KDJ was heavily promoted as a love story, but the chemistry required to pull off romance convincingly was lacking. In the initial episodes, he was restricted to mundane lines such as ‘Maa Ji, App Ki Tabiyat Kese Hai,‘ which are met with equally standard responses. Later in the show, his character follows a confusing arc as he develops insecurities and misunderstandings following his marriage.

His introductory scene with on-screen romantic interest Neelam Muneer, where he saves her dupatta that has caught fire, featured some unusually high level of melodrama. And then the drama’s plot, as well as his character, lacked proper direction.

Despite all this, performances by Nazish Jahangir and Ali Abbas did leave an impression. Which brings us to the question that why didn’t anyone in the family have the courage to say anything to Nazish’s Shamila for her evil games and plans?

Who should be blamed?

It’s hard to digest that Qaisra Hayat of Alif Allah Aur Insaan fame has written the script that lacks novelty. The direction by Saima Waseem too is a letdown. Makers now need to understand that there are many sources of entertainment and that one really needs to do something different to keep viewers engaged. A formulaic assortment of top-billed actors on a lackluster script does not do the job.

Imran’s performance

Ashraf has been vocal about his opinion that ‘good looks don’t matter, acting does’. Yes, we agree but here even he is found to be mouthing loud, sometimes baffling dialogues in a single breath. All of this has not gone unnoticed by his fans, as I came across a loyal one who said that he watches the episodes in fast forward mode, wrapping an episode in less than 10 minutes (!).

I personally wonder given KDJ’s content if it was even advisable for the show’s social media team to ask viewers about their feedback. And with the kind of response KDJ has received, all the hyperbole on the official Insta-stories makes one scratch his head.

Final word

It’s true that Imran’s previous body of work has raised our expectations, however, here he needs to do some introspection. As they say, it’s all about how hard you bounce back. Ashraf next stars in drama serial Mushq directed by Aehsun Talish. Interestingly the latter has directed him in Alif Allah Aur Insan and Tabeer. Besides, he is all set to make his film debut with Dum Mastum. We hope that his craft comes in full circle with his future endeavors.

Did Bol TV Just Blatantly Lift ARY Digital’s ‘Jeeto Pakistan League’ Idea?

By
Maisooma Batool
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Fahad Mustafa Jeeto Pakistan Danish Taimoor

With the prevailing norms of social distancing and self-isolation being actively followed by all and sundry, there was a question mark on the typically crowd-filled Ramadan shows on television. For the past few years, the trend of special game show transmissions during the holy month has really caught on, becoming the de-facto norm of television entertainment during a period when the regular fare comprising of film, drama, and music takes a backseat.

The Shows Go On

All the coronavirus troubles notwithstanding, this year will be no different. Despite the fact that the game show transmissions won’t be able to take place the way they usually do amidst throngs of crowds waiting for hours to test their skills and fortune as they play for fancy prizes like gold and cars, the TV channels are not giving up.

Quite the opposite, it seems a Ramadan game-show battle for eyeballs will only escalate to an all-new level in the coming months.

The new format

ARY Digital’s leading show Jeeto Pakistan hosted by Fahad Mustafa has started promoting the show’s new format that takes into account the safety regulations regarding public gatherings imposed in the country. Instead of filling the studio with its boisterous live audience, Jeeto Pakistan will now have a tournament feel to it.

Aptly titled JPL or Jeeto Pakistan League, the show’s new format centers around a battle between five teams, each representing different cities and captained by a celebrity, playing against each other for prizes.

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Together with the show’s host, the list of team captains makes for a pretty starry affair. The teams of Jeeto Pakistan League and their respective captains are Humayun Saeed — Karachi Lions, Adnan Siddiqui — Lahore Falcons, Shaista Lodhi — Peshawar Stallions, Sarfaraz Ahmed — Quetta Knights and, Sana Javed — Islamabad Dragons.

The players will be the participants representing teams of their choosing and playing games while adhering to the safety protocols. Live callers will also be able to call in to support their favorite teams. The show this year will definitely have a different feel than the regular Jeeto Pakistan one is used to but this new format will ensure that the audience participation and its interactive appeal, which is the whole essence of the program, remains intact.

Not the only one

Surprise — it seems Jeeto Pakistan has company! ARY apparently is not the only channel that has changed the format of their flagship game-show this year. Over at Bol Entertainment something oddly similar has happened.

As Jeeto Pakistan’s direct competitor, Game Show Aisay Chalay Ga hosted by Danish Taimoor, too has publicized the new style of their show. And well, it is just the same as that of Jeeto Pakistan both in terms of format and the timings.

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The Bol TV show will also have an inter-city team competition somewhat akin to PSL, with each team having its own (you guessed it) celebrity captains. The celebs headlining the teams here will be Ahsan Khan — Lahore Leopards, Maria Wasti — Islamabad Eagles, Mathira — Peshawar Hawks, Mustafa Chaudhary — Kashmir Heroes, Fahim Khan — Karachi Knights and Laila — Quetta Wolves.

Battle extraordinaire?

The question remains if this is a coincidence or a calculated move, and it still remains to be seen what the shows on the two channels actually end up being like. For the moment though, all we can say is that Bol TV is set to cash in on the same format changes as Jeeto Pakistan‘s to ensure that Fahad Mustafa doesn’t get away with another winner without competition. As if to only underscore that sentiment, practically both the shows are claiming that this Ramadan, the winner’s mantle is theirs to claim.

As they say, imitation is the best form of flattery. It will be interesting to see who actually ends up reigning supreme in the ratings and popularity war in this year’s rather extraordinary circumstances.

What show will you end up watching and which one do you think will end up on top? Let us know in the comments below!

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