Here’s How Ali Zafar Has Won PSL This Season!

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March 2, 2020

The fifth edition of Pakistan Super League is underway and by now the nation has settled itself to enjoy this cricket season that celebrates and promotes the game that is beloved by the entire country. And the celebrations start when the official anthem for the tournament is released. However, this year that celebration was mired with a rather peculiar controversy.

For the first time in PSL’s history, the official anthem for the year was welcomed with some rather mixed feedback on social media. Its video uploaded on Youtube received a harsh mauling from social media users, and many online platforms were flooded with fans who were disappointed by what they considered was a dip in the quality of the league’s official song. To be more specific, the fans were severely missing the presence of Ali Zafar, who has sung three of the five official PSL anthems over the years.

To all this Ali replied, “Bhaee Hazir Hai.”

Anthem controversy

The trouble began when Ali Azmat, one of the singers of this year’s PSL anthem, went on national television and indirectly accused Ali Zafar of orchestrating the entire negative trending against the anthem on social media. The disappointing reviews towards the anthem as well as the actual performance, botched due to event mismanagement at the PSL opening ceremony, had left Ali Azmat quite embittered and he spilled it all on TV during an interview.

While this could’ve easily been brushed off as yet another regular unnecessary social media spat, Ali Zafar took the opportunity and spun it all in his favor in what was a masterstroke. He addressed the accusations in a cheeky twitter video where he sarcastically invited every person to put the blame of everything wrong in their life on him. He said people were free to put his picture on a dartboard and attack it every time they got frustrated with their life. In his own words, Ali was ready to be there.

Ali rallies the social media

And thus, began another social media trend that urged Ali Zafar to come back with a PSL anthem that is on the same scale as the famous Ab Khel Jamay Ga. The topic was even raised in the same TV show where Ali Azmat had made the accusations. Ali Zafar used the same platform to drop the news that he was willing to make a PSL anthem if that is what the fans and the audience wanted. Bhaee hazir hai.

All controversy was forgotten and now all eyes were on Ali Zafar and his promise. The response to his news was overwhelmingly positive and within two days, Ali had dropped videos announcing the progress of the anthem which was nearing its completion. And because this entire thing was done due to the fans’ insistence, Ali Zafar did not exclude them out.

The Channo rockstar sent out an open invitation to all his fans around the globe to be part of the anthem’s official music video. The process was simple – just send a video of dancing to the song’s hook step by following an easy tutorial taught by Ali Zafar himself and email the video. Simple, engaging, and effective; the anticipating fans’ put on their dancing shoes and readily answered Ali Zafar’s call with full enthusiasm.

Fast forward to the video

It did not take Ali Zafar even ten days to drop the hint of him making a PSL anthem and releasing the final version of the anthem alongside its music video. And he made sure that the entire process of making the anthem was not done in secret. It was out in the open for everyone to witness. It could be seen as Ali Zafar flexing the power of his fan following. Honestly, he can’t be blamed.

The title of the anthem could not be apter. Mela Loot Liya can very easily apply to Ali Zafar’s own brilliant strategy that had him spin a negative attack on him into a golden opportunity to be back in the game. Without wasting time and energy in engaging in a petty fight after being accused of being a mastermind behind a slandering campaign on social media against this year’s official anthem Tayyar Hain, Ali Zafar used the very same social media to prove that the audience’s acceptance and love cannot be bought. It was a clever move and it worked.

A win-win situation

Ali Zafar’s association with PSL has always bought both him and the tournament great benefits. One can’t forget that the teaser of Teefa In Trouble was released during the opening ceremony of PSL in 2018. In return, Ali Zafar had put up a brilliant performance at the ceremony. No other performer has elevated the PSL stage the way Ali Zafar did. The power move that he pulled in just ten days with Mela Loot Liya can be interpreted as Ali Zafar sending a message that he is the force that cannot be just pushed to the side like that, especially with all the successes to his name.

Mela Loot Liya is officially released and is already trending on top spots. While it might not be the official anthem for PSL, it has already gone viral and is pretty much on every person’s lips. Even Ali Zafar dedicated his hard work to all his fans who pushed him to do this. At the end of the day, what sells is what the audience wants.

And the audience clearly wants Ali Zafar.

The ‘Chakkar’ Continues: Now, Ahsan Khan Signs Yasir Nawaz’s Next!

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Faisal Ali H

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March 1, 2020

Yasir Nawaz’s upcoming thriller-comedy Chakkar has been in the news for the last few months, courtesy cast announcements, revelations about the film’s reportedly intriguing plot and the question whether it is happening, at all.

With all this mystery around, the curiosity factor around the darkly comedic thriller has gone up a few notches. However, now, it seems the haze is finally lifting and the stars (no pun intended) might be lining up right for Chakkar to finally begin its shoot.

Ahsan On Board

The latest development about the film is that Ahsan Khan is on-board as its male lead. Confirming the news to a local daily Ahsan said: “I was always Nida and Yasir’s first choice for the lead. Nida had asked me if I was interested in playing the lead when she and Yasir came on my show months ago.”

Elaborating about his character, the Udaari star said: “I’m playing the main lead — a goody-good romantic guy named Kabeer who is quite smart,” and that he found the script, which has elements of comedy to be “quite entertaining.” The Chuppan Chuppai actor stated his admiration for Yasir Nawaz’s films as being one of the reasons for signing onto the project. “I really liked Wrong No. 2, and I loved his TV serial Chup Raho. Also, I haven’t seen much of the dark comedy-thriller cinema genre in Pakistan.”

The Leading Lady

As far as the movie’s leading lady is concerned, Yasir Nawaz had confirmed to us a few months back that Mawra Hocane would be doing this part. Since then, the film has seen some cast shuffles (Feroze Khan was initially announced as the male lead), and it just might be that a new female lead is ultimately signed on.

And while the circle continues to be quite symbolic in Ahsan’s — also the swirling dervish of Alif — scheme of things, it remains to be seen which diva finally gravitates towards the film’s orbit.

With the male lead of the project finally, in place, it seems this Chakkar is beginning to resolve itself to finally make it to the studios. Stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood for more details on this project!

Ali Rehman Khan And Hania Amir To Star In Wajahat Rauf’s Quirky Social Comedy

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Iman Ali Munshi

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March 1, 2020

Wajahat Raut has over the years attained a solid footing in the industry. He is known to be an efficient filmmaker who completes his projects at a breakneck pace, with a major release year after year. Riding high on the success of his 2019 blockbuster Chhalawa, Wajahat seems to have found his new lead pair in the suave Ali Rehman and vivacious Hania Amir for his next.

The Mohsin Connection

Wajahat took to social media to announce his next directorial venture Pardey Mai Rehnay Do which has been written by Mohsin Ali. Interestingly Mohsin Ali who wrote and directed the 2017 release Chupan Chupai was initially going to direct this film himself and Ahsan Khan had been taken on board as the male lead when news first broke last year.

Wajahat The Captain

Anyhow, now it is Wajahat Rauf who has taken over the reins of this film and shooting has begun in Karachi. We contacted the director who was kind enough to spill some details amidst the shoot of the film. “It’s a social issue which has been dealt with in a light way,” said Wajahat. “The film will have its share of laughter and emotions” reassured Wajahat when we inquired if Wajahat was deviating from his strength: comedy.

Moreover, Wajahat hoped that the film would touch a pulse with the audiences and conveyed his excitement on working with two of his favorite actors Ali Rehman Khan and Hania Aamir, both of whom he hasn’t worked with before.

The film is being produced by Wajahat Rauf, Zayed Sheikh, and Shazia Wajahat, whereas celebrated designer Munib Nawaz has come on board as the style director.

New lead pair

Ali Rehman and Hania Amir coming together as the leads for Wajahat’s next is particularly interesting as Hania made her debut with Janaan where she starred alongside Ali Rehman Khan. Hania was last seen in the commercially successful 2018 release Parwaaz Hai Junoon whereas Ali’s last film release was the 2019 release Heer Maan Ja. Also, this is Ali’s first film outside the IRK banner.

For now, all we can say is that it will be a treat to see Hania romancing Ali on celluloid. On the personal front, the actress has been grabbing headlines lately for her sizzling equation with the singing sensation and beau Asim Azhar, which will add to the curiosity and hype about the project.

We wonder if Asim would end up with playback credits for the film. Well, that will surely make the outing more interesting, for one!

Final word

Wajahat’s expertise, Ali’s charm and Hania’s strength of emoting make this project one to look forward to. Knowing Wajahat’s pace of working, the film is quite likely to be a 2020 release. Keep on checking this space for the latest on this film!

Zara Noor Abbas To Star Alongside Fawad Khan In Haseeb Hassan’s Film

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Maisooma Batool

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February 29, 2020

The developments in tinsel-town just keep getting hotter by the minute. Earlier today, Galaxy Lollywood had confirmed the news of Fawad Khan being the male lead in the next Haseeb Hassan directorial. The project, which will be Haseeb Hassan’s fourth venture with the ace writer Umera Ahmed, is already a much-anticipated film.

The question of the actress playing the female lead in the project has seen the grapevine come up with quite a few names. However, we now have credible word courtesy highly-placed sources in the know that, hold your breaths, none other than Zara Noor Abbas is confirmed for that major role in the film. This will be Zara’s third film of her career and in what will be a major career boost, she will be seen acting opposite Fawad Khan.

But that is not all. We have learned that among the other cast members, Sanam Saeed is also likely to appear in the film. If she officially signs on to the film then this would be Sanam’s second project with Fawad Khan after their blockbuster drama Zindagi Gulzar Hai that aired in 2013. Zindagi Gulzar Hai was the drama that had given Fawad and Sanam much love across the border and was one of the reasons why Fawad was approached for his first Bollywood film Khoobsurat.

The official news regarding the film’s cast and title will be released next week. And while it is certain that Zara Noor Abbas will be a part of the film, it is to be seen if Sanam Saeed will also be a part of it. Regardless, the cast of the film, which is reportedly a navy drama produced on a huge canvas, is already shaping up to be one of the biggest films of the year.

Stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood for all the updates regarding the project.

Yasir Hussain And Iqra Aziz’s ‘Half Fry’ Is Shelved

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Faisal Ali H

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February 29, 2020

Ever since Yasir Hussain proposed to Iqra Aziz last summer, fans of the two have been eager to see them working their natural chemistry on screen, together. So when news broke last fall that the hot duo had signed an action-comedy film titled Half Fry, our expectations-o-meter naturally shot up quite high. The combination of Iqra’s fierce spunk and Yasir’s street-smart brand of comedy could potentially translate to silver-screen magic.

However, we have learned that the film as of now, is not quite happening. Confirming the news to Galaxy Lollywood, the film’s male lead Yasir Hussain said: “We only shot for that project for a day, and Iqra did not even get to face the camera. The film essentially didn’t make it to the floors, and as to why that happened, the director can tell you better.”

Half Fry was to be helmed by Abu Aleeha who had previously made Kataksha and Tevar, both the pictures having released last year. Photographs from the film’s first day of shoot in Karachi had created quite a stir on social media, and later it was even announced that Faryal Mehmood and Faizan Khawaja had joined the film’s cast. An Eid-ul-Fitr release was supposed to be on the cards, as well.

As it turns out, all of that basically boiled down to a game of smoke and mirrors and the actual status of the project is that it is shelved, for now.

However, fans of Iqra Aziz and Yasir Hussain will not be disappointed for long as the two would be sharing screen space in the currently on-air television show Jhooti, whereas Yasir is also shooting for his new horror-comedy Peechay To Dekho.

As for Half Fry, it seems the film turned out to be a bad egg, in the end.

For more on upcoming Pakistani films and the latest hot and happening news from the world of showbiz, stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood.

Confirmed: Fawad Khan To Star in Haseeb Hassan’s Next Film

By

Iman Ali Munshi

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February 29, 2020

2020 is the year of Fawad Khan and we couldn’t be more excited!

After The Legend Of Maula Jatt, Money Back Guarantee and the untitled film with Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan has now signed his next which takes the tally of the popular Humsafar heartthrob’s upcoming projects for the current year to four, as this film is also tentatively scheduled to release this year.

The untitled film will be directed by Haseeb Hassan who was the force behind 2018’s blockbuster Parwaaz Hai Junoon and is currently riding high on the success of his on-air television project Alif. Haseeb had taken to social media a few days back to announce this ambitious project which per the maker would be a ‘jaw-dropping memorable cinematic experience’ where the director would be collaborating with celebrated writer Umera Ahmed.

While the cast and crew will be officially announced next week, word on the street was that Fawad Khan had been signed for the main lead, which we can now confirm after having talked to Fawad Khan’s manager Hassan Khalid. As for the leading lady, while an actress is yet to be signed, Kubra Khan and Maya Ali are two names that have been floating around for the coveted part.

The film will be produced by Hamdan Films and is reportedly a navy drama with a huge canvas. If Haseeb’s past record, including the telefilm Laal which was also a navy drama, is anything to go by this will be yet another promising project.

We wish the maker all the best and for more news on this project and more stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood!

Humayun Saeed Was Mobbed By Fans in Multan, A Story Two Decades In The Making

By

Hammad Akbar

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February 28, 2020

As they say, nothing quite succeeds like success. Coming fresh off the heels of the mammoth popularity of Meray Paas Tum Ho, Humayun Saeed recently was in Multan for one of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches when he created a mini-stampede being mobbed by fans as they showered their love and adulation on him. The incident demonstrated the tremendous power of local cinema and television, showing that we now have a legitimate superstar in our midst who not only commands star-power over the multiplex audience but is also the awami hero the hoi-polloi relate with.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8_aUoWFsO4/

Interestingly, the Punjab Nahi Jaungi star’s assent to unmatched fame is not something that has taken place overnight. Humayun has been working on television since the mid-90s, and since the initial sparks towards revival shown by the Pakistani film industry around a decade back, he has actively worked towards producing films having all-round appeal, bringing in both masses and classes. And as the profile of his films and Pakistani cinema has concurrently risen, so has his star-power.

The career-high the superstar is currently witnessing has been the result of steady work of over two decades – a lesson for many in the field who despite having all it takes to succeed, tend to take their talent and the fame achieved for granted.

A star is born

Not a lot of people know this, but Humayun Saeed began his career in the mid-90s, during a period when there were only a few terrestrial channels in the country. Initially starring in a few plays including the musical Yeh Jahaan, he later found success in Mehreen Jabbar’s Ab Tum Ja Saktay Ho, co-starring Sania Saeed, and Khalida Riyasat, in 1996. Humayun later partnered with Abdullah Kadwani for his own production company. He then went on to star in multiple successful dramas, including Mehndi, Doraha, Kaafir, and Uraan– to name a few.

Humayun’s luck with the film industry

Humayun entered the film industry in 1999 with Samina Peerzada’s Inteha. His negative role as the feudal cousin of the leading lady won him acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Since Lollywood was going through a rough patch, he focused more on his acting and producing career. When the local cinema started showing signs of revival, he produced his first film Main Hoon Shahid Afridi, which was well-received. He later went on to star as the lead in Bin Roye, Jawani Phir Nahi Aani, and Punjab Nahi Jaungi, all of which turned out to be blockbusters. Jawani Phir Nahi Aani and Punjab Nahi Jaungi became two of the highest-grossing films of Pakistan. In 2018 he produced and starred in Jawani Phir Nahi Aani 2, the sequel to Jawani Phir Nahi Aani. The sequel went on to become the highest-grossing film of Pakistan.

Meray Paas Tum Ho

For the first time, Humayun was cast opposite Ayeza Khan in Nadeem Baig’s drama, Meray Paas Tum Ho. The first episode of the drama went on air on 17th August 2019. Though the drama started rather slow initially, it gained momentum after a few episodes and went on to become one of the most discussed dramas of Pakistani history. While the show received its fair share of criticism, one thing that almost everyone appreciated was Humayun’s acting.

His role as the naïve husband-turned-stock-broker earned him unanimous approval from drama enthusiasts all over the world. The show’s finale was released in theaters nationwide where it ran to full-houses over the weekend, and videos showing fans reacting with tears upon the death of the character enacted by Humayun went viral.

A case study

Humayun’s career is a two-decade-long case study in not being complacent and taking the stardom and fan-following he received in Pakistan for granted. This is one star who after working diligently in the industry did not opt for different career prospects to fulfill his personal goals or move on to foreign film-set ups, for which he has been rightly rewarded with even greater stardom. Another factor hugely contributing to his success is his somewhat unique (for a film-star) lack of condescension towards television and most importantly, his grasp over the ground realities of modern show-business, where television, digital, and cinema have almost merged into a new hybrid medium.

Humayun Saeed is set to collaborate with Nadeem Baig, Kubra Khan, and Mehwish Hayat once again with London Nahi Jaunga, set to release in 2020. Needless to say, we look forward to catching our very own homegrown superstar once again.

Hania Amir’s Next Has Her Playing A ‘Dil Phaink’ To A Host Of Hunks

By

Hammad Akbar

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February 27, 2020

We have seen numerous plays revolving around men two-timing their significant others with a sultry seductress, and sometimes quite a few of them. Well, times have changed and it seems with upcoming television serial Dilruba the audience is set to witness a role reversal of sorts with the woman this time playing a whopping five men!

Teasers released for the show have female lead Hania Amir having quite a merry time as she has lovey-dovey conversations at different instances with multiple men. She has saved their numbers as ‘Boy 2’, ‘Boy 3’ etc on her phone. To one of them, she even goes as far as to say ‘Aap jaisa chahne wala to kisi khush naseeb ko hi mil sakta hai,’ effectively putting an end to the unchecked reign of philandering men on television who have pursued multiple relationships.

And coming to her love interests, Shehroz Sabzwari, Asad Siddiqui, Nabeel Zubairi, Syed Jibran, and Mohib Mirza seem to fit the bill of men whose hearts and minds this seemingly spirited temptress will play with. The teaser ends with what can be presumed is Hania’s older sister asking her ‘Yeh sab kya hai Sanam?’ to which she replies in a very filmi manner, ‘Dil lagi karrahi hun, dil lagi’. However, there are bound to be complications as some from her male harem-of-sorts also happen to know each other. The other teaser released shows Hania making a Tik-Tok video, lip-syncing to Noori from Superstar with all the wild moves.

What else can we expect?

The rest of the cast includes Marina Khan, Saad Azhar, Saira Wasti, and Ghana Tahir. Ali Hasan is directing the drama, and it is penned by Jo Tu Chahay and Kahin Deep Jalay famed, Qaisra Hayat. Hania is also starring in another drama Ishqiya opposite Feroze Khan, Ramsha Khan, and Gohar Rasheed, which is currently being aired on ARY Digital. Judging from the short teasers, it seems like Hania is playing a happy-go-lucky girl once again, just like she did in Anaa. But since Qaisra Hayat is known for writing deeply interlinked family relationships, some family drama can be expected from it. DilRuba does not have an airing date as of now.

Watch this space for more on this exciting show!

The Ehd-e-Wafa Finale Trailer Packs Quite A Few Surprises

By

Maisooma Batool

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February 27, 2020

The journey of four friends who started as a group but were separated as life took them their separate ways is headed to the cinemas for its glorious conclusion. The MD Productions and ISPR joint venture Ehd-e-Wafa has made news for being the second drama after Mere Paas Tum Ho that is all geared up to have its finale be screened across the cinema screens of the country.

After how positively well-received the finale of Mere Paas Tum Ho was at the box office, this does not come as a surprise. Specially with ISPR being the ones backing Ehd-e-Wafa, the drama going all out to have a spectacular finale is perhaps how it was always meant to be. And if the visuals shown in the trailer for the finale, which had a surprise cameo by none other than the reigning superstar Humayun Saeed, are an indication then it is clear that the decision of giving the finale a special cinematic release is not for nothing.

Larger than life

Much of the trailer is focused on the portion dealing with the armed forces. The trailer begins with the cameo of Humayun Saeed, who is playing the role of an army major, and he is seen interrogating captured Indian air force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman. It does not come as a shock that Ehd-e-Wafa celebrates Pakistan’s victory against India’s failed airstrikes last year as one of the first promos of the drama had gone viral because it mentioned the now-iconic words, “The tea was fantastic” as one of the dialogues included in the script.

There are shots of the SSG group as the four leading male leads of the show, Saad (Ahad Raza Mir), Shahzain (Osman Khalid Butt), Shariq (Wahaj Ali), and Sheheryar (Ahmed Ali Akbar), reunite at St. Lawrence College where their journey had started. The female leads of the drama also get some shots but most of those bits are from the scenes that have already happened in the show instead of anything new.

Stunning visuals

However, what definitely gets the attention are the elaborate and stunning visuals of an army operation underway. Sweeping shots of fighter jets, soldiers in combat, the army jawans exclaiming about honor and loyalty as they fearlessly fight to defend their country raise the excitement factor. The cinematography looks pretty spectacular and the scale definitely something that would suit the bigger screens of a cinema.

The trailer does not reveal anything about how this story will come to its conclusion but shows enough to raise the anticipation for the audience.

Final word

With a perfect cameo and rousing visuals against the stirring soundtrack of the drama that talks about giving it all for the sake of fulfilling promises, Ehd-e-Wafa‘s finale looks like another win for Pakistani dramas — this time not only the television screens, but also at the box office.

It will be screened in the cinemas on 14th March, 2020 with the final episode airing on television the following day on 15th March, 2020.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaRZuNMdpbs

Yasir Hussain’s New Film Will Be A Funny, Scary Joyride

By

Faisal Ali H

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February 27, 2020

Yasir Hussain seems to be one busy man these days. After being in the headlines for his and Iqra Aziz’s wedding, the star wrapped up the currently on-air hit television show Jhooti, and then ventured forth into discussions for several new film projects. Now, he is all set to appear in a new horror-comedy written and directed by Syed Atif Ali, the filmmaker behind 2018’s Pari.

Performing alongside Yasir will be ARY morning show host Adeel Amjad popularly known as Aadi, Waqar Hussain, Nawal Saeed (Yakeen Ka Safar, Aik Aam Si Larki) and newcomer Sarah Khattak, among a host of other actors.

Sharing the details with Galaxy Lollywood, Yasir revealed: “The project has an interesting and unusual storyline, with elements of comedy and a bit of horror and mystery, too. I will be performing alongside Aadi and rest assured, you will be in for a lot of laughs and some chills and thrills, too.” The two actors together will be enacting the part of a bumbling duo in the film who encounter some wacky and spooky situations. Adding more slapstick element to the film will be comedian Waqar Hussain, popular for his performance in sitcom Quddusi Sahib Ki Bewah.

Shooting for the film, titled Peechay To Dekho, is expected to wrap up in early March. Besides the thrills and the laughs, the movie will be a musical, featuring some song and dance sequences.

With quite a few horror films in the pipeline, Pakistani cinema is seemingly witnessing a revival of sorts for the genre. Incorporating elements of comedy into the genre might prove to be that ingenious Midas touch which brings in box office gold.

Well we can’t wait to see how this one shapes up! Watch this space for the latest on this promising project.

Stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood!