Sana vs. Noor, Meera vs. Reema – Why Are Star Rivalries Making A Comeback?

By

-

January 14, 2020

During the fading moments of the Lahore film industry of the 90s, every passing year saw the movie business dwindle, with fewer films being made and the returns on investments getting progressively worse.

Despite the troubling scenario, the industry kept stumbling forward, with many new starlets venturing into the film business looking for that big break. To some of such ambitious newbies, it seemed the only way up the career ladder was by elbowing out the queen bee – or whoever else that stood between them and stardom. Taking potshots at star rivals was the norm, which besides settling scores or stirring a new feud also generated more media buzz than the sloppily produced films of that era could manage. The actresses got the attention they craved for – by hook or by crook, and mostly, by bayaanbazi and catfights.

Back to the future?

Fast forward 20 years, and it seems we are dealing with an unwelcome case of a blast from the past. While it seemed the two former reigning stars Reema and Meera had finally made peace, with the latter even agreeing to shoot for a promotional number for the former’s film Love Mein Ghum, their squabbles have reared their ugly head all over again. Just last year, the Reema and Meera rivalry took an ugly turn when the two divas had a bitter exchange at the Lahore Press Club in late February. Apparently, things got so heated that even a physical altercation was involved, with Meera later complaining bitterly that “Reema is jealous due to my popularity and professional work.” However, thenceforth Meera became quite occupied with the promotions of Baaji and the controversy seemed to have fizzled out.

That is, until now.

In an interview with EntertainmentPK, Meera criticized her formal rival rather brutally, questioning her entire stock of lineage. “I was always more concerned with Reema’s talent than her background. I never raised a finger at her background. But she could never become a complete actress,” is what the diva said, and this too was the least offensive of all the things the Salaakhain star stated. Perplexingly, Meera has had quite a good year, with her comeback performance winning kudos, and her special appearance in Parey Hut Love also generating a decent amount of buzz. So why try to stir the hornet’s nest now?

And then there’s the case of then-upcoming starlets of the 90s, Sana Fakhar and Noor Bukhari, who also happen to be real-life cousins. Over the years, the two have shared a tumultuous off-screen relationship, however, they seemed to have made peace and Sana was even signed by Noor to be part of her comeback film Ishq Positive.

In an interview with a satellite channel recently, when Sana was asked about her supposed feud with her cousin, she responded by saying that these squabbles were simply concocted by media-wallahs and were not true. However, only a few moments later when prodded to comment on Noor’s rumored fifth marriage, the Yeh Dil Aap Ka Huwa star cattily quipped: “This (i.e. Noor’s alleged marriage) seems to be old news, mere khayal mein un ki shaadi ka number ab bohat agey barh gya hoga. I am sure she has gotten married a few more times, by now.”

Noor chose to respond to Sana with more composure, saying: “I am very happy with my life, and am not even a part of show-business anymore so I don’t know why some people discuss me and take my name. I hope Allah sab ko hidayat de.” It seems all common sense and some level of maturity is thankfully not lost on the former queens of the Lahore industry, after all. Previously, the Ishq Positive actress had addressed the rumors regarding her tying the knot for the fifth time in an Instagram post where she said: “For God sake get a life. Doesn’t (the media) have any content then (sic) to discuss my life and me all the time?” Makes sense!

Final word

During the Lollywood era, it seemed most catfights were a result of turf-wars over the limited space in filmdom. However now, there are close to 50 movies that have been announced or are at various stages of production, therefore the mind boggles as to why we are witnessing the return of nasty politics that distracted the film fraternity previously from what it was supposed to do i.e. make quality films. Is it a case of media playing upon some uncontrollable impulses of certain celebrities, or the stars using such episodes to stay in the limelight? It might be a combination of both, from what we can tell, however for the industry as a whole it would be far healthier if stars maintained a professional decorum and refrained from personal attacks and mudslinging that more than anything, reflects poorly upon themselves. Here’s hoping that better sense prevails in tinsel town!

Celebrity ‘Joris’ Need Projects That Match Their Popularity

By

Maisooma Batool

-

January 13, 2020

Audiences the world over have always taken a keen interest in the personal life of celebrities. This world of glitz and glamor that is mostly inaccessible to the common person holds a certain kind of enigma that attracts much attention. This is why for decades, ever since this world-within-world of entertainment industry was born, people have clamored for any kind of access to the secrets of the celebrities that they so adore and like.

The arrival of social media has dramatically lessened the mystery element of the celebrity world. While previously monthly magazines or the entertainment pages of daily newspapers were all the rage, nowadays there is no obstacle in the way as celebrities themselves have more or less put their full life on display on their social media for the audience to see. One aspect of that is the stars’ personal relationships, more specifically the romantic ones, that draw much public attention and result in much fame.

The jori craze

It comes as little surprise that stars are now more open about their relationships. As the local society has opened up, celebrities are increasingly not shying away from sharing snippets of their romantic and intimate moments with their followers and well-wishers via their social media. ‘Dating’ is now, not taboo, and what’s more, it gets the stars more followers, hits and views on their online accounts.

Over the last few years, the jori phenomenon has taken over the entertainment industry. The audience’s very keen interest in the confirmed and rumored real-life pairings of the industry is at par, if not more, than the traditional reel-life pairings. The audience now wants romance not just in fiction but in real life as well. And they look towards their beloved actors and celebrities to fulfill that demand, something the celebrities apparently are more than happy to deliver!

Noticed how quickly the off-screen moments of some celebrities go viral? In recent times pairings like that of Iqra Aziz and Yasir Hussain, Hania Amir and Asim Azhar, Sajal Aly and Ahad Raza Mir have arguably made more waves and news due to their personal equation with each other than the work they do.

Measure of popularity

As already stated, there is no denying the immense popularity that these real-life joris enjoy on social media. However, the important question remains — does that popularity also translate into actual successes i.e. hit dramas and blockbuster movies? Are these pairs mere products of the social network, or legitimate performers that the audience craves to watch?

For instance, for all the love that Hania and Asim get as the young, carefree, unabashedly in love pairing of the industry, that love of the audience was not seen in the reaction towards the telefilm that they acted in together, which came and went without much of a buzz. And then, Sajal and Ahad have done three projects together, but are yet to replicate the all-around success of their first project together that aired when the two were not even in a relationship. On the other hand, Iqra and Yasir will be seen together on-screen for the first time in a film after their marriage and it remains to be seen how the audience would react to their reel-life pairing, although we have to admit, so far there is close to zero for their supposed project together titled Half Fry.

Does the industry not offer these joris the kind of projects that would perfectly capture their chemistry on screen? Or has the exposure on social media given the audience a case of full-belly when it comes to these pairings? It is clear that there is a real difference between the social media popularity of a pairing and how it is shown in real life i.e. the ratings and the conversations their projects generate.

Or have the celebrities themselves realized that they can better capitalize their chemistry and relationship in collaboration projects like magazine shoots, TVCs, or fashion ramp walks. It’s quick, effective, and is more sustainable both in terms of monetary gains as well as maintaining their social media dominance. After all, the chances of any of the real-life pairings being in news because of their appearance at a social gathering or a development of their rishta from baat pakki to nikaah is way more than them grabbing eyeballs as they act out different characters onscreen in a drama. Performing to match the hype is well, tough work.

This is certainly a very interesting phenomenon that has become a trend in the industry. It is no longer enough for the joris to just work their magic onscreen. The same has to be seen offscreen. So, be it confirmed real-life pairings or rumored pairings, our celebrities don’t shy away from flaunting that chemistry for the ‘gram. After all, the project’s success can only be determined after the project has released or been on-air for a significant time. But the jori‘s success is determined as immediately as the picture is posted on social media.

Whoa!? Eshal Fayyaz And Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar Just Denied They Are Married

By

Maisooma Batool

-

January 11, 2020

Renowned writer Khalil Ur Rahman Qamar is one of the few non-actor personalities of our entertainment industry who is the subject of many viral news. Be it due to his blockbuster scripts for dramas like Pyaray Afzal and the film Punjab Nahin Jaungi or because of the statements he gave regarding gender equality in an interview, the controversy stirring writer’s name in the headlines is not a rare sight. Currently, the writer’s most recent blockbuster Mere Paas Tum Ho is the talk of the town and with the show ending next week, the audience waits with bated breath to know how this saga of love and betrayal will end.

But that is not the subject of the current piece of news that is being circulated regarding Khalil Ur Rahman Qamar. This time it refers not to his work but rather intriguingly, to his personal life. More specifically, it is about his alleged marriage to the young actress Eshal Fayyaz who played the lead role in Khalil Ur Rahman Qamar’s directorial film Kaaf Kangana.

The denials

Galaxy Lollywood reached out to Eshal Fayyaz to find out the truth about the rumors and the actress vehemently denied the news as rubbish.

“I don’t know who is spreading this news and why. It is completely fake news. I respect Khalil sahib as a director and that’s it.”

Eshal was naturally very upset with the rumors. Khalil Ur Rahman Qamar was also very quick to turn to his social media and post an official statement refuting the rumors. In a post on his Facebook account, he said it was, “shameless to peep into the personal life of artists like us and destroy our images (sic)” as he solemnly declared that nothing like the sort being reported happened and that he and Eshal only worked in a “professional capacity” for the film.

Not the first time

Although this is the first time these rumors about KRQ-Eshal marriage have surfaced on the social media, hush-hush whispers about their alleged linkup had been making rounds of the grapevine since the time of Kaaf Kangana‘s shooting. There were even unconfirmed reports that the two of them had married and later having got divorced.

Khalil Ur Rahman Qamar does not talk about it openly but it’s no secret that he already has two wives and kids from both the wives. With the kind of attitude the famous writer has always shown regarding his political and philosophical news, it is rather strange to think that he would be involved in such a scandal. Nevertheless, the quick refusals to the news have cleared the air nicely.

Cop-drama, Drugs and Rock: The ‘Kahay Dil Jidhar’ Teaser Is A Heady Mix

By

Faisal Ali H

-

January 11, 2020

As we had written about at length previously, the first half of the current year seemed suspiciously empty as far as new releases are concerned, with only one film, the art-house Zindagi Tamasha scheduled for release in late January. The teaser of Kahay Dil Jidhar which came out of the blue yesterday therefore came as a pleasant surprise, as it now seems that the film, having entered its post-production phase a few weeks back is very much on track for a release in the coming few months.

Crime, drugs, and music…

Starring Junaid Khan and Mansha Pasha as leads, the minute-long preview hints at a coming of age drama with a few twists. The initial shots of the teaser show a group of friends charting out their future destinies, and then we jump forward in time and are shown snippets of what their lives after graduation end up looking like. In walks Junaid Khan with his macho-cop gait, the voiceover narrating his idealistic ambitions. The same idealism also seems to rub on the now hard-hitting journalist played by Mansha Pasha.

From the glimpses of the film the clip provides, it seems the two leads meld rather well into their characters. The latter portions of the trailer offer more clues to the story arc of the film, which seems to encompass the war on drugs and the confluence of illicit narcotics, law enforcement, and the music scene.

Our verdict

Kahay Dil Jidhar is directed by Jalaluddin Rumi, who has some memorable music videos to his credit, and the production team seems to have done a fairly decent job with the project. While it’s still too early to say anything about the film’s technical aspects, from what we can tell, the photography and color-grading could use some improvement, especially in the preview’s initial campus shots. On the plus side, the dialogues hit the right notes and Junaid Khan and Mansha Pasha look pretty badass in their movie avatars of a cop and a journalist, respectively. With a rock act being part of the narrative, the film just might have something tuneful to offer on the music front too.

So is the film a potent mix of coming of age drama, crime thriller and musical genres? We are not getting our hopes too high, but the teaser stokes our curiosity enough to make us look forward to the trailer which we hope will offer more answers. For now, enjoy the minute-long preview of Kahay Dil Jidhar, and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Hina Altaf Shocks: Trashes Major Celebrities

By

Uzair Anwer

-

January 10, 2020

Hina Altaf is known for her candid and blunt demeanor, which intentionally or not gets her embroiled in plenty of controversies. Contrary to her on-screen image of the innocent girl next door, her real-life persona is actually quite, well let’s just say, different. In a recent interview, the Udaari starlet took some tongue-in-cheek jibes at her colleagues, which made us wonder if working alongside her could bring some unforeseen consequences. Read on to find out what happened…

Throws dirt at Muneeb Butt

Hina during the conversation took a rather blunt pot-shot at the Yaariyaan actor. When asked to name an actor she believes lacks talent but has a starry air around him, the actress without much hesitation took Muneeb’s name. A clip from the same interview had previously gone viral provoking some angry responses from Muneeb’s wife Aiman Khan.

She also added that her gripe with Muneeb and Aiman was that she had not been invited to their wedding except for a Bollywood night themed party. This apparently didn’t rub Hina the right way and left her majorly miffed at the duo. Voicing out her grievance, she said “The entire world went to that wedding but I got invited only for the Bollywood themed night only, which I chose not to attend as they could have at least invited me to the valeema.”

This actor gets too touchy-feely

Hina was asked if she is attracted to her co-stars while filming romantic scenes, and she responded by confessing to getting carried away by Emaad Irfani’s suave charms. But before we could even gasp, she switched to Faisal Rehman, dropping another bombshell.

Before going any further, let’s just say that Faisal Rehman is a veteran of the industry and has romanced several leading ladies over the last three decades. Hina romanced the Ranjish Hi Sahi actor in 2017’s Aatish, and complained about Faisal being “overly involved” in the romantic sequence. “Faisal Rehman is too much into a romantic scene, yaani ke yahan ungli pakarni hogi to wo yeh pura haath pakar lega,” is what she said, leaving us gaping in shock. Apparently, so uncomfortable did Faisal made her feel that she almost yelled “Me too!.”

Minal Khan wants to send her to acting school

On being asked who from the industry would likely go around saying that she is a bad actress, Hina without much hesitation took the Hassad fame Minal Khan’s name. She also mentioned an incident where Minal during one of her interviews suggested Hina take acting classes. When asked whether she would like to say anything to Minal, this was her response: “Minal, we have the same number of social media followers, so we are pretty much equal.”

Aamir Liaquat has a little problem

Over the course of the conversation, Hina was put in a spot by being asked to enact a proposal scene for televangelist turned politician Aamir Liaquat Hussain. Hina acted out the scene and then took a jibe at Amir by saying “He spits a lot.” She later mimicked Aamir saying “Whenever he speaks it seems as if his chair will break.” The actress didn’t stop there and continued taking digs by quipping about Aamir Liaqat’s infamous leaked clip in which he mentions the film Ghalib.

Hina also took Mathira’s name on being asked who she thinks must have a possessive boyfriend and also didn’t spare the Aik Din Geo Ke Sath host, Sohail Waraich. The actress made fun of him for his antics in the show where he sometimes will sit and stare at actresses who would be taking a dip in a pool nearby.

Foot in the mouth?

Well, all we can say is that was quite a mouthful. It seems that Hina has very publicly stoked a feud with Muneeb Butt, his wife Aiman Khan, and has even drawn Aiman’s sister, Minal into the crosshairs. All the heat from this bubbling cauldron of celebrity bitching is sure to up the mercury even as the cold wave persists across the country. We are pretty sure the buck doesn’t stop here and there will be more to this story coming up very soon, so stay tuned!

Malala’s Biopic Trailer Is Out And Here’s What We Think

By

Uzair Anwer

-

January 9, 2020

Malala Yousafzai, the world’s youngest Nobel Prize Winner survived a tragic gun attack on her by the Taliban in 2012. This news caught international media’s coverage and the rest they say is history. Now, there’s a biopic of Malala in the offing titled Gul Makai, the trailer of which has been released today on digital platforms. The Bollywood production has been directed by Amjad Khan with an Indian cast and crew. Shooting for the film is said to have taken place in Kashmir and Mumbai.

A mixed bag

The trailer of Gul Makai is a mixed bag and showcases content packaged in a stereotypical way although its heart seems to be in the right place. More than Malala’s struggle, the terrorist elements (which have been cleared since the last few years) in Swat have been highlighted a lot more. Importantly, the accents and mannerisms of the actors are also distinctly Bollywood and lack authenticity.

The Plusses

The trailer offers a glimpse into not only the turmoil in Malala’s life but also offers a window into the family life of the Nobel laureate prior to the attack. The cinematography is appealing to the eyes — the Swat portions that have been supposedly shot in Jammu Kashmir capture the topography nicely. The background score by Amar Mohile is first-rate as well, with the music serving to make the trailer more gripping and impactful. The detailing given to the costumes of female characters is authentic, even the school uniforms seem to be nicely researched.

The trailer highlights the need for education for women and also shows Malala’s daring speech in which she emphasizes women’s right to a full education, making it a pro-women empowerment movie.

Coming to the cast, Reem Shaikh seems to have done a decent job depicting Malala’s nuances, as the actress emotes well on-screen and seems to be well suited for the role of a Pashtun girl. However, her accent and mannerisms in certain places are off. The same can be said for Divya Dutta, who plays Malala’s on-screen mother.

The disappointments

The film revolves around the situation in Swat during the time of the gun attack on Malala. We see terrorists oozing out of every corner of the city along with Bollywood’s usual stereotyped depiction of all residents in religious attires and beards. The sequences of terrorists putting their feet on books and beating women are unpleasant and could have been dealt with more sensitivity.

Overall, the movie seems to be a rather filmee version of incidents in the Swat valley rather than being a true-to-life account of Malala’s life. Authenticity is going to be an issue, as far as I can tell from the trailer.

Final Verdict

The film is supposed to be an ode to Malala’s struggle but the trailer strictly restricts itself to the portions of her life in Swat. Malala’s life has witnessed much following her tragic incident and that should have made it to the trailer for a more universal appeal. On the plus side, the performances seem to be decent and the background score works rather well with the film’s theme. The elements focusing on women empowerment also deserve special mention. However, when it comes to authenticity and Bollywood’s stereotypical depiction of Pakistani culture, the trailer is an unsurprising disappointment.

‘Roomi Is Based On My Life,’ Says Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar, And We Are Not Surprised!

By

Uzair Anwer

-

January 9, 2020

Mere Paas Tum Ho is undoubtedly one of the biggest television phenomena in recent times, the characters, dialogues and OST have worked big time with the audiences. The show has also gained international viewership on digital platforms making it the most viewed Pakistani television play of recent times. It has been penned by renowned writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar, who is always in the news be it for his blunt interviews or his sensational writing.

While various characters of the play have caught viewers’ attention, it is Roomi, the precocious child of on-screen characters Danish and Mehwish who has especially endeared himself to the audience – even if his behavior has at times has come across as somewhat odd. Now, the play’s controversy-ridden writer has revealed in his latest interview to Entertainment Pakistan (EPK) that Roomi is based on his own childhood.

What he said

Khalil sahib revealed in a heartfelt confession, “I wrote the character of Roomi with an actor in mind. And that actor was Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar. That kid is actually playing the role of Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar. I am disclosing this today. He is essaying my childhood.” Elaborating further in the interview he said “I was a kid who used to say such big things that it used to shock people around me. And I named him Roomi, out of love for a very close friend of mine who is also named Roomi.”

Khalil-ur-Rehman’s candor deserves an appreciation since Roomi, while upping the cuteness level in the play, has also come under some criticism for his adult-like behavior and screen lines which might seem awkward. Hence confessing that the narrative comes from his own life is surely a daring statement.

Enacted by child star Shees Shahzad Gul, the character’s dialogues such as “Mama bhi chor ke chali jaye, to mama nahi rehti” have drawn much attention. Roomi is also known to have said some rather odd lines like “Mama poppat lag rahi hai, poppat” which we now know have come from a personal space of Khalil sahab’s own childhood. The character has the trademark bluntness that we see in Khalil’s interviews, be it his suggestion to his father of marrying his school teacher or telling his mother on her face that he doesn’t want her to come and see him at his boarding school.

Final word

Khalil-ur-Rehman’s revelation is surely unexpected but not surprising. The detailing given to Roomi’s character made the audience believe that the character is close to the writer’s heart. Roomi also is the meatiest character for a child artist in Pakistani television post-Udaari. Shees mentioned in his recent interviews that MPTH might be his only acting gig but we hope to see this bundle of talent being part of exciting narratives on the small screen.

The 10 Best Films Of The Decade

By

Galaxy Lollywood

-

January 8, 2020

The 2010s will forever be known as the most formative and decisive years for Pakistani cinema. It was during this decade that not only the Pakistani cinema went through its so-called revival stage but also, some of the films produced within these years established the very essence of modern Pakistani cinema. Be it due to the themes they explored or the way they were presented, Pakistani films made in this decade will go down in history as some of the most important ones.

We have, after much deliberation and discussion, jotted down 10 of the most important films made in Pakistan in the 2010s, listed chronologically below. These films might vary in genre and hold a difference in their box office earnings however, the impact of these films on Pakistani cinema as a whole cannot be argued.

Bol (2011)

Produced by: Nabila Ali and Fayyaz Ahmad Khan

This Shoaib Mansoor directorial is the brightest example of Pakistani cinema shaking out of its identity crisis. With stories and themes that were deeply seeped in the reality of Pakistani society, Bol was one of the first films of the decade that solidified the fact that Pakistan has stories to tell which belong completely and totally to Pakistan and are not influenced by the trends of Hollywood or Bollywood. The stellar representation of the lesser, if at all, discussed truths of the society wonderfully wound in a tight narrative that was both fascinating and disturbing make Bol a film that is to be cherished for many more years to come.

Waar (2013)

Produced by: Hassan Rana

2013 was not a year where the audience was expecting any sort of groundbreaking cinema that was produced locally. And then came Waar. With Waar director Bilal Lashari did what was desperately missing from mainstream entertainment i.e. blending of the real-life events in a fictional narrative. It is also one of the first and few well-made movies that show a positive and heroic side of Pakistan’s armed saviors. This film gave Pakistan a chance to control its own narrative when the international media, especially Bollywood, was busy painting an image of the country that was profoundly negative. Waar gave the audience as well as the filmmakers of the country a taste of just how rich and fulfilling stories the country has to offer if only one would dare to step out of the comfort zone and commit to telling those stories with complete honesty.

Na Maloom Afraad (2014)

Produced by: Fizza Ali Meerza and Mehdi Ali

2014 was still the year when more than locally produced content (which was not high in numbers, to begin with) the audience was happily consuming international films. But Na Maloom Afraad was that pathbreaking film that proved that Pakistani films also have longevity to them and they are capable of running for long times at the cinemas. All it needs for the film is to be relatable and original, both the sentiments easily seen in the Nabeel Qureshi directorial Na Maloom Afraad. Based in the bustling city of Karachi and taking inspiration from some harsh realities of the said city, NMA is a clever, humorous, and earnest take on the desperation of a common man struggling to find stability in his life while living in an unstable city. NMA stayed away from glossy fanfare and instead focused on real-life characters that were instantly relatable for the audience. And it was this relatability that made the film run in the cinemas for a record 22 weeks.

Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (2015)

Produced by: Salman Iqbal, Jerjees Seja, Humayun Saeed, and Shahzad Nasib

Masala movies tend to get a lot of flak from the intellectual brand of audience who frown at any film that dares to be entertaining in a no-brainer sort of way. Jawani Phir Nahi Ani directed by Nadeem Baig showed those naysayers that an entertaining masala film is not always without a brain. The humorous writing of JPNA that was full of pop-culture references exclusive to the Pakistani society gave the audience a masala film that was not falling over its feet in trying to imitate someone else’s style. It very cunningly used the trappings of a typical comedy film and then redefined what it means to be an out-and-out Pakistani comedy film. The film is funny, witty, and became a part of the country’s pop culture all while setting standards of how far filmmaking in Pakistan has come.

Actor In Law (2016)

Produced by: Fizza Ali Meerza and Mehdi Ali

Another great example of blending the real-life events within a fictional narrative was the 2016 Nabeel Qureshi directorial Actor In Law. Coming after Na Maloom Afraad, Qureshi solidified the idea that a common man living in a metropolitan city has as many interesting stories to tell as a lesser privileged rural man. It is all about tapping within the desires and motivations the characters easily found within the society and presenting them cinematically. AIL also showed how social realities of the country need not always be shown from a depressing lens and a film can highlight the problems and issues of the society from a lighter angle that tethers on being optimistic, however, it gets the job done wonderfully.

Punjab Nahi Jaungi (2017)

Produced by: Salman Iqbal, Jerjees Seja, Humayun Saeed, and Shahzad Nasib

In the time when Pakistani cinema was all but completely disappeared from the mainstream, Pakistani dramas solidified their place as the most popular form of entertainment. And Punjab Nahi Jaungi was one of the very few successful attempts in bringing all the highs of a Pakistani drama on the big screen without losing that cinematic touch. It was also a film that cemented the love that the Pakistani audience has for romance and melodrama when it comes to movies.

Cake (2018)

Produced by: Zulfikar Bukhari, Mahnoor Amna, Sumaira Qazi, Mo Azmi, and Asim Abbasi

Unlike the western world, Pakistani society is all for appreciating and wholeheartedly accepting the joint family system. It is such a standard affair that no one questions the implications of this system and chooses to ignore the harsher realities of it. Cake turns to one such family that seems like a normal family and focuses on the intricate and complicated ties that bind them. The introspective manner of storytelling mixed with the deeper, universally acknowledged emotions makes Cake an interesting blend of art-cinema and mainstream movie. Cake shows the bolder and more mature side of Pakistani cinema which has evolved from engaging in loud and dramatic tussles to portraying complicated conflicts with nuance and sensibility.

Teefa In Trouble (2018)

Produced by: Ali Zafar

The audience loves action. And the audience loves humor. Teefa In Trouble brought the best of these two beloved genres and gave Pakistan an action-comedy film that truly redefined the standards of filmmaking in Pakistan. Director Ahsan Rahim paired up with actor, writer, producer, musician Ali Zafar and gave Pakistani cinema its true summer blockbuster which did not rely on the lucrative Eid release date to bring in big numbers on the box office. Teefa is a shining example of the statement that more than the date of the film’s release, it is the content of the film that sells. The film had slick action and rib-tickling humor. Teefa In Trouble tapped into what the audience actually wants from a Pakistani cinema in a way that very few other Pakistani films – a decent script presented in a captivating manner full of enjoyable performances and a foot-tapping soundtrack.

Laal Kabootar (2019)

Produced by: Hania Chima and Kamil Chima

Experimenting with new techniques and genres is a must if the industry has to evolve. And Laal Kabootar was one such successful experiment. A serious film set in the dark underbelly of the city of lights, Karachi, Laal Kabootar had looked like a risky venture from when its trailers were released. It did not serve anything “comfortable” to the audience i.e. it was very far from a standard well-lit, mainstream affair that the audience was used to watching. And that is where the film’s success lay. Because it dared to move away from the predictable style of filmmaking and had the courage to experiment with its genre and presentation, Laal Kabootar definitely proved that the audience is more than ready to invest in other subjects than just bubblegum floss style of films.

Baaji (2019)

Produced by: Saqib Malik

Pakistani cinema has a very rich and complex history that demands to be explored. In 2019 Saqib Malik did just that. Baaji delves deep into the darker side of Lollywood and explored the harsh realities behind the world of glitz and glamor. Baaji was dark and brutal and an enthralling cinematic experience for it tackled issues of stardom and the desperation to stay relevant in a world that has the shortest attention span. The film proved that there are many stories lurking in the seen and unseen corners of our everyday world and all it needs is to capture them in the right light for the audience is ready to watch them all.

The 10 Best Film Soundtracks Of The Decade

By

Galaxy Lollywood

-

January 7, 2020

There is no denying the fact that the music scene in Pakistan has always been distinct and diverse. And with the resurrection of Pakistani cinema happening in the decade that has passed, Pakistan music industry gets to once again boast of its distinguishable film music. Many of the films that released in this decade had a soundtrack that was not only catchy but also proved crucial in marketing the film to the audience. The film music not only topped many musical charts in the decade but also helped new, independent musicians in getting a platform to showcase their talent on a large scale.

Here are the ten of the best film music albums that came out in the past decade, listed chronologically. We are looking at the quality of the film album as a whole and not just counting individual songs.

Bin Roye (2015)

Music: Shiraz Uppal, Sahir Ali Bagga, Shani Arshad and Waqar Ali

The 2015 release film Bin Roye has one of the most wholesome soundtracks for any Pakistani films released this decade. With music composed by Shiraz Upal, Sahir Ali Bagga, Shani Arshad, and Waqar Ali, the soundtrack consists of ballads, upbeat pop music, and a shaadi anthem. One of the most commendable things of the film’s soundtrack is how each song fits in the narrative of the film seamlessly however, they each hold their own as stand-alone songs as well. Ballay Ballay remains a popular song for mehendi ceremonies while O Yara‘s haunting melody and stirring lyrics convey the emotion of deep love like no other.

Dekh Magar Pyaar Se (2015)

Music: Soch the Band, Mooroo, Asrar and Saira Haider

While this 2015 release might not have gained many favorable reviews from the critics, the one unanimously praised feature of this film is its brilliant soundtrack. The soundtrack consists of modern remakes of beloved classics and famous folk songs. Apart from these the original songs and the inclusion of tracks produced by indie artists give the album a wholesome feel which is an instant favorite for any music lover. The upbeat version of Kaala Doriyaan gave the new generation a fun way of enjoying this folk song.

Ho Mann Jahaan (2016)

Music: Zebunissa Bangash, Atif Aslam, Faakhir Mehmood, Jimmy Khan, Mai Dhaai Band and Ehtasham Mallick

This coming-of-age film released in 2016 was based on a group of three friends who all had musical aspirations. Naturally that meant that the soundtrack of the film had to be strong which it was. In addition to that it featured much diversity in the genres of the music and had everything for something. Featuring famous qawaals, folk singer, pop singers, as well as indie singers, the music of Ho Mann Jahaan is like a kaleidoscope of diversity all brought together with much care. Because seven out of the ten songs featured in the soundtrack were remakes of already made songs, the soundtrack showcases the kind of musical talent and diversity the country has to offer. Shakar Wandaan Re will forever remain a bop and its ability to bring everyone on the dance floor to do the song’s signature dance step cannot be matched by any other song.

Punjab Nahin Jaungi (2017)

Music: Shiraz Uppal, Shani Arshad, Sahir Ali Bagga, Farhan Saeed and Ahmed Ali Butt

One of the biggest hits of the decade could not have happened without the help of its soundtrack. The music of Punjab Nahin Jaungi is composed by various artists to produce an album full of originally composed and completely filmy songs. While the romantic tracks Aye Dil and Tere Naal Naal made the audience swoon with their smooth melody, the film’s dedicated dance track 24/7 Lakk Hilna became the life of the mehendi dance floor. The special track Rab Rakha sung and composed by Farhan Saeed elevated the quality of an already wonderful soundtrack.

Arth – The Destination (2017)

Music: Sahir Ali Bagga

Arth‘s soundtrack consists of fourteen tracks composed by Sahir Ali Bagga. While the sheer number of the songs featured in the album might seem overwhelming to some, the soundtrack of the film is actually a crucial part of the film’s narrative as one of the main characters of the film is a musician. A musical film needs to have a strong soundtrack and Arth‘s soundtrack delivers just that. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan went on to win the LSA for Best Male Singer for his song Sanwar De Khudaya featured in the film’s soundtrack.

Teefa in Trouble (2018)

Music: Ali Zafar

This 2018 blockbuster film did many things and it did them completely right. With Ali Zafar, one of the most talented musicians of Pakistan, at the helm of creating music for his film, it was almost a guarantee that the soundtrack of the film would be a work of impeccable quality. Item Number was the most trending song of the year whereas the tracks Chan Ve and Sajna Door became the love anthems. The Lahori soul of the film was evident in the soundtrack with the rap song Butt Sahab and the inclusion of the traditional song Nahin Jaana.

Parwaaz Hai Junoon (2018)

Music: Azaan Sami Khan

Films based on patriotic themes demand to have music that can convey the energy of the jawaans who fight for the country’s safety and honor every day. And the debutant music director Azaan Sami Khan managed to create a soundtrack that perfectly captured all the emotional beats of the film’s story within the music. Main Udaa had the right amount of blood pumping zeal that suited the ambitions of the Pakistan Air Force around whom the story revolved. Thaam Lo, on the other hand, was the heart warming romantic track which sang of the romance of these youths. And Musafir was the perfect haunting track to close the emotional journey of the film.

Baaji (2019)

Music: Zebunissa Bangash, Taha Malik, Jamal Rehman and Tafu

Not many films explore the reality of the world of Lollywood the way Baaji did. Its soundtrack in turn ended up both paying homage to as well as reviving the charm of the old-school Pakistani film music that was lost for so long. The soundtrack features of some classic Lollywood songs remade with a modern touch. Khilti Kali and Yeh Aaj Mujh Ko definitely manage to re-introduce the classics to a whole bunch of new listeners while Gangster Guriya is a song that is the reflection of the sensibilities of current cinema.

Parey Hut Love (2019)

Music: Azaan Sami Khan

With the film being heavily marketed as a grand cinematic affair, the music of the film had to be something similar. With Parey Hut Love, Azaan Sami Khan more or less cemented his position as one of the country’s most talented musicians for the soundtrack of Parey Hut Love was grand, filmy, but most importantly – original. Hayye Dil Bechara was the year’s most-viewed film music video and the song dominated the dance floors of the country. Behka Na as the soundtrack’s romantic number tugged the heartstrings of all the romantics. And Ik Pal was a clever remake of the traditional song Chan Maahi meant to be played profusely at weddings all around.

Superstar (2019)

Music: Azaan Sami Khan

There is a range in Superstar‘s soundtrack that is so rarely found in any music album. Azaan Sami Khan’s third venture as a music director is perhaps his most complex work that could very well become his signature style. There is a grandness in the soundtrack’s romantic ballad Bekaraan, the blend of qawali with a distinctly pop sound in Ghalat Fehmi is a reflection of the feeling of heartbreak that can be quite messy and tough to reconcile with. While Noori provides the soundtrack a touch of masala that is true of the film’s world of cinema.

Wedding Bells: Sana Javed And Umair Jaswal All Set To Tie The Knot

By

Uzair Anwer

-

January 7, 2020

2019 witnessed a spree of weddings and engagements in the tinsel town. From Yasir Hussain and Iqra Aziz’s winter wedding to Hamza Ali Abbasi and Naimal Khawar’s surprise nuptial ceremony and Sajal Ali and Ahad Raza Mir’s private engagement, our favorite celebrity couples kept grapevine buzzing with activity.

Now, it seems like 2020 is all set to surprise us even more with new romantic relationships and more star weddings. Hear this: The word around town is that Umair Jaswal and Sana Javed are all ready to join the shaadi bandwagon!

Both Umair and Sana are currently experiencing a career-high. Sana has performed in one successful drama serial after another, excelling in challenging roles for which the Ruswai actress has been lauded by the critics and audience alike. Umair, on the other hand, is also basking in the glory of his latest Coke Studio outing Chal Raha Hoon.

To give some background, Sana has been friends with the Jaswal brothers for quite a few years now but her equation with Umair became a topic for gossipmongers ever since Sana dropped by a customized sports-themed cake on Umair’s Birthday which the Na Rahoon singer posted on his social media and shared with his fans. The two have also been spotted together at various events lately.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6c_RIcBJDO/

Sana and Umair have stayed mum about their relationship but now those in the know say that the two are all set to tie the knot in a formal ceremony very soon. Sana has not signed a project following Ruswai which makes us wonder if the stunning actress is occupied with her wedding to-do list. Umair, who was last seen judging a reality show, too has been selective on the work front currently.

The two together make for an interesting duo and a beautiful pair. We wish them all the best for their future and also are rooting for their on-screen collaboration!