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10 Dream Pairings We’d Like To See On The Silver Screen!

By
Hammad Akbar
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Film Pairs
The chemistry between lead actors plays a crucial role when it comes to making any television or film venture successful. A project may have a wonderful script and an excellent director, however, if the lead pair does not establish the right in screen connection, the project tends to inevitably fail in leaving a lasting impact on the audience. Likewise, oftentimes an otherwise average serial or movie is elevated due to the actors’ crackling chemistry. The right synchronicity of the leads is essential for that commercial blockbuster which strikes a chord with the audience.
 
The Pakistani entertainment industry has seen many iconic pairings that are still talked about today, be it the golden pairing of Waheed Murad and Shabnam from the hay-day of Lollywood, or the blockbuster pairing of Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan in Humsafar, whose on-screen reunion the fans still desperately wait for. However, with the emergence of so many talented actors and the present-day resurgence of Pakistani cinema, there is a large playing field for the makers to come up with many more interesting and potentially superhit joris.
 
Following is a list of fresh pairings we’d like to see on screen along with the genre we thought would suit them best:

Humayun Saeed and Saba Qamar

Putting the immensely talented Saba Qamar opposite the Box Office King of Pakistan, Humayun Saeed, would make the audience thank the casting directors and producers who had the wonderful idea of bringing them together. But they should not just star in any movie, they need to star in a movie that has a strong script and an experienced director that would do justice to these two linchpins of Pakistan’s showbiz arena. You cannot cast Saba and then give her the usual role of the hero’s romantic interest as it would be a waste of her talent. Humayun should get a role that’s equally challenging so he can show the audience that he is capable of playing dramatic roles as well. Ideally, we would like to see the two in a bio-pic about a real-life hero.

Fawad Khan and Mehwish Hayat

For her contribution towards Pakistani cinema, Mehwish was awarded with the presidential honor, the much-coveted Tamgha e Imtiaz. That should be enough for people to recognize her talent. On the other hand, Fawad might be absent from our screens for quite some time now, but the audience’s love for him still remains the same. As of today, the release of The Legend of Maula Jutt is up in the air and fans of the actor are clamoring to see him back in action on screen. So pairing him opposite the stunning and talent powerhouse Mehwish would be amazing. And since he has been playing positive characters up till now, it would be interesting to shake things a bit and give him the role of the main antagonist against Mehwish in a courtroom drama or even a crime-flavored thriller.

Ali Zafar and Iqra Aziz

Both Ali and Iqra have proven that they can excel in comedy. Ali started his acting career from the hit sitcom Kollege Jeans whereas in recent years, he has starred in a lot of different Bollywood comedies and even Teefa in Trouble was very tongue in cheek. Iqra, on the other hand, was one of the highlights of the TV show Suno Chanda. Fans were especially surprised by her comedic timing as the bubbly Jia on the show. Iqra still hasn’t made an appearance on the bigger screen but we believe that starring opposite Ali Zafar in a quirky romantic comedy would be the perfect film debut for her.

Bilal Abbas Khan and Mawra Hocane

Unconventional love stories, when done well, have a chance of becoming instant classics. Watching Bilal and Mawra star opposite each other in such a genre would definitely be a treat to watch. Their work on television has already made waves before, however, they haven’t yet been given a script to shine on the silver screen. Also, most of their dramas being serious dramas rather than love stories, we believe an unconventional love story would be the perfect setting for them!

Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan

Where Bilal and Mawra’s genre was going to be an unconventional love story where the characters slowly realize they have fallen in love with each other, the genre of Fahad and Mahira’s is going to be a full-fledged love story. Both Fahad and Mahira have starred in multiple films, but unfortunately, they didn’t share screen in either one of them. And after Mahira made an appearance on Fahad’s show Jeeto Pakistan back in May this year, fans loved their chemistry so much that they have been waiting for them to get together for a movie. They even interacted about it on Twitter!

Feroze Khan and Maya Ali

With the commercial success of last year’s Teefa in Trouble and this year’s Parey Hut Love, Maya Ali has established her credentials as a bankable on-screen performer. Feroze too has been a part of the industry for quite some time now, his breakout role being that of Mir Haadi in the blockbuster serial Khaani. He also made his film debut in 2016 with Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai and is set to star in the upcoming film Tich Button. We would be thrilled at the two being paired in a historical period piece. Imagine Feroze looking ‘oh so handsome’ wearing regal clothes and Maya exhuming grace wearing royal ghararas with heavy jewelry. One can only imagine what would happen when these two appear on the screen together!

Sheheryar Munawar and Hania Amir

Shehreyar and Hania are both young, energetic and talented. Interestingly enough, both the actors have also demonstrated some serious singing abilities- with Hania singing the OST for her drama serial Anaa while Shehreyar lending his voice for the rap portion of Parey Hut Love’s hit song Balma Bhagora. A musical film would thus be perfect for the duo. And with some able-handed music composers to back up their vocal talents, we might have our very own ‘La La Land’ on our hands.

Ahad Raza Mir and Kubra Khan

Ahad has made much impact courtesy his popular television plays, and Kubra has been a part of multiple movies including blockbusters such as Jawani Phir Nahi Aani 2. The good looking also was a part of a film together, Parwaz Hai Junoon, but they weren’t paired opposite each other. Watching them fall for each other in a feel-good adventure film would be something which would be appreciated by fans of both. They also seem to share a great friendship off-screen, so that would translate well on the screen as well.

Imran Ashraf and Sajal Ali

Well, what do we to say about Imran Ashraf that the audiences doesn’t already know? After working tirelessly in the industry for more than 8 years, viewers have finally warmed up to the underrated actor. The same goes for Sajal. The acting prowess she brought to each of her characters solidified her as one of the best acting talents of Pakistan. Thus, an indie social drama, perhaps with little commercial factor and just pure raw talent of the two would be enough to draw in the audiences. It would give them enough room to showcase just how gifted they are.

Sanam Saeed and Zahid Ahmed

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Sanam Saeed and Zahid Ahmed are two of the most versatile actors of Pakistan. For them, the only thing that matters is how challenging their roles are. Based on that, it would be wrong to confine them to run of the mill storylines. Hence, to extract the best out of the best, you would have to put these actors in a genre that they haven’t tried out before. An indie crime thriller would not only excite the actors, but it would indeed be worthy of their talents. While Sanam is a veteran when it comes to doing films, we are sure Zahid wouldn’t disappoint on the big screen either.

So what do you think of our pairings? Which one do you like best, let us know by commenting.

OPPO Announces Sheheryar Munawar As Their Product Ambassador And We Can’t Wait!

By
Galaxy Lollywood
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Sheheryar Munawar Oppo

Sheheryar Munawar is pretty much Pakistan’s man of the moment. The multi-talented heart-throb set theater screens ablaze with his fiery chemistry opposite Maya Ali in the Eid hit Parey Hut Love. Besides playing the lead hero, Sheheryar also donned the hat of a producer for the second time after Ho Mann Jahaan. And now, the country’s leading cell-phone brand OPPO has chosen him to showcase their glittering array of tech products.

If you have seen any of OPPO’s previous commercials, you will know they always have a way of making a splash and catching the public’s eye. And we love them for it!

A preview of the campaign

Here’s the scoop — we got our hands on some photos of the brand’s latest campaign and suffice to say they look fantastic. The pictures feature brilliant Sheharyar Munawar who is OPPO’s new product ambassador!

Featured with Sheheryar will be Sadaf Kanwal

Prior to Parey Hut Love, Sheharyar has established himself as one of the country’s leading stars with a number of roles in hit television projects and movies under his belt. And if we are to believe the buzz over Instagram and the social media, the sensational Sadaf Kanwal will be co-starring alongside him in OPPO’s upcoming television commercial. Sadaf is quite a beauty herself, a Lux-style award-winning model who is currently starring in the on-air serial Alif.

The star power of the two will is sure to wow the audience, especially given the ethereal locales of Sri Lanka where the campaign has been shot.

While shooting the advert, the two can be spotted here having a blast, almost as if they are on a vacay! And honestly, in a place like this, how can you not get into the holiday spirit?!

OPPO Reno2 is sure to dazzle you

To be sure, the two cannot out-dazzle the OPPO Reno2, which they will be showcasing in the advert. With its rear Quad cameras and multiple photo assist options the cell phone is also aesthetically styled and is the epitome of beauty.

With all this and so much more, the leaks have built some major hype for the phone and the advertisement campaign. We know for sure is that together, Sheheryar Munawar and OPPO Reno2 are going to blow you away!

“Pakistani Drama Industry Is On The Decline” – Haseena Moin

By
Hajira Waheed
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The Pakistani drama industry has seen many ups and downs. There was a golden period of dramas but the turn of the century saw a decline in the standards of Pakistani dramas. It took a while before the new wave of quality Pakistani dramas arrived which took the industry out of the slump. However, the current state of the Pakistani drama industry warrants much discussion as to where it stands in terms of quality and work ethics.

The veteran Pakistani playwright and dramatist Haseena Moin is not a name that any drama enthusiast can forget. She has written many plays for television and radio and has garnered much love and respect from the audiences and drama fraternity alike. Her dramas of the golden era of PTV got much success not just in the country but internationally as well. And her comments on the current state of Pakistani drama industry were not positive at all.

Industry is not being revived

In an interview with Naya Daur, Haseena Moin has said that she doesn’t think Pakistani dramas are being revived at all and are rather on the decline, content-wise. She further elaborates that serials are commercialized and its all about minting money now. Multiple young writers are being given various scenes to write and in the end, they are patched haphazardly to produce drama in hopes of just producing shows rather than producing quality shows.

“Having 2-4 good dramas being produced on some 77 channels is not an extraordinary feat at all. The process of drama writing has come down to gathering some people in the room and having them write various scenes which are they put together to make an episode. This is not how a drama is written, this is not how anything is written.”

She also talked about the unfortunate state of these young writers who are not even credited for their work. They sit around in the hopes of seeing their name on the credits screen but all credit is given to the bigger writer.

Reasons for the decline

Upon being asked her opinion on how she reckons the industry can be revived, Haseena Moin replied that there is no sure shot way to reinvigorate the drama industry unless the producers understand that quality is more important and comprehend that money should not be the major motivating factor behind the serails.

“The commercializing aspect of the dramas needs to be stopped. As long as dramas are being produced solely for the purpose of minting money, no revival can take place.” Haseena Moin also talked about the way dramas are portraying the evils of the society but without providing any solutions to the evils. She called such dramas as “incomplete” dramas that don’t provide any resolution.

As a final word, Haseena Moin said that there’s some hope left as people are now getting aware of the fact that the situations portrayed in most dramas are far from reality. She urged on treating dramas as an art form rather than a business prospect if the industry is to truly revive.

Final word

While Haseena Moin’s concerns about the current state of Pakistani drama industry are legitimate, being a religious follower of Pakistani shows I would say that things are not so bleak for Pakistani dramas. Current shows on-air like Khaas, Alif, Ishq Zah e Naseeb, etc as well as some recent classics like Humsafar, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Diyar e Dil, Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila, etc are good examples of how the current drama industry is exploring itself in terms of content. Sure, things aren’t as perfect and smooth as one would like them to be but there is still hope left. The beauty of the shows from the 80s and 90s is definitely timeless but the current shows also promise a bright future for the Pakistani drama industry.

Is Azaan Sami Khan The New Ahad Raza Mir For Hum TV?

By
Maisooma Batool
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It is no secret that the Pakistani entertainment industry has multiple “camps” that like to stick together.

For instance, one cannot see a Nadeem Baig directed project that does not have Humayun Saeed leading it. Regardless of what kind of film Nabeel Qureshi does, Fahad Mustafa has to be its protagonist. The chances of seeing Fawad Khan doing a significant cameo in an Asim Raza film are always high. You get the drill. There are certain associations that, once made in the industry, tend to stick for a long time.

Hum TV, or more specifically Momina Duraid Productions, is not any different. The history of this channel having certain favorites that get to enjoy all the best in-house productions is fairly easy to trace. These favorites then tend to be hyped to all the possible heights and the channel makes sure that these chosen ones emerge as success stories.

A Starkid is born

It hasn’t been long that Hum TV gave the industry a new star in the shape of Ahad Raza Mir. And not just any star but a starkid. While there’s no dearth of star siblings, nephews, nieces, kids in the industry, it is hard to debate the kind of stardom that the Mir scion reached within such a short amount of time. And Hum TV had a big part to play in that. Ahad debuted as a supporting role in the 2017 play Sammi and went on to headline the mega-hit series Yakeen Ka Safar in the same year. With him becoming television’s new favorite hero, Ahad bagged a role in Hum Network’s ambitious film Parwaz Hai Junoon and established himself as a film hero as well.

While the film was still being promoted, Ahad was frequently being questioned about playing a significant part in Hum TV’s mega-project Aangan. Whatever the fate of Aangan might have turned out to be, it is no secret that it was the most anticipated drama for a long time. It did not matter that Aangan failed to achieve the same level of critical and commercial success as Ahad’s previous projects because the news of Ahad being part of an ISPR-Momina Duraid production Ehd E Wafa gave the fans and media something new to talk about.

Ahad Raza Mir has yet to work with any other channel or production house in his short television/film career but looking at the pattern, he doesn’t need to. A sum total of five projects in the Pakistani entertainment industry in the span of barely three years has given this young actor the success and popularity that most actors dream of achieving even after a decade of struggle.

Similar pattern

Ahad is the most recent example of Hum TV not only hyping but keeping their favorites somewhat exclusive. There’s another young actor in the making that seems to be following this same pattern. And that is none other than Azaan Sami Khan.

Azaan Sami Khan, son of the once pride of Pakistani music Adnan Sami Khan, debuted as a music director with Parwaz Hai Junoon. It seems like a natural enough choice to follow however, interestingly music was not the only passion this talented young man was serious about. An exact year after debuting as a music director, Azaan had a whole film credited to him as a scriptwriter. The film being, of course, Hum Network’s big project starring none other than Mahira Khan – Superstar.

Between Superstar and Parey Hut Love, Azaan definitely got much exposure as he went on promoting both these films simultaneously. And while Parey Hut Love‘s promotional strategies which hinged on the project being a big ensemble feature, where everyone was equal and important, warranted a special spot for the film’s music director, it was interesting to see Hum Network giving similar exposure to its film’s writer/music director. Azaan was more present in the film’s promotions than the film’s director. Hum Network missed no chance of making sure he was as visible as he could be.

Now, Azaan is all ready to fulfill his true dream i.e. of acting. Hum Network’s next movie venture Patakh De will see Azaan Sami Khan as the film’s hero alongside Hania Aamir. The duo recently made their debut as a pairing at the 7th Kashmir Hum Awards with a performance. His acting ambitions are not limited to films only as he had recently talked about him doing a drama as a possibility that might come true sooner than later. At this point, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it turns out to be another one of Hum TV’s mega projects.

Two starkids who got their big break via Hum TV and who continue to bag one big project after the other which the channel has to offer. While one of them has already established himself as being an investment that paid off in more ways than one, it remains to be seen if the other will follow the same path led by the channel’s meticulous strategies or will he chart new territories altogether. Only time can tell.

Is ‘Kaaf Kangana’ Going The ‘Sherdil’ Way?

By
Hassan Hassan
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The post-Eid ul Azha period for Pakistani cinema has been a rather dull affair at the box office. September has been especially lackluster in terms of cinematic releases however, there is some respite to be found currently with a handful of Hollywood and local films being released and thus, ensuring a much-needed resuscitation for the cinema business.

Among the upcoming local releases, Kaaf Kangana happens to be the most noticeable film courtesy its writer Khalil ur Rahman Qamar who also makes his directorial debut with this feature. With films like Punjab Nahin Jaungi, Koi Tujh Sa Kahan, and Nikki Jayi Haan to his credit, the first attraction towards Kaaf Kangana is definitely its writer. And the newly released trailer for Kaaf Kangana promises content that is relevant to the current Pak-India cross-border political tensions.

The new direction

The second theatrical trailer for the film was released recently and there’s a very visible difference between the content of the first trailer and the newly released one. The trailer begins with the reveal of ARY Films being the film’s official distributor and media partner. Although the official social media platforms for ARY Films have yet to post Kaaf Kangana‘s theatrical trailer, their name being attached to the film is indeed a much-needed boost for the otherwise lackluster cinematic affair that Kaaf Kangana is promising to be based on its promos.

The trailer, shared via Khalil ur Rehman Qamar’s official YouTube page, is imbibed with a heavy dose of drama and political references both direct and metaphorical. Almost every dialogue in the trailer mentions Kashmir or India in a very direct and unapologetic way. In fact, the word Kashmir is mentioned in the trailer from the start to the end. It opens with footage of the Indian prime minister talking about the issue of Kashmir followed by Sami Khan heatedly declaring that Kashmir, “never opted to unite with India. It was forcibly occupied by India.” The very next bit is Eshal Fayyaz comparing herself to Kashmir who can be forcefully held captive while she stands around looking at UNO for help. All of this is shown within the first 30 seconds of the trailer. The references and the comparisons continue till the end.

None of this was mentioned in the film’s first theatrical trailer. Although that trailer was not without its flaws, it had been cut to show a film that was heavy with all kinds of emotions. Whereas this trailer takes all those emotions and dunks them in the boiling water of the Pak-India political tensions that are at an all-time high currently.

A deliberate decision

It can be easily assumed that it is an intentional move by the film’s marketing and distribution team to generate interest of masses regarding the film by making it more relevant in the current political scenario. This is a very clever and apt strategy by ARY Films’ marketing team who have been known to give an extra push to films that would otherwise carry little consumer value if seen in isolation.

In the past films like Azadi and Sherdil have been the beneficiaries of such tactics. Particularly the latter film which was tactfully released shortly after Pakistan shot India’s MIG fighter in a dogfight in February this year. The patriotic zeal was all-time high at that time with a particular affection for Pakistan Air Force and there couldn’t have been any other better release time for a film like Sherdil. The film portrayed the life of a PAF fighter pilot who ultimately shot down an Indian jet and earned glory for the country. Courtesy ARY Films’ clever marketing strategy Sherdil fared considerably well at the box office.

With Kaaf Kangna this marketing team seems to be reusing the same template to ensure the film’s success. After a particularly aggressive and on-point speech by Pakistan’s prime minister at UNGA, and a continuous widespread lockdown of Indian occupied Kashmir, the sentiments of masses in Pakistan couldn’t be more pro-Kashmir and Kaaf Kangna aims to be cashing on these widespread sentiments.

Final word

Carrying some obvious 90s Lollywood vibes with it, KUR’s Kaaf Kangana may be able to woo the audience of both the current era and the fans of 90s Lollywood who may want to see the film to invoke the nostalgia of that era, if nothing else. Who knows Kaaf Kangana may prove to be the film that breaks the dry spell that’s haunting the local film industry for a few weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNu1XKzMYzs

Meet Hamza Khawaja: The Hunk Who Will Be Starring Opposite Saba Qamar in ‘Kamli’

By
Uzair Anwer
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After ruling the television industry this year with her incredible performance as Manat in Cheekh, Saba Qamar is ready to dazzle us all on the big screen. Recently, she announced her next film venture, Kamli, which is to be helmed by the acclaimed director, Sarmad Khoosat. While this collaboration is a reason big enough to rejoice and celebrate, the leading hero’s selection is another factor that has further piqued our interest. 

The Hunky Hero

The man is Hamza Khawaja, an athlete and fitness trainer who will be making his acting debut alongside Saba Qamar. Going by his social media, Hamza is a fitness freak and a certified personal trainer who has got a body that could give many a run for their money!
He is also the co-founder of Reconstruct, an online fitness coaching app. 

Hamza’s selection as the leading man has us particularly curious as to what the main plot of the film is and how this muscle god will fit into the equation. But starring opposite Saba Qamar in a Sarad Khoosat directorial, this hunk is getting a debut many can only dream of.

The Saba-Sarmad Duo

Previously, Sarmad and Saba have worked together in the critically acclaimed film, Manto, where Saba played the character of singing legend, Noor Jehan and this will be their second collaboration.

Saba QamarOn The Munshi Show, Saba had said that Kamli is bigger than Hindi Medium! She also revealed that the film will be female-centric and will revolve around her character. Moreover, she also said that she is super excited about the film, as the script and the storyline are extremely novel; something which has not been seen before. Although the release date is not confirmed, Kamli might be hitting cinemas on Eid ul Fitr 2020 and we cannot wait!

 

Here’s What All Went Down At The 7th Kashmir Hum Awards 2019!

By
Maisooma Batool
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Award shows in Pakistan are a rarity. So, it feels very good to see a channel not only being consistent in holding an award function every year but also staying true to its promise of making it bigger and better with each edition. The 7th Kashmir Hum Awards took place on 5th October and just like last year, they went international once again. This time the venue was in Houston, USA, and the Pakistani entertainment industry took the city by storm by holding a successful night of fun and glamor that celebrated the best of last year.

One of Galaxy Lollywood’s followers was present at the 7th Kashmir Hum Awards and shared with us some insights about the entire event. So, read on to find out what exactly went down at the show, which stars dazzled on the stage with their performances, and who won it big that night.

The Green Carpet

Stars appearing on the green carpet as they make their way inside the venue is always a highlight for any event. As it allows the fans’ to see their favorite stars up close and personal as well as for the stars to interact with their fans. The green carpet for the 7th Kashmir Hum Awards was full of glitz and glamor as the stars made their way in the venue but not before sharing their excitement and anticipation regarding the international affair.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3RoRNUn34B/

Thousands of fans waited at the green carpet to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars and they were not disappointed as the stars stopped to take selfies and interact with their fans. One sweet moment witnessed by the audience there was when Kubra Khan helped a fan pick up her cell phone that she had dropped all the while being decked in an elaborate glamorous count. The gesture definitely won the hearts of the fans.

The Event

The event kickstarted with the national anthems of USA and Pakistan, with the Pakistani anthem being performed by various celebrities on stage. This show of patriotism and respect shown to the host country was definitely the right note to kickstart the event with. An energetic and stirring performance on the song Dil Se performed by Haroon Rasheed got the audience into high spirits as they sang along to the patriotic song.

After a few short speeches given by Sultana Siddiqui and Duraid Qureshi, the first hosts of the evening Ali Rehman Khan and Mikaal Zulfiqar took the stage. Performing on the song Tu Turu Tara Tara, the duo made their grand entry and right from there they had the audience engaged and in splits with their energy. They were witty, energetic, entertaining, and spontaneous and definitely one of the highlights of the entire event.

Some insights

There is so much that goes on these award shows that it does not get to air on television when the awards get telecasted on television. But as we said above, one of Galaxy Lollywood’s followers was present at the award and gave us some interesting happenings of the event.

During one of Noman Ejaz’s winning speeches for Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila, he ended up saying to the younger actors being nominated alongside him in the category to not get jealous and work hard. Yikes, that is a not-so-subtle nod towards last year’s controversy at another award show.

Bee Gul, during her acceptance speech for best writer, was the only one who talked about the plight of Kashmir. With so many celebrities present there, it was certainly sad to see none of them mentioning the still pressing issue of Kashmir.

Ahmed Ali Butt did his version of Best Dressed contest during a break in the ceremony and using his signature wit and humor gave several celebrities titles. He called Mawra Hocane “Green Tea”, Hania Aamir “Rooh Afza”, asked Sarah Khan if she was there to attend a valima? In the end, he awarded Zeba Bakhtyar the Best Dressed title. Adnan Siddiqui won the Best Dressed title from the male celebrities and he confessed that he had worn the same sherwani in the last award show of the season and only changed the buttons for this event.

During the many wins for Suno Chanda, Farhan Saeed and Iqra Aziz made a point of talking about how a drama of the comedy genre can too bring in accolades. Momina Duraid also talked about how many actors and actresses had initially refused to do Suno Chanda because it was a comedy Ramzan play and not telecasted during primetime.

Another segment by the ever hilarious Ahmed Ali Butt was the Samosa Awards. Using the opportunity of having so many celebrities gathered together, Ahmed Ali Butt gave out samosas wrapped in a plate as awards. Among them, Yasir Hussain got the Samosa Award for “Most Annoying Status” thanks to the many comments that he makes via his insta stories.

A touching moment witnessed by all was when Ahmed Ali Butt asked Adnan Siddiqui to play the flute and he readily performed Ye Watan Tumhara Hai and mesmerized the audience with his flute skills.

The Performances

Performances by the stars of the industry are what the audience wants to see the most. And the 7th Kashmir Hum Awards did not disappoint on that front. From tributes to energetic dance numbers, the event was full of memorable performances that had the audience enthralled.

Azaan Sami Khan and Hania Amir performed together for the first time as a pairing on a medley of vintage Pakistani songs. The duo showed a glimpse of their chemistry and raised the expectation for their upcoming film together Patakh De. During the performance, Azaan came down from the stage for an impromptu dance with Reema and wowed the audience.

Asim Azhar took the stage and gave a moving tribute to Alamgir by singing many of his classic songs. His electrifying performance was also packed with a surprise where he called the legendary singer on stage an performed with him which got a standing ovation from the audience.

Ahsan Khan and Mehwish Hayat turned up the heat of the event with their blazing performance. With two stronger performers coming together and setting the stage on fire, there was no person in the audience not excited and cheering along to the duo’s performance.

The closing performance of the night was by none other than the Sufi queen of Pakistan, Abida Parveen. Her dhamaal had the stars up on their feet and moving along to her music as she entranced the audience with her magic.

Winners

Soap Awards:
Best Soap – Sanwari
Best Actor Female – Zainab Ahmed (Maa Sadqay)
Best Actor Male – Usama Khan (Sanwari)

Best Child Actor – Sami Khan (Suno Chanda)
Best Telefilm – Iss Dil Ki Aisi Ki Taisi
Best New Sensation Television (Male) – Usama Tahir (Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila)
Best New Sensation Television (Female) – Alizey Shah (Ishq Tamasha)
Best OST – Baandi

Recognition Awards (Film):
Film – Parwaz Hai Junoon
Best Actor (Male) – Hamza Ali Abbasi
Best Actor (Female) – Hania Aamir

Serial Awards:
Best Actor Supporting Role (Male) – Yasir Hussain (Baandi) / Tipu Sultan (Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila)
Best Actor Supporting Role (Female) – Nadia Afghan (Suno Chanda)
Most Impactful Character  – Noman Ejaz (Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila)
Best Actor Negative Role – Noman Ejaz (Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila)
Best Writer – Saima Akram Chaudhry (Suno Chanda) / Bee Gul (Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila)
Best Director – Kashif Nisar (Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila)

Popular Awards:
Best Onscreen Couple – Farhan Saeed and Iqra Aziz (Suno Chanda)
Best Drama Serial – Suno Chanda
Best Actor Female – Iqra Aziz (Suno Chanda)
Best Actor Male  – Farhan Saeed (Suno Chanda)

Jury Awards:
Best Onscreen Couple – Farhan Saeed and Iqra Aziz (Suno Chanda)
Best Drama Serial – Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila
Best Actor Female – Yumna Zaidi (Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila)
Best Actor Male  – Noman Ejaz (Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila)
Best Drama Serial – Darr Si Jaati Hai Sila

Lifetime Achievement Award – Alamgir

Alif Starts Strong And Gets You Hooked On It From The Beginning

By
Uzair Anwer
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The highly anticipated drama Alif finally premiered on Geo Entertainment and it shone as bright as one had expected it to. This Umera Ahmed script boasts of a stellar cast which includes Hamza Ali Abbasi, Sajal Aly, Kubra Khan, Ahsan Khan, and Manzar Sehbai; produced by the dynamic Sana Shahnawaz and Samina Humayun Saeed, and brought together by the magnificent Haseeb Hassab in the director’s chair. Alif being termed as one of the year’s biggest dramas is not without reason.

First impression

The first episode starts on a rather spiritual note with the audience being served with Ahsan Khan’s glimpses as he is seen performing a Sufi dance form, setting the tone of the story from the get-go. Shifting between past and present, Alif tells two intertwined stories. The story set in the past is of Taha Abdul Ala (Ahsan Khan), Husn e Jahaan (Kubra Khan), Qalb e Momin (Pehlaj Iqrar), and Abdul Ala (Manzar Sehbai). The present story revolves around the grown-up Qalb e Momin (Hamza Ali Abbasi) and Momina Sultan (Sajal Aly).

It is to Haseeb Hassan’s credit that he has managed to tell these two stories which are completely different in terms of setting, tone, and era with a distinct vision that does not make the two narratives confusing. If the past is filled with the innocence of a child writing letters to God, the present narrative is about the glamorous world of showbiz and how the people live in it.

Some of the most soulful moments of the episode belong to Qalb e Momin and Husn e Jahan. The equation between the mother and son is full love but also twanged with the mystery of Qalb e Momin’s father. Their relationship with God is given much significance. The present era goes deep in the world of the current-day entertainment industry. The glamor and the darkness of this world is shown in equal measures, as well as the struggle of an actress wanting to be a part of it for financial reasons but without compromising on her morals. Alif definitely brings up interesting topics up for a conversation about what does it mean to be a part of the entertainment industry in a constitutionally Islamic country.

The background music has been used fantastically in the drama, especially in the sequences where the young Momin is shown questioning Allah. The musical elements make the drama more nuanced and enhance the viewing experience. The episode is packed with ample bits of drama, display of natural emotions, sorrows, and a more realistic portrayal of the Pakistani entertainment world for the television screens.

Performances  

Hamza Ali Abbasi shines in every frame he appears. The actor in him gets ample scope to prove his mantle as a performer. The allure of his deeply expressive eyes and the natural charm that he exudes make a rather unlikable character like Qalb e Momin a character worth getting invested in. Sajal Aly proves why she has become the darling of the masses. She taps in the innocence of her character without appearing naive. She perfectly balances the resilience and the desperation of Momina with a firm grip on all the varied layers of her character.

Kubra Khan is the surprise element of the show. Kubra gives a matured and nuanced performance that one has gotten used to expecting from seasoned actors. The actress has also worked on her accent and we can’t wait to see more of her as the drama unfolds and more information about her character is revealed. Child actor Pehlaj Iqrar in his debut show is very good to say the least. Ahsan Khan and Sadaf Kanwal in their brief appearances kept us wanting more.

Underwhelming aspect

The only minus in the screenplay was the depiction of modernity and the way it was projected. In one scene at the office where Momina and other aspirants sitting for their turn during an audition process, a fellow aspirant is shown smoking a cigarette which is a sharp contrast to Momina’s modest, dupatta clad appearance. Such visual cues depict a rather regressive generalization of the kind of people in the world.

In another sequence that follows, Qalb e Momin tells Momina that the role she was auditioning for was of a vamp who dances and woos men. This stereotypical association of dancing being an attribute of a negative character just feels so tiresome in today’s day and age. Our content writers need to stop generalizing. Instead of giving the audience the choice of deciding which character falls in the good category and which character falls in the bad category, Alif very clearly distinguishes between what is considered good and what is not. A more nuanced writing definitely would’ve been appreciated more.

Final Word

Alif has set itself apart from the other dramas on-air currently with its choice of subject matter and its execution. Brilliant performances paired with technical finesse, Alif manages to grip the attention of the audience instantly by having them invested in the main characters and their journey from the get-go.

Kubra Khan Completely Steals The Show in Alif’s Trailer!

By
Maisooma Batool
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Alif

The year’s most highly anticipated drama Alif is going on-air on 5th October on Geo Entertainment. Although the hype for the drama has been around ever since it was announced a year ago, but the recently released promos and the official trailer for the drama have given the anticipating viewers more reasons to look forward to the drama.

Written by Umera Ahmed, this Sana Shahnawaz production under the vision of Haseeb Hassan has all the makings of a blockbuster. And the promo material released for the drama is only proof of that. Especially the almost 3-minute long official trailer that was released recently tells the audience what to expect from the drama. And it is within that trailer that we couldn’t be helped but be completely blown away by the performance of Kubra Khan.

Kubra’s transformation

Kubra Khan plays the role of Husn e Jahan and throughout the trailer, we see glimpses of the various transformation this character goes through. From being a mesmerizing dancer who enthralls the audience with her performance, to a woman completely devoted in love, and finally to a distressed figure who laments her choice of choosing the love of a man over the love of god, Kubra looks convincing in every frame.

Judging from the teasers and the trailer, Husn e Jahan’s character is going to be one of the most layered characters of the story as she seems to go on a journey that transforms her entirely. And it is such a treat to watch Kubra Khan nailing all the aspects of her character. From the glamor to the heartbreak, the glimpses of Kubra are all enough to get us excited to see everything she has to offer in the drama.

Alif‘s story is based in the glamorous world of showbiz and through this world, this drama will address the question of a human’s love for material versus the struggle for eternal. And Husn e Jahan’s character will play a very important role in the events of the drama because she is a key figure in the life of Qalb e Momin, the drama’s primary protagonist.

The trailer has definitely gotten us even more hyped for the drama and we certainly hope that Alif turns out to be even better than our expectations!

You can watch the drama’s trailer here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mP_KyM31o4

“Hania Aamir Was Almost Finalized For Teefa In Trouble,” Reveals Ali Zafar

By
Maisooma Batool
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Teefa In Trouble

Teefa In Trouble‘s success cannot be argued about. It remains the one film that proved at the box office that good content does not need any holiday release to make big numbers. The film was an instant success both critically and commercially, and despite all the controversy surrounding it, it managed to bag awards and international nominations as well.

The latest episode of The Munshi Show had the industry’s very own rockstar Ali Zafar on the couch opposite Galaxy Lollywood’s Momin Ali Munshi. As the two men talked about various topics ranging from controversies, blasts from the pasts, and possible future projects, interesting revelations about Teefa In Trouble and its casting were made.

Hania and Mawra

During a fun game segment in the episode to guess the possible female lead of Teefa In Trouble 2, Ali Zafar made the revelation that it was Hania Amir who was almost finalized for the role of Teefa’s leading lady in the film.

“When Maya was being considered [for the role of Anya], Hania was also being considered very strongly for the same role. In fact, she was almost finalized for it. But for some reason it couldn’t happen,” revealed Ali Zafar.

Later, Ali talked about Hania is a dear friend of his brother Danyal Zafar so he remains a little biased towards her. However, he considers Mawra Hocane to be an exceptionally talented actress and would love to work with her. This is a rather interesting confession by the multitalented actor as Mawra Hocane has once showed her interest in working with Ali Zafar before.

Apart from these interesting bit of conversation, Ali Zafar talked about the possibility of an international project, his plans on releasing a music album soon, and whether Teefa In Trouble 2 will have a heroine from “the outside”. To catch this and so much more, watch the latest episode of The Munshi Show only on Galaxy Lollywood’s Youtube channel!

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