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Nabeel Qureshi Talks About The Struggle For Pakistani Content On Netflix Amid Geopolitical Tensions

By
Kehkashan Bukhari
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Director Nabeel Qureshi spilled the beans on The Black Box about the streaming scene. Turns out, pro-Indian content is taking over, squeezing out Pakistani gems. The intricate connection between the geopolitical situation and its adverse effects on the Pakistani entertainment industry was a focal point.

Nabeel shared his insights on the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, emphasizing a crucial point: the impact on the entertainment industry.

Netflix’s Regional Shift: Impact on Pakistani Content

“Let me make this clear to people who don’t seem to grasp the situation. Netflix, initially based in Los Angeles, handled all its dealings from there,” he explained. “However, in response to the heightened tensions, they established a regional office in India.”

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Nabeel underscored, “This is a fifth-generation warfare, alright? Talking about friendship between India and Pakistan is all well and good, but it’s not feasible anymore. Ever since the inception of that regional office, Pakistani content struggles to gain recognition. Be it films, even excluding originals, they’ve ceased buying rights or, when they do, the compensation is so meager that it hardly seems worthwhile.”

Shifting Dynamics: Anti-Pakistan Content and Propaganda

If you’re a Netflix buff, you’ve probably seen the shift in Indian content dynamics. It’s evolving, and not necessarily in a good way.

“In a glance, the propaganda is evident—India churning out anti-Pakistan content, sparking controversy and tarnishing the image of Pakistanis in their craft. Given the challenging times for Muslims and Pakistanis, it’s bad timing. This contributes to why Pakistani content is conspicuously absent on Netflix—either they’re not buying it, or maybe it just doesn’t resonate with them.” Qureshi shared.

Adding on, he remarked, “Moreover, our language is identical. Had we spoken a different language, we might have carved out a niche. But currently, when an Indian film drops, we all eagerly flock to it, making it an instant trend. The demand and supply are evident. There’s no dedicated space where content is tailored specifically for the Pakistani audience.”


But we were not in the same situation as we are nowadays – seeing less Pakistani content on the streaming site.

“Namaloom Afraad was the first Pakistani film that made its way to Netflix before its arrival in Pakistan.” Qureshi proudly mentioned.

As these beloved Pakistani dramas like Humsafar, Udaari, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, and Khuda Aur Muhabbat vanish from the streaming platform, alongside the disappearance of Teefa In Trouble and Janaan, it raises concerns. The absence of these titles signals a need for robust support for Pakistani content, not just internally but also at the governmental level, to ensure its sustained presence on global platforms.

Is Grey Based On Ali Zafar And Meesha Shafi Case?

By
Zainab Mossadiq
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The drama serial Grey opens with a promising first episode, setting the bar and raising expectations for a promising suspense thriller. “There is a difference between a criminal and the accused,” says Noreen Gulwani’s character in the drama, establishing the pivotal question around which the narrative revolves.

The opening scene of the drama follows Salaar Khan (Sami Khan), who is a well-established actor married with children. There is trouble in paradise when the news breaks on television that Salaar is accused of harassment on national television by his co-star and another well-established actress Imaan Mansoor (played by Sabeena Farooq). The entire episode billed on this premise, establishing different characters and sub-plots in the show.

Grey: An exact mirror of the Ali Zafar-Meesha Shafi case?

The audience could not help but instantly draw parallels between the plot with the real-life case in which Meesha Shafi accused Ali Zafar of sexual harassment on 19th April 2018. The case received a lot of media attention and went on for several years. After nearly four years, following media scandals and accusations, the Lahore High Court announced in 2022 that the plea of Mesha Shafi had been dismissed by the court. This was eventually followed by a lot of discussions on the outcome of the case.

We could not help but feel DĂ©jĂ  vu seeing the first episode. While it is not new for storytellers or drama makers to take inspiration from real-life stories, there were certain elements which we felt were worth addressing.

Considering the fact that the Mesha Shafi and Ali Zafar case is relatively new and has only reached a conclusion after the Lahore High Court’s decision, which was passed only last year, makes this a sensitive topic to address. More challenging than this is the way the makers will decide how to conclude the drama considering the sentiments of several people involved.

Moreover, during the case development, the public has been exposed to the opinions of both sides. Ali Zafar has vocally expressed how Meesha Shafi’s accusations have disrupted his personal and professional life and have resulted in him losing several contracts over the years. The actor openly challenged Meesha Shafi.

On the other hand, the public has also sensitively heard Meesha’s perspective. Due to several controversies that surrounded, the public always remained undecided and torn between both the public figures, unable to comprehend which side was telling the truth.

While the case may have been closed, we cannot help but think how a drama depicting this case might affect Mesha Shafi and Ali Zafar’s personal life and their families who are being made to relive the trauma again, following the discussion that followed after the release of the first episode. The intention of the makers might be only to highlight a social message through this drama, however, taking one side in the plot might only reignite a debate and affect the concerned parties.

While it is too soon to jump to conclusions, we do hope that the makers do justice to the sensitive topic.

Diving into the first episode

Green Entertainment’s new drama Grey has been penned by Rida Bilal and has been directed by Sohail Javed.

After the opening scene in which Salaar is accused by Iman, we see a situation of complete anarchy and chaos. The first episode aptly builds the element of intrigue and mystery. Both Sabeena Farooq and Sami Khan have done justice to their characters by expressing feelings of uncertainty in their emotions and not giving away to who is in the wrong.

Sabeena’s character Iman is shown to be in complete control of the entire situation. We do not get to see how she truly feels about the accusation. On the other hand, Sami Khan denies any truth in the allegations against him and continues with his life.

The first episode also introduced us to Noreen Gulwani’s character who is playing the role of a journalist. The viewers are also introduced to the dynamics of the workplace on the news channel, where Noreen’s character works.

The drama repeatedly iterates the idea of women’s harassment at various places. In the news channel’s office, they have established that the boss is abusing his power dynamics and is harassing the women working for him. Meanwhile, we also see the housemaid working at Sabeena’s home getting harassed repeatedly as she travels to Sabeena’s home.

Lastly, the drama also explores how media and bloggers play a pivotal role in presenting the news to the public and how their words and actions can influence the public’s actions.

Alongside the main leads, the drama casts Saleem Mairaj, Zoha Rehman, Paras Masroor, Faizan Sheikh, Irfan Motiwala, Noreen Gulwani, Mahenur Haider, Mustafa Baloch, Fajr Sheikh, Nadeem Kazmi, Peerzada Salman, Salma Zafar, Shazia Gohar, Khalid Anum and Saifi Hasan.

Our Verdict

Undoubtedly, Grey has managed to keep us hooked till the very last minute of the first episode. However, the introduction of several subplots in less than forty minutes took away time from the development of lead characters and resulted in haphazard changes in frames.

Nevertheless, Grey is certainly a drama we will be watching out for.

DC Triumph: Sarmad Khoosat Clinches Best Director Award For Kamli

By
Kehkashan Bukhari
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When delving into the realm of Pakistani cinema, one can discern the unfolding narrative shaped by the industry’s post-COVID-19 challenges. Despite these trials, a glimmer of optimism emanates from film festivals, acting as beacons for Pakistani filmmakers seeking global recognition and acclaim for their artistry.

Sarmad Khoosat’s cinematic prowess reached new heights with his film Kamli – released last year, earning him the prestigious Best Director award at the DC South Asian Film Festival. This celebrated festival has firmly established itself as a cultural cornerstone in Washington, D.C.’s annual calendar, showcasing the finest contributions to global alternative cinema from a diverse array of nations, including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and Sri Lanka.

Kamli stands as a testament to the power of narratives that transcend geographical boundaries, resonating with audiences in the international melting pot that is the DC South Asian Film Festival.

Celebrating his win, Sarmad Khoosat shared the award on Instagram, with Khoosat Films’ official handle also featuring it on their Instagram Story. Congratulations poured in from fans and celebrities like Sarwat Gillani, Tooba Siddiqui, and filmmaker Jawad Sharif. Actor Omair Rana, a key cast member, also commended Khoosat.

In Mississauga, Canada, Sania Saeed, was honored with the Best Actress award at MISAFF as she portrayed the blind character Sakina in Kamli. The film, featuring an ensemble cast including Saba Qamar, Omair Rana, Nimra Bucha, Adeel Afzal, Iman Shahid, and marking Hamza Khawaja’s debut, continues to receive acclaim.

In the face of adversity, Pakistani filmmakers like Khoosat persist in pushing creative boundaries, demonstrating an innate ability to produce narratives that resonate globally.

While talking about the movie earlier, the main lead, Saba Qamar told Arab News, “People are realizing we can move beyond cliché themes and produce issue-based scripts too.

“This is the right time that we start making issue-based movies that have a message besides entertainment … We can no longer say our audiences aren’t educated enough to appreciate unconventional themes.”

“Kamli does have elements of what the screen formula is considered to be, but we didn’t adhere to a formulaic story. It is an unusual genre that is usually not there in the subcontinent,” Khoosat said. “Kamli has its own original language to it. So, this kind of recognition matters.”

The international stage, through film festivals and digital platforms, continues to serve as a sanctuary where Pakistani cinema can thrive, finding appreciation and applause beyond the confines of local constraints.
 

“At Least Toss A Little Credit To The OG Track” Omer Nadeem Claps Back At Sonu Nigam For Stealing His Song Aey Khuda

By
Kasim Bilal
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Another one bites the dust! This rising trend of Indian musicians copying the work of Pakistani artists is not stopping any time soon. There are now countless examples of this happening more and more often.

Most recently we had Abrar ul Haq’s classic Punjabi song Nach Punjaban copied by Bollywood for their film ‘Jug Jugg Jeeyo‘. Where the real issue was the fact that, legally speaking, the song wasn’t plagiarized. Abrar simply did not own the rights to the song, his record label did, and T-Series legally acquired those rights to remake the song.

Omer Nadeem’s Aye Khuda

This time, we have Omer Nadeem whose 14-year-old song Aye Khuda has been plagiarized by T-Series. The song, now titled Sun Zara, has Sonu Nigam lending his vocals.

The credits to Sun Zara don’t mention Omer Nadeem or even his record label anywhere which makes this even more sinister considering that the T-Series version of Nach Punjaban did in fact credit Abrar-ul-Haq and his label.

Omer Nadeem’s Responds

Yesterday, Nadeem took to Instagram and broke his silence on all this with a post.

“I’ve reached a point in my life where I couldn’t care less about these things. But hey, if you’re going to do it, at least toss a little credit to the OG track. If you’re gonna pull this off, could’ve at least done it with some finesse. Huge fan of Sonu Nigam, but let’s be real, this is light years away from the real deal.”

Class response from Omer. He rightfully called out Sonu Nigam for not even bothering to give credits to the original with a cheeky remark at the end comparing the quality of the two music videos.

Armeena Rana Khan also commented under the post and tagged Sonu Nigam.

“@sonunigamofficial why are stealing music?”

The music video was released 3 days ago and has already amassed 1.3 million views, almost three times that of Nadeem’s original song from 2009. It is truly disheartening to see Bollywood so rampantly plagiarize the work of Pakistani artists with no consequences whatsoever. These plagiarized songs are also bound to outperform the originals they are copying from considering the huge audience at their disposal.

Hopefully, Nigam and T-Series do take note of this and credit the artists behind the original song.

Ahmed Ali Akbar Anticipates Playing Villain In Upcoming Project

By
Galaxy Lollywood
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In a dramatic twist that mirrors his on-screen versatility, Ahmed Ali Akbar, the breakout star of the iconic Parizaad opens up about his deliberate approach to script selection in a recent interview with Kehkashan Bukhari for Geo Digital.

Known for breathing life into characters, whether conventional or unconventional, Ahmed shares, “I don’t have a particular intention to pick something different. If the story is good, I mould the character by sharing thoughts with the director. I guess I’ve been fortunate in scripts” — all punctuated with a smile.

With the success of Parizaad, a burning question arises: What’s next for Ahmed on the TV screen?

Ahmed’s response is intriguing when asked about the possibility of playing a negative role, a villain perhaps. “Well, I’ll definitely go for that. In fact, I’m in negotiations with the makers. Viewers might see me on screen in a negative role, not too soon, but after some time,” he teases.

Having embarked on his acting journey in the late ’90s with PTV’s Stop Watch Ahmed Ali Akbar made his film debut in 2013 with Siyaah and has since graced the silver screen with memorable performances in films like Laal Kabootar, Parchi, Karachi Se Lahore, and Lahore Se Agay. In the world of dramas, his roles in Hum TV’s Ehde Wafa and the groundbreaking Parizaad remain etched in our memories.

Amid the social media frenzy sparked by the tweet unveiling Ahmed’s new role, speculations run wild, hinting at a possible link to Tere Bin 2. The lingering question emerges: “In this scenario, which boat will Yumna find herself in?” – user shared insights on X.

His current projects

But the surprises don’t end there! Ahmed is gearing up for his role in Gunjal, a film based on child activist Iqbal Massih, directed by Shoaib Sultan. It centres on the exoneration of the perpetrator involved in the killing of a young labour activist, with journalists identifying concerning gaps in the verdict. The movie will follow the journalist’s pursuit of justice as he exposes the grim reality of child labour in 1990s Pakistan on the way. The movie also features Resham and Amna Ilyas and is set to release on 15th December.

It will mark as Ahmed’s return on-screen after a four-year hiatus, as he was last seen in Laal Kabootar in 2019. He also received the Best Actor Award at the South Asian Film Festival and Lux Style Awards for the movie.

He also made his television come back after almost two years with the drama Idiots, currently being aired on Green Entertainment, along with Mansha Pasha.

While Ahmed’s work is undoubtedly selective, the prospect of seeing him on screen as a villain adds an exciting layer to his already impressive repertoire. 

Vasay Chaudhry Weighs In On Award Shows And Debunks Claims Of Lollywood “Copying” Bollywood

By
Kasim Bilal
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Podcasts are where it’s at these days. In the last few years, we have seen countless headlines being generated from podcast interviews. The laidback vibe of these is probably why several writers, actors and directors are more comfortable speaking their minds and sharing opinions.

Many such interviewees have even gotten in trouble for their unorthodox way of thinking and have been on the receiving end of great vitriol online. Veterans like Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar and Shabbir Jan are two names who angered a lot of people with their bluntness.

Vasay Chaudhry recently also appeared on a podcast, Ahmad Ali Butt’s podcast. Here he was asked a variety of questions about the inner workings of our entertainment industry and his opinions on it. Chaudhry had some interesting thoughts to share in response to these questions. Let’s discuss.

An Overview

The host Ahmad Ali Butt had some great questions for the guest. Chaudhry was able to give a lot of insight into why the entertainment industry seems to be failing. How a government has a role to play and how our creatives are also to blame.

The Jawani Phir Nahi Ani writer and actor explained how a lack of cinemas is also a huge if not the main factor in the slow death of our film industry. He mentioned the success of The Legend of Maula Jatt despite the low number of screens, which shows a thirst from the audience waiting to be quenched.

The Mazaaq Raat host also weighed in on the heated debate of if Bollywood films should be allowed to screen again in Pakistan, which he was in favour of. He mentioned the success of films like Sanju in 2018 and how our cinema houses were thriving because of them.

Award Shows

When asked about award shows, Vasay seemed to show an aversion to the “Viewer’s Choice Awards” which are becoming quite the norm these days.

“Viewer’s Choice Awards are “Bakwaas”. He added that it should be the right of peers and experts in the industry to award projects and everything should not become a race for ratings.”

He feels that award shows are not the elections and shouldn’t be a popularity contest. He used Daniel Day-Lewis and Tom Cruise to illustrate that the actor who’s more popular, Cruise in this scenario, is bound to win and not an actor like Daniel who’s more deserving.

He also added that the reward for the ones who are popular is the box office, ratings and love that they get but that award shows should be reserved for simply being about talent.

Does Pakistan Copy Bollywood?

Pakistani film industry has had criticisms and accusations hurled at it, by some in our own audience, of trying to copy Bollywood. Vasay seems to think differently, and he feels that saying we’re copying Indian films is a “stupid criticism”

“Pakistani film industry has been this. We were an extension of India in 1947”

He explained this point by saying that before partition, we were the same people with the same culture and entertainment industry. Classic films starring Nadeem Baig and songs from Noor Jehan were not dissimilar to the work being done in Bollywood and they weren’t copying Indians, we have always had this style.

The Main Hoon Shahid Afridi writer feels that just because our film industry took a break does not mean that our culture became something different to that of Indians. We still enjoy the same songs and films as they do.

What do you think of what Vasay had to say regarding these topics? Do you disagree with his opinions, or do you think he was correct in his assessment? Share your thoughts in the comments!

“It’s An Absolute Pleasure And Pressure To Be A Kashif Nisar Heroine”: Amar Khan On Breaking News

By
Ozair Majeed
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She is one of those rare actors of Pakistan who seeks perfection every time she makes an appearance on screen. Recalling her short but memorable trajectory of work in projects like, Belapur Ki Dayan, Ghughi, Dil-e-Gumshuda and Heer Da Hero, her diverse choice of roles is what makes Amar Khan stand out from the crowd. The actor takes a great leap and bags the leading role in Kashif Nisar’s upcoming drama series Breaking News. So, we at Galaxy Lollywood spoke to the actor for all the deets.

Amar’s First Reaction

It was an instant yes when Nisar approached Amar to headline Breaking News “I am happy that he chose me for the part. I feel blessed to be working with him at this point in my career. Kashif Nisar is a maestro, a visionary storyteller of Pakistan. It is an absolute pleasure and pressure to be a Kashif Nisar heroine. When you work with the best in the business, only then do you realise the amount of hard work and honesty he pours in. He empowers his actors with immense artistic liberation. I believe it’s an honour for any actor to be working on a Kashif Nisar project.”

Amar As Mishaal

The show features Amar as a popular journalist so she had to learn the hosting styles, moods and temperaments of anchors who conduct crime shows. “There were proper rehearsals and workshops required, we had frequent reading sessions. What’s more enticing and captivating is that when I read the first five episodes, I realised that Pakistan has never produced a drama based entirely on journalism. It articulately sheds light on corruption, politics, news manipulation, scheming and plotting functions in journalism. How big channels operate, and how Twitter trends are made.”

Talking about her character, Amar revealed, “It’s an entire journey from scratch, Mishal is a girl from a small town who begins her journey from the road giving beepers. She goes through many roadblocks and hurdles, makes it to a small channel and starts reading late-night news bulletins. Her interview with a big politician goes viral on the internet.

Eventually, she makes it big in the world of journalism and aces her profession like a boss. She has a companion in the form of Hussain, played by Hamza Sohail. She sets an example of how a woman conducts herself in the presence of the vultures and predators in the business. So, this is something very powerful, something Pakistan has never witnessed before.”

Elaborating on the above she added, “When actors talk about choosing different scripts, they aren’t different as such. More or less they are the same revolving around relationships and love angles. The maximum innovation is like showcasing a mentally challenged character or someone good at poetry. But we don’t get to see themes that are relatable and realistic. With news being such an important part of our day-to-day life, no one has attempted a drama like Breaking News.

Working with Hamza Sohail

Amar revealed that she has earned a good friend in the form of Hamza Sohail. “Not many are aware that Breaking News was Hamza’s first solo hero project but Fairy Tale was released before. The best part about Hamza is that he is so humble despite the artistic lineage he comes from. He is truly blessed to have a father like the legendary Sohail Ahmed.  It’s heartwarming to see him being so dedicated and serious about his craft. As a co-actor, I struck a great chord with him. I have more work experience than him so I was like his best friend and confidant. Even now, when we aren’t working together, we keep a check via phone call and are there for each other.”

Her Process

Being a film school graduate, the actor feels there is a lot of responsibility on her. “I do my prep work, this is what I have been taught at film school and my training in theatre. If you don’t have the right zest and zeal to perform, it isn’t worth it. People look up to you, a lot of my junior batch mates and the current batch of students personally DM me and ask about stuff. On the work front, I take my time to process. Even in the commercially viable projects that I have been a part of, I make sure that there is something meatier and room to perform. I feel one should be careful in taking his or her trajectory forward.”

When asked about the content being produced these days, Amar said, “The pattern these days is very formulaic. It is sad to see if one drama with a toxic male protagonist or a damsel in distress clicks, people are following that trend blind. What is even sadder is the acceptance of such content by the viewers. They applaud and vividly watch those dramas, if they stop and are open to path-breaking content like Green Entertainment is producing. The situation will be entirely different then. Green has the right velocity and creative forces so nothing better than that.”

Keeping in view the ongoing political circumstances and recent year developments, Amar believes that journalists today have more pressure on the job. “Journalist work fearlessly and are required to be bold and brave, dedicated to their mission of bringing the right news in the most honest way possible. In this process, a lot of them have lost their lives, so Breaking News is especially dedicated to all the heroes and journalists who have lost their lives while on duty. I feel it is the right time to highlight their contributions.”

Our Picks: Top 10 Pakistani Drama OSTs Of 2023

By
Warshma Chughtai
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In the colourful world of Pakistani dramas, where emotions run high and plot twists are a given, there’s one element that adds the perfect tune to every scene — the Original Sound Tracks (OSTs). These aren’t just background melodies; they’re the heartbeat of the storyline, the emotional anchors that make every tear, every smile, and every plot twist resonate a little louder. As the year bids adieu, join us in celebrating the magic of these soulful tunes that have turned simple scenes into unforgettable moments. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Farhan Saeed, Asim Azhar, and more have woven musical spells, making the OSTs an indispensable part of our drama-watching experience.

So, grab your earphones, as we take a fun ride through the top 10 Pakistani OSTs that turned this year into a lyrical rollercoaster. Get ready to hum along and relive the drama’s magic in musical notes. 

Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha 

The popular Kaifi Khalil song Kahani Sunno 2.0 was released last year and then was picked by ARY Digital for their drama Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha. “Kahani Suno 2.0” continues to be the top song on Spotify charts in Pakistan with 350 million plus streams to date. The song features Wahaj Ali, Hania Aamir and Zaviyar Nauman. The beautiful OST itself has gained 55 million views on YouTube within 11 months.

Tere Bin

The energetic yet melancholic Tere Bin narrates a heartbreak with Shani Arshad’s vocals, perfectly complementing the on-screen chemistry of Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi in the popular Geo Entertainment and 7th Sky Entertainment drama Tere Bin. 

Kabli Pulao 

Green Entertainment’s Kabli Pulao has two OSTs but Ankhain has received immense love from the viewers with 14 million views in six months. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s magical touch graces Kabli Pulao, featuring the captivating Sabeena Farooq and Mohammed Ehteshamuddin. 

Chand Tara 

Chand Tara is the musical gem from the drama of the same name on HUM TV. With the enchanting voices of Rafay Israr and Damia Farooq, this romantic composition weaves seamlessly into the narrative, starring Danish Taimoor, Ayeza Khan, Aashir Wajahat, and Romaisa Khan.

Fairy Tale 

HUM TV’s Fairy Tale takes us on a lyrical journey across two seasons, serenading us with the soulful Tere Hawalay. Sibtain Khalid, Adrian David, and Nish Asher join forces to create a beautiful ode to love, enhancing the magic of both seasons.

Mein

Singing sensation Asim Azhar graces the OST of Mein with his contemporary tune, a romantic and powerful composition perfectly echoing the drama’s plot. Featuring Wahaj Ali and Ayeza Khan, the song has garnered 8.5 million views in just three months. 

Jannat Sey Aagay 

After iconic songs such as Humsafar and Tere Nal Main Layian, people await Quratulain Balouch’s OSTs. Jannat Sey Aagay marks Quratulain Balouch’s return, offering a poignant melody that delves into the pain masked by a facade of happiness. Collaborating with Shuja Haider, the song is a beautiful exploration of inner turmoil.

Hadsa 

Yashal Shahid’s rendition of Hadsa adds depth to the drama’s narrative, touching on the sensitive theme of trauma after a heinous incident. The song is an underrated gem that deserves recognition for its emotional resonance. 

Sukoon

Hassan & Roshaan, accompanied by Shae Gill, bring you the sensation that is Sukoon. Originating as a standalone hit, this OST seamlessly integrates into ARY Digital’s Sukoon, offering a soothing blend of drama and beautiful tunes. Featuring Ahsan Khan and Sana Javed, the song had snippets of the original song and was shot stunningly with the actors in a similar setting. 

Ishq Murshid

In the realm of romance, Ishq Murshid emerges as a standout track, with Ahmed Jahanzeb’s voice narrating the love saga of Bilal Abbas and Durefishan Saleem. The heartwarming melody has garnered 1.3 million views in just a month.

These OSTs, diverse in emotion and tone, have not only enhanced the drama-watching experience but also showcased the rich musical tapestry of Pakistani storytelling. As we say farewell to 2023, let these melodies linger, carrying with them the essence of the stories that unfolded on our screens.

Ahmed Ali Butt Expresses Concern Over Social Media Influencers Transitioning To Acting

By
Zainab Mossadiq
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The new day and age has given birth to a new kind of star-the social media influencer and content creators. It is without a doubt that content creators have curated a strong fanbase over time and the fame and power held by these people is the reality of the time.

We have seen many of these influencers taking on different roles in the entertainment industry worldwide as well as in Pakistan. While some of these influencers have proven themselves with their talent and hard work others have been a hit and a miss.

In a recent interview with Mohib Mirza, Ahmad Ali Butt voiced his concerns over the potential of TikTok stars transitioning into acting. The actor and host did not hold back and stated, “TikTok is a reality…but if they want to enter the television industry, they need to learn the craft. You can do a 15-second to 1-minute video to gain followers, but you can’t do a drama based on that.”

Ahmad Ali Butt added that he acknowledges how imperative social media is in this day and age. He believes that it helps you reach out to an audience who doesn’t know you and went on to say that content is the “biggest currency” in this age.

The actor believes that to excel as an actor one must take the profession seriously. In his interview, he said, “If you take this (acting) as part-time, the profession will also take you part-time.”

Adding to his previous statement, Ahmad commented, “[Most TikTokers] do not try to enter showbiz because it’s not their temperament to arrive at a set at 9 in the morning and wait until 3 for their scene to start filming.”

The actor explicitly added, “They can either become an actor or a TikToker.”

This is not the first time that celebrities have voiced their disapproval of social media content creators. Nauman Ijaz previously said in an interview that “social media isn’t for Pakistan” because it is used to question people’s character and is used to question people’s morals and throw shade on them.

Nauman Ijaz also stated that people will create content on social media just to create controversy and will spread false information without taking any accountability for their actions.

Fahad Mustafa also expressed his disapproval of the quality of content produced in the country. The actor said that people are ready to sell their families on social media and are creating content by exposing their lives-showing what they ate, and what they did in the morning, afternoon, and evening. He harshly quoted, “People don’t even leave the graveyard.”

It is imperative to acknowledge that all professions require a certain kind of attitude and determination to succeed in it. While it may be true that every content creator or influencer may not transition into a good actor, or vice versa, it’s important to praise the body of work of all individuals, irrespective of their profession.

Pakistani Films Light Up The Silver Screen This December

By
Ifrah Butt
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It’s been quite a slow year for Pakistan, government and cinema alike. We’re going hither tither everywhere and this lack of stability has resulted in the lack of production of good films this year. As the year comes to a close, Pakistani cinema enthusiasts can finally rejoice as December brings a lineup of diverse films to the silver screen. While these releases may not feature the industry’s biggest stars, they are packed with talent and promise a refreshing departure from the usual rom-com fare.

Gunjal: Ahmed Ali Akbar’s Riveting Comeback

Ahmed Ali Akbar is returning to the big screen after four years with a gripping storyline that delves into the acquittal of an adolescent labour activist’s killer. Gunjal focuses on the acquittal of the killer of an adolescent labour activist and how journalist Shahbaz Bhatti spots alarming loopholes in the verdict. The film will revolve around the journalist’s quest for justice while he unveils the ugly truth of child labour in 1990s Pakistan along the go. The inclusion of Resham and Amna Ilyas adds to the anticipation.

Chikkar: Usman Mukhtar’s Powerful Comeback

Boasting an ensemble cast, including Usman Mukhtar, Adnan Shah Tipu, Ushna Shah and Saleem Meiraj, Chikkar is an upcoming thriller tackling the struggles and complexities of our society. Exploring multi-faceted themes with power and silence at their roots, Chikkar is all set to enthral the audience on the 22nd of December. Usman Mukhtar is set to make a powerful comeback to the big screen with his role as SSP Sarmad Zaman and focuses on a political environment of power and hope within the society. The film, with its intriguing teaser, has awakened an interest in the audience as it promises to be a different genre than the regular rom-com. A breath of fresh air, perhaps.

Dhai Chal: Action-Packed Thriller on the Horizon

Now this is a film that has been in production for a long time. Dhai Chal, based on the life of the convicted Indian spy, Kulbhushan Jadhav, the film stars Ayesha Omer and Shamoon Abbasi in lead roles. With its trailer laden with action and ammunition, Dhai Chal promises to be an action-packed thriller with a narrative exploring Indo-Pak animosity. The trailer for Dhai Chal was released over a year and a half ago, and now it seems, the film is all set to see the light of the day on December 8th. Alongside Ayesha Omer, who portrays the role of a journalist and Shamoon Abbasi as Jadhav, Dhai Chal will also star Humayoun Ashraf, Adnan Shah Tipu, Taqi Ahmed and Saleem Mairaj in prominent roles.

Bhediya: Unveiling a Dark Cinematic Experience

Starring Shafqat Cheema, Sidra Noor, Shehzad Billa and Sheheryar Cheema in lead roles, the film has also been directed by Shehzad Billa and follows a gory plotline where a serial killer is seen murdering innocent girls while a woman dances around the victims. Scheduled for release on December 22nd, the film aims to offer a unique cinematic experience.

Our Take

Assessing the star power the above-listed films entail, the movies would garner interest from the audience this time, despite it being a different genre. While our neighbours prepare to release films like Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal and SRK’s Dunki, we’ll have these December releases showcasing our industry’s commitment to diverse storytelling.

The creators choosing them to be non-festive releases indicates confidence in their content, steering away from the typical holiday-themed films. As we eagerly anticipate these films, it’s a promising sign that Pakistani cinema is gearing up for a vibrant and varied cinematic experience.

What do you guys think? Which film do you think will get your attention this December? Will you be willing to head to the cinemas to watch any one of the above-listed Pakistani films?

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