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Confessions about depression: These television stars get real

By
Kahkshaan Ismail
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The entertainment industry is perceived to be a world of glitz and glamour, where everything is magical and comprises consistent highs. The reality, however, is quite different!

Thankfully though our young empowered stars are keeping things real by not paying much fodder to the artificial trajectories of stereotypes created by yesteryear’s media and talking about mental health problems. Here in this article, we are shedding light on some emerging superlative talent in our country who believes in being real and sharing their true-self.

Iqra Aziz

Iqra Aziz, the youngest raring superstar, now a household name in Pakistan with the massive success of the Suno Chanda series and her terrific acting in Ranjha Ranjha Kardi, recently confessed about Yasir Hussain being her ray of sunshine in her battle with depression.

Iqra who has always been honest about her life and family background recently made a bold statement that she went in a state of depression as her friends and people from the fraternity never reciprocated the love and care that Iqra uses to shower them with. She always used to be ready to go an extra mile for her peers but when Iqra needed someone by her side many people disappointed her and that made her go into a state of depression.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Byh2Sfil4yK/

This was the time when Yasir completed this void in her life and made her love her life all over again. This emphasis on the fact that a companion or an emotional anchor is what we need in our circle, positive people who we can count on.

Emaad Irfani

Emmad Irfani, a super-model, and actor is quite well known for his photoshoots and modeling campaigns but nowadays it is his drama Cheekh that has been soaring high in the air and has also made the actor a household name. Born in Peshawar, Emmad comes from a military background, thus having traveled almost all of Pakistan during his childhood until his father retired and eventually settled in Lahore.

In his recent interview on Rewind with Samina Peerzada, Emmad gave some insight into his personal life. He stated that because of the constant shifting apropos to his father’s postings, he did not interact much with people and became a shy introvert kid.

He further revealed that his teachers thought of him as weak and a failure in life because of his disinterest in academics. The negativity and demotivation of his academic mentors thrashed his confidence thus propelling him to take on sports as a career.

In the latter half of the interview, Emmad spoke about how at the tender age of 18 he incurred a hairline fracture, which meant he could not take on sports as a career. The doctors told him it would take 2-3 years for him to recover, thus causing his mental health to deteriorate as his life long dream could not be pursued.

Opening up about depression, he said that it was his family’s support which helped him immensely. He also spoke about how sports but mainly music helped him get through the difficult phase of his life.

How Emmad coped up with his mental health

Moving further in the interview, Emmad revealed he got into modeling in the early 2000s. Modeling was a part-time job for him as at that time, he was studying and also working as a marketing manager for a company.

The turning point in his career came when he shot a TVC for Tapal with Mahira Khan. Stuck at the last scene, Emmad felt thorough pressure on himself which became a driving force for him to prove himself as an actor.

Image result for emmad irfani pictures

He credited his wife’s support as a healing factor all throughout. On the work front, his first stint was as a supporting actor in Sajal Aly and Sheheryar Munawar starrer Aasmanon Pay Likha. While people made fun of his acting skills, the disapproval of the audience became his motivation to prove himself worthy as a hero.

Amidst the interview, Emmad credits his newfound extrovert nature to music band Queen and Pakistani writer Manto. He shares how both of these artists helped him hone his skills whether it was through nonverbal communication, confidence boost while making conversation or a change in mindset.

Hina Altaf

Udaari and Aatish fame, Hina Altaf is an emerging star of our television industry. Hina has won the audiences’ hearts with her innocent charm and bewitching personality.

Hina revealed on Speak your heart with Samina Peerzada that she ran away from her house due to domestic turbulence. With a lot of dignity, she mentioned how her mother’s deteriorating health and her parents’ inconsistent equation took a toll on Hina’s mental health and she escaped from her house and started living alone.

She found solace in a psychiatrist cum therapist whose name she has tattooed on her body. Her mental illness also damaged her physical health and she got very weak. Her appetite got badly affected and she surrendered herself to this doctor and the rest is history.

It is notable to mention that in the past many celebrities such as Affan Waheed, Mohsin Abbas Haider,  Momina Mustehsan and many others have spoken about the importance and the need to bring awareness of mental and emotional health.

More power to these emerging stars of our country.

The blockbuster reel mother-son duos of Pakistan

By
Uzair Anwer
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In an actor’s career and craft, a co-actor’s contribution plays an integral role. We all have our favourite on-screen romantic pairings, such as Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan. However, there are unromantic on-screen collaborations which work with the audiences in a big way.

Mother-son equation is the most sensitive and purest form of love and affection. We have many such talented actors who depict the nuances of these relations with utmost honesty and compassion.

We have picked the best reel mother-son duos who have earned a special place in the hearts of the viewers.

Imran Ashraf and Asma Abbas

Ranjha Ranjha Kardi is amongst 2019’s most loved and acclaimed dramas. It has now become a rage due to Imran Ashraf’s acting performance and his dialogues, beautifully penned by the scriptwriter, Faiza Iftikhar. One of the major reasons that this drama is a rating success is because of the camaraderie that Imran’s character Bhola shares with his Amma (Fehmida).

Asma Abbas, the veteran actress has performed her role with the utmost sensitivity, showcasing a mother’s role, dealing with the societal peripheries as her son is dealing with Autism. Asma makes us relate to the pain of a mother and her undying love for her imperfect yet adorable son, Bhola.

In a scene from the drama, the duo shares a sequence where Bhola breaks down in the arms of his mother and amma embraces him and tries to hide her vulnerability. The chemistry between these two fine actors is unmatchable.

Bilal Abbas Khan and Samina Peerzada

Both Samina and Bilal are acclaimed actors, known for their intense portrayal of characters. The duo has shared screen-space in multiple dramas, their last outing together being Balaa. They both manage to perform differently every time they are in a different serial. The monotony is never a problem with these two.

In Balaa, Samina and Bilal share some terrific scenes together as Shama & Taimoor. One of the major highlights of Balaa was the emotional cord between Shama and Taimoor’s characters.

Bushra Ansari and Asad Siddiqui

Who can forget Saima Chaudhary and Vicky’s nok jhok from the series Kis Ki Ayegi Baraat? The series which spanned over four seasons is still remembered for the comic scenes between Bushra & Asad’s characters.

She slaps him, scolds him, dominates him but just loves him more than anyone. Bushra depicts a possessive mother who wants her son to get settled with a good partner. They also dance in the drama together and that just makes their duo as adorable as it can get.

Osman Khalid Butt and Hina Khawaja Bayat

Osman debuted in the television industry with Geo TV’s Aik Nayi Cinderella, Hina Bayat was his first on-screen mother. Both Hina and Osman looked like real mother due to their authentic portrayal and similar facial features, They also reprised their amazing camaraderie in Auun Zara and the audiences couldn’t help but fall in love with their equation and characters together. The duo has also shared screen space in Maya Ali and Hareem Farooq starrer Sanam. Although the audiences missed them playing mother and son in the play.

Only good actors make the reel characters believable and alive on-screen and these four magical mother-son duos prove this.

These Pakistani actors refused Bollywood films and here’s why

By
Uzair Anwer
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India & Pakistan have shared inconsistent socio-political equation ever since the creation of the two nations. There has been an infrequent exchange of talent between the countries over the last few decades. However in last one decade since Ali Zafar’s foray into Bollywood with his debut film Tere Bin Laden (2010) the doors for Pakistani actors opened in Bollywood in an unprecedented way.

There have been a few successful exports from Pakistan to India such as superlative performers like Fawad Khan, Ali Zafar, Mahira Khan and Saba Qamar. There is a perception that Pakistani actors are greedy for Bollywood offers, however, there are actors who dared to refuse big Bollywood film offers and here is a list of some of these names:

Saba Qamar

The only Pakistani female actor to be nominated in the prestigious Filmfare Best Actress category, Saba Qamar is one of the finest talents of Pakistani film & television industry. The actress has become a household name with her blockbuster dramas and fascinating characters such as Fouzia in Baaghi and Mannat in Cheekh. The actress was always lured by Bollywood directors and producers for leading roles but she dared to refuse the movies and work on her terms.

Saba refused Diana Penty’s role in Cocktail, Sonam Kapoor’s role in Delhi 6 and an undisclosed movie opposite Emraan Hashmi which she mentioned on Tonite With HSY (season 1). Saba mentioned that she will only work with A-listers like Khans and Kapoors as she is an A-list actress here in Pakistan. She wouldn’t compromise on the production value and the team that she would work with.

Fawad Khan

Fawad Khan is undoubtedly the most successful export of Pakistan to India, the actor managed to work with the biggest film banners such as Dharma Productions and actresses such as Anushka Sharma, Alia Bhat & Sonam Kapoor.

The actor who debuted in Bollywood with Anil Kapoor’s Khoobsurat (2014) refused the next film offer from the banner, a film which was offered to Fawad opposite Sonam again based on the Battle of Bittora. Fawad refused this period magnum opus citing date issues but he mentioned on the talk show of Niranjan Iyenger that he had an issue over a steamy kissing scene in the film.

Mehwish Hayat

The reigning queen of Lollywood, riding high on the wave of her Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, recently spilled the beans on her refusal for big Bollywood offers such as Huma Qureshi’s role in Dedh Ishiqya (2014) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s role in Fanney Khan (2018).

Mehwish refused to shoot the kissing scene with Arshad Warsi in Dedh Ishqiya and decided not to do Fanney Khan due to the turbulent Indo-Pak relations.

Shaan Shahid

The Pakistani legend, Shaan Shahid has famously refused Aamir Khan’s blockbuster film Ghajini (2008) as they offered him the villain’s role and Shaan didn’t want an Indian film depicting a Pakistani superstar as a villain.

Shaan is a great ambassador of Pakistan and he is known for giving it back to the naysayers of Pakistan.

Imran Abbas

The hazel-eyed superstar is yet to make his Lollywood debut, although he made a refreshing special appearance in a Pakistani independent movie, Azaad. Imran himself has confessed on various platforms that he refused Aditya Roy Kapur’s role in Aashiqui 2 and Ranveer Singh’s part in Ram-Leela.

The actor had to refuse these films as he was in a bound contract with a production house which didn’t allow him to sign any film. He, later on, bagged Bipasha Basu starrer, Creature 3D.

Sanam Saeed

The supremely talented, Sanam Saeed, known for her blockbuster dramas such as Zindagi Gulzar Hai and bonafide roles in films like Cake. The actress refused to travel India to audition for the role of the leading lady in the film Raees starring the king of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan. The role, later on, was offered to Mahira Khan and the film was a box-office success.

Sanam revealed that she prioritized her personal life, her impending wedding and her career in Pakistan so she couldn’t take out time for Raees.

Kubra Khan

The new Lollywood star on the block, Kubra Khan, signed the Arshad Warsi starrer Bollywood film, Welcome 2 Karachi but later opted out of it after shooting for a few days as she had an issue with the film’s anti-Pakistan content. Kubra was signed on for a pivotal role but she decided to take this sensitive decision for the love that she has for her country. The makers used a few of her shots in the film nonetheless. After this experience, Kubra came to Pakistan to start her acting career and the rest is history.

Hamza Ali Abbasi


The actor who believes in patriotism over entertainment, said no to a supporting yet pivotal role in Akshay Kumar’s Baby. The role was later on done by Mikaal Zulfiqar and the film was an average success.

These bonafide actors do not believe in compromising on their dignity and settling for less. More power to these precious assets of the Pakistani fraternity.

The trailblazer-duo of tinsel town: Urwa-Mawra announce UXM

By
Kahkshaan Ismail
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From being the most loved VJs on television to being seasoned film & television actresses, Urwa and Mawra Hocane are one such dynamic-duo who leave no stone unturned to prove themselves ahead of their contemporaries. The dynamic-duo has announced a clothing and accessories label, UXM. By foraying into the retail business, Urwa-Mawra are the latest trailblazers in the tinsel town.

Encapsulating The Brand Value

Internationally many female celebrities have turned successful entrepreneurs in the retail businesses. As celebrities have a certain level of following, their fans aspire to be like them and adopt their lifestyles and characteristics, celebrities should encapsulate on that following and expand their commercial horizons.

It’s also a way of developing a brand value giving back something to the fans who invest so much of emotions and money on celebrities. The expansion could be in the clothing industry, cosmetic industry or even sports and institutes, Mawra & Urwa have cracked one label on these lines.

International Parallels

From Kylie Jenner’s Kylie Cosmetics to Rhea and Sonam Kapoor’s Rheson to Anushka Sharma’s NUSH to Sadaf Fawad Khan’s Silk By Fawad Khan, there are a few successful brand expansions into the retail world. Following in the footsteps of their contemporaries from the same industry, be it Hollywood, Bollywood or Lollywood; the Hocane sisters took to Instagram to announce the launch of their own high street label named UXM.

Hashtag And Idea

While the brand name translates to Urwa into Mawra, it is the hashtag #WhoCan which symbolizes who else can connect with the duo. Talking about the venture and the meaning behind the logo, the sisters explained UXM is basically an extension of their personalities, it is for all those girls who can dare to live life on their own terms yet effortlessly sync with the beautiful world around them.

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

Trailblazer duo

While their contemporaries such as Hania Amir & Ayesha Omar are foraying into the digital zone by making YouTube channels and building a connection with their fans, Urwa-Mawra have gone a mile ahead by personalizing their connection with their fans and audience by extending their personalities and favorite ornaments.

What The Brand Is Offering

An idea which has been in the works since two years, Urwa and Mawra’s passion project will be offering everything trendy and fashionable for women of all ages and sizes, be it a 10-year-old child or a 30-year-old woman. The brand’s unique selling point is that they would be providing the best quality fabric with distinctive cuts and colors at an affordable price. From collared and cotton shirts to denim to quirky jewelry and accessories; this local brand has everything to offer, and the best part about it all is that everything is manufactured in Pakistan.

The First Collection

The clothing line’s first collection is named White Wash and will primarily be focusing on white based outfits thrown in with other colors. With summer roaring and the temperatures rising, we think this is a sane decision on their part. For now, the products will be available on their website from the 2nd of July 2019.

On the work front, Mawra has wrapped up shooting for Aangan while Urwa is producing her first feature film, Tich Button which will be releasing soon.

We wish the dynamic-duo, Best of luck for UXM.

‘Chhalawa’ and ‘Wrong No. 2’ are basically twins, here’s why

By
Hassan Hassan
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This Eid witnessed two local releases; Wajahat Rauf’s Chhalawa and Yasir Nawaz’s Wrong Number 2, and to the pleasant surprise of many, both of them have been doing rather well on the box office window so far. They crossed the 10 crore mark on their extended Eid weekend and we are hoping for them to sustain, in the coming days too.

However, it’s not just the similar box office figures that the two films have in common. There are more than a few resemblances between them when seen closely. For those of you who have seen both the films keenly, you will understand what we are talking about.

Disclaimer: Spoilers ahead 

Here is a list of all the similarities that we found between these two otherwise different films.

The leading ladies

The first coincidence is both the leading ladies – for WN2 and Chhalawa – essentially sharing the same name; Zoya. Neelam and Mehwish are both called Zoya in their respective films. Both are headstrong, feisty and rather rebellious in their nature, women would not hesitate to go to any length in order to achieve their love.

Both the Zoyas are ready to run away from their homes in order to marry the men of their choice. Although the extent of their preparedness and hesitation levels varies considerably, the fundamental idea is the same. 

The male love interests

Both the love interests belong to rather lower socioeconomic backgrounds when compared with the ladies. Sami plays the simple but upright son of Wazir, who is Gul Nawaz’s confidante while Azfar plays a city boy who hasn’t achieved much in his personal life either.

The mothers of our heroines

Both the mothers of our respective heroines have passed away and the girls are subsequently raised by their fathers. We only see pictures of their mothers and few mentions here and there yet their mothers influence them in significant ways the extent of which, again, varies.

While Chhalawa‘s Zoya is deeply attached to her mother and writes letters to her despite her being deceased, WN2‘s Zoya inherits her mother’s outspoken traits as well the conspicuous mole on her lips.

Strong patriarchs who ultimately have to compromise

Both the films have strong patriarchs who vehemently try to maintain control over their families and deal with their matters their way yet both have to eventually soften down their stances and succumb to the wishes of their daughters.

The Molvi Sahab 

Being romcoms, both the films obviously end with a shadi sequence. Moreover, both of them have a Molvi Sahab in their end sequences that add comic value to the climax.

The genre

Needless to point out, both the films are romantic comedies that take their respective detour from the rom-com genre in order to serve their respective narratives. Where Chhalawa remains more of a family romcom, WN2 transitions from a romcom to a comedy of errors.

The directors, too

Both the directors, Wajahat and Yasir, released their third films this Eid. Interestingly both had their second films released, two years ago, which were not well received by the critics as well as the audience.

Where they differed, however, is the fact that Wajahat divorced his much loved KSL franchise to make Chhalawa, while Yasir converted Wrong Number to a franchise instead.

What do you think of the similarities? Let us know in the comments.

From ‘Mausam’ to ‘Heer Maan Ja’: The rise and rise of Hareem Farooq

By
Hassan Hassan
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Hareem Farooq, a successful film and television actress, film producer, celebrity judge, and host is changing the rules of the show-business in an unprecedented manner. From a relatively less groomed yet seasoned theater actress to now the reigning queen of Lollywood, Hareem has become a household name and there are more reasons than one which make Hareem the trailblazer that she is.

In today’s times, the new crop of young actors come into the industry with a certain level of grooming and self-awareness. They are already in sync with the peripheries of the fraternity. Their social media accounts are already established before their acting careers. They start their careers with a PR team and a talent management company paving the way for them. However, Hareem’s journey is completely different and that’s what makes her stand-out.

Hareem’s illustrious body of work

Theater

Hareem began her career in the year 2012 in theatre playing the leading role of Fatima Jinnah in Pawnay 14 August. She also enthralled the audiences as with her character, Kiran in Aangan Terha.

Debut film

The following year, she made her big screen debut with a leading role in the 2013 horror-thriller film Siyaah. The film couldn’t meet up the audience’s expectations but Hareem didn’t go unnoticed. Moreover, Lollywood as an industry also was not as established or revived as it is today. The dramas were ruling the entertainment roost back then in 2013.

Television Career

Hareem made her television debut with Mausam alongside Ahsan Khan and Yumna Zaidi in 2014 on Hum TV. The drama serial became a success and Hareem found acclaim as a naive, girl next door.

Hareem eventually became a part of some of the blockbusters dramas which have been churned out in recent years. She has given many popular dramas to the showbiz industry like Doosri Biwi, Mere Humdum Mere Dost and Diyar-e-Dil in 2015. She was also part of the television drama Sanam starring Osman Khalid Butt, Maya Ali, and Hareem in the leading roles. Her last television outing was the intense, HUM TV drama, Main Khayal Hoon Kisi Aur Ka.

She also became a pioneer judge at the biggest reality show of Pakistan, Miss Veet Pakistan (2017-2018).

Film Career

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhMHXeewXN4

In the same year, she played the lead role in the film Dobara Phir Se which was an ensemble cast-film yet Hareem managed to steal the show. She appeared in her home-production, Janaan in a scintillating cameo. The actress then did her first comedy flick Parchi as the lead role in which she played the character of a female gangster, with co-stars Ali Rehman Khan, Ahmed Ali Akbar and Usman Mukhtar in lead roles.

Reasons that make Hareem the trailblazer that she is:

Production endeavors

In addition to a successful and growing acting career, in 2015, Farooq took over an additional hat of becoming a pioneer female actor-producer, amongst her generation of actresses, by joining her childhood best friend and producer of her debut film, Imran Raza Kazmi as a partner in IRK Films and went on to produce Janaan with him, followed by her 2018 blockbuster Parchi.

In the year 2018, she also went into forming a global entertainment company, IHA Entertainment with Arif Lakhani and Imran Raza Kazmi, which soon entered into an agreement with top entertainment in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), as the first distribution firm.

Unusual roles

From a female gangster in Parchi to an overseas Pakistani in Dobara Phir Se to a runaway bride in Heer Maan Ja, Hareem is as versatile as an actress can be in a business full of cliches and stereotypes.

Brave & Beautiful

Hareem is one of the first mainstream Pakistani celebrities to come out in public and discuss her experiences with depression and anxiety. She has also shared about her battling with body shaming and weight issues.

Hareem lost the ‘weight’ and added that to her body of work which is on its way to being iconic.

Box Office: ‘Chhalawa’ and ‘Wrong No. 2’ witness a drop on their first Monday

By
Zaryan Khawar
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Movies in Pakistan are mostly star-driven. Audiences flock to the cinemas to watch their favorite stars on the celluloid. Opening collections can be credited to the star power of the actors but post the first weekend, the audiences come mostly for the content. The recently passed extended Eid weekend witnessed this year’s Eid releases, Chhalawa, and Wrong No.2, crossing the 10 crore mark at the local box-office. Monday box-office numbers are out and the results are rather amusing.

Wrong No. 2

If we talk about Wrong No. 2, it won the Eid weekend battle with collections of 10 crores and 60 lacs. The Monday collections have turned out to be 85 lacs which is a 50% fall from the 1st day of Eid, taking the total collections to a healthy 11.90 crore. The film’s drop in collections is normal as the first day after Eid holidays normally sees a better hold than the upcoming days. The film will cross the previous release of Yasir Nawaz, Mehrunisa V Lub U but the question of it surpassing its prequel on the local box-office will be answered in the coming days.

Below is the film’s estimated business, so far:

Wednesday: 1.6 crore

Thursday: 2.6 crore

Friday: 2.55 crore

Saturday: 2.25 crore

Sunday: 1.6 crore

Monday: 0.85 crore

Total: 11.45 crore

Chhalawa

Chhalawa, on the other hand, had collected a total of 10 crores and 25 lacs over the weekend and took the 2nd position at the box-office. The film on Monday has amassed approximately 60 lacs which is a 60% fall from the 1st day of Eid, the drop in the collections is on the higher side. It needs to be seen if the film witnesses another drastic fall in the collections or manages to remain steady on lower levels. The total collections of Chhalawa at the moment stand at 10 crores and 85 lacs.

Below is the film’s estimated business, so far:

Wednesday: 1.5 crore

Thursday: 2.5 crore

Friday: 2.4 crore

Saturday: 2.3 crore

Sunday: 1.55 crore

Monday: 0.6 crore

Total: 10.85 crore

A Final Word

If we compare the collections of this year’s releases, Chhalawa and Wrong No.2, with last year’s releases 7 Din Mohabbat In and Azaadi, both those films had held a little better on their first day post-Eid.

However, it is important to note that last year, Eid fell on a Saturday so the day post-Eid was Tuesday which meant the film was in cinemas for a total of three days before the Eid festivities ended. This year however since Eid fell on a Wednesday, so post-Eid/extended weekend was actually the films sixth day in cinemas.

Last year, 7 din Mohabbat In earned a total of 1.2 crore and Azaadi collected 1 crore which was a minimal fall compared to the fall seen by films this year. However, in totality the films this year have brought in way bigger numbers compared to last years releases.

Nonetheless, we hope that both films see minimal fall from now on and end up collecting good lifetime figures.

These box office numbers are given by an independent box office tracking site EPK Pakistan.

Here’s why these legendary actresses deserve more credit than they are given

By
Maisooma Batool
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Pakistani dramas, regardless of their genres or quality of content, have a few fundamental aspects in common. It can be observed that in the majority of Pakistani dramas, we have female characters occupying the center stage. While a lot has been written in appreciation for the younger actresses who take on challenging roles and get credited for a drama’s success, we cannot overlook the contribution of our legendary senior actresses who add a lot of credibility to a drama’s narrative and presentation.

We are in the times where a legend like Badar Khalil was asked to leave her seat to accommodate Fawad Khan at an awards show. Many senior actresses are treated as secondary artists to facilitate and highlight the younger crop of actresses. This needs to be changed for the betterment of fraternity.

Asma Abbas

While she often plays the role of a mother both on TV and on the big screen, Asma Abbas always brings out a different shade of reality with her performance. Be it her role in Daldal where she played a doting mother but a ruthless mother-in-law, or a tyrannical matriarch in Beti, or the kind, single mother of two daughters in Dillagi – Asma Abbas never plays the same character twice. Her performance in the recently finished superhit drama Ranjha Ranjha Kardi, was unanimously praised by all as she played Bhola’s loving, sometimes frustrated, but always wise Amma.

Hina Khwaja Bayat

Whenever Hina Khawaja Bayat is on screen, she glows. There is an inherent grace with which she plays her characters that leave a mark on the audience. Always ready to try her hands in different genres, Hina Khawaja Bayat has played everything from the Prince Charming’s mother in Aik Nayee Cinderella, a supernatural being in Deewana, a child-like woman in Dil Banjaara, an upper-class socialite in Zindagi Gulzar Hai, and the over-protective mother in Aunn Zara. Her choice of characters has always been diverse and she does justice to them all.

Hina Dilpazeer

Momo might be Hina Dilpazeer’s most well-known character but this woman has the ability and the range to perform many different kinds of characters with equal ease. Who can forget the multiple characters she played in Qudusi Sahab Ki Bewah? She played characters of an old woman, a man, a transgender, playing both mother and daughter at the same time, and many more such interesting and eccentric characters all in one show. But that does not mean she is only good for comic roles.

Her negative role in Jahez, as well as her layered performance as a middle-class woman with many children in Mohabbat Jaye Bhaar Mein, are both memorable performances of her career.

Saba Hameed

Saba Hameed’s line “Azam, aap agaye?”  in Family Front is etched in the memory of drama viewers who grew up on early 2000s PTV dramas. Likewise, her career boasts of many blockbuster dramas.

Often seen playing the role of a mother, Saba Hameed’s characters can be both kind and understanding like in Pyaray Afzal or ruthless and cunning like in Aik Nayee Cinderella. She is one of the most versatile actresses of her generation. She is equally good in her comic characters like her stint in the Baraat Series as well as melodramas like Aik Tamannah Lahasil Si and Mann Mayal. Saba Hameed knows the art of fitting in perfectly within the world of the drama and successfully manages to immerse into her characters a distinction that is not easily forgotten.

Parveen Akbar

Parveen Akbar is a face that is well known to the drama viewers of various generations. She has been in the industry for more than four decades and has a body of work which reflects that. A truly natural performer, Parveen Akbar has the way of charming the audiences by her acting that comes to her as easily as breathing. It is a testament to her acting skills that she can play a comical character in Yeh Zindagi Hai with as much ease as she can play a villainous one in Digest Writer.

These are some of the women of our Pakistani drama industry that deserve more praise and appreciation for all the work that they do. Our dramas really owe them a lot for being the success that they are. Cheers to them and may we continue to see them work and elevate our dramas for a long time.

Baaji’s adaptation of the yesteryear’s classic, ‘Khilti Kali’ is a real winner

By
Uzair Anwer
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Director, Saqib Malik’s Baaji has been in the news ever since the first teaser was released in April 2019, for its casting-coup, Lollywood backdrop, Meera’s bold avatar and the dynamics between the characters of Meera, Osman Khalid Butt, and Amna Ilyas. It is touted as Meera’s comeback film and Saqib’s attempt at showcasing an unexplored side of the contemporary Lollywood industry. The film has further garnered the audience’s interest with its theatrical trailer and the first song Khilti Kali.

A recreation of the yesteryear’s classic

The song Khilti Kali, a yesteryear’s classic sung by the veteran Runa Laila titled as Don’t be Silly for the Pakistani cult classic, Sabaq (1972), has been recreated by team Baaji. The new version is sung by Zeb Bangash, Taha Malik and Osman Khalid Butt. Taha Malik has also composed and recreated the new version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l77Wk-J8EA

This song was perceived to be as ahead of its times in the 1970s and has till date remained a cult song. Team Baaji has gone a notch higher and has presented the song in an unprecedented packaging for our cinema viewers.

Highlights of the song

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

The recreated version is picturized on the iconic Meera, heartthrob Osman Khalid Butt & the stunning Amna Ilyas. Amna Ilyas is the soul of the song with her captivating looks and edgy dance moves, Osman Khalid Butt is the perfect Bhanwra to our new Khilti Kali, Amna. Meera makes the video special and provides the much needed, glamour quotient.

Meera’s glam game on point

Meera enters in the song towards the second half of the song and she steals the limelight with her sultry expressions, confident walk, and effortless dance. She proves why she is still irreplaceable and has all the elements of a raging reigning queen. A special mention to Meera’s shimmery dress and her on-point hair and make-up.

Amna Ilyas’ captivating moves and expressions

The choreographer, Wahab Shah has done an impeccable job with the choreography of the song, we get to see solo dance sequences of Amna and Osman. Amna has danced effortlessly in the song and has done complete justice to Wahab’s tough dance moves. The actress can be seen enjoying herself, she keeps us intrigued with her captivating expressions and proves that she is a talent to look out for, by holding her own ground in the presence of a star of Meera’s stature.

Osman’s solo dancing act

Osman Khalid Butt is a powerhouse performer in this song, the actor who is mostly known and loved for his impeccable comic timing and good looks has shown in the song that he is much more than what the audience expects of him. The actor has performed freestyle dancing with elements of ‘popping and locking’ and has outdone all his previous dancing acts.

Terrific Trio

Another highlight of the song is when the film’s lead trio dance together and each one of them stands out. Meera, Osman & Amna indulge in a dance sequence which is fun and frolic but also gives an idea of the film’s plot in which the two leading ladies try their best to impress Osman’s character. This is dancing and story narration, all in one.

The cinematic aspect

A special mention goes out to the picturization of the songs, the background dancers are a refreshing sight to the eyes. The costumes and styling are bold and unique. The usage of props and lighting further elevates the song’s visualization.

Final Verdict

The song can easily be passed on as a song from an A-list Bollywood magnum-opus. It’s a winner and does complete justice to the song’s goodwill built over the decades. More power to team Baaji for the first-class entertainment that they are providing the cine-goers. The film releases on the 28th of June 2019.

The multiple Eid releases mess: Clashing filmmakers share their views

By
Maisooma Batool
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Eid-ul-Azha is still a good two months away. For the Pakistani movie industry, however, that date has been in the news since last year. A coveted holiday period sought out by almost all the major filmmakers of the country, the Eid ul Azha holiday has become akin to a goose that is bound to lay a golden egg for whoever releases their movie on the day. 

The case of multiple Eid releases

Let’s take a step back. Way back in 2018, Asim Raza announced that his second directorial venture Parey Hut Love would be released on Eid ul Azha in 2019; a decision the man and his film have stuck by completely. Then, Humayun Saeed announced later in 2018 that he would keep up with his tradition of releasing a film on Eid-ul-Azha but he eventually took back his announcement and chose not to release anything this year.

IRK Films later stepped in and announced their next feature Heer Maan Jaa as an Eid ul Azha release, which is definitely still happening. There were rumors of Shaan Shahid’s Zarrar also releasing on Eid ul Azha and clashing with PHL and HMJ but there hasn’t been any official news about that. Moreover, when The Legend of Maula Jutt bowed out of its first announced Eid ul Fitr release, there were rumors that the film would now release on Eid ul Azha but so far, no official date has been released.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pEjiEHuoEM

Just when it had started to look that Pakistani film industry’s obsession with the Eid ul Azha holiday has seen it all, in a surprise turn of events, two new movies entered the field and locked the Eid for their release. The Khalil ur Rahman Qamar directorial venture Kaaf Kangana and the Mahira Khan-Bilal Ashraf starrer Superstar both announced Eid ul Azha as their release date and we were left holding our spinning heads at these sudden developments.

What the clashing filmmakers themselves have to say

So, to get a clearer picture, we reached out to all the key players of this clash to get their point of views about these developments.

Imran Raza Kazmi 

“We only found out about these developments after they were announced,” said Imran Raza Kazmi of IRK Films and the producer of Heer Maan Jaa. “It is definitely a matter of concern as not just Heer Maan Jaa and Parey Hut Love, films that had been announced as badi Eid releases months ago, would be affected but so would Kaaf Kangana and Superstar as the shows would be divided.” Imran also said that these last-minute clashes give out a bad image to the distributors as well as the investors who get the impression that the Pakistani industry only has two big dates to offer for the films to do any business.

Asim Raza

paray hut love BTS

Asim Raza echoed Imran Raza Kazmi’s sentiments by saying, “The filmmakers must be aware of the market and its limitations. I would understand if the new filmmakers were to make such amateur mistakes but for the experienced people, who have been in this industry for so long, to do such things is simply incomprehensible. They must know that even if their product is of exceptional quality, the divided market would mean that they cannot make an exceptional business out of it. It’s simple logic.”

Khalil ur Rehman Qamar 

The Kaaf Kangana‘s director, Khalil ur Rehman Qamar, however, had a slightly different view to it. “I make movies with the intention of boosting our Pakistani cinema. The more the merrier, as it gives the industry self-confidence. We should not be wary of releasing our products in the market. It is about time Pakistan gets free of the shackles of Bollywood films and stands on its own two feet.”

Momina Duraid 

Following the success of Parwaz Hai Junoon last year, Momina Duraid has decided to release Hum Network’s next feature film Superstar on Eid ul Azha as well. In defense of her decision, Momina said, “Historically we’ve seen that if a film is good, it will do good business whether it’s a solo release or a multiple release scenario. Personally, I feel that we should concentrate on the quality of our films and if we keep making quality films, they will show numbers and the industry will grow.”

The (maybe) contentious ethical conduct of the clashing filmmakers

That was all about the economics of the clash. But what about the ethics of it? Parey Hut Love and Heer Maan Jaa are the two films which not only announced their release date months, and in PHL’s case a whole year, in advance. They also periodically made sure to keep the industry updated with the developments of their movies by throwing wrap up parties and releasing teasers and exclusive stills to keep the hype up.

By all means, these two movies have been fairly transparent about their production journies and have done everything fairly by minding the inclusivity of the industry. Is it not disrespectful towards them by the other films to suddenly announce a clash with them just a couple of months before the release?

Asim Raza

“I refuse to believe that they are doing it innocently,” Asim said in a frank, matter-of-fact tone. “There is always lip service by the filmmakers that they are doing this for the industry but that is not the case. It’s high time words like, “hopefully things will work out well” and “let’s see what happens”, stop getting thrown around.

There should be a plan that everyone must follow. When Maula Jutt got delayed, people were at each other‘s throats after rumors of it being delayed till badi Eid spread. Now everyone is blatantly announcing whatever date they wish for without thinking about how the market only offers a certain share of the pie to everyone.”

Asim Raza concluded with sharing his disappointment in the fraternity, where he believes political games are being favored instead of thinking about the industry as a whole.

Imran Raza Kazmi

Imran Raza cited the example of his previous film Parchi and talked about how the producers that have been in the industry since 2013 have released their films on non-Eid days to send a message that the industry can support non-Eid films as well by having them turn a profit. “I wish every movie well but it would’ve been better had this last-minute clash been avoided. If the movies discussed their release dates with the Association beforehand, it would’ve been better but it’s a free market and everyone has a right to do what they feel is the best.”

He also said that while this clash is definitely a tough thing for the producers, the audience might not feel the same as they would have different kinds of films to choose from. “People want to see a certain kind of fun films on Eid. A romantic comedy or an action comedy would be welcomed by the audience as compared to a serious drama. But while it would be tough for the producers, the audience would definitely have a lot to choose from.  

From the trailer of Kaaf Kangana, it looks like a tragic drama and Superstar is giving off serious drama vibes. They have a romantic comedy in Heer Maan Jaa and a romance drama with Parey Hut Love. I wish all the movies best of luck and let’s see how the films fare on Eid.”

Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar

Considering how Kaaf Kangana entered the race at the very last moment, the director of the movie did not sound concerned at all about what message this move sends. “I was asked to delay the movie but why should I be the one to do that?” asked KUR straightforwardly. “Why don’t the others act responsibly? I have 21 years of experience in the industry, the ones asking me to delay are the newbies. Why are they trying to tell me what to do? They can delay their movies and I would happily support them.”

KUR also said that his movie has been in the works for over a year, a fact that everyone was aware of. “I have always come with my movies on Eid ul Azha. My films like Punjab Nahin Jaungi and Nikki Jai Haan came on badi Eid. Everyone knew I have been working on this film for the past 14 months and I had announced it as well. But if other movies want to jump in then they are free to do so. Although, I do not think HUM’s film will get released on this date.”

KUR did, however, say that the people involved should sit down and have a discussion about these things. How is it possible that the industry people are not aware of which films are in the works and which have been announced to release on a certain date? “But if someone is in the mood to clash, so be it. We’ll see how it goes- yeh ghoda aur ye ghoday ka maidaan.”

A final word

On a parting note, Imran Raza Kazmi talked about the need for cross-channel promotions. “Everyone has to come up support the industry via helping in the marketing so at least the people should know that the film industry has revived and is now in the phase of survival stage. Firstly, there should be support in expanding the market via support in marketing i.e. Hum should promote products backed by ARY and ARY should do the same for Hum and Geo. Once that is achieved, everyone can give an opinion about the market however they wish.”

It’s to be seen which movie would be the ultimate winner. Unless someone else decides to make another last-minute announcement and make Eid ul Azha a five-way clash. Well, worry not. Galaxy Lollywood would be right here covering every development and bringing you exclusive insights on the coveted clash.

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