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Your Guide to All the Exciting Eid Content You Can Watch on Your Favorite Channels This Eid-ul-Fitr

By
Zainab Mossadiq
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With Eid-ul-Fitr just around the corner, the preparations to celebrate the joyous occasion are in full swing. While we check off the last items on our to-do-list for this meethi Eid, the Pakistani entertainment industry is all geared up to keep us entertained. With an influx of feature films releasing this Eid, including Money Back Guarantee to Huey Tum Ajnabi in cinemas, to a wide range of shows on television including the finale episode of Ramzan dramas, game shows, talk shows, and telefilms will definitely keep us entertained.

Here is a list of all the upcoming shows airing this Eid on television.

Eid Special Talk Shows:

Good Morning Pakistan (ARY Digital)

Keeping with the tradition, Nida Yasir is once again going to host her morning show this Eid. Celebrities will grace the show with their presence and will indulge in playing some fun games, answering juicy questions, and giving an insight into their Eid and daily routines.

HUM Eid Show (HUM TV)

The exclusive Eid show will be hosted by Azfar Rehman. He will be joined by several actors of our drama industry including Momal Sheikh, Shahzad Sheikh, Nadiya Khan, Ushna Shah, Sanam Saeed, Mohib Mirza, Shaista Lodhi, and Ahsan Khan. The host will engage the audience in a fun conversation that will give insights into their lives.

The Talk Talk Show (Express TV)

The Talk Talk Show will have its first debut Eid episode this year featuring the twin sisters and stars of Pakistan, Aiman Khan and Minal Khan with their husbands Muneeb Butt and Ahsan Mohsin Ikram respectively and will be hosted by Hassan Choudary. The guests will talk about their equation with each other, narrate their personal stories, and will play fun games that will amplify the equation they have with each other.

Piyari Eid with Rabia Anum (Express TV)

Starring Behroz Sabzwari, Safina Behroz, Shahroz Sabzwari, Sadaf Sabzwari, Rabia Anum will talk to the Sabzwari family and go candid with them this Eid. The show will air at 11 AM on Eid Day 1 on Express TV.

Telefilms:

Mummy Nahi Manain Gi (ARY Digital)

Just as the name suggests, the plot of the film revolves around two people in love who want to get married but obstacles cross their paths when their mothers don’t get along. The telefilm stars Shahzad Sheikh, Hiba Bukhari, Shagufta Ijaz, Fazila Qazi and many others.

Android Abba (ARY Digital)

Starring the real life couple Shahroz Sabzwari and Sadaf Kanwal the telefilm is an amalgamation of comedy and drama with an interesting twist-the introduction of a robot abba.

Nilofer Tsunami (HUM TV)

Starring Shehzad Sheikh and Ushna Shah as leads, Nilofer Tsunami will follow the love story of two characters in a household.

Thora Jhoot Thora Pyar (HUM TV)

The telefilm will air on HUM TV. The plot of the film is still under wraps.

I Love You Zara (ARY Digital)

The telefilm is about a brewing love story between a cook (played by Imran Abbas) and an ambitious cricketer (played by Sana Javed). Fate has other plans for them when Sana Javed’s character is to marry Imran Abbas’s best friend.

Feature Films:

London Nahi Jaunga (ARY Digital)

Nadeem Baig’s film London Nahi Jaunga will have its television premiere this Eid on ARY digital. Starring Humayun Saeed, Kubra Khan, and Mehwish Hayat as the protagonists, the film is the spin-off the 2017 hit film Punjab Nahi Jaungi. The film is about a girl (played by Mehwish Hayat) Zara whose life turns around when she founds about her father’s mysterious death and to avenge his death, she plans a visit to Punjab.

Yara Vey (HUM TV)

A 2022 release starring Sarah Alshareef, Sanjay Chopra, Sami Khan, Marina Khan, and Asad Raza Khan among others is a triangle love story.

Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad (HUM TV)

Starring Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa as the lead actors, QAZ is an action-packed film tackling the social issue of corruption. Fahad Mustafa will be essaying the role of a police officer while Mahira Khan will be playing the role of a social worker. The film released last years in cinemas.

Ghabrana Nahi Hai (GEO Entertainment)

The film was released back in 2022 and stars Saba Qamar, Zahid Ahmed, and Syed Jibran as the leads. It is the story of an only child Zubeda (played by Saba Qamar), who fights for justice for her father and seeks help from a police officer, Sikander (played by Zahid Ahmed).

Chhalawa (GEO Entertainment)

Directed by Wajahat Rauf, the film stars Mehwish Hayat, Zara Noor Abbas, Asad Siddiqui, and Azfar Rehman. The film is about revolves around a girl, Zoya who plans to escape her father’s house in order to be with a guy, Sameer but fate has other plans for her.

Donkey King (GEO Entertainment)

The well-known animated comedy film Donkey King will also air on GEO this Eid. The narrative of the story follows the retirement of Khan, who is the lion king of the jungle ‘Azad’.

Award Shows:

LUX Style Awards 2022 (HUM TV)

The 21st edition of LUX Style Awards which was hosted in Lahore in November will air on HUM TV starring the biggest names of Pakistan entertainment industry and will include dazzling performances by our beloved stars.

8th HUM Awards (HUM TV)

Hum will also air the eighth edition of its very own HUM Style Awards. The award show was hosted in Canada and it acknowledged the work of stars of Pakistan in various dramas.

This brings us to the end of our list. Which shows are you going to watch this Eid? Do share with us.

Qalandar Finishes on a High Note Despite Being Just Another Love Story

By
Kehkashan Bukhari
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Qalandar Success

As men and women across the country enjoy Eid vacations, last night was a solemn affair, pretty much due to the calamity caused by Qalandar’s last episode. Geo TV’s Qalandar gave a thoughtful lesson on ‘you’ll reap what you’ll sow’, and took a deep dive into family problems and how to solve them.

Despite the fact that Geo TV’s recent release Qalandar may appear to be “just another love story”, the drama was a constant feature in the top 5 weekly dramas with the highest TRPs week after week. One cannot help but wonder: why exactly is this Komal Meer-starrer such a hit that the drama tops TRP charts every week?

Qalandar has some Amusing Village scenes

The village culture shown from the get-go is enough to grab anyone’s attention, and the lovely greenery scenes from the field, especially where all the characters gathered to offer namaz and ask Allah for his mercy, mesmerize the viewers.

On-Screen Chemistry

The viewers were waiting for Tabraiz’s decision on whether he will go back to Dur-e-Adan or choose Sumbul for the sake of wealth, but now, it seems like Dur-e-Adan has already won the game as Tabraiz is regretting his decision.

One of the reasons for the popularity of this drama is the star cast. The chemistry between Muneeb Butt and Komal Meer is being praised, as the cute moments between Tabraiz and Dur-e-Adan uplift the entire show. Comments on YouTube also give us insight into their popularity, as the pair is also seen in Geo TV’s ‘Tere Aane Se’.

The Affable Heroine

Let’s discuss Dur-e-Adan – a superwoman – who does all the house chores without frowning, and most-importantly has all her prayers answered by God – winning her the title Qalandar for this very quality.

Retrospectively, there is another example of Geo Tv’s ‘Fasiq’, in which Sehar Khan’s character Fatima garnered great praise and love. So much so that in one of her interviews, Sehar mentioned that viewers had started praying after seeing Fatima. It can be inferred from this that our viewers like simple and virtuous characters, and Dur-e-Adan is the perfect one!

Powerful Soundtrack in Qalandar

In the end, it would be a futile discussion If we don’t talk about the soundtrack. The OST of Qalandar is sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who has previously done a great job for many hit dramas including Khuda Aur Mohabbat. The music and lyrics of the song reflect the storyline, but Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s euphonious voice makes you listen to it on a loop.

Besides these aspects, the traditional trope of family problems, in-laws’ issues, cousin’s marriage, and the compulsion to be rich, make this story quite relatable to many audiences. As audiences clap and praise the last episode we also realize that relatable family drama is what our audiences want, and this is what they got through Geo TV’s Qalandar.

Pakistani Films You Can Watch at Home This Eid

By
Kasim Bilal
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Eid is maybe the busiest day at the multiplexes. Audiences have a ton of options of both Hollywood and Lollywood films playing in theatres. To get you up to speed, here is a detailed list of all the films coming this Eid.

However, while some people make it a priority to go to the cinemas, the majority choose to stay at home. This includes many reasons; some can’t afford the expensive ticket prices while others are just too busy with the Eid festivities.

But that doesn’t mean that these people can’t enjoy films at home. OTT platforms have given people the opportunity to stay at home and have a good time. Here are the films available on OTT platforms for you to finally watch or revisit at home this Eid.

JPNA & JPNA 2

Jawani Phir Nahi Ani in 2015, and its sequel Jawani Phir Nahi Ani in 2018, made many a star. The films took audiences by surprise and generated the perfect storm at the box office, still holding spots in the top 10 highest grossing films in the country.

The films gave something new and fresh to the audience with globe-trotting adventures and incredible ensemble casts. Both blockbusters are currently streaming on the Tamasha app where you can check them out, or revisit, this Eid.

Punjab Nahi Jaungi, from the same creative team, is also streaming on the platform.

Quaid E Azam Zindabad

Nabeel Qureshi is a master filmmaker, giving us many hits in the past. Quaid E Azam Zindabad released last Eid-ul-Adha and featured superstars Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan as the leads. The late Qavi Khan also had a crucial supporting role, one of the last pivotal roles of his career.

The film is currently available on the Vidly TV streaming service which is also home to Nabeel’s other previous hits such as Na Maloom Afraad 2, Actor In Law and Khel Khel Mein.

Meanwhile, Nabeel’s breakout hit Na Maloon Afraad is currently available on the B4U Movies YouTube channel.

Teefa In Trouble

The 2018 film stars Ali Zafar and Maya Ali in the lead roles. The film was not only an outright hit, but it also proved that box office success can be achieved even without the need for an Eid release. The last film to test this theory to great success was The Legend of Maula Jatt.

Netflix, the leading global streaming service, used to be the home to several Pakistani flicks. But while all of them have found new homes, the megahit Teefa in Trouble is still available to stream on the service right now.

Baaji

Baaji, in 2019, reminded all of us why Meera is a superstar. The star vehicle was a glamorous yet also raw look behind the curtain of the film industry. The film also stars Amna Ilyas and Osman Khalid Butt as leads.

The supporting cast includes Mohsin Abbas Haider, Ali Kazmi and Nayyar Ejaz. All giving searing commentary on life in showbiz. The film is currently streaming on Vidly TV.

Other Hits on Vidly TV

Some other big hits of the recent past include director Asim Raza’s visually stunning productions Ho Mann Jahaan and Parey Hut Love.

Wajahat Rauf’s Karachi Se Lahore duology is also available. His other Eid hit Chhalawa is also available on the streamer.

Last year’s Eid films Ghabrana Nahi Hai and Dum Mastam are streaming as well.

This is a comprehensive list of the films that you can check out this Eid from the comfort of your homes. We wish you a very happy Eid Mubarak!

Breaking the Silence: Maha Ali Kazmi Speaks Out

By
Ehsan Khan
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Maha Ali Kazmi and Ali Noor

In the male-dominated Pakistani music scene, women have always had to fight for equal opportunities and respect. Unfortunately, there are instances where powerful men exploit their position and engage in inappropriate behavior toward aspiring female artists. Maha Ali Kazmi, a Kashmiri singer, and star of the hit Cornetto Music Icons, is another victim who has come forward with recent allegations against Pakistani musician and member of the famed band Noori, Ali Noor.

After Maha Ali Kazmi first opened up about her experience on Instagram, we at Galaxy Lollywood reached out to her for an exclusive interview.

Ali Noor Damaged My Self-Confidence

In an exclusive interview with Galaxy Lollywood, Maha Ali Kazmi revealed the impact of Ali Noor’s alleged behavior on her and her career aspirations. “It damaged my self-confidence to the point that I could not sing in a recording studio. I was paralyzed with fear,” she lamented. “For years, I was not able to record music. I had to let go of all the opportunities that came my way. As I said before, I had to let go of several opportunities that came my way due to that experience and the lingering trauma.”

It’s important to note that Maha has accused Ali Noor of inappropriate behavior and sabotaging her deal with Coke Studio. Maha claimed that Ali Noor allegedly sabotaged her Coke Studio audition and instead called her to Lahore, where he could help “mold” her talent. She refused to comply, stating she had enough self-respect to never bow down to such people.

Not the First Time Ali Noor is Accused of Predatory Behavior

This is not the first time Ali Noor has been accused of such behavior. Journalist Ayesha Binte Rashid had previously presented allegations of sexual harassment against the musician. Still, Maha’s account provides even more damning evidence against the predatory and vicious nature of Ali Noor.

In her discussion, Maha talked in detail about her experience and shared her thoughts on how the music industry can address the issue of men abusing their power to exploit women.

When asked how she responded to Ali Noor’s offer to “mold” her talent, Maha said she was shell-shocked and did not know how to respond. She emphasized that no one should ever take an artist’s agency this way.

It Took Maha Years to Get Over Her Trauma

Maha Ali Kazmi spoke passionately about speaking out against such incidents. Maha shared that it took her years to overcome the fear and trauma caused by the incident, and she felt immense anger towards Ali Noor.

Maha believes that external checks and balances enforced by regulation are necessary to address this issue. She also encouraged young women to be as brave as her, speak out, and use their voices to right the wrongs, even if it meant facing judgment and being called too volatile.

“Sometimes it feels convenient to make light of the situation because the common wisdom dictates that a ruckus in this situation can do more harm than good, but ultimately, your silence feeds the cancer in society. And if you have a voice because God has given you a voice, then you should use it to right the wrongs. And before you speak for anyone else, you must speak for yourself.”

No Support from the Music Industry

In a shocking revelation, Maha Ali Kazmi revealed she has not received any support or assistance from others in the music industry following her accusations against Ali Noor.

However, she is not surprised!

She believes that “the entire culture is toxic, not just the music industry, and … we need to revisit our entire value system to ensure that no one is denied or deprived of an opportunity they earned on their merit and deserved”.

Maha Ali Kazmi is Ready to Move Forward

In conclusion, Maha has healed from her traumatic experience and is ready to move forward with strength and dignity. “I know my self-worth. I know my skill, craft, and what I bring to the table,” she said. However, her story is a powerful reminder of the pervasive nature of harassment and abuse in the music industry and the urgent need for change.

It takes immense courage for singers like Maha to come forward, especially given the power dynamics in the music industry. Like all other industries, women in Pakistan’s music and film scene face tremendous difficulties and roadblocks that hinder their progress.

Maha’s bravery and determination to seek justice for herself and others are truly inspiring. We stand with her in her fight for a safer, more inclusive music industry.

It is also time for the music industry to look at itself and address the toxic culture of harassment and abuse that has flourished for far too long.

Faisal Qureshi and Cast Discuss What Viewers May Expect from Money Back Guarantee

By
Ozair Majeed
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Money Back Guarantee Cover

The festive occasion in Pakistan is considered as a golden period for films to taste success at the box office. Keeping in mind the festive mood and extended holidays, the producers make sure that their product gets the extra benefit with maximum screen count to mint good numbers. Eid-ul-Fitr 2023 is truly star-studded as Faisal Qureshi makes his big screen directorial debut with Money Back Guarantee (MBG).  

The trailer of MBG looks promising and transports the audience to a world of comedy, action and suspense backed up with grand sets and stunning locales. With a stellar cast of twenty-seven actors along with some heavy-duty guest appearances, the film is a strong contender to draw audiences to the theatres. MBG releases on Eid day 1. Will the film live up to the hype and expectations it has created?

Entertainment Guaranteed in Money Back Guarantee

“The audience will get more of what they paid (for the ticket) in the form of entertainment,” said Faisal Qureshi in an exclusive chat with Galaxy Lollywood. “MBG is a political satire wherein you will relate to the characters and situations. The film will get more entertaining with the second and third viewing. The reason why this project is special and refreshing is because the members of the cast were mostly my friends and whoever wasn’t is a friend now. They were extremely supportive and performed well in front of and behind the camera.”  

Faisal had Fawad Khan in mind as one of the protagonists but after the narration, the latter choose to play the bank manager instead, “I had originally written the role for Mahroom Ahmed Bilal. I revised the script and enhanced the role keeping Fawad in mind. Due to Fawad’s performance, the character has turned out so well, that it has overshadowed all the other characters, even the protagonists. This shows the sheer acting talent of Fawad, Star Tau Woh Hai He.”  

In his feature debut, Qureshi is wearing multiple hats of a writer, director, and producer. Wasn’t that a risky thing to do? We asked. “I felt more confident as I had control over everything. Yes, there is a greater risk because you would be held accountable especially if the situation isn’t favorable. However, if you are confident with your product, phir maza bhe ussi ka hai.”

Finding Joy in Comic Acts

Actor Mikaal Zulfiqar who is well known for his comic timing feels honored to be part of a film that strives to provide wholesome family entertainment along with thought-provoking satire at the same time. “I had a blast playing Irfan Pathan in Money Back Guarantee, I look forward to audiences meeting him in theaters. Honestly, I just try to have a good time with it. Don’t get me wrong I take all my roles very seriously, but it is really important to find joy in comical acting, as it can change the overall feel of a scene.” expressed Zulfiqar.

Safe Space for Ayesha Omar in Money Back Guarantee

Faisal Qureshi had earlier directed Ayesha Omar in the TV series Kollege Jeans. Two decades later, he ropes in Omar for an “integral part”. “I have a guest appearance in MBG with a completely separate track to the premise. Meena begum represents a “safe space” for people where they can come and be vulnerable. For me, the performance is more important rather than the number of scenes. It is very different from anything I have ever done before, be it her body language, postures, or dialect.” divulged Ayesha  

Ayesha sets the record straight that her elaborate dance sequence in the film is not an “item number“. She feels that an item song is one where the actor or performer is there only to play that part and isn’t supported by backup dancers. “It is a really fun dance performance with beautiful choreography. It is a smart song with bits of political satire and lyrics having so many different meanings.” 

Equal Parts for The Ensemble Cast

Mani who has ample experience working in various mediums of entertainment didn’t feel challenged to perform with a big cast. “I have previously worked with Faisal on many projects. I choose to play the part of my choice; I could connect with it easily and had fun shooting for it. One thing that Faisal was very clear about was his dialogues that everyone had to deliver as it is. No amendments were acceptable.”   

However, there was one thing that gave the Sub Set Hai actor a tough time. Mani recalled, “It wasn’t just me, most of my co-stars were struggling to get the dance steps right. We somehow created such moves that were easy to perform and turned out well.”

Mani further credited Faisal for writing equal scenes and doing justice to the ensemble cast. “All the actors were given equal screen time and dialogues to showcase their craft. There are many more surprises for the audience once they watch the film.” He further confirmed a sequel,and said, “I am pretty sure that the team of MBG will click with the audience and we will come back with a sequel.” 

Going Beyond the Cast

Shayan Khan of Zashko Films is also the producer of the film. Was Money Back Guarantee a film he always wanted to make, or did it have a specific starting point? we asked, “Faisal Qureshi telling me about the script was a definite starting point, but it is also the kind of movie I wanted to make. I wanted to go beyond the frivolous and produce a complete family entertainer that was also socially conscious.” Shayan told Galaxy Lollywood.

He feels that a great cast on stage and a great crew backstage are the necessary ingredients to make a mass entertainer. “This movie would not have been possible without the brilliantly talented actors and all the other hardworking people involved.”

Shayan Khan has a double responsibility, besides producing he has an interesting character to play. “I play Ilyas Kashmiri, he is a true daredevil who loves freedom and throwing down in a good fight.”

Talking about the current state of the film industry as a producer, Shayan is trying to strike while the iron is hot. “The future of Lollywood, in my opinion, has never been more promising than it is now. All we need is some more global theatrical successes to keep this upward trajectory going.”

Here’s hoping that all the effort and hard work of the entire ensemble cast will translate into big numbers at the box office.  

Spunky, Superb and Sensational: Huey Tum Ajnabi Goes All Out With Its Promotions

By
Ifrah Butt
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Huey Tum Ajnabi Promotions

Pakistani cinema has long passed over its revival phase and we have filmmakers churning out movies left, right and centre. And not only this, while the quality of cinema and storytelling has improved, we now have filmmakers paying some definite attention to marketing their films as well. In fact it won’t be incorrect to say that the budget allocated for a film’s marketing nowadays is half the total cost of the movie, if not as much as the film, itself.

Even though questions keep on arising as to what is the right way to market a film or not and whether a film’s promotional activities will affect the fate of the film or not, but the fact remains that over the years we have had some crazy, sensational film promotions and this year, Huey Tum Ajnabi fits the bill as well.

Promotions Left Right & Centre

This year, the Mikaal Zulfiqar and Sadia Khan starrer, Huey Tum Ajnabi, is putting some spunky, superb and sensational marketing campaigns all over the country. The film has already created quite a buzz with its first look and it seems, with just the right marketing, it might get the views its aiming for.

While TV and social media promotions are going on in full swing, Huey Tum Ajnabi has taken a step ahead with its on-ground promotions. From branding bus stops to having buses on the road with complete hoardings of the film, from life sized posters to character teasers around town, there is nothing left for the makers of Huey Tum Ajnabi to market the film with. A huge buzz has been generated for the film and what waits to be seen is whether it will translate into a huge opening or not.

Huey Tum Ajnabi- The Storyline

The movie stars Mikaal Zulfiqar and Sadia Khan in the lead roles alongside all-time favourite veteran artists like Sohail Ahmed, Mehmood Aslam, Shafqat Cheema, Samina Pirzada, Ayesha Omar, Shamoon Abbasi, Alyy Khan and film star Shahid in pivotal roles. Written and directed by Kamran Shahid, the film is set amongst a backdrop of the 1971 war and the tensions between the two wings of the country. According to its makers, the movie is an intense and epic love story offering a phenomenal flashback into one of the most captivating romantic stories to be made under the banner of Shahid Films.

Huey Tum Ajnabi will receive serious competition in the face of Money Back Guarantee that stars Fawad Khan, Wasim Akram, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Mani, Kiran Malik and even Shaniera Akram alongside a string of veteran and famous actors. Both of the films are slated for an Eid ul Fitr release and it waits to be seen whether the exciting promotions for Huey Tum Ajnabi gets the opening directors and producers are aiming for.

Exclusive! Abu Aleeha’s ‘Daadal’ Explores The Lyari Underworld Through A Female Boxer’s Perspective

By
Ozair Majeed
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Daadal Cover

Director Abu Aleeha is known for his radically unique approach to filmmaking and storytelling. His upcoming film Daadal lives true to the tag and is a gangster crime thriller that depicts the heinous underworld of Lyari.

The filmmaker’s exposes different genres like horror, suspense and action to the audience and focuses on the story of a female boxer Haya Baloch who becomes a contract killer to avenge her sisters’ honor.

The film releases in theatres on Eid-ul-Fitr, and features Sonya Hussyn as the lead protagonist along with Mohsin Abbas Haider, Shamoon Abbasi, Maira Khan and Adnan Shah Tipu.

The Idea Behind Daadal

About what inspired him and why he thought that this story needs to be told, “I came across Kamal Khan’s ‘Lal Kabootar’ and realized that the depiction of Karachi’s underworld specifically (Lalukhet) and Lyari) isn’t that bugarish or mummy daddy type as shown in the film.” Aleeha told Galaxy Lollywood. “My research on the underworld of Karachi has been extensive and elaborate. I have always felt that it is a lot more horrifying, brutal, complicated and organized as compared to the underworld of Mumbai.”  

Elaborating on the same, Aleeha added, “I started to research more about the gang war history of Lyari and discovered that it was Rehman dakait’s father Daadal Baloch who started the trend of gang war, organized crime, rackets and extortion in Lyari.”

Keeping this character in mind, the film creates a metaphor of crime, mafias and gangsters what Aleeha calls “Daadal”. “The film is my interpretation of the underworld of Lyari through the eyes of a female boxer.”  

Why Sonya Hussyn?

Aleeha did not doubt who would play the protagonist. Not many are aware that Aleeha has directed Hussyn in one of his unreleased film ‘Lockdown’. The film halted due to production issues also stars Gohar Rasheed. “Sonya’s potential is truly exemplary. The moment she signs a project, she is fully available for the proceedings. She goes all out to support an out-of-the-box idea. I felt that she was the right choice to play the part.”

Apart from the intense physical training, workshops and rehearsals, it was a tough task for Hussyn to get her accent right. “There are three types of the accent being used in Lyari, kachi Memon, Baloch and the makrani accent. We mixed kachi Memon and Baloch and created a unique accent of our own. Sonya wore a hijab and visited the local bazaars of Lyari to observe women to build her character traits.” he revealed.   

Aleeha’s Take on Box Office Prospects

Aleeha, feels today everything is about making box office records on social media, “Everyone is aware of the fake box office figures circulating on social media claiming their film to be a success.”    

According to the filmmaker he is struggling to make a place in the industry. “The so-called film industry of Pakistan is actually a cinema industry. The former operates with six prominent filmmakers releasing three films each on major festive occasions.”

Aleeha believes that the film industry of Pakistan would fully operate when a film would release every Friday irrespective of the budget and genre. “Instead of a five-crore film, the need of the hour is to make five films with a budget of crore each, he said. “To flourish cinema, everyone should cut down their remuneration. The casting should be done on merit instead of the basis of Instagram followers.”

He further explains how he is the only filmmaker in Pakistan who has in-depth knowledge about the box office prospects of his films. “My cinema is offbeat and the lowest of the budget. Irrespective of their box office performance, my films recover their cost from OTT, digital, satellite and international releases. For instance, my last film Javed Iqbal was banned in Pakistan, but released in eight cities in the UK. Due to its low budget, it recovered its cost.”

For the unversed, Javed Iqbal is re-submitted to the censor board with a new title and cuts. If it gets a theatrical release in Pakistan, “the entire earnings will go in the producer’s pocket.” Similarly, his upcoming film Super Punjabi which is slated to release on May 12 has “already recovered its cost.” disclosed Aleeha.

Abu Aleeha has lived up to his true raw self in Daadal and is confident about the box office prospects of the film. Daadal will face a stiff challenge from Money Back Guarantee and Huey Tum Ajnabi among others this Eid. It is to be seen which film comes out on top and appeases critics and viewers alike. We at Galaxy Lollywood wish Abu Aleeha and team Daadal the best of luck!

All Current and Upcoming Projects Wahaj Ali is Part of

By
Maisooma Batool
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Wahaj Ali New Projects

It is Wahaj Ali’s era and we are just living in it. The current heartthrob of all Pakistani drama lovers across the world, Wahaj Ali is clearly at the top of his game. He is enjoying the kind of success and limelight that many actors can only dream of – and deservedly so. One look at Wahaj Ali’s filmography is enough to prove how this man has built his career brick by brick to reach the top. And he’s far from done.

With two dramas on-air and ruling the ratings chart and back-to-back TVCs gracing the TV screens, Wahaj Ali’s presence is akin to the famous Spiderman meme: everywhere I go, I see his face. Well, there’s definitely more of him left to be seen. Still, to the people who are perhaps living under a rock and don’t know the projects Wahaj Ali is a part of, here is a list of the on-going and upcoming projects that feature the hottest thing in Pakistani entertainment industry right now.

Wahaj Ali as Murtasim in Tere Bin

Are you even on the internet if you don’t know what Tere Bin is? The mega popular superhit blockbuster record breaking drama starring Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi is all that any Pakistani drama lover can talk about.

Wahaj Ali as Murtasim is ruling hearts of every romantic who just want a hero like him to sweep them away in real life. The chemistry between Wahaj and Yumna is chemistry-fying like anything and the two have already secured their position in the list of “Most Iconic Jodis of All Time”. The show might not be perfect but Wahaj Ali in it definitely is. Want to fall in love with Wahaj? Just watch him running across a dargah with his pristine white shawl fluttering around him and it will happen within seconds.

Wahaj Ali as Saad in Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha

If Murtasim is the embodiment of an alpha male, Wahaj Ali as Saad is what soft boys are made of. If Murtasim is the stuff of dreams, Saad is what anyone would pray their real-life partners to be like.

Starring alongside Hania Amir and Zaviar Naumaan, Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha is the story of a man who has been in love with a woman all his life and continues to be in love with her regardless of her not reciprocating his love.

Saad pours his heart out in a diary in the form of shayari and locks the diary away so no one can ever witness the intensity of his emotion. Saad would rather be hurt again and again than see his love be in pain. Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha has turned out to be a messy affair as far as its story and execution is concerned but the fans remain unanimous that Wahaj Ali as Saad is the drama’s saving grace and the reason to tune into it week after week.

Wahaj Ali as Junaid in 22 Qadam

Wahaj Ali is all ready to hit sixers in this upcoming drama series. Taking on a new challenge for himself, Wahaj is all set to play the character of Junaid, a cricketer. But not just any cricketer. A cricketer who also coaches/mentors a team of women cricketers and supports them as they tirelessly work hard to achieve their dreams. Anyone who has followed Wahaj Ali’s career knows how this man always tries to take on characters and stories that he hasn’t done before. Playing a physically demanding role in 22 Qadam will definitely be another feather in Wahaj Ali’s glorious hat. The show will be airing on Green Entertainment which is set to launch this Eid ul Fitr.

Jurm

Apart from a trashy romance, a melodrama, and a sports drama, Wahaj Ali is set to show his brilliance in a thriller as well! Titled Jurm, this mini-series is set to go on-air on Geo Entertainment after Eid. Wahaj Ali stars in this Mehreen Jabbar directorial alongside Dur-e-Fishan Saleem and Tooba Siddiqui.

The teasers of the drama give no hint about what the story actually is except that it promises to be a nail-biting mystery thriller. Wahaj Ali has talked about his character in Jurm having a “twist” that his previous characters didn’t have. Oooh, sounds really exciting. We are sure Wahaj will leave a memorable mark with this drama as well, despite it being a miniseries.   

Untitled Web Series

After conquering TV, Wahaj Ali will also set the OTT screens ablaze. Wahaj stars opposite Sajal Aly in a Zee5 web series that’s written by Bee Gul and directed by Kashif Nisar. The writer-director had previously worked together to give the critically acclaimed hit Raqeeb Se. A powerful duo behind the camera and an equally powerful duo in front of it?

To say there’s palpable hype in the fans regarding this project is understating it. No further details about the web series like its official title and release date have been released but rumors have it that the show might be available for viewing by the end of 2023.

Untitled Telefilm

There are reports of another telefilm in the works starring Wahaj Ali and Mehwish Hayat in lead roles. While we do know that the telefilm is directed by Nadeem Baig and produced by See.Prime Productions, the name and story are yet to be revealed. There are, however, some interesting BTS takes making rounds on Instagram.

Packaged As a Mass Entertainer, Will Kamran Shahid & Team Score Big with Huey Tum Ajnabi?

By
Ozair Majeed
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Huey Tum Ajnabi Cover

Kamran Shahid isn’t new to the entertainment industry, besides being one of Pakistan’s foremost and credible journalists, his father Shahid was a huge film star back in the time. He could have played safe and opted for an easy breezy yet commercially viable project for his feature directorial debut. But he took the road less traveled with Huey Tum Ajnabi and choose to narrate an untold romantic fantasy set against the historical occurrences of the 1971 war.   

“No other director in the industry would want to swim in the hot waters of a challenging script,” Kamran Shahid told Galaxy Lollywood. “I never thought of directing a film, I have not chosen to pursue direction as a full-time career. I am a journalist and will continue to be one. Being a historian, I discovered certain gaps in the tragedy of 1971. The revelation of facts opened a world of fantasy, eventually becoming the driving force for me to helm Huey Tum Ajnabi.”  

Will Kamran Shahid Hit the Bull’s Eye with Huey Tum Ajnabi?

When its history, the audience is rooting for an accurate depiction of events, added the filmmaker who has also written the film. “First things first, Huey Tum Ajnabi doesn’t identify itself as a documentary. It is a mass entertainer with stellar performances, intense romance, drama, action sequences and soulful music. The writing process was of course very challenging; getting the facts right, especially balancing the romance and war history together. I am hoping that the untold narrative on celluloid will be a refreshing change for the audience.”

Creating another world is difficult and requires the settings to be authentic to get the feel of that particular era. “Yes, it was quite challenging as it took us four years to shoot the film in different time zones. In a film especially like this, you cannot skip the fine tuning of detailing of costumes, props, makeup, lighting etc. If you fumble on these accounts you haven’t entered the world. Despite my greatest efforts, there is always room for improvement.”      

The film is releasing in four days. Nervous or excited, we asked. “Well, none (smiles). It’s just a project I’m very passionate about. If it hits the bull’s eye, I might make another. If that isn’t the case, I will keep making movies until I deliver a blockbuster. Failing won’t change how I perceive things that are associated with my name.”  

A Different Territory for Mikaal Zulfiqar

Huey Tum Ajnabi is headlined by Mikaal Zulfiqar who plays the protagonist Nizamuddin in Dhaka University of pre-partition Bangladesh. Over the years, Zulfiqar has showcased his versatility with several diverse roles, but stepping into this territory is a first for him. “It is a dream role with a variety of shades like action, romance, heroism and patriotism. It is an honor for any male actor to play such a powerful character where you are practically saving the world,” Zulfiqar tells Galaxy Lollywood.

Since the narrative of the film is based on the backdrop of Dhaka fall, many external influences effect Nizamuddin’s journey. “It was interesting to create the required graph according to the timelines along with ample twists and turns. There was a lot of margin and diversity in every scene that enabled me to do something different. The huge production scale helped me to enhance my performance.”

Mikaal’s on-screen chemistry with co-star Sadia Khan is one of the major highlights in the trailer. “Well that’s just the tip of the iceberg (smiles) there is far more romance and chemistry once the audience watches the film. Sadia is an absolute beauty and looks stunning in the film. I was pretty much in love with her while shooting.”            

How was the experience of working with the debutant director? “Great,” Zulfiqar said, “What’s good was the fact that Kamran Shahid knew exactly what he wanted out of the scenes. As the writer, he had command over his characters. Also, I believe that films based on Pakistan should be made in Pakistan. Pakistani’s all around the world are projected in a very different light, so we must be telling our side of the story”.

Music in films over decades has played a vital role to depict romance. After a long time, there is a Pakistani film that has an extensive list of eleven songs featuring melodies by Abida Parveen, Baqir Abbas, Sahir Ali Bagga, and Naveed Nashad among others. “The real highlight of the film are the songs. My favorite song from the album is Naina. I am sure the music album will be a treat for avid music listeners.”

The Dependable Antagonist in Huey Tum Ajnabi

The historical aspect of Huey Tum Ajnabi attracted actor Shamoon Abbasi to play the antagonist. “I am always on the go to play adventurous roles. I found huge margin to perform the role of a ruthless Bengali officer who commands the Mukti Bahini forces. I was always excited to be on set and to work on the nuances of my character. It wasn’t easy to portray and shoot a dark character. I feel the Gen Z should watch this film to have a better understanding of history.”

The Kamran Shahid debut directorial promises to be a good package deal. It has got mass appeal, aided by a stellar cast, offers intense romance, and heavy-duty action. The only hiccup seems to be the multiple Eid releases. Will Huey Tum Ajnabi hold its ground and succeed in pulling crowds to theatres? 

Huey Tum Ajnabi opens in cinemas on Eid-ul-Fitr 2023. The film features Sadia Khan, Ayesha Omar, Alyy Khan and veterans Sohail Ahmed, Mehmood Aslam, Shafqat Cheema, Samina Pirzada and Shahid.

Express TV Sets Benchmark for Interactive and Informational Ramadan Content

By
Kasim Bilal
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Express Ramadan transmission

Ramadan is arguably the most lucrative time for a TV Channel in Pakistan. From Ramadan transmissions to Ramadan Special shows, there’s a surge in content production and consumption during the month. Audiences expect lighthearted entertainment leading up to and after Iftar.

This time however, we saw a year where Ramadan content was on a downward trajectory. Viewers and critics alike have been questioning the quality of most of the content. But during all this, we had Express TV rise to the occasion and dish out carefully planned Ramadan programming. Let’s discuss.

Express TV Ramadan Transmission

The channel’s transmission gives viewers a variety of informational and entertaining content to choose from. Express went above and beyond to offer something for the whole family to enjoy. Piyara Ramazan is hosted by Rabia Anum, who keeps a lighthearted approach throughout the transmission while also maintaining the decorum.

The religious segment with Molana Azad Jameel, Piyare Wazaif, is a beautiful segment allotted to religious discussions with the scholar. Viewers can also send in their queries from around the country which makes this program interactive with those watching from their homes.

Cooking Segment and Competition

This is followed by a cooking segment with Chef Arooj which harkens back to the classic Ramadan transmissions where a segment like such was a staple. Here we have the Chef giving simple tutorials for Iftar recipes and sharing cooking tips along the way.

Kitchen Master, which is in its second season now, has Chef Jalal as the judge. This daily segment is in the same vein as MasterChef and has two aspiring cooks competing for a chance to win. The challenges given to these contestants consist of a diverse list of dishes which are then judged at the very end of the show.

Guest Stars and Quiz Shows

Each transmission has a guest star showing up and participating in the activities. These included names such as Aimen Khan, Zubab Rana, Rabeeca, Yashma Gill, Muneeb Butt, Affan Waheed, Azlan Shah and more.

Quiz segments are also held with audience members on alternative days which include gift prizes. It is also of note that Khel Kay Jeet, hosted by Sheheryar Munawar, immediately follows the Ramadan transmission and has been a huge hit for the channel.

Our Verdict

So, to sum it up, Express TV has proven this Ramadan that educational and entertaining Ramadan transmissions can still be done. Viewers are constantly looking for informational content and they are bound to tune in when it’s provided to them. Viewers are also tired of the disrespectful tone of some other recent Ramadan transmissions and Express TV understood the assignment and delivered to the promise.

A big factor in the success of this transmission has been the carefully protected sanctity of the holy month. There are no distasteful segments or jokes made by the host at the expense of the audience. We hope Express TV keeps delivering on these standards and wins viewers with informational content.  

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