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Actress Saeeda Imtiaz is Alive

By
Ifrah Butt
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Saeeda Imtiaz's fake death news

We received the tragic news of the passing of actress Saeeda Imtiaz in the morning. However, according to latest news circulating across social media and authenticated by industry insiders, the actress is alive and has spoken to a few sources. Updates from loved ones and those associated with the actress have revealed that her social media was hacked, and the news shared on it was fake.

What We Know About This Case

According to a social media post shared on Saeeda’s official handles, the 32 years old actress was found dead in her room in the morning today i.e. 18th April 2023.

Saeeda’s last story on her Instagram did leave a cryptic feel as if the actress was distressed about something in her life. The story from the Wajood actress read,

“I lost nobody I needed. The real ones are still around.”

However, latest updates from the case have revealed that the actress is alive. Celebrity coordinator and Assistant Vice President of ARY Network Raza Moosave was quick to call the news out as fake on his Insta handle.

We also reached out to other reliable sources in the industry and have found out that Saeeda Imtiaz is in fact alive. News of the fake social media post are circulating online and many news outlets have reported that her account was hacked.

Video Clarification by Saeeda Imtiaz

Saeeda Imtiaz has come out with a video clarification of the entire situation, including the fact that her account was hacked. The actress looks justifiably petrified and has promised of taking action against the perpetrators behind her hacked account.

View her reel on Instagram for her stance on the matter.

Saeeda Imtiaz Acting Career

Saeeda Imtiaz claimed fame after starring opposite Danish Taimoor in Javed Sheikh’s Wajood following which she starred in Thori Setting Thora Pyar, and Redrum. Saeeda Imtiaz also played the role of Jemima Goldsmith in the movie Kaptaan: The Making Of Legend. She recently also starred in ARY’s Tamasha Ghar and was in touch with her team.

Maira Omair Rana Questions The Intelligence Quotient Of Our Drama Audience

By
Ifrah Butt
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Maira Omair Rana on Pakistani Dramas

Time and again we have mentioned that apart from a handful Pakistani dramas, the majority are absolutely crass. Makers churn out dramas left, right and centre, however, neither do they seem to make any sense, nor do they have a relatable story and yet they keep getting high TRPS. The audience cries out loud as one drama after another hits our screens and yet the actors and directors of the same keep getting popular. What is the secret here? We don’t know and we can barely fathom. And siding with our opinion is the very intelligent Maira Omair Rana as well.

Pakistani Dramas Leave Much to be Desired

We recently mentioned how the Hania Aamir and Wahaj Hussain starrer, Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha, was one such example of a drama without any concrete story line at all and yet one with a high TRP. Maira Omair Rana, wife of celebrated actor, Omair Rana, also recently questioned the credibility of such plots and the intelligent quotient of the audience who watch them.

According to Maira, majority of the most successful drama directors in the industry, consider their audience to be naive enough to be sold for absolutely nonsense storylines. Maira related an incident where she shared a complex script with a well known director only to be laughed upon. “If you think the audience is intelligent enough to digest this, you’re being naive (I am sure he wanted to call me stupid as well),” writes Maira reminiscing about how the particular director had taunted the script she had written.

The Fault In Our Audience

It is no secret how the drama creators consider the audience dunderheads for creating content which makes no sense at all. And if you get offended at being called idiots, calm down a little because the TRPs prove the claims. Apparently even the most intelligent of the audience, especially women, watch dramas with weak story lines, absolutely drooling over the male characters and contributing to the high ratings for such crap. “The TRPs of the current dramas with their bizarre scripts have gone through the roof. And guess who’s the majority watching them, drooling over them and discussing them to no end – women,” writes Maira on her personal blog.

Maira Omair Rana Shares Personal Opinion

Maira writes how she grew up watching and learning values instilled in them through dramas written by Haseena Moin. “I refuse to accept the title of stupid audience. I take pride in being a girl raised with #haseenamoin values and her progressive content – with the bold woman image that #shoaibmansoor promoted – with #anwarmaqsood Sb’s humour and fearless #sitaraaurmehrunnisa,” says Maira commenting on how our dramas today promote nothing but spineless doormat bahus, problematic husbands, sexist families and storylines hell bent on glorifying the nonsense patriarchal values of the society.

It seems as if rather than progressing with the years, our drama industry and its content is going in a reverse gear. The dynamics haven’t changed, if only, have worsened over the years. Its 2023 and we still have dramas like Siyaani and Meesni talking about nothing progressive at all. And mind you, they’re getting good TRPs as well.

We Agree with Maira

We completely agree with Maira’s point of view questioning the intelligence of our audience and the fact that content creators are not at all convinced of the fact that this audience is ready for something mature. Apart from a few dramas namely the currently running Kuch Ankahi on ARY Digital or the recently ended Sar-e-Rah, Pinjra, Bakhtawar, Parizaad and the likes of such on various channels, the makers have been resolute in not changing the problematic plots of their shows, claiming that it is what sells. While a few have made some changes to the logical aspects of their storyline, innovations have only made it worse.

There isn’t a scope of finding sense in most of our current shows. Whatever is, it flies away with stupid content every single day. Drama serials have become so embarrassing that we simply watch them for the sake of it. But then again, we have a whole category of audience drooling over heroes and cursing bold female characters. To conclude in Maira’s words, “What happened as we moved to the 21st century? Please tell me – where did we go wrong and where are we headed?“

Sajal Aly Says She Would Like to Work in India Again

By
Faizanullah Khan
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Sajal Aly in Mom

Political tensions, and a ban on Pakistani artists, films, cricketers, and all things Pakistani, haven’t stopped actress Sajal Aly from expressing her desire to work in India/Bollywood again.

The Kuch Ankahi star is a prominent name in Pakistan, and gathered serious praise from across the border in her first Hindi film, Mom in 2017. However, relationships between Pakistan and India have only deteriorated since 2017, and six years down the line we are far far away from any integrations between the two countries.

What Did Sajal Aly Say?

In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Sajal Aly has opened up on her desire to work in India again. The actress believed that politics shouldn’t come in between art and the artist.

“I would love to work in India again. But I don’t know when. Let’s see what the future has in store for me? I have been talking about this for years and years. I don’t think politics should come between art and the artist. And I hope yeh deewar jo India aur Pakistan ke beech mein hai khatam ho,” Ali told the news outlet.

Sajal also emphasized on her relationship with actress Sridevi and their on-screen pairing. “I was very close to Sridevi ji. She left us very soon, unfortunately. I have never really talked about her and my relationship. But I have to say that it is really unfortunate that we as artists get stuck in the tensions between both the countries. Humara kaam suffer karta hai. When I worked in Bollywood, I got a lot of love and respect, which is close to my heart till date,” said the actor.

Is Sajal Aly Trying Too Hard?

Be it brooding heroes or dashing actresses, our stars have bossed Bollywood at different times in history. While Sajal played a pivotal role in Mom alongside Sridevi, we think she may be trying too hard for a gig in Bollywood now.

The doors are long shut, and Pakistani stars have had to bear the brunt of India’s hypocrisy. Recently Anant Ambani, son of Mukesh Ambani, celebrated his birthday in Dubai so he could groove to the beats of Pakistani singers Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

When Will the Restrictions End?

There are no expectations on when restrictions on Pakistani actors and cricketers will end in India. Director Karan Johar recently went all the way to Dubai to watch Maula Jatt in cinema, and was all praises for the quality content. He also recently liked an Instagram picture of actor Wahaj Ali, hinting of a cross-border project for the latter.

While we as movie aficionados can root for harmony between Pakistani and India artists, we understand there are greater forces in play here. Forces far too great for the Sajal Aly’s or Karan Johar’s of Pakistan and India to make a difference.

Gunjal Ready to Tell Iqbal Masih’s Harrowing Story

By
Ehsan Khan
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Gunjal Cover

In a world often consumed by headlines of tragedy and despair, it is essential to remember the stories of those who stood up against injustice, even at significant personal risk. One such story is that of Iqbal Masih, a child labor activist whose life and legacy inspire generations.

Now, his story is set to be immortalized on the big screen with the upcoming movie “Gunjal,” starring Ahmed Ali Akbar, Resham, and Amna Ilyas. The film will shed light on Iqbal’s tireless struggle against child labor in Pakistan and the cover-up of his tragic assassination when he was 12.

As we await the release of this highly anticipated film, we are reminded of the importance of keeping the legacy of heroes like Iqbal Masih alive and the power of their stories to inspire change in the world.

The Heroic Yet Tragic Story of Iqbal Masih

Iqbal Masih, a child labor activist, is a name that resonates with many Pakistanis and the global community. Born in 1983 in Muridke, a small town in Punjab, Iqbal was sold into bonded labor at the age of four and forced to work in a carpet factory.

Despite facing immense hardship, Iqbal escaped slavery at ten and became an activist for children’s rights, specifically against child labor. He tirelessly worked to raise awareness about the issue, locally and globally, until his tragic assassination at 12. His courage and unwavering commitment to justice made him a local hero who stood up to feudalism, and his legacy continues to inspire many.

The Shahbaz Bhatti Story

“Gunjal” is not just a movie but a powerful portrayal of a true story that deserves to be told. Based on the work of journalist Shahbaz Bhatti, the film will shed light on the powerful perpetrators of Iqbal Masih’s tragic assassination.

Directed by Shoaib Sultan, “Gunjal” is expected to be an empowering narration of how the feudal landlords wield their power and how a simple 12-year-old kid was a threat to their cartels. The movie will take the audience on a journey of Iqbal’s life and his struggles as a child laborer. It will also highlight his unwavering commitment to fight against child labor, which ultimately led to his assassination.

“Gunjal” promises to be a poignant and thought-provoking depiction of the harsh realities faced by children forced into labor and the power dynamics perpetuating such practices. Such movies are necessary to bring awareness to these issues and inspire people to act against them. They remind us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and that the actions of one individual can bring about great change. “Gunjal” is a testament to Iqbal Masih’s legacy and a tribute to the countless others who continue to fight for justice and equality.

Difficult Stories Like Gunjal are a Must

Movies like “Gunjal” are not just entertainment, but powerful tools for social change. They encourage us to ask difficult questions and to confront uncomfortable truths about our society and ourselves. As nations, we can only strive to be better when we are willing to face our past with honesty and humility. By exploring the past, we can learn from it, grow, and hopefully, create a better future for ourselves and future generations. We at Galaxy Lollywood, cannot wait to view the riveting story on the big screen.

Priyanka Chopra from South Asia Needs Urgent Geography Lessons

By
Ehsan Khan
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Priyanka Chopra and Sharmeen Obaid

In the age of social media, it has become easier than ever to share our opinions and perspectives with a global audience. However, with this ease comes the responsibility to be mindful of the impact our words may have on others. Recently, a post on Twitter by Priyanka Chopra, has sparked a debate about national identity and the importance of acknowledging it.

Chopra congratulated Pakistani director Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy on being the first person of color to direct Star Wars, mentioning that Sharmeen is a South Asian. This tweet has raised questions about the role of national identity in an increasingly globalized world and the responsibility we have as public figures to respect and acknowledge the cultural identities of others.

Celebrating Cultural Identities

It is essential to celebrate the cultural similarities between regions, and artists who promote cultural exchange should be encouraged worldwide. Pakistani culture, particularly Punjabi culture, shares many similarities with Indian Punjabi culture, and it is vital to recognize and celebrate these similarities.

However, it is equally crucial to acknowledge that forcibly enforcing a particular identity on a region can be problematic. In this context, Priyanka Chopra’s recent Instagram story congratulating Pakistani director Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy on her Star Wars directing gig seems to have a certain sense of pretense about it, considering her past actions.

Not too long ago, Chopra celebrated the cross-border attacks by the Indian military on Pakistani soil, which led to a significant backlash from Pakistanis. When questioned about her political stance by a Pakistani citizen, Chopra replied dismissively, “you’re only embarrassing yourself.”

Hypocritical Behavior from Priyanka Chopra

To single out her Indianness when she feels appropriate and her SouthAsianness when she feels appropriate can be seen as hypocritical. It is imperative that public figures take responsibility for their actions and their impact on society, and it is our duty as a global community to hold them accountable.

Pakistan’s cultural richness comes from a variety of traditions, languages, and music, including Punjabi, Pushtun, Sindhi, Baloch, Chitrali, Gilgiti, and Urdu speaking communities. These cultures have evolved over centuries, blending together to create a vibrant and diverse society. Therefore, it is essential to defend its uniqueness and highlight its distinctiveness.

Moment of Pride

For Pakistanis, in particular, Sharmeen’s success is a moment of immense pride. Her work has consistently shed light on important social issues and highlighted the resilience and strength of marginalized communities. Her global recognition and acclaim are a testament to the talent and creativity of Pakistan’s artistic community, and her success paves the way for more Pakistani artists to break into the international film industry.

We are all Equals

Defending Pakistani culture does not mean that we should think less of Indian culture. Both countries have unique and valuable cultural contributions that should be celebrated. However, it is unacceptable for opportunistic celebrities like Priyanka Chopra to conveniently capitalize on Pakistani culture while simultaneously ignoring and dismissing it.

In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to support and celebrate cultural diversity. Pakistan’s cultural contributions are a vital part of its identity, and we should defend them aggressively against those who seek to erase or co-opt them. Let us embrace our unique cultural heritage with pride and work towards building a more inclusive and empathetic world.

22 Qadam Trailer Reinforces Love for Cricket with a Twist

By
Maisooma Batool
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22 Qadam drama

The upcoming TV channel, Green Entertainment promises to offer a different side to Pakistani dramas. Judging by the trailer of one of the channel’s offerings, 22 Qadam, it looks like Green Entertainment has definitely put its money where the mouth is.

Starring the current top star of the country Wahaj Ali and Hareem Farooq, 22 Qadam is a story about dreams, aspirations, hard work, dedication, the power of belief, and the one thing that contains all of it in magnitudes – cricket.

Love for Cricket Reinforced in 22 Qadam

Pakistanis love for the game of cricket cannot be denied. From the narrow streets of obscure cities to huge stadiums filled with thousands of spectators, the game of cricket has a power to unify people like few things in this country can do.

And this love for the sport is not specific to just one gender. For the past years, women playing the sport at national and international level have been bringing pride to the country by their spectacular performances and by becoming an inspiration for the cricket lovers. However, despite all their successes, cricket is still widely considered as exclusively as “men’s sport”. And it is this notion that 22 Qadam has chosen to tackle and dismantle.

22 Qadam Story

The trailer of the drama features Fari, played by Hareem Farooq, who dreams of playing cricket at a national level. It is not a mere dream for Fari, it is her passion and her zidd as this dream ties to her need of wanting to live her life on her own terms. Completely determined to make her dream her reality, Fari is shown fighting against all manners of blockades being put in her way – physical, emotional, and psychological – as she sticks to her beliefs and refuses to leave the pitch until she has hit the winning shot.

Supporting Fari’s ambitions and dreams is Junaid, played by the versatile Wahaj Ali who simply refuses to have his next project be in any way, shape, or form be similar to his previous one, another cricketer who is passionately working hard to be selected in the national squad. Junaid is the coach/mentor to the ragtag team of cricketers that Fari has gathered and can be seen training them physically and motivating them off-the-ground; in short, he is the unshakable wall of support that is the missing element which turns defeats into victory.

Incredible Production for 22 Qadam

The production level of the drama is incredible. A sport-genre drama cannot be made within the confined walls of a house and demands the visuals match the large ambitions of the story. 22 Qadam appears to have achieved just that with training scenes both in-field and in gym, actual cricket matches being played in a proper cricket ground as well as a rough open area.

The aesthetics are completely on point and not just visually; the snippet of the soaring OST played in the trailer is sure to get the blood pumping when paired with the inspirational visuals of the drama.

Focused on the Human Aspect

Written by Zeeshan Ilyas and directed by Anjum Shahzad, 22 Qadam doesn’t appear to be a drama that focuses just on the sport of the cricket. It seems to be aware that ultimately the ones playing the sport are human beings and when humans are involved, the emotions are bound to be complex.

Specially more so when its women struggling to get to the center of the ground that’s dominated by men. Featuring characters that belong to different walks of life, living completely different lives from each other, who are only united due to their shared love for the sport and the ambitions they have for it, 22 Qadam promises to be a human story as much as it promises to be a story that shows the love of the game.

Creating a Positive Buzz

The trailer for 22 Qadam has already created a positive buzz within the audience who is desperate for a break from the run of the mill dramas dominating the screens now. And rightfully so. In times like this, the importance and the need of a story like 22 Qadam can hardly be denied.

A story that shows women being more than just the wives and the bahus of the house but being individuals not just with dreams and ambitions but also having the determination to achieve those dreams. A story that shows men being not the hindrance for women in achieving their dreams but being the support and motivation that they need to achieve their dreams. A story about the power of dreams and the sacrifices and pain one endures to achieve. A story about lessons learned through painful losses that lead to a victory that makes it all worth it. A story that is just different and will, hopefully, take many qadams to progress the genre of Pakistani dramas in a much-needed positive direction.  

Tired of Saas Bahu Stories? Binge Watch These 10 Pakistani Dramas Today

By
Ifrah Butt
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Pakistani Dramas Without Saas Bahu Stories

The Pakistani drama industry is regarded among the best in the world. Be it the middle East or the West or even in our neighboring country, Pakistani dramas are watched with great enthusiasm, left right and centre. Pakistani dramas offer strong content with a wide range of variety for the viewers. Even though we produce the typical Saas Bahu soaps more than anything else, there have been dramas on Pakistan television that have been absolutely exceptional.

So if you’re in the mood to binge watch any Pakistani drama today and you don’t want it to be the typical joint family political storyline, lets take a look at our pick of the top 10 Pakistani dramas that you can watch.

Kuch Ankahi

Without a doubt this has to top our charts. Kuch Ankahi is such a special drama serial that you cannot help but fall in love with it. Tackling multiple social issues in a light-hearted manner, Kuch Ankahee is a classic. Starring Sajal Aly, Bilal Abbas and Sheheryar Munawar in pivotal roles, Kuch Ankahi is a beautiful story of a father and his fight for his daughters’ right in his inheritance. Written by Mohammed Ahmed, Kuch Ankahi has been directed by Nadeem Baig and is currently on air on ARY Digital.

Sar-e-Rah

This recently ended mini series on ARY Digital was absolutely exceptional. From women rights to childlessness, from workplace harassment to intersex issues, Sar-e-Rah tackled a number of issues with such an amazing and powerful script that the audience wanted more after the six episodes ended. Starring Saba Qamar as the main lead, Sar-e-Rah had an ensemble cast including Muneeb Butt, Saboor Aly, Hareem Farooq and Sunita Marshall. The drama was directed by Ahmed Bhatti and was one of the most brilliant piece of works on women empowerment that delivered its message without hitting you right in the face.

Parizaad

Any list that consists of Pakistani dramas with exceptional story lines will be incomplete without the mention of Parizaad. This Ahmed Ali Akbar starrer was absolutely classic, and a piece of art. The drama was written by Hashim Nadeem and directed by Shahzad Kashmiri. Parizaad’s story revolved around a dark skinned boy with a heart of gold and his journey through life’s ups and downs. You wouldn’t want to miss this one out.

Alif

Although spiritual dramas are not really trending these days, but you’ll have to make time to watch Alif. This one drama is gorgeous, the kinds of which have never been seen before. Alif was just as exceptional as its cast. Alif starred Hamza Ali Abbasi, Manzar Sehbai, Sajal Aly, Ahsan Khan, and Kubra Khan in pivotal roles and talked about finding spiritual love after falling in love with a mortal being. Alif was directed by Haseeb Hassan and was based on a story by Umera Ahmed.

Shehnai

If you’re looking for some light hearted romantic comedy with nothing too heavy, Shehnai is your drama to go. This one serial is certified to make you laugh and keep you looking out for more, one episode after another. Shehnai starred Ramsha Khan and Affan Waheed in the lead and followed the story of a girl and boy who wanted out of an arranged marriage together. Shehnai again was an Ahmed Bhatti directorial and brought about an absolutely exciting storyline.

Udaari

No dramas worth binge watching list can be completed without the mention of Udaari. Udaari brought into limelight the issues of child abuse and propelled Ahsan Khan into the limelight with a character that he had never attempted before – one of a child molestor. Udaari can be termed as the awakening when it comes to dramas about child abuse. Hina Altaf delivered exceptional performance in this one alongside Samiya Mumtaz, Bushra Ansari, Urwa Hocane and Farhan Saeed.

Ranjha Ranjha Kardi

What happens when you fall in love with a special person who is unable to think like a grown up? Ranjha Ranjha Kardi starred Iqra Aziz and Imran Ashraf in this classic tale of love where the daughter of a sweeper is keen to change her own life and falls in love with a mentally handicapped man. It was this drama that took Imran Ashraf to the heights of fame with the character of Bhola. Ranjha Ranjha Kardi was directed by Kashif Nisar and was based on a story by Faiza Iftekhar.

Sinf E Aahan

Women of steel… Sinf e Aahan was an absolutely wonderful drama serial following the lives and training of female army cadets. The drama revolved around 6 passionate female cadets (Kubra Khan, Ramsha Khan, Sajal Aly, Yumna Zaidi, Syra Yusuf, and Dananeer Mobeen) who were too strong to be handled by the society and decided to work for the sake of their country, empowering themselves to deal with personal issues as well as fight for the country as well. Sinf E Aahan was directed by Nadeem Baig and was written by Umera Ahmed, a great combo nonetheless.

Prem Gali

Want to have some mindless laughs and watch a light-hearted drama serial that revolves around a young couple trying to escape a enclosed family circle? Prem Gali is your pick. Starring Sohai Ali Abro and Farhan Saeed in the lead, Prem Gali was a beautiful story of love and family dynamics, away from the saas bahu khichri, we see on TV so often. And yes this drama also focused on strong independent women, living alone and on their own terms in a neighborhood filled with judgmental people. Prem Gali was written by Faiza Iftekhar and directed by Qasim Ali Mureed.

Fraud

If you’re a Saba Qamar fan like us, Fraud is the drama for you. This one revolved around the story of a con artist trying to make it big in the society by marrying innocent girls one after another. Saba Qamar played Maya, who even after receiving the biggest set back of her life, refused to bow down, even if she belonged to a small town. Maya was a strong woman who fought and lived life on her own terms and refused to break her principals for the sake of a happily married life, later on. Directed by Saqib Khan, Fraud was written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah and brought about a truly engrossing story.

Fawad Khan Questions Multiple Film Releases on Eid

By
Ehsan Khan
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Fawad Khan on Eid Movies

Pakistan’s cinema industry is gearing up for the highly-anticipated Eid releases this year, with multiple films scheduled to hit the big screen. However, one particular film that is generating a lot of buzz is “Money Back Guarantee”, a Pakistani comedy flick starring the renowned actor and cultural icon, Fawad Khan.

Are Eid Releases the Way to Go

During promotions for Money Back Guarantee Fawad Khan has questioned age-old industry practices with a statement around Eid releases. Fawad Khan was noted saying “I don’t know why we do it but we do it all the time. I’ll put it like this. Imagine there’s a pie. You cut in four pieces, you get one piece, you serve it whole, you get the entire damn thing”

Fawad Khan’s analogy of the pie is interesting, and it highlights the importance of concentrating on quality films that can make a significant impact on the audience and the industry. It’s clear that the industry needs to reevaluate its current strategy and consider releasing one or two quality films during Eid, which can provide a better return on investment for everyone involved.

Is Fawad Khan Accurate in Questioning Eid Releases?

Fawad Khan’s statement about the counterintuitive nature of releasing multiple films on Eid is a valid point that the Pakistani film industry needs to take into account. While the day of release is undoubtedly essential, it’s not the only factor that determines a film’s success at the box office. Pakistani filmmakers need to understand that it’s the marketing mix of good story, entertainment, and star cast that gets a film going among local audiences.

Moreover, in the crowded market of Eid releases, it’s crucial for films to give space to each other and focus on their marketing strategies. With multiple films releasing on the same day, it’s essential to create a buzz around the film that differentiates it from others and gets audiences excited about it.

The Bollywood Influence

The Pakistani film industry has long looked towards Bollywood as a source of inspiration, particularly when it comes to big day and holiday releases. Bollywood has mastered the art of capitalizing on the hype surrounding holidays and festivals, which has translated into significant box office earnings over the years. However, the Pakistani film industry operates in a different context, where it has to rely on better marketing and storytelling to attract audiences to cinema halls during Eid and other festivals.

Unlike Bollywood, which has a massive and loyal fan base, the Pakistani film industry is still in the process of rebuilding after a prolonged period of decline. With fewer resources and a smaller audience base, Pakistani filmmakers have to work harder to get their films noticed and create a buzz around them.

This means that the focus is not just on releasing films during the festive season but also on ensuring that they have compelling storylines, well-developed characters, and strong marketing strategies to draw audiences to the cinema halls.

Where is the Effort from Fawad Khan and Team?

Despite the hype surrounding Fawad Khan’s return to Pakistani cinema, his upcoming release “Money Back Guarantee” has been surprisingly low-key in terms of marketing and promotions. Unlike his previous film “Maula Jatt,” which had an extensive promotional campaign and generated significant buzz among audiences, “Money Back Guarantee” has done little to no marketing pre-release, and the actors and stars have been largely MIA.

Fawad Khan’s star power can only do so much, and it’s crucial to leverage his popularity to generate interest in the film. The lack of promotions and marketing also raises questions about the film’s quality and whether it can live up to the expectations of Fawad’s fans and the audience at large.

Fahad Mustafa Is Winning Ramadan with Wholesome Interactions on TV

By
Ifrah Butt
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Fahad Mustafa Jeeto Pakistan

You have to agree Fahad Mustafa has a certain charm that a lot of celebrities lack. For the people around him, Fahad Mustafa isn’t some aloof celebrity who you meet and ask for pictures occasionally. Instead, Fahad Mustafa is everyone’s Fahad Bhai. Whether it is the women or men, children or elders, the Na Maloom Afraad star is Fahad Bhai for absolutely everyone and that is courtesy to his show Jeeto Pakistan on ARY Digital.

He walks onto the set with this huge smile, radiating warmth and hospitality that embraces his audience and engulfs his set. Each and every single person present there can vouch for Fahad Mustafa’s infectious presence that just lights up the room with his lively nature.

Fahad Mustafa Wholesome Interactions

Jeeto Pakistan has been running for over a decade now and Ramzan specials are the highlight for just about everyone. Whether it is the audience on TV or the live crowd present in the studios, everybody has witnessed and can vouch about Fahad Mustafa’s humble interactions with people on the sets, especially those with disabilities who participate in the games wholeheartedly.

Although Fahad Mustafa’s interactions on Jeeto Pakistan are usually fun filled and whimsical, the the actor cum producer takes complete care when interacting with people with disabilities, making them smile, showering them with praise, love and just giving their confidence a general boost. The way Mustafa tackles his audience is particularly wholesome on set and off screen as well and there have been instances where his fans can vouch for his humble nature and down to earth demeanour.

Fahad Mustafa as the celebrity we know today is an icon. For his fans, whenever they get the chance of a lifetime to meet him it is just a dream come true, and it is more memorable, just plain wonderful when he interacts with his fans, connecting with them on a personal level. It leaves a special mark and warmth on everybody’s hearts, especially his fans, every time they remember it.

Appreciation From The Industry

Although we have a long list of humble celebrities doing philanthropic work left, right and centre, there is something awestriking about Fahad Mustafa and his down to earth demeanor in general. And not only us, this superstar has impressed his friends from the fraternity. Mahira Khan and Ushna Shah have been lauding Mustafa’s very recent interaction with a very special “Amna” on his Ramzan show. Mustafa went all out to not only support Amna but also help her win a substantial gift, obviously with good intentions behind the prize that went out to the girl, all thanks to Fahad Mustafa.

Tere Ishq Ke Naam Teaser Gets Viewers Disdain for Love Triangle

By
Kasim Bilal
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Love triangles in Pakistani dramas

Pakistani drama serials are often criticized for the repetitive and uninventive storytelling. Audiences are tired of the same old tropes and characters being tossed at them every week. This also includes the beaten-to-death trope that is love triangles, currently visible in the teaser of Tere Ishq Ke Naam.

Love triangles are one of if not the most used storyline in Pakistani drama serials. While TV shows in the past like Maat and Mere Paas Tum Ho have managed to keep it fresh by incredible performances and a new premise, the current shows are a mere shadow of those that came before them.

The most recent example of this is Tere Ishq Ke Naam, which just released its teasers featuring yet another love triangle. The immediate response saw audiences show their utter disdain towards this lazy trope. Let’s discuss.

Tere Ishq Ke Naam Teaser

We have gotten two teasers so far. The first teaser plays like a short film on its own featuring Hiba Bukhari and Usman Khan’s characters’ journey from falling in love to getting married and falling out of love. The teaser then ends with Zaviyar Nauman entering the mix, teasing a potential love triangle.

The second teaser, released today, shows the contrasting lifestyles of Hiba and Zaviyar, hinting at their paths intertwining at some point. Yashma Gill is also part of the main cast but has not yet been featured in any teasers. Ahmad Bhatti from Ghisi Piti Mohabbat and Maha Malik from Koi Chand Rakh are directing and writing respectively.

Love Triangles

While the teasers, particularly the first one, do show some inventive filmmaking and gimmicks, the overall response has been one big groan from the audience. Viewers are much savvier these days to quickly dismiss overused tropes such as ‘saas/bahu’ storylines and love triangles.

Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha, also featuring Zaviyar, is another example of a currently airing show that features a love triangle. These shows also garner incredible viewership numbers and are loved by the actors’ respective fandoms.

But there are still many who feel turned off by the painstakingly derivative nature of these shows. The responsibility lies with our production houses to look for writers with new ideas, as TV is a writer’s medium and can only progress with them.

Promoting Extra Marital Affairs?

The first teaser ends with Hiba’s character going back outside and running into Zaviyar’s character. This had people questioning if the show was hinting at an extra marital affair. There is cause for concern among viewers due to this idea.

However, there’s only so much that can be deduced by just two teasers. The full story has yet to unfold when the show starts airing later this month. Hopefully we can be pleasantly surprised by it and the story has more to offer. We will certainly be reviewing it in the coming weeks.

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