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Sar-e-Rah: An Ode to Women Who Take Charge of Their Own Lives

By
Ifrah Butt
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Sar e Rah series
Sar e Rah cast

Produced under the banner of iDream Entertainment, Sar-e-Rah was directed by Ahmed Bhatti and written by Adeel Razzaq. The mini series comprised of six episodes and starred Hareem Farooq, Saboor Aly, Sunita Marshall and Muneeb Butt in prominent roles alongside Saba Qamar as the central character. 

Saba Qamar as Rania in Sar-e-Rah

A superstar and the prolific actress that she is, Saba Qamar plays Rania, a young, headstrong woman who takes charge of her own life after her father falls ill. With not much education on her hand, Rania takes up driving her father’s cab, with dreams of her own.

Here is Rania, a strong, modern woman, who, rather than succumbing to the circumstances, gets up and decides to do something about her situation. along the way, Rania meets several other women and a transgender male, whom she empowers with her thoughtfulness and insight.

Sar-e-Rah Shows Women Empowerment in a Realistic Manner

Sar-e-rah did not bring about the story of women who shattered glass ceilings but took a more realistic, believable and subtle approach to awaken the same desire in women. The drama brought about stories of four women who refused to back out and highlighted the issue of intersex children and their treatment in our society.

This was perhaps one of the very few dramas on national television that focused on a father supporting his intersex child, educating him and letting him discover his own identity, away from the preconceived notions of our society.

What is beautiful about Sar-e-rah is the fact that this approach was subtle and heart warming. Without bombarding the audience with the rightful treatment of the intersex, the drama beautifully portrayed how a father needs to stand with his child, offering understanding and love where needed to create a path of independence and opportunities for the child, once he grows up. Intersex or not, the father-child relationship shown in Sar-e-rah was absolutely the finest portrayals of such on our televisions.

Creating Awareness

From awareness about laws of family inheritance for women, to how female workers take charge of their own lives and step down on harassment, Sar-e-rah tackled multiple issues, hushed in our society. Kudos to the writer Adeel Razzaq for creating such a well knitted story that sent across its purpose, without having to attach any frills.

In an industry that has for long peddled that family politics is what runs best on television, a drama like Sar-e-rah and the audience’s reception to it, will certainly lead to better things in the future. The audience is getting sensible and woke enough to demand strong content, hopefully such that focuses on the real and evolving face of the Pakistani society.

Our Verdict

Call it Feminism or Women Empowerment, but the portrayal of such content like Sar-e-rah on Pakistan television – an industry which is known to be dominated by males and run on content that focuses on family politics – has started transforming this misogynistic society of ours.

Even though the change is not yet very apparent and even though it will take time for the society to evolve as a whole, the good thing is that we have moved on from the decades drenched in gender discrimination. Change is slow but is maturing and it will be imminent one day.

Dear Younis Khan, Mohib Mirza is a Legend Too

By
Ehsan Khan
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Mohib Mirza and Younis Khan

In an incident that shocked the nation, former Pakistan cricket team captain Younis Khan was involved in an altercation with actor and cricket enthusiast Mohib Mirza on a popular TV show. The incident occurred on the show “Har Lamha Purjosh” where Younis Khan was a guest alongside guests Mohib, and another retired cricketer Kamran Akmal, hosted by Wasim Badami.

How It Started?

The awkward incident started when Mohib Mirza expressed his opinion on a cricketing issue that was being discussed by the panel. Younis Khan, who is known for his temper, did not take kindly to Mirza’s opinion and told him never to interrupt a senior cricketer.

Things escalated when Younis Khan indirectly threatened Mohib Mirza of physical action if he ever kept his hands on his shoulder again.

This kind of behavior is unacceptable and unbecoming of a senior cricketer like Younis Khan. His actions were not only disrespectful towards Mohib Mirza, but also towards the millions of cricket enthusiasts who look up to him as a role model. It is important for sportsmen to conduct themselves in a professional and dignified manner, both on and off the field.

Mohib Mirza is a Senior Actor

While Younis Khan may be a legendary cricketer, it is important to remember that Mohib Mirza is no less of a legend himself. He is a talented actor who has won several awards for his performances and is also a passionate cricket enthusiast who has been actively promoting the sport in Pakistan.

With almost twenty years and counting in the industry, Mohib Mirza is a household name and a common face across TV screens in Pakistan. The actor did not put up a hue and cry over Younis Khan’s disrespectful statement and chose to stay silent, rather than exacerbating the exchange. 

Preaching Tolerance

It is high time that we as a society start respecting each other’s opinions and viewpoints, regardless of whether we agree with them or not. We must learn to have healthy and respectful debates, without resorting to name-calling or physical violence. It is only through mutual respect and understanding that we can build a better and more tolerant society.

The incident has received widespread condemnation from across the country, with many people taking to social media to express their disgust at Younis Khan’s behavior. It is now up to him to apologize for his actions and make amends with Mohib Mirza and the rest of the cricketing fraternity. Only then can we move forward and focus on what truly matters – the love of the game.

Not the First Case

Unfortunately, this kind of behavior is not uncommon among former cricketers who appear on TV shows or other public forums. Many of these individuals have a reputation for being aggressive and domineering, and they often use their status as former cricketers to intimidate and belittle others who may not share their views or opinions.

This toxic exchange is not only harmful to those who are on the receiving end of it, but it also perpetuates harmful stereotypes about what it means to be a senior cricket star. It sends the message that aggression, dominance, and violence are acceptable forms of behavior, and it reinforces the idea that men who do not conform to these stereotypes are somehow weak or inferior.

It is time for the cricketing community to take a stand against toxic aggression and to treat others with respect. We must send a clear message that aggression and violence have no place in our society, and that we value respect, empathy, and compassion above all else.

Atiqa Odho Aspires to Open Gateway for Pakistani Dramas in Saudi Arabia

By
Faizanullah Khan
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Atiqa Odho in Saudi Arabia

“People living in Saudi Arabia are very keen on content from Pakistan as it suits their value system. Bilateral entertainment relationships with friendly nations are the future for Pakistani content syndication in global markets,” mentioned Atiqa Odho in an exclusive interview with Galaxy Lollywood.

The highly qualified and competent Atiqa Odho is all set to open the gateway for Pakistani dramas in Saudi Arabia. After her recent visit to the peninsula, Atiqa Odho has unearthed cultural similarities and business opportunities that all content creators in Pakistan can benefit from.

In an exclusive interview with Galaxy Lollywood, Atiqa Odho sheds light on her steps towards dubbing Pakistani content in Arabic and showing it to viewers in the Arab peninsula.

You recently visited Saudi Arabia. Tell us a bit about your trip?

I was delighted to visit Saudi Arabia recent. I found the Arab people very humble, hospitable and extremely keen on opening up to the rest of the world in the form of business, art, culture, entertainment and other avenues of mutual interest.

It was a real eye opener seeing how the country is progressing and especially for working women. There are many Pakistanis living in Saudi so felt like home as I met my countrymen and women everywhere I went. Besides this, I had the privilege to visit Masjid e Nabawi and perform Umrah as well, which were both a beautiful and spiritual experience.

We’ve heard you’re looking to collaborate with Saudi media outlets to air Pakistani content. What’re your plans for that?

In Jeddah I was hosted at a meet and greet by Ms. Noshen Waseem, consultant, General Entertainment Authority who was kind enough to introduce me to the Pakistan Press Council of Saudi Arabia. There we all discussed how to take forward this effort of having our dramas and films dubbed and showcased on Arabic channels to engage a wider audience.

I was told that people living in SA are very keen on content from Pakistan as it suits their value system. So, we have started the dialogue on this subject and are encouraging both sides to start working in this direction. Bilateral relationships with friendly nations are the future for Pakistani content syndication in global markets.

Do you think the shared content will initiate a cultural exchange between both countries?

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a deeply embedded history that would help storytellers create mutually interesting narratives for both nations to watch and enjoy. The same would also help in developing an even stronger bond between the people of both countries. We are very close to the cultural values of the Arab peninsula so this is a very comfortable partnership to engage in for us.

Any other countries you plan to release Pakistani dramas and content in?

Pakistan has an unfortunate reality, which is that software producers & storytellers are not allowed to retain their project rights. So, exchange of any kind will have to depend on the networks taking this step to open doors for our industry.

I am in talks with all our major network heads to try to influence them in going in this direction. If they were to dub our content and release it in Arabic, Turkish or in other foreign languages, it would widen the audience outreach for Pakistani content creators.

What would the Integration mean for Local Producers and Talent? Would it mean more revenue generation opportunities?

When we scale up global distribution of content it shall help generate foreign currency revenue for the creators who then reinvest back into further content creation within Pakistan. This helps in elevating the quality of products we create as well as improve the national economy as earnings in a stronger currency will help build not only our national soft image but also build up our national exchequer.

So, it’s a win-win for everyone to move in this direction. It would also encourage other countries to develop joint ventures with us that would bring in revenue into our industry as well as our hospitality and tourism industry if projects were shot in locations around the country.

Have you had any formal talks with Saudi channels yet?

On my visit I met with some officials in my personal capacity that are involved with the general entertainment fund of Saudi Arabia. They are very keen to work with us and are now looking for a plan from our side to review and move ahead with.

We need to start work fast to be able to ride this opportunity in a timely manner before others race ahead of us. The world is looking at Saudi Arabia as a future partner in many sectors, so they have many interested in joint ventures. As Pakistani’s we have an advantage of similar beliefs and culture that gives us an edge over others for sure.

Three popular serials, namely Dhoop Kinare, Tanhaiyan and Aahat, have already been dubbed and shared in Saudi Arabia. What other serials would you like to share with the audience in Saudi Arabia?

I feel we should have a regular flow of dubbed content airing on their networks as they have similar content coming from Lebanon and Turkey constantly. Language is not a barrier anymore as audiences are used to dubbed or subtitled content so makes it much easier for us to project our narratives to other nationalities now.

Our dress sense in projects also suits Saudi Arabia’s social sensibilities, which is an advantage for us. I definitely have a few serials in mind and will disclose their names once the negotiations and processes come through.

Realistically speaking, when can the locals in Saudi Arabia see mainstream Pakistani content on their television sets? What’s the possible timeline?

I can only hope that my humble efforts help open these doors sooner rather than later as it is to everyone’s advantage. All depends on how seriously our mainstream networks look into this opportunity. If left too late, it would become a missed opportunity for sure.

Artists have played an important role in initiating cultural and entertainment exchange between countries. Do you think your visit to Saudi Arabia played a positive role in this regard?

Yes, for sure as I met the right people and got the right responses. If my visit managed to plant a seed in the right direction for our industry then I would be satisfied with the outcome. We have to start from somewhere to build something more substantial and powerful together.

You were expected to mark your international debut in a Turkish drama series, ‘Koyu Beyaz’. How’s that coming along?

I was delighted to work in the Turkish series in context. It was a wonderful experience but since I have signed an NDA, unfortunately cannot say much more. I will say that they are very professional and have invested well into their trade and professionals.

You get a sense of a much bigger scale of production their than ours currently. Hopefully we will do more work together as Turkiya is another beautiful country and people for us to build stronger ties with.

I am keen to see how our collective audience responds to our work together once released.

We at Galaxy Lollywood thank Atiqa Odho for taking out time for this interview and wish her all the best for her future ventures.

Jhoom Promises Love and Heartbreak In Intense Promo

By
Armaan Shehreyaar
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Jhoom Drama Promo

The complex desire of love and its representation in television will never get old. Television shows, literature pieces, and several other methods of expression have portrayed this intricate human emotion in many ways. Pakistani dramas have lately tackled this avenue and are showing the different social and psychological aspects of Love in their own unique manners.

Geo Entertainment has joined this bandwagon to launch mega blockbusters including ‘Khuda Aur Mohabbat’, ‘Deewangi’, and the most recent talk of the town ‘Tere Bin’.  The dynamic production of 7th Sky Entertainment is set to launch another mega project titled ‘Jhoom’ with a similar storyline and focus on the complications of love.

What Does ‘Jhoom’ Has to Have Us Excited Already?

Har Pal Geo’s upcoming drama ‘Jhoom’ stars Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui opposite youth sensation Haroon Kadwani in the lead pair.

The project is penned down by one of the most celebrated drama writers of recent times Hashim Nadeem and directed by ‘Mere Humnasheen’s Ali Faizan.

The cast of ‘Jhoom’ also includes Haroon Shahid, Zainab Qayyum, Usman Peerzada, Rehma Rafiq, Noreen Gulwani among others.

‘Jhoom’ Promises a Unique Narrative of Age Difference in Love:

7th Sky Entertainment just released the first look promo of upcoming drama ‘Jhoom’ and viewers are already anticipating another superhit from the channel. Apart from an intense love story, sizzling chemistry, grand setups, which has become quite a signature of Geo, The promo also focuses on the fresh narrative of age difference in love.

While we have recently seen dramas like ‘Dobaara’ and ‘Agar’ based on the same concept, ‘Jhoom’ looks at the discussion from a fresh lens. While Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui plays an older woman, Haroon portrays a young guy who gets attracted to her and eventually falls for her.

Zara Noor Abbas has previously worked in another project of a slightly similar concept titled ‘Qaid’ with the same channel.

What To Expect From the Serial?

Geo Entertainment will soon be launching its much-anticipated drama ‘Jhoom’ starring Zara Noor Abbas opposite Haroon Kadwani. The project has a stellar cast and a team that has already given several hits to the television.

Jhoom in particular will be talking about a very important social issue in a romantic and intense manner. The first look of the show has gathered great popularity due to Zara Noor Abbas’s ethereal presence, and Haroon Kadwani’s youthful looks.

We at Galaxy Lollywood have high hopes from the project, What about you?

7 Strong Women Characters Highlighting the Importance of Women in Society

By
Ozair Majeed
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Strong female characters

Television mirrors the society we live in and possesses a strong ability to depict reality. Over many decades, the drama industry of Pakistan has played a vital role in showcasing strong women characters and addressing issues that are often brushed under the carpet.

Not only dramas have succeeded in providing wholesome entertainment but also given us role models to look up to. On the occasion of international women’s day, let’s revisit the memorable, nuanced and strong female TV characters that continue to inspire us in many ways.

Zara (Tanhayian)

Shehnaz Sheikh’s iconic portrayal of a young girl coping with her parent’s untimely death ends up achieving what she had set out against all odds. Her transition from an obedient, introverted daughter to a successful businesswoman is one of the most profound on-screen experiences. The 1985 drama serial, directed by Shahzad Khalil was a critical and commercial success and is now considered a cult classic.

Bano (Daastan)

One of the best Pakistani dramas of all time, Daastan follows the life of Bano and how the rioting and chaos during the Indian subcontinent partition changed her life completely.

Sanam Baloch’s monumental act is a jewel in her glorious career that still shines today. Sanam played the woman of strength and substance with impeccable perfection. She stood for her homeland with honor, grit and determination. Her act is a benchmark for the current generation of actors to learn from.

Khirad (Humsafar)

Mahira Khan has played a bunch of strong characters on screen. But, it was Humsafar that changed the game and made her a household name. Mahira wonderfully weaved life into the complex character, Khirad went through struggles and hardships but never lost her dignity. And who can forget her striking chemistry with Fawad Khan?

Khan in an interview in September 2020, reflected on Humsafar, stating that “Khirad is by far my most special character. She loved fiercely, she gave wholeheartedly and when it came to her self-respect, she held that closest to her heart. What a woman.” 

Momina (Alif)

Sajal Aly’s souls stirring performance in Alif is regarded as one of the best in the history of Pakistan television history. Momina’s self-belief to give her all to save her ailing brother and family is what makes her character exemplary. In pursuit of this, she goes through several losses personally and professionally. A girl all alone takes on the male dominated society single handedly, it is her strength that shines through.  

Mehrunnisa (Dobara)

What stuns most about Hadiqa Kiani as Mehrunnisa in Dobara is her sheer versatility. You forget her identity as a singer and her infinite achievements in the world of music once you watch her act on screen.

After making a smashing TV debut, Kiani hit the bull’s eye and won hearts with Dobara. The bold premise of a widow aiming to break stereotypes re-marries to live life to the fullest. Hadiqa handled the fragile character with utmost conviction.

Arzoo Daniel (Sinf-e-Aahan)

Syra Yousuf’s Arzoo is the perfect portrayal of a catholic girl defining her path. In Nadeem Baig’s patriotic drama, Arzoo single-handedly beats hooligans who ridicule her. She acts mature and chooses integrity over a long-term relationship with her selfish boyfriend. She goes all out and proves to be a valuable asset to the PMA.

Rania (Sar-e-Rah)

How can the prestigious list be complete without the queen, Saba Qamar. With a range of empowering and powerful characters on her portfolio, her act as ‘Rania’ in her recent outing Sar-e-Rah is simply awe-inspiring. We should admit Qamar has the knack for smelling the right scripts.

In a society that can go to any length in the name of honour, Rania normalizes the idea to support her family even if it’s about being a woman taxi driver. In the process, she calls off her long-time engagement and sets new benchmarks, and puts an end to the stereotypical gender rules. Women play a defining role in the industry, and over the years we have been host to some amazing story lines and strong female characters. Let us know who your favourite female on-screen character is and celebrate Women’s Day in Style with Galaxy.

Reflecting on Women’s Day: Women Representation in Pakistani Dramas

By
Ehsan Khan
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Women Day Coverage

In recent years, Pakistani dramas have become increasingly progressive in their representation of women. Instead of portraying women as passive and submissive characters, many dramas are now showcasing strong, independent female characters who challenge patriarchal norms and expectations.

These female characters are breaking through barriers and entering traditionally male-dominated fields. They are pursuing careers, fighting for their rights, and standing up against harassment and violence. By doing so, they are creating new role models for young women and challenging traditional gender roles.

Prime Examples of Women Representation in Pakistani Dramas

One drama that stands out in this regard is “Udaari“, which tackled the sensitive issue of child sexual abuse. The drama featured a strong female lead in Ameera Majid (Urwa Hocane) who stood up against her abuser, defying societal norms and expectations to seek justice for herself and others.

Similarly, “Khaani” portrayed a woman (Sana Javed) who stood up against a powerful man and challenged the traditional notion of male dominance. The drama tackled themes of revenge, justice, and the fight against corruption, with the female lead emerging as a strong and resilient character who refused to back down.

Are we Still There?

While there are a few exceptions, most dramas continue to present women in the same old roles of the damsel in distress or the traditional housewife. By presenting women as helpless and in need of male protection, these dramas are doing a disservice to the progress made toward gender equality and undermining the empowerment of women.

The stories fail to capture the full complexity and diversity of women’s experiences, presenting a limited and narrow view of what it means to be a woman in Pakistani society. By perpetuating the same old stereotypes and tropes, these dramas are not only limiting themselves creatively but also failing to reflect the reality of the world around us.

Dramas That Pander to Patriarchal Norms

Many dramas still perpetuate harmful stereotypes and reinforce patriarchal norms, portraying women as objects to be controlled or possessed by men.

One example is the popular drama “Ishq Tamasha”, which portrayed women as manipulative and deceitful, reinforcing negative stereotypes and promoting a culture of mistrust and suspicion. Similarly, “Mere Paas Tum Ho” was criticized for its portrayal of a woman who cheated on her husband, reinforcing the notion that women are irresponsible beings.

The Roles Artists and Writers Play

As artists and storytellers, we have the incredible privilege of crafting characters that capture the imagination and inspire awe. However, with great creative freedom comes great responsibility. While we have the liberty to create characters as we see fit, we must also be mindful of the impact these characters can have on our audiences, particularly on impressionable minds.

These negative portrayals of women are harmful and hurtful to the feminine cause, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and undermining progress toward gender equality. It’s important for Pakistani dramas to move away from these harmful tropes and promote more positive, empowering representations of women.

By breaking out of their bubble and presenting more positive and empowering portrayals of women, Pakistani dramas can help to promote gender equality and create a more just and equitable society for all.

Our Verdict

In conclusion, as we celebrate Women’s Day, it’s important to reflect on the progress made toward gender equality in Pakistani society, including in the representation of women in dramas.

While many dramas have made progress in their portrayal of strong, independent female characters, there is still much work to be done to combat harmful stereotypes and promote a more positive and empowering vision of women. By continuing to push for progress and speaking out against harmful portrayals of women, we can create a more equal and just society for all.

It’s the Season of Celebrity Wedding Dances; Who Shocked, Who Rocked?

By
Ifrah Butt
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Wedding dance compilation

Ah, the wedding season is almost over. While we bid adieu to the glamorous canopies filled to the brim with chandeliers, and processions of well dressed men and women, it is also time to recollect. This wedding season, our celebrities certainly set the dance floor on fire, upping the oomph factor for the season’s weddings.

Be it Zara Noor Abbas reinventing kathak with her sassy style, or Dur-e-fishan Saleem hopping around in what was a travesty of a wedding lehnga, there were a few hits and misses from this year’s season.

Our superstars delivered some mind blowing and remarkable celebrity wedding dances, helping their friends put up the most happening weddings of all. Here we have a list of some of the most memorable and dull celebrity wedding dances this year, which left us mesmerised and transfixed with the energy they oozed.

Zara Noor Abbas – Sassy and Elegant

The Khamoshi starlet delivered an infectiously energetic performance at her best friend’s wedding. Not only did Zara look gorgeous, her dance moves were absolutely killing, holding the onlookers in a trance. Without a doubt, the actress swayed gracefully, making sure her best friend had a mehendi ceremony to remember for years to come. Isn’t this what BFF’s are for? To make your wedding unforgettable.

Hania Aamir – Cute and Mesmerizing

What a bomb performance Hania Amir delivered on friend and producer Umer Mukhtar’s wedding. Hania’s energy and dance moves not only thrilled the audience but made many move with her. The beats were fast but so was Hania. Gracefully dancing with so much energy, the stage burst with Hania’s star power and sheer presence.

Hammad Shoaib – Strong and Infectious

This guy is just absolutely wonderful when it comes to dancing. Brilliant moves, infectious energy, Hammad Shoaib can simply ignite the dance floor with his thrilling dance performance. This time, the Kesi Teri Khudgarzi star, captured the onlooker’s attention at Umer Mukhtar’s shendi. It was a sight to behold.

Ushna Shah – Romantic and Groovy

This gorgeous diva gave an absolutely beautiful and thrilling performance on her own wedding. Ushna Shah danced to the beats of Lal Ghaghra in her own red bridal dress and damn did she look gorgeous. A happy, confident bride, grooving to the beats of her favorite song on her own wedding, now thats how you make your day memorable and unforgettable forever.

Hira Khan – Energetic and Lovely

Not only was Hira’s proposal to husband Arslan Khan a dreamy affair, the duo’s entire wedding was just plain romantic. Hira and her husband delivered such a beautiful dance together on their mehendi ceremony that the entire audience went aawwww. It was romantic, the energy buxxing and the duo’s chemistry, crackling. This was had to be a favorite.

Dur-e-Fishan Saleem – Awkward and Out-of-Tune

We absolutely love Dur-e-Fishan but this time her dance performance at Hira Khan’s wedding just didn’t do anything for us. Dur-e-Fishan seemed out of tune, ill at ease with her moves and perhaps overall awkward. Also, her dress was the talk of town as commenters and netizens questioned her choice of apparel and the loose fit besides the beautiful Hira Khan. We wonder why? Because she is usually graceful and stunning in whatever she does and wherever she is spotted.

Dananeer – Meh and Off Tune

Even though she’s always the one bursting with energy and sparkle, Dananeer’s recent dance performance at a wedding event was just meh. The social media influencer cum actress danced with a little awkwardness and seemed off tune, something which isn’t Dananeer at all.

The wedding season is over, but we can always savor the videos of our favorite stars absolutely killing it with their moves this season. Let us know who you liked on the dance floor and who was just Mehhh!

Huey Tum Ajnabi Ignites Pre-Release Excitement with Music Launch

By
Faizanullah Khan
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Huey Tum Ajnabi Music Launch

The cast and crew of upcoming War saga Huey Tum Ajnabi united for a music launch event in Karachi. The film explores a new frontier for Lollywood, and is the focus of undivided attention from movie freaks across Pakistan.

The event was attended by director and scriptwriter Kamran Shahid, alongside actors Alyy Khan, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Mehmood Aslam, Shamoon Abbasi, and Suhail Ahmed. Perhaps the highlight of the event was the launch of the title song, sung by no other than Ali Zafar and composed by renowned flute master Baqir Abbas.

Title Song

The title song acts as a brilliant advert for the film, with Ali Zafar single-handedly mastering the chorus through crescendos and cadence. The video does justice to the movie with a bit of Ali Zafar and short clips from the film included in the almost 7-minute-long clip.

War sagas are dependent on music and composition just as much as they are on good storytelling, so it is good to see Baqir Abbas and Kamran Shahid come with a strong composition to set the stage on fire.

Legends Uniting for Music

Huey Tum Ajnabi comes with a lineup of ace singers uniting for heart-touching music. The music will consist of melodies by Abida Perveen, Baqir Abbas, Sahir Ali Bagga, and Naveed Nashad among others.

With a plethora of legends coming together for the 11 ditties in Huey Tum Ajnabi, we can’t help but wait for the movie to come out.

Huey Tum Ajnabi Story and Release

Distributed by Mandviwalla Entertainment and produced by Shahid Films, Huey Tum Ajnabi will release in cinemas near you this Eid-ul-Fitr. The intense love story takes us back to 1971 when Bangladesh was East Pakistan and both countries were one.

Sadia Khan and Mikaal Zulfiqar have already set the stage on fire with their ravishing chemistry, and we can’t wait to see this period saga on the silver screen soon.

Here’s Why Tere Bin OST And Episodes Have Been Removed From YouTube

By
Kasim Bilal
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Tere Bin copyright claim

Plagiarism is back in the news yet again. Pakistani and Indian entertainment industries, despite the annoyance of some, often cater to similar tastes. This can lead to a lot of similar content being produced from both sides of the border.

Just last week we discussed similar allegations put forth by Farasat Anees. He claimed that his song ‘BIBA’ has been plagiarized by T-Series. This time however, the argument comes from across the border.

Zee Music, a famous Indian music company, has filed copyright claims against Geo Entertainment’s drama serial Tere Bin OST.

What Happened

Tere Bin is one of Geo Entertainment’s latest hits. The drama serial, starring fan favorites Yumna Zaidi and Wahaj Ali in the lead roles, has been a huge success for the channel. It has garnered amazing television ratings and has trended online for every episode.

The OST itself was also a huge hit. The song was a success on every major platform, getting 15 million views just on YouTube alone.

The song, however, has now been removed from YouTube, including a few of the episodes as well. The text reads that it was done due to a copyright claim from Zee Music Company.

No official statement has been made by Zee Music yet. Apparently, the composition in the OST seems to be a copy of the chorus section of ‘Mera Intkam Dekhegi’ from the film ‘Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana.’

Audience Reaction

Some people did point out the similarities between the two songs, but the response has been overwhelmingly in the Pakistani serial’s defense. The comments section on Zee Music’s video are now flooded with ‘#JusticeForTereBin.’

Fans are enraged, calling it an injustice. Some claimed the reason was jealousy since the OST and serial were performing well in India on YouTube. The latest episode also got removed from the platform, sending fans in a frenzy.

This seems hopeful as it may sway Zee Music into rescinding their claims if the backlash keeps going strong.

Copyright Claims

Copyright claims have been a serious issue on YouTube for some time. The rules can be manipulated and have resulted in harming the careers of several independent content creators. Big corporations and studios have much more power in these situations. A simple copyright claim can have the video in question removed from the platform.

Zee Music is one of India’s biggest music companies, holding a lot of sway and power on such platforms. While Geo Entertainment isn’t a small name in the slightest, going up against Zee Music may be an uphill battle. Music labels like Zee are notorious for being stringent with the rules and liberal with sending copyright strikes and having videos taken down.

A copyright strike does not really mean curtains for Terey Bin’s OST yet. Geo Entertainment can also make a formal appeal against this claim and have their videos restored. So, the jury is still out on this case.

As of now Geo has refused to give any official statement. So, we have yet to see how they will handle this situation. We here at Galaxy Lollywood will be following this situation very closely and will keep you updated.

Remembering Qavi Khan- The Actor, The Icon

By
Ifrah Butt
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Qavi Khan

Qavi Khan needs no introduction. Actor par excellence and a performer so fine that people were left in awe of his charisma and presence he brought to the screen. A prolific performer in film, drama and theatre, Qavi Khan starred in cult classics in his lifetime, offering audience the finest form of entertainment. The veteran actor passed away on Sunday 5th March, 2023, at the age of 80 in Canada, leaving behind a fantastic legacy of films and dramas for years to come.

Industry Mourning Qavi Khan’s Loss

Qavi Khan’s passing is indeed a big loss, not only for his family but for his fans and the entertainment fraternity in Pakistan. The entire industry is mourning the loss of the veteran actor. Singer, actor, Ali Zafar referred to Qavi Khan as an institution in himself and stated that the actor deserved a state funeral for his contribution to the country’s art and entertainment. The President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi, stated “Khan was an actor par excellence” while posting his condolences on the social media site Twitter.

Qavi Khan’s Legacy

Muhammad Qavi Khan born on 13 November 1942, was a Pakistani-Canadian film, radio, and television actor who acted in over 200 films. Khan was honoured with the Pride of Performance in 1980 and then with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz award, the third-highest civilian award in the country in 2012, by the Government of Pakistan for his contributions in the field of arts.

Qavi Khan started his entertainment career as a child from Radio Pakistan in Peshawar. After his family moved to Lahore, Khan started his television career in 1965 from PTV and was one of the first actors on the channel, moving on to become the finest, it ever had. In 1966, Qavi Khan started his film career, delivering about 200 films in the span of his lifetime, before finally succumbing to cancer.

His Best Works

Qavi Khan has been around the Pakistani entertainment industry since its inception. Graceful and at ease in television and films both, Khan comes from a breed of actors found very rarely in this part of the subcontinent. Qavi Khan has been a part of some amazing Pakistani dramas including the cult classics, Andhera Ujala, Alif Noon and films like Tiger Gang, Begum Jaan and the very recent Mehrunisa V Lub U and the beautiful, I’ll Meet You There. However, even though Khan has a noticeable film career, he is known and will always be remembered as the finest in television.

Qavi Khan didn’t come from a family of actors but he was one who was perhaps born to act, one who would do his job with utmost sincerity, no matter what role was entrusted to him. Qavi Khan was a phenomenal actor, who deserved all the praise he received. With the repertoire he enjoyed, Khan made a strong place for himself in the industry and not only amongst his audience. With the icon now gone, the loss is huge. For now we see recaps of his work and rejoice over the performer he was and the legacy he has left behind.

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