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Projects Lined Up For Eid That Will Keep You Entertained

By
Maisooma Batool
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The Meethi Eid brings with it much delight and jubilation. This year, the entertainment roster is full for the designated three-day Eid holidays on ARY Digital, HUM TV, and Geo Entertainment, with many entertaining and light-hearted telefilms for the viewers to enjoy.

ARY Digital

Bhaagam Bhaag

Cast – Hareem Farooq, Aagha Ali, Javed Sheikh

A light-hearted chaotic tale of misunderstandings and an arranged marriage that’s planned to end before it even begins, Bhaagam Bhaag will be the first time Hareem Farooq and Aagha Ali will be seen sharing the screen together as a pair. Hilarious hijinks are to be expected in this telefilm as two people who cannot stand the sight of each other are forced to marry each other by the girl’s strict, gun-wielding grandfather.

Chand Raat Aur Chandni

Cast – Shehzad Sheikh, Alizeh Shah

An action-comedy story about a young girl who is set to marry against her will. To get herself out of this unwanted situation, she enlists the help of a young man, who nurses unrequited love for her, and his two friends to kidnap her on chand raat and help her escape. This telefilm surely promises some interesting and hilarious situations for the audience to enjoy alongside a beautiful chemistry between its lead cast.

Aik Anar Do Bimar

Cast – Hira Mani, Noor Hassan, Muneeb Butt

The Six Sigma Production telefilm is about a love triangle between two guys and one beautiful woman. While the premise is old, the promising cast can definitely add chaar chaand to this project.

Siwaiyaan

Cast – Sonya Hussyn, Yasir Hussain

The ever-reliable Sonya and Yasir reunite yet again for another exciting and entertaining telefilm. Siwaiyan is a story about a newly wedded couple and the wife’s dangerous habit of mistakenly beating up people.

Dream Villa Ki Confused Love Story

Cast – Hiba Bukhari, Arez Ahmed

The newly wedded real life couple Hiba and Arez will be shown sharing the screen for the first time after their marriage in this telefilm.

Kaanpein Tang Rahi Hain

Cast – Sahiba Afzal, Aijaz Aslam, Hina Dilpazeer

It really was only a matter of time before this happened, no? Well, ARY Digital is inviting you to enjoy the comedy of Sahiba, Aijaz Aslam, and Hina Dilpazeer on the 3rd day of Eid at 7 PM.

HUM TV

Made For China

Cast – Sonya Hussyn, Muneeb Butt, Hina Dilpazeer

A hilarious and hijinks filled story about a family and their struggle to move to China. With a single-minded aim of the family to anyhow move to China, the telefilm promises laughter via its many entertaining situations.

Saeedabad Ki Saeeda

Cast – Hareem Farooq, Azfar Rehman, Fahad Sheikh

Two guys fighting for the affection of one beautiful, young woman – hilarity and entertaining situations are a given. This telefilm is about an ordinary young woman living a mediocre life but comes across a good fortune that makes her the object of desire of two handsome, young men. There is definitely more to this story than meets the eye, judging by its intriguing teaser.

Afrah Tafreeh

Cast – Kubra Khan, Bilal Khan

An entertaining story about what happens when a gangster’s daughter and his most trusted employee go missing together. Chaos is bound to ensue! This telefilm will mark singer Bilal Khan’s comeback on television after his previous stint, Khamoshi (2018)

Butt!

The hilarious and witty Ahmed Ali Butt will be back on television on this Eid hosting a special celebrity talk show. Expect a lot of fun, entertainment, and witty zingers as Butt himself will engage some of our favorite celebrities in exciting games and segments.

Geo Entertainment

Love Life Ka Law

Cast – Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui, Asad Siddiqui, Aagha Ali, Sidra Niazi

Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui and her husband Asad Siddiqui play the characters of two lawyers who are brought to fight a divorce case for the rich, married couple, Aagha and Sidra. Zara and Asad cross paths during this divorce case for the first time after their own failed relationship that blossomed during their time as law students. Will the two couples manage to find their back way into love by the end of it?

Mast Mohabbat

Cast – Ushna Shah, Muneeb Butt

A heartwarming and endearing story of a joint family and amidst it, two people who are bound in an arranged engagement. With both the dulha and dulhan wanting different kinds of life partners for each other, the engagement initially breaks. But how this unwanted arranged relationship turns into that of love will be shown in this colorful, family extravaganza.

What will be your choice of pick this Eid? With so many great projects lined up, one thing’s for sure: Eid will definitely be meethi.

Celebrate Eid In Style With The Image Eid Pret ’22 Collection

By
Galaxy Lollywood
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Image has cemented itself as the country’s leading retail brand. The brand dazzles its patrons with refined Eastern wear that always ends up becoming a wardrobe staple for its customers. The credit for their phenomenal success goes to their impeccable design and flawless quality fabrics, as well as state-of-the-art tailoring that sets apart an Image article from everyone else.

Eid Pret ’22

Image has launched its Eid Pret ’22 – a festive collection that is the answer to all your Eid fashion needs this season. The collection has something for everyone because of a variety of cuts, designs, colours and details. Each piece from the luxury pret collection is a thing of beauty that’s been rendered on cotton and cotton satin fabrics that are ideal for the blazing heat this summer.

The collection features hassle-free ready-to-wear Eid outfits. This spares you from the ordeal of visiting a tailor in Ramzan and paying a sky-rocketing amount to get your clothes stitched.

Co-ord Sets

Image Eid Pret ’22 boasts 9 co-ord sets in pastel colours that are done in soft and premium cotton satin fabric that won’t stick to your skin in the summer heat. The sets are embellished with sequins and have detailed, intricate embroidery on them. The brand has also paid special attention to crafting modern cuts; an aspect of clothes that is often overlooked by others.

Kurtas

The new Eid Pret ’22 range has 15 majestically embroidered kurtas in soft pastel tones as well as vibrant and bold hues with laser cut and in-built lace techniques for the woman of today. The lace also adds an aspect of femininity and elegance to the overall collection.

Chikankari And Schiffli Embroidery

The Image Eid Pret ’22 collection features stunning intricate chikankari and schiffli embroidery which are two of Image’s signature embroideries.

This Eid, put your most regal foot forward and captivate everyone’s attention with the Image Pret ’22 collection.To check out the beautiful Eid Pret ’22 collection, visit Image’s website and stores in all prominent locations of the country before stocks run out.

Hadiqa Kiani Angry, Plans To Take Action Against “Theft” Of Boohey Barian

By
Sajeer Shaikh
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Musical crossovers in the subcontinent are not rare, with artists sharing their talent and work from time to time. Many of our artists have graced Indian films and projects in the past, and even the beloved Coke Studio is an undeniable hit across the border. However, it is when music is used and the owner not credited, nor acknowledged in any way – monetary or otherwise – that things begin heating up. Such is the case with Hadiqa Kiani and one of her most iconic (if not THE most iconic) songs, Boohey Barian.

History

In 1998, Hadiqa Kiani released her second album, Roshni, that featured songs which still remain etched onto the hearts of music fanatics. Amongst the many songs on the album, Boohey Barian, the sixth single on the album by Hadiqa Kiani, resonated and struck a chord with so many people that it is still considered to be one of the most well-known Pakistani songs.

The “Theft”

Hadiqa Kiani recently took to her stories to address the frequent thieving of her songs. This time around, Kanika Kapoor’s rendition of Boohey Barian, titled Buhe Baariyan, has become the focal point of Hadiqa’s anger. Posted on Saregama Music’s YouTube channel, the song has credited Gourov Dasgupta and Shruti Rane as composers, with lyrics being credited to Kunwar Juneja. Hadiqa Kiani has so far, not been mentioned anywhere.

The Reaction

In her stories, Hadiqa Kiani addresses how in “another shameless rendition of the song [her] mother wrote,” no one has asked for permission or given her royalties, using the song as an easy “money-making scheme.” She then lists examples of when the song has been stolen, and how half-hearted the attempt at crediting her often is – if at all.

She mentions that if she can chart the due process of royalties when covering songs, others continue to fall short, especially given that she is alive and well. She talks about how she wants to be flattered by these covers, given that it can be seen as a form of paying tribute, but others profiting off of her work is simply not right. Hadiqa Kiani also makes it clear that she has nothing against the singer or anyone else who sings her song – it is the process that irks her. She ends the first story by saying, “Anyways, the theft of Pakistani music continues.”

Nabeel Qureshi’s Reaction

Ace director Nabeel Qureshi (Na Maloom Afraad, Load Wedding) took to his stories to call Kanika Kapoor a “chor,” suggesting that Hadiqa Kiani take action against the song, given the YouTube channel a strike. He stated that the need to take a stand is essential.

Further Developments

Hadiqa Kiani took to her stories once again to double down on the fact that she owns all rights to Boohey Barian, stating that with all documents proving her ownership, her team will be taking action. She reiterates that no company or entity has been given masters or rights to the song. She ends her story by stating that she has stayed silent for long enough.

The Diet Sabya Factor

Recently, Diet Sabya – an Indian hub of digital conversations around fashion and entertainment – took notice of the matter. Someone reached out to Diet Sabya, claiming that Saregama owns the rights, whereas another claim stated that the original owner sold the full rights to the master, speculating that Hadiqa’s mother may have sold the rights to a label in Pakistan, which was then probably acquired by Saregama. This was promptly refuted by Hadiqa, who reiterated that she has never sold any rights to her songs. She went on to mention that many people have illegally claimed her songs since the 90s, but she and her team are now taking appropriate action to prevent this from happening, ensuring justice is served.

Have you heard the new rendition? What’s your take on the matter? Let us know in the comments.

PTV Makes Grand Comeback With An Intriguingly Promising Show

By
Armaan Shehreyaar
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An era ago, Pakistan Television (PTV) ruled our living rooms with exceptional content, meaningful dramas, and shows that not only entertained us, but highlighted several social issues and psychological aspects that enlightened deeply. PTV is ready to make a grand comeback after almost two decades with its own drama serial and viewers of all ages are already intrigued.

The Show

An institute in itself, PTV with Mont Blanc Entertainment is bringing a show that seems thrilling, exciting, and has the perfect ingredients to keep the viewers constantly on the edge of their seats. Directed by Abdullah Badini of ‘Ik Thi Rania’ and written by Jo Bichar Gaye’s Ali Moeen, the project is shot in Bahawalpur and shows an intense feudal system, while promising several twists and turns in the plot line.

The Teasers

Six exciting teasers have been released, edited in a way that grips viewers’ attention in just a glimpse. The teaser shows an intense rift between two powerful women who can go to any extent to preserve their power and authority over a piece of land. There is action, conspiracy, and thrill that fills the drama, along with a romantic angle knit in.

The Cast

The project contains a bunch of artists who are seasoned in their field. The cast includes Nadia Afgan, Saman Ansari, Hassan Niazi, Mohsin Gillani, and Sabeeka Imam, among many others. It is also the last acting venture of actress Naila Jaffri (late) who passed away last year after battling cancer. It is delightful to see our beloved PTV reviving with Mont Blanc Entertainment, given that thoughtful content that has been its signature.

With immense hype created around this magnificent looking project that has yet to have its name announced, one can say that we’re intrigued and excited.

Rehbra Trailer Hints At An Exciting Love Story With A Dark Twist

By
Sajeer Shaikh
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Amongst the already vibrant landscape of cinema releases, yet another film has garnered attention – this time around, in the form of the Ahsan Khan-Ayesha Omar starrer, Rehbra. Produced by Saira Afzal and directed by Amin Iqbal, the trailer for the film has dropped, and there’s a lot to unpack.

The Team

Apart from Ahsan Khan and Ayesha Omar in lead roles, the film also stars Sohail Sameer, Miss Pakistan USA 2015, Sarish Khan, Saba Faisal, Adnan Haider, Mohammad Ali, and Ghulam Mohiuddin. The film features music sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Asim Azhar, Suvarna Tiwari, and Aishwarya Majmundar. The project has been co-penned by Shakeel Ahmed Chohan and Asad Ali Shah.

The Premise

Described as a “love story with a twist” by Ahsan Khan himself, the story revolves around Danish (Ahsan Khan) and Bubbly (Ayesha Omar), both of whom have romantic interests of their own. A suave Ahsan greets audiences at the beginning of the trailer, where he is seen riding the waves and beating someone up. This is juxtaposed with Ayesha Omar’s Bubbly, who, as her name suggests, is a quirky, chirpy young woman who isn’t afraid to call out men in public, and is seen to sometimes speak with no filters. Her family seems to be bidding her goodbye before her first solo trip.

We cut to Ahsan Khan’s character immersed in a romantic sequence with Sarish Khan’s character, whilst also pondering over the idea of love – thereby hinting that, perhaps, he may not be in love with the person he is with. The two leads seem to chance upon each other while traveling, and here, Ayesha’s character is in conversation with Ahsan’s, seemingly discussing her betrothed in a foot-in-mouth manner. Yet another sequence of Ayesha’s character with her fiance hints at the fact that she, too, may not fully be happy in the relationship.

The Twist

Rehbra perhaps avoids the risk of being a run-of-the-mill, will-they-won’t-they love story by adding in an essential twist. As the lead pair seem to begin falling in love with each other while questioning their respective realities, the second half of the trailer takes an unexpectedly dark turn, with the introduction of the mysterious, brooding, Sohail Sameer, who chooses violence every time.

The Impact

While the chemistry between Ahsan Khan and Ayesha Omar is enough to entice viewers, the need to find out more regarding the twists and turns creates intrigue around the plot of Rehbra. Backed with an almost Gerua-esque music number in the trailer, it is interesting to watch Pakistani cinema gain inspiration and apply it to projects that we can enjoy. Overall, the trailer leaves us with a pair to look out for, and a story about which we have many questions.

Have you seen the Rehbra trailer? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

Lollywood Vs Hollywood: The Battle Of Upcoming Films On Eid

By
Hassan Hassan
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In the race of all Pakistani upcoming films on Eid, a strange addition has caused quite a stir.

Celebratory events and the film business go hand-in-hand across the globe. Cultural and religious festivals of various kinds have always given a push to the film business, resulting in huge box-office turnouts. So solidified is this trend that stars have become known for the festivals on which they release their films. 

Festivals And Films

In Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan are known for their Diwali and Christmas releases, while Salman Khan always banks on Eid for launching his upcoming films. Eid season became a prominent event in Bollywood during the 1990s, where huge Indian blockbusters have been churned out, starting from Madhuri Dixit’s Beta (1992) to Karan Johar’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Kal Ho Na Ho, and Salman Khan’s Dabang, Bodyguard, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, to name a few. Pakistani cinema’s love affair with Eid ul Fitr has been far more deep-rooted since, and this year’s festival is no exception. This year will see five major upcoming films on Eid, namely Dum Mastam, Ghabrana Nahi Hai, Chakkar, Parde Mein Rehne Do, and Tere Bajre Di Rakhi.

The Hiccup

While the industry and fans are eagerly awaiting star-studded upcoming films, there is a certain section who is having cold feet due to some genuine concerns. The competition offered by big budget counterparts from Hollywood and Bollywood at festivals has always been a bone of contention for local filmmakers and investors. The latter have always complained of the spotlight being snatched by these big budget offerings at such crucial events where they grab major chunks of shows, resulting in a limited space for local releases to perform. 

The Impact

There are more than a few occasions where filmmakers have blamed the failures of their films to the unjust assignment of cinema shows/time slots with regards to their films. The claim does have some substance, given the recent example of the Junaid Khan-Mansha Pasha starrer, “Kahe Dil Jidhar” where everyone was left wondering where the film went amidst the brouhaha that surrounded the release of “Spiderman: No Way Home.”

The Pushback

It’s perhaps due to such practices that Pakistani filmmakers in recent years have been able to achieve a temporary ban on foreign (especially Bollywood) upcoming films during the Eid season. In recent years, a temporary ban of two weeks was imposed on such films to ensure adequate performing space for local cinema, though the ban was later squeezed to one week.

The Upcoming Upheaval

This Eid ul Fitr, local cinema offerings aren’t competing with Bollywood, but they do have a strong competitor in the form of “Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” where the film could potentially snatch a major chunk, if not all, of the shows up on its release.

As we analyse the number of shows assigned to the upcoming films this Eid, we see that the first three days are assigned to Pakistani films only. One of Pakistan’s biggest cinema chains, Universal Cinemas, has assigned a rather impressive number of shows to Dum Mastam, where the romantic comedy is getting 19 shows for the first three days of Eid (2nd to 5th May). “Ghabrana Nahi Hai,” “Parde Mein Rehne Do,” are getting 12-13 shows, with Chakkar and “Tere Bajrey Di Rakhi” getting fewer shows.

The famous CUE Cinemas in Lahore has given 13 shows to Dr Strange on the first day of its release on 6th May, while it has assigned a mere 4 shows to Dum Mastam, 3 shows to Ghabrana Nahi Hai, and 3 shows to Parde Mein Rehne Do on average, over its first three days of release.

Nueplex in Karachi has assigned 6 shows to Dr Strange on the first day of its release, while Ghabrana Nahi Hai has been given 10 shows, Parde Mein Rehne Do has 7, and Dum Mastam and Chakkar have 5 shows each. 

The Catch 

Other cinemas are following a similar release regimen. Where the main catch lies is how many shows local upcoming films will receive after the three-day holiday period for local films is over. On Friday, Dr Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness will hit theatres, and that is when the real test of local films shall start. 

The advance booking for the Marvel film started way before that of local releases, and had been receiving an amazing response at cinemas. Cinemas are planning to adjust the number of shows as per the performance, reviews, and word of mouth of local films, and it will be the content that will decide their fate. A shaky performance by local films with the Hollywood film faring better could dramatically shift the balance of the shows being assigned, and hence, could land the prospects of local investors in trouble. 

The Breakdown 

Looking at the example of Universal Cinemas again, which has a capacity of upto 30 shows to one film – if, worst case scenario, no local film performs, Dr Strange could grab all or most of the shows, causing disappointment to local filmmakers and fans alike. A full 8-10 shows for Dr Strange means further increase in the number of its shows in ensuing days. Thus, the performance of local films on the first three days and positive word of mouth is of paramount importance for the local box-office. 

Further Hits

The political fiasco that surrounded the country and grabbed the limelight of media and masses in the first three weeks of Ramadan also placed a dent on the promotional activities of local films. Although these activities have resumed, and have attained full momentum, at the end of the day, it is the content of each film that will help it pass the litmus test of standing against a big release like Dr Strange. If any of the films falter in the first three days, it won’t be “strange” to see it bite the dust and be forgotten in what truly has become a “multiverse of madness.”

9 Upcoming Dramas We’re Extremely Excited For

By
Sajeer Shaikh
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Well, well, well. It seems to be raining content, with teasers dropping left, right, and center. With a bunch of upcoming dramas lined up to hit our screens, here are some that we’re looking forward to watching.

Mor Maharan

The highly anticipated TV One project that stars Sonya Hussyn and Zahid Ahmed, with Owais Khan as its director, and Ali Moeen as its writer, is set to air in 2022, with a few promos making the rounds. While the project has faced a few hiccups with regards to its release, the promising lead duo have already made this an enticing watch.

Dilawaiz

Abdullah Qureshi and Asad Siddiqui’s Dilawaiz, a 7th Sky Entertainment production for Geo TV, is set to showcase soon, with Kinza Hashmi and Affan Waheed as its lead pair. The first look of the show has captivated respective fans of the duo, and it’ll be interesting to see how the plot pans out.

Dekh Tamasha E Roshni

The Ahsan Khan and Hiba Bukhari starrer has already piqued the interest of viewers, who are not only looking forward to seeing how the new pair fares, but are also hooked by the stunning visuals and direction. The 7th Sky Entertainment project also stars Shehzad Sheikh, and Ali Faizan will be handling the directorial helm. One can assume that much like the other upcoming projects, this will be one to keep an eye out for.

Mega PTV Project (Title To Be Announced)

A project so secretive that even the title remains yet to be announced, this aesthetically grand project by PTV is to hit the screens soon. Intrigue and mystery aside, this mega project has been directed by Abdullah Badini, written by Ali Moeen, and has been produced by Zeeshan Ahmed. Powerful performances in the teaser are already captivating many, creating a buzz for when the drama actually airs.

Kesi Teri Khudgarzi

ARY Digital’s upcoming drama seems to be an intriguing watch, with Raidan Shah and Ahmed Bhatti as the writer and director, respectively. With a stellar cast that includes the likes of Naumaan Ijaz, Danish Taimoor, Durefishan Saleem, Atiqa Odho, Shahood Alvi, Zainab Qayyum, Adnan Shah Tipu, and Hammad Shoaib, the Abdullah Seja and IDream Entertainment project has begun teasing viewers with motion posters and promos.

Fraud

The power-packed Saba Qamar, Ahsan Khan, and Mikaal Zulfiqar starrer is perhaps ARY Digital’s most anticipated and stunning project, directed by Saqib Khan, and written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah. With the teasers alone packing a promising punch, watching this is surely going to be a treat.

Pyaar Deewangi Hai

The upcoming Big Bang Entertainment project stars Neelum Muneer and Sami Khan, offering a narrative that revolves around jealousy and love. Written by Misbah Ali Syed and directed by Aabis Raza, this tale will surely have people talking once it hits the screens.

Saaya Season 2

Geo Entertainment’s thriller, that focuses on the “suspenseful return of tragic occurrences” in Sualeha’s family’s life, has Wajiha Saher writing the project, with Sami Sani grasping the directorial reigns. The cast consists of names like Sohail Sameer, Maham Aamir, Mashal Khan, Momina Iqbal, Danial Afzal, Naveed Raza, Saleem Mairaj, Asim Mehmood, Hammad Shoaib, and many more. With teasers out, we’ve got our eyes peeled for this one for sure.

Wehem

Written by Imran Nazir, directed by Adnan Wai Qureshi, and produced by Moomal Entertainment, this HUM TV project is all set to narrate a gripping and thrilling tale, with a promising cast tha consists of Savera Nadeem, Kinza Hashmi, Zaviyar Naumaan Ijaz, Babar Ali, Shamim Hilali, Tara Mehmood, Adnan Samad Khan, Hurriya Mansoor, and others.

With such a long list of upcoming dramas, there is definitely room for celebration in terms of content. Which of these upcoming dramas are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.

The Curious Case Of Overboard Film Promotions

By
Sajeer Shaikh
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Film promotions are, undoubtedly, an essential part of the entire process. Innovative film promotions are always welcome – yet remain to be fully explored. While the cast and crew of most projects follow an almost checklist-type method of campus visits, interviews, BTS videos, and the like, this time around, a few promotions have ruffled feathers.

Film Promotions And Ramazan

People seem to be upset over the fact that certain projects have taken unusual routes this time around. With five films releasing on Eid, it became imperative that a large chunk of promotions take place in Ramazan. Now, here’s the thing. Fortunately or unfortunately, people are a tad bit more emotionally charged within this particular month. Music seems to be a no-go area for most, out of respect. This puts all upcoming projects in murky waters. After all, music is an essential part of all projects. What becomes even more tricky is visiting certain areas and carrying out promotions there, tying this in with the sanctity of that space, and the time during which these promotions are being carried out.

Visiting A Shrine

Recently, team Chakkar visited Karachi’s Abdullah Shah Ghazi Shrine. Not only were pictures and videos made public, but the team posted a vlog regarding the same. Many people took offense to this, with some stating that the team was following the trajectory of Bollywood stars who have been seen to do the same in the past. Some went as far as to point out the irony of going to a shrine to promote a movie, while others called the gesture a joke.

While the team may have been coming from a place of wanting to seek blessings, the fact that it hurt the sentiments of the very public that they are trying to sell tickets to is telling of how insensitive the move may have been. Mixing religion or culturally sensitive elements with entertainment is seldom an intelligent move, and that very fact has been proven this time around as well. Perhaps, the visit could have remained a private ordeal, instead of being included as a promotional move.

Public Promotions With Performances

Recently, the respective teams of Dum Mastam and Parde Mein Rehne Do were seen visiting malls to promote their films. While both films look great in their own right, it is also true that they contain catchy musical numbers. People seemed to take offense at the fact that music and small performances were a part of these promotions in public places in Ramazan.

One can take into consideration the fact that the teams have been working hard within the same month to go out of their way to ensure ticket sales through these promotional means. However, the regard for general sensitivity becomes a huge concern, especially in a religiously charged climate like Pakistan.

The Future Of Film Promotions

This criticism can be applied to most of the films that are awaiting their release. Is it just bad timing for these projects, all of which entail musical numbers and performances of some kind? Is there a larger conversation that must be had on sensitivity? Perhaps, questions around promotions themselves can be raised, where tried and tested formulas may yield some form of results, but could do with tweaking. Must the makers and the audience meet each other halfway somehow, where sentiments are not hurt, yet the goal is obtained?

While intolerance on part of the audience is never ideal, nor acceptable, the fact is that the climate of Pakistan has changed in many ways. At a time when films have suffered enough, what can be done to ensure that people are being reached out to in the most effective manner? Maybe, it’s time to go back to the drawing board and create a new map of navigating through this climate in the most feasible way to ensure mutual satisfaction.

What is your take on these film promotions? Let us know in the comments.

Kaisi Teri Khudgharzi Teasers Seem To Promise An Intense Watch

By
Ozair Majeed
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Ever since the first look of Kaisi Teri Khudgharzi dropped last week, our excitement for this upcoming drama serial by ARY Digital increased. The motion posters and the intriguing teasers promise a high-octane drama and we can’t wait to watch it on our screens. The drama is written by Raidan Shah with Ahmed Bhatti as the director. It features a stellar cast that includes Naumaan Ijaz, Atiqa Odho, Shahood Alvi, Zainab Qayyum, Adnan Shah Tipu, and Hammad Shoaib. Produced by Abdullah Seja and IDream Entertainment, here is all you need to know about Kesi Teri Khudgarzi.

Plot And Characters

The plot depicts the story of a rich and powerful man, played by Naumaan Ijaz. He strongly opposes the decision of his son Shamsher (Danish Taimoor) of marrying a middle-class girl Mehak (Durefishan Saleem). We get to see glimpses of an obsessed lover in Shamsher who will go all out to get what he wants. On the contrary, his father seems to go to the most gruesome extent to call off this relationship. We also see Atiqa Odho as Shamsher’s bechari mother but there is surely more than meets the eye to her character.

Further Revelations

The second teaser opens with the consequences faced by Mehak’s father, played by Shahood Alvi. He is honest, but helpless, and cannot compete with the status and ruthlessness of Shamsher’s father. He also gets blamed for using his daughters to make relationships and becoming rich overnight. We can also sense an angle of a forced marriage. Why all this happened is yet to be seen until the show airs.

Our Reservations

In the past, this time and tested formula of a rich obsessive lover falling for a middle-class girl has grabbed eyeballs. Is Kaisi Teri Khudgharzi another problematic project that normalizes love in the name of harassment? Will it continue to showcase abuse and have the woman give in to it?

The Refreshing Aspect

Kaisi Teri Khudgharzi introduces a new on-screen pair – Danish Taimoor and Durefishan Saleem. The makers have released a separate first look video that features them in a dreamy sequence. The duo not just look stunning, but emote well through their expressions. Veterans Naumaan Ijaz and Atiqa Odho’s past performances have mesmerized viewers in drama serials like Dasht and Nijaat. It would be interesting to see what they will bring to the table this time.

Verdict So Far

The teasers of Kaisi Teri Khudgharzi surely create anticipation. The plot seems a bit ‘been there seen that type’ as of now (and only time will tell, to be honest) but it is a good blend of experienced and promising actors, aesthetically shot with grand visuals. What is your take on the teasers? Let us know in the comments.

Waseem Abbas Sharing His Issues With The Industry Is Truly Eye-Opening

By
Sajeer Shaikh
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Sitting across Nida Yasir for a conversation on a multitude of subjects, father-son duo Waseem Abbas and Ali Abbas graced the set of Shan-e-Suhoor. The constructive back and forth that went on for more than hour consisted of various gems, but one particular segment particularly caught our attention.

Forgetting Legends

When a question regarding the industry was brought up, Ali Abbas stated that while there are many opportunities (that do, however, factor in hard work), the collective memories of all parties involved seems to be lacking. Here, Waseem Abbas animatedly shared how true legends of yesteryears remain forgotten, and are not taken into account. He drew a comparison with our neighboring state, angrily highlighting how there, older stars do not fizzle out.

In what he called a “besharmi ka daur,” Waseem Abbas pointed out, “Woh apne 70 saal purane actor ko nahi marne dete – aap ne sab ko hee maar dia hai.” His disdain for an emphasis on prioritizing glamor was made evident as well. “Thori tameez seekho, thora unko project karna seekho. Yeh humari legacy hai,” stated the star.

Where Does The Responsibility Lie?

Waseem Abbas gave an example about how he struck up a conversation about Habib Jalib with someone, only for the individual to ask who that is. He went on to say that it is not solely the fault of today’s generation – there is not enough material taught or displayed in programs to double as a resource.

Ali Abbas interjected the heated monolog to share that this would be the responsibility of the state, to which Waseem Abbas firmly rejected this idea. At this point, Nida Yasir decided to go for a break. However, Ali began to clarify that his position on the responsibility of the state stemmed from the fact that the archives of PTV were never restored, to which Waseem Abbas stated that there was never a need for that to begin with.

A Closer Look At The Industry

Waseem Abbas then zeroed in on the industry more closely, talking about how the people who once ruled the screens – people whose mere presence was intimidating and commanded respect – have been reduced to parodies or have become the punchline to many jokes. He reiterated that celebrating these names is not the responsibility of the state, but that of private channels. He made it a point to name a few as well, stating how channels like ARY HUM TV, and Geo conduct award shows, but commemoration of these legends is rare.

On Awards

Waseem Abbas then went on to take a dig at award shows as well, highlighting how absurd it is to award people in various ways for different parts of their attire and physical appeal. A frustrated, “What is this?” escaped his mouth at the mere premise of such awards, with him putting forth his belief that these awards lowered the standard and capacity of the institutions.

He even went on to state that while he has the Pride of Performance award, he dare not feel any pride regarding the same, given every third person now has the same award. He reiterated that this devalues the award itself, and such honors must be bestowed upon people with careful deliberation.

A Proposal

Waseem Abbas went on to put forward a proposal, asking why a show cannot be created around the legends of the industry. He states with certainty that the show would be grand, with excellent ratings and viewership.

On Music

He also pondered over the state of music within the industry, asking for even one example of quality music from films in recent times. He even asked Nida for an example from her own film, and then talked about how films have minted crores, simply based on their music as well, highlighting how music has that strength in its presence. Waseem Abbas also mocked the judges on music shows, stating that they themselves don’t know much about music to begin with.

Closing Thoughts

There is much food for thought, and room for both agreement and disagreement within this short interaction. Regardless of whether or not one believes that what has been stated is true, it can be said with certainty that this is an essential debate that must be had. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.

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