‘Parizaad’ & ‘Laapata’ Tackle Social Issues And We’re All For It

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August 9, 2021

Television dramas are an excellent medium for creating awareness among the masses. Dejectedly, the contemporary TRP race has indulged the creators to spice up the dramas by extravagant sets, extortionate locations and ensemble cast. It is safe to state that the majority of dramas are oblivious of social concern. Only a few dramas of the present era create social awareness in a successful manner. Recently the two HUM TV dramas; ‘Parizaad‘ and ‘Laapata‘ addressed social issues prevalent in society.

‘Parizaad’

‘Parizaad’ is a HUM TV project which is written by Hashim Nadeem, directed by Shehzad Kashmiri and produced by MD productions. The cast of this show includes Ahmed Ali Akbar, Nauman Ijaz, Yumna Zaidi, Urwa Hocane, Tipu Shah, Leyla Zuberi, Syed Muhammad Ahmed, Ushna Shah, Mashal Khan, Nadia Afgan, Kiran Tabeer, Madiha Rizvi, Malik Hamid Raza, and many more.

Suicide Prevention Awareness

The third episode highlights the dilemma of suicide. It creates awareness pertaining to suicide prevention. In a particular scene, the male protagonist of the drama Parizaad, played by Ahmed Ali Akbar, devastated by his life, proceeds towards an approaching train in order to take his own life.

An anonymous person resting on the platform, named Ahmed Nawaz, thrusts Parizaad into reality through some powerful and poignant dialogues. He rightly mentions that suicide is nothing but merely a decision made by a person in the spur of the moment. If the person conquers this very fragile moment, they can defeat the suicidal thoughts altogether.

The character further makes the audience realize that a person trapped in suicidal thoughts only needs someone to listen to them. The male protagonist later realizes that it is indeed a matter of a weak moment.

The purpose of the scene is twofold. Firstly, it addressed those who have suicidal tendencies by making them realize that their life is far more worthy than a single weak instance that can render their families’ life devastated. Secondly, it urges the common people to be more vigilant of their surroundings and always help and listen to the victims of suicidal tendencies.

‘Laapata’

‘Laapata’ is another HUM TV project. This drama is written and directed by Khizer Idrees and produced by Momina Duraid. The show has acclaimed actors in the leading cast such as Ayeza Khan, Sarah Khan, Ali Rahman, Goher Rasheed, Asma Abbas and Rabia Noreen.

Female Education and Career After Marriage

The fourth episode of this project accentuates the true meaning of women empowerment and the role of a female in society after marriage. The protagonist of the show, Falak played by Sarah Khan, confronts her sister, who solely depends upon her husband for financial support despite the fact that she, herself, holds an MBA degree.

The scene advocates the need for women to work after marriage not only for the progress of the country but also for their own financial independence. Such type of awareness is highly crucial in our society as women often quit education after marriage and seldom pursue their careers.

The creators urged the women to have their own independent identities even after marriage and to work with their husbands side-by-side for the realization of their mutual dreams.

Social Responsibility

Pakistani dramas have humongous viewership. Viewers develop an emotive nexus with characters of their favourite shows, where they are strongly influenced by the characters in dramas. By virtue of this emotional bond, creators must advocate the social issues and create awareness through the powerful execution of storylines to ensure the television medium can contribute towards the betterment of society in the most effective way.

Faryal Mehmood Opens Up On Divorce And Controversies

By

Ifrah Butt

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August 9, 2021

In a recent appearance on Ahsan Khan’s show, Faryal Mehmood addressed several rumours around her relationship status and past controversies, involving Hareem Farooq and Sonya Hussyn.

She’s Single

Although the couple refuted reports of them splitting up earlier, it seems now that actors Faryal Mehmood and Daniyal Raheel are no longer together. The news comes as a shocker to the couple’s fans as both Daniyal and Faryal looked absolutely lovely together and very much in love when they tied the knot back in May 2020.

She confirmed rumours of her separation by stating “I am now single” when the host questioned her.

Her Past Statement

Earlier, the news was rife that Faryal Mehmood had split up from husband Daniyal Raheel after seven months of her marriage. However, both Faryal and Daniyal rejected the rumours and Faryal went on to post a note on her Instagram as well.

“I have been noticing posts all over social media about me and my husband splitting up! Just because I don’t post pictures of him on a regular basis considering we have conflicting schedules, we chose to spend time with each other instead of trying to show and prove to you guys that our marriage is surviving.”

Later in the same show, Faryal also discussed that she wanted a man to have a brain for him to be eligible to marry him. Faryal talked about her single status thrice in the show stating, “I mean people are seeing me and observing that I am single, which is very obvious, so why to discuss it.”

It seems like Faryal and Daniyal are no longer together and have separated. Even though it comes as sad news, we wish Faryal and Daniyal all the very best in their individual futures.

Addressing Hareem Farooq Controversy

The entire show with Ahsan Khan turned out to be a fun affair with Faryal and Ahmed Jahanzeb together. Apart from addressing her marital status and not shedding much light on it, Faryal also commented on how that one controversy where she said “Hareem Farooq wouldn’t fit in a car,” was blown out of proportion.

“The rest of the names that I had to list were of my friends except Hareem so I just joked around that she wouldn’t fit. It was all just a good-natured joke and I weighed more than Hareem at that time,” said Faryal.

Faryal’s Response To Sonya’s Statement

Faryal also addressed the issue where Sonya Hussyn had multiple times refused to know who she was. “Unfortunate for Sonya and fortunate for me, I replaced her in a film and she went on to state, twice, that she didn’t know who I was. But she does know who I am, we have worked together and she also body-shamed me some time back. It was a long debate between us where she said something and I refuted but she does know me,” said Faryal jokingly adding that even if Sonya didn’t know her, she did know Sonya and she is a good actress.

‘Dunk’ Meets A Predictable End

By

Aliya Tajwar

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August 9, 2021

‘Dunk’ has been one of the most controversial dramas in recent times, due to its storyline. It has been debated that this project attenuates the grievous situation of harassment cases in Pakistan. Although Fahad Mustafa, the producer of this project, stated that the show is based on a true story, netizens maintained that only the initial part of the play is inspired by a true event, whilst the succeeding plot is merely a work of fiction. A story based on the false allegation of harassment is highly insensitive and injudicious on the part of the creators, in view of the rampant sexual- harassment cases in the country.

Cast and Creators

‘Dunk’ is an ARY Digital drama, written by Mohsin Ali Shah and directed by Badar Mehmood. The project has an ensemble cast, including Sana Javed, Bilal Abbas Khan, Naumaan Ijaz, Yusra Rizvi, Fahad Sheikh, Laila Wasti, Azekah Daniel, Saife Hasan, Salma Hasan, Shahood Alvi and Gul-E-Rana.

Story

The show follows the story of a guileful and ferocious girl named Amal, played by Sana Javed, who accuses a male university professor Humayun, played by Noman Ijaz, of harassment.

Amal’s fiancée Haider, played by Bilal Abbas, is a young and impulsive boy. He makes Humayun and his family’s life miserable. However, he subsequently becomes aware of Amal’s malicious allegations against professor Humayun.

Meanwhile, the professor commits suicide due to immense social pressure and unspeakable sufferings of his little daughter and wife Saira, played by Yusra Rizvi. Upon this dejected revelation, Haider abandons Amal on their Mehndi night but does not reveal the reason behind his action. Devastated, Amal successfully gathers all the sympathies of the family while Haider becomes the victim of the wrath of his own family including his father and brother.

Subsequently, Amal marries Haider’s brother Safeer, played by Fahad Sheikh. She vows to take the most brutish revenge against Haider. The following episodes showcase the demeaning and cunning actions of Amal, as she ultimately forces Haider into marrying Minal, played by Azekah Danial.

In order to completely annihilate Haider, Amal alleges him of an attempt to rape. In short, she goes beyond every limit to satisfy her vengeance. But when Haider’s mother and his wife strengthen him to fight for his dignity, the tables turn. The last two episodes are mainly based on the end of devious Amal.

Performances

The performances of the actors in the whole show are phenomenal. Starting with Sana Javed, who convincingly plays the role of a vicious girl with an apparently angelic aura. Her acting and expressions throughout the drama are exceptional.

Likewise, Bilal Abbas Khan was highly appreciated by netizens for his incredible performance in the whole serial. The drama gives him the margin to showcase his acting skills. In a number of scenes, he delivers no dialogue and yet he binds the audience with his emotional and heart-tugging expressions.

Similarly, Yusra Rizvi did a marvellous job of portraying the role of a helpless widowed mother. Laila Wasti gives one of the best performances of her career. She nails the role of a strong mother who can face the whole world for her son. Azekah Danial and Fahad Sheiks’ acting is worth praising in the role of a supporting spouse. In the last episode, the acting of Amal’s parents, played by Salma Hasan and Saife Hasan, is heart-rending.

Direction

Badar Mehmood is one of the most acclaimed directors of Pakistan, with an extended list of exceptional work to his credit, such as ‘Balaa’, ‘Cheekh’, ‘Aisi Hai Tanhai’, ‘Ishqiya’. The drama is well directed and executed.

Few scenes from this show give the audience goosebumps, including Amal and the professor’s scene of false harassment and Amal and Haider’s scene of a rape attempt. The persistent pain of the professor’s family is rightly projected along with the guilt of Haider and his subsequent legal battle in search of justice.

The Last Two Episodes

In the last double episode, Haider records the confession made by Amal. He reveals her truth to her father, who is unable to absorb the rancorous truth and takes his own life. Devastated by her husband’s death, Amal’s mother reaches court to confront her daughter. This scene is over dramatised.

After the demise of her father, Amal acknowledges her malicious actions and reaches jail. On the other hand, the university committee acquits late professor Humayun from harassment charges. Haider lives happily ever after with his family.

The last episode is not full of surprises at all, as the viewers only witness two aforementioned events. The rest of the episode is filled with emotional redressal by the characters. The last scene of Saira on Humayun’s grave is exceptionally executed. It definitely tugs at the audience’s heartstrings.

However, the question arises: is the consequence enough? The punishment for the false allegations of an attempt to rape and harassment cannot be extended beyond 10 years at maximum. After a few years, Amal will return to her family. The only loss suffered by Amal is the loss of her father. A vicious protagonist, who killed two innocent souls, and made the life of almost every character of the show miserable, should have met a more severe punishment. Also, the drama was stretched and predictable.

Conclusion

Dunk as a drama is a well-directed project coupled with amazing performances and an unconventional story. However, the storyline of the drama is somewhat insensitive and insouciant with the contemporary situation of women in the country.

Currently, there is not even a single TV project that solely highlights the issue of female harassment and their subsequent struggle in society. In such a dire situation, there was no need for a megaproject on the topic of false allegations of harassment.
No doubt that fictitious cases of harassment exist, but in comparison to true ones, such cases are negligible. Nonetheless, other creators should step forward in creating more projects which rightly accentuate the topics of harassment faced by women and their subsequent suffering in this regard.

Did You Know These Indian Actors Have Worked In Pakistani Films?

By

Ifrah Butt

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August 7, 2021

Ever since separation and their respective stands about Kashmir, India and Pakistan haven’t really been on good terms. Tensions have always existed between the two countries and things have been on the edge ever since the Pulwama incident in India. In fact, tensions escalated to such a point that every Pakistani artist who had been working in India was banned for an indefinite period of time. And even though artists from both countries have collaborated in the past in films and dramas, there have been strict no Pakistani or Indian actor policies implemented in both countries.

So while we wait for the ban to be lifted on both sides of the border, let’s reminisce the time and actors from India, who have previously worked in Pakistani films.

Sheila Ramani

Late Bollywood actress Sheila Ramani was probably the first Indian actress to do a Pakistani film after partition. Sheila Ramani originally hails from Sindh, Pakistan and did a Pakistani movie called ‘Anokhi’ in 1959. Although Sheila was known as one of the boldest Indian actresses, Sheila did ‘Anokhi’ on the insistence of her uncle.

Johnny Lever

The famous comedian from India worked in a film called ‘Love Mein Ghum’ starring Moammar Rana and Reema Khan. The film was directed and produced by Reema Khan herself and was shot in Baku, Azerbaijan and Malaysia.

Shweta Tiwari

Shweta Tiwari once happened to be India’s darling television starlet with her role as Prerna in Ekta Kapoor’s ‘Kasautii Zindagii Ki’ on Star Plus. Shweta too appeared in a Pakistani film titled ‘Sultanat’, which had released in 2014 and was created and directed by Syed Faisal Bukhari. ‘Sultanat’ was panned on the box office owing to a weak storyline and a string of controversial songs.

Naseeruddin Shah

Now Naseeruddin Shah is a name that needs no introduction. The veteran Indian actor has done remarkable work not only in India but in Pakistan too. His most memorable work in Pakistan happens to be ‘Khuda Kay Liye’ that released in 2007. The film was directed by Shoaib Mansoor and also starred Fawad Khan, Shaan and Iman Ali. ‘Khuda Kay Liye’ happens to be one of the best Pakistani films to be produced to date. Naseeruddin Shah also starred in the 2013 ‘Zinda Bhaag’.

Kirron Kher

The gorgeous and immensely talented Indian actress, Kirron Kher starred in a 2003 Pakistani film ‘Khamosh Pani’. Directed by Sabiha Sumar, ‘Khamosh Pani’ won several awards including the Best Actress Award for Kirron Kher at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. The film was shot in a Pakistani village and was released in both India and Pakistan.

Shilpa Shukla

Majorly known for her role as Bindiya in Chak De! India, Shilpa Shukla was also a part of Sabiha Sumar’s ‘Khamosh Pani’. It would be interesting to note that ‘Khamosh Pani’ happens to be Shilpa’s debut film and one which helped her get noticed.

Om Puri

An Indian veteran actor who needs no introduction. Om Puri has been a part of quite a few Pakistani films. The late actor’s most famous contribution to Pakistani cinema happens to be the Fahad Mustafa starrer ‘Actor In Law’, which also starred Mehwish Hayat in a pivotal role and has been directed by Nabeel Qureshi under Filmwala Productions. The production house also paid a tribute to Om Puri after his passing in their film ‘Load Wedding’. Where he appeared as Fahad Mustafa’s character’s Raja’s late father.

Nausheen Ali Sardar

Nausheen Ali Sardar more famous for her role as Kkusum in Ekta Kapoor’s drama serial of the same name, also featured in a couple of Pakistani films. Nausheen acted in the film, “Mein Ek Din Laut Kay Aaoon Ga” directed by Javed Fazil and starred alongside the likes of Humayun Saeed, Nadeem and Jawed Sheikh.

Neha Dhupia

Most famously known for her bold, romantic-action film, ‘Julie’, Neha Dhupia also tried her luck on this side of the border. Neha made her debut in Pakistani films with the film ‘Kabhi Pyar Na Karna’ directed by Javed Raza. The film also starred Zara Sheikh, Moammar Rana and Veena Malik in leading roles.

Vinod Khanna

The lover boy of Bollywood, veteran actor Vinod Khanna also starred in the Pakistani version of the famous Hollywood series ‘Godfather’. The film was directed by Hriday Shetty and Khanna played the main character in the film. The movie had released in Pakistan in 2007.

Alongside the above mentioned Indian actors, a number of other prominent and less prominent actors from Bollywood have been part of Pakistani cinema as well. This includes Arbaaz Khan, Preeti Jhangiani, Hrishita Bhatt, Kim Sharma, Nafisa Ali, Chetan Hansraj, Achint Kaur, Govind Namdeo, Deepak Shirke, Akashdeep Sehgal, Amrita Arora, Shehzad Khan, Kanwaljit Singh, Kunika, Pooja Kanwal, Aditi Singh, Shaheen Khan and Simran. Hopefully, the geopolitical situation can get better, so the two countries’ artists can collaborate once again and there’s no limit to creativity.

5 Pakistani Actors We Want To See In Dramas Again

By

Amina Ahmed Malik

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August 6, 2021

Fahad Mustafa, Mehwish Hayat, Ali Zafar, Sanam Saeed, Fawad Khan

In the midst of the pandemic, one of the things that have kept people going is the company of their screen family. There is a clear spike in the content that is being produced and watched on our television screens. Dramas have dominated late mornings, early afternoons and evenings of pretty much every household in Pakistan. Be it weekdays or weekends, every family is glued to their screens and engulfed in a new storyline.

There is always room for debate on who wants to watch what and who, but the five Pakistani actors listed below are extremely loved and popular amongst the masses, and fans definitely want to see them in dramas again.

1. Fawad Khan

The actor, producer, screenwriter, model and singer gained popularity through his roles as Ashar in ‘Humsafar’ and Zaroon in ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’, which placed him as one of the top leading male actors in Pakistan.

Over the course of his career, Fawad Khan has enjoyed huge success, starring in big blockbuster films across the border such as ‘Khoobsurat’, ‘Kapoor & Sons’ and ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’. Fawad Khan has received several awards. We have seen him in dramas such as ‘Humsafar’ and ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’, to name a few.

The audiences have been waiting for too long to see Fawad Khan back on their television screens since his last drama ‘Numm’ was released in 2013. He’s a superstar whose stardom doesn’t change, no matter how less of his presence is seen.

Though the wait might be almost over as there are speculations that Fawad Khan will be making his grand comeback through the drama serial ‘Joh Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo’, which was announced last year. However, there is no official confirmation yet. If it turns out to be true then this will be one of the most anticipated dramas.

2. Ali Zafar

A singer, songwriter, model, actor, producer and screenwriter, Ali Zafar started his career from the comic sitcom ‘Kollege Jeans’. This cult sitcom was followed by ‘Kanch Kai Par’ and ‘Landa Bazaar’, which showcased the more serious side of Ali Zafar’s craft. His performance in ‘Landa Bazaar’ is an example of how he held his own with some of the most versatile senior actors, and the audience loved his character as Ramis.

Ali Zafar has proven himself time and again, especially with the numerous hit movies at the box office across the border. Recently, he secured his place again as a versatile actor through his blockbuster movie ‘Teefa in Trouble’, where we saw him playing a romantic hero with top-notch action sequences.

Pakistani audience is keenly anticipating Ali’s comeback on TV through a drama serial. He has given his voice to numerous OSTs for many shows. Though his projects on the television screen are numbered, the audience would definitely want to see him in a drama.

3. Fahad Mustafa

A film and television actor, in addition to being a producer, Fahad Mustafa is best known as a TV host and anchor in the ‘Jeeto Pakistan’ game show. He has already established himself as one of the most popular leading actors in the Pakistani entertainment industry.

He has a list of drama serials under his belt that established him as a performance-based actor in titles such as ‘Tum Jo Mile’, ‘Kankar’, and ‘Daagh’ to name a few.

The actor was first noticed in ‘Sheeshay Ka Mahal’. He also got instant success after portraying a challenging role in ‘Main Abdul Qadir Houn’. Fahad Mustafa hasn’t been seen in dramas for six years as he seems to be more inclined towards production and hosting, but his fans are desperately waiting to watch him perform in a drama again.

4. Mehwish Hayat

The Pakistani film and television actress is known for her roles in films like ‘Actor in Law’, ‘Punjab Nahin Jaungi’, ‘Load Wedding’ and ‘Chhalawa’; all ranked among the highest-grossing Pakistani films. Over the course of the last few years, we have seen her in TV serials such as ‘Dillagi’, ‘Kami Reh Gayee’ and many more.

Mehwish Hayat was honoured by the Government of Pakistan with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in the year 2019. There was a debate around if she deserved to get the most honorary award in the country, however, her loyal fan base believes that she has proven her mettle time and again.

Mehwish Hayat is still at the peak of her career and has shown her prowess as an actress through her performance in the famed drama, ‘Meray Qatil Meray Dilbar’, which marked a significant turning point in her career. A lesser-known fact is that Mehwish Hayat made her debut appearance at the age of 17. She is undoubtedly one of the most iconic actresses right now.

There were rumours that she would be a part of ‘Main Manto Nahin Houn’, however, that was denied by the production team, disappointing several of her fans, who are hoping to see her soon in dramas.

5. Sanam Saeed

A Pakistani actress, singer and former model who predominantly works in movies and television, Sanam Saeed is a face that people love to see because she has been very canny with her choices of projects.

Her performances in ‘Daam’ and ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’ have stayed with the audience. ‘Deedan’, ‘Diyar-e-Dil’, ‘Ek Kasak Reh Gayi’ are also worthwhile mentions. Sanam Saeed’s strength lies in the conviction with which she portrays her characters.

We have seen her execute supporting roles very comfortably and with the same conviction as any leading role. Though it’s been a few years since she has been part of a drama. Let’s hope that she features in one soon.

A good actor makes you forget that you’re watching a performance and a star makes you want more. They have the ability to inhabit a role so convincingly that you are lost in the story and make the character iconic. The five actors mentioned above have proven to be people’s favourites and the viewers cannot wait to host them in their lounges and watch them on TV screens again.

International Battle Royal Game ‘Free Fire’ Is Now Available In Urdu

By

Galaxy Lollywood

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August 6, 2021

One of the world’s most downloaded battle royale games, ‘Free Fire’ has recently updated to a new version; OB20, in which the game has introduced the Urdu language. This will allow people from all sorts of educational and language backgrounds found in Pakistan to understand and play ‘Free Fire’ easily.

Why Urdu

‘Free Fire’ eSports has grown massively in Pakistan. It is the first game brand to partner with the Government of Pakistan’s E-PAK initiative to promote eSports in Pakistan. Urdu is the most spoken and understandable language across Pakistan. The international free-to-download game wants to make its user experience more simple and accessible.

‘Free Fire’s’ user interface can now be switched from English labels to Urdu, including buttons and other critical information necessary to navigate around the user interface. It’s a game that has gone beyond the regular standards for the gamers of Pakistan.

What is ‘Free Fire’

‘Free Fire’ is known for its unique aspects; fun, connections and friends, strategy and competition. These competencies of the game are the result of the collective efforts put in by its product development, marketing, partnerships, and eSports teams at Garena.

The game has over 35 unique characters, and each character has a special ability that can be used to give it an advantage in a certain domain. These characters and their abilities can be further assisted by pets. Just like real-world pets, the in-game pet follows the character everywhere and amplifies one of the abilities.

The game offers a lot of different guns, pet skins and costumes for the characters. It also has a range of different maps that can host up to 52 players in a single game session, as well as different game modes that allow for small and shorter games with more interesting rules.

The concepts of squads and guilds take the connection and competitive element of the game to a whole new level. A squad is a small group of 4 people who can play as a team in a single game. Guild is a huge team, more like a huge clan, that can have up to 50 people under the same clan tag. They can put together the players from their guild to represent their clan at official and unofficial ‘Free Fire’ tournaments.

Events and Giveaways

‘Free Fire’ has been promoting huge ‘Free Fire’ eSports events for its users, both locally and internationally, one after another. On every major local and international occasion, the royal battle game brings exciting events, contests, giveaways, and in-game items for its users. Their users love these bursts of excitement, in-game and out-of-game giveaways.

Independence Day Event

On 14 August, ‘Free Fire’ is bringing an exciting photo contest and some in-game missions that can help the users win some very valuable in-game items. For the Jashan-e-Azadi event, users can download ‘Free Fire’ and start completing missions starting on 9August till 14August.

Points obtained by completing these missions can be redeemed on 14 August for valuable in-game prizes, such as 1 of the 4 special female bundles, a duck pet skin – DJ Beanie, “Let’s go” Emote, Soundwave Thrasher and much more.

Pakistani Survival Style Photo Contest

The contest aims to highlight and talk on a lighter note, about some of the common struggles that young Pakistanis normally face, with their parents, teachers or even people from the same group, on daily basis.

The photo contest is a way to help them express their struggles in an entertaining way and celebrate Independence Day acknowledging the endurance and dedication that the young generation has shown and the love they have for the country.

All you have to do for this contest is:

Take a photo of yourself indulged in one of the typical daily life struggles as a Pakistani. To assist you with ideas, you can refer to the list of desi struggles posted below.

Next, post this photo on your Facebook or Instagram profile with the post visibility set to ‘public’ along with a caption describing the struggle and hashtags #FFMySurvivalStyle #FreeFirePK.

Copy and paste the link of your post in the comments section of this post: https://tinyurl.com/PKsurvivalstylecontest

Wait for the ‘Free Fire’ team to pick the top 20 contestants and publish their submissions for public voting on ‘Free Fire’s’ official social channel

Top 20 submissions will be posted for the first round of voting between 12 August (night) and 15 August. The top 5, top 2 and the winner will be announced on 16 August.

It is a chance to win a smartphone, power banks, gaming earphones, ‘Free Fire’ gift hampers and valuable in-game costumes.

Download the first battle royale game in Urdu from https://freefire.onelink.me/Io8U/5047079b

Play ‘Free Fire’ this August to join interesting events, especially on 14 August to win various gifts.

Farhan Saeed and Hania Aamir Pair Up For ARY Digital’s Upcoming Drama

By

Warshma Chughtai

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August 5, 2021

After showing great chemistry in the music video of the song ‘Piyaar Sufiyana’, Farhan Saeed and Hania Aamir are set to act together for the first time in an upcoming drama by ARY Digital and Humayun Saeed’s production house, Six Sigma Plus. The working title of the show is ‘Jhooti’.

Creators

It is written by Saira Raza and helmed by ‘Neeli Zinda Hai’s’ director Qasim Ali Mureed. The latter has previously worked with Farhan Saeed in Prem Gali and the much-anticipated film ‘Tich Button’.

The director revealed to Galaxy Lollywood that the drama isn’t just another run-of-the-mill story; it has a contemporary angle. He added that the premise of ‘Jhooti’ is relatable yet different from what is already shown on television and it will be a “roller coaster of emotions”.

Cast

Farhan Saeed was last seen in ‘Prem Gali’ and Hania Aamir was part of a telefilm ‘Dil Ke Chor’ this year and drama ‘Dil Ruba’ in 2020. The pair will also be working together in Wajahat Rauf’s directorial web series ‘Ruswayi’. The project has been shot but no release date has been announced yet.

‘Jhooti’ will also feature Zoya Nasir, Osama Tahir, Hira Khan, Angeline Malik, Samina Ahmad, Waseem Abbas and Saba Hamid.

It will be exciting to see the chemistry of this fresh pair in a drama. Stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood for all the updates.

Parizaad & Laapata: HUM TV’s Obsession With Blackface

By

Kasim Bilal

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August 5, 2021

The entertainment industry in any country plays a huge role in educating the masses and spreading awareness on social issues. Our TV shows have tackled all sorts of serious and important topics; rape, infidelity, child marriages, mental health and many more. The dramas try to be as bold as the system allows them to be.

HUM TV is one of those leading channels addressing these issues through storytelling. However, it is baffling to see their current obsession with blackface and how they keep messing up due to their colourism.

Colourism and Blackface

People with a dark complexion are seen as inferior to those with a light skin tone in parts of our society. This sort of discrimination naturally extends to our entertainment industry as well. The majority of our leading ladies and men are light-skinned with very few exceptions.

Blackface stems from colourism and is the act where someone with light skin, through the use of makeup, imitates the appearance of a dark-skinned person.

Parizaad

The drama serial ‘Parizaad’, which is only just three episodes in as of now, is being heavily criticized. As soon as the character looks were revealed, Ahmed Ali Akbar’s look as the titular character Parizaad generated a lot of chatter.

A show that is being sold as progressive and representation for dark-skinned people choosing to cast a light-skinned actor to have him painted black is irresponsible and shows complete ignorance of the real issue.

Although Ahmed is doing a remarkable job from an acting standpoint, his casting in itself is problematic. This show had the potential to be game-changing had they cast an actor who did not conform to conventional standards of beauty. It could have broken the barriers holding back those actors and actresses.

Laapata

The show debuted last week on Wednesday. This was yet another highly anticipated show marred by its insensitive and out of touch casting. In this instance, it’s Ali Rehman Khan who does not fit with his character.

Why write a role of a guy with a visibly tanned complexion, only to cast an actor with probably one of the lightest skin tones in the Pakistan entertainment industry. Ali has clearly been put under a ton of makeup for this role.

This is yet another example of how progressive and refreshing it might have been had an actually tanned actor been cast in the role instead.

One thing to note here is that while ‘Parizaad’ has already gotten its fair share of criticism, viewers don’t seem to have an issue here. It seems as if brownface isn’t as egregious to some as is the case with blackface. We will have to see if the general opinion on that changes as the show gains an audience.

It’s shockingly tone-deaf even for our industry and the irony seems to be lost on HUM TV regarding the issue. Needless to say, this new trend that the channel seems to be developing needs to be stopped before we start seeing it everywhere. It should be a no-brainer as to what sort of actor needs to be cast if the role demands a tanned character.

We know actors are meant to embody any role they are given. However, this is an issue deeply rooted in colourism which has plagued our media forever and it needs to change. This should be a moment of growth for HUM TV and a lesson for other drama channels. We hope we can move past this and look forward to more inclusiveness in our shows in the near future.

7 Pakistani Dramas Inspired By True Events

By

Aliya Tajwar

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August 4, 2021

Every person we meet has a distinct story and few of these stories are worth telling. Drama is an excellent medium to project real-life events. The role of a writer is highly crucial in this regard. They must draw a balance between fiction and reality.

A drama based on real stories touches the audience on a different level. It provides a deep insight into our society and projects the ethos of contemporary society via television screens. Here’s a list of Pakistani dramas that are inspired by true events:

Baaghi

Honour killing of the internet sensation Qandeel Baloch in 2016 shook the whole country. In 2017, the Drama ‘Baaghi’ aired on Urdu 1, which is said to be based on her life. This project was written by Shazia Khan and directed by Farooq Rind. It was presented by Urdu 1 and Paragon Production. The promising cast of the show includes Saba Qamar, Osman Khalid Butt, Khalid Malik, Ali Kazmi, Irfan Khoosat, Sarmad Khoosat, and Saba Faisal. Gohar Mumtaz appeared in a cameo role, playing himself.

The drama projects the story of a rebellious young girl named Fauzia, played by Saba Qamar, who lives in a village and has extraordinary dreams. Melancholic life events compel her to choose a rather strenuous life to upgrade her extremely poor family’s status.

The female protagonist takes the audience to her quirky journey of life, with shades of struggle, love, money, agony and despair, till she meets her tragic death at the hands of her own brother.

Meri Guriya

‘Meri Guriya’ aired on ARY Digital in 2018. It was written by Radain Shah, directed by Ali Hassan and produced by Big Bang Entertainment. The cast entails some outstanding actors such as Sania Saeed, Sonya Hussyn and Mohsin Abbas Haider. The story is based on the prevalent issue of child rape and is inspired by true stories. Mohsin Abbas Haider plays the convincing role of a rapist and serial killer.

It rightly projects the suffering of victim’s families and the fault-riddled role of police in this regard. This show was highly praised for its non-conventional storyline and thought-provoking execution.

Manto

‘Manto’ aired on Geo TV in the year 2017. The drama was a conversion of the film of the same name, released in 2015, which received international accolades. The critically acclaimed show is a tragic biopic of the most controversial writer of the subcontinent Sadaat Hassan Manto.

It has an ensemble cast including Sarmad Khoosat as Manto, Sania Saeed as Manto’s wife, Saba Qamar as Madam Noor Jahan. This project was written by Shahid Nadeem, directed by Sarmad Khoosat and produced by Babar Javed.

The drama depicts the struggles of Manto from his migration to Pakistan in 1948, till his tragic death in 1955. It also showcases the dejected realities of our life from Manto’s perspective. This drama is intriguing and enthralling at the same time.

Sabz Pari Laal Kabootar

‘Sabz Pari Lal Kabootar’ is a social drama by Geo TV which aired in 2012. It was written by Amna Mufti, directed by Babar Javed and produced by A&B Entertainment. This drama has a few of the most promising actors in the lead, such as Faisal Qureshi, Nimra Bucha, Mohib Mirza and Sami Khan.

The story is inspired by the real-life events of a drug addict rickshaw driver Rafiq, played by Faisal Qureshi, who takes some desperate steps under the influence of a fake peer. Centred on lower-class families, this drama paints the stark reality of society. The main protagonist reaches a desperate state to satisfy his urges of drugs and obsession with an Indian film star. Ultimately sacrifices his own four children. The distinct storyline and exceptional performances of the actors make this drama a must-watch.

Rehaai

‘Rehaai’ was a social drama of Hum TV, written by Farhat Ishtiaq, directed by Mehreen Jabbar, and produced by Kashf Foundation & MD Productions. It was released in 2013. The drama has a stellar cast including Noman Ijaz, Samina Peerzada, Saniya Shamshad, Danish Taimoor and Nausheen Shah. It is based on the issue of child marriage and the subsequent struggle of such girls. This project was partially funded by Kashf Foundation.

The story is based on the lives of the various women rescued by Kashf Foundation. The writer got inspiration from the real events of various victims of child marriage and their consequential struggles in life. This drama is very well directed and rightly highlights the societal mindset.

Mein Sitara

‘Mein Sitara’ aired in 2016. It was written by Faiza Iftikhar, directed by Seema Taher Khan and produced by TV ONE. This star-studded drama has amazing actors such as Meera, Noman Ijaz, Saba Qamar, Mikaal Zulfiqar, and Hassan Ahmed.

‘Mein Sirata’ is said to be based on the real-life of a Pakistani actress, played by Saba Qamar. This show is an emotional journey of a poor girl who becomes a big name in the industry. The drama showcases the struggles of female actors and their socio-cultural status in societies like Pakistan. The story displays shades of love, struggle, reality, despair and hope.

Khaani

‘Khaani’ aired on Geo TV in the year 2017. This blockbuster drama was written by late Asma Nabeel, directed by Anjum Shehzad and produced by 7th Sky Entertainment. The cast of the show includes Feroze Khan, Sana Javed, Saman Ansari, Mehmood Aslam, Rashid Farooqui, Salma Hassan, Qavi Khan, and Seemi Pasha.

The drama is loosely based on a tragic event of the killing of a young man at the hands of the feudal boy, played by Feroze Khan, who ultimately falls in love with the victim’s sister. Although the storyline was inspired by a real incident, it takes a fictional approach with the narrative.

The writer created hope in society and in the justice system as a whole. In reality, the feudal boy got away with being charged for the crime. However, in the drama, the male protagonist goes through a series of events that ultimately make him a better person who willfully ends up in jail.

The purpose of dramas is two-fold. They are not only the medium of entertainment but an instrument of social change as well. Therefore, the television industry must also produce stimulating projects with exceptional and reality-based storylines for the betterment of society.

ARY Digital Boasts Impressive List Of Shows To Dazzle Audiences

By

Kasim Bilal

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August 3, 2021

ARY Digital is known for extravagant sets, remarkable ensembles and bold projects highlighting social issues. They sure know how to keep their audience captivated. Staying consistent with its brand of glamour and high-end storytelling, the network has an impressive lineup of content for its viewers.

Here is a list of what to look forward to:

Sinf-e-Aahan

The mega project boasts of a stellar cast, including Sajal Aly, Yumna Zaidi, Kubra Khan, Syra Yousuf and Ramsha Khan. Not only is the cast brilliantly talented, but the creators are also renowned; Samina Humayun Saeed, Sana Shahnawaz of Next Level Entertainment, Humayun Saeed and Shahzad Nasib of Six Sigma Plus, in association with ISPR. It created a buzz when Humayun Saeed shared a picture of the team on social media in June. He said that it is “a project that is based on the extremely important and needed subject of women empowerment.” This is one of the most anticipated dramas of the year.

Mein Haari Piya

It is penned by the acclaimed novelist Qaisera Hayat, who was also behind hits like ‘Alif Allah Aur Insaan’ and ‘Saya-e-Dewar Bhi Nahi’. ‘Dunk’ director Badar Mehmood will helm this project. The show features a fresh pairing with Hira Mani and Sami Khan in the leading roles. The cast also includes Sumbul Iqbal and Hamza Sohail. Seeing the names attached to it and this new exciting pairing, we cannot wait to experience it.

Berukhi

Previously titled ‘Hum Na Thay Be Mehar,’ ‘Berukhi’ is directed by Mohsin Mirza of ‘Phir Wohi Mohabbat’. Writer Ghazala Naqvi, behind shows like ‘Mohey Piya Rang Laga’ and Badnaam’, has written the script. Junaid Khan and Hiba Bukhari are set to be the leads. Nazish Jahangir and Umair Rafiq will also be seen in pivotal roles. The show is currently in its shooting process.

Shaam Se Pehlay

The show is helmed by Ahmed Bhatti of ‘Shehnai’ and ‘Ghisi Piti Mohabbat’. Nadia Ahmed has penned the script. Yet another new pairing will be seen here with Saboor Aly, Usama Khan and Shehroz Sabzwari in the main roles. We have yet to get any release dates, but the show has already created hype on social media because of the exciting cast.

Amaanat

Shahid Shafaat, who directed shows like ‘Tou Dil Ka Kya Hua’, will helm this project. The show has an impressive ensemble with names like Imran Abbas, Urwa Hocane, Saboor Aly, Haroon Shahid, Asad Siddiqui, Salman Saeed and Babar Ali. This will be the first time we get to see Imran and Urwa together on screen, that’s definitely something to look forward to. The show was announced back in 2020 so we might have a release date coming our way very soon and we cannot wait.

Baddua

Syed Ramish Rizvi, of ‘Jhooti’ fame, will be directing and the script is written by Samina Ijaz, who has previously worked on ‘Yaariyan’ and ‘Kaisa Hai Naseeban’. Muneeb Butt and Amar Khan will be starring in lead roles. This will be their second project together after ‘Choti Choti Baatein’. The supporting cast includes names like Mehmood Aslam, Saba Faisal, Rubina Ashraf, Abdullah Ejaz and Komal Rizvi.

In a conversation with Galaxy Lollywood, Muneeb seemed very enthusiastic about his character and getting to work with Amar again.

Main Manto Nahin Hoon

Inscribed by the celebrated and very controversial Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar, ’Main Manto Nahin Hoon’ will be the return of the dream team. It will be helmed by director Nadeem Baig from huge hits on both the big and small screens, with projects like ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’ and ‘Mere Paas Tum Ho’. This will be the fifth time the writer-director duo will be in collaboration.

The show will see Humayun Saeed in the lead role, a regular for the duo. Meanwhile, Maya Ali, an addition to this team, will be the leading lady for this project. Given their track record with one hit project after another, this show is bound to follow in the same footsteps. This highly anticipated project is expected to arrive by the end of 2021.

ARY Digital sure is promising us the return of some fan favourites, new pairings and exciting new stories with this list. Stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood for all the updates.