GOOD GESTURE

Firdaus Jamal is one of the finest actors that Pakistan has produced. So, if he is seriously ill, it is only right that the authorities related to the field of culture need to come to his help. And that’s exactly what’s happened when the government announced aid worth Rs10 million for him. Firdaus sahib is suffering from a lethal disease. We think it’s a nice gesture on the government’s part and we pray that the seasoned actor recovers swiftly and completely.

THE EDUCATED LOT

Morning show host Nida Yasir has finally decided to speak on the subject due to which she has often been taken to the cleaners — the quality of her guests and the standard of chitchat with them. Discussing the matter on another programme, she has reasoned that when she invites ‘educated’ individuals to her show, people don’t watch them. Despite that she tries to come up with a ‘balanced’ list of invitees. Hmmm… Nida Y might have a point about the level of her audiences. But we feel educated guests also need to strike up an educated conversation with someone at least just as educated as them. But that’s just an educated guess.

RELEASE POSTPONED

Until last week, we were happy that at last sense had prevailed among Indian officials, because they had decided to allow the release of The Legend of Maula Jatt in India. Our happiness was short-lived. On December 30, when it was supposed to be screened across the country, news came that the film’s release had been put off indefinitely. Apparently, as per unconfirmed reports, the Central Board of Film Certification, which had earlier passed the film, recalled it a week ago, for reasons known only to it. Well, we think we know the reasons: bigotry, jingoism, xenophobia, political expediency… and the list goes on.

SHADOW BOXING

The new song Beysharam Rang from the movie Pathan starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone has caused quite a stir for a few reasons. One of them is that its composition sounds a bit like what Sajjad Ali did with the track Ab Ke Hum Bicchrray in 1996. This was obliquely highlighted by Sajjad A last week by saying that watching a film song reminded him of his own piece which he sang many moons ago. His recollection was picked up by netizens and they tagged the composer of the Indian film, Vishal Dadlani, to the Pakistani singer’s video. Here’s the thing: isn’t Sajjad A’s song a redone version of the famous Mehdi Hasan ghazal? It is. Plato says art imitates life, it’s a shadow’s shadow. In this case, it’s a shadow’s shadow’s shadow!

WEDDING BELLS

Actress and model Rubya Chaudhry is now a re-married woman. Congratulations to her! She has tied the nuptial knot with music producer Umair Dar and, in the photo that she uploaded afterwards on social media, the two look super-pleased. The details of the wedding haven’t been forthcoming. They’re expected to soon: jab pyar kiya to (Dar)na kya? We wish Rubya C and her hubby dear a happy ever after.

NAME GAME

Why do people poke their noses into celebrities’ private lives? Actress Armeena Khan has given birth to a baby girl. Congratulations to her! She and her husband Fesl have named the baby Amelie Isla. Apparently some people are not happy with the name, so much so that they have even trolled her for it. Please, it’s entirely their personal matter and no one should interfere in it. Everyone names their kids themselves; they don’t ask permission for it from an entire mohalla.

Published in Dawn, ICON, january 8th, 2023