Stopped Again!

Just when we were beginning to feel optimistic about Indo-Pak relations, it’s happened again. A petition has been filed in a court in India requesting to stop the release of The Legend of Maula Jatt in the country. For the last few months, the screenings in cinemas across the Wagah border of the blockbuster Pakistani film, directed by Bilal Lashari, were eagerly awaited. But now it seems the forces of evil have again trounced the power of friendship. It’s a sorry state of affairs. India’s loss, by the way, not ours.

Saba’s Guru

Indian Punjabi singer Guru Randhawa has turned out to be a huge fan of Pakistani film and TV star Saba Qamar. The vocalist is these days busy promoting his film Shaakout. During one of the promotional events, he was asked about his favourite actress from the other side of the border. He said it’s Saba Q and that he has seen all the projects she’s worked in. He didn’t stop there. Guru R has requested the actress to promote his movie. Saba Q, you must reciprocate the gesture by praising the film no end, even if you haven’t seen it.

Gig Ruckus

After Ataullah Esakhelvi’s concert in London was shortened because of the rowdy behaviour of some members of the audience a couple of weeks ago, pop band Jal’s gig in Dhaka has faced disruption as well. The venue was a mall — it was changed from a large arena because of heavy rains — and it was overwhelmed by fans once Jal appeared to perform. Suddenly, while Goher Mumtaz was singing, he was interrupted by the authorities, which made the singer/guitarist leave the stage rather abruptly. At one point, the situation got so out of control that the army had to be called in. Uff… vis-à-vis concerts, ‘Ab to aadat si hai hum ko…’ ye sunnay ki.

Undeserved Awards?

Fazila Qazi and her husband Qaiser Nizamani are never afraid of speaking their minds. We remember their strong stance on the Karachi Arts Council’s performance a couple of years ago. Now Fazila Q has said that the presidential awards announced every year for artists are often given on personal connections… not on merit. She added that it’s a good thing that her hubby received that award at a time when an artist’s work was actually taken into account. She also mentioned that the file recommending her name for the same purpose has been gathering dust in the offices concerned for the last five years. Hmmm… Sadly, there’s no way to take the awards back from the undeserving.

Fan Tok

Ever since musician and actor Joe Jonas (a member of the Jonas Brothers) got divorced from actress Sophie Turner, he seems to be on the list of the most eligible bachelors. Or so it seems. Last week, a girl, his ardent fan, wrote on her TikTok: “My most delulu moment is that I’m in love with Joe Jonas, but I don’t follow him in any social media because I’m waiting for the day I meet him, he falls in love with me and I can pretend I barely knew who he was, so we can follow each other once we’re already dating, because I’m just an ordinary girl.” Interestingly, Joe J saw it and responded, “Does this plan still work if he sees this?” The girl, we think, still believes that he hasn’t seen it.

Cry Baby

Among other things, the film Animal has made Triptii Dimri an overnight sensation. She’s one of the most sought-after actresses in India. But there was a time that she second-guessed her career choice (mind you, she’s not a trained actor). The Bollywood starlet has revealed during a promotional campaign for an upcoming film that, while shooting for Laila Majnu (2018), she would come back home every day and cry, wondering whether she was doing the right thing. Well, Triptii D, you were doing absolutely the right thing, because those who earlier didn’t cast you in their movies are now… crying.

Published in Dawn, ICON, October 13th, 2024