Sing Along

It’s been eight years since Farhan Saeed and Urwa Hocane tied the nuptial knot. To celebrate their eighth anniversary, they shared a video on social media in which both can be seen singing the Indian film song ‘Jab koi baat bigarr jaey’ [When something goes sour between us]. They also wrote a caption to go along with the video: “Here’s to singing together for life and ever after! Love you so much.” Congratulations to two of Pakistan’s brightest showbiz stars! But why sing a song that suggests something going sour? Oh, come on, it’s just a song. There’s nothing between the lines.

Numero Uno

One of the world’s reputed newspapers, the Guardian , has come out with its end-of-year best music albums list. At the top of the 2024 list, that is number one, is the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s album Chain of Light, released posthumously. We feel it’s a spot-on decision. The album is a masterpiece containing four of his unreleased tracks recorded in the 1990s, reiterating the genius that Nusrat sahib was. Great news for Pakistani music, indeed!

TOO MUCH Junoon

One of the staunchest supporters of former prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and a die-hard member of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf, Salman Ahmed, the guitarist might we add, has been expelled from the party. The reason is that the founding member of the Sufi rock band Junoon had become aggressively critical of Bushra Bibi, Imran K’s wife, and of members of the former prime minister’s family. Well, we think the situation has a brighter side as well: Salman A could again focus on his music. Wait. Is that the brighter side, though?

The Apology

Maula Jutt screenwriter Nasir Adeeb said during a podcast that he once went to the red light area in Lahore for talent-hunting, where he turned down a young girl for a role because she looked as if she were “made of plastic.” Later, she became a star. The reference was to film star Reema. It prompted a severe backlash from the showbiz community, arguing Nasir A shouldn’t have slandered Reema this way. As a result, Nasir A apologised: “I apologise to Reema for spreading the information without ascertaining the facts.” Yes, sir. Ascertain the facts, please. For her part, Reema refused to be directly drawn into the controversy. Well done to Reema for remaining stoically silent.

Something Black

Actor Feroze Khan’s mother has revealed something quite harrowing. On her YouTube channel, she has claimed that lemons with needles in them and strange-looking amulets have been found from their house, which suggests her family has been the target of black magic. As a result, big disturbances have been taking place in and around the household, such as illnesses. That’s sad. To refresh memory, Feroze K’s first marriage ended in a bitter divorce, where he was accused of domestic violence. Now that black magic has been detected, his ex-wife… never mind, let’s not dredge up that black and blue period of his life.

Shyam Benegal, RIP

One of the pioneers of parallel cinema in India and a director of remarkable talent and wisdom, Shyam Benegal died on December 23. He had turned 90 only nine days earlier. Shyam Babu, as he was known, developed a reputation as a formidable filmmaker from the very first movie that he made, Ankur in 1974, and went on to consolidate that reputation with projects such as Nishant, Bhumika and Junoon. Screen stalwarts such as Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri became stars working with him. Mr Benegal in his illustrious career made 20 features and nearly six dozen documentaries and short films. May he rest in peace!

Published in Dawn, ICON, December 29th, 2024