Oscar-Winning Palestinian Attacked

Earlier this month, Palestinian director Hamdan Ballal, along with three other filmmakers, won the Oscar award in the best documentary category for his film No Other Land. On March 24, a group of Israeli settlers got hold of Hamdan Ballal in his village south of Hebron, and beat him up, causing severe injuries to his head and stomach. After that, Israeli soldiers came to the scene and invaded the ambulance in which the director was to be taken to hospital and detained the Palestinian filmmaker. He was finally freed after almost a day being held with no access, where he says he was beaten by Israeli soldiers who he could hear saying his name and the word ‘Oscar’. While the world watches, atrocities against the Palestinian people continue, especially against their artists, women and children. While the world watches…

The Mimic

Our very own Hania Aamir posts her vlogs on Instagram on a pretty regular basis. There is an Indian content creator by the name of Arjun Singh. He seems to be a fan of the Pakistani star. So much so that, last week, he made a vlog mimicking Hania A’s mannerisms and gestures to a T. They were so like hers that even the actress had a hearty laugh and praised his ability to copy. Someone commented that he’s more Hania than Hania herself. Well, that ain’t humanly possible buddy!

Wonder What

On March 18, Wonder Woman actor Gal Gadot, who is an Israeli citizen, has served in the Israeli army and unashamedly supported it during its recent genocidal war in Gaza, was about to partake in a Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony held for her when pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protestors caused a serious disruption in the event. The pro-Palestine protestors chanted slogans such as ‘Heroes fight like Palestinians’, ‘Viva viva Palestine’ and ‘Shame on Gal Gadot.’ A video later circulated on social media showed them handcuffed by the police. Hmmm… as expected, Americans going out of their way to kowtow to Israelis.

Likened to William

In the mid-1990s, Oscar winners Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt were an item. In 1996 they got engaged and in 1997 broke up. You might think they are not fond of each other anymore. Not true. Gwyneth P has recently reflected on that period in her life and to date believes that Brad P is an intriguing character. “It was like having dated [Prince] William or something.” Alrighty then! Is she implying that she’s like Kate Middleton? If that had been the case, given the royal couple’s love and loyalty to each other, the Paltrow-Pitt relationship would have carried on. But Hollywood is a different kettle of fish.

Royal Bigotry

Ever since the film Chhaava, starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandana, has been released, the Muslim community in India has once again come under pressure. The controversial portrayal of Mughal king Aurangzeb Alamgir in the movie has led to the galvanising of rightwing Hindu groups such as the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), which have demanded the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Maharashtra. Riots also erupted in the city of Nagpur. This is a sad reflection of Indian society that is trying to alter its past. Doing so, it can only damage its future.

Love Actually

Seasoned actor Mahmood Aslam (of Bulbulay fame) doesn’t believe that you only fall in love once. Yes. What does he believe in? He says you can be in love multiple times, and what people consider ishq is merely attachment. As the media has reported, Mahmood A has twice tasted the fruit of marriage. And according to him, on both occasions, it happened for love. Now we are not going to contradict his argument or nod in the affirmative but will only say, for the sake of his second wife, that he doesn’t fall in love again.

Published in Dawn, ICON, March 30, 2025