Weeks Later

Nadia Afgan is a fearless individual. She doesn’t hold back her punches or refrain from commenting on difficult subjects. Her latest statement about relationship break-ups is the talk of the net. She has said that it takes four weeks to get over someone. We can’t argue with her because we don’t know how she’d react. What we can say, though, is that the precise number of weeks (four) that she’s given goes to show her mathematical approach to a relationship.

Magnanimous Mahira

The Pakistan Literature Festival organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan for the first time in Quetta (at the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences) from May 16 to May 17 had a special session with actor Mahira Khan being interviewed by director Wajahat Rauf. The venue was bursting at the seams with students who were huge admirers of the actress. During the chat an object came her way, thrown in mischief by someone sitting in the hall. The way Mahira K dealt with the incident and the compassionate understanding with which she posted a message on Instagram afterwards, goes to show there’s a reason she’s the numero uno of Pakistani showbiz.

The Walkout

Recently, comedian Jerry Seinfeld was invited as a commencement speaker at Duke University in North Carolina. During his address, a good number of students staged a walkout from the ceremony, because of his pro-Israel stance vis-à-vis the ongoing conflict in Palestine. Given the circumstances, this was bound to happen, because more than 36,000 Palestinians, including more than 15,000 children, have so far been killed by Israel and students have been at the forefront of American protests against it. It’s important for Zionists like Jerry S to realise that genocide and apartheid is no laughing matter.

Partition Series

One of India’s TV channels is making a “political thriller” series on the partition of the Subcontinent, titled Freedom at Midnight and based on the famous book by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. Arif Zakaria will essay the role of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah while Ira Dubey will play the character of his sister Fatima Jinnah. Here’s what we think: the way Pakistan is nowadays portrayed in Indian movies and OTT series, it is likely that they will twist history and not go by the book. The jury’s out on whether the series turns out to be worth watching or not.

Heeramandi 2?

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi on Netflix has been widely watched but has also received its justifiable share of criticism from Pakistani viewers and showbiz celebs. A section of the Indian media asked AI (artificial intelligence) to dilate on its probable sequel: “Heeramandi 2 could delve deeper into the labyrinthine alleys of Lahore’s red-light district, exploring the untold stories of the courtesans,” opined AI. “The sequel could introduce new characters, each with their own secrets and desires, weaving a complex narrative that mirrors the socio-political changes of the era.” Hmmm… So it would be as factually inaccurate and contextually insipid as the first part?

Fatherly Snub

Chris Pratt is married to Katherine Schwarzenegger, with whom he has two children. But he also has an 11-year-old son with his ex, Anna Faris. On Mother’s Day, he posted a message on social media praising his mum and Katherine S for being great mothers, but did not mention Anna F. “Love to my mom, who set a high bar with her love, patience, humour and joy in motherhood. And a special thank you my darling Katherine for all you do.” Coming from the Guardians of the Galaxy star, he should have known what the word ‘guardian’ means for his first child too.

Published in Dawn, ICON, May 26th, 2024