Pakistani horror film ‘Deemak' earns Rs 70mn over opening weekend
Directed by Rafay Rashdi and written by Ayesha Muzaffar 'Deemak' explores the volatile relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law against a backdrop of escalating paranormal disturbances in a family home.
The cast includes Faysal Quraishi, Sonya Hussyn, Samina Peerzada, Javed Sheikh and Bushra Ansari.
The story follows a family whose home becomes the site of increasingly disturbing supernatural phenomena. As paranormal activity intensifies, a psychological battle unfolds between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, with the son caught between the two women.
Executive producer Syed Murad Ali said, 'I've always had a deep fascination with the horror genre — I've watched countless horror films growing up, and the idea of creating one myself has been with me for years,' he was quoted as saying by Variety.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
1724652215-0%2FWinona-Ryder-(1)1724652215-0-640x480.webp&w=3840&q=100)
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Winona Ryder reveals why she was dropped from a Marlon Brando film
Winona Ryder is reflecting on how one of her most iconic early roles nearly ended her career before it began. In a recent interview with Elle UK, the actress revealed that her decision to star in the 1988 cult classic Heathers cost her a major role opposite screen legend Marlon Brando — a consequence that industry insiders warned her about. As a teenager, Ryder was advised by her team not to take the role of Veronica Sawyers, the sharp-tongued protagonist in Heathers, a dark comedy about a murderous high school clique. 'My agent at the time literally got down on her knees begging me not to do it,' Ryder previously told Harper's Bazaar. 'She said, 'You're going to destroy any chance of a career.'' Despite the warnings, Ryder took the role — and quickly saw fallout. She was dropped from the 1990 crime comedy The Freshman, which starred Brando and Matthew Broderick. 'They thought it was making fun of teen suicide. They were deeply offended and, yeah, they revoked the offer,' she said. 'I'm like, 'I can't work with Marlon Brando?' I had to stand my ground. I wasn't gonna apologize.' Heathers was polarizing at the time but ultimately became a cult favorite and a defining moment in Ryder's career. 'I never turn off Heathers if it's on. I know it basically by heart,' she said, expressing no regrets. Producer Denise Di Novi told Variety that Ryder was 'very brave and unusual' to take on such a controversial role, describing her as 'an amazing 15-year-old' who became obsessed with the script. Though The Freshman was a missed opportunity, Ryder's gamble on Heathers proved to be a bold move that solidified her reputation as a fearless and unconventional talent.
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Juggun Kazim responds to Alizeh Shah's accusations with public apology
In a recent turn of events in the Pakistani entertainment industry, veteran TV host and actor Juggan Kazim has publicly apologized to fellow actress Alizeh Shah following allegations that she once mocked a past mishap involving Shah. The controversy came to light after Alizeh Shah posted a candid video on social media, where she opened up about the disrespect and mistreatment she claims to have faced from various senior industry figures throughout her career. Among those she named were singer Shazia Manzoor, actor-director Yasir Nawaz, and television personality Juggan Kazim. Alizeh specifically recounted an incident where Juggan allegedly made fun of a fall she once had during Bridal Couture Week 2021 - an episode Shah says left her feeling embarrassed and humiliated. The imitation, according to Alizeh, was done insensitively and in a way that made her feel like the butt of a joke. In response, Juggan Kazim took to Instagram with a sincere video message directed at Alizeh. Referring to her as 'beta,' Kazim expressed remorse for unintentionally causing any pain. 'Alizeh beta, I'm calling you beta because you're the same age as my son. If anything I said or did caused you distress, I'm genuinely sorry,' she said. 'It hurt me when you said you used to respect me before and don't feel that way now.' Kazim explained that the video Alizeh referred to was recorded four years ago and that she had no idea it still carried emotional weight. She added 'if you had contacted me directly, I would have immediately apologized.' But she continued, 'Now that you've spoken about it publicly, I'm responding the same way.' This hit home for Juggun in particular, as she revealed that she too had once been on the receiving end of bullying during her early days in the entertainment industry. 'I know how damaging it is to be singled out or laughed at,' she said. 'I would never want a younger colleague to feel that way because of me.' The apology has been widely shared and appreciated online, with social media users praising Kazim's accountability and grace. Many lauded her approach as one other seniors in the industry could learn from. Designer Hussain Sheheryar Yasin echoed the sentiment, commenting under a post, 'Now that's a class act. Love you, Juggun.'
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Hulk Hogan: The analogue superhero who enchanted Pakistan
Maulana Bijlighar was quite the character – he got the name because the mosque he led was close to a Grid Station in former NWFP. But this evocative name was not the cause of his renown. A firebrand conservative, his speeches would often be passed around, sort of like the more recently deceased Khadim Hussain Rizvi's, except he didn't use the kind of base and colourful language Rizvi employed as extensively. Maulana Bijlighar was the equivalent of a right wing stand up comedian who was also a cleric, his sermons would have the whole audience roaring with laughter as he spinned yarns and told stories to make his point. Everything had a killer punchline. One of his best jokes was an off the cuff remark. He wanted to ban wrestling on TV. His objection wasn't really Islamic in nature, he was afraid if the women of Pakistan saw these sculpted and beautiful men in the prime of their lives, 'tu phir in hattay kattay ko dekhney ke baad humarein auratein kya hum se khush rahengein?' Wrestling was big in the world back then - and even Maulana Bijlighar was referencing it to make a point, despite claiming not to own a TV. Top tier wrestling wasn't terrestrially transmitted, more often than not you watched it on VHS. And it was the VCR that was the conduit to Hulk Hogan. We didn't realise at the time because we were too enamoured by the physical prowess on display, but Hulk Hogan was a cartoon character aimed at children, one that adults loved too. Popeye had his spinach, and the wrestlers their steroids. Like Michael Jordan, he was the singular character that launched a sport from regional to national and international consciousness. The adults who loved wrestling of that era simply fell for the ease in which the good vs evil was framed – not realising the bad guys in wrestling were cartoons too, like the Iron Sheik. For a lot of us, the illusion of wrestling first unravelled when we understood the athleticism of WWF wrestling was real, but the battles were not. Matches were choregraphed with results determined long in advance in a script outlining the beefs that we would be choosing sides in. Others amongst us only learned wrestling was fake the first time we got into a fight. You can't do a piledriver unless your opponent lets you. Also, some learned of the reality of wrestling when we saw PTV's Olympics coverage and discovered The Ultimate Warrior wasn't competing, and no Suplex moves were to be seen. Learning in Pakistan the nature of the spectacle of wrestling was a construct is what it must have the equivalent of Western kids finding out Santa did not, in fact, exist. But Hulkamania in Pakistan wasn't as widespread as it was in the US because access to wrestling was different then. His era was for the Pakistani boomer, Gen X and the earliest millennials who owned VCRs. Millennials 'proper' came to wrestling when satellite and cable were common, and at that time it was the age of the Undertaker, Kane, The Rock, and others. Hulk is recognised even today by the youth – but more for his iconography. For Boomers and Gen Xers, he wasn't just known; he meant something to do them. Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth, who was part of the panel that sentenced the former dictator General Pervaiz Musharraf to death for treason, feigned ignorance of the controversy his judgment had caused – the PTI government at the time made noises about wanting to disbar him as unfit for office. When asked about this he said he had no knowledge of the furor because he only ever watched wrestling on TV. There is no information on this, but I imagine he could have been a Hulkster. To today's kids, the best way of understanding who Hulk Hogan was to an entire generation of Pakistani's back then is that he was the analogue superhero before the development of CGI in a MCU that was the World Wrestling Federation. My cousins Ali and Ano would visit in the summers, and it would mean months of tag team wrestling matches with me and my brother – trying to catch the illusive magic of the screen. Seeing the feeds of my friends on Facebook, it looks like it was a common thread to many childhoods. Maybe because we were young, or that the world was different then, it was not incongruous to us when we saw Hulk Hogan coming to the ring with his theme music blaring Rick Derringer's Real American: 'I am a real American, Fight for the rights of every man.' These lyrics sounded to us what a real Pakistani was as well as kids. These were the same days when Rambo was helping the Afghan Mujahidin in the third installment of the film series, dedicated to 'the gallant people of Afghanistan' in the credits. I think the fault lines, and real motivations of American policy are clearer to the young now – it wasn't that black and white while we were getting F-16's and partnered in the Cold War. It's interesting now that Hulk Hogan has passed on the heels of Ozzy Osbourne – another youth fixture – the heartfelt condolence has come from those who moved on from Wrestling, their memories of Hulk Hogan fixed in time, polished further by memory. Their remembrances capture the innocence of youth, a longing for that simplicity. But there is another group, one that may not have kept up with wrestling but did keep up with the news about it. Sentiments have always been subject to attack from new information, and adulation can crater with it. For Hulk Hogan, life happened after the ring. Or we noticed more of his life. Hulk Hogan's corny and agreeable persona started to unravel as his politics became known, as his family fell apart and the background to his sordid sex tape came to light, and ultimately, his racism revealed. It was as if Tom from Tom and Jerry had his own 'me too' allegations. Hulk wasn't the lovable figure being cartoonish anymore, neither was he forgivable for being buffoonish. As his persona was revealed, he started to come across as very insincere, like a cynical actor who thought very little of his audience. In the backdrop of Gaza, and Hulk's MAGA politics, there is remembrance of one side of his fanbase in Pakistan who knew about his current life that is more muted and circumspect. It's as if he polluted the memories of their long-gone childhood in later years. And this is perhaps one of the markers of the current age, few separate the art from the artist. Fasi Zaka is a cultural commentator and an RJ. Have something to add? Share it in the comments below.
