Latest news with #BushraAnsari
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Tired of toxic love stories on TV?
There was a time when Pakistani dramas had heart, a lot of it. They were slice-of-life stories, the kind that made you laugh with your whole family and sometimes even made you tear up a little. Maybe it's the nostalgia talking, but those dramas had a magic that is hard to find now. Now, we're stuck in a loop. Most dramas are about a hot-headed guy with anger issues and a quiet, helpless girl he ends up "falling in love" with after slapping her mid-argument. You know the scene. She stumbles back, lands on a bed dramatically, and we're supposed to root for this romance. This template is, for the lack of a better word, slapped onto every channel. Of course, it's easy to blame writers or producers, but the truth is we keep watching. It seems we have an appetite for these tropes. If you think about it, why would they be made if an audience was not tuning in? But let's take a break from all that toxic romance and go back to a time when comedy dramas gave us something different. Colourful characters. Silly situations. And most importantly, they made us laugh. Here are six iconic comedy dramas that remind us of what we're missing: 'Annie Ki Ayegi Baraat' (2012) Part of the wildly popular "Baraat Series," this drama followed Annie, a London-returned girl, navigating her desi family's chaotic wedding preparations. And who can forget Bushra Ansari's magnum opus, Saima Chaudhry, who made this series what it is with her hilarious one-liners. 'Bulbulay' (2009) Pure chaos, in the best way. The dysfunctional family of Momo, Mehmood Sahab, Nabeel and Khubsoorat live in a world where nothing makes sense, but it's always funny. There is a reason this slapstick comedy is the longest-running Pakistani sitcom. 'Akbari Asghari' (2011) Before Fawad Khan became the full-package hero, he was Asghar. Loosely based on a classic Urdu novel, the show follows two sisters in arranged marriages to two very different cousins. The East-meets-West clash and sharp performances made it a comedy that felt fresh. 'Ankahi' (1982) Written by Haseeina Moin, this classic follows Sana, a quirky, ambitious woman trying to make it in the corporate world. The awkward charm, hysterical office dynamics, and iconic lines like "Kya aap waqai mein sanjeeda hain?" made it an unforgettable gem. 'Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah' (2012) A cult classic that still goes viral every Ramazan, thanks to unforgettable characters like Wadood and Rooh Afza. It mixed absurd comedy with sharp social commentary and let's be honest, we might never see a drama like this again. Women playing poker, men in makeup and sarees, it was way ahead of its time. 'Guest House' (1991) Set in an Islamabad guest house run by the lovable Mr and Mrs Shameem, this sitcom gave us endless laughs with quirky guests and even quirkier staff, especially Jan Rambo. It's proof that we need to bring back proper Pakistani sitcoms. Let's make room for more stories that bring us joy, not all drama needs drama.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Tired of toxic love stories? Watch these Pakistani comedy classics instead
There was a time when Pakistani dramas had heart, a lot of it. They were slice-of-life stories, the kind that made you laugh with your whole family and sometimes even made you tear up a little. Maybe it's nostalgia talking, but those dramas had a magic that is hard to find now. Now, we're stuck in a loop. Most dramas are about a hot-headed guy with anger issues and a quiet, helpless girl he ends up 'falling in love' with after slapping her mid-argument. You know the scene. She stumbles back, lands on a bed dramatically, and we're supposed to root for this romance. This template is, for the lack of a better word, slapped onto every channel. Of course, it's easy to blame writers or producers, but the truth is we keep watching. It seems we have an appetite for these tropes. If you think about it, why would they be made if an audience was not tuning in? But let's take a break from all that toxic romance and go back to a time when comedy dramas gave us something different. Colorful characters. Silly situations. And most importantly, they made us laugh. Here are six iconic comedy dramas that remind us of what we're missing: Annie Ki Ayegi Baraat (2012) Part of the wildly popular 'Baraat Series,' this drama followed Annie, a London-returned girl, navigating her desi family's chaotic wedding preparations. And who can forget Bushra Ansari's magnum opus, Saima Chaudhry, who made this series what it is with her hilarious one-liners. Bulbulay (2009) Pure chaos, in the best way. The dysfunctional family of Momo, Mehmood Sahab, Nabeel and Khubsoorat live in a world where nothing makes sense, but it's always funny. There is a reason this slapstick comedy is the longest-running Pakistani sitcom. Akbari Asghari (2011) Before Fawad Khan became the full-package hero, he was Asghar. Loosely based on a classic Urdu novel, the show follows two sisters in arranged marriages to two very different cousins. The East-meets-West clash and sharp performances made it a comedy that felt fresh. Ankahi (1982) Written by Haeesina Moin, this classic follows Sana, a quirky, ambitious woman trying to make it in the corporate world. The awkward charm, hysterical office dynamics, and iconic lines like 'Kya aap waqai mein sanjeeda hain?' made it an unforgettable gem. Quddusi Sahab Ki Bewah (2012) A cult classic that still goes viral every Ramazan, thanks to unforgettable characters like Wadood and Rooh Afza. It mixed absurd comedy with sharp social commentary and let's be honest, we might never see a drama like this again. Women playing poker, men in makeup and sarees, it was way ahead of its time. Guest House (1991) Set in an Islamabad guest house run by the lovable Mr and Mrs Shameem, this sitcom gave us endless laughs with quirky guests and even quirkier staff, especially Jan Rambo. It's proof that we need to bring back proper Pakistani sitcoms. Let's make room for more stories that bring us joy, not all drama needs drama.
India.com
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Have Been Sleeping On The Streets... Javed Akhtar Speaks AGAINST Pakistani Actor Bushra Ansaris Statement On His Difficulty Finding A Rental Home
New Delhi: Veteran lyrist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar speaks against Pakistani actor Bushra Ansari who reacted sharply to Akhtar's recent speech where he strongly condemned the killing of 26 tourists by terrorists in Pahalgam. Ansari reacted sharply, saying, 'Unko toh bas bahana chahiye. Bombay mein makaan kiraye pe nahi milta tha (They just needed an excuse... that they couldn't find a house to rent in Bombay)' She also added, 'Chup ho jaayein. Naseeruddin Shah bhi toh chup hain (Stay quiet. Even Naseeruddin Shah is quiet)' In a recent interview with the Lallantop, Akhtar reacted to the criticism made by the actress, he said, "There is this Pakistani actress, Bushra Ansari, she often talks about me. She once advised me to keep quiet." Sholay writer continued, "My question to her is: 'Who is she to tell me when to talk and when not to? Who gave you this right and why do you expect me to take your advise?'' When the interviewer mentioned that the actress claimed he doesn't even get a house to rent in Mumbai, Javed sarcastically replied. 'Yes right, Shabana and I have been sleeping on the streets lately. Kya yaar, ab kya bole?' Javed also mentioned, 'We may have several internal issues in India, but when an outsider comments, I am proud to be Indian. Why do they forget that? I won't stay silent.' Watch The Interview Here: Javed Akhtar recalled an incident that led Shabana Azmi to criticize those who faced challenges in renting a house. He shared, 'About 25 years ago, Shabana wanted to buy a flat as an investment. However, the broker informed her that the owner would not sell the house to a Muslim. The reason behind this refusal was deeply rooted in the owner's past; his parents had been displaced from Sindh by Pakistanis. Anyone with such a profound wound would understandably react in a certain way. If Shabana was denied the flat that day, it was not solely because she was a Muslim, but rather because the owner was projecting his own feelings of revenge stemming from his parents' experiences. So, who is Bushra Ansari to criticize this situation and tell me to remain silent? They should reflect on their own actions before passing judgment.'
NDTV
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Pakistani Actor Claims, "Nobody Rents Javed Akhtar A House In India." He Quips, "Shabana Azmi And I Sleep On Streets"
New Delhi: Weeks after Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari criticised Javed Akhtar, the veteran lyricist and writer has responded to her remarks. What In a recent interview with Lallantop, Javed Akhtar addressed her comments, including the claim that he doesn't even get a house on rent in Mumbai. "There is this Pakistani actress, Bushra Ansari, she often talks about me. She once advised me to keep quiet. She said something like, 'Naseeruddin Shah stays quiet, you should too.' My question to her is: 'Who is she to tell me when to talk and when not to? Who gave you this right and why do you expect me to take your advise?" Akhtar said. He added, "We internally might have several problems (referring to India), but if an outsider comes to comment, I am an Indian. Why do they forget that? I won't keep quiet." When the interviewer mentioned Bushra Ansari's comment about him not getting a house on rent, Akhtar responded with sarcasm. "Yes right, Shabana and I have been sleeping on the streets lately. Kya yaar, ab kya bole?" he said, laughing. Background Javed Akhtar also recalled an old incident that may have led to such claims. He said, "About 25 years ago, Shabana wanted to buy a flat for investment purpose. But the broker said that the owner will not sell his house to a Muslim. But, do you know why he refused? He refused it because his parents stayed in Sindh from where these Pakistanis shooed them away. Anyone with a wound that big and deep, will react the way the owner reacted. If that day, Shabana was refused a flat, it was not because she was a Muslim, but it was because the owner was displacing his revenge someplace else for what his parents went through. So who is she (Bushra Ansari) to take a dig at this, and ask me to keep quiet? They must look into their own doings before commenting." The exchange stems from an earlier incident in April when news broke about the killing of 26 tourists in the Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam by a terrorist group. Reacting to the tragedy at the Gauravshaali Maharashtra Mahotsav, Akhtar said, "Yeh baat humein bhulni nahi chahiye, yeh mamooli baat nahi hai. (We shouldn't forget this)." Following his speech, Bushra Ansari criticised Akhtar on social media, saying, "Humare writer so-called, unko toh bahana hi chahiye tha. Actually, unko toh makaan kiraaye pe nahi milta tha Bombay mein (Our so called writer is even refused a flat in Mumbai)." She also added, "Chaloji chup karjaaye aap. Naseeruddin Shah bhi toh hai, who chup baithe hai na? Aur bhi toh chup baithe hai na? Jiske dil mein jo hai who rakkha rahe. (Please stay quiet just like Naseeruddin Shah. Others are also quiet, you too be quiet please)." In A Nutshell Javed Akhtar has responded to Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari's remarks advising him to stay silent and claiming he couldn't get a house on rent in Mumbai. Akhtar questioned her right to comment on him and explained an old incident about housing discrimination rooted in partition trauma.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Are Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi sleeping on Mumbai's streets? Veteran lyricist reacts to Pakistani star Bushra Ansari's claims
Who Is Bushra Ansari? Several weeks after Pakistani artist Bushra Ansari criticized Indian lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar, the latter offered a firm and thought-provoking response. During a recent conversation with Lallantop, Javed Akhtar addressed Bushra's public statement where she ridiculed him, suggesting that no one in Mumbai would even rent him a home. In his reply, Akhtar questioned her authority to comment on when he should speak or remain silent, making it clear he would not be dictated by external the interview, Akhtar mentioned that Bushra Ansari had, on previous occasions, spoken about him and even advised him to stay quiet, comparing him to actor Naseeruddin Shah. Responding assertively, Akhtar emphasized that no outsider had the right to decide how or when he should express his opinions. He firmly rejected the notion of taking advice from someone who did not understand his perspective or also stressed a deeper national sentiment, noting that while India may have its own internal differences, he stood united with his country when confronted by outside commentary. He questioned why people like Ansari forget this crucial point. He reiterated that despite ideological differences within the country, he remains, at his core, an Indian—and will not be silenced by opinions from across the informed about Ansari's claim that he couldn't find a rental home in Mumbai, Akhtar responded with dry humor. He sarcastically said that he and his wife, actress Shabana Azmi, had apparently been living on the streets, highlighting the absurdity of the comment with went on to provide context for this claim. Recalling a 25-year-old incident, Akhtar explained how Shabana once tried to purchase a flat as an investment, but the seller refused to deal with a Muslim buyer. The seller's decision, however, was not rooted in religious bias but in personal trauma—his family had once lived in Sindh and were forced to flee during partition. The owner's deep emotional scars led him to displace his resentment in this way. Akhtar made it clear that such events shouldn't be exploited by others to make unwarranted controversy began when a terrorist group attacked and killed 26 tourists in the scenic Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam on April 22. In the wake of this tragedy, Javed Akhtar delivered a stirring speech at the Gauravshaali Maharashtra Mahotsav , urging people not to forget the gravity of the incident. In response, Bushra Ansari criticized him online, calling him a 'so-called writer' and mocking his housing situation in Mumbai, urging him to remain silent like other public Ansari is a celebrated figure in Pakistan's entertainment industry, known for her versatility as an actress, comedian, singer, and writer. She began her artistic journey in the 1960s as a child performer, gradually building a multifaceted career that spans decades in both Punjabi and Urdu-language media. Her contributions to television, stage, and music have earned her widespread acclaim and multiple accolades, most notably the prestigious Presidential Pride of Performance Award in 1989—one of the country's highest civilian honors in the early rise to fame came in 1984 when she captivated audiences with her role as Jehan Ara Begum, a bold and outspoken housewife, in the iconic television drama Aangan Terha aired on Pakistan Television (PTV). The character's wit and commanding presence made a lasting impression and firmly established Ansari as a household her first formal dramatic role arrived later in 1997 with the TV series Rishtay Aur Raastay, Bushra had already become a regular face on television through a string of successful shows. Over the years, she graced many of PTV's most popular programs, including Show Time, Show Sha, Rang Tarang, and Emergency Ward. Her talent for comedy shone especially brightly in the sketch series Fifty Fifty, a classic satire show that remains one of Pakistan's most beloved TV for her dynamic screen presence and ability to effortlessly shift between humor and drama, Bushra Ansari has played an influential role in shaping the landscape of South Asian entertainment.
