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Express Tribune
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
She just wants to act
It is as formulaic as any rom-com could be: girl meets boy, girl's parents hate boy, girl's father hires a man to break them up, girl falls in love with hired muscle. Slap on an easy-to-remember title (Love Guru), throw in two bankable stars proven to sell box office tickets – such as, say Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed – and you have on your hands a blockbuster before it even hits the theatres. "I thanked God that the film was a success, "gushes Mahira in an interview with Independent Urdu. "This was something we all needed." Back with co-star Humayun ten years after their hit film Bin Roye, Mahira's latest feel-good film tells you all you need to know after a mere flicker through its trailer. With Humayun's eponymous love guru (i.e. the aforementioned hired muscle) making the use of airborne hot air balloons and violins under a suspiciously dry London sky to woo his fake lady love, there are no plot twists to be had, and no expectations unmet when you have memorised the rom-com manual. And if the box office figures speak the truth, then Love Guru has achieved its ambition of wooing all lovers of rom-coms. However, box office hit or not, success is not something Mahira wishes to dwell on for too long. Itching to set her sights further and move onto the next project, she adds, "But then you start to think, 'What's my next project?' And you move forward. I think all actors do this. At the moment, I am reading over two [projects], and I'm trying to decide which one I'll do next!" Understanding Sophia When it comes to her role as Love Guru's leading lady Sophia, Mahira is confident she had her character under her skin from the start – and wherever she did not, she says she could always count on director Nadeem Baig to straighten things out. "Whenever I didn't understand something Sophia was saying or doing, I would ask Nadeem, and he would guide me a lot," she recalls. "But by and large, I knew what Sophia was all about and I had her all figured out." As a woman in her forties, Mahira has faced backlash inhabiting a conventionally younger character on screen, but any negative comments about how many years she has been around the sun fall off her like water off a duck's back. "I have never hidden my age – nor did I hide my marriage or my divorce or my child. I have to be true to myself," she mandates. "I don't care about anyone else. And when it comes to people's opinions – I welcome them. They don't bother me." Illustrating that she does, in fact, put some thought into the roles she takes on, the actor adds, "Whenever I get a project, I will think over it ten times, and there have been times when I've said, 'Listen, this is not age appropriate, I don't want to do it!' I'm particular about that as well. I want myself and the next generation to be comfortable." Working with Humayun Age backlash aside, the success of Love Guru has been largely down to its promotion before release, with the trailer for the film having been splashed out in Time Square, Manhattan. "That was really cool," admits Mahira, before going on to add that what was harder was making sure Humayun did not flee before the promotional work for the day had been done and dusted with. "I was then thinking, 'Oh my God, I hope Humayun doesn't run off, because I have to record a reel with him!" Mahira's comments appear completely on brand for Humayun himself, who had conceded in an earlier interview on a local talk show – without a moment's hesitation – that he found the promotional work far more laborious than shooting the actual film itself. "Promotion is harder than filming. It looks as though I'm enjoying it, but it's a lot of hard work!" Humayun had said at the time. Upcoming roles Despite Humayun's limited enthusiasm for promoting his films, Mahira has no qualms about sharing screen space with him again – and she hopes that this time, there will not be another ten-year gap. "We were about to do another film that is very close to my heart, actually, and a very intense love story" reveals Mahira. She adds, however, that what she really yearns to do is take on a role loaded with action. "I don't know when an offer will come," she laments. "I'm in talks with someone about action – let's see! I was in Maula Jatt, but I had no action in that film – and I wish I did." As for what lies ahead, viewers can look forward to seeing the star opposite that other bankable male, Fawad Khan, for the third time in Neelofar – a film whose praises Mahira cannot sing highly enough (albeit albeit sprinkled with a dose of caution lest she ramps up expectations beyond reach). "People should see it because we've made it with a lot of love," she noted. "Whether or not it succeeds or they find it any good – that is another thing altogether!" Meanwhile, those with an eye on upcoming Netflix shows will be aware that Mahira is also slated for a part in Pakistan's first series for the platform, Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo. Keeping a pulse on expectations, the yet-to-be-aired show features an ensemble cast including Hania Aamir, Iqra Aziz and Ahad Raza Mir. The release date has been pushed back to October, and Mahira hints at a departure from the characters she usually takes on. "I've never been in that zone before. I think you all will be amazed," she promises. Unmoved by Indian bans Love Guru is not the only thing making waves in entertainment circles; Indian social media bans on Pakistani artists have made waves in the showbiz industry. It is, however, something Mahira says she has "zero reaction" over. "I still have a lot of love for my fans. Fans are fans, people are people. That has very little to do with politics, although of course, the two do become intertwined," she notes. Reflecting on trigger-happy governments targeting artists in the first instance, she continues, "It's strange, isn't it? That if there is a war or political problem, the first thing that is attacked is on artists. Why is that so? Because artists are the people that connect people – so that is the first thing that gets banned, so there is no chance of any love between anyone. We are, as they say, the soft power. We are very important." Mahira, however, remains philosophical about any imminent bans, noting she has far more avenues in which to practice her craft than just films. "If tomorrow my films are banned, then I will go into dramas or theatre." As a final reminder, this A-lister has just one thing to say: "I am an actor. I just want to act."
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Is feminism really that easy?
Known for Sabaat and currently starring in Sher, actor Sarah Khan's recent rejection of feminism was delivered with casual ease. "I'm from the old times," she told Independent Urdu. "I'm a stay-at-home woman. I don't like standing in long queues to pay bills." Among Pakistani actors, it's become almost a ritual to distance themselves from feminism. By doing so, Sarah joins a growing list of celebrities who risk being labelled ungrateful, deluded, brainwashed — or, perhaps most cuttingly, a "pick me." But set aside, for a moment, the troubling ease with which "pick me" accusations are lobbed at unpopular women. Sarah's remarks might actually be the most honest a celebrity can afford to be. In Pakistan's entertainment industry — and, to varying degrees, far beyond it — any political stance is a liability. But Pakistan's entertainment scene also comes with its own peculiar set of restraints: given the lamentable state of storytelling across its small and big screens, feminism might well spell the end of homegrown cinema and television as we know it. Could Sarah embrace feminism and still survive in this business? If all the internet demands is a declaration, then there's no expectation that she challenge the industry's tired tropes: marital rape framed as romance, cheating husbands and weeping wives, villainous in-laws on loop. And yet, even those who do claim feminism rarely escape scrutiny. In another timeline, Sarah might call herself a feminist - and still end up like Mahira Khan, defending Humsafar as decidedly feminist. Unless she waits for a script that aligns with her politics — a patience more feasible for veterans like Sania Saeed than for the younger lot — Sarah, like many, must navigate an industry with few real choices. Celebrities may not be anti-feminist so much as anti-permanence, determined to keep all doors open in a volatile landscape. At this cultural juncture, perhaps it's time to retire the reflexive urge to dismiss them as uninformed or unserious. After all, feminism doesn't require credentials. Or does it? Of flawed feminists Of all the accusations hurled at women who reject feminism, "pick me" might be the most accurate - not with derision, but as a simple observation. These women do get picked, or at least, they don't get dropped. It is far easier to be a perfect anti-feminist than to be a flawed feminist. In 2025, the internet remains the primary venue for these debates. It is many things — chaotic, compulsive, connective — but it is not, by design, a place for dialogue. In lieu of coalition, we get temporary publics that vanish with a single accidental refresh. Sarah's remarks, unfortunately but unsurprisingly, are rewarded. She earns the approval of many women, even more men, her corporate backers, and, most reliably, the algorithm and its appetite for controversy. In contrast, claiming feminism would likely win her no one - not even feminists. Consider, for instance, the loudly marketed feminism of Priyanka Chopra or Gal Gadot, which always stops short of calling out the genocidal regimes they represent. This is simply because feminism, unlike celebrity culture, has never been about victories or perfection - both imply a final destination, a tangible reward. But feminism is, and has always been, a long, often grueling project of constructing alternatives. When Sarah says she isn't a feminist because she doesn't like standing in queues to pay bills, it's hard not to smile. Who has ever dreamt of engaging with mind-numbing bureaucracy? However, to move from personal inconvenience to structural critique — to ask who is forced to endure such banalities and who can afford to opt out — requires a working knowledge of class, capitalism, and economic inequality. Sarah's discomfort is valid. She has two choices: repeat polite, vague affirmations of "women's empowerment" or be honest about what bothers her. Shorthands without shelter It can be an uncomfortable realisation, especially for those whose first exposure to feminist politics comes online: the "right" politics is not a moral instinct and in fact, requires labour and access. Harsh realities, too, are not always radicalising, not unless you find others to hold onto. Isn't this why we extend grace to our mothers? Most would never call themselves feminists, yet we recognise in their lives the slow work of navigating time, access, and patriarchy. This grace comes from understanding that naming something is a privilege; not everyone has the means or the language to do so. Despite the many ways of practicing feminism, it's language is still a matter of access and cultural capital — online and offline both. But even the language aside, to suggest that feminism should come naturally — without friction, without labour, without missteps — misses the point of any resistance movement. At any given moment on the Pakistani internet, someone is explaining, often impatiently, why using the n-word is wrong, why blackface is racist, or why cultural appropriation matters. Frequently, this confidence to correct comes from assuming proximity to discourse equals clarity. God forbid anyone asks why feminism is good or racism is bad. These are no longer merely uncomfortable questions, but bad-faith attacks that feminists are all too tired to answer. A natural reflex to these presumably futile remarks is to let disappointment or betrayal creep in. It is a good strategy to cope with the bad days. But good days must come bearing patience for an unlearning that takes its sweet time. After all, both vitriol-spewing trolls and young feminists will find us in the same world of shorthands. In this world, there is no luxury of time and space to write in case you missed it, when ICYMI is an option. We know that Instagram/TikTok reels perform best at under 60 seconds, that X posts are limited to 280 characters, and that long, boring blocks of text belong to Medium or LinkedIn. It is within this sheer compression of context that many find feminism and anti-feminism that come too easily, more as identity than practice. While one can survive being stripped of context and care, the other cannot. This is why it simply should not matter whether Sarah calls herself a feminist or not. And without doubt, calling Sarah a "pick me" is more damaging than her remarks about feminism. After all, saying "I am a feminist" is just another shorthand unless there is a corresponding space to figure out whatever the hell that means.
Arab News
24-04-2025
- Arab News
‘One journey isn't enough': How a Pakistani found pieces of home in India
ISLAMABAD: For Pakistani traveler and writer Shueyb Gandapur, visiting India was less a sightseeing trip and more a journey into long-held curiosity, layered with red tape and quiet moments of recognition. On one hand, it was a chance to walk through the stories his grandfather once told him about the place, but on the other, it meant checking in at police stations 10 times in 16 days. The journey took place in 2017, when Gandapur, a chartered accountant who has traveled to over 100 countries, secured an Indian visa via an invitation arranged through personal contacts. His experiences are now the subject of a newly released travelogue titled Coming Back: The Odyssey of a Pakistani Through India, published in January 2025 in the United Kingdom and now available in Pakistan. 'India visas are restrictive,' he told Independent Urdu in a recent interview. 'They list only specific cities you can visit, and you have to report to a police station when you arrive in each one, and again when you leave.' 'During my 16-day stay, I went to police stations 10 times,' he continued. 'They'd pull out an old register from a shelf and write down my details. I often wondered how many names had filled those pages, and whether anyone ever looked at them again.' Cross-border travel between Pakistan and India is closely monitored, particularly in recent years as diplomatic ties have deteriorated. But Gandapur's book avoids political commentary, focusing instead on moments of human connection and cultural echoes that defy national divides. In New Delhi's bustling Paranthe Wali Gali, he recalled, a waiter greeted him with a strangely familiar tone: 'It's been a long time since you came by.' Gandapur had never been there before. 'It was my first time,' he said. 'But the welcome felt like I was coming back to a place I'd once known.' As he traveled through cities like Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi, Gandapur began to notice traces of a shared past, with old shops and streets bearing names from present-day Pakistan. In the Indian capital, he found schools named after Dera Ismail Khan, his hometown. The local D.I. Khan community, he learned, still publishes newsletters and preserves its identity generations after the Partition. His literary enthusiasm led him to the graves of Urdu greats like Mirza Ghalib and Qurratulain Hyder. 'I wanted to see how Urdu lives on in India and what Indians think of our poets and writers,' he said. Perhaps the most surprising encounters came with Pashto-speaking Hindus, descendants of communities that once lived in Pakistan's northwest but remained in India after 1947. 'They call themselves Hindu Pashtuns,' Gandapur said. 'They've been largely forgotten by history, but they're still holding on to their language, their stories and a sense of who they are.' While Coming Back is framed as a personal narrative, it also reads as an invitation to look past borders and bureaucracy and notice what endures. Gandapur said he hoped to return to India one day, with Lucknow, Hyderabad and Mumbai on his list. 'There's so much still to explore,' he said. 'To really understand the culture we share, one journey isn't enough.'
Arab News
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Want to share screen with Mahira Khan, upcoming Pakistani actor Khaqan Shahnawaz says
ISLAMABAD: Upcoming actor and Internet personality Khaqan Shahnawaz has said he is a fan of Mahira Khan, one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in Pakistan, and looked forward to sharing the screen with her in the future. Shahnawaz, a law graduate who is in his late twenties, gained fame with dramas like 'Accident,' 'Barhwaan Khiladi,' 'Yunhi' and 'College Gate.' He most recently played the role of a Pashtun boy in the drama series, 'My Dear Cinderella,' which started airing on Hum TV during Ramadan and concluded with its final episode over the Eid holiday. 'Who wouldn't want to? I still want to share the screen with Mahira Khan and be in her presence,' he told Independent Urdu in an interview last week. 'Mahira Khan is a star and I have always been a fan of hers, still am.' Shahnawaz recalled catching a glimpse of Khan from a distance at a wedding but unfortunately wasn't able to meet her. 'I couldn't meet her because she came for a very short time,' he said. 'But I saw her from a distance and I said, 'That's a star,' because she had an aura when she was walking.' When asked about future projects and if would like to work in an action project, Shahnawaz said action was not a preferred genre on Pakistani TV, long known for romantic comedies and family dramas. 'I think we don't make that many dramas that fall under the action genre but definitely, if I had the option to choose between an action drama or a romantic comedy, it would have been a tough decision,' the actor said. 'But right now I had the option of a family tragedy or a romantic comedy and I went for the romantic comedy [My Dear Cinderella] because the character was very different from my real life character so I thought I should experiment and I should check if I can step into this character.' Shahnawaz, who rose to fame as a social media star, said he still identified largely as a content creator. 'If you look at my Instagram profile or TikTok profile, I have uploaded content recently and I keep posting regularly,' he said. 'My entry into acting was a lot easier because of content creation, I will say this.'
Arab News
25-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistani minister meets SRMG CEO, discusses media collaboration, digital innovation opportunities
ISLAMABAD: The Saudi Research and Media Group, the largest integrated media house in the Middle East and North Africa, hosted Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar at its headquarters in Riyadh 'to explore opportunities for media collaboration, content development and digital innovation,' the group said in a statement on Tuesday. The meeting took place as Tarar was in Riyadh last week to attend the Saudi Media Forum 2025 from Feb. 19-21, which brought together over 200 global media professionals, innovators and thought leaders. 'The meeting focused on strengthening partnerships and expanding content offerings to better serve audiences across both markets,' SRMG said in a statement after Tarar met the group's CEO, Jomana R. Alrashid. The two leaders discussed the 'positive impact of SRMG's Pakistan based platforms, including Independent Urdu and Urdu News, as well as the English-language publication Arab News Pakistan, in delivering high quality content that informs and connects.' 'By providing accurate, credible reporting and raising awareness of key social issues, these publications foster meaningful connections between people, promote cross-cultural understanding, and strengthen ties with audiences in Pakistan and beyond,' the statement added. While speaking at the Saudi Media Forum, Tarar had acknowledged SRMG's 'positive impact' in Pakistan. 'With regard to SRMG, we have Urdu News, we have Arab News and we have Independent Urdu, which are doing a great job,' he said during a panel discussion last Thursday. 'And [this is] not only [as] digital platforms, but overall, they have a very positive impact on our society with regard to raising awareness on social issues, with regard to bringing news to the people.' During the Riyadh visit, Tarar and his Saudi counterpart Salman Al-Dossary also announced a joint committee to co-produce songs, films and documentaries. In recent years, Pakistani dramas and films, including TV classics like 'Dhoop Kinare' and the highly acclaimed 'Humsafar,' have been dubbed in Arabic and broadcast in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close regional partners and economic and security allies. In October last year, the two countries signed 34 agreements worth $2.8 billion for investment projects in various sectors.
