Category: Entertainment

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

An Iranian delegation, which is on a visit to historical places in Lahore, watched the Punjabi legendary film ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ and expressed their wish to dub it into Persian language for its theatrical release in Iran. Sayyed Izzat Ullah Zarghami, Iranian Federal Minister for Cultural Heritage, Museums and Tourism, along with Iranian Consul General Mehran Movahhedfar, DG Lahore Iranian Cultural Center Jafar Ronas visited Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Mazar-e-Iqbal. Later, the delegation expressed their wished to watch the legendary film of the subcontinent – ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’.

A private screening was arranged by Yahya Saleem of Universal Cinemas and the guest were mesmerized by the performance. They expressed their wish that it was the film must be enjoyed by the Iranian people.

By Muhammad Shoaib

According to noted Russian writer Leo Tolstoy “Music is the shorthand of emotion.” And it is true that music without uttering a word can evoke one’s laughter, one’s dreams and aspirations.  There are singers, who though not having long spanned careers, create an immediate aura with their fabulous singing.  Emaan Fatima from Pakistan, Lahore is one such vocalist who has an unsullied voice when it comes to modern folk. She is dynamic, trendy and her soul is deeply woven into singing. Born on August 9, right from her early days she had immense attraction towards music. “Seven years ago, I stepped into the world of music, a world having its own allure, my passion for music was put on the right track by Abdul Rauf a noted singer from Lahore”. Ms Fatima recalled the days when she started performing at Alhamra Art Center, The Mall.  “The performances at Alhamra would have a profound impact on me personally and musically.  She seems to have an innovative influence on modern folk because her vocal style is strongly inspired by contemporary folk that pioneers a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo.

. “I also used to visit a private Music Academy at Defense Housing Society; Lahore owned by Mr Abdul Rauf, he played an instrumental role in my singing career. Ms Fatima is one of those fortunate vocalists who did not get established by singing cover songs; she introduced herself to Pakistani music by singing original compositions. By now, she has released a 10- songs full album, all original tracks, and in total some 45 songs, her latest audio video song Janiaa created ripples on the Pakistani music scene.

“I have performed in many countries and on a number of television shows. Moreover at many live concerts I think the Pakistani audience, especially youth, is crazy for music and they have a great sense for good or bad music” said Emaan Fatima. Since she is a lively and melodious singer, most of her concerts are always packed with music fans. She has to her credit many sold out concerts; in these seven years she has successfully developed her audience both in Pakistan and abroad.     

Fatima in near future is setting up Emaan Fatima Rocks Production House in Dubai. The singer is also working on her new tracks and original compositions.  She is truly a modern day singer with a distinctive voice.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Romantic comedy film, will release simultaneously on Friday 4th August in Pakistan along with the rest of the world.

Pakistani comedy superstar Iftikhar Thakur’s new international Punjabi film ‘Munda Southhal Da’, have got the censor clearance and now film will be release in cinemas on Friday 4th August with rest of the world. The film will introduce Punjabi singer Armaan Bedil as an actor who will be sharing the space with beautiful and talented actress Tanu Grewal. The trailer has already been out, and their chemistry is much loved by the viewers. Pakistani star comedian Iftikhar Thakur’s excellent acting is the highlight of the film, which has added charm in the story. The other star cast of the film includes GoldBoy, Sarabjeet Cheema, Robin, Preet Aujla and other artists. The story is quite different and full of humour and laughter and romance with a fresh vibe. Shot in beautiful locations across the UK, including London, the film is a love story of an Asian teenager living in South Hall, with humour, an interesting plot, hit music, and an emotional climax. The screening of the film in Pakistani cinemas is being organized through the platform of Distribution Club. Sheikh Abid Rasheed, Executive Director, Distribution Club, said that “Munda Southhal Da” is a fresh film based on an interesting story and excellent performances by the artists, which will fulfill the expectations of quality film lovers and provide them meaningfull entertainment.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) YouTube announced the debut of YouTube Premium, a paid membership that amplifies viewing experience on YouTube with ad-free, offline and in the background play, and YouTube Music, a new music streaming app that offers immersive music experience, in Pakistan. 

YouTube Premium offers the ultimate viewing experience on YouTube. It includes viewing experience uninterrupted by ads, background plays for multi-tasking between apps or listening to lectures and other educational videos and downloads of your favorite shows and content creators for long flights or on commutes with limited access. YouTube Premium also includes YouTube Music Premium which offers ad-free music, background play and downloads on YouTube Music. 

YouTube Music is a reimagined, made-for-music app and web player with official songs, albums, playlists and artist radio plus YouTube’s tremendous catalog of remixes, live performances, covers and music videos. With YouTube Music, users can listen to the latest hits, find songs that you love, stay connected to the music world, and discover tons of new music to enjoy on their devices. While all this is available for free in the ad-supported version of YouTube Music, users can also choose to have an ad-free music experience by joining YouTube Music Premium.

Farhan S. Qureshi, Google’s Director for Pakistan, said, “With more than 2 billion logged-in viewers watch a music video each month on YouTube globally and over 2 million creators come to share their voices with the world, I’m so happy that YouTube Premium and YouTube Music are now available in Pakistan to provide Pakistanis viewers with new experience.  In Pakistan, over 400 channels have over 1M subscribers, which is an increase of over 35%, year over year while over 6,000 channels have over 100K subscribers, an increase of over 30%, year over year. That’s an impressive number! This makes me even more excited for YouTube to be part of this fast growth ecosystem and to continue our partnership with the Pakistani creative industry and support more Pakistani artists to grow their audience with YouTube Premium and YouTube Music.”

YouTube brings these ultimate entertainment services to viewers in Pakistan, who love to watch music video content. More local artists are sharing their works and creations on YouTube, such as music video premieres, YouTube exclusive content, and featured song lists, and are expanding their fanbase globally. 

YouTube Premium is available from 479.00 PKR and includes membership to YouTube Music Premium while offering an ad-free experience with background play and offline downloads for millions of YouTube videos. Viewers can also sign up for Premium Family Plan, available from 899.00 PKR, which allows them to share their Premium membership with up to 5 other members of their household. YouTube Music Premium is available from 299.00 PKR and offers ad-free music, background play and downloads on YouTube Music. Music Premium Family Plan is available from 479.00 PKR. 

Eligible students can sign up for Premium Student Plan which is available from 329.00 PKR and Music Premium Student Plan for 149.00 PKR on the web and Android. 

Zeeshan Chaudhry, Chief Operating Officer of EMI Pakistan, shared, “The launch of YouTube Music and YouTube Music Premium in Pakistan is an enormous development for the nation’s music industry. The advanced features offered by these platforms, followed by the potential for artists to expand their audience, present a huge opportunity for the growth and prosperity of Pakistani music on a global scale.”

Xulfi, Curator and Producer, Coke Studio Pakistan, said, “YouTube has always been my go to, both as a viewer and as a music producer. YouTube helps us create that bridge that connects the Pakistani music community with the world, reaching new audiences and creating relevance with music fans around the world. YouTube Music coming to Pakistan is a blessing for all musicians, artists and music fans from this wonderful country, and I cannot wait to see how the Pakistani music industry grows to its new potential on YouTube to surprise the world.”

Here are the key features that make YouTube Premium and YouTube Music standouts: 

• YouTube Premium
  • From 479.00 PKR per month, YouTube Premium includes ad-free, background and downloads for offline access across all of YouTube — great for YouTube super users.
  • The best features of YouTube Premium:
    • Ad-free videos: There are a lot of users who simply want to watch what they want, when they want without interruptions. 
    • Background play: Perhaps the most asked feature of YouTube. With a YouTube Premium subscription, videos will not stop playing once you exit your YouTube app. This is especially useful for multi-tasking and for users who listen to lectures, educational videos, and other non-music content. 
    • Offline access: We spend most of our lives connected, but there are still moments —when we’re on a plane or somewhere with spotty wifi—where you still want to be entertained but you can’t get online. With YouTube Premium you can download your favorite videos so you can watch them whenever you want on-the-go.
  • YouTube Music Premium
    • From 299.00 PKR per month, YouTube Music Premium offers ad-free music, background play and downloads on YouTube Music.
      • Ad-free music 
      • Listen in the background 
      • Downloads
      • Audio-only mode

Eligible users can get a special introductory offer of 1 month free for YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium. Learn more about the trials and promotions here.

The YouTube Music app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and iOS App Store. 

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

The Pakistani entertainment industry’s barbie, Sonya Hussyn, born on 15th July 1996, marked her special day  with a spectacular birthday celebration that was nothing short of star-studded! Known for her incredible acting prowess, captivating character portrayals, and fearless fashion choices, Sonya’s birthday party was a reflection of her charismatic personality.

Surrounded by her closest celebrity friends, including Iqra Aziz, Hania Amir, Zaviyar Nauman, Ayesha Omar, Yasir Hussain, Ahad Raza Mir, Ushna Shah, Tariq Amin, Shoaib Malik, Sachal Afzal, Momal Sheikh, Shazia Wajahat, Wajahat Rauf, Sadia Khan, Zhalay Sarhadi, Mansha Pasha, Zoya Nasir, Sadia Khan, Sarwat Gillani ,Rao Ali Khan, Khaqan Shahnawaz, Yashma Gill, Ramsha Khan, Adnan Siddiqui, Waseem Badami, Khoji, Imran Ashraf and many others.

The birthday bash was a star-studded affair filled with laughter, love, and unforgettable moments. As the clock struck midnight, the festivities kicked off with a stunning cake cutting ceremony, as Sonya stood amidst her friends and colleagues, sharing the joy of the moment.

Dressed elegantly in a mesmerizing blue dress by the renowned designer Saira Noor, Sonya looked every bit the style icon she is known to be. Her fearlessness in experimenting with fashion has always turned heads, and this birthday event was no exception. Her makeup was done by Nabila, accentuated her natural beauty, and she completed the look with diamond studs from Kohar Jewelry and chic shoes from Steve Madden.

The venue was decked up in mesmerizing decor by eventalist_events by Swaleh, setting the perfect ambiance for a night of glamour and celebrations. The birthday cake, a masterpiece from City Cakes, stole the show with its stunning design and delectable taste.

Her charisma and grace shone brightly throughout the evening, making it a celebration to remember.It was a celebration of friendship, talent, and the incredible impact Sonya has had on the industry.

Here’s wishing the multi-talented actress another year of success, happiness, and countless more unforgettable moments.

By Muhammad Shoaib

According to Marilyn Manson, an American musician, ‘Music is the strongest form of magic’. It is true in the case of an upcoming young singer Ammar Baig who has created ripples in the world of music. His genuinely fresh and melodic voice sweeps away heart and soul together. Son of a renowned Pakistani singer Waris Baig, the guy is fully trained in classical and contemporary music.  Ammar Baig has a deep passion for music. He always tries to be innovative whatever he sings. His recently recorded songs in Hollywood are a big proof of the fact that his passion for music is deeply woven in his soul.  “ I am never forced by my parents to step into music; it’s my own fervor of melodic music that transcends my imagination to a dreamland of music symphonies “, said Baig.  He was just a kid when he first performed at a family wedding and sang his father’s song ‘Kal Shab Dekha Chaand Jharokay Mein’.” My parents after my performance realized two things first I am not shy of singing, and second I have a melodic voice”, the singer said.      

His first creative venture was a series ‘Hansel and Gretel’ that aired on a private TV channel in which he performed a role.  After doing O level, Baig moved to the USA for Higher Education. He graduated from George Mason University. “I did a lot while studying in the USA. My first job was at a pizza shop, I struggled to earn my own money, I was privileged, my parents could afford my studies but I was of the view that earning one’s own money makes one understand the value and importance of one’s earnings”. Said Baig with a great amount of confidence “ You see, I bought music instruments and sound system with my own money, be it a mike, an amplifier or speakers just because I wanted to do things on my own”. The young singer said.

Baig used to live in Virginia, his melodic and heart touching singing made him famous in the Asian Community there. Both Indians and Pakistanis started knowing him. He would do concerts there and perform at festivals.   

In 2021, Ammar Baig decided to return home from Virginia, now he wanted to do music in his own country. He started learning classical music here. He learnt classical music from celebrated singer Ghulam Ali Khan; his other teacher in classical music was Zia-ul- Haq. Baig felt that he should start singing covers but in his own style. His first cover song was Aaj Janay Ki Zid Na Kero, a difficult song to handle but he sang it with great ease and putting in his own innovative style.  His song, “When I Was Your Man (Cover),” is a beautiful tribute to Bruno Mars and received immense appreciation from the audiences. Baig later came to originals and shot three audio-video numbers in Hollywood. The cinematography of these songs is just fantastic. His original song ,’Don’t Go Away’, sung in Urdu and English cast a magic on the listener. His second original song, a Spanish-Urdu song titled, Sanam with his father Waris Baig is also too melodic.  After this, he will release a Punjabi number Jogia, a tuneful Punjabi number. Ammar Baig will now work on a few music projects with Bilal Saeed and Aima Baig.  Biag has such a great potential for music that he opened up a concert for Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in Virginia when he was just 18 year old. 

“ When I was eight year old I went to India and had an opportunity to meet Rithik Roshan and also Sushmita Sen, just imagine that at a such a tender age I sang Chingari Koie Bharkay a song sung by great Indian singer Kishor  infront of Sushmita Sen, and she was just spell bound”.  Baig hopes that his upcoming music projects will get him great recognition in the world.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

‘The Valleys Our Ancestors Chose’, a captivating documentary and part of the docuseries Voices from the Roof of the World, has been honoured with the esteemed Mrinal Sen Golden Award for Best Direction in Documentary at the sixth South Asian Short Film Festival.

Director Tazeen Bari’s film gives an eye-opening and touching perspective into the lives of the Kalasha community, an indigenous group residing in the valleys at the foothills of the Hindu Kush Mountains in Pakistan.  Living on the frontlines of climate change, the film captures how the remaining people of the Kalasha community come face-to-face with the devastating impacts of severe unusual weather conditions. The catastrophic floods in Pakistan in 2015 wreaked havoc on infrastructure, livestock, fields, homes, and livelihoods of thousands, including the Kalasha community, posing an existential threat to Pakistan’s smallest indigenous group. ‘The Valleys Our Ancestors Chose’ documents the community’s annual harvest festival, providing a profound exploration of their resilience and determination in the aftermath of historic floods that devastated much of Pakistan.

Expressing her gratitude for the award, Tazeen said, “I am deeply honoured and grateful for the recognition. This film is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Kalasha community and their unwavering spirit in the face of climate change. Together, we hope to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future.”

“The record-breaking floods of 2010 and 2022 in Pakistan were two of the most devastating natural disasters that caused widespread damage and displacement. These floods were a warning to South and Central Asia that climate change is a serious and present threat to the region. We need to work together to prepare for the challenges of global warming, by developing innovative local solutions and capacity to support local governments and civil society for relief efforts.” said AKU President Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin.

Voices from the Roof of the World is a joint initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network agencies: Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia. The docuseries aims to highlight the challenges faced by communities due to climate change, and local solutions adapted to tackle adversities.  The series aims to create awareness around global warming and inspire government, business and civil society leaders to work on reversing the region’s ecological destruction and conserve nature and wildlife.

‘Shepherds of Naar’, another documentary of the series Voices from the Roof of the World also gained recognition at the festival with the Satyajit Ray Golden Award for Best Documentary.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

TikTok, the leading destination for short videos, has released its latest Community Guidelines Enforcement Report for the first quarter of 2023 (January-March 2023), furthering its dedication to combat misinformation and creating a safe and inclusive space. The report underscores TikTok’s ongoing commitment to earning trust through accountability and maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for its community.

During Q1 2023, a total of 91,003,510 videos were removed globally, which accounts for approximately 0.6% of all videos uploaded to TikTok. Out of these, 53,494,911 videos were removed through automated systems, while 6,209,835 videos were restored after review.

In Pakistan, 11,707,020 videos were removed for violating Community Guidelines in Q1 2023. To compare, Pakistan saw the removal of 12,628,267 videos for violating Community Guidelines in Q4 2022. Alongside addressing Community Guidelines violations, TikTok proactively targeted spam accounts and associated content, taking preventive measures to curb the creation of automated spam accounts.

During Q1 2023, 83% of the violative videos in Pakistan were removed before anyone could view them, and approximately 92.2% of such videos were eliminated within a day. The proactive removal rate for Q1 2023 stood at 98.8%.

Globally, TikTok removed 16,947,484 accounts suspected to belong to users under the age of 13, prioritizing the safety of young users. Additionally, 51,298,135 fake accounts were removed during the first quarter, highlighting TikTok’s efforts to counter fraudulent activity.

TikTok’s Community Guidelines are designed to foster a safe, inclusive, and authentic experience for all users. These policies apply to everyone and all types of content, with TikTok striving to ensure consistency and equity in their enforcement.

TikTok utilizes a combination of innovative technology and human review to identify, assess, and take action against content that violates its Community Guidelines. The quarterly release of the Community Guidelines Enforcement Report provides insights into the volume and nature of removed content and accounts, ensuring full transparency. For the complete Q1 2023 report, visit TikTok’s Transparency Centre, available both in Urdu and English. To learn more about TikTok’s content guidelines, tools and policies on TikTok, refer to the Community Guidelines.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Prepare to be captivated by the gritty and gripping tale of ‘John’ – a thrilling new film that dives deep into the collision of two different lives and the turbulent chaos that surrounds them. ‘John’ is set amidst the mean streets of Karachi and takes audiences on a heart-pounding journey of life, death, and the unyielding power of love. The film premiered recently at Nueplex Cinemas, Karachi, and in cinemas nationwide from the 14^th of July 2023.

‘John’ is produced by Faiza Khanum and is written and directed by the visionary storyteller Babar Ali. ‘John’ features an ensemble cast including Aashir Wajahat’s debut on the silver screen as John, Romaisa Khan, Saleem Mairaj, and Raza Samo amongst others. ‘John’ also features a brilliant original background score composed by Mannan Munjal with mesmerising songs: Chithiyan by Aashir Wajahat and Hassan Ali Hashmi, Tu Thehar Ja by Hassan Ali Effendi, Tou Wo Qaatil Hai by Sajid Ali and Mohammad Masood, and Buro Buro Shidi Jambo, Balochi folk song remixed and produced by Mannan Munjal.

“Making a feature length that too with a young cast and an unpopular genre in Pakistan, I was aware of the challenges I would have to face. I wanted to make a film that looks and feel real yet fresh and exciting. We hand-picked each and every location by ourselves spent quite some time exploring locations that were not usually used for filming before. We knocked doors of the houses we liked and surprisingly got permissions to shoot there. It was a hassle for the production unit and the actors too but were aligned with my vision and we faced all challenges bravely. Highlighting the minorities and their struggle is an important aspect of my narrative but I wanted to keep it very subtle so it does not seem educational. Making the narrative engaging and entertaining was my priority and violence and religious discrimination are themes that are layered into the narrative so the film is not preachy but will start a conversation about such important issues of our society”, stated Babar Ali, the writer and director of ‘John’.

“Making John was a brave call and we were reminded of it every step of the way. We wanted to present the point of view of the marginalised communities rather than looking at them from a distance and making comments. The film is crucial in the social context as it normalises representation of the Christian community in commercial space. This is a huge accomplishment in itself. Our process of making John was unique in itself. I was very clear from the moment I took on this project that I did not want to compromise on the visual world of John. To accomplish this, I was always looking for the most relevant location for each scene, no matter what the challenges it offered. You will see those details on the big screen. You will find yourself experiencing life of people who are living an invisible life around you. I realise that these accomplishments are not tangible and do not translate into the box office earnings. But I believe, as a producer, you have to be brave enough to also do what’s important. At the same time, for the box office, we are offering an entertainer that will keep you engaged and entertained from the start till the end. John is a cinematic experience and I’m positive that it will be a pleasant surprise for the cinema lovers”, commented the producer of ‘John’, Faiza Khanum.

The film promises to immerse viewers in the contrasting worlds of an innocent janitor (John) and a relentless hitman (Daud). John, a young and god-fearing Christian, has been brought up to embrace honesty and hard work, firmly believing that his virtues will shape his destiny. However, when he unexpectedly finds a mentor in the form of Daud, a seasoned professional killer, the boundaries between right and wrong begin to blur, forcing John to confront his own moral compass. In a thrilling battle between light and darkness, John’s only beacon of hope is his love interest, Maria, whose aspirations revolve around a life filled with beauty and bliss. As the story unfolds, John finds himself entangled in a dangerous world of crime and drama, torn between the love he craves and the sinister life he is pulled into due to his mentor, Daud.