Category: Entertainment

WEB DESK-Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary, ‘A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness’ has won the best International Television Award at prestigious 49thAnnual Robert F Kennedy Journalism Awards, as announced in New York. Indeed, Sharmeen is the first Pakistani to win this prestigious award in the International Television Category. The documentary had previously won an Oscar at the 88th Academy Awards and the coveted Alfred I duPont-Columbia University Award, in 2016.

The Oscar winning SOC Films and Home Box Office [HBO] production film, A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness, is based on the practice of honor killing in Pakistan. The documentary chronicles one young Pakistani woman who lived to tell of her escape from an attempted honor killing by her own family.

“Speaking the truth is never easy especially given the world we live in today where journalists are routinely harassed & forced into silence. I am honored to receive this award and hope to continue telling important stories that affect all of us…in the hope that one day we will leave a more humane world for the next generation.” said Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

The Awards will be presented along with the 37thRobert F. Kennedy Book Award, by Mrs. Robert Kennedy and Kerry Kennedy with Chair Margaret Engel on May 23, 2017 at the Newseum in Washington DC. The event will be emceed by Book Chair Michael Beschloss with remarks by Kerry Kennedy and Bill Moyers.

KARACHI (Web Desk) –  Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb on otherday outlined her vision for the revival of the performing arts industry.The two-day initiative in designing the first film policy for Pakistan, was a collective dialogue with accomplished artists and venerated experts sharing their insights and inputs for the policy formulation.At the conclusion of the two-day conference here, the minister said the objective of the film policy is to promote and celebrate the culture and heritage of Pakistan whilst working to restore the glory of an industry and institutions that were once recognised globally for the quality of its productions and content as well as the artists dating back to the 1960’s era.She said that the film industry in addition to being a source of entertainment is a catalyst for preserving and promoting cultural and social values whilst promoting and preserving a feeling of nationhood that also involved a sense of shared destiny.Marriyum Aurangzeb said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government under the stewardship of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has battled the evils of terrorism through the courage and bravery of intrepid military.She also recognized that Pakistan needs to project the image of her true values, culture of peace, beauty and hospitality through the medium of cinema.

The Minister of State assured that the government would incorporate inputs from the artists and other experts associated with the industry while formulating the film policy.Another consultative session in that connection would be held at Lahore, she added.She said that apart from curricula, the main component of the film, production and broadcast policy would cater for provisions creating an enabling environment for the production of quality films as well as the youth would be aligned with their culture through promotion of film industry in line with the cultural heritage of the country.Marriyum Aurnagzeb said the government would also ensure that the film makers could import state-of-the art machinery and other equipment for the production of good quality films in the country as part of film policy.The Minister of State said that PTV Academy could act as an alma mater for people associated with film industry and various training courses could be conducted for producers, directors, technicians and cameramen with a view to enhance their capacity and capabilities.She also expressed her pleasure that people from all fields of the film industry participated in the consultative meeting, having an open and candid discourse of various challenges whilst outlining their practical concerns.She concluded the seminar by expressing her gratitude for the passion and participation of all involved and reinforced the government’s commitment to making the film industry a global icon.

LAHORE –The star-studded 5th Hum Awards held at Lahore Expo Centre with all the glamour and glitz that Pakistani film and television industry had to offer will long be remembered.

The red carpet was overwhelmingly attended by the artistes from Lahore and Karachi as well as the fashionistas and socialites. Previously Q Mobile Hum Awards were held in Karachi and prior to that in Dubai.“We want to hold awards show in Lahore a city which is heart of Pakistan. I want to thank the audience and people for such overwhelmingly love.” Hum TV President Sultana Saddiqui said.

The venue was packed to capacity.

Rich tribute was paid to late Junaid Jamshed – an ode – by his sons and Salman Ahmed on “Junoon Se”.

Nadia khan also hosted the Hum Awards. Sana Bucha gave acknowledgement award to Samina Baig the only Pakistani woman and the third Pakistani to climb Mount Everest. Samina Baig dedicated the award to her mother who passed away last year.

Udari play’s child star Zebo was given award amid huge applause. Actor Ahsan Khan who later got Best Negative Role Male award, said that Child star Zebo was a brave girl. “We need to empower our children and give them confidence to do things in life.

Reema Khan was called upon on the stage as undisputed queen of silver screen. She presented Lifetime Achievement Award to queen of Ghazal Farida Khanum, who was on wheel chair sang Daag Dehlvi poetry which mesmerized people. Uzr aane mein bhi hai aur bulaate bhi nahin- Baa’is-e-tark-e-mulaaqaat bataate bhi nahin and Khoob parda hai ke chilaman se lage baithe hain Saaf chupte bhi nahi saamane aate bhi nahin.

Sajjad Ali, Asim azhar, Ali Sethi and Momina Mustehsan enthralled the audience with their remarkable performances.

Hareem Farooq with actor Mikaal Zulfiqar hosted. Mikaal’s incredible energy helped stimulate the crowd and set the mood for the evening. He bagged the hosting of HUM Awards for the third time and his on-stage confidence and great sense of humour was amazing.

Music, being the first category to unfold with Best Music Single Popular, presented by Hadiqa Kiyani and Azam Mirza GM Suzuki was bagged by Qurat-ul-Ain Baloch for Saiyaan whilst Best Music Video Popular presented by Zoe Viccaji and HSY was won by Suhaib Akhtar. Mann Mayal successfully earned its award for the Best OST presented by Nadia Hussain and Feroz Khan.

The Best Actor (Male and Female) Award Soap was received by Hammad Faruqi and Sanam Chaudhry. Best Soap was won by Haya ke Daman Main.

Shahroze Sabzwari and Sehrish Khan presented a wonderful dance performance. Mehwish Hayat performance won a lot of applause. Ahsan and Kubra Khan’s performance obtruded on stage with a lot of fun, the rise to dance and those thumkas. However, the best performance of Finale belonged to Reema Khan who set the stage on fire.

Best New Sensation Award went to Kubra Khan The Best Telefilm award was bagged by Chaman Ara.

Paras Masroor and Sania Saeed for Sang-e-Mar mar bagged their HUM Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male and Female.

Most Impactful Character in Serial was presented by the talented Junaid Khan, Iffat Omer to Bushra Ansari for Udaari and Nouman Ejaz for Sang-e-Mar mar and Mustafa Afridi picked the trophy for the Best Writer Drama Serial for his work in Sang-e-Mar Mar. Best Director Drama Serial was presented by to Muhammmad Ehtisham Uddin for Udaari.

The Best On-screen Couple – Popular was won by none other than the audiences favourite Maya Ali and Hamza Ali Abbasi whilst the Best Drama Serial – Popular award was bagged by Udaari. The Best Female and Male Actor – Popular category had a mix of actors who have perfected their own style. But Mahira Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi¬gets bigger and better every year and their claim to the trophy is inarguable which was presented by Vaneeza Ahmed and Zeeshan Akhtar (Q-Mobile).

The night belonged to Sajal Ali winning Best Actor(Female) Drama Serial Jury Award at the night of glamour shebang. Farhan Saeed and Urwa Hocane stars appear to set in motion winning the Best On-Screen Couple Jury award. Udaari bagged the Best Drama Serial Jury. As for Best Actor (Jury) who else could have won it but the man for all seasons: Ahsan Khan.

HUM Awards are getting better with every passing year and this year’s show was truly memorable.

KARACHI – Actor in Law scooped the Best Film award at the 16th LUX Style Awards held in the showbiz city’s Expo Centre where the leading stars came together under one roof for a night filled with glamour, energy and entertainment.

Atif Aslam kicked off the evening by paying a patriotic tribute that melted everyone’s hearts. His quirky lines, wit and charm helped enthral audience before introducing himself in an unseen avatar as the host for the night. His incredible energy helped stimulate the crowd and set the tone for the evening.

He then brought on stage the exciting somewhat Super, Aima Baig and Mooro who entertained with their special performance. This was followed by the gorgeous, elegant and lovable Mahirah Khan who performed with a dash of humour and an allure that was highly appreciated by all. Mawra set the stage on fire paving the way for a heartfelt appearance by the original diva and former LUX girl Reema. The talent of tomorrow had the audience buzzing with captivating performances by Abid Brohi, Zoe Viccaji, Ali Sethi and Jimmy Khan. Everyone’s favourite Ali Zafar graced the LSA stage yet again, wielding a sword as the mystery girl Maya Ali was unveiled in his magical performance “Ishq” that swept the audience off their feet and left them longing for more. Keeping with tradition the Lux Style Awards were a glittering night with stars and presenters setting the ultra-modern spectacular stage alight with their witty repartee, acceptance and winning speeches and exciting performances.

“The annual LUX Style Awards upped the game in terms of entertainment and production values. Pakistan’s biggest night of entertainment and fashion aims to showcase the industries in the best light possible and rewards excellence year on year,” said Fariyha Subhani, the Marketing Head of Unilever Pakistan.

The LUX Style Awards is the most anticipated and coveted award show in Pakistan that continues to honour achievements in film, fashion, music and television all under one umbrella.

The show was directed by Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, event managed by Jalal Salahuddin Events and produced by NJ Productions.

Earlier the nominees and key media were invited to an Afternoon Tea with LUX.

List of Winners

Film
Best Director Nabeel Qureshi – Actor in Law
Best Actor Fahad Mustafa – Actor in Law
Best Actress Mahirah Khan – Ho Man Jahan
Best Film Actor in Law
Best Supporting Actor Shehryar Munawar – Ho Maan Jahan
Best Supporting Actress Sanam Saeed – Dobara Phir Se
Best Singer (Male) Atif Aslam for Dancer Dil (Actor in Law)
Best Singer (Female) Aima Baig for Kalabaz Dil (Lahore Se Aggey)
Music
Song of the year Saaiyan by QuratulainBaloch
Best Album Na Bhulana- UzairJaswal
TV
Best TV Actor Ahsan Khan – Udaari
Best TV Actress Maya Ali – Maan Mayal
Best Director Ehtishamuddin – Udaari
Best TV Play Dillagi
Fashion
Model of the Year (Female) Sadaf Kanwal
Model of the Year (Male) Hasnain Lehri

Hum Awards are back again with their 5th epsisode this year. The mega star-studded event is set to take place on April 29th, in Lahore.

The HUM TV network has so far announced the nominations for their viewers’ choice category which includes, Best Actor Male / Female, Best Drama Serial, Best OST, Best Music Single, Best On-screen Couple and Best Music Video.

Here is the complete list of nominations:

BEST ACTOR MALE POPULAR
Feroz Khan – Gul-e-Rana
Mikaal Zulfiqar – Sange Mar Mar
Humayun Saeed – Bin Roye
Hamza Ali Abbasi – Man Mayyal
Osman Khalid Butt – Sanam
Ahsan Khan – Udaari

BEST ACTOR FEMALE POPULAR
Sajal Ali – Gul-e-Rana
Urwa Hocane – Udaari
Iqra Aziz – Choti Si Zindagi
Mahira Khan – Bin Roye
Maya Ali – Man Mayyal
Amina Sheikh – Pakeeza

BEST ON-SCREEN COUPLE
Feroz Khan & Sajal Ali – Gul-e-Rana
Urwa Hocane & Farhan Saeed – Udaari
Humayun Saeed & Mahira Khan – Bin Roye
Mikaal Zulfiqar & Kubra Khan – Sange Mar Mar
Hamza Ali Abbasi & Maya Ali – Man Mayyal
Shehzad Sheikh & Iqra Aziz – Choti Si Zindagi

BEST DRAMA SERIAL POPULAR
Gul-e-Rana
Choti Si Zindagi
Sange Mar Mar
Man Mayyal
Bin Roye
Udaari

BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
Sajna Ve Sajna – Udaari
Sange Mar Mar Ka Dil – Sange Mar Mar
Naina Rehtay Hain Kahain – Bin Roye
Tere Naak Mein Layan – Man Mayyal
Chali Simt e Ghaib – Deewana
Zara Yad Kar – Zara Yad Kar

BEST MUSIC VIDEO
Koi Rokay Mujhe – Hamza Yousaf
Jind Jaan – Saqib Khan
Nakhun – Zaw Ali
Khair Mangda – Soheb Akhter
Saiyaan – Hamza Yousaf
Ho Jao Azaad – Kamal Khan

BEST MUSIC SINGLE
Saiyaan – Quratulain Baloch
Khair Mangda – Atif Aslam
Nakhun – Sajjad Ali
Jind Jaan – Shehzad Roy & Zoe
Pinjra – Noorie
Koi Ruke Mujhay – Farhan Saeed

Viewers can vote for the Hum Awards here.

While we all thought that Mahira Khan and Osman Khalid Butt would be hosting the Lux Style Awards 2017, all our dreams shattered as OKB announced that he is only penning down the script. So, Pakistani diva Mahira Khan is all set to host the show, and this will be Mahira’s second time hosting a major award show.

Lahore – The most stimulating action adventure and the Eighth installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise, The Fate of the Furious releases in Pakistan on the 13^th of April 2017. Cinepax Cinema will open the advance booking nationwide on the 23^rd of March 2017 for this much awaited sequel.

The Fate of the Furious is directed by F. Gary Gray and written by Chris Morgan and will star Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Kurt Russell, Scott Eastwood, Charlize Theron, Elsa Pataky and Helen Mirren. It is the first installment since The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) that does not star Paul Walker after his tragic death in a car crash in November 2013. The plot of the movie revolves around how the whole team is trying to lead normal crime free lives; however it is Dom that gets into trouble because of a mystery woman that causes him to betray those close to him. They will face trials like never before.

Mohsin Yaseen, GM Marketing & Content, Cinepax Cinemas commented “Our team is persistently working on trying to make our customers more comfortable and making their experience pleasant and stirring. We look forward to cater to the excitement of people regarding this franchise. Advance Booking for The Fate of the Furious starts on the 23^rd of March 2017.”

About Cinepax Cinemas

Cinepax is Pakistan’s Favorite Cinema Chain which is currently running 11 cinemas with 28 screens in 8 cities across Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Murree, Gujrat & Hyderabad having total of 5,000 seats nationwide.

 Lahore –   Cinepax Cinema, Pakistan’s largest network of multiplex cinema’s, is collaborating with Depilex Group and launching an exciting deal for the women of Pakistan, offering them a quality timeout with the comfort of their friends and family.

Cinepax WOW (Women on Wednesday) OFFER caters specifically to female customers – where every Wednesday afternoon there will be a ladies only show and in the value of the same ticket Cinepax is offering free pop-corn and discounted vouchers from Depilex salons.

Mohsin Yaseen, GM Marketing & Content, Cinepax Cinemas commented, “Our team is constantly working on bringing something new for its customers and the Women on Wednesday offer is dedicating a day to only our female customers who want to spend time out with their friends and watch a film of their choice.”

“Being the largest network of salons in the country, Depilex Group is proud to be partnering with the Cinepax cinema network for a special offer for the ladies.” stated Redah Misbah, Director, Depilex Group.

The WOW offer is valid at the following Cinepax cinemas: Ocean Mall (Karachi), Boulevard Mall (Hyderabad), Fortress Square (Lahore) and Jinnah Park (Rawalpindi).

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About Cinepax Cinemas:

Cinepax is Pakistan’s Favorite Cinema Chain, which is currently running 11 cinemas with 28 screens in 8 cities across Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Murree, Gujrat and Hyderabad having total of 5,300 plus seats nationwide.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) –  7th Sky Entertainment, one of the largest independent production house in Pakistan spearheaded by Abdullah Kadwani & Asad Qureshi, today announced that their most awaited drama serial “Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hai” will be aired on Geo Entertainment from April 2017.
Written by the legendary playwright Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar, of Sadqay Tumhare & Pyarey Afzal fame, Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hai stars industry’s heartthrob, Imran Abbas, with award winning television actress Ayeza Khan in the lead roles along with Shehzad Sheikh & Saba Faisal in pivotal roles.
This unusual love story has been directed by ace director Farooq Rind, whose last venture on TV were super hit drama serials Gul-e-Raana & Besharam..

About 7th Sky Entertainment:
7th Sky Entertainment (or Seventh Sky Entertainment) is one of the largest independent production house in Pakistan spearheaded by Abdullah Kadwani & Asad Qureshi. As Pakistan’s premier broadcast and entertainment company, 7th Sky Entertainment has produced blockbuster & award winning serials such as Daam, Doraha, Sheherzad,Mairaj ul Uroos, Meri Zaat Zara e Benishan, Mere Meherbaan, Mere Charagar, Roshan Sitara, Aik Pal, Noor e Zindagi, Tum Kon Piya to name a few.

 Web Desk – Adele has hit back at trolls who said she looked like Princess Fiona from Shrek at last month’s Grammy Awards. At the ceremony Adele won five awards, making her now a 15-time Grammy winner and she also performed an emotional tribute to the late George Michael.

However her success wasn’t enough to stop some online making cruel jokes and claiming her choice of a green Givenchy Couture gown made her look like Shrek’s Princess Fiona, who is voiced by Cameron Diaz in the animated movies.

“Before the Grammys I had this dress right, I wore this green dress, everyone said I looked like Fiona from Shrek,” Adele told the audience during her gig in Perth, Australia, according to The Sun.

“I don’t care. It was Givenchy Couture, they can say what they want,” she continued. “I worked out. Obviously I’m a large lady and I like eating food very much, but I was working out twice a day to fit into that Givenchy dress because it was quite tight.”

But while laughing the singer then added: “I was running a very long time to get fit for this but it never worked.”  Adele is currently on the third leg of her Adele Live tour, which takes in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Auckland, New Zealand