Category: Entertainment

Lahore (Qasim Ali) Ajoka theatre presented extracts from its Iconic play “Bulha” in Lahore Fort for an event organized by the Pakistan-US Alumni Network (PUAN). Performed at the recently restored picturesque Shahi Kitchen, the play received warm response for its profound message of peace. Written by Ajoka’s executive director Shahid Nadeem the play extracts depicted the dramatic confrontation between Baba Bulleh Shah and Sikh Sardar Banda Singh Bahadur, who both responded to the tyranny of the Mughal rulers but their approach was conflicting. It was a strong indictment against intolerance and violence. Actors Usman Raj and Usman Zia performed characters of Bulha and Banda Singh respectively, whereas Luka Kalvin, Suneel Inayat, Kashif Jan, Khalid, Rai Kamran Ali, Sohail Afgen, performed their roles efficiently in the play. Ali Moon group performed mystic Qawalis and Sufi numbers which mesmerized the audience. The audience included Justice (r) Nasira Javed Iqbal, Kamran Lashari, Nighat Chaudhry, Ustad Rafaqat Ali and the US Consular in Lahore. Ajoka Institute director Nirvaan thanked PUAN for organising a meaningful event at such as exotic location and assured that Ajoka will continue its message of peace and enlightenment through theater.

An emerging musician from the fold, AleemRK is making waves thanks to Spotify and its ‘Fresh Finds PK’ playlist.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) After Abdul Hannan, the first face of Spotify’s ‘Fresh Finds’, who rose to dominate streaming charts with tunes like ‘Bikhra’ and ‘Iraday’, the trend continues with AleemRK, an emerging Hip Hop artist who has found global fame with his track “Cold Hours” trending at number 4 and 5 on Viral 50 India and Spotify’s Global Viral 50 respectively.

With close to 800,000 monthly listeners, AleemRK is rapidly on his way to the top as the second “Fresh Finds” artist to pop up on Spotify charts due to ‘Fresh Finds PK’. This locally curated editorial playlist shines light on tracks from independent artists in multiple genres, giving a broader platform to independent artists to get discovered by new audiences. AleemRK’s track, “Cold Hours” has witnessed a 1095% increase in times played over the past month putting it at 5.3 million streams and counting.

After being discovered in June 2021 by Spotify’s editorial team and added to  Fresh Finds PK for the first time, AleemRK has shown steady growth. From his track, “Cold Hours”, being added to prominent local playlists such as Hot Hits Pakistan, Top Songs Pakistan, Pakistani Hip-Hop and Desi Hip Hop to reaching listeners far and wide from India, US and UK.

“I feel honored to be a part of something that I dreamt of. Starting from scratch and now seeing my music going through global charts of Spotify makes me ecstatic. Well, sky’s the limit for me, it’s just a start. Thanks for listening,” said AleemRK.

Earlier this year, Spotify data revealed that Pakistani Hip Hop has grown by nearly 70% since the launch of the music platform, with over 63% of the streams coming from outside the country, highlighting its global appeal.

Explore more of AleemRK’s tracks on Spotify. 

The Legend of Maula Jatt received standing ovations, mesmerized the audience with great performances and brilliant production.

Film fratanity, Artist community, trade circles and movie lovers showered praise for befitting tribute to classic film.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Bilal Lashari’s most ambitious project and biggest film in the history of Pakistan film Industry, The Legend of Maula Jatt have finally released in cinemas after a long wait of years.

The film have truly revived the glory of Pakistani film industry and Lollywood is celebrating the grand arrival and landmark success of biggest film of Pakistani Industry at the same time. The larger than life premiere of the film held at Que Cinemas Lahore previous evening and it was a occasion of evergrean memories. All the industry guests present to witness the magic of Maula Jatt on the celluloid and it was a dream come true with blockbuster written all ovet it.

TLOMJ is Pakistan’s most expensive production to date and the filmmakers have focused on every little detail. Leveraging VFX expertise from global cinema production and an international stunt team to train the cast, the film has audiences brimming with anticipation for a movie that has established many “firsts” in the Pakistani cinema.

The Legend of Maula Jatt also boasts the biggest star cast for a Pakistani film including Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Humaima Malick, Mirza Gohar Rasheed, Faris Shafi, Shafqat Cheema and Ali Azmat. The film has been directed by Bilal Lashari, known for his directorial debut with ‘Waar’ and produced by Ammara Hikmat under the joint venture of Encyclomedia & Lashari Films in association with AAA Motion Pictures. The screenplay is by Bilal Lashari and the dialogues have been penned by the icon screenplay writer Nasir Adeeb. The filmmakers have partnered with Geo Films as their presenting partner.

The film will be locally distributed by Mandviwalla Entertainment and internationally by the Movie Goers Entertainment. A few days ago special screening was also held for ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ at Cue Cinemas, Lahore. Cinema exhibitors from all over Pakistan were in attendance at the screening and have acclaimed the movie as the ‘perfect blockbuster’ and have predicted it to have a huge box office opening.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Ammara Hikmat, the producer of “The Legend of MaulahJatt” made a big announcement to help the flood victims. The money collected from the special shows of the film will be given to the flood victims. Ammara Hikmat, the renowned producer of the film “The Legend of Maulah Jatt”, has told the media that due to the flood disaster in Pakistan, our Pakistani brothers and sisters from Balochistan, Sindh to KPK have been affected personally. What was possible was done for them, but now my team including me has decided that some special shows of the movie “The Legend of Maulah jatt” will be organized from which the money collected will be allocated for the relief of the flood victims. He said that the film will play an important role in the revival of the cinema industry, while the film will set a new record. This film is a complete entertainment film which will prove to be a money-making film The film is being released all over the world, including Pakistan, on October 13. All of you have watched it and given your feedback so that the film industry can play its role in providing quality entertainment in the future.

Justice Project Pakistan to host a dramatic reading of letters of prisoners on death row to commemorate World Day Against the Death Penalty.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) To commemorate the World Day Against the Death Penalty on 10 October, Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), in collaboration with Olomopolo Media is hosting the upcoming play titled “Limbo” – A Dramatic Reading Of Letters of Prisoners on Death Row on the 10th of October 2022 at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad. The play is conceptualized by Kanwal Khoosat, with direction from Talha Mufti and sound design by Agha Haider. Further, the performance also features renowned artists such as Sarmad Khoosat, Samiya Mumtaz, Erfan Khoosat, and Hassan Wajid Baig.

“Olomopolo presents ‘Limbo’, showcasing narratives that society forgets, those that society wishes it did not have to remember or acknowledge,” stated Kanwal Khoosat, Executive Director of Olomopolo.

Performers within the play will primarily read letters penned by the incarcerated inmates in Pakistan’s penal system. The letters are interspersed with passages from George Orwell’s essay, ‘A Hanging’, and regulations from the Pakistan Prisons Rules. The dramatic readings seek to highlight the dysfunction of Pakistan’s justice system – torture, false confessions, juvenile detention – as well as shine a light on the humanity of those behind bars. With this production, JPP and Olomopolo Media hope to raise important questions about crime, punishment, and the justice system.

“This year, the theme of the WDADP is torture – a theme that has particular resonance for our country since a significant number of death row prisoners have been sentenced to death on the basis of evidence extracted under torture. The heartbreaking stories of our clients in Limbo highlight the urgent need to reform Pakistan’s criminal justice system. We also implore our lawmakers to legislate criminalizing torture so that some of the stories you hear during this performance don’t ever have to be repeated,” stated Sarah Belal, Executive Director, JPP.

Prior to the play, an interactive session titled ‘This Is (Not) A Game’ will begin at 6:30 pm, followed by hall entry at 7 pm. The performance will start at 7:30 pm sharp. Tickets cost Rs1,500 and are available online through Ticketwala and at the PNCA.

Justice Project Pakistan is a legal action non-governmental organization that represents the most vulnerable Pakistani prisoners facing the harshest punishments at home and abroad.

Olomopolo Media has previously worked on several other projects including the hit play “Both Sit In Silence For A While”. “Limbo” is said to be another impressive endeavor by the media organization and will surpass expectations in its delivery. The media company has several other projects in the pipeline. More on that will be disclosed at a later date.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  Famous model and actress Saima Baloch will be seen in the role of Rajoo in “The Legend of Maula Jatt”, while talking to the media, actress Saima Baloch said that the role of Rajoo was taken as a challenge by the director of the film Billal Lashari is the best director because of Ammara Hikmat, I was very motivated during the shoot. She is very professional in her work. Working with her was a great experience. When I was told that Rajoo character had not been found for a long time, I accepted this role of “Rajoo” as a challenge for myself. I had to do something extraordinary. I am rich in the role, I have tried hard to play my role, he said, I tried to give something universal to the film industry of Pakistan. I belong to Iran, I am an Iranian Baloch. It is not allowed to say otherwise. But the passion in me and the art in my soul didn’t stop me from chasing my dreams instead of making light of what people said. I started my career with modeling and a reality show. I got offers for many TV dramas but I decided to take off in TV commercial modeling and the film industry. After that, it is becoming an adornment in cinemas all over the world including Pakistan.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) In an effort to provide quality entertainment to Pakistani fans, Distribution Club is releasing the highly anticipated family drama film “Fuffad Ji”. The film revolves around interesting tale of events between an elder and younger son-in-law quarrel with each other to get importance and status. Based on Punjabi cultural values and traditions, the story is full of humor and satire in which all the actors have played their roles very convincingly. Punjab, Sindh and Federal Censor Boards have cleared the film and the board members have appreciated the film for its different concept and perfect execution. Sheikh Abid Rasheed, Executive Director, IMGC and Distribution Club said that “Fuffad Ji” is a beautiful cultural film full of laughter and culture rituals which the whole family will enjoy watching together in cinemas. He added that story of the film is based on the respect of family ties, cultural customs and family gatherings with highlighting the message of peace and happiness and abandoning centuries old unnecessary customs and beliefs of the old generation in a respectful manner.

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Renowned producer Ammara Hikmat’s new movie “The Legend of Mola Jat” was a hit. The movie fans have booked 70% of the tickets. Cinemas have started booking before the movie is released. The film will be screened on October 13 in the country and all over the world, while Sajjad Gul, the famous producer of the film industry, says that he has never seen such a hype of a film till date. Machtehe Nahi Dekhi film will achieve record success in the industry. On this occasion, senior producer actor Rashid Khawaja said that the background score of the film made me cry. I have not seen a better soundtrack of any Pakistani film than this. It will be helpful in the recovery of the film industry. It should be noted that Ammara Hekmat’s film “The Legend of Mola Jat” will hit the theaters on October 13. While its cast includes famous actress Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Hamaima Malik Gohar, Rashid Ali Azmat. And other artists including Shafqat Cheema are involved.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) Federal and Provincial boards have already issued Censor certificates with minor cuttings. “Joyland” has received standing ovations at prestigious Cannes Film festival with two awards Un Certain Jury Prize and Queer Palm along and Best Film of the Subcontinent from Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. Produced by Sarmad Sultan khoosat , Directed by Saim Sadiq “Joyland” will release in cinemas from the platform of Distribution Club in November.

After generating great response and receiving standing ovation at the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival, Pakistani film ‘Joyland’ is ready to hit the screens on November 24th. “Joyland” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival held in France this year, where it was awarded with great reception and success, and the film won two prestigious awards, including the “Jury Prize” and the “Queer Palm” at the Cannes Film Festival.

Later in August “Joyland”, won best Film of the Subcontinent award from Indian Film Festival of Melbourne as well. The producers and distributor team have decided to release the film “Joyland” in November after the T20 Cricket World 2022. The film will be released in cinemas across the country including Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad simultaneously. During premiere at the Cannes in May, “Joyland” highly impressed the international film fraternity and film critics praised “Joyland” whole heartedly. Directed by Saim Sadiq, Joyland is a fictional story set in Lahore about a middle-class family in which a wheelchair-bound yet severe patriarch rules over his two sons and daughters-in-law. He wants his kids to give him grandchildren, but all changes when his younger son has a different plan. The Film highlights the incidents in the life of transgender in a thought provoking manner.

The cast of Joyland includes Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq, Alina Khan and Sarwat Gillani and Sania Saeed. Executive Director Distribution Club Sheikh Abid Rasheed said that “Joyland” has been approved by the federal and provincial Censor Boards of Punjab and Sindh for screening in cinemas across the country with minor cuttings and now the preparations for the release of the film have entered the final stages. The versatile artist Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, who is one of the producers of “Joyland”, said that “Joyland” is an interesting story-based film which has gained worldwide attention due to its sensitive subject. He said that in the next few days, the teaser and trailer of “Joyland” will be released and regular promotion will be started.