Category: Entertainment

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Actor Sanam Saeed promises her fans a fresh story despite her old ‘jori’ with Fawad Khan. Turning to her Instagram on Monday, the star shares new photos from the much-celebrated Zindagi Gulzar Hai duo, teasing fans of an epic, unconventional love story.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXtftsxKjKS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“In a mystical land far far away! Forgot my own excitement of collaborating with #AsimAbbasi once again while all you got excited about this jori! We’re back in completely new avatars with a phenomenal cast, crew and kahani!” captioned Sanam alongside a carousel of the couple’s photos amid a mountainous region.

Earlier this month, Fawad and Sanam excited their fans when they announced new web series on Zee5 streaming service. The project titled Zindagi is all set to premiere next year.

 

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Ajoka performed on Sunday 19 December, a short play “ Dara’s Search” at Loyola Hall on the occasion of a Christmas event organised by Centre for Social Justice.

The beautifully choreographed play presented Mughal prince Dara Shiloh’s search for common elements in the teachings of all religions of the Indian subcontinent. Indian mystic Bhagat Kabir’s poem on religious harmony was sung by Kanwal Christopher while the cast included Qaiser Khan ( Dara), Fahad Aamir (Guru Har Rai), Nasir Mahmood(Baba Lal Das), Asad Bhatti (Father Boseo) and Usman Zia (Mullah Badakhshi).

Dancer Luke Kelvin performed the role of Dara’s spirit. Nadeem Mir handled the lights and set. The play, which was baddd on extracts from Shahid Nadeem’s acclaimed play “ Dara”, was given Global Film and Music Awarded in 2019.
Peter Jacob, director of Centre for Social Justice, thanked Ajoka for its performance and appreciated its role in promoting religious harmony.

Ajoka’s director Shahid Nadeem and director Ajoka Institute Nirvaan Nadeem also attended the event.

****

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Celebrating Pakistan and Music the Coke way, Coca-Cola Pakistan hosted the first ever Coke Studio Live concert in Lahore at the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club featuring a diverse line-up of artists: the dynamic Talal Qureshi, pop sensation Hasan Raheem, the rap duo Young Stunners, popular rap artist Faris Shafi and music icon Atif Aslam.

Coke Studio is known as the Sound of the Nation. The platform has played a key role in taking Pakistani music global. The Foreign Office recognized this role and awarded the platform for being the country’s best cultural export, with over 10.2 million subscribers on YouTube and over 4 billion views on digital platforms.

This year Coke Studio 14 is aiming for a revitalized vibe. 70 per cent of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 35, and with Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan (popularly known as Xulfi) at the helm there is a lot of anticipation around the new sound, fresh stars and a modern outlook that will reflect the voice of the youth.

Fahad Ashraf, VP Coca-Cola Pakistan and Afghanistan said: “The Coke Studio platform has evolved this season. Whereas the values are the same but we are now leaning into the future by including the GenZ sound very deliberately. It is about time that we sync our cords with what the youngsters what. Nostalgia has its place in Season 14 but so does the firepower of a sound never been heard before.”

Celebrating music in line with Coca-Cola’s new global brand philosophy and platform Real Magic, Coke Studio Live attracted a lively youth-oriented audience from all corners of the city and provided families with an opportunity to plan a perfect evening out, organized in line with the NCOC protocols.

Coke Studio Live is an effort to help revitalize the live music culture of the country. Pakistanis are known for their resilient nature, and our music has always reflected our adversity, hope and our ability to come through. The concert comes at a time when the country despite the challenges it faces have an overall optimistic outlook and is on a journey towards economic recovery, sustainable development and post-pandemic normalization. 

Hosted by media personalities Dino Ali and Anoushey Ashraf, in attendance at this concert were various personalities such as HSY, Shammal Qureshi, Meesha Shafi, Abdullah Siddiqui, Zara Shahjahan, Bilal Lashari, Omair Rana, Amna Babar, Zonia Anwaar, Guddu Shani, Sameer Shami and Farhan Ali to name a few, along with members of the esteemed press.

At this concert, Coke Studio also revealed the artists part of its talented roster for Season 14. With producer Xulfi at the helm, the featured artist lineup for the season includes: Abdullah Siddiqui, Abida Parveen, Ali Sethi, Ameer Baksh, Arooj Aftab, Asfar Hussain, Atif Aslam, Butt Brothers, Eva B, Faisal Kapadia, Faris Shafi, Hasan Raheem, Justin Bibis, Kaifi Khalil, Karakoram, Lahore Jazz Ensemble, Meesha Shafi, Momina Mustehsan, Naseebo Lal, Quratulain Baloch, Shaegill, Soch, Talal Qureshi, Talha Anjum, Wahab Bugti, Young Stunners and Zain Zohaib Qawwals.

This season truly epitomizes the passion of Pakistanis, unifying the diverse sounds of the country through a fusion of diverse genres while the videos takes viewers on a journey like never before.Coke Studio also announces two major partnerships for Season 14: The world’s leading music streaming platform Spotify, and Pakistan’s leading high-street brand Khaadi.

Coke Studio’s launch date and more partnerships will be announced later this December 2021.

For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/cokestudio/

 

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Two-time Academy Award-winning film-maker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has announced her collaboration with Welsh National Opera (WNO) for Expo 2020 Dubai’s Al-Wasl Opera, a cultural milestone that celebrates thousands of years of UAE history, its achievements to date and its aspirations for the future. The show will be performed at Dubai Opera for its premiere run from till 19^th December 2021.

The series of 7 films will play in the background at various key points, in harmony with the live music, during the performance of Al-Wasl. The films have been produced by SOC Films and directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, in close collaboration with celebrated American composer Mohammed Fairouz and renowned British Director Sir David Willoughby Pountney. An Opera in Three Acts, the performance will feature more than 100 artists and musicians, as well as a production team of 70 professionals, to combine the best global operatic talent, celebrating Expo 2020’s theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

Produced in collaboration with Welsh National Opera, composed by Mohammed Fairouz, co-authored and written by Maha Gargash, directed by Sir David Willoughby Pountney and conducted by Justin Brown, Al Wasl translates as ‘the connection’ in English, and is the old name for Dubai. The connection here implies international cooperation, with Al Wasl Opera showing how we must work together to channel Sustainability, one of Expo’s three subthemes.

Mohammed Fairouz, Composer, Al Wasl Opera, said: “Celebrating Expo 2020’s vision of collaboration, Al Wasl Opera brings together many people from a variety of artistic backgrounds in order to create one art form – and there’s nothing more universal than opera and theatre. If people can laugh and cry together, then anything is possible between them.”

Sir David Willoughby Pountney, Director, Al Wasl Opera, said: “The story of Al Wasl begins in the desert, and we created a rather original way of depicting this desert in a metaphorical way. In the middle act, we are in the present, where there is a strong reference to the creation of the Burj Khalifa, and we move on into the future in the final act, where we are in pure fantasyland about what the future may or may not look like, depending on whether we make a commitment to a sustainable tomorrow.”

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Film Director, Al Wasl Opera, said: “We worked closely with Sir David Pountney and Mohammad Fairouz to create films that spoke to the music and choreography of the opera. In telling the story of the UAE and its growth, we also told the story of the men who built it, including the story of a Pakistani worker Adnan and his daughter Eshal. As filmmakers we visualize stories and to be able to do that on an opera stage with the best in the world has truly been an honor.”

Al Wasl Opera will be presented in English, with a runtime of 120 minutes, including one intermission.

Link for more information: https://www.dubaiopera.com/events/al-wasl-opera/

 

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is returning to normalcy after tough few months of his son Aryan Khan’s arrest. The actor was recently spotted in an exclusive video by a car brand, where the actor congratulated the company’s new brand ambassadors. 

The video, that officially released on Wednesday, instantly excited the star’s eager fans who were waiting to see him since months.

Shah Rukh wore a round-neck T-shirt along with a jacket and kept his tied back.

“Finally sir ke dharshan ho hee gaya (Finally, we got a glimpse of Shah Rukh),” a fan tweeted in excitement. “Waiting to see him on the big screen,” added another. 

Take a look:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXgCYgPPxUM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

Lahore (NUt-DESK)

Actor Imran Abbas on Wednesday announced the demise of his mother in a heartbreaking Instagram post. The renowned star shared a picture of him kissing his mother’s foot, sharing he has lost his ‘Jannat’ (Paradise). He had lost his father on the same date in 2019.

“Alwida Meri Maa (Farewell, my mother),” he shared, adding, “I won’t be able to kiss these feet anymore. Lost my “Jannat” (paradise) today on December 15, the same date I lost my father two years back. Please recite Surah-e-Fateha for her.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXgmegkoP9v/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Many shared condolences and sent heartfelt wishes his way. Celebs such as Sajal Aly, Mashal Khan, Sanam Jung and Turkish actor Celel Al took to social media and lent him support.

On Mother’s Day this year, the Tum Kon Piya actor shared the same picture and had written, “May I always keep kissing your feet till I am alive. Happy Mother’s Day to every mother around the world.”

In 2019, on his father’s passing away, Imran had shared that he was going through the darkest time of his life.

Abbas then emphasised how important it was to be grateful to our parents before there was no room left for gratitude. “Please value your parents because there is no one in this whole universe like them. Give them your love and time, that’s all they want, otherwise, we are just left with regrets and remorse,” concluded the star.

*********

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Multi-award winning production house SOC Films, in collaboration with The Legal Aid Society [LAS] and National Commission on the Status of Women [NCSW], have launched their latest animation series, “Inheritance Rights of Women according to Pakistani Law”, with the release of the first short film, “Inheritance Laws”.

Understanding the need for improved legal awareness amongst women in Pakistan, the animated “Inheritance Rights of Women according to Pakistani Law” series comprises of 9 distinct animated films, shedding light on Women’s right to marital and legal property in Pakistan. The films are available in 8 regional languages to facilitate communities across the country, making a total of 72 different films. The first film “Inheritance Laws” focuses on Pakistan’s inheritance laws and the cultural values that make it challenging for women to secure their inheritance.

With this animation series, SOC Films, LAS and NCSW aim to further enhance women’s knowledge of fundamental rights and legal remedies through the dissemination of these films across an array of communities.

These 9 films will be released during the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence Campaign, with a focus to strengthen urban & rural communities at the grass-root level by providing women with insight into legal knowledge and pathways that can be undertaken for the deliverance of their fundamental rights. SOC Films will be leading the effort to further disseminate the films through a mobile-cinema tour and school, college and universities outreach program aimed at reaching and facilitating dialogue with women across Pakistan. 

Earlier in November 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between The Legal Aid Society (LAS) and The National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) for the provision of legal awareness among vulnerable women at risk of discrimination, abuse and other human right violations across Pakistan.

“It is alarming how many women are blatantly denied their inheritance, their dower & marital property, their share in their families’ agricultural income, the right to rent property on fair terms and whilst independent of any male family members, or even a place in their families NADRA records. We hope that this initiative, taken with the support of NCSW and in collaboration with SOC Films, will allow us to create awareness and make these issues part of the mainstream public discourse. We hope that these videos and the programming around them will encourage, not only women but all family members to seek out more information and eventually become change-makers.” said Palvasha Shahab, Advisor for The Legal Aid Society.

“The responsibility of putting a stop to Violence Against Women is on society, including us all. NCSW is proud to collaborate on such a project with the Legal Aid Society and SOC Films. It will bring awareness to women & men about women’s inheritance rights digitally and through the on-road cinema. The significance of launching these films now is that they aren’t just films but tools for activism during the 16 Days of Activism global campaign for Ending Violence Against Women. NCSW intends that these tools, partnerships, and collaborations continue beyond the 16 days as the struggle for equal rights continues”, said Nilofar Bakhtiar, Chairperson of The National Commission on the Status of Women.

“It is extremely important for women across Pakistan to be educated about their rights it is only when we are armed with knowledge that we can fight for our rights and equal place in society. And that is how we will gain more space and achieve an equal status in society” said Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, SOC Films.

The animated film Inheritance Laws can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/kAHjX2SMW7A

**************

LAHORE (NUT-DESK)

Ajoka Theatre has invited nominations for the second Shahkaar Theatre Awards. The awards have been instituted to acknowledge the contribution and perseverance of theatre practitioners and artists. Ajoka launched Shahkaar Arshad Durrani Awards in 2020, in the memory of Ajoka’s veteran actor Arshad Durrani (late) with collaboration of the Shahkaar Higher Education Research Hub, a project by Sumaya Durrani, Doctoral Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney. Veteran actress Nadia Jamil and young actor Sibt-e-Hasan were the recipients of first Shahkaar Arshad Durrani Awards.

The 2nd awards were announced at a memorial meeting held to mark the 3rd death anniversary of the late Arshad Durrani at Ajoka office. The meeting was chaired by Ajoka’s chairperson Zara Salman and attended by Ajoka members, friends of Arshad Durrani and students of Ajoka Institute’s acting class. Tributes were paid to Mr Durrani for his undying commitment to theatre. Co-actors shared memories of his passion and will power to keep performing despite illness and old age.

The Awards are in two categories: “Theatre Excellence” and outstanding contribution to performing arts, “Against All Odds”. The nominations can be submitted to Ajoka office with supporting information by 24th December. The nominations can be made by performing arts organizations and practitioners including those associated with Ajoka Theatre. A 7-member jury of eminent professionals will make the final selection. The awards include cash award and a shield.

For “Theatre Excellence”, nominees should be under the age of 40 and at least 10 years’ experience in socially meaningful theatre while for “Against All Odds“ award, preference will be given to nominees over the age of 50, who have been associated with performing arts for over 20 years.

********