Category: Entertainment

Keh Do – a motivational series written by Junaid Khan gets selected for the Zee5 Global Content Festival

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Keh Do a beautiful narration on life has been nominated for the Zee5 Global Content Festival. A Carrett production in collaboration with Junaid Khan has produced this beautiful motivational video that was released in the midst of the pandemic in 2020.

Written by Junaid Khan and produced/directed by Moiz Abbas Rizvi, Keh Do was released at the peak of the global chaos where lives were getting disrupted left right and center. This is where Junaid Khan along with his enigmatic team came up with this mindful idea of creating content that would heal the mind, body and soul.

Keh Do is all about how Junaid teaches us on how to remain positive and happy and the power of all this is in our mind. How positive thinking can change and make a difference and help one achieve the heights of mental peace and serenity. He talks about how from a shy and timid child he became who he is now and how he conquered his fears and hurdles. And this is exactly what makes the video inspirational and motivational all at the same time.

Shot in the most beautiful manner the words and the visuals both preach the same message as this video has immense healing powers. “I was very happy to find out that Keh Do has been selected for the Zee5 Global Content Festival. Even if I get to touch one life from this video and inspire someone then that would be the best thing ever. Because after all it takes a village – to make the world a better place”.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Leading film production house JB Films officially launched its trailer for the star-studded film ‘Ghabrana Nahi Hai’. The trailer unravels much more about the storyline than the previous teaser which was released in December 2021. As seen in the official clip, several characters have their own unique identity but are essential to the plot. The film in itself features renowned superstars including Saba Qamar, Zahid Ahmed, Syed Jibran, Sohail Ahmed, Nayyer Ejaz, Afzal Khan Rambo, and Saleem Mairaj amongst an array of other esteemed actors. The film is directed by Saqib Khan, produced by Jamil Baig & Hassan Zia while the storyline was developed by Hassan Zia, Saqib Khan, and Mohsin Ali. The official trailer was released at 6pm on the 12th of March 2022.

The film stars the fan-favourite actress Saba Qamar and the superbly talented Zahid Ahmed who will be making his debut on the big screen for the very first time. ‘Ghabrana Nahi Hai’ also marks the debut of versatile actor Syed Jibran on the silver screen. Seasoned actors Sohail Ahmed, Nayyer Ejaz, Afzal Khan (Rambo), Saleem Meraj also star in pivotal roles as well thus rounding off a stellar cast.   

The trailer of ‘Ghabrana Nahi Hai’ starts with a bustling wedding scene with Saba Qamar narrating in the background. It seems that her character will be the lead of the show. The scene cuts to Zahid Ahmed who is later revealed to be a police officer. Of course, no storyline is complete without an antagonist as Nayyer Ejaz plays the gangster villain who everyone is afraid of. Adding a bit of comedy to the love triangle between Saba Qamar and Zahid Ahmed, Syed Jibran appears to be the hopeless romantic who also pursues the leading lady in whatever way he can.

The highly anticipated film has already gauged the attention of audiences nationwide and seeing the characters in action further sparked curiosity across the board. The storyline further emphasizes how the narrative can be perceived in multiple genres including a mix of drama, comedy, and thrill with a side of the ultimate battle between right vs wrong. Several ups and downs can be presumed due to certain clashes in personality but the full story can only be known when the film is out.

‘Ghabrana Nahi Hai’ would mark JB Films’ first-ever feature film production and it already holds a lot of promise with a fun-filled storyline alongside elements of drama, action, and comedy. Several renowned celebrities have already expressed their excitement for the upcoming movie and fans have been quite vocal about their anticipation as well. The film will officially be released nationwide in cinemas theatre on Eid ul Fitr 2022.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Sounds of Kolachi strike once again with their new song “Azaad”. A powerhouse of women behind the vocals have taken up this narrative that takes down veils from the true state of women in Pakistan.

Nimra Rafiq along with Khadija, Manoor Sehar, Neha Fahim Khan,Hiba Asim Khan and Rimsha Qureshi  have started a freedom movement that will become the anthem for every Pakistani woman suffering in the hands of suppressors prevailing in the society.

In a country where women are subjected to suppression and no freedom,Sounds of Kolachi becomes their voice through “Azaad”- a song by the women for the women.

With patriarchy hailing for centuries in this part of the world,women have been suffering beyond words.From domestic violence to work place harassment to women being seen as the weaker sex.

SOK has always been very woke and mindful when it has comes to making a difference to the society through their music.They do not just touch upon issues that are a taboo but rather give them a voice loud and proud for the world to see and hear.

And that’s exactly what their new song “Azaad” is all about.They are helping women by giving them a voice so loud that their sufferings are not just heard or seen but impactful enough for the society to step up and stop the oppression against women.

This powerful musical movement has been composed,written and produced by the music maestro Ahsan Bari.And directed by Sibtain Saghir.

With SOK raising awareness each time they release a new song they light a candle of hope and love for Pakistan and show to the world that music too is a strong weapon against all evil.

 You can now watch the full music video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-KbiSYCzSw

Lahore (Nut Desk) Speaking to media after the marriage, Mahmood Bhatti, an internationally renowned French fashion designer of French descent, said: There is a big difference. Pakistani wives give their lives for their husbands and keep praying for them all the time but many Pakistani men are not faithful to their wives and change after marriage. After that, we have an orange marriage in which love will start now.

I have full permission for my wife to continue her job and she can do whatever she wants. My message to all men is that after marriage wife should Allow work at will. In response to a question, Mahmood Bhatti said that we both intend to do welfare work together. For this purpose I had taken a place in Multan Road Lahore where I wanted to build an orphanage but it has been occupied by someone. He further said that whenever I come to Pakistan, I go to Data Darbar first because I used to spend most of my time there when there was nothing.

Mehmood Bhatti’s wife said that she considers herself lucky that I got such a good life partner for whom the girl wishes. She is a very good man and all Pakistani girls need such a husband. Humaira Bhatti added: He said that he is an assistant professor and he has also studied law. I belong to a middle class family. Our board was decided by the family and before marriage I did not know much about him.

Mahmood Bhatti further said that four marriages are allowed in Islam but nowadays it is difficult to have one wife. This is my last love and last marriage.

 Truth Or Dare – a new addition to SeePrimes epic short films

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) See prime never fails to impress its viewers as it gives hits after hits and this time they present to us yet another short film titled “Truth Or Dare” starring “Yasmha Gill”, “Mirza Zain Baig” ,”Naeema Garaj” “Mohammad Hanif” and “Aamir Shah”.

Truth Or Dare takes the students back in time where they attend their college reunion. With old memories rushing back to them they start to play their most favourite game “Truth Or Dare from their college days.

After a very naughty dare that they play with their principals’ wife, Shaan and Saima start choosing truth and here the story depicts and reveals true love between Shaan and Saima.

When Shaan asks Saima to marry him and keep their old love spirit alive she turns around and tells him that she is married.

The best part about the short film is how they narrate that in fact Shaan and Saima are married through the game.

As the reunion ends Saima starts walking towards her car and her son starts looking for the father. And there we see Shaan coming up and hugging the child.

We love happy endings and the relationship and chemistry that we see between Shaan and Saima from being college sweethearts to sticking through thick and thin and making each other a forever.

This enchanting love story “Truth or Dare” is a film by Mohsin Talat. Written by AsharNaeem, produced by Ali Hussain and Mahib Bukhari and exclusively produced by none other than Seemeen Naveed “Truth Or Dare” is now available for viewers on SeePrime’s YouTube channel.

Link to the press release: https://youtu.be/nCsaKYEA2Jw

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  Zoha Rahman, our very own British- Pakistani actress who starred in “Spider-Man: Far From Home”, has now signed her next grand project directed by AnshumanJha; “Lord Curzon Ki Haveli”.

This film is all set to be shot in UK and Zoha will be starring alongside Emmy nominated actor Arjun Mathur from Made in Heaven, RasikaDugal of Delhi Crime and Mirzapur fame and PareshPahuja. The black comedy thriller has been written by Bikas Mishra.

Zoha tells us how working with Anshuman was “A dream”, and the fact that he trusted her with one of his favourite characters, helping her make that role her own was a highlight.

She said, “His strengths as a director lie in his experience as an actor. We were on the same wavelength, so he could extract the best possible performance from me,”

Jha added, “Zoha brings an added cultural angle which adds to the narrative. It’s a truly universal story and I am happy that we have a cast that represents that.”

Zoha’s character shows a woman with many strengths, and that is what drew her to the project. She said describing the role; “Someone who can be very ordinary yet unhinged at the same time, I had to play the balance between the two extremes, making it a challenge and really fun to play.”

With Hollywood and Bollywood experiences we can see Zoha proving her skills and craft time after time, she does justice to her roles and outshining in performances are helping her push the conversation around diversity in the international industry.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CauHY0VIuja/

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Azaan Sami Khan has released a new single from his upcoming album ‘Main Tera.’ The lyrics have been penned by the late Shakeel Sohail with music directed by Alex Shahbaz.

‘Jaadugari’ arrives alongside an iconic video directed by Asim Raza. The music video is shot in Istanbul, Turkey and shows Azaan playing a concert, followed by a stroll down the iconic Istiklal Street. We also get to see a glimpse of Azaan’s ‘jaadugari’ as he navigates the nighttime landscape of Istanbul.

Melodious, catchy, and contemporary, ‘Jaadugari’ has a familiar pop sound that is bound to become a crowd favorite. Azaan’s vocals shine through as the song features his signature ‘ballad’ as well as a catchier pop hook.

The single ‘Jaadugari’ follows hot on the footsteps of earlier singles ‘Ik Lamha’ featuring Maya Ali and ‘Main Tera.’ While these two singles were powerful love ballads, ‘Jaadugari’ has a distinct upbeat, dance feel to it.

Azan’s album ‘Main Tera’ is due for release on 10th March 2022. The song has been released by Hum Music and Azel Records.

The music video is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSHZLvCsc6c&ab_channel=AzaanSamiKhan

 

Arooj Aftab, Pakistan’s first woman Grammy nominee, talks about changing stereotypical social norms as EQUAL Pakistan Ambassador of the Month

Lahore (Muhmmad Yasir) In celebration of International Women’s Day and on a continued mission to turn up the volume on Pakistani women creators by giving them a platform to share their content with the world, Spotify brings EQUAL to Pakistan. Through its local version, EQUAL Pakistan, Spotify’s Global Music Program aims to amplify the work of women creators by utilizing the platform’s resources and providing new opportunities for these creators through a globally cohesive and branded experience. 

EQUAL Pakistan will spotlight an Ambassador of the Month each month, highlighting their music releases and encouraging fans to discover them, and Pakistani music sensation, Arooj Aftab, will become the first EQUAL Pakistan Ambassador in the month of March.

Arooj Aftab has been making waves in Pakistan’s music scene by racking up not one but two Grammy nominations – first nominated for Best New Artist and again for Best Global Music Performance for “Mohabbat“. Additionally, she will be the first Pakistani artist to perform at Coachella with Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and Ye as headliners. 

“I am extremely excited to be the first Ambassador of EQUAL Pakistan because this kind of well-structured program will help uplift women in the audio industry of Pakistan,” said Arooj Aftab. 

“If I could do something to promote women artists of Pakistan, I would give them all the gigs. All the women working in the music industry are super talented, so the industry should give them a chance to prove themselves and learn from those opportunities to get better at what they are already doing. We hire men by just looking at the potential that they have but in the case of women, we are constantly waiting for them to prove themselves. I think this mindset needs to change.”

Throughout March, Spotify will feature leading women artists on the covers of its most popular playlists, including “Hot Hits Pakistan“, “Angrezi Indie“, “Pakistani Indie 101“, and “Pakistani Pop”.

“South Asian women creators face unique challenges in this male-dominated industry, and Spotify’s EQUAL Pakistan goes the extra mile to elevate women musicians beyond genres,” says Rutaba Yaqub, Spotify Pakistan’s Music Manager. “Our EQUAL Pakistan playlist features women producers, instrumentalists, vocalists, songwriters, and more. The recognition is long overdue, and we invite our listeners to keep discovering and listening to Pakistani women at full volume.”

From Annural Khalid to Farheen Raza Jaffery, Spotify has focused on women’s voices since its launch and opened the door for many new women creators to be discovered by new fans. 

The EQUAL Pakistan program includes: 

• EQUAL Pakistan playlist: Pakistan women artists are showcased at full volume on the country’s go-to playlist for discovering and supporting these talented creators. The playlist features diverse women voices, including  Zahra Paracha, Abida Parveen, Wooly and the Uke, Annural Khalid, Maria Unera, and Amna Riaz. 
• EQUAL Destination: Spotify listeners can enjoy listening to some of the most talented women artists from the country via playlists such as EQUAL Pakistan, Top Local Female artists in Pakistan 2021,  Women of Coke Studio, This is Abida Parveen, and This is Noor Jehan on the EQUAL Destination.
• EQUAL Global Playlist: Featuring EQUAL Ambassadors and women artists from around the world, this playlist will serve as the ultimate listening experience, amplifying the EQUAL class of each month.
• Artist marketing: Each EQUAL Pakistan Ambassador of the Month will receive organic and on-platform promotion across Spotify’s editorial spaces. This model has proven effective in propelling significant growth on the platform in both the artists’ home countries and beyond. Arooj Aftab will be featured on a billboard in Times Square on March 23 to honour her as Ambassador of the Month.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) International Women’s Day 2022 is a celebration to acknowledge and appreciate the female segment of the population that is uplifting society and organizations in a variety of ways. Social media platforms in particular are playing an instrumental role in showcasing women from all walks of life. With hashtag challenges and campaigns, these applications are constantly evolving the ways in which women around the world can be brought to the spotlight.

Likee, one of the country’s leading short video sharing platforms, is leveraging the power of social media to highlight the ‘Queens’ of society. The platform’s #LikeeQueen2022 campaign is a month-long initiative that enables not just females but all content creators to voice their support for the segment of the population that contributes significantly to various aspects of society building. The promotion offers unique rewards like customized medals along with extensive traffic enhancement opportunities for spread of content to participating creators with the most engagement including recognition and custom rewards. In order to participate, creators must upload at least 3 videos per week around the theme of women, their role in society and importance of empowering them effectively. Users employed ##LikeeGirlsPowe or #GirlsUpUp to have their videos noticed by the judges.

Hundreds of creators from across the platform participated in the activity. With videos ranging from songs, poetry and skits to humorous takes on daily life situations, people from a variety of domains and niches posted to celebrate one of the most integral parts of society; women. Some of the most prominent creators shared their views about the developments and the campaign in general.

Talking about the impact that Likee is making on the lives of women, Ayesha Ali, a housewife and Youtuber wowing crowds on various platforms through her home remedies and daily life hacks stated: “My work on Likee helps promote happiness and positivity in various ways. Standing up for our rights is something even our religion stresses upon and I believe that my channels and videos help women do just that. I am a prime example of how hardwork and dedication can help women accomplish tasks that the world assumes that they can’t.”

With social media especially short video sharing platforms people from any part of the world can showcase distinct skills that they have. This aspect is well highlighted by Amnah Khan who is a woman belonging to a remote area of Pakistan.She is utilizing the potential of social media to build a reputation for herself as a singer while becoming an inspiration for others at the same time. Her sweet voice and guitar playing skills provide her a unique edge in the field. Amnah participated in a TSA event bagging first place. She believes that being a girl means that we bring love and positivity to the world. All it takes then is to have a clear focus and keep pursuing your dreams. Sooner or later, you will get to the point where you want to be.

Last but not the least, Samosii is a talented makeup artist and face painter earning fame due to her exquisite skills and the way she portrays them on social media. Expressing her views about women and the need to appreciate them Samosii noted that self-love and confidence provide the foundation for women to grow. “We are four sisters with no brother therefore we had a strong challenge of creating a path of professional growth and recognition for ourselves in a male dominated society. Our family was strictly against the use of social media for girls but still we were able to change narratives and support our families at the same time.”

Commenting on the development, Likee Representative stated; “Women make up nearly half of the world’s population but their contributions to society are equallysignificant. As one of the country’s foremost short video sharing platforms, Likee aims to allow not just women but men as well to showcase their appreciation and efforts in empowering this segment completely. Our focus with the “LikeeQueen Campaign is to allow audiences around the world and not just in Pakistan, to uniquely experience what women are capable of especially in today’s digitally enabled ecosystem.”

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) AnoushayAbbasi blesses us with her beautiful voice yet again at the Kashmir Beats Season 2 and this time with another powervocal actor turned singer Hassan Hayat Khan.

Din Chareya is an upbeat tune with a touch of old school music and the chemistry between the two singers makes the song even more melodic.

“This song gives meaning to a very deep  connection between two people.” Talking about her latest experience AnoushayAbbasi shared, “I am so glad to be part of the Kashmir Beats again and this time being paired with Hassan Hayat has been  great. I think we both did justice to each others vocals.” She feels very honoured being part of this all over again.

AnoushayAbbasi is not just breaking barriers by her acting skills and a charismatic persona but now her voice is also being loved and appreciated by everyone in the industry and her very own fans.
You can now watch the full music video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTlt0-elIRI