Category: Entertainment

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Green Entertainment proudly presents ‘Stand Up Girl,’ a drama that unfolds the inspiring journey of a girl breaking societal norms to become a stand-up comedian.

The stage is set to sizzle as for the time ever the multi-talented Danyal Zafar joins forces with the enchanting beauty Zara Noor Abbas, noteworthy for her exceptional roles in blockbuster projects such as ‘Ehd-e-Wafa’ and ‘Khamoshi.

The upcoming serial is artfully scripted by the talented trio of Adeel Afzal, Awais Ahmed, and Bee Gul. At the directorial forefront stands Kashif Nisar, celebrated for his remarkable work in ‘Kabli Pulao,’ promising Green Entertainment yet another compelling drama.

This compelling narrative unfolds the story of a determined young girl aspiring to become a stand-up comedian, defying societal expectations that attempt to break her dreams. As she battles against the odds, the drama introduces a parallel storyline featuring a young man from a lower-class comedian family, challenging his own blood’s scepticism about his ambitions to become a standup comedian. Through their pursuit of dreams, the drama emphasises the transformative power of determination and genuine passion in overcoming challenges. Following the tradition of impactful social messages in Green dramas, Stand Up Girl’ doesn’t shy away from a significant social message. It promises a powerful message about pursuing dreams with an unwavering and pure heart.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

The grand premiere of the joint production of the Pakistan and Turkey drama serial “Selah Uddin Ayubi” was held at Arts Council of Pakistan which was attended by a galaxy of celebrities wearing beautiful and traditional costumes designed by famous designer Sarfraz Akbar. The epic drama unfolded the life and legacy of the legendary Selah Uddin Ayubi with remarkable precision and artistry.

The narrative traced the great leader’s footsteps from his humble beginnings in the rugged terrains of the Middle East to his triumphant rise to power. The script, a blend of historical accuracy and dramatic flair, captivated the audience from start to finish.

The drama was produced by two Pakistanis Dr Kashif Ansari and Dr Junaid Shah. It has been produced in the Turkish language, which is also being translated into different languages for capturing a broad audience, including English, Arabic, and Urdu. The drama serial was shot in the capital of Turkey, Istanbul, with a specific land was dedicated for the set depicting the sites of holy and famous cities like Jerusalem and Damascus.

The cast, a talented ensemble of actors, delivered stellar performances that breathed life into the characters of Selah Uddin Ayubi, his allies, and adversaries. The costumes and set design, rich in detail and authenticity, transported the audience to a time when honor and courage were at the forefront of every decision. On the occasion, Sarfraz Akbar- the official designer of costumes used by actors and actresses in drama, said, “The serial will take its audience on a journey of the particular age of Selah Uddin, which was full of struggle, sacrifice and success. The drama will leave unforgettable footprints on the minds of the audience.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the breathtaking battle sequences that unfolded on stage, leaving the audience in awe of the choreography and special effects that brought the medieval conflicts to life.

The emotional depth of the play was equally striking, delving into the personal struggles and sacrifices that defined Selah Uddin’s journey.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Green Entertainment is gearing up to launch a game-changer serial “Breaking News.” The show uncovers how politicians cleverly influence what we see on TV by adjusting the stories to match their goals.

Heartthrob Hamza Sohail, who has done phenomenal job in drama ‘Fairy Tale’ and Amar Khan, Heer from ‘Heer Da Hero’ will be seen paired together for the very first time to bring this gripping narrative to life.

The serial is written by a well-known writer Aamir Raza, directed by Kashif Nisar who’s done exceptional projects for Green Entertainment before namely Kabli Pulao & Jeevan Nagar. The show is produced by none other than Q & K Productions in association with Multiverse Entertainment.

Breaking News is not just a drama; it’s a powerful commentary on media and political entanglements. The story delves into the intricate web of how politicians manipulate and alter the truth through media for personal gains. Furthermore, it aims to expose the dark underbelly of the media industry, showcasing how individuals fall victim to blackmail, echoing the harsh realities of leaked videos and photos that can jeopardize careers and personal lives of people. ‘Breaking News’ promises to be a gripping, relevant, and eye-opening narrative for viewers. The drama aims to challenge the viewers to question the authenticity of the news they consume and raises important concerns about the delicate balance between media responsibility and political influence.

Dubai (Muhammad Yasir)

Ali Sethi, the singer and artist, performed at Dubai Opera as part of his 2023 World Tour on November 11, 2023. The diverse audience in attendance added to the atmosphere of the Dubai show, making it a significant stop on his tour.

Pakistanis in Dubai should keep an eye out for upcoming concerts by the following artists:

• Michael Jackson tribute show, December 3, 2023, Coca-Cola Arena.
• Kid LAROI, December 8, 2023, Coca-Cola Arena.
• Bollywood at Rewind Reloaded, December 10, 2023, Coca-Cola Arena.
• Ali Zafar and Jonita Gandhi, December 23, 2023, Coca-Cola Arena.
• Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, December 29, 2023, Coca-Cola Arena.
• Sting, December 31, 2023, Atlantis, The Palm.

RADAR Pakistan turns one, Spotify launches RADAR Festival showcasing remarkable growth in local music.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) Spotify is commemorating the one-year anniversary of its groundbreaking RADAR Pakistan program, a program designed as a way to support emerging artists. It gives creators a global platform to help grow their careers and reach new and existing fans through bespoke social content, marketing, and editorial opportunities. Over the past year, Spotify’s RADAR program in Pakistan has effectively propelled these talented artists to new heights, fostering remarkable growth not only in terms of listeners but also in exposure. Throughout its first year in Pakistan, RADAR announced four featured artists, one for each quarter, with Hasan Raheem, Taha G, Maanu and Hassan & Roshaan emerging as the flag bearers for the program. Listeners can enjoy all their music at the ‘RADAR Pakistan 1 Year Anniversary’ destination on Spotify.

Starting this quarter you’ll notice RADAR’s new look gracing the program’s global collection of playlists, as well as billboards, platform marketing, and social content. Featuring a distinctive paper cutout visual identity, RADAR will put a strong focus on bringing rich storytelling to the mix in addition to a prominent feature on the RADAR playlists. With videos that show  who tomorrow’s stars are, what inspires them, and what keeps them going, listeners can step into the world of their new favorite creators.

Over the past year, the RADAR Pakistan playlist has achieved a remarkable 404,000 streams, capturing the attention of listeners from 74 different countries. The majority of these streams, a resounding 91%, originate from Pakistan, underscoring the passionate support and fervor for local music. India, USA, Canada, and UK round off the top five countries contributing to this global listenership.

The RADAR Pakistan playlist has also seen an impressive increase in followers, growing by an average of 33% each month. This highlights the rapid expansion of its reach and the significant influence it wields in promoting local artists on a global scale. Notably, 43% of RADAR Pakistan listeners belong to the age group of 18-24, reflecting the program’s profound appeal to a vibrant and youthful audience.

“We are proud as Spotify Pakistan to launch the first ever RADAR Festival from around the world, it’s monumental in so many ways. Since launching RADAR Pakistan we’ve showcased Pakistani artists in iconic OOH locations around the world, we introduced emerging Pakistani talents to a global audience & now showcased the first RADAR Festival on home ground.” Khan FM, Artists and Label Partnership Manager for Pakistan, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh commented.  “The future looks bright & even more spectacular because a program like RADAR Pakistan not only engages the artists but the wider creator community such as filmmakers, photographers, event organizers and more”

In 2023, the most played artists on the RADAR Pakistan playlist include Hasan Raheem, Taha G, Maanu, Abdul Hannan, and Hassan & Roshaan, among others. Similarly, the most played tracks on the playlist for the same year include hits like Maanu’s “4U,” Hassan & Roshaan’s “Bandhan” and “Sukoon,” Hasan Raheem’s “Joona,” Taha G’s “Dil Kay Isharay” and many more, which continue to captivate the audience.

As part of the celebrations surrounding this one-year milestone, Spotify proudly hosted the first-ever RADAR Fest globally at the LUMS Campus in Lahore. This event featured riveting performances by all four RADAR artists: Hasan Raheem, Taha G, Maanu, and Hassan & Roshaan. The event was a night full of music and discovery as the music streaming service once again showcased how it continues to champion the bright future of Pakistani music.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

The much-anticipated Pakistani film ‘Wakhri’ unveils its first trailer as it announces its world premiere at the upcoming Red Sea International Film Festival taking place between November 30th and December 9th, 2023. Written and directed by Iram Parveen Bilal, the film is produced by Abid Aziz Merchant (Sanat Initiative), Apoorva Bakshi (Awedacious Originals) and Iram Parveen Bilal (Parveen Shah Productions). The film boasts a stellar cast featuring the incomparable Faryal Mehmood taking on the lead role of Wakhri along with Gulshan Majeed, Shees Sajjad Gul, Sohail Sameer, Saleem Meraj, Bakhtawar Mazhar, Akbar Islam and Tooba Siddiqui. The Red Sea International Film Festival are renowned as champions of film culture in Saudi Arabia and across the Arab world. Previous attendees of the festival include the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Sharon Stone, Anotonio Banderas, Akshay Kumar, Jackie Chan, Ranbir Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, Andy Garcia and more.

‘Wakhri’ tells the story of a widowed school teacher in Pakistan, whose life takes an unexpected turn when her unfiltered opinions on social media catapult her to viral stardom overnight. As an unlikely influencer, she grapples with the complexities of managing archaic norms, concealed identities, and the upbringing of her 10-year-old son in a world where women’s rights to express themselves and claim their space, whether in the physical or digital realm, remain an enduring struggle.

The path to producing ‘Wakhri’ involved splendid key milestones, including participation at the Locarno Film Festival’s Open Doors Hub in 2018, the Cannes Cinefondation L’Atelier in 2019, and a presence at the Busan Asian Project Market in 2022. Additionally, the project received a production grant from CAPE (The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) and the CAA Foundation.

The film highlights the ongoing challenges women face as they strive to assert their rights and presence in both the physical and online realms. It is inspired by a variety of true events in the nation’s history and offers tribute and celebrates real life social media icons with special appearances from the likes of Mathira, Tamkenat, Amtul Baweja, Waseem Hassan Sheikh, Khalid Malik, Mustafa Chaudhry and more.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Audience appreciated the film as a family entertainment carrying a strong social message too. International acclaimed Punjabi film “Maujaan Hi Maujaan” currently playing in the cinemas across the country is doing excellent business.

Presented by IMGC (Distribution Club), film has created positive buzz and a large number of fans are praising the movie for its quality entertainment. Despite the ongoing Cricket World Cup, the film is holding its viewership and doing good business in whole circuit including Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, Islamabad and Karachi etc.

The script features three brothers who are deaf, blind and mute played by Gippy Grewal, Binnu Dhillon and Karamjit Anmol respectively. Hit trica of Star comedian Gippy Grewal, Binnu Dhillon, Karamjeet Anmol’s is backbone of the story whereas Pakistani star comedian Nasir Chinioti who is in an important role, has also been especially appreciated by the audience.

Sheikh Abid Rasheed, Executive Director, IMGC, said that “Maujaan Hi Maujaan” is a complete entertainer full of great story, hit music and social message that has a repeat value too, that’s why youngsters are coming back with the families after enjoying the film whole heartedly.

 

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

International Punjabi movie “Maujaan Hi Maujaan” received decent opening, running successfully across the circuit in cinemas. Excellent business in all major centers including Lahore, Karachi Islamabad etc,Other cities Faisalabad, Multan, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala also sharing good numbers International Punjabi film “Maujaan Hi Maujaan” have received positive response from the film lovers in the cinemas.

Released by IMGC (Distribution Club), on 20th October in Pakistan Market, along with the rest of the world, film is providing quality entertainment to the audiences. Despite the ongoing cricket world cup , film has taken great start and has done encouraging business in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi as well as in other cities of the circuit and the audience has appreciated the unique story, excellent characterization and the strong message of the film.

Audiences have especially appreciated the performances of the film’s lead artists Gippy Grewal, Binnu Dhillon, Karamjit Anmol, as well as Pakistani star comedian Nasir Chinioti. Star comedian Nasir Chinioti said that the artists of East Punjab have sent messages of thanks to the Pakistani fans for liking the film. IMGC Executive Director Sheikh Abid Rasheed said that the message given to the moviegoers at the end of “Maujaan Hi Maujaan” has not only won praise from the film critics but also the fans are appreciating it.

“Maujaan Hi Maujaan” is a complete family entertainer, which is providing wholesome entertainment to audiences, and fans are enjoying the film with their families in theaters.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Spotify is adding another touch of personalization to its portfolio with a groundbreaking feature, Smart Shuffle, designed to transform how users experience their personalized playlists. Smart Shuffle is set to elevate this connection by keeping those cherished playlists fresh and exciting, infused with personalized recommendations tailored to the playlist’s unique vibe.

Smart Shuffle offers a new way to experience your favorite playlists. It intelligently reshuffles tracks and seamlessly introduces brand-new recommendations that harmonize with the playlist’s original mood, breathing new life into your carefully curated collections. This innovative feature not only enhances your favorite playlists but also adds a fresh dimension to your ‘Liked Songs’ playlist.

Starting a playlist makeover is simple. Just hit the Shuffle button to activate Smart Shuffle. Once activated, user playlists will take on a vibrant new twist with perfectly matched recommendations. Listeners remain in control; in case they ever want to return to the original playlist, a quick tap on the Smart Shuffle button will do the trick.

Subscribers need to keep an eye out for the sparkle symbol next to a recommended track to easily spot all Spotify suggestions. For playlists with more than 15 songs, Spotify sprinkles in one recommendation for every three tracks. Should a listener adore a recommendation, it’s easy to save it in their respective playlist. If a suggestion doesn’t resonate with someone, they can just tap the minus button on the ‘Now Playing’ view, and the app uses your feedback to refine our future recommendations.

This innovative feature is part of Spotify Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to deliver the best possible experience to our users. Whether you’re reliving memories or embracing fresh vibes, Smart Shuffle is designed to be a user’s ideal musical companion.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

The teaser for the upcoming Pakistani animated film “Ops Counteract” is out. The film is directed, animated, and produced by DJ Kamal Mustafa, a Pakistani filmmaker who is known for his previous animated films, such as Operation Swift Retort for PAF, Operation Meezan for Pakistan Rangers Sindh, and Cyber Awareness film for NR3C. Ops Counteract is based on a story of a Pakistani SSG commando who thwarts the activities of a terrorist group.

The teaser shows the commando receiving intelligence about a terrorist member who is spying on people at a cafe. The commando then leads an operation against the terrorist group, finding their hideouts and sleeper cells. The teaser is well-animated and the action sequences are exciting. It is clear that Mustafa has put a lot of effort into the film.

Ops Counteract is scheduled to be released in 2023. The film will be available on all social media and digital channels. Mustafa is a talented animator and filmmaker, and he has a proven track record of creating high-quality animated films. Ops Counteract is sure to be a hit with fans of animated action films. The film is also significant because it is the seventh animated film by Mustafa, making him the only animator in Pakistan to have made that many films on his own.

Ops Counteract is a timely film, as it comes at a time when Pakistan is facing a growing threat from terrorism. The film is a reminder of the sacrifices that our soldiers make to protect our country. Ops Counteract releasing later this year.