THE ATIF-ARSHMAN EQUATION

The 12-year-old boy Arshman Naeem who impressed thousands of music lovers when he faultlessly sang Atif Aslam’s song Dil Diyan Gallan from the movie Tiger Zinda Hai and posted the video on the Internet, has now caught the eye of the famous singer himself. He has wholeheartedly appreciated the 12-year-old’s ability to croon out a song and has promised him that the two will collaborate soon.

Very good gesture, Atif A! And don’t worry if he outshines you during the collaborative act. He is just a kid.

IMPORTANCE OF BEING SELFISH

Well done, Deepika Padukone! That’s the kind of message that women need from someone in a position of authority like you.

On International Women’s Day on March 8, the Bollywood actress relayed a message for all her female admirers in which she said that women are constantly taking out time for others, especially the homemakers. This makes it important for them to take a ‘breather’ and do things for themselves. The word that she used to highlight her message was ‘selfish’. She emphasised, “It’s important to be selfish.”

Indeed, Deepika P. And who knows better about being selfish than a consummate actress such as yourself.

RIZ AND THE THIRD GENDER COMMUNITY

Last month British actor Riz Ahmed, who has won an Emmy award, was in Pakistan to attend the Lahore Literature Festival. Not many knew that he also came to Karachi on a short trip and met with the city’s transgender community.

After meeting them he posted a very insightful message on his Instagram account. He wrote, “The transgender community has been an established part of South Asian culture for hundreds of years. You see many more transgender people walking around in Pakistan than in New York or London. Pakistan has even had a recognised ‘third gender’ on official government documents, cementing their place in society. Despite this recognition, however, they are marginalised and often earn a living through dancing, sex work or a kind of spiritual begging.” 

Well said, Riz A. We sense a movie on the subject is in the making.

ALL NEW COKE STUDIO

After the criticism that Coke Studio Season 10 faced from different quarters for being pretty run of the mill, one was expecting that the makers of the show would go for a different set of producers. And they have.

It has been announced that Ali Hamza and Zohaib Kazi will be the show’s producers for Season 11, replacing the erstwhile Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia of Strings. To be honest, one is not in a position to say whether the new pair will be able to bring back the zing and verve that was once associated with the show. One can only wish them well. So, best of luck guys!

BACK TO BOLLYWOOD

The sultry siren Priyanka Chopra will resume her work in her country of birth, India, in the next few weeks. The actress was busy filming her Hollywood projects in the US for the last few years, and it was thought that her return to Bollywood would be a tad difficult. Well, she has told her fans that her next Indian film is ‘almost happening’ for which the shoot will begin in the near future.

Priyanka C hasn’t however revealed the name of the project or who its makers are. While those who follow the actress ardently are happy about it, there’s a feeling in showbiz circles that she’s no more ‘in demand’ in Hollywood. Hmmm … let’s give her the benefit of the doubt and say her demand in Bollywood has increased in recent times.

SHE AIN’T BROKE

It was rumoured recently that Teri Hatcher (of Desperate Housewives fame) is broke and in such a shabby condition that she is practically living in her van.

Sensing that the media is going overboard in highlighting her alleged homelessness, the actress has clarified her situation. The actress has claimed that she has done well in investing her money and the reason she’s seen in her van often is that she’s filming her YouTube programme Van Therapy in it.

Good to know that, Teri H. We hope the therapy will finally take you out of the van.

Published in Dawn, ICON, March 18th, 2018