Annie Ali Khan, alas

On July 21, 38-year-old former model and MTV VJ turned freelance journalist and writer, Quratulain Ali Khan, known popularly as Annie, was found dead in her apartment in Karachi after a fire broke out in it. Initial reports suggested that the death was caused by suffocation and police speculated she might have had a hand in taking her own life. After making a name as a top model, Annie had gone to journalism school at Columbia University and distinguished herself through vibrant and insightful pieces on local food culture, urban transport as well as investigative pieces on Pakistan’s minorities and marginalised rural women. She had also signed a deal with Simon & Schuster India for the publication of her book on the patriarchal killing of women in Sindh and Balochistan, the final manuscript for which she had apparently submitted only a couple of weeks ago. Whatever the circumstances surrounding her death, Pakistan has lost a very intelligent, articulate and sensitive soul. May she rest in peace.

Hareem meets Trudeau

Our very own Hareem Farooq was in Canada on a personal trip. But no artist can shed his or her popularity amongst their fans just like that. So, when she got a chance to meet the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, she grabbed it with both hands. Their meeting was a warm one, and her publicists say that they discussed how the entertainment industries of the two countries can collaborate and come closer to each other. Well, if Canada and Pakistan can join hands to forge a relationship in the showbiz sector, then nothing could be better than that.

Our film industry does need such a help — if it can be called an industry.

Doggone Critics

Fans of actor Pierce Brosnan are delighted to see him in the movie Mama Mia! Here We Go Again after a bit of a break from acting assignments. The thing is that he isn’t just acting in the film: as in the original, he has also flexed his vocal muscles for the musical. The first person he decided to see the movie with was none other than the legendary singer/actress Barbra Streisand at her palatial residence.

When the ends credited rolled, Barbra S paid rich compliments to Pierce B. However, her dog, Sammie, who was also watching the film, bit him. The conjecture is that the dog wasn’t a fan of Pierce B’s performance. Now, if the former Bond receives any more offers for doing musicals, he might want to recall the phrase ‘once bitten twice shy.’

Irrfan’s resolve

That’s the spirit, buddy! These days, Irrfan Khan is in London undergoing treatment for a dangerous disease. News is that he’s recovering at a steady speed. One of the signs of recuperation was shared by filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj with an Indian newspaper.

He said the actor sings songs, records them on his mobile phone and sends them to Vishal B on WhatsApp. The songs include lullabies. How sweet is that! Irrfan K is slated to do a film with Deepika Padukone directed by Vishal B, tentatively titled Sapna Didi. We hope he gets well soon and instead of a playback singer, himself sings the film’s songs.

Still together

Tongues have been wagging lately about the breakup between the feisty pop star Miley Cyrus and her beau Liam Hemsworth. Nope, not true. At least that’s what the two are claiming.

The actor on July 19 put up a video on his Instagram Story in which he and Miley C are seen dancing in a car. While she, in the clip, is talking about beating the **** out of someone or something, he’s bragging that he’s ‘number one’.

Hmmm … to be honest, the video is a tad vague, still doesn’t confirm that they’re an item, otherwise he’d have called her number one.

She’s literally a star

Wow! The phrase ‘unheard of’ comes to mind. The Intergalactic Star Database has named database number ISD0411819 after Indian actress Bhumi Pednekar (Dum Laga Ke Haisha). It will now be called ‘The Bhumi Star’. On July 18, which happens to be the actress’s birthday, she posted a certificate on social media of a registry issued by the ISD (which some people allege is not a legit organisation), announcing that a star has been named after her. Obviously, Bhumi P was duly overjoyed and promised everyone that “it will keep shining brighter”.

I guess congrats are in order, though I wonder who applied and who paid the fees for this bit of stardom.

Published in Dawn, ICON, July 29th, 2018