Inspiring Nadia

Nadia Jamil’s interview, given to Voice of America, is nothing less than inspiring. We all know that she’s been battling cancer for quite some time and now, by the grace of God, she is out of danger. The artist has revealed that there did come a moment during her medical treatment when she even tried to take her life; and when her hair was being cut, she cried a lot. Later, seeing herself in the mirror without the hair, she realised that her journey had made her stronger. Indeed, Nadia J. You’ve always been a strong girl and an inspiration to many. It was just a phase that has passed. Soon, you’ll be back with your admirers with all your beauty and grace.

Ankahi 2020

Some signs of normality have returned to Karachi’s theatre scene. It has been announced that the stage version of writer Haseen Moin’s iconic television play Ankahi will begin at the Arts Council from October 20 (earlier, March 15 was the date given for its launch but that had to be postponed because of the pandemic). Directed by Dawar Mehmood and penned by renowned actor Sajid Hasan and Saqib Sumeer for stage, the drama will be called Ankahi 2020. Talking to newsmen at a presser, Sajid H requested the media not to compare the theatrical production to its TV version. Interesting. He is right. Comparisons always tilt to favour the original…

Return to Set

The first major Bollywood film to be shot after an extensive period of lockdown is titled Bell Bottom. Starring Akshay Kumar, Lara Datta, Vaani Kapoor and Huma Qureshi, its filming began in London last week. Taking to social media, Lara D sounded happy as a bee announcing the return to the world of moviemaking.

“And it begins. I’m claiming one for the girls! As a 42-year-old female actor in this Covid period, it feels amazing to be the first to be back on set of a big Bollywood film.” Good to know that madam. Be careful, though. The bottom-line is: the virus hasn’t gone away yet.

22 and Not Counting

On August 20, actress Preity Zinta celebrated her 22 years in the Indian film industry by posting a gratitude-filled statement on Instagram, thanking her fans, co-actors and directors for making her “who I am today.” She added, “Dreams do come true, so never stop believing in yourself. If I can do it, so can you.” Ever since, we’ve been wondering, what exactly has she done that everyone can do? Oh, yes, writing long-winded Insta posts. She’s right. It’s not hard at all.

Break-up Song

People know when their relationships have gone sour. This is what pop star Miley Cyrus is suggesting to her fans. Baring her soul to a music magazine, she said that her song Slide Away, which is about break-ups, was written way before her marriage to the Aussie actor Liam Hemsworth fell apart last year in August. “I wrote it in February of the year before… and I just keep speaking these things into existence.” After her divorce, Miley C hooked up with singer Cody Simpson (another Australian) but that affair, too, has ended. Miley C, we may know the remedy to your woes: try and slide away from Aussie men.

Two Months in Jail

Actress Lori Loughlin (Full House) was sentenced on August 21 to two months in prison through a virtual court hearing in Boston (her husband earlier was given a five-month sentence) for her involvement in the college admissions scandal. For those who are unfamiliar with the background of this news item, in March 2019, Lori L and her hubby Mossimo Giannulli were found involved in, and charged by the FBI and American Attorney’s Office, with bribery in a college entrance exam cheating scandal. They gave $500,000 to a foundation in order to help their two daughters get admission to the University of Southern California. The bribe was handed out to make the university believe that the young girls would join its rowing team despite the fact that they were not trained for the game. Well Lori L and Mossimo G, you reap what you row, sorry, sow.

Published in Dawn, ICON, August 30th, 2020