Mani’s Concern

While we don’t exactly get what prompted Mani (Salman Shaikh) to post a rant-like spiel on Instagram about the contemporary trend of ‘creating controversy by putting people down’ for short-lived fame on social media, the fact is, he does have a point. However, since he is now himself using social networking websites to express himself, he needs to understand that it does come across as a tad ironic. Things change and we have to adapt to them by keeping in mind that every invention, such as the internet, has a darker side; try and focus on the brighter one.

Birthday Wish

Boy, can Mehwish Hayat write! Last week, actor Azfar Rehman celebrated his, reportedly, 32nd birthday. It elicited a series of wishes and messages on the internet for him. The one that caught everyone’s eye was Mehwish H’s well-worded piece: “Everyone has a friend during each stage of life. But only the lucky ones have the same friend in all stages of life and I consider myself extremely fortunate to always have had you by my side. You’re not only my best friend but family. All of my happiest memories are those which you have been a part of… When I think of all the times we’ve spent together; be it our New Year trips, shoots, promotions, or just hanging out, discovering the best nashta places, and the endless conversations we have, each moment has been filled with laughter, joy and fun. You make me proud of all your achievements — keep shining bright. You make this world a better place with your existence. You certainly make mine a blissful one.” Tell you what girl, in case your career as an actress experiences a dip, you can always turn to fiction writing.

Burning Bread

Bollywood hottie Richa Chadha is a no-nonsense modern girl. Contrary to her demeanour, however, she can also act homely and domestic. So when she tried to make rotis for her husband Ali Fazal, it might have further endeared her to him. Sadly, she burnt a roti on the newly bought cast iron tawa (griddle pan). Not just that, she put up its image on Instagram, calling it a “PANtastic blunder”, after which fans of her hubby became worried for him. Well, folks,

not to worry about them. The actress can always order in food.

She’s smart enough, being a PUNter and all.

Unfollowed?

Actor Anupam Kher has a pretty huge following on Twitter for two reasons: one, he is a known artist; two, he is a politically motivated man. On June 10, the Saaransh star was unpleasantly surprised to know that, within a day and a half, he had lost 80,000 followers. Perturbed, he tweeted, “Dear Twitter, I have 80,000 less followers in the last 36 hours! Is there a glitch in your app or something else is happening! It is an observation. Not a complaint… yet.” Well, sounds like a complaint. Try and reconfigure your ideas, especially about the minorities of your country.

The Cup Mystery

Remember the fourth episode of Season 8 of Game of Thrones, when during a scene featuring the character Daenerys Targaryen (played by Emilia Clarke) a Starbucks coffee cup was spotted in front of her? Ever since, people have been wondering how that boo-boo happened and who was behind it. Well, Emilia C, giving an online interview recently, has said, “It’s not Starbucks — spoiler. I’m going to say it again for the record: was not mine.

Looking at you Dan Weiss.” In case you don’t know, Dan W was the co-creator of GOT. It was his cup, is that what’s

she’s saying? Or… there’s many a slip twixt cup and lip?

Flannel Flair

Anyone who thought that the news of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck getting back together after 17 years is a publicity gimmick, think again. Both are very much into each other. In fact, too much, proof of which was openly given by J-Lo when, on June 11, she was seen in Los Angeles wearing a red and black flannel shirt that Ben A wore in May and was widely photographed in. If that’s not love, then we don’t know what is. At least they’re sartorially compatible.

Published in Dawn, ICON, June 20th, 2021