Zalmi Studio

Rohail Hyatt has had enough of it! He wants to support local stuff and leave the rest aside. The New Zealand cricket team’s unceremonious departure to their country without playing a single match in Pakistan has made many of us, not just him, unhappy. Therefore the former Coke Studio music producer has now joined the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi. As per Zalmi’s official statement, he’s going to compose the anthem for the team for PSL7. Well played, Rohail H. Here’s hoping he hits the tune out of the park!

Larsha Pekhawar

Ali Zafar is known for his inclusive approach to music, evidence of which is his rendition of a Balochi song Laila O Laila a few years ago, which was liked by audiences. On September 22, he dropped on YouTube a Pashto track Larsha Pekhawar, featuring Gul Panra and Fortitude Pakhtoon Core. It’s a modern take on a traditional folk composition — and it’s pretty good. This is precisely why it trended number one for quite some time on YouTube. Kudos to Ali Z and his co-musicians, and pakhair raaghley.

Papa Pataudi’s Advice

Saif Ali Khan now has four children: two from his first wife Amrita Singh — Ibrahim and Sara — and two from his current better half Kareena Kapoor, Taimur and Jehangir. Sara AK is already working in movies, and news is that Ibrahim AK is also all set to make his debut in Bollywood. The following is dad’s advice to the budding actor: “You have to contribute something to the world we live in, and you’ve chosen to contribute entertainment. So make sure it’s entertaining.” Hmmm… an interesting piece of advice, given that the Nawab of Pataudi’s own career has been more interesting than entertaining.

Out Of His Depp

Johnny Depp has this habit of getting ensnared in one controversy or another. His altercation with former wife Amber Heard is known to everyone, and his widely reported lost battle against a British newspaper that called him a ‘wife-beater’ is no secret either. The Hollywood A-lister, who is finding it difficult to have a US release for his film Minamata, recently attended the San Sebastian Film Festival, where he was given the Donostia award. Speaking on the occasion he said, “This cancel culture or this instant rush to judgement based on essentially what amounts to polluted air that’s exhaled… No one is safe as long as someone is willing to say one sentence. It takes one sentence.” Yep Johnny D, even the sentence you’ve just uttered can get you into trouble.

No To OTT

The pandemic has forced almost everyone, from cine-goers to film producers, to switch to OTT or streaming platforms, including old timers who are set in their ways. Ace producer Aditya Chopra is a hard nut to crack, though. He is still sticking to his ‘old school’ guns. Four of his films Bunty Aur Babli 2, Prithviraj, Shamshera and Jayeshbhai Jordaar await cinematic release, but the pandemic has been an impediment. Given the situation, Amazon Prime Video offered him 400 crore rupees for the films to be released online. The producer refused without batting an eyelid. They reduced the offer to two movies; the answer was again a resounding ‘no’. Gosh! Aditya C, the virus is not going to disappear anytime soon… but your films might.

The Madonna Biopic

A biopic on the life of none other than Madonna is in the offing. In case you’re wondering who’s going to essay the role of the pop icon, well, it’s still undecided, but she herself has given a name: Florence Pugh — the young actress who did a great job in the movie Little Women. To boot, the gal is a decent singer. Speaking to a news outlet, Madonna remarked, “She’s definitely up there on the list, if she’ll have me.” Our hunch is: she will have her, like a true material girl.

Published in Dawn, ICON, October 3rd, 2021