MIND YOUR LANGUAGE

Some internet users are just heartless. A Twitterati (or should one say Xati now?) uploaded a video of actor Sajal Aly in which she is expressing her views on the subject of love in the English language. In the clip she can be heard saying, “You know, we say, ‘Let’s fall in love.’ Why fall in love, man? Just rise in love.” Now, it’s not the first time this line has been used — in fact, it’s attributed to the Indian spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar — but, for some reason, trolls went after the actress for “trying to use her brain cells.” This only goes to show how many brain cells internet trolls actually have.

POLYGAMANI!

Television actor Hira Mani doesn’t believe in holding back any punches and is not afraid of speaking her mind. It’s a good quality. But sometimes it can compel others to think… deeply. Take, for example, her recent statement, in which she claimed that, if she hadn’t married her husband, the actor Mani, she probably would have tied the nuptial knot five or six times. It was a head-scratching moment for many, including possibly Mani, who must be wondering whether his wife had paid him a compliment, or was trying to tell him somethin.

PAKISTANI DRAMA BUZZ

We must give credit where it’s due. These days, the drama series Kabuli Pulao — written by Zafar Mairaj and directed by Kashif Nisar — is not just the most talked about television programme in the country, but is drawing rave reviews across the border as well. There’s a reason for it: the well-conceived story has depth. The two main actors, Ehteshamuddin and Sabeena Farooq, are also doing justice to their roles as a couple with different ethnic backgrounds and a big age difference. We feel it’s a good sign for the local showbiz industry. A few more of such original works of writing and directing, and Pakistani plays might regain their lost glory.

PROUD FATIMA

It’s that time of year, when countries send their movies made in the last one year for Oscar consideration. This time round, writer Fatima Bhutto is also part of the new star-studded committee which will decide which Pakistani film deserves to be sent for assessment by the American Academy voters. Fatima B, happy as a bee, posted the following on social media: “I am really happy to join this year’s Oscar committee and proud of the quality of films we are producing. I hope the world will see much more work from Pakistan.” Indeed. And we hope whatever Pakistan’s nomination is, it finally gets shortlisted in the foreign film category.

ONE MORE SPLIT

One more celebrity couple bites the dust — sorry, wrong expression — decides to part ways. Actress Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones) and singer Joe Jonas (of the Jonas Brothers, jeth of Priyanka Chopra) are now divorced. According to their joint Instagram post, “After four wonderful years of marriage, we have decided to amicably end our marriage. There are many speculative narratives as to why but, truly, this is a united decision and we sincerely hope that everyone can respect our wishes for privacy for us and our children.” Interestingly, despite this statement, accusations have been hurled by followers of both celebs on the internet about who’s responsible for the split. No stopping the “speculative narratives”, is there?

FLIRTY DAD CUT TO SIZE

The super-talented Maya Hawke has produced and acted in a film titled Wildcat,directed by her father Ethan Hawke. It’s premiering at the currently ongoing Toronto International Film Festival. During a promotional interview of the dad-daughter duo, Maya H touched upon her father’s not-so-solid, flirty nature, remembering the time when, in 2015 at a basketball game, he attempted to get cozy with pop star Rihanna. When Ethan H said to the interviewer that he was caught by the shutterbugs openly flirting with Rihanna, she chimed in, “openly trying to” flirt with her. Kids can be brutal, eh Ethan?

Published in Dawn, ICON, September 17th, 2023