The Showdown

Chahat Fateh Ali Khan and Mathira are at loggerheads! The former was on the latter’s talk show during which, according to Mathira, Chahat FAK tried to get too-close-for-comfort to her. She says he also released some of the videos from those moments without her consent. Chahat FAK has refuted these claims of harassment, arguing that Mathira herself was getting close to him and, till last reports came in, is seeking legal action against Mathira. We say… No, we won’t say anything. May the one who is uttering the truth win and the liar lose!

Another Khan

Director and producer Karan Johar has announced that he’s launching Ibrahim Ali Khan (son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, his first wife) in a movie titled Sarzameen, directed by Kayoze Irani. In a post about his decades-long association with the Pataudi clan, K-Jo claimed: “Films are in their blood, their genes, and their passion.” Well, movies may be in their genes but, so soon after the Saif AK incident, perhaps K-Jo should go easy on the blood references.

‘TIS THE SEASON

After news last week about actors Kubra Khan and Gohar Rasheed prepping to tie the knot, we have further news about another acting couple ready to take the plunge. One social media blog, Irfanistan, has claimed that actors Mawra Hocane and Ameer Gilani are also about to get hitched. While no official confirmation has been made from the actors' side yet, it is worth mentioning that they starred opposite each other in the 2020 serial Sabaat and again in 2023 in Neem and that there have been rumours doing the rounds that they were seeing each other. If this is indeed true, we wish both of them a happy married life! Both Mawra H and Ameer G have law degrees so at least the paperwork should not pose a problem.

Urdu Speaker

Zayn Malik, the former member of the pop band One Direction, has used Urdu phrases and words in a few of his songs. He is proud of his Subcontinental lineage. Last week, he was performing at a concert in the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, when, sensing the audience’s demand, he said in Urdu, “Main tum se pyaar karta hoon [I love you].” It elicited a loud cheer from the attendees. Zayn M is these days on a world tour called Stairway to the Sky, the Urdu translation of which is, Aasmaan Tak Seerrhiyan. Wait. It sounds better in English.

Composer Not Singer

These days, a show in which Bollywood playback superstar Sonu Nigam is shedding light on the work of composer A.R. Rahman — and his longstanding relationship with him — is being watched avidly. In one of the episodes, the vocalist has said that Rahman, who also occasionally sings, is not a great singer, although the tone of his voice is good and his sur (pitching) is always correct. Well, we hope Sonu N’s remarks don’t mean he’s shut out of singing for A.R. ever again, because that would indicate the master of sur became a bit surly.

Heartfelt Speech

Amrit Kaur is a young Canadian actress of Indian descent. Recently, she won the best lead performance award at the Canadian Screen Awards for her excellent work in The Queen of My Dreams, helmed by Fawzia Mirza. Accepting her trophy, she delivered a poignant speech: “It’s a scary time to be an artist. I am scared to speak up. But this honour reminds me that I am an artist. To be an artist, it is my job to feel and to empathise. And for those of you who are telling us artists not to speak up in fear of losing jobs, in fear of losing careers, in fear of losing reputation, you are telling us not to be artists. I want to say to you people that I am an artist and I refuse to sacrifice and live in the hatred of humanity. Ceasefire now. Free Palestine.” Bravo, Amrit K! Respect.

Quick-Fix Ex

In 2024, Oscar winner Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner separated after 18 years of marriage (she filed for divorce in May 2023; they have three grown-up kids together). It’s hardly been a year since the two formally parted ways and Christine B, who is 50 years of age, is already engaged to financier Josh Connor, a year younger than her. At the height of tensions between the then married couple, Kevin C had accused her of seeing Josh C, which she had denied. Now that the divorce has been finalised, she hasn’t denied the engagement — she has a financier by her side.

Published in Dawn, ICON, February 9th, 2025