Separate Paths

Another showbiz couple breaks up. Last week, pop star Asim Azhar announced on his Instagram page that he and his fiancée, actor Merub Ali, have decided to part ways. In his words: “After a great deal of thought and reflection, Merub and I have chosen to move forward on separate paths, peacefully and mutually. While we shared meaningful moments and genuinely hoped for a future together, life sometimes takes its own course. We have the utmost respect for each other and the families involved, and always will.” He also requested everyone to understand the situation and respect their privacy. A few days later, during a concert, some fans started to chant Merub A’s name, which didn’t go down well with Asim A. He has now also requested his admirers not to chant her name at his gigs. Still raw feelings, no doubt.

Box Office Uptick

It was heartening to see that the two Pakistani Urdu films released on Eidul Azha — Love Guru and Deemak — have done remarkably well so far at the box office. The former, directed by Nadeem Baig, and the latter helmed by Rafay Rashdi, got houseful shows in a majority of the cinema halls situated in the multiplexes across the country. This is indeed a very healthy sign for the Pakistani film industry. But it remains to be seen how long the two films can sustain their runs. Because it’s not clear if there’s anything else on the horizon after them.

Lame Issues

On June 6, arguably the most popular TikTok star in the world, Khaby Lame, was detained in Las Vegas by US authorities for staying in the country after his visa had expired. He was caught by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) department, which has been pretty active ever since President Donald Trump has come down hard on illegal immigrants. A few days later, Khaby L left the US voluntarily. On what date, no one knows! To be honest, no one should ever overstay their welcome in any country, especially when the visa clock is ticking… and tocking.

Katy Perry Needs Space

One of the big celebrity break-ups in recent times is on the cards — if it hasn’t happened already. Rumour has it that actor Orlando Bloom and singer Katy Perry, who got engaged in 2019 and have a four-year-old daughter, are no more an item. What caused the split? Well, some say the lukewarm reception to Katy P’s last album, 143, and a not very successful concert tour has put her under ‘stress’. Also, both had been living away from each other for quite long spells of time because of work. Then again, maybe it was Katy P’s short space sojourn that made her see things from a different perspective.

Another Exit?

What’s happening in Deepika Padukone’s little world? After walking out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, news is that she might also exit the sets of the eagerly awaited Kalki 2. Apparently, the reason is the same: she wants shorter working hours. The demand has become persistent in her post-motherhood phase of life. She says she needs to spend more and more time with her daughter. While we acknowledge and respect her maternal duties, we feel Deepika P is now becoming less and less interested in her career. We wonder what hubby Ranveer Singh thinks of it.

Caring Khan

Shah Rukh Khan’s palatial house in Mumbai, Mannat, is undergoing renovation and refurbishment. So the family has shifted to a rented flat in Pali Hill, which is, as can be guessed, pretty luxurious. But the actor’s wife Gauri Khan reportedly has rented another apartment 100 metres away from her Pali Hill abode… for 1.3 lakh Indian rupees per month. (No, the couple is not separating, chill!) She has got the accommodation exclusively for her Mannat staff. Isn’t that thoughtful! Someone has to wash the dishes after all.

Published in Dawn, ICON, June 22nd, 2025