Idol RETURNS

It’s good to know that music reality show Pakistan Idol is returning to the small screen after a decade (it ran from 2013 to 2014), and we can say with a great deal of surety that it’s coming back with a bang. We claim this because the line-up of judges — Bilal Maqsood, Fawad Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Zeb Bangash — is pretty apt (except one, perhaps). All of them are music practitioners. They will know well enough where and when a singer has gone off-pitch or off-beat. So, to the show runners, we are all ears!

Making Sure

Actress and model Zhalay Sarhadi is not known for mincing words. In a recent interview she has spoken, without any qualms, as expected, about issues such as casting couches in the entertainment industry and whether there’s barkat [divine blessing] in a woman’s earning. Not just that, her intimidating personality came under discussion too, with reference to her husband: “I made sure my husband proposed to me. My personality is very intimidating. What can I say?” You don’t have to say anything Zhalay S. Your personality makes it loud and clear…

Mother-in-Law Action

Hollywood A-lister Liam Neeson’s wife Natasha Richardson (a fine actress) died in 2009 in a skiing accident. Sixteen years after that, he is set to appear in a film titled Cold Storage, which also stars his former mother-in-law, the Academy Award-winning actress, Vanessa Redgrave. It has got fans excited. But Liam N says that they don’t share screen time in the movie. He, however, is certain that with “her character and her scenes in the film, she’s probably going to steal the movie.” Well, given the kind of artist she is, that’s a Taken, sorry, given.

In the Family Way?

Rumour has it that Bollywood’s power couple Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif are going to be parents soon. Mind you, it’s still a rumour, which started doing the rounds when a film-based Instagram handle wrote, “In 2025, we become a family of three” along with a picture of the pair. Also, Katrina K was recently spotted in a shirt which looked larger in size than she usually wears. Well, if they’re expecting a baby, we wish them all the best. And if Katrina K has just put on weight, we suggest she hit the gym her hubby goes to.

Punished for the Truth?

Hollywood’s double-standards and, in certain cases, hypocrisy is no more a secret. The latest example is how it’s treating actor Pedro Pascal. The star of Materialists recently talked about the horrible situation in Gaza through his social media handle, calling to “let aid in.” Allegedly, as a result, Marvel has reduced his part in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and he will no longer lead. Don’t they realize by doing that they’re losing out on a big number of conscientious cine-goers? Hollywood, it’s no longer working!

May-December Affair

It’s official: Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas are dating. It all began in February this year, when they were seen together coming out of a London restaurant. Ever since, the two have been spotted in a pretty cushy and cozy environment. Their last picture taken was in Vermont, in which they are seen holding hands. We may mention here that Ana D A is 37 years of age while Tom C is 63 — a difference of 26 years. But knowing the romantic history of the senior actor, it’s entirely mission possible.

Published in Dawn, ICON, August 17th, 2025