Idol Interrupted

Whatever the reason behind the abrupt halt in the airing of Pakistan Idol Season 2 (which was being watched avidly before the month of Ramazan), the fact remains that it’s a deeply disappointing situation. The people responsible for the show should sit together and reflect on the embarrassment this has caused them, as well as the exceedingly talented contestants who have been left in limbo. The sooner they resolve the issue, the better. Also, keep in mind that the Pakistan version of the international franchise was giving its Indian counterpart a run for its money. Food for thought?

A Classic Gone Awry

Make no mistake, Shafqat Amanat Ali is an excellent singer. He has a number of incredible songs to his credit. But his attempt to redo Mohammad Rafi’s classic song ‘Hum bekhudi mein tum ko pukarey chaleygaye’ from the 1958 Dev Anand classic Kala Pani leaves much to be desired. Rafi sahib sang the song with the kind of emotion and on a scale that was perfect for the protagonist of the story. Kudos to the legendary composer S.D. Burman, too! Emotion is the key word here, which Shafqat A A’s version seriously lacks.

Won’t Hear Ye

Rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, was set to come to England for the Wireless Festival, which will be held in the summer and which he was supposed to headline. Not anymore. The British authorities have banned Ye from travelling to the UK because of his repeated “antisemitic and pro-Nazi” comments, which he has been making for the past few years. British PM Keir Starmer himself announced the ban. The organisers of the Wireless Fest have claimed that, before booking musicians, “multiple stakeholders” were consulted and no concerns were expressed at the time. Well, it’s good to know the UK PM has something important to say and do while the world struggles to avert World War 3.

For World Peace

It was heartening to see Pakistan mediate peace talks between the US and Iran, which led to a two-week ceasefire between their warring armies. Pakistani celebrities, like the entire country, felt super happy and proud about it. The likes of Mahira Khan, Shaista Wahidi and Farhan Saeed expressed satisfaction and breathed a sigh of relief that the world was saved from a possible major catastrophe. Indeed, that was the case. On the other hand, Indians (whose government is not even close to the international diplomatic table) are flocking to cinema houses to watch Dhurandhar: The Revenge, perhaps to ponder how brave their actors are in make-believe fights.

The Fall

Indian actor Akshay Kumar is known for not using stuntmen or visual effects for the action sequences that he performs in films — after all, he is a black belt in karate. But then age is a ruthless thing. Recently, while shooting for Bhoot Bangla, helmed by Priyadarshan, the 58-year-old actor lost his balance mid-kick and fell awkwardly. It hurt him, though thankfully not too seriously. The little accident caused a delay in filming. We urge Akshay K to kick the habit of not seeking a stuntman’s help. No point in kicking the air in an ungainly manner.

Nepo Talent?

K-pop star Dayoung has a new video out, titled What’s a Girl to Do, which features Shiloh, the 19-year-old daughter of divorced Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, as one of the background dancers. Apparently, she didn’t get the dancing role because of her famous parents. Here’s what the Korean star’s management team has said: “We held an open audition in the United States of America to cast performers for Dayoung’s music video. Among those who took part were several performers affiliated with a dance crew called ‘Culture’. Shiloh was selected in the final round and ended up joining Dayoung’s music video.” Yes, and horses can fly.

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 19th, 2026