Mind your manners

We agree with Meera when she demands respect from people who seek her opinions about her life and work in front of a camera or for a newspaper. Here’s a bit of background. During a conversation in relation to her film Psycho, the man who was interviewing the actress called her “Pakistan’s biggest psycho.” Meera was quick to shrug off the remark, but pointed out that she should be given respect. With the advent of social media in particular, a large number of podcasters and bloggers have emerged who often are more interested in eyeballs than ethics. One can only hope they learn to respect the people they want to get close to and achieve borrowed glory from.

The Daughter Speaks

A couple of years ago, writer Khalil ur Rehman Qamar was much maligned for the honeytrap episode in his life. Now, his daughter, Hijab Khalil, has opened up about the whole saga. She says that the issue was sensationalised at a time when it was close to being resolved. She pointed out that people had become so vile that they even prayed that her father would die. We think Hijab K has a point. While there have been occasions where her dad’s behaviour has been more than questionable, especially when it comes to his comments on women, no one should wish that someone should die. Period.

Insensitive Paltrow

This is the kind of hypocrisy and inconsiderateness that Hollywood A-listers (not all of them, mind you) show towards the genocide that has taken place in Palestine. Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow chose to appear in an advertisement highlighting a luxury residential project in Herzliya, Israel, totally ignoring the fact that, since Oct 7, 2023, the apartheid state has killed at least 73,000 innocent people, including at least 20,000 children, in Gaza and injured nearly 173,000 men, women and children. The actress has faced sharp criticism for doing the ad campaign in the middle of an ongoing genocide, but we know it will probably make no difference to her. As someone remarked, Gwyneth P is either completely disconnected from reality or a really nasty piece of work.

Meeting the Monarch

Recently, actress Mahira Khan was invited to the British Asian Trust annual dinner held in London at a hotel. Other prominent Asian figures who were there included the likes of entertainers such as Dame Meera Sayal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Kunal Nayyar and Jay Sean. The highlight of the event was King Charles’ appearance, who met with all the invitees. And when he met our very own Mahira K, he made her uber-happy. Why? Here’s the answer in her words, “I was pleasantly surprised that he knew about the work I have done with the British Asian Trust and was aware of the causes I have been supporting.” Well, he is the king after all — he’s supposed to know about all of his subjects.

Words of Wisdom

The Nawab of Pataudi, Saif Ali Khan, says his career as an actor took a definitive direction two decades ago when, on the sets of Kal Ho Na Ho, Shah Rukh Khan gave him a piece of advice. SRK asked him who is the first person he acted for, to which the Nawab replied, “The camera.” Then came the king of Bollywood’s pearl of wisdom: “It’s the director. You act for him. People watch his movies because he’s the storyteller.” Hmmm… Why can’t SRK practise what he preaches?

Levitating In Love

After somewhat suddenly getting married to British Fantastic Beasts actor Callum Turner in London on May 31, pop star Dua Lipa is having a whale of a honeymoon in southern Italy. The two — who were apparently seeing each other for two years — were spotted by the Amalfi Coast, taking pictures of themselves with a great deal of PDA (public displays of affection). In one photograph, the couple is seen lounging by an inflated doughnut in the sea. In another, they’re squeezed together in a beach chair. Congratulations Dua L and Callum T, may you always have “glitter in [your] eyes” and may you keep Levitating in love.

Published in Dawn, ICON, June 21st, 2026