OVER THE TOP

Actor and producer Humayun Saeed has chimed in on the growing debate about the need for having Pakistani streaming platforms to compete with the rest of the world. While acknowledging the importance of streaming giants such as Netflix, he argued in an interview that Pakistan should have its own OTT (Over-The-Top ie streaming) platforms, in order for its own productions to reach international audiences. Haven’t people already tried and failed to establish these? Humayun S also talked about the kind of Urdu spoken in our plays, and pointed out that it’s not fit for OTT platforms. Well, global audiences will need English subtitles to understand our plays anyway.

Zionist Damp Squib

Everyone knows about Zionist comedian Sacha Baron Cohen’s bigoted approach to creating non-Western and Muslim characters in his films. His latest movie, titled Ali G: Who Iz I? and reportedly made with a budget of $163million, including $3m of his own money, has tanked at the box-office. It was pulled from theatres after just a few days, grossing only $3m. Some are calling it the biggest flop in history. Sacha BC and The Hollywood Reporter are blaming it on pro-Palestinian supporters who had called for a boycott of the film. The comedian’s defence was satirised by one social media user as “My film flopped because everyone’s Hamas.” Well, Sacha BC, this is what happens when cine-goers cotton on to bigotry and racism. Perhaps it’ll do well in your favourite Genocidal Apartheid State.

One More Separation

Sad is the word that springs to mind. Film star Moammar Rana’s wife, Mehnaz, has obtained khula (judicial dissolution of marriage) from a family court after almost three decades of the couple being together as husband and wife. According to her, the actor, in an inebriated state, used to beat her up. This was apparently happening for quite some time. As we said in the beginning, it’s a sad situation for anyone who goes through it, and especially for anyone who has children.

Sweet Sound of Saraiki

In the last couple of decades, Pakistan’s music scene has taken the world by storm, especially people living across the Wagah divide. The latest in this regard is the Seraiki song Chhalrrey Chhalrrey Waal [Wavy, Flowing Hair], sung by the young duo Shanzy Sial and Mohsin Lashari, which is being profusely appreciated in India. The track is a popular folk piece from those regions of Pakistan where Saraiki is spoken and has been sung also by the inimitable Pathanay Khan. The young pair’s acoustic version of the old track has lent a unique freshness to the tune. Freshness and music, a great combo! Keep it up, Pakistan!

Princess Paris

Socialite, influencer and small-time actress Paris Hilton is again in the news for an unusual reason. Recently, she made Halloween costumes for her family — which means her two-year-old daughter, London, and three-year-old son, Phoenix — following The Beauty and the Beast theme. Interestingly, she did not give her daughter the central character of Princess Belle. Instead, she herself became the princess. For her daughter and son, she picked the characters of Chip and Lumiere — the teacup and candelabra from the film — respectively. When netizens started to make a hue and cry about it, mommy dearest replied it wasn’t her decision to grab the spotlight, but that she was following her daughter’s instructions. Yeah, right! As if, we don’t know you Paris H…

Rang Of Fire

A new Indian film, Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi and directed by Nitesh Tiwari hit cinema screens on November 5. But even before that, the film’s music, composed by A.R. Rahman, was being criticised by many Indians for having a qawwali-like song, ‘Mangal Rang’ — sung by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal — in a story based on Hindu mythology. The Oscar-winning composer, now used to such prejudiced comments, responded by telling a journo: “My son keeps telling me, ‘This is what they said yesterday, now they’re apologising…’ I say fine, I’ve done my work sincerely and hope people celebrate it.” Guess what A R, sir, they have already begun celebrating it.

Published in Dawn, ICON, November 8th, 2026