Borders and Biases

In mid-May, when actor and director Shaan Shahid came to Karachi for the promotion of his film Psycho, the city’s journalists thronged the hotel where the trailer of the movie was launched. Although he spoke highly of Karachi, he complained that actors there should come out of their comfort zone. He added, “People don’t see borders when it comes to India, but they see borders between Lahore and Karachi. That’s unfortunate.” Given that Shaan S has a chip on his shoulder about certain artists, perhaps the only cure is for him to keep visiting the beautiful capital of Sindh a little more often.

Farhan’s Love Formula

In case you’re wondering how love works, you don’t need to anymore. Actor-singer Farhan Saeed has worked it all out for you. He says that the excitement that you feel at the beginning of a relationship is natural. But… but… but… as time passes by, love transforms into something more meaningful. He believes that, after that beautiful phase of excitement, it is all about comfort and friendship. Wise words. Our two cents? The order should be flipped, that is, friendship should come first and then comfort. But to each his own.

Cate’s Concern

While many of us were focused on the looks of showbiz celebs at the recently held Cannes Film Festival, Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett tried to turn the event into a meaningful occasion. Speaking at the fest, she lamented that the #MeToo movement “got killed very quickly.” Even now, she said, she counts just 10 women to 75 men on set each morning. “I love men, but what happens is that the jokes become the same.” We’re with you, Cate B. The problem is, as Slovenian scholar Slavoj Zizek once said, “Hollywood hijacked the movement which was initiated by Black American working-class women.” Maybe it’s time for some more self-reflection, Cate B.

Anti-Zombie Advice

Zombeid, directed by Nabeel Qureshi, and starring Fahad Mustafa and Mehwish Hayat, is one of the three Pakistani movies that hit cinema screens on Eidul Azha. It is a touch hard to believe that one of the people promoting the film is social worker and founder of Chhipa Welfare Association, Ramzan Chhipa. In a video, he advised kids not to do drugs and watch Zombeid instead — otherwise, he warned, they would also become zombies. Chhipa Bhai seems to be on a roll with his quirky screen appearances and he delivered his lines quite well, in fact. Who knew that behind his social philanthropy lurked an actor!

Kind Katie

We all know that Hollywood darling Katie Holmes has directed and acted in a film titled Happy Hours, which will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. But what is she like to work with? Well, here’s what Jack Martin, one of the stars of the film, has to say: “Katie is unbelievable. She’s so, so, so kind. You can tell, not just from interacting with her, but from every single person that she hires. That movie is really her movie. Every single person she works with is also so kind, so generous.” Hmmm… the word ‘kind’ has been used so many times that we’re kinda not sure what it really means…

Salman Snaps Back

Salman Khan is super-miffed. And rightly so. He was recently at a hospital in Mumbai to visit an ailing relative. As he came out, shutterbugs and TikTokers tried to take pictures of him. He immediately raised his hand and asked them whether a picture was more important than someone’s life. Subsequently, he took to social media and argued that he’s all for photographers making a living but not at the cost of someone’s suffering. Salman K, no matter how hard you try and convince them, paparazzi will do what paparazzi do. Sadly, some things never change.

Published in Dawn, ICON, May 31st, 2026