An year of staying locked down behind closed doors has passed and the only escape from despair this year were our TV screens. Streaming-service subscriptions became closest companions of most of the people. The best and safest way to travel in 2020 wasn’t by plane, car, or train. It was by logging into Netflix, Amazon or HBO Max.
Three Pakistani celebrities have made it to Forbes’ list of Asia’s 100 Digital Stars. Mahira Khan, Atif Aslam and Aiman Khan made it to the list along with renowned artists from across the continent like Bollywood biggies such as Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Anushka Sharma and others. Forbes Asia’s 100 Digital Stars list features 100 singers, bands, film and TV stars with a strong social media presence.
Zindagi Tamasha, a film by Sarmad Khoosat has been chosen by Pakistan Academy Selection Committee as Pakistan’s official entry to the 93rd Academy Awards. The film will be submitted for Oscar consideration in the ‘International Feature Film Award’ category by the Pakistan Committee. The presentation show for the 93rd Academy Awards scheduled to take place on 25th April 2021.
The model Halima Aden has said she is quitting runway shows because working in fashion has forced her to compromise her religious beliefs. Aden, who was hailed as a trailblazer for being one of the first models to wear a hijab, posted a series of images on social media that illustrated the times she had lost touch with who she is.
Following the release of Parwaaz Hai Junoon in China, more Pakistani films and dramas are expected to be released in the country. The Pakistani films and dramas will be screened in China next year during celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. Parwaaz Hai Junoon has become the first Pakistani movie that has been premiered in China in the last 40 years.
Hassan Ahmad, Pakistan’s first deaf vlogger, who has been working tirelessly to connect the deaf community with the rest of the world, will now be hosting his own TV show. Co-hosted by his sister, the program Ishaaron ki Zuban will be aired on the channel Kay2, every Saturday at 6 pm. The program will be in sign language with a voice over by his sister.
Award-winning Pakistani filmmaker, Shehzad Hameed Ahmad was recently honoured by United Women Singapore for championing the cause of gender equality through his films. In an online ceremony, Singapore-based Ahmad was awarded the Gender Equality Impact Changemaker (Male Individual) award. Over the last 10 years, Shehzad has done considerable work highlighting women causes and creating awareness for gender equality.
The Pakistan Tehreek –e-Insaaf (PTI) led federal government has decided to launch the country’s first over-the-top (OTT) TV, the local version of Netflix. Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain revealed in a Tweet that the technology part is complete and have asked Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to prepare a guideline on content.
The first look of an upcoming Lollywood movie ’50 crore’ came out a day ago, and people on social media were quick to point out its striking resemblance to Spanish crime drama series, La Casa de Papel, which is commonly known as Money Heist. The film features Faysal Qureshi, Saboor Aly, Zhalay Sarhadi, Aijaz Aslam and many other A-listers in lead roles.
Pakistan’s biggest TikTok sensation, Jannat Mirza, announced earlier that she is leaving the country for good. The news left Mirza’s massive following of over 10 million devastated, making them wonder about the reason she is moving abroad. While interacting with a fan over the matter, Mirza revealed she is heartbroken over the ‘sick mentality’ of people living in Pakistan.