Pakistan Showbiz Latest News and Updates

Siddhant Adlakha A narrative trifurcated across decades and generations, Fawzia Mizra’s “The Queen of My Dreams” follows a young Pakistani Canadian coming to terms with her upbringing. It hits all the familiar beats of a first-generation South Asian story and, despite its novel queer bent and tongue-in-cheek casting (actress Amrit Kaur plays protagonist Azra, as well as the character’s own mother in flashbacks), it does little to separate itself, thematically or stylistically, from a now repetitive form of “third culture” storytelling. The sound of a slide projector yanks the film’s opening images into place, as though it were a slideshow of family memories.

Shakar Hussain knows first-hand what it's like to fall on hard times. Shakar, 49, originally from Pakistan, came to the UK aged 10. He grew up in Cheetham Hill before his family settled in neighbouring Crumpsall.

Naman Ramachandran Indian filmmaker and composer Sanjay Leela Bhansali has launched music label Bhansali Music with the soundtrack of Netflix series “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.” The first song from the album, traditional composition “Sakal Ban,” with lyrics by Amir Khusro and sung by Raja Hasan, will be released on Saturday. Via the label, the filmmaker will collaborate with musicians and artists to produce compositions for his films and shows and also independent albums.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Ahead of its U.S. premiere at SXSW, “The Queen of My Dreams” has been sold to a flurry of international markets, including in the U.K. and Ireland to Peccadillo Pictures.

Naman Ramachandran Bollywood star Sonakshi Sinha is all praise for her director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, whose anticipated magnum opus series “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar” is due on Netflix this year. Netflix describes the series as “an epic saga of love, power, revenge and freedom.” With a cast that also includes Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Richa Chadha, and Sanjeeda Sheikh, the series is set in the midst of multiple power struggles in Heeramandi, Lahore (now part of Pakistan) and more generally in undivided, pre-independence India, where anti-colonial freedom movements were emerging.

Following her daughter Jade's arrival in Walford last year, EastEnders fans are convinced that Shabnam Masood (Rakhee Thakrar) might be heading back to Albert Square to join her.The character left in 2016 after a heartbreaking couple of years, which saw her find out about Kush Kazemi's (Davood Ghadami) affair with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and deliver a stillborn son named Zaair.The rest of the Masood family - Zainab, Masood, Tamwar, Syed and Kamil - are also all no longer in Walford. Shabnam shares teenage daughter Jade with Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), who also returned to the BBC soap last year. Jade is recovering from a lung transplant and has been staying with her dad.

Naman Ramachandran Bollywood star Yami Gautam reveals her process in making “Article 370” and has addressed the issue of the film being banned in the Middle East. A political action thriller, the film deals with the events leading to the 2019 revocation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution, which granted special status to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, some parts of which are under dispute between India, Pakistan and China since independence from the British Empire in 1947. Gautam plays Kashmiri Indian National Intelligence Agency officer Zooni Haksar who is sent back to Kashmir by Prime Minister’s Office official Rajeshwari Swaminathan (Priyamani, “Jawan”) on a mission to achieve the revocation with minimal bloodshed.

EastEnders fans have been trying to work out what's in store for Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) as he continues to make enemies in Walford.The character - son of EastEnders icon Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) - returned to Albert Square last year after a seven-year absence. Dean returned to be closer to his daughter Jade (Elizabeth Green) while she was undergoing a lung transplant. He went into business with Ian (Adam Woodyatt) and Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), much to the annoyance of the Walford residents.

Naman Ramachandran Netflix has revealed its upcoming 2024 Indian slate and Monika Shergill, VP, content has outlined the streamer’s commissioning philosophy and strategy for the country. New titles on the slate include: Luv Ranjan comedy film “Wild Wild Punjab”; Neeraj Pandey heist film “Sikandar Ka Muqaddar”; scripted Anubhav Sinha thriller series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack”; Kapil Sharma’s unscripted comedy series “The Great Indian Kapil Show”; and cricket themed docu-series “The Greatest Rivalry – India vs Pakistan,” featuring top Indian and Pakistani cricketers.

Naman Ramachandran Netflix has unveiled an eclectic, star-studded India slate for 2024. New films on the slate include comedy “Wild Wild Punjab” from producers Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg and director Simarpreet Singh, where a group of drunk boys decide to avenge a friend’s breakup by crashing his ex’s wedding and achieve closure. Varun Sharma, Sunny Singh, Manjot Singh, Jassie Gill Patralekhaa and Ishita Raj star.

It’s 50 and counting for Dragon’s Den.

The Daily Show” as he said that his family’s dog Dipper died.The comedian, 61, revealed that the three-legged pup passed away Sunday.“He was ready. He was tired, but I wasn’t,” he said.“And the family, we were all together,” he went on.

It's going to be another explosive week in Albert Square as official EastEnders spoilers reveal Suki Panesar will once again go head-to-head with Nish while Dean takes drastic measures to stop Jade from leaving Walford. OK! has all the details for another dramatic week. Nish attacks Suki Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) begins divorce proceedings with Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) in EastEnders spoilers, but it’s Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) who’s more interested in their assets.

Qadir claimed asylum in the UK three years ago. Since then, the Pakistani national has been rebuilding his life here in Manchester.

As Love Island: All Stars continues to creep ever closer to its exciting conclusion, the contestants hoping for a second chance at love were dealt yet another curve ball this week following the arrival of fan favourite Adam Maxted. The 31 year old star initially appeared in series 2 of the show back in 2016 when he was coupled with with Katie Salmon, but sadly the couple were unable to win the show despite hitting it off while in the villa.

Naman Ramachandran Viacom18 and Marflix’s Bollywood actioner “Fighter” was the highest grossing film of the weekend at the global box office, with box office revenues of $25.1 million, according to data from ComScore. The film, directed by Siddharth Anand, whose previous film, Shah Rukh Khan starrer “Pathaan,” was one of the biggest Indian hits of 2023, stars Bollywood A-listers Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor. “Fighter” revolves around the Indian Air Force and released on Thursday, Jan.

They made for an unlikely alliance. One was the playboy son of a clothing tycoon who counted members of the Pakistani government among his close relatives.

Guinness World Record for the most Taylor Swift songs identified from their lyrics in one minute.Bilal Ilyas Jhandir of Pakistan, a self-proclaimed “die-hard fan” of the pop star, named 34 of her songs, which broke the record previously held of 27.“I have been listening to Taylor Swift since my childhood,” Jhandir, 20, told Guinness World Records.“I have listened to each and every song of hers. I can identify almost any song of hers from the lyrics.”Bilal had to identify each of Swift’s songs — which were taken from the list of her top 50 best-selling tunes — from its beginning lyrics, read aloud by a man without any music in the background.

Zayn Malik has told fans that he is “fine” after a viral video appeared to show his foot being run over by a car.The video seemingly shows the former One Direction singer being run over while in a crowd of fans outside the Kenzo presentation during Paris Fashion Week on Friday (January 19).He later shared a picture of his white Kenzo trainers covered in black scuff marks and credited them with protecting his foot.Taking to Instagram, Zayn shared a photo of a black scuff mark on his shoes from the car, and said: “Thanks for a great show! My foot is fine !! Thanks to my incredibly well made shoes.”See the post and the viral video showing the incident below.A post shared by Zayn Malik (@zayn)A car appears to run over Zayn Malik’s foot while he attended the Kenzo fashion show in Paris. pic.twitter.com/k6wRoDxiAD— Pop Base (@PopBase) January 20, 2024Last week, Zayn partnered with Pakistani group AUR to remake their popular track, ‘Tu Hai Kahan’.“I was incredibly humbled when AUR reached out and asked me to collaborate on their song ‘Tu Hai Kahan’,” said Malik.

Naman Ramachandran U.S.-based RASA Film Group is launching a film collective at the Sundance Film Festival. The collective is actively exploring projects featuring strong female protagonists, narratives centered around social justice and stories that portray Muslim characters in positive and empowering roles. RASA is in talks for future projects involving Muslim or Pakistani women talent such as Aizzah Fatima (“Americanish”), Mehreen Jabbar (“Farar”), Afia Nathaniel (“Dukhtar”), Mahnoor Euceph (“Eid Mubarak”) and Rehana Lew Mirza (“Wishtree”).

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Andre Marshall. Andre, from Whalley Range, was shot dead on May 20, 2015, and his body was found near St Clement's Church.

A man has been charged with murder as part of investigations into the death of Andre Marshall in 2015. Andre, from Whalley Range, was shot dead on May 20, 2015, and his body was found near St Clement's Church.

A popular seaside town has had a helping hand - or paw - with its tourism in recent years, in the form of a much-loved local cat. Parsley has built up a huge social media following for his antics in Oban, and has even had visitors from all over the world.

Zayn Malik has partnered with AUR to remake their popular track, ‘Tu Hai Kahan’.Last week, a remake of the Pakistani trio’s Number One single was released and now features the Bradford-born singer singing in Urdu on the chorus. The remix was accompanied by a new music video, showing both AUR and Malik recording their respective parts in the studio.“I was incredibly humbled when AUR reached out and asked me to collaborate on their song ‘Tu Hai Kahan’,” said Malik.

A dad-of-two from Rochdale has reportedly been shot dead in Pakistan after travelling to the country to 'surprise his family.'

Naman Ramachandran The first footage from “Devara,” headlined by “RRR” star NTR Jr., has been unveiled. “Devara” reunites NTR Jr. with his “Janatha Garage” director Koratala Siva, whose last film was “Acharya,” starring megastar Chiranjeevi and “RRR” star Ram Charan.

Tim Chan If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The Australia vs. Pakistan cricket test series has kicked off Down Under, with the two powerhouse nations facing off in front of thousands of fans in Australia and millions more watching from home.

Tim Chan If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The Australia vs. Pakistan cricket test series has kicked off Down Under, with the two powerhouse nations facing off in front of thousands of fans in Australia and millions more watching from home.

Amid the sea of Santa hats and Christmas jumpers in arrivals at Manchester Airport, a family stands out as they clutch colourful garlands of flowers. It’s Christmas Eve and they’re welcoming parents and siblings back from Saudia Arabia, who have been away from home for nine days completing the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.

Naman Ramachandran A range of subjects, ranging from hot button to mystical, await Academy voters considering the contenders from South Asia in the international feature category. The most visible film from the region is certainly Bhutan’s “The Monk and the Gun,” Pawo Choyning Dorji‘s follow-up to the Oscar-nominated “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom.” In the film, Dorji uses the first elections in one of the world’s youngest democracies to comment on what is lost as his country modernizes. The Variety critics pick, following its festival premieres at Telluride, Toronto, Rome and Busan, sold to a raft of major territories worldwide, including Roadside Attractions in the U.S.