“A new year - a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately, we write it. The choice is ours,” says Alex Morritt.
Each New Year offers an exciting opportunity for a fresh start and new beginnings which is probably why we all look forward to New Year’s Eve. No matter what your goals are for the coming year, ringing in the start of a new year is a moment to acknowledge.
2024 was a year of remarkable achievements and significant challenges. The Paris Summer Olympics dazzled the world with extraordinary athletic performances. The wave of AI development that exploded in 2023, continued to remake the IT industry in 2024. The year was also marked by historic elections and global unrest.
In the entertainment industry, Taylor Swift wrapped up her record-setting world tour, while ‘Oppenheimer’ was the big winner at the Oscars. Our own Hania Aamir has been named as the number one Pakistani star for 2024 as she ranked nine in the globally popular ‘Top 50 Asian Celebrities in the World’ list.
In connection with New Year, we asked few of our favourite celebrities what 2024 offered them and what they are looking for in 2025. Read on…
Q1. What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2024?
Q2. What is one relationship/life lesson you have learnt in 2024?
Q3. What were your binge-watched series in 2024?
Q4. What was your biggest indulgence in the past year?
Q5. In your eyes, what is the greatest challenge the world is facing today?
Q6. How do you foresee 2025?
1. ‘Pride of Performance Award’ was the best thing that 2024 offered me.
2. That life goes on and everything is transitory.
3. Didn’t binge-watch any series but watched a lot of movies. My favourite is ‘Laapta Ladies’.
4. Well, I believe in quiet luxury. So, I’ll be ‘quiet’ about it.
5. Intolerance and lack of empathy.
6. 2025 looks very promising and optimistic to me. I am really looking forward to bringing ‘Tamasha Season 4’ to the audience. Then we also have ‘Jeeto Pakistan’. I am also working on a movie and couple of dramas are also in the pipeline. Let’s see.
1. 2024 has been full of blessings, and it’s hard to pick just one. From personal growth to new opportunities, every moment has been meaningful. I am truly grateful for everything this year has brought into my life.
2. I have learned that the relationship with oneself is the most important commitment. Everything else follows. Prioritising your wellbeing isn’t selfish, it’s essential to show up as your best self for others and for life. Put yourself first always.
3. ‘Under the Queen’s Umbrella’.
4. My biggest indulgence this past year was investing in experiences that I truly cherish. I went on some trips and it was such a refreshing escape. I also treated myself to a luxury item I had been eyeing for a while it felt like a little reward for all my hard work. But honestly, I find the greatest joy in creating memories, whether it’s travelling, celebrating small wins, or simply spending time with loved ones.
5. I think the biggest challenge the world is facing today is climate change and how it’s affecting everything - our environment, food, and even daily life. It feels like we are running out of time to fix things, and not enough people are taking it seriously. On top of that, staying connected with each other in a positive way is getting harder with all the distractions around us.
6. I see 2025 as a year of growth and exciting opportunities. I feel optimistic about taking on new challenges and expanding my horizons professionally - whether it’s through new projects, collaborations or venturing into something creative and impactful. I’m also focusing on personal growth so, I hope 2025 brings a balance of success, learning, and meaningful experiences. Overall, I feel excited and ready for what’s to come.
1. The best thing that happened to me in 2024 was my decision to diversify my business by venturing into destination wedding planning. I also decided to open an office in Dubai, UAE, as another base for my business.
2. One life lesson I have learned is that ‘tomorrow never comes’. You have to do what needs to be done today, complete your bucket list, and create a new one every year.
3. The biggest series I binge-watched in 2024 was ‘Outlander’, a romantic historical fantasy series set in the 1700s. I love history.
4. My biggest extravagance over the last 10 years has been travelling. This year, I took 18 incredible trips, including visits to Africa, Victoria Falls, China, Hong Kong, Paris, Greece, Bodrum, Istanbul, Dubai, and Bali.
5. I think the world’s biggest challenge today is achieving peace. There are too many wars happening, and it is deeply disturbing. While we have won the global war against COVID-19, it is heartbreaking to see humans killing each other so ruthlessly.
6. I want to bring high creative fashion back to Pakistan. I hope to focus more on destination events and weddings. I also want to visit more places in 2025. Moreover, I would love to see Pakistan grow and become more stable. Last but not least, I’d like to continue doing my podcast.
1. I recently celebrated 30 years in fashion. We just launched our new store, and God has been kind to me. I am one of the board members of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design, the Arts Council, and the PNCA (Pakistan National Council of Arts), Islamabad.
2. One needs to be humble, kind, and have a positive attitude towards life. It is important to give back to society without any expectations.
3. ‘Emily in Paris.’
4. This year, my biggest indulgence was taking my mom to Mumbai, Delhi, and Jaipur. It was the first holiday I had taken in many years, and I brought my mother along. Travelling itself is an indulgence - we stayed at fabulous hotels, ate at fine restaurants, and shopped like crazy. My second indulgence was opening my state-of-the-art design studio in Defence, Karachi.
5. The world is going through difficult times. There is polarisation, constant war in the Middle East, and the destabilisation of the economy and political turmoil in Pakistan. The world was not a good place in 2024. I think we need to reflect on what we are doing wrong.
6. We battled with COVID-19, and finally, the economy is moving forward. Now, Pakistan needs to decide where it wants to go. Does it want to stay in the 1990s or move forward into the 21st century? This is a very important question that needs to be answered, especially in today’s polarised environment. On a personal note, 2025 looks promising to me. I am planning to launch my own line of fragrances.
1. The best thing that happened to me in 2024 was joining Habib University.
2. Life has so much in store for us. We need to have courage to explore it.
3. ‘Cunk on earth’.
4. Not exactly indulgence but I did something bold which was dyeing my hair which I had kept salt and pepper for a long time.
5. Environmental challenges due to human greed.
6. I foresee 2025 as a positive year. I will focus more on my mental and physical health.
1. An entire summer spent holidaying with my sisters – it’s the best therapy in the world, to spend time with your loved ones.
2. Every relationship needs effort. You need to keep working on your relationships.
3. ‘Noor Jehan’ and ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’.
4. My travel to the US - but every bit was worth it!
5. Being truthful. We are living in a world thriving on lies and greed and this quest for more and more has driven us away from God. I think it’s a big challenge to uphold your values in today’s materialistic world.
6. I am looking forward to work on my new project called ‘Case #9’. Aside from work, I hope 2025 will bring some relief to our people in terms of better living conditions.
1. The best thing was working as a fashion show director for Rohit Verma. It was a significant milestone in my career, reflecting the trust placed in my vision and expertise. Additionally, collaborating on impactful events and projects throughout the year made it a truly remarkable journey.
2. Trusting your instincts and experience is crucial. I have learned that while collaboration is important, staying true to my vision and speaking up for my ideas often leads to the best outcomes, especially in creative work.
3. ‘The Crown’ was captivating this year. The grandeur, history, and drama of the series resonated with my appreciation for elegance and storytelling.
4. I think my biggest indulgence in 2024 was investing in myself - whether through directing Rohit Verma’s show, curating unique fashion looks like the Norma Kamali dress, or my visit to the museum and botanical garden. Each of these reflects a commitment to experiences and creative growth rather than material luxuries. If there’s one specific indulgence that stands out, it’s likely the time, effort, and resources I devoted to perfecting every detail of my creative projects.
5. The greatest challenge is the lack of unity in addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. The fashion industry, in particular, needs to embrace eco-conscious practices while keeping its artistic integrity alive.
6. 2025 will be a year of even greater creative exploration. I foresee expanding my professional portfolio with more international collaborations, mentoring new talent, and possibly launching a personal brand that combines my expertise in fashion and storytelling. I feel optimistic and ready to embrace new challenges with confidence.
1. God has been kind to me. My acting career is going in the right direction and I think that’s the best thing for me in 2024.
2. In showbiz, nobody is your friend. It’s a cut-throat industry.
3. I binge-watched ‘Game of Thrones’ again on HBO Max.
4. With the given economic situation of our country, indulgence is not an option.
5. I think the greatest challenge world is facing today is intolerance. There is so much hate and racism everywhere. Being tolerant towards others’ race, religion or political view can bring peace and harmony in the world.
6. I think in 2025 people will care more about their mental health issues.
1. I have made peace with my past and current life situations.
2. Never share your feelings to anyone.
3. I recently binge-watched ‘You’, an exciting thriller series on Netflix.
4. I wish I could.
5. I think the greatest challenge world is facing today is lack of human empathy. There is no compassion for others. We are all in a rat race and we just want to win. Nobody cares about others’ feelings.
6. Well, I would say 2025 is mine. I have all the intentions to make my name as a reputed artist in the entertainment industry.
1. I was invited by Isetan Japan to showcase my work next to Gucci and Tory Burch at their prestigious store in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It was very well received as it was all hand-made by Afghan refugee artisan in Karachi.
2. Life is too short to worry about small things. Live and let live.
3. ‘Bollywood Housewives’ and ‘Heeramandi’.
4. My biggest indulgence was spending time with my loved ones in NY. We visited museums, art galleries and experiencing great cafes.
5. There are many challenges the world is facing today including climate change; cyber security threats and economic uncertainty.
6. I am an optimist and I can only see bright things happening in the future.
1. I participated in the reality TV show ‘Tamasha’, which was a challenging project that also received recognition for my true personality, passion, dedication, and hard work. My performance has been appreciated by the media, seniors, and public. It boosted my confidence and motivated me to take on new challenges and projects.
2. I learned the importance of effective communication and active listening in relationships. A misunderstanding with a close friend taught me to clarify assumptions and express oneself clearly.
3. ‘Outlander’ on Netflix - a gripping post-apocalyptic historic drama that explored human resilience, love, compassion, and hope
4. A dream vacation to Skardu, exploring northern areas with vibrant culture, serene landscapes, desserts, rivers; waterfall, traditions, and delicious cuisine.
5. Climate change; global warming; rising inequality, resource depletion, and ecosystem disruption. Collective action is crucial, especially for countries causing major increases in global warming.
6. Professionally, I aim to establish my business, potentially leading to exciting collaborations or a new venture. Personally, I hope to maintain a better work-life balance, prioritise self-care, and nurture meaningful relationships. The future holds promise and uncertainty, but I am optimistic about growth and learning.
1. Acting in the drama ‘Aafat’.
2. True friendships need loyalty. Don’t ignore red flags in relationships.
3. ‘Ye Kaali Kaali Aankhein’.
4. No indulgence as such.
5. The climate crisis and lack of global unity in tackling it.
6. Optimistic about new opportunities, professional milestones and personal growth in 2025.
1. There are two incredible things that happened in 2024. The first is that a book on my artistic practice titled ‘No Man’s Land’ was finalised. It took two years to complete. This monograph will be published by Skira in the spring of 2025. The second wonderful thing is that the renovation of the Gulgee Museum came to a close. The work started in 2023 and for me it was an intensely emotional task.
2. That life is short and we are all vulnerable and mortal. Someone extremely close to me almost died and it put everything into perspective.
3. ‘Love is Blind’.
4. To let things go!
5. Greed! Greed! Greed!
6. I see 2025 being about the pursuit of happiness.
1. I feel there has been a lot of personal growth in this year. I feel more empowered as a person and it gives me a sense of peace from within.
2. A relationship point that I always followed was reassured this year. If you are honest in a relationship, be blunt about the realities whether or not the other person likes it or not.
3. ‘Squid Games - Season 2’.
4. I went abroad thrice in 2024 to attend my checklist concerts i.e., AP Dhillon, Arijit Singh and Diljit Dosanjh. It’s been a musical year you can say.
5. The greatest challenge is world peace and it has been since my childhood. We need to accept each other moving forward and be tolerant of others as well.
6. I wish to work less this year and focus more on the quality of work I do. 2024 was a lot of work but the quality was compromised I feel. I gotta change that now!
1. The best thing that happened to me in 2024 was spending the year with my husband after our marriage in December 2023 - and welcoming our baby girl into the world. She is truly the most precious blessing.
2. Keep your personal life and relationship private, not everything needs to be shared with others.
3. My binge-watched series in 2024 has to be ‘Black Doves’. It was so addictive, and I couldn’t stop watching it.
4. My husband got his dream car, an Audi, this year.
5. In my eyes, the greatest challenge the world is facing today is striking a balance between environmental sustainability and economic growth. Climate change, resource depletion, and social inequalities are all interconnected issues that require global collaboration and immediate action.
6. 2025 will be all about continuing my professional journey and building on everything I have achieved so far. I am excited to grow, learn, and take on new opportunities - it’s going to be a promising year.
Coordination: Rana Asif aka Rraannaayy
