Set to release their movie titled Khel Khel Mein under the banner of Filmwala Pictures on November 19, the production company shared the news on their official Instagram handle. They wrote: “Thank you to all our fans for being so patient! Filmwala Pictures is excited to announce the first Pakistani film to be released post covid-19 and upon the opening of cinemas nationwide. We are thrilled to be releasing Khel Khel Mein this November.”

They further wrote, “The anticipated wait will be well worth it… Watch how love overcomes power and how creative ideas by the youth have the power to change minds.”

The upcoming film has an ensemble cast featuring Sajal Aly and Bilal Abbas Khan along with veteran actors Samina Ahmed, Jawed Sheikh, Marina Khan and Manzar Sehbai among other new faces. With the teaser already out, we know that it is a period film, which is inspired by true events such as migration. The teaser starts off by showing flashbacks of a war and then goes on to show the glimpses of a group of youngsters enrolled in a theatre group led by Sajal and Bilal. They seem to be practicing for a play based on the events of the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. We also see Sheheryar Munawar in the teaser and it seems like he has a cameo in the movie.

While the synopsis reads, “50 years of mistrust, memories and myths,” the theme of Khel Khel Mein suggests that “if history was taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.”

Helmed by Nabeel Qureshi and produced by Fizza Ali Meerza, the screenplay and dialogues are also by this dynamic duo. The music of the film has been produced by Shani Arshad, Shuja Haider and Asrar Shah. We certainly can’t wait to head to the cinemas and see what the film has to offer.

Pakistani celebs own the Filmfare Middle East Achievers Night 2021

Held in Dubai recently, the Filmfare Middle East Achievers Night (FFMEA) honoured and celebrated Pakistani, Arab and Indian artists for their contribution towards their local film industries. At the awards ceremony Pakistani and Indian celebrities were spotted together. Actress Sajal Aly walked the red carpet with her husband-actor Ahad Raza Mir. Moreover, a number of Pakistani actors were present at the occasion including Mahira Khan, Faysal Qureshi, Sheheryar Munawar, Maya Ali, Ayesha Omar, Jawed Sheikh and Aijaz Aslam as well as British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan and his wife Faryal Makhdoom.

Apart from Pakistani artists, some of Bollywood’s A-list celebrities such as Kajol, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sonu Nigam and many others were in attendance. The night definitely proved that art transcends cultural boundaries, allowing the many artists to support and acknowledge each other’s work.

As far as awards were concerned, the reel and real life couple Ahad and Sajal bagged one trophy each. Ahad Raza Mir was honoured with the Best Actor of New Generation award, while Sajal Aly received the award for Outstanding Performance of the Year. Other actors who made it to the list of winners at FFMEA Night 2021 included Mahira Khan as well as Sheheryar Munawar, both of whom got acknowledged as Superstar of Pakistani Cinema and Best Debutante Filmmaker (Pakistan) respectively. Actress Maya Ali was also rewarded for her contribution to Pakistani cinema and was awarded in the category of a Rising Star.

The star-studded IPPA Awards 2021 and the wardrobe controversy

This past week saw the International Pakistan Prestige Awards (IPPA) held in Istanbul, Turkey with some of the biggest names of Pakistan’s entertainment and fashion industries in attendance. With the aim to recognise the talented artists of our country, the IPPA Awards 2021 honoured celebrities including Iqra Aziz who bagged the award for Best Actor TV Serial (Female) – Viewer’s Choice for Ranjha Ranjha Kardi as well as Adnan Siddiqui who won the Best Actor in a Negative Role (TV Serial) for Meray Paas Tum Ho. Actor Osman Khalid Butt won the Best Actor Film (Male) award for his role in Saqib Malik directorial, Baaji, while Ahsan Khan won Best TV Presenter of the Year and the list goes on.

It is a given that any award ceremony is incomplete without entertaining performances. However, the least favourite was singer Abrar ul Haq performing to his latest song ‘Begum shak karti hai’ that had already received a lot of backlash mainly because he tried to take a jab at wives after its release last month. But what caused a stir at the awards ceremony was when model Fatima Hasan, who was supposed to host the red carpet along with Mushk Kaleem, was asked to leave the venue because her outfit was ‘too revealing’. The model via her Instagram story shared, “Got ready and went to the red carpet and was told that the outfit is too revealing and I can’t shoot and be broadcasted on TV in this.”

Fatima, who wore a black off-shoulder gown, further went on to share, “No one had asked me or given me any guidelines before this. I had shared my outfits with the production team just as a safety measure and they approved it. Wish I was given proper guidelines beforehand and saved from this humiliation.”

However, she later shared that she got hold of someone’s sweater, using it as a shrug to cover herself up. Fatima Hasan also thanked her fans and followers for all the love and support.