HBL PSL X kicks off with music, lights and airborne Rocket Man
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The Pakistan Super League (PSL) kicked off its 10th edition with a vibrant and star-studded opening ceremony in Rawalpindi on Friday night, leaving fans in awe with a display of technology, music, and fireworks.
A major highlight of the evening was the first-ever appearance of a Rocket Man, who soared through the air. This marked a technological first for any cricket league in the region, and the stunt quickly went viral on social media.
The ceremony also featured fireworks, immersive light displays, and musical performances that lit up the stadium.
Legendary Sufi singer Abida Parveen delivered a soulful performance, followed by Hamza Ali Abbasi, who took the stage for a brief speech.
Ali Zafar, joined by a group of young artists, performed the official anthem of PSL 10, energising the crowd and creating a stadium-wide singalong moment.
Clips of the ceremony were widely shared online, gaining attention not only in Pakistan but also across the border. Indian fans were especially surprised by the scale and flair of the production, praising the performances and visuals.
The event was hosted by renowned sports presenter Zainab Abbas, whose stage presence and energy set the tone for the evening. Her presence added professionalism and familiarity for long-time PSL followers.
The PSL 10 opening ceremony not only marked a grand start to this year's tournament but also reinforced the league's growing global appeal.
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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
The fall of Bollywood's conscience
In the great theatre of the subcontinent, many roles are played. The diplomat with his pocket square, ever so cautious, so vary of his words; the journalist with his war drum baritone and breaking news ticker; the general adorned in ranks, with his maps, military insights and strategically placed metaphors. But perhaps the most watched performers, the ones that garner the most eyeballs, are the stars, the celebrities, the legends of celluloid — those silken, sculpted, social-media-verified wonders of Indian cinema, who, in times of tension, often hold more sway over the hearts of their fans than even actual heads of state. So, when the most recent diplomatic domino between Pakistan and India began to fall, sparked by a tragic incident in Kashmir and snowballing into a full-blown chest-thumping war mongering chaos, eyes obviously turned to the borders. For the latest updates and bulletins, eyes turned to the news. And for everything in between, they turned to mobile screens. While the news cycle monopolised missile updates and water cooler conversations stoked further trepidation, it was on social media, Facebook and Instagram pages, and Threads of the world that we witnessed, some with a shrug and others with resignation, a curtain fall. The fanfare of nationalist fervour is nothing new. We have seen it before — during surgical strikes, border standoffs, even high-stake cricket matches. But this time, it felt different. The air itself had a simmering quality to it. This time, it was the power corridors of Bollywood that stood in a staunch and ignoble salute. Fan favourite stars from the lauded Bollywood pantheon, like Akshay Kumar, whose recent filmography reads like a defence ministry-sponsored resume, wasted no time. His message was swift: unwavering support for the Indian response, patriotic hashtags, and a pixel-perfect picture of the tri-coloured flag. Quick on his heels was the ever-so-predictable Kangana Ranaut, Bollywood's resident Rottweiler of righteousness. Never known for subtlety, Ms Ranaut deemed it appropriate to post that Pakistan was a 'terrorist nation' and called for the 'cleansing' of traitors. 'These [insert PC term for insects known for their signature infestations and filth] should be nuked' she said. And in doing so India will actually be doing the entire world a huge favour. Even the usually discreet monoliths — Hrithik Roshan, Ajay Devgan, and Shahid Kapoor chimed in with near-identical messages support for the armed forces, for the government, for decisive action. A methodical barrage of copy-paste nationalism. Who would have thought that the modern face of digital diplomacy could be achieved in 280 characters or less? Citizens of a proud nation simply supporting their sovereign nation? That wasn't jarring really. Why would anyone assume otherwise? Why wouldn't the slumbering nationalism be kindled by the horns of war? But what truly unsettled fans, particularly across this side of the border, was how quickly this nuance petered out. And in that silence, there seemed to be no room for peace, no space for reflection. The world's biggest democracy was suddenly rendered to be nothing more than an echo chamber. Perhaps the most painful silence was from those who once told stories that made these very borders blur. Alia Bhatt, beloved on both sides of the Wagah gate, posted a vaguely-worded graphic: 'Strength. Solidarity. Resilience.' It was the PR version of nodding solemnly and exiting stage left. And then there was the illustrious Karan Johar whose popularity spikes are the bread and butter of the expat South Asian demographic (in its gargantuan entirety) posted an Indian flag. No caption, no context. Just 'vibes'. A hard one to reconcile was the bard of Bollywood, Javed Akhtar, also known as the poet of peace and author of anthems. The same man whose verses once melted hostility into harmony, proclaimed 'I'd rather go to jahannum (hell) than go to Pakistan'. Not a great commendation for his own nation in which he currently was, observed one keen eyed netizen. For Pakistani fans, this was nothing short of watching your favourite uncle suddenly flip the dining table during Eid lunch. Praise be, all was not lost. Amidst this morbid uniformity, a few voices of dissent also joined in on the chorus; one such unexpectedly (but most welcomingly) from Sonakshi Sinha. While others laced up their patriotic boots, she dared to 'run amok' on Instagram. 'The Indian media has lost the plot. This isn't journalism, it's dangerous fiction.' No flags. No warmongering. Not a battle cry. Just a slice of honesty. A whisper in fact. Of course, Ms Sinha was swiftly trolled, memed, accused of being 'anti-national,' and told to go to Pakistan (a favourite insult, it seems, for anyone who suggested peace in that time). But she reminded us of something crucial: bravery isn't always about standing tall. Sometimes, it can just be about not sitting down when everyone else has. While India's celebrity class was actively engaged in staging their synchronised salute, the world also had the pleasure (read titillation) of tuning into a very different performance, one that took place on Piers Morgan Uncensored. There, sat across from each other, were Barkha Dutt and Hina Rabbani Khar. One Indian. One Pakistani. One a journalist. One a former foreign minister. Both articulate, accomplished women; razor-sharp, and blessedly allergic to nonsense. Khar, with her characteristic calm and poise, spoke of nuance, context, and the inherent dangers of nationalist hysteria. Barkha, no stranger to war reporting, put on a grand show, pushing back at every notch she possibly could. For a brief moment outside the 'theatricality', the screens became a classroom. One where nobody yelled 'Jai ABC' or 'Death to XYZ', and everyone simply listened. What a contrast to Instagram's red carpets of conformity it truly was. For Pakistanis, Indian cinema has been primarily for entertainment, but additionally, it has also been a companion. A cultural mirror that everyone in the south Asian region can glom onto seeking valid representation and actually 'be seen' by the rest of the world. Bollywood to Pakistanis has been a secret rebellion against political bitterness. From DDLJ and Devdas posters adorning every other inner-city salon in major urban locales to Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal and Diljit Dosanjh being played at almost every wedding function and celebration, Bollywood has always held an intimate and fortified place in our hearts. It is reasonable then that this moment in history did not go over too well with the Pakistani audience. It felt much like, to perhaps the uninitiated, being ghosted by someone who you had once loved unconditionally. To see your once revered icons tweet in unison about severe military action against your homeland with such brazen callousness was unmistakably heartbreaking. Especially when you factor in how the majority of it all actually appeared performative — as opposed to genuine patriotism. And what of the audiences who always consumed Indian cinema with rose-tinted nostalgia? Many now found themselves confused, disappointed, and quietly (but profoundly) wounded. It wasn't just that stars didn't advocate for peace, it was that they didn't seem to care really. No acknowledgement of the mutual love they received across the border. No reminder that their music was the soundtrack of Pakistani childhoods, their dialogues recited in college hallways. Instead, silence. And silence, when given a platform, can be very, very loud. Why did this happen? Why didn't more stars speak out for peace? Well, it's not just about courage. It is also about contracts. Since 2014, Indian cinema has become increasingly aligned with the political establishment du jour. Films like The Kashmir Files are tax-exempt. Directors with the 'right' politics get easier approvals, cheaper insurance, state PR. Meanwhile, those with inconvenient opinions get labelled 'urban naxals' or 'tukde tukde gang.' Ask Deepika Padukone, who showed up at a student protest in 2020. She said nothing, just stood there. But that silence cost her millions in brand deals and led to calls for a boycott of her film. The writing on the wall was quite clear: dare to speak against the tide, and you shall be made to disappear. Even the once mighty and untouchable Khans, Shah Rukh, Salman, Aamir, have faced the wrath of their fanatical home-grown audience, and have been left with no choice but to play it safe and stay 'mum'. Not long ago, SRK's son was jailed under suspicious circumstances with King Khan jolting from lawyers' chambers to police stations as an inconsequential and lowly civilian. Aamir was attacked for his wife's comments on rising intolerance and his movie 'Laal Singh Chadda' was massacred in the box office for his alleged (and somewhat imagined) anti-state rhetoric. Even Salman who has always kept his alliances clear has become a prisoner of the gallows, living in anguish under the ever-looming threat of the Bishnoi gang. We know, we understand and feel empathy for these stars. But not all was lost. Anurag Kashyap, never one to bow, tweeted cryptically about how 'conformity is not the same as unity.' Another personality, often chastised for her exceptionally 'woke' stances, Swara Bhasker shared an article on the need for empathy, adding: 'Peace isn't weakness. Hate isn't strength.' These voices were barely audible, drowned out by hashtags and hyperbole. But they mattered. Because resistance doesn't always come with fireworks. Sometimes, it just comes with a spine. This could have been a moment. A cinematic plot twist. Imagine if Shah Rukh had posted a throwback clip from Main Hoon Na. Or if Madhuri had tweeted 'Peace is patriotic.' If Priety Zinta had only quoted a line from her famous Veer Zaara song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera'. If Ranveer Singh had just... danced it out? But no. All we got brand-safe statements, media-managed mentions, and a whole lot of silence. What a story it could have been. What a script we missed. There was a time when Indian films imagined a better world. When screenwriters flirted with forbidden love across borders, when a song could soften suspicion, and when a poem could become protest. Today, those scripts are shelved, their authors quiet, their protagonists, for all intents and purposes, neutered by eagle-eyed publicists and spectres of political correctness. So here we are, popcorn in one hand, a tear stained handkerchief in the other, looking at the silver screen, waiting for someone, anyone, in this great theatre of the subcontinent, to play the role of the artist again. To remind us that before they were influencers, stars were simply storytellers. That their job was not just to reflect power, but to sometimes question it. And perhaps one day, they will. When it's safer. When the script changes. When bravery is back in vogue. Until then, we are left with silence. Polished. PR-approved. Politically correct. But silence nonetheless. Shahzad Abdullah is a PR and communications strategist, cultural curator and director of communications at Media Matters All facts are information are the sole responsibility of the
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Pak to make two changes for BD tour
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Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business Recorder
UK visa issues rule Hosein out of West Indies' T20 opener in England
West Indies' left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein has been ruled out of the opening match of their three-match Twenty20 series against England after he and fellow Trinidadian Jyd Goolie were unable to meet visa requirements. The first T20 match takes place at the Riverside Ground in Durham on Friday and the players could potentially miss the entire series. West Indies Cricket (CWI) said on Friday that the updated UK visa entry requirements for Trinidad and Tobago citizens, which came into effect on April 23 and May 12 required both players to submit visa applications and attend mandatory in-person appointments. CWI director Miles Bascombe explained that Hosein, who was selected for both the England and Ireland legs of the tour, could not fulfil the new visa requirements in time as he was playing in the Pakistan Super League, which wrapped up late due to the India-Pakistan conflict last month. Goolie, who was a late addition to the squad, 'was unable to secure the required visa waiver, as the transition period for Trinidad and Tobago residents had already expired.' 'These processes are ultimately governed by UK immigration authorities and remain outside of CWI's control,' the board said. 'CWI remains optimistic that the matter will be resolved in the coming days, allowing Hosein to join the squad for the remaining matches.'
