No, Hasan Raheem has not tied the knot just yet
We knew it: the groom fit, the cryptic caption, the refusal to let anyone repost the pic, it had music video shenanigans written all over it. And now, in the most Hasan Raheem fashion possible, he's come clean: "I'm still single," he posted on Instagram. Hearts mended. Playlists queued.
Back in April, the Joona heartthrob sent fans into a collective meltdown with an Instagram post showing him suited up like a groom, seated next to a woman in bridal wear. "Kept it lowkey, it was a big day," Raheem wrote in the caption. Naturally, Gen-Z went into emotional cardiac arrest, because had Pakistan's crush really gone and soft-launched a wedding?
It turns out that the shoot was just a teaser for MEMORIES, the first track from his upcoming album DKP. The song dropped on Friday, and so did our jaws.
A groovy Punjabi-English crossover featuring the powerhouse Peechay Hutt royalty Justin Bibis, MEMORIES marks Raheem's first foray into Punjabi vocals. It's moody yet groovy, like crying in the middle of the dance floor while still serving looks. Shehryar Khan's production gives it that slick, urban beat we've come to expect from Raheem's genre-bending, bedroom-pop style.
And the video is pure, iconic chaos. Set at a wedding, Raheem (playing groom) is confronted mid-celebration by the ghosts of his ex-girlfriends. What follows is a dramatic, slow-mo showdown that quickly escalates into a stiletto-flinging brawl. The women unite against their shared heartbreak, and Raheem gets the on-screen thrashing of a lifetime. Blood, glitter, bruised egos — it's heartbreak with an RSVP. There's even a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment where someone hurls a cake. It's cinematic mischief at its finest.
Online reactions were predictably unhinged. "I knew this was a prank," yelled one fan. "Bro, you played with my heart," wept another. Actor Osman Khalid Butt took a jab at Raheem's trademark messy hair, commenting, "I knew the news couldn't be real when I saw your unwashed hair." Anoushey Ashraf simply declared, "Good job!"
Long before the wedding-day chaos of MEMORIES, Raheem was winning hearts with his tender, unplugged performances. Back in February, he shared a stripped-down version of Obvious on Instagram, enchanting fans with his warm, soulful vocals and intimate lyricism. With DKP on the horizon, it's safe to say Raheem's just getting started.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Business Recorder
The ‘Keynote Speaker'
A keynote speaker is typically the main speaker at an event, conference or meeting, and their speech is often the highlight of the program. Therefore, the keynote speaker has to be chosen carefully with the following characteristics in mind: Expertise: Keynote speakers are often experts in their field, with a deep understanding of the topic they are speaking about. Charisma: A good keynote speaker is engaging, charismatic, and able to hold the audience's attention. Inspiration: Keynote speakers often aim to inspire and motivate their audience, leaving a lasting impression. Storytelling: Many keynote speakers use storytelling techniques to make their message more relatable. Unfortunately, Pakistan has a dearth of meaningful keynote speakers. Some great speakers of yore are still around, but slowly losing their relevance. The young generation wants to hear new ideas and concepts. They want verve, vibe and excitement. But the people who know rarely speak and those that speak rarely know. The current restrictions on free expression have become a worldwide trend. But amusing anecdotes abound. At the height of the decolonization era, circa 1956, Lancaster House London was a happening place. One evening, a leader of a large African state, soon to be independent, was the chief guest and keynote speaker at a dinner. He was seated to the right of the British Prime Minister as per tradition. Seated next to him was a London matron, a highly influential politician. In an effort to keep the African leader engaged she quietly asked him 'You like soupee, soupee?' (when the soup was served). He nodded his head yes, yes. So on as the meal progressed. 'You like fishy, fishy?' 'You like sweety, sweety?' (dessert). After dinner it was the African leader's turn to speak. He walked to the rostrum and delivered a 20-minute address in immaculate English. A standing ovation. He returned to his seat, turned to the lady and asked politely 'you like speechee, speechee?' Winston Churchill was an epic orator (much has been written on the subject in this newspaper). One of his lesser-known quips –Churchill absolutely did not like Harold MacMillan. It was mutual. One afternoon Churchill was standing outside Westminster with two party colleagues. A London taxi pulled up. Churchill remarked, 'aah an empty taxi. Soon Harold MacMillian will emerge'. Keynote speakers should hail from a wide spectrum, depending on the host organization: Industry Experts: Specialist in a particular field sharing knowledge and insights. Thought leaders: Visionaries who challenged conventional wisdom and offer new perspectives. Motivational speakers: Speakers who focus on inspiring and motivating their audience. Celebrity speakers: Well-known personalities who share their experiences and insights. As the Executive Director of the Management Association of Pakistan (2000 - 2008) I constantly faced the dilemma of credible keynote speakers. Two instances stand out. In September 2001, MAP (Management Association of Pakistan) had invited Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman of Emirates Airlines. I had cultivated Maurice very carefully as a supporter of MAP and Pakistan. After the seminar Maurice Flanagan and myself were to fly to Islamabad. The next morning Maurice was to have a serious meeting with President Pervaiz Musharraf and his team. The agenda: to increase the intake of aviation professionals from Pakistan into Emirates Airlines. A significant step. The Karachi event was planned for 14 September 2001. Unfortunately, the New York event happened on 9/11. Our event in Karachi was cancelled. Much later MAP was planning a major seminar on geopolitics. I had written to Mr. Colin Powell, the then secretary of state of US government, but was not hopeful of a response. Eventually, we (MAP) did receive a letter from Secretary Powell, signed by him, politely declining the event due to prior commitments, but committing to sending a senior official from the State Department. I later learned that Secretary Powell's office made an inquiry from the US Embassy in Islamabad/Karachi about the credentials of the Management Association. They received positive feedback. Secretary Powell passed away a few years ago. RIP. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Ayeza Khan under fire for 'insensitive' statement
Following the murder of 17-year-old influencer Sana Yousaf, Ayeza Khan joined her fellow celebrities and the internet in speaking out about the issue. However, her priorities didn't quite align with what netizens were expecting from her. Instead of condemning the murder or the perpetrator, Ayeza chose to discuss the repercussions of sharing one's personal life on social media. "Let's all understand the pros and cons of social media, especially when it comes to our security. Keep your addresses, car numbers, regular spots, and children's details private," she wrote. "It's not safe. It's just not safe. Share less. Times have changed," she emphasised. "Recognise that the audience you have today isn't the one you personally chose. It's from all over the world." The Meray Paas Tum Ho actor believes that it is one's own responsibility to guard what they put out in the digital world. "Let's take responsibility for what we share," she said. Adding a prayer, she concluded, "May Allah protect us all and keep us in good company. Ameen." 'Tone deaf much?' Although Ayeza's sentiments stemmed from a place of concern for the detrimental impact of social media on one's life, netizens called out her statement for lacking sensitivity and veering towards victim blaming. "Someone lost their life because some man had a similar toxic ideology as the roles your husband plays in every single drama he stars in, and your main takeaway is 'let's protect ourselves'? Tone deaf much?" an Instagram user questioned. The user didn't mince their words, urging Ayeza to tell her actor-husband Danish Taimoor to stop romanticising toxic masculinity in his drama serials and have empathy for the family who lost their young girl. "You should at least have some form of the humanity that you were preaching a few weeks ago, telling others to not victim blame," the user continued. "You seriously need to check yourself first and then hire a decent PR team because every statement you make is the most ridiculous, tone-deaf, and insensitive thing ever." A different netizen suggested that the Humraaz actor is hypocritical for having an active Instagram account and still putting out such statements. "While your whole life is on your social media account, you still have the guts to shape cold-blooded murder into a lack of self-protection. Please come out of the fancy clothes and glamorous shoots. The victim was not at fault at all. Maybe tell your dear husband to not choose scripts like he does all the time and stop normalising abuse on screens." Other criticism ranged from speaking out against male privilege to hoping to de-platform celebrities who perpetuate harmful ideas that influence the wrong minds. Many argued that the problem is not social media but the entitlement that criminals have to commit such heinous crimes without the fear of being watched or punished. As per the BBC, a 22-year-old man confessed to murdering Sana after being arrested. Authorities believe that Umar Hayat murdered the influencer at her home in Islamabad after she rejected his "offers of friendship". They informed the BBC that he broke into her house, fired two shots, and fled with her phone. Sana's family gathered in Chitral for her burial. Her father, Syed Yousaf Hassan, shared that she was his only daughter a "very brave" one at that. He added that she had never mentioned Umar or reported any threatening behaviour before her life was taken on Monday.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Brazil's funk star's arrest sparks censorship debate
The arrest of a popular funk singer in Brazil on suspicion of glorifying a powerful crime gang has revived a long-standing debate over the criminalisation of a genre born in Rio de Janeiro's gritty favelas, or slums. Unlike its US namesake, which was popularised by James Brown, Rio funk borrows more from hip-hop, blended with samba and other Brazilian rhythms. The lyrics, seen by many as celebrating favela drug lords, have repeatedly led to calls for songs to be censored. Last week, MC Poze do Rodo, one of the genre's best-known artists with 16 million followers on Instagram, was arrested on charges of glorifying crime and having links to Comando Vermelho (CV), one of Brazil's biggest gangs. The police argue that Poze's music "clearly condones" drug trafficking and illegal use of firearms and point to concerts held "exclusively in areas dominated by CV, with a notable presence of traffickers armed with high-calibre weapons." After five days in preventive custody, the 26-year-old singer was released on Tuesday to a rapturous welcome from waiting fans, who swarmed his car in a column of motorbikes. Speaking afterwards, the singer claimed he was the victim of police discrimination. "Rio de Janeiro police don't like me... because I'm black? Because I'm from a favela?" Marlon Brendon Coelho Couto was born in the favela of Rodo, one of the biggest in western Rio. He has admitted to selling drugs in his youth but says that he abandoned crime to devote himself to music. Police footage of his arrest at his current home in the upmarket Recreio dos Bandeirantes district, cuffed and shirtless, surrounded by heavily armed officers, caused an outcry among his fans. Fellow musicians took part in a campaign for his release, organised by his wife, influencer Viviane Noronha, on the grounds that "funk singers are not criminals." The debate surrounding funk's role in crime mirrors long-standing discussions in the United States over the links between rap and violence in Black communities. Danilo Cymrot, a doctor in criminology at the University of Sao Paulo, pointed to a "grey area" in the definition of glorification of violence, relating to artistic content. "The artist doesn't necessarily agree with his lyrics," Cymrot, author of a book about Rio funk, said. He added that "oftentimes, the police and the judiciary have a hard time understanding funk as a work of art." As a result, he said, the artist's origins are often used to determine whether he condones violence. "It's less the message itself and more who is singing it."
