
Mikaal Zulfiqar receives marriage proposal from fan
During a local interview, Mikaal Zulfiqar received a brazen phone call from a fan, who didn't hesitate to voice her feelings for him. "I am a die-hard fan of his. I want to marry him. Please, tell me a solution to this. What must I do to accomplish this?"
Struck with disbelief, Mikaal laughed for a while before commenting on the public proposal. "Look, we can't discuss these things over the phone. If we ever meet and sit down together, then we'll see what to do about this," he joked. "But I'm flattered!"
While this caller turned out to be an unexpected admirer, another caller was more curious about the Diyare Dil actor's past closeness with model Zara Sheikh. "There was a time early on in my career when I was very close to Zara," he admitted.
"I was very young at the time, about 20 to 21, and she wasn't much older either. Back then, she was a very big star," he said. "I had grown up in England, so I was exposed to a different environment. And Zara was very Eastern, which wasn't a bad thing, just new to me. So, I was very infatuated by her. There's no doubt."
Mikaal mentioned that the two had worked together on a few modelling gigs. "Unfortunately, Zara didn't pursue her career all that much. There was a lot she could've been. She had a fantastic voice. She was a brilliant singer, like the proper classical type. In fact, music was her strength."
He added that he would encourage her to pursue music, though neither of them ended up doing it. "She was also a very good actor," he said. "But you know, I wish her the best. It was a different time."
The 43-year-old actor was once married to model Sara Bhatti, whom he divorced in 2017. In an interview with Wasi Shah last year, Mikaal expressed that he had no desire to tie the knot again despite his family's insistence.
The actor recounted a discussion with his family regarding the subject. "I was visiting the United States. My father told me that I can find a foreign woman there [for marriage]," Mikaal shared with a laugh.
He further relayed that he was in a good place in his life with his children and felt no necessity for marriage yet. "I don't really think about marriage now. I have kids, I am at peace."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Exhibit showcases German artist's mesmerising art
Visitors admire German artist Dagmar Rauwald's vision expressed through bold strokes and skillful mastery in her paintings displayed at the 'Intention vs Convention: Fluid Presence' exhibition at the PNCA in the federal capital. PHOTO: EXPRESS Pakistan National Council of the Arts, National Art Gallery, Islamabad hosted the highly anticipated solo exhibition titled: "Intention vs Convention: Fluid Presence" by renowned German artist Dagmar Rauwald which will go on till June 3. The event included an immersive workshop and presented a vibrant celebration of shared cultural heritage and creative exchange between Pakistan and Germany. The event was graced by Pakistan's Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Shahid Kamal. During the event, Dagmar Rauwald, a dynamic artist based in Hamburg, presented a captivating body of work that thrives on emotional expressiveness and conceptual depth. Her paintings, applied to transparent film with bold, sweeping gestures, evoke a tension between fluidity and solidity, lightness and opacity. By embracing transparent foils — either layered or singular — Rauwald immerses viewers in the immediacy of the present, abstracting real-world events influenced by media imagery and socio-political narratives. Her exploration of hybridity and evolving visual codes invites a profound dialogue that bridges Western and Eastern traditions, drawing inspiration from the fluid rhythm of Urdu calligraphy. Through her concept of "fluid presence," Rauwald's art created a multilayered hermeneutic experience, resonating with contemporary discourses on gender, identity and the autonomy of artistic expression. Her mastery of technique and her commitment to fostering transcultural exchange have earned her national and international recognition. Central to the event's success was the visionary curatorship of Farrah Mehmood, an esteemed Pakistani visual artist and educator. Farrah's dedication to nurturing cultural dialogue and artistic excellence elevated the exhibition, illuminating a path for future collaborations between Pakistan and Germany. The event was further supported by Dr Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, whose message of congratulations reflected his vision for sustained artistic exchanges between Hamburg and Islamabad. His emphasis on the importance of intercultural dialogue — particularly during these complex global times — resonated deeply with the event's purpose. In its entirety, this landmark event demonstrated that art is not merely an aesthetic pursuit but a bridge that connects cultures, fosters mutual understanding, and builds a more harmonious world. The collective efforts of Shahid Kamal's inspiring leadership, Farrah Mehmood's curatorial brilliance, Mariam Ahmed's direction and Dagmar Rauwald's bold artistic expression stand as a testament to the transformative power of creativity, diplomacy and vision. As this exhibition concludes, it leaves behind not just beautiful works and inspired minds but also a blueprint for future collaborations that will continue to strengthen the cultural, artistic, and educational ties between Pakistan and Germany. The opening drew a diverse audience from the arts, media, diplomatic community, and development sectors. It was well-attended and warmly received, with visitors appreciating the variety of perspectives and the shared message that photography speaks across languages and backgrounds. The exhibition will remain open to the public until June 3, 2025, and can be visited during official PNCA gallery hours. PNCA has also announced a painting workshop by Dagmar.


Express Tribune
07-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Maryam Nafees isn't taking it from anyone
Pakistani actor Maryam Nafees isn't one to stay silent when it comes to protecting her boundaries, and this week was no different. On Monday, she invited her followers to ask her questions through her Instagram stories. But things took a turn when someone asked: "When will you have a second child?" Nafees didn't let the question slide. She hit back with a sharp and pointed response: "Are you a midwife?" She went on to explain, "It's unbelievable the amount of people asking this question. When will all of us learn?" The message was clear: questions about someone's reproductive choices are not only inappropriate but also deeply personal and invasive. Her response quickly gained traction across social media, with many applauding her for calling out the entitlement people often display when it comes to women's bodies and life choices. One person commented, "What else do you expect from uneducated people?" In a society where women are routinely expected to adhere to timelines around marriage, childbirth, and motherhood, Nafees' clapback served as a necessary reminder that these expectations are outdated and unwelcome. The actor has previously used her platform to speak out on gendered issues. In August 2024, appearing on a podcast with Adnan Faisal, she emphasised the need for equal societal restrictions for both men and women, stating that if daughters are expected to return home before dark, sons should be subject to the same curfews. She argued that such measures would contribute to a safer society for all. The Diyare Dil actor, who welcomed her first child, a baby boy named Eesa, in March, has frequently shared glimpses of motherhood on social media. She and her husband, Amaan Ahmed, a filmmaker, often post family updates. The couple got married in a close-knit ceremony in March 2022. Despite her openness, Nafees has made it clear that questions about personal decisions, especially regarding family planning, cross a line.


Express Tribune
04-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Sajal Ali upgrades her accessory game
In an Instagram carousel shared on Friday, Sajal Ali flaunted a silver nose ring with a glimmering stone, which she paired with a casual black sleeveless top and jeans along with a white cap. "It's my nose ring era," she announced. Fans praised the effortless look in the caption, acknowledging just how much the accessory suits Sajal. "You are so elegant, so gorgeous, looking like a true vision of grace and beauty," a fan wrote. "First of all, you have such a cute nose, and a nose ring on top of that?" another gushed. The stream of compliments didn't stop at the nose ring, as some netizens were also mesmerised by the Dil Wali Gali Mein actor's eyes. "Your gorgeous eyes, Sajal," a user simply pointed out. Sajal's expressive eyes did feign confusion in an earlier post, in which she donned her brother's shirt, once again proving how easily casual outfits agree with her. "Stole my brother's shirt, and somehow ended up a Ferrari girl. Not complaining though," she wrote. Where the clothes brought minimal charm, the Kuch Ankahi actor's makeup did the heavy-lifting. She added a touch of glamour to the unsophisticated look with a thin streak of kohl and bold red lipstick. Sajal brings her A-game even when it comes to Eastern ensembles. In a different post, the Ye Dil Mera actor stunned in her "favourite" yellow peshwas. The outfit, called 'Secret Garden', was crafted to give the impression of an obscured lawn blooming under gentle streaks of sunlight. The motif was accentuated by a scatter of floral block print, adding to the idea of hidden blossoms. The breathable malmal made the dress gleam delicately, while the gota finishing sparked a sense of quiet luxury. Stitched with Sindhi embroidery, the top was matched with block-printed dupatta and Dhaka pajama, elevating the ensemble's fluttery quality. Sajal even got the seal of approval from the person who mattered most. "Amma always said yellow suits me the most," she wrote in the caption.