Latest news with #Akhtar
United News of India
a day ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Shoaib Akhtar gets legal notice from broadcaster
Islamabad, May 31 (UNI) Veteran sports broadcaster and former PTV Sports anchor Dr Nauman Niaz has served a legal notice to former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, alleging a sustained "malicious defamation campaign" over a period of three years, conducted via television channels and digital media platforms. In a post on social media platform X, Dr Niaz stated that the campaign against him had been "one-sided" and included repeated personal attacks and "derogatory remarks contrary to reality." He specifically cited Episode 31 of Dug Out, streamed on the Tamasha app on May 25, as a recent example, where Akhtar allegedly made fresh defamatory statements. "Eventually, the silence could no longer be mistaken for acquiescence," Dr Niaz posted. "On the advice of counsel, a line has now been drawn formally, firmly. A legal notice has been issued to Mr Shoaib Akhtar." The notice was served on May 29, by Advocate Qazi Umair Ali on behalf of Dr Niaz. The defamation claim centres around remarks made by Akhtar in which he allegedly described Dr Niaz as a kit man who carried players' bags during his tenure with the national team, an assertion Dr Niaz has labelled as false, derogatory, and damaging to his reputation. The legal notice demands an unconditional public apology and a formal retraction of the remarks made. The notice also sets a deadline of 14 days for compliance, failing which defamation proceedings will be initiated under Pakistan's Defamation Ordinance 2002, including a claim for Rs 1 billion in damages. Dr Niaz has emphasised that he has held significant administrative roles within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and has contributed extensively to the field of sports journalism over the years. He contends that Akhtar's remarks are part of a broader pattern of targeted attacks intended to undermine his professional standing. This is not the first time the two public figures have clashed. In October 2021, a widely publicised incident during a live broadcast on PTV Sports saw Dr Niaz asking Akhtar to leave the studio mid-show following an on-air disagreement. The episode sparked national debate and led to both figures being taken off-air temporarily pending an inquiry. The developing row has reignited discussions in Pakistan's cricketing and media circles about professional decorum, accountability, and the consequences of public defamation. UNI BDN GNK
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Shoaib Akhtar served legal notice by Nauman Niaz over 'kit man' remark
Former Pakistan speedster has landed in legal trouble after making allegedly defamatory comments about cricket analyst and broadcaster Nauman Niaz. The controversy stems from Akhtar's remarks during a recent podcast, where he referred to Niaz as a 'kit man' during their time together with the Pakistan national team. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Dr Nauman basically used to carry our bags and luggage for us in the team,' Akhtar claimed in the discussion, further adding, 'That is what he did in the team. I don't know about anything else he did.' Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. Niaz, who previously served as Sports Director at Pakistan Television Network (PTV) and was also involved with the Pakistan team in a data analyst capacity during Akhtar's playing days, has taken strong exception to the remarks. Through his legal counsel, Niaz has issued a defamation notice demanding an unconditional public apology within 14 days. The notice states that failure to comply will lead to further legal action, including the pursuit of monetary damages. IPL 2025 Winner Prediction: What Greenstone Lobo's Astrology says The relationship between the two has been turbulent in the past. In 2021, Niaz infamously asked Akhtar to leave a live PTV show following an on-air disagreement, which led to public outrage. Although Niaz later apologised under government pressure, tensions between the two appear far from settled.
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
'You Ate Pork And Drank Alcohol But Later...': Javed Akhtar Slams 'Power Hungry' Jinnah
Last Updated: Akhtar expressed his displeasure over Jinnah, a figure celebrated in Pakistan, for promoting the two-nation theory. In a scathing critique, renowned lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar questioned the principles and motivations of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, sparking controversy and debate. While speaking with the Lallantop, Akhtar said, 'These are power-hungry people," Akhtar said, criticising Jinnah's shift from a Western lifestyle to embracing his Muslim identity. 'Till yesterday, you were eating pork and drinking alcohol. Now you have become so Muslim. When did this happen in our England?" Akhtar questioned, highlighting Jinnah's earlier lifestyle choices. Akhtar expressed his displeasure over Jinnah, a figure celebrated in Pakistan, for promoting the two-nation theory. Akhtar also referenced Jinnah's association with Mahatma Gandhi and the Khilafat Movement, suggesting that Jinnah's actions were driven by a desire for power and recognition. 'He wanted to become a star, so he did this," Akhtar said, referring to the formation of Pakistan. He further implied that Jinnah's transformation was opportunistic. First Published:
NDTV
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Pakistani Actor Claims, "Nobody Rents Javed Akhtar A House In India." He Quips, "Shabana Azmi And I Sleep On Streets"
New Delhi: Weeks after Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari criticised Javed Akhtar, the veteran lyricist and writer has responded to her remarks. What In a recent interview with Lallantop, Javed Akhtar addressed her comments, including the claim that he doesn't even get a house on rent in Mumbai. "There is this Pakistani actress, Bushra Ansari, she often talks about me. She once advised me to keep quiet. She said something like, 'Naseeruddin Shah stays quiet, you should too.' My question to her is: 'Who is she to tell me when to talk and when not to? Who gave you this right and why do you expect me to take your advise?" Akhtar said. He added, "We internally might have several problems (referring to India), but if an outsider comes to comment, I am an Indian. Why do they forget that? I won't keep quiet." When the interviewer mentioned Bushra Ansari's comment about him not getting a house on rent, Akhtar responded with sarcasm. "Yes right, Shabana and I have been sleeping on the streets lately. Kya yaar, ab kya bole?" he said, laughing. Background Javed Akhtar also recalled an old incident that may have led to such claims. He said, "About 25 years ago, Shabana wanted to buy a flat for investment purpose. But the broker said that the owner will not sell his house to a Muslim. But, do you know why he refused? He refused it because his parents stayed in Sindh from where these Pakistanis shooed them away. Anyone with a wound that big and deep, will react the way the owner reacted. If that day, Shabana was refused a flat, it was not because she was a Muslim, but it was because the owner was displacing his revenge someplace else for what his parents went through. So who is she (Bushra Ansari) to take a dig at this, and ask me to keep quiet? They must look into their own doings before commenting." The exchange stems from an earlier incident in April when news broke about the killing of 26 tourists in the Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam by a terrorist group. Reacting to the tragedy at the Gauravshaali Maharashtra Mahotsav, Akhtar said, "Yeh baat humein bhulni nahi chahiye, yeh mamooli baat nahi hai. (We shouldn't forget this)." Following his speech, Bushra Ansari criticised Akhtar on social media, saying, "Humare writer so-called, unko toh bahana hi chahiye tha. Actually, unko toh makaan kiraaye pe nahi milta tha Bombay mein (Our so called writer is even refused a flat in Mumbai)." She also added, "Chaloji chup karjaaye aap. Naseeruddin Shah bhi toh hai, who chup baithe hai na? Aur bhi toh chup baithe hai na? Jiske dil mein jo hai who rakkha rahe. (Please stay quiet just like Naseeruddin Shah. Others are also quiet, you too be quiet please)." In A Nutshell Javed Akhtar has responded to Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari's remarks advising him to stay silent and claiming he couldn't get a house on rent in Mumbai. Akhtar questioned her right to comment on him and explained an old incident about housing discrimination rooted in partition trauma.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Are Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi sleeping on Mumbai's streets? Veteran lyricist reacts to Pakistani star Bushra Ansari's claims
Agencies Javed Akhtar's Sharp Response to Bushra Ansari's Remarks: A Clash Beyond Borders Several weeks after Pakistani artist Bushra Ansari criticized Indian lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar, the latter offered a firm and thought-provoking response. During a recent conversation with Lallantop, Javed Akhtar addressed Bushra's public statement where she ridiculed him, suggesting that no one in Mumbai would even rent him a home. In his reply, Akhtar questioned her authority to comment on when he should speak or remain silent, making it clear he would not be dictated by external voices. In the interview, Akhtar mentioned that Bushra Ansari had, on previous occasions, spoken about him and even advised him to stay quiet, comparing him to actor Naseeruddin Shah. Responding assertively, Akhtar emphasized that no outsider had the right to decide how or when he should express his opinions. He firmly rejected the notion of taking advice from someone who did not understand his perspective or circumstances. Akhtar also stressed a deeper national sentiment, noting that while India may have its own internal differences, he stood united with his country when confronted by outside commentary. He questioned why people like Ansari forget this crucial point. He reiterated that despite ideological differences within the country, he remains, at his core, an Indian—and will not be silenced by opinions from across the informed about Ansari's claim that he couldn't find a rental home in Mumbai, Akhtar responded with dry humor. He sarcastically said that he and his wife, actress Shabana Azmi, had apparently been living on the streets, highlighting the absurdity of the comment with went on to provide context for this claim. Recalling a 25-year-old incident, Akhtar explained how Shabana once tried to purchase a flat as an investment, but the seller refused to deal with a Muslim buyer. The seller's decision, however, was not rooted in religious bias but in personal trauma—his family had once lived in Sindh and were forced to flee during partition. The owner's deep emotional scars led him to displace his resentment in this way. Akhtar made it clear that such events shouldn't be exploited by others to make unwarranted controversy began when a terrorist group attacked and killed 26 tourists in the scenic Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam on April 22. In the wake of this tragedy, Javed Akhtar delivered a stirring speech at the Gauravshaali Maharashtra Mahotsav, urging people not to forget the gravity of the incident. In response, Bushra Ansari criticized him online, calling him a 'so-called writer' and mocking his housing situation in Mumbai, urging him to remain silent like other public Ansari is a celebrated figure in Pakistan's entertainment industry, known for her versatility as an actress, comedian, singer, and writer. She began her artistic journey in the 1960s as a child performer, gradually building a multifaceted career that spans decades in both Punjabi and Urdu-language media. Her contributions to television, stage, and music have earned her widespread acclaim and multiple accolades, most notably the prestigious Presidential Pride of Performance Award in 1989—one of the country's highest civilian honors in the arts. Her early rise to fame came in 1984 when she captivated audiences with her role as Jehan Ara Begum, a bold and outspoken housewife, in the iconic television drama Aangan Terha aired on Pakistan Television (PTV). The character's wit and commanding presence made a lasting impression and firmly established Ansari as a household name. Although her first formal dramatic role arrived later in 1997 with the TV series Rishtay Aur Raastay , Bushra had already become a regular face on television through a string of successful shows. Over the years, she graced many of PTV's most popular programs, including Show Time , Show Sha , Rang Tarang , and Emergency Ward . Her talent for comedy shone especially brightly in the sketch series Fifty Fifty , a classic satire show that remains one of Pakistan's most beloved TV productions. Known for her dynamic screen presence and ability to effortlessly shift between humor and drama, Bushra Ansari has played an influential role in shaping the landscape of South Asian entertainment.
