Latest news with #BadshahBegum
Express Tribune
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Zara Noor wants you to age loudly and proudly
Actor Zara Noor Abbas has taken to Instagram with a heartfelt message urging women to embrace ageing and to stay clear of dangerous anti?ageing practices. In a recently posted Instagram story, she said: "Let's please stop promoting anti-ageing. Ageing is going to happen. That's the only natural and beautiful truth. Accept it. Let this be a process of life you don't control." Commenting further about body image issues, she added, "Slimming drops, medication that makes you drop weight or turns your skin colour lighter – please stop promoting these. Drug abuse with medication is the worst sort of addiction." Zara's message is especially relevant given the societal pressures women face in Pakistan. Women are constantly told that their value diminishes with age, fuelling a belief that they come with an expiration date. In the entertainment industry, this situation seems even dire. In her post, the Badshah Begum star shared the antidote to counter pressure that comes with ageing, saying, "Vanity is very short?lived. Work on your mind. Your brain. That will last." Zara's statement adds to a growing chorus of voices challenging the double standards around women and ageing in the entertainment industry around the world. Earlier this year, Cate Blanchett became the latest to call out the bias, recalling, "The shelf life of an actor when I first came on the scene was about five years." At this year's Cannes Film Festival, Meryl Streep reflected on being pushed into certain roles as she aged. "I was offered three witches in one year when I turned 40," she revealed. "It was as if the industry decided I was old, no longer the ingenue or leading lady, but someone to be cast as strange or sinister." Back home, women in showbiz have been long holding their ground against ageism. In 2021, after Iffat Omar posted a picture from Angeline Malick's birthday party, she was ruthlessly trolled for looking "too old". Ayesha Omar sent love to Iffat in a comment on social media, saying: "But most humans will get 'budha' in their lives. If Allah wills and they reach that age It's a natural human process. In fact, it's a blessing to be alive and healthy in the latter part of your life. Why do people use 'age' as an insult or in a derogatory way?" Similarly, Nausheen Shah showed support for Iffat, "Instead of saying MashaAllah, people think getting old is an insult or some sort of crime. I mean, how can you not get old? We should be thankful for being alive and ageing gracefully rather than being negative." She also echoed Ayesha in questioning people if they also looked down upon their parents and grandparents for being old. The comments of these actors lay bare the double standards of the industry, where men in their fifties can get away with being cast opposite much younger women, while women are subjected to intense scrutiny.
Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Zara Noor Abbas isn't here for slimming drops or skin lighteners
Actor Zara Noor Abbas has taken to Instagram with a heartfelt message urging women to embrace aging and to stay clear of dangerous anti‑ageing practices. In a recently posted Instagram story, she said: 'Let's please stop promoting anti-ageing. Ageing is going to happen. That's the only natural and beautiful truth. Accept it. Let this be a process of life you don't control.' Commenting further about body images issues she added, 'Slimming drops, medication that makes you drop weight or turns your skin colour lighter - please stop promoting these. Drug abuse with medication is the worst sort of addiction.' Zara's message is especially relevant given the societal pressures women face in Pakistan. Women are constantly told that their value diminishes with age, fuelling a belief that they come with an expiration date. In the entertainment industry, this situation seems even dire. In her post, the Badshah Begum star shared the antidote to counter pressure that comes with the ageing saying, 'Vanity is very short‑lived. Work on your mind. Your brain. That will last.' Zara's statement adds to a growing chorus of voices challenging the double standards around women and ageing in the entertainment industry around the world. Earlier this year, Cate Blanchett became the latest to call out the bias, recalling, 'The shelf life of actresses when I first came on the scene was about five years.' At this year's Cannes Film Festival, Meryl Streep reflected on being pushed into certain roles as she aged. 'I was offered three witches in one year when I turned 40,' she revealed. 'It was as if the industry decided I was old, no longer the ingenue or leading lady, but someone to be cast as strange or sinister.' Back home, women in showbiz have been long holding their ground against ageism. In 2021, after Iffat Omar posted a picture from Angeline Malick's birthday party, she was ruthlessly trolled for looking 'too old'. Ayesha Omar sent love to Iffat in a comment on social media saying: 'But most humans will get 'budha' in their lives. If Allah wills and they reach that age … It's a natural human process. In fact it's a blessing to be alive and healthy in the latter part of your life. Why do people use 'age' as an insult or in a derogatory way?' Similarly, Nausheen Shah showed support for Iffat, 'Instead of saying 'MashaAllah', people think getting old is an insult or some sort of crime. I mean how can you not get old? We should be thankful for being alive and ageing gracefully rather than being negative.' She also echoed Ayesha in questioning people if they also looked down upon their parents and grandparents for being old. The comments of these actors lay bare the double standards of the industry where men in their fifties can get away with being cast opposite much younger women, while women are subjected to intense scrutiny. Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Express Tribune
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Komal Meer has had enough of the internet's comments about her looks and 'weight gain'
Pakistani actress Komal Meer is no stranger to the spotlight. With standout roles in dramas like Badshah Begum, Wehshi, and Tere Aane Se, the Ae Dil star has quickly climbed the ranks of television fame. But along with fame comes scrutiny, especially online. Lately, Komal has been the subject of intense speculation over a noticeable 'weight gain,' with internet users ruthlessly commenting on her appearance. Still as radiant and healthy-looking as ever, she's now speaking up, setting the record straight on Excuse Me, a podcast hosted by Ahmed Ali Butt. Addressing rumours of cosmetic surgery, Komal responded with honesty and humour: 'I think everyone is having cosmetic procedures. Now normal people are having more procedures than celebrities. I go for my facials and I get shocked to see house wives having treatments and giving hefty bills to aesthetic clinics, but I haven't done anything like this. I swear! I haven't done anything people are seeing my cheeks but aren't seeing my double chin.' She also called out the fat-shaming she's been receiving online. 'I don't know why people fat shamed me, when I was skinny they did shame me. I don't think so I became fat. I just gained 6 kg. It was for a drama, I did gain for a project but the project has now delayed. Also, I took this character as a motivation and have started eating. It was a good project I wanted to do that and I also wanted to gain weight because I was under weight throughout my life. I have been listening this my whole life. That I need to gain,' she explained. Meer also stated, "No matter what, our general public is never happy." True that! To her critics, Komal offered a sharp but graceful message: 'I want to give a message to my trolls that don't be jealous of my weight gain. It's okay, let me breathe, I will go to the gym and tone my body. Just wait and those asking for a diet plan, please wait I will share it soon.' Let's be honest: women's bodies change and that's perfectly normal. Even if Komal had opted for a certain cosmetic enhancement (not that it matters), it's her choice, not a call for endless negative commentary. She still looks stunning, strong, and completely at ease in her skin. It's incredibly easy to sit behind a screen and tear someone down over their looks, but it says far more about the commenter than the target. Whether she's gained a few kilos for a role or not, Komal Meer continues to shine and perhaps it's time we let people exist without turning every photo into a referendum on their appearance.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pakistani Horror Film ‘Deemak' Set to Haunt Theaters, Trailer Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)
Pakistani cinema is poised to embrace the horror genre again with 'Deemak' (meaning 'Termite'), a psychological supernatural thriller. The film represents a significant push to elevate local cinema with high production values and compelling storytelling. Directed by Rafay Rashdi ('Badshah Begum,' 'The Java Plum Tree') and written by Ayesha Muzaffar (author of 'Abus Jinns' and 'Jinnistan'), 'Deemak' explores the volatile relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law against a backdrop of escalating paranormal disturbances in a family home. The film is produced under Wah Wah Productions with Syed Murad Ali serving as executive producer. More from Variety 'The Monkey' Trailer: Theo James Faces Deadly Primate in Stephen King Adaptation From 'Longlegs' Director Pakistan Style 'Pride and Prejudice' Film Is English-Language Adaptation of 'Unmarriageable' Bestseller (EXCLUSIVE) 'Terrifier 3' Trailer: Art the Clown Goes on Christmas Murder Spree The film assembles a cast of Pakistani talent including Faysal Quraishi ('Money Back Guarantee'), Sonya Hussyn ('Tich Button'), Samina Peerzada ('Balaa'), Javed Sheikh ('Chand Nagar') and Bushra Ansari ('Tere Bin'). Distribution will be handled by Mandviwalla Entertainment with media partnership from Geo Films. 'Deemak' follows a family whose home becomes the site of increasingly disturbing supernatural phenomena. As paranormal activity intensifies, a psychological battle unfolds between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, with the son caught between the two women he loves most. The synopsis describes a narrative where 'the once-familiar space becomes a maze of dread, where the line between the living and the otherworldly blurs with each passing night.' The filmmakers note the story is inspired by true events. The production aims to blend cultural folklore surrounding Jinns (supernatural beings in Islamic tradition) with psychological horror elements, creating what the team hopes will be a uniquely Pakistani contribution to the genre. Executive producer Ali brings his lifelong passion for horror to the project. 'I've always had a deep fascination with the horror genre — I've watched countless horror films growing up, and the idea of creating one myself has been with me for years,' Ali said. Ali sees the film as more than just entertainment: 'Our film industry has so much untapped talent, but what it needs is support, investment, and high-quality storytelling. I believe 'Deemak' represents exactly that.' Director Rashdi describes the project as the culmination of a long-held ambition. 'I've always been an avid fan of the horror genre. I had attempted a few experimental horror shorts during my early years and had long envisioned working on a horror/supernatural feature,' Rashdi explained. The director revealed that the concept evolved from an earlier project titled 'Yaqeen' ('Belief') that he had announced approximately six years ago. The collaboration with writer Ayesha Muzaffar allowed him to explore the dynamics of family relationships through a supernatural lens. 'We decided to add the emotional anchor of a son caught between the two women, who is also a husband trying to keep peace in a Pakistani household. This layered human drama, when fused with a paranormal twist, opened up exciting possibilities,' Rashdi said. Pakistan's horror cinema has seen sporadic but significant milestones, beginning with the cult classic 'Zinda Laash' (1967), widely regarded as the country's first horror feature and a South Asian take on Dracula. After decades of low-budget productions and TV serials, the genre experienced a modern revival with 'Zibahkhana' (2007), an English-Urdu zombie slasher that became Pakistan's first horror film to screen at several international festivals. This paved the way for titles like 'Maya' (2015) and 'Aksbandh' (2016), both of which explored supernatural horror with local folklore elements. More recently, 'In Flames' (2023), a psychological horror debuting at Cannes' Directors' Fortnight, signaled a shift toward arthouse sensibilities. Though still niche and operating under conservative content constraints, Pakistan's horror genre continues to find footing through hybrid narratives, festival exposure, and indie experimentation. 'Deemak' is due for nationwide release across Pakistan on Eid ul Adha (June 6). Watch the trailer here: Best of Variety What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
