Latest news with #BinRoye
The National
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Pakistani stars of Love Guru, Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed, on filming in the UAE
Humayun Saeed are reuniting for the first time in a decade with the romantic comedy Love Guru, a Pakistani film releasing in time for Eid Al Adha. The pair, who last starred together in the 2015 romantic drama Bin Roye, were recently in Dubai to promote the family entertainer. They had earlier shot the song Aa Tenu in the emirate, featuring several locations including the Palm Jumeirah. 'The UAE feels like home,' Khan tells The National. 'It's a melting pot of so many cultures, and it never feels like I've left home. What is amazing and beautiful about the UAE is that it is a common ground for so many people. Nationality and stuff like that gets left behind, and I love that it is so safe for women.' Directed by Nadeem Baig, Love Guru is named after Saeed's character, a Casanova and 'professional break-up artist', who falls head over heels for architect Sophia, Khan's character. Saeed, who is also a producer on the 280 million Pakistan rupee (Dh3.66 million) film, is counting on Khan and his popularity to turn the film into a success. 'I want people to like the film. If that happens, you recover,' he says candidly. 'When I made Main Hoon Shahid Afridi [a film he starred in and produced in 2013], I learnt a lot about failure. But my subsequent successful films Jawani Phir Nahi Ani and Punjab Nahi Jaungi helped me gain confidence. I just pray everything goes well, and it usually does. Inshallah, this will work, too.' A major star in Pakistan, Saeed was also in the fifth season of the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Crown, in which he played Dr Hasnat Khan, a surgeon who had a relationship with Princess Diana. Both he and Khan share a passion for their work. 'I love doing what I do. Even if it's one project a year, I have to keep working,' Khan says. One of the most influential stars in Pakistan, Khan is often in the spotlight for her vocal stance on several hot topic issues. She was the first major star to publicly call out Pakistani screenwriter Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar for verbally abusing a female journalist during a televised debate in 2020. Qamar, who was widely criticised for his comments, responded by saying he committed a 'sin' by working with Khan. The incident was recently revived during the promotional tour for Love Guru. Comments by Khan saying she could have handled the situation better and more privately have led to her being accused of backtracking. 'I was scared to open my social media today. My manager told me: 'You speak and say things from the heart and you expect people to take it in the same vein. You also expect everyone to understand the nuance of what you've said,'' Khan says. 'So I either go completely silent for a while or I step up. And when I choose to be vocal, there will always be these kinds of reactions, like 'I can't believe she said this' or 'Did she just say we should do this or that?'. 'Whatever it is, I will stand by what I'm saying. Because for now, this is what I feel.'
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Mahira bumps into Onijah
If you thought the promotions for Nadeem Baig's Love Guru were running out of surprises, think again. While riding high during the film's promotions in the US, star Mahira Khan crossed paths with internet sensation Onijah Robinson. That's right. Mahira met up with the American woman who went viral for flying to Pakistan in search of the man she loved. Both women took to Instagram to gush over the interaction. Posting on Stories, Mahira shared a video clip in which she asked her viewers, "I'm in New York, and guess who I have with me?" She turned the camera to reveal Onijah, who greeted the screen with her viral phrase, "Hello, Shabana!" The actor quickly joined in on the antics, indulging the influencer's phrases with enthusiastic nods and a captivating smile. Meanwhile, Onijah posted a photo of the two on her handle, attending the premiere in a white-and-pink outfit while Mahira wore an elegant, fitted dress. "Showed up to the Love Guru premiere," she wrote. "They thought Mahira was the star. Plot twist: I'm the sequel." The influencer might not be exaggerating as she did indeed run into fans of her own at the event, if the post of her taking photos with a crowd of attendees is any indication. Grateful for the love, she wrote, "It's one thing to post online, but feeling the love in person? That's the part that lives in my heart." Mindful of all her fans, she added, "Every hug, every word, every smile - I see you, I feel you, and I carry that energy with me. Forever thankful for the real ones who show up and show love." Mahira isn't lacking in love either, given her glamorous return to the world of cinema opposite Humayun Saeed. In the following Story, she shared a clip of her film's official trailer setting the billboards alight at New York City's Times Square. The romance film's trailer dropped earlier this month, featuring Humayun as a love expert and Mahira as his alluring case study along with flaunting a star-studded cast which includes Javed Sheikh, Marina Khan, and Mira Sethi. With a screenplay penned by Vasay Chaudhry, a key appeal of the film is the reunion of the Bin Roye stars in what appears to be another tale packed with obstacles that challenge the leads' affection for each other. We'll find out in June whether or not Humayun and Mahira's characters will overcome the odds separating them, as the film is slated to hit theatres this Eidul Azha.
Express Tribune
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Farhan, Armeena react to India's Instagram ban
In the latest fallout of the ongoing cultural freeze between India and Pakistan, several Pakistani celebrities have reacted sharply to Indian authorities banning their Instagram accounts. The ban, imposed after the Pahalgam attack, has drawn sharp responses from the entertainment industry in Pakistan, including singer-actor Farhan Saeed and film star Armeena Khan. Farhan, who rose to fame with the band Jal and has since acted in several acclaimed television serials, posted a pointed message on social media on Friday. "What started as a war has turned into a high school blocking game. Your loss," he wrote. "All the love to Indian fans who are victims of this. I pray that sense prevails and you can see your favourite stars again." Armeena, known for her performances in Bin Roye and Janaan, also shared her thoughts. "I'm not too bothered [by the ban]," she said. "I just feel for the fans who were always supportive of me and believed in peace." Several other celebrities on this side of the border have voiced their reactions to India's continued ban on Pakistani artists. Actor Yasir Hussain responded sarcastically, urging followers to not take the ban too seriously, while actor-comedian Arsalan Naseer joked about blaming Fawad Khan for the situation, adding a comic twist. Meanwhile, actor Zhalay Sarhadi took a firmer stance, questioning the motives behind the ban and reminding everyone that VPNs exist. Comedian Ali Gul Pir responded with a playful apology to his Indian followers, reaffirming his goodwill. The unofficial ban on Pakistani actors in India, in place since 2016, resurfaced in public discourse following renewed political tensions in early 2025. The original catalyst was the 2016 Uri attack, after which the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) announced a bar on Pakistani artists working in Bollywood, citing national security concerns. This industry-level decision was later upheld by the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), framing the issue as one of patriotism over cultural exchange. In 2018, a petition was filed in the Bombay High Court challenging the constitutionality of the ban, arguing it violated the freedom of artistic expression and cultural rights, but the appeal was dismissed, with the court observing that such decisions were within the government's diplomatic purview. Despite no official state order, the ban has been enforced across casting decisions, promotions, and now, digital platforms, evidenced by the 2025 blocking of several Pakistani celebrity Instagram accounts. While institutional barriers remain, Pakistani actors and musicians who once found massive popularity in India, from Mahira Khan to Atif Aslam, continue to advocate for cultural dialogue and mutual respect. As Farhan poignantly stated, "I pray that sense prevails."
