Latest news with #Deemak
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
‘Nayab' and ‘Deemak' bag major awards at SCO Film Festival
On the international front, Pakistani cinema is making an undeniably strong impact. The slow yet steady resurgence of the industry is finally being recognized on the global stage. After years of struggle, Pakistani films are gaining the commercial and critical recognition they deserve. Deemak and Nayab have won top honors at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival 2025. The five-day festival in Yangzhou, China, became a landmark moment for Pakistani films. Deemak, a psychological horror film directed by Rafay Rashdi, took home the Best Editing Award. The film has already made historic business at the box office cementing itself as the most commercially and critically acclaimed horror movie to emerge from Pakistan. Deemak director Rafay Rashdi took to Instagram to announce the film's prestigious win at the SCO Film Festival. In his post he added, 'Grateful to the @scosectsco_org, the Government of Pakistan, and the Ministry of Information for their support and recognition. Pakistani cinema continues to rise! 🎬✨' Actor Sonya Hussyn who played the role of 'Hiba' in the film was also in attendance along with Rashdi. After the historic win, she posted a selfie with the award deeming their win 'a proud moment for Pakistan.' And it absolutely is! Written by Ayesha Muzzafar, starring Sonya Hussyn, Samina Peerzada, and Faysal Quraishi, Deemak is proof that Pakistani cinema can deliver on both entertainment and quality. Meanwhile, Nayab, directed by Umair Nasir Ali and written by Ali Abbasi Naqvi and Basit Naqvi, captivated audiences at the festival with its heartwarming and inspiring story of a middle-class girl's dreams of succeeding in the competitive, male-dominated world of cricket. The film stars Yumna Zaidi. Photo: File Starring Yumna Zaidi and Usama Khan, Nayab won the Special Jury Award and was selected as the winner out of 19 other films. Director Umair Nasir Ali shared his joy on Instagram, saying, "This is a proud and emotional moment for Pakistani cinema. Thank you to every single person who has been part of Nayab's journey. This belongs to all of you." He also expressed hope for increased collaboration, adding, "I hope this win and our participation help open more doors for collaboration between filmmakers from Pakistan, China, and other SCO countries, so that our stories continue to travel, connect, and inspire across borders." Here's to a brighter future for the Pakistani film industry!
Express Tribune
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
In sync with Samina
"I had to return everyone's money. I ended up in the hospital. Four days in a coma." That's how Samina Peerzada described the cost of her artistic vision during a recent appearance on Mazaaq Raat with host Imran Ashraf. While discussing her directorial debut Inteha (1999), Samina reflected on what a bittersweet experience it had been. The star wasn't just the director of the film; she also produced and co-wrote it. "I made that film with love. It was a super-duper film," she exclaimed. "I put everything into it, but I didn't get my money back. That's why I returned to acting." Discussing the behind-the-scenes politics, she reaffirmed that there is little support in the industry when "educated people" try to make films. Recounting a major betrayal she experienced while producing Inteha, she shared, "The betrayal came from someone I trusted — he used to call me his sister. I became so depressed that I ended up in a hospital and fell into a coma for four days." Inteha was ahead of its time. The film tells the story of Sara (played by Resham), an upper-class, educated young woman in a relationship with her university boyfriend (Zeeshan Sikandar), who is forced into a feudal marriage with her cousin Zafar (Humayun Saeed). The film broke cultural taboos by addressing marital rape, domestic violence, and feudal oppression. It sparked intense debate, prompting both government bans and parliamentary discussions, before eventually returning to screens in cities like Karachi, thanks to Samina's relentless efforts. The film ultimately earned critical acclaim. Foray into horror Speaking about her recent horror film Deemak, starring Faysal Quraishi, Samina emphasised its emotional depth: "I had never done this genre before. This type of cinema was completely new for me. But when I read the story, it was full of emotional layers. It said something deep. That's why I did it." She explained how the film follows the lives of ordinary people and takes unexpected turns. "It beautifully portrays the consequences of wrongdoing and how sometimes one person's sin is paid for by generations to come. That layering of meaning moved me." The horror themes of Deemak even seemed to spill into her real life. Samina recalled an eerie incident while shooting: "I went to turn off the lights in my garden and as I walked back, I swear someone pushed me so hard that I flew across the garden. My knees were scraped, I had injuries on my back, my shoulders, and even my face. And yet, I had to go to the shoot, bandaged and bruised." Even for someone as seasoned as the veteran actor, some scenes in Deemak proved tough. "There were scenes that genuinely scared me. I thought it wouldn't be that hard, but it really was." Her husband, Usman Peerzada, encouraged her by saying, "What could be hard for you?" On love and violence Reminiscing about her relationship with Usman, she recounted their romantic courtship. "He was performing in a play. I was young and full of opinions, so I immediately criticised one of his performances." Samina recalled that on their second meeting he brought her flowers that he had picked himself. Touched by this gesture she decided to make things official. "On our second meeting, I proposed. I said, 'If you're interested, great. If not, take your flowers and leave.'" That was the beginning of a 50-year-long successful marriage. When asked what kept their love alive, she said, "He never disappointed me. The way he cared for my mother, my sisters, my family, that made space in my heart." Speaking about her own efforts, she added, "I stood by him too. When he wanted to make Nazdeekiyan, I became the producer." Samina recounted that even though she was terrified of fish, she shot a fish tray commercial with a big smile, just to help fund costumes for Nazdeekiyan. Despite her storybook romance, the actor warned viewers not to get swept away by idealism. When asked about unrequited love, she said, "It happens to people, but its outcome is rarely good. Thinking about what recently happened to that girl breaks my heart so much, I can't even express it." Samina was referring to the tragic killing of 17-year-old TikTok creator Sana Yousaf, who was fatally shot at her home in Islamabad's G-13 sector on June 2 just hours after her birthday celebration. The alleged killer, Umar Hayat, reportedly acted out of rage after repeated romantic rejections. The case sparked nationwide outrage and protests, with figures like Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari condemning the act and stressing the need to protect young women from violence rooted in entitlement and misogyny. Ashraf echoed Samina's sentiment, repeating, "No means no!" as they discussed how one-sided love can curdle into cruelty. However, they also acknowledged that things do not have to take such a dark turn. If people know how to regulate their emotions and take their rejections gracefully, they turn into poets, writers and artists. He continued to praise Samina throughout the show, calling her a monumental force in the entertainment industry. Talking about her own chat show Rewind with Samina Peerzada, Ashraf noted, "It's not just hosting. It's like you step into people's hearts through their eyes. You understand what someone's thinking or feeling. What is your secret?" In her poetic way, Samina responded, "It's all a matter of rhythm." She compared conversation to music, saying one must listen carefully to sense its rhythm before leading it. "When the rhythm is right, the conversation lands on the sam (the first beat in classical music). But if you're bey-taal (offbeat), then nothing works."
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Stop telling people they are old and ugly, says Samina
Samina Peerzada and Sonya Hussaiyn may have just been warring on film as onscreen mother – and daughter-in-law in Deemak, but it will surprise no one to learn that in real life, both stars are united when it comes to denouncing the one issue that encompasses all women: body-shaming. "We should not body-shame anyone," stated Samina categorically during a recent appearance on a local talk show. "No one should say anything about anyone's looks. This is wrong. I don't like this at all. And it has become far too prevalent on social media." As a screen veteran, Samina, musing over a youth-obsessed society, added that she takes personal offence when unsolicited and baseless comments on age enter the equation. "I especially dislike it when someone is a senior and they are told to just step back from it all," continued the Zindagi Gulzar Hai actor. "For a start, in acting, there is no such thing as 'senior' or 'junior' – you are given a character, and you just play it, whatever your age. No one has the right to tell you to stay home and imply you should give up just because you are older." Adding her thoughts, Sonia chimed in with her own defence against unwanted aspersions. "I think people have a habit of commenting on everything – not just on your body," pointed out the Saraab star. "It is up to you how to take something positively or not. People will talk, and you need to know what to discard." Advising those who criticise age or looks, Samina urged fans to focus on merit and a happy demeanour, rather than lost youth and outward beauty. "Instead of all this, you should count people's achievements and how hard they have worked to get to where they are," she insisted. Hinting at double standards where the very act of taking pride in one's appearance is open to mockery the older one gets, Samina cited the example of fellow screen veteran Bushra Ansari – known amongst her fans and YouTube followers for facing negativity with a relentless positive energy. "If someone looks after themselves and takes pride in how they look and are full of life, like Bushra – well, I admire her!" stressed Samina with warmth. "I love her energy! She does so many amazing things with such confidence, without any hesitation!" With Samina's strictures on letting confidence go hand-in-hand with age, coupled with Sonya's advice on discarding unwanted comments, combating body-shaming may just become a little easier.
Business Recorder
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Recorder
Pakistani horror film ‘Deemak' earns Rs 70mn over opening weekend
Pakistani horror film 'Deemak' dominated the box office over Eid weekend, with a staggering Rs70 million in just its first two days, according to reports. Directed by Rafay Rashdi and written by Ayesha Muzaffar '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 cast includes Faysal Quraishi, Sonya Hussyn, Samina Peerzada, Javed Sheikh and Bushra Ansari. The story 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. Executive producer Syed Murad Ali said, '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,' he was quoted as saying by Variety.
Express Tribune
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
‘Deemak' review: Brilliant until the ghosts arrive
Without question, Deemak is the most divisive Pakistani release of the year. For those who still invoke 'support local cinema' regardless of a film's craft or coherence, this is perhaps the moment they've been waiting for. A harsher critique of director Rafay Rashdi's horror-family drama might be too easy — were it not for the sobering state of Pakistani cinema. When the only local competition is a film like Love Guru, hopes for a lively Eidul Azha at the movies are already dim. If audiences are weary of seeing Humayun Saeed and Mahira Khan replay the same formulas Hollywood created and Bollywood retired, Deemak is at least a departure. Rashdi deserves credit for venturing into a genre still novel in Pakistan's mainstream — psychological horror — and for roping in A-listers like Faysal Quraishi, Sonya Hussaiyn, and Samina Peerzada, who are compelling enough to carry a lesser film. Unfortunately, there's little novelty, or even the bare minimum, to distract an audience raised on Zee Horror Show or accustomed to the polish of big-budget US and UK. The result is a film that reminds you — every ten minutes, if not every second — how much better it could have been had it dared to be original. There are brief stretches when you can lose yourself in Samina's commanding performance or the slow unravelling of Faysal and Sonya's marriage. But just then, the ghosts arrive in all their ridiculous CGI glory. An ugly genre It's hard to tell whether the film assumes its audience is gullible and unfamiliar with horror, or simply so starved for content that it'll watch anything. Because there's no way the filmmakers genuinely believed their GTA-gameplay-style CGI ghosts would convince anyone. If the cross-border success of last year's Stree 2 is anything to go by, the lucrative appeal of comedy-horrors is undeniable. Stree 2 in particular — unlike the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise — leans heavily on preposterous CGI and still manages just fine. However, Deemak is anything but a comedy-horror. Cut the CGI ghosts, and you're left with a politically resonant, emotionally intelligent family saga — not groundbreaking, but grounded. The writing does well to reimagine a typical saas-bahu conflict as a multi-generational horror, haunted less by ghouls than by grief, control, and intergenerational rage. Most remarkably, Samina delivers the performance of her career as the embittered mother-in-law who knows only how to wound those around her. Sometimes she's domineering and ruthless, other times sickly and scheming, and by the second half, somehow all at once. Samina is also, single-handedly, Deemak's most effective off-screen source of fear. If Samina is gorgeously uninhibited, Sonya, as the begrudged daughter-in-law, cannot escape the demands of stardom. Most scenes find her composed and impeccably put together — not a hair out of place. It's no secret that the pressure to look attractive often clashes with acting freedom. But Sonya may be a star beyond her looks. When she lets go of the prim, proper façade — her gel-manicured nails forgotten — and comes undone over a plate of bland rice and curry, she becomes something else entirely. With rice and grime smeared across her face, she looks simultaneously deranged and ethereal. If horror is an ugly genre, Faysal gets the memo and enthusiastically complements Samina, his on-screen mother. Their dynamic as a possessive mother and protective son isn't surprising, especially if you recall the 2008 supernatural drama The Ghost, a Pakistani TV adaptation of Danielle Steel's novel. Set in an old, eerie Scottish castle, Faysal knows a thing or two about being haunted by the ghosts of the past when Samina is around. And boy, does it show. He's livid, raging, and spooked — not by what he sees, but by what he remembers. For those wary of mama's boys, watching Faysal's patience snap as yesterday's horrors bleed into the present adds the film's richest layer of emotional complexity. Missed opportunities It is these powerful performances that dash any hope of passing Deemak off as a comedy horror. Unfortunately, this leaves us with an emotionally rich palette that cannot reconcile its comical reliance on ghosts without revealing an underlying confusion. It's not just that Deemak fails to scare — after all, few films genuinely do. The bigger indictment is that it haunts you in ways it never intended. While the frequent appearances of CGI ghosts are hard to ignore, the film feels burdened by a rigid allegiance to what a horror film should be. Cue the infamous scenes of people levitating off their beds, and the exorcist who spells out the supernatural menace for the audience. If the resources to execute special effects and clichés are sparse, a film like Deemak could arguably dispense with them altogether. Its primary audience is, after all, well-versed in the visual vocabulary of the unseen. We cherish our saints, myths, and spirits — even when they have no face or flesh. With the right direction, it's clear that Deemak's real horror lies in grief, not the ghosts. Unfortunately, Deemak is unwilling to risk being misunderstood at any cost. But there's only so much you can explain within a reasonably paced two-hour runtime before it borders on boring and pedantic. By the time Deemak ends, the leading trio will have delivered solid performances, bolstered by capable child actors and memorable turns from Bushra Ansari, Javed Sheikh, and Saman Ansari — all anchored by a promising emotional core. Yet, at the end of the day, Deemak remains a ghost story haunted by its own potential. Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
