Latest news with #Humayun
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Local hero, Netflix star
If there is any showbiz star who knows a thing or two about representing Pakistan internationally through his line of work, it is Humayun Saeed. Or, as viewers abroad may call him, Dr Hasnat in Season 5 of Netflix royal drama The Crown. But although his reputation as an A-lister is cemented in his home country, Humayun stressed in an interview on YouTube channel Filme Shilmy that during his time on The Crown, he felt the weight of representing Pakistan before the eyes of the rest of the world. "Representation is so important whenever we have to go outside our country," mused the star, who made his post-Crown comeback last year with a lead role in Gentleman after having been away from screens for nearly two years. "Take The Crown. That character was an important one, and I gave it my all. I took a lot of time with it, and it was at the forefront of my mind that the whole world would be watching this." Despite the pressure of global expectations and the eyes of the world, however, the actor praised the work environment and the professionalism of his colleagues, whom he credited for going the extra mile to ensure his comfort. "There was pressure, but I'm glad that the people who worked with me were very good," noted Humayun. They knew I had come from another country and was working in another language." Humayun went on to hint, however, that professionalism is a two-way street. "I gave it my all, and this is where our respect comes from – the work ethic we have when we go elsewhere," he pointed out. Lauding, in turn, the work ethic of those on set, the actor continued, "I saw that everything was happening on time, everyone was punctual and working quietly, and everyone's priority was to complete the work every day." Stopping just short of commenting on punctuality and efficiency on sets in Pakistan, Humayun went on to concede, "Of course, we have that here as well, but maybe we make some mistakes. But the thing is, they do not make those mistakes." What's in a name? Alongside his Bin Roye co-star, Mahira Khan, Humayun is currently in the throes of promoting his upcoming Eidul Azha romantic comedy Love Guru. In the same interview, Humayun recalled that he had been warned to refrain from being in any sort of offering going by that particular name, at the risk of being tainted by association after a previous film also called Love Guru had flopped. "There used to be a film that wasn't very good called Love Guru, and someone told me I shouldn't take on this particular film – but our film is good!" he insisted with conviction. Brushing aside the importance of the name of a production, Humayun maintained, "People are interested in films. If you make a good movie, and if people like it, then they start to like the name as well!" And of course, the star also has the evidence to back up his beliefs about films and their respective names. "I made a movie called Punjab Nahi Jaungi, and everyone said, 'What kind of name is this? This is not a good name for a film!' But then when that film became a hit, everyone would say that it was because it had a catchy name!" In other words: any title is only as good as the film itself. "When a film is good, the name is also a hit," concluded Humayun firmly. Delving deeper into the film itself and giving insight into his performance, the star discussed the art of delivering his lines when the viewers are in on a secret, but the characters are in the dark. "The shades of this character – sometimes I don't always understand how to talk like him, because I myself don't talk like that," he admitted. "But I would go to [director Nadeem Baig] and he would guide me and advise me about the timing. So I would copy Nadeem! The thing is, this film doesn't have that much comedy. I needed to add a few nuances so that the characters can't tell that he is lying, but the audience can." Mahira's personal touch Sitting alongside Humayun, fellow A-lister and Love Guru leading lady Mahira, known for picking up non-conformist roles, had her own thoughts on what makes her character tick and how she brought shades of herself to the part. "The first time you read a script, you read it as you," began Mahira. "And then you pick on things in the script. And the director says, 'This is not you, this is a character!'" Admitting that it isn't always practical to view a character through one's own lens, Mahira added "Sometimes it's not needed, sometimes it's not the character, and you have to surrender to it." When it comes to Love Guru itself, however, Mahira is adamant that this her onscreen persona is one that audiences can get behind and fall in love with – and yes, this time, she was able to convince director Nadeem to view the role through her own lens to add richness and subtlety to her character. "In this film, she is a girl of today," explained Mahira. "She is a true blue feminist and someone who is always on the right side of the spectrum. I would go to Nadeem and say, 'She wouldn't say this about another girl!' And he would agree and say, 'You're right, let's change it.' So yes, I do bring this to the table." Looking back on her former roles, Mahira mused that she is now in a place where she does not feel she owes it to herself to take on characters carrying an important message, as opposed to the relatively "easy-breezy" lighter character she has taken on board in Love Guru. "When I was younger, I was so hell bent on just doing that," she recalled. "I remember I had a few choices and I went for Verna, because I felt the subject was so important and I needed to be a part of it. At that time, even though I was offered roles that were easy breezy, I thought, 'No, I have to do this first.'" Now, however, Mahira feels unshackled from her own expectations. "I've had a kind of switch," she affirmed. "If I don't do it now, then when will I do it? But I don't look at it that way. if you know what I mean. I don't think, 'Oh this is easy breezy, and this is heavy'. Now it's just about what attracts me and what is offered to me." Will viewers find Mahira's easy-breezy character as palatable as the woman bringing her to life? There is not long to go before we find out.
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Recorder
Ambassador Tirmizi honors Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed in Dubai
Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan's Envoy to the UAE, along with Consul General Hussain Muhammad and members of the Pakistani diplomatic mission, attended a special ceremony in Dubai held to honor Pakistani actors Humayun Saeed and Mahira Khan for their outstanding contributions to Pakistani cinema and arts. During the ceremony, Ambassador Tirmizi presented commemorative shields to the artists, celebrating their dedication and achievements. In his remarks, the Ambassador highlighted Pakistan's rich cultural and artistic diversity, underscoring the vital role of the creative industry as a form of soft power in helping shape the global perception of Pakistan. The event was attended by a large number of Pakistani community members in in the UAE, appreciating the country's artistic talent. Both Humayun and Mahira expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ambassador Tirmizi and the audience for their recognition and support. UAE visa rejections, hosting GITEX in Pakistan: ambassador Faisal Tirmizi breaks it down Both Humayun and Mahira are currently on a press tour to promote their latest film 'Love Guru' with stops that have included London and New York.
Economic Times
26-05-2025
- Economic Times
Planning your next vacation in Delhi? Here's your ready reckoner for your upcoming holidays
HOW TO REACH FROM MUMBAI Live Events WHERE TO STAY WHAT TO EAT WHAT TO DO SUGGESTED ITINERARY The beautiful national capital along the Yamuna river includes satellite cities like Gurugram, Faridabad and Noida. Among the largest metropolitan areas in the world, it also has the biggest metro network in the country. Dotted with Mughal era monuments, heritage sites and historical buildings with stunning architecture, beautiful temples, vibrant markets and finger-licking cuisine make it a popular destination for tourists. The best time to visit India's capital-the National Capital Territory of Delhi is between October to are several ways to reach Delhi from across the country via road, trains and flights, or a combination of these, as the capital city is very well connected. The fastest route from Mumbai is by flight, which takes around two hours, while the train is not overly cheap compared to the flight, but can take anywhere from 15 to 26 hours. The one-way flight for July costs Rs.3,610, while the train fare starts from Rs.2,260 for Class 2A on (Mumbai-Delhi flight, 2 hrs 15 mts)Rs.2,260(Mumbai-Delhi Class 2A, 26 hrs).*One way, per person. Flight cost on Skyscanner. Train cost on is a variety of stay options, ranging from budget-friendly government accommodation, guest houses, bread & breakfasts and hostels to five-star hotels. Also check out the Delhi tourism websites, html and for all categories of accommodation for 6 nights Delhi cuisine is a mix of Mughlai and north Indian culinary influences, and old Delhi is a favoured haunt for non-vegetarian delicacies and street food. Popular dishes include nihari (mutton or beef stew), mutton burra (mutton chops or ribs), butter chicken, kebabs (marinated, grilled or roasted meat) and tikkas (marinated tandoori dish), kathi rolls (vegetarian or non-vegetarian wrap), biryani (meat & rice dish), chole-bhathure (chick pea & fried bread), snacks like chaat, dahi-bhalla, samosas, aloo tikki, and parathas (stuffed flatbread). Desserts include jalebi, kulfi, faluda and rabri, among many others. While roadside stalls offer cheap food costing Rs.50-100 per meal, mid-range restaurants can cost Rs.500-1,000, while expensive restaurants will charge upwards of Rs.1,200 per per person, per dayIndia Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun's tomb, Purana Quila, Jantar Mantar, Agrasen ki baoli, Safdarjung tomb, Siri Fort, Lodhi tomb, Haus Khas fort, Tughlakabad fort, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Lodhi temple, Jama Masjid, Lotus temple, Ahinsa Sthal, Hazrat Nizamuddin dargah, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Moti Masjid, Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, Chhattarpur temple, Jhandewala Place, Janpath, Dilli Haat, Khan market, Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, Chandni Chowk, Meena Bazaar, Ghaffar market, Karol Bagh, Chor historical monuments and UNESCO World Heritage sites like Qutub Minar, Humayun's tomb and Red Fort, besides others like India Gate, Jantar Mantar and Purana Quila. Don't miss the sumptuous street food and old Delhi non-vegetarian fare like kebabs,tikkas and on your itinerary should be places of worship like the Akshardham temple, Jama Masjid, Lotus temple, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, among several time shopping at popular markets like Janpath, Connaught Place, Khan market and Chandni Chowk for traditional handicraft, jewellery, artifacts and cheap or designer clothes. If you have time, you can also take day trips to Neemrana, Jaipur and Agra from back to Mumbai.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Time of India
Planning your next vacation in Delhi? Here's your ready reckoner for your upcoming holidays
The beautiful national capital along the Yamuna river includes satellite cities like Gurugram, Faridabad and Noida. Among the largest metropolitan areas in the world, it also has the biggest metro network in the country. Dotted with Mughal era monuments, heritage sites and historical buildings with stunning architecture, beautiful temples, vibrant markets and finger-licking cuisine make it a popular destination for tourists. The best time to visit India's capital-the National Capital Territory of Delhi is between October to March. HOW TO REACH FROM MUMBAI There are several ways to reach Delhi from across the country via road, trains and flights, or a combination of these, as the capital city is very well connected. The fastest route from Mumbai is by flight, which takes around two hours, while the train is not overly cheap compared to the flight, but can take anywhere from 15 to 26 hours. The one-way flight for July costs Rs.3,610, while the train fare starts from Rs.2,260 for Class 2A on Ixigo. Cost by air Rs.3,610 (Mumbai-Delhi flight, 2 hrs 15 mts) Cost by train Rs.2,260 (Mumbai-Delhi Class 2A, 26 hrs). *One way, per person. Flight cost on Skyscanner. Train cost on Ixigo. Live Events WHERE TO STAY There is a variety of stay options, ranging from budget-friendly government accommodation, guest houses, bread & breakfasts and hostels to five-star hotels. Also check out the Delhi tourism websites, html and for all categories of accommodation choices. COST: Rs.24,000 for 6 nights WHAT TO EAT Delhi cuisine is a mix of Mughlai and north Indian culinary influences, and old Delhi is a favoured haunt for non-vegetarian delicacies and street food. Popular dishes include nihari (mutton or beef stew), mutton burra (mutton chops or ribs), butter chicken, kebabs (marinated, grilled or roasted meat) and tikkas (marinated tandoori dish), kathi rolls (vegetarian or non-vegetarian wrap), biryani (meat & rice dish), chole-bhathure (chick pea & fried bread), snacks like chaat, dahi-bhalla, samosas, aloo tikki, and parathas (stuffed flatbread). Desserts include jalebi, kulfi, faluda and rabri, among many others. While roadside stalls offer cheap food costing Rs.50-100 per meal, mid-range restaurants can cost Rs.500-1,000, while expensive restaurants will charge upwards of Rs.1,200 per person. COST: Rs.1,500-2,000 per person, per day WHAT TO DO HISTORICAL MONUMENTS India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun's tomb, Purana Quila, Jantar Mantar, Agrasen ki baoli, Safdarjung tomb, Siri Fort, Lodhi tomb, Haus Khas fort, Tughlakabad fort, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Lodhi Gardens. PLACES OF WORSHIP Akshardham temple, Jama Masjid, Lotus temple, Ahinsa Sthal, Hazrat Nizamuddin dargah, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Moti Masjid, Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, Chhattarpur temple, Jhandewala temple. MARKETS Connaught Place, Janpath, Dilli Haat, Khan market, Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, Chandni Chowk, Meena Bazaar, Ghaffar market, Karol Bagh, Chor Bazaar. SUGGESTED ITINERARY New Delhi DAY 1-2 Visit historical monuments and UNESCO World Heritage sites like Qutub Minar, Humayun's tomb and Red Fort, besides others like India Gate, Jantar Mantar and Purana Quila. Don't miss the sumptuous street food and old Delhi non-vegetarian fare like kebabs,tikkas and burras. DAY 3-4 Next on your itinerary should be places of worship like the Akshardham temple, Jama Masjid, Lotus temple, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, among several others. DAY 5-6 Spend time shopping at popular markets like Janpath, Connaught Place, Khan market and Chandni Chowk for traditional handicraft, jewellery, artifacts and cheap or designer clothes. If you have time, you can also take day trips to Neemrana, Jaipur and Agra from Delhi. DAY 7 Fly back to Mumbai.
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First Post
15-05-2025
- Climate
- First Post
Why is a thick layer of dust covering Delhi-NCR? There's a Pakistan link
Delhi and NCR residents have been left confused at the sight of a thick haze in May. Last night, gusty winds and a surge in overnight dust led to reduced visibility. The national capital woke up to a layer of dust on Thursday morning that worsened the air quality. Here's how Pakistan fits in the fuzzy picture read more Humayun's Tomb engulfed in a layer of dust, in New Delhi, May 15, 2025. PTI Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are used to witnessing polluted air. However, reduced visibility is a surprise in May. Residents of the national capital and NCR have been left perplexed at the sight of thick haze blanketing the sky. When they woke up, a layer of dust had worsened air quality and decreased visibility. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday (May 15) revealed the reason behind this. Here's what is going on. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why Delhi-NCR woke up to thick haze A combination of gusty winds and a rise in overnight dust led to Delhi-NCR being covered in a thick haze on Thursday morning. As per the IMD, an incoming cloud mass moved over the region on Wednesday night, with sudden gusty winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour being reported. This swept fine dust particles into the lower atmosphere, reducing the visibility and air quality. Visibility at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport fell from 4,500 metres to 1,200 metres between 10 pm and 11:30 pm on Wednesday, reported PTI. After the dust storm, winds calmed to 3 to 7 kmph. However, this prevented the scattering of dust particles, affecting the air quality. As per the IMD, the visibility continues to be poor, ranging between 1,200 and 1,500 metres at both Safdarjung and Palam airports. A westerly breeze of 10 kmph started dispersing the dust layer at dawn, with visibility returning to 1500 m at Palam, reported Indian Express. How Pakistan features in Delhi's air woes The weather department says that the overnight dust storms in Delhi-NCR can be attributed to dust from North Pakistan. This dust was further carried by 'strong lower-level westerly winds' from Punjab and Haryana to reach Delhi and NCR on Wednesday night. It worsened Delhi's air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping to the 'poor' category. As per Indian Express, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology said that at 8 am, Delhi recorded an AQI of 236 or in the 'poor' category. It also predicted that for the next two days, 'The air quality is likely to be in the Moderate to Poor category'. The calm winds continued to plunge the city's air quality, which reached 249 in the 'poor' category at 10 am today. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The air quality in the city had remained 'moderate' for the past few weeks. On Wednesday, the AQI was at 135 or in the 'moderate' category in Delhi. The dust eventually shifted towards the east, improving the visibility. Palam has reported a visibility of 4000 m, according to IMD. Political slugfest over Delhi's air pollution Delhi's poor air quality sparked a war of words between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Former Delhi Chief Ministers Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi raised the issue on social media. The AAP supremo said the air pollution situation was 'never this bad' during this time of the year when his party was in power in the national capital. Echoing his views, Atishi said that Delhi's AQI has never been so high in May. Citing Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data from 2022-2024, she said that AQI on May 15 never went beyond 243. 'Today, the AQI is 500," Atishi claimed, questioning whether Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa would take responsibility for the city's air pollution. दिल्ली में मई में पहली बार AQI 500 पहुंच गया है। मई में ऐसा कभी नहीं हुआ। दिल्ली वाले सांस नहीं ले पा रहे। अब तो दिल्ली में भाजपा में 4 इंजन की सरकार है, फिर भी प्रदूषण बढ़ रहा है। अब तो कोई बहाना नहीं बचा। मुख्यमंत्री रेखा गुप्ता जी को भाजपा की नाकामी पर मेरा पत्र… — Atishi (@AtishiAAP) May 15, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sirsa retorted, saying it was 'unfortunate' that a former CM was using a natural phenomenon to score political brownie points. The 'real blame' lies on the AAP, which 'neglected' pressing issues during its 10-year rule in Delhi, the BJP leader said. FIRST YOU BECAME AAP-DA FOR DELHI NOW YOU ARE TRYING TO FIND AVSAR IN AAPDA It's unfortunate that a former CM is using a natural sandstorm to score political points; especially when the real blame lies in a decade of neglect under AAP. Today's AQI spike is due to an extreme… — Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) May 15, 2025 'Today's spike in AQI was due to a weather event, not misgovernance. But let's talk about real misgovernance Atishi ji… For 10 years, AAP allowed Delhi to drown in mountains of untreated legacy waste, broken and dust-choked roads with ZERO accountability on pollution!' the BJP minister alleged on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
