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Express Tribune
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Growing up on screen
Aashir Wajahat has quite literally grown up in front of the camera. From delivering memorable performances as a child actor in Mai Kukkoo Aur Woh and Karachi Se Lahore, to producing musical hits like Sadqay and Peetal, the actor-musician has steadily carved out a space for himself in Pakistan's entertainment industry. In a recent appearance on Excuse Me with Ahmad Ali Butt, Wajahat opened up about navigating his career amid the pressures of media visibility and family legacy. Reflecting on the course his life has taken, Wajahat shared, "I was born into acting. I really enjoyed my time on set as a kid and learned a lot. If I were given a choice now, I would still choose acting - but maybe start much later in adulthood." Carving his film career His foray into acting began almost intuitively. "I would memorise my lines very quickly and never got nervous in front of the camera," he recalled. "That became a sign for my parents that I might be good at this, so I started taking on roles that came my way." Wajahat described his early experiences in the industry positively. "I did my first film at the age of 13. Being on set was always fascinating. That, combined with the attention I received, really deepened my interest in this world." However, the pressures of being part of a well-known showbiz family eventually led him to take a break. "There was a lot of pressure. My father is a famous director-screenwriter and my mother produces films. Stepping away helped me reassess the direction I wanted to take in life." Making a comeback Wajahat made his return to the big screen with the critically acclaimed film John in 2023. "When I came back, I knew I had to win the audience over. If I could pull this off, I'd be able to prove my worth as an actor," he said. "The experience really humbled me, and I don't find other shoots as difficult anymore." Laughing, he added, "It was also the only movie I was offered on my return, so I had to take it." For now, the actor is taking things slow, "John was very well received by the fraternity but it didn't make me the overnight hero I was hoping to be." The process taught Wajahat to patiently approach projects. "The film took a long time to make. That was quite draining for me and I saw how much work goes into one project. I sort of took a step back then and I am more mindful of what projects are offered to me." Media pressure Wajahat expressed his feelings about his presence in the online realm, "I have had a bittersweet relationship with social media. I have seen online hate up-close and people stitch nepotism to my name as well. In the present, I only use social media as a billboard for my work. I don't really like showing my personal life on social media." Reflecting on earlier media interaction, the actor said, "I used to be very naive and would post every song cover or picture I took. With time I realised that while it's good to stay connected with fans and exhibit your work, it opens the floor to a fair deal of criticism." The actor doesn't blame the audience for this, "If you are putting your life out there then it becomes public property. People have a right to comment on it and you can't complain." The actor has made headlines for getting trolled often, to this he responded, "When my music came out, people trolled me a lot. Our people can also get a bit aggressive with it too. At first I was upset but then I reflected on it. "I realised I was also doing some things wrong and really worked on myself." The host of the podcast mentioned Wajahat's recent controversial videos with Hania Aamir that surfaced the internet. Rumours of an alleged affair between the two spread and the two were under fire for promoting indecency on social media. "Did that occurrence make you hold back from social media afterwards?" asked the host. Wajahat responded, "Yes, I think so. After this backlash, an actor said something very wise to me. 'As long as you will be seen with famous people, you will be known for being in other people's stories. Never for your own work. Focus on your work so that it is highlighted more." He has learned a great deal from his media mishaps, "I realised this is not what I want to be known for. If I am hanging out with my friends then why should that become news? I am still friends with these people but I don't publicise it. It can be too much."
Express Tribune
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
I have a bittersweet relationship with social media: Aashir Wajahat
Aashir Wajahat has quite literally grown up in front of the camera. From delivering memorable performances as a child actor in Mai Kukkoo Aur Woh and Karachi Se Lahore, to producing musical hits like Sadqay and Peetal, the actor-musician has steadily carved out a space for himself in Pakistan's entertainment industry. In a recent appearance on Excuse Me with Ahmad Ali Butt, Wajahat opened up about navigating his career amid the pressures of media visibility and family legacy. Reflecting on the course his life has taken, Wajahat shared, 'I was born into acting. I really enjoyed my time on set as a kid and learned a lot. If I were given a choice now, I would still choose acting - but maybe start much later in adulthood.' Carving his film career His foray into acting began almost intuitively. 'I would memorise my lines very quickly and never got nervous in front of the camera,' he recalled. 'That became a sign for my parents that I might be good at this, so I started taking on roles that came my way.' Wajahat described his early experiences in the industry positively. 'I did my first film at the age of 13. Being on set was always fascinating. That, combined with the attention I received, really deepened my interest in this world.' However, the pressures of being part of a well-known showbiz family eventually led him to take a break. 'There was a lot of pressure. My father is a famous director-screenwriter and my mother produces films. Stepping away helped me reassess the direction I wanted to take in life.' Making a comeback Wajahat made his return to the big screen with the critically acclaimed film John in 2023. 'When I came back, I knew I had to win the audience over. If I could pull this off, I'd be able to prove my worth as an actor,' he said. 'The experience really humbled me, and I don't find other shoots as difficult anymore.' Laughing, he added, 'It was also the only movie I was offered on my return, so I had to take it.' For now, the actor is taking things slow, 'John was very well received by the fraternity but it didn't make me the overnight hero I was hoping to be.' The process taught Wajahat to patiently approach projects.'The film took a long time to make. That was quite draining for me and I saw how much work goes into one project. I sort of took a step back then and I am more mindful of what projects are offered to me.' Media pressure Wajahat expressed his feelings about his presence in the online realm, 'I have had a bittersweet relationship with social media. I have seen online hate up-close and people stitch nepotism to my name as well. In the present, I only use social media as a billboard for my work. I don't really like showing my personal life on social media.' Reflecting on earlier media interaction, the actor said, 'I used to be very naive and would post every song cover or picture I took. With time I realised that while it's good to stay connected with fans and exhibit your work, it opens the floor to a fair deal of criticism.' The actor doesn't blame the audience for this, 'If you are putting your life out there then it becomes public property. People have a right to comment on it and you can't complain.' The actor has made headlines for getting trolled often, to this he responded, 'When my music came out, people trolled me a lot. Our people can get a bit aggressive with it too. At first I was upset but then I reflected on it.' 'I realised I was also doing some things wrong and really worked on myself.' The host of the podcast mentioned Wajahat's recent controversial videos with Hania Aamir that surfaced the internet. Rumours of an alleged affair between the two spread and the two were under fire for promoting indecency on social media. 'Did that occurrence make you hold back from social media afterwards?" asked the host. Wajahat responded, 'Yes, I think so. After this backlash, an actor said something very wise to me. 'As long as you will be seen with famous people, you will be known for being in other people's stories. Never for your own work. Focus on your work so that it is highlighted more.' He has learned a great deal from his media mishaps, 'I realised this is not what I want to be known for. If I am hanging out with my friends then why should that become news? I am still friends with these people but I don't publicise it. It can be too much.' Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Express Tribune
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Yasir Hussain is not opposed to raising a dozen kids
During an interview with Tabish Hashmi, Yasir Hussain had a thing or two to say about large families, starting with his own experience of being raised with 11 older siblings. The actor, who recently returned to theatre, began by joking about his father's army of 12 children: "If my father worked in theatre, the audience would be our own." Confirming that he's the youngest of the 12 siblings, Yasir refuted the common belief that he would have double the amount of nephews and nieces, quipping that not everyone is as ambitious as his father was. Despite the wisecracks, the Badshah Begum actor doesn't see a problem with a large household. "There are no issues. I, myself, am fond of children. And I've spent a great childhood with my siblings, even though we lived in a one-bathroom home," he revealed. Yasir jested that in such an environment, one's natural cycles adjust on their own, adding that the body times itself according to whose turn it is to relieve themselves. He believes that even in current times, it is possible to raise as many as 12 kids if families wish to brave that step. "They can definitely do it. I've seen people who've done it very well," he noted. The Karachi Se Lahore actor added that having many children doesn't impede each child's upbringing. "It's important to take out time for your kids," he said. "Even if you have two kids, you do make time for them, don't you? It's necessary to do that." Although he's not opposed to the idea of fathering an abundance of children, Yasir has only one son - Kabir - with wife Iqra Aziz. From Yasir championing time and attention to Iqra discouraging abuse, it is clear that Kabir is being raised in a loving environment and one that prioritises tradition. In a March interview, the couple shared that they prefer to teach their son Urdu first and foremost, keeping all other languages secondary. "Once an actor pointed out to me that Kabir speaks in Urdu, so I mentioned that that's the language we speak at home. So they said, 'Teach him English. Don't make this mistake. He will learn Urdu at some point eventually,'" Yasir recalled. "Urdu is more important; I've seen a lot of people who can't speak it properly. It's important to build that habit, then your child may learn English or Punjabi or any other language later on," he added.
Express Tribune
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Ayesha Omar seeks Zen in Istanbul forests
Ayesha Omar's adventures in Istanbul have now embarked on a peaceful route. In a carousel shared on Instagram, the Bulbulay actor and her travelling companions trekked deep into a forest, hoping for a spiritual reward. "We're going in search of Zen after four days of wedding crazies," she wrote. "We've got to take it as it comes and ride with it. Just give us a forest and some screaming kids." The carousel is just one of the many photo slash video dumps Ayesha posted on Instagram since she flew to Turkey to attend the wedding festivities of her friend and showbiz peer, Anoushey Ashraf. The glamorous affair spread over the latter half of April, and Ayesha was delighted to document every memorable moment of it. In an earlier post, the Karachi Se Lahore actor stunned in a Nomi Ansari bubblegum pink lehenga. The ensemble, splattered and laced with golden sequins, was her pick for Anoushey Ashraf's shendi — an event combining rituals from shaadi (wedding) and mehndi (henna) celebrations — held in Istanbul, Turkey. The lehenga was matched with a strappy, crop blouse, a glittering, sheer dupatta, and a drawstring handbag. In the caption, Ayesha shared the secret behind every comfortable fashion pose, "Candy crushing and obsessing. While sneaking. (Only sneakers with the lehenga for now.)" The candy-crush ensemble was the sole survivor of a luggage mishap, as the Habs actor said in a previous post, "Emirates misplaced my luggage in transit and the only thing I have is this candy crush. Allah is the best planner." In the video, Ayesha happily twirled in the only piece of travelling clothing that stuck by her, tagging the designer to express her admiration. She also tagged Frieha Altaf, who recorded the clip in high spirits. Ayesha credited her for "capturing this and always cheering us on."
Express Tribune
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
When Saba Qamar and Aamina Sheikh were bestie goals
In an Instagram Story shared on Monday, Saba Qamar and Aamina Sheikh showed us how to bring one's A-game to wedding festivities as they posed together during one of Kubra Khan and Gohar Rasheed's many wedding events. "Roll out the carpet, we are coming," Saba wrote to the newlyweds. While the Cheekh actor donned a peachy sari, Aamina stunned in a white, gleaming ensemble. Both the actors opted to tie their hair back, the former in an elegant bun, and the latter in a traditional braid. Aside from elevating the glam game, Saba and Aamina also stood out for being best-friend goals. However, this was just one of the many times the two on-screen sisters showed us exactly what the phrase means. A long-running bond Fondly known as the Maat sisters, the two marked their first appearance together with the 2011 drama serial. Although the drama followed two sisters who were at odds with each other due to different goals in life, it birthed an everlasting friendship between the stars who played them. "I have had an extremely pleasant experience working with Aamina Sheikh. She's one of the most professional and hardworking actors we have in the industry," Saba told The Express Tribune in 2018. Heartfelt reunions In August last year, Saba dedicated a heartwarming note to her industry friend in an Instagram post, which saw them sporting matching black and white attires in true sisterly fashion. Reflecting on their time together, the Karachi Se Lahore actor wrote, "I can't help but feel truly grateful for the time spent with such a wonderful soul. Your presence brought warmth and joy to my home and our conversations left me inspired." She continued to praise Aamina's qualities, adding, "I admire not just your incredible talent as an actor but also the grace and authenticity with which you live your life. It's rare to meet someone who embodies such genuine kindness and wisdom, and I feel fortunate to have you as a friend." Expressing her hopes for the future, Saba concluded with heartfelt wishes, "Looking forward to creating more beautiful memories together and cherishing this friendship for years to come." In the post, the two actors were seen having a girls' day in what looked like Saba's home, which she previously shared a photoshoot of on social media. In one particularly heartwarming picture, they sat on a couch with their hands joining to make a heart. Aamina looked simple yet elegant in a white kurta while Saba kept it casual and clean in a white t-shirt, her summer bangs on full display. Following this, the two announced their on-screen reunion with Case #9 after fourteen long years. In the Instagram Story shared in January, the actors held each other in a long, swaying embrace, both twinning with pairs of sunglasses and crop tops. "Saba, we made it. We're here," Aamina said to her friend, as they clapped their hands together. "We're here to slay." This should be an indication that Saba isn't the only with praises to dispense. Aamina also took to Instagram in August last year to laud her friend's performance as her on-screen sister. "Life and screen both light up and shine when there is mutual respect, admiration, and reciprocity of love," the Cake actor began. "Aimen, my character in Maat, wouldn't have made as significant a mark had it not been for Saba's fearless and uninhibited performance of Saman's (the sister) nuances and recklessness. She was the true yin to my yang in Maat." Hopeful for the years ahead, Aamina concluded, "And now in life, we pick up from where we left off, always grateful, always joyful to have shared the journey and success of Maat together."
