Latest news with #PakistanIdol
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Pakistan Idol stages comeback
After 11 years, Pakistan Idol is returning with a new panel of judges: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, former Strings member Bilal Maqsood, vocalist Zeb Bangash and actor Fawad tourism packages Pakistan Idol is an adaptation of the British musical talent show Pop Idol and first aired in 2014 on Geo TV, attracting thousands of viewers and participants from across the country. Junoon's Ali Azmat, actor Bushra Ansari, and singer Hadiqa Kiani served as judges. Zamad Baig from Lahore was crowned winner of the season. Pakistan Idol launched careers. "It advertises you," said Waqas Ali Vicky, a contestant from Season One, in an interview with the Lifestyle desk at The Express Tribune. "You are musically groomed when you go to this show." One of the finalists of the competition, Rose Marie, said, "Every artist wants a boost in their career and Pakistan Idol is a stage where all of the country can watch them and appreciate them. Something at such a big scale in Pakistan was amazing and the management was great too." The show has helped young artists learn by experimenting with genres. "All of us boys who went into Pakistan Idol were raw talent," said Vicky. "We learned how to dress ourselves. There are people to teach you and there is an environment where everyone is focused upon their music only. Everyone has different music styles so you observe and learn to experiment from each other." Pakistan Idol has proven helpful in making industry connections. "I got to know a lot of people from the set, and later continued to stay in touch with them," said Marie. "These people gave me a lot of work. I did original soundtracks for dramas, film songs, and advertisements." Through Pakistan Idol, these emerging artists were able to find a community. Vicky did not belong to a musical family and the show helped him build a sense of identity. "Your name gets attached to this platform and people start getting to know you," he said. "They start to follow you from around the world and you stay engaged with your fans this way. In Pakistan, an opportunity like this becomes a great chance for gully boys who want to do music at an international level." Zoya Merchant, director of MHL Global, responsible for streaming the show across five TV networks, said in an interview with Variety, "Pakistan has incredible musical talent, and this platform will not only spotlight it nationwide but elevate it to the global stage." The show aims to launch online auditions and casting calls, and a premiere date will be announced soon.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Pakistan Idol stages comeback after decade long hiatus
After eleven years, Pakistan Idol is returning with a new panel of judges: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, former Strings member Bilal Maqsood, vocalist Zeb Bangash and actor Fawad Khan. Pakistan Idol is an adaptation of the British musical talent show Pop Idol and first aired in 2014 on Geo TV, attracting thousands of viewers and participants from across the country. Junoon's Ali Azmat, actor Bushra Ansari, and singer Hadiqa Kiani served as judges. Zamad Baig from Lahore was crowned winner of the season. Pakistan Idol launched careers. 'It advertises you,' said Waqas Ali Vicky, a contestant from Season One, in an interview with the Lifestyle desk at The Express Tribune. 'You are musically groomed when you go to this show.' One of the finalists of the competition, Rose Marie, said, 'Every artist wants a boost in their career and Pakistan Idol is a stage where all of the country can watch them and appreciate them. Something at such a big scale in Pakistan was amazing and the management was great too.' The show has helped young artists learn by experimenting with genres. 'All of us boys who went into Pakistan Idol were raw talent,' said Vicky. 'We learned how to dress ourselves. There are people to teach you and there is an environment where everyone is focused upon their music only. Everyone has different music styles so you observe and learn to experiment from each other.' Pakistan Idol has proven helpful in making industry connections. 'I got to know a lot of people from the set, and later continued to stay in touch with them,' said Marie. 'These people gave me a lot of work. I did original soundtracks for dramas, film songs, and advertisements.' Through Pakistan Idol, these emerging artists were able to find a community. Vicky did not belong to a musical family and the show helped him build a sense of identity. 'Your name gets attached to this platform and people start getting to know you,' he said. 'They start to follow you from around the world and you stay engaged with your fans this way. In Pakistan, an opportunity like this becomes a great chance for gully boys who want to do music at an international level.' Zoya Merchant, director of MHL Global, responsible for streaming the show across five TV networks, said in an interview with Variety, 'Pakistan has incredible musical talent, and this platform will not only spotlight it nationwide but elevate it to the global stage." The show aims to launch online auditions and casting calls, and a premiere date will be announced soon.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Pakistan Idol stages comeback after decade long break
After eleven years, Pakistan Idol is returning with a new panel of judges: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, former Strings member Bilal Maqsood, vocalist Zeb Bangash and actor Fawad Khan. Pakistan Idol is an adaptation of the British musical talent show Pop Idol and first aired in 2014 on Geo TV, attracting thousands of viewers and participants from across the country. Junoon's Ali Azmat, actor Bushra Ansari, and singer Hadiqa Kiani served as judges. Zamad Baig from Lahore was crowned winner of the season. Pakistan Idol launched careers. 'It advertises you,' said Waqas Ali Vicky, a contestant from Season One, in an interview with the Lifestyle desk at The Express Tribune. 'You are musically groomed when you go to this show.' One of the finalists of the competition, Rose Marie, said, 'Every artist wants a boost in their career and Pakistan Idol is a stage where all of the country can watch them and appreciate them. Something at such a big scale in Pakistan was amazing and the management was great too.' The show has helped young artists learn by experimenting with genres. 'All of us boys who went into Pakistan Idol were raw talent,' said Vicky. 'We learned how to dress ourselves. There are people to teach you and there is an environment where everyone is focused upon their music only. Everyone has different music styles so you observe and learn to experiment from each other.' Pakistan Idol has proven helpful in making industry connections. 'I got to know a lot of people from the set, and later continued to stay in touch with them,' said Marie. 'These people gave me a lot of work. I did original soundtracks for dramas, film songs, and advertisements.' Through Pakistan Idol, these emerging artists were able to find a community. Vicky did not belong to a musical family and the show helped him build a sense of identity. 'Your name gets attached to this platform and people start getting to know you,' he said. 'They start to follow you from around the world and you stay engaged with your fans this way. In Pakistan, an opportunity like this becomes a great chance for gully boys who want to do music at an international level.' Zoya Merchant, director of MHL Global, responsible for streaming the show across five TV networks, said in an interview with Variety, 'Pakistan has incredible musical talent, and this platform will not only spotlight it nationwide but elevate it to the global stage." The show aims to launch online auditions and casting calls, and a premiere date will be announced soon.
UAE Moments
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
Fawad Khan to Return to Pakistan Idol as Judge After the Show's 11-Year Hiatus
Pakistan Idol is set to make a long‑awaited comeback after an 11‑year hiatus, reviving one of Pakistan's most popular reality TV franchises with a high-profile judging panel led by actor‑singer Fawad Khan. Produced by MHL Global, the revival has secured the rights from Fremantle and plans to relaunch the series later this year. In a bold first for any Idol adaptation worldwide, the show is slated to air simultaneously across five major television networks, aiming for national reach across Pakistan's diverse linguistic and regional landscape. Fawad Khan will be joined on the judging panel by acclaimed Pakistani musicians Zeb Bangash, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and Bilal Maqsood of Strings fame. This eclectic mix promises wide appeal, combining pop, folk, and qawwali styles to spotlight emerging talent from all corners of the country. According to Variety, the production will blend modern digital engagement with traditional broadcast formats. Online auditions have already kicked off on the Begin platform, while in-person casting calls are scheduled across major cities and remote regions to attract a diverse contestant pool. Zoya Merchant, director at MHL Global, described the show's return as more than entertainment—a 'cultural movement.' She emphasized that Pakistan's musical heritage will now be showcased on a national and global stage, uniting varied audiences via music. The original season of Pakistan Idol aired from December 2013 to April 2014 on Geo Entertainment, judged by Ali Azmat, Hadiqa Kiani, and Bushra Ansari. Its finale drew over one million votes and crowned Zamad Baig as the winner. This fresh reboot aims to recapture and exceed that cultural impact. While production is expected to begin later in 2025, organizers have not yet revealed the premiere date or broadcasting schedule. But with the combined star power of Fawad Khan and his fellow judges, along with a pioneering multi-network approach, Pakistan Idol is poised for a high‑stakes and high‑profile return that could redefine reality television in the region. Pakistan Idol 's revival marks both a technological and cultural leap, embracing digital auditions and simultaneous airing, while a judging panel spanning multiple musical genres adds fresh energy to a beloved format.
Arab News
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Fawad Khan among celebrity judges as ‘Pakistan Idol' returns after hiatus
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani singer and actor Fawad Khan will be part of a panel of prominent judges who will feature in 'Pakistan Idol,' which is set to make a comeback after a decade-long hiatus, a report in the international website Variety said this week. Pakistan Idol was a reality singing television competition show that followed the 'Idol' franchise created by British entrepreneur Simon Fuller. The show ran from December 2013 to April 2014 and featured pop stars Ali Azmat, Hadiqa Kiani and prominent actress Bushra Ansari as judges. The show ran on Geo Entertainment and featured just one season. Production company MHL Global has secured the rights for Pakistan Idol from format distributor Fremantle to revive the singing competition series, Variety reported on Saturday. 'The show will feature a star-studded judging panel including actor Fawad Khan, singer Zeb Bangash, qawwali artist Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and Strings musician Bilal Maqsood,' Variety said. 'The revival marks a significant return for the franchise, which last aired in 2014.' The report said MHL Global has planned an ambitious distribution strategy for the show's reboot, with it set to air simultaneously across five television networks, a first for any 'Idol' franchise globally. 'According to the company, this multi-platform approach aims to reach diverse audiences across Pakistan's various regions and languages,' it added. Zoya Merchant, director of MHL Global, said the launch represented 'a cultural movement.' 'Pakistan has incredible musical talent, and this platform will not only spotlight it nationwide but elevate it to the global stage,' she said. Variety said the production will incorporate modern digital engagement alongside traditional television broadcasting, adding that online auditions are launching through the Begin platform, while in-person casting calls are planned for major cities and remote regions. 'Production is expected to begin later this year, with broadcast details and premiere dates to be announced,' the report disclosed. Khan enjoys heartthrob status in both Pakistan and India. After making a name for himself in hit Pakistani TV drama serials and movies such as Humsafar, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, The Legend of Maula Jutt and Khuda Kay Liye, he went on to star in Bollywood films Kapoor and Sons, Khoobsurat and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Before his acting career took off, Khan was a member of the Lahore-based rock band Entity Paradigm. He also sang the Pakistan Super League (PSL) anthem for the 2019 edition of the cricket league.
