Latest news with #Saeed
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Farhan Saeed confirms ‘Suno Chanda 3' script is underway
Farhan Saeed has addressed fan speculation surrounding a potential third season of Suno Chanda, confirming that its script is currently in development. The actor-singer recently appeared in an episode of Tapmad's YouTube series, where he participated in a segment titled 'Truth or Rumour.' When asked by the host, 'Suno Chanda 3 script is secretly in the works and you have already read the script,' Saeed responded, 'Half of it is true and half of it is false.' He further clarified, 'I have not read the script but it is being written. I'm not sure if the show will definitely happen.' Loyal fans of the show erupted with excitement following Saeed's statement. One fan echoed the audience's wishes, commenting, 'We want Suno Chanda season 3!' while another enthusiastically wrote, 'Can't wait, Farhan Saeed! Bring it on!' However, the confirmation was met with some skepticism as well. One Instagram user commented, 'Wanna see them (Farhan Saeed and Iqra Aziz) together but in a different type of story. Suno Chanda 3 shouldn't be in continuation with previous seasons!' Another criticised the idea of reviving the show, writing, 'They don't have anything new or creative to grow the industry, that's why it is getting worse day by day.' Suno Chanda was a game-changer in the world of Ramadan dramas. From its very first episode in 2018, the series captured hearts across Pakistan and beyond, becoming one of the most beloved Ramadan dramas of all time. The on-screen chemistry between lead actors Farhan Saeed and Iqra Aziz was undeniable, and the show quickly became a go-to for families seeking a feel-good, laughter-filled experience during the holy month. Back in March, Farhan Saeed shared that while he would be thrilled to return to his beloved character, he had one condition: the story must be fresh and original. He emphasized, 'I am happy to do it, but it has to be with a new story, and then we'll see how the fans receive it.' In 2022, the show's writer, Saima Akram Chaudhry, also promised to pen the third season of the hit series. Taking to Instagram, she wrote, 'I am so overwhelmed by the response of my fans. This is the love I have been carrying since season one.' She added, 'If my fans showered the same love for my current projects, Hum Tum and Chaudhry and Sons, then this is my promise that I am going to write Suno Chanda season 3, for the love of Suno Chanda.' Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
STV News
6 days ago
- Health
- STV News
'Man-made mass starvation' gripping Gaza and killing children, WHO says
A letter, signed by more than a hundred organisations, accuses Israel of using 'chaos, starvation, and death' as a 'method of warfare'. A warning that this report from ITV News Senior International Correspondent John Irvine, contains some scenes you may find distressing. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of a 'deadly surge' in malnutrition-related deaths and man-made 'mass starvation' as aid is blocked from getting into Gaza. The UN health agency said 21 children under the age of five had died from malnutrition in Gaza so far this year and that more than 30,000 children the same age were currently suffering from acute malnutrition. At least one in five pregnant and breastfeeding women are also malnourished. WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the malnutrition was caused by the aid blockage. 'I don't know what you would call it other than mass starvation, and it's man-made, and that's very clear,' Mr Ghebreyesus said. Mr Ghebreyesus said acute malnutrition centers in Gaza were full and there were not enough supplies. The warning comes as Israeli strikes kill at least 29 people in Gaza on Wednesday night, including nine children and a pregnant woman. Gaza residents try to access food at a community kitchen. / Credit: AP In Deir al-Balah, Dalia Siam said her and her son, Saeed sometimes do not eat for days. 'I swear there comes days where we don't actually eat for three days in a row, we only live on water,' she said. 'Saaed for instance is living for four days now on water and salt. 'Even when I find something to feed him, I have to find starch and water, and without sugar, because Saeed gets very tired, and we suffer from this a lot in the war.' A woman carries a sack of flour she got from an aid truck in Gaza. / Credit: AP The WHO comments follow an open letter from more than 100 international aid agencies warning of mass starvation across Gaza, claiming workers and citizens were 'wasting away' as access to tons of food and medical supplies was blocked. In the joint letter, the organisations wrote that the UN-led humanitarian system had been 'prevented from functioning', urging governments to help restore the full flow of food, clean water and medical supplies. Those agencies include Save the Children, Médecins Sans Frontières and Oxfam International. The letter stated that there were 'tons' of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items and fuel sitting untouched within Gaza or just outside the region, but that organisations had been blocked from accessing or delivering the stock. Palestinians hold onto an aid truck in Gaza on Tuesday. / Credit: AP 'Humanitarian agencies have the capacity and supplies to respond at scale, but with access denied, we are blocked from reaching those in need, including our own exhausted and starved teams,' the letter read. 'Survival is dangled like a mirage.' It claimed distributions in Gaza average about 28 trucks a day for a population of about 2.1 million. Aid distribution has been complicated by a controversial Israeli-backed US-run contractor called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while seeking food, according to the UN. 'Aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families,' the letter from the organisations stated. 'With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organisations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes. 'Each morning, the same question echoes across Gaza: will I eat today?' Palestinians carry sacks of flour unloaded from a humanitarian aid convoy that reached Gaza City on Tuesday. / Credit: AP UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Israel had refused the United Nations the space and safety to deliver aid. 'Malnourishment is soaring,' he said on Tuesday. 'Starvation is knocking on every door. Now we are seeing the last gasp of a humanitarian system built on humanitarian principles. 'Around the world, we see an utter disregard for, if not (an) outright violation of, international law.' Israel denied deliberately targeting civilians and aid staff as part of its war with Hamas and said it was operating within international law, blaming UN agencies for failing to deliver food it had allowed in. It accused the NGOs of 'echoing Hamas' propaganda' and said about 4,500 aid trucks had been allowed into Gaza since May, and that more than 700 trucks were waiting to be picked up and distributed by the UN. Earlier this week, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his counterparts from 24 other nations, including France, Canada and Australia, urged Israel to lift restrictions on the flow of aid into Gaza in a joint statement, condemning the current aid model. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Humayun on another high
With the release of Love Guru last month and Main Manto Nahi Hoon airing this Friday, Humayun Saeed reflected on what keeps him motivated to entertain the Pakistani audience. The actor appeared in an episode of Geo Podcast with Mubashir on Friday, where he talked about his love for cinema and how he acted in his first drama while working at a factory. "I was a general manager and made sure shipments were released on time. My brother was paralysed at the time so I needed the money. That factory really taught me how to work hard," said Saeed. "At the same factory I once acted in a play at a celebration party and my boss, who was a part time model, suggested that I act in TV dramas. He referred me to a couple of places and I did my first drama, Karoron Ka Aadmi in 1995." "My father was a religious man. He would not have approved of acting so I hid my first TV drama from him." he laughingly recalled. "Eventually people started telling him, 'Your son looked good on TV', and my secret was out!" Saeed moved on from it after his first project. "I forgot about acting after my first job, I thought that was it. But after a few days, I started getting more offers." said Saeed. "I left my job at the factory then and shifted to acting." Launching local films Saeed was one of the first actor-producers to give Pakistani feature films a try. His films Main Hoon Shahid Afridi and Jawani Phir Nahi Aani were released in 2013 and 2015, respectively. "They were a risk at that time," he shared. "I invested PKR700,000 in the first film and did not make as much in return. People were quizzical about this decision but I kept creating more." "And I was right," he added. " I put in PKR600,000 into making Jawani Phir Nahi Aani and it made around PKR5 million at the box office. The film was not dead. People were interested in watching if given the right content." The actor was nervous about making another feature hit after the first one."Jawani Phir Nahi Aani had four male leads so it had more chances of being a success," Saeed remarked. "I had to do a solo male lead film after that and people challenged me. 'Let's see if you can make this work,' they said - and I did make it work. Punjab Nahi Jaungi then released worldwide in 2017 and it made even more than the first two." The producer shared his two cents about recent India-Pakistan tensions as well. "It was really upsetting that Sardaar Ji 3 did not release in India just because it had a Pakistani actor. Hania Amir was casted when relations between the two countries were good. Imagine the financial loss it must have been for the producers, it's extremely sad," he said. Insights on Pakistani TV Regarding his three-decade experience in TV, he said, "Pakistan makes some of the cheapest dramas cost wise around the world. Yet they are still watched so much." Saeed played Lady Diana's love interest, Dr. Hasnat, in UK based Netflix series The Crown, in 2022. "While I was working for the team, I saw that the show was directed by five different directors. Each director came with their own team that had people to research and make the creative decisions. That takes money," noted the actor. "Pakistan does not currently invest on that big of a scale on TV dramas. Imagine how far our TV shows will go if we put in that much money too. And we aren't short of talent," added Saeed. Talking further about his role as Dr. Hasnat, the star recalled, "I had COVID-19 when I was asked to audition for The Crown. They gave me the script and told me to record myself playing the scene. I was asked not to tell anyone else about it." "They really loved my work," he continued. "I gave a second audition but then didn't hear back for a while. I thought the role was given to someone else. Twenty days later, I received a call. I had bagged it!" Saeed smiled and shared, "While I prefer to work in my own country, I was really proud to play a Pakistani character. Moreover, working in Hollywood was an experience of its own. I was really nervous because my part had a kissing scene too. But the team was really confident in my skills and it ended up going well." Saeed is all set to appear in Main Manto Nahi Hoon alongside Sanam Saeed and Sajal Ali. His film opposite Mahira Khan, Love Guru was released on June 6 and is playing successfully in cinemas worldwide. For future, Saeed eagerly revealed, "I have a couple of dramas lined up that will be completed soon. I am also aiming to release at least two movies this year, one romantic and one action. I want to play the lead in both."
India Today
21-07-2025
- India Today
Evil spirits and a scam: Indian-origin astrologer arrested in New York
A 33-year-old Indian-origin astrologer was arrested in New York's Hicksville in connection with an alleged fortune-telling scam that authorities said targeted a senior citizen woman and cost her tens of thousands of dollars. According to the US authorities, the woman believed she was being targeted by "evil spirits" and sought help from the self-proclaimed fortune Kumar Muneppa, 33, from Queens, was arrested at a bank after staff noticed a possible scam. The victim, who had already given him $20,000 (approximately Rs 16.7 lakh), was trying to take out another $42,000 (approx Rs 35 lakh) to pay for psychic services, the New York Post reported, citing to investigators, Muneppa worked out of a psychic and astrology business called Anjana Ji on South Broadway, that offers astrology, "evil spirit removal", "love spell caster" and more, according to its website. Muneppa posed as a fortune teller at the business and offered to "purchase the power to fight evil spirits" on the victim's behalf, according to a report in the Daily 68-year-old woman had got her first expensive reading a few days earlier, then went back to Anjana Ji for more services. There, Muneppa asked her for another $42,000 and drove her to a nearby bank to take out the bank staff noticed a possible scam and Muneppa has since been charged with third-degree grand larceny, third-degree attempted grand larceny, and two misdemeanour counts of fortune-telling – a rarely used statute in New York that criminalises accepting money for spiritual services unless they are strictly for entertainment, the Daily Mail said the victim thought she was being haunted by evil spirits and went to Muneppa for pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment on Friday and was released without bail; however, he was forced to wear an ankle monitor, according to the New York WOMAN MISLED BY SELF-PROCLAIMED FORTUNE TELLERMehwish Saeed, who owns a clothing store near the psychic shop, also claimed her daughter also visited the business and was misled, the Daily Mail said those who hurt people's feelings should be punished."Playing with somebody's feelings and giving them false hope, that's really bad," Saeed was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail."They're just making people a fool, so they deserve to be punished," Saeed County Police, New York, have said that anyone who believes they may have been a victim in this case should contact them.- Ends
Express Tribune
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Pakistan makes cheap dramas and yet they are widely watched: Humayun Saeed
With the release of Love Guru last month and Main Manto Nahi Hoon airing this Friday, Humayun Saeed reflected on what keeps him motivated to entertain the Pakistani audience. The actor appeared in an episode of Geo Podcast with Mubashir on Friday, where he talked about his love for cinema and how he acted in his first drama while working at a factory. 'I was a general manager and made sure shipments were released on time. My brother was paralysed at the time so I needed the money. That factory really taught me how to work hard,' said Saeed. 'At the same factory I once acted in a play at a celebration party and my boss, who was a part time model, suggested that I act in TV dramas. He referred me to a couple of places and I did my first drama, Karoron Ka Aadmi in 1995.' 'My father was a religious man. He would not have approved of acting so I hid my first TV drama from him.' he laughingly recalled. 'Eventually people started telling him, 'Your son looked good on TV', and my secret was out!' Saeed moved on from it after his first project. 'I forgot about acting after my first job, I thought that was it. But after a few days, I started getting more offers.' said Saeed. 'I left my job at the factory then and shifted to acting.' Launching local films Saeed was one of the first actor-producers to give Pakistani feature films a try. His films Main Hoon Shahid Afridi and Jawani Phir Nahi Aani were released in 2013 and 2015, respectively. 'They were a risk at that time,' he shared. 'I invested Rs700,000 in the first film and did not make as much in return. People were quizzical about this decision but I kept creating more.' 'And I was right,' he added. ' I put in Rs600,000 into making Jawani Phir Nahi Aani and it made around Rs5 million at the box office. The film was not dead. People were interested in watching if given the right content.' The actor was nervous about making another feature hit after the first one.'Jawani Phir Nahi Aani had four male leads so it had more chances of being a success,' Saeed remarked. 'I had to do a solo male lead film after that and people challenged me. 'Let's see if you can make this work,' they said - and I did make it work. Punjab Nahi Jaungi then released worldwide in 2017 and it made even more than the first two.' The producer shared his two cents about recent India-Pakistan tensions as well. 'It was really upsetting that Sardaar Ji 3 did not release in India just because it had a Pakistani actor. Hania Amir was casted when relations between the two countries were good. Imagine the financial loss it must have been for the producers, it's extremely sad,' he said. Insights on Pakistani TV industry Regarding his three-decade experience in TV, he said, 'Pakistan makes some of the cheapest dramas cost wise around the world. Yet they are still watched so much.' Saeed played Lady Diana's love interest, Dr. Hasnat, in UK based Netflix series The Crown, in 2022. 'While I was working for the team, I saw that the show was directed by five different directors. Each director came with their own team that had people to research and make the creative decisions. That takes money,' noted the actor. 'Pakistan does not currently invest on that big of a scale on TV dramas. Imagine how far our TV shows will go if we put in that much money too. And we aren't short of talent,' added Saeed. Talking further about his role as Dr. Hasnat, the star recalled, 'I had COVID-19 when I was asked to audition for The Crown. They gave me the script and told me to record myself playing the scene. I was asked not to tell anyone else about it.' 'They really loved my work,' he continued. 'I gave a second audition but then didn't hear back for a while. I thought the role was given to someone else. Twenty days later, I received a call. I had bagged it!' Saeed smiled and shared, 'While I prefer to work in my own country, I was really proud to play a Pakistani character. Moreover, working in Hollywood was an experience of its own. I was really nervous because my part had a kissing scene too. But the team was really confident in my skills and it ended up going well.' Saeed is all set to appear in Main Manto Nahi Hoon alongside Sanam Saeed and Sajal Ali. His film opposite Mahira Khan, Love Guru was released on June 6 and is playing successfully in cinemas worldwide. For future, Saeed eagerly revealed, 'I have a couple of dramas lined up that will be completed soon. I am also aiming to release at least two movies this year, one romantic and one action. I want to play the lead in both.'
