Latest news with #Wajahat
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.
News18
14-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
LG Manoj Sinha Starts Drive To Help Those Who Lost Their Dear Ones To J&K's Terrorist Violence
J&K LG Manoj Sinha's five-pronged plan includes government jobs for needy, loans at low interest rates, speedy hearing of cases, release of land if encroached and helplines Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has begun a major exercise to heal the wounds of those who lost their loved ones to terrorist violence over the past three-and-a-half decades. The administration is reaching out to these families who have been waiting for justice and help for decades and is going to provide help, including jobs. Here's what was done as part of the drive at the North Campus of Kashmir University in Baramulla on Sunday, July 13. The auditorium was packed with women, youth, elderly and children. On the stage, in the presence of Sinha and senior officials, from the Chief Secretary to the DGP, an announcement is made from the stage – 'Wajahat will give the welcome speech." Wajahat is not the name of any officer, but he is a Kashmiri youth, a resident of Baramulla. He runs a voluntary organisation to reach out to the authorities and administration on behalf of those who lost their loved ones to terrorism that started in the valley in 1989. He tells what the alliance of leaders and separatists who instigate terrorism to take advantage of the 'conflict economy' in Kashmir has done to the families of those who fell prey to terrorism. In many cases, neither was an FIR registered, nor was any compensation given, leave alone government jobs. 'These businessmen of terrorism did not believe in wiping the tears of the victims' families," he said. 'Due to this, the terrorists who killed innocent Kashmiris got jobs, but the families of their victims did not. That too when a special law was made in Jammu and Kashmir was aimed at giving government jobs to the families of the victims of terrorism to help them, so that they could run their household comfortably," he said. Wajahat is telling with great courage how the terrorists were declared Mujahid and Shaheed in the Kashmir Valley, while the martyrdom of those who fought against terrorism and did not bow down to the terrorists was not only forgotten, but their families were also left at the mercy of God. The limit was reached when the families of the victims of terrorist violence were threatened, they were silenced, they did not even have the courage to raise their voice against injustice. But the circumstances that arose after the abolition of Article 370 in 2019 started changing the situation for such families, he said. The first thing was that the attitude of the administration had started changing, the power had gone out of the hands of those who had ruled the politics of Kashmir for decades, and who had played an important role in instigating terrorism and separatism. The reins of power had come into the hands of the central government led by Narendra Modi, which was engaged in changing the picture of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory. However, it took time for this government to pay attention to such victims of terrorism. The system had become so rotten that all such people were forgotten. The victims of terrorism and their families had become a part of government files and court case papers, a thick layer of dust had settled on them in the form of government neglect. How Sinha began the drive After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the attention of Sinha suddenly went to such families. Last month, when he was meeting some people in Anantnag, the district in which Pahalgam is located, there was a girl among them, whose 'SPO' father was killed by terrorists years ago. On finding the constitutional head of the state in front of her, she could not control her pain and while crying, she narrated the story of the plight of her house, on hearing which Sinha also became emotional. The girl was telling how her father was killed and her mother raised her children by washing utensils and sewing clothes in other people's houses. None of the family members got a job or any financial help. On the contrary, the terrorist who killed her father got a government job. Sinha was stunned to know this. For Sinha, the story of this girl's family was a testimony to how the governments here gave the gift of government jobs to terrorists or their supporters, kept them in the system, the terrorists kept trying to weaken the system with full force and the families who lost their loved ones did not get any help, leave alone a job. After listening to the girl's story, Sinha started working on it on a war footing. He immediately called a meeting of senior officials and instructed that all the victim families who lost their loved ones in terrorism should be identified. Such people were not only to be identified, but they were to be given every kind of help as per their need. Sinha's five-pronged plan includes arrangements for government jobs for the needy, loans at low interest rates if they want to do business, speedy hearing of cases of terrorist violence, release of land if it has been encroached, and special helplines and assistance cells so that the affected families can easily reach the administration for all these tasks. People like Wajahat have come forward to help Sinha in this mission, who are no longer afraid of terrorists. In the last five-six years, he has seen that now the people associated with law and order have no nexus with terrorists; rather, they are engaged in eliminating them strongly. This is such a system in which terrorists and their supporters are being dug out one by one, they are being dismissed from government jobs. So far, more than 80 such people have been dismissed, who have had links with terrorism. The effect of this changed environment was that within just a few weeks, many such families came forward who had lost their loved ones, but due to the fear of terrorists, they were afraid to express their pain, let alone expect government help. Stories of pain and loss After Wajahat's welcome speech, people started expressing their pain one after the other. Adil Yusuf Sheikh, who came from a village in Kupwara, was telling how the terrorists who entered his house in April 2003 shot his father, mother, minor sister without giving any reason. His mother was also pregnant at that time. Yusuf had to lose all these members of his family together, but there was no relief, no help. Raja Begum, who also came from Kupwara, was telling how the terrorists who entered her house in 1992 shot her husband Ghulam Hassan, two sons Irshad and Javed along with daughter Dilshada, when this family refused to give them shelter in their house. Raja Begum's entire family was destroyed, but the system did not pay attention to them. A similar story was that of Suhail Yusuf Shah, from October 2002, when his mother Haseena and uncle Ghulam Ahmed Shah were shot dead by terrorists in Saugam area, when they asked Ghulam Ahmed to become a terrorist like them and he refused. First the terrorists shot Ghulam Ahmed and when Haseena came in front of them with a glass of water for them, they showered bullets on her too. The terrorists left comfortably, a case was registered, but neither any arrest was made nor any help was received. Everyone's story, one more painful than the other. One person narrated how he lost his father, but till date neither did he get a government job nor were his father's murderers punished. Another told how first his one brother was killed, and then two more were killed. One resident told how the family members of the deceased had to face a lot of trouble even to get the succession certificate. A young man narrated his story in Hindi-Urdu, a woman spoke about her pain in Kashmiri, a girl spoke in English about how her father suddenly grew up after the murder of his father. An old woman was narrating how her son was murdered and she had to run the house by washing utensils to feed her grandchildren. All eyes were moist on hearing the stories. While consoling the victim families, Sinha called 40 such people on the stage and gave them government jobs. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : jammu and kashmir manoj sinha view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 14, 2025, 19:38 IST News india LG Manoj Sinha Starts Drive To Help Those Who Lost Their Dear Ones To J&K's Terrorist Violence Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
CBC
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Saskatoon environmental activist helps newcomers embrace the outdoors
Social Sharing Graeme Hopkins knows what it feels like to struggle. The Saskatoon 20-year-old says high school was rough. "It felt like, almost like Lego. Like I was being disassembled. And so many parts of my identity and my character were being taken away with every struggle and every failure that I went through," he said. "So I wanted to rebuild that. I wanted to say, 'OK this is a mess, let's clean it up, let's build it back.'" For Hopkins, part of that rebuilding is giving back to others in the community. He's on a gap year right now, with plans to go back to university to study paleontology in the fall. Hopkins said he has always been passionate about the environment, climate change and the outdoors, so it made sense to combine those passions with volunteering. "I really believe in the incredible power of outdoor activity in forging connections and making people feel welcome and at home where they live," Hopkins said. That energy and enthusiasm is why the Saskatoon Open Door Society (SODS) approached Hopkins a little over a year ago to get involved with its youth leadership program. WATCH: Filmmaker Marzia Kamyabi followed along as Graeme Hopkins took a group of newcomers sledding as part of the SODS Newcomer Adventure Club: Saskatoon environmental activist passionate about creating outdoor experiences for immigrant youth 4 hours ago Duration 5:02 Maryam Wajahat, the facilitator of youth programs for SODS, said she's always looking for ways to get young people out into the community to try new things. Wajahat said the collaboration is a great fit because Hopkins is a young person, meaning he can relate to other youth, nd understands what they need. Many newcomers face struggles adapting to a new city or country, Wajahat said, especially when they left friends and families behind. "We have seen a trend where youth are very aware of the environment and climate change," Wajahat said. "So by having the Outdoor Adventure Club and other programs that we do, it's really great to address some of those concerns that these kids are experiencing." The Outdoor Adventure Club is open to kids aged 13 to 18 who are new to the city or country. The club brings young newcomers and their families on free outdoor excursions in and around Saskatoon. Past trips have included tubing at Optimist Hill, kick-sledding at Victoria Park, hiking at a local nature conservation area and riding a horse-drawn sleigh through Saskatoon's downtown river valley. On the day filmmaker Marzia Kamyabi shot her documentary, the group headed out for a few hours to a tobogganing hill. Hopkins, Wajahat and the participants were bundled up in heavy coats, mitts and toques to brave the -20 windchill. Everyone seemed to be having a great time as they zipped down the hill on colourful sleds. "I'm not such a great painter, not such a great musician," Hopkins said. "But this is one area in which I feel that I am pretty good at the art I create. I create experiences."
