Latest news with #YasirHussain


Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
When I watch Nora Fatehi on-screen, I forget about our item number: Yasir Hussain
Yasir Hussain is no stranger to speaking his truth off screen. Last month he shared his views on extra-marital affairs. Now, in an exclusive interview with Nukta Life, Yasir had some thoughts about 'item numbers' in Pakistani films. These are songs that feature a scantily clad "item girl" seductively dancing to provocative lyrics. The song itself usually has little to no link with the plot, the sole purpose being only to draw crowds to the theatre. Yasir pointed out this double standard where our culture indulges in item songs but widely disapproves it too. 'We first need to understand what our culture is. Is it the one before partition or is it after that?' he said. As Pakistani commercial films have taken off recently, many productions in Pakistani cinema feature an item number with A-list actors such as Ayesha Omar dancing in song Tutti Frutti and Saba Qamar twirling in Kalabaaz Dil. Yasir continued to elaborate on how this culture of watching dancing women goes back to the pre-partition era.'This did not start today,' he said. 'People have always paid to watch women dance so why not acknowledge that? Heeramandi has been around since the Mughal era so there is nothing new about it. We closed all of this down in the 80s but it has sprouted back again in the form of these songs.' He mentioned how item songs were featured in olden Pakistani films. ' If you watch old movies, you see madam Noor Jehan singing item songs and actresses dancing. It wasn't a big deal.' he said. 'How did it suddenly disappear from our screens? Did we experience a shift in our culture or did we go back in time.' Expressing his own stance, he said ,'I don't like item numbers in Pakistan. The reason for that is when I watch Nora Fatehi on screen, I forget about Pakistani item numbers. I can't drop my standards that low.' To improve these songs, Yasir had a piece of advice for Pakistani filmmakers. 'If you want to make item numbers, then make them of the same level. You can't be trying to create boundaries and want to see women dance too,' he said. Finally, the actor suggested that if filmmakers insist on adding them, there should be regulations around them. 'What the government can do is charge heavy taxes on them so at least it benefits us,' he said. 'You can't really close them.' Despite the criticism and hate directed towards the artists, it cannot be denied that the locally produced item numbers rack upto millions of views on YouTube.


Express Tribune
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Yasir Hussain calls out 'elitist' Karachi restaurant
Actor and director Yasir Hussain has raised his voice against discriminatory treatment reported at some of Karachi's upscale clubs and restaurants, where patrons wearing traditional attire are allegedly being denied service. In an Instagram Story posted on Friday, Hussain responded to reports that a man was turned away from a restaurant in Karachi for wearing shalwar kameez, the national dress of Pakistan. "There is increasing disrespect towards shalwar kameez. This drama has started in many clubs and fine-dining restaurants," he wrote, labelling them as "Wannabe Angrez." Actor Mishi Khan also publicly criticised the same establishment. In a video posted on her Instagram, she said, "I am shocked. Can you believe they called our national dress cheap? We're running on foreign funding, paying double the debt, we lack jobs and resources, and just look at their attitude! As if they're from Switzerland!" The outrage is justified, as she questions what exactly these people deem as appropriate dress: "What are we supposed to wear now? Should we wear bikinis or hot pants just to be allowed in? I will definitely find out which restaurant this is, and I will reveal its name to you." This controversy involved a man reportedly identified as Advocate Abdul Latif, who alleged that he was turned away and that the staff told him, "We don't serve pendus," using a derogatory term for rural or unfashionable people. Latif said that after facing humiliation, he sent a legal notice to the restaurant, but the administration has yet to respond. He has now approached the Consumer Court, seeking action against the restaurant. The shalwar kameez is Pakistan's national dress and a cultural symbol. Yet, private venues enforcing Western dress codes have sparked debate over class-based discrimination and cultural erasure. Hussain pointedly remarked that venue owners have adopted an attitude towards traditional dress similar to their attitude towards Urdu. The matter has drawn public backlash. Social media users have demanded identification and a boycott of the restaurant. One user wrote, "Truly boycott such restaurants — they will remember their place. Speak to them in their own language, and they will stay within their limits." Another user echoed, "Agreed. We should take a stand on this!"


Express Tribune
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Yasir Hussain slams discrimination at elite Karachi restaurant
Actor and director Yasir Hussain has raised his voice against discriminatory treatment reported at some of Karachi's upscale clubs and restaurants, where patrons wearing traditional attire are allegedly being denied service. In an Instagram Story posted on Friday, Hussain responded to reports that a man was turned away from a restaurant in Karachi for wearing shalwar kameez, the national dress of Pakistan. 'There is increasing disrespect towards shalwar kameez. This drama has started in many clubs and fine-dining restaurants,' he wrote, labelling them as 'Wannabe Angrez.' Actor Mishi Khan also publicly criticised the same establishment. In a video posted on her Instagram, she said, 'I am shocked. Can you believe they called our national dress cheap? We're running on foreign funding, paying double the debt, we lack jobs and resources, and just look at their attitude! As if they're from Switzerland!' The outrage is justified, as she questions what exactly these people deem as appropriate dress: 'What are we supposed to wear now? Should we wear bikinis or hot pants just to be allowed in? I will definitely find out which restaurant this is, and I will reveal its name to you.' This controversy involved a man reportedly identified as Advocate Abdul Latif, who alleged that he was turned away and that the staff told him, 'We don't serve pendus,' using a derogatory term for rural or unfashionable people. Latif said that after facing humiliation, he sent a legal notice to the restaurant, but the administration has yet to respond. He has now approached the Consumer Court, seeking action against the restaurant. The shalwar kameez is Pakistan's national dress and a cultural symbol. Yet, private venues enforcing Western dress codes have sparked debate over class-based discrimination and cultural erasure. Hussain pointedly remarked that venue owners have adopted an attitude towards traditional dress similar to their attitude towards Urdu. The matter has drawn public backlash. Social media users have demanded identification and a boycott of the restaurant. One user wrote, 'Truly boycott such restaurants — they will remember their place. Speak to them in their own language, and they will stay within their limits.' Another user echoed, 'Agreed. We should take a stand on this!' Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.


BBC News
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sandwell & Birmingham Mela to host 150 artists in Smethwick
More than 150 artists are due at the "biggest South Asian music festival in Europe", organisers have & Birmingham Mela, which was established in 2011, is expected to attract more than 50,000 people to Victoria Park in Smethwick on 19 and 20 July. Sunanda Sharma and Harshdeep Kaur - who both made their debut performances at the event as headliners last year - are due to return alongside another confirmed act, Yasir Hussain. Music, dance, food, arts and crafts "bring the sights, sounds and spicy aromas of South Asia" to the park, organisers said. They added that the event would feature some of the "biggest names from the overseas entertainment scene with home-grown talent from across UK".Planned activities include arts, crafts and dance workshops, as well as "street theatre" and "walkabouts".There will also be a funfair and "world food cuisine" from about 30 outlets. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.


Express Tribune
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Pakistani celebrities use satire to mock India's social media ban
Listen to article Several Pakistani celebrities have spoken out after discovering that their Instagram profiles have been blocked in India, following a government request reportedly linked to rising tensions between the two countries after the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Indian users attempting to access these accounts are now met with a restriction notice stating: 'Your user is unavailable in India because of a legal request, we have to restrict access to your user.' Actors including Yasir Hussain, Aijaz Aslam, Sajal Aly, and others reacted with humour and criticism on social media. Mansha Pasha reposted the access warning and commented on how swiftly the ban was implemented. Ushna Shah light-heartedly blamed her account's restriction on her tendency to share Pakistan-India memes. Comedian Ali Gul Pir addressed his Indian audience directly, encouraging them to use VPNs. Content creator Arslan Naseer jokingly called out Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: 'Modi bro you banned me in India? What's next? Will you complain to my Ammi?' Some responses were more pointed. Actor Zhalay Sarhadi called the move 'desperate' and questioned its effectiveness. 'By banning, what are you trying to prove? Are you scared or something?' she asked, also highlighting the availability of VPN tools. Other artists, such as Mishi Khan and Hina Altaf, also joined the conversation through skits and Instagram reels, mocking the ban and its broader implications for cultural expression.