Dramas
‘The Glassworker’ Makes History As Pakistan’s First Animated Submission To Oscars

Pakistan’s first-ever hand-drawn animated feature film, ‘The Glassworker’ written by Usman Riaz, has been selected for the animated films category among other eligible flicks for the 97th Academy Awards.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Thursday that 31 animated features, 169 documentaries, and 85 international films stand eligible for Oscar nominations this year, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
A production of Geo Films in collaboration with Mano Animation Studios, The Glassworker’s inclusion as the first animated submission to the Oscars from Pakistan marks a historic moment for the country.
In the animated feature category, the film finds itself competing with industry giants such as Pixar’s Inside Out 2, already celebrated as the highest-grossing animated film of all time, and DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot.
Other significant contenders include Kung Fu Panda 4, Despicable Me 4, and the Japanese entry Kensuke’s Kingdom.
‘The Glassworker’ took 10 years in the making and was critically acclaimed by enthralled viewers for every filmmaking aspect — from storytelling and cinematography to music, composing, art, animation, and voice-over performances.
It takes the viewers through the story of a young boy named “Vincent” and his father “Tomas”, running a fine glass workshop in the country. That is when they find their lives uprooted by an impending war in which they do not want to participate.
Earlier, the film was officially selected for the 2025 Oscars in the International Feature Film category, alongside entries from 84 nations, including India’s Laapata Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao.
Palestine’s submission, From Ground Zero, has also secured a place on the list.
This year’s competition features several critically acclaimed works, such as France’s Emilia Pérez, Germany’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig, and Brazil’s I’m Still Here.
The shortlists for these categories are set to be revealed on 17 December, narrowing the field before the final nominations, which will be announced on 23 January 2025.
Dramas
Sajal Aly & Ameer Gilani Reunite On-Screen Again

Sajal Aly and Ameer Gilani will star together in the upcoming drama Zanjeerain, written by acclaimed screenwriter Farhat Ishtiaq.
Currently filming in Islamabad, the project is already generating online buzz—especially after a behind-the-scenes video surfaced showing Sajal in a striking red bridal outfit.
While fans eagerly anticipate the drama, the casting has drawn mixed reactions. Many viewers celebrated Sajal’s return to the screen, calling her the “Akshay Kumar of our industry” for her frequent appearances.
However, others questioned Ameer Gilani’s casting opposite Sajal, doubting whether he has the screen presence to match her star power. Comments ranged from playful jabs to critiques about industry favoritism and repeated casting of underwhelming male leads.
Some fans defended Ameer’s potential but voiced frustration with how casting decisions often seem tied to popularity or personal connections rather than merit. Others hoped Sajal would embrace more varied looks and roles in future projects.
Also Read: Asif Raza Mir on Working with Sajal Aly Post Sajal and Ahad Split
Dramas
Mawra Hocane & Talha Chahour in New Project — What’s Brewing?

Just when fans start growing tired of repetitive drama plots, Sarwat Nazir steps in to refresh the screen with something bold and engaging. Renowned for her emotionally rich storytelling, she consistently delivers depth and new characters — and her latest work is no exception.
Her current drama Dastak, starring Sohai Ali Abro, Feroz Kadri, and Ali Raza, is already generating buzz with its raw take on sensitive issues. But Sarwat isn’t stopping there.
She’s now bringing Jama Taqseem, which features a fresh pairing — Mawra Hocane and Talha Chahour. Talha recently returned to screens after Jannat Se Aagay, appearing in an Eid telefilm with Sabeena Farooq. Meanwhile, Mawra is currently starring in Agar Tum Saath Ho, which has received mixed reviews.
Set to air on HUM TV during prime time, Jama Taqseem is directed by Ali Hassan, known for Fairytale and Meem Se Mohabbat. If you loved the romantic aesthetics of those shows, this one could be your next favorite.
With her signature balance of meaning and relatability, Sarwat Nazir’s Jama Taqseem — a title hinting at division, justice, or sharing — promises another layered, thoughtful drama. While the full cast and release date are still under wraps, everything about the project signals something worth waiting for.
Also Read: Mawra Hocane Slams Harshvardhan Rane: ‘Don’t Use War for Personal Gain’
Dramas
Director Musaddiq Malek On How He Would Have Executed Dayan

Musaddiq Malek is an emerging Pakistani television director who began his career as an assistant director for Six Sigma Productions. He assisted Jawani Phir Nahi Aani, Mere Paas Tum Ho and many other popular dramas. Musaddiq got praise for directing two hit dramas Habs and Noor Jahan. He has also co-directed drama serial Farrar. The director has acted in multiple hit shows including Alif, Mere Paas Tum Ho and Noor Jahan. He will soon be seen in ARY Digital’s mega project Main Manto Nahi Hoon.
This week, Musaddiq Malek hosted 24 News HD’s drama review show Kya Drama Hai. During the show, he revealed that he is watching the drama serial Dayan with interest and that Mehwish Hayat is his all-time favourite star. He also discussed the changes that could make Dayan more intriguing.
In response to Atiqa Odho’s question, “You are the director yourself — how would you have executed Dayan?”, Musaddiq said, “First of all, I would have cast someone else in place of Mehwish for first half, to make it more believable, or I would have given her prosthetics that would not make her look so adorable in others’ eyes — because we loved Nihal since the very begining. I would have made her look different. Also, how can eyesight be fixed through plastic surgery? Okay, LASIK can also be done but it could have been done differently because the story had a commercial Maula Jatt-style feel so it had to be hit however it needed more realism. The story is perfect, but it could have been given a different, more modern approach — like a Gen Z style.”
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