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Nayab Secures Spot at Florida’s South Asian International Film Festival

Nayab

Umair Nasir Ali’s Nayab has earned a spot in the selection for the South Asian International Film Festival of Florida, according to the festival’s official website. The Pakistani film joins a collection of twenty-six films, including Shivani Mehra’s Me, Raani, Debra Gussin’s This Is Our Time, and Ram Kamal Mukherjee’s Binodiini.

Released in January last year, Nayab features Yumna Zaidi, Javed Sheikh, and Usama Khan in a sports drama that follows Yumna’s titular character on a coming-of-age journey.

“In the bustling heart of Karachi, a determined girl dreams of breaking stereotypes to play cricket for Pakistan, while her brother, a former rising star, struggles with his past. As they navigate the gritty world of local cricket, their unbreakable bond and the city’s turbulent history become their strongest allies in this deeply Pakistani tale of ambition, resilience, and family,” the synopsis reads.

Marking the film’s one-year anniversary, Umair took to Instagram to reflect on the achievement. “One year ago, Nayab became a monumental chapter in my journey as a filmmaker. My first feature film, a story that felt right, that resonated deeply,” he wrote.

He shared how the project allowed him to refine his craft as a narrative director, focus on shaping the storyline, work passionately with actors, and experience an emotionally fulfilling journey.

“I carried detailed notes for every actor, amplifying their strengths and guiding them to refine areas that needed nuance. Each day on set began with music, not just to set the tone but to block out distractions and focus entirely on execution,” he recalled.

Expressing gratitude for his team, he emphasized how each collaborator poured their heart into the project. “Nayab wasn’t just a film; it became a part of me. Over the past year, this film has traveled to places I could only dream of, shining across festivals worldwide.”

Umair concluded by thanking Vertical Cinema for creating a video to celebrate Nayab‘s one-year anniversary. “Moments like this remind me why we do what we do,” he wrote.

Also Read: Yumna Zaidi Promises to Win Against India in ‘Nayab’ Trailer

Films

Meher Bano emotional at Lali’s historic Berlinale debut

Meher Bano

“Overwhelmed and so emotional. Thank you Berlinale for the love. Tonight we celebrate Lali and the maestro behind it.”

With those words, actress Meher Bano captured a career defining moment as she stepped onto the global stage at the Berlin International Film Festival 2026.

The Pakistani star, who plays the wise and layered character of Bholi in Lali, has been documenting every second of the whirlwind experience from red carpet glam to behind the scenes chaos and fans back home can’t get enough.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, Lali has created history as the first all Pakistani feature to screen at Berlinale, premiering in the prestigious Panorama section.

Set in Sahiwal and described as a darkly comic fever dream, the film follows newlyweds Zeba and Sajawal as superstition, tragedy, and societal pressure collide in hauntingly poetic fashion.

But while the film was busy winning applause, Meher was quietly fighting a different battle Berlin fashion struggles.

In her social media updates, the actress candidly shared the chaos behind pulling together her festival looks in a foreign city. From last minute fittings to navigating freezing Berlin weather, it wasn’t all seamless glamour.

Yet, in true star style, she turned pressure into polish. For the big night, she wore a lovingly crafted custom ensemble by CollectedXX, embracing understated elegance with a distinctly Pakistani touch.

“I will be bombarding my page with Berlinale posts for the next few days, so bear with me,” she joked and seemingly no one’s complaining.

The premiere itself, held between February 14-19, marked an emotional milestone not just for the cast but for Pakistani cinema at large.

As cameras flashed and audiences responded warmly to the film’s bold storytelling, Meher’s pride was evident. Her tribute to the maestro behind it  Khoosat, reflected the collective effort that brought Lali to life.

The film also stars Mamya Shajaffar and Channan Hanif in leading roles, with a dynamic supporting cast including Rasti Farooq. Produced under Khoosat Films in collaboration with Enso Studios, the project’s soundtrack features music by Abdullah Siddiqui and Punjabi hip-hop artist Star Shah.

As Berlinale celebrations continue, one thing is clear, this isn’t just a festival appearance. It’s a defining chapter.

Meher Bano is a Pakistani actress, singer, and creative force known for her bold artistic choices and powerful screen presence.

Over the years, she has carved a niche for herself by taking on unconventional roles and speaking candidly about the realities of the entertainment industry.

Read more: Mehar Bano Breaks Silence on Harassment in Showbiz

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Pakistani Celebrities & Public Praise Haq

Haq is an Indian courtroom film that was released in cinemas in November 2025, after which it was uploaded on Netflix on January 2, 2026. The film quickly grabbed viewers’ attention across the globe, including Pakistan. The movie is written by Reshu Nath and directed by Suparn Verma. The cast features Yami Gautam Dhar as Shazia Bano and Emraan Hashmi as Advocate Mohammad Abbas Khan in the lead roles. The supporting cast includes Sheeba Chaddha, Vartika Singh, and Danish Husain. Inspired by the real-life 1985 Supreme Court judgment of Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum, the film explores an intense legal and personal struggle for women’s rights and maintenance within the framework of religious and civil law.

Yami Gautam’s movie Haq is receiving huge praise in Pakistan despite the recent conflict between the two nations. The recent Netflix release is being appreciated by Pakistani celebrities and viewers alike. Many praised Yami Gautam’s remarkable emotional performance. Fazila Qazi, Yasir Hussain, Maryam Noor, Dr. Ijaz Waris, and others lauded the film. Yasir Hussain called it a beautiful movie, while Fazila Qazi praised Yami Gautam’s impactful performance. Maryam Noor appreciated how beautifully the message was conveyed.

Pakistani viewers also loved the movie and extended generous praise. One viewer said, “Loved it. I watched it without blinking my eyes. A great movie that won every woman’s heart.” Another wrote, “It is not about them or us. If something is good and touches your heart, it should be appreciated.” A fan stated, “Same here! I wept many times. I usually do not watch Indian content, but this was meant to be watched.” Another Pakistani viewer wrote, “Beautiful movie and nicely portrayed by the entire cast. To be honest, in some scenes Yami reminded me of Benazir Bhutto, especially in the courtroom scenes.” However, a few viewers debated that there were some instances that were not close to Islamic teachings, such as the depiction of beating after divorce. Overall, they agreed that the film conveyed a strong and meaningful message.

 

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Films

Fahad Mustafa & Mahira Khan Unmask First ‘ALBM’ Glimpse

Fahad

Superstar Fahad Mustafa has set social media ablaze with the first cryptic look at his upcoming film ‘ALBM,’ confirming the full teaser featuring Mahira Khan will debut on January 3, 2026.

In an 11-second Instagram clip, the duo appears wearing striking red masks, staring intensely as the camera zooms in—fueling fan speculation about the mysterious plot and tone. Mustafa captioned the post: “Behind the masks are faces you know… and a story you don’t.”

The actor recently announced the wrap of filming, describing it as “months of passion, precision and storytelling,” and signaling the start of the promotional countdown. Fans flooded the comments, eagerly anticipating his on-screen reunion with Mahira Khan and predicting major buzz for Pakistani cinema.

While details remain tightly guarded, the film—written and directed by Bilal Altaf Khan, with comedian Tabish Hashmi in a key role—has already sparked industry talk of a possible Eid-ul-Azha release. For now, audiences can only anticipate the steady rollout of hints toward one of the year’s most awaited films.

Read more: Mahira and Fahad have finished shooting their new movie

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