Connect with us

Interviews

Khaled Anam Laments Decline in Muharram’s Sanctity

Khaled Anam

Veteran actor Khaled Anam openly criticized how people now commemorate the tragedy of Karbala, arguing that Muharram has lost its sanctity and become a commercial event.

Speaking on the Off The School podcast, Anam lamented the shift from tradition, saying, “When finances enter the equation, things take a different direction.” He pointed out that some people who forbid music have no issue adding drum machine beats to naats and nohas. “These are not tunes!” he stressed.

He noted that senior artists no longer guide juniors, and juniors, in turn, reject any mentorship. “They just say they’re earning millions on YouTube and know better,” he added. Anam criticized the current trend of stylized Muharram videos, saying, “This is not a film!”

Recalling the past, he praised the respectful tone of PTV’s Muharram programming, where presenters wore black sherwanis and maintained solemnity. He contrasted that with the current culture: “Karbala and Muharram have become just another event — like Ramazan transmissions — with albums released just for the occasion.”

He criticized record labels for dictating what naats get recorded and condemned the glamourization of mourning. “You can’t blow-dry your hair and wear full makeup to perform a noha with theatrical gestures,” he said, gesturing in frustration.

Summing up his views, Anam declared, “People need to make the occasion meaningful without losing its message. The sanctity has been lost.”

Also Read: Bilal Qureshi on age gap in marriage and importance of respect

Interviews

Usama Khan Says it’s Easier to Marry Before 25

Usama Khan

Usama Khan recently appeared on the popular talk show Hasna Mana Hai, where he opened up about his personal life in a candid conversation with host Tabish Hashmi.

When asked about his marriage plans, the actor said that although he is ready for marriage and has already informed his family, he has not yet found the right partner. Sharing his perspective, he remarked that it is easier for a person to get married before the age of 25, but it becomes more difficult later in life.

His honest views on relationships struck a chord with audiences, offering a glimpse into his thoughtful and grounded personality.

Born on November 22, 1991, in Gujranwala, Punjab, Usama Khan is one of Pakistan’s emerging television stars. Before joining the entertainment industry, he completed his ACCA qualification and worked in the corporate sector. He began his acting career in 2017 and gained recognition for his role as Tabrez in the drama serial Sanwari, which earned him the Hum Award for Best Soap Actor. Since then, he has appeared in several successful dramas, becoming known for his versatility, charm, and natural screen presence.

The discussion on Hasna Mana Hai gave fans a deeper look at the man behind the roles, reflecting his sincerity and balanced approach to both career and personal life.

Read more: Usama Khan Shares the Question That Annoys Him Most

Continue Reading

Interviews

“No Need to Explain”: Atif Aslam on Post-Dad-Death Performance Backlash

Atif Aslam
Atif Aslam

Atif Aslam does not feel the need to explain his decisions to the world. In a recent interview with journalist Faridoon Shahryar on YouTube show Connect Cine this week, the singer opened up about the backlash he received over performing just two days after his father’s death. In the same interview, he recalled his journey as an artist and acknowledged the love he has received from Bollywood.

“I heard people saying that my father passed away and I was still performing the next day,” he said. “They were trying to make their channel run at my expense, making commentary about if I should have gone or not.”

The singer’s father passed away in August and he shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. Requesting everyone to remember him and his family in their prayers, he posted a picture kissing his father on the cheek and wrote, “A final goodbye to my Iron Man. Rest in peace Abu jee.”

He took the stage at Karachi’s National Stadium for a packed Independence Day concert just two days after. Many praised his professionalism and ability to perform under personal loss. However, the singer received criticism for going ahead with the show despite the circumstances.

“Atif Aslam has enough influence to cancel any show if he truly wanted. This is not a sacrifice for Pakistan, it’s a choice and it’s clearly for money, not for the nation.” wrote one Instagram user, echoing the voice of many others. 

Responding to this backlash, Atif said in the interview, “My job is not to tell the haters not to do it. I can’t build a relationship with the whole world. I can’t explain to each and every person what my circumstances were. My job is to make art. Like me for my art, hate me for my music. Don’t tell me what to do.”

The singer remembered the connection his father shared with his music. “I’ve never seen my father cry,” he said. “But when he heard me sing Taj Dar-e-Haram on Coke Studio for the first time, he cried. I remember The Sabri Brothers version of the qawwali used to play on TV at 7am and then at 12pm and he would make us all watch it. I didn’t understand it at that time. Later on, I realised what it is and the kind of connection he shared with it.”

With classic Pakistani songs like Meri Kahani, Hum Kis Gali Ja Rahe and Hona Tha Pyar, the Dil Diyan Gallan singer made sure to acknowledge his influence in Bollywood too. “I miss Bollywood,” he said. “It has been eight to ten years since I last worked there. I miss performing there, I miss being in the studio, I miss my friends, the music composers. I’m really happy that the industry has come a long way and I’m happy to see it thriving.”

Atif feels immense gratitude for the love he has received from their fraternity. “If I talk about Pakistan, we don’t have many stars,” he said. “Our industry is not as big as Bollywood. But out of the few there are, God chose me and made me shine in the big jungle that is Bollywood. I can’t thank Him enough.”

He reflected on his journey as a musician too. “You need to be a rebel to be an artist,” he said. “You should know your strengths and weaknesses. You need to keep working on them. I am a stage animal, not a studio artist. When I go on stage, I forget what is happening in the world.”

Crediting his father as his source of inspiration, the singer said, “A person who has lost his father is not afraid of losing anything else. That’s where the rebel in me comes from.”

Also Read: Kareena Kapoor Picks Atif Aslam Over Ali Zafar; Fans Cheer Her Choice

Continue Reading

Interviews

Hina Bayat Highlights Mobile Phone Side-Effects

Hina Bayat

Veteran actress Hina Khawaja Bayat has voiced concern over how people often intrude into celebrities’ personal lives.

Speaking on Dunya TV’s Mazaq Raat, she called such behavior unfair, pointing out that actors are human and vulnerable to harsh criticism.

While she welcomed constructive feedback on her work, she urged the public to refrain from making personal attacks.

Hina also discussed the isolating impact of mobile phones, observing how technology has replaced real-life connection.

“You’ll see four people sitting together, each lost in their own phone. They don’t talk — they text each other instead,” she noted.

She warned that while mobile phones are useful, overdependence on them can feel like an illness.

Reflecting on changing family dynamics, she recalled how guests were once greeted with warmth and priority in her household — a tradition she feels has faded.

Today, she said, people often view unannounced guests as disruptions, with concerns like children’s studies taking precedence.

Hina also revealed that she never intended to pursue acting. Though she received advertising offers during college, her father disapproved. It was only after encouragement from Sultana Siddiqui that she accepted a drama role — a decision that launched her acting career.

Also Read: Munazzah Arif And Hina Bayat Discuss Different Aspects Ruining Relationships

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright © 2025 PMC Media Group.