Celebrities
Sarmad Khoosat Delves into Dark Comedy, Discusses Manto’s Lasting Influence on Upcoming Project

In an illuminating conversation with Khaleej Times, filmmaker and actor Sarmad Khoosat embarked on a journey to unveil the profound legacy of the legendary Saadat Hasan Manto. The interview delved into the intricate details of Manto’s enduring influence on Khoosat’s work.
With a keen and candid perspective, Khoosat skillfully navigated the intricate terrain of Manto’s literary brilliance, offering a captivating insight into the profound influence that this unparalleled maestro of words has wielded on the acclaimed filmmaker’s artistic journey.
Stumbling upon what he termed as frequent “snide remarks” urging him to “Aur bano Manto” (Become another Manto), Khoosat serendipitously discovered the literary genius. Recounting this fateful discovery, he shared, “While living in temporary quarters due to a house fire, I chanced upon Manto in my dad’s collection. Reading him left me dumbstruck that such scandalous literature existed in Urdu.”
Lasting Legacy of Manto For Sarmad Khoost
Khoosat further revealed, “I went to a boy’s school and had an English education but Manto stayed within me quietly, though, in college we discussed him animatedly.” Commending the invaluable contributions of the esteemed writer, the filmmaker eloquently expressed, “Manto wrote unfiltered that could sometimes sound crude but he struck at the heart of the problem and broke all stereotypes of gender, religion, biases and class.”
Khoosat, expressing a profound connection, actively embraces adapting tales from the literary genius Manto. He sheds light on his creative journey, emphasizing the meaningful relationship forged with Manto’s family.
“For TV, I had adapted a Manto story called Harnaam Kaur and his daughter found my number and called me,” Khoosat shared. “First she was angry that the channel hadn’t called her. Then we got talking and I went over for chai and bonded with his three daughters. His middle daughter Nusrat has worked with Ayesha Jalal. Whenever I perform Manto, the girls have front-row seats and attend with their families. In fact, they encouraged me with my other work as well and loved Kamli.”
In 2013, Khoosat’s cinematic exploration of Manto’s life aligned with Indian actor and filmmaker Nandita Das’s biopic starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Despite simultaneous timelines, Khoosat emphasized the uniqueness of each cinematic endeavour. The convergence of these narratives resulted in a meaningful encounter between Khoosat and Nandita at a Rekhta event in Delhi, where they discussed their respective works.
Shedding light on the same, Khoosat stated, “I want to do a dark comedy with an actress I haven’t worked with in a long time.” He added, “An artist is always ridden with self-doubt. But over the years, I have realised there is a loyal audience for my work. Thanks to them and Manto, my journey has just got more interesting and I have found a stronger voice.”
Also Read: Sarmad Khoosat Trying his best to save Zindagi Tamasha
Celebrities
Aymen Saleem Slams Drama for ‘Rope Scene’ Romanticising Abuse

Actress Aymen Saleem has spoken out against the troubling portrayal of abuse in a recent drama, calling it out for romanticising harmful behaviour in the name of storytelling.
Taking to Instagram, Aymen posted a strong statement criticising the way a female character was shown tied up with ropes by her husband a scene that was framed with romantic music and gestures. Without naming the drama, she expressed her deep concern over how such content is being normalised.
In a powerful Instagram story, she said, “Enough is enough. I’m deeply disturbed by the way a recent drama is portraying abuse tying up a woman with ropes, showing it in romantic or bold light, and then normalising it as part of a love story.”
She criticised how such scenes are being packaged as entertainment and said this trend is harmful, not harmless fiction. “This isn’t entertainment. It’s dangerous storytelling,” she added.
Aymen pointed out that women in Pakistan already face many struggles within marriage including patriarchy, emotional and physical abuse, and societal pressure. In such a reality, media has a major responsibility.
She wrote that dramas should promote relief, strength, and progress not show harmful acts as expressions of love. “We’ve made strides in showcasing strong, self-aware female leads and breaking generational curses. Why are we slipping back?” she asked.
Aymen Saleem’s Key Take
Calling for change, she urged writers, producers, channels, and especially actors to be mindful about the stories they support and choose.
“This is not just fiction – this shapes culture,” Aymen warned.She ended by reminding everyone that scenes like these do not reflect love they only make abuse look normal.
Aymen’s statement has sparked conversations across social media, with many supporting her stance and calling for more responsible storytelling in Pakistani television.
Also Read: Aymen Saleem Slams Trolls for Criticizing Kubra & Gohar’s Wedding
Celebrities
Danish Taimoor Basks in Success of ‘Mann Mast Malang’ Despite Backlash Over Controversial Content

In a week where criticism roared louder than applause, Danish Taimoor stood tall — not in defiance, but in triumph; the popular actor is riding high on the unprecedented success of his drama serial Mann Mast Malang, which has claimed the second spot among Pakistan’s most-watched shows this week, even as debates swirl around its controversial themes.
While the drama has come under scrutiny for what many consider a troubling glorification of toxic relationships, audiences appear to be tuning in with persistent interest. The storyline’s bold portrayal of possessiveness and masculinity has sparked widespread concern among critics and celebrities alike; many have raised red flags over how Mann Mast Malang walks the tightrope between intense romance and psychological abuse, and whether it crosses a dangerous line.
Despite this, the numbers speak volumes; Taimoor recently took to Instagram to share a celebratory poster, revealing jaw-dropping viewership stats: 25 million views for his new drama Sher, and a solid 15 million for Mann Mast Malang. Captioning the post with a telling statement—“1st“ and 2nd. Success does not need a spotlight. It speaks loud and clear.” — He made it clear that his focus remains on audience response, not controversy.
On one hand, Danish’s starrer is being dissected by critics for promoting regressive narratives. On the other hand, it is dominating the charts, outperforming even family-oriented serials with socially responsible themes.
Read more: Danish Taimoor Under Fire: Is Mann Mast Malang Crossing the Line of Cultural Integrity?
Celebrities
Mahira Khan’s Prayer Sparks Online Debate

Mahira Khan, who along with co-star Humayun Saeed is currently busy promoting their upcoming film “Love Guru,” slated for release on June 6, had an awkward moment when she asked fans to pray for her film’s success, leading to her being trolled on social media.
The film’s trailer was unveiled last month, along with several songs that have been well received by audiences. The duo has already promoted the film in the US, UK, and UAE and are now engaged in a nationwide promotional campaign in Pakistan.
It should be noted that the film’s trailer was recently screened on the digital billboards at Times Square in New York City.
Recently, the stars appeared at a promotional event where Mahira Khan, while speaking to the media, urged fans to collectively pray for the film’s success. During the same event, Humayun Saeed praised director Nadeem Baig, calling him the best in the country—though he humorously noted that Baig still charges him full fees.
Mahira Khan also expressed her hope that Love Guru earns more than one billion rupees. Addressing the audience, she asked everyone to say “Ameen” to her prayer and proposed a group prayer for the film’s success.
A video of Mahira’s heartfelt appeal has gone viral, sparking a wave of reactions on social media. While many found the moment endearing, some critics took a swipe at the actress for asking for prayers over box office earnings.
Here’s how the netizens reacted:
Also Read: Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar Replies To Mahira Khan’s Latest Statement
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