IFLIX SIGNS WITH PAKISTAN’S TOP NETWORK, HUM TV

IFLIX, the world’s leading Internet TV service has announced a licensing deal with Hum TV, Pakistan’s most established and acclaimed 24-hour entertainment TV channel, and soon to launch in Pakistan.

iflix members in Pakistan will soon be able to watch Hum TV’s most popular and award-winning dramas, including Bin Roye, Udaari, Mann Mayal, Zara Yaad Kar, Pakeeza, Gul-e-Rana, Maan, Kaisay Tum Se Kahoon, Qaid-e-Tanhai, Vasl and many more. In the coming months, it will continue to add more of Hum TV’s best dramas, with all the time audience favorites including Humsafar, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Sanam, Diyar-e-Dil, Sadqay Tumhare, Dil-e-Muztar, Meray Qatil Meray Dildar, Man-o-Salwa, Shanakht, Kadoorat, and many more.

While announcing, James Bridges (iflix Group Chief Content Officer) stated,

“We are deeply committed to localization, and this landmark partnership with Hum TV is a testament to that promise. We are thrilled to add so many of Hum TV’s most popular and award-winning beloved, local dramas to our vast library of top international and regional content, as a part of our promise to deliver the best and widest selection of TV shows and movies from all over the world to our members.”

Hassan Jawed (Chief Strategy Officer of Hum Network Limited) commented,

“Our collaboration with iflix exhibits our commitment to promoting quality entertainment content globally. As part of this commitment, we have focused on digital media to make our content easily accessible to our global target audience. We are confident that iflix will prove to be a key strategic partner for us in the years to come.”

iflix is currently available in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Brunei, and will continue to spread its world-class service to emerging markets in the coming months.  It offers consumers a vast library of top Hollywood, Asian regional, and local TV shows and movies including many first run exclusives and award winning programs. iflix subscribers can also download TV shows and movies from iflix’s extended index for offline viewing.

iflix

Rise & Fall of Pakistan Drama Industry – PDI

There was a time when Pakistani dramas were considered as the best dramas of sub-continent. Pakistan Drama Industry (PDI) started in 1960s and since the beginning of television, PTV was the only channel to produced Pakistani dramas, and the 1st ever super hit drama was “Khuda Ki Basti” which went on air on PTV in 1969.

After that many super hit dramas were produced including 50-50, Alif Noon, Sona Chandi, Aangan Tehra, Ankahi, Dhoop Kinare, Sunehray Din, and Alpha Bravo Charlie among others.

Surely, it was the rise of PDI, and the golden era of PTV that produced such super hit dramas which made records in the history of Pakistan. But unfortunately, PDI became commercialized after 1990s; and not only forget to produced such quality dramas, but also lost their level at which they were during the decades of 1970s, 80s, & 90s.

It was the downfall of our industry. But soon PEMRA issued licenses to many private channels, and the channels took responsibility to get theirs level back.

And finally HUM TV took one step forward to bring back PDI at their rise. And produced such amazing dramas which not only played a major role to bring our industry level back at rise but also made new records. Humsafar, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Dastaan, Mera Naseeb, Kankar, Durr e Shehwar, and Dil e Muztar were the dramas which set new records in the drama history of our country.

Now a days, Pakistani dramas are being produced on not only typical themes but also promoting Indian culture in our dramas. And producers are crossing all the limits for the sake of TRPs by broadcasting bold scenes, and adopting Western & Indian culture etc. It seems our industry is going to suffer downfall once again.

If our industry stop showing Indian culture in our dramas, and start promoting our own culture, then our industry will not go at rise but also our culture will be highly promoted across the world.

Gul-e-Daudi Premiere – A Tribute to Madam Noor Jahan

EMI Pakistan Ltd. held an exclusive premier of “Gul-e-Daudi (The Chrysanthemum), in tribute to Madam Noor Jehan”, on 25th November at Cinepax Cinema, Karachi.

The 15-minute film was directed by Umar Riaz. It was a fictional story based on the music of Madam Noor Jehan that had been selected from EMI Pakistan’s archives.

While talking about the film, Mr. Zeeshan Chaudary (General Manager of EMI Pakistan) said,

“We are pleased to be part of this initiative, the life and art of Madam Noor Jehan is filled with joy, love and splendid music. This short film is an effort to reminisce the golden era of Pakistan’s music industry with fresh techniques of audio and visual representation.”

He further added,

“With this we have tried to give audience a feel of the original music keeping in mind the requirements of state of the art studio and visual appeal for the audience. This film will take you back to the era of the melodious singer, who not just conquered the heart of millions but made history in subcontinent with her work.”

The event was attended by Ms. Aliya Iqbal Naqvi along with a group of panelists including Mr. Hameed Haroon (Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt.) Limited), Mr. Umar Riaz (Director of Gul-e-Daudi), Mr. Arshad Mahmud (Director Programmes and Administration), NAPA and Ms. Tina Sani among socialites, press, media, and bloggers

The film screening was followed by a discussion session among the panelists, and Question-Answer session was hosted by the director of the film to discuss the story and efforts of the production team.

Here are pictures from the premiere of Gul-e-Daudi.

1st ever ‘Sindh Literature Festival – SLF’

Sindh is one of the province of Pakistan. It has an importance because of its historical heritages, poets, Sufi singers, art, literature, and architecture among others. The culture of the Sindh is one of the traditional, and most colorful culture, and people of the Sindh love their culture from their heart and soul.

The first ever Sindh Literature Festival (SLF) was held on 4th to 6th November in Karachi. The most important reason behind organizing this festival was to promote Sindhi Culture, Sindhi Language, and to attract the Sindhi people throughout the country.

The three-day festival was formally inaugurated when Sufi singer Abida Parveen cut a ribbon alongside SLF chairperson Abdullah Hussain Haroon.

The three days festival was truly amazing, knowledgeable, interactive, and worth attending. It was divided into sessions i.e. book stalls, exhibition area, and food area among others.

When Abida Parveen went on stage and gave her soulful performance, the audience became crazy. From beginning to end, her performance grabbed the hearts of audience.

The second day of the festival included Book Launching session by Sindhi writers, Speaking session on different topics i.e. Literary and Intellectual tendencies of contemporary Sindhi literature, the economic Development in Sindh: Vision and Mystery, Languages in a Globalizing World, Journalism: New trends, Impact of visual media on society, etc. Mushaairo session and Music session. In which Natasha Baig gave her energetic performance, which made youth energetic, and they started dancing.

It also included live paintings, which were being painted by the painters of the Sindh and Karachi.

The third day of the festival also included Book Launching session by Sindhi writers, Speaking session on different topics i.e. Sindhi Electronic Media: Positives and Negatives, Science literature in Sindhi Language, Archaeological importance of Karachi, Modern Trends in Music, Print Media in modern age, etc. and Mushairo session among others.

In the end, I would like to say, it was taken such a great initiative to promote the culture, language, art and literature of Sindh.

Here are some pictures from Sindh Literature Festival.

Mahira Khan is all set to comeback fromVerna

Mahira Khan, who is one of the most talented, charming and an amazing Pakistani actress, and popularly known for her incredible acting skills. She gave her debut from the film Bol, and now after 5 years, she is all set to comeback from the film Verna.

The man who is credited for the revival of Pakistani cinema, is all set for a comeback. After the blockbusters like Bol and Khuda Ke Liye, ready to give another blockbuster Verna. Yes, I’m talking about one of the brilliant Pakistani director, none other than Shoaib Mansoor. Who himself has written, and will direct his upcoming film Verna, under his banner SHOMAN Productions.

While talking about the film, actress Mahira Khan revealed,

“Well, I think the whole journey now would be very different. My part in Bol was small and also my first ever acting experience. I was nervous but I was carefree, enjoying my time on set with the kids who played my brother and sisters. When Shoaib Sahab called me after five years this time and told me the story, I knew I’d be challenged as an actor.”

On announcing his next film, director Shoaib Mansoor stated,

“This film is being made by a man of Pakistan, to urge the men of the world to listen to women. It will encourage women to speak up. Khuda ke liye bol verna…”

Sultana Siddiqui, President HUM Network said,

“We at HUM are very happy to have signed up as distributors for Shoaib Mansoor’s film Verna. He is a brilliant director and his views on subjects that are close to our hearts as well, are similar. Shoaib’s films are commercial but at the same time focus on topics that carry a strong message.”

She further said,

“We’re hopeful that this film will be even more successful than his previous ones.”

The film is expected to release on Eid-ul-Fitr 2017.