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Pooja Bhatt reveals Mahesh Bhatt’s conversion claim in marriage

Pooja Bhatt

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Pooja Bhatt has made a significant revelation about her father and renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, stating that he converted to Islam in order to marry actress Soni Razdan.

In a conversation on a YouTube programme, Pooja Bhatt said she respects her father’s decisions and believes that truth and responsibility form the foundation of any relationship.

She questioned whether it is better to have a father who openly acknowledges his relationships or someone who leads a double life in secrecy.

According to her, Mahesh Bhatt began a new life with Soni Razdan but did not completely cut ties with her mother. She also claimed that in 1986, he embraced Islam for his second marriage so that he would not have to legally divorce his first wife.

Pooja Bhatt further said that one of her father’s qualities is his loyalty to relationships, adding that once he commits to someone, he does not easily let go.

Following her remarks, the statement has sparked debate on social media, with users sharing mixed reactions and opinions on the issue.

Fahad Mustafa opens up about the price of fame

Fahad Mustafa

KARACHI: Pakistani actor, host and producer Fahad Mustafa has spoken candidly about the emotional cost of fame, saying that success has brought him immense love but taken away much of his personal freedom and privacy.

In a recent television program, Fahad Mustafa said he can no longer live a normal life like ordinary people, as public outings have become difficult due to constant crowds of fans wherever he goes.

He added that he is now rarely invited to weddings, dinner parties or family gatherings because his presence tends to draw excessive attention and disrupt the environment of such events.

The actor also shared a personal reflection about his children, saying they no longer ask him to go out for dinners or outings as frequently because public places often become crowded, making it hard for the family to spend peaceful time together.

Fahad Mustafa said fame may appear glamorous from the outside, but it comes with sacrifices that only those living the life truly understand. He added that while success brings many rewards, it also takes away the comfort of private living.

The actor rose to massive popularity through his hit game show and has also earned widespread recognition for his performances in television dramas and films, establishing himself as one of Pakistan’s most successful entertainment figures.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan gets relief as court restores appeal in property case

Rahat Fateh Ali

LAHORE: Renowned Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been granted relief in a hereditary property dispute case after the Lahore High Court set aside a lower court’s decision to dismiss his appeal.

According to details, the Lahore High Court declared null and void the trial court’s ruling that had rejected the appeal due to non-payment of court fees.

Justice Muhammad Sajid Mehmood Sethi issued an eight-page detailed verdict in the case.

The court restored the singer’s appeal but directed him to deposit a penalty of Rs100,000.

The judgment stated that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan had filed a civil suit regarding possession of a double-storey house measuring one kanal and nine marla in Faisalabad. A civil court had ruled against him on May 14, 2019, after which he filed an appeal in the trial court.

The trial court dismissed the appeal on technical grounds, citing non-payment of Rs15,000 in court fees.

The Lahore High Court observed that dismissing an appeal solely on non-payment of fees violates the principles of justice and stressed that appeals should be decided on merit rather than technical grounds.

The court further noted that the appellant was given only four days to submit the court fee, which was insufficient, and emphasized that the right of appeal is a valuable legal right that cannot be denied on minor procedural lapses.

The High Court ordered the trial court to decide the appeal on merit within two months without unnecessary delay and directed all parties, including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, to appear before the relevant court on June 2.

Actress Meera throws challenge to Gen Z performers

Actress Meera

KARACHI: Veteran Pakistani actress Meera has challenged Generation Z actors, saying the younger generation cannot compete with senior stars of the Pakistani film industry.

Speaking during a podcast appearance, Meera openly discussed her professional career, memorable films and her upcoming movie projects.

Responding to a question about her favorite co-stars, the actress recalled fond memories of working with Babar Ali in the film Khoey Ho Tum Kahan, saying they shared many fun moments during filming.

She also mentioned the film Inteha, recalling her experience working alongside Samina Peerzada, Usman Peerzada, Zeeshan Sikandar and Humayun Saeed.

Meera said Inteha was her first film with Humayun Saeed and remains one of her memorable projects.

Addressing Gen Z performers, the actress said they should watch her film Psycho and try to make a better movie if they believe they can compete.

“Gen Z cannot compete with Meera,” she said, adding, “Compete with Meera and Shaan Shahid. I would like them to challenge us, and we would enjoy competing with them.”

Medical graduates who became film stars

Medical graduates

KARACHI: Several actresses in the entertainment industry achieved notable academic success before stepping into the world of acting.

Some of them earned medical degrees such as MBBS, while others specialized in demanding fields like dentistry. Their dedication, discipline, and hard work allowed them to stand out in education before later making a mark in film and television.

These journeys highlight that success in showbiz is not only driven by talent but also by strong educational backgrounds and perseverance.

Many of these actresses initially aspired to become doctors, but later transitioned into the entertainment industry. Among them are Sai Pallavi, Sreeleela, Manushi Chhillar, Shreya Sharma, Meenakshi Chaudhary, and Aditi Govitrikar.

Today, these actresses enjoy massive popularity and serve as inspiration for young people, showing that combining education with passion can lead to success in any field.

Marriage Rumours of Bilal Abbas Khan and Durefishan Saleem resurface

Marriage Rumours

KARACHI: Rumours regarding the alleged marriage of Pakistani actor Bilal Abbas Khan and actress Dur-e-Fishan Saleem have once again surfaced on social media, sparking excitement among fans.

The speculation gained momentum after the 30-year-old Bilal Abbas shared Instagram stories from Makkah.

Several Instagram pages claimed that both actors were in Makkah for Hajj and may have already tied the knot.

The rumours spread rapidly over the weekend, with fan pages and social media accounts widely sharing claims that the couple had been spotted in Saudi Arabia.

Some posts even suggested that Bilal Abbas and Durefishan Saleem had already performed Nikah, although neither actor has issued any confirmation or response regarding the claims.

This is not the first time such speculation has emerged. In 2025, similar rumours circulated about the two actors, which were previously dismissed by Durefishan Saleem, who said she prefers to respond to such claims by staying silent.

Nadia Khan sparks debate over children watching sacrifice rituals on Eid

Nadia Khan

LAHORE: Pakistani actress and host Nadia Khan has once again become the subject of social media debate following her recent remarks regarding Eid-ul-Azha practices.

During Eid celebrations, when Muslims around the world perform animal sacrifice as part of the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.), Nadia Khan suggested that parents should avoid exposing young children to the process.

She said that watching animals being slaughtered at a young age could make children insensitive toward animals, and therefore parents should exercise caution.

Following her statement, social media users were divided into two groups, with some supporting her viewpoint and agreeing that children’s psychological well-being should be considered.

One user shared an anecdote claiming that a child, after witnessing a sacrifice, once attempted to imitate the act during play.

However, many users strongly criticized Nadia Khan’s remarks, arguing that Eid-ul-Adha is deeply rooted in the religious story of the great sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) and Prophet Ismail (A.S.), and should be understood in its religious context.

Actor Nicolas Cage changes name to ‘Nick Cage’

Actor Nicolas Cage

Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage has revealed that he legally changed his name last year and is now officially known as “Nick Cage.”

Speaking to Variety, the Oscar-winning actor said he decided to fully embrace the Cage identity both professionally and personally.

“I am Nick Cage. I changed my name legally last year,” he said. “I’m Nick Cage in life, and I’m Nick Cage on camera.”

Born Nicolas Kim Coppola, Cage said he wanted to step away from the shadow of the famous Coppola family dynasty.

“‘Tis better to be the patriarch of my own little family than the clown cousin on the margins of someone else’s, so I decided I’m going to bring it on and be ‘Cage,’” he added.

The actor said he chose to keep the first name “Nicolas” because it was given to him by his father, although he joked about the French spelling of the name, which often leads people to incorrectly add an “h.”

Cage previously explained that his adopted surname was inspired by Marvel character Luke Cage and avant-garde composer John Cage.

“I decided, I don’t need this, and I changed it to Cage,” he earlier told Wired, describing the name as “short and sweet.”

Despite the legal change, the actor said he is comfortable with fans referring to him as either Nicolas Cage or Nick Cage.

The actor is currently preparing for upcoming projects including the series Spider-Noir and the NFL biopic Madden.

Meera shares behind the scenes detail of film ‘Psycho’ role

Meera shares

KARACHI: Senior actress Meera has revealed that the key role in the film Psycho was originally written by actor Shaan Shahid for himself before it was eventually given to her.

In a recent joint interview, Meera and Shaan Shahid discussed their film Psycho, which was released in cinemas under the banner of Geo Films.

Meera praised Shaan’s work in the film, saying he had made a strong production and that she still felt connected to her character.

“I am still in the character and now I want to come out of it,” she said, adding that she considers herself a director-actor and should not be cast without strong direction.

The actress also revealed that Shaan had originally planned to play the film’s central character himself.

Supporting her statement, Shaan Shahid confirmed that he had written the role for himself and had even imagined how he would portray a “psycho” character before deciding to pass it on to Meera.

The film Psycho was released recently and features an ensemble cast including Shaan Shahid, Sonia Hussain, Meera, Shabbir Jan and others.

Usman Peerzada opens up about national awards selection process

Usman Peerzada

KARACHI: Veteran Pakistani actor Usman Peerzada has expressed disappointment over the country’s national awards system, saying he now prays not to receive a state honor.

Speaking during a recent podcast appearance, Peerzada discussed his career, the arts industry and government recognition of artists.

The senior actor said his family has established a strong legacy in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. His wife, Samina Peerzada, was recently awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, while his father and brother had also received state honors in the past.

Despite his long and successful career, Peerzada said he has never been selected for a major national award and questioned why his contributions had been overlooked.

“Now I pray that I do not receive such an award,” he said, adding that questions are often raised about personal connections and influence behind the selection process.

His remarks sparked mixed reactions on social media, with many users praising his contributions to Pakistan’s entertainment industry and calling him deserving of national recognition.