SHE’S NOTIMEKEEPER

Nicole Scherzinger has revealed that she is never on time and is always running late for everything. Scherzinger says that poor timekeeping is one of her worst traits and says that she even missed a one-to-one with the Dalai Lama due to being late. Speaking to The Mail on Sunday's Event magazine, the singer said: "I'm always late. I miss the most important things. "Just recently in LA I was due to meet with the Dalai Lama — we were going to sit down and have a one-to-one — I'd even found out that he gives you a special scarf when you meet. But I missed him." However, it was not a total disaster for the singer as she was not too untimely to miss the whole of the renowned monk's speech, but admitted she was frustrated with herself for being unnecessarily delayed and missing their slot to have a conversation. She continued: "I got there to hear him speak and I saw him briefly afterwards in the hall but I didn't make my audience with him. I was so mad at myself — but I will always be late." Scherzinger can currently be seen on the state in the London.

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SORRY, MADAM IS BUSY

Madamji, the film being produced by Priyanka Chopra which also has the actress in the leading role, has been pushed to April next year. As Mirror had reported earlier, the Madhur Bhandarkar-directed drama was set to go on floors in November, but a number of reasons have delayed the film. The actress had allotted last month's dates to her Fashion director. But the schedule of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's ambitious period drama, Bajirao Mastani was extended by over 15 days and PeeCee spent the Madamji dates shooting for the other film. The actress's recent illness too delayed the project by a week. A source close to the actress said: "The Bajirao dates spilled over to December, which in turn had a domino effect on Madamji.

Now, when she is finally done with her portions of the SLB film, she has a commitment in the US. She has signed a TV deal with a major American network and will spend about two months there." Another source added that the actress suggested that Madamji be kickstarted with a brief shoot but Madhur was of the opinion that the film will be best completed in a start-to-end schedule. "It's a drama high on emotions as it is a story of a woman who goes from being an item girl to a top politician. Madhur insisted on shooting the film without breaks to ensure that the character's journey is not disrupted," the source said. Priyanka has completed major portions of Bajirao Mastani and only a handful of songs remain. "About three songs will be shot sometime next year. The rest of the shoot will happen outdoors, where she is not required. By April, Madamji should go on floors in what will be a startto- finish schedule as Madhur wants." While waiting for PeeCee, Madhur has finished shooting Calendar Girls, which releases in summer 2015.

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KHAANDANGETS A TVSHOW!

Vikas Bahl, who scored a surprise hit with the Kangana Ranaut starrer Queen, is gearing up for a star-studded stint on the small screen. Mirror has learnt that the filmmaker is planning a satire revolving around a 'filmy family' with the protagonist being an aspiring actor. And when it came to casting, he approached the Bollywood's leading Khandaan. Bahl spoke to Sohail Khan about the idea, who has agreed to star in the project, which is set to go on floors in February, 2015. A source close to the development told Mirror: "The show is about an aspiring actor who is trying to make it big in Bollywood, but fails repeatedly.

However, since he belongs to a well-known family from Bollywood, he keeps getting launched and relaunched." The source added that the idea is to take on the film industry's notorious nepotism but with a humorous approach. "The concept is still being developed. But Sohail's real family - Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan and even father Salim are expected to do cameos in the series. They will be seen playing his reel-life family members with 'Bhai' taking care of things if a film of Sohail's character fails," added the source. Bahl is currently busy with the post-production of his Shahid Kapoor-Alia Bhatt starrer Shaandaar, after which he will start working on the show which will mark Sohail's debut on television as an actor. Previously, he has judged a reality show. When contacted, Sohail confirmed the news saying, "Vikas is a dear friend of mine. He asked me if I am cool doing something on TV. I said yes. He's fine-tuning the concept and things will be confirmed by February next year."

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THE CON IS ON

Rumours are doing the rounds that Shahid Kapoor's con caper, Farzi, has been being shelved following the dismal response to its director duo, Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK's last release, the Saif Ali Khan-starrer Happy Ending. "I'm wondering where this news, which is nothing more than pure speculation, came from," says an exasperated Raj. "This as random as it gets. Prep for the film is on in full swing. The secondary cast is being locked and the production design is being worked upon."

Explaining the delay, Krishna says: "Even after we lock the final script, we take two to three months to gear up for the shoot. We had never set a date. It was decided that once Shahid (Kapoor) and Nawaz (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) are done shooting for their current projects, respectively, we will start with Farzi. The film should roll latest by February." Farzi will see the director duo return to crime drama after 99 and Shor In The City.

Raj refutes the buzz the plot revolves around an internet hacking. However, he refuses to reveal more. "It is a contemporary film with a truly original storyline. It has a big canvas, some action and lots of satirical humour," he says. Meanwhile, Kriti who stars with Shahid in the film is already beaming. "It is a totally new part for a female protagonist. I'm really kicked!" she says.

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NEW 007?

According to leaked e-mails as a result of the Sony hack, Idris Elba has been informally suggested as Daniel Craig's replacement as 007. Anticipation is building for the 24th instalment of the James Bond franchise when Spectre is released next year, but the series might be overhauled in the future as it's been revealed that the actor has been suggested as the next Bond. According to Daily Beast, interpreting information gained as a result of the recent Sony hack, the co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertaiment Amy Pascal said, "Idris should be the next bond", in an e-mail in January this year to Columbia's former executive vice president of production Elizabeth Cantillon.

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WHAT A JOKE!

Singer Chris Martin jokes he was kidnapped by actress-director Angelina Jolie to write a song for her forthcoming film Unbroken. The Coldplay frontman, who contributed the track Miracles for her second directorial venture, says Jolie was so desperate to get him on board that she went to extreme lengths, reports mirror.co.uk. "I got a message (from Jolie) that said, 'Meet in this undisclosed location. You'll be blindfolded and picked up by seven ex-Navy SEALs'," Vulture magazine quoted Martin as saying. He added: "So they kidnapped me, hit me over the head, and sprayed me with Mace.

When I woke up, I was in an office, and Brad Pitt was doing push-ups as Angelina Jolie was just sitting there with her crown on." "There was also a guy holding a knife to my throat, and she said, 'Write me a song, or else'. And Brad Pitt said, 'Yeah. What she said'," he added. It all sounds pretty intense and a little bit like a scene from Mr & Mrs Smith - and we'd love to think this actually did happen and Martin finally gave in. Meanwhile, Jolie, whose film will release on December 25, is battling chickenpox due to which her partner Pitt is attending all the premieres for her.

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Filmfare talks Fawad Khan

Filmfare is a leading film magazine of India and its Editor Jitesh Pillaai has wrote an article on Fawwad Khan.

Editor Jitesh Pillaai heaps praise on the latest heartthrob

Let me confess that after watching Fawad Khan in the Khoobsurat remake, my first thoughts were that he was yet another one of those good-looking guys who definitely made the girls go gaga.

But all this was before I fell ill. For the first time, perhaps, I was glad of being bedridden with a bad back. Because it was during this period that I discovered Fawad Khan, the actor. While flipping channels, I chanced upon one of his tele-serials on the Zindagi channel. In five minutes, I was hooked. After half-an-hour, I started calling my contacts for copies of his serials. And for the first time in my life, I became a devout serial watcher.

Watching him underplay his characters, in serials like Zindagi Gulzar Hai is a treat to watch. There is a thehraav in the way he handles his scenes. He knows the art of speaking with his eyes. His silences speak volumes. No other actor (and I’m talking purely in terms of acting here) made me come out in goosebumps as he does.

If only prospective filmmakers took time out to watch his serials, he would surely land better films. A little bird told me that Karan Johar’s mother Hiroo Yash Johar is a huge fan of his. Hiroo aunty has witnessed generations of stars come and go and her instincts can’t be wrong.

Watching all those Pakistani soaps set me thinking as to why our TV content remains the way it is. Their serials genuinely attempt to tell a story. They are wrapped up in maximum 20-24 episodes and don’t drag on for years together. They are shot beautifully and the actors act with a nuance that is found lacking in our soaps as well as our films. The senior actors too aren’t shortchanged and are given author-backed roles. Most belong to a theatre background and their command over scenes; over language makes you feel you’re watching some forgotten Kamal Amrohi or K Asif film.

They say art blooms in the midst of unrest and maybe the volatile socio-political climate of their country breeds better poets, better writers and better actors. Or maybe they are a little more professional, a little more concerned about their craft than our artistes. Borders shouldn’t become the graveyard for talent. Let’s hope the tension between our two countries evaporates and better cultural opportunities prevail. Insha’Allah! – Filmfare

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Chup Raho – Sensationalizing Abuse To Get Viewership

Pakistan television dramas have always tried to touch upon tabooed topics in order to raise awareness about these issues and also to make people feel for the victims. Dramas like Roag, Mora Piya, Mere Dard Ko Jo Zuban Miley and many others dealt with the very sensitive topic of “rape”. The central idea of all these dramas was to show how the victim’s family and the victim suffers after such a tragedy. The perpetrator of the crime disappears into thin air but he leaves the victim and her family wounded forever without any hope. These dramas also showed the way people react when they hear that someone has been raped, mostly people are anything but supportive even if they are close relatives.

Chup Raho is a recent drama which is being aired on ARY Digital. The drama has been written by Samira Fazal, directed by Yasir Nawaz and produced by Six Sigma Plus. The drama tells the story of a girl Rameen who is raped by her brother in law Numair. The girl is asked to stay quiet by her mother but things keep on getting from bad to worse until there comes a time when she finds herself living in the same house with the man who raped her. Unlike all the other dramas that showed such a situation Chup Raho unfortunately lays more stress on the fantasies of the rapist instead of telling the story of the victim.

There is excessive physical contact between the actors in all the episodes and the spotlight is on the victim being abused by different people over and over again. This abuse is shown as an everyday occurrence because the highlight of the play is showing the victim being abused in all ways possible. The integrity of women in this play has completely been relegated to the background. The women in this drama have been reduced to objects who are being used to sensationalize abuse. It isn’t only Numair who manhandles Rameen every chance he gets but even her husband physically and verbally abuses her. This is not the first time that the producers, writers and the director has relied on a woman’s helplessness and tears to get TRPs, it is apparently a formula that has been a huge success and is therefore followed by many but the difference is that this time it isn’t a saas/bahu or husband/wife situation but this time the situation is much more sensitive but it is not being dealt with responsibly.

I would like to ask the producers what they had in mind while accepting this script. Were they trying to make money by showing people how a rapist thinks and how he can fool everyone? Giving an insight into the mind of the rapist helped building Numair’s character but showing the same thing over and over again merely depicts the obsession of the writer and director both with abuse and negativity. Is there any good coming out of this drama at all? A drama dealing with such a sensitive topic should be something more than merely a piece of entertainment….people do not watch rape stories even if they are dramatized to get entertained. Everyone who is watching the show expected more from it, the viewers thought that it would probably send a strong message of some sort but until now that has not been the case. Was it really necessary to show all the abuse in detail in order to make the viewers feel for the victim? In my opinion absolutely not! Scenes like the ones in the screen shots below are “promoted” on the facebook page of the drama in order to “entice” the viewers into watching it!

Chup Raho is sadly a desperate attempt to make the viewers feel for the victim by putting her in the most horrifying situations for the past 14 episodes now but it does not have a strong plot or a convincing storyline. The director unfortunately did not shoot this drama with the right mindset, it is quite obvious that he relied on cheap thrills in order to get the attention of the viewers. Everyone knows that a false rumor of Sajjal Ali and Feroze Khan’s affair was intentionally spread on the social media in order to give the drama some much needed publicity, this is also something that points to what the makers of the dramas were aiming at! The approach with which this drama has been made is wrong on so many levels!

Do you think Chup Raho is a wasted opportunity? Do you think that this drama might be setting a wrong precedent? Kya hamein bhi chup rehna chahyeh or should we speak up? Do share your thoughts.

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SEXY? OH, HELL YEAH!

Actress-model Kate Upton has been crowned the Sexiest Woman alive award by People magazine at a function in Los Angeles. The 22-year-old model, who featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, received the award from Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane at the Beverly Hilton hotel, reported People Magazine. "This is such an honour to me because sexy to me means someone who's confident and happy," said Upton. Dane while presenting the honour to her mentioned the reason why Upton has won this award. "There are a lot of reasons why Kate is sexy. Style, career, achievements, sense of humor, personality, oh and did I mention her... Looks?" Dane said. She acted in a movie alongside Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann in The Other Woman this year.

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LOOK WHO'S BACK

Manisha Koirala has been missing from red carpets for some time now. After a two-year-long battle with cancer, the actress announced this August that she is cancer-free. She told Mirror (August 28) that she has hit the gym with a vengeance and is also a regular at dance classes. The hard work has paid off. The 44-year-old actress made a triumphant return to the public eye at an awards nite on Thursday. Though it was Priyanka Chopra who won the best actress gong, all eyes were on Manisha who looked peachy. Guests including Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan complimented Manisha, who was clearly the belle of the ball.

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DROPPING NAMES

The initial reports of R Balki's upcoming film, Shamitabh which appeared in August, 2013, suggested that Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan would topline the film's cast. The director had then claimed that he was just collaborating with SRK on a commercial. Mirror has since learnt that King Khan was indeed on board to play the protagonist, then named Shahnawaaz. But the actor then dropped out of the project, reportedly over issues about screen time. "Balki did not want to change his script so he decided to cast another actor," reveals a source in the film's unit.

He then picked Tamil star Dhanush, who made his Bollywood debut with Aanand Rai's Raanjhanaa in 2013. With Dhanush entering the picture the original name of the protagonist was dropped. "Shahnawaaz became Danish Ahmed. One doesn't need to ponder too long on the reason: Danish is a name closer to Dhanush than Shahnawaaz," adds the source. He goes on to inform that Danish is a deaf- mute man with starry dreams. He seeks advice from Amitabh, an aging superstar, on how he can live out his seemingly impossible sapna. "Amitabh lends his voice to the struggling actor and together they create a superstar called Shamitabh which is a combination of their names and the essence of the film," informs the source.

Balki has been extremely tightlipped about the project. In fact, it was Big B who revealed the title on May 30 with a tweet which read: "#Shamitabh... The Title of my new film with R Balki." On June 21, he went on to reveal the film's look, tweeting,: "Shamitabh'in the day... It is quite an effort to live with that hair all day!!" The director had not objected to his actor letting his secrets out then. However, when Mirror contacted Balki on the name game, he refused to comment. The film which will launch Kamal Haasan and Sarika's younger daughter, Akshara, opposite Dhanush, opens on February 6.

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PAPA PLEASE PREACH

If Rajkumar Hirani's films were people, they'd be my favourite school teacher. Not the Einstein-haired caricatures from 3 Idiots, but that frumpy old professor that walks normal, dresses quirky, and tells stories with a questionable singsong voice. He is a tad melodramatic, sometimes uses sign language to drill in the message, but everyone understands him. He wipes out the blackboard, throws away the textbook and tells us to observe a baby instead. Instantly, our faces light up. What an unconventional teacher! Is this even allowed? What will the principal say? Hell, will our parents approve? But maybe he's onto something.

More so, if this baby is Aamir Khan. When on song, this Khan shares his enthusiasm for innovation. Naked, wide-eyed, flappyeared and stumped about why we're so worried about higher authorities. About rules and superstitions, like why the boy must always be taller than the girl. Suppose this baby grows in minutes, and somehow begins to speak our language — keep the necessary suspension of disbelief required for us to be in the teacher's funny class.

Baby will ask us why we spend two minutes reciting morning prayers. Or why we consume half a spoon of curd for good luck before exams. Do we always pass? We ask him if he is drunk ("Peekay aaya?") to question our parents' beliefs. But he asks us more questions. He shows us a shiny mirror that arrests our attention; it shows us exotic places like Bruges, Rajasthan and spunky girls (Anushka) who believe him.

To prove his point, this girl is taller than him. He doesn't mind. This mirror also shows us our reflection. We don't like what we see. We tell our elders about this magical classroom, these odd questions. Their only question: What colour was this baby? Put a face to this question and you'd get revered God-man Tapasvi (Saurabh Shukla), or for that matter, majority of the free world. They speak sense, but so does PK Baby. He speaks uncommon sense. I've been schooled about humanity in hospitals, about 'Gandhigiri' on Mumbai streets, and about the futility of Indian education systems. I've not always agreed with the manner of these lessons.

But I've let news channels with images of death and destruction teach me about religion. I've struggled to put down my opinions on paper, without using this r-word, 'blind' and 'God' together. Today, I see my garbled, reluctant voice on screen in the form of perhaps the finest, and most balanced mainstream film in years. More importantly, as serious as my views have been, I've never figured out how to laugh about them, while thinking, agreeing, cringing and nodding nervously. The two smartest screenwriters of our generation, Mr Hirani and Abhijat Joshi, have gone one better and crafted not so much as a movie as a relevant argument — with the usual ebbs and flows, dramatic flourishes, pauses and lapses in concentration (bloated second half) that characterise fierce debates. I can't describe their baby without giving away too much.

But rarely have I seen such a purposeful script, each scene merging into another rabble-rousing satirical set piece, peppered with actors at the top of their game. I can think of nobody but Aamir Khan as PK, and nobody but Rajkumar Hirani as our teacher. Take in what they say. Enjoy the way they say it. Make this mandatory for impressionable children waiting to hope. After all, these kids will be the ones in charge if extraterrestrials ever pop in to review our planet. And for once, let them think past the stars.

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I’M NOT COMPETING WITH ALIA, SHRADDHA

Sonakshi Sinha, who has a passion for singing, recently found herself in a recording studio, doing actual playback. Earlier this year, the actress had crooned a few lines for the animated macaw Jewel in the Rio sequel. Actor Imran Khan, who voiced Jewel's winged partner Blue, had accompanied her then. This time another Imran Khan, the singer of the hit, Amplifier, kept Sona company. In an earlier interview to Mirror (March 13), she had described the Rio experience as "super fun." "I love singing and I'd have loved to sing more but unfortunately, I'm just a bathroom singer,"she said.

Well, the bathroom singer has graduated into playback singing with the recently released Tevar track, Let's Celebrate. Speaking from Chandigarh, Sonakshi informed that the popular Pakistani-Dutch singer Imran had flown to Mumbai to record the song."But he arrived without a female vocalist. After listening to him sing, I wondered aloud who would be recording the female vocals and he told me bluntly, 'You'. I thought he was joking but I quickly realised that he was dead serious," the actress reminisces. Professional singers spend days rehearsing to get their sur and taal right. Not Sona.

After just four hours of practise, she was ready to face the microphone with the confidence of a veteran. "I'm not a trained singer. So, Imran would croon his lines first, and I'd follow. He told me to copy him exactly, and I was a really devoted student," she laughs. Her contemporaries, Shraddha Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, have both demonstrated their singing abilities in films like Ek Villain and Haider, Highway and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania respectively. Did she feel the pressure of expectations? "Not really. Both Shraddha and Alia have sung really well, but I'm not competing with them. I've always loved singing but no filmmaker ever asked me to sing. For me, this song is just a one-off experience, I don't intend to sing in all my films. We have great singers like Shreya Ghoshal, I'l never be able to match her beautiful voice. I'm just a kid in front of her," she smiles.

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Mahira Khan to Romance SRK in Raees

The leading diva of Pakistan’s TV industry, Mahira Khan has finally given her nod to Bollywood as her debut role starring opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Farhan Akhtar’s next project, Raees.

The 301year old actress recently visited India after her hit television serial Humsafar broke all records in India. Much like their neighbours, the Indian crowd couldn’t resist falling in love with Mahira’s elegance and beauty.

On her trip to India, Mahira put a stop to all rumours of her starring opposite Ranveer Singh and said a clear No to Indian Dramasbut kept her options open for good movie scripts. 

It wasn't long before Bollywood’s leading producer Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar finalized the actress for her role as SRK’s love interest in their upcoming project Raees. The movie will be directed by Rahul Dholakia, who won a national award for his film Parzania.

According to reports, SRK will once again play the dashing cop while critically acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui will play the cop. 

An inside source close to the project said that the makers were looking for an “international” face instead of a familiar Bollywood name, which explains how Mahira bagged the coveted role.

“She plays SRK’s wife in the film. He’s a gangster based in Gujarat while Nawazuddin Siddiqui is the cop who traps him in Mumbai. It’s a complex role and both the film’s director Rahul Dholakia and producers, Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, believe she is perfect for the part.”

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Lingaa review: It is basically three hours of Rajinikanth doing his thing

Lingaa review: It is basically three hours of Rajinikanth doing his thing

Star cast: Rajinikanth, Anushka Shetty, Sonakshi Sinha

Director : K.S Ravikumar

Like all his films, ‘Lingaa’ is basically three hours of Rajini Saar doing his thing. And it is three hours of full-on `masti’ and ‘mazaa': no half-measures for the man who just has to walk across the screen in slo-mo to send his fans into paroxysms.

(Read: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets in Tamil to wish Rajinikanth on 64th birthday)

To watch a Rajini flick with subtitles is not quite the thing, I know. But even a non-Tamil speaker (I understand just a little, ‘konjum only’) like me gets the twinkle in his voice, which transfers from his eye, finds place in his dialogue, and goes down to his feet. What is completely, immediately infectious is that Rajinikanth takes himself not at all seriously: he knows you want fun, fun, fun, and that he dishes out in dollops. (Read: Remain hale, hearty: Big B wishes Rajinikanth on 64th birthday)

With a name like ‘Lingaa’, the filmmakers are asking for risqué ‘lingam’ jokes. But the moment the film opens, with Rajini Saar playing a petty thief with big ambitions, you stop with the snigger. The biggest superstar in Tamil cinema lies comfortably in a prison cell, and you are once again up against the sincerity with which he does it. That’s it. You are, once again, instantly seduced. (See Pics: 7 unknown facts about Superstar Rajinikanth on 64th birthday)

After that there’s no hope for you as he swings into a pirate get-up (yes, that’s right), atop a computer-generated ship, and gyrates with Anushka Shetty next to him. That is Rajinikanth’s biggest gift: he makes you laugh with him, not at him, even when the film gets, as it inevitably does at this running time, both bloated and baroque in bits.

(Read: 5 reasons you must watch ‘Lingaa': Rajinikanth’s double role, Sonakshi, dance, action and more!)

(Also Read: Rajinikanth: How the superstar came to be)

But you, by now, have discarded disbelief. So you are readily pulled along into the 

1930s for Rajini Saar to show up in a double role, as a village collector who works under the British but whose heart beats only for his people. The ultra-busy plot takes in famine-ridden villagers, a river which needs a dam, a villainous Britisher (to hear him speak accented Tamil is a hoot), and a pretty teenager (Sonakshi Sinha), who loses her heart to this older Lingaa. (Read: Rajinikanth turns 64, releases Tamil action-thriller ‘Lingaa’) There’s also a palace, and treasure, and land-grabbing, and a greedy politician and bombs and a hot-air balloon. And a temple whose doors need to open only by the ‘real’ grandson of the original King Lingeswaram, who, presto, turns out to be thief. (See: Express LOL: How Rajinikanth celebrated his 64th birthday) But we know all of that is pure window dressing for Rajini to sing, and dance, crack wise, and beat up the villains. And also, to deliver lectures about the evil of caste and creed, which despite the schmaltz, feel so crucial and real, especially in our riven times.

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BREAKING THE MINDSET OF TYPECASTING

The fact cannot be denied that our actors and actresses are not only talented but hardworking as well and this is the one of the key success factor that makes our dramas hit worldwide. This industry is for sure still in a growing stage on a production level, however the competition in the industry is getting intense day by day as new talent pours in every day.

In previous years we all have noticed how some actors and actresses have been typecast in dramas. Directors also love to sign those artists who knows how to perform particular role better as in the past they were offered with same kind of roles again and again. This obviously saves director’s time and energy as they don’t need to put much efforts on actors to bring out their best for a particular role. Hence we criticise some actors on their acting when they try to appear in different roles.

What I believe that some actors are versatile but typecasting wastes their versatility exponentially and this is the reason why they attempt to escape typecasting by choosing different roles that are opposite to the type of roles they are known for.

The topic here is to mention some actors and actresses who had recently proven themselves that they can also perform other roles brilliantly.

Ayeza Khan for “Pyaray Afzal” and “Jab We Wed”: Previously Ayeza Khan had always remained the biggest victim of type casting. I am a devoted fan of Ayeza Khan because she is one of those actresses who knows how to deliver expressions along with dialogues. She can literally nail down every character but unfortunately she appeared on screen mostly playing sad roles which earned her a title of “Roti dhoti Aurat”. Even the performance in AKS as a rebellious daughter and a comic role in a soap “Ghalti si Mistake hogai” didn’t help her to get away from this title. Due to typecasting her popularity graph remain steady for years however her performance in “Pyaray Afzal” as Farah did not even help her to gain immense popularity but also given her diverse portfolio. “Jab We Wed” is her another project where you will find her doing perfect variation in her character just like Pyaray Afzal.

Maya Ali for “Shanakht”: The fictional character of Cinderella might have helped her to step in the industry successfully but in no time she was tagged with a name of Tom boy. From “Aik Nayee Cinderella” to “Ranjish Hi Sahi” she performed the same character of outspoken, stubborn and careless girl except for Aunn Zara. I still remembered that she was very upset when audience was criticising on her acting in “Khoya Khoya Chand” and I told her to take this criticism in a constructive way. Maya had struggled a long way to get breakthrough in Industry. I always believed in Maya because I know she got potential and someday she will make her mark in the industry. She finally manages to escape away from tomboyish roles and turned down every finger that was raised on her acting by absolutely nailing down the character of “Qurat-ul-Ain” in Shanakht.

Faisal Qureshi for “Bashar Momin”: He is among most veteran actor in the Industry, so his versatility cannot be questioned. However it cannot be denied that in previous few years he literally bored the audience through his constant grim face on screen, well currently in “Main Bushra” he is doing the same role again. Faisal Qureshi had indeed got a diverse portfolio but I found his role as “Bashar” in drama “Bashar Momin” the most diverse role among all the roles he had performed in the past. Thus by playing against the type he had ascertained audience that he can provide variation whenever needed.

Meekal Zulfiqar for “Laa” “MSKSH”: When there is a role to play as cheating spouse or a disloyal husband, Meekal Zulfiqar is director’s favourite choice. Whether it is Shehr e Zaat, Durr e Shahwar, Paani jesa Pyaar, Aik kasak dil mein reh gai or Izteraab his roles were evidently same. There is so much that can be offered to him but due to typecasting his talent was undoubtedly wasted. Meekal Zulfiqar recently played against type by choosing the project “Laa” and “Muhabbat Subah Ka Sitara Hai” where he proved that he can nail down every character brilliantly that comes in his way. Meekal for sure needs to do more diverse roles if he want to claim best actor award.

Ismat Zaidi for “Koi Nahi Apna”: I still remembered that I mentioned her the sweetest mother of the industry. Well you can say that just because of her loving nature probably this is the only role that suits her. Recently Ismat Zaidi successfully manages to break this mind set by doing a sort of negative role as greedy mother in Koi Nahi Apna. Although Koi Nahi Apna wrecks in all departments but Ismat Zaidi created opportunity for her that she can perform negative roles as well if required. I am not sure whether she had performed negative roles in the past or not?

Samiya Mumtaz for “Sadqey Tumhare”: Just out of sheer curiosity I always wanted to know one thing that Samiya either on her own free will or it is just that she is offered with the role of “Dukhyaari Aurat” every time. From “Meri Zaat Zara-e-Benishan” to “Ranjish hi Sahi” to “Do saal ki aurat” her role was quite similar in which she beared atrocities and sufferings. We all know that Samiya can also perform other roles impeccably and finally she proved to audience in “Sadqe Tumhaare” that if negative role comes in her way she can perform it in a flawless manner. Her performance as “Rasheeda” cannot be praised in simple words as she played against the type. I am hoping that she will perform more varied roles in future.

Typecasting is nothing but just a sheer waste of talent and artists should select more diverse and strong roles in future if they want to stay in competition. What do you guys say about it and do you remember any actor beside these ones that played against the type recently?

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