Why you need to read Every Rising Sun by Jamila Ahmed

Jamila Ahmed, a Pakistani-American writer and lawyer, turns a familiar story into her debut novel Every Rising Sun (2023), adding a unique political spin to the world of One Thousand and One Nights. Reimagining Shaherazade within an early Islamic imperial court, Ahmed places storytelling at the centre of power, where

Why is no one discussing Leader’s brutal take on revolution?

I admit I came late to political thriller Leader. It’s not packed with big-name stars or viral reels. But this heartbreaking...

Mera Lyari Is Actually About How Girls Survive Misogyny

Sometimes Pakistani films are slotted into one of two lanes: the raucous crowd pleaser or the grim award contender. “Mera...

Kuch Ankahi - minority representation ARY Kashf Foundation

Decoding Primetime Hegemony: Who Is the Default Pakistani?

If you turn on your television in 2026, you will be confronted by a remarkably smooth world. There is no grit. There is no...

Bas Tera Saath Ho Reinvents Desi Cinderfella

ARY’s new drama serial Bas Tera Saath Ho turns the damsel-in-distress trope on its head. Farhan Saeed plays Anas, an oppressed orphan who dutifully obeys his wealthy uncle and aunt,.....

Accept the Slap but Censor the Hug: This is TV Outrage

In the world of social psychology, there is a concept known as the “threshold of tolerance.” It’s the invisible line that a society draws around its collective behavior. Cross it.....

The Many Heroines Who Powered Aik Aur Pakeezah

At a time when conversations around online privacy, consent, and victim blaming are louder than ever, Aik Aur Pakeezah brings them uncomfortably close to prime time television. Directed by Kashif.....

Dr Bahu: A Perfect Life of Polite Patriarchy

I expected Mehreen Jabbar’s Dr Bahu to examine the marriage market demand for a daughter-in-law who is a medical doctor, but I had no idea the drama would also become.....

Bulletproof Ballads: Azaan Sami Khan’s Noir Transformation

Bullets, blood, and gun-toting brides—singer-songwriter Azaan Sami Khan’s curated “soft boi” image gets a major shock to the system as the visuals....

Hadiqa Kiani’s Tribute To Legends: Paisa Bolta Hai

Hadiqa Kiani, one of Pakistan’s most celebrated singers, has once again left a lasting impact with her latest release, Paisa Bolta Hai....

Mehdi Maloof’s ode to millenial ennui: Shaam Savaray Meray Dil Mein Andhairay

Singer-songwriter Mehdi Maloof occupies a unique, almost “monastic” space in the Pakistani indie scene. Mumblecore is usually reserved for low-budget, dialogue-heavy indie films; his delivery often feels like a private conversation you’ve accidentally stumbled upon. His YouTube release, “Shaam Savaray Meray Dil Mein Andhairay,” perfectly captures the aching honesty his