Rashmika Mandanna gives fans a peek into her recovery days

Katy Perry has officially concluded the European leg of her Lifetimes Tour, marking the occasion with a heartfelt social media post that celebrated her fans, reflected on her summer performances, and expressed gratitude to fellow pop star Dua Lipa. The singer took to Instagram on Monday to announce the end of her “Eurosummer,” following a busy schedule of concerts and festival appearances across Europe. One of the highlights of the tour was her performance at the Sunny Hill Festival in Pristina, Kosovo, an event founded by Dua Lipa and her family that has become one of the region’s most prominent music festivals. Sharing a collection of photos and videos from the festival, Perry described the experience as unforgettable and thanked Lipa for the invitation. She revealed that it was her first-ever performance in Kosovo and said the warm reception from the audience made the occasion especially meaningful. “My first ever show in Kosovo was magical!! Thank you @dualipa and @sunnyhillfestival for having me,” Perry wrote in the caption accompanying the post. Reflecting on the conclusion of her European summer tour, the singer thanked fans who attended her concerts despite the hot weather. She expressed appreciation for everyone who supported the shows and jokingly announced that she was officially “out of office” after an eventful summer on the road. Perry also included a touching personal note directed at Dua Lipa, writing, “Pls contact Tamra if you need something. I love you,” a message that resonated with fans and highlighted the close bond between the two artists. The Instagram carousel featured several behind-the-scenes moments from the festival, including clips of Perry performing on stage, interacting with the crowd, and enjoying the atmosphere of the event. Among the most memorable moments was her encounter with a young fan celebrating her birthday. During the concert, Perry invited the child on stage after learning that her mother had brought her to the festival as a birthday surprise. Wanting to make the celebration even more special, the singer performed her hit anthem Roar alongside the young fan, creating a heartwarming moment that drew cheers from the audience. Fans praised Perry’s gesture on social media, describing it as one of the standout highlights of the night and applauding her for creating a memorable experience for the birthday girl. Meanwhile, Perry has also been making headlines for her personal life. Recent photographs circulating online showed the singer spending time in France with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The images captured the pair enjoying a relaxed beach outing, walking hand in hand and sharing affectionate moments by the water. Perry was seen wearing a cream-colored crochet dress paired with a matching hat and sunglasses, while Trudeau opted for blue shorts and sunglasses during the seaside stroll. The photos also showed the two embracing and sharing kisses, further fueling speculation about their relationship. Although neither Perry nor Trudeau has publicly commented on the reports, the images have attracted widespread attention online, adding another chapter to what has already been a memorable summer for the global pop star. With the European leg of the Lifetimes Tour now complete, Perry is expected to take a short break before continuing with the next phase of her touring schedule.

Sultana Siddiqui, the founder of HUM Network and one of Pakistan’s most influential television producers, has spoken about her long-held belief in empowering women by giving them meaningful leadership roles. During a recent podcast appearance, she reflected on how she entrusted her daughters-in-law with running production houses, saying she has always believed women should be encouraged to take responsibility and shape the future of the entertainment industry. Sharing her journey, Siddiqui explained that she never considered it wrong to empower women, especially within her own family. She revealed that when her elder daughter-in-law, Moomal, got married, she established Moomal Entertainment and handed over its management to her. Later, after Momina joined the family, Siddiqui launched MD Productions and entrusted the company to her as well. According to Siddiqui, Momina had completed a degree in business and initially had no plans to work in television. However, after observing the creative atmosphere around her, she gradually became interested in the industry and accepted the challenge of contributing to meaningful storytelling. Recalling their conversations, Siddiqui said Momina told her that she wanted to educate audiences through television content rather than simply produce entertainment. That vision, she said, inspired the production of several memorable dramas that combined strong storytelling with social messages. The veteran producer highlighted that Pakistani television was going through a difficult period at the time. She remembered that audiences were increasingly drawn to Indian television serials, making it challenging for local productions to compete. Even attracting sponsors for new dramas was a major hurdle, as confidence in the local industry had declined. Despite these obstacles, Siddiqui said her team remained determined to revive Pakistani dramas by focusing on quality scripts and emotionally engaging stories. She credited the dedication of her production houses and creative teams for helping restore viewers’ interest in local television. Reflecting on that era, she pointed to critically acclaimed projects such as Dastaan as examples of the kind of meaningful content that helped bring audiences back to Pakistani dramas. She said productions like these played an important role in rebuilding the industry’s reputation and proving that locally produced stories could resonate with viewers. Siddiqui also recalled how the revival of Pakistani dramas required patience and persistence. She noted that the industry had to overcome financial challenges, limited sponsorship opportunities, and tough competition before eventually regaining its strong position in the entertainment landscape. Throughout the discussion, Siddiqui emphasized that empowering women has always been one of her core values. Rather than limiting opportunities, she believes women should be trusted with leadership positions and given the freedom to make important decisions. Her remarks offered a glimpse into the philosophy that has shaped both her family and professional life. By placing confidence in the abilities of her daughters-in-law and encouraging them to lead successful production houses, Siddiqui said she hoped to create an environment where women could thrive, innovate, and make a lasting impact on Pakistan’s television industry.

Maulana Tariq Jamil, one of Pakistan’s most respected Islamic scholars, has become the center of an online debate after a video of him performing yoga exercises surfaced on social media. Widely admired for his calm demeanor and inclusive approach to religious teachings, Maulana Tariq Jamil enjoys a large following across different schools of thought in Pakistan and abroad. Over the years, he has built a reputation for promoting unity, compassion, and moral values through his lectures. In addition to his religious work, he has also ventured into business with his own brand, a move that has occasionally drawn criticism from some quarters who question the commercialization of religious personalities. The latest discussion surrounding the scholar, however, has little to do with his sermons or business activities. Instead, it centers on a recently circulated video featuring him alongside Dr. Affan Qaiser, in which he demonstrates several yoga-inspired stretching exercises. The clip quickly gained traction across social media platforms, with many viewers expressing surprise at the scholar’s flexibility. Considering his age and previous health challenges, several users praised his physical fitness and commitment to maintaining an active lifestyle. Many described the video as inspiring, saying it highlighted the importance of mobility, exercise, and healthy aging. Others, however, questioned whether the video should have been recorded and shared publicly. Some critics argued that such content was unexpected from a religious figure of Maulana Tariq Jamil’s stature, while others believed it was unnecessary to turn a private fitness session into a public spectacle. The video also prompted reactions from public figures. Among those commenting was politician Hina Parvez Butt, who voiced her disapproval of the clip, adding another layer to the discussion already unfolding online. As the debate intensified, social media users remained sharply divided. Supporters argued that the movements shown in the video were simply physical exercises aimed at improving flexibility and overall health. They maintained that stretching routines and yoga-based movements should not be viewed negatively when practiced solely for fitness purposes. Others defended the scholar by pointing out that maintaining physical health is encouraged and that there was nothing inappropriate about engaging in exercises designed to improve strength and mobility. Many also praised Maulana Tariq Jamil for staying physically active despite his advancing age. On the other hand, critics expressed discomfort with the video, saying they did not expect to see the religious scholar performing such poses. Some users felt the footage should not have been made public, while others questioned whether it aligned with the public image associated with a prominent Islamic preacher. Despite the differing opinions, the video has generated widespread discussion online, with thousands of users continuing to share their views. While some see it as a positive reminder of the importance of health and fitness, others believe the clip has crossed personal or cultural boundaries. The viral video has once again demonstrated how social media can rapidly turn everyday moments involving public figures into nationwide conversations, leaving audiences divided over interpretation, intent, and public perception.

Filmmaker Arfat Sheikh’s film Saffron Kingdom is now streaming worldwide. It has landed on the Palestinian-owned platform Watermelon+. The release comes after a strong run on the international festival circuit. Sheikh hails from India-Occupied Kashmir. He had earlier described the film as his attempt to reclaim his people’s stories from Bollywood. He said he wanted to take the pen back from an industry he views as a tool of oppression. The story follows Masrat, played by Diana Aras. She is a half-widow, a term used for Kashmiri women whose husbands have been forcibly disappeared by Indian forces. After her husband vanishes, Masrat flees the valley with her young son Rizwan, played by Alex Cheeks. The pair eventually settle in the United States. There, both mother and son must confront the trauma of their years spent living under occupation. Old memories resurface even as they try to build a new life. Sheikh said the film leans heavily on its female characters to carry the emotional core. He called the choice a deliberate allegory. According to him, the story centeres on two women rather than men. He explained that this reflects reality on the ground. Few men remain in India-Occupied Kashmir today, he said. The women who stay behind, he added, reveal what survival under occupation truly demands. Saffron Kingdom premiered at the Wake Forest Film Festival in the United States. It then travelled to six more countries. Screenings consistently drew full houses. The film found strong support from minority communities. Many viewers related to its themes of migration and inherited trauma. With its streaming debut, Saffron Kingdom now sits alongside other politically resonant titles on Watermelon+. These include Oscar nominee The Voice of Hind Rajab and Bafta-winning documentary Gaza: Doctors Under Attack. Pakistan’s 2025 Oscar submission The Glassworker is also part of the platform’s growing library. Together, these films reflect Watermelon+’s focus on stories of occupation, displacement, and resistance. The platform continues to build a catalogue centered on voices often left out of mainstream cinema.