Maira Khan’s bold social media transformation sparks debate

Kristen Stewart has looked back on her early days filming the Twilight franchise with a mix of humour, embarrassment and affection, admitting that she and former co-star Robert Pattinson took the romantic vampire story far more seriously than they probably needed to. During an appearance on In Your Dreams With Owen Thiele, released on August 14, the 36-year-old actress and filmmaker reflected on playing Bella Swan in the first Twilight film, which was released in 2008. Stewart joked about her younger self, describing herself as a “pretentious little loser” while remembering how intensely she approached the role at the time. Stewart was only 17 when production began, and she explained that both she and Pattinson had a very serious, teenage approach to the material. Rather than simply playing their characters naturally, they wanted to make the story feel meaningful and authentic. According to Stewart, she and Pattinson often felt that they needed to elevate the material and make every moment feel extremely important. Looking back now, however, she finds that attitude amusing and recognises just how young they were. The actress also recalled feeling frustrated because she wanted the relationship between Bella and Edward to feel completely genuine. At the time, she worried that the circumstances surrounding the production made that difficult. Years later, she realised that the sincerity she and Pattinson brought to the performances was actually one of the things that made the films connect with audiences. Despite the passage of more than a decade, Stewart said she does not mind continuing to discuss Twilight. She has also expressed openness to returning to the franchise if the right opportunity ever came along. Pattinson has similarly spoken positively about his experience with the series. In an April 2026 interview with Vogue, the actor said he would not change his performance in the original film. He explained that the cast and filmmakers approached the story with complete seriousness, without deliberately making fun of its unusual premise. Pattinson noted that everyone involved treated the vampire romance as something genuine, even though the concept itself was fantastical. He suggested that the earnestness of the performances was an important part of what made the movie distinctive. Stewart and Pattinson’s professional relationship eventually developed into a real-life romance. The pair began dating in 2009 after meeting during the production of Twilight and remained together for several years before separating in 2013. Their relationship faced intense public attention, particularly in 2012 when Stewart was photographed with Rupert Sanders, the married director of Snow White and the Huntsman. Stewart later publicly apologised for what she described as a brief indiscretion. Both stars have since moved on with their personal lives. Stewart married writer and director Dylan Meyer in April 2025, while Pattinson became engaged to Suki Waterhouse in December 2023 after several years together. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in March 2024. Although their Twilight era is now more than a decade behind them, Stewart and Pattinson’s memories of the franchise continue to attract attention, particularly as both actors have come to appreciate the sincerity they brought to their iconic roles.

Pakistani television continued to captivate audiences this week with powerful storytelling and memorable performances. From emotional family conflicts to intense psychological drama and heartfelt romance, several actors elevated their characters with convincing portrayals that left a lasting impact. Here are 12 performers who stood out for their remarkable work on screen. Urwa Hocane as Beena in Aap Ki Izzat Urwa Hocane makes a strong impression as Beena, a woman struggling to find respect and love within her marriage. She presents a character who appears gentle and devoted on the surface but possesses quiet resilience and determination. Through subtle expressions and emotional depth, Urwa successfully portrays Beena’s inner conflict, hinting that the character has much more to reveal as the story progresses. Ahsan Khan as Tabish in Aap Ki Izzat Ahsan Khan delivers a layered performance as Tabish, a man caught between ambition, family expectations and complicated personal relationships. His contrasting behaviour towards the women in his life reflects the character’s emotional complexity. With controlled expressions and understated body language, Ahsan makes Tabish both intriguing and unpredictable, keeping viewers invested in his journey. Sajal Aly as Rabeeya in Zanjeerain Sajal Aly once again demonstrates why she remains one of Pakistan’s finest performers. As Rabeeya, she commands every scene with confidence, intelligence and emotional strength. Whether protecting loved ones or confronting those around her, Sajal balances intensity with restraint, creating a character who naturally becomes the emotional backbone of the drama. Anaayah Shahid as Shirin in Zanjeerain Anaayah Shahid continues to impress with a performance filled with expressive body language and convincing emotional shifts. Shirin’s confidence gradually gives way to uncertainty as events unfold, and Anaayah captures these changes with remarkable ease. Her ability to communicate fear, suspicion and vulnerability without excessive dialogue makes her performance particularly engaging. Shuja Asad as Salman in Doctor Bahu Shuja Asad delivers a compelling portrayal of Salman, a deeply flawed character whose unpredictable behaviour drives much of the drama. One moment he appears caring and affectionate, while the next he becomes manipulative and emotionally distant. Shuja convincingly presents these conflicting traits, making Salman frustratingly realistic and emotionally complex. Kubra Khan as Saniya in Doctor Bahu Kubra Khan brings authenticity and emotional depth to Saniya, a woman facing emotional hardship within her marriage. She beautifully portrays the gradual erosion of confidence and hope while maintaining the character’s quiet strength. Kubra’s heartfelt performance allows viewers to empathise with Saniya’s pain and understand the emotional challenges faced by many women in similar situations. Zoya Nasir as Shehreen in Bas Tera Saath Ho Zoya Nasir shines as Shehreen, portraying a character whose obsession, impulsiveness and emotional vulnerability create constant tension. Rather than presenting a one-dimensional antagonist, she adds humanity and complexity to the role. Her confident screen presence and natural performance ensure that Shehreen remains one of the drama’s most compelling personalities. Maya Ali as Khushbakht in Aik Mohabbat Aur Maya Ali delivers a graceful and emotionally balanced performance as Khushbakht. She effectively conveys the uncertainty, fear and hope surrounding her character’s important life decisions. Through subtle facial expressions and composed dialogue delivery, Maya captures Khushbakht’s emotional struggles while maintaining the quiet dignity that defines the character. Ahad Raza Mir as Haroon in Aik Mohabbat Aur Ahad Raza Mir brings warmth, humour and sincerity to Haroon, creating a refreshing male lead who is supportive, understanding and emotionally mature. His natural chemistry with Maya Ali enhances the drama, while his ability to shift between light-hearted moments and emotional scenes makes Haroon both relatable and memorable. Ali Raza as Mansoor in Leader Ali Raza continues to impress with his portrayal of Mansoor, a character balancing romance, ambition and political challenges. His expressive eyes, composed dialogue delivery and charismatic screen presence give the role remarkable depth. Whether displaying determination, affection or strategic thinking, Ali maintains complete control over the character’s evolving emotional journey. Saif Ali Khan as Behraam in Aap Ki Izzat Although his appearance is brief, Saif Ali Khan leaves a noticeable impression as Behraam. His calm presence, understated performance and effortless screen charisma immediately spark curiosity about the character’s future role in the story. Even with limited screen time, he successfully establishes Behraam as someone audiences will want to watch closely. Marina Khan as Zainab in Doctor Bahu Veteran actress Marina Khan delivers one of the week’s most emotionally moving performances as Zainab. She portrays a woman burdened by unresolved pain and emotional scars, gradually allowing vulnerability and compassion to replace bitterness. Marina’s nuanced acting highlights the long-term impact of generational trauma while offering a hopeful message about healing, forgiveness and personal growth. A memorable week for Pakistani television This week’s episodes showcased the exceptional talent present across Pakistan’s television industry. Whether portraying resilient women, emotionally conflicted men or complex family relationships, these actors brought authenticity, depth and emotional honesty to their roles. Their performances not only strengthened their respective dramas but also reminded viewers why compelling acting remains the foundation of unforgettable storytelling.