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Javed Akhtar has been writing words that endure for more than five decades, and in a candid conversation with Vogue India, he turned his gaze toward what he believes is happening to creativity in the digital age. What he found does not reassure him. The veteran lyricist and screenwriter argued that the internet and its algorithms have created a culture of creative fear, one in which people are no longer willing to take the risk of doing something that has not already been done before. “The echo chambers created by the internet have made most people afraid to do something for the first time,” he said. “Once someone else does it, they’re fine to follow in their footsteps.” He extended that observation into a broader concern about how people engage with ideas and the world around them. “People no longer want to pause, think, analyse or sit with an idea. They are living happily, so why would they bother to think about this universe or the vastness of nature? For them, it is a waste of time.” For Akhtar, this impatience is incompatible with the kind of work that lasts. “Meaningful creation requires time, discomfort and reflection,” he said, adding that his own willingness to question dominant voices and widely accepted ideologies has always come from exactly that kind of sustained engagement with ideas. He was particularly pointed about the music industry and the way commercial priorities have pushed the role of lyrics to the margins. “Today, words have become less important because the marketing team has decided that slow music won’t trend,” he said. The result, in his view, is an industry that remixes old material with inferior new writing rather than producing something genuinely fresh. “But then they take those same songs, edit the mukhras and remix them with some inferiorly written antaras. There was a time when writers had more space. Today, other forces dictate what music gets made. And yet, songs that are decades old still endure, while many recent ones have a short shelf life.” His advice to young writers was direct and unglamorous. Read more. Not only classical literature and celebrated authors, but light reading too. “The real loss is not in reading something trivial but in not reading at all,” he said. On the creative process itself, Akhtar drew a distinction that cuts to the heart of what separates craft from genuine art. “All arts can be divided into two parts. On one hand, there’s imagination, passion, fantasy and romance, and on the other, there is craft. You can learn the craft in a crash course. But imagining, fantasising and romanticising cannot be learned. There are no courses for yearning.” He closed with a lesson passed down from his father that has stayed with him throughout his career. “It is very easy to write in difficult language, but very difficult to write in easy language. When you write simply, there is no space for your idea to hide behind big words. Only if you are totally convinced of what you are writing can you afford to use transparent language.” It is a principle that has shaped some of Hindi cinema’s most enduring words, and one that no algorithm is likely to teach.

Syed Mohammad Ahmed has been a pillar of Pakistani television for decades. As an actor and writer, he has built a reputation not only for his craft but for the kind of honest, unhurried perspective on the industry that comes from having seen it evolve over a very long time. In a recent podcast appearance, he offered exactly that kind of perspective, speaking candidly about Kya Drama Hai and the three respected actresses who serve as its judges. The context for his remarks was a controversy that had recently surfaced around Nadia Khan, the show’s host, who had mimicked Sajal Aly in a segment that drew significant criticism from audiences who felt the impression was mocking rather than affectionate. Ahmed addressed this directly and did not tread lightly around it. He said that in earlier times, mimicry was an art form conducted with permission and done tastefully, with genuine respect for the person being imitated. What he saw in Nadia Khan’s impression of Sajal Aly fell outside those boundaries. His discomfort was rooted in what he perceived as a mismatch in calibre. He said he did not understand how someone who was not even in Sajal’s league could presume to mock her in that manner. It was a pointed observation, delivered without hostility but with unmistakable clarity. He then turned his attention to the judges themselves, Marina Khan and Atiqa Odho, and what he had to say about them was warm but carried its own kind of candour. Of Marina Khan, he spoke with genuine admiration. He described her as someone who simply does not backbite, a quality he clearly values greatly, and said she is a truly great person. His comment about why she would participate in a show like Kya Drama Hai was not unkind but it was honest. He said he understood that running a household requires income, and that Marina simply has to work, framing it as a practical reality rather than a criticism of the show itself. He was equally warm toward Atiqa Odho, describing her as well-learned and well-read. But again he expressed genuine puzzlement about why someone of her intellect and standing would join such a programme. The thread connecting both observations was his broader view of why channels produce the kind of content they do. He was clear that it comes down to ratings. Channels run this content because it works commercially, and individuals participate because participation keeps them working. He was not condemning anyone, but he was naming a dynamic that many in the industry understand but rarely state plainly. For an actor of Syed Mohammad Ahmed’s stature, the willingness to speak this honestly about a format that involves three of his respected contemporaries is itself notable. He managed to criticise a system without diminishing the people within it, which is a harder balance to strike than it looks.

Actor and writer Syed Mohammad Ahmed has previously spoken about what he described as a difficult experience involving a younger male actor during the filming of a drama. Ahmed did not publicly identify the actor at the time. He said the alleged mistreatment had left him humiliated and made it difficult for him to complete the project. The matter has now resurfaced after a report by FHM Pakistan identified actor Fahad Sheikh as the person allegedly involved. The publication shared a video discussing the claim. The allegation has attracted attention on social media and within Pakistan’s entertainment industry. However, the claims have not been independently verified. Actor Shamoon Abbasi had earlier expressed support for Ahmed. He said he knew the younger actor involved and suggested that an apology should be offered. Abbasi had also indicated that the actor’s identity could eventually become public if no apology was made. According to the report, Ahmed and Sheikh worked together on two television dramas between 2020 and 2022. The report alleges that tensions arose between the two actors during their professional association. However, the details of the alleged incident have not been independently confirmed, and Ahmed himself did not name Sheikh when he first discussed the matter publicly. The renewed discussion has generated reactions among viewers and entertainment industry followers. Many social media users are calling for greater clarity from those involved. Fahad Sheikh has not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication. The controversy comes amid broader discussions within Pakistan’s entertainment industry about workplace conduct, professional respect and the treatment of senior artists.

Pakistani actor and producer Humayun Saeed is receiving warm birthday wishes from his family and fans as he celebrates another year of his life. His wife, Samina Humayun Saeed, marked the occasion with a heartfelt social media tribute. She shared pictures of the actor and expressed her love and admiration for her husband. Samina described Humayun as an important part of her life and family. Her affectionate message attracted attention from fans, who also sent birthday wishes to the actor. Humayun Saeed is among Pakistan’s most recognised television and film stars. He has worked extensively as an actor and producer and has been associated with several successful dramas and films. His professional career has remained closely linked with the entertainment industry for decades. He has also established himself as a successful producer alongside his acting work. Family support has remained an important part of Humayun’s personal life. Samina has often stood beside him throughout his career and public journey. The birthday celebrations also received a special message from Sana Shahnawaz, Samina’s younger sister. Sana shares a close relationship with Humayun and Samina. The family has raised her with affection, and she is considered an important member of their household. On Humayun’s birthday, Sana shared her own tribute for the actor. She described him as a supportive figure and expressed gratitude for his guidance over the years. Her message reflected the close bond they share. She also conveyed her affection for Humayun and wished him happiness on his special day. The family messages offered fans a glimpse into Humayun’s life away from the screen. While the actor is widely known for his professional achievements, the birthday posts highlighted his role within his family. Fans also joined the celebrations online. Many sent good wishes and prayers for the actor’s health, happiness and continued success. Humayun has maintained a strong presence in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. His popularity has continued across different generations of television and cinema audiences.