Sindh schools to follow six-day week from August 1

Pakistani actor Ahsan Khan has opened up about the reasons that convinced him to join the hit drama Aap Ki Izzat, sharing how the project’s strong team, compelling script, and talented director made it an easy decision. The drama has quickly become one of the most talked-about television serials, earning praise from audiences and critics alike. Since its premiere on HUM TV, the series has generated millions of views across digital platforms while maintaining impressive television ratings. Penned by celebrated writer Umera Ahmed, Aap Ki Izzat is produced by Nina Kashif and Momina Duraid and directed by Saifee Hassan. The cast features Ahsan Khan, Urwa Hocane, Sania Saeed, Nauman Masood, and Saif Ali Khan in pivotal roles. During a recent interview, Ahsan Khan reflected on how the project came his way and explained why he immediately felt connected to it. According to the actor, producer Nina Kashif was the first to approach him with the drama. He later met Momina Duraid, and the conversations about the project left a lasting impression on him. Ahsan said he felt warmly welcomed back and appreciated the supportive environment created by the production team. He noted that their professionalism and sincerity made it difficult for him to turn down the offer. The actor also expressed his admiration for director Saifee Hassan, describing him as one of the finest directors in the Pakistani television industry. Ahsan said working with Saifee had long been one of his career ambitions because of the director’s attention to detail and ability to bring emotional depth to every scene. He explained that Saifee Hassan’s narration of the story made the project even more appealing, adding that the director’s vision helped him better understand the emotional layers of his character. Ahsan also praised renowned writer Umera Ahmed, saying that her scripts naturally draw actors in because of their engaging storytelling and well-developed characters. He remarked that it was nearly impossible not to be captivated by a script written by her. The actor further acknowledged that the success of Aap Ki Izzat is the result of a collective effort. He credited the entire production team, including the cast, director, makeup artists, and crew members, for bringing the story to life on screen. Ahsan is currently portraying the character of Tabish, a role that has sparked widespread discussion among viewers. The character has received mixed reactions from fans, with many praising Ahsan’s powerful performance despite the criticism surrounding Tabish’s actions in the drama. The actor also spoke about the conversations generated by his character, suggesting that such reactions are part of portraying a complex role that resonates with audiences. As Aap Ki Izzat continues to attract viewers each week, Ahsan Khan’s performance remains one of the major highlights of the drama, with fans eagerly waiting to see how Tabish’s journey unfolds in the coming episodes.

The story of Partition has returned to the big screen with “Batwara 1947” and early viewers are already sharing largely positive reactions online. Many praised the film’s emotional storytelling, characters and performances. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, the film released in cinemas on August 14. It stars Sunny Deol as Sikandar, Shabana Azmi as Mai, and Preity Zinta as Hamida. Several viewers described the film as an emotional watch suited for the whole family. One social media user called it a complete family film and recommended watching it alongside parents, while also praising Azmi’s performance specifically. Other reactions focused on how the film portrayed the struggles people faced during Partition. Viewers pointed to its handling of fear, displacement and uncertainty as key emotional throughlines. One viewer noted that the film avoided painting Sikandar and Hamida as purely right or wrong. According to that reaction, their choices only made sense once the full weight of their circumstances became clear. Sunny Deol’s performance quickly became one of the most talked-about elements of the film. Numerous users praised his portrayal of Sikandar, particularly his expressive work in emotionally heavy scenes. One user wrote on X that Deol completely owns his character throughout the film. Another said his performance revealed emotional range well beyond his well-known action image, highlighting the quieter moments where his expressions carried entire scenes. The film’s character arc also drew significant attention from early viewers. Several noted that Sikandar’s journey across the story stood out as one of its strongest elements. One viewer pointed out that Sikandar was not written as a flawless hero from the start, instead confronting his own anger and beliefs as the narrative unfolds. Another praised a specific scene where his visible helplessness reportedly shifted the entire mood inside the theatre. Set in Lahore during the 1947 Partition, “Batwara 1947” explores the era’s impact through the lives of ordinary people. The film reportedly draws inspiration from Asghar Wajahat’s play “Jis Lahore Nai Vekhya, O Jamya E Nai.” These early reactions reflect only initial social media responses, with more detailed reviews expected as the film reaches wider audiences in the coming days.

Sonu Nigam has admitted to using auto-tune on some of his songs. The confession comes as a surprise, given how often the technology gets associated with less skilled singers. Speaking on the “Game Changers” podcast, the 53-year-old explained why the tool has become genuinely necessary in today’s music landscape. He didn’t shy away from addressing the topic directly. Nigam acknowledged that the rise of auto-tune has brought major changes to the industry. He said people often criticise it, but he personally believes whatever has happened has ultimately been for the good. He recalled that singers of his generation had to perform without auto-tune in earlier years. According to Nigam, that experience gave them the advantage of training their voices the traditional way, without relying on digital correction. Despite that background, he was clear about his own practices today. Nigam admitted he does use auto-tune on certain songs, depending on the requirements of the track. He explained that most modern music now follows a rigid digital pitch, unlike the live instrumentation of earlier decades. Nigam said musicians once played live sarangi and strings, which allowed some natural flexibility in vocal pitch. Now, he explained, everything is digitised and follows an exact tonal line, making raw vocals more likely to sound off. He said singers previously adjusted their voice around live musicians, but today’s productions demand more precision. Nigam did add an important caveat to his comments. He stressed that auto-tune shouldn’t be used as a way to fix the voices of people who genuinely can’t sing. He explained that the responsible use of the tool means enhancing an already strong performance, not creating one artificially. According to him, giving 99% effort and refining it to 100% with auto-tune is very different from relying on it entirely. Nigam added that many actors use auto-tune while pursuing music, which he said is completely fine for personal enjoyment. However, he made clear that trained singers still can’t be replaced by the technology. On the work front, Nigam recently lent his voice to the track “Tabassum” for Rajkumar Santoshi’s “Batwara 1947,” composed by AR Rahman and written by Javed Akhtar. The film stars Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta and Shabana Azmi in lead roles.