Arijit Singh ends playback singing retirement

Pakistani singer Fariha Pervez has opened up about not having children and shared her views on the responsibilities that come with parenthood. The singer recently appeared on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast “Excuse Me,” where she spoke candidly about motherhood, raising children and the importance of parents giving proper attention to their kids. Fariha said she does not have children but believes she would have been an extremely protective and attentive mother if she had become a parent. She explained that watching children grow through different stages of life makes parenting a major responsibility. The singer stressed that children require time, care and guidance from their parents. She also expressed concern over parents who rely heavily on electronic devices to keep their children occupied. According to Fariha, excessive use of tablets and other devices can have negative effects on children’s wellbeing. She urged parents to pay closer attention to how their children spend their time and to take their responsibilities seriously. She described children as a blessing as well as a test and encouraged parents to value them accordingly. Fariha further emphasised the important role mothers play in a child’s upbringing. She said that bringing a child into the world comes with the responsibility of providing proper care, attention and protection. The singer acknowledged that some parents might disagree with her comments but maintained that her intention was to highlight the significance of responsible parenting. Fariha Pervez has remained a recognised name in Pakistan’s music industry. She rose to prominence with her debut song “Dil Hua Bo Kata” and later became known for Punjabi songs, drama soundtracks and ghazal performances. She stepped away from the music industry in 2016 following her divorce from singer Nauman Javed. Her recent podcast appearance has once again drawn attention to her personal views and experiences.

Nicki Minaj has responded through her legal team after a business dispute with production company 24/7 Productions intensified in court. The rapper’s lawyers have strongly rejected claims made by the company, arguing that the lawsuit unfairly targets her personally and attempts to damage her reputation instead of focusing on the contractual issues at the centre of the case. The latest development comes after 24/7 Productions described Minaj as a “spoiled and entitled” rap star in court filings related to an ongoing payment dispute. Her lawyers argue that such language has no relevance to the legal issues and was included solely to create a negative public image of the Grammy-nominated artist. According to Minaj’s legal team, the remarks were designed to distract attention from the actual contractual disagreement. The dispute centres on production work carried out during Minaj’s Jingle Ball performances and the Pink Friday 2 launch events held in New York in 2023. 24/7 Productions claims it covered a wide range of event-related expenses, including hotel accommodation, staffing, security services and production costs. The company alleges that it has not yet received full payment for those services and has therefore taken legal action to recover the outstanding amount. Minaj’s lawyers, however, dispute those claims and insist that the hotel accommodation and related expenses were already included in the agreed budget for an artist of her stature. They argue that such costs should not be portrayed as unusual or excessive. Her legal team also contends that the production company is attempting to sensationalise the case by focusing on her celebrity lifestyle rather than the actual business agreement between the parties. Another key argument presented by Minaj’s lawyers concerns the identity of the contracting party. They maintain that the agreement was entered into with Pink Friday Productions LLC, not with Nicki Minaj in her personal capacity. As a result, they argue that the rapper herself should not be held personally responsible for any financial obligations arising from the company’s agreements. The legal team has also insisted that the disputed payments have already been made, directly challenging the production company’s allegations that it remains unpaid. The case is scheduled to return to court on August 3, when a judge will consider Minaj’s request to have her name removed from the lawsuit. The hearing is expected to focus on whether the claims should proceed against the artist personally or remain directed at Pink Friday Productions LLC instead. For now, both sides remain firmly committed to their opposing positions. While 24/7 Productions continues to pursue payment through the courts, Nicki Minaj’s legal representatives insist that the company has mischaracterised both the facts of the dispute and the rapper’s role in the contractual arrangement. The outcome of the upcoming court hearing will likely determine how the case proceeds in the months ahead.

Marvel Studios has reportedly cancelled Wonder Man after its first season, with the Disney+ series not expected to return for a second instalment as the company continues reshaping its television strategy. According to Variety, Marvel never planned to move forward with a second season in the traditional way. A source told the publication that a writers’ room for a follow-up season was never opened, and members of the creative team have since been released from the project. The comedy-drama starred Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as aspiring actor Simon Williams, alongside Ben Kingsley, who reprised his Marvel role as Trevor Slattery. The cast also included X Mayo, Demetrius Grosse, Zlatko Burić, Arian Moayed and Olivia Thirlby. The series was created by Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Guest. Cretton directed the opening two episodes, while Guest served as the show’s executive producer and showrunner. Despite its reported cancellation, Wonder Man received a strong response from critics. The show’s first season earned a 91% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of Marvel Television’s best-reviewed recent projects. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II also received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance. The nomination marked another milestone in his career, making him the first live-action performer to receive Emmy recognition for both Marvel and DC projects after previously winning for HBO’s Watchmen. Television critic Alison Herman praised the performances of the two lead actors, writing, “Abdul-Mateen and Kingsley make their characters equally ridiculous and romantic, urged on by a motivation more intimate and individual than saving the world.” Marvel described the series through its official synopsis, stating, “Aspiring Hollywood actor Simon Williams (Abdul Mateen) is struggling to get his career off the ground. During a chance meeting with Trevor Slattery (Kingsley), an actor whose biggest roles may be well behind him, Simon learns legendary director Von Kovak (Burić) is remaking the superhero film ‘Wonder Man.’” The synopsis continues, “These two actors at opposite ends of their careers doggedly pursue life-changing roles in this film as audiences get a peek behind the curtain of the entertainment industry.” Although Disney has not released official streaming figures, Wonder Man briefly reached No. 8 on Nielsen’s Streaming Originals chart during its debut week before dropping out of the rankings the following week. The reported cancellation comes as Disney continues reducing its Marvel television output in favour of fewer, more focused productions. The studio has increasingly shifted away from producing a large number of interconnected streaming series, instead prioritising projects with stronger long-term potential. The latest development is particularly surprising because Wonder Man had reportedly been greenlit for a second season in March, only weeks after its debut. However, according to Variety, those plans ultimately did not progress into active development, with no writers’ room ever being assembled. While Marvel Studios has not officially commented on the report, the decision signals another step in Disney’s broader effort to streamline its Marvel Television slate despite the show’s positive reviews and award recognition.