PPP leads in two AJK seats as PML-N wins one

Karan Johar has taken a nostalgic look back at Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna as the much-discussed romantic drama completes two decades since its theatrical debut. Released on August 11, 2006, the film brought together Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta and Amitabh Bachchan in a story that explored the uncertainties of marriage, emotional distance and complicated personal relationships. Set against the backdrop of New York, the film moved away from the conventional Bollywood portrayal of romance and family life. Its unconventional storyline quickly became a talking point, dividing viewers between those who appreciated its honesty and those who felt its themes challenged traditional values. Reflecting on the film’s journey, Johar recalled the wide range of reactions it generated after reaching cinemas. The filmmaker said he encountered everything from strong appreciation for the movie’s daring subject to severe criticism over the choices made by its characters. He also revisited a pre-release screening that gave him an early indication of just how strongly audiences might respond. During the screening, Johar noticed an audience member becoming visibly uncomfortable during a sequence involving Dev and Maya, the characters played by Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji. Another memory from that period involved a mother who approached Johar after watching the film. She questioned why he had chosen to build a story around divorce and troubled relationships rather than create another conventional family drama. With the benefit of hindsight, Johar has also been open about the movie’s imperfections. He acknowledged that its grand production, elaborate presentation and several songs contributed to an oversized cinematic experience, with some elements that he now believes could have been handled differently. However, Johar continues to stand by the central purpose of the film. He has maintained that the story was not intended to present infidelity as something admirable. Instead, it sought to examine the emotional consequences of decisions made within and outside marriage and the impact those choices can have on everyone involved. For Johar, the film’s enduring appeal lies in its willingness to avoid straightforward answers. Relationships, he suggested, cannot always be understood through simple definitions of right and wrong, particularly when emotions, expectations and personal struggles become intertwined. The filmmaker also acknowledged the contribution of the cast and crew who helped transform the ambitious idea into a large-scale production. Two decades later, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna remains a film that continues to invite debate. While its themes divided audiences when it first arrived, its exploration of imperfect relationships and difficult emotional decisions has allowed the movie to remain part of conversations around love, marriage and human choices.

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.

Doomsday has kicked off its theatrical journey with remarkable momentum, generating an estimated $16.5 million in advance ticket sales on its first day. The impressive start highlights the enormous excitement surrounding Marvel Studios’ next superhero epic and signals strong audience interest months before its December release. The studio opened ticket bookings alongside the launch of the film’s first official trailer, giving fans a glimpse of the highly anticipated story. The preview hints at an unprecedented alliance between the Avengers and the X-Men as they prepare to face one of Marvel’s most dangerous villains, Doctor Doom. The first-day ticket sales are particularly significant because bookings were initially limited to premium-format screenings in around 1,000 cinemas across North America. Despite the restricted availability, demand proved exceptionally strong, with several premium showings for the opening days selling out within hours. Avengers: Doomsday is set for a much wider release on December 18, expanding to more than 4,000 theaters across North America. Cinema operators are reportedly increasing the number of showtimes throughout the Christmas holiday period to accommodate the growing demand from moviegoers eager to secure opening-week tickets. One notable aspect of the advance sales is that IMAX screenings were not included, as those screens are expected to remain dedicated to Dune: Part III following its release. To strengthen the appeal of premium movie experiences, Marvel has also introduced Infinity Vision, a certification for theaters that meet specific technical standards for enhanced picture and sound quality. Industry expectations for Avengers: Doomsday continue to rise following its impressive ticket presales. Early figures suggest that the film’s first-day advance bookings have significantly outpaced those of Deadpool & Wolverine, one of 2024’s biggest box office successes. That film opened to more than $200 million domestically before surpassing $1.3 billion in worldwide earnings. While the early sales indicate an enormous opening, it remains to be seen how the film will perform throughout the competitive holiday season. December releases often benefit from extended theatrical runs, but they also face strong competition from other major titles. Marvel’s last major crossover event, Avengers: Endgame, became a global phenomenon in 2019, breaking numerous box office records and concluding the Infinity Saga. Since then, the studio has experienced mixed results at the box office, although ensemble-driven productions have consistently delivered the strongest performances. Recent hits such as Spider-Man: No Way Home and Deadpool & Wolverine demonstrated that audiences continue to embrace large-scale crossover stories featuring beloved Marvel characters. Avengers: Doomsday aims to build on that success by bringing together some of the franchise’s most iconic heroes alongside fan-favorite X-Men characters. Adding further excitement is its simultaneous release with Dune: Part III, creating one of the most anticipated box office clashes in recent years. The matchup has already generated widespread discussion among movie fans, with many predicting one of the biggest theatrical weekends in cinema history. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Avengers: Doomsday marks the 39th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The story features Robert Downey Jr. in the surprising role of Doctor Doom as multiple universes collide, setting the stage for the franchise’s next major chapter and paving the way for Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for release in 2027.