Sahir Ali Bagga reveals why two singers rejected Pakistan Zindabad

Saba Hameed continues to prove her versatility as an actor, appearing in more projects than most of her peers. Her latest casting choices, though, have left fans and colleagues puzzled. In ARY Digital’s Bas Tera Saath Ho, now 28 episodes deep, Saba portrays the wife of the male lead’s uncle, played by Faran Tahir. Around the same time, she plays the mother of the female lead’s father in Dar-e-Nijaat, another ARY production, again opposite Tahir. She is essentially his wife in one show and his mother in another, with both airing simultaneously. Content creator K Khan raised the issue in an Instagram reel on Monday. He questioned how the makers of Dar-e-Nijaat decided she suited the role of Tahir’s mother, given that she plays his spouse elsewhere on the same channel. Actor Zhalay Sarhadi weighed in through the comments, arguing that only women seem to age in Pakistani show business, while men remain perpetually youthful on screen. She said the industry keeps reinforcing this outdated mindset, even as attitudes shift elsewhere in the world. Sarhadi called for better, more realistic roles written for female actors, and joked she might soon end up playing Humayun Saeed’s mother if the trend continues. Atiqa Odho voiced similar frustration on her show Kya Drama Hai, posted to YouTube on Tuesday. She praised the overall cast but admitted she could not understand the casting logic behind Hameed’s role. She added that Hameed’s look in the part felt unconvincing, since she does not resemble a grandmother. Not everyone agreed. TV host Juggun Kazim defended the casting, calling it proof of Hameed’s exceptional range as a performer. She said Hameed has a rare gift for making audiences forget she is acting and fully believe each character. This is not the first time ageism has stirred debate in Pakistani television. Atiqa herself was previously targeted over remarks about her appearance. Critics often point out that male actors in their 40s still land lead roles as young men, such as Fahad Mustafa in Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, frequently paired with much younger actresses. Women of similar age, meanwhile, are routinely pushed into roles as mothers or older relatives, underscoring a persistent double standard in casting across the industry.

Demi Lovato is taking a nostalgic trip back to where her career first began. Her tribute comes just days before “Camp Rock 3” premieres on August 13. The 33-year-old singer and actress famously played Mitchie in both “Camp Rock” and its sequel, “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam.” On August 10, she took to Instagram to share a heartfelt post about the franchise. Lovato shared a mix of movie stills and behind-the-scenes photos from her time on the original films. She captioned the post simply, expressing that Mitchie will always hold a special place in her heart. Fans quickly flooded the comments section, sharing their own emotional reactions to the throwback. Many expressed how much the character and franchise meant to them growing up. One user wrote that Mitchie Torres would always remain a beloved character to them. Another said “Camp Rock” holds an irreplaceable spot in their heart, while a third called the photo a perfect snapshot of their childhood. This nostalgic post follows Lovato’s earlier confirmation that she will officially be reprising her role as Mitchie in the upcoming third film. She made the announcement on X, sharing a personal photo alongside the caption. In her message, Lovato playfully asked fans if they’d missed her, signing off in character as Mitchie herself. The announcement generated immediate excitement among longtime fans of the franchise. Her return marks a major milestone, arriving 18 years after the original “Camp Rock” first introduced her to audiences back in 2008. That film played a key role in launching her career as both an actress and singer. Lovato will not be returning alone either. She’ll be joined once again by the Jonas Brothers, who are reprising their roles as the band Connect 3. Joe Jonas returns as Shane Gray, Nick Jonas as Nate Gray, and Kevin Jonas as Jason Gray. Beyond acting, the brothers are also serving as executive producers on the new film, adding another layer of involvement to the long-awaited reunion.