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Pakistani singer Atif Aslam has spoken about his decade-long absence from the Indian music industry, reflecting on the ban imposed on Pakistani artistes following the 2016 Uri attack. In an interview with Kris Fade on his YouTube channel, the 43-year-old singer discussed how the restrictions affected his professional relationship with India and his millions of fans there. Atif said it had been almost 10 years since he was banned from working in India, explaining that the decision was made by the Indian government. He also pointed out that Indian artistes have faced similar restrictions in Pakistan, describing the situation as something beyond the control of individual musicians. Atif revealed that he has not recorded a song for the Indian market during the past decade. Despite the ban, however, he said his music continues to reach Indian listeners through different means. According to the singer, some fans use VPNs to access his music, while others share his songs through CDs. Although he made it clear that he does not support piracy, Atif said music ultimately finds its way to audiences who want to listen to it. Addressing his Indian fans directly, the singer delivered an emotional message and assured them that he has not forgotten them. He said he does not necessarily miss working in India but genuinely misses the people who supported his music throughout the years. Atif also reflected on how the ban unexpectedly influenced his artistic journey. He explained that his experience with playback singing had taught him a great deal, but the absence of opportunities in India pushed him to focus more deeply on creating his own music. Rather than viewing the ban entirely negatively, Atif said the situation gave him an opportunity to explore himself creatively. He expressed gratitude to his supporters as well as those responsible for the restrictions, suggesting that the circumstances ultimately encouraged him to develop a different side of his musical identity. The restrictions on Pakistani artistes in India began in the aftermath of the September 2016 Uri attack. The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association subsequently called on its members to stop working with Pakistani artistes. Restrictions became even stronger following the 2019 Pulwama attack, when the All India Cine Workers Association announced a complete ban on Pakistani actors working in Indian cinema. Despite being unable to work in India for years, Atif has remained one of the most popular Pakistani singers among Indian audiences. His connection with Indian music lovers dates back to his breakthrough with “Aadat,” which featured in the 2005 Bollywood film Kalyug. He later became known for several successful Bollywood songs, including “Tera Hone Laga Hoon,” “Tere Sang Yaara” and other popular tracks that strengthened his position as one of the region’s most recognised playback singers. Atif’s latest comments highlight the lasting connection between his music and Indian listeners, even after years of political and industry-level restrictions.

Sharmeen Ali, Sunita Marshall and Saima Qureshi have spoken up about raising self-reliant children. They believe both sons and daughters should learn practical life skills from a young age. The three actors shared their thoughts on Nida Yasir’s morning show. They agreed that independence has nothing to do with gender. Every child should be able to take care of themselves. Every child should also help around the house. Sunita brought up safety concerns in cities like Karachi. She said these often limit how freely kids can move outdoors. Even so, she believes parents can still teach independence at home. Simple habits matter, she said. Making the bed. Cooking a basic meal. These small tasks add up over time. She also spoke about extracurricular activities. Her son manages rowing and tuition on his own schedule. That balance, she said, teaches real time management. Saima, who is raising three sons, shared a similar approach. She has her children handle their own chores. Washing dishes. Making tea. Ironing clothes. If the house needs dusting and help isn’t around, they step in too. Without early discipline, she said, kids won’t develop that habit later. Sunita added that chores are shared across her household. She takes a turn. Her husband, Hassan, takes a turn. The kids take their own turns too. Sharmeen agreed with both actors. She said chores should never be split by gender. Working mothers can’t always be present, she pointed out. That means kids need to solve problems on their own. She then reflected on her own journey. Learning to drive after her separation gave her real independence. Now, she wants to pass that same skill on to her 17-year-old daughter. The conversation also touched on how children are growing up today. The internet, they agreed, has made kids more informed than before. Saima recalled moments when her children corrected her after learning something new online. Sunita shared how her son taught himself detailed history facts from YouTube, long before school covered the same topics. Even with all this exposure, the actors were clear about one thing. Academics still come first. Screen time and hobbies, they said, should work more like rewards. Boundaries matter, and so does staying involved in a child’s daily life.

Suki Waterhouse has surprised fans by revealing that she has never watched her partner Robert Pattinson’s iconic performance as Edward Cullen in the Twilight film series. Although the couple have been together for several years and share a young daughter, Waterhouse admitted that she has yet to sit down and watch the blockbuster franchise that launched Pattinson to worldwide fame. During a recent podcast appearance, the actress and singer was asked a fun question about whether she was “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob,” referring to the famous love triangle at the center of the Twilight saga. Waterhouse responded with an unexpected confession, saying she had never actually seen the films. She admitted that despite the franchise’s massive popularity, she still has not watched Pattinson’s breakout role. However, she made it clear that she plans to change that in the future. She also joked that even without seeing the movies, she knew she had to support Edward. Laughing at her own answer, Waterhouse said she quickly realized she couldn’t choose the wrong side when discussing the franchise connected so closely to her partner. The actress explained that she has been waiting for the right moment to finally watch the films. Rather than viewing them by herself, she wants the experience to be more entertaining and personal. Waterhouse said she would love to watch the Twilight movies with Pattinson by her side so he could provide behind-the-scenes commentary and share stories from the making of the films. She also joked that she would happily watch them with friends, as long as someone was there to offer commentary throughout the experience. Pattinson portrayed the mysterious vampire Edward Cullen in the hugely successful Twilight series, which became a global cultural phenomenon after the first film was released in 2008. The franchise turned him into one of Hollywood’s biggest stars and earned him a dedicated international fan base. While Pattinson has since built a career with a wide range of critically acclaimed performances, including independent films and major blockbusters, Twilight remains one of the defining chapters of his career. Waterhouse and Pattinson have kept their relationship largely out of the spotlight since they began dating. The pair rarely discuss their private lives publicly, choosing instead to focus attention on their respective careers. The couple welcomed their first child together in 2024 and have continued to maintain a low profile as parents. During the same conversation, Waterhouse also shared a glimpse into their supportive relationship. She revealed that Pattinson is always willing to help her prepare audition self-tapes, showing his encouragement for her acting career. Her comments offered fans a rare insight into their life together, highlighting not only their sense of humor but also the support they provide each other behind the scenes. While Waterhouse may not have seen Twilight yet, she made it clear that when she finally does, she wants the experience to be memorable—with Robert Pattinson offering commentary every step of the way.