Spiderman-A Brand New Day- a film of identity and resilience

Paris Jackson has opened up about her difficult road to sobriety, revealing that she underwent intensive electroconvulsive therapy after coming dangerously close to attempting to take her own life. The 28-year-old singer, who is the daughter of late pop legend Michael Jackson, recently reflected on her struggles and recovery while speaking on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast. Paris revealed that she has now been sober for six years, but reaching that milestone involved confronting some of the darkest moments of her life. She recalled a period when she came “very, very close” to attempting suicide and eventually received electroconvulsive therapy as part of her treatment. According to Paris, she underwent nine sessions within three weeks. Describing how close she was to making an attempt, she said she was only “centimeters away” from doing so. The singer also provided a detailed account of what the treatment involved. While electroconvulsive therapy can have a frightening reputation, Paris explained that modern procedures are carried out under general anesthesia, meaning patients are unconscious during the treatment. She recalled having to prepare for the procedure by replacing the metal jewelry from her facial piercings with plastic earrings. After arriving at the hospital, she said she changed into a hospital gown before being given anesthesia. Paris explained that she was then secured in place and given a bite guard before the electrical stimulation was administered. Although the treatment was performed while she was unconscious, she said the experience still came with difficult physical effects afterward. The singer described experiencing what she called “gnarly side effects” and recalled feeling sharp pains after waking up from the sessions. Despite the challenges she endured, Paris has continued moving forward with her recovery and has now maintained six years of sobriety. Her willingness to discuss such a painful period has given fans a more personal look at the struggles behind her journey. Paris has previously spoken about her experiences with addiction, emotional struggles and recovery. Her latest comments further highlight the seriousness of the crisis she experienced and the extensive treatment she received while working toward a healthier life. By openly discussing her past, Paris is shedding light on the realities of recovery and the different forms of professional support people may receive during severe mental health crises. Her six-year sobriety milestone represents a significant achievement after what she described as an extremely difficult chapter in her life.

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.