Category Archives: media

drama, entertainment, media, pakistan, television

So, you think you know: GEO Drama Edition

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**1. What Made Bashar Momin Stand Out Among GEO’s Dramas?**

Bashar Momin became one of GEO’s most talked-about dramas, in large part due to Faysal Quraishi’s intense performance. The correct answer to what made the series stand out at the time is:

**b) It was Pakistan’s most expensive drama at the time of release, known for lavish sets and costumes.**

When Bashar Momin aired in 2014, it was the most expensive Pakistani drama produced to date. The elaborate sets and luxurious costumes elevated the production values beyond anything previously seen on local television. Its darker storyline also distinguished it from the family sagas that typically dominated the screens.

Faysal Quraishi played Bashar, a wealthy and corrupt businessman obsessed with power. Ushna Shah’s portrayal of Rudaba brought a sense of innocence and vulnerability to the screen. Despite controversy over its themes of toxic love and manipulation, Bashar Momin became a benchmark for luxury productions.

The series demonstrated that Pakistani dramas could push creative boundaries, inspiring other producers to innovate—especially in the growing era of OTT platforms.

—

**2. The Central Theme of the Critically Acclaimed Drama Alif**

Alif paired powerhouse stars Sajal Aly and Hamza Ali Abbasi in a story that went beyond typical drama narratives. The central theme of the show is:

**d) A parallel narrative of an artist’s spiritual journey and a struggling actress’s sacrifices.**

The drama explored spirituality intertwined with the struggles of art and fame. Hamza Ali Abbasi’s character, Qalb-e-Momin, is a filmmaker caught between worldly success and seeking a higher purpose. Sajal Aly’s Momina Sultan is a woman enduring hardships, guided by faith and resilience.

Written by Umera Ahmed, Alif combined philosophical questions about identity, legacy, and the intricate bond between creator and creation. This thought-provoking narrative resonated deeply with audiences and led to a cult following beyond its strong TV ratings.

The drama’s emotive soundtrack, stunning cinematography, and powerful performances added layers of emotional weight, making Alif more than just entertainment—it challenged viewers to reflect on faith, destiny, and artistic responsibility.

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**3. Sirf Tum: What Aspect of Production Received Praise?**

Sirf Tum quickly became a fan favourite for its modern and relatable love story. The most praised aspect of its production was:

**a) The strong chemistry between Hamza Sohail and Anmol Baloch as the leads.**

Viewers were drawn to the authentic and natural on-screen chemistry between the lead actors. The drama explored themes such as family honour, independence, and love against the odds—striking a chord with a younger demographic who saw their own challenges reflected in the story.

Directional choices emphasized the emotional highs and lows, while the soundtrack gained popularity on social media. Critics applauded the blend of traditional storytelling with modern themes that respected cultural values.

The supporting cast added balance and depth, further enriching the narrative. On YouTube, Sirf Tum trended in both Pakistan and India, garnering millions of views on romantic sequences and OST clips.

While lacking the large-scale production of some earlier GEO dramas, Sirf Tum proved that a well-acted, well-directed love story could thrive in the digital streaming era.

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**4. The Milestone Achieved by Tere Bin**

Tere Bin, starring Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi, became a cultural phenomenon. Its major milestone was:

**c) It became one of the most-watched Pakistani dramas on YouTube, crossing hundreds of millions of views within months.**

The drama’s themes of love, conflict, and redemption attracted both the South Asian diaspora and non-Urdu-speaking audiences through subtitles. The pairing of Wahaj Ali and Yumna Zaidi received widespread praise from fans and critics alike.

Weekly dialogues and romantic confrontations from the drama trended consistently on social media platforms, demonstrating its broad reach beyond traditional TV screens.

Tere Bin also revitalized interest in live television viewing despite the growing popularity of on-demand streaming. GEO TV reached new digital heights with its success, highlighting how compelling storytelling and star power could capture both domestic and international audiences.

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**5. What Made Khuda Aur Muhabbat’s Anthology Format Unique?**

Since its debut in 2011, Khuda Aur Muhabbat has spanned three successful seasons. Its unique feature is:

**d) Each season retells the same love story but with new actors and settings.**

The first season starred Imran Abbas and Sadia Khan, followed by Kubra Khan joining in the second season. The third season featured Feroze Khan and Iqra Aziz, breaking records and becoming one of GEO’s highest-rated dramas and cultural sensations.

This anthology format allowed the series to refresh itself continuously while focusing on themes of spiritual longing and human vulnerability.

Audiences appreciated the high production design, memorable soundtrack, and the seamless blend of romance with spiritual undertones, which became the hallmark of the Khuda Aur Muhabbat franchise.

—

This selection of GEO dramas demonstrates the diversity and evolution of Pakistani television, highlighting standout performances, innovative storytelling, and production achievements that have defined contemporary Pakistani entertainment.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1348547-so-you-think-you-know-geo-drama-edition

business, international, media, politics

Voices from the Arab Press: The world’s message to Netanyahu

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Voices from the Arab Press: The World’s Message to Netanyahu

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a joint press conference in the State Dining Room at the White House, Washington, DC, US, on September 29, 2025.

(Photo credit: REUTERS)

By THE MEDIA LINE

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-869198

business, international, media, politics

Voices from the Arab Press: The world’s message to Netanyahu

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**Voices from the Arab Press: The World’s Message to Netanyahu**

*A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.*

—

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a joint press conference in the State Dining Room at the White House, Washington, DC, on September 29, 2025.
(Photo credit: REUTERS)

—

By THE MEDIA LINE
Loading…
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-869198

business, entertainment, india, media, movies

Does Prabhas’s ‘The Raja Saab’ have no OTT buyers?

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**Does Prabhas’s ‘The Raja Saab’ Have No OTT Buyers?**

*By Shreya Mukherjee | Oct 03, 2025, 05:12 PM*

**What’s the Story?**

The digital rights deal for Prabhas’s upcoming film, *The Raja Saab*, is yet to be finalized. This delay has reportedly caused concern among the makers, who are actively seeking a lucrative offer for the film’s OTT rights.

**Budget Concerns: Top Platforms Reluctant to Splurge**

The production team has reportedly spent around ₹400 crore on *The Raja Saab*. However, top streaming platforms seem hesitant to invest heavily in acquiring the digital rights. They are reportedly playing hardball in negotiations, aiming to secure a lower price as the makers grow eager to close the deal.

Sources suggest, “The top platforms are not in the mood to shell out huge amounts on this horror comedy which has mostly Telugu nativity.”

**Marketing Strategy: Trailer Released to Generate Buzz**

To keep the film in the public consciousness and attract potential buyers, the makers recently released the trailer for *The Raja Saab*. While Prabhas enjoys a massive fan following worldwide, the film’s genre—a horror comedy, rather than an all-out actioner—is affecting its appeal among the wider audience.

*The Raja Saab* is slated to hit theaters on January 9, 2026.

**Film Insights: What to Know About ‘The Raja Saab’**

Directed by Maruthi, *The Raja Saab* has completed principal shooting except for one romantic song scheduled to be filmed in December. The movie has been in production for over two years and faced delays due to Prabhas’s injury and his busy schedule.

Alongside Prabhas, the film stars Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar in lead roles.

Stay tuned for more updates as the film approaches its release date.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/uncertainty-surrounds-the-raja-saab-ott-deal/story

celebrity, entertainment, media, royalty

EXCLUSIVE: Revealed — The A-List Podcast Snub That Left Meghan Markle ‘Reeling With Embarrassment’

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**Meghan Markle Left Embarrassed After Mariah Carey Erases Her From Memory in UK Radio Interview**

*October 2, 2025, Updated 7:36 p.m. ET*

Meghan Markle has reportedly been left embarrassed after Mariah Carey appeared to erase her from memory when asked about royal connections during a UK radio interview, RadarOnline.com can reveal.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, launched her popular podcast *Archetypes* in 2022, with Carey, 56, appearing as one of her headline guests. That episode made headlines at the time for an awkward exchange when the singer called Meghan a “diva,” before hastily clarifying she meant it as a compliment about her style and presence.

### The Awkward ‘Diva’ Moment Resurfaces

But three years on, that moment has resurfaced after Carey was asked on Hits Radio to reflect on royal encounters ahead of a planned performance at Sandringham House. Instead of mentioning Markle, Carey chose to talk warmly about meeting Sarah Ferguson, describing her as “cool.”

For those close to the Sussexes, the “diva” incident combined with Carey’s refusal to collaborate again with Markle in her new Netflix content has “stung.”

One source close to Markle said, “Meghan saw the podcast as a way to connect with influential women she respected. Being so openly passed over now feels deeply humiliating—as though the ‘diva’ controversy is still casting a shadow over her.”

### Meghan’s Sensitivity to the Comment

The original conversation between the pair on *Archetypes* centered on the word “diva” and its double meaning in both pop culture and everyday life. Carey had told Markle she sometimes gave off “diva moments,” pointing to her poise, glamorous wardrobe, and polished presentation.

Markle appeared unsettled by the remark, asking in response, “What kind of diva moments do I give you?” Although Carey clarified her comment referred to image rather than personality, Markle later admitted during the episode that she found the exchange uncomfortable.

The resurfacing of that tension has, according to insiders, left Markle particularly sensitive.

Another industry insider commented, “Mariah was among the most high-profile guests Meghan had secured, so choosing to spotlight Sarah Ferguson instead—without even acknowledging Meghan—was telling. In celebrity circles, such omissions don’t go unnoticed, and it’s embarrassed Meghan.”

### No Chance of a Reunion

Despite this, Markle would still like Mariah to get involved in her new projects, knowing it would make headlines. However, Mariah’s representatives have made it clear there is no chance of that happening.

A source explained, “Mariah just isn’t a fan of Meghan and her ultra-sensitivity. Mariah plays up her diva image in a fun way, but with Meghan it just comes across as irritating.”

This snub comes at a time when Markle and Prince Harry, 41, are working hard to keep their media projects afloat amid critical reviews. Season two of Markle’s Netflix lifestyle series *With Love, Meghan* has recently launched, while Harry’s own polo documentary faced widespread negative feedback earlier this year.

### Renewed Insecurities for the Duchess

A Hollywood source familiar with Markle’s team shared, “She has invested a lot of effort in aligning herself with the celebrity sisterhood, so being left out in this way is painful. Meghan regards her podcast as one of her proudest achievements—and for one of its most prominent guests to overlook it feels like a real setback.”

Friends further suggested that Mariah’s omission of Markle during her radio chat revived insecurities about how the Duchess is perceived in star circles compared to her royal status.

One confidante explained, “Meghan’s biggest fear is being disregarded—whether by the Palace or by Hollywood. To her, this was yet another sign that she’s still struggling to secure her place.”

—

*For more updates on Meghan Markle, Mariah Carey, and royal news, stay tuned.*
https://radaronline.com/p/meghan-markle-podcast-snub-embarrassment-a-list-guest-mariah-carey/

entertainment, history, media, technology

The B-Team shares their AOL screen names

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In Today I Learned, Brhett Vickery shares the history of America Online (AOL) and invites her coworkers to share their AOL screen names.

Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too!

You can have all the hijinks delivered straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter today.
https://wgntv.com/morning-news/the-b-team-shares-their-aol-screen-names/

culture, entertainment, history, media

‘The Crown’s guide to understanding royal image shifts

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**‘The Crown’s’ Guide to Understanding Royal Image Shifts**
*By Vinita Jain | Oct 02, 2025 10:13 AM*

**What’s the story?**
*The Crown*, the popular Netflix series, offers an intriguing glimpse into the life of the British royal family. The show explores how public perception of the royals has shifted over time by weaving historical events with personal anecdotes. Here’s how the series sheds light on this complex relationship between the monarchy and the public.

### 1. The Impact of Media on Perception
*The Crown* highlights the pivotal role media plays in shaping how the royals are viewed. From newspaper headlines to television broadcasts, media coverage has dramatically influenced public opinion. The series presents various moments where media portrayal either bolstered or damaged the royals’ image. This underscores the delicate balance between maintaining privacy and satisfying public interest.

### 2. Changing Perceptions Through Historical Events
Historical milestones drive much of the shifting public sentiment depicted in *The Crown*. Weddings, births, and controversies alike have had direct effects on how people see the monarchy. The show illustrates how these key events can unite public support or, conversely, spark skepticism and criticism.

### 3. Personal Struggles and Public Empathy
By revealing the personal challenges and vulnerabilities of royal family members, *The Crown* humanizes them beyond their public personas. This portrayal encourages empathy from viewers and can lead to more sympathetic attitudes, even during difficult or controversial periods.

### 4. Evolution of the Royal Image Over the Decades
Over time, the series demonstrates how the royal image has evolved alongside changing societal norms and expectations. From upholding traditional roles to adapting to the modern world, the monarchy’s transformation is crucial to understanding how public perceptions have shifted — all while striving to preserve its core identity.

*The Crown* not only entertains but also provides valuable insight into the dynamic relationship between the British royals and the public, revealing how image, media, and history intertwine to shape perceptions.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/how-the-crown-depicts-royal-public-perceptions/story

culture, entertainment, history, media

‘The Crown’s guide to understanding royal image shifts

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**The Crown’s Guide to Understanding Royal Image Shifts**
*By Vinita Jain | Oct 02, 2025, 10:13 AM*

**What’s the story?**

*The Crown*, a popular Netflix series, offers an intriguing look into the life of the British royal family. The show delves into how the royals have been perceived by the public over the years. Using historical events and personal anecdotes, *The Crown* depicts how public perception has evolved with time. Here’s how the series provides insight into this complex relationship.

### 1. The Impact of Media on Perception

*The Crown* highlights the pivotal role media has played in shaping public perception of the royals. From newspaper headlines to television broadcasts, media coverage has significantly influenced how people view members of the royal family. The series showcases various instances where media portrayal either bolstered or damaged their image, emphasizing the delicate balance between maintaining privacy and catering to public interest.

### 2. Changing Perceptions Through Historical Events

Historical events portrayed in *The Crown* also play a major role in shaping public views of the monarchy. Major milestones such as weddings, births, and controversies directly impact public opinion. The show illustrates how these events can unify people in support of the royals or, alternatively, breed skepticism.

### 3. Personal Struggles and Public Empathy

By revealing the personal struggles of royal family members, *The Crown* evokes empathy from its audience. Showing their challenges and vulnerabilities humanizes the royals and fosters a deeper connection with viewers. This connection often leads to more sympathetic perceptions, even during turbulent periods.

### 4. Evolution of the Royal Image Over the Decades

Over the decades, *The Crown* demonstrates how the image of the royal family has evolved alongside changing societal norms and values. Transitioning from traditional roles to meeting modern-day expectations, the series shows how the monarchy adapts to remain relevant while preserving its core identity. This ongoing evolution is crucial to understanding how public perception has shifted over time.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/how-the-crown-depicts-royal-public-perceptions/story

entertainment, media, politics, television

Jimmy Kimmel reveals how he found out he was suspended

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**Jimmy Kimmel Reveals How He Found Out About His Show’s Suspension**

*By Apoorva Rastogi | Oct 02, 2025, 11:26 AM*

Jimmy Kimmel recently opened up about how he discovered the temporary suspension of his late-night show, *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*. The comedian shared the story during an appearance on *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*, describing the entire ordeal as an “emotional rollercoaster.”

### The Unexpected Call

Kimmel explained that the suspension notice came unexpectedly. “It was around 3:00. We tape our show at 4:30,” he recalled. Just before taping, he received an unusual phone call from ABC executives who wanted to discuss something important.

Taking the call in the bathroom for privacy, Kimmel learned that ABC was considering suspending his show temporarily due to concerns about his recent controversial comments regarding Charlie Kirk’s death. “As far as I knew, they didn’t even know I was doing a show before this,” he joked.

### The Conversation and the Vote

Kimmel recounted his exchange with the network executives. They expressed their wish to “take the temperature down” amid the backlash and worry about what he might say on the next episode.

“I said, ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea.’ And they said, ‘Well, we think it’s a good idea.’ Then there was a vote—and I lost the vote,” Kimmel shared openly.

Following the decision, he informed his executive producers about the show’s suspension.

### Family Reactions

Kimmel also described his family’s response to the news. His wife, Molly McNearney—who is also an executive producer on the show—remarked that he looked “whiter than Jim Gaffigan.” Kimmel recalled telling Colbert, “I thought that’s it. It’s over. I’m never coming back on the air.”

His children had their own unique reactions as well. His daughter offered to sell her Labubu dolls to help, while his son ran around the house naked, bringing some unexpected humor to the tense situation.

### The Show’s Comeback

Five days after the suspension was announced, Disney declared that *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* would return to ABC. The media giant explained the suspension was intended “to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” calling some of Kimmel’s comments “ill-timed and thus insensitive.”

Upon his return to the air, Kimmel did not hold back. He took repeated jabs at President Donald Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, immediately resuming his sharp and unapologetic comedic style.

—

Jimmy Kimmel’s experience highlights the challenges late-night hosts face when balancing humor with sensitive topics, especially in today’s charged political climate.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/jimmy-kimmel-recalls-show-suspension-experience/story

culture, entertainment, media, television

’13th’ review: SonyLIV series suffers from bland execution

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**By Isha Sharma | Oct 01, 2025, 12:02 am**

—

**What’s the Story?**

*13th*, out on SonyLIV, is produced by Abhishek Dhandharia, who also serves as the showrunner. Created and written by Sameer Mishra and directed by Nishil Sheth, the show instantly reminds you of The Viral Fever (TVF) projects due to its rawness and theme. Alas, the similarities end there. Despite an interesting premise, this series—drawing inspiration from the life of Competishun founder Mohit Tyagi—never quite soars.

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**Plot: A Student Helps His Teacher Realize His Dream**

The story follows Ritesh (Paresh Pahuja), a rising venture capitalist who gives up his high-paying job to help his mentor, MT Sir (Gagan Dev Riar). MT Sir taught Ritesh during his “13th year”—the drop year after the 12th grade—when he was preparing for the IIT entrance exam.

Now, years later, Ritesh decides to assist him in building a visionary ed-tech startup. Will this guru-shishya duo succeed?

—

### 1. The Protagonist Is Always at a Distance

*13th* fails to hit the right spot due to its extremely heavy-handed storytelling. From the very first frame, the show positions Ritesh as an aggressive, hot-headed man who marches to his own beat. Early on, he delivers a fiery speech about his dissatisfaction with his job, setting in motion the chain of events that lead him back to MT Sir.

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### 2. Too Filmy, Too Theatrical

While the show is conversation-heavy and features some sharp dialogues, most characters deliver full-fledged sermons! The exchanges between MT Sir and Ritesh quickly become tiresome, as they come across like filmy, cardboard characters rather than genuine, relatable people.

Interestingly enough, during flashbacks of Ritesh’s JEE preparation, we see MT Sir going to great lengths to mentor him—but what about the other students?

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### 3. Supporting Characters Remain Underdeveloped

The show is so obsessed with the two leads that it largely forgets to develop the supporting characters. The most successful shows, like *Panchayat* and *The Family Man*, give well-rounded arcs to all characters to make the narrative more believable. Sadly, *13th* doesn’t bother to do the same.

Girija Oak, who plays MT Sir’s wife, gets some nice scenes, but that’s hardly enough to enrich the story.

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### 4. Pahuja and Dev Riar Try to Keep the Series Afloat

The watchable moments in *13th* largely come from Paresh Pahuja and Gagan Dev Riar’s camaraderie and craft. The show pays tribute to the teacher-student relationship, especially as Ritesh’s life comes full circle when he helps MT Sir with his business.

“I owe my life to him,” Ritesh says, and in return, he becomes his mentor’s teacher.

—

**Verdict: Can Skip This SonyLIV Original**

*13th*’s biggest undoing is that it takes itself too seriously, making it hard to have fun with what ends up being a tedious show. We meet Ritesh’s friends in the initial scenes, but their arcs are never properly developed.

The series aspires to capture the ache and angst of IIT aspirants and almost succeeds, but ultimately fails to capitalize fully on its theme.

**Rating: 2/5 stars**
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/gagan-dev-riar-sonyliv-s-13th-review/story