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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>Salman, Katrina to come together for 'Bigg Boss' finale</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1029718/salman-katrina-to-come-together-for-bigg-boss-finale</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1029718/salman-katrina-to-come-together-for-bigg-boss-finale#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 23 Jan 16 08:56:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1029718</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The Bollywood beauty is too busy to worry about her recent split with Ranbir Kapoor]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Bollywood beauty is all set to reunite with her first B-town love Salman Khan on the set of Bigg Boss.

After her recent split with Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif has been spending a lot of time on Fitoor promotions and her appearance on her ex-boyfriend's hit reality TV show Bigg Boss is the latest eyebrow raiser.

She will grace the finale of Bigg Boss 9 with Fitoor co-star Aditya Roy to promote their upcoming film, reports Pinkvilla.

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif call it quits?

The actor first appeared on season four (2010) of the reality TV show. But nothing sounds bigger than seeing the sizzling ex couple -- Salman and Katrina -- finally coming together amid all the breakup hullabaloo.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="625"] PHOTO: MASALA[/caption]

The two superstars were recently spotted together at Sultan director Ali Abbas's birthday bash. And as expected, rumours were abuzz questioning the purpose of their meet.

Here are some more SRK-Salman photos from Bigg Boss promo shoot

However, Kat's spokesperson cleared the air by releasing an official statement. "Ali Abbas Zafar is Katrina's close friend and she attends his brithday party every year and this year was no different.

"Ali happens to be directing Salman's Sultan, which is why he was on the guest list, along with a whole bunch of other people, including Kabir Khan. There was no secret meeting between Katrina and Salman. Request people to please have some respect and not concoct  stories which are untrue," the statement read, as reported by Pinkvilla.

‘Fitoor’ different from Dickens’ novel: Katrina

The much-anticipated finale of the reality TV show will be aired on January 23.]]>
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			<title>Confirmed: Shah Rukh Khan will enter Bigg Boss house!</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/998018/confirmed-shah-rukh-khan-will-enter-bigg-boss-house</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/998018/confirmed-shah-rukh-khan-will-enter-bigg-boss-house#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Nov 15 08:52:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Entertainment Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=998018</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Isn't this the best news you've heard today?]]>
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				<![CDATA[Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan are leaving no stone unturned to restore their Karan Arjun bond.

After embracing each other in a friendly headlock on SRK's birthday, the two are set to make headlines again as King Khan will be entering Salman's Bigg Boss 9 house.



Apparently, Salman has invited his friend to his reality TV show with a heartfelt message. "He knows I mean it," Salman was quoted as saying, reports Mumbai Mirror.

SRK will be promoting his upcoming film Dilwale on the popular reality show.

Raees or Sultan? Salman, SRK clash on King Khan's birthday!

"They [SRK and Salman] will be shooting inside the Bigg Boss house next weekend. Shah Rukh's co-stars, including Kajol, may join too. The makers are hoping to air the episode a week before the season's finale, in mid-December. Since the theme of the show this year is Double Trouble, it will add to the fun," Mumbai Mirror quoted a source as saying, adding that Colors TV's spokesperson also confirmed the news when contacted.

SRK, Kajol dance to PRDP as Salman, Sonam make DDLJ video

Salman and Shah Rukh have been seen bonding over the past couple of months and both of them even promoted each other's films by posting dance videos:

https://twitter.com/BeingSalmanKhan/status/663432442632499200
https://twitter.com/BeingSalmanKhan/status/663432085139361792
https://twitter.com/iamsrk/status/663433164203814912

Salman Khan responds to SRK 'Pakistani agent' comments]]>
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			<title>Bigg Boss marks new beginning for Rimi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/972257/bigg-boss-marks-new-beginning-for-rimi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/972257/bigg-boss-marks-new-beginning-for-rimi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 15 15:32:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ians]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=972257</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Actor to use show as launchpad for career in film direction]]>
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				<![CDATA[After exploring the world of showbiz as an actor, Rimi Sen is gearing up to go behind the camera for film direction. The Dhoom star says she doesn’t want to pursue a career in acting anymore and plans on using the Bigg Boss Nau platform as a first step towards her journey into filmmaking.

“I’m planning to get into direction by the next year and for directing, I need to handle a lot of people, talk to a lot of people which I’m not good at this moment as I like to interact with very few people. So, maybe my stay in Bigg Boss Nau would be a practice match for me,” the actor said in an interview.

Rimi, who has featured in Golmaal: Fun Unlimited, Kyon Ki... and Garam Masala, notes that she is working on a script with ‘someone’, but nothing is finalised yet.

Read: Salma Agha and daughter Sasha in Bigg Boss 9

“As an actor, I’m not interested in doing any films now, unless it is an emergency and it is something really good, which I can’t refuse and I know it is never going to happen. So, I don’t want to pursue a career in acting anymore.”

The actor, who has explored the world of Bollywood as well as the other regional film industries, is one of the 14 contestants of the ninth season of the reality TV show, which is yet again hosted by superstar Salman Khan. The show went on air on Sunday on Colors channel.

Read: Salman Khan to return with Bigg Boss 'Double Trouble'

Rimi is planning to make the most of her stay aloof from the world in the purpose-built house.The reality show, an Indian version of international series “Celebrity Big Brother”, is known for its notorious qualities like fueling controversies and constants brickbats. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14th, 2015.

Like Life &amp; Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.]]>
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			<title>The year to offend</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/96403/the-year-to-offend</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/96403/the-year-to-offend#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Dec 10 17:54:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sami.shah]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=96403</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[10 things I hate about fat people: Pick on the angular all you want, but have pity on the bloated.]]>
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				<![CDATA[You offend me. Want to know why? Well, that right there is a good enough reason. You offend me because you don’t know anything. Like the reason for your being so offensive to me. But that’s okay because I offend you too. I am sure of it. If I don’t, then I’ve done something wrong. Our relationship depends on it. Indeed, our very national survival depends on it. So quickly, get offended by me, just as offended as I am by you.

Still nothing? Fine (tough crowd). You’re fat.

There. That should offend you plenty. Given the reaction to an innocuously written list published in this newspaper’s weekend magazine, apparently being criticised for being fat is the greatest insult issued in the history of the world. Sandwiched between pictures of the same 12 celebrities seen in every socialite pictorial and reviews of movies I illegally downloaded weeks ago, was a list of reasons why portly people should be hated. It was a response to a list published the previous week about why skinny people should be loathed and despised. Having spent most of my life sporting the physique of a famine victim, I skimmed the anti-skinny article and moved on. As did any other readers of the gaunt persuasion. The following week’s anti-obese piece, however, caused such offence that rotund people everywhere heaved themselves off their potato-chip-dusted couches and pounded out letters of complaint on groaning keyboards. They were offended and they were going to let the world know. Pick on the angular all you want, but have pity on the bloated. What if it’s a thyroid problem?

Being offended might as well be the theme of 2010. As this wretched year groans to an exhausted end, we can look back on its months filled with enough trauma to create a calendar of misery and see nothing but people being offensive and getting offended. Faisal Shahzad began it all by offending any Pakistanis with the hopes of travelling abroad without being vigorously unmolested. He also offended al Qaeda with his incompetence. Hamid Mir was offended by his voice, deciding to go off and advise terrorists. Facebook offended us, not just by adjusting its privacy settings and thus putting pictures of all the girls we secretly stalked off limits, but by supporting blasphemy. The Lahore High Court subsequently offended us by not understanding what the internet was and how it worked. President Zardari offended us by first remaining president and then by dodging a Birmingham bootie. Cricket offended us by… well, who can keep count at this point. Veena Malik offended us because we confuse someone promoting her celebrity status with our national identity. Fasi Zaka offended us by comparing us to insects and George offended us by misunderstanding why we love violence. Jamshed Dasti offended us by existing. The list goes on.

To our credit, we give offence as effectively as we suffer it. In 2010, we continued to offend any sense of humanity that might have once existed in us by ignoring the mass murder and continued persecution of Ahmadis. Our collective neglect of the flood-destroyed nationals in our midst is fairly offensive too. As is our continued patronage of a blasphemy law that justifies a murderous mindset. Every child raped and killed this year, every woman beaten and traumatised, every human lynched without trial. Offensive, offending and offended. That list too, sadly, can go on.

It’s enough to make one hungry for apathy. Maybe in 2011 we should resolve to go on a diet of offence, if you will. After all, we can only suffer and offer so much of it. Instead of expending valuable energy by causing and being offended, let’s try to limit the opportunities for it.

I hope that idea doesn’t offend you too much.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>Veena Malik does not represent me</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/95538/veena-malik-does-not-represent-me</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/95538/veena-malik-does-not-represent-me#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Dec 10 17:37:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zainab.imam]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=95538</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[I do not relate to her and our similarity ends where it begins.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Much has been made about Veena Malik’s “behaviour” in the Bigg Boss House from the twin flirtations she struck to the short clothes she wore. To me, this spells Veena’s victory. Out of 14 housemates — including a global star, Bollywood actors and Bhojpuri film industry’s Shahrukh Khan — Veena managed to make an impression.

While she was busy inside, the world outside was delirious with anger: how dare a Muslim, Pakistani woman conduct herself like this in, horror of horrors, India! The other side was also quick to retort: Veena is representing the ‘modern woman’ of Pakistan. For good measure, they threw in a comment or two about people completely irrelevant to the discussion such as, why aren’t Pakistani, Muslim men criticised for their behaviour while in India? And the answer to that could be that perhaps because we have yet to read about a similar controversy regarding, say, Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan or Ali Zafar.

As for me, I am neither the ‘moral brigade’ and nor am I part of the ‘immoral brigade’, so to speak. But I am the modern Pakistani woman, the girl who Veena was supposedly representing.

As I observed everything and listened to arguments from both sides, I found one essential thing missing from both arguments: Veena Malik does not represent me. I do not relate to her and our similarity ends where it begins: like me, she is a woman, a Pakistani, a Muslim and she wears heels. And for some women, the latter two don’t hold either.

While I appreciated Veena at some point, especially for the proper Urdu she spoke, she is insignificant because there are much better rolemodels out there, people who I can actually relate to and look up to.

One such woman is Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. An award-winning filmmaker, Sharmeen has worked with refugees, women’s advocate groups and human rights defenders in over ten countries. (More detail about her work can be found on her website.) Another woman who represents a woman like me is South Asia’s fastest woman — Naseem Hameed. A resident of a locality in Karachi populated by middle-income families, Naseem started her sporting career in school and was eventually spotted by army coaches. The rest is, as they say, history, with her winning a gold medal at the last SAF Games.

Apart from individuals, the modern Pakistani woman is also lucky to have a whole team of good rolemodels. One is referring to the Pakistan women’s national cricket team which recently won a gold medal at the Asian Games.

To me, Veena Malik’s dresses, men and stilettos don’t matter because she does not represent me. The modern Pakistani woman goes out wearing whatever she wants — baggy pants or running shoes — and carrying whatever she wants — a tote or a camera bag. The modern Pakistani woman is a success story who does not flirt with men to show to the rest of the world that she is good and has potential.

I am a modern Pakistani woman who has a job, pays her taxes and drives around town. And I don’t need a Veena Malik to represent me — not in India, not anywhere in the world.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>Ashmit is my buddy: Veena</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/95500/ashmit-is-my-buddy-veena</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/95500/ashmit-is-my-buddy-veena#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Dec 10 09:40:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ians]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gossip]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=95500</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[&quot;Let me tell you, all the gossip linking me with Hrishant Goswami and Ashmit is untrue&quot; clarifies the Pakistani...]]>
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				<![CDATA[Veena Malik's intimacy with Ashmit Patel in the "Bigg Boss" house received soaring ratings, but the controversial Pakistani diva says she wanted to be more naughty on the reality show, but decided otherwise.

"Ash-mit is a sweetheart. He's my buddy. If there was anything more between us, I'm bold enough to admit it. But there's nothing beyond friendship between us," Veena, who is single and is waiting for her prince charming, said in an interview.

"Trust me, I wanted to do a lot of mischievous things on 'Bigg Boss'. But I restrained myself. I never thought of a Bollywood career. It will be a matter of great pride for me if anyone will think I fit in among the Indian beauties. Pamela Anderson told me I'm a warrior. So I'd like to do an action-comedy role in Bollywood," she added.

Excerpts from an interview:

 Q: Veena Malik, what are you all about?

A: Ha ha. This is me! It isn't an act. This is the way I am. You saw me on 'Bigg Boss' - how could I keep up an act for such a long time? The fact that the people in India have liked me so much, makes me so happy.

Q: You recently came into the limelight with an outburst of controversies. What have you set out to achieve in your life?

A: (Thinks) I've never planned anything in my life. By god's grace people gave me so much love over here. Trust me, I'm honoured. This is my achievement…that people in India gave me love. Right now I'll go back to Lahore to do a show for a leading news channel. I came here with a message of peace and love.

Q: You've a very Indian name.

A: Yes (laughs), I am glad I am called Veena. People often wonder whether I am a Pakistani or a Hindustani. When I started my career in Pakistan, people thought I was an Indian girl.

Q: You have performed comic roles in Pakistani films? What plans for Bollywood?

A: Trust me, I wanted to do a lot of mishchievous things on 'Bigg Boss'. But I restrained myself. I never thought of a Bollywood career. There are so many beautiful actresses here and I am their fan. It will be a matter of great pride for me if anyone will think I fit in among the Indian beauties. Pamela Anderson told me I'm a warrior. So I'd like to do an action-comedy role in Bollywood.

Q: What's the status of your relationship with Ashmit Patel?

A: Ash-mit is very important to me. Believe me, he gave me tremendous emotional support. But let me tell you, all the gossip linking me with Hrishant Goswami and Ashmit is untrue. Hrishant wasn't even a friend. I admire him for being a goodlooking man. I'm the kind of woman who can never go by without complimenting a goodlooking man. I liked him. But that's it.

As for Ash-mit, he's a sweetheart. He's my buddy. If there was anything more between us, I'm bold enough to admit it. But there's nothing beyond friendship between us. 'Agar hamari zindagi rahi to hum phir milenge'.

Q: So, who's the special man in your life?

A: Right now I'm single waiting. I am waiting anxious for that special entry in my life by someone special.

Q: Do you regret your expose on your former cricketer boyfriend Mohammad Asif?

A: I don't want to go into too many details. But I will say this. I went out of my way for him. Whatever he did or said about me about our personal relationship, I didn't mind. But what he did with the emotions of thousands of cricket lovers by cheating crores, I couldn't tolerate that. I'd have never opened my mouth about what he did to me on a personal level. But I can't forgive him for what he did to the country. Even today I stand by my expose.

Q: What are your plans now?

A: Please believe me, I did't go on 'Bigg Boss' for the money. The prize money is meaningless to me. Allah ka diya hua mere paas bahut kuch hai. I am a woman of plenty. I came to India and 'Bigg Boss' to spread the message of love. It was being said before me that artistes from across the border had no acceptance or support in India. I've disproved that. I'll always be happy to return to India any time. My visa expires now in a few days. So I've to return to Pakistan. But I'll be back soon.]]>
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			<title>Veena Malik and the moral brigade</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/93869/veena-malik-and-the-moral-brigade</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/93869/veena-malik-and-the-moral-brigade#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Dec 10 19:01:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[raza.rumi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=93869</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Veena Malik has challenged the middle class morality embedded in Urdu press by extension and its counterpart.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan’s electronic media is now a repository of the grand opinion setters of the Urdu press. Almost all channels have employed conservative writers of the Urdu press and given them immense outreach to air their well-known views on nationalism, religion and ‘culture’. Whilst the primary pastime of these wise men is to fan anti-Americanism, their domestic agenda is directly related to what the clergy, since 1947, has wanted Pakistan to be: an unadulterated Islamic state. The only caveat is that none of them can define what an Islamic state and society entails.

In recent days, there has been a concerted campaign to malign Veena Malik, our television starlet who has dared to participate in the famous and brainless Indian reality TV show, “Bigg Boss”. Pakistani artists have continuously defied jingoism and performed across the border. Currently, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam are immensely popular in India and their nationality makes little difference to millions who admire them.

Veena’s case is altogether different. She appeared on “Bigg Boss” with Begum Nawazish Ali in the first phase. Viewers voted Ali out while Veena Malik survives on the show as a lone Pakistani and thus far has integrated herself into mainstream Indian TV imperatives. Her conduct on the show is a huge concern for the clergy who think the way she dresses is immodest, her interaction with men is unbecoming and, therefore, she has undermined the great values of an Islamic nation. Incidentally, the fortress of Islam is also known for honour killings, Hudood laws and a wide gambit of discriminatory laws and practices. Never mind, only we are allowed to mistreat our women.

In a nutshell, Veena Malik has challenged the middle class morality embedded in the Urdu press and, by extension, its electronic counterpart. The mere fact that a Pakistani performer is prancing around in western clothes and playing to the Indian viewers’ gallery by indulging in mock-romance with a ‘Hindu’ actor has alerted the guardians of public morality also endearingly known as the ghairat brigade. The imbecile notion of ghairat largely focuses on controlling women and regurgitating militant nationalist narratives through state and non-state actors. Anchor after anchor has prodded hostile commentary on Veena Malik and declared her short of wajib-ul-qatl. This is not too dissimilar to the public floggings of the Taliban variety.

Thus, the brainwashing project of Pakistan’s questionable journalists continues. Hate the US, crush India, fire nuclear weapons to free Kashmir and let mullahs set head money for alleged blasphemers. These are the perennial messages, with a few exceptions, relayed on a continuous basis.

It is also true that Indian TV and its inspiration, the Bollywood circus, resort to the worst kind of commodification of women. By supporting Veena’s choice, one is not condoning all that is wrong with the corporate model of entertainment across the border. However, that is a separate debate. If unofficial estimates are correct, Indian TV channels such as Star Plus and Colors had a huge following in Pakistan before their transmission was banned. This demand for Indian pop culture is a reality and needs to be dealt with. Passing fatwas and declaring cross-border entertainment a ‘Hindu’ conspiracy is simply disingenuous. It is ironic that these same TV channels play Indian film songs to comment on serious political developments.

Given that we live in a country where media regulation is absent and any critical voice is construed as part of an anti-media campaign, challenging such hypocrisy is problematic. Millions of Pakistanis cannot be held hostage to a few moralists and their zeal to purify public culture. Ours is a plural and diverse country and cannot be tailored into a linear, fascist society. The thirty-year-long project to Islamicise Pakistan has faced the innate resilience of our lived cultures. This is why Veena Malik’s right of artistic expression needs to be protected.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>Bigg Boss 4: Reality bites</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/87061/bigg-boss-4-reality-bites</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/87061/bigg-boss-4-reality-bites#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 15 Dec 10 09:39:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=87061</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Reality television shows never really took off in Pakistan, until Bigg Boss 4 aired on a local channel.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Despite several efforts by local television networks, reality television shows have never really taken off in Pakistan. Whether it was a look at a singer trying to stage a comeback (MTV Pakistan’s “MTV Komal”) or a hunt for a news anchor (Samaa’s “The Anchor”), the feverish excitement that usually surrounds reality television shows has been largely absent in Pakistan.

Enter “Bigg Boss 4”, the fourth season of the controversial Indian spinoff of “Celebrity Big Brother” that has mostly featured B-list celebrities. The current season became the first show to feature two Pakistani stars that were only known in India for their ‘scandal’ value — actor and host Veena Malik and cross-dressing talk show host Ali Saleem. News of the show spread by word-of-mouth, given that Indian channels have been pulled off air in Pakistan, many just didn’t have access to it.

But those who did reported back nuggets that were both riveting and satisfied everyone’s innate need for gossip: Saleem had to do his own make-up on the show; Malik shared sordid details of her relationship with cricketer Mohammad Asif and was flirting with fellow contestant and actor Ashmit Patel. The details, reported both in the Indian and Pakistani press, also fuelled Shiv Sena protests against the inclusion of the two Pakistani personalities.

Now that ARY TV is broadcasting the show (albeit with a two-week delay) ¸”Bigg Boss 4” is being streamed into houses across Pakistan. Aaj TV’s popular “The 4 Man Show” featured a spoof of “Bigg Boss 4” in a recent episode and Malik is the focal point of daily show recaps in the Indian press.

While Saleem was eliminated early on in the season, Veena Malik, by far, has proved to be a huge draw for audiences in India and Pakistan. She is already a household name in Pakistan, courtesy the Asif controversy and her work on two popular TV shows — Geo TV’s “Hum Sab Umeed Se Hain” and Dunya TV’s “Miss Dunya”.  There are hundreds of comments about her on YouTube and other news websites, by people both raving about her and raging against her, putting her down  for being “frustrated”, “disgusting” and doing this as a “cheap publicity stunt”.

In defence of Veena Malik, blogger Kala Kawa wrote on his blog (kalakawa.wordpress.com), “In a global discourse where the Pakistani woman is seen as a submissive creature with no independence, I’m delighted to have someone like Veena crushing those stereotypes. While always wearing five inch heels [...] I (somewhat ashamedly) watch far too much reality television. In many ways, Veena ranks among the most interesting and engaging characters I’ve come across. As far as achieving her goal goes, I’d say she’s done pretty well. You’ve got to be somewhat smart to accomplish that.”

Surprisingly, while stronger contestants such as Sameer Soni have been eliminated from “Bigg Boss 4”, Malik has managed to stay in the competition.

She walks around the house in high heels, smart ensembles and full make up while her housemates lounge around in slippers and nightclothes, their star personas diminished as they try to do household chores. Malik has built a solid relationship with most of the housemates, establishing herself as confidante, helper and a relationship prospect — after Patel; she also started a flirtation with another contestant, model Hrishant Goswami.

She has proved to be a smooth operator on a show that is full of petty fights about food, name-calling and power struggles — a show that really is about ‘the survival of the fittest’ and getting television ratings. The channel airing “Bigg Boss 4”– Colors TV — reportedly paid INR25 million to former “Baywatch” star Pamela Anderson to appear on the show for three days (who Malik taught the art of making rotis). It also brought in ‘visitors’ such as Bollywood A-list actors Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone to interact with contestants on the set.

The show itself is hosted by Salman Khan; with former hosts including actors Arshad Warsi, Shilpa Shetty and Amitabh Bachchan.

But does Malik’s success — and the interest in the show in Pakistan — mean that this could be a format Pakistani entertainment channels could replicate? Housing a group of mixed genders without raising hackles would be one. Also, production values in both countries differ immensely. The unfortunate death of a contestant in an adventure/reality show which was being shot in Thailand became a huge talking point in Pakistan and underscored the dangers of producing reality television shows.

There are a few success stories though, of productions such as Hum TV’s “Maachis”, which followed a format similar to “The Jerry Springer Show”, the shift over the past decade to new concepts (in Pakistan) such as soap operas, talent hunts and morning talk shows may help reality television kick off in a big way. While it may not be soon, the reality television phenomenon is coming and the five-inch-heel clad Malik may be paving the way.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>Veena is often misunderstood: 'Bigg Boss 4' participant</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/82607/veena-is-often-misunderstood-bigg-boss-4-participant</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/82607/veena-is-often-misunderstood-bigg-boss-4-participant#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 27 Nov 10 10:32:12 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[ians]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gossip]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Indian model Hrishant Goswami says he had no intention to get into a relationship with Veena Malik.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Veena Malik may have been swooning over him in reality show ‘Bigg Boss 4’, but Indian model Hrishant Goswami says he had no intention to get into a relationship with her.

“I had made my stance very clear about this in the Bigg Boss house. I was not looking for a relationship at all. I have a career to focus on,” Hrishant told IANS on phone from Mumbai.

Speaking about Veena, Hrishant said that she was often misunderstood and was a nice girl. "I think it was nice that she was quite vocal about whatever she felt. She was honest and very sweet and I reciprocated that... but I was never in the mindframe of getting into a relationship, and especially with her," said Hrishant.

Hrishant was evicted out of the show on Friday.]]>
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			<title>Indian censors</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/80356/indian-censors</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/80356/indian-censors#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 22 Nov 10 16:44:56 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[I would like to ask why the Indian Censor Board has no issue with the dramas that are aired during the daytime.]]>
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				<![CDATA[With reference to your report “Indian clamps down on Bigg Boss, Rakhi Ka Insaaf” (November 18), I would like to ask why the Indian Censor Board or government has no issue with the dramas that are aired during the daytime. Many of these show men as well as women in extramarital affairs, households conniving against each other and what not but these are not banned or censored. Why?

Tyrone Tellis

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2010.]]>
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			<title>Twitter Alert: Bigg Boss</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/79322/twitter-alert-bigg-boss</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/79322/twitter-alert-bigg-boss#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 20 Nov 10 16:02:58 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[express]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gossip]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[For some, it doesn’t matter that “Baywatch” star Pamela Anderson is appearing on Indian reality show “Bigg...]]>
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				<![CDATA[For some, it doesn’t matter that “Baywatch” star Pamela Anderson is appearing on Indian reality show “Bigg Boss 4” and Bollywood filmmaker Pritish Nandy still feels Veena Malik remains the hottest house mate.

“Well, I still think Veena Malik is the hottest inmate of Bigg Boss’s house. Too much tamasha over a jaded, boring, over-the-hill Pamela,” Nandy posted on Twitter.

Pritish Nandy is not alone obsessing over “Bigg Boss” on the social networking site. The TV show is a topic of debate for Indian celebrities.  Actor turned host Mandira Bedi wrote on Twitter about the government asking Colors TV to change the broadcast timings for “Big Boss”, “I haven’t always been in concurrence with some of the previous criteria for censorship. But this, I think is a good call by the I&amp;B (information and broadcasting) ministry. In contrast, ‘KBC 4’ (Kaun Banega Crorepati) is clean wholesome entertainment with a highly respectful host and rates brilliantly. Now that’s good television.”

Golfer Tiger Woods is reaching out to fans with a new Twitter account. “It’s about time that I made a connection to the fans that have been absolutely incredible to me over the past year,” he told ESPN Radio on Thursday.

In Pakistan, celebrities tweeted about Eid and the victory of the women’s cricket team in the Asian Games.

We present this week’s best tweets from celebrities around the world.

Ricky Martin

Eid Mubarak for all the Muslims around the world.

Ali Zafar

Women’s cricket team wins gold for Pakistan in Asian Games. God, the number of men I have met in my life who think women should only cook. Eat this!

Conan O’Brien

I’m telling you, the clock is ticking on this Harry Potter fad.

Atiqa Odho

Sugar mill owners in Pakistan should have distributed sugar for free this Eid to the underprivileged to make their Eid a happier one.

Ashton Kutcher

I refuse to see Friday as the end of the week but rather the beginning of a great flipping weekend.

Lee DeWyze

Today was a great day, I love you all for your support and I’m glad you’re all enjoying the music. Feels good to have it out there.

Preity Zinta

Happy Children’s Day to all the kids out there. Hope we can all keep the inner child alive within us.

Omran Shafique

Trying to come with guitar parts. Full on writer’s block.

Russell Crowe

Looking forward to Tokyo, it’s been a few years now since I was there. What should I get in Tokyo for my boys?

Salmaan Taseer

Cleopatra observed and I agree that whereas your enemy’s enemy can be a friend, your friend’s friend will always be your enemy.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2010.]]>
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			<title>Pamela Anderson boosts ‘Bigg Boss 4’ ratings</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/78888/pamela-anderson-boosts-%e2%80%98bigg-boss-4%e2%80%99-ratings</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/78888/pamela-anderson-boosts-%e2%80%98bigg-boss-4%e2%80%99-ratings#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 19 Nov 10 16:02:13 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[ians]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Since she joined the show, Anderson has been trying everything Indian including clothes, food and Bollywood dances.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Former “Baywatch” star Pamela Anderson, who joined “Bigg Boss 4” on Tuesday night, has boosted the Television Rating Points (TRPs) of Colors TV’s reality show. Since she has joined the show, Anderson has been trying everything Indian including clothes, food and Bollywood dances.

The recent episode featuring two sensational developments - Anderson’s entry and a heated argument between contestants Dolly Bindra and Sameer Soni - ended up generating a rating of 4.8, according to data provided by overnight television viewership tracker Audience Measurement and Analytics.

It is the highest TRP for the show, beating the 3.6 rating for the launch episode as well as the 4.4 rating garnered by the Sara Khan-Ali Merchant wedding episode.

Anderson, popular for her sex appeal, will be part of the show for three days. The 43-year-old caused a lot of excitement for the housemates when she entered and greeted everyone with a “Namaste”.

Anderson’s appearance preceded a great deal of drama. Soni and Bindra, who have now been evicted from the show, were on the verge of a physical fight owing to a verbal fight between Dolly and Shweta Tiwari.

The Hollywood celebrity is the first American citizen to be invited to “Bigg Boss”, the Indian version of the international show “Big Brother”.  She has been reportedly paid INR25 million for her stint on the show.

The ongoing season of the show, being hosted by Bollywood star Salman Khan, has already been full of surprises with the choice of contestants, catfights, and a wedding.

“Bigg Boss 4” currently features Indian celebrities including actors Ashmit Patel, Manoj Tiwari, Shweta Tiwari, Sara Khan, model Hrishant Goswami and WWE wrestler The Great Khali. The show also stars Pakistani actor Veena Malik.

“Bigg Boss 4” is currently under the scanner of the ministry of information and broadcasting for its adult content. Earlier this week, the ministry directed Colors to move the broadcast timings of the show to a late night slot following complaints of vulgarity.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>India clamps down on Bigg Boss, Rakhi ka Insaaf</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/78630/india-bans-raunchy-tv-reality-shows-from-prime-time</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/78630/india-bans-raunchy-tv-reality-shows-from-prime-time#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 18 Nov 10 08:11:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=78630</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Regulators order channels not to broadcast reality shows before 11 pm over fears about increasingly adult content.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Indian regulators have ordered television channels not to broadcast reality shows before 11:00 pm over fears about their increasingly adult content, reports said Thursday.


Two hugely popular programmes, "Bigg Boss", the local version of "Big Brother", and "Rakhi ka Insaaf", will be hit by the ruling from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, the Indian Express said.

The government and affected channels declined to confirm the crackdown, and the shows have continued to air in their regular prime time slots.

The fourth series of "Bigg Boss" attracted the headlines this week with the arrival of scantily-clad Hollywood actress and model Pamela Anderson. Kissing and abusive language have also caused regular scandals on the show.

"Rakhi ka Insaaf" ("Rakhi's Justice"), in which opinionated Bollywood dancer Rakhi Sawant tackles people's personal problems, hit controversy recently when a former participant committed suicide.

His family blamed the show's host, saying he fell into depression after Sawant called him impotent while she tried to sort out his marital difficulties.

"We have not asked the producers of the show to modify content or have not done any sort of censoring, just shifted the time slots allotted to them," a senior ministry official told The Indian Express.

According to The Times of India, the government also instructed news channels not to broadcast footage from the shows while reporting on them.

"I have my kids watching TV during the 9:00 pm slot and it's disgusting. Indian values are different. Shows like 'Bigg Boss' are not made for our culture," housewife Meena Patel told the Times.

But Bollywood filmmaker Farah Khan tweeted against the ruling, calling it hypocritical and saying that parents should take responsibility for what their children watch.
"Gd mrning!so1 guess vr being told what 2 watch n exctly at wht time!uff yeh adarsh yeh asool!such hypocrisy.jst kp rmote away frm ur kids na"
In March the ministry suspended the France-based channel Fashion TV for nine days for falling foul of obscenity laws by broadcasting bare-breasted models during a fashion show in 2009.]]>
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			<title>Chaos erupts as Pamela Anderson arrives in Mumbai</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/78291/chaos-erupts-as-pamela-anderson-arrives-in-mumbai</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/78291/chaos-erupts-as-pamela-anderson-arrives-in-mumbai#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 10 15:21:58 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[ians]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Despite security and 5 bouncers, Pamela was pushed back to a glass wall of the airport on arrival for Bigg Boss.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Former "Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson arrived in Mumbai late Monday amid media frenzy, resulting in a scuffle at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

The 43-year-old, who has travelled all the way from Los Angeles to be a guest on Colors' reality show "Bigg Boss 4", was dressed casually in a grey ganji top with a plunging neckline, and a pair of jeans. She sported aviators and left her trademark blonde hair open, as she came out of the airport at 10.50pm - more than two hours later than the scheduled time of her arrival.

Even though it was raining, several media persons waited with their still and video cameras to catch a glimpse of Pamela. As soon as she moved out of the airport, a pack of media persons surrounded her, blocking every way to her car. Despite the heavy security and five brawny bouncers, Pamela was pushed back to a glass wall of the airport.

The situation became so out of control that Anderson had to turn back inside and move out from a different exit. In the meantime, a scuffle also broke out between a photographer and a policeman, following which, a few other media persons retaliated as well.

Other travellers ended up facing the brunt of the frenzy as they weren't able to leave the airport unless the actress did.

Pamela will be entering the "Bigg Boss 4" house in Lonavala Tuesday morning.

She will stay with other housemates for three days, and is expected to boost the 'oomph factor' on the show by leaps and bounds.

She has been reportedly paid Rs2.5 crore for her stint on the show.]]>
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			<title>Pamela Anderson may join ‘Bigg Boss 4’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/77317/pamela-anderson-may-join-%e2%80%98bigg-boss-4%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/77317/pamela-anderson-may-join-%e2%80%98bigg-boss-4%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 14 Nov 10 16:06:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ians]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gossip]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Anderson is expected to land in Mumbai on Monday night and will enter the show next week, say sources.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The reality television show offers a daily dose of drama, petty fights and hilarious moments but it may now also have an international star. “Baywatch” cast member Pamela Anderson is reportedly joining the motley crew of actors, models and a WWE wrestler at the “Bigg Boss 4” house.

According to sources, Anderson is expected to land in Mumbai on Monday night and will enter the show next week.

The 43-year-old will be the third international celebrity to be on “Bigg Boss”, the Indian version of the TV show “Big Brother”. Jade Goody, who featured on “Celebrity Big Brother” with Shilpa Shetty, appeared on the second season of “Bigg Boss”. She left the show when she discovered she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer and died shortly after. German model Claudia Ciesla participated in the third season.

Pakistani stars Veena Malik and Ali Saleem are part of the current season. While Saleem has been eliminated, Malik is one of the focal attractions of the show and has been romantically linked with fellow house mates Ashmit Patel and Hrishant Goswami.

The ongoing season of the show is being hosted by actor Salman Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>Pakistani women love India's 'saas-bahu' sagas</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/75602/pakistani-women-love-indias-saas-bahu-sagas</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/75602/pakistani-women-love-indias-saas-bahu-sagas#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Nov 10 07:36:45 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[ians]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[While most serials are full of kitchen politics, the grandeur, costumes and larger-than-life projection is popular.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Indian soaps are a rage among Pakistani women who love 'saas-bahu' sagas like "Pratigya" and "Uttaran" and the reality show "Bigg Boss" for their grandeur, costumes and larger-than-life projection.

"As they say, you always love to have what you don't have; the same is the case with us. We are way too addicted to Indian soaps," Zahida Zaidi, 52, a former politician based in this port city, told this visiting IANS correspondent.

"Our soaps have low budgets and hence they are simple and close to reality, but Indian soaps are just the opposite," she pointed out.

Indian channels like Sony, STAR Plus and Colors are quite popular despite being banned in Pakistan, which means the local cable guy doesn't have permission to telecast them. The public has access to them only through Direct-To-Home (DTH) services.

"We record these serials and then telecast late at night. Hence the poor people get to watch their soaps. It's risky but this is what is happening. Everyone wants to watch these Indian soaps," said a local cable man on condition of anonymity.

The prime time slot from 7.30 PM to 10.30 PM is for both Indian and Pakistani soaps.

Karachi women reveal how addicted they are to "saas-bahu" sagas, even battling for the TV remote in their homes during peak hours - just like their Indian counterparts.

The soaps also leave many questions in their minds.

"Do you people dress like TV actors in real life?" asked a curious Kulsoom Nawaz, 55, for whom these soaps are the only window to Indian culture.

A woman officer at the immigration counter at Jinnah Airport asked this IANS correspondent: "'Aap yeh bataye ki kya aap log aise hi make-up laga kar ghoomti hain pura din aur phir sote hue bhi make-up nahi utarti hain' (Do you people wear make-up throughout the day and even while you sleep)?"

They have also noted some peculiarities of Indian serials.

Marshita Aman, 58, asked: "Why does a person who is dead in a soap have to come back to life again?"

Most of the serials are full of kitchen politics and men are visible in almost every frame. Zahida said: "Why doesn't the male member of these families go to work? Why do they have to be home all the time?"

"Why do you portray unrealistic things? Women of all generations in a household are shown as young and no one has a single strand of grey hair. It's completely unreal. We wonder why you do this?" she asked.

Pakistani viewers also fail to understand why Indian soaps have "pooja" after every problem and why there are so many close-ups of characters.

Despite these questions, Karachi women swear by Indian soaps like "Pratigya", "Kaali", "Behene", "CID", "Bigg Boss" and "Uttaran" because of the presentation, costumes, larger-than-life sets.

They say in comparison Pakistani soaps are sombre, soft, subtle and very much close to reality. People usually watch Hum TV for soaps like "Qaid-e-Tanhai", "Dastaan" and "Saiqa".

"What you will see is that the women glued to these soaps are old women like us who have done their prayers, played with grandkids, slept and then at the end of the day want to entertain themselves," explained Zaidi.

"We don't have a pub culture; hence we have to be at home and end up watching these serials. Despite all these discrepancies, we watch these soaps because they have a feel good factor and female protagonists dress so beautifully; especially their saris are a delight to watch," she added.

Marshita is appreciative of Indian actresses for their slim figures and make-up and says it is done brilliantly.

The viewers are still very fond of Tulsi (Smriti Irani) and Parvati (Sakshi Tanwar), the protagonists of "Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thii" and "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii" - the longest running soaps of Indian television - even though these ended a long time back.

So strong is their fascination that they often go hunting for jewellery pieces worn in the serials and equally often find Parvati or Tulsi style ornaments at Karachi's local Sunday Bazaar and Sadar Bazaar!]]>
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			<title>‘Pakistan is not  conservative’ - Ali Saleem</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/71377/%e2%80%98pakistan-is-not-conservative%e2%80%99-ali-saleem</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/71377/%e2%80%98pakistan-is-not-conservative%e2%80%99-ali-saleem#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 02 Nov 10 17:32:37 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[ians]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Ali Saleem says he doesn’t see any logic behind the Shiv Sena’s protest against Pakistani personalities on...]]>
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				<![CDATA[Cross-dressing talk-show host Ali Saleem aka Begum Nawazish Ali, who was hastened out of Mumbai to avoid a Shiv Sena backlash soon after being evicted from the “Bigg Boss” house, says he would love to revisit India for more opportunities.

“I saw no logic behind this kind of a protest. I didn’t choose to be born in Pakistan. It’s something that just happened to me. If I was born in Mumbai, I’d have been an Indian. Sixty-three years ago we were one nation. Why do we waste so much time in negativity?” said Ali Saleem aka Begum before leaving for Pakistan.

What are your plans?

As soon as I left “Bigg Boss”, I went to a friend’s house in Mumbai. In the morning, I returned to my hotel in an auto-rickshaw. I’m leaving Mumbai.

You should have stayed...

I don’t think the channel (Colors TV) wants me to, not after the Shiv Sena’s protests. I’m going back home, I’m missing my mom. I’ve been completely cut off inside “Bigg Boss”. When I came out of the house, they didn’t allow me to talk to my family until very late at night. I got a mobile phone at 1 am. At that time I woke up my mom and dad. Both my parents had been watching me on “Bigg Boss” and were proud of me.

Do you plan to return to India?

I’d love to. I don’t like to mince my words. At the moment Pakistan is plagued with problems and entertainment is not a priority there. I am an entertainer and India can provide me with lots of work. When I come to India, I don’t come as a Pakistani. I come here as an actor. If I get work, of course I’ll return.

Was there solidarity between you and Veena Malik in the “Bigg Boss” house?

Veena and I are from Pakistan and we’re both from television but we’ve met only two, three times. Obviously when you’re abroad, meeting someone from home means a lot. I like Veena a lot as a person. She’s frank and she says what she has to in front of you. She isn’t two-faced.

You’ve a strong feminine side to your personality. Why did you choose to focus on the masculine side inside the “Bigg Boss” house?

I was born a man and becoming ‘Begum’ needs elaborate preparation. I need a whole team of people to dress me up.

Are you saying Begum is just a character you play?

No, she is a part of me. But she’s very high-maintenance.

Is it difficult maintaining a bisexual life in a conservative society like Pakistan?

Not at all. Contrary to belief, Pakistan is not such a conservative country. I’m free to lead my life how I choose to.

Do you live with your parents in Pakistan?

My parents are separated. I live with my mother in Islamabad. My father lives in Karachi. I spend a lot of time doing my television work in Karachi. When I’m there, I stay with my father. But my bond with my mother is unique.

Do you have a love life?

I had a love life. Now I am going to a normal life.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2010.]]>
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			<title>Chhota Ustad demands more from Pakistan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/69492/chhota-ustad-demands-more-from-pakistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/69492/chhota-ustad-demands-more-from-pakistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 29 Oct 10 12:31:38 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Ustad Rouhan Abbas demand­ed the govern­ment promot­e singin­g in Pakist­an and organi­se more shows.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The winner of Star Voice India Chhote Ustad Rouhan Abbas on Friday demanded of the government to promote singing in Pakistan and also organize the show like wise "Star Voice of India" in Pakistan too.

Addressing a news conference, Rouhan said that majority in Pakistan also wants that the talented singers of India should also come in Pakistan. He further said that the government should utilize its efforts along with media to organize the singing show in Pakistan, so the child singers in Pakistan could also get some resources to get progress in their loving profession.

He said that he along with his companions was also trying to promote singing in Pakistan. "I would launch a campaign in my country soon to explore the talented singers", he added. In this regard, he said he has signed a contract with an advertising company.

Chhote Ustad was a popular musical talent hunt show which included children from Pakistan and India who had been paired up together. Musician Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was also a part of the judges’ panel.

According to Zoha Tapia, a Bombay based blogger for The Express Tribune:
Chhote Ustad was unique in many ways. Firstly, it made Indians and Pakistanis team up, rather than compete. Secondly, many Pakistani families managed to accomplish things they had only dreamt of, like visiting the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, watching their children share the same platform with big names like Asha Bhosle and meeting stars like Rishi Kapoor, which otherwise they would only have seen on screen. Thirdly, it propagated peace and promoted talent. Finally, it was a show which ran on talent and a message, rather than on controversy, drama and sleaze. Yes, it was high on emotion, but in the right way.]]>
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			<title>Begum Nawazish Ali to sort out matters with Shiv Sena</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/67468/begum-nawazish-ali-to-sort-out-matters-with-shiv-sena</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/67468/begum-nawazish-ali-to-sort-out-matters-with-shiv-sena#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 25 Oct 10 17:31:48 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[The TV personality is set to have a few words with Shiv Sena, who are targeting him for featuring in &quot;Bigg Boss 4&quot;.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Ali Saleem, better known as Begum Nawazish Ali, fails to understand why the Indian political party Shiv Sena was targeting him and fellow Pakistani Veena Malik for featuring in “Bigg Boss 4”.

“I just fail to understand why Shiv Sena did what they did. It came as a surprise because we (Saleem and Veena Malik) came here as guests. We were invited and the least we expected was hospitality from the Indians,” said Saleem, who was evicted from the Bigg Boss house in the episode aired on Friday.

The Shiv Sena earlier held protests at Lonavala, a hill station near Mumbai, where shooting for the reality show was on, demanding the removal of Saleem and Malik from the show on Colors channel.

“I really respect Bal Thackeray-ji and though I don’t know what the reason is but I would really want him to invite me for a cup of tea and sort out the matter in a mature manner. I just want to let him know that I’m not a threat to India,” he added.

Saleem, a cross-dresser, says the Bigg Boss house was a platform to test his patience.

“I’m happy to be back in the real world. The experience in the house was par excellence. Nobody can imagine the life that one has to live, the show is shear reality; an unpredictable platform for the contestants and also for the viewers.

“It’s a hard life inside those four walls. I have never lived under such restricted circumstances. In my world, I have been a ‘spoilt begum’. I have spent three very peaceful weeks in the house which has left pleasing memories but I feared that if I would have stayed a little longer I would have burst out because I was reaching my saturation point,” said Saleem.

So, who is playing dirty politics in the house?

“If I have to name, it will be Sameer Soni, Manoj Tiwari and Shweta Tiwari. These are the three contenders who are trying to dirty the atmosphere. However, their politics  have still not been harmful for any of the housemates,” he said

Saleem also revealed he is in awe of former dacoit and contestant Seema Parihar.

“I’m fond of her. Seema-ji is one of the most honest and crystal clear characters on the show. She is upfront and is not at all ‘dhongi’ (pretentious). She is my first favourite in the house. And she also has a strong chance of winning the big race.

“To add to the list, the latest entry of ‘The Great Khali’ has been refreshing for the contestants. And I think he will have a strong hold on the audiences’ mind,” he said.

“Bigg Boss 4” is being  shot at a house in Lonavala,  and began on October 3 with 13 contestants in a house without any communication with the outside world. The contestants are under constant camera surveillance. Ten contestants now remain on the show after three weeks.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>Shiv Sena continues protest against  ‘Bigg Boss 4’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/61226/shiv-sena-continues-protest-against-%e2%80%98bigg-boss-4%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/61226/shiv-sena-continues-protest-against-%e2%80%98bigg-boss-4%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Oct 10 18:03:33 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[express]]>
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				<![CDATA[The party’s complaint with the show is the inclusion of two Pakistani celebrities —Veena Malik and Ali Saleem.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Indian political party Shiv Sena is continuing to protest against the filming of “Bigg Boss 4” in Lonavala, a hill station in the state of Maharashtra.

The party’s complaint with the show is the inclusion of two Pakistani celebrities —Veena Malik and Ali Saleem.

According to IANS, a Shiv Sena-sponsored shutdown was restricted to the city, where the show is being shot. The party’s spokesperson and legislator Neelam Gorhe said that despite demands by the party, Colors TV (which produces and broadcasts the show) has not removed Malik and Saleem.

Gorhe told IANS, “Even the Pune district collector has served a show-cause notice to Colors, asking why the show should not be stopped since it is creating law and order issues in the famous hill station.”

She said party workers would stage demonstrations in the town and take out a procession to the “Bigg Boss” house, which is located on the outskirts of Lonavala.

Last Tuesday, Shiv Sena activists reached the house and beat up security guards. Later on in the week, activists managed to enter the premises by jumping over barricades. According to the Hindustan Times, two Lok Sabha (parliament) members were allowed to enter the house and speak to representatives from Colors TV, who informed them that they did not have the authority to shut down filming. Fifty party workers were detained by the police and released later.

The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has also condemned the inclusion of Pakistani actors and demanded that Colors evict them from the show.

Shiv Sena and MNS have protested against Pakistanis working in India before. After the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in November 2008, MNS protested against comedian Shakeel Siddiqui working in India. MNS entertainment cell president Amey Khopkar said at the time, “We got to know that Shakeel was on the ‘Chinchpokli to China’ set so we decided to raid the place. We took him out of the set and told the producers not to hire any Pakistanis. We will not even allow films starring Pakistani actors or singers to be released in Maharashtra.”

Party activists also burned CDs of musician Ghulam Ali.

Shiv Sena has also protested against the inclusion of Pakistani children in the musical talent show “Chhote Ustaad”, which was being aired by the Star TV network.

Earlier this year, Shiv Sena protested against Shah Rukh Khan for comments he made about the exclusion of Pakistani cricketers from the Indian Premier League. As a result of the protests, the release of his film My Name is Khan was affected in Mumbai as cinemas chose to shut down instead of releasing the film and facing the Sena’s ire.

The Bharatiya Janata Party recently lashed out at actor Salman Khan for comments he made about the 26/11 attacks in an interview with Express 24/7.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>No use crying over spilled oil</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/60096/no-use-crying-over-spilled-oil</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/60096/no-use-crying-over-spilled-oil#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 08 Oct 10 18:23:18 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[“Bigg Boss 4” may have reached new levels of inanity — in just the first week of the show’s new season.]]>
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				<![CDATA[“Bigg Boss 4” may have reached new levels of inanity — in just the first week of the show’s new season — as contestants Veena Malik and Hrishant Goswami got into a fight over the use of cooking oil.

Malik burst into tears after their argument. The spat was initiated by the fact that Malik was planning to re-use the cooking oil in which eggs had been made to cook other food. However, Goswami pointed out this would not be acceptable to strict vegetarians who don’t eat eggs, and also said that she used too much oil. As this was a reality television show, the issue obviously exploded as a spluttering Malik and surly Goswami cribbed throughout the episode over the issue.

But their squabble was overshadowed by other issues on “Bigg Boss 4”. The cast members argued about determining how much time had passed (they have to monitor a sand clock), who slept during the day and housemates who were neglecting their duties. At the end of the episode, the two-member Pakistani contingent added yet another feather to its cap as Ali Saleem aka Begum Nawazish Ali was elected captain of the house.

Published  in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>'I asked mom before accepting Bigg Boss 4'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/60123/i-asked-mom-before-accepting-bigg-boss-4-salman-khan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/60123/i-asked-mom-before-accepting-bigg-boss-4-salman-khan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 08 Oct 10 15:32:58 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[ians]]>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Salman Khan, whose latest love is the small screen, says he will displa­y his &quot;unadul­terate­d&quot; side on Bigg...]]>
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				<![CDATA[He has learned to take media gossip with a pinch of salt and now finds rumours amusing. Salman Khan, whose latest love is the small screen, says he will display his "unadulterated" side as the host of Colors' "Bigg Boss 4", a reality show he accepted only after consulting his mom.

"I asked mom (Salma) before considering it and she instantly said yes," Salman, 44, told IANS in an e-mail interview from Mumbai. "I am going to be myself, 100 percent unadulterated Salman. I will call a spade a spade and have lots of fun," he added.

The show started Sunday and has already run into controversy because of the presence of two Pakistani contestants.

Excerpts from the exclusive interview:

Q: Back as a host on the small screen with "Bigg Boss 4" after hosting two seasons of "Dus Ka Dum" - has Salman Khan taken a fancy to TV or hosting reality shows?

A: You can say I have taken a fancy to TV or reality shows, but for me, my fans are most important. When I appear on TV, they don't have to go out, buy tickets and watch the show. They can enjoy watching me on their television sets in the comfort of their homes for free. My family enjoys "Bigg Boss"; they discuss it all the time. I asked mom before considering it and she instantly said yes.

Q: So how different was it from "Dus Ka Dum"?

A: "Dus Ka Dum" was a game format, "Bigg Boss" is completely different. Here you can be more upfront, it has a lot to do with others' actions as well as emotions.

Q: How are you going to add more spice to "Bigg Boss" considering the participants already promise the same thanks to their controversial track records?

A: I am going to be myself, 100 percent unadulterated Salman. I will call a spade a spade. I am a very straightforward person and I will not take any hypocrisy and politics lightly. For those housemates who play clean, they will always find their best friend in me. Those who don't, be ready to expect the worst. But I can promise that viewers will have the most amazing time. They can expect as much fun outside the house as is expected inside.

Q: Any favourite contestant who you can bet your money on?

A: 'Sab ek se badhkar ek hain boss'... this show is quite unpredictable, so you never know who manages to survive and who gets to meet me on Friday when the next eviction happens.

Q: You are sporting a completely cool look for the show. Did you contribute any inputs for the same?

A: Thank you, but all credit goes to Ashley Rebello and my sister Alvira (Agnihotri).

Q: What do you have to say about your controversies'-favourite-child tag in Bollywood?

A. Controversies are fuelled and at times created by the media. I don't react to it and no one around me does either. Since I have come on Twitter, even my fans have stopped reacting to it as they have direct access to me.

Q. Do you think hosting reality shows has made you more comfortable both with the common man and the press?

A. I have always been comfortable with my fans. TV only helps me to be more accessible to them and we all have fun in the process. Regarding media, you guys discuss my life without even knowing it and I find it very amusing.

Q. Do we also see a third season of "Dus Ka Dum" some time in the future? What about the sequel to "Dabangg"?

A. I am currently working on "Ready". Then we have two scripts for "Dabangg" and it could either be a prequel or a sequel. Regarding television, I am on "Bigg Boss" season four now and enjoying it a lot... will let you know what next on TV when I decide something.]]>
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			<title>Bigg Boss: The show goes on...</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/59625/bigg-boss-the-show-goes-on</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/59625/bigg-boss-the-show-goes-on#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Oct 10 17:40:18 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Ali Saleem changes into Begum Nawazish and interviews house mates; not happy about working without script.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The third episode of “Bigg Boss 4” was for Ali Saleem to finally get his 15 minutes of fame on the show. After being instructed by ‘Big Boss’ to change his Begum Nawazish Ali avatar and interview house mates, Saleem hurried off to prepare.

The actor’s transformation into the begum was quite a sight to watch, as he got into his sari, shaved, applied copious amounts of make-up and did his hair. As reformed bandit Seema Parihar sniggered silently, Saleem’s housemates helped him change into a sari. But as Begum Nawazish Ali - without a script or prepared questions - he didn’t make much of an impact. While it is understandable that he is used to a great deal of preparation before interviews, the questions he asked were fairly average. “Na koi pen diya, na paper diya, script hota hai, cue card hote hain,” was Saleem’s comment about his performance as a host.

Meanwhile, a group of prominent Mumbai residents and activities have condemned the opposition of the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to Colors TV for including two Pakistanis — Veena Malik and Ali Saleem — in the show and urged the central and state governments to provide them with full security.

Questioning the rationale of the two parties’ opposition to the Pakistanis, the group said that Bollywood movies and television programmes are exported and beamed to South Asia and the rest of the world.

“Hindi movies are immensely popular all over South Asia, including Pakistan. Pakistani artistes are also popular in India and the two countries share a common history,” the group said in a statement on Wednesday.

They listed the contribution of renowned Pakistani artistes like Ghulam Ali, Mehdi Hassan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Faiz Ahmed Faiz and mentioned how the Pakistani contingent at the ongoing Commonwealth Games got a huge round of applause.

“Music, art, sports have no boundaries. They are the messengers of peace, friendship and love. We need to promote and encourage exchange of artists. People-to-people contact needs to be promoted as they are the best bet to promote peace,” the group urged.

“If the Shiv Sena and MNS have an issue or objection they must first use democratic means to voice their objection and not use goons to force their views upon people,” they asserted.

Earlier this week, Shiv Sena activists made their way to the house “Bigg Boss 4” is being filmed in and beat up security guards outside. After the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, activists also threatened Pakistani comedian Shakeel Siddiqui, who was filming a television programme in the city at the time.

The statement has been signed by several activists including filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and Jatin Desai from the Pakistan-India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy.

With additional information by the News Desk

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>Veena Malik shares her sob story on "Bigg Boss 4"</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/59292/veena-malik-shares-her-sob-story-on-%e2%80%98bigg-boss-4%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/59292/veena-malik-shares-her-sob-story-on-%e2%80%98bigg-boss-4%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Oct 10 18:19:33 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Veena Malik wiped away tears as she shared the story of her relationship with cricketer Mohammad Asif.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Reality television is quite possibly the best place to share sob stories and risque tales. That is exactly what two of the contestants on “Bigg Boss 4” did on the show’s second episode which aired Tuesday night. While actor Ashmit Patel discussed a compromising MMS message with a video of him that had made the rounds in India, Veena Malik held court and discussed cricketer Mohammad Asif.

Malik, who was talking to actor Shweta Tiwari (of “Kasauti Zindagi Ki” fame) about her love life, wiped away tears as she shared the story of her relationship with Asif.

While declaring that she was “single, and wanted to remain single for the next two to four years”. She brushed off suggestions of having a fling, saying she was “religiously a one-man woman.”

As Ali Saleem aka Begum Nawazish Ali looked on interestedly, Malik spilled the beans on Asif. Once she started talking about Asif, there was no stopping her.

“He’s not good looking, he’s notorious ... he has nothing. My relationship started under different circumstances. I was engaged to a good looking actor (Babrik Shah). But I saw a lot of negativity in him (Asif). He was very talented but he had nothing, he didn’t have a single penny. I wanted to help him and that’s how we became friends. Then he trapped me ... God knows I was sincere to him. He had cases against him in India and Dubai; I hired lawyers and media managers for him. I hired trainers who would wake him up every morning to exercise. I knew he was cheating on me, but he denied it. I hired an agent and investigated him.”

“With who?” Shweta Tiwari asked. “Ten girls!” Malik exclaimed. “Three-four from India, four-five from Pakistan, South Africa, Australia everywhere.”

Malik rehashed the story of the loans Asif took from her and his initial denials.

“I’ve been through hell,” she said, with a break in her voice. “He used to hit me. I still have scars all over my legs and body ... he has been disgusting to me.”

Malik claimed during her monologue that Asif had threatened her at gunpoint, locked her up in his house, slapped her in front of his friends, suffered from multiple personality disorder and had used her.

She said he was a “big-time alcoholic” who also indulged in drugs and that Asif was insecure of her popularity in Pakistan.

SPEAKING OUT

Twitter is abuzz with Veena Malik

Kinsohail: Is Veena Malik telling the truth?? M Asif shakal se to aisa lagta hai lol but they were some serious accusations!

Aliamalik: Anyone

watching “Bigg Boss” on Colors? Veena Malik is in the house and had a field day today lambasting ex-boyfriend Mohammad Asif!

Kaalakawaa: Veena Malik drops her first bit of wisdom on “Bigg Boss”: ‘Morning ko hota hai breakfast, dopehar ko lunch, aur shaam ko brunch’

Nehachhabra:  Veena Malik is taking tips from Seema Parihar ... ha ha Mohammad Asif ... beware!

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>Shiv Sena storms set of Bigg Boss</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/59115/shiv-sena-storms-set-of-bigg-boss</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/59115/shiv-sena-storms-set-of-bigg-boss#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Oct 10 04:22:13 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Party chief Bal Thackeray says Pakistani artistes will not be allowed to appear on &quot;Big Boss&quot;.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Even as Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Tuesday said the presence of Pakistani artists on “Bigg Boss” would not be allowed, party activists barged into the campus of the bungalow where the TV show is being shot and beat up some security guards, reported the Press Trust of India (PTI). The Shiv Sainiks shouted slogans and protested the move by Colors TV channel to include two Pakistanis on the show - model Veena Malik and TV actor Ali Saleem, whose TV persona Begum Nawazish Ali is very popular in both Pakistan and India. Police say the activists beat up some private security guards.

A spokesperson for the TV channel declined to comment on the issue.

Thackeray vowed on Tuesday afternoon that his party would not allow the show to continue at any cost.

“In India nowadays, we are destroying our self respect. Under the guise of the show, Pakistan’s green poison is being spread in this country. Whoever loves this country, we shall ask for their support and not permit the show to continue, come what may,” he thundered.

He said the Sena would not be cowed down and his activists would disrupt the show. Even the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has protested to condemn the inclusion of Pakistani actors on the show and have demanded that the TV channel evict them from it.

“Bigg Boss”, which is hosted by Salman Khan in its fourth season, aired its introductory episode on Sunday.

Not willing to take any chances, Mumbai police have beefed up security outside the TV channel’s offices in Andheri east since Monday.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>A Pakistani reunion on an Indian reality TV show</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/58408/a-pakistani-reunion-on-an-indian-reality-tv-show</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/58408/a-pakistani-reunion-on-an-indian-reality-tv-show#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 04 Oct 10 18:54:55 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[express]]>
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				<![CDATA[It was, by all accounts, an engaging debut for Veena Malik and Ali Saleem aka Begum Nawazish Ali on “Bigg Boss.”]]>
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				<![CDATA[It was, by all accounts, an engaging debut for Veena Malik and Ali Saleem aka Begum Nawazish Ali on the fourth season of “Bigg Boss”.

Saleem, who hosts a popular television show in Pakistan and has worked in India as well, was a surprise addition to the show. Saleem’s initial claim to fame in Pakistan was his impersonation of the late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

The season premiere of the show, which aired on Colors TV on Sunday night, was overshadowed by the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games taking place at the same time.

When Salman Khan asked a black sari-clad Saleem about cross-dressing, he said, “Variety is the spice of life … In Pakistan and India people love this ‘buy one, get one free’ offer.”

Saleem added, “I will pray for Pakistan and Insha Allah I pray that the situation will improve quickly.”

On the other hand, Veena Malik performed a dance number and greeted viewers with “Assalaamulaikum Hindustan.” Clad in a glittery outfit, she addressed Salman Khan with, “Aap jaise dabangg ke saaamne saanson ko aur dharkanon ko theek hone mai time lage ga.” (It will take time for me to regain my composure in front of such a fearless person.” Malik’s answer was also a way to allude to Khan’s recent film Dabangg. 

The two Pakistani contestants greeted each other exuberantly once they met in the “Bigg Boss” house. This is the first time two Pakistanis have participated on an Indian reality television show. However, the casting move may attract more controversy as the Shiv Sena has reportedly registered a protest against the inclusion of Pakistani actors.

NDTV reported Shiv Sena MNS chief Raj Thackeray as saying, “Great singers like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle were never allowed in Pakistan then why do we need Pakistani people on the show?”

An interesting element to the show is the inclusion of controversial figures. Ajmal Kasab’s former lawyer Abbas Kazmi (who introduced himself to contestants as “Kasab’s lawyer ... you must have seen me on TV”), reformed bandit Seema Parihar and ex-robber Devendar Singh are also competing in the show. Other contestants include actors Ashmit Patel, Sameer Soni and Shweta Tiwari.  According to the Times of India, Singh has been asked to leave the show following unruly behaviour.

The show opened with Salman Khan giving viewers a tour of the “Bigg Boss” house, which includes a common bedroom, a change from previous years where the house had separate sleeping arrangements for men and women.

Indian shows featuring Pakistanis have become a huge hit on both sides of the border. The inclusion of Pakistani comedians such as Shakeel Siddiqui on “Comedy Circus” paved the way for more Pakistani stars. Musician Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is part of the judges’ panel for “Chhote Ustaad”, a musical talent hunt show that is currently on air. Contestants include children from Pakistan and India who have been paired up together.

Twitter users on the ‘Bigg Boss’ premiere

Kaalakawa: After having seen the complete “Big Boss” premiere I can safely say that Veena Malik is the most charismatic character in there.

YusraSAskari: So does Ali Saleem’s make-up artist have to spend three months in the “Big Boss” house as well?

Bijli: Shiv Sena protests inclusion of Pak actors in “Bigg Boss”. Didn’t know Shiv Sena has started worrying about Pakistan’s image!

Snehalwankhedel: The fourth season of “Bigg Boss” may have Salman Khan, but the final list of contestants has turned out to be quite dull.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>Veena Malik, Begum Nawazish make debut</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/58222/veena-malik-begum-nawazish-make-debut</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/58222/veena-malik-begum-nawazish-make-debut#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 04 Oct 10 05:07:51 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[express]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Veena Malik and Begum Nawazish set to feature on Indian reality television show “Bigg Boss”.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The premiere of the fourth season of the Indian reality television show “Bigg Boss” was crime-meets-Bollywood glitz. Some 14 contestants will live together in the same house, cut off from the world doing chores such as cooking.

Contestants will nominate their housemates for eviction, who will also be voted for or against by viewers. The process of elimination will lead to an eventual winner.

Hosted by Salman Khan, the show’s biggest draws for a Pakistani audience at least will be the two contestants - comedian and cross-dressing host Ali Saleem aka Begum Nawazish Ali and comedian Veena Malik, who has received a lot of airtime in India because of her past involvement with cricketer Mohammad Asif.

However, the ban on Indian television channels, imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority in compliance with a Supreme Court order, has led to an increase in sales of satellite dishes by consumers. In 2006, the government limited the amount of foreign programming that could be shown by private television channels.

Reality shows and soap operas aired on Indian television channels are extremely popular in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>Shoania rubbish talk of Bigg Boss 4</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/49382/shoania-rubbish-talk-of-bigg-boss-4</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/49382/shoania-rubbish-talk-of-bigg-boss-4#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 13 Sep 10 15:12:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Shaheryar Popalzai]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gossip]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Sania Mirza's manager called the rumors 'hype' for the show.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik have announced that they will not be part of the Indian reality TV show Bigg Boss 4.

According to the Times of India, Sania Mirza's manager called the rumors 'hype' for the show.

Bigg Boss is the Indian version of reality TV show Big Brother and is hosted by Salman Khan. The show requires the contestants to live together as housemates and their day to day activities are recorded for the show.

The report states that the star couple were set to star alongside controversial figures, such as a couple alleged of domestic violence.

This is not the first time that Sania Mirza has been rumored to be a part of a media campaign. Earlier rumors of a Shoania movie and the possibility of the tennis star featuring in Pakistani ads hit websites and newspapers following their marriage.]]>
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