Two-time Academy Award and three-time Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has made the nation proud on various international platforms. Having created Pakistan’s first animated film Sitara: Let Girls Dream to be released by Netflix, Sharmeen Obaid has yet another feather to her cap as she becomes the first Pakistani filmmaker to co-direct the much-anticipated series in the Marvel franchise.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, besides Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (the duo behind Bad Boys for Life), have been tapped to work on episodes of the series. Moreover, Meera Menon, who has The Walking Dead, The Punisher, Titans, Dirty John and Outlander to her credit, has also joined the helming roster to bring the Disney+ Ms Marvel series to life.

Ms Marvel centres on Kamala Khan, a teenage Pakistani-American superhero, who debuted in a Captain Marvel comic book series in 2013. The character, whose powers include shapeshifting abilities, was given her own series in 2014. The comic book by G. Willow Wilson focused on the Muslim American diaspora as the Muslim teenager went on her superhero adventures within the larger Marvel universe.
“The New Jersey-based hero broke ground in 2014 as Marvel’s first Muslim character to star in her own title, and she will become Marvel Studios’ first onscreen Muslim hero,” reported THR. “Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige has said that in addition to appearing on the small screen, Kamala Khan will be included in future Marvel films.”

With Marvel putting together a diverse team of directors to create episodes of Ms. Marvel series, let’s wait and see what they have in store for the fans.

Quaid e Azam Zindabad: The first film to release in cinemas post Covid

With the coronavirus pandemic taking toll on the global entertainment industry and cinemas being shut down, major film releases were postponed. A number of Pakistani movies, including The Legend of Maula Jatt, Kamli, London Nahi Jaunga, Dum Mastam and many others were also slated to release in the country this year but got delayed.

Filmmaker duo Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Qureshi, who have four successful films to their credit, also announced that they would be releasing two films - Quaid e Azam Zindabad and Fatman – in 2020 as a result of the ban on Bollywood films. However, things didn’t go as planned due to Covid-19.

The good news is that producer Fizza Ali Meerza and director Nabeel Qureshi are all set to release their much-awaited film, titled Quaid e Azam Zindabad, later this year.

The film, that stars Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan in lead roles, will be the first Pakistani film to release post Covid. As the filming of Quaid e Azam Zindabad was completed in the first quarter of 2020, the filmmakers were able to work on post-production.

Quaid e Azam Zindabad is said to be an action-comedy that follows the story of a notorious cop, essayed by Fahad Mustafa while Mahira Khan features as leading lady; the two will be sharing screen space for the first time in the upcoming film.

Quaid e Azam Zindabad is slated to hit cinemas in December, while the trailer will be released in the near future.

Comeback Karachi: Salt Arts announces multiple-act show

Even in times of great tragedy such as the recent monsoon that hit Karachi in an unprecedented, tragic and record breaking manner, the city has always picked itself up. It still has the gift of music to give to its denizens.

One such effort is being made by Salt Arts, who are coming back with the first live show since February 2020. Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, Salt Arts had rightly put its live shows on hold. Instead, they provided fans with Internet-based content. Now, as things begin to ease up in the city, the Karachi-based music and arts production company has finally announced a live show.

Scheduled to take place on October 3rd (next month), the multiple-act event will be held at the Beach Luxury Hotel in Karachi. The show will feature multiple acts: Lahore-based EDM duo SomeWhatSuper, Peshawar and Islamabad based livewire folk-rock act Khumariyaan, and dancer and performing artist, the divine Kaif Ghaznavi. The gig will liven up a rare night under the stars while following SOPs. Tickets can be found via bookitnow.pk. With limited capacity and the divergence of multiple-genre artists after several months, this is a show that aims to make Karachi dance and shouldn’t be missed by live music and performing arts fans.