Ali Xeeshan at the LSAs

Why would you even be surprised that Ali Xeeshan would make any list talking about striking events that happened in a year? Ali Xeeshan is a triple-threat: a person, place, and event all by himself. When the Lux Style Awards returned to the stage this year, albeit to the most limited of live audiences, the one person who caught everyone’s eye across age, gender, religious philosophy, and the very ether itself. The bedazzled creation is by no means the only spectacular sartorial choice Xeeshan has ever made, but it is definitely one of the best.

Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3

Khuda Aur Mohabbat 3 has all the ingredients for a captivating TV series that will force audiences to follow it ardently. Intense, handsome hero? Check. Pretty, tragic heroine? Check. Death and despair? Check and check. Sage spiritual advice? Check and check. At this moment, the series has amassed over two billion views, which speak for a story that attracts and engages, and execution that charms viewers into returning over and over.

Atif’s great return to the music video

While this year we just could not imagine something as retro as conventional music videos making a comeback, since the year before was all about weird Zoom collabs and Insta Live shows, somehow, the Doorie boy has done it. Again. If you ask us why we’re kicking it back 2007-style, we just want to remind you that in a music-video-heavy year, Atif Aslam’s videos just stood out. They may not have been arty or inspirational, and were straight up filmi, they did establish the Atif vibe very strongly. This year, he returned to our hearts and screens with ‘Ajnabi’ – a music video featuring Mahira Khan in a 10-year reunion of their appearance in Bol – ‘Raat’, which starred a multitude of stars including Syra Yusuf and Mansha Pasha, and ‘Rafta Rafta’, featuring Sajal Aly. Romantic tunes set to romantic visuals: Atif Aslam’s signature style.

Mansha Pasha in Kahay Dil Jidhar

A total force to be reckoned with on and off camera, Mansha Pasha makes her entrance into the shiny, happy world of mainstream cinema with Kahay Dil Jidhar. She has previously starred in the indie Chalay Thay Saath and Laal Kabootar, as well as opposite Junaid Khan on television, who also makes his cinematic debut with KDJ after cameos. Mansha plays a journalist in the film, with Junaid Khan essaying the role of a police officer, as they butt heads over the issues of and surrounding drug abuse.

Ali Hamza takes theproducer’s seat for
Why Not Meri Jaan

After Coke Studio season 11, Ali Hamza helms production for Pepsi’s Why Not Meri Jaan campaign. Working with a multitude of directors, including Zohaib Kazi and Zeeshan Parwez, as well as artists such as Young Stunners and Rap Demon, Hamza tries to find that sweet spot where everything comes together perfectly. While one may or may not be a fan of music shows, Ali Hamza style, it is interesting to see him evolve, and to watch what he does next. Possibly his first solo album?