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Pakistani celebs glam up the UN at our first film festival in New York

Pakistani celebs glam up the UN at our first film festival in New York

The two-day festival will showcase the top rated Pakistani movies over the weekend
Updated 03 Dec, 2016

The first-ever Pakistan Film Festival kicked off Friday night and it was grand!

The UN Headquarters in New York had a red carpet reception attended by some Pakistani's biggest stars, ambassadors accredited to the UN, community members, media and movie buffs. We're talking stars like Mahira Khan, Mawra Hocane, Nabeel Qureshi, Saba Qamar, Wajahat Rauf, Yasir Hussain, Sheheryar Munawar, Asim Raza, Tooba Siddiqui, Adeel Hussain, Sanam Saeed, Jerjees Seja, producer Afia Serena Nathaniel and Mehreen Jabbar.

T'was a star-studded event! Photo: Publicity
T'was a star-studded event! Photo: Publicity

Chief guest of the two-day festival, UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, congratulated the Pakistan Mission to the UN for organizing the festival, saying that cultural events such as this one play a key role in promoting better understanding among people of the world.

Eliasson pointed out that art, film and music build bridges across cultures and promote peace through inter-cultural understanding. He welcomed the artists saying "You have given life to this building," and added, "You have already conquered Pakistan, now you will conquer New York," to which the artists responded with a huge round of applause.

Mahira Khan walks the red carpet with her flawless skin. Photo: Publicity
Mahira Khan walks the red carpet with her flawless skin. Photo: Publicity

The festival will showcase at cultural centre Asia Society screening top-rated Pakistani movies over the weekend. Movies include Dobara Pher Se, Lahore Say Aagay, Actor in law, Pakistan's Oscar nomination, Mah e Mir, Oscar award winner Sharmeen Obaid's animated film, 3 Bahadur, Dukhtar, Dance Kahani and Ho Mann Jahaan.

That's right! Even Miss Pakistan USA, Sarish Khan was there! Photo: Publicity
That's right! Even Miss Pakistan USA, Sarish Khan was there! Photo: Publicity

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi, who took the initiative to hold the festival, read out a welcome address, saying the films from Pakistan will convey the energy and dynamism that defines today's Pakistan.

Saba Qamar poses with Pakistan Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi. Photo: Publicity
Saba Qamar poses with Pakistan Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi. Photo: Publicity

"This revival has been spearheaded by a new wave of young filmmakers and actors; they have produced a devise array of movies that have been pushing the boundaries and charting and breaking new ground by tackling bold themes and using digital technology," she said.

The Pakistani envoy added, "It is appropriate that we are launching the Festival here at the United Nations which embodies and represents the finest example of our shared humanity,"

Frieha Altaf, a huge supporter of the arts, comes in her quirky fashion. Photo: Publicity
Frieha Altaf, a huge supporter of the arts, comes in her quirky fashion. Photo: Publicity

Lodhi has also taken part in many projects to promote Pakistani art and artists before, including a Sufi night at the UN General Assembly hall with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

“Art, it is rightly said, transcends borders and connects people from different backgrounds and nations and unites all civilizations and cultures in a collective celebration of our emotional lives," said Lodhi.

Comments

Pakistan Dec 03, 2016 02:04pm
OK. But no one cares for Pakistani cinema abroad
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Khan Dec 03, 2016 02:06pm
All the "stars" are from TV who very recently acted in movies... where are the real film stars? Like Shan!
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Danish Dec 03, 2016 02:30pm
“Art, it is rightly said, transcends borders and connects people from different backgrounds and nations and unites all civilizations and cultures in a collective celebration of our emotional lives," said Lodhi Most in western attaire, where is culture?
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Haris Dec 03, 2016 02:38pm
where is Shan? these all so-called stars at UN are media show pieces and money "hungeries".... Only Shan would have represented true Pakistani.
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Striker Dec 03, 2016 02:59pm
Good stuff.
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Taimoor Faruki Dec 03, 2016 03:08pm
Pakistani cultural event with western style....wear clothes as per occation...
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Dipak Singham Dec 03, 2016 03:17pm
Fariah altaf I don't know what she is doing in the industry but she even don't know how to pose front of camera.
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Ahmed dcOsta braganza Dec 03, 2016 04:10pm
There are only a handful of people
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Skeptic Dec 03, 2016 05:15pm
The gathering of the pretentious social-climbing mediocre actors, calling themselves 'Stars' ! Ok enjoy your stay in NY and if you can find a way to stay and get a Green Card, even better!
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Ali Dec 03, 2016 05:20pm
They are only good at showing off in events as if they have won many oscars or else.
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Dawn Dec 03, 2016 07:05pm
And some quite well dressed - esp ladies. I mean Islamicaly.
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Ehsan Dec 03, 2016 07:35pm
This is just the beginning, needs to continue to flourish
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Dec 03, 2016 07:40pm
Keep it up and hang on tough.
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Ehsan Dec 03, 2016 08:02pm
These are visionary initiatives, have long term impact, keep it up ambassador sahiba and spread it to other cities of US as well.
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khan Dec 03, 2016 08:36pm
beautiful people of this planet, God bless pakistan and Pakistani's
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Syed Rizvi Dec 03, 2016 08:38pm
All the tickets to the festival were distributed to family members,cronies and Wakifcar Safarshees.Numerous attempts to obtain tickets were fruitless.Our mission rented an expensive venue at Asia Society but you could not even purchase tickets thru Asia Society.It was a grand party for personal friends paid by Pakistani taxpayers .
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S patel Dec 03, 2016 09:04pm
Pakistanis are very good looking!
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Pak Dec 03, 2016 09:20pm
@S patel ; we know but we won't say it ;)
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Masood Hussain Dec 03, 2016 10:28pm
We must not be dishearted by our very small effort but we are there whatever we are we are
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TR Dec 03, 2016 11:06pm
Congratulations to the participants and organizers of the first Pakistani Film Festival at UN in New York. I admire everyone's hard work and talent and wish you more success. Don't let anyone discourage you. Keep shining.
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Osman Dec 04, 2016 12:16am
They don't represent Pakistani culture.
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meh Dec 04, 2016 03:32am
I wish all of them were wearing ethnic clothes. Oh well
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naeem Dec 04, 2016 05:04am
Well, isn't that precious.
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Abx Dec 04, 2016 05:21am
Where is shan , zara sheikh
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Jamiama Dec 04, 2016 06:05am
Pakistani clothes are so much beautiful and elegant then why wear low cut western clothes!
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SIAK Dec 04, 2016 06:38am
Wannabes Alert!
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faisal Dec 04, 2016 07:08am
Thousands mile journey starts with first step . Good job
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Zak Dec 04, 2016 07:27am
@Pakistan that's why this is the first step towards international recognition . Soon Pakistani talent will be all over.
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KB Dec 04, 2016 08:57am
Not impressive..
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Yahudi Lobby Dec 04, 2016 10:45am
Pakistani stars having 2 films each under the belt and all those flopped movies. I hope the foreigners were not tortured to deep sleep here. Should have taken actual hits with real film actors. This is chalo kaam as usual, wasting money.
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gaurav Dec 04, 2016 03:01pm
@Pak you also have in th list Javed Miandad and Mudassar Nazar ectc. etc.
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Imran ali Dec 04, 2016 04:05pm
@gaurav @pak You also forgot Kamran Akmal,The 8th wonder
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Thought provoking Dec 05, 2016 12:15pm
Well Appreciated !!!I would like to appreciated the collective wisdom of Ambassador Maliha Lodhi who has taken such a bold initiatives for promoting Pakistani Art and Artist in New yort city Film Festival . for connecting people of different backgrounds and Nations for Representing to day Pakistan with Good impact in the world . with my Best Wishes and compliments For Ambassador Maliha Lodhi !!!!
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nuanced Dec 05, 2016 01:07pm
love from India - keep it up guys. I do honestly feel, pakistani dramas and TV serials are better than the movies but surely thats a different occasion to talk about
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Aamer Dec 05, 2016 01:29pm
@Khan its a new film industry and new people are taking over. We dont need the actors who ruined the Pakistani cinema
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KnowTheTruth Dec 05, 2016 03:32pm
@Jamiama "Pakistani clothes are so much beautiful and elegant then why wear low cut western clothes!" That is meant for global appreciation. ;-)
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Payal Queshi Dec 05, 2016 06:55pm
@Pak why?
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Payal Queshi Dec 05, 2016 06:56pm
@KB absolutely! it wasn't impressive at all. they look clumsy.
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