Category: 5. Entertainment

Meghan Markle showed off her special friendship she shared with the Kardashian family with a notable gesture.

The Duchess of Sussex, who launched her As Ever brand earlier this year, sent a lovely basket full of As Ever goodies for reality TV star Khloe Kardashian..

The As Ever founder on Sunday took to her personal Instagram account to reshare a Story from Khloé, who had received a sweet gift

The basket consisted of fresh vegetables ranging from colourful bell peppers, cherry tomatoes to gorgeous flowers. It also contained bottles of Meghan’s Napa Valley rosé wine and the limited-edition honey.

The Kardashians star had added a sticker message to the IG story which read, “hey hey all my girls with a K” along with white hand-drawn heart sticker.

Meanwhile, the IG Story shared by Meghan had a kiss emoji and three white hearts.

While Prince Harry’s wife does have connections to A-listers in Hollywood, Meghan is known to be friends with Kris Jenner. This seems to be the first time someone from the Kardashian family had a public exchange with the Duchess.

Oscar-nominated Irish actor Colin Farrell will be honored with the Zurich Film Festival’s Golden Icon Award at its upcoming edition, running from September 25 to October 5.

The award acknowledges the actor’s performance in Edward Berger’s psychological thriller Ballad Of A Small Player as well as his overall career.

Farrell will be presented with the award on September 27 ahead of a gala premiere for the upcoming film, which will also be attended by Swiss director and Oscar winner Berger. The following day Farrell will give a masterclass on his career.

The Irish born actor is internationally renowned for films such as Miami Vice, Minority Report, In Bruges, The Batman, The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and The Banshees of Inisherin.

He follows in the wake of a long line of illustrious Golden Icon Award recipients who also include Kate Winslet, Jessica Chastain, Hugh Jackman, Cate Blanchett and Hugh Grant.

Ballad of a Small Player marks the third consecutive film from Berger to be showcased at Zurich following All Quiet on the Western Front and Conclave. Berger also received the prestigious A Tribute to… Award at the 2024 edition of the festival.

His new film is adapted from the 2014 novel by Lawrence Osborne and is set in Macau. It tells the story of a high-stakes gambler whose past and debts start to catch up with him, but whilst laying low in Macau he encounters a kindred spirit who might just hold the key to his salvation.

“Colin Farrell is one of the most passionate and charismatic character actors in auteur cinema,” says Festival Director Christian Jungen.

“He’s just as convincing as a villain as he is a romantic lead, or in complex roles that fall somewhere in between, like in Edward Berger’s irresistible tragicomedy Ballad of a Small Player, where Colin captivates us as a roguish gambler and makes us root for his character.

“Colin Farrell has already worked with many great filmmakers, but under Edward Berger’s direction, he truly reaches new heights. He carries the film from beginning to end and takes us on an emotional roller coaster that makes us laugh, cry, and marvel. For this outstanding performance, which could earn him another Oscar nomination, and for his invaluable contribution to auteur cinema, we are honoring Colin Farrell with the Golden Icon Award.”

Farrell welcomed the news of the honor and said he was looking forward to the opportunity to visit Zurich for the first time.

“I’d like to thank Zurich Film Festival for inviting Ballad of a Small Player to the festival, and for honoring me with the Golden Icon Award,” he said.

It’ll be my first time visiting the beautiful city of Zurich and I’m beyond excited to walk its streets, drink its coffee and move amongst its people. It’s both generous and humbling to have my years of making film recognized by such a storied festival, one that champions film from all corners of the globe. It will be an absolute pleasure to visit later this year and we are thrilled to be bringing Ballad of a Small Player to audiences there,” he continued.

Farrell was seen recently in HBO’s The Penguin, reprising his acclaimed role as Ozwald Cobblepot.

He won a string of awards for the performance including a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Limited Series, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics Choice Award. He is currently shooting season 2 of the Apple TV+ series Sugar, returning as private detective John Sugar.

Colin Farrell will receive the Golden Icon Award at the 2025 Zurich Film Festival, recognizing his performance in Ballad of a Small Player and his career achievements. The Oscar-nominated Irish actor will attend the festival on September 27 for the award presentation and gala premiere of the film, and will participate in a ZFF Masters discussion the following day.

Directed by Edward Berger, Ballad of a Small Player is based on Lawrence Osborne’s 2014 novel and follows a gambler in Macau whose past catches up with him. The screening marks Berger’s third consecutive ZFF selection, following All Quiet on the Western Front and Conclave.

Farrell, known for roles in In Bruges, The Banshees of Inisherin, The Lobster, The Batman, and Minority Report, has collaborated with directors including Sofia Coppola, Yorgos Lanthimos, Steven Spielberg, and Tim Burton. His portrayal in The Banshees of Inisherin earned him a Golden Globe, Venice Best Actor award, and an Academy Award nomination.

Zurich festival director Christian Jungen praised Farrell’s range, noting his ability to play villains, romantic leads, and complex characters, and called his work in Ballad of a Small Player “irresistible.”

Farrell can currently be seen in HBO’s The Penguin and is filming season two of Apple TV+’s Sugar.

Previous Zurich Golden Icon Award recipients include Kate Winslet, Jessica Chastain, Hugh Jackman, Cate Blanchett, and Hugh Grant.

The 2025 Zurich film festival runs Sept. 25 to Oct. 5.

Kendall Jenner marked her sister Kylie Jenner’s 28th birthday on Sunday with a series of tributes.

The 28-year-old model first took to Instagram Stories to share a smiling snap of Kylie posing with a bottle of liquor shaped like the number eight—a design tied to Kendall’s own tequila and vodka brand 818. Kendall captioned the photo “28” to nod to her younger sister’s milestone year, which Kylie reposted to her own Stories shortly.

Hours later, Kendall tapped into nostalgia, posting a two-photo childhood carousel on Instagram featuring the sisters in their early years. “My little lady forever,” she wrote in the caption.

Kendall’s posts joined a wave of family well-wishes, with their mother Kris Jenner and half-sisters Kim, Khloé, and Kourtney Kardashian each sharing their own birthday messages.

But one conspicuous absence was of Timothée Chalamet. The Oscar-nominated actor, who has been romantically linked to Kylie since early 2023, was missing from her sun-soaked wellness-themed celebration and made no public mention of her birthday. Instead, he posted a cryptic “dream big” message on his own Instagram the same day, further fueling ongoing split speculation.

Kylie and Chalamet dominated the headlines earlier this year with multiple PDA-packed appearances, including at the Golden Globes and U.S. Open. 

However, the pair haven’t been spotted together in over a month, and Kylie recently hinted at heartache by sharing that she’d been listening to breakup songs on repeat.

LAHORE: Veteran TV actor and theatre director Shehnaz Sheikh, known for her plays such as Ankahi and Tanhaiyaan, says that the PTV usually used to finish a TV serial in 13 episodes but now the scene has changed; however, it is good that TV plays are being produced. “It is another debate whether they are qualitative or non-qualitative but you know, the show must go on.”

Ms Sheikh said that in the contemporary world of mini-screen there are a lot of changes. “Now, the multinationals are the producers of the plays and they would cast actors earlier. In our times, the PTV director used to be the producer who also would do casting, direction and fulfill all other requirements regarding the production.”

Sheikh was talking to Dawn recently at the National College of Arts (NCA) where she is putting in all efforts to come up with something unique in performing arts as she is looking after theatre, music and dance shows to be held in connection with upcoming NCA Triennale.

Shehnaz Sheikh called the era when she worked with the PTV it the golden era of television as many wonderful plays were produced during those times. She herself was the most popular actress and was one of the most successful actresses of the 1980s and 1990s. She worked in drama serials like Balila, Maray Thay Jin K Liye, Tanhaiyaan and Ankahi, as well as Uncle Sargam.

At the NCA, in consultation with Shehnaz Sheikh, the drama, music and dance societies of the college are working day and night to put up some great shows for the triennale which will be attended by a number of artists from other countries. Both Eastern and Western music will be performed during the triennale while there will be a Kathak dance performance too.

“The students are trying their best to come up with some novel shows for the triennale,” says Sheikh. She said the NCA Triennale marks the 150 years of Excellence since its inception as the Mayo School of Art in 1875. The first edition of the NCA Triennale, titled Kasb-e-Kamal Fun, is scheduled to take place in October 2025 and would continue till mid-December 2025.

The NCA is celebrating its 150 years of excellence through a series of archival, visual, performing art, design and architectural exhibitions, symposia and seminars and seminal research publications. The inaugural triennale will bring together local and international artists. There will be colours and fantastic performing art performances during the triennale in theatre, music and dance.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2025

LAHORE: The participants of Ajoka Institute’s Art of Acting – Kids Edition presented short plays and other performances at the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (Pilac) here on Sunday.

After a month-long journey of learning, exploration, and creativity, these talented children delivered heartwarming performances, including speeches and dances, captivating an enthusiastic audience of parents, theatre lovers and art supporters.

Children presented short plays on meaningful themes and monologues. The event marked the culmination of Ajoka’s specially designed acting course for children during summer vacation, led by trainer Fizza Jamal, assisted by Samawia Zaman, with choreography by Luke Kelvin.

Each performance reflected the confidence, imagination and dedication nurtured over the four-week programme.

Fifteen young actors — Zaki Rafey Altaf, Ali Ebrahim Khan, Hassan Ebrahim Khan, Zikria Mohsan, Bareerah Furjam, Zoya Amir Sheikh, Muhammad Ibrahim Aitzaz, Ibrish Aitzaz, Musa Adam, Rimsha Ali Tahir, Ayra Ali Tahir, Syeda Amal Zahra, Muhammad Moosa Farid, Minal Naveed, and M Ahad Malik showcased their skills, earning applause and admiration from the audience.

In recognition of their efforts, Ajoka Institute Director Nirvaan Nadeem awarded certificates to the participating kids, underscoring Ajoka’s long-standing commitment to nurturing young talent and inspiring a love for the performing arts from an early age.

Ajoka’s executive director, Shahid Nadeem, congratulated the participants and their parents.

Speaking after the event, Shahid Nadeem said: “Ajoka has always believed in cultivating the next generation of storytellers and performers.

These young artistes are the future of theatre, and we are proud to have given them a platform to explore their creativity and passion.”

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2025

Creative communities worldwide hold Japanese graphic designs in high regard, and the ongoing exhibition at the Fosun Foundation Shanghai features works by some of the country’s best-known designers.

The exhibition, Yitisiga: Graphic Design in Japan, opened on July 26 and runs to Aug 23. It is jointly presented by the Fosun Foundation and the Japan Graphic Designers Association, one of the most influential organisations for graphic designers in Asia.

The exhibition is one of the largest and most comprehensive displays of Japanese graphic design in China to date, featuring over 300 original works by more than 100 legendary figures across 1,200 square meters, arranged in five sections.

“Yitisiga” is a colloquial phrase in the dialects of the Yangtze River Delta region used to describe a large variety of things, extensiveness, and sometimes chaotic states. The title signifies the inclusiveness, diverse visual elements, and rich styles of graphic design, according to Gong Qijun, co-curator of the exhibition.

The Japanese association was founded in 1978 and has more than 6,000 members today, the majority of whom work in Japan.

The JAGDA Award is the highest accolade in Japanese design, representing the shifting winds of visual Japanese creativity each year, Gong says.

The first section of the exhibition showcases award-winning works by 10 leading designers, including Kenya Hara, Issay Kitagawa, and Ryosuke Uehara. The second section features the original works included in the yearbook Graphic Design in Japan, which is compiled by the association and spans posters, packaging, digital media, signage, and spatial presentation.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2025

Chad Michael Murray recently opened up about a serious health scare that inadvertently paved his way into the acting world.

Appearing on the Great Company with Jamie Laing podcast, the Freakier Friday actor recalled being hospitalized at the age of 15 as a result of twisted intestines, which led to life-threatening complications.

“I was hospitalized for two and a half months. It was a lot. We had surgery. I had internal bleeding, I lost 50% of my blood. I was on my deathbed,” Murray detailed, adding that he was “in and out of consciousness” during the hospital stay.

“I just remember seeing my father, the weakest I’d ever seen him, and a priest at the end of my bed, and they’re talking about last rites and all that stuff, and [the nurse, Sandy] gave me a blood transfusion to save my life,” Murray said. ”It saved my life.”

The One Tree Hill and Gilmore Girls alum also recalled another nurse, Alana, whose connections as a working model got him a foot in the door in the entertainment industry.

“Alana says to me, ‘Oh gosh, you should model,’” he said. “I was like, ‘I don’t want to model. I want to be an actor. Like, I love film and television. I want to give this gift to other people.’ And she’s like, ‘Well, you can segue from modeling into acting. Look, when you get out, I’m hooking you up with this modeling company I know.’ And she meant it.”

Murray continued, “And so I got out. I went from, like, 180 to 118 pounds. I was a skeleton when I got out, it was the scariest thing ever. I remember looking in the mirror the first time going, ‘Who is that?’ Like, I cried. I couldn’t believe that I was looking back at that guy.”

The actor recalled that the traumatic experience led him to begin a “relationship with God” and grow closer to his father. Once recovered, he said the modeling company eventually paid his way to a convention in Orlando, where a chance acting competition jumpstarted his move to Los Angeles and acquiring an agent.

Murray can currently be seen in Freakier Friday, the sequel to the 2003 body-swap comedy with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, which debuted in theaters Aug. 8.

Watch the full interview below:

Ray Brooks, the British actor who starred in EastEnders, Ken Loach’s drama Cathy Come Home and narrated the 1970s children’s TV show Mr Benn, has died at the age of 86.

Brooks died peacefully on Saturday with his loved ones at his bedside after a short illness, according to a statement shared by his family with the BBC.

The statement also revealed that Brooks had spent the last few years living with dementia.

Brooks’ sons, Will and Tom, said: “His three true loves were family (he also had a daughter Emma, who died in 2003), Fulham Football Club, and spending time in Brighton, where he was born.”

The cartoon Mr Benn, narrated by Brooks, follows the character who enters a magical costume shop and travels to new places based on the costumes he wears.

Only 13 episodes were released but the cartoon became well known with generations of children because episodes were repeated twice a year for more than 21 years.

“I was asked to do other cartoons because of Mr Benn – including Rupert the Bear, which was the worst thing I’ve ever done. I used to have a couple of pints before recording it, to numb my brain for his terrible rhymes,” Brooks told the Guardian in 2017, adding: “Grandmas come up to me and say their grandchildren are fed up with today’s cartoons, but they love the simplicity of Mr Benn, the fact that he’s very moral, always sorting out people’s problems – including dragons.”

Brooks went on to appear in a host of different primetime television shows including ITV’s Coronation Street, in which he played Norman Phillips, and EastEnders, where he played Joe Macer, who memorably killed his wife, the long-running character Pauline Fowler.

Brooks also starred in the BBC comedy drama Big Deal, which followed gambler Robbie Box as he tried to make a living by betting while also trying to maintain his relationship with Jan, played by Sharon Duce.

Brooks earned a number of film credits, including a role in The Knack … And How To Get It, which won the 1965 Palme d’Or at the Cannes film festival.

A year later he starred in Ken Loach’s Cathy Come Home, a BBC drama filmed like a documentary, which explored the impact of Britain’s housing shortage in the late 1960s. In 2000, a British Film Institute poll of 100 industry figures rated it as the second-best British television programme ever made, after Fawlty Towers.

Press Association contributed to this report.