The week in rewind – here’s everything you missed (or couldn’t stop talking about)
1. A Tale of Two Biryanis: The One That Started Strong And The One That Finished Wrong
Biryani fielded questions on cousin marriage, feudal lifestyles, the plight of Urdu speaking communities in Karachi, their interaction with Punjabis, Sindhis and multiple ethnicities, languages, backgrounds from all over the country with the main players – Meeran and Nisa in transition, Mammoo and Baba Saeen gatekeeping their heritage and Gul Meher, dear Gul Meher, struggling to speak a truth that no one wanted to hear, but winning hearts in the process.
Biryani delivered romance, young, passionate and alive, in the endearing love story of Nisa and Meeran, two people who came together despite the wide disparity in their language, background or family life – just being and existing together, finding love in special moments, the story of unafraid youth that does not consider race, language, culture or ethnicity as a barrier. When the straight-thinking Nisa lost her heart, when Meeran found it, holding on to it like a precious gemstone, one felt these two had found the key to eternal happiness. The scenes were sensual, the visuals, raw and yet dreamy – from Meeran learning how to ride a bike, to Nisa, falling for him despite her loathing for anything feudal, their silly yet precious plans to marry after she pursued her career, life was perfect, but not quite.
Read more here!
2. Rising Stars Of 2025: The Young Actors Who Lit Up Our Screens
The Pakistani drama industry has always been rich with talent, but 2025 has felt like a true moment of arrival for a new generation of actors/performers. This year, young actors stepped forward with fresh energy, taking on roles that were heartfelt, and refreshingly real. They didn’t just appear on our screens, they shaped conversations, brought new life to familiar genres, and reminded us why local storytelling continues to have such a powerful pull.
What makes this rising wave so compelling is their ability to stand out regardless of how much time they spend on screen. No matter the screen time they have gotten, they proved their talent and delivered performances that stayed with viewers long after the credits rolled. From emotional depth to effortless charm, these young artists showed that impact isn’t measured in minutes but in presence. Each actor brought something memorable to the year, giving audiences plenty to talk about and reflect on. Their characters also resonated strongly with younger viewers, who found pieces of their own experiences echoed in these performances.
As we look back on 2025, it becomes clear that these emerging stars set new standards and signaled a bright, exciting future for Pakistani dramas. Check out the list here!
3. Case No. 9 Sheds Light On How Social Media Can Push Justice Forward
Sehar Moazzam’s journey has been one marked by trauma, loneliness, and a system that seems designed to silence victims. Her pain is not just emotional – it is societal. After facing relentless character assassination, difficult court proceedings, and losing hope in those entrusted with delivering justice, Sehar reaches a breaking point. With nowhere left to turn, she does what countless real-life survivors have done in the past decade: She goes online.
In a raw, vulnerable moment, Sehar records a video – her truth, her fear, her pain, her plea. Every tear she had swallowed, every scream she had muted, and every injustice she had endured suddenly finds space on the internet. Her voice, once suppressed within courtroom walls, now echoes across thousands of screens. A trend starts. And if there is one thing the last decade has taught us, it’s this: never underestimate the power of a trending hashtag.
Sehar’s case getting social media traction in a social and legal climate where harassment and rape allegations are hard to prove, especially with weak or no evidence, as in Seher’s case, the survivor often finds power in public pressure. And the drama Case No.9 ties in with real world events to show us how a case can become stronger, pressurizing the courts and law enforcement agencies to delve deeper into the evidence and investigative procedures, as does SP Zoheb when he decides to overlook Seher’s case himself, so that justice is served or at least, the rape survivor gets a fair chance in the legal system.
4. Saba Qamar Picks Scripts That Matter – And These 4 Dramas Prove It
Saba Qamar has always been one of those rare actors who knows exactly what she wants to say through the characters she chooses. While many in the industry chase trends, she gravitates toward scripts that are different, thought-provoking, and often ahead of their time. She doesn’t pick a character just to entertain – she picks one that shakes a conversation, challenges a stereotype, or pushes viewers to think a little differently.
Saba lets her work speak for her. She allows her characters to carry the message, trusting the audience to recognize the nuance, courage, and honesty she brings to every role. And the audience clearly does notice. Over the years, Saba Qamar has emerged as a symbol of meaningful storytelling, a performer who never compromises on quality or depth. Through her carefully chosen roles, she has shown that it is possible to spark important conversations and make a lasting impact simply by bringing the right stories to life with sincerity and conviction.
Here are four dramas where Saba Qamar dared to be different – and the love, praise, and lasting impact prove that meaningful characters can make a dent in our social world view.
5. Everything You Need To Know About The Samsung One UI 8.5
Samsung One UI 8.5 is the next big refresh of the Galaxy software experience.It builds on the previous versions of One UI and aims to make the whole Samsung ecosystem feel smoother, smarter, and more helpful without changing the soul of the interface. Samsung does not treat this like a tiny patch. It is more like a glow up for your phone, giving it better looks, better brain power, and better control. It runs on top of Android 16, so you get the newest Android improvements combined with Samsung’s custom magic on top.
The first devices to receive One UI 8.5 are the Galaxy S25 series during the early beta stage. If you are using an older Galaxy flagship, such as the S24 or S23 series, you will likely still get the update later in the rollout. Samsung usually releases updates in waves depending on region, carrier and device age, so some people may get it earlier while others wait a little longer. Foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series are also in line to receive it, but again it depends on Samsung’s release schedule.
Read more about the update here!
6. What Happened With Ducky Bhai? What We Know So Far!
National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) arrested YouTuber Saad ur Rehman – better known as Ducky Bhai – on 17 , August , 2025 at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. The agency accused him of promoting illegal online gambling and betting applications through his YouTube channel and social‑media presence. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the charges include violations of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA) – including electronic fraud, spamming, and spoofing – plus charges under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) for offering illegal prizes and cheating.
NCCIA’s complaint mentions that there were dozens of videos on his channel – 27 video links are cited in the FIR – promoting gambling apps. During the investigation, investigators alleged that Ducky Bhai acted as a “country manager” or agent for some of these apps and received substantial payments. According to NCCIA claims, he earned up to US $20,000 (around Rs 5.5 million) for each promotional campaign.
After his arrest, a court initially granted a short physical remand to NCCIA. The remand was extended multiple times to allow further investigation. On 9, September, 2025, a judicial magistrate refused to extend the physical remand and instead placed him on a 14‑day judicial remand.
In a video published on 7, December, 2025 – about 100 days after his arrest – Ducky Bhai addressed the public and made serious allegations: he claimed he faced physical and verbal abuse during his custody under NCCIA. He said officers verbally insulted and physically assaulted him, demanded bribes (he mentioned sums like Rs 70–80 million), and even threatened to seize funds from his accounts.
7. Pakistan Idol: 5 Most Liked Performances By The Audience From This Week’s Gala Round
Every week brings new surprises, emotional performances, and of course, a fair share of jaw-dropping talent. Last week was on a roll, and this week was no different! The contestants brought back waves of nostalgia, each performance dripping with their own charm and signature style. Fans were glued to their screens as these young singers poured their hearts out, leaving the stage full of energy. Some performances quickly went viral, stealing hearts across social media. Here are 5 standout performances from this week’s Pakistan Idol that captured the audience’s love – fun, soulful, and impossible to forget!
That’s all from us for this week – see you again with more stories next week!
