BORN and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, singer, songwriter and composer Umer Durrani has been surrounded by songs his entire life.
The marvellous music has fed the Los Angelesbased artist’s creativity and enabled him to produce some stunningly unique work, which is worth finding. He also hosts the Thinking Out Loud radio show on global platform Rukus Avenue Radio.
Eastern Eye got Umer Durrani to create a playlist of songs he loves.
Longing by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Michael Brook: Nusrat was far ahead of his times and not only was he gifted, but his artistry was on an entirely different realm that one could only get a taste of while listening to his work. Longing is one of those songs that reflect his genius.
Ab Ke Hum Bichchde by Mehdi Hassan: Written by Ahmad Faraz, this track is a perfect marriage of poetry, melody and the ghazal craft. The poet’s words have been elevated by an absolute legend.
Yaad Karna by Vital Signs: Being a 90’s kid, this song has a special place in my heart forever. It is very reminiscent, deeply ironic, and always makes me feel that Junaid (Jamshed) is still with us.
Koi Nahi by Sajjad Ali: One of the few visionaries in the industry, Sajjad made it easy for generations to adapt to all genres of south Asian music by revisiting it in a refreshing and modern manner. I feel this track is one of them.
Khamaj by Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan: Skilful singing with eastern classical roots presented in a modern aesthetic, this song was a turning point in Pakistan’s music scene. Shafqat was able to successfully extend his family’s legacy and bring it to a wider audience.
Na Kaho by Aaroh: This song reminds me of my college days. I even recorded a cover of it and love this song so much. Everything about it is special. The lyrics, melody and Farooq’s simplicity and pureness are reflective in his singing. I remember when this track came out, it cut through a lot of noise and was refreshing.
Abhi Na Jao by Mohammad Rafi: My dad’s favourite singer. When I was a kid, he used to listen to him all the time on his cassette player. This was one of the first tracks I learnt by heart and even won a prize at a school singing competition. Every time family gatherings happen; someone always asks me to sing it.
Satrangi Re by Sonu Nigam: If there’s one song that I would like to sing in front of Sonu Nigam, AR Rahman and Gulzar, it’s this one. It captures the seven stages of love, namely hub (attraction), uns (infatuation), ishq (love), akidat (trust/ reverence), ibadat (worship), junoon (madness) followed by maut (death). This song is sheer magic.
Aur Ho by AR Rahman: I was at a loss of words when this album came out. To this day, this is my favourite song composed by Rahman sir. Being a singer myself, I envied that Mohit (Chauhan) sang it. Everything about it is so divine, almost magical.
Bombay Theme by AR Rahman: No matter what mood I’m in, this song from the Bombay soundtrack has rescued me from my alltime lows every time. I’ve always felt a deep connection with this track. It signifies hope, an uplifting feeling and reminds me of the power of music.
Sajna Tere Bina & Run (cover) by Umer Durrani and Michelle Ray: Though I had been learning eastern classical music since I was 13, it was not until last year that I decided to record my voice and share some of my music. But I could not initiate my journey without paying homage to my favourite Pakistani singer, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. I loved collaborating with Michelle and working on this project.
Instagram: @umerdurrani
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Jason Ralph fuels speculation over Rachel Brosnahan marriage after controversial Instagram activity
Rachel Brosnahan marriage speculation grows after Jason Ralph’s controversial Instagram activity
Highlights
Rachel Brosnahan’s husband, actor Jason Ralph, is at the centre of a heated social media debate after he liked a provocative Instagram comment about her on-screen chemistry with Superman co-star David Corenswet. The online reaction has been swift, with fans speculating whether his action was a subtle dig, a careless mistake, or simply a misunderstood joke.
The comment in question accused Brosnahan of crossing boundaries with a co-star and suggested Ralph should “stand up for himself” and “leave her.” Within hours, screenshots of Ralph’s ‘like’ were circulating across Reddit, X, and Instagram gossip pages. Soon after, Ralph disabled comments on his posts, but by then, the digital trail was impossible to erase.
When did Rachel Brosnahan and Jason Ralph get married?
Brosnahan and Ralph first met while working on the indie film I’m Obsessed With You in 2013. After several years of dating, the pair quietly tied the knot—so quietly, in fact, that the public only learned about it years later.
In a 2019 interview, Brosnahan revealed that she had been wearing her wedding ring for some time before speculation began, adding:
“We’ve been married for years and been together for even longer. We had a good laugh when the news came out that we had just got married like, ‘Happy six-month anniversary, honey!’”
The couple’s decision to keep their marriage private was intentional. Brosnahan explained that she disliked the double standard in media coverage, where she was constantly asked about her relationship while Ralph was not.
Have they worked together professionally?
Yes. Ralph appeared alongside his wife in the hit series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, joining in seasons four and five as Mike Carr. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Ralph praised Brosnahan’s leadership on set, saying:
“She’s just the best, and I feel very lucky to see her command a set like that.”
Their collaboration was warmly received by fans, and until now, the couple has maintained an image of mutual respect and professional admiration.
What did Jason Ralph ‘like’ on Instagram?
The controversy began when Ralph liked a comment on one of his posts that read:
“It’s genuinely sad to see your career being tucked out to be remembered as a cuckold because your wife couldn’t handle herself with her co-actor. Like bro, let’s have some self-love and stand up for yourself, leave her to be with him if she wants that much.”
The remark, widely interpreted as targeting Brosnahan’s scenes with David Corenswet in Superman, was seen by many as insulting and sexist. Fans immediately questioned why Ralph would engage with it at all.
Was it intentional or a mistake?
Social media reactions are split. Some argue that it was likely an accidental double-tap, noting that Ralph’s Instagram activity is minimal and sporadic. Others believe it was deliberate, citing his history of dry humour and occasional trolling behaviour online.
Regardless of intent, the timing has amplified speculation. Brosnahan’s chemistry with Corenswet has been heavily discussed since the film’s release, and this incident has only fuelled more rumours about their personal lives.
What’s next for the couple?
Neither Brosnahan nor Ralph has publicly commented on the incident. Given their preference for privacy, it’s unlikely they will address the speculation directly. Still, with screenshots continuing to circulate, the story has already left its mark on fan discussions around the couple. Whether the Instagram ‘like’ was a slip of the finger or a calculated move, it has put an unusually public spotlight on one of Hollywood’s most private marriages. For now, the internet is left to debate: accident, sarcasm, or subtle message?