BOL NEWSPAPER | August 14 2022

Although Pakistan’s first film Teri Yaad released just one week before the country’s first birthday, and TV came into the lives of Pakistanis in 1963, actors from both these platforms (as well as Radio and theatre) compensated for lost time by delivering performances that are still considered iconic around the world. BOLD pays tribute to 30 such individuals who came, who performed, and who conquered, be it in films, TV, or theatre and their feats are nothing short of legendary. The men who ‘lead’ the way in films!

Pakistan’s film industry has produced some of the greatest actors who have dominated the screen for the most part of their careers, but it all began in the 1950s with Sudhir, the first film star, who was at ease when doing drama and action. He may have made his film debut in the year of Independence, but he went on to deliver countless hits in the newly created country. From the late 1940s till the 1960s, Sudhir was the leading man who had no equal and even continued to act in films till the 1980s, gelling well in films alongside younger actors.

Whenever the history of Pakistani films would be written, the name of Allaudin would be there at the top because he was among the first scene stealers in the industry. He may have been senior to Sudhir since he debuted in films in the early 1940s, he was more into character acting than acting as a lead, although he was comfortable anywhere, as long as it was in front of the camera. He continued to act in films till the 1980s and offered more to Pakistani cinema than just Kahan Se Aaye Hain Yeh Jhumke scene.

The 1960s saw the arrival of three young leading actors who would go onto shape the future of cinema in the country. Mohammad Ali was tall, dark and handsome one from the group who became popular for his towering personality, his ability to deliver dramatic performances at the drop of a hat, and taking forward the action star persona that began with Sudhir. Waheed Murad was the eternal chocolate hero who introduced synchronised dancing to Pakistani films, was successful as a producer before making his debut as an actor and then became the country’s heartthrob because of the way he romanced on screen and filmed songs that were way ahead of his times.

And then there is Nadeem, undoubtedly Pakistan’s longest-serving leading man who may have been junior to Mohammad Ali and Waheed Murad, but who continued to shine after the others bid adieu to the film arena. Had it not been for Nadeem’s evolution in the 1980s, Pakistani cinema might not have been able to revive time and again, and even after six decades, he is still considered a bankable actor who can draw the audience inside the theatre with his youthful persona. Along with Nadeem, it was Sultan Rahi who dominated the film industry in the 1980s and the 1990s before his

Without any doubt, Uzma Gillani is one big name that has been around since 1970 and has constantly raised the bar with each performance. She has been cast as the heroine, done wonders in a character role, and even played supporting characters, always breathing life into the character

On Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day, BOLD pays tribute to those 30 personalities whose acting prowess made the country famous all over the world

assassination that shook the film industry in the country. He began his career as an extra, did supporting characters in the early part of his career, and then switched to an action star persona that helped cinema and filmmakers alike. He was comfortable in both Urdu and Punjabi cinema and ruled the box office when Double Version (Punjabi films dubbed in Urdu or vice versa) were a rage till the mid-90s

The strong women who ruled the screen!

Although it was Noor Jehan who was undoubtedly the biggest star who dominated the screen in the early days of Pakistan’s film industry, Sabiha Khanum was the country’s first female superstar who evolved from a leading lady in the 1950s to a supporting actor in the late 1960s, and finally, character actor in the 1970s and 1980s, sharing her experience of working in films, later to the TV till the 1990s.

Not only was her beauty unmatched, but she also formed the perfect pair with her husband Santosh Kumar who had a dashing personality. Shamim Ara belonged to the generation that succeeded Sabiha Khanum and was considered the most successful film actress between the 1950s and the 1970s. She first turned to production in the 1960s before venturing into film direction in the late 1970s, and for three decades she kept churning films that kept the industry alive.

The 1960s saw the rise of three young actresses who went to carve out separate identities for themselves; Zeba Begum, Rani, and Shabnam. While Zeba Begum made her debut in the early 1960s, Rani came to prominence in the 1970s while Shabnam kept churning hit after hit from the 1960s till the 1990s. Zeba Begum who married fellow actor Mohammad Ali in the late 1960s excelled as an actress who had the looks to kill, Rani’s graceful persona and dancing prowess was unmatched while Shabnam was an amalgamation of a brilliant actress who could dance better than many.

KARACHI By Omair Alavi

Although Babra Sharif debuted in a film as the second lead to Shabnam in the early 1970s, she went on to dominate the film screen for two decades. She began and ended her career on TV but in between, worked with nearly all the male leads in the film industry, including Mohammad Ali, Waheed Murad, Nadeem, Shahid, Ghulam Mohiuddin, Asif Raza Mir, Faisal Rehman, and Ayaz Naik. The generation that grew up in the 1970s and the 1980s still believes that Babra Sharif had no match when it came to elegance, for she lived in their hearts and minds. Film actors who excelled at comedy!

Ever since directors have understood to have an actor in a film who would be able to break the tension between scenes, some actors have thrived on doing just that. The most famous name to make the audience laugh out loud is undoubtedly that of Lehri who remained a constant feature in films between 1960s and 1980s. He began his career as the sidekick who always got his friend in or out of trouble in films before migrating to character roles; his ability to ad-lib dialogues made him the favourite of audiences all over the world.

It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that the time between 1965 and 1975 belonged to Rangeela and Munawwar Zarif who were so hilarious that it made the audience go hysterical. It was one thing being unbelievable together, but also in films where they were cast alongside other actors, they stole scenes without trying too hard. They are the only actors who worked in a film that had their names in the title – Rangeela Aur Munawwar Zarif – which is something not many can claim to have done in their careers. After Munawwar Zarif’s untimely death in 1976, Rangeela and Rafi Khawar Nanha carried the torch for another decade before the latter left his fans saddened by taking his own life. Unlike his film contemporaries, Nanha was also famous on TV as Noon of the famous TV series Alif Noon who used to criticize the workings of society while his partner Allan (played by Kamal Ahmed Rizvi) tried to con the customers, each week.

Waheed Murad was the eternal chocolate hero who introduced synchronised dancing to Pakistani films, was successful as a producer before making his debut as an actor and then became the country’s heartthrob because of the way he romanced on screen and filmed songs that were way ahead of his times

Leading men who helped TV become popular Pakistan Television would remain indebted to some of the actors for their brilliant performances, mostly as leading men, over the years. Be it Shakeel who focused on TV after not making it big in films or the technically sound Talat Hussain who made a name for himself as an actor wherever he went, PTV benefitted more from these actors than these actors benefitted from PTV. The 1970s saw the resurgence of Rahat Kazmi and Saleem Nasir who were integral to the success of TV dramas in the country. While Rahat Kazmi had a stint in films as well, Saleem Nasir gave memorable characters to his fans that are still popular three decades after his death.

The 1970s and the 1980s belonged to Abid Ali and Shafi Mohammad who gave a new direction to lead acting on TV. The versatile actors dominated the proceedings in Lahore and Karachi respectively and although Abid Ali turned to production when private TV channels entered the arena, Shafi Mohammad stayed loyal to the TV till death did them apart. He did work in a handful of films but was more at ease on TV, unlike Qavi Khan who was at ease in both platforms. He has been around ever since TV began its innings in Pakistan and has entertained the audience for generations, something that can’t be said for many actors in the country. Although his film career is also quite noticeable, he remains more of a TV actor where his presence adds colour to the screen.

Television’s leading ladies who raised the bar

It may be a man’s world but a handful of leading ladies have managed to create a separate identity for themselves on the smaller screen. Without any doubt, Uzma Gillani is one big name that has been around since 1970 and has constantly raised the bar with each performance. She has been cast as the heroine, done wonders in a character role, and even played supporting characters, always breathing life into the character. Roohi Bano was another actress who features on the favourite list of every Pakistani because she knew how to fulfil the demands of her characters.

She may only have been active in 1970s and 1980s, but her body of work was so incredible that it keeps on inspiring youngsters who follow her into acting.

Another name that enhanced TV’s class was Khalida Riyasat who kept on giving hits before her untimely death at the age of 43. From the late 1970s till the mid-1990s, the actress remained on top of her game and was at ease whether it was a romantic character, a comic one or one where the performance had to be melancholic. She shared the screen with one Sania Saeed in her final play Ab Tum Ja Sakte Ho who seems to be carrying forward the legacy of these wonderful actresses in modern times. She began her career in the late 1980s and is currently in her fifth decade as a performer, winning hearts all around be it on stage, on TV, or in films.

Those who set the stage (and screen) on fire!

And finally, something about those comedians who spread laughter wherever they went and didn’t need films to raise the stakes. Although many came onto the scene before Moin Akhtar, the comedian dominated the game from the 1980s till his death forty years later. He began his career as a stand-up comedian of repute but evolved into Pakistan’s number one showman who could do no wrong. He partnered with Anwar Maqsood in such a way that their Loose Talk clips are still appreciated even more than ten years after Moin’s demise.

From mimicking fellow artistes as well as foreign ones, performing on Saturday Night Live style shows, and being the loose cannon on TV shows including Show Time, Commercial Time, Studio Dhai, and Studio Pawney Teen, he even acted on TV and in films but was known to the younger generation for his exploits as master of ceremonies, which was another feather on his cap. He inspired a lot of artistes to take up comedy, most notably Umer Sharif, who went on to carve a separate identity for himself due to his comedy timing, his humorous stand-up acts, and relatively successful film career. Not only did he revive theatre as a writer, director, and actor in his own country, but his style was also copied across the border and even today actors like Govinda, Akshay Kumar, and Kapil Sharma credit him for their success.

And then there was Amanullah Khan, the man who singlehandedly kept the Punjabi theatre alive with his unique style of comedy that was carried on by his students and those whom he inspired. Although he had a non-existent film career (only two films throughout his career), he had the ability to set the stage on fire with his humorous lines that seemed to come out from nowhere. He was considered as huge in Lahore as Umer Sharif in Karachi, and his stage shows are still popular in Pakistan, India, and wherever Urdu and Punjabi are spoken.

It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that the time between 1965 and 1975 belonged to Rangeela and Munawwar Zarif who were so hilarious that it made the audience go hysterical. It was one thing being unbelievable together, but also in films where they were cast alongside other actors, they stole scenes without trying too hard

By Kayenat Kalam KARACHI

ma. At the time, little did we know that this young, talented, and absolutely gorgeous girl would go on to take over our television screens in the years to come. From playing supporting roles in the initial years of her career to owning the

screen as the lead in back-to-back dramas, Sajal has paved a truly unique path for herself. Here is a list of of eighth times Sajal wowed audiences with her versatility and phenomenal acting skills.

Nanhi in Nanhi (2013)

Portraying a differently-abled character on-screen can be quite challenging. Yet, Sajal made it seem effortless with her impeccable performance as the titular character in Nanhi, a mentally-challenged, teenage girl who is kidnaped and nursed by Shammo Tai, played by Asma Abbas. With Haseeb Hassan at the helm, Nanhi was a one of a kind thriller serial, shedding light on many social issues and taboos, including the sexual assault of minors, child trafficking, and the importance of educating young. The drama was path-breaking in many ways because it dared to touch upon subjects which were avoided by most TV plays at the time.

Rameen in Chup Raho (2015)

This is one of Sajal’s most memorable performances. As Rameen, Sajal played a victim of sexual and emotional abuse. However, Rameen might have been reduced to a character who is deprived of any agency had it not been for Sajal’s performance which helped ground the drama.

The actress made the audience resonate with her character of a young girl who is raped by her brother-in-law, Numair (Syed Jibran), and suffers emotional neglect from her own family as a result. The manner in which Sajal portrayed the psychological trauma and challenges that Rameen had to face set her performance apart from other such characters in similar dramas. Chup Raho was directed by Yasir Nawaz and starred Syed Jibran, Arjumand Rahim, and Feroze Khan.

Gul-e-Rana in Gul-e-Rana (2015)

Sajal played the titular character in Farooq Rind’s Gule-Rana, which is based on the novel by Samra Bukhari. From the very beginning, Sajal as Gul-e-Rana is shown as a strong-willed, independent girl who dearly loved her deceased father and now has the responsibility of looking after her mother, and her younger sister. Gul-e-Rana stays firm to her principles even after she is married to Adeel (Feroze Khan), her egotistic and narcissistic cousin. While the drama had its lows and highs, the fact that Sajal’s character became an embodiment of women’s empowerment and rights, and found a way out of an abusive marriage, is what made this serial memorable.

Dr. Zubia in Yakeen Ka Safar (2017)

Yakeen Ka Safar came out at a time when social issues and taboos were being openly discussed in Pakistani dramas. The character of Dr. Zubia was someone we could all relate with in one way or another. Where the young Zubia serves as a lesson for teenagers about the consequences of one’s actions, the more mature Dr. Zubia encouraged women to take a stand for themselves no matter how harsh the circumstances. The story of Yakeen Ka Safar was written by the maestro Farhat Ishtiaq, and it also starred Ahad Raza Mir in the lead.

Arya in Mom (2017)

While she was ruling the Pakistani drama industry, Sajal also made a mark for herself across the border with the blockbuster Bollywood movie Mom. Sajal starred alongside the late Sridevi as she essayed the role of her step-daughter, Arya, who is sexually assaulted at a party. The film also starred Adnan Siddiqui in a supporting role.

Chammi in Aangan (2018)

Sajal’s characterisation of Chammi in the period drama

Aangan was a breath of fresh air at a time when such characters weren’t being portrayed in most mainstream local TV shows. Her character was not just a young, naive girl who helplessly falls in love with Jameel (Ahad Raza Mir) but was also extremely opinionated and strong-willed. Be it through her acting or her physical transformation, Sajal absolutely nailed the pre-partition look and made audiences fall in love with her all over again.

Momina in Alif (2019)

Written by Umera Ahmed, Alif was a one-of-a-kind spiritualistic-romantic serial that was not only a treat to the eyes but also enlightened the mind and the soul. Sajal played the lead character of Momina, a struggling actress with a disturbing past. While she fights to financially support her family, she is also questioned at every step because her career as an actor is often seen as being ‘controversial’. The drama also starred Hamza Ali Abbasi as Momin, whose storyline runs parallel to Momina’s.

Rabia in Sinf-e-Aahan (2022)

Sajal mesmerised audiences with her versatility yet again by playing Rabia Safeer in the women-centric television series Sinf-e-Aahan. Rabia is one of the six girls in the serial who join the Pakistan Army and must overcome their own set of challenges in order to become a valuable asset for their beloved motherland.

Interestingly, the actress will reportedly be playing the role of a young Fatima Jinnah in the upcoming partition web series helmed by Danial K. Afzal. Titled Fatima Jinnah: Sister Revolutionist | Statesman, the patriotic series will follow the journey of Madar-e-Millat during different stages of her life. Sajal will essay Fatima Jinnah during the pre-partition period. Danial has said: “When I was reading about Fatima Jinnah, I was looking for an actor who would carry a similar body language to hers during the 1930s and 1940s around the Independence time. Sajal gave me that. You could see it the moment she walked onto the set.” Moreover, Sajal is also set to star in a film written and produced by Jemima Goldsmith, Whats Love Got To Do With It, a British romantic-comedy film based in London and Lahore. The film is directed by renowned Indian filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, and will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Now that Sajal will be seen in two promising upcoming projects, we can only imagine what else she has up her sleeves to entice audiences. Here’s wishing her the best for all her future endeavours!

Despite their mushroom growth over the last two decades in particular, television channels are struggling to maintain the benchmark once set by PTV classics, which served as a source of inspiration to India. The neighbouring nation had it all - experienced directors, modern equipment, trained artistes, massive sets, and an audience hungry for entertainment. However, what they didn’t have were those scriptwriters, directors and producers who formed the golden age of Pakistan’s television in the decades of 1970s, 80s and 90s.

It now seems like a lost glory that we are trying hard to restore but keep falling short.

Let’s reflect on what we are badly missing on our TV screens today.

Portrayal of societal issues

From the matter of child smuggling raised in 1993’s TV serial ‘Nijaat’ to the issue of family planning highlighted in 1991’s ‘Aahat’, those TV serials kick-started a much-needed conversation on such issues in our society. Similarly, Ashir Azeem’s Dhuwan (1994) took a giant leap by dealing with the rise of drug trafficking in the country.

As per the content consumption habits of today’s viewers, they don’t just crave a medley of romance and action but have an appetite for societal issues and matters that are often swept under the carpet. We need TV shows which could address a range of burning issues such as racism, postpartum depression, gun violence, climate change and the like to create a positive impact on society.

Side-splitting comedy

It looks strange how clips of the 1980s comedy show, “Fifty Fifty”, still go viral on social media and are loved by

the millennial generation. Because of their ageless jokes and puns, the hilarious antics of the leading characters Allan and Nanha in “Alif Noon” are no less than an entertaining Netflix watch for the audience today, who craves to enjoy quality humour on their TV screens.

On the other hand, the TV series ‘Bulbulay,’ a kind of a bubble comedy because of its substandard humour, is the only comedy series able to garner considerable viewership today. As things currently stand, writing humour-based content appears to be a dying genre be-

cause of its inability to entertain, , be meaningful and remain relevant to the everyday lives we live today.

Inspiring content for children

TV directors and writers today rarely focus on producing

TV shows for children. Kids of the 1990s can never forget the TV serial ‘Ainak Wala Jin’ and its uplifting messages amidst all the magic, fantasy, and mystical creatures. Today, our TV screens are devoid of stories that feature science fiction, adventure and fantasy. So much so, back in 2016, actor Shahzad Qaiser who played Nastoor Jin in ‘Ainak Wala Jin’ made a sequel titled ‘The Return of Nastoor’. However, no channel agreed to broadcast it. In a tragic Facebook post, Shahzad revealed, “All of the channels refused [including PTV] to air my series, saying they don’t have a children’s time slot. They have time to air programs like Hanuman and Chota Bheem but not a show like Ainak Wala Jin.”

Portrayal of progressive women

Written by Haseena Moin, the TV serials of the 1980s and 90s like Tanhaiyaan, Ankahi, and Dhoop Kinaray were all about women leading their lives on their own served as a source of inspiration for other women.

On the contrary, a whole host of TV serials today (e.g. ‘Ek Sitam Aur’, ‘Badnaseeb’, ‘Baddua’ or ‘Hasrat’) portray women in socially vulnerable and negative roles. Perhaps, TV shows in this modern age are more concerned about TRPs and pay less heed to making quality content. A slap on a woman's face, a toxic mother-in-law, a lustful love triangle, and a flagitious man chasing and cajoling a damsel in distress is now all that sells, and will continue to do so until we bring back the stories as featured in the PTV classics of yore.

It’s now been over a decade since Sajal Aly made her first appearance in a Pakistani dra-

BOLD brings you the list of the most awe-inspiring occasions when Sajal Aly proved her credentials with her versatile acting and matchless performance

The fact that TV serials in Pakistan are repeatedly going through a qualitative decline should not take anyone by surprise

KARACHI

By Ghazala Sulaiman

Anyone

By Omair Alavi KARACHI

Five years back, stuntman-turned-filmmaker

David Leitch came up with his Atomic Blonde, his own version of John Wick where a female spy has to complete a deadly mission on the eve of the Berlin Wall collapse. Take that story and replace the Berlin Wall with an express Japanese train, and Charlize Theron with Brad Pitt, and you have Bullet Train that would make Guy Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino

By Muhammad Adil

ISLAMABAD

A newly-released Netflix docuseries, ‘The Most Hated Man on the Internet’ is making people rethink their online identities, the information they put online, and who they can trust on the web. The three-part series is cantered on the exploits of Hunter Moore, who was given this infamous title by Rolling Stones Magazine. Now you might be wondering, what could Hunter have done to gain such notoriety? Here’s the context.

In 2010, Hunter created a website called “Is Anyone Up?” While the site initially curated content pertaining to concerts and musical bands, it soon devolved into something much more deplorable, becoming a website where people would post revenge porn. Not only did the site carry these heinous videos, in some cases it also published the victim’s address, their Facebook profile, and where they work.

When Hunter was later asked how he could morally profit off of such an enterprise and let such content go unchecked on his website - putting people’s privacy and lives at risk – he simply smiled and laughed.

The series follows the mother-daughter duo that joined forces to take Hunter to court, and refused to back down even when faced with Hunter’s gaslighting and blackmailing. The daughter, Kayla, became a victim of Hunter’s site when her topless photo was posted on it. While the details presented in this show are appalling, the quest for justice does provide a

certain degree of inspiration, as does the courage exhibited by the victim. The show does a great job of using a replica of the site and not the original one as the series wishes to preserve the anonymity of those whose privacy was first violated. However, while the Netflix series demonstrates that justice ultimately prevails, it goes on to show that this does not always mean that the damage that has been done is remedied.

Produced under the banner of RAW TV, this production company has churned out several hit docuseries which make us reconsider the online world, like Tinder Swindler, and Don’t F**k With Cats. It’s also a studio that is not afraid to explore and document topics that may seem a little untoward and unsavoury. The production quality of ‘The Most Hated Man on the Internet’ is superb, and each interview is truly captivating, proving that RAW TV is currently on top of its game.

While watching this series, the primary thing viewers are waiting for is the moment when Hunter suffers the consequences of his actions and is placed behind bars. In 2012, as the documentary reveals, Hunter was accused of identity theft, among other charges. He pleaded guilty and, just

two years after his website started carrying revenge porn videos, Hunter was handed a prison sentence.

The series does a great job of capturing and presenting a holistic picture of Hunter’s actions and his trial by interviewing individuals associated with him. After watching these interviews one understands why he has been called the ‘Charles Manson of the internet’. Everyone from his attorney to his girlfriend claim that they felt like they were inside some kind of cult. Eerily, the interviews with Moore himself show that he has little to no regrets, and a sick sense of satisfaction seems to surround him. It’s also a sad reality that once something finds its way onto the internet it’s impossible to ensure that it is removed entirely. As a result, the victims of Hunter’s site continue to live in fear of their privacy being breached yet again.

‘The Most Hated Man on the Internet’ is equal parts frightening and informative. While the series will make all viewers deeply vary of their online presence, it will also encourage them to be more cautious in their online interactions, and will make them rethink how they choose to safeguard their private data. In many aspects, ‘The Most Hated Man on The Internet,’ a one of a kind show, is a master class in how a good docuseries should be made for today’s audiences. Anyone who is curious about the world of cyber security, or wants to learn about the risks of the internet, should really give this series a watch.

proud. It falls in the same category where the two directors are considered supreme, and David Leitch’s attempt doesn’t fall behind. Despite having a shallow script that relies on endless fight sequences, it gives the fans of mindless action another film to watch, anytime, anywhere.

The plot

A reformed operative codenamed Ladybug (Brad Pitt) is sent to recover a mysterious briefcase on a Japanese Bullet Train traveling from Tokyo to Morioka. Not many know but he is the poster

boy of bad luck, and the briefcase he is asked to recover belongs to the leader of a criminal organization. The ‘White Death’ has given the responsibility of protecting his property to a handful of trained killers, namely two hitmen brothers Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry) and Tangerine (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Add a poisonous snake, a teenage psychopath (Joey King), a vengeful father, and assassins gathered from across the globe and this ride becomes more interesting and aggressive as it progresses.

The good

Adapted from Kōtarō Isaka’s 2010 novel, this film stays in one place, but takes the audience on a wild ride; each and every character has a back story including a water bottle and a briefcase that take and save lives, respectively throughout the film. The Jackie Chan-style fight scenes are a treat for sore eyes that miss the iconic Rush Hour actor who has done fewer action films in recent years. If you are a fan of mindless action flicks like Shoot ‘Em Up, then this is the movie that will keep you entertained for its entire run. Brad Pitt looks good as the protagonist who doesn’t want to hurt anyone, but due to his bad luck wherever he goes, people die. Luckily for the audience, he isn’t the only protagonist in the film as others share similar back stories.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Tangerine and Brian Tyree Henry as Lemon are British assassins related to each other, and have as many flashbacks as Ladybug; the film begins with Andrew Koji who plays the father of a kid who was used as bait so

that he can ride the train, whereas his father Hiroyuki Sanada has a history with the main antagonist that will change the mood of the entire film.

Bullet Train may not be suitable for kids because of its explicit language and gory action, but the way it uses the wisdom of ‘Thomas the Tank Engine' is remarkable. The scriptwriter must be commended for using the characters from the British animated series as one of the characters' traits and keeping the audience guessing about who would be "Diesel," in the real world. Other characters were also as interesting, and it was their own ulterior motives that led them to board the fastest train on the planet. Then there is Dominic Lewis’s iconic score that brings back many

yesteryear hits like 500 Miles and Bonnie Tyler’s Hero whereas the Japanese touch makes them even more adorable.

The bad

Believe it or not, Brad Pitt might be the biggest Hollywood star to be a part of this flick but he was the wrong choice to play Ladybug; Ryan Reynolds would have suited it better because of his innings as Deadpool. The way he pulled off the reformed hitman routine in Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard was the way this role was supposed to go down but Brad Pitt looked too old for it. Yes, he has done action films in the past but for nonstop action, you need someone who doesn’t let the pace slow down, and Brad Pitt does. After halfway, the film seemed a little dragged and couldn’t match up to the train’s express speed. Yes, the ‘MacGyver’ touch helped Brad Pitt’s character since he used everyday items to fight back, and didn’t ‘carry guns’ but since MacGyver was more of a 1980s icon, many wouldn’t even understand the reference. Also, the duration of the film could have been trimmed to 90 minutes instead of 126 minutes, and the film suffers from the fate of those action flicks which are labelled drag because the director didn’t want the journey to end.

The verdict: 3/5 Bullet Train suffers from one big problem and that is the director enjoying the film more than the audience. Since David Leitch is the same guy who gave us Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2 and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and executive produced two of the three John Wick movies, you can expect anything from him in Bullet Train. There is a Snakes on a Plane kind situation while you will find scenarios that remind you of The Wolverine (which took place in Japan) Murder on the Orient Express (which happened on a train), and Crank (the mindless action) while he pays homage to Guy Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino by merging their styles into one. But then he forgot that the audience would also be watching the final product because had he realized that he would have edited the film better. There are scenes that could have been rewritten, but weren’t; there are moments that could have been executed better, but weren’t, and the climax could have come a little sooner than later. At times, the audience wanted the film to end because it took place in one confined space with limited characters, but the director failed to slam the emergency brakes on time, which resulted in a good film that could have been a contender!

who is curious about the world of cyber security, or wants to learn about the risks of the internet, should really give this series a watch

Hollywood heavyweight Brad Pitt returns to the Guy Ritchie-Quentin Tarantino genre with neither at the helm!

By Faizan Usmani KARACHI

A 21st-century vitriolic catchphrase that ‘every terrorist is not a Muslim but every Muslim is a terrorist,’ implies the universal principle that too in a country, which is outwardly branded for its secular credentials but at its core lies a deep layer of religious hatred, enveloping the major part of the Hindu majority land without stopping.

Aamir Khan, one of three super-leading Khans of the Indian film industry, cannot be an exception, generally because of being a member of the religious minority visà-vis the formidable Hindu majority, and especially by virtue of being a Muslim, a perpetual reality that every Indian man and woman assuming a surname like Khan, has to live with.

Since the trailer launch of the Mr Perfectionist’s long-anticipated film ‘Lal Singh Chaddha,’ an adaptation of the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Forrest Gump’ of Tom Hanks, all hell broke loose on Aamir Khan as almost all social media outlets were bustling with users calling Khan ‘anti-Hindu’, ‘anti-National,’ and ‘anti-India.’ As if that were not enough, calls are now being made to boycott the film being re-

leased on over 3500 screens across India on the occasion of Rakshabandhan festival, i.e. on August 11.

An unremitting continuation of the hate campaign directed against the Indian Muslims, the guiding rationale behind the film’s boycott is not only flawed but defies common sense too.

Using hashtags such as #BoycottbollywoodForever, #BoycottBollywood and #BoycottLaalSinghChaddha, for instance, one of the Twitterati posted a picture of Aamir Khan shaking hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and wrote in her comments, “Aamir Khan had a conversation during the movie making with President of Turkey who hates India. Aamir has taken Indians for granted & thinks that the Indians will accept this.

NEVER FORGIVE.”

Sharing the hashtags #BoycottLaalSinghChaddha and #BoycottBollywood, another user from India posted in his tweet, “Never forget what Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan stand for.

Never forgive these scumbags. Make sure #LalSinghChaddha is a massive flop.”

The Twitter user also reminded the online community of previous comments made by Lal Singh Chaddha’s lead actors, Kareena Kapoor and Aamir Khan.

By Omair Alavi KARACHI

Think of the name Robin Williams and the first thing that comes up in one’s mind are the characters that he brought to life in TV and films; if you remember him as the alien Mork in the hit TV series Mork and Mindy, or as Genie in Aladdin, Alan Parish in Jumanji, as well as Mrs. Doubtfire and Patch Adams, then your childhood was better than most of your contemporaries.

Emily Herbert’s biography Robin Williams – When the Laughter Stops tries to unravel the enigma known as Robin Williams and takes a trip down memory lane to find out what made him special.

During her trip into the past, the author unveils many factors that might have contributed to Robin Williams’ genius, and they need not be positive factors. The absence of his ‘busy’ parents from his life, the constant traveling, not having a stable school and the bullying made him take up comedy as a defense mechanism, and when he finally had a stable institution to study in, he decided to polish his skills as a comedian. The book also discusses the meteoric rise and the sudden fall of Robin Williams, the performer who had to take refuge in stand-up acts as well as TV during the final years of his life, because the films he was appearing in were not garnering the kind of profits that were expected from them. Not only does the author talk about the films he made that are now considered cult classics but also his ability to ad lib and mimic others that he used in many of his performances. She also debates that the failure of his films in the last 15 years might have contributed to his suicide, but she also points out that doing fewer comic roles was one of the factors he couldn’t connect with the audience.

Although this edition was published soon after Robin Williams's death in August 2014, it talks about the many problems he faced that might have something

to do with his decision to end his life. One of them might be the return of his drinking problem, which he kept in check during his prime, whereas the other was his personal life that saw him go through three marriages, two of which ended in divorce. Add to that his not known video game addiction and Robin Williams was more like a ticking bomb in his last few years, and had he stayed alive, he might have become more troublemaker than he already was.

Not only does this biography talk about Robin Williams's return to TV after three decades as the main lead actor of a comedy series, but it also explains why the series The Crazy Ones was cancelled just one season later. Despite featuring him at his comical best, the series couldn’t garner the ratings expected from a Robin Williams vehicle and contributed to his decline rather than helping him climb back to his rightful position.

Wide Web.

It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that Robin Williams brought laughter and joy to the lives of all those who saw him perform on TV, in films, and even on stage. His relationship with his closer-than-friend Christopher Reeve gets mentioned in these pages as well as his reaction to the Superman actor’s death, and while the author blames Reeve’s death as the turning point of Robin Williams’ character, it had more to do with his growing age than anything else.

The biography uses quotes from Robin Williams’ old interviews to provide his thoughts on certain matters while the author talks to some of the people who were associated with the 63-year-old actor during his life. However, the ‘20 Great Robin Williams Jokes’ at the end of the book would remind you of his brilliance as a stand-up comedian. While his competitors accused him of using their ideas to create his own jokes, Robin Williams left them far behind due to his ability to create jokes from absolutely nothing and even denied the plagiarism claims in his interviews.

One may or may not agree with Emily Herbert’s sensitive biography, but it does pay tribute to a genius who was nothing short of a legend in his lifetime. While doing voice acting for the Genie in Aladdin, he inspired the animators so much that they added lines he spoke into the script.

The way the author has expressed her thoughts on Robin Williams might seem unbiased but some of his films deserved better coverage here, including Patch Adams and Insomnia which were dismissed as failures, despite being good. Similarly, his decision to switch to supporting characters after turning fifty and why his second wife Marsha stopped taking interest in his career, weren’t explained in this book. It would surely have made a better read than the Twitter messages that dominated the first chapter, especially at a time when nearly everyone has access to the World

They were happy to welcome him back after his issue with Disney was resolved, and promptly replaced the backup actor with Robin Williams, after the sequel had begun production. Had he been alive today, Robin Williams would easily have been popular amongst young and old alike, for there was a child inside the funny man. This book does justice to his life and times as well as brings forward the highlights and lowlights of his career. It might not be the best book about the actor but it will certainly revive the reader’s interest in the man who could play a genie, an RJ, a US President, and an alien without breaking a sweat. Must have been a legend!

“Remember! Kareena Khan said, “Don’t watch our movies (as) we don’t force anyone (to do so),” while Aamir Khan said, “Pouring milk on Shiv Ling is useless (as) this money can feed poor children.””

‘You know what to do with Lal Singh Chaddha,’ the user concluded his post encouraging the rest of the netizens to take the ballooning boycott campaign to the next level in order to flop the film as well as to seal the fate of Aamir Khan, once and for all.

Aamir Khan’s previous blockbuster ‘PK’, released in 2014, sparked massive outrage, particularly in the Hindu community of India for questioning the time-honoured religious practices of the Hindu faith in his film. Most netizens are now also recalling the comments made by Aamir Khan in 2015 when he revealed that his wife Kiran Rao was uneasy in India and wanted to leave the country because of rising intolerance.

Now when the release of ‘Lal Singh Chaddha’ is around the corner, the on-going social media trend calling for film buffs and cinema addicts to join the boycott spree seems to go unabated. Hard luck, Mr Perfectionist!

The best way to pay tribute to actor Robin Williams on his 8th death anniversary is to read about his life and times

It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that Robin Williams brought laughter and joy to the lives of all those who saw him perform on TV, in films, and even on stage

Since the trailer launch of Aamir Khan’s long-anticipated film ‘Lal Singh Chaddha,’ calls are being made across India to boycott the film

By Zehra Batool KARACHI

In preparation for Pakistan's 75th anniversary of independence on August 14, the patriotic spirit within the nation appears to be awakening. Every year the celebrations begin with traditional zeal and fervor across the country as homes, neighborhoods, and markets are decorated with green flags. The nation will celebrate the 75th Independence Day with utmost enthusiasm and patriotic spirit in honor of our forefathers' heroic efforts in gaining a separate homeland and freedom from colonial rule.

The eve of Independence Day in Pakistan is celebrated in its traditional manner. Citizens decorate the landmarks of their city with fairy lights, wall sconces, and other forms of embellishment. As they gather on the streets to celebrate freedom, cars are spotted with oversized flags, and bikers are seen waving flags everywhere. Fireworks begin at precisely midnight to officially kick off the Independence Day festivities. Meanwhile, the silencer-less motorcycles, the cacophony of bajas — which sound like vuvuzela horns — and the incessant aerial shooting have all become clichés at this point. Gridlocks or, more accurately, mayhem in the streets are also frequent on the evening of August 13 and August 14.

Painting their faces with the colors of the flag is a popular way for children, teens, and adults to display their patriotism. Using green and white paint colors and painting different patterns on their faces on Independence Day is becoming a popular trend among kids every year as a way to celebrate the day. Face painting has become more and more popular as a way for kids to express their feelings and devotion. In fact, August 14 seems almost incomplete without kids and young people getting their faces painted with nationalistic themes.

To celebrate Independence Day this year, people paint their faces with different patterns and looks related to the country using green and white colors. Green and white are the national colors of Pakistan; green symbolizes prosperity and good fortune and white symbolize peace. Together, these colors radiate positive energy. So without further ado, let’s explore some creative and fabulous ideas to paint your face with this year to

flaunt your love for the country.

1) National Flag Face painting of the national flag is

a basic, minimalistic, yet powerfully patriotic expression. It is not only super easy but also takes little time to paint.

2) Map of Pakistan

The map of Pakistan is a great idea to paint if you want to go all out and paint your entire face. While this may be chal-

3) Heart-Shaped National Flag

If you want to keep it simple, paint the national in the shape of a heart on one cheek; it is quick and easy, yet patriotic.

4) Full Face Paint

If you are feeling adventurous, here is another idea for full-face paint. You divide the vertical half of your face in half, with the upper half painted green and the lower half painted white, while another half will be painted white on the upper side and green on the lower with a crescent and star.

5) Half Green Half White

You could paint half of your face white and the other half green if you want to keep it simple, yet bold, and fervently patriotic.

6) Green and White Stripes

Making green and white stripes is the also a minimalistic face paint option you can go for, and it will appear incredibly passionate without taking much time or effort. Take your patriotism to the next level with these brilliant face painting ideas! With August 14 just around the horizon, national flags, buntings, images of founding fathers, posters, and banners will soon be seen everywhere as part of Pakistan's Independence Day celebrations. There will be several festive activities taking place all around Pakistan, including formal ceremonies, TV programs with patriotic themes, fireworks display, and parades. As a matter of fact, preparations for the approaching Independence Day are already in full swing as shops have started selling Independence Day T-shirts, green and white traditional clothing, and badges representing Pakistan's flag, while on the street, locals are selling similar items.

lenging for some people to paint, all you have to do is paint your entire face white first, then draw the map and fill it in with green color, and you are good to go.

While there may be numerous issues dividing the people of Pakistan, on the 14th of August, the entire nation comes together to celebrate living in a free and independent country. Everyone is united on this day by a feeling of patriotism, with the colors of the day being green and white. It is, however, imperative that we never forget the sacrifices made, the bloodshed, and the countless lives lost in pursuit of an independent Pakistan.

Do more with less! Matching separates give you room to create your own style statement and turn your wardrobe into a timeless fashion factory

By Kayenat Kalam KARACHI

Gone are the days when a branded, printed threepiece shalwar-kameez suit was considered the epitome of fashion and elegance. The onset of summer season coupled with the fast-paced nature of our lives leaves us with very little to no time to experiment with our wardrobe. Especially if you only have printed or embroidered suits with matching dupattas that do not go with any other outfit in your closet.

This is where matching separate solid and neutral colours comes in. You can not only create your own style statement by playing around with monochrome outfits but it is also a great way to save time, space, and money, while staying relevant and up to date with the latest fashion trends. Matching separates also saves you the hassle of finding the right accessories to pair with every outfit you wear. These easy-to-wear and chic pieces of clothing are a perfect trend for the summer when people prioritise comfort.

So, if you have a knack for fashion and styling, get creative with some reliable looks that will allow your wardrobe to function in both a fashionable and traditional sense. Here is how you can save space and add some creativity to your closet by matching separates in order to make summer season a whole lot trendy!

Solid tops and bottoms

Keeping a set of matching solid tops and bottoms is the best way to save space and time while also keeping up with the latest fashion trends.

While a solid black top can easily go with light-coloured trousers or skirts, a white or beige top looks equally gorgeous with a bright-coloured bottom.

You can also wear the same colour separates and style them with the right accessories to get a perfect every-day look.

Digitally Printed Suits

On days when you don’t feel like going all monochromatic, you may opt for a digitally printed two-piece suit by your favourite brand. While digitally printed fabrics are readily available in every local market, the contemporary designs and stylish cuts are what makes them more fashionable and trendy.

Of course, there is no denying the fact that a beautifully printed lawn suit is the best choice on a summer day to keep you light and breezy. You can also pair the two-piece outfits with the same solid color dupatta and flaunt it all summer long!

Solids, but a bit more fancy

If an important family function or some distant relatives’ wedding is around the corner and you don’t want to dress too extravagantly, then solid suits in organza, chiffon or silk may be the ideal choice for you. With a soft-toned shirt in silk or chiffon paired with a zari or organza dupatta you can create your very own formal ethnic ensemble that will make you stand out from the crowd. With the addition of same colour hand embellishments, ruffled-hems, stylish sleeves and front button-down closure, these outfits can look as chic as you wish.

Style with Denim All Year Long

Having a versatile pair of jeans that can go with every top and kurti in your closet is truly a blessing. Since denim can be worn all year long, you don’t need to worry about staying relevant in the style game. Be it your classic eastern cotton kurta, a lawn frock, or a gorgeous western top and solid button-down shirt, the right-coloured denim jeans or trousers are the best choice for a relaxed, lazy day.

Also, there is no denying the fact that a white button-down shirt with a blue pair of jeans looks equally appropriate for an important business meeting as it does for a casual day out with your loved ones. By styling it with a matching denim top, you can elevate this outfit to a whole new level, both from a fashion and comfort angle.

Two-Piece Solid Suits

If you have been to the mall lately or are an active online window shopper, you must have noticed a rise in solid two-piece suits being displayed by the biggest clothing brands in Pakistan. These two-piece suits are usually designed for a lawn or cotton fabric, which is best suited for the summer heat and is preferred by the Pakistani consumer. Available in neutral and solid colours, these outfits are both sophisticated and elegant. You can also get them stitched according to your own style and comfort needs.

Be it in a boardroom, a fancy restaurant, or in your living room, these sets of monochrome outfits are easy to embrace and style with minimal accessories. You can also mix and match these solid and neutral-coloured shirts and pants with other matching outfits to help revamp your wardrobe.

All it takes is a bit of creativity and style to up your fashion game, especially in the summer season when the top priority is ensuring that you are comfortable

Nothing can beat the freshness of the harvest of crisp spinach leaves grown at home

By Dr Khwaja Ali Shahid KARACHI

‘Popeye the Sailor Man’, the cartoon and comic strip character, has captured the imagination of the masses for several decades. In the cartoon, Popeye routinely goes toe-to-toe with the evil brute Bluto, both of whom are vying for the affections of the lanky lady Olive Oyl. However, as soon as Bluto is about to best his competitor in a fight, Popeye miraculously gets hold of his secret weapon – a can full of spinach. Once he consumes the spinach, Bluto is no match for Popeye’s sudden surge of energy and power. Episode after episode, the idea of spinach as a power food is being sold to the viewers, especially children, in order to inculcate healthy eating habits among them. In Pakistan, spinach is used in the preparation of a number of dishes and snacks. While many consume it raw, and sometimes in the form of baby spinach in salads, others opt for spinach fritters, especially during the holy month of Ramzan. Curries like aaloo palak, palak gosht and palak paneer are some of the famous uses of spinach in South Asia. Spinach is highly rich in vitamins, fibres and minerals, including iron, folic acid and calcium, making it a very healthy meal option.

Type of Plants

Spinach is a green, leafy vegetable. The spinach plant, which mainly comprises the leaf, is hardly a few inches to less than two feet in height. There are a few varieties available here in Karachi. Sindhi spinach is the perennial type, which means it is grown, produced and available for consumption throughout the year. On the other hand, the Punjabi spinach variety is seasonal and is available mostly in winter months.

How to Sow and Grow

The best thing about green, leafy vegetables like spinach is that they can grow in almost any available space – from pots to beds, from grow bags to around other plants in pots, or in any empty space around trees. The spinach plant also has smaller roots, which is why it easily adjusts in

pots of other plants as well. However, it is recommended to grow the vegetable in a larger dedicated space just for spinach. The reason for this is that a larger quantity of spinach would be required if you intend to make a full meal for your family.

The seeds of spinach are usually dry, light weight, faded brown in colour and somewhat

spider shaped. They are spread over soil and another layer of soil is lightly placed over them. The best month to sow spinach seeds is October. From one seed of spinach, two to four plants of spinach can easily be grown.

Watering and Sunlight Requirements

The spinach plant thrives in moist soil, but it

Spinach is a green, leafy vegetable. The spinach plant, which mainly comprises the leaf, is hardly a few inches to less than two feet in height. There are a few varieties available here in Karachi. Sindhi spinach is the perennial type, which means it is grown, produced and available for consumption throughout the year. On the other hand, the Punjabi spinach variety is seasonal and is available mostly in winter months

should not be over-watered. Avoid showering the plant and do not water directly on the base of the plant. The plant should be exposed to direct sunlight for at least 3 to 4 hours each day.

Fertilisers for Plant Nourishment

Since this is a leafy plant, there will be a need for the constant supply of nitrogen-rich fertilisers. Nitrogen is commonly available as an organic option in compost tea, decomposed chicken and cow manure, while organic options available in the market also include bone meal and fish meal. In chemical versions available in the market one can opt for the NPK fertiliser with zero Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). This is because there is no flowering and fruiting in Spinach, therefore, there is no need for phosphorus and potassium in the NPK being used. This fertiliser is to be used on a monthly basis because excess usage can burn the plant. Rain water also acts as a fertilizer and increases the leaf size, making it beneficial for plant growth.

Pest Attacks

Spinach is a favourite among sparrows and to prevent them from eating the vegetable, it is advisable to cover the plants with a green net, or to hang a flipped CD in between the plants. The reflection of the sunlight from the CD prevents the birds from feasting on the vegetable. To maintain the balance of the eco-system, a bowl each of water and millets should be placed for the birds to consume.

There are hardly any pest attacks on the spinach plants. Rarely though, aphids and bugs may attack the leaves. A very common organic pesticide that can be used here would be the Organic

Neem Oil pesticide. You may spray the pesticide on the leaves. This procedure can be repeated every 10 to 15 days depending upon the severity of the pest attack.

Fruiting and Harvest

The spinach will be almost ready for harvest in the second week after the germination of the seeds. After that you can easily harvest the spinach leaves every month. It is important to know that the leaves of spinach are usually harvested when their tops are still rounder in shape. Once the top of the leaves start to turn pointy or arrow-like, the plant is likely to taste comparatively bitter and will produce flowers bearing the seeds since it is now in a ‘stress phase’, also known as bolting. The seeds produced by these flowers will be large in quantity, keeping the gardener occupied with the spinach seeds for many seasons to come.

Other than the shape of the leaf, one important factor to consider while harvesting spinach is to ensure that the leaves are harvested in such a manner that no new leaves are harvested in the middle of the plant. This way the plant will continue to grow, and an ample quantity of spinach harvest will be supplied throughout the life of the plant. Absolutely nothing can beat the freshness of the harvest of a crisp spinach leaf as compared to the half-dead, water-drenched bunch that you may get from a vegetable seller.

It is always important to remember that these gardening endeavours can be done with limited resources and expenditure. Even requirements like the organic fertilisers, pesticides and cheap growing alternatives can all be prepared easily at home.

By Taha Kehar KARACHI

What do Mehdi Hassan's Ye Watan Tumhara Hai, Madam Ntoor Jahan's Aye Watan Kay Sajiley Jawanoo, Muhammad Ali Sheikhi's Main Bhi Pakistan Hoon and Vital Sign's Dil Dil Pakistan have in common? Needless to say, these songs are categorised among the esteemed milli nagmay that are sung each year on Independence Day, Pakistan Resolution Day and other special occasions. However, a quick Google search will reveal another alarming yet inconspicuous commonality among these songs: all of them were initially composed before the year 2000. It would be wrong to assert that milli naghmay have fallen out of favour. New patriotic songs that honour the tremendous sacrifices rendered for Pakistan are released on special occasions by various state institutions and other entities. Even so, the lyrics of the milli naghmay of yore have been etched into our hearts and minds - avn ever-present testament to their timeless appeal. Over the years, singers have produced modern renditions of these old patriotic songs. The willingness to preserve the spirit of these old melodies in a new avatar is welcome proof of their enduring influence on our psyche. Our connection with these songs is visceral, sentimental and often defies logic. When we hear the first bars of Jazba Junoon, we are transported to the halcyon days of our youth - a time when optimism and naivety provided doorways into new possibilities. Swayed by the lyrics of Junoon's smash-hit, we allowed ourselves to uncritically accept that Pakistan's

wellbeing was inextricably linked with our collective enthusiasm to make our nation stronger. Many of us naively fancied ourselves as change-agents who could reshape the destiny of our country in a time of democratic instability. As time went by, the optimistic fervour was shattered and the collective junoon wore thin. It is widely believed that the endless cycle of democratic instability, corruption and political unrest sullied the image we had of our nation and consequently damp - ened

our passion for patriotic songs. Lyrics that once embodied the concerns of the country's teeming millions now seemed hollow and tenuous. Melodies that once served to provide consolation in the nation's most distressing hours were now tantamount to mouthpieces that served sectional interests. Sceptics have, therefore, argued that patriotic values have been greatly compromised in the country. These speculations appear to be somewhat flawed as statistics paint an entirely different picture of our soaring devotion to Pakistan. If a recent Gallup survey is anything to go by, Pakistan is ahead of 24 other countries in terms of patriotic values. As per the statistic, 90% of Pakistanis have voiced a deep affinity with the country whereas 96% are prepared to defend the nation on the battlefield. In addition, 70% of Pakistanis are reluctant to emi -

grate even if they are provided suitable job opportunities.

If these figures are to serve as a gauge, patriotism isn't under threat. On the contrary, patriotic songs need to be revamped so as to capture the zeitgeist of a particular period in history. Nostalgia can't serve as the only force that propels us to recall the lyrics of a milli naghmay. The melodies need to be rooted in a particular social, political and historical context. For instance, a vast majority of the patriotic music that we have grown to admire was a response to the wars that challenged the sovereignty and unity of the nation.

Noor Jahan and Naseem Begum's melodies raised the morale of the nation during the 1965 war. Jamiluddin Aali wrote Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan in 1971 when provincialism had reached its perilous peak in the country. Without this critical ingredient, the milli naghmay will lose their contemporary relevance. The overarching narrative embodied in these songs has to evolve with time. If it fails to achieve this effect, the multitudes of people who turn towards these songs for succour will feel disconnected and become all the more disenchanted with the status quo in Pakistan. Concerns about contemporary appeal in these songs are often dismissed as trivial. The lon -

gevity of our vintage milli naghmay is often erroneously viewed as a sign that no other musical composition can measure up to the preexisting standards. These static stereotypes are, of course, an obstacle for those who wish to push the creative boundaries and churn out fresh patriotic tunes. The reluctance to develop a fresh impetus for patriotic music is aligned closely with the growing resistance to change that has become synonymous with Pakistan's culture. A concerted effort is required to alter mindsets.

The Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) has played a pivotal role in injecting patriotic fervour through music. On crucial occasions, such as August 14 and Defence Day, the military's media wing releases songs that seek to fuel patriotic zeal by highlighting the might of the armed forces. A quick glance at some of the songs released by the ISPR on Independence Day in recent years shows that an attempt is being made to draw upon contemporary challenges. For example, Sahir Ali Bagga's Yun Pakistan Bana Tha welds the past with the present by using archival footage and creative animations to highlight the sacrifices of Muslims during the Pakistan Movement.

Released in August 2020, the song was aired a year after the illegal occupation of Indian Occupied Kashmir - a heinous move that exposed the stark reality of ethnic cleansing faced by Muslims in India. The pressing need to make patriotic

songs pertinent to present-day realities is also evident in modern versions of old patriotic songs. A new rendition of Dil Se Pakistan was released in 2017 to mark the 70th year of Pakistan's independence. The song was a collaborative effort of Haroon, Javed Bashir, Farhan Bogra and Muniba Mazari and its video featured Aakif Azeem, a survivor of the Army Public School massacre. The decision to include Azeem engages viewers in a crucial discourse on the country's volatile security environment. Be that as it may, this rendition is steered by the oft-repeated narrative of nostalgia.

Beyond these well-meaning initiatives, a critical dialogue needs to begin on the significance of patriotic songs in Pakistan. It would be rather presumptuous to declare that milli naghmay are a thing of the past. At this critical juncture, two developments have come to the fore with respect to patriotic music.

First, the government-backed Steering Committee has decided to give the national anthem a much-needed makeover by including a diverse range of voices from across the country. The exercise will not only preserve the sanctity of the original composition, but also represent different regions, genres and communities. The initiative has been criticised as nothing more than a seemingly tokenistic measure that won't achieve much. Second, a countrywide National Song competition was initiated in June 2022 as a means of finding the next big patriotic melody. This endeavour seeks to revive the scope for patriotic music in the country. Furthermore, the competition is based on a call for submissions and thereby democratises the process of finding these songs. As a result, there's a stronger likelihood that the songs will address the genuine concerns of the people. The first development is merely a cosmetic measure while the second presents an opportunity to breathe new life into the milli nagmay that seem to have grown stale over time. It remains to be seen how these initiatives will be received by the people. Moving forward, a few structural adjustments need to be made within the industry to restore patriotic music. Critics have asserted that the vintage milli nagmay were penned by exceptional writers such as Jamiluddin Aali, Saqi Javed and Masroor Anwar. In this day and age, writers of such a high intellectual calibre are a rare find. Another related concern is that the state seldoms provides due support to writers. A conscientious effort needs to be made to rectify these issues and pave the way for new and memorable patriotic songs.

Patriotic songs need to be revamped so as to capture the zeitgeist of a particular period in history

By Sofia Arslan Qadeer LAHORE

There is a popular barbershop anecdote in which a barber unwittingly presented an ephemeral analysis of a poem freshly recited by a Sufi poet, Mian Muhammad Baksh. The pages on which this poem was scrib bled were later set aflame by Baksh, who could not come to terms with the embarrassment and shame of being demystified by a ‘mere’ barber.

The belief that all forms of art could only be un derstood and critiqued by a select category of intel lectuals has persisted for a long time. It was consid ered to be nothing less than artistic suicide to create works of art which could even remotely be analysed by a barber sitting in his barbershop, a small-scale shopkeeper, or a street hawker on his pushcart.

The erstwhile practice of creating grand scenes on canvas only fit to be absorbed by an elitist in tellect has now taken a turn towards something completely different. It has since been argued that art is more enjoyable when it takes pleasure in the banality of human existence, and one of the most reflective artists in South Asia contributing to this thought is Rahat Naveed Masud.

A national award-winning painter and educa tionist, Rahat has served for many years as the Prin cipal of the Art and Design Department at the Uni versity of Punjab. Her versatile work spans from elevating everyday emotions to reflections on Sufi thought, bringing material canvases to life with her

Netflix has many things to offer for the enthusiasts of home decoration, interior design and modern architecture

By Mubarra Yousuf KARACHI

Whether you to get some exciting ideas about home renovation looking to build your dream home from the scratch, or are just eager to explore world of interior decoration and architecture to acquire more knowledge, the crème de la crème of shows , as listed below, will of course serve your needs.

Grand Designs

In this classic TV show, Kevin McCloud follows families through the entire house-making process as they build their dream homes from the ground up and furnish them to perfectly suit their needs. All this occurs while the participants are trying to sort out their real-life problems, mostly to do with budget constraints and the associated challenges of executing projects of this scale. Whether you are looking for a woodland cottage, a castle, or a glasshouse, you will find the show very interesting.

Amazing Interiors

The phrase, “It's what's on the inside that matters”, perfectly encapsulates this American reality TV show. From basements housing, elaborate museums indoor aquariums to even a backyard with a rollercoaster, the show highlights how far some individuals have pushed their creativity and design capabilities. What makes the show more interesting is the fact that most people have no background in interior design or architecture.

skilful, accomplished hands.

The Fruit Tree Series by Rahat is a collection of six works for the Khamsa Art Gallery. The series was exhibited online, and Rahat was declared the Artist of the Month for her exceptional work and unmatched artistry. “I have used the tree as a metaphor for life.

One can observe a parallel between human existence and the fruit tree—they undergo the same sequentially,” says Rahat. However, there is much more to this larger-thanlife exhibit than simply matching human existence to the fruit tree’s cycle of life. This series is a true testament to the notion of painting being a tyrannical discipline, where the artist is bound by the constraints of space. She burns to the ground these lim iting peripheries to let her work communi cate freely with the audience. Thus, these six creations transcend their creator in terms of their complexities and concerns, letting people from all walks of life interpret and explore them in tandem with their individu al intellect and artistic sensibilities. This series opulently elevates the com monality of ordinary emotions and, in doing so, it also makes an enormous social contri bution to democratising art and its explora tion in Pakistan. Her work lets people lib erate their thought processes, allowing them to open a channel for the inner artist silently residing within them. Prosaic emotions such as relaxation, joyfulness, contentment, peace and com fort, which go unnoticed in our mundane, everyday existence, are celebrated on Ra hat’s canvas through the meticulous use of colour and complex details. These works unveil female characters that enjoy a calmative relationship with their ecological surroundings and, at the same time, seek pleasure in being carried away by their imaginations, meditations, and even the sense of unrestricted interaction with technology. This depicts a forward-thinking, coherent society that exposes the individual to the stimuli delivered by both agrarian and urban life, seamlessly coming together amidst the notions of uninhibited self-reflection, and self-directed spirituality. The vivacious yellows, burnt-orange, emerald green, and ethereal palettes perfectly augment the calmness portrayed through the natural and creatural imagery. The beguiling intricate backgrounds enhance the effulgence offered by the foreground,

The Great Interior Design Challenge

bringing the entire work together in a mesmerising interplay of balance, depth, and profundity.

Rahat’s work has an extensive and vibrantly dynamic audience, as it empowers even the barber and the street hawker to experience visual knowledge and become friends with their inner artist who could relate to, and organically identify with, her characters. Even within the regimented space of the canvas, her work displays a sense of liberation that sets her characters free to pulsate with

life. She has done utmost justice in reflecting deeply-patterned landscapes—a melodious rendition of natural imagery and charisma, which is delicately celebrated by her female characters within these works as they rely on nature as their source of spiritual nourishment and therapy. In a word, the Fruit Tree Series is a love letter to life and nature, transporting the viewer into a hypnotic realm where they forget about their worries and replace them instead with the desire to find value in the pleasant subtleties that this life offers. –Ends

The writer is a Lecturer in the English Literature department at Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore. She can be reached at sophiyaqadeer@gmail.com

An intriguing blend of learning and healthy competition, The Great Interior Design Challenge is a Netflix show that will satisfy your design appetite. With the title of the ‘Best Interior Designer’ in the UK and a major design contract at stake, designers get three days to prove their design credentials to a panel of judges. The designers are given a set of demands with a specific budget, alongside an occasional curveball in the form of a last-minute addition which they must integrate seamlessly into their overall design. Failure to do so puts them at risk of being expelled from the show.

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Post

1971

Javed Jabbar

BOLD: How do you view the notion of patriotism?

Javed Jabbar: Throughout human history, individuals in a politically defined territory are expected to, of their own will, express affinity, loyalty, and love for the entity in which they reside. This is entirely understandable. It is when patriotism becomes chauvinistic and jingoistic that it becomes potentially disruptive and even dangerous. But we must remember that scores of Pakistanis have held strong, unflinching beliefs in patriotism and in being patriotic, particularly those in the Armed Forces, paramilitary forces and the police, who have sacrificed their lives to defend even an inch of soil. That is patriotism in one of its finest forms, if not the finest.

In what ways has our perception of patriotism as a nation evolved over the decades?

In the initial years, there was an unquestioning patriotism, a blind faith in the vision of a new homeland for the Muslims of South Asia. This was particularly strengthened by the enormous disadvantages with which the new state was born, many of which were inflicted by the British and the Congress Party-led government of India. That injustice solidified the sentiment of patriotism because solidarity in the face of

interpretations of patriotism. Post-1971, patriotism has been renewed, but remains segmented, depending on which part of the population, and on which days of the calendar the issue is measured. For example, nationalist parties may demand autonomy or de facto secession, which is the antithesis of patriotism's ideals, but on August 14 or March 23, or when a Pakistani cricket team is playing India, or even another country, almost everyone cheers for Pakistan, regardless of ethnic or political viewpoint. Patriotism varies in some respects; in others, it remains

Do you believe the younger generation has lost its patriotic spirit? If yes, how can it be

Contrary to the implication in your question, the vast majority of the youth is keen to learn about history and passionately committed to tradition, the country, social justice and reform. At various youth-leadership conferences and seminars, side by side with a critical scepticism, there is also an abundant energy that comes through. Without ostensibly wearing their patriotism on their sleeves, and even as they face numerous economic and social problems, young people are deeply attached to their national identity.

What inspired you to write 'Pakistan - Unique Origins; Unique Destiny?'?

In 2010, when I had finished presenting a lecture at a school on the subject of Pakistan's unusual origins and evolution, a 14-year-old teenaged boy stood up to ask: "Sir, is there a book I can read which conveys what you have just told us? Because most of what you've said is not in any of our textbooks". That comment stunned me. It also pleased my petty little ego that I had presented some new perspective to him. I was ashamed that of the nine books I had published by then, not a single one had focused on the unique dimensions of our country's origins. The book has a unique structure. As per your introductory note, 'Pakistan - Unique Origins; Unique Destiny?' is "neither a chronological nor a comprehensive history of the origins of Pakistan". In what ways has this proved to be a strength rather than a weakness of the book?

By liberating myself from the conventional, somewhat pedantic - yet unavoidable - chronological sequencing that marks customary prescribed textbooks, I was able to take a larger, panoramic view of what else was happening, and what has already occurred in other parts of the world with regard to the formation and evolution of nation-states. I was able to position Pakistan's emergence in that context and on the global canvas, rather than only in the relatively narrow confines of a Muslim-Hindu framework.

Post-1971, patriotism has been renewed, but remains segmented, depending on which part of the population, and on which days of the calendar the issue is measured. For example, nationalist parties may demand autonomy or de facto secession, which is the antithesis of patriotism's ideals, but on August 14 or March 23, or when a Pakistani cricket team is playing India, or even another country, almost everyone cheers for Pakistan, regardless of ethnic or political viewpoint

'Pakistan - Unique Origins; Unique Destiny?' includes blank pages to encourage readers to share their insights and observations on key subjects. What are some of the most intriguing responses that readers have scribbled into these pages?

Perhaps because it is unusual for books to offer blank pages for readers' own views, readers wouldn't take the trouble to mail these pages to the publisher or author. I have thus received limited feedback in that form. However, a variety of comments have been made during live sessions where some of those present have taken the time to read the book.

Among the thought-provoking comments has been the query as to whether the nation-state is proving to be deeply divisive, corrosive of fraternal sharing, and prone to populism and fascism. This is partly true. Another view is about whether Pakistan has pursued the security-state orientation too much as compared to a welfare-state orientation. On its basic thesis of our uniqueness, there has never been any substantive negative feedback.

'Pakistan - Unique Origins; Unique Destiny?' also includes your essay '100 Years of Pakistan: A Visualization of 2047'. The essay was written in 1997. How different would your outlook on the subject be in 2022?

In the 25 years since I wrote that essay, the more things have changed, the more they remain the same. But much has changed in the past quarter century, some of it for the better. General Musharraf's tenure introduced enhanced representation of women in the legislatures in all tiers -- a significant advancement that needs to be further improved. The media landscape has been transformed, for better and for worse, and requires major reforms.

However, governance capacity in the face of high population growth requires revolutionary zeal and urgency to address. Yet, the essay's proposal to nurture a political leadership that abjures any connection with material assets for 25 years, and is then compensated upon retirement, should invite consideration.

In what ways can we foster a positive image of Pakistan in the coming years?

First, by redoubling our efforts to refine and reform our own structures, attitudes and practices. Second, by building on the cosmopolitan and cheerful facets of our national personality to promote the pursuit of new knowledge. Third, by ensuring a mutually respectful civil-military equilibrium. Fourth, by ruthlessly enforcing and ensuring universal quality education with a balanced curriculum, and the use of new technologies, even video games and Artificial Intelligence (AI), to build capacity. Fifth, by investing cash in social media and electronic media globally to project the numerous positive aspects of our great nation.

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patriotism has been renewed, but remains segmented

Javed Jabbar, Pakistan’s former senator, leading writer and public intellectual, talks to BOLD in his exclusive interview with Taha Kehar