BOL NEWSPAPER | April 17 2022

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BOLD REPORTS

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

MUSIC FACTOID SYSTEMIC DISCRIMINATION

ART REVIEW

Ramzan Mai BOL Breaking records

There can never be another Ahmed Rushdi

aura of legends, Enough ofThe quota never to be forgotten!

Moazzam Ali - The watercolour maestro

Ramzan Mai BOL is Pakistan's biggest Ramzan transmission that is not only winning the rating charts but also audience’s hearts

Remembering the master crooner on what would have been his 88th birth anniversary

The quota system has run its course and now merit is essential to establish Junaid Jamshed, Amjad Sabri, Noor good governance in the country Jahan were god-gifted artists of many labels

Moazzam Ali’s constant revolves around the cultural heritage of Pakistan

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PUBLISHED FROM KARACHI, LAHORE & ISLAMABAD GLOBAL CIRCULATION VIA BOLNEWS.COM

The actor gets candid about his humble beginnings, acting career and turning entrepreneur

By Omair Alavi KARACHI

To keep rediscovering yourself is one of the most important traits of a successful actor. However, Aijaz Aslam is more than an actor for he has reinvented himself in so many ways that one might lose count. He began his career as a model in the 1990s, then ventured into acting and became one of the most recognized faces from that era.

His story doesn’t end there for he continued to discover his other qualities, that led him first into the world of fashion designing and later to production, near his silver jubilee celebrations in the field.

Be it his ethnic menswear or western attire, ‘Aijazz’ achieved new heights before fading away in later years.

But when one business began to decline, he switched to skincare & health care products that are now doing extremely well. He is currently reworking on his clothing brand and is hopeful that this time he will not repeat the mistakes he committed earlier and take it to newer heights.

How the talented actor turned producer manages to wear so many hats and shine in each field, and what makes him come up as a new man every time, Bold decided to meet the actor and ask him the secret.

Aijaz Aslam as a model turned actor

It was way back in the early 1990s that a tall and handsome youngster made his acting debut in NTM’s Kashkol, and became an overnight sensation as ‘Roshu’, his character’s name.

He wasn’t just part of the ensemble cast that featured Talat Hussain, Syed Kamal, Tahira Wasti, Hassam Qazi, and Seema Zaidi, Aijaz Aslam led the drama despite being new to the field.

He used his ‘modeling experience’ to enter an unknown field, and became popular as well as successful in no time.

The veteran actor considers his will to learn, and his ability to adapt as two of the key elements in his road to stardom. ‘From Kashkol to my recent plays, I have made it a hobby to learn from anyone, and everyone. I still remember that during one of my earlier plays, I was unable to pick up a file folder, and then deliver a dialogue without breaking the momentum, that too in front of the legendary Talat sahab.’ Aijaz recalls while narrating an interesting anecdote. ‘I asked Talat sahab for guidance who at first was reluctant because of his earlier experience with another newcomer, but when he saw that I was keen to learn, he told me that ‘it was all in the stance’, and I instantly realized that I had to change the way I was standing, and voila, I delivered the shot without any further delay!’

Aijaz also credits the many actors and directors who have helped him polish his skills over the years, and he believes that if one is willing to learn, nothing can stop that person from reaching the top. In the last year, three of his dramas namely Nand, Log Kia Kahenge, and Uraan managed to do well, and his performance in all of them was appreciated by the viewers.

‘It doesn’t matter whether the character I am playing is big or small, for me what matters is the thought process behind the creation of that character.’ The Log Kia Kahenge actor explains. ‘I had to gather all my experience to play the bad guy in Uraan and had to keep it subtle because, in my mind, I was the good guy, and those not listening to me were the bad ones. In Nand, it was difficult to upstage the brilliant actress Faiza Hasan but thankfully, my character was written in such a way that I could stand my own ground and deliver a performance that was powerful, and relatable.’

However, Aijaz claims that the Log Kia Kahenge character was the most disturbing for him as an actor. ‘My character appeared in the first few episodes of the play, but it had to be so powerful that it would drive the rest of the play without my appearing in it.

Thankfully, the producers, the writer, and the director believed in my vision, and while the suicide sequence that was censored on TV, those who saw it online appreciated my performance and dedication behind the whole process.’

The Risk Taker!

It’s no secret that Aijaz Aslam has made a name for himself as an actor, but not many know that he is also a producer who wants to change the way dramas are being made in Pakistan.

‘With Netflix and other OTT platforms finding their footing in Pakistan, it is the best time to showcase our talent to the world.’

Aijaz enlightens while talking about Over-The-Top platforms PA K I S TA N ’ S N U M B E R 1 N E W S PA P E R

and their scope in Pakistan.

‘However, for that, we will have to first educate the audience before taking a leap of faith, for the kind of dramas that are shown on our TV are the kind of stuff they want to watch anywhere else as well. It will take some time but when they are ready, the makers will also be ready to fulfill their needs.’

At a time when many of his colleagues are still playing romantic leads, Aijaz believes that to stay relevant as an actor, one must play his or her age, and let the audience decide. He has migrated from lover boy characters to character roles of an elder brother, a middle-aged parent, or someone who cares for his family, and has excelled in those as well.

‘Playing a character that is closer to my age gives it credibility, and the relatability the viewer seeks. Thankfully, in Cheekh, Nand, Log Kia Kahenge, and other dramas where I had the chance to explore my acting prowess, I was able to bring the shock value that is often missing in our plays.’

Unlike his fellow actors, Aijaz is open to different kinds of characters and that’s why his recent telefilms were well received by the audience.

‘In Ghanchakkar, I got to do play an older guy who can’t hold on to a job, and decides to marry a beautiful woman believing she is rich too, but in the end, she turns out to be a fraud as well. It was fun because the comparatively ‘older’ gang of Mahnoor Baloch, myself, and Faysal Qureshi got to play the lead, and entertain the audience during the Eid holidays.

As for Future Imperfect, I went for it because I found it to be a novel concept, that will hopefully help in upgrading our viewers and improve their taste.’

An Entrepreneur

For someone who began his career as a fashion model and continues to appear in advertisements after nearly three decades in the industry, Aijaz Aslam has come a long way. Apart from establishing his career as a successful actor, he launched his own brand Aijazz that helped put Pakistan on the map of international fashion. His embroidered sherwanis, kurtas, traditional groom couture, and wedding accessories became an instant hit, and coming from a former model were appreciated by the industry.

However, it wasn’t as long-lasting as the actor might have hoped, and he had to shelve it for the time being for his other ‘businesses’. It is his recent foray into ‘Personal Care’ that has further

consolidated his credentials as an entrepreneur. After the successful launch of his natural and herbal skincare range, Aijaz Aslam introduced new skincare & health care products to his natural & herbal products range.

Through his skincare line, the forever-young actor aims to provide natural and organic solutions for all. Not only does his skincare comprise of the age rewind face wash, face serum, and face cream, it has been created for men who don’t take care of their own self due to their busy lifestyle.

‘After the overwhelming response I received for the skincare products, I decided to venture into health care products as well.’ Aijaz Aslam states while talking about his new line. ‘These products are all-natural and organic, making them both easy and effective to use. I believe organic products are the best, safe & effective for everyone.’

Had such products been launched by someone who had been new or unknown to the industry, it would have seemed like something to cash an actor, but with Aijaz at the helm, it became an overnight success. With orders coming in from around the world for his products, Aijaz hopes that it will help in the relaunch of his clothing brand, which above all gave him the initial idea of how to conduct business.

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By Isra Shams

There is no doubting that Pakistan has a wealth of talent and has produced some of the best artists in the history of the subcontinent. Every generation brings a multi-talented artist into the profession, causing ripples across the paradigm. Acting, according to many Pakistani performers, is something that comes naturally to them. Few of these well-known performers have inherited their exceptional acting abilities from equally skilled parents or relatives.

These actors, on the other hand, forged their own way through hard effort.

Despite the fact that their loved ones are well-known in the world of acting, their own fan base is not reliant on them.

Nonetheless, the year 2021 has delivered some of the industry's most promising faces. Here is a list of Pakistan's top 5 breakout artists and we gaurantee that they are here to stay.

Pakistan's young talent has had a successful year in 2021. Aymen Saleem is one of those artists that came into the industry and immediately got popular. Since her appearance in the popular Ramzan special drama serial 'Chupke Chupke,' the actress has been on everyone's mind. She is the niece of Pakistan's pop idol Nazia Hassan. She may not have inherited her vocals, but she does have the genes for beauty. Fans adored her in Chupke Chupke, and she quickly caught the attention of the critics.

Most people are unaware that she and her pals hold the Guinness World Record for 'Most persons in a smart car' — 19 girls, including Aymen, sat in a smart car for 19 seconds, earning their place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Aymen Saleem is a stunning new addition to the profession.

Nouman Ejaz's son, Zaviyar Nouman Ejaz, is a well-known actor. He debuted in the industry with his ever-graceful father on a ramp walk, and is presently starring alongside Mawra Hussain in the drama series 'Qissa Meherbano Ka.' The actor possesses a great deal of talent and has inherited his father's attractiveness.

Zaviyar has also received a lot of praise for his role in the play Sang-e-Mah. His acting abilities are praised by both the audience and fellow performers in the industry.

Both fans and critics regard Zaviyar Nouman Ejaz as a highly admired personality of the year 2021. He is unquestionably a talented newcomer to the drama world.

Tanya Hussain recently starred in the popular drama Yeh Dil Mera and Parizaad.

People are surprised to learn that Tanya Hussain is Natasha Hussain's daughter and now an adult who has entered the media profession and made a debut in the drama series Kashf as Kashf's younger sister Erum. Natasha Hussain, also known as Natty, is a former supermodel, host, and anchor. She is one of Pakistan's most senior female models. Bold, confident, and intellegent Tanya is a valuable addition in the drama industry of Pakistan who has a long way to go.

Azaan Sami Khan is a well-known name in the industry. He is a young, skilled artist who comes from a long line of artists. Azaan has also worked as a producer, musician, assistant director, and actor. He is Zeba Bakhtiar's and Adnan Sami Khan's only child. The latest heartthrob addition to Pakistani showbiz, he has been ruling over the hearts of the public since his debut in 'Ishq e Laa.' Following his inheritance from brilliantly gifted parents, everyone expected him to grace the profession with a good blend of talent. He met and exceeded expectations with each new project, causing him to grow in popularity by leaps and bounds.

Daniyal Khan is a new face in Pakistani entertainment who began his career as a model, and his debut drama was Bewafa. Daniyal Khan is the nephew of Superstar Faysal Qureshi and the son of famous Pakistani drama actress Saima Qureshi. He is the grandson of Rozina Khan, a well-known Hollywood actress.

He'll be appearing in more dramas in the near future. Along with his mother, Saima Qureshi, he appears on a number of morning programmes. Having big names of the industry attached to his name, the expectations from Daniyal are higher. Let's hope this young and attractive dude puts on a fantastic show.

Shined as Jharna in a popular drama Parizaad, Areeba Alvi is Shahood Alvi's daughter. Areeba Alvi is a promising young actress in Pakistani plays. For the first time, we saw her in TV drama series Ana, alongside Hania Amir, Usman Mukhtar, and Shahzad Sheikh.

Hamza Sohail is another artist who has impressed the public with his looks and brilliant acting in the film 'Raqeeb Se.' Many people are unaware that he is the youngest son of Sohail Ahmed, one of the industry's most fascinating figures. Sohail Ahmed is a legendary Pakistani comedian. Hamza has proven in his debut serial this year that brilliance runs in his family. He entered the entertainment sector shortly after graduating and is undoubtedly here to stay. He, like other famous kids, had a desire of becoming a public figure, which he eventually realised.

The young star has just just begun his career, and he has a long way to go. He has collaborated with a number of professional fine artists, including Noman Ijaz, Sami Khan, Hira Mani, Iqra Aziz, and others.

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Kumail Anum is the son of our very own Khaled Anum and Tehmina Khaled, who are quite well-known in the industry. Kumail's acting career began with the drama series Chamak Damak. He had played Wali Khanzada in Sinfe Ahan and was also recently seen as Zawiar in Bad Naseeb. The handsome and talented, Kumail is a rising star who has a bright and promising future as an actor.

Haroon Kadwani, the eldest son of Abdullah Kadwani is making waves with his acting prowess these days. With his good looks, he is winning hearts of the audience. Haroon appeared alongside Imran Abbas, Ayeza Khan, Kinza Hashmi, Shehzad Sheikh, and Saba Faisal in the drama 'Muhabbat Tum Say Nafrat hay'.

The drama went off without a hitch. With his good features and acting abilities, he appears to have the potential to be a future actor.

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Ramzan Mai BOL is Pakistan's biggest Ramzan transmission that is not only winning the rating charts but also audience’s hearts

By Bold Desk KARACHI

BOL Entertainment, keeping in with its glorious tradition; continues to deliver the biggest Ramzan transmission this year 'Ramzan Mai BOL'. From the first of Ramzan, BOL's transmission is winning the hearts of the audience throughout Pakistan, breaking all previous records. This incredible achievement is a source of pride for a channel that is consistently outperforming its older and more experienced competitors. People all across the world reacted positively to the transmission, praising the magnificent set and concept.

“My favourite segment is Aalim Kay Bol. I have sent in my queries a lot of times and the religious scholars not only give satisfactory answers but also explain in length by giving reference to the Islamic history.” Raheel, Karachi.

Without a doubt, when compared to others, BOL has lived up to its promise of being a cut above the rest, creating unique and educational pieces that entertain as well as educate the audience.

“Since the transmission is live, my children has been asking to keep fast so they can join other kids in the segment Aaj Roza Khushai Hai. It is really helping children boost their morale and encourage them to keep fasts.” Nuzhat, Lahore.

To top it off, the game show 'Game Show Aisay Chalega' is outstanding, making the broadcast a record-breaking success. BOL succeeded in maintaining its status as Pakistan's leading media outlet by continuing this show with the same vigor and excitement.

“There is another level of excitement of watching the game show after aftaar. It is a true relief. We feel that we are also a part of the game show when we watch people win different prizes.” Rabayl, Canada.

Although there are tons of reasons that make the live transmission stand out among others, the highlights of the shows remain the celebrity guests. Not only do the guests enjoy sharing their Ramzan experiences but also interact with the audience. The enriched quiz segment increases the audience’s knowledge and gives the contestant a chance to win great prizes. Another one is star debaters who allow participants to share their views and debate on different topics, giving the audience food for thought.

Star Naat Khwan fills the atmosphere with soulful voices of participating naat khwans. Chef Salma Zafar adds a delicious touch to this transmission with her culinary skills in Zaiqay k Bol. Kids opening their first Roza during the Roz Kushai segment is a cherry on top for Ramzan Mai BOL.

Transmission Information Ramzan Transmission Name

Ramzan Mai BOL

Ramzan Transmission Host

Faysal Qureshi

Game Show Aisay Chalega Host

Danish Taimoor

Sehri Transmission Time Iftari Transmission Time Game Show Aisay Chalega - Ramzan League

3:00 am - 5:00 am 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Sehri Segments Description Hidayat K BOL

Qirat & Tafseer

Anbia K BOL

Anbia k Qissay

Alim K BOL

Alim Discussion

BOL Baray Anmol

Bayan

Iftari Segments Description

Written by Mohsin Ali and Saqib Khan, and directed by Saqib Khan, Ghabrana Nahi Hai stars Saba Qamar, Zahid Ahmed and Syed Jibran. The amazing cast is not the only reason to watch the movie, but the narrative is quite engaging as shown in the trailer.

The trailer might suggest that it’s a woman-centric movie but that’s not the case, a noble family, a stubborn daughter, wicked villains, dance and music altogether make this film a must-watch for cine-goers.

Hidayat K BOL

Qirat & Tafseer

Alim K BOL

Alim Discussion

Chooti si naiki

Naiki message by helping the needy

Mehman se Kuch BOL

Celebrity / Politician Guest

Star Naat Khuwan

Naat Competition

Star Quizzer

Quiz Competition

Star Debater

Debate Competition

Khilkhila K BOL

Chit Chat and games with kids

BOL Zaiqay

Cooking Segment with a chef

Yaadon Mai BOL

Tribute to late legends

Aaj Roz Kushai Hai

Bachon ki roza kushai

Directed by Yasir Nawaz and produced by Nida Yasir and Yasir Nawaz under the banner of Farid Nawaz Productions. The star cast of Chakkar includes Ahsan Khan, Neelam Muneer, Jawed Sheikh, Mehmood Aslam, Danish Nawaz, Naveed Raza and Yasir Nawaz.

The trailer depicts Neelam Muneer as a twin character, story takes a U-turn when her twin sister gets murdered and a special force digs deeper to find the cause. The film seems to be a fun-filled mystery and thriller.

All set to release after Eid, Rehbra is a much-awaited movie starring Ahsan Khan and Ayesha Omar. Directed by Amin Iqbal and produced by a US-based producer, Saira Afzal, the cast includes Ghulam Mohyuddin, Sohail Sameer and Saba Faisal. Ayesha Omar recently took to social media by sharing a poster of her film and calling Ahsan Khan her “Rehbra”. She stated, “This baby of ours is a labor of extremely hard work, patience, perseverance and love. Bundles of it.”

Ahsan Khan seemed equally excited and shared on his social media “Expect the unexpected, life is full of wonderful things just waiting to surprise you!”

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Remembering the master crooner on what would have been his 88th birth anniversary famous than his contemporaries? His extremely religious folks were not in favor of a career in music, and he had to leave behind everything in order to fulfill his dreams and make Pakistan proud.

The ride that changed the course of Ahmed Rushdi’s life!

By Omair Alavi ‘He came, he sang and he conquered’ is the only way to describe the late Ahmed Rushdi, Pakistan’s first playback superstar. From lending his vocals for most of the film hits from the 1960s and 1970s to delivering TV jingles that are still popular today, Ahmed Rushdi was the complete singer, if there ever was any in Pakistan.

Not many know but he had the honor of being one of the vocalists who sang the original national anthem of Pakistan Pak Sar Zameen. He also had the privilege of singing the first filmi patriotic number Himmat Se Har Qadam in Jab Se Dekha Hai Tumhen (1963) which was composed by debut music director Sohail Rana. If that wasn’t enough, the way he sang film numbers and radio songs before making it big in the 1960s changed the way film songs were sung in Pakistan.

He not only left a huge mark on film music in general but also pop music in particular in the country where pop music was nonexistent before he entered the stage. When he debuted at Radio Pakistan, he became an overnight sensation, and he carried that magic when he moved to films, where he became every music director’s first choice in his initial years.

In the 1960s and the 1970s, he had no match when it came to lending his vocals to leading men like Waheed Murad, Mohammad Ali, Syed Kamal, Nadeem, Rangeela, and Munawwar Zarif whereas his vocals suited all those who dabbled into acting in those days. He was at ease with any kind of a song, be it a pop number, a romantic ballad, a sad song, or even a qawwali, such was his versatility.

It is hard to believe but both Ko Ko Ko Rina and Akele Na Jana have been sung by the same singer, for the same film Armaan.

Not only was he at his expressive best in both the songs, but he also passed the fast-slow number test with flying colors. Even after 55 years, both the songs are still as popular as they were back when they were released, and if that isn’t proof of Ahmed Rushdi’s longevity, I don’t know what is.

But did you know that had Ahmed Rushdi’s conservative family had their way, this vocalist par excellence might never have become a singer, let alone become m o r e

Before he could change his vocals to suit the actors on whom the song was to be filmed, before he could inspire the younger generation with his simple dance moves, before he could make a name for himself in a newly-independent country, Ahmed Rushdi had to prove his worth as an aspiring singer.

Born in Hyderabad Deccan on 24th April 1934, he became inclined towards music at an early age, and despite not being classically trained, developed a style that would go on to help him in his career. After migrating to Pakistan in his late teens, he began participating in variety shows and music programs but it was Radio Pakistan that gave him his big break.

It was through a non-film song for a children’s program Bachchon Ki Duniya that Ahmed Rushdi recorded ‘Bunder Road Se Kemari’, and in no time the song became a rage, considering Radio was the king in those days. Written and composed by Mehdi Zaheer, the song featured Ahmed Rushdi in his natural style, which was abnormal for singers in those days. It was as if he was the coachman who was driving his carriage from Bunder Road (now M.A. Jinnah Road) to Kemari and describing the whereabouts in a song.

Not only was the song loved by children but it also fascinated the elders who fell in love with the fresh vocals of a newbie, who was to change the way film songs were sung in those days. After the success of ‘Bunder Road se Kemari’, Ahmed Rushdi was approached to sing in films, and although he sang the songs as per the music composer’s directions, he didn’t stand out, until he decided to take control of his songs, and his destiny.

The Rise and rise of Ahmed Rushdi!

In the 1950s when neighboring country India had Mohammed Rafi singing for comedians like Johnny Walker in Bollywood, Pakistan needed someone who could do the same but differently on this side of the border. Ahmed Rushdi took the challenge and became the voice of Lehri and Syed Kamal, the two goodlooking actors who had a knack for comedy, as well as filming happy songs. Going for comedy songs didn’t restrict him for he delivered Chand Sa Mukhra Gora Badan’ for Saperan (1961) and won his first Nigar Award for the Best Playback Singer.

He then gained recognition and his second Nigar Award for Gol Gappay Wala which was part of Mehtab (1962) and went on to become extremely popular thanks to Ahmed Rushdi’s Awami vocals and actor Alauddin’s expressions. However, fate had something else in store for the young crooner, who was to become the voice of Waheed Murad, who by that time had entered films as a producer. With his first flick Heera Aur Pathar as a leading man, Waheed Murad became a heartthrob who could do no wrong.

Girls fell in love with his charms, boys copied his hairstyle.

Ahmed Rushdi featured in the equation as the voice of the dashing hero who wooed beautiful ladies on screen in his distinctive style.

From there onwards, Waheed Murad and Ahmed Rushdi were inseparable till ‘death did them apart’ for they passed away in the same year – 1983. But before that, they gave the most memorable songs to their fans including Ko Ko Ko Rina and Akele Na Jana from Armaan (1966), Tumhein Kaise Bata Doon and Bhooli Hui Hoon Dastaan from Doraha (1967), and Aye Abr-e-Karam and Dil Tumko De Dia Hai from Naseeb Apna Apna (1970) to name a few.

Before he joined hands with Waheed Murad, Ahmed Rushdi got two Nigar Awards while his collaboration with Waheed Murad garnered him his third and fourth Nigar Award for Best Playback singer for Akele Na Jana and Aye Abr-e-Karam. It must also be mentioned that it was Ahmed Rushdi-Waheed Murad’s collaboration with noted music composer Sohail Rana and lyricist Masroor Anwar that gave Pakistan its first modern Pakistani pop song in Ko Ko Ko Rina.

If you didn’t know that it was Ahmed Rushdi who sang Habib Jalib’s now-famous Main Nahin Manta in Khamosh Raho (1964) and the soothing Aise Bhi Hain Meherbaan in Jaise Jante Nahi (1969) – both featuring Mohammad Ali – then you need to brush up your film history. By the time Nadeem entered films in 1967, Ahmed Rushdi was the preferred playback singer for Waheed Murad, Syed Kamal, and Mohammad Ali, and with Nadeem’s rise, he became the quartet’s voice, without sounding monotonous.

In fact, he used to mold his vocals as per the leading actor's mannerisms, something not even the great Mohammad Rafi mastered during his career. While Mohammad Rafi only changed his style to suit Shammi Kapoor, Ahmed Rushdi had different styles for all his four frequent collaborators – Waheed Murad, Mohammad Ali, Syed Kamal, and Nadeem. It was for these actors he did playback singing in the 1960s and the early 1970s, and with their success, Ahmed Rushdi’s ascent was unstoppable.

Robin Ghosh, Khalil Ahmed, and A. Hameed in the early 1970s, with the passage of time and the arrival of new playback singers, things began to change drastically for the Akele Na Jana singer.

He was also hit hard by the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, because not only Ahmed Rushdi was famous in the West Wing, he had a huge fan following in East Pakistan, that went away when the two wings were ‘clipped’.

Despite finding work on Television with shows like Bazme-Rushdi and jingles like Chai Chahye and Yamaha Japani, Ahmed Rushdi began to lose his grip over his skill with his first heart attack in the mid-1970s. He chose to lessen his workload and temporarily shifted to music composition, but the second heart attack in 1981 proved too much for the then 47-year-old vocalist. Add to that the depleted state of cinema in the country courtesy of the General Zia ul Haq regime and Ahmed Rushdi had less work than his contemporaries, for he couldn’t sing like the good old days due to his failing health.

His final collaboration with Waheed Murad Ban Ke Misra Ghazal Ka Chali Aao Na was sort of a swansong for both the actor and his voice, for they both died within a span of six months in 1983. The film Hero featuring the song was released posthumously in 1985 but managed to unite the two frequent partners one more time in the twilight of their careers.

Despite delivering countless hit songs in his career, be it patriotic songs, radio numbers, or jingles, Ahmed Rushdi is remembered for his film songs throughout the world. He sang for the best music composers of his time and shared the recording booth with every female playback singer from Noor Jehan to Mala, Runa Laila to Naheed Akhtar, and Mehnaz to Rubina Badar to name a few during his career. Despite being gone for nearly four decades, Ahmed Rushdi is still remembered for his songs and his influence on the generation that chose to follow the Rushdi way.

What made Ahmed Rushdi stand out in the 70s!

Ahmed Rushdi was a master when it came to adding expressions to songs, and he was the only one to do that in Pakistan at that time. Neither his competition – ranging from Munir Hussain, Masood Rana to Mehdi Hasan – in the 1960s stood a chance against him when it came to bringing the X factor in his songs, nor could his successors stay away from adapting the Rushdi style in the 1970s. Be it Alamgir (who got his first break in an Ahmed Rushdi concert), A Nayyar, or Ghulam Abbas, they all had to add that ‘something extra’ in their vocals to survive the Rushdi-era that lasted till the late 1970s.

Furthermore, the listeners who grew up watching Bunder Road Se Kemari were growing old with their favorite singer, and no matter what he sang, they loved it.

Besides film songs, he sang Qawwalis like Jaise Jaante Nahi in Aag (1967), excelled at Tonga numbers like Mujhe Talash Thi Jiski in Jahan Tum Wahan Hum (1968), and even was the voice of Mohammad Ali when he romanced Shabnam through Yeh Raahein Ajnabi Hain in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, in Mere Humsafar (1972).

He wasn’t restricted to Urdu films, and also did playback for Punjabi films where his songs were a hit, even though Punjabi wasn’t his mother tongue. Similarly, when he sang Damadam Mast Qalandar in English for Shahid in Dekha Jayega (1976) it became a rage instead of being ridiculed. The reason why his songs were popular and successful had more to do with his versatility and his ability to switch to any mode at the drop of a hat. His melancholic songs including Haan Isi Mor Par from Doraha and Tujhe Apne Dil Se from Shehnai from the 1960s still sound fresh, and it is hard to believe that they are over half a century old.

The fall that could have been avoided!

Whatever goes up comes down and Ahmed Rushdi’s career was no different. Although he was the first-choice playback singer for music composers like Sohail Rana, Nisar Bazmi, M Ashraf,

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By Isra Shams

Amjad Fareed Sabri Junaid Jamshed Pasoori

Junaid Jamshed was born in Karachi, and rose to prominence as one of the country's most popular pop performers in the 1980s and 1990s with Vital signs, followed by his solo career in the 2000s.

"Chera" was the title of VS's debut album. During this time, they also caught the attention (or ear) of Shoiab Mansoor, a well-known record producer and broadcaster in Pakistan's entertainment business. Shoaib assisted them in writing the song "Dil Dil Pakistan," which became an overnight phenomenon and is still popular among Pakistanis today. In reality, the BBC had a vote in 2003 to determine the most popular song in the world, and "Dil Dil Pakistan" was among the top ten.

The band split up after a decade and Junaid Jamshed embarked on a solo career. Junaid's debut solo album, "Us Rah Par," was released in 1999 and became Pakistan's best-selling album of the year.

It was something he was incredibly proud of. After the success of "Us Rah Par," Junaid Jamshed chose to go low-key and disappear from the public glare for a while.

He declared his retirement from music in 2004 after much introspection and soul searching, and that he was now committing and devoting his life to Islam. To make ends meet, he started a clothing line that sells Pakistani-inspired apparel and is now one of Pakistan's most well-known clothing labels.

The heartbreaking news arrived on the 7th of October, 2016. On a PIA flight 661, Junaid Jamshed and his wife Nayha Jamshed were returning to Islamabad from Chitral when the flight ended in tragedy. None of the passengers made it out alive.

Those who knew him say there was an aura around him. He will be remembered as a national singing legend, a devout and religious scholar, a television personality, a successful business, a politically aware pundit, a philanthropist, and a great gentleman. He was immensely talented and there will never be another Junaid.

Shae Gill, Ali Sethi

Tajdar-EHaram Atif Aslam

NO LOVE Shubh

Phir Milenge Faisal Kapadia, Young Stunners

Peechay Hutt Hasan Raheem, Justin Bibis, Talal Qureshi

Kana Yaari Kaifi Khalil, Eva B, Wahab Bugti

On June 22, 2016, the ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was assassinated in Karachi. His funeral prayers in Karachi's Liaquatabad neighbourhood drew one of the city's largest crowds ever.

It drew individuals from all walks of life, including those who admired and loved him. He was a wonderful human being in addition to being a devout Sufi and a well-known qawwal.

His generosity extended beyond his wife, five children, and other family members. He was the kind of friend you could always count on, someone who was thoughtful, real, and supportive. And he was always pleasant – in his 40-year existence, he was never known to lose his temper.

Amjad Sabri sung just for the joy of singing. To him, money, fame, and fortune were merely side effects of being a qawwal.

Of course, he enjoyed being handsomely compensated because he saw his fee as a reflection of his status as a qawwal. Despite this, he had minimal, if any, financial ties.

He came from a long line of musicians who followed the Seniya Gharana of music created in the sixteenth century by the renowned Mian Tansen. His forefathers were both accomplished vocalists and instrumentalists.

He had a large collection of qawwalis. It featured Hazrat Amir Khusro's compositions, Sufi Saints' works, and contemporary poetry. His most famous qawwalis were not traditional qawwalis, but contemporary creations that he introduced himself to. Indeed, he is one of the few qawwals who has contributed to the genre's repertory, and his compositions have been performed by qawwals from various gharanas. Sabri did not display the arrogance often seen in hereditary musicians, who consider all but classical music unworthy and unimportant.

As It Was Harry Styles

Madam Noor Jehan GO Abdullah Sidiqui, Atif Aslam

Why Not Meri Jaan Young Stunners

Thagyan Zain Zohaib, Quratulain Balouch

The lady known as 'Malika-e-Tarannum' manages to evoke deep emotions of respect throughout the country, and this Ramzan yet again, the icon who is widely regarded as one of the most influential music personalities to have ever lived, the late Pakistani star is remembered with deep sentiments in each household.

Noor Jehan died in Karachi on December 23, 2000 (27th Ramzan). Do you know how many songs Noor Jehan has managed to sing in her life? You might be surprised at the figure. Noor Jehan is said to have appeared in over 40 films and sung over 20,000 songs.

Noor Jehan is regarded as Pakistan's first female film director. Allah Rakhi Wasai was a Punjabi woman from a Punjabi family. Let's take a look at all Noor Jehan accomplished during her time as a well-known showbiz personality: After Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Noor Jehan has been named to the list of Pakistan's Most Influential People. In addition, the elder musician was the first Asian woman to perform a Qawali.

She is the recipient of President’s Award, Special Nigar Award, Pride of Performance, NTM Life Time Achievement Award, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, PTV Life Time Achievement Award, and Millennium Award was also designated as Cultural Ambassador of Pakistan.

Noor Jehan was India's first female film star, laying the groundwork for playback singing.

Before single-handedly kick-starting music in Pakistan and inspiring future generations, she inspired a generation of singers, including Lata Mangeshkar.

By Bold Desk KARACHI

Is it true that proper skincare is difficult?

Reese Witherspoon is aiming for the cosmetics market after carving herself a niche in the fashion world with her Draper James apparel line.

The “Legally Blonde” actress has teamed up with Biossance, a Sephora-owned brand known for its exceptional eye creams and vitamin C serums, to create an exclusive Sunshine Set, which is now available to purchase.

The $79 kit includes three Witherspoon-selected items, including Vitamin C Rose Oil, which she describes as “luxuriously lightweight hydration plus a brightening, firming boost.” The Rose Vegan Lip Balm “for enduring nourishment with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and wakame algae,” according to the brand, and the Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen “for reef-safe, everyday broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection.”

Biossance’s lip balm stood out in our previous study of the top lip balms on the market for its moisturising, somewhat plumping properties; it still sits on our nightstands and refuses to go.

When you add in the lovely light pink wrapping, this package is hard to resist — especially if you’re still looking for the ideal Mother’s Day present (or just a treat for yourself).

Witherspoon’s set is only available for a limited time, so get it while you can.

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Zoey Deutch

Olivia Pierson

Machine Gun Kelly

Ellie Zeiler

Casuals

A pair of white and black trousers are a definitive staple in a woman’s closet as they instantly simplify the outfit pairing process, however, you can step up your style game a bit and invest in simple white and black shalwars to pair with your favourite Kurtis and fusion shirts. For accessories, you can always opt for simple dangling earrings and dainty pendants. Embroidered canvas bags and shoulder bags are totally in style nowadays and you can never go wrong with kolhapuri sandals, can you?

Some other things you can add to your casual arsenal include patchwork jeans, tiered frocks, silver and gold hoops, boho-chic rings and basic slip-on flats. Casuals are all about laid-back style and comfort. If nothing is working out in your favour for casual attire, you can always count on a white kurti paired with a vibrant scarf and chunky sandals.

P.s Ethnic wear is all the rage nowadays, consider investing in an Angrakha (shirt with asymmetric opening), Koti (a type or wasket) and pieces with block prints.

By Zainab Javed KARACHI

Jenna Rink from 13 Going on 30 (2004) showed us a glamourized version of what’s meant to be “30, flirty, and thriving” and she was somewhat right. The thirties are meant to be a woman’s supposed “prime” — socially, professionally, physically, and emotionally. With time, your style evolves too and your love for outfits either increases or decreases. In all honesty, the concept of ‘dressing for your age’ really comes into perspective once you hit this decade because technically you’re not a teen anymore. You’re a grown-up and should dress like one. You have a clear fashion sense and a stable choice of ins and outs of your closet.

Traditional wear has become easy since there are many brands offering many designs and fusions. Yet dressing up in your 30s can be a bit of a dilemma especially if you are a Pakistani woman who tends to gravitate towards traditional wear. But don’t fret we got a style plan for all the girls who are in their 30s.

Formals/ Festive Formals

Semi-Formals

Semi-formal, as the name implies, is a slightly more relaxed form of formal dress and fits somewhere between casual and formal. Some hot trends when it comes to semi-formal attires include plain matching separates with vibrantly printed dupattas-especially the handpainted organza dupatta which is a new IT thing this year.

Dresses with fancy sleeves designs such as blouson, puff, and raglan sleeves detailed with laces trims are the season’s must-have.

Pastels and minimalism go hand in hand and it’s about time, we admit that nothing ‘elevates’ an outfit quite like a statement earring and a classy wristwatch. Don’t forget to switch up your basic flats with block sandals and mules, they are comfortable, chic, and perfectly aligns with the aesthetic of semi-formal standards. A pair of pearl drop earrings and a pastel-hued outfit will add more elegance to your outfit.

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We can’t really find a solid definition for “festive formal”, but for desis, the formal festive defines as a formal dressing but with a festive flair. These attires heavily emphasize the use of specific colors, patterns, and textiles to effortlessly tap into the celebratory vibe. To put it simply, everything between sequins, velvet, embellishments, embroidery and lots of sparkles and glitter fit the requirements of this dress code. Mostly, you will find yourself inclined towards saris with different iterations to choose from such as dhoti-style saris, sari dresses, pant sari and sari gowns. If the classic drape doesn’t entice you, you can always go for long shirts with kamdani (shimmering embroidery) work. Both sharara (loose wide-legged pants) and gharara (wide-legged flared pants with ruched knees) can never fall out of fashion’s favour and the list wouldn’t be complete without them.

Festive attire is all about bold accessories. Go for statement pieces like chunky earrings, solid metallic bracelets and pearl chokers. A sparkly clutch and stiletto heels will make you look extra dressy and festive. More is more, less is a bore!

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The actress glittered in a green gown at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival. She opted for a green flared gown by Italian designer Giambattista Valli. She completed the look with Lorraine Schwartz's jewellery.

The 'Piku' actress accessorised her dress with a pastel pink bow at her neckline and headgear on her head.

The diva has all the right reasons to slay; looks, height and glamour. Wearing a full-sleeved gown by Peter Dundas, she entered the Cannes Film Festival like a true star. The outfit featured an enormous black bow right in the centre, angled to layer over her shoulder; a distinctively long trail; and a plunging neckline to lend a sultry spin.

At the Mami Festival 2019, the glamourous actress wore a tulle black and pink gown. The heavily layered marshmallow pink with a touch of black off-shoulder bodice was designed by Deepika’s all-time favourite Giambattista Valli.

Gelled short hair, smokey eyes and minimal jewellery did all the talking when the diva wore Sabyasachi’s navy blue saree.

Acing an Amit Aggarwal’s black gown, the bold and beautiful Deepika wore it in the Nykaa Femina Awards in 2019. The glossy sleeves, plunging neckline and strappy-detail at the back added glamour and style.

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Dressed in a subtle pink colour, keeping the theme of Met Gala 2019, “Camp: Notes on Fashion”, Deepika arrived in a strapless pink gown by Zac Posen. She further dolled herself up with diamond earrings and a statement cuff.

This look is from her Chhapaak promotions in which she dressed in a black formal maxi. Deepika carried her dress in a way that no other actress could ever.

Wearing Emilia Wickstead's she rounded off her look with matching black stilettos and a pair of diamond stud earrings. We are sure that diamonds are her favourite.

Always manages to look ravishing, Deepika wore a royal blue gown with a long structured-shoulder cape attached to it at the Crystal Awards 2022. The actress chose matching statement earrings and a sleek hairdo with her outfit. Deepika kept her make-up minimal with nude lipstick and highlighted cheekbones.

To promote her film ‘83’ during the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Deepika opted for Michael Cinco Couture pink gown to steal the show.

Black-winged- eyeliner, pink lipstick with emerald and diamond-studded necklace, Deepika wore a black off-shoulder gown designed Gauri & Nainika. The lady in black stepped for the screening of her movie 83 and her fans couldn’t resist praising the beauty of the goddess.

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By Danya Ali KARACHI

What you choose to eat, or avoid, during Ramadan makes a huge difference to your energy levels. After fasting the entire day, there is often a temptation to overeat on sugary beverages during iftar, but remember you could be harming yourself.

Do you feel sluggish and bloated after breaking your fast? Here is a post iftar workout routine you can try out to improve your digestion, cut bloating, and activate the body's major muscles.

Iftar meals should be well balanced and contain items from each food group, such as vegetables, cereals, meat, dairy products, and fruit. While choosing the right food to eat is essential, it is more than important to avoid some food to keep yourself away from bloating and feeling lazy.

Fizzy drinks: Avoid drinking carbonated drinks, which are usually high in sugar. It increases your risk of overweight and obesity, can cause bloating and gas, and can lead to indigestion. It is best to stick to water and coconut water to quench your thirst.

High-sugar foods: High-sugar foods such as sweets should be avoided as they contain very little nutritional value and are super-high in calories. They contribute the most to weight gain, leading to health issues if consumed daily.

Fried-foods: Who doesn’t like Samosas?

But greasy and fried food, such as fried dumplings, samosas, pastries, and oily curries can only do harm to your body and should be avoided as they are loaded with fat and stored in the body as fatty tissue. Eating rich foods after long hours of fasting causes acidity and indigestion.

Sodium-rich foods: Excess salt levels in your diet can put you at risk of high blood pressure, kidney stones, headaches, enlarged heart muscles, and heart failure.

The short-term effect is felt the following day immediately as you are fasting. The accumulated fluid retention leaves you feeling bloated, thirsty, and light-headed, which increases the sensation of hunger.

Moving on, poor eating habits also see a rise during Ramazan, and for many, that will take a toll on them right after. But fret not; we have enough time till Eid to rectify some of the damage done.

Watch out for these habits and be careful if you are doing these: Exercising right after iftar: We know

you're the fitness buff who wants to take advantage of Ramadan. However, when you work out after iftar, you're doing one of the worst things possible to your body. We are not kidding!

Our digestion system changes slightly during fasts, and even waiting a bit before the workout is not enough. Sudden stress on the body will result in cramps and body aches (which is not

the 'feel the burn' type of pain) and will also result in breakouts.

Sleeping right after iftar: Before you say, "We don't even eat that much," excuse, realize that sleeping right after a meal has never been good no matter what or when you ate.

But during Ramazan, you're eating after long periods, and let's face it, you can have the healthiest iftari in the world, but

you'll have a little too much. It might not even be the amount you usually eat, but as long as we feel full, that's it.

Going to sleep immediately after eating opens doors for health conditions like heartburn, acid reflux, and weight gain.

Drinking excess fluids at night for fear of thirst during the day: You might think

we are being unreasonable right now. But you would be surprised to know that having more fluids than is required right after your iftar or just before you end your suhoor meal can lead to abdominal distress.

Follow this mini-guide to have a blessed Ramadan

Following a balanced diet, though imperative in all conditions regard-

less of whether you are fasting or not, is of great importance to be more energetic while fasting and maintain your immunity. So, if you have been having trouble sticking to your fast or having digestive issues and would like to follow a proper diet to keep your body's defenses high, refer to our mini-guide above and have a blessed Ramadan!

Strawberry Smoothie

As Ramadan began, the temperature started to soar high, leaving everyone feeling exhausted, sweaty, and messed up. Staying hydrated is essential in surviving in this sweltering heat and maintaining good health.

Your body tends to lose a lot of water at a faster pace due to excessive sweating. While water is the utmost important drink to quench thirst, you can try other summery beverages that satisfy your thirst and keep your body cool this Ramadan.

If you want to boost your energy, go for a strawberry smoothie, as it works wonders to charge your battery. For this drink, you are just required to blend the strawberries in yogurt, and ice, then add sugar according to taste, and the strawberry smoothie is ready to drink. As strawberries are the all-time favorite fruit, if you want to drink its juice in a lighter version, you can make a strawberry smoothie without yogurt, just add strawberry, lemon, and sugar in iced water and then blend all the ingredients and the strawberry smoothie is ready. It is probably the most refreshing and healthiest drink in Ramadan that you must try.

Beat the heat with these simple, tasty, and refreshing summer cocktails:

Watermelon Cooler Punch

After a long dried-up throat of fasting, this drink hits differently. Undoubtedly, it is the healthiest refreshing drink for Ramadan that will help you refill your water capacity.

The watermelon cooler punch is made in the easiest possible way, don't you agree with us? Here's the proof! To make this drink, all you need is watermelon, mint leaves, lemon juice, a pinch of black salt, and sugar according to taste. Once you have all the ingredients, blend everything and see how fast it will turn into a watermelon cooler punch. It contains no artificial ingredients, safe and healthy for consumers.

Important: It is recommended not to drink water after drinking the watermelon cooler punch; instead, wait for half an hour and drink water.

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Desi Mint Margarita

You must be confused to hear this, but this lime drink is actually a desi version of Mint margarita without carbonated drink or soda that proves dangerous for the fasting body. It will throw away all the tiredness and fatigue. The lime mint drink is the loveliest drink in Ramadan, made with the simplest ingredients available in the kitchen. You are just required to have lemon juice, mint, sugar, and iced water. Once you get them, you'll blend the mixture in your juicer machine, and tadaaa, the lime-mint, is ready to consume.

Things to keep in mind While these drinks may look refreshing, there's something you should know to keep your body healthy during Ramadan because you can't risk being sick.

• Moderation: These drinks may be delicious and easy to make, but that doesn't mean you should drink too much. A few of the above choices can be a little too much for your throat.

Juice squeezed from two lemons per day is enough to keep you hydrated. Also, don't forget to add some sugar for some sweetness.

• Hydrate consistently: Maintaining a healthy and sustainable fast is ensuring that you're getting the energy and resources from food and drink that can support your body. Eating for your enjoyment and pleasure is important but not as important as maintaining good health. Make sure you're drinking fluid constantly and drinking water every now and then when during iftar and suhoor.

• Watch out for sugar: It's crucial to limit your sugar intake. These drinks are good for health but contain natural sugar, which might cause a little trouble for you if you have diabetes or if it runs in your family. Try to maintain how much you take. You want to end Ramadan the way you started it. Don't break your ideal dieting habits.

Now that you know the easiest recipes and things you need to keep in mind, it’s time to ditch your everyday laal sharbat and get your hands on these amazing summer drinks.

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By Omair Alavi KARACHI

Life was never meant to be easy for Balraj Sahni, for he was no ordinary person. The young man who began his career as a writer and wrote for renowned magazines of the day, went on to become an announcer for BBC Hindi Service during the Second World War, returned to teaching and later to the theatre on his return to India and finally acted in films after ticking all the other boxes in his checklist.

Originally published in either Hindi or English (the publishers aren’t sure), Balraj Sahni’s Meri Filmi Sarguzasht takes you back to a time when life was simple, India was unified and people had less hate in their hearts, especially for their fellow countrymen. The autobiography that covers his career as a broadcast journalist, a thespian, and later as a film actor is told in a flashback and makes you realize that life may be short, but it can be lived fully as Balraj Sahni did.

Translated by Atiya Bano, under the supervision of Dr. Pervez Haider and the guidance of Aqeel Abbas Jafri, the Urdu version of Balraj Sahni’s autobiography makes you realize that not much has changed in the last 100 years in this region. Back then, the British ruled the country and after they left, the elite took over.

The middle-class was struggling back then, the middle-class is struggling even today.

Balraj Sahni’s autobiography places him in that very middle class since his father had a thriving shoe business in Rawalpindi, the city where he was born and spent the earlier part of his life. He also talks about his mother’s ancestral village Bhera where she took him to escape the plague and also paints a colorful

picture of his formative years in Lahore under the tutelage of people like renowned humorist (and one of his teachers) Ahmed Shah Bukhari, and legendary playwright Imtiaz Ali Taj. Through this book, Balraj Sahni talks to the readers and tells them about the life he led that had everything from joy, adventure, and tragedy. The readers get to know that after completing his education at the prestigious Government College Lahore, he joined his family business temporarily before joining Rabindranath Tagore’s Shantiniketan in Bengal as a teacher. It was after a stint as a teacher that he and his wife left for Great Britain with the blessings of Indian nationalist leader Gandhi, and worked for BBC Hindi Service as an announcer during World War II. Through this book, he explains how he and his wife Damayanti felt during those four years as they had left their eldest son Parikshit back home with their parents, and had no clue that when they would return, they would be going into films as professional actors. Yes, his wife became famous as an actor before he did – a fact that bothered him too initially – but when he started making a name for himself, he was at his happiest, until it was cut short by his wife’s sudden death and later the partition.

There aren’t any pictures in this book, but the writing is so fresh and relatable that you can easily place the author and his adventures in your mind. According to this book, one gets to know that Balraj Sahni used to spend his time typing on his Gurumukhi typewriter as he was advised by Tagore himself to write in his mother tongue Punjabi. He authored a handful of books including his travelogues about his trip to Pakistan and the Soviet Union and won awards for that too. The readers also get to know how international cinema influenced Balraj Sahni and that it was due to his love for Russian cinema that he became a Marxist, which saw him spend some time in prison after the partition.

And then there was the mention of his filmi journey which began after he became associated with the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) and made a name for himself as a thinking actor. At first, he and his wife both worked together in a handful of films, much to the chagrin of his father, but after her death, it was a new beginning for Indians and Balraj Sahni, who considered himself a refugee in the newly-created Hindu state.

Although he doesn’t mention how his wife died suddenly in her 20s, he does talk about the many changes that took place in his life

after her demise. Be it his distant relationship with his son, the advice given by Madhubala’s father regarding his son’s acting career and getting disappointed after meeting legendary film directors like V Shantaram and Bimal Roy, Balraj Sahni talks about anything and everything in these pages.

He however does credit his second wife for keeping the family together and mentions his friend Chetan Anand in flaunting words, for he was the one who pushed him to do films in the first place, and once refused a hefty contract because the producer didn’t fulfill his commitment regarding his friend. There is a lot of mention of Government College Lahore and Rawalpindi in these pages which makes you want to get your hand on the actor’s travelogue about Pakistan, which promises to be as interesting as this book.

Be it telling a young Dev Anand that he can’t act to refusing to work in his first major film because he didn’t like the story, Balraj Sahni lived his life fully. For an actor who became popular at an age when actors in their 40s were considered over-the-hill, he saw a lot of things that don’t usually happen in one lifetime. He defied his father’s wishes by not pursuing a career in broadcast journalism despite his BBC background, he shot K Asif’s Hulchul while he was imprisoned for his Marxist thinking, made renowned producer W Z Ahmed apologize for calling him late into his office, and attended Jaddan Bai’s funeral with a police escort!

Since the book is about the actor’s journey into films, he could have talked more about his later years in films like Kaabuliwala, Waqt, Haqeeqat and Sunghursh. Yes, he does mention the fantabulous Do Bigha Zamin, Hum Log, Dharti Ke Laal but there is hardly any mention of his films that made him popular in commercial cinema. After all, he played the father of the best of the next generation in Waqt, and is remembered as the Meri Zohra Jabeen ‘uncle’ from that movie, even after six decades!

The book comes with a secret that not many people know of – Balraj Sahni couldn’t act in front of the camera in his initial days!

Yes, the actor who went on to garner a huge following for his natural acting was at one time so scared of the camera that he ended up peeing in his pants. How he overcame that fear, how he made the camera fall in love with him, and what were the roles that helped in solidifying his status as one of India’s finest are described in this book, in the legendary actor’s own words.

Kaybees – The King Of Ice Cream

If you are a Karachi-ite, you are a Kaybees-ite as well, for it’s hard not to love Kaybees when in Karachi. The ice-cream parlour has been around for 40 years and has branched its way into Paratha Rolls, Biryani etc., but when it began, it was Fast Food and Ice Cream. Especially the yummy Cone where the special design makes it irresistible. With as many as a dozen branches in Kay town, Kaybees has become the King of Ice Cream that has no competition. Try their signature Coffee Vanilla Cone when you are there with friends, but the heavenly Mango ice cream when alone, for no one wants to share it, even if you wanted to. As for the price, it is so reasonable that it’s unbelievable!

Ice Berg

Do you like to savour a delectable Blueberry ice cream at a reasonable price that is so good that you want it again and again? Ice Berg is the place to go. It is one of Karachi’s oldest ice cream shops, with a reputation for selling high-quality products. Situated in the old area of Saddar, near Chilloo Kabab, it is worth every penny. Mark it as a must-go place with your friends and family the next time you crave ice cream!

Dip Shop

Dip Shop started the trend of modern ice cream in Karachi and began from a small shop at Schon Circle.

Today there are half a dozen Dip Shops in the city, offering Mix-Ins, Sundaes and Shakes.

If you haven’t had an Ice Cream that is mixed with your favourite chocolate or want to have Smarties as a topping on your ice cream, there is no place better than Dip Shop for you. And yes, the price is right, and you get your money’s worth here.

Baskin Robbins

Not all ice cream parlors do justice to the flavors the way Baskin Robbins does. The new Baskins may not be much different from the one that ruled Karachi till the 90s, but it is far more convenient and scrumptious. With so many flavors to choose from, in so little time, Baskin Robbins commands more than a trip to understand what makes their ice cream, magical!

By Anoushia Jabeen Hot Spot Café

Whether it’s a quiet celebration of four or a large gathering, spicy cuisine must be followed by a dessert, and no one does it better than Hot Spot Cafe. Not only does it have an interior that reminds you of Hollywood and Lollywood, but it is also a must-visit place If you enjoy watching movies as much as eating ice cream. You’ll be delighted to see posters of some of the renowned classics and won’t leave the premises until you’ve taken a great shot with a suitable background to share on social media. And of course, the ice cream is to die for as well.

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Baloch Ice Cream Despite having a multitude of competitors, Baloch Ice Cream continues to stand out among the locals for its service and quality product.

They’re recognized for their inventive menu, particularly the flavors of their Pakistani-style faloodas, Peshawari Ice Cream, and Crunch. Baloch Ice Cream is a must-visit if you want to experience something different while staying within your budget.

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The sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog returns with new friends, new enemies, and a new mission!

By Omair Alavi KARACHI

The world’s most famous (and the only!) blue hedgehog who runs at supersonic speed is back, and this time he needs all the help he can get. On one hand, Sonic tries to save the world as a superhero, while on the other, he has to deal with the arrival of a new ally, one who considers his partner a legend for his exploits. That’s not all, his nemesis – the weird Dr. Robotnik – also makes a comeback with a mission that will make him the most powerful person in the world, unless Sonic and his friends stop him.

Directed by Jeff Fowler, the sequel to the successful Sonic the Hedgehog begins with ‘the Eggman’ (Jim Carrey) joining hands with a dog-like bruiser named Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) who wants to get his hands on an ancient relic – Master Emerald – which allows its possessor to bend reality to their will. Naturally, the doc is more interested in the power than the alliance, and hence tags along with his new ‘friend’, without realizing that Sonic might have an ace or two up his sleeve.

Meanwhile, all Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) wants to do is to save lives and be known for his superheroic feats, even though his attempts at that end up disastrously for others. When, in the absence of his adopted parents Tom and Maddie Wachowski (James Marsden and Tika Sumpter), he is attacked by Eggman and Knuckles, and saved by new entrant Tails (voiced by Colleen O'Shaughnessey), Sonic decides to get serious.

With the help of Tails, the two plan to beat the bad guys

to the location of the ancient relic and save the world in their own way.

Irrespective of how Sonic and Tails fare, the film belongs to the 1990s icon and the rejuvenated star Jim Carrey who reprises his role from the earlier flick.

As a villainous weirdo who is aided by gadgets every step of the way, he makes this fast-paced film equally entertaining for everyone. You might or might not be a fan of the family-friendly video game, but the way he carries the sequel from the first frame to the last is nothing short of refreshing. Yes, he is silly, but that’s how he has been for the last 30 years, and not looking awkward in his silliness is exactly what makes him stand out here as well.

Ben Schwartz who voices Sonic comes second in the race, although he is the protagonist here. He runs as fast as he can, makes kids and older people in the audience laugh, and saves the world but his load is shared by two extraterrestrials – Tails and Knuckles – without whom he might not have won the battle. But hey, isn’t Knuckles the bad guy here? Of course, he is but knowing Knuckles from the video game (and Idris Elba who lends his voice to the character), he can’t stay bad for long.

If Idris Elba’s voice makes Knuckles look more powerful than Sonic in the trailers, it has the same effect in the film where Knuckles proves to be the antagonist to Sonic.

When he punches him, it shatters Sonic momentarily; one moment he is superior to Sonic, and the other Sonic has the upper hand. That’s what the audience missed in the first flick where Dr. Robotnik and Sonic seemed unequal, but here Sonic vs Knuckles is a treat for the viewers.

James Marsden and Tika Sumpter both had their moments in the movie, where they were shown as caring parents and later as protective guardians, but they could have done more in the movie. Also, the audience might not agree with the way the climax unfolded, as the power of Master Emerald should have rendered the possessor unstoppable, but Sonic turned out to be the one who couldn’t be defeated. You have to watch the film to know what happened at the climax, I am not telling you!

By Muhammad Adil ISLAMABAD

Stranger things has become a cult classic over the past few years, first with how it captivated audiences with its amazing retro style and then also with its spooky next worldly twists.

Each season since the first has built upon this franchise and each has take us deeper into the world and lore of stranger things.

From the looks of it season four will be no different considering that the trailer alone has so many nuggets of information.

Foremost lets address the elephant in the room hopper is still alive. Even though the fandom was more than sure they had died.

But that being said Hopper is not in the most ideal of circumstances, currently being taken captive by the Russians. This just goes to show how out of left field stranger things can be and really makes you wonder about what other little secrets are going to be revealed once the whole season hits Netflix this year.

Hopper also has a completely new look with his head shaved and he looks a lot more menacing especially with that flame thrower one can only assume the sort of trouble he will get up to.

Fans probably saw this next revelation coming but it seems as though Eleven has lost her powers. In the last season as it was ending she did seem to have lost her powers or at least had difficulty try to use them. This is a very sad turn of affairs because eleven’s telekinetic powers tied in so well with her personality PA K I S TA N ’ S N U M B E R 1 N E W S PA P E R

And whenever the history of films is written in the future, Sonic the Hedgehog will feature in it, as the film that marked both the start and possibly the end of the pandemic.

When the first Sonic was released in 2020, cinemas were yet to be hit with COVID-19, whereas when the second Sonic was released last week, it was back to normal for cinemas after two years.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is also a welcome change from the last successful flick to hit the cinemas – The Batman. Unlike the ‘dark’ knight flick, this one is full of colors giving the audience what they missed the most. Be it the destruction of the wedding ceremony of Maddie’s sister (Natasha Rothwell), her memorable fight scene (oh yes, she has one!), or TV star Shemar Moore’s surprise entry into the franchise, everything leaves a mark on the audience’s mind because it's executed to perfection.

The high-octane chase, the fight sequences between alien beings, the ability to predict the next dialogue, everything falls in place when Sonic is on the run. It might or might not prove to be Jim Carrey’s final swansong – he has hinted at ‘retiring’ from acting – but the truth is, no one can play the fiendish Dr. Robotnik better than him. With the hinted inclusion of another Sonic character from the video game, the franchise is all set to go big in the future. It would be great if Jim Carrey is part of it so that he can ‘carrey’ the battle forward!

and made her such an important strong female character in the franchise. The way you come to this assumption makes you feel even worse for Eleven as this comes from the scene where probably two government suits, escorting her away from something. The old Eleven wouldn’t let them dare. She is also looking at something with a rather concerned expression so who knows maybe there is even more to learn about this character in season 4.

What might help understand this scene is another scenerio hinted towards later in the trailer where a seemingly younger Eleven is in a sort of jailed facility. Could this be where she was experimented on and got her powers?

There is always a possibility what is definitely certain is that season 4 is a must watch if only for Eleven's back story as she has been such a secretive character in the franchise so far.

Things are also getting spookier as not only, is there a scene with a large grandfather clock showed is ticking down in what can only be a boarded up attic. We also have the gang exploring an old spooky house which is shown by a snippet of Nancy Wheeler walking through it with a large scary figure following her. You would think they would have learnt their lesson by now, but apparently not and honestly we are glad because it makes for great entertainment. These suspicions are especially confirmed when these scenes are put with the scene from the trailer where the entire gang is staring at something ominously.

It can only mean one thing something is about to go down.

What makes it even more interesting is

that, through the cheering scene we can conclude that the people of Hawkens have no idea what’s going or is going to happen.

Even though every other scene of the trailer shows complete and utter pandemonium. With burning cars on the streets and odd silhouettes of people watching them eerily, one can only imagine that something bad is coming.

Seasons 4 also seems to be appealing to some form of nostalgia factor. Showing a lot of seasons that seem like overlays with stuff you have seen in season one. Its nothing to complain about it is just very interesting to see things come full circle and also shows how everything is really just connected in the Stranger Things universe. These scenes are namely the scene where you see a dungeons and dragons board and dice being rolled on it.

Consider that dungeons and dragons is very much how stranger things sort of started its interesting to see it make a comeback. The second scene which may send shivers down your spine is the bikes returning, the iconic scenes from season one where the entire gang rides down their bikes on an empty road at night is brought back but this time, where are they going? Time will tell.

All in all season 4 seems to be a hoot and a half. Something that will have you at the edge of you seat the entire time an will leave you mentally exhausted at the end because of all the cliff hangers it might just solve. It is a must watch Stranger Things is a part of iconic new media and even if you have not gotten round to it or left it off after a season or two now is the time to return to it.

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Repulsive for some relatable for others

By Muhammad Adil In recent years there has a been a boom of these really out of the box Korean dramas and serials on Netflix. These dramas such as Business Proposal had a strong underground fan following around the world however not much main stream attention. However, Korean serials would soon take center stage with the introduction of more action-based shows. The height of popularity of this subgenre of Korean television came in the form of Squid Game which captivated the world and led to many spin offs, games and the writing of hundreds of pages of fan-fics. The question then is why are K dramas and shows suddenly at the lime light of media and why can’t people get enough of them?

And how did they seemingly come out of nowhere?

Most Korean shows are written and produced with an Asian demographic in mind what this usually means is that though these shows do challenge societal norms in their own way they aren’t overly westernized.

This means that most Korean shows, K-Dramas especially can connect with a larger audience that isn’t just a few countries in the west. It is not just that it’s also the fact that most Korean shows also uphold a concept of modesty as well as supporting gender roles to an extent to cater to their Asian audience, if Quinten Tarrentino did this he would be on the fast track to getting canceled as in the west these concepts of modesty and gender roles are considered to be cliché and misogynistic. That being said critiques of K-dramas and shows usually do site this as a reason, claiming that it some how imparts the need to conform to some so-called natural order of things and degrade women. However, this is a very grass root interpretation of what K Dramas offer. Take Juvenile Justice for example it has an amazing cast of strong, independent, young women, however most western viewers would not see them as such. This is due to cultural differences and in fact most Asian viewers would agree that the portrayal of women in this K Drama is beyond forward thinking and upholds a standard of women’s empowerment. All in all, this means that K-Dramas and shows end up being more relatable for Asian audiences

Ideas out of left field

Korean shows are starting to set a precedent for being more creative than their western counterparts, where the west have conformed to their sitcom, thriller, mystery cycle Korean shows have taken a completely different approach and tried to make shows that really have their audiences at the edge of their seats. Granted this usually does mean that there are a lot of plot holes in the story lines however you are usually too psyched out about what will happen next to truly notice.

A perfect example of this is Squid Game, the way the writer sort of re-imagines the horror game show genre and rather than pivoting on goriness (even though there is a lot of goriness) focuses on the mental devolution of the contestants as well as their growth. It makes the otherwise over done genre into something new and interesting. This is what Korean shows offer and has been the impetus for their sudden rise and adoration.

By Maheen Aziz KARACHI

Although Pakistan has seen its fair share of watercolour masters over the years, in this age of modern mediums and digitisation, it is still commendable to see many people keep the medium alive through sheer dedication and immense display of skill.

One such dedicated soul who consistently pours colourful talent onto blank canvases is Moazzam Ali. His artist roots go way back to his childhood when he took upon drawing as to express, drawing anything and anyone he came across, encapsulating his experiences on paper. Eventually, Ali chose to major in the arts and happened to graduate from the Karachi School of Arts in 1980, securing a first position gold medal in Sindh. Not only has he been crowned as a ‘Master of Watercolour’ by the Whitney Museum New York, but has received numerous accolades including the Pakistan President’s Pride of Performance Medal of Excellence (Tamgha-e-Imtiaz) in the field of Painting.

When it comes to the artist’s work, there’s a single dominant word that comes to a viewer’s mind; boldness. Breaking tethers of expected watercolour traditions, he takes on bold colours and compositions, treading the line between transparency and opacity within the same medium. His recent exhibition showcases one of his dominant skills within the realms of watercolours, delving into a plethora of free-flowing vibrant colours all whilst displaying an avid inclination towards the classic impasto strokes often seen in acrylic works. The artist seamlessly manages to collide worlds into his work, where the intricate control needed over a medium as difficult as watercolour remains evident, but an urge to break conventionality is vibrantly visible where enhanced brush strokes can be quite distinctly seen.

There’s a conflict between being gestural with a free-flowing instrument and being blatantly refined with his technique; the end result is quite an avant-garde culmination of both these spheres, which nestles itself perfectly in the subject matter and the stories these canvases narrate. ShedPA K I S TA N ’ S N U M B E R 1 N E W S PA P E R

It’s different

This might just be the biggest reason why Korean shows are becoming so big.

Fact of the matter is you can only watch friends and its 100 other clones so many times before they get stale. This applies to most media. So as mentioned above when someone or something comes along that takes a genre you already love and puts a new spin on it you become instantly amused this is again a reason behind why squid game was so successful, but Korean shows don’t end their differentiating at just that they go they extra mile. Korean dramas can get as weird and as fantastical as you want them to. Sweet home is a great example of this. You would not in your wildest dreams ask for a sort of anime-esque young boy getting stuck in an apartment building with his neighbors only to fight off hordes of demons and zombies along with solving his mental health issues. But that apparently seems to be the Korean way don’t ask but they still deliver and deliver they do the show is amazing and has some of the best use of CGI since detective Pikachu. Its also beautiful in its own dreary way. That’s another difference between Korean shows and Western media the way they capture a series or a serial is very different this results in different exposures, tones and even zoom ins. All in all, humans like a change from the routine and so these unique Korean drama features are always welcome.

This was pure speculation; it is still unclear why Korean shows are suddenly so popular. What is clear though is the fact that they are here to stay. As they should because honestly the world lacks diversity and art transcends all languages by watching Korean shows you can learn and fall in love with a completely other culture which you would not have known about otherwise. So, the Korean show take over we don’t know where it came from but we welcome it all the same.

ding a light on women as the central focus in his works, something the artist has consistently done, he effortlessly captures a special side to the portrayal of women in art away from objectification. He views the women he paints as a giver of life and a protector. But that’s not their identity in these artful borders; these women are not living their life to provide for someone else as society often stencils them as. Instead, they are living for themselves, seen in striking visuals wearing colourful clothes and statement earpieces, catching the scent of a rose, picking out a sunflower, or gazing into the great beyond with a sense of fulfilment or self-satisfaction. One may approach such subject matter warily when analysing it, hoping to catch an ounce of bias or unwarranted embellishment from the male gaze, but the artist’s work doesn’t aim for social commentary. Moazzam Ali’s constant revolves around the cultural heritage of Pakistan, his content linked to the inhabitants of the Indus civilization, narrating the stories of the past and the present. It represents a peek into the rich history of these people, rendering their life to a beautiful celebration of femininity and culture.

Each line and every texture that follows aims to have meaning and purpose, every stroke adding its own significant value to the larger composition. Like a musical ensemble creating a masterful production, every layer complements the melody the artist wants to present. The colour palette of choice projects the boldness and richness of these characters and their environment, where fiery flashes of reds, blues, and greens take centre stage. His figures hold traditional ethnic features and the artist’s expertise allows him to display emotion in an intricate way, especially through their eyes. These individuals do not bend the knee but break the wheel in their own way, seen experiencing a sense of joy and contentedness with the life and colour around them.

A viewer is not only met with pleasing visuals but is taken on a journey amidst these lively personas, eventually taking in the gush of striking beauty these paintings aim to deliver. Moazzam Ali’s skill in representing such a feeling for his audiences remains unparalleled, brought to perfection by decades of experience and skill.

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