BOL NEWSPAPER | September 18 2022

To Fifty beyond and

The year 2022 breaks barriers as senior citizens continue to strike gold at the box office

By Omair Alavi

There seems to be no age limit on success at the box office, especially in Hollywood where age is just a number for some actors. For people like Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr., and Harrison Ford, there is no limit to doing unbelievable things, no matter how old they might be. The viral video of Hollywood actor Tom Cruise performing aerial stunts at the age of sixty, or Pakistani actor Humayun Saeed dominating the box office after his fiftieth birthday is proof that if you can translate your success into box office gold, the age column doesn’t matter.

Senior Tinseltown citizens are still ruling the film industry even in this day and 'age' because they have kept themselves fit after fifty. But then there are those who should take their age into consideration because it’s not working for them. Let’s take a look at the twenty leading men of filmdom from across the globe who are still playing leading roles despite their advancing age. While some are still hitting the jackpot, there are a few who need to understand that nothing lasts forever, and all good things must come to an end!

Hollywood, where age is nothing more than just a number

He may have celebrated his 80th birthday earlier this year but veteran Hollywood actor Harrison Ford is in no mood to slow down or hand over the mantle of Indiana Jones to a younger actor. He reprised the role of Han Solo when Star Wars needed his character after more than two decades and will be seen in the fifth Indiana Jones film, set to be released next year. He will be playing the title character and has warned all those Indiana Jones hopefuls that if they play the character after he is gone, he will come back to haunt them!

If Harrison Ford can do it, so can the 76-year-old Sylvester Stallone who shared the screen with the old man in The Expendables 3. Although he played a comic character Dredd back in the 1990s, Stallone made his first superhero appearance in Samaritan where he played a retired vigilante who is recalled to save the city he once protected. Through this film, the original Rambo told the younger guys how it’s done, and excelled in every way. He is likely to be part of The Expendables 4 as the main lead which, considering his age, is nothing short of an achievement.

Liam Neeson might be a few years younger than Sylvester Stallone, but at 70, he is still playing the angry old man character to perfection, which revived his career in Taken. Before that, he was trying to impress his audience with drama but once he found his true calling, he saved his family, and his friends, and cleared his name in similarly themed films, be it on air (Non-Stop), on land (The Commuter) or even on ice (Cold Pursuit). Two of his films Blacklight and Memory this year featured him in a role of a one-man army, which is likely to change with his 100th film Marlowe set to be released in December, where he will bring Raymond Chandler’s brooding private eye Philip Marlowe to life.

Despite the fact that Denzel Washington’s own son John David Washington is now playing leading roles in films like Tenet, the 67-year-old actor shows no signs of quitting. Not only will he be making a return to action films with The Equalizer 3 next year, but he is also currently doing theatre as well. The Academy Award-winner, who has been ruling the box office since the 1990s, was the one chosen to play the leading man in the remake of The Magnificent Seven in 2016 because of his action-oriented roles that he excelled in after turning fifty. With The Equalizer series, he has a franchise on his hand that will never go out of fashion, even after he crosses 70!

Move over Hollywood, forget Bollywood, Pakistan has its own brigade of fifty-plus leading men who have the ability to attract crowds even today.

Humayun Saeed and Shaan Shahid are prime examples

He was the poster boy of all those boys and girls who grew up in the 1980s, and forty years later he is still a youth icon. His name is Tom Cruise and despite turning 60, he is still ruling the box office. His Top Gun: Maverick is dethroning the superhero films at the box office while his next Mission Impossible is likely to create box office records when released next year. What makes Tom Cruise still sellable is his ability to do things that no other actor would consider. If his character is required to climb tall buildings, he will do it himself and the same phenomenon will apply to stunts where he is hanging onto a plane, driving fast cars, or even doing death-defying stunts in the air!

If he doesn’t tell anyone that he is 58 years old, people may not even realize that in two years Brad Pitt will cross 60. In his recently released Bullet Train, he plays an assassin who never has lady luck on his side and surprised his fans with his decent performance. He not only gets to fight but also shows his comedic skills, which is something that he also displayed in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, for which he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar two years back.

And then there is Keanu Reeves also known as John Wick who is still angry for some guys killing his dog! It wouldn't be incorrect to say that despite celebrating his 58th birthday two weeks back, Keanu Reeves remains the most in-demand actor in Hollywood. DC Comics wants him back as Constantine, Marvel wants him in their camp while The Matrix 'resurrected' because of his interest in the franchise. As for John Wick, he will return as the man with few words and more moves for the fourth time next year, which is something that can't be said for many 58-year-olds out there.

Bollywood has its share of ups and downs with older leading men

In an era when actors opt for surgery to retain their youthful looks, Sunny Deol stands out as an exception. At 65, he is as fit as a fiddle and it might have to do something with his paternal genes since his 80-odd-year-old father Dharmendra doesn’t seem to grow old as well. Besides being a Member of the Parliament in India, Sunny Deol will be making his return to films with R Balki’s Chup where he will be pitted against a serial killer who likes to murder film critics.

His next venture Baap will also feature the 1980s leading men Jackie Shroff and Mithun Chakraborty, but Sunny still looks younger than them, and has a hand that weighs more! He may be a few months younger than Sunny Deol, but Anil Kapoor isn’t far behind in the success department in this day and age. Despite being 65, and recently becoming a grandfather, Anil Kapoor is doing exactly what Amitabh Bachchan couldn’t in the 1990s, and that’s playing his age. Even in the recently-released Jugjugg Jeeyo, he is playing a father to Varun Dhawan who wants to divorce his wife and marry someone else. He can also be seen in the lead role opposite Salman Khan in No Entry Mein Entry next year, which will be the sequel to his 2005 hit No Entry, also featuring Salman Khan.

Bollywood’s Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan might not be doing well at the box office at the moment, but he has had his share in the last three decades. The 57-year-old is amongst the most accom -

plished actors, and producers in the Indian film industry, and even though his last two films – Thugs of Hindostan and Laal Singh Chaddha might not have done well at the box office, he still has a lot to offer. Despite being three years shy of his 60th birthday, he still looks good enough to play a college student and if he sheds the goofy look he has been carrying on from Dhoom 2 and PK, he might once again strike gold at the box office.

The King Khan of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan is days away from his 57th birthday but unlike Aamir Khan, he looks his age which is why only his ardent fans are waiting for his two films Pathan and Jawan. After his last two films Jab Harry Met Sejal and Zero bombed at the box office, he hasn’t done any film, and just had cameo appearances in fellow actors’ films namely R Madhavan's Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (as himself), Aamir Khan's Laal Singh Chaddha (again as himself) and Ranbir Kapoor's Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (as Scientist). Although the first two films didn’t do well at the box office, the third one’s journey is in progress and one hopes that its success pumps SRK in such a way that he starts taking acting seriously, for the sake of his fans.

KARACHI

Since 1947, no actor has starred in the highest number of highest-grossing films of the year than Salman Khan and that has more to do with his popularity than his acting. His forthcoming release Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ka Jaan will be hitting the screens in December, while the third film of his ‘Tiger’ series is likely to be released sometime next year. Although before the year ends he will celebrate his 57th birthday, he still can pass for someone in his forties, thanks to his well-maintained body and the fame that has kept him in demand since 1989.

At 54, Akshay Kumar looks fitter than most of his contemporaries but since his three films in 2022 - Bachchan Pandey, Samrat Prithviraj, and Raksha Bandhan - have failed at the box office, he needs to rethink his strategy and make a strong comeback. Otherwise, younger actors will replace him, as they replaced his father-in-law Rajesh Khanna in the 1970s. He continues to appear in more films per year than all

to attract crowds even today. Although the 59-year-old Faran Tahir doesn’t work in Pakistan, he represents the country internationally as a Pakistani American. From playing the main villain in Iron Man 1 to playing the Captain of the Starship Enterprise in Star Trek, he has been active in both films and TV, abroad. His most recent work in Pakistan is TV serial Samjhauta Express while, before the pandemic, he did a theatre play Bhai Bhai in Karachi along with his younger brother Ali Tahir. That’s not all, he was also part of the award-winning film I’ll Meet You There as the leading man and will be part of the ensemble cast of Umro Ayyar and The Window, of which he is also the producer. There is also the everlasting Faisal Rehman who might have made his debut over 40 years ago but at that time, he was a student who played a student onscreen. Today he is still fit and acceptable as a leading man even if it means playing the older guy to a young girl or an elder brother with a mature head on his shoulders. He may not be active in films anymore but that

the other Khans but that doesn’t help his cause, considering the audience of today isn’t forgiving, and if an actor with three back-to-back flops comes up with another belowaverage flick, they will vent out their anger on social media without waiting for the box office verdict.

And then there is the youngest Khan of ‘em all, Saif Ali Khan who at 52 doesn’t look old, but instead looks regal thanks to his genes. His father former Indian Captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was among the most handsome men of his time while his mother Sharmila Tagore was a top Indian film actress who ruled the hearts during the 1960s and the 1970s. Saif, who himself has been around since the 1990s, turned his career around through Dil Chahta Hai and since then has been delivering hits on both OTT platforms and films. His forthcoming release Vikram Vedha may pit him against Bollywood’s most handsome man Hrithik Roshan, but he manages to stand his ground, especially in the action scenes.

And then there is Pakistan

Move over Hollywood, forget Bollywood, Pakistan has its own brigade of fifty-plus leading men who have the ability

Film star Shaan Shahid turns cricket analyst during Asia Cup

During the recently concluded Asia Cup in the UAE, Shaan Shahid turned his mind to cricket and kept pointing out issues with the Pakistan team, especially the placement of number 3 batsman Fakhar Zaman. Despite being criticized for his analysis, the Zarrar of Pakistan’s film industry had the last laugh when Fakhar Zaman ended the tournament without doing much and Shaan got to point out that he was correct in his comments all along! Fakhar Zaman made 93 runs throughout the tournament, despite scoring a half-century against Hong Kong.

Young talents shine in Greenwich University Film Society event

might change with just one good role that can help films more than help the actor. On TV, he is still a force to be reckoned with and might remain relevant until someone with a better ‘dimple’ makes it to the top.

And then there is the simply brilliant Naumaan Ijaz, who doesn’t look over 50 at all. In Raqeeb Se last year he played the leading man who had a wife (Sania Saeed) who loved him and gave refuge to his ex (Hadiqa Kiani) who ran away from her home and whose daughter (Iqra Aziz) had a crush on their saviour. If that’s not enough to prove his longevity as a leading man, then I don’t know what is. Naumaan Ijaz, who began his career in films during the late 1980s, has dabbled in films here and there but continues to dominate the TV scene with his good looks, excellent choice of characters, and acting prowess.

Very rarely do actors from Pakistan make it to the international level but Adnan Siddiqui is amongst those lucky performers who have played important characters in both Hollywood and Bollywood, besides Pakistan. Two years back he was the main antagonist in Mere Paas Tum Ho, and is currently busy playing the host in the reality show Tamasha, which is becoming quite popular amongst the audience. Not only did his name feature at the top of the recently-released film Carma but he will also be part of the Umro Ayyar film as an undisclosed character.

If the box office in Pakistan had a face, it would surely have resembled Humayun Saeed because the actor features in four of the five highest-grossing Pakistan films of all time. He may have turned 51 earlier this year but that didn’t stop his Eid ul Azha release London Nahi Jaunga from becoming the second most successful Pakistani film, ever. As if conquering Pakistan’s box office wasn’t enough, Humayun Saeed moved to Netflix and will be playing Dr. Hasnat Khan in the forthcoming season of The Crown, opposite Hollywood actress Elizabeth Debicki who will play Lady Diana.

For someone who has acted in over 500 films, Shaan Shahid doesn’t look a day out of his forties. The 51-year-old is not just the leading man in nearly every film he is part of, he is always leading the cast no matter who else is in the film. He has maintained himself well and that’s why the audience is looking forward to his forthcoming release Zarrar where he plays a secret agent like never before. Not only has he played the titular character in the film, he has also written, produced, and directed it, and considering that he is right now the most senior leading man in films, the film might change the dynamics of the local film scene, just like Shaan-starrer Waar did nearly a decade back.

Khalil-ur-Rehman goes to war with feminists after audio leak

While he is regarded as one of the finest script-writers currently working in Pakistan, Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar is equally well known for his controversial and often divisive remarks. The London Nahi Jaunga writer has once again courted controversy after an audio clip became viral in which he allegedly appears to be having a conversation about meeting a married woman behind her husband's back. While social media was quick to call out Rehman for allegedly having an affair, the writer has now come forward to present his side of the story. However, instead of addressing the allegations levelled against him, Rehman fired shots at Pakistani feminists, saying that "Feminists would never have won against me with their arguments, so they have resorted to character assassination instead." Calling the clip an "old leaked call", Rehman accepted that the voice in the call was indeed his, but he said this had been turned into an issue by those who wish to damage his reputation.

Earlier this month, Greenwich University Film Society hosted a screening of students' short film projects where 10 of the best short films were screened. All these films were made by the university's students who opted for a variety of subjects, including a travelogue, a rap song on Karachi, a classical dance number highlighting our culture, a sci-fi short film that revolved around the metaverse and even brought forward a lost narrative from Balochistan. Five best short films won accolades for showing to the world that Pakistan has a lot of talent, which is waiting to be discovered.

Unroyal road to translations

The landscape for literary translations in Pakistan is bleak

By Sara Danial KARACHI

Writing is an act of putting language in order, while translation is an act of changing the order. In a fast-paced, dynamic world rampant with misinterpretation and confusion, translations are a way to share knowledge and experiences that transcend cultural boundaries. A complete comment on literary translations is far too complex for the scope of a single article, such is the depth and intricacy of the subject. Suffice it to say, tackling translations is not a simple task. Refashioning poetry in another language is not easy without losing the true essence of the original form, while not translating it literally and emoting the same responses as the original. Delivering that level of inherent knowledge to a reader living in another realm and space who may or may not be familiar with the original language’s cultural quirks is another feat in and of itself. What factors come into play if no direct translation is available? Do several options exist? What if each one has a slightly different nuance? How does this process work when it comes to translating poetry?

The thrilling renaissance in the world of translation spells a promising future for the literary industry. Moreover, it is important in today’s day and age to position these treasures in a way so that they can play a vital role in promoting and sharing literature

Anisur Rahman, who translated Hazaron

Khawaishen Aisi: The Wonderful World of Urdu Ghazals, outlines his approach when it comes to translations. He says, “I would say that the translators of poetry finds their way by practicing the politics of negotiation between the specifics of language and diction, sound and tone, form and structure, and finally culture, history, and politics of the two poetical texts facing each other with the translator standing in between. Linguists argue that no translation may be successfully undertaken because no two words from two different languages are ever the same in their intent and meaning. Those who do not agree with linguists argue that it is not the language that creates a barrier

in translation but it is the metalanguage that tests and tries the skills of the translator. This holds well with respect to the translation of poetry in particular.”

Talking about the state and scope of literary translation, he added that this is a time of great flux in terms of knowledge and publishing values. There are new authors, new texts, and new readers around. Surely, a new literary culture has come to stay where literary and non-literary texts are rubbing shoulders with each other and prompting a larger production and dissemination of knowledge through translation. All these, when taken together, have defined the state and scope of literary translation today. This brings us to the changing face of the translation industry.

According to Rahman, “There is a Translational Drift today, much like the Continental Drift. In its engagement with postcolonial theory, translation has reconfigured itself as yet another act of writing. It has developed discourses on language, culture, and history and broadened the frontiers of knowledge. Curiously enough, it has defined and strengthened by proxy what is now rightly called the

‘translation industry’.”

This thrilling renaissance in the world of translation spells a promising future for the literary industry. Moreover, it is important in today’s day and age to position these treasures in a way so that they can play a vital role in promoting and sharing literature amongst countries, whether the work is in English, Urdu, or other languages. With countless political, economic, and social disorders and injustices, anything that can bridge the gap in understanding other cultures certainly deserves to be applauded and celebrated.

Continuing along the same tangent, author Rana Safvi, who translated Tears of the Begums, says, “Translation brings with it its unique joys and challenges. The joy of sharing a beloved piece of literature, or in my case historical document, to a larger audience, who couldn't access it due to constraints of language, is unparalleled. That I can be a vehicle for giving new readers a peep into a world gone by, documented by people of another era, is a very rewarding exercise. The challenges, of course, are understanding the nuances of that time, and the context of the words and events. I

spend a lot of time researching and adding notes so that the new generation can have an enhanced experience.”

Reema Abbasi, who translated Sin: Stories by Wajida Tabassum, explains that it is not just the text involved that is problematic.

“We have remarkably immaculate works being produced in Pakistan by Hoori Noorani, Harris Khalique, and Musharraf Ali Farooqi and many others,” she said.

“They are seminal and detailed insights for non-Urdu readers. However, most of it is published in India. Translations are not about zoning into your own elements. It requires an imaginative shift. So, Pakistan needs to expand its realm. We haven’t explored Bengali literature yet. It will allow us to move to a greater audience and go global with translations. And there is a vestige of literary treasures to be explored in Iran. There is nothing quite like Persian literature and poetry. Besides, there is also a paucity of publishing houses. We need finesse in terms of editing, designing, and marketing.”

Talking about the dearth of translators, Haider Shahbaz, who translated Hassan’s State of Affairs, says, "In a country like Pakistan, terribly divided along class and

ethnic lines by the politics of language, translation can provide some ways for people to collaborate and work together across languages. I think that English translation is a relatively small field and English translators can and should learn from the long and active tradition of translation in Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi, Pashto and other Pakistani languages. It will allow English translators to help introduce a middle-class audience that has pinned its hopes on an English education to dynamic and important literary works that are being published in Pakistan’s many other languages."

Building on the scope of translations, Bilal Tanweer, who translated Love in Chakiwara, opined, “I don’t believe there is a royal road to translation. Every work of translation must negotiate its own preferences around which it can bear its losses. I have devoted many years to translating Muhammad Khalid Akhtar’s work with primary attention to his narrative voice, which, for me, as his reader and translator, embodied most fully his ironic, mischievous and sophisticated sensibility. I feel I have retained the same approach in my current translation project

The Queen – A Life in Brief

Royal biographer Robert Lacey brings the highs and lows of the former monarch who ruled the United Kingdom for 70 years!

By Omair Alavi KARACHI

There was more to the late Queen Elizabeth than met the eye; she was not just a monarch but also a mother, a grandmother, a mother-in-law, and above all, a person who wasn’t even supposed to become Queen in the first place. Author Robert Lacey’s The Queen – A Life in Brief takes the readers behind the life of Elizabeth of York who before ascending to the throne was an equivalent of the modern Princess Beatrice, but then became the Queen, with a twist of fate.

There is a reason why this book is the most appropriate read to know everything about the late Queen Elizabeth and her reign. It has been written in a way that it caters to all kinds of readers out there, those who know about the Queen and those who don’t. The acclaimed author not only talks to those who belong to the Queen’s inner circle but even quotes her private secretaries and prime ministers. He seems to have had a checklist while interviewing these folks because he doesn’t miss much, and that’s what makes this biography something not to be missed.

Interestingly, he divides the book into as many as six parts and deals with all things Elizabethan. The first one deals with her earlier years, the second revolves around the time when she learns the ropes about being a ruler, the third one features her years when she was gaining experience, followed by the fourth, fifth, and sixth ones where she

asserts her powers, finds the dream girl for her eldest son and remains steadfast despite dodging controversies, respectively.

The book tackles everything from not being ready at the beginning of her career as a monarch to becoming a remarkable ruler, thus explaining her ‘life in brief.’

The author begins the book with Elizabeth’s carefree years, where she was even featured on the cover of Time magazine, not because of her lineage but for setting a major fashion trend at the age of three years. From there on, he combs through the abdication crisis that changed the direction of 'Lilibet’s' life, her early education, and the lessons her father taught her while she was growing up.

If you didn’t know that Queen Elizabeth’s least favourite British Prime Minister was a female one, how she dealt with an intruder who entered her room one fine morning in the early 1980s, that she was devastated when a fire broke out in the Windsor Castle in the 1990s, and what was the first thought that entered her mind when she heard about Lady Diana’s accident, you will have to read this book. Her relationship with her late husband Prince Philip as well as many other members of the family and staff are mentioned in these pages, and although The Crown TV show might portray her as a sad monarch, she wasn’t anything but sad. The author claims that

Although The Queen – A Life in Brief covers the life and times of the Queen, the author misses a few landmark events that would have made the book more interesting

she

of Bilal Minto’s Model Town.

Recently, Hameed Shahid accomplished the colossal task of translating Tolstoy’s War and Peace into Urdu — for the first time, if we discount the edition published from Moscow. He had to run from pillar to post to find a willing publisher for the book. Finally, a publisher agreed to publish when Hameed Shahid agreed to bear the publishing costs himself. It would be a scandal in any other society but in Pakistan, this is a perfectly normal practice.

A complete comment on literary translations is far too complex, such is the depth and intricacy of the subject. Suffice it to say, tackling translations is not a simple task. Refashioning poetry in another language is not easy without losing the true essence of the original form

“The state of our literary translation is unambiguously poor. In fact, let me say that the landscape for literary translation in Pakistan is so bleak that it couldn’t be worse even if you tried to imagine it. There are very few translations of local literature (Urdu, or other languages) that are published in English. The situation of translation into Urdu from other regional languages is not particularly remarkable either. There are no magazines devoted to translation into English in Pakistan. In Urdu, Quarterly Aaj has been the major flagbearer of literary translations into Urdu from English and other regional languages for several decades now. It is an extraordinary magazine, and even to this day, it remains the only major avenue for translations into Urdu. The only exception is the self-help category which sells in huge quantities in Urdu. Translation is time-intensive, in terms of labor, and resources. I don’t know of any institutions in Pakistan — universities, publishers, government bodies, art councils — that are supporting works of translation or translators through grants, or residencies, or any other resources. So, whatever translation is being done in Pakistan it is undertaken voluntarily by the translators on their own time, initiative, and resources. Local publishers are not keen to publish or commission literary translations.”

Margaret to marry Peter Townsend, the Church forbade her to agree to the union, which damaged the relationship between the two daughters of King George VI.

According to Robert Lacey, before Lady Diana’s revelations about the monarchy, the Queen was on excellent terms with her and blamed his son Charles for the unhappiness in the marriage. She tried counselling both when their marriage was going towards disaster and wasn’t happy when the two spoke to the press about their ‘affairs’. The book also tackled some of the national issues that could have been handled well but weren't, including the Aberfan Coal Mine Disaster in 1966 as well as granting her uncle and former King Edward’s request to grant her wife Wallis Simpson a ‘royal’ title. The Queen may have given her consent to bury the Duchess of Windsor on royal grounds too late, because by the time she agreed to it, her husband was gone, and she was buried beside her at the royal burial place in Windsor Greater Park. The people of the United Kingdom as well as the Commonwealth might be sad at the passing of their Queen today, but that wasn’t the case on many occasions, a few of which are highlighted by the author. According to the book, there was a time when the United Kingdom was running out of money and the Queen and her family had to let go of many privileges, including selling a yacht that belonged

There is a reason why this book is the most appropriate read to know everything about the late Queen Elizabeth and her reign. It has been written in a way that it caters to all kinds of readers out there

to Prince Charles, which disturbed the ‘current’ King.

That, as well as the crisis that arose after it was learned that the renovation amount required to rebuild Windsor Castle might come out of the taxpayer’s pocket, or when the Queen refused to acknowledge the death of her former daughter-in-law, were the lowest point on the Queen’s otherwise impressive career as a monarch. It was her smart decision-making that saved the Crown on all occasions and helped her become popular again amongst her people.

Although The Queen – A Life in Brief covers the life and times of the Queen, the author misses a few landmark events that would have made the book more interesting. How the Queen reacted to the Great Smog of London that took place during the first year of her reign, why she didn’t reject the Prime Minister’s advice to not attend the Commonwealth meeting in 1971, and why wasn’t her private secretary sacked after leaking a story to the press are some of the questions that remain in the readers’ mind after they are through with this book.

However, it very carefully captures the distinctive flavour of passing eras, in which she guided more than a dozen prime ministers, who in turn kept her in the loop on how they were running the government. Some unseen pictures are there to make the readers visualize the kind of life Elizabeth II lived, while the book also explains that since there was no chance of her becoming the Queen when she was growing up, she had no ego and her feet never left the ground, making her a different and memorable ruler.

Hacks for a sweat-proof summer

Some easy-to-follow tips and tricks can help you stay fresh and sweat-free in hot summer days

By Kayenat Kalam KARACHI

“Oh to be sweat-free in the summer while making the most of the sunshine!” As tempting as it sounds, we all know that it’s nearly impossible to stay sweat-free when you are out in the sun on a long summer day. It doesn’t matter if you have beautiful makeup on, wearing a new dress or styling your hair a bit differently, the mighty sun turns everyone into a “hot mess!”

As sweating and summer go hand in hand, they don’t have to sabotage your plans and keep you locked inside the house. Since we tend to indulge in various outdoor activities in summer, this makes our body feel overly hot and, sometimes, irritable. This is when your body increases sweating by dilating your blood vessels to regulate your body temperature. However, depending on your age and health condition, the sweat rate may differ from person to person.

However, there is nothing to worry about as we have some tips and tricks to keep you fresh and sweat-proof all summer long while you make the most of the sunshine.

Check the list below:

1. Use underarm sweat pads

Underarm sweating can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, leaving visible marks on your clothes. This is when underarm sweat pads, or garment shields, can save the day. The sweat pads have two sides: an adhesive side to stick to the underarms of your shirt and an absorbent side to absorb underarm sweat. For better results, you can first use antiperspirant spray and talcum powder before using the garment shield to prevent odour and keep you fresh all day.

2. Use a strong antiperspirant

Antiperspirants reduce sweating by blocking the sweat ducts on the upper layer of your skin so that least amount of sweat is allowed to the surface. However, if a normal antiperspirant is not working for you, try upgrading to the clinical-strength varieties after consulting with your doctor. Antiperspirants with higher levels of aluminium salts, such as aluminium chloride, are proven to help reduce sweat flow to a greater extent than regular antiperspirants.

By Danya Ali KARACHI

Reading is a great activity that instils and builds positive habits in kids, especially when done early on in their development.

Reading books with your children can significantly impact their lifelong learning. There is a whole wide world of books for children of all ages. Books to read out to your little ones or books that older children can read independently are available online. A few educational books, and some websites where you can access them for free, are mentioned below.

Websites for free books

Oxford Owl

This free ebook collection has been developed for children between the ages of 3 and 11. While the site requires you to register before giving you access to most books, no fee is charged. A few books in their collection can only be accessed if you pay for them, but the site offers over 250 ebooks for free.

Storyline Online

This site offers a host of famous actors reading stories in a 'virtual story-time.'

The readings are quite excellent and are accompanied by animations and illustrations from the original books.

You can find free children’s books at 'International Children's Digital Library,' 'Tumble Book Library,' 'Hoopla,' Cloud Library' and Amazon. Books can also be downloaded from websites such as Overdrive, OpenLibrary, and Goodreads.

Must-read children’s books

Eric Carle Little Library and Board

Book Set: This book set is meant for toddlers and carries Eric Carle's signature of colours and patterns which all children love. The book set includes some of the most loved books for children in that age bracket. 'The Hungry Caterpillar,' 'Hello Red Fox,' 'The Tiny Seed,' 'Pancakes Pancakes,' 'Walter the Baker,' and 'The Greedy Python' are books that you toddler will really enjoy.

Julia Donaldson's books: Stories in this book collection like 'The Gruffalo,' 'The Gruffalo's Child,' 'Cave Baby,'

3. When to apply an antiperspirant

It’s a common habit to apply deodorant right after you come out of the shower. However, you may not want to do that as it is simply useless to apply antiperspirant on moist skin as it won’t be effective anymore. Make sure you are completely dry and towelled off before you apply

your favourite deodorant or roll-on.

Another trick is to apply antiperspirant under your arms before you hit the bed. Yes, that’s right! Studies show that your body is calm and cool at night and your antiperspirant can be absorbed at a greater amount to block the sweat glands. You can simply re-apply more in the morning and enjoy a sweat-free day ahead!

4. Amend your eating habits

While you can apply all you want from the outside, it won’t be worth it if you are not taking care of your body from the inside. Certain eating habits can directly influence your sweat rate.

● Say no to spicy foods

While summer is the season to host big

fat dinners, you have to keep a distance from the spicy cuisine if you don’t want sweat beads rolling down your face in the middle of the party. Capsaicin is a chemical found in chilies and, when you consume it, your body sends a signal of overheating to the brain. As a result, you start sweating to cool down and, if the reaction is extreme, it also

leads to watery eyes and a runny rose.

● Cut down on caffeine

You may have observed that the more you drink coffee, the more you sweat! And it’s not just about coffee, everything that contains caffeine will create a similar response in your body as it stimulates acetylcholine, the neurotransmitters in the brain that activate the sweat glands. As a result, caffeine intake leads to a heightened response by the body to regulate your internal temperature.

● Reduce your dairy intake

The metabolic rate is already higher during the summer, and you may not want to further stress your body with complex food. As milk and milk-based products contain some of the slowest digesting proteins, your digestive system works harder to break them apart, which further increases sweating.

5. Wear breathable fabrics

The key to staying fresh and dry all day is wearing the right clothes that won’t trap heat and moisture. Preferably, lawn, lightweight cotton, and linen are the right choices for summer. Other than choosing the suitable fabric, your clothes should not be skin-tight and should have breathable space. Shirts with large, roomy underarm holes are also a great option to make sweating less obvious. And of course, the airflow will also keep you cool and fresh all the time.

6. Relax and meditate

Summer is a great time to relax and by doing so, you can also train your body to stay sweat-free in the future. Modern-day life comes with all sorts of chaos for the mind and body, however, worrying about these problems will only make your sweating worse. Take some time out of your busy day and try some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, to reduce your anxiety which stimulates neurotransmitters that activate sweat glands. You can follow these sweat hacks to keep yourself fresh, energetic, and carefree all summer long. While sweating is a normal phenomenon which regulates your body temperature, these hacks will save you from embarrassment when you have an important meeting or gathering with your loved ones.

'Room on a Broom,' 'The Paper Dolls,' 'The Smartest Giant in Town,' and 'A Squash and a Squeeze' are ones which kids will love reading and collecting.

Billy B. Browns' books: These are relatable for young readers as they are about situations many of us can relate to. The stories are short and humor-

ous, and the books are illustrated with many pictures. School kids can read these books in their early years as the language is simple and the font is big and clear.

Another series of books that will hold the reader's attention and keep them engaged and laughing throughout

The Queen, Onscreen!

Queen Elizabeth remains the only monarch to have been played on screen by herself and others!

By Omair Alavi KARACHI

Queen Elizabeth wasn’t just the monarch of the United Kingdom but was the queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during her life, serving as monarch of 15 of them at the time of her death on September 8, 2022. However, that didn’t stop her from becoming the most portrayed person in the world and was part of Hollywood films, TV movies, series, and even Indian flicks.

From Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar for portraying the Queen to Indian film star Hrithik Roshan, many stars played Elizabeth II in their own way. However, the best onscreen moments the Queen had, featured herself with popular British characters, and if you want to know about that, you have to must read this article all the way through.

The Queen as Herself

During the 1960s, the Queen commissioned a documentary titled Royal Family to celebrate the investiture of Prince Charles, who has now replaced her as the head of the monarchy. Directed by Richard Cawston, the 90-minute documentary covered a year in the Queen's life and gave the public an insight into the private side of the Royal family. It was aired in 1969 and was well-received, however, it was banned in 1977 for unknown reasons. Today, only a leaked version exists on YouTube today but it was the first time the Queen acted like a normal human being in front of the camera.

Although she had opened the Montreal Olympics that took place in Canada in 1976, when the Olympics came to London in 2012, she declared them open in style. She played herself in a skit also featuring Daniel Craig’s James Bond, where she, after summoning Agent 007, leaves her study in Buckingham Palace, and walks out to a waiting helicopter, from which (her double) parachutes into the Olympic Stadium. The James Bond theme in the background kept the audience enthralled and when the Queen herself emerged from the Stadium, it erupted with applause.

Three months before her death, the Queen also appeared in a short video broadcast which featured her having tea with Paddington Bear. Contrary to the

James Bond skit where she had just one line, she had a proper conversation with the famous British character regarding tea and sandwich, after which the Bear thanked her for everything as if thanking her for the entire United Kingdom.

Hollywood and its many portrayals of The Queen

Despite being part of the documentary Royal Family in the late 1960s, Hollywood didn’t discover the Queen’s talent for acting and hence had to depend on actresses to play the monarch on screen. Had it not been for Leslie Nielsen’s The Naked Gun:

From the Files of Police Squad (1988), the rule of not portraying The Queen onscreen might not have been broken. Played by actress Jeanette Charles, the film revolved around the adventures of the bumbling police lieutenant Frank Debrin, who is assigned to protect Queen Elizabeth during her visiting the United States. Due to his stupidity and falling in love on the job, Frank Debrin is able to foil the assassination attempt and save the Queen.

In Rowan Atkinson’s Johnny English (2003), actress Prunella Scales plays Queen Elizabeth II who abdicates her throne to save her royal corgis. However, Johnny English has other ideas and while he manages to stop the coronation of the blackmailer, he gets crowned King himself, before restoring Elizabeth rightfully to the throne, in exchange for a knighthood.

The Queen wasn’t the only monarch to feature in Agent Cody Banks: Destination London (2004), since the second half revolved around the G7 Summit at

The Crown has so far featured Queen Elizabeth in all of its four seasons played by as many as two different actresses - Claire Foy in the first two seasons and Olivia Colman in the next two

Buckingham Palace, which was attended by the major leaders of the world. How Frankie Muniz’s title character was able to save the day is something that makes this film worth your while, as is the clapping and dancing of the dignitaries present, including Her Royal Highness. Although The Queen (2006) featured a serious actress (Helen Mirren) playing the monarch for the first time, it didn’t sit well with those who were portrayed onscreen. It revolved around the events following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997 and the behaviour of the Royal Family which angered the public. Helen Mirren's portrayal was so real that she went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, which was followed by the Best Actress award and Best Film Award at the BAFTA.

Before there was The Crown on TV, there was Diana: Her True Story Long before anyone thought that it was possible to portray the Queen onscreen, British TV did that in style in the adaptation of Andrew Morton’s book Diana: Her True Story. Actress Anne Stallybrass played Queen Elizabeth II opposite Serena Scott Thomas’ Lady Diana, and the TV film was aired in 1993 when all the characters were alive and well. This TV film damaged the Royal family’s reputation big time, just as the book it was based on did, and until The Crown came, it was considered the best portrayal of the rulers of the United Kingdom.

The Crown has so far featured Queen Elizabeth in all of its four seasons played by as many as two different actresses - Claire Foy in the first two seasons and Olivia Colman in the next two. The series revolves around the life and times of Queen Elizabeth and although the makers might have taken some creative liberty in portraying the Queen, it is by far the closest portrayal of the monarch on either films or TV. In the first two seasons, she is shown to learn the tricks of the trade while in the next two, she is the dominating force that drives her family.

The forthcoming season will feature Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth and is likely to revolve around the 1990s, a time when a fire damaged Windsor Castle, Prince Charles and Lady Diana parted ways and later the Princess of Wales died in a road accident, but not before falling in love with a non-Royal, Dr Hasnat Khan.

The Queen was once defeated by the Minions Her reign might be 70 years long, but according to Minions, there was a time when the Queen was dethroned for a brief moment! Yes, in the first Minions flick, the plot revolved around the theft of the Imperial State Crown from Queen Elizabeth II. Voiced by Jennifer Saunders, the character of the Queen is dethroned in this animated adventure after one of the Minions named Bob accidentally pulls the ‘Excalibur’ from the stone, thus replacing her as the King of the United Kingdom. However, when the Minions realize their mistake, they successfully defeat their former master Scarlet (voiced by Sandra Bullock), reinstate the Queen who knights Kevin, and hand over gifts to the other two for their services. Although her Crown is stolen soon after, she remains the Queen for the rest of her days.

When the Queen went to ‘Bollywood’

And then there was the mind-blowing portrayal in the second movie of the popular Dhoom (2006) series, where Indian film star Hrithik

Despite being part of the documentary Royal Family in the late 1960s, Hollywood didn’t discover the Queen’s talent for acting and hence had to depend on actresses to play the monarch on screen

Roshan played a conman who could become literally anyone using prosthetics. In the opening sequence of the film, Hrithik Roshan boards a train taking Queen Elizabeth II through the Namib Desert. He then disguises himself as The Queen to steal her crown, and then escapes from the train, giving the Indian film industry its most realistic portrayal of the monarch.

If that wasn’t enough, Bollywood ‘cast’ the Queen in Sajid Khan’s Housefull (2010) which featured a segment where one of the characters was supposed

to be rewarded by Her Majesty. However, when the hall where the ceremony was taking place was filled with nitrous oxide, the audience, including the Queen, broke into an uncontrollable outburst of laughter. In Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s Shaandaar (2015), actor Sanjay Kapoor’s character believes everyone is Sindhi and refers to them by their nick name. When he mentions one Lizzy to others, the audience gets to know that he meant Her Highness Queen Elizabeth II, who in his opinion was a Sindhi by birth.

New York Fashion Week Spring 2022

Activism and '90s glamour on display at New York Fashion Week

By

AFP Glamour on the one hand, activism on the other: designers Tory Burch and Gabriela Hearst showcased two different approaches to the on-going New York Fashion Week.

Richness and minimalism

American designer Burch offered New York a vintage-inspired collection that veered away from her well-known prints and bright colours.

"The collections have been for me much more personal now that I'm not running the business," says Burch.

Since 2019, Burch has entrusted her husband, Pierre-Yves Roussel, with managing the company, while moving into the roles of chief creative officer and executive chair.

For the Spring/Summer 2023 edit, Burch says she thought back to when she moved to New York in the 1990s and wanted to highlight "the concept of richness and minimalism" at the same time. With sheer cotton tops, lace bras and silver shoes, Burch evoked the sleek sophistication and eroticism in vogue in the early '90s.

"I do think it's a bit sexier than what we have done in the past," according to her. "And I think that women are feeling that right now. I see that that's how women want to dress, but I also love a certain elegance to it."

Burch has also experimented with layering, using a jersey bandeau skirt as a recurring motif, sometimes worn over pants.

"I wanted to challenge us to push it a little further and also to have a more focused point of view," she explained. Women's empowerment Uruguayan designer Gabriela Hearst's show was imbued with ambiance. In an enormous warehouse with opaque windows, her models paraded down a runway lined with a gospel choir.

Gold dominated, shimmering across a cape, on a breastplate and popping against white and black accompaniments.

Long yellow and orange ponchos hand-sewn in Uruguay and red pantsuits also brought to mind the colours of fire.

Some pieces appeared to have been directly moulded onto the models with the collection notes describing how leather had been soaked in water and then draped over a form to create unique pieces.

The theme of women's empowerment was also woven into the show.

Hearst, who is also the creative director at Chloe, says her 2023 Ready-to-Wear Collection is inspired by the ancient Greek poet Sappho and how she has shed light on the hardships women had to endure.

"This Joy," a gospel song written by Grammy winner Shirley Caesar, was performed by the Resistance Revival Chorus, which was billed as a collective of women and nonbinary singers that addresses how "historically marginalized women have been in the music industry."

The catwalk cast included women's rights activist Cecile Richards, Mexican Chilean climate activist Xiye Ba and antitoxic shock syndrome campaigner Lauren Wasser.

Hearst also said she had aimed to offset the climate footprint of her show by working with Swiss company Climeworks, which uses technology to capture carbon dioxide directly from the air.

Shanina Shaik

Sara Sampaio

Megan Fox

Kylie Jenner Gigi Hadid

Pakistani designers setting global trends

From Hollywood to Bollywood to British royals, Pakistan's fashion designers are becoming the go-to choice for international celebrities

Kate Middleton wearing Elan

Riz Ahmed wearing Rastah

Hasan Minhaj in a Nomi Ansari kurta

Kumail Nanjiani in an Umar Sayeed sherwani

Esra Bilgiç wearing Khaadi

Prince William donning a Nauman Arfeen sherwani

Aditi Rao Hydari in a Shehla Chatoor outfit

Shah Rukh Khan wearing Faraz Manan

Deepika Padukone wearing Faraz Manan Tan France wearing Mohsin Naveed Ranjha

Harsh Kapoor wearing Rastah Sara Ali Khan wearing Faraz Manan

Nightingale will always croon

The National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) paid a befitting tribute to Bulbul-e-Pakistan Nayyara Noor

By Sara Danial KARACHI

The famous Pakistani singer, Nayyara Noor, aptly remembered as the Bulbul-e-Pakistan (Nightingale of Pakistan), was a musical queen for Pakistan and was also adored across the border for her moving melodies. Tragically her life was cut short earlier this month after she lost her battle to cancer.

Passing away at the age of 71, her musical legacy continues to light up our homes and theatres with her treasure trove of mellifluous renditions. She was a legendary singer who understood poetry profoundly and personalized the form.

The National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), staying true to its vision of furthering the arts and culture in the country, recently paid a musical tribute to her. Junaid Zuberi, the CEO of NAPA, took the stage for an opening address, talking about the recent tributes paid to our legends, such as Alamgir. Continuing on the same tangent, he said that NAPA has begun Continu ing Education Programme for working profes sionals, who would like to pursue their hobbies and passions outside the corporate world. He added that NAPA has recently started the Sindh Cultural Outreach Programme in collaboration with the Government of Sindh to promote local theatre groups and artistes. However, he insisted that the state is not the only responsible entity for the promotion and continuity of arts and culture and the community needs to come to the forefront. He made a special mention of Zia Mohyeddin and Arshad Mahmood, without whom NAPA would have been an impossible feat to achieve. “I wait for many more initiatives that are in the pipeline to materialize in the coming months,” Junaid Zuberi said. He further thanked the board of directors, without whose vision these initiatives wouldn't have been possible, and of course, the musicians, whom he called the as sets of NAPA.

The stage then opened for Sabeen Nawab, a NAPA graduate, who beau tifully encapsulated Noor’s version of ‘Aaj Bazaar Meim Pa Ba Jaulan Chalo’ and ‘Phir Sawan Rut Ki Pawan Chali’. Next to light up the stage was Kainat Jung for the evergreen ‘Tera Saya Jahan Bhi Ho Sajna’ and ‘Roothay Ho Tum’. ‘Mujhe Apnay Zubt Pe Naaz Tha’ and ‘Har Chund Sahara Hai’ was taken over by Imrana Naeem. The richly tuneful Rose-Mary sang ‘Ae Jazba-e-Dil’ and ‘Khwab Marte Nahin’.

In his address, Sultan Arshad, who is the author of the book ‘101 Melody Makers of India and Pakistan and Their Representative Work’ reminisced about his time with Nayyara Noor. According to him, she was “named Noor and she voiced Noor”. He mentioned her unique, sedentary style of singing, which was a novelty at that time. Many wondered if she was physically disable or blind, as she was always looking down in humility. A graduate of the well-regarded National College of Arts in Lahore, she had spent many instances entertaining her friends and teachers at various musical functions. At one of these events, Professor Asrar Ahmad of Islamia College recognised her escalating talent and soon, she was singing for the coveted Radio Pakistan programmes. She debuted in 1971, through Pakistan Television and then effortlessly progressed to films like Gharana (for which she also won the Nigar Award for the best female playback singer) and Aas.

“She drew the audience towards her. Her persona and outlook exuded purity, which could be seen and heard in her songs. Soon, she became a sensation and moved on to films, going from strength to strength. At the peak of her career, she decided to step back from her career as her husband Sheheryar Zaidi was posted in Karachi. Noor was my little sister. We lived in the same house for nearly

two years,” Sultan Arshad said. He shared a memory where he said that he had never come across a more ‘domesticated celebrity’ like Nayyara Noor, who was humble and modest in demeanour and personified simplicity outwardly as well.

“There was never a day when she wasn't out of the kitchen. She always took care of her primary priorities. She had recently sung a cover version of ‘Unka Ishara Jaan Se Piyara’. When I was the regional manager of EMI, a friend wrote

a note for her through me, saying, “My dear child Noor: Today I heard your voice. I wish you were the original singer of this composition of mine”. The Electric and Musical Industries (EMI), India, officially wrote a letter to her, inviting her for concerts in Bombay and Calcutta. Such was the magic in her voice.” One would be surprised to know that Nayyara

Noor had no formal training in music. So her only connection with music was her fondness of Begum Akhtar’s ghazals, her all-time favourites, and Kanan Bala’s bhajans, since childhood.

The next to take the stage were Zara Madni for ‘Woh Jo Hum Mein Tum Mein Qarar Tha’ and ‘Cha Rahi Kali Ghata’, and Sabeen Nawab (again) for ‘Ye Haath Salamat Hain’ and ‘Hum Ke

Tehray Ajnabi’, which developed a befitting narrative for the Fall of Dhaka while ‘Watan Ki Mitti Gawah Rehna’ inspired generations of children all over the country. She also performed at mehfils, boasting of admiration from ghazal-lovers in Pakistan as well as in India.

Nayyara Noor sang ghazals written by the likes of Ghalib and Faiz Ahmed Faiz, one of the most popular ghazal versions remained ‘Ae Jazba-e-Dil Ghar Main Chahoon’. She has also performed alongside Mehdi Hassan. Faiz’s poetry became the national hymns of the youth when they took her voice. ‘Nayyara sings Faiz’ must be one of the most popular albums ever sold in Pakistan; such was her magic and stature. Throughout her career, she recorded the works of many famous Urdu poets, including Momin Khan Momin, Ibn-e-Insha, Nasir Kazmi and Akhtar Sheerani.

Perhaps, the most memorable work of Nayyara Noor that is etched in my mind was ‘Barkha Barse Chat Per’, a rare Hindi poem by Faiz, which she rendered with her husband in 1976. This imprinted her achievements as classy and graceful like her, and free of any timeline. Another marked event was when her reputation peaked as everybody hummed the songs of Aaina, a film from 1977 that touched the hearts of countless Pakistanis. When she was at the pinnacle of her career, Nayyara chose to marry Sheharyar Zaidi after which her live performances could be seen few and far between. She was also the mother of Naad-e-Ali Zaidi and Jaffer Zaidi, both talented

musicians and singers in their own rights. Known for her heart-wrenching melodies, in 2006, Nayyara Noor was awarded the “Pride of Performance”. She was also awarded the Gold Medal Awards at the annual All Pakistan Music Conference concerts, and by 2012, she bid adieu to her illustrious singing career.

Sheheryar Zaidi, also took the stage where he reminisced about his days with her in college when they met for the first time at a singing contest amongst students. “She spoke and sang from the heart, with complete command on pronunciation and diction. More than a wife, she was a friend. Today, these singers have sung her with equal passion. And I would like to pay tribute to them.” Teary-eyed, Zaidi also said, “I braved to come here, though with a heavy heart.” The beautiful evening came to a close when all the singers took the stage in chorus for ‘Watan Ki Mitti Gawah Rehna’. All of them had a lovely tone to their voice, with great control and projection throughout.

An irreparable damage to the music industry, the whole nation partook in expressing grief over her sad demise. She sang from 1971 to 2012. Her work is immortal and her departure unfortunate. Artists like Nayyara Noor are not born again. Hers are shoes that are too large to fill. Pakistan is proud to boast of such a name; her melodies will remain an influence for all generations to come. Though the nightingale has gone silent, her voice will always croon.

Rest in peace, Nayyara Noor!

One would be surprised to know that Nayyara Noor had no formal training in music. So her only connection with music was her fondness of Begum Akhtar’s ghazals, her all-time favourites, and Kanan Bala’s bhajans, since childhood

Iranian film to open Busan International Film Festival

The 27th edition of the prestigious festival boasts of an impressive roster of films from across Asia

BY AFP

An Iranian film about a disabled father who looks after his paralysed son will open the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), the Asia's biggest film festival, next month. The BIFF will run from October 5-14 and feature 243 film from 71 countries, including 89 that will have their world premiere.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival was reduced to a fraction of its usual scale in 2020 while last year's edition took place with social distancing measures. But in October this year, the annual event in the South Korean port city will be "fully normalised for the first time in three years since Covid-19," says Huh Moon-young, festival director. "We feel fortunate to be able to play the role of Asia's best film festival again."

The forthcoming edition will open with Iranian film "Scent of Wind", directed by Hadi Mohaghegh.

The film is based on the story of a father and a sonboth of whom have disabilities - living in a remote village. Mohaghegh's film is "very small and quiet,

but it's really a great film that has a tremendous amount of resonance and emotion that cannot be compared to its size," says Huh.

Japanese director Kei Ishikawa's drama "A Man", about a widow who discovers unexpected truths about her late husband, will close the edition. The film is "elegant and calm", festival director Huh said, while offering a memorable exploration

of identity and belonging.

This year's festival will honour Hong Kong's acclaimed actor Tony Leung, having selected him as the recipient of its "Asian Cineaste of the Year" prize. It will screen six films featuring Leung, who will visit Busan to receive the award and meet with the viewers. Leung, 60, who is best known for his collaborations with famed director Wong Kar Wai, picked the six films himself — which include Wong's "In the Mood for Love" (2000) and "Happy Together" (1997).

Other anticipated screenings include KoreanCanadian director Anthony Shim's "Riceboy Sleeps," which tells the story of a Korean immigrant single mother, said festival's programmer Nam Dong-chul. The film is garnering comparisons to "Minari", Nam said - a 2020 drama about South Korean immigrants in the United States, which received rave reviews and a slew of awards,

including the best supporting actress Oscar. A documentary film about late BIFF chief programmer Kim Ji-seok - who died in 2017 while attending the Cannes festival - will also get a world premiere during the forthcoming festival, according to Nam. One of the most respected film programmers in the South, Kim founded the BIFF with two others in 1996 and is largely credited as one of the most critical guiding forces behind its success.

Conflict, controversy and camaraderie

By Taha Kehar KARACHI

Reality television remains a paradox unto itself and is punctuated with elements of escapism. It is difficult to encounter anything beyond mindless melodrama on these shows. Even so, the popularity of Indian reality TV serves as welcome proof that imitations of The Simple Life or Keeping Up with the Kardashians continue to attract a premium.

Netflix India's Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives carries all the vital ingredients of an absurd binge-worthy reality show. When it was released in the thick of the global pandemic in 2020, it came as a source of relief for viewers who were grappling with the vagaries of numerous lockdowns. The series was, however, censured for lacking a muchneeded oomph, wit and charm. The nearvoyeuristic focus on the somewhat inane lives of the eponymous Bollywood wives Maheep Kapoor, Neelam Kothari, Bhavana Panday and Seema Sajdeh drew cringeworthy reactions on social media. Memes about the show also became the order of the day — a trend that reflects the boundless appeal of reality TV. The second season of the series doesn't deviate much from its predecessor. In fact, it smacks of the same problematic privilege evident in the first season. The only difference is that the four women have become familiar entities in the eyes of viewers. In the previous season, everyone in the main cast — apart from Neelam — had emerged from the shadow of obscurity. Little was known about them and their quirky demeanour appeared nauseating. Now, all

What shines through in season two of Fabulous Lives of

Bollywood

Wives is the easy camaraderie among the four main cast members

four women seem to have come into their own, possibly because their idiosyncrasies and vulnerabilities are known to audiences.

It is difficult not to feel something verging on concern for their petty struggles, even as they inhabit their cosy sinecures with ill-disguised pride.

The season begins with all four women searching for meaning in their lives and reinventing themselves. Neelam is still attempting to make a suitable comeback in films, albeit with a heady mix of caution and conscientiousness. Maheep is undergoing a radical shift in priorities, but hasn't lost touch with her gutsy, mischievous side.

Seema is coming to terms with her status as a divorced woman and is in the process of imbuing her new-found energy into fresh projects. Bhavana, who is arguably the most subdued of the 'wives', kicks off the second

season with a bizarre plan to renew her vows — a declaration that attracts shock, disbelief and a fair share of catty remarks. Bhavana's remarriage to her actor-husband Chunky Panday remains at the core of the season and all other incidents derive their force from it. Holidays, fights and gossip fests are incomplete without a stealthy reference to Bhavana's imminent nuptials to the same man. At times, viewers might even find themselves agreeing with the onscreen sceptics of Bhavana's decision to renew her vows. Nevertheless, the renewal (or 'regurgitation', as one of the guest stars alludes to it) lends the season a much-needed climax or even a point of convergence. Without it, season two of Fabulous Lives would have aimlessly meandered into the same territory that made season one so difficult to stomach.

The repeated onslaught of lockdowns seems to have altered the lives of the four 'Bollywood wives', though not in radical terms. The change in perspective, however, is palpable. If the first season was paean to their superficial existence before the relentless Covid-19 lockdowns, the second instalment isn't a dirge to a paradise lost. The four women resume their antics with a renewed gusto and a desire to challenge themselves.

This season, viewers get to witness more cameo appearances from Gauri Khan, wife of actor Shah Rukh Khan. Another Bollywood wife who has blazed her own trail instead of remaining in her husband’s shadow, Gauri serves as a useful counterpoint to the 'wives'. During one of her interactions with them, Gauri reveals why it was important for her to carve a niche for herself. Responding to this confession, one of the 'wives'

speaks about her failures in setting up a series of restaurants in Mumbai — a fact that hasn't garnered much attention throughout the series. After this interaction, discerning viewers might be tempted to ask why the creators haven't drawn serious attention to the career trajectories of the Bollywood 'wives'. Interestingly, more emphasis seems to have been placed on their occasional love affairs with botox than on the daily struggles in their professional lives. In fact, Maheep's consistent endeavours to find her friends lucrative endorsements are dismissed by the other 'wives' and Seema's efforts to revolutionise her clothing brand are snubbed as "wannabe".

Reality television operates on a specific formula whereby conflicts and controversies take precedence over meaningful content. Be that as it may, it would be refreshing

to see a more realistic approach to depicting the challenges faced by the 'wives'. Sceptics might argue that the lives of these women would be far from superficial, even if we attempt to dig deeper. Such harsh comments shouldn't be construed as a sign that these women lack depth. To achieve a suitable balance between the superficial and the profound, the creator may need to move beyond the thin veneer and mine the emotional core of the 'wives'.

The second season of Fabulous Lives makes a stronger attempt to strike this fine balance, but it seems more like an accidental discovery than a conscious effort. The decision to highlight an "indiscretion" — a euphemism for an extra-marital affair — that Maheep decided to overlook many years ago was a suitable way to portray an unknown dimension of her personality. Instead, this disclosure seems to fall flat as it is simply geared towards keeping the rumour mills churning. The current season isn't just a mindless romp, but also raises concerns about some important issues. For instance, perimenopause, burnout, empty-nest syndrome and the burgeoning pressures of maintaining sustainable parent-child relationships have been portrayed in gentle hues. But even these attempts at generating a serious debate on issues are obscured by the interminable guest appearances and mindless melodrama.

What shines through in season two of Fabulous Lives is the easy camaraderie among the four 'wives'. While their friendship is burdened by strife, it is steered by sincerity and a touch of playfulness. Subsequent seasons of the series must seek to present the more meaningful dimensions of the long-standing companionship among the four Bollywood wives.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival was reduced to a fraction of its usual scale in 2020 while last year's edition took place with social distancing measures

Of mosques and mausoleums: Türkiye’s unparalleled beauty

By Sara Danial KARACHI

Travelling before the onset of the pandemic was a much more fun experience as one could freely plan one’s own trips. However, the onset of Covid-19 has changed tourism forever. While my daughter's school was closed indefinitely, I decided to take a vacation with one of my best friends and travelled to Türkiye, which can safely be described as one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever been on.

Carrying light luggage, but heavy on emotions, we landed in Istanbul. The city is immensely rich in culture, history and architecture. We had booked a group tour for 12 days, covering Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Canakkale, Izmir, Sirince, Konya, and Ankara. So our itinerary was as comprehensive as one would want it to be.

Starting from Istanbul, – which lies in both Europe and Asia – the city is a blend of both those worlds, geographically and culturally. The heart of the city lies at Taksim Square, where we found all the touristy places at a walking distance, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, surrounded by quaint, boutique hotels with courteous staff.

We first decided to explore the city by ourselves, starting our day by offering prayers at the Blue Mosque, which exuded the serenity and modernity of the Ottoman Empire. According to folklore, the architect of this mosque misheard the Sultan's request for "altın minareler" (gold

dictates that people's wishes will come true if their thumb gets wet when they make their wishes by rotating their thumb in a clockwise motion inside the hole. My thumb became wet with sweat, so I wonder if my wish will come true.

Our next stop was the Hagia Sophia, a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral of the mid-15th century which was later converted into an Ottoman mosque. This masterpiece of architecture features elements of both a mosque and a church. The last stop of the day was Topkapi Palace – an enormous palace with plenty of jewellery, weapons and clothes on display. The outside of the palace was dotted with various people dressed in the

Bazaar, which in many ways is like Delhi’s Palika Bazaar. Haggling there was so much fun and I loved shopping there for souvenirs to take home for the family.

Our group tour began with Cappadocia, the city of caves. A place of exceptional natural wonders and fairy chimneys, Cappadocia is the result of ancient volcanoes that have turned into caves over time. People there have carved out houses, hotels, churches and monasteries from the soft rocks of the volcanic deposits. We stayed at one such cave hotel. Our guide scheduled our balloon ride but, given my fear of heights, I was the last person who would want to experiment with this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

some drinks and cake as the sun rose over the romantic Rose Valley.

The rest of the day was spent exploring some of the 36 mazy underground cities in Cappadocia, among which the Kaymakli Underground City is the widest one. The tunnels here are tall enough for travellers to walk upright. But as we went deeper, the passageways became narrower and lower, so we had to arch our backs to continue walking. For the first time in my life, I thanked God for my short height!

A day’s visit to the Göreme Open-Air Museum is a must, where several rock churches of the Cappadocian Fathers can be found. We were profoundly surprised

area, it is a national park that also houses a Roman theatre. There are also some ruins just behind the travertines. Do remember to be in your bathing suit when you enter this area as a dip in the Cleopatra Pool is a must if you want eternal beauty. You should also be prepared to walk around the ruins in Hierapolis. Like any Greco-Roman city, it boasts of a necropolis, temples, baths, agoras, and odeons. Spending a night in Pamukkale may not be a bad idea, however, we avoided it as we had already incorporated our visit to Ephesus – another set of ruins very close to Pamukkale – during the day. We also visited the extraordinary Library of Celsus, a landmark of Ephesus. According to

tury Persian poet and Islamic scholar who created the Mevlevi Order dance. Inside the monastery, which houses the tombs of Mevlana, his immediate relatives and other distinguished Dervishes, we found most pilgrims in tears, overcome with the emotion of visiting such a holy place. The area housed numerous exquisitely decorated tombs, and adjoining this was a room full of artefacts that were equally stunning. Even if you understand little of the religious significance of this place, it's easy to appreciate the artistry of the items there.

While Cappadocia and Istanbul are seen as the country’s crowning jewels, Türkiye’s capital Ankara is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Although mod-

minarets) as "altı minare" (six minarets), which was a unique feature to the Great Mosque of Makkah at the time. Boasting of many windows and lamps, the mosque was generously lit, hence enhancing its beauty, making me feel that I was in an otherworldly space. Now a museum, it was the largest building of its time, and is said to have changed the history of architecture. Particularly famous for its massive dome, it also houses a bronzeplate-covered column with a hole in the middle, which goes by several names: the wishing column, weeping column, sweating column or perspiring column. Legend

traditional costumes of the Ottoman era.

After a tiring flight and the excitement of visiting as many places as one could on foot, we chose to relax at a hamam, the traditional Turkish spa.

The next day, brimming with excitement, we strolled around the Galata Bridge, took a ferry ride from the Galata Bridge to the Bosphorous Bridge and back, all the while absorbing the picturesque view of Europe from Asia and Asia from Europe. The Bascilia Cistern is another impressive civil engineering wonder which deserves a quick visit. We also spent time in Istanbul’s iconic Grand

But I would highly recommend this to everyone as the ride gives you a bird's eye view of the amazing landscape this region has. The pilot, Mehmet, was able to manoeuvre the hot air balloon very precisely, and though there was some spontaneous turbulence, we felt absolutely safe. Almost all the tour companies launched their balloons at the same time early in the morning, around 6am. The view of the sky peppered with countless balloons is breathtaking in and of itself, whether you take the ride or not. The ride ended with a celebration as Mehmet’s helpers decorated the balloon and basket while enjoying

by the number of cats here, and we saw them in almost every ruin. They seemed as though they were the tiny guardians of this ancient city. While we took our time to get over the thrill of the balloon ride, the tour guide took us to the Cotton Castle, Pamukkale.

The name is derived from the very white calcium carbonate cliffs nearby. We realised that the song Tu Jaane Na from the movie Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani had been shot here. An enigma unto itself, visitors to Pamukkale deserve a dip in the hot spring water, which is supposed to heal every bodily pain. A well-preserved

legend, there was a "secret passage" inside the library that was connected to a brothel.

Five days into our tour was more than enough to make us realise that Türkiye has a rather incredible historical and cultural richness. We also visited the village of Sirince. Popular for its exquisite fruit wines, the village is lined with olive trees, fruit trees and vines. After an improvised picnic, we moved to Konya, the home of Sufism and, in particular, the order of the Whirling Dervishes. We visited the Mevlana Museum in Konya, a mausoleum named after a 13th cen-

erately modernised, Ankara has managed to stay true to its historical and cultural essence as it is filled with tradition in every nook and corner. A full day is the ideal amount of time needed to enjoy everything that Ankara has to offer in both the old section called Ulus, and the new section called Yenisehir. The most important tourist attraction is Anitkabir (Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s mausoleum), which is located in the Maltepe district of the city. A monumental tomb for the founder of the Turkish Republic Kemal Ataturk, there is also a small museum which contains his personal items. There is also the Hisar or the Citadel, which is situated at the hilltop fortress in one of the oldest parts of Ankara. With massive walls and passages to explore, the top of the citadel offers a gorgeous view of the Turkish village. Türkiye epitomises not only the confluence of East and West, but also tradition and modernity. One has to experience it to truly feel the pulse of the land. Few countries have made as much of an impact on me as Türkiye did, and I was sad to leave. There were many things we were unable to see and do but, as every traveler knows, it is impossible to completely cover a country in a single trip. I shall be back, and the temptation to visit Bursa and Bodrum, Antalya and Sinop, Van and Şanlıurfa, and dozens of other places in between will have to wait until then.

Türkiye, a country that embodies history, art, and culture, has become a favourite place for travellers across the globe, especially Pakistanis

Meera to star in a short film about sexual harassment

Last seen on the big screen in Saqib Malik’s Baaji, it looks like Meera has found her next project. The actress is set to star in a short film which, in Meera’s words, “is a thought-provoking film which showcases the trauma of how women are sexually harassed by men.” Titled ‘Number 36’, the short film hopes to add to the growing global conversation around sexual harassment. Ever since the rise of the #MeToo movement, Hollywood has been quick to churn out content which delves into this often taboo subject matter. Yet, we are still to see sexual harassment openly addressed and discussed in mainstream Pakistani content, which is why ‘Number 36’ could prove to be an important project. Directed by Arif Afzal and based on a screenplay by Dr Fatima Hassan, the short film is being shot in the United States. Given the theme of this venture and the star attached to it, it is definitely one to keep an eye out for in the future.

Asim Azhar and Hasan Raheem threaten legal action

Ertugrul star travels to Pakistan to help flood affectees

Since the onset of the recent floods which have wreaked havoc across the nation, Pakistanis from all walks of life have contributed what they can to aid those in need. Many Pakistani celebrities have also been at the forefront of these relief efforts, and several international stars have taken to their social media accounts to call upon their followers to donate towards this vital cause. However, perhaps few celebrities have gone as far in their commitment to helping the flood affectees as Turkish actor Celal Al. With his towering height and long beard, most Pakistanis will quickly recognise the actor from the hit television series Ertugrul, in which he essayed the role of Abdurrahman Alp. Partnering with the Turkish Red Crescent, the actor travelled to Pakistan from Türkiye to aid the relief efforts and also bring his nation’s attention to the plight of Pakistan’s flood affectees. On his social media accounts, Celal can be seen trying to cheer up children in flood-impacted regions while also appealing to his followers to donate generously for the rehabilitation of the flood victims.

In stories posted on their Instagram accounts, singers Asim Azhar and Hasan Raheem alleged that they were not paid their requisite performance fees by the organisers of the Jam Colour Festival. As a result, both the artistes pulled out from their respective performances and urged fans to get a refund on their tickets, further going on to say that they would take legal action against those running the festival. Asim referred to the event as a “scam” run by “frauds” and warned people against attending any of their future festivals. According to Asim, the organisers had used the names of reputable artistes in order to sell tickets and get sponsorships but had then failed to pay the artistes. Hasan said that the artistes impacted by this would take the organisers to the courts “for wasting everyone’s time and money”. The organisers of the event, which was taking place in Islamabad, have categorically denied these claims, calling them “false allegations”.

Cinemagoers shiver as 'Barbarian' knocks the door

By AFP

‘Barbarian’, a new horror film with a modern twist, has scared its way to the top of North America's box-office, earning an estimated $10 million on yet another slow film weekend, according to Exhibitor Relations, the world’s leader in the field of entertainment research and data analysis.

The film, from 20th Century and New Regency, tells the story of a woman who checks into an AirBnB-type house in a sketchy Detroit neighbourhood only to find it has also been booked by Bill Skarsgard — yes, the diabolical clown in the fright-filled "It" films.

‘Barbarian,’ written and directed by Zach Cregger, has enjoyed strong reviews, with Variety calling it a "new horror classic." It stars Justin Long as AJ Gilbride, an actor who owns the Airbnb, Bill Skarsgård as Keith Toshko, a man who double booked an Airbnb with Tess, and Georgina Campbell as Tess Marshall, a woman staying in Detroit for an interview.

The cast also includes Matthew Patrick Davis as The Mother, a mutated woman born from rape and incest, Richard Brake as Frank, father of The Mother, Kurt Braunohler as Doug, Jaymes Butler as Andre, J.R. Esposito as Jeff, Kate Bosworth as Melisa, Sophie Sörensen as Bonnie Zane, Brooke Dillman as AJ's Mom, Sara Paxton as nursing video narration assistant, Will Greenberg as Robert, Derek Morse as Officer 1, Trevor Van Uden as Officer 2, Zach Cregger as Everett, Kalina Stancheva as young woman and Devina Vassileva as property manager assistant. Roy Lee, Arnon Milchan, J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules are the producers of the film.

Barbarian had its premiere at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con in July, and was theatrically released on September 9,

2022, by 20th Century Studios. Having received positive reviews from critics, its debut was "a good opening" for a low-budget horror film, says David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.

Another new release, fantasy adventure film "Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva" from Disney subsidiary Star Studios, took in $4.4 million for second place — a surprisingly strong showing for a Hindi-language Indian production playing in only 810 theatres. It follows a young man named Shiva in modern-day India where his love for young Isha is complicated by his unexpected connection to a secret society.

In third place, down one spot from last weekend, was Sony action thriller "Bullet Train," at $3.3 million. Brad Pitt stars as a paid killer on a high-speed Japanese train. Meantime, Paramount's enduring action flick "Top Gun: Maverick" — which placed a surprising first last weekend in

its 15th week out — lost a bit of altitude. It took in $3.2 million for fourth place, even while nearing the $750 million mark overseas. And in fifth, down one notch from last weekend, was Warner Bros.' family-friendly animation "DC League of Super-Pets," at $2.8 million.

Rounding out the top 10 are:

"The Invitation" ($2.6 million)

"Lifemark" ($2.2 million)

"Beast" ($1.8 million)

"Minions: The Rise of Gru" ($1.7 million)

"Spider-Man: No Way Home" ($1.3 million)