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THE SPOTLIGHT
BOLD TALK
MUSICDISCRIMINATION BITE SYSTEMIC
ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Q&A with Maira Khan
Natasha Baig sets the stage on fire at the launch of Khirad
Behind the veil: The double Enough of quota life of Pakistan rapper Eva B
Hamza Sohail - Son of a gun
The diva talks about the good, bad and the ugly
Renowned actress paid tribute to Allama Iqbal
The quota system has run its course and now merit essential to establish Known forisher work, the rapper is still unknown goodon governance the streetsin ofthe hercountry own city, Karachi
With his impressive show in Badshah Begum, Hamza Sohail has finally entered the big league!
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PUBLISHED FROM KARACHI, LAHORE & ISLAMABAD GLOBAL CIRCULATION VIA BOLNEWS.COM
"Working in a film was a different experience; I was required to show up with my a game"
the morning. So we were required to show up and bring our A game. It was a different experience.
How was it sharing the screen with Syed Jibran, the major comic relief in the film?
Actually we both are not sharing the screen together a lot but there are some scenes in which we three (Saba, Jibran and I) are together. These scenes are very funny, interesting and enjoyable.
Your fans have not seen you dance on the screen. Were you nervous during the song picturisation in GNH?
I think I am a pathetic dancer. In GNH, I found it quite difficult to shake the leg, but I hope I will learn this trade as well if I have to in future.
What do you prefer in a script or role before accepting it?
By Kaukab Jahan KARACHI
Zahid Ahmed is among Pakistan’s most versatile actors. Ahmed received widespread acclaim as an actor in 2014 for his portrayal of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in plays, ‘Sawa 14 August’ and its sequel 'Pawnay 14 August' both written by Anwar Maqsood. He made his television debut with drama serial Mehram opposite Moammer Rana and Ayesha Khan. In no time Zahid Ahmed became a household name for his brilliant acting and impressive vocals. His breakthrough role in Alvida (2015) rewarded him with Hum Award for the Best Villain. Now he is recognised by his portrayal of leading roles in several successful series, including Zulfi of Jugnoo (2015), Hadi of Zara Yaad Kar (2016), Haider of Besharam (2016) Saif of Tau Dil Ka Kia Hua (2017), Akku of Visaal (2018), Sameer of Ishq Zahe Naseeb (2019), Nain of Mein Na Janoo (2019)and recently Admiral Rasheed in Hangor S-131 (2021). The star has put an additional feather in his cap by appearing in his first feature film Ghabrana Nahi Hai opposite Saba Qamar. BOLD had a detailed chat with Zahid Ahmed on his past, present and future.
How was the experience of playing a police officer in GNH?
My role is serious, very hero type. It has shades of positive, negative and grey but not a comic relief. Actually art imitates life. So, our films also portray
a cop mostly, corrupt, unfortunately. I hope this department corrects itself in reality and we present a positive image of them. So Sikandar is a very corrupt cop, who has a journey and a transition throughout the film.
Actually on television, my objective of acting is to show its range from positive, negative and grey in characters, whether they are psycho, split personality, romantic and more. I think characterisation is a game of thoughtful writing. Our writers are successful in writing these complex and romantic characters.
How was the experience of working with Saba Qamar in film?
It is always amazing. She is among those artists, who just focus on their work. When working with Saba, one doesn't need to be worried about the usual (or probable) tantrums of a heroine like; coming late on sets because of sleepless nights, mood swings, wasting time ordering food, and etc. These things affect work but you can easily subtract them when your co-star is Saba. She utilises more time and energy in discussing how to get scenes and actions better. I think this is one of the best things when you get to work with Saba.
Would you like to share the experience of working on your first film. Who used to come late and who showed more tantrums?
Honestly, and fortunately there was not any genuine disciplinary issue from the cast and crew on sets but yes because of the scarcity of time and resources (as we halted our shoot due to Covid-19 and then resumed it later) we had to take a lot of pressure. We worked for long hours, sometimes 18 to 20 hours non-stop a day. I remember the tiring dance numbers which we started four in the evening and packed up the next day by four in
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I always try to find more challenging roles for myself so I can push my boundries as an actor... In a successful line of dramas on your credit, you mostly chose to do serious roles even in a comedy film. Why?
There was a time we used to have plays penned by Anwar Maqsood and Haseena Moin. If I get the humour of that calibre, I would not give it a second thought and accept it. Right now our television is limited to only sitcoms. But yes from the last three to four years, the situation is getting better especially through Ramzan special comedy plays. You can't say that it is over the top kind of comedy, but a very decent
and balanced one. So if I get a chance of doing a role in them, I will be interested. I absolutely love comedy. It is just about finding the right scripts and a right slot. By the way, Saba and I have worked together in a comedy eid special telefilm Dil Diyan Gallan.
Last year, we saw you in a short film, Prince Charming with Mahira Khan on a web portal. Would you like to share the experience?
That was a wonderful experience. Mahira is a very cooperative co-star and Sheheryar Munawar was superb at his directorial debut in the film. One thing, I want to mention here that we slightly missed a point towards the crux of the story. Many people perceive it as if a man is ignoring his wife after a certain period of their marriage and she has gone into depression. No, that was not our objective of that short film. It was actually the post marital depression for both, husband and wife. I assume that in order to manage the duration of the film, some of my shots were edited from the film, which could enhance the fact that post marital depression affects both the partners. It was not just about an insensitive husband ignoring his wife but the wife also, because of being in a state of depression, was overlooking his husband in many things. So, what I think we were somehow could not convey this message clearly to our viewers. It was one sided. You started your showbiz career with the radio. Still we can witness those waves of voices on screen.
must try on his/her vocal chords as well.
What type of characters do you want to do in future?
I always try to find more challenging roles for myself so I can push my boundries as an actor. I came on television after I did a role of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in a stage play. I wish I could depict that role again on television. I now want to portray some nonfictional roles, like our legends from religious or national history. I look forward to adapting public figures like Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Imran Khan, who are recognised by people, with their pictures and even with their voice. I think these roles give an actor a challenge where you have to be like those figures without using your own imagination much. So yes I want to do something like that.
Did the experience of radio help you in acting?
Yes, that experience helped me a lot where there is a need to use highs and lows in voice for a character. Here, I want to clear a misconception as many people think that a heavy voice would always considered as masculine and appealing. Actually, a voice, how perfect it is, without its highs and lows, becomes monotonous and boring to listeners after a certain time. So an actor F O R B O O K I N G A D S , W W W. B O L N E W S . C O M / N E W S PA P E R
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From Lahore to Hollywood, Faran Tahir’s mantra to success
By Isra Shams Faran Tahir, who has already seen the heady heights of Hollywood hits is now also climbing the treacherous inclines of Pakistani entertainment. The Pakistani-American actor was born in Los Angeles to an artistic family where Naeem Tahir and Yasmeen Tahir were his parents. He was raised in Pakistan till the time he decided to return to America in the 80s to pursue a graduate degree in theatre from UC Berkley. Faran then went on to earn a graduate degree from Harvard’s institute of Advanced Theatre Training. Faran Tahir started his stint in Hollywood in 1994 as he played Nathoo in Disney’s Jungle Book followed by starring in major Hollywood blockbusters like Iron Man and Star Trek, as well as countless other acclaimed projects like Prison Break and Grey’s Anatomy. Faran is an accomplished actor, but despite all of his success, he stills describes himself with a genuine air of humility - a “student” by his own account - always eager to learn and improve, not just in his craft but in the art of being human. His true character - off the stage, that is - speaks for itself when he shares that his favourite part of acting is the exercise in empathy that comes with stepping into someone else’s shoes. While on stage and on the film set, he sees his job as provoking people to think about complicated characters and situations. “I don’t want to give you a nicely wrapped package, I want to give you something a little more messy,” he said in an interview. “My faith and my nationality make me who I am. I don’t look at them as my weaknesses but rather, my uniquenesses.” A beacon of light for an underrepresent-
ed community in Hollywood, Faran is of Pakistani-American descent. Having spent time living and working in both regions of the world, the actor holds a unique and insightful perspective on the dual-misunderstanding that affects the perception from both sides of his citizenship. The similarities - the connections - that make us all human are greater than the sum of even our greatest differences, Faran says. And similar to the empathy that he channels when he gets into character, he believes that practicing empathy is the key to living beyond the myopic lens of cultural conditioning and stereotypes, and expanding our worldview into a more global, inclusive perspective. “I think our focus has always been on what separates us - what language, what colour, what traditions, what books… But why are we not speaking about what connects us? So, my message is - what I would want to be remembered for - is that I kept saying: let’s look for the connection."
You know every time Hira Mani chooses to give an interview, something or the other always becomes a topic of debate and it’s been no different this time either. The starlet appeared for an interview alongside husband Mani and expanding on her weight loss journey the actress shared how Mani’s constant body-shaming and taunts motivated her to lose about 10kgs in 3 months. She shared how Mani would often shame her into losing weight by comparing her to Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor Khan, and while she mentioned Kareena, the actress also went on to make a rather uncalled remark calling Kareena ‘fat.’ The video went viral and the netizens were outraged at the comments made by the actress for justifying taunting husbands. Mani did not hold back from sharing his side of the story and revealed that his wife has started taunting him too to get a hair transplant, comparing him with the likes of Bollywood actors, Hrithik Roshan and Shahid Kapoor. The couple then went on to throw shade mention Imran Khan and Maryam Nawaz when it came to plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures sharing that they’re open to exploring what it has to offer.
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Whether portraying a Muslim Moor like Othello or a starship captain for the fictional United Federation of Planets, Tahir’s goal as an actor is the same: “to tap into what is human, what binds us more than what separates us.” With his latest projects soon to be seen, Faran Tahir will be playing a role in the much awaited play ‘The Kite Runner’ in the role of Baba, the father of protagonist Amir. Directed by Giles Croft, The Kite Runner is due to begin performances on July 6. The play, which will be the first one scheduled for the 2022-2023 Broadway season, is produced by Victoria Lang, Ryan Bogner and Tracey McFarland of Broadway & Beyond Theatricals. While his international work continues Faran is also turning towards Pakistani entertainment. He shared that his work schedule hasn’t allowed him to work at length in Pakistan but now he’s working on a few projects that are close to his heart.
My faith and my nationality make me who I am. I don’t look at them as my weaknesses but rather, my uniquenesses Actor Faran Tahir
With ARY Digital's upcoming show Fraud, the impeccable cast of hit drama serial Pani Jesa Pyaar is all set to return to our screens after nearly 11 years. Saba Qamar, Ahsan Khan, and Mikaal Zulfiqar starrer Fraud has gotten fans and drama buffs excited for the story is rather refreshing and the teasers that have been out so far are intense. In the teasers we see Saba Qamar playing a vivacious young woman. The daughter of a father who wants to empower his girls, and provide them with the best he possibly can. He also expects to find nothing short of the best partners for their daughters, but as fate would have it, he ends up getting conned by Ahsan Khan, hence the drama name Fraud. Meanwhile, we also get to see Mikaal playing a single father raising a young child alone, whether the mother passed away or the two parted ways is unclear but we see him explain the absence of her mother to his daughter. The drama is written by Zanjabeel Asim Shah, who has previously penned hits such as Bashar Momin, Balaa, Cheekh, and Pyar Ke Sadqay.
One of these projects is a movie that he is producing and acting in, titled ‘The Window’. The story will be focusing on the injustices that women in rural regions suffer from, and also stars Suhaee Abro, Faysal Quraishi, Sami Khan, Hameed Sheikh, Rubya Chaudhry and Angeline Malik. While filmed in English, the movie will also be dubbed in Urdu and Faran hopes to see it released in commercial cinemas in Pakistan and internationally, particularly in regions that have a high Pakistani immigrant demographic. “I have to admit that it has been a hard road. I had no role models, no mentors, no guides, no connections. All I had was my resolve and determination not to give up.” With such a heavy duty storyline, does he feel that The Window will fare well in Pakistan, where audiences have a penchant for highly commercial, light-hearted productions? We hope that Pakistanis, the world over as well the ones living in Pakistan, gravitate towards the movie. Besides, money is not everything. If we don’t bring in new genres, how will we know whether or not they will work? How can we hope for an energetic, growing industry if we don’t expand the menu? “I do want to eventually take The Window to film festivals but I don’t want it to become purely a festival movie, I want its story to be experienced by mass audiences,” says Faran. His heart may be in the right place but The Window will be pinpointing atrocities endured by women in Pakistan. Faran feels it is his responsibility as a Pakistani-American, to correct the misinformation spread about Pakistan. With his work, he wants to celebrate the positive points of Pakistan and also analyse the weaker ones, and to tell the world that we are dealing with them. He doesn’t want another country to analyse Pakistan and its talent, now does he wish to wait for Hollywood or any other industry to show Pakistan in a positive light. “The rights of women are very close to my heart and the directors, writer and I have basically looked at newspaper headlines and taken inspiration from them in order to construct a story. It’s a work of fiction but it is reality-based.” Over the next two years, Faran will be working on other projects that will depict other sides to Pakistan. His recent movie
with director Iram Parveen Bilal, I’ll Meet You There, portrays him as an undercover FBI agent who is raising his teenage daughter, mending ties with his estranged father, and hates that he has to report on Muslims in his job. “It’s certainly not my mission to show Pakistan in any particular light. I’m a storyteller and I just want to tell good stories, true ones, about my country.” Faran is also writing an adaptation of Anarkali, the play written by his grandfather Imtiaz Ali Taj, for cinema. “We know our stories best and we need to start controlling our own narratives, to put up a mirror that depicts our beauty as well our ugliness. It gives out a message to the world that we are aware of our faults and we’re not going to be sweeping them under the rug. At the same time, we are celebrating all that is beautiful in our land.” Faran’s success story also holds with him his undying faith where he shares his commitment of offering Namaz at sets whether in Pakistan or Hollywood. While co-stars would take breaks for yoga, he would take that time to pray. It’s not something that Faran has ever wished to announced - although a lot of times, in between shoots, he does have to tell the crew that he needs a five-minute break to pray. It’s important to him, says Faran, as that is a part of his life and he feels that enriches him personally. Undoubtedly, it is this self-assurance that makes Faran an anomaly, standing out in a niche of his very own. Slowly, surely, over a career that started out with him “sleeping in his car” and has spiralled up towards Hollywood blockbusters, Faran has retained his own identity. For Pakistanis all over the world — and for anyone struggling to make it big while remaining true to his or her roots — he is inspiring. Not only in the work that he has done, but for who he truly is. Fans from around the world showered love over Faran not only for his unmatchable acting skills but also for his positivity. We, as Pakistanis and as audience, should also appreciate and celebrate our actors. For over three decades Faran has been making Pakistan proud, and it’s time we praise and acknowledge our own people doing brilliant work outside the country and show support.
The name Yumna Zaidi itself has become synonymous with great acting, and she has been proving her skills time and time again with each venture. Zaidi is an actress par excellence, with roles like Shaista from Sinf-e-Aahan, Azka from Ishq-e-Laa, Mahjabeen from Pyar Ke Sadqay, Sila from Darr Si Jati Hai Sila, and Shakra from Ishq Zah-e-Naseeb under her belt, the actress is now set to make her international debut with Crestar and the Knight Stallion. The plot centers around an Arab-Desi superhero duo who are children of immigrants living in America. The show's teaser, which was uploaded on YouTube earlier this week, gives fans a first peek at what seems to be a fun and unique take on the superhero genre. Crestar and the Knight Stallion may be the only two superheroes out there who battle the forces of evil while still having to cope with curfews, immigrant values, and planned marriages, reveals the trailer where Zaidi plays Aisha, Crestar’s love interest and is part of a package deal with an overbearing mother hoping to get a good rishta out of him. Speaking to a digital publication Yumna revealed that Aisha is a, “very capable and smart,” young lady and, “although Crestar can fight the forces of evil, he is totally powerless when faced with her”. She also shared, “This is not just a show about Arab superheroes, and it’s actually a totally new universe which incorporates superheroes from a diverse set of cultures.” Crestar and the Knight Stallion has been directed by Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad and has been produced by Exxodus Pictures. The film has not yet been picked up by any streaming platforms and the release date is yet to be announced.
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the BOLD: What is your most memorable drama to date?
a part of his team. However, in reality he ditched me.
Maira Khan (MK): Shoaib Khan’s Shehar.
BOLD: Who would you go to for relationship advice?
BOLD: Which one do you think is underrated?
MK: My mother.
BOLD: The best secret keeper in the industry?
MK: Kanpur se Katas
BOLD: Anything that you would never let anyone take?
MK: One of my best friends and anchor Maryam Zafar.
MK: I can’t share my food with anyone as I am a foodie.
BOLD: Chai dhaaba or restaurant? MK: Chai Dhaaba.
BOLD: What do you usually wear in daily life?
BOLD: How do you like to spend the days when you are off shoot?
MK: Pyjamas and T-shirt.
MK: With my family.
BOLD: What is your favourite thing in your closet right now?
BOLD: Three things no one knows about you?
MK: My handbags.
MK: I am a lazy person, good at editing videos and over-think a lot.
BOLD: Hollywood, Bollywood or Lollywood?
BOLD: First thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
MK: Hollywood.
BOLD: Last call that you made?
MK: I check my mobile.
MK: I made the last call to you.
By Hassan Naqvi Pakiza Saeed, who is famously known as Maira Khan is a Pakistani actress and host. Born and raised in Lahore, she is best known for her versatility which encompasses various types of roles. She made her debut in 2005 with PTV in a leading role in drama “Yaad Piya Ki Aaye”. She went on to achieve more recognition with leading roles in several projects which include: ‘RangeelPur’ ‘Main’, ‘Takmeel’, ‘Babul’ and ‘Chingarian’ for which she was nominated for the category of ‘Best Supporting Actress’. In 2011, she became a part of a sitcom, ‘Ik Doojay Kay Liye’ with Afzal Khan alias Jan Rambo and gained nationwide popularity. In 2012, she hosted a political satire show named ‘Buttameezian’ She has worked with some of the finest co-stars in the industry including Ahsan Khan, Nouman Ijaz, Atiqa Odho, Samina Peerzada, Nadia Afghan, Sohail Ahmed, and Usman Peerzada. Maira has always been known for her comic timing, great sense of humour and mimicry. The actress has also worked in several famous political satire shows including: ‘Hum Sab Umeed Say Hain’ ‘C.I.A', ‘Khabardar’ and ‘Patari’ Some of her other praise worthy projects include ‘Mil Kay Bhi Hum Na Millay’ and ‘S.H.E’, ‘Do Saal Ki Aurat’, ‘Teri Galli Mai’ ‘Kanpur Se Katas Tak’ ‘Teen Patti’ ‘Madhosh’ and “MeriBahuain” .The diva has also appeared in commercials and modelled for some brands as well. This week, Maira Khan is in conversation with BOLD.
BOLD: Have you ever flirted with a fan?
BOLD: Annoying habits of most of the actors?
MK: No.
MK: Pretend as if they don’t know you.
BOLD: What is one thing that always cheers you up when you are upset?
BOLD: Awards or rewards? MK: Rewards.
MK: My niece Anaya and nephew Rayan.
BOLD: Extremely possessive about?
BOLD: What would you be if not an actor?
MK: My loved ones.
MK: Doctor or a scientist.
BOLD: What’s your annoying habit? MK: Sleeping.
BOLD: What’s the last thing you bought?
BOLD: What is your biggest/ weirdest fear?
MK: Bought donuts for my nephew.
MK: I don’t want to be alone and left out. What will happen if I lose my loved ones?
BOLD: The last film that made you cry?
BOLD: Two things that you don’t understand about the entertainment industry?
MK: (I). That we rate the actors/actresses not on their acting skills but on the number of followers on social media. (II). The Lahore vs Karachi environment in the entertainment industry, which needs to come to an end and the monopoly of one station should end too.
MK: Workaholic.
BOLD: Our drama industry needs…? MK: Better stories.
BOLD: Lessons that you have learnt in the industry?
BOLD: First pay cheque?
MK: Everything
BOLD: Are you a workaholic or shopaholic?
BOLD: You get super uncomfortable when...
MK: I want to check what is going through their minds.
BOLD: Acting, modelling or hosting?
BOLD: Any message that you would like to give to your fans?
BOLD: Your fitness formula?
BOLD: Anything that has changed your life?
MK: Today.
BOLD: Emotional or practical?
BOLD: Any relationship lessons that you have learnt so far?
BOLD: Romantic or not?
BOLD: A rumour that you would wish to spread about yourself?
MK: One should not trust everyone.
BOLD: If you want to get rid of one of your habits? MK: Being lazy
BOLD: Anything that you took for granted and later regretted? MK: I take a lot of risks in life but have no regrets. They are learning experiences.
MK: Emotional.
MK: Very Romantic
BOLD: Happiness is…? MK: My family.
BOLD: Who is your celebrity crush? MK: Salman Khan.
BOLD: Your wish that didn’t come true? MK: Meeting Salman Khan
MK: Sarmad Khosat.
BOLD: Something you miss about the life you had before becoming an actor/ singer?
MK: I used to waste a lot of money in shopping but Covid-19 has transformed me completely. And now I invest in helping poor.
BOLD: Last time you lied?
BOLD: Any director’s movie you would love to sign? BOLD: Luck or hard work?
MK: The innocense of childhood
MK: A healthy breakfast which I never skip
MK: Listen to everyone but do what your heart and mind says if you can’t stand criticism you must not join this field.
MK: Rs3,000 and I submitted it in my bank account.
BOLD: What are your healthy habits? MK: Gym
BOLD: Going to the past and undoing a mistake or going to the future and seeing how your life would be? MK: Going to the future and seeing how my life would be.
BOLD: If you could get invisible for a day?
MK: People who are a chatterbox.
MK: A good leader.
MK: Every movie made me cry.
MK: When people judge me.
BOLD: What bores you the most?
BOLD: What do you think this country needs the most?
MK: That I am dating Salman Khan
BOLD: One thing that you think people pretend to be in the industry?
MK: They know everything but actually they don’t know anything.
BOLD: Worst rumour about you?
MK: That I ditched veteran host, journalist and anchor Aftab Iqbal being
MK: Hard work.
MK: Respect your parents.
BOLD: Your skin care routine? MK: Drinking plenty of water.
BOLD: How was a transition from TV dramas to mimicry on TV shows?
MK: Well, it was a great learning experience though people criticised me a lot initially, when I made a shift/transition from TV plays to mimicry on a prime time TV show.
BOLD: You did mimicry of which actresses or personalities?
MK: Meera, Reema, Madam Noor Jahan, Shazia Marri, Maryam Nawaz, Veena Malik, Hina Rabbani Khar, Shazia Khusk and others.
BOLD: Mimicry of which actress you enjoyed the most? MK: I enjoyed doing Meera’s mimicry.
Niilofur Farrukh, the CEO and trustee of the Karachi Biennale Trust spoke over the importance of art By Sarfaraz Rizvi KARACHI
Niilofur Farrukh, a Karachi-based art critic, author, and columnist, lectured on the topic "Public Art: Harnessing Transformative Energy" on May 12th at Aga Khan University's 6SF speaker series. 6SF is a forum at the Aga Khan University that encourages intellectual interaction and conversation by inviting speakers to speak about current social, cultural, and economic concerns. Farrukh’s lecture gave a visual history of Public Art in Pakistan, tracing how it began as government commissioned monuments and has evolved into a variety of artistic interventions. She cited examples of art's transformative impact and the role it plays in fostering social cohesiveness and providing social activists, students, and disadvantaged groups a voice. The discussion centred on the phenomena of Public Art as seen through the lenses of interaction, discourse, and intervention. This discussion highlighted how presenting art in public areas is a strong method of influencing creative practice and affecting the audience, coinciding with the opening of cities throughout the world and the relaxation of COVID-19 limitations. "As you all know, Karachi is a colonial city actually, all our monuments originate from that period, so here we have our tribute and our history tied to the colonial era," Niilofur stated. And while recalling her previous workshops and exhibitions at Pioneer Book House Karachi, she stated, "We put up exhibitions there, we had tiny book reading sessions over there, and then we gained visibility." She mentioned the International Public Art Festival (IPAF – 2019), which was held outside the KPT headquarters in Karachi. The incredible part of this show was
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Farrukh’s lecture gave a visual history of Public Art in Pakistan, tracing how it began as govt commissioned monuments and has evolved into a variety of artistic interventions that it took place within the containers, each of which had a collection of artworks that told a distinct story. Then, while displaying glances of IPAF 2020, she mentioned that it was labeled as ‘Karachi Ki Khoj’ since a large number of artists asked, "What Karachi is?" and each of them had their own opinion. "The public were able to see it and see the entire diversity which Karachi is today the communal diversity, the ethnic diversity and of course the linguistic diversity,". Murals, sculptures, memorials, landscape architecture work, community art, digital new media, and even concerts and festivals have all been examples of public art. It has interpreted the history of the location and its inhabitants, as well as addressed current social and environmental
issues. Public art helps communities thrive by instilling a sense of identity, humanising the physical environment, and creating memorable experiences for everybody. “Art has always made one look beyond the obvious. Innovative ideas expressed through art, provoke thought and interaction. Public Art has heralded an important shift from the exclusive to the communal and created dialogue and cross-disciplinary partnerships on common issues of concern.” Farrukh presented the example of the Karachi Biennale, a city-wide event with the mandate of "Connecting Art, the city, and its People," and elaborated on how the previous two Biennales in 2017 and 2019 used art to enlighten, connect, and vitalise public audiences. In KB17, artists from Pakistan and beyond responded to the theme ‘Witness’, whereas in KB19, they focused on the disastrous 'development impact' on the environment. Both Biennales drew massive crowd and participants from educational institutions. The third iteration of Karachi Biennale will take place from October 29 to November 14, 2022, at seven public venues around the city, several of which are heritage monuments, and will examine the convergence of art and technology. “We are exploring the area around Denso Hall, which is one of the old commercial/residential spaces, and the work that we are going to be displaying there is very related to the history of that area, “she explained to the audience. Niilofur Farrukh, a Karachi-based art interventionist, has enlarged the space for art publishing, curation, and public art in Pakistan via his work. She is the author of three novels and writes a weekly piece for The Karachi Collective, an online forum. She was the Vice President of the International Art Critics Association (Paris) Board of Directors. Niilofur is now the CEO of the Karachi Biennale and the Managing Trustee of the Karachi Biennale Trust.
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By Omair Alavi KARACHI
Natasha Baig’s name doesn’t need any introduction for the Sufi-rock singer has made a name for herself in a short span of time. Ever since she sang Shikwa Jawab e Shikwa in Coke Studio Season 11, her fan following has been increasing on daily basis. Her popularity reached a zenith when she chose to release her debut album Zariya in 2020, which can be counted as one of the very few highlights of the music scene during Covid-19. Last week, Natasha Baig released her second music album Khirad at Karachi’s Arts Council where the who’s who of the TV and music industry were present to support her. Be it prominent actor Khaled Anum or legendary singer Tina Sani, renowned anchor Dino Ali or music director Sohail Haider, TV actress Naeema Butt or Fuzon bandmembers Emu and Shallum, the presence of these stars ensured that there was no shortage of support for Natasha Baig on the big occasion. Even those who had no links to music like entrepreneur Mush Panjwani, educationist Rasheed Noorani, publicist Tehmina Khaled, politician Jibran Nasir and TV host Anoushey Ashraf graced the event with their presence. It was great to see veteran pop star Shehzad Mughal amongst the audience as well, for he has been an inspiration for most of the musicians that came after him, and tried to emulate him one way or the other. What made the audience take note of Khirad was Allama Iqbal’s association, as a poet/lyricist. All nine songs in the album were composed around Allama Iqbal’s poetry, and despite being nearly a century old, they didn’t look dated at all. It was a brave move for a singer who has been around for less than a decade, but it was inevitable ever since Natasha introduced the younger generation to Shikwa Jawab e Shikwa in 2018. Her understanding of the poetry, her perfect pro-
nunciation, and her limitless energy on stage were the reasons why she was able to pull off the concert, as well as give her second music album the launch it deserved. Hosted by renowned actor, director, and standup comedian Faheem Azam, the show began with the screening of music videos of three of the songs in the album – Darte Darte, Zamana, Wajood e Zan. In the first two, it was Natasha Baig singing alone on the screen in front of either beautiful scenery, or in front of a dark background, while in the third one, renowned female personalities appeared to pay a tribute to the ‘women’ of Pakistan.
It was a great show since many in the audience were secretly hoping that Natasha would recreate the magic somehow, which she did From those who had left us like Benazir Bhutto, Sabin Mahmud, Parveen Rehman, Asma Jehangir, Arfa Karim to those who are making Pakistan proud including Hajra Yamin, Zhalay Sarhadi, Dua Malik, Kusloom Aftab, Frieha Altaf, Srha Asgr and Rabya Kulsoom Rehan, Wajood e Zan ensured that the audience knew that being a woman in a man’s world is not easy. It was both a tribute and a message to those in attendance and
those watching it online that there is more to Wajood e Zan than just beauty. The message was conveyed well because the audience then clapped for the star of the night when Natasha finally came on stage to perform the remaining songs. It would be an understatement to say that Natasha Baig mesmerized the audience with her live rendition, for the audience wanted more (specifically of Jaahil Hoon Main) and by the time she sang Ne Mohra, they were charged up for more. Out of the nine songs in the album, Natasha sang six live, and not for one moment, her energy level dipped. She had the support of an outstanding band that was led by her younger brother Sameer Baig besides others. Without taking a break, she sang Khirad and followed it up with Justujoo, Parda, and Jugnu but the response she got from the crowd after she sang Jaahil Hoon Main was priceless. Not only was she made to sing the song again, but she also involved the crowd in the second rendition, who didn’t disappoint her when she pointed the microphone towards them, and they responded the way she wanted them to. And then there was Ne Mohra which featured a mix of poetry in Urdu and Persian but was made grand due to its Arabic composition. Add to that Natasha’s live rendition and it was the best way to end the proceedings. However, she did have a surprise for the audience at the end of the night, and that was singing a few lines from
Shikwa. It was a great gesture since many in the audience were secretly hoping that she would recreate the magic somehow, which she did. In a country where only Junoon (Khudi) and Shehzad Roy (Ya Rab and Khudi Ka Sirr e Neha) have been the only attempts revolving around Allama Iqbal’s lyrics, Natasha Baig’s foray into uncharted territory was both brave and calculated. Brave, because she knew that it would either make her career or break it, and calculated because she knew that those fans who made her Shikwa Jawab e Shikwa a world-famous entity, would be waiting for her if she came up with something on the same lines.
One hopes that Natasha Baig’s second album starts a trend where the youth of Pakistan take a liking to the works of the man who dreamed about the country, rather than just celebrating his birthday every November. In the past vocalists like Madam Noor Jehan, Mehdi Hassan, Mujeeb Alam, and Naheed Akhtar brought Iqbal’s poetry to their listeners on TV, but with the resurgence of pop music, that trend became extinct. Through Khirad, Natasha has tried to tell the audience that there is more to the words of Allama Iqbal and if through these songs, even one person gets attracted to Kuliyat-e-Iqbal, that’s a winwin in my book.
Know all there is to know about Doctor Strange, his friends, and the Multiverse, through this ‘marvelous’ book Omair Alavi KARACHI
Everyone knows Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is the best thing to happen to Hollywood in recent years, yet not many are clear regarding what makes it so ‘marvelous’ in the first place. Through Marvel Studios Character Encyclopedia, learn all there is to know about what made MCU so great that the audience goes wild whenever a Marvel film makes it to the cinemas. Published by Dorling Kindersley (DK), this book will make you an expert on superheroes and villains of all kinds. It is not just about the Iron Man, The Avengers, or Guardians of the Galaxy but all those MCU characters that appeared in the films revolving around these superheroes. Each major or minor character has a data file where their vital statistics are discussed, along with important background information and their relationship to the story, or the super-hero/villain. This 176-page encyclopedia gives the readers an insight that no Marvel film can, since it discusses more than 100 MCU characters within these pages. Be it the undisputed leader of The Avengers or Loki, the God of mischief, every character is given a whole page where their af- filiation, their
strengths, and their appearances (in films) are described in detail. Furthermore, the pictures of all these characters are all taken from the relevant movies, making it worth your while. Through this book, you will not only discover fascinating facts about your favorite MCU heroes and villains but all those characters who had something to do with these characters. Most of Thanos’ allies including Ebony Maw, Proxima Midnight, Nebula, and Corvus Glaive were his children, whereas you can revisit Doctor Strange’s origin where he had to worry about his predecessor Kaecilius and his the extra-dimensional Dormammu besides fellow sorcerer Mordo who was a friend till he became a foe. That’s not all, every character that has an alter ego (e.g., Tony Stark and Iron Man, Steve Rogers, and Captain America, Bucky Barnes and The Winter Soldier) is also given prominent coverage here, with their film highlights making it to the page specified for them. If you thought that Tony Stark’s wife Pepper Potts and driver Happy Hogan were just there to stand by his side, think again for they are more important to him than any Avenger. Since the real MCU (not counting Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man) began with Iron Man, this book also begins with Iron Man
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and discusses his friends, foes, and allies as per their importance. If you had forgotten about Raza Hamidmi, the man who captured Tony Stark for his own gain, or the kid who helped him in Iron Man 3, then you need to read this book otherwise in a few years, you will forget the reason behind MCU’s existence. Following Iron Man is Thor, Captain America, and finally, The Avengers, who are given their due credit for saving the world. However, their nemesis like Loki, Thanos, and others are also part of these pages, because it’s essential to know your enemies too, right? The readers who might have forgotten that Loki is the adopted brother of Thor, that the two had an elder sister, or who is the person who becomes the Red Skull, this book has all the answers. Every major or minor character from Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant-Man, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and Captain Marvel gets the same treatment depending on their contribution. Since this edition came out in 2019, it is updated till Avengers: Infinity War however everything important that took place in the MCU did happen before that. The next edition might feature one more section about Spider-Man who currently occupies just a handful of pages, and something about the Marvel TV shows that came out last year. Which weapons do these superheroes or supervillains use in combat? What is the reasoning behind their costumes? Why do some of them look different from others? And what are the superpowers that make them dangerous for their opponents? Marvel Studios Character Encyclopedia makes you understand the philosophy behind your favorite MCU characters who might be the followers of the heroes, deputies of the supervillains, or brave soldiers in their fights among other things. Don’t be surprised if you come across ordinary people in these pages, for in the MCU, everyone has a job to do, no matter how ordinary they might look. The best thing about this book is that it contains all the information that you need to know to become a master of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It gives you information that you can use to challenge your friends and family, showing off the right information at the right time. Take them to a world where aliens invade, warlords plot, sorcerers cast spells, and kings protect but only Avengers unite, and emerge as an Ultimate Avenger! F O R B O O K I N G A D S , W W W. B O L N E W S . C O M / N E W S PA P E R
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By Fakeha Kausar
high blood pressure, slows down the development of plaque in the arteries, diminishes the chance of abnormal heart rhythm, and lessens the chance of sudden cardiac death in people with heart disease. These include nourishing and sustaining the cattle grass and alfalfa. Omega-3 fatty acids —a kind of fat — are, to a greater extent, more heart-healthy than other fats. These indicated higher omega-3 fatty acids are customarily found in organic meats, dairy, and eggs.
KARACHI
People are fleetingly relying on the consumption of organic fruits and vegetables all around the world. But what exactly do we think organic foods are? And are we even on the right page to choose organic foods as a part of our diet? To begin with, what does even “organic” refer to? Anything that is processed and farmed through old traditional agricultural methods. These products include vegetables, fruits, dairy products such as milk and cheese, grains, and meat. Now, the question is, what flabbergast ways there could be to attain a convalescent method of farming? Organic foods are predominantly grown and produced by farmers without using any synthetic, enzymatic chemicals like pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and (let’s not gasp) solution of saltwater injected into animals to make their meat fatter, fresher, and juicier. Truthfully, the demand for organic foods increased after the Covid’19 pandemic as consumers discerned them as healthier, and safer for the immune system. For the prognosticate of 20212026, the clamor for the organic food market is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 20.5% to reach USD 2601 million by the year 2026?
Other reasons for insistence
Health, fitness, and wellbeing, of course, one of the dominant reasons for consuming organic foods. The other reasons might include that they are unfettered from detrimental chemicals and pollutants, as some chemicals can lead to cancer and other serious medical problems that are proliferating at an alarming rate. Consumers have also turned one’s hands to realise that their energy and fitness levels also increase when they consume organic foods. People with allergies to certain foods, chemicals, or preservatives often find that their symptoms disappear when they only eat organic foods. Deleterious repercussions of pesticides - Now it may be an eye-opener for some but it's vital to know that in order to increase agricultural production, several artificial pesticides are used, leading to depletion of groundwater and soil contamination. Organic farming is more environmentally friendly and sustainable as there is no soil and water pollution from the use of synthetic chemicals. Farming without the use of pesticides also offers a healthier life for small animals and people who live near or work on farms. At this moment in time, it is no hidden fact that our environment needs protection from malignant components. The escalation of this hazardous pollution is imperative to prevent. Organic farmers are ought to follow strict cultivation standards, which have a positive impact on soil, water, and air. Natural cultivation methods also protect biodiversity and maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem. In addition, organic farming contributes to the fight against global warming since organic food is distributed locally, so less energy is used for transport, which automatically reduces carbon emissions. We can palpably see that as apprehension about the benefits of organic foods grows, the behest for them is growing proportionally. Besides all of this, organic food gives us the ascendancy of having high biological quality even when stored for longer periods of time and is more suitable for processing and distribution in view of its longer shelf life. Isn’t that something we all would like? Our stored food not rotting away in the freezers? There's more to it than that. We are so immune to the regular taste of food products that it’d be a shock to know that organic food commodities also have higher organoleptic properties like colour, fragrance, and taste. This is because organic food items have no residue of pesticides, heavy metals, or hormones. In my humble opinion, there are way too many pros than cons so it's safe to say organic foods are the way to go.
What is so special about organic food items? Are they more nutritious?
Organic farming enactment is delineated to meet some very cardinal goals like improving the soil and water quality and to achieve this goal, artificial (synthetic) fertilizers to add nutrients to the soil are not allowed to be practiced. In order to cut pollution, which is a very important issue to focus on, sewage sludge used as fertilizers is also prohibited. Additionally, something most people are not aware of is how animals are given antibiotics or growth hormones to boost and enhance their maturation, which is moreover prohibited. With the risk of covid’19 around the globe, people are swiftly switching to more nutritious elements of food items. Studies have shown mellow to moderate nutrients in organic produces. Organic produce most certainly has more indubitable antioxidants and the epitome of flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties. Now when we talk about antioxidant properties, what other elements are we getting from organic produce? With an alarming surge of heart and many other internal diseases on the rise, Omega-3 fatty acids are of essential need. The feeding prerequisites for organic farm animals usually cause exorbitant levels of Omega-3 fatty acids. But what precisely are the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids? Well, it’s quite unostentatiously easy to understand. It helps maintain
Public speaking is a daunting task but you can curb it by engaging in cognitive reappraisal. Here’s what you can do tions when they get stage fright. For example, walking on the stage, putting hands in pockets, laughing, etc. show you are supressing your nervousness. However, when you rehearse every aspect of the presentation, including intonations, inflections, and pauses, you learn how to calm down and manage your nervousness. Besides, rehearsals would give you an opportunity to change the way you engage with the audience and become well familiar with the stage. ‘Familiarity with the stage and audience is also an important aspect,’ Dr Shaharyar asserts. ‘Many people aren’t used to it because they’ve never presented before, nor have they ever been the centre of attention. In order to address this shortcoming, many schools encourage students to participate in assembly activities, classroom presentations, annual theatre performances, and elocution contests. Practicing from an early helps one become confident and efficient at public speaking.’
By Mariam Naeem Khan Usman Khan, a BBA student, has recently joined public speaking classes organised by a renowned institution in Karachi. He attends two sessions per week, which help him improve his communication and presentation skills. ‘I almost failed a course at university because I couldn’t present my product well. I got nervous while introducing it to the audience; forgot to mention its salient features, and froze on the stage for good 3 to 4 minutes. Consequently, I received a bad grade.’ Most of us feel a certain degree of anxiety before taking the podium on the stage; however, some individuals get more nervous than others. They start stuttering and sweating; at times, they even forget their speech. This fear of speaking in front of an audience is called stage fright. It can take a huge toll on one’s confidence and self-esteem. Stage fright can cause people to fail job interviews and get passed over for promotions. Extreme cases of stage fright where one experiences tremors, dry mouth, and fear of performing tasks is called Glossophobia. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), US, approximately, 73% of the population suffers from stage fright. Furthermore, the Pakistan Journal of Gender Studies published a research paper on Glossophobia in 2018, confirming that female students (41.3% pc) suffer more from stage fright as compared to male students (33.3% pc). It mentions that stage fear is a psycho-physiological condition that can be curtailed, as confirmed by the psychologists and life coaches.
How to overcome stage fright? 1 – Cognitive reappraisal: Change your thinking
Contrary to the popular belief, one cannot overcome stage fright only by improving their speaking and presentation skills. Stage fright has more to do with one’s fears and self-image
3 - Relax – Take it easy
as compared to skills and competence. Dr Azra Shaharyar, who works as an assistant professor at a local university, coaches her medical students to practice cognitive reappraisal in every situation, especially where they can easily succumb to negative emotions and potentially hurt their future prospects. She explains, ‘I encourage my students to use cognitive reappraisal in their daily lives. Cognitive reappraisal means perceiving an emotional situation in a manner that its emotional component is decreased. It means to change the way we think and feel about a distressing event, hence diminishing its emotional charge. When one begins to think and feel positively about an affair, it automatically becomes more enjoyable and easier to manage.’ According to Dr Shaharyar, many psycho-physiological disorders such as stage fright, hypertension, migraine headaches, etc. can be cured by engaging in cognitive behavioural restructuring, which that is the way one interprets a situation, especially one that involves themselves. ‘Many people develop stage fright because they assume that the audience is judg-
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ing them, but one mustn’t spoil their session merely because of this negative assumption. Instead of focusing on their judgements, focus on your presentation; delve into the subject-matter and spend your energy in building a positive connection with the audience. After all, not everyone’s judging you,’ she explains further. Khan agrees with her and shares a few learnings from his public speaking sessions enthusiastically. He tells me, ‘My instructors always advise me to not pay attention to those frowning or smirking at me. Instead, they encourage me to maintain an eye contact with the ones who are listening attentively and nodding.’ Engaging in cognitive reappraisal in high-pressure situations like public speaking helps one gain confidence and positive energy, which radiates and manifests in an individual’s facial expressions, body language and words. One can even turn a blooper in their favour. For example, you accidentally insert a blank slide in the presentation; instead of getting flustered, crack a light joke about it, smile and simply move on, as if nothing’s happened. Similarly, if you forget to mention a certain idea in your speech, don’t fret over it
and keep going with the flow. Later when you remember it, include it in your speech.
2 - Rehearse: Practice under pressure
Khan mentions that his instructors emphasise on rehearsing well. He explains that each public speaking round at his institution is conducted under mild levels of stress and
instructors grill each presenter thoroughly. ‘Practice sessions are simulations that help us control our nervousness. There’s a real audience and all your actions and reactions have to be genuine, else it becomes clear that you are only pretending to be confident, when you’re actually not,’ he elaborates. Rehearsals are also important because many a time, presenters suppress their emo-
Many famous leaders, artists, celebrities, executives suffer from stage fright. TEDx speakers get jitters before coming to the stage. CEOs rehearse their speeches many times before addressing the staff; hence you aren’t alone if you suffer from stage fright. Shedding light on this aspect, Dr Shaharyar advises all those who suffer from stage fright to relax and indulge in their favourite leisure activity before their sessions. ‘Stress will only make the session worse. The key is to calm down and relax your nerves before taking the stage. Watch a video, play with your pet, read a book – basically indulge in an activity that would refresh you. Though it’s absolutely important to rehearse thoroughly before a presentation, we need to understand that mistakes are a part of learning. The skill is to smoothly continue the session and deliver it perfectly well,’ she says. Adding to Dr Shaharyar’s viewpoint, Khan informs that his instructors advise him to use more visuals in the presentations and interact with the audience as much as possible. ‘Visuals will help audience remember a huge chunk of the session and interaction will involve them in the session. Together, the two would create a powerful public speaking session with less errors,’ he says. Public speaking is a daunting task, but one must remember that cognitive reappraisal and rehearsals will make it a much easier and enjoyable task. Last but not the least, learn to relax, and enjoy your session, for you are the centre of attention at the moment, not anyone else.
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With staycations, travel and days of bright sunshine on the horizon, it is time for a sartorial overhaul of your sunglasses Tinted lenses
The sunglasses trends for 2022 are leaning more toward a ’70s sensibility, which means that thick acetate frames with fun and vibrantly tinted lenses are the year’s must-have item. It’s a look with range to suit any mood or taste, from super-saturated to subtle.
The evergreen cat-eyed sunglasses
By Bold Desk KARACHI
There’s only a few wardrobe heroes that, no matter the season, will always make a welcome addition to any outfit. Sleep-deprived? Put on some shades. Feeling sassy? Some stylish frames will amplify your mood. Boarding a plane? You get the gist. Peak sunglasses season is upon us and the time is ripe to be updating your collection with the best frames of seasons past and present. Maybe your trustiest pair of sunglasses has become brittle from overuse, or perhaps it's flown into the sea while you were enjoying at the beach. Either way, it’s likely that your collection could use a little TLC and we’ve got advice!
A classic frame shape, cat eye silhouettes are flattering for nearly all faces. A major trend for eyeglasses this year, we're also seeing an uptick, in retro-inspired, cat eye sunglasses.
70’s oversized sunglasses
The 1970s are the decade that never goes out of style and that certainly applies to sunglasses trends—the oversized frames of this decade are a style perennial to this day. Look for rounded frames in neutral metallics and light-colored acetates for a pair of sunglasses you’ll return to year after year.
The timeless aviators and wayfarers
Sporty silhouettes
No bones about it, true classics like the Top Gun aviators or Ray Ban Wayfarers will always make the cut, but even the most tried and trusted classics run the risk of getting usurped by newer models every now and then, but the shape remains the same. So if you’re looking into investing in a pair that’ll never go out of style, these are your best bet!
Rev your engines because sporty sunglasses are back in trend and they’re everywhere!
Old but classic
Certain menswear pieces are popular for a reason. From polo shirts to the slip-on elegance of a loafer, stick to these timeless pieces, and you’ll be safe from any mass of water. Cargo pants or a neon bum bag on the beach or by the pool are good options, but these on-trend pieces have always looked more at home in town. Beachwear is beachwear; enjoy it to the fullest and leave the trendy streetwear for the street.
By Muhammad Ali For men, going to the beach seems like a simple affair. You could get through by grabbing an old, stained t-shirt with a pair of oversized swim shorts, loudest, neon flip flops, and lounge the day away. But now, that worn out look mess won’t cut it because it’s outdated. The last few years have brought a powerful surge in beachwear fashion, or as some of you may call it, “resort wear,” and has changed beachwear fashion entirely. It’s time to add some pizzazz to your fashion game or get chucked off the sand. Nowadays, people are pushing beachwear further from the beach and legitimising its use away from the beach. So not only are people looking for fashion, but they are also looking for function, which has manifested in men’s beach fashion becoming a benchmark globally. Alot of people feel the same; why wear those loose linen shirts just for one day on the beach. This might sound pretty overwhelming if you are just trying to put together a few bright outfits. Here is a comprehensive list of tips and pointers beyond old stained tees to help you turn a few heads.
Beachwear essentials you need in your wardrobe These are staples that every beach buff needs in their wardrobe. Go get them!
Swim shorts
Unless you have the boundless energy, chances are you’re not going to splash about in the sea all day. When purchasing your swim shorts, go for something that will look just as sharp out of action as they do while swimming.
How about some tailored swim shorts and shirts ?
Whether it’s a day trip or a stay in a resort, you might not get a chance to completely change into a second, more formal outfit during your day, so it’s crucial to choose pieces that can work for both the beach and any evening get together. Tailored swim shorts that can go incognito at a waterfront restaurant, smart espadrilles, and knitted polo shirts traverse this tightrope well. A long-sleeved linen shirt can be worn with sleeves rolled up in the day, rolled down at night, or a smart over-shirt on top of the tee you were wearing. Don’t be the guy stuck wearing flip-flops as you order your starter. Want a pro tip? Go for some floral or tropical linen shirts; you can’t lose in those. Trust me!
Flip flops
One of the most contentious footwear items in the menswear world – second only to the Croc – the flip-flop is something your trip to the beach will be incomplete without.
Beach hat
The cap is the ultimate modern go-to beach accessory for men, and as long as it’s in a neutral colour it will suit most smart-casual looks. The bucket hat is more ontrend but strays even further into casual territory, so only wear it with a tee. Panama hat is for you if you’re looking to go fully prim and proper. A summer swap for the chunkier fedora will look ace alongside a polo shirt and tailored trousers. If you have a round face, look for a wider brim to balance out your bonce, while a smaller brim will suit those of more diminutive stature.
Sunglasses
Unless you’re lounging by the pool or going down to the beach on an overcast day, you will need a pair of shades to shield your peepers. Get the best one!
Keep yourself dry
Lightweight and fast-drying linen should be the backbone of your beachwear wardrobe, as should bright fabrics like Tencel, that feels like silk and is exceptionally breathable. You don’t want your swimwear to feel heavy or stay wet; you need to feel as comfortable as possible to enjoy yourself.”
Go for light colours
There are several reasons why brighter shades work better in the summer than in winter. Firstly, light colours are thought to reflect heat from the sun keeping you cooler underneath. They’ll also dazzle when hit by the sunlight and look great when sat alongside your summer tan (more on that later). Look to colours that mimic the beach's beige, white, and blue.
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Final word for the boys
It’s essential to strike a balance between function and fashion. While you won’t be able to get away with the old standard of any tee that fits and a pair of shorts, you don’t mind getting wet; finding a stylish, comfortable, and practical outfit doesn’t have to be complicated. If you feel like it's too much to remember, just keep one thing in your mind, wear what makes you comfortable in your skin and cool down at the beach!
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Statement suits, major gowns and skin-baring silhouettes all around! These celebs hit a style high note while celebrating the music industry's biggest chart-toppers. Catch all the must-see looks from the star-studded red carpet at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
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AFP
She finds it amusing to nod along to conversations in cafes or at friends' weddings when people talk about the latest track from Eva B. On rare occasions, she says people recognise her from her eyes, but she always denies her stage identity. "I'm okay with what I am. I can't handle everybody," she says of the attention from media and fans she would otherwise attract.
Pakistan's breakthrough rapper Eva B has racked up millions of views online, but walking through the labyrinthine streets of her Karachi neighbourhood, she is anonymous. Her hair covered with a hijab and a veil falling below her eyes, she evades the attention of fans and detractors. "It's funny that people don't recognise me, they play my songs but when I'm in front of them they don't know it's me," the 22-year-old told AFP from a rooftop overlooking the mega port city of Karachi. Inspired by American rappers Eminem and Queen Latifah, she started writing lyrics from her bedroom and posting her raps to Facebook where she built up a following. Afraid of angering her family, she would sneak to music studios to record full tracks with the help of other emerging artists in her neighbourhood, under the pretext of studying. But when word reached her brother, she received a backlash from her family who considered the genre indecent for a young girl and who feared she would struggle to marry in deeply conservative Pakistan. "Later they realised that I was quite persistent, so they surrendered. They realised I couldn't be stopped," she laughed, adding that her mother now supports her in the studio and on set.
Industry 'astonished' by hijab
Most women wear some form of hijab covering in Muslim-majority Pakistan but there are very few music artists in local pop culture who are veiled. Turning up to studios for the first time, industry producers and managers were often left "astonished", she said. "They reacted like 'what is this?'," she said. "But then everything soon became normal." For Eva B, the hijab has always been a proud part of her Muslim identity -- but it has also defined her image as a rapper. "These days I wear more stylish clothes for the music videos so I stand out. But even then I always wear my hijab," she said, adding that she sometimes swaps the face veil for a pandemic-era mask. She has, however, grown weary of the conversation around how she dresses. "The media has focused on my hijab rather than me... they do it for hype," she said. "It's normal in my society. Don't let it be breaking news." What she does delight her are the stream of Instagram messages from girls and women thrilled to see a woman in a hijab represented in mainstream media. "I feel happy that I inspire them... that they feel proud of me," she said. But as a woman rapper in a hijab, disapproval for not being "a good girl" is
There is nothing harmful in what I am doing, I openly sing songs and there is nothing bad in that
never far away, she says. "There is nothing harmful in what I am doing, I openly sing songs and there is nothing bad in that."
Straight outta Karachi
Eva B grew up in Lyari, a Karachi neighbourhood haunted by gang violence and poverty for decades and once considered one of Pakistan's most dangerous areas, but which inspired a generation of artists and spawned a burgeoning hip hop scene. With its close proximity to the sea and history of smuggling, the largely ethnic Balochi neighbourhood in Karachi stands apart for its history of violence and lawlessness - even by Pakistan's standards. But the worst of the violence has abated, and an increase in security has led to flowering creativity. The embattled neighbourhood now clings fiercely to its reputation for producing top footballers, iron-chinned boxers, and most recently socially conscious rappers. "We didn't attend any prestigious music schools, we learned everything ourselves, driven by our passion. So I keep highlighting Lyari and I'm proud of it," she said. The rise of hip hop in Lyari mirrors the genre's birth decades ago in New York's Bronx borough, where it largely centred around street performances and featured lyrics that addressed social ills and life in urban ghettos. Eva B also speaks straightforwardly about the difficulties women face and the disparity in wealth in Pakistan, and even the sensitive issue of local corruption. Her favourite song, "Bayani Rog", in her native Balochi language, tells the story of her evolution from shy, nervous teenager to the self-assured, frank woman she is today. "I realised that keeping silent won't work, so I better speak up," she said.
Eva B's rise to fame was accelerated this year when Coca-Cola's international music franchise Coke Studios -- one of the most popular television programmes in Pakistan -- invited her collaborate for its 2022 series. The music video for "Kana Yaari", which features Eva B rapping in a bright orange hijab about the betrayal of a love interest, has more than 16 million views on YouTube. But unlike other artists in the series, she has shunned a celebrity status. "It is strange to live two lives. People know me, but at the same time they don't really know me," she said.
By Isra Shams
Main Na Jhoot Bolun
KARACHI
Bollywood songs are quite popular across the globe but did you know that many Indian film songs are actually plagiarised versions of songs that were composed by Pakistani musicians. From O.P. Nayyar to Laxmikant-Pyarelal, R. D. Nurman to Rajesh Roshan, Nadeem-Shravan to Bappi Lahiri and Anu Malik to Pritam, Indian music composers with great songs to their credit have taken some serious inspirations when it came to producing "original" music. It has always been easy for an Indian music director to plagiarise content without even bothering to change the lyrics or music. The trend of using Pakistani songs as their own started in the 1980s and even today, it seems many Indian composers' first stop while creating a song is searching for a Pakistani song, instead of their own creativity.
Here is a countdown consisting of some of the most popular Pakistani songs which were plagiarised by Bollywood.
Tu Cheez Bari Hai Mast
The chemistry between Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon set the screen on fire in this song from 1994 blockbuster Mohra. The original version Dam Mast Qalander was sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and was itself an inspired version of the Qawwali Dama Dum Mast Qalandar that was already made famous by the Sabri Brothers..
This song from the 1991 Amitabh-starrer Indrajeet may not be familiar to most, but we are sure that very few will be able to miss the unmistakeable beat in the background. Created in the 1980s, this is the music that is characteristic of every PPP election campaign and rally.
Zalima Coca Cola
Zalima Coca Cola is also a plagirised track for the film Bhuj; The Pride of India. The song features Nora Fatehi who is seen flaunting her belly dancing skills. The song has been sung by Shreya Ghoshal and the music has been given by Tanishk Bagchi. The original version was sung by Madam Noor Jehan in 1986 for a Punjabi film Chan Te Soorma.
Hawa Hawa
Hawa Hawa was originally sung by Pakistani singer Hassan Jehangir in 1987. It has been the most copied song in India and has been recreated in Bollywood on six occasions, most recently in Mubarakan starring Arjun Kapoor and Illeana D’Cruz.
Acha Sila Dia Tu Ne
Indian music composers didn't even leave folk singer Ataullah Khan Essa khelvi alone and copied his famous numbers Acha Sila Dia and Ishq Main Hum in a film titled Sanam Bewafa in the mid 90s. The film bombed badly at the box office but the two songs became quite popular in India.
Munni Badnaam Hui
The famous item number Munni Badnaam Hui from Dabangg is a blatant rip-off from Umer Sharif’s movie Mr. Charlie that was released in 1992. The Pakistani version was a qawwali called “Larka Badnaam Hua” and was sung by Umer Sharif himself.
Dil Dil Hindustan
Not many of you know that our very own Dil Dil Pakistan has another version called Dil Dil Hindustan? The popular Vital Signs’ song was blatantly copied across the border in “Yaadon ke Mausam” released in 1990.
Tumhe Apna Bananey ki Kasam
Tumhe Apna Bananey ki Kasam from Mahesh Bhat's Sadak is a copied version of a Pakistani song Chale Toh Kat Hi Jaega Safar by Mussarrat Nazir.
Kadi te Has Bol
The words Kadi te Has Bol can be heard in the soundtrack of the song Aahun Aahun from the 2009 film Love Aaj Kal. The Pakistani original was sung by legendary folk singer Shaukat Ali and Atif Aslam recently paid tribute to both the singer and the song in Velo Sound Station..
Mera Piya Ghar Aya
Everyone remembers Madhuri's dance steps in Yaarana's Mera Piya Ghar Aya but it was not an original song as believed by many. The Kavita Krishnamurthy number was a plagiarised version of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's qawwali that became a rage when it was released in the 1990s.
Lambi Judai
The hit Indian version appeared in Emraan Hashmi's 2008 film Jannat... turned out to be heavily inspired by folk singer Reshman's original song.
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Billo Te Ghar
It might come to you as a shock, but even Abrar ul Haq's superhit number Billo Te Ghar was used in an Indian film, and was picturised on none other than Sunny Deol, who lovs to play anti-Pakistan characters. His Mera Dil Le Gayi version was panned everywhere, be it in India or Pakistan, while Billo still rulkes!
It was during the 1980s that Indian music composers sort of 'discovered' Pakistani songs, and tried to copy the famous ones shamelessly. The Ikhlaq Ahmed song 'Kabhi Khwahishon Ne Loota' from Meherbani was ripped off in Rajesh Khanna's Alag Alag, and the trend continued with more such attempts. Hadiqa Kiani's Boohay Baariyan might be a folk song but it has been copied twice in a film, and most recently in a music video across the border. Madam Noor Jehan's Woh Mera Ho Na Saka from Azmat became Dil Mera Tod Dia Us Ne in Kasoor, and Tasawwar Khanum's Tu meri Zindagi Hai was copied in Mahesh Bhatt's Aashiqui. The list continues with Abrar ul Haq’s ‘Bheega Bheega Sa Yeh December Hai’ that was copied for the Emraan Hashmi starrer ‘Chocolate’ while Ali Zafar’s ‘Channo’ was copied for the film ‘Fight Club’. The plagiarism didn't end here as Ikhlaq Ahmed's Sona Na Chandi from Bandish was used in Aik Larka Aik Ladki as Choti Si Duniya, and in ‘Aashiq Banaya Aapne’, Himesh Reshammiya copied Fakhir Mehmood’s song ‘Marjawan’ that was filmed on Emraan Hashmi.
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By Bold Desk KARACHI
Fastened your seat belts as after Lahore, Ambiance Boutique Art Hotel is all set to welcome guests in the city of lights, Karachi. Located in the posh area of Defence, the hotel is aesthetically pleasing and has a feeling of a comfy house – it doesn’t feel and look very commercial. The launch of the event was held on Friday, May 13th, 2022 with a stellar and immersive performance of NAPA theatre actors titled Living Art: Episode Two. The show began with a meet and greet and photographs. There were four slots to avoid the space being crowded and also so everyone could thoroughly enjoy the theatre performance. The event was hosted by Kasim Kasuri, CEO and Chief Design Curator of Ambiance Hotels. The show was well-curated, from art performance to the paintings displayed on the wall. The art performance was directed and curated by Vajdaan Shah, who is a theatre actor as well. An entire section of the hotel was dedicated to the performance, spread across the floors and rooms. Every artist appeared to execute their characters independently, but on a closer inspection, one realised that the plot is deliberately set in a certain way – every act was actually connected with the other, appearing to be a piece of a puzzle. To understand the narrative that the artists were trying to put in front of the audience, one had to follow one character and sometimes people also questioned the characters about their story. Decoding the plot was only for the people who had strong nerves as the performance was brilliantly directed and staged by the director and actors. There was one man who is speaking about his experience of war, sibling’s separation, a room converted into a laboratory where a scientist has displayed a female robot whose sings and interacts with the comers, surgeons panicking to operate on a patient, a prisoned young boy, and much more to mention. One could not avoid the performance although some characters were meant to be quiet throughout their act, but the route of the performance was set in a way that everyone and everything appeared as a part of the story and the energies of the actors were so infectious that one could hardly resist. The show was graced with K-town’s hi-profile people such as former senator Javed Jabbar and Ms. Shabnum Jabbar, economist Ishrat Husain, human rights and civil rights activist Jibran Nasir, former foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri, Nasreen Kasuri, Wajid Jawad, Sharmila Faruqi to name a few. Famous for being the most reliable and one of the top event management companies, Catwalk Event Management Productions designed this sumptuous event. Being in the industry for more than 30 years, Freiha Altaf has only aced the event management game through her company Catwalk but has also become a brand herself whose events never miss the glitz and glamour thus celebrities like Ayesha Omar, HSY, Sanam Saeed, Mohib Mirza and designers including Deepak Parwani who is the hotel’s official stylist, Moyena Niazi, hotel architect; Sabeen R. Shiraz, interior designer of the hotel attended the show. Corporate leaders and people from different media houses also came to the event.
By Hassan Naqvi I have been a food fanatic for as far as my memory serves. Being a journalist I go to places and review different eateries (left, right and centre) and enjoy different cultural cuisines and even then, sometimes they fail to capture the essence of Pakistani cuisine that is characterised with rich aroma and spices. Recently, my cousins were in town and set out afterhours with them to satiate our food craving. Driving around in DHA, Lahore I stumbled upon this untapped treasure called “Beefalicious.” I have always looked forward to having western fast food with a so-called “desi” touch as it revamps the dish, enhancing the original flavors. Driven by our taste buds, my cousins and I went in to place our order. The menu was a meaty affair offering a wide selection of beef and chicken items such
as burgers, wings, and sandwiches to name a few. I opted for a “chipotle fire” double patty beef burger with masala fries while the others ordered a “fajita club sandwich” with loaded fries, “tangy jalapeno” double patty beef burger, and 12-piece “buffalo wings” respectively. Before moving on to my review I would like to applaud the owners for running a covid safety protocol compliant business. The fast-food joint offers outdoor dining only to decrease the risk of COVID's potential spread. I was bantering with my cousins when that familiar rich aroma hit my nostrils and I knew the much-awaited moment had arrived. As our server was busy placing our food on the table, I was doing a visual analysis of the food and to my surprise the burger buns had a pillowy-squishy appearance as if they were pulled out of the oven moments ago and all the meats were glistening and oozing richness in texture. I finally took the much-awaited bite and for a moment the world came to a standstill. I was so immersed in all the flavors and sensations I experienced within that bite that I failed to realise everyone on the table was busy doing the same. The meat was just the right combination of firmness and tenderness, the juices flowing from it combined with the chipotle sauce and caramelized onions were swirling in my mouth. The pickled cucumbers were just the right amount of sour and did overwhelm my taste
buds as you’d typically expect of brinded cucumbers. I wasted no time and chowed down my burger alongside the masala fries that were super crispy and well-seasoned. My cousins had nothing short of singing praises for their meals as well. The buffalo wings were spicy and not overly tangy as the ones I’ve had living overseas. The tangy jalapeno beef burger was also loaded with flavors and was slightly spicier than the chipotle burger. The beef was cooked to perfection. Lastly, the fajita club sandwich and loaded fries were on par with the beef burgers. The sandwich was a hot affair between fresh sauteed vegetables and flavor packed chunks of chicken. The loaded fries were the highlight of the night consisting of chicken, olives, mushrooms, and cheesy sauce with sprinkles of pepper and jalapenos. One could reckon it was a whole
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meal on its own. The food exceeded our expectations and we wanted to give our compliments to the staff for their splendid service before heading out. Despite being a fast-food joint open late at night the staff was quite enthusiastic about serving their customers and did not lag on cleanliness and food safety protocols. It was near closing time when we headed in to appreciate the staff and encountered the CEO Mujtaba Khan. The gentleman was courteous and valued our positive feedback. It turned out he was just as keen about making food and feeding people as I am about consuming good food. Delving deeper into this conversation he told me about how he and his family started Beefalicious as a home-based kitchen that expanded into two commercial locations in DHA and Askari 11, Lahore. They bake their own breads and choose the
finest quality of meats and vegetables to serve their guests at affordable prices. He is also planning to embark and expand Beefalicious in the foreign market in the USA. This family-owned business does not fall behind on quality despite gaining commercial success and serves as an inspiration for small business owners and people who are starting out in the food industry. Whether you’re in town from overseas or a local inhabitant, do visit Beefalicious located in DHA and Askari 11, Lahore. You can also enjoy their food from the comfort of your home by ordering online. The operation hours are perfect for a late evening food binge with friends or a casual date night with your better half. I hope you will try and fall in love with Beefalicious like I did.
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led to mass bashing on social media. Not to mention it goes deeper than you think as many internet film conspiracy theorists trail the nepotism to have started from the director herself. Zoya Akhtar does have more than few stars in her family everyone from her famous father Javed Akhtar, to younger brother Farhan and mother Honey Irani. The possible fans of this movie are jealous too, in some case, furious that they have been robbed the opportunity of their favourite up and coming actor or actress taking up a role they feel like they could have done better.
By Muhammad Adil Archie Comics have has been synonyms with an era, where kids used to wait for the weekly newspaper to read the next issue of what went on to become a phenomenon known as Archie-Mania. It was the first series of its kind written for teens focusing on pop-culture and things teenagers were interested in at the time. The most enigmatic thing about the comic book series, however, might be the fact that though it was made for a specific audience (the American teen audience) it was written at a time where the idea of the American Dream was booming and hence the series had universal impact. So much so that it has led to cartoons and has even inspired hit online TV series Riverdale. The appeal has grown now more than ever as everyone is on a neo-nostalgia kick. The most recent entrant into the Archies inspired cinematic universe is Bollywood’s take on the trope. What Bollywood is proposing is a very enticing idea with a star-studded cast (but not in the way that you would think.) Zoya Akhtar (the director) plans to re-imagine the story almost entirely only sticking to the general theme of the time the series is set in and the characters i.e. Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Jughead Jones, Reggie Mantle and Kevin Keller. This seems very promising as where the previous iterations of the series focused on the 60’s Americana vibe, the new film will portray a more relatable 60’s Indian vibe. So what can we expect from the concept? Considering that again Zoya did claim to re-imagine it. Early reviewers have claimed that the film follows the coat tails of the original comic book series only with minor changes to appeal to an Indian audience. What this means is that you can expect a coming of age story where a gang of friends deal with normal teenage issues. These include the rebellion associated with becoming older and learning more about yourself, First loves and first breakups (this extends to friendship as well as the film follows the story of how a group of people become a gang of friends)
In order to understand this we need to look at the cast which includes the children of some of the most celebrated Bollywood actors making their debut
and more importantly and probably what makes it a Bollywood film from the onset is you can expect mesmerizing, well-choreographed dance numbers. Imagining this with a more desi environment makes it seem like a real must watch as there re-
ally has not been a Bollywood film of its kind before. It’s no wonder then that the movie is taking over social media. Sadly however, the genius of the film concept is not the only reason it’s making the rounds. In order
to understand this we need to look at the cast which includes the children of some of the most celebrated Bollywood actors making their debut. The aforementioned children being Agastya Nanda (Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson and Raj Kapoor's
great grandson), Khushi Kapoor (Sridevi and Boney Kapoor's daughter) and Suhana Khan (Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter). The controversy stems from the purported nepotism by which these “star-kids” as they have been dubbed, got the roles. This has
from Burns Road. It is that very rabri that helps him solve the case, but by the time he does that, it’s too late. Naveed Nashad’s soundtrack is also not to be missed for he carries the Nashad legacy forward in a beautiful manner. Although the film has only a few songs, it has the trademark touch of his grandfather Nashad and father Wajid Ali Nashad who had given countless hits since the 1960s.
the murder and then revealed the twin sister angle, just like it was done in Dhoom 3 where no one had any clue about the second Aamir Khan. However, with the Parent Trap switch revealed in the trailer, ‘suspense’ took the back seat and the audience had less reason to look for the grand finale. Secondly, the background score of Chakkar reminded the audience of the 1990s when sample music was used to give the film a filmi feel for no reason. Add to that Saleem Dad’s cinematography, which was the main difference that sealed the fate of the film as a flop. It took you back to the time when unforgettable thriller films were made, released, and forgotten within a week. It’s really sad to see Yasir Nawaz not being able to come up with a good murder mystery, considering he is amongst the best directors on TV and has attempted all kinds of genres successfully. Naveed Raza and Jawed Sheikh were wast-
ed in minor roles, and the same could be said for Adnan Shah Tipu and Shamoon Abbasi. There was no need for Shoaib Malik to appear in the film, and that Danish Nawaz sequence could easily have been edited, for it can only be understood if you are into the ‘other kind of films’. The song Chirya tries to give the Om Shanti On feeling but that’s wishful thinking for all the guests appeared separately, doing the same dance steps without any link to the story. Just like the flashback sequence in the second half, where the audience had to guess that there was a flashback!
This entire conspiracy of nepotism has even led to the hashtag “BoycottBollywood.” At the time of writing this article neither the director nor the cast has come out to make any statement on this matter and seem to not be too concerned. Which makes sense, considering that the movie is not coming out at the cinemas but is in fact coming to everyone’s favourite streaming service Netflix. Controversy aside, “The Archies” is a very promising proposition for a film as it is not only reclaiming an era, but giving much deserved attention to the Indian sixties. It is also carving out a new genre for Bollywood many of the greatest movies of our time have been coming of age stories and they truly hits, where it hurts the most. This can only mean more series like Archies to follow and we are all for it. It also seems like it will be a highly relatable experience as with so many main characters you are sure to see yourself or a younger version of yourself in them. It also is debuting the star-kids who have very big shoes to fill and it will be interesting to see if they can. All in all “The Archies” seems to be a must watch.
It’s sad to see an accomplished TV director like Yasir Nawaz come up with a half-cooked flick! By Omair Alavi KARACHI
Before Eid ul Fitr, Yasir Nawaz’s Chakkar was the most-talked film because of its different genre (murder mystery), its cast (Neelam Muneer in a dual role), and its soundtrack. However, out of all the four Urdu releases on Eid, it came out as the weakest flick that could have been a contender had the director given it the time it required, rather than releasing it half-cooked. The last time he released a film - Mehrunisa V Lub U! - he blamed the reviewers for its failure, some of whom actually published their reviews soon after the film’s release. However, in the case of Chakkar, most of the reviewers kept quiet for a couple of weeks and reviewed the film when its fate was sealed, with the result not being much different. Instead of blaming others, it's time the director accepted his mistake and gave something worthwhile to the audience that pays to be entertained, not confused.
The Plot
Zara Khan (Neelam Muneer) is one of the top-yet-controversial actresses in the country whose brother-in-law Kabir (Ahsan Khan) has forbidden her twin sister Mehreen (also Neelam Muneer) to interact with her. He believes that the two sisters should stay away from each other because Zara is always in the news for the wrong reasons. One day when
Kabir is away on a business trip, the two twins trade places and that's the day when one of them gets murdered. Inspector Shahzad (Yasir Nawaz) investigates the high-profile murder where everyone is a suspect. Who murdered the victim and why? Was it a premeditated murder or a simple case of mistaken identity? How will the nosy neighbor Advocate Cheema (Ahmed Hassan) prove what he knows and whether it will help out the person who is behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit. Chakkar has all the answers, all you have to do is watch the film!
The Good
On paper, Chakkar seems like a good murder mystery, a genre that isn’t touched in Pakistan. It had the thrill, the action, it the glamour, and the shock value, all rolled into one. Yasir Nawaz’s police inspector was a welcome change since he looked realistic instead of the over-the-top cops that India and Pakistan love to see in their movies. Ahsan Khan wasn’t far behind either, although his character could have developed well instead of being shown as always angry for no reason. Watching not one but two Neelam Muneers was always going to be the main attraction for the audience, and most of them went to watch ‘the Neelam Muneer film’, not Chakkar. However, the one person who dominated all was Ahmed Hasan as the nosy lawyer who is always there to help ‘Mehreen behen’ be it fixing the fuse or getting rabri
The Bad
Ahmed Hassan might be the best thing about Chakkar but his accent varies on occasions, confusing the audience. But that was nothing compared to the ‘too many twists’ that reminded me of Abbas-Mastan, the famous Indian directors who twist the story so much that no one remembers the end. Had the director wanted the film to do well, they could have simply started with PA K I S TA N ’ S N U M B E R 1 N E W S PA P E R
The Verdict 2.5/5
The film’s cinematographer Saleem Dad blamed the management of one of the cinemas on social media for not screening the film when he arrived to watch it, ten minutes after the show was canceled for no audience. He should thank his stars for the late arrival be-
cause had he seen the film with his friends, he would have come out more embarrassed than proud. In many scenes, the framing was ‘adjusted’ to give it an enhanced filmi look, resulting in a pixelated frame that seemed obvious on the big screen. Blaming the ‘bloggers’ for that shows that they pointed out the right thing, and should be given credit for it as well. The editing was average throughout the movie; one scene that was supposed to take place after one of the characters ran away from the car took place before there was a car in sight. And I am not going to talk about the sequence where on a rainy night, a car was broken into; you will have to watch it to be transported into the 1990s when such gimmicks were used to save money. When you save money, it shows on the screen, and Chakkar would have done well, had the money been invested properly, wisely and in the right way.
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With his impressive show in Badshah Begum, Hamza Sohail has finally entered the big league! He came, he saw and he conquered, that’s how one can summarize the career of newcomer Hamza Sohail. Despite being the son of one of Pakistan’s most famous TV and theatre actors Sohail Ahmed, Hamza chose to make a name for himself without his father’s help. When he performed on par with actors like Naumaan Ijaz, Sania Saeed, Iqra Aziz, and Faryal Mehmood in Raqeeb Se, and then came back strongly with Main Hari Piya, everyone noticed this young actor who tried his best to take his father’s legacy forward. Currently, the 25-year-old is starring in Badshah Begum as Pir Shahmeer, and is winning hearts for his near-perfect performance. BOLD had a chat with the rising star and asked him how it felt to be in an industry where his father is nothing short of a legend, where he has to compete with many actors simultaneously, and what are his plans for the future. Read on:
By Omair Alavi
When you debuted in Raqeeb Se, it took people some time to realize that you were the son of legendary Sohail Ahmed. Why did you keep it a secret when you could have burst on the scene as a ‘star kid’?
I had no intention of announcing myself as a ‘star-kid’ because my father had instructed me to ‘go out, find your own teachers and create your own path’ which in his eyes is the best way to prove my mettle. I agreed with him and that’s why when I appeared in Raqeeb Se, I wanted people to notice me for me, rather than for being Sohail Ahmed’s son. The pressure of carrying his legacy forward is a lot and had I announced myself as you said, it wouldn’t have added to the pressure of making my debut as an actor.
Were you always interested in acting or did you come up with that idea one fine day?
Being part of a household where art is considered supreme, I always craved acting but didn’t tell anyone since my parents were very strict about my studies. After completing my O and A Levels from Beaconhouse School System in Lahore, I went abroad to first complete my Bachelor's and
later Master's in Business Management, and it wasn’t until I returned home that I told my parents that I wanted to be an actor. They accepted my decision and asked me to start from the bottom, which is exactly what I tried to do. I went to director Kashif Nisar to find a job as one of his assistants but he cast me in Raqeeb Se, and the rest is history.
Your parents must have known that you were into acting, otherwise, they would have opposed their foreign-returned son from entering showbiz!
Of course, they knew, after all, you can’t hide anything from your parents. But they were strict about studies and that’s why even when I was studying in England, I never thought about acting. It was only after fulfilling their wish to graduate with flying colors that I spilled the beans and they were good enough to acknowledge my decision.
What comes naturally to him doesn’t come naturally to me; I have to follow my strengths, and that’s what I have been trying to do. Right now, I am taking baby steps, and trying to learn from my mistakes is the best way forward How would you describe the pressure of being Sohail Ahmed’s son – good, bad, too much to handle!
Of course, the pressure is naturally there. But I try not to let it divert my focus from my work. I’m just trying to give it my all, learn, and just trust in the process. I believe that if I can emulate him in any way, it would be great for my career as an actor and also as a dutiful son who followed his father’s footsteps, even if it meant doing it through baby steps.
Did your father help you out in entering the industry where he is nothing short of a king?
Actually no, and I am glad that he didn’t otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to learn certain things that you can only gain through experience. I want my craft, my strengths, and my weaknesses to be different from my father’s. What comes naturally to him doesn’t come naturally to me; I have to follow my strengths, and that’s what I have been trying to do. Right now, it’s baby steps for me, and trying to learn from my mistakes is the best way forward.
You mentioned your interest in going behind the camera, can we assume that you will turn to direction in the future?
Why not, but right now I am fully engrossed in acting. I do observe the directors I work with as it might help me in the future but at the moment, the focus is on learning the craft in front of the camera. Whenever I get the time, I will try to go abroad and do some courses in direction, but it might take some time.
Your character in Badshah Begum is winning hearts all around and everyone wants to have a brother like you. How did that role land in your lap?
I have no clue how Badshah Begum landed into my lap but since I debuted with the production house behind the series, they might have kept me in mind while finalizing the cast of the serial. When I got the call regarding Badshah Begum I met the producer Rafay Rashdi who narrated the story to me in such vbva way that I was sold before he could even finish. Since I was preparing for my next project and had time on my hands, I gave it a try and I am glad that people are liking it.
What attracted you the most in Badshah Begum – the cast, the script, or the production value?
Honestly, when I said yes, I was impressed by my character but had no idea about the grandness of the set, the ensemble cast, and the impact it would have on the audience. I got to know all that after I started shooting, and thanked my stars for guiding me towards a serial that’s not only one of its kind but happens once in a lifetime.
You spoke about the ensemble cast featuring Zara Noor Abbas, Farhan Saeed, Yasir Hussain, and others. How was the experience of working with such big names so early in your career?
It was a fantastic experience if you ask me, because we stayed together for four months, out of the city. The whole cast became a family as we were together, out of our comfort zones, working in a drama serial that was grand in every possible way. Yes, we had our disagreements but it is common in every family; the positive energy all around us helped us come up with Badshah Begum, which is now doing well on TV.
And then there was the cameo in Mrs. and Mr. Shamim …
Oh, that … it just happened! I am glad that people liked me in that web series even though my work ended in one and a half-day.
Any plans of moving away from Lahore, considering most of the work is being done in Karachi?
It’s true that most of the projects are being produced in Karachi but Lahore is also making a comeback of its own. My next TV project with Kashif Nisar is being shot in Lahore and I am hoping that people will like it, just the way they appreciated me in Raqeeb Se. As for moving to Karachi, well if I am destined to work in Karachi, I will have to move to the city in the near future.
Amar Khan, Imran Ashraf excel in their first film, that has everything from romance, music and drama By Kaukab Jahan KARACHI
The larger than life world of cinema has always been associated with dreams, fantasies, and desires. So depicts Dum Mastam, a feature film, where both the leading characters strive to reach their imaginations, and live their dreams. The story of Dum Mastam revolves around Amar Khan and Imran Ashraf who also make their debut through the film. They both excel as Aliya and Bao, two young talented enthusiasts from an old city area of Lahore. Penned by Amar Khan herself and directed by Muhammad Ehteshamuddin, Dum Mastam reminds one of the romantic, musical times of Pakistan film industry, somewhere between the golden era of 60s/70s and Lollywood of 90s. Aliya Butt (Amar Khan) is highly ambitious to become a professional dance performer and has a dream to be known all over the world. While daydreaming to be everyone from Madam Noor Jahan to Madonna, she also gets enrolled in dance classes after college, and keeps her passion a secret. When her conservative father (Saife Hasan) finds out about her ambitions, he forbids her but she rebels and keeps on practising. Bao (Imran Ashraf), on the other hand is a carefree boy whose only aim in life is to make Aliya fall in love with him so that he can marry her. He has no high ambition in his life and is happy and content with what he earns and where he lives. Aliya,
on the other hand, considers marriage an obstacle in achieving her goals. Though both are next-door neighbours, Aliya only considers Bao a friend, and taunts him by comparing his looks with film heroes like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Fawad Khan. The story unfolds when the
lives of Aliya and Bao take a toll and both accidentally switch their roles in the uneven turns of events. Aliya’s dreams shatter when she gets injured during a dance practice while Bao gets his luck when given a chance to perform at a concert. As the tables are turned, do their feel-
ings for each other also change; the second half of Dum Mastam takes you on a journey filled with emotions of love and hate, sense of betrayal, jealousy and recollection of trust. The idea and catch line of Dum Mastam is somehow original and fascinating. It sometimes happens that despite having a perfect plot for screen, filmmakers get too much in love with their creation and PA K I S TA N ’ S N U M B E R 1 N E W S PA P E R
imagination and as a result start missing the links to join all the threads together. Dum Mastam, though spread for a good two and half hours, raises some questions regarding these missing links that are somehow resolved as the story progresses. Suleman Razzaq's cinematography is filmic and the sets are huge. That's not all, the camera has beautifully captured the walled city of Lahore.
No doubt, Dum Mastam is a super show by all the actors. Amar Khan has proved herself a good addition to the big screen. Her looks, getups, expressions and gestures all were going with the script and the role she was playing. Moreover, she seemed to be in a completely different approach from what we have seen her on television. It means she clearly knows the difference of acting techniques for film and drama. When it comes to acting with just standing idle and alone on screen, Imran Ashraf has no match. Many traits of the character of Bao were similar to his breakthrough role on television, Bhola in drama serial Ranjha Ranjha Kardi, but he tried his best to do it otherwise as Bhola and Bao were two different boys from the same neighbourhood. It is true that film goers would love to see Ashraf in more varied roles in future. Dum Mastam's cast aslo includes Sohail Ahmed, Saife Hasan, Saleem Meraj, Adnan Shah Tipu, Uzma Baig, Tahira Imam and Faiza Gillani. A surprise element was the introduction of BritishPakistani social media sensation Momin Saqib as a pop star in the film. Sohail Ahmed though had a shorter role, but whenever he came on screen proved his presence by his strong dialogue delivery and expressions. Muhammad Ehteshmuddin is considered master of his work when it comes to direct dramas with deep plots and complex storylines. Dum Mastam is his second feature film after Superstar in 2019. He is a storyteller, whether he writes it with a pen or sits behind the camera on the director's chair. Dum Mustam is Amar Khan's brainchild which she conceived almost six years ago, but the one who carried it out was Adnan Siddiqui. A veteran actor and producer, Adnan wisely chose to back the film with his partner Akhtar Hasnain, and and even played a powerful cameo of a producer in the film. After a long time, cinema goers are enjoying a musical film. Dum Mastam has altogether 11 songs (with performance or as background scores) composed by musicians like Shani Arshad, Shiraz Uppal, Naveed Nashad, Bilal Saeed and Azaan Sami Khan. It was an intelligent decision to release Dum Mastam on Eid ul Fitr when most of the crowd comes to the cinemas to watch films filled with romance, light comedy and music.
F O R B O O K I N G A D S , W W W. B O L N E W S . C O M / N E W S PA P E R