BOL NEWSPAPER | January 29 2023

This article is not about the story of the film ‘Mission Majnu.’ Instead, it talks about the RSS-backed filmmakers who are perpetuating Islamophobia to promote overblown nationalism at the cost of truth

By Maheen Aziz

Get, set, action. The camera zooms into the face of Sidharth Malhotra, who is offering prayers in a mosque with other people. After finishing their prayers, everyone starts shaking hands with each other. The mosque is decorated with Pakistani flags and somewhere I could see plain green flags too, while namazis are still shaking hands in the background. Wearing kohl, a skull cap, a checkered muffler and oily face, Sidharth Malhotra, on the other hand, greets his fellows and follows two clerics to ask them for a job. He looks unkempt as if he has not taken a shower for years. That is how Pakistanis are shown in Indian movies.

I would not delve deeper into the story as how weak the plot was, from showing a green tomb as a nuclear house where Pakistan is secretly and 'illegally' making a nuclear bomb to giving totally wrong and misleading information throughout the film. But I would request the readers to show sympathy as I am among those who have wasted their more than two hours of life in watching this absolute non-sense flick, which is a complete bag of garbage like any other Indian film made in the name of nationalism or aimed at 'unveiling the truth,' particularly about Muslims. It is true that the films, regardless in which country they are made in, tend to shape a mindset and have a strong impact on viewers. In like manner, storytelling is a tricky task as it leaves an impression on viewers.

In this modern age and time when people are traveling to the Moon, India has not come out of their cocoon even in 2023 and are still hell-bent on portraying Pakistanis as a barbaric nation, filthy-looking terrorists and the underworld goons, while Arabs are shown as rich

sheikhs dealing in oil and money, and nothing else. Nevertheless, Indian filmmakers are second to none when it comes to generalising Muslims as some third-class citizens, and why would they not? India is a country which has a shameful caste-based social order, divided into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. The last-mentioned are tainted by their birth and thus are treated with disdain and disgust. With over 13 percent Muslim population, India has the largest number of Muslims than any other country in the world. Having being home to such a large number of minority populations, India is a backward state, when it comes to treating its minorities. Moreover, the portrayal of Muslims, especially the Muslims of Pakistan, in Indian film is so unreal that the directors and producers resort to depicting Muslim characters with a caricaturist look. Their obsession with projecting Muslims with their eyes outlined with kohl (kajal), along with an oily face and hair, checkered muffler and amulet (taweez) is totally unfathomable.

If we look back, India has a proven track record of producing propaganda-based films to support overblown nationalism, as shown in the films Ghulam-E-Mustafa, Fanaa, Agent Vinod and the litany goes on. It suggests the fact that the Indian film industry could only excel in making propaganda in the guise of creativity, especially when it comes to portraying Muslims in general and Pakistanis in particular.

In marked contrast, India has had an impeccable record of being the most hate-driven nation that revels in perpetuating Islamophobia and goes an extra mile to create an anti-Muslim narrative by employing all the mainstream media outlets.

Growing up watching Indian cinema, I have realised that India, by itself, is an Islam-

ophobic country and there is not even an inch of secularism followed in the Hindu-majority land. The film Mission Majnu is the latest example that makes the world laugh at Bollywood as well as its myopic thinking.

There is no denying that being one of the biggest film industries, Bollywood has an audience in every nook and corner of the world and thus Indian films enjoy a global reach. Art is a form of expression where one has to let one’s imagination free and use an unbiased approach to express and bring forth the true meaning of the narrative, rather than making it complex and factually incorrect. As Rancho, a famous character from the film 3 Idiots which was, performed by Aamir Khan, says, 'Even a circus lion learns to sit on a chair in fear of the whip. But you call such a lion well-trained not well-educated.’ This line exactly implies on the BJP government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the entire state machinery is supporting such direc-

'Even a circus lion learns to sit on a chair in fear of the whip. But you call such a lion well-trained not well-educated.’

This line exactly implies on the BJP government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the entire state machinery is supporting such directors, playwrights, screen writers and producers who are well-trained and know to behave on the whip of Narendra Modi

tors, playwrights, screen writers and producers who are well-trained and know to behave on the whip aof Narendra Modi. However, it is time to become a well-educated lot, bring forth some intelligent content and interesting reality-based stories, in place of making movies just to please the Indian government as well as the country’s keyboard warriors.

As things currently stand, the Indian cinema has a number of films that revolve around Muslim Nawabs and Mughals. However, the film narrative has changed as shown in recent films such as Padmaavat (2018) and Panipat (2019) where Indian filmmakers tried to change the history by portraying Muslims as losers, villains and evil figures and Hindus as conquerors, thus falling short on facts and history.

Pakistan's latest web series Sevak, directed by Anjum Shehzad and written by Saji Gul, is an effort to erradicate the wrong facts and portray the true image of Pakistan in the world. It speaks of Pakistan's truth when it comes to incidents like Mumbai attacks and Babri Mosque incisent. The series is that one example where nothing is forced, be it its characters, depiction, locations, and be it the portrayal of its characters. Everything seemed original and natural as Sevak was a well-researched

Having being home to such a large minority (Muslim) population, India is a backward state, when it comes to treating its minorities. Moreover, the portrayal of Muslims, especially the Muslims of Pakistan, in Indian film is so unreal that the directors and producers resort to depicting Muslim characters with a caricaturist look

production. Although India has banned the series in the country, but it has made waves across the world. The overall representation of Muslims in Indian films has gone from worse to worst and the anti-Muslim narrative, mobilised by the RSS and BJP activists in the 90s, especially after 9/11 seems to go unabated. Shame on the continuous Hindutvanisation of Indian cinema because they are playing the role of a catalyt in sabotaging the image of Pakistan in the world. The rising wave of hatred against Muslims has increased in the recent years and has now reached at its peak. In a word, I would not recommend readers to watch Mission Majnu. Or else, the film can only be watched as merely a comedy thriller to laugh at the top of your lungs, listen to its hilarious Urdu translation by Netflix India and to make fun of everything that is hysterical as well as ridiculously unfathomable. The decision is all yours.

KARACHI

In marked contrast, India has had an impeccable record of being the most hate-driven nation that revels in perpetuating Islamophobia and goes an extra mile to create an anti-Muslim narrative by employing all the mainstream media outlets

Hawaii Five-0

Original Series: 1968 – 1980 (12 seasons)

The original Hawaii Five-O series was at one time the longest-running police drama in the United States; it revolved around a team of police officers led by Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord) who solved crimes in the picturesque locations of Hawaii. His Five-O colleagues comprised Danny Williams, veteran cop Chin Ho Kelly, and street-smart Kono Kalakaua who was joined by another officer Duke Lukela later in the fifth season. The opening theme of the series was quite popular in the day since it was different from the other crime shows of the time and even featured in one of the Shrek films later.

Reboot series: 2010 – 2021 (10 seasons)

Hawaii Five-0 (with a zero, not an O) premiered forty years after the successful run of the original show ended, however, the characters remained the same. Just like the original, Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) leads a team of dedicated individuals who solve crimes in the state of Hawaii. Unlike the original though, in the reboot, the relationship between Steve and Danny (Scott Caan) is used for comedy purposes and they are shown as buddies who can’t stand the sight of each other. The opening sequence is bettered in the newer series, and the music is retained giving the audience the connection they needed to watch the reboot for ten seasons.

S.W.A.T

Original Series: 1975 – 76 (2 Seasons) When S.W.A.T. aired way back in the 1970s, it was criticized for being too violent for TV but if you look at it now, it doesn’t seem that violent. It revolved around the adventures of a Special Weapons And Tactics (S.W.A.T.) unit that operated somewhere in Los Angeles and was called in when the police needed extra help. Contrary to popular belief, the show was a spin-off of The Rookies and starred Steve Forrest as the leader Lt. "Hondo" Harrelson, who had Officer Jim Street (Robert Urich), Sgt. David "Deacon" Kay (Rod Perry), Officer Dominic Luca (Mark Shera), and Officer T.J. McCabe (James Coleman) as his teammates. It was canceled after just two seasons but the opening theme, composed by Barry De Vorzon, went on to become quite popular, and featured in many films, including S.W.A.T.’s film version more than twenty five years later.

Reboot series: 2017 – (currently in its sixth season)

The reboot of S.W.A.T. came more than a dozen years after the release of the Samuel L Jackson – Colin Farrell starrer that sort of gave the blueprint of a possible TV series to the producers. They changed the main lead's race from white to African American, cast a well-built Shemar Moore in the lead, and added a backstory to all the characters which helped the team gel like an elite unit that is always ready to take the call. The action sequences throughout the series are its highlights and make it different and long-lasting than the original series, while the added angle of bureaucratic tension seems to be the bad guy here.

KARACHI By Omair Alavi

Making a TV show is always risky no matter where you are. Some are liked by the audience but not by the channels, while some of the channel favorites don’t end up on the audience’s must-watch list of the audience.

That’s why rebooting, remaking, or resurrecting an already successful show is even more difficult, where some have succeeded and some haven’t.

Right now, the 'resurrection' of Quantum Leap seems to be on the right track since it has brought back both the old and the new series together, but not every series has shared the same fate.

The super successful Mission Impossible (yes, it was a TV series before Tom Cruise’s entry) failed when it was revived fifteen years later and lasted just 2 seasons, and the same fate was shared by Burke’s Law, while the rebooted Knight Rider and Bionic Woman couldn’t last one entire season. Let’s take a trip down memory lane to find out which TV shows survived the reboot, remake, and revival culture, and what made them match the success of their predecessor, or even surpass their success.

Magnum P.I

Original Series: 1980 – 1988 (8 seasons)

A private investigator living in Hawaii, driving a Ferrari and solving crimes brings back the memories of the 1980s when ex-Navy Seal Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) and his friends Theodore "T.C." Calvin (Roger E. Mosley), Orville "Rick" Wright (Larry Manetti) and caretaker Jonathan Higgins (John Hillerman) solved baffling cases for fun. Not only did Tom Selleck’s aloha shirt become popular, but his mannerisms and interaction with friends are also something that has transcended decades. The show ran for eight seasons and featured some of the best aerial shots, which might have given the idea of another series to the creator Donald P Bellisario, who went on to create Airwolf as well.

Reboot series: 2018 – present (currently in its fifth season)

The reboot of Magnum P.I. deviated from the original in a lot of ways; here Higgins is Juliet instead of Jonathan, Magnum is of Mexican descent instead of American, and by the time the series moves into its fifth season (releasing next month), the two will be a couple. His friends are still named the same, have the same jobs and help him in the same way, although there are a couple of additional characters – Kumu and Detective Katsumoto – who come to their aid when the going gets tough. When the popular series was canceled after four seasons by CBS, rival channel NBC picked it for two twenty-episode seasons so that the audience in love with Magnum, the opening theme, and the red Ferrari can have more of them.

MacGyver

Original Series: 1985 – 1992 (7 seasons)

Back in the 1980s and the early 1990s, MacGyver was a rage since it helped youngsters fall in love with science all over again. Although it wasn’t a sci-fi series, it revolved around a secret agent named MacGyver (Richard Dean Anderson) who used his remarkable scientific knowledge to solve problems around the world, with the help of materials at hand. The cool and calm manner in which Richard Dean Anderson portrayed the character made him a heartthrob and influenced many to become troubleshooters, with the help of science, of course. It ran for seven seasons and was followed by two TV movies and even coined the term MacGyverism which is used when someone ingeniously improvises a solution to a problem.

Reboot series: 2016 – 2021 (5 seasons)

The MacGyver reboot was different from the original in many ways; while the original Mac worked alone, hated guns, and was rarely addressed by his first name, the newer Mac’s first name Agnus was known to all, he had no problem using firearms and worked with a team that comprised of people who would help him out in his adventures. Actor Lucas Till retained the cool and calm demeanor but with a chaperone-cum-partner Jack Dalton (George Eads) always at his side, the reboot resembled Scorpion more than MacGyver. Despite not being able to better the original series except maybe in technology, it lasted five seasons which was two seasons less than the original.

The Equalizer Original Series: 1985 – 1989 (4 seasons)

And then there was The Equalizer, the spy thriller series where British actor Edward Woodward played Robert McCall who was always there to help those in need of help themselves. He used his skills from his former career as a spy to lend a hand to people who had no one to turn to, and it wouldn’t be incorrect to say that he was a kind of vigilante like Batman, without the gadgets. The series was canceled after four seasons, not because it wasn’t popular but because the lead actor fell ill. However, the concept was used 25 years later with Denzel Washington as the Equalizer who played the character in two films and might be returning for a third one soon.

Reboot series: 2021 – present

When Queen Latifah who is popular more for her comic appearances than serious ones was cast as Robyn McCall in the re-imagined version of the series, many were skeptical but three seasons later, the actress is still there, saving people who can’t save themselves. It is different from both the TV series and the film franchise; while technology plays a more important role in the reboot, the series wouldn’t have been able to sustain itself without it, considering its target market is the tech-savvy crowd.

By Mehak Aziz KARACHI.

Director Saim Sadiq’s debut feature film, ‘Joyland’ is a poignant and thought-provoking drama about the conflicting gender identities and repressed desires that exist within a conservative society. The film, which was Pakistan’s official entry to the 95th Academy Awards and successfully made it to the shortlist, is a masterful blend of craft and content, appealing to both discerning and popular audiences alike.

Contrary to its title, "Joyland" is achingly gloomy, but at the same time, there is an inherent current of intrigue in the way it is plotted that keeps the audience engaged throughout the melancholic narrative. The film's writers and characters have the rare ability to look at the lighter side of serious situations, making it a layered experience for audiences who may have grown tired of the typical "woke" essays on patriarchy and queer relationships. The setting of the film is Lahore, but it could easily be any other city in the region, as the characters and their struggles are relatable to anyone familiar with the inter-generational dynamics and changing social mores of conservative societies. The film's protagonist, Haider (played by Ali Junejo), is a tender and delicate young man who is unable to sacrifice a goat in a scene that inverts traditional gender roles. He is more comfortable running errands and helping with household chores, and is ultimately drawn to the transgender starlet Biba (played by

Alina Khan), with whom he begins a journey of self-discovery.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is its unflinching exploration of controversial issues such as transgender rights and gender bias against them.

The film's depiction of these issues is both nuanced and unsparing, raising important questions about the societal construction of gender. The film's portrayal of gay characters is sensitive and nuanced, avoiding stereotypical representations and instead showing

the complexities of homosexual identities and relationships.

The performances of the film's lead actors are nothing short of terrific, with Alina Khan and Rasti Farooq delivering powerful and nuanced performances that bring the film's characters to life in a realistic and relatable way. The film's cinematography and soundtrack are also noteworthy, adding depth and texture to the overall experience.

Despite being banned in Pakistan upon its initial release, "Joyland" has since been lifted and being run in different cinemas across the country, and has been awarded in India. The film's powerful

and thought-provoking exploration of these issues makes it a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of contemporary Pakistani society.

A rare treat to watch indeed, "Joyland" is a powerful and thought-challenging film that takes a deep dive into the lives of a Pakistani family, exploring the challenges and sacrifices of working women, the struggles of a gay family member, and the complexities of marriage and desire. With a masterful blend of drama, humour, and social commentary, "Joyland" is a film that is sure to be remembered for years to come.

‘Joyland’ is a film that is sure to be remembered for years to come

As the reboot of Magnum P.I. moves into its fifth season, let’s take a look at the successful action TV shows that were brought back to life, successfully

By Sara Danial KARACHI

By Omair Alavi KARACHI

Everyone knows Jamie Foxx, the actor who an Oscar for his portrayal of musical genius Ray Charles; he fought Spider-Man multiple times, played the US President, and even drove Tom Cruise around town in a cab. What many don’t know is that the Academy Award winner is also a parent of two girls, who have taught him a lot of things in life. In Act Like You Got Some Sense: And Other Things My Daughters Taught Me, he hilariously takes a candid look at the highs and lows of being a father, and how it has helped him grow as a person.

No, this isn’t a book about good parenting skills or revolves around the rules a father must follow when his daughter brings home a date from college. This is about Eric Marlon Bishop’s journey, who went on from a kid who earned three hundred dollars while playing the piano at the Church to one of the most celebrated actors in the world – Jamie Foxx. How this journey was shaped is one part of this book, the other is how he was able to shape his kids’ life because of his life experience!

The Django actor’s accomplishments are so huge that he could have gone for an autobiography like Will Smith did, which discusses his past, present, and future but then that book wouldn’t have had the Jamie Foxx touch, right? In this book, he does talk about himself but in a manner that’s witty, serious, and without any filters, like talking to a friend over a cup of coffee. He addresses the reader instead of the readers getting to know him and that’s what makes it an interesting, witty read.

In an effort to include his own perspective in the book, he goes back and forth to tell the audience how things were different back when he was growing up in his grandmother’s house (whom he thought was his mother!) back in Terrel, Texas, and the current era where kids can have everything in life. He uses the past to discuss the joys and pitfalls of being the father of two daughters, which is an incredible way of connecting with the audience, no matter who they are or where they are.

He reveals to the audience that his biological father left his young mother and converted to Islam leaving them high and dry, that he connected more with his stepfather than his own mother who was never there, that his grandfather used to beat him for being disrespectful, and that whatever he is today is because of his grandmother who was his mother's relative, and not her biological mother. The book could be mistaken for a tribute to his Granny named Estelle Marie Talley who adopted his mother when she was young and later adopted Jamie Foxx, making it a very confusing relationship. The actor talks more about her in these pages than himself and even dedicates this book to her, showing his love, respect, and gratitude to her.

Despite Jamie’s rocky nurturing, he managed to make it to the top and the readers would expect that this book would talk about that, but it doesn’t, directly. In fact, it consists of those priceless stories that instilled everything from the fear of God, the importance of leading than following and other old-school values that modern-day kids might not even know about. He explains how it was his Granny who made him learn piano that helped him win an Oscar, how she saved him when he first found himself on the other side of a gun, and how she helped him out when his first car was towed away due to outstanding parking tickets, besides other things.

People in this part of the world would love this book because most of the stuff Jamie Foxx’s Granny did would remind them of their own grandparents. However, the way he writes it is just too good to resist because it is like a script, where he takes a break to cuss as most African Americans do, answers questions that are in the mind of the readers, and brings in ether his Granny or daughters in nearly every other incident he narrates because his life revolves around them.

And then there are his daddy struggles, which are different from most men because he didn’t marry any of the two women who bore him the kids and is cool about his choice.

He explains to all the folks out there that if you have a Rolls Royce, don’t take it to the kids’ school; if you get them something expensive, make sure they use it and encourage them whenever they are down, especially when their coach makes them play sports without points. His hilarious take on everyday life is so perfect that the readers will not notice the absence of photographs in this book.

He also discusses his reconciliation with his mother and his stepfather, his inability to connect with his biological dad, and how it helped him ‘be there’ for his own daughters. How many fathers you know have gone to a therapist with their daughters to sort out their issues? How many have kept their daughter awake after she accidentally had something laced with drugs? How many A-listers have taken their daughter to a meeting where she announced his arrival by saying ‘Jamie Foxx is in the house!’. If you aren’t familiar with someone who has managed to do these things, then this practical – sometimes profane – guide to parenthood is exactly what you need in your life.

In short, Jamie Foxx’s book is a genuine reflection of his struggle and is so heartfelt that at times the readers might shed a tear or two. But it is a complete guide on how to be raised, and how to be a good parent. It might be his life experiences that are written on these pages but the lesson is for all of those out there who could relate to him. If he was able to understand the wisdom of his Granny – “You made your bed, now you gotta sleep in it” or “that you can entertain yourself on your own side of the street.” – after he became independent, so could the readers who right now might have no idea what these words meant.

First we form habits, then they form us. Written by James Clear, the book

‘Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones’ fits like a proverbial glove to the aforementioned quote, as the book encapsulates most of the essential habits, decision-making strategies, and ways for continuous improvement and personal growth. With millions of visitors thousands of subscribers and his popular email newsletter, the author James Clear has gone from strength to strength. His writings have appeared in New York Times, Entrepreneur, Time, and on CBS This Morning. Clear is also a regular speaker at Fortune 500 companies. With a strong groundwork for forming good lifestyle habits, Clear shares several strategies that can help you to build good habits and get rid of the bad ones. We are what we repeatedly do. Habits are the cornerstone of our lives. Change might be gradual, and steady, and it isn't always easy. But with time and perseverance, almost any habit can be reshaped. And if you intend to change your life in any meaningful way, the only dependable way I know is to build good habits. What sets the book ‘Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones’ by James Clear apart from the rest is the fact that it doesn’t pertain to entrepreneurship, engineering, or academia. This book is for all – a fisherman, a tax collector, a businessman, a student. Clear’s writing style is crisp but profound. His words go deep into every single step of habit –right from creation to a practical point of view. So the book is as readable as it is practical. For instance, take this excerpt, “The more pride you have in a particular aspect of your identity, the more motivated you will be to maintain the habits associated with it. If you’re proud of how your hair looks, you’ll develop all sorts of habits to care for and maintain it. If you’re proud of the size of your biceps, you’ll make sure you never skip an upper-body workout. If you’re proud of the scarves you knit, you’ll be more likely to spend hours knitting each week. Once your pride gets involved, you’ll fight tooth and nail to maintain your habits.” This maintains the stance that your habits will not bring you on the 50 Forbes list, but they will change the lens through which you look at your life.

Like every self-help book, Atomic Habits is brimmed with inspiring and motivating stories. For instance, in the chapter about tracking habits, Clear mentions an anecdote revolving around Benjamin Franklin and his habit of carrying a notebook wherever he went to keep a track of thirteen virtues. Some

background: If you are remotely interested in Franklin, you would know that he struggled to develop 13 habits or virtues and he turned the rigorous struggle into a 13-week course, each week dedicated to one virtue, all the while tracking its progress. As motivating as it may sound, Clear has completely forgotten to mention that Franklin himself found this method impractical and abandoned the project before he maneuvered through to the last virtue. The irony is that the book emphasizes on the story in another chapter that highlights the importance of not “breaking the chain”. So while I agree with the author and I know what he wanted to say, but it seemed a tad underwhelming when he wraps around the narrative to fit his glove - a vice that is commonplace in many self-help books, that make you question the author’s intellectual stimulation. The book could’ve been cut short in terms of length, especially the chapters under the section ‘Advanced Tactics’, which deals with mastering the habits developed. Perhaps some tough decisions at the editing stage could’ve done the job.

Final verdict:

The last two years have been tough. The year 2023 is said to be tougher. All of us could use some internal reflection and personal development. If you need convincing that habits are crucial for this contemplation, I would strongly recommend Atomic Habits.

By Bertille Lagorce

Just as "Drive to Survive"

helped Formula One to find a new audience, the Netflix docu-series

"Break Point" has blown fresh air into the world of tennis by getting up close and personal with the players. The timing of the new Netflix series was apt — in 2022, tennis lost two of its all-time greats when Roger Federer and Serena Williams retired.

Neither Rafael Nadal nor 35-year-old Novak Djokovic can go on forever either, although the Serb has avoided the multiple injuries which seem to be hastening an end to the Spaniard's title-laden career.

With them, their fans are ageing too.

So, to tie in with the Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam tournament, Netflix launched "Break Point" in mid-January.

Unlike "Drive to Survive", which follows some of the biggest names in Formula One including world champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team, "Break Point" mainly focuses on younger, upand-coming players.

The first episode though follows the rise in 2022 of Nick Kyrgios, the brash Australian who loves the camera. The tone is set in the opening episode when he yells: "Let's film a Netflix series and shit. Let's get it, baby!"

The aim is clear from the start — to rejuvenate the appetite of sponsors and broadcasters, and open up tennis to a new audience.

"We see the necessity of providing more content behind the scenes and offline... to actually provide a richer experience to the fans," ATP president Andrea Gaudenzi explained in July.

"Drive to Survive", which launched in 2019, has been a boon for Formula One.

By showing the drivers up close in their daily lives or demonstrating their car-handling skills at terrifyingly high speeds, the production has been such a success that a fifth season is due for release in February. The phenomenon has boosted TV audiences. In the United States, one of the priority markets since Liberty Media acquired the commercial rights to F1 in 2017, a record 1.2 million viewers watched each race last year, 28% more than in 2021, according to broadcaster ESPN. Having become "glamorous", F1 now attracts a "younger and more mixed" audience, said Thomas Senecal, sports director

of Canal Plus, the sport's official broadcaster in France. "Break Point" also focuses on the Tunisian Ons Jabeur, who at Wimbledon last year became the first Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam final. She is shown after losing that final to the Kazakh Elena Rybakina, telling the camera: "I am not scared to let people see through me.

"I really have nothing to hide. Quite the opposite. I just want to show people that we are just human beings and we suffer a lot after a loss."

Unfortunately, players at this year's

Australian Open have joked about the "Netflix curse" after injury prevented Kyrgios even starting the tournament, Jabeur crashed out in the second round, and two players who feature prominently in "Break Point", Paula Badosa and Ajla Tomljanovic, also pulled out.

Sports docu-series are set to increase in the months to come, with a series about golf called "Full Swing" due to hit the screens and one on rugby union in the pipes for 2024.

One of the biggest hits for Netflix has been "The Last Dance", retracing the Michael Jordan era at the Chicago Bulls.

The number of sports-based series increased by 70% between 2019 and 2022, according to Glance, which specialises in observing international audiovisual markets.

"Sport is now one of the key themes of documentary series," Glance researcher Zelie Auvinet said.

Following the model of "Break Point", Netflix is screening "Cheer", a behind-the-scenes look at a cheerleading team in Texas, while Amazon has

made "MotoGP Unlimited". The ravishing countryside and thrilling finishes of the Tour de France are the subject of a series later this year, made by France Televisions.

Anne Georget, president of Fipadoc, the international documentary festival taking place in the French resort of Biarritz this month, said: "Beyond the great spectacle, sport offers exceptional drama, destinies and struggles against adversity and injury. The public is also fond of it." —AFP

'Drive to Survive' opens up tennis and car racing to a new audience

When Jamie Foxx talks about parenthood, he makes sense because he learned from the best!

If you want to change your life, the book ‘Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones’ is for you

AFP Surreal sci-fi "Everything Everywhere All At Once" topped the Oscar nominations with 11, as Hollywood formally kicked off the race to the all-important Academy Awards.

It was followed by German anti-war film "All Quiet on the Western Front" and Irish black comedy "The Banshees of Inisherin," which each received nine nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

As expected, Academy voters also rewarded blockbusters such as Tom Cruise's "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Avatar: The Way of Water" for helping to bring audiences back to cinema theatres after the pandemic.

Both were nominated for best picture, Tinseltown's most coveted prize, although another crowd-pleaser -- "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" -- missed out.

The remaining best picture slots went to rock-and-roll biopic "Elvis," Steven Spielberg's quasi-memoir "The Fabelmans," Cate Blanchett's latest tour-de-force "Tar," Cannes festival winner "Triangle of Sadness" and literary adaptation "Women Talking."

Absurdist indie film "Everything

Everywhere All At Once" portrays a Chinese-American immigrant family undergoing a tax audit, who are quickly drawn into an inter-dimensional battle to save the multiverse from a powerful villain.

It became a huge word of mouth hit and has grossed over $100 million worldwide.

The film earned four acting nominations for its cast, including best supporting actor for Ke Huy Quan -- who appeared as a child in "Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom" almost four

decades ago -- and best lead actress for Michelle Yeoh.

Yeoh becomes just the second Asian woman ever nominated for lead actress in 95 years of Oscars’ history, and will compete with double Oscar-winner Blanchett for the prize.

But there was controversy elsewhere in the lead actress category, as no Black women were nominated, despite Viola Davis ("The Woman King") and Danielle Deadwyler ("Till") having been seen as frontrunners.

Instead the remaining slots went to Ana de Armas ("Blonde"), Michelle Williams ("The Fabelmans") and Andrea Riseborough for tiny indie film "To Leslie," which mounted an unusual, late celebrity-backed campaign for its star.

International voters

In the other individual categories, Brendan Fraser ("The Whale"), Colin Farrell ("The Banshees of Inisherin") and Austin Butler ("Elvis") are clear favourites for best actor. The remaining nominations went to Paul Mescal in "Aftersun" and Bill Nighy in "Living."

In the best supporting actress category, Angela Bassett became the first star in a Marvel superhero film to ever earn an Oscar acting nomination with "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." Spielberg made the best director shortlist, but no women were nominated in the category, sparking quick social media backlash.

Speaking before the nominations, Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis said this was one of the more unpredictable Oscars races, in part due to the recent massive growth in the number of international Academy voters.

Those members have been credited with surprises such as South Korea's

Here are the nominees in key categories for the 95th Academy Awards, to be handed out in Los Angeles on March 12

Best picture

"All Quiet on the Western Front"

"Avatar: The Way of Water"

"The Banshees of Inisherin"

"Elvis"

"Everything Everywhere All at Once"

"The Fabelmans"

"Tar"

"Top Gun: Maverick"

"Triangle of Sadness"

"Women Talking"

Best director Martin McDonagh, "The Banshees of Inisherin"

Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, "Everything

Everywhere All at Once"

Steven Spielberg, "The Fabelmans"

Todd Field, "Tar"

Ruben Ostlund, "Triangle of Sadness"

"Parasite" winning best picture in 2020.

This year they got behind "All Quiet on the Western Front," which is distributed by Netflix.

The World War I drama "All Quiet on the Western Front" has built major momentum, scooping a massive 14 nods in January for Britain's BAFTAs.

Saved movies

Actors Riz Ahmed ("Sound of Metal") and Allison Williams ("Girls") unveiled the Oscar nominations from Los Angeles.

Television ratings for award shows including the Oscars have trended downwards, as Academy voters in recent years have veered toward honouring lesser-known indie hits like "Nomadland" and "CODA."

Many in the industry were hoping for a healthy spread of nominations among 2022's crowd-pleasing sequels, which were sorely needed as giants such as Cineworld, the world's second biggest cinema chain, filed for bankruptcy protection.

James Cameron's sci-fi epic "Avatar: The Way of Water," which sailed past the $2 billion mark globally, earned four nominations including best picture, production design, sound and visual effects.

"Top Gun: Maverick," Cruise's longawaited sequel to his huge 1986 hit which came out in May during highly uncertain times for movie theatres and earned around $1.5 billion, received six -best picture, editing, song, sound, visual effects and adapted screenplay.

"That's the one that feels like it could actually win best picture," said Davis, before the announcement.

"What better story the day after the Oscars air, than that the movie that saved movies was named the best movie? That's a good story to tell."

Best actor

Austin Butler, "Elvis"

Colin Farrell, "The Banshees of Inisherin"

Brendan Fraser, "The Whale"

• Paul Mescal, "Aftersun"

• Bill Nighy, "Living"

Best actress

• Cate Blanchett, "Tar"

• Ana de Armas, "Blonde"

• Andrea Riseborough, "To Leslie"

• Michelle Williams, "The Fabelmans"

• Michelle Yeoh, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"

Best supporting actor

• Brendan Gleeson, "The Banshees of Inisherin"

• Brian Tyree Henry, "Causeway"

• Judd Hirsch, "The Fabelmans"

Barry Keoghan, "The Banshees of Inisherin"

Ke Huy Quan, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"

Best supporting actress

Angela Bassett, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"

Hong Chau, "The Whale"

Kerry Condon, "The Banshees of Inisherin"

Jamie Lee Curtis, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"

Stephanie Hsu, "Everything Everywhere All at Once"

Best international feature film

"All Quiet on the Western Front" (Germany)

"Argentina, 1985" (Argentina)

"Close" (Belgium)

"EO" (Poland)

"The Quiet Girl" (Ireland)

Best animated feature

"Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio"

"Marcel the Shell With Shoes On"

"Puss in Boots: The Last Wish"

"The Sea Beast"

"Turning Red"

Best documentary feature

"All That Breathes"

"All the Beauty and the Bloodshed"

• "Fire of Love"

• "A House Made of Splinters"

• "Navalny"

Films with seven or more nominations

• "Everything Everywhere All at Once" - 11

• "All Quiet on the Western Front" - 9

• "The Banshees of Inisherin" - 9

• "Elvis" - 8

• "The Fabelmans" - 7

Jordan Roth

Tamara Kalinic Alisa Volskaya

Alexandra Pereira

A must in the world of fashionistas, Rabia Butt is a supermodel, a fashion icon and a leading actress. Over and above everything else, she is an ambitious soul who never looks back. Yet unstoppable in her unflagging pursuit of excellence, her journey is far from over. A class of her own, she is aspiring, has loads of guts and above all, she is Rabia Butt

The Pasoori-singer will perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April

By Bold Desk

The year 2022 was an exceptional year for Pakistan music when Arooj

Aftab, a U.S.-based Pakistani singer, composer, and producer, became the first Pakistani to sing at the world’s leading art and music festival, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. This year, Coachella is inviting Ali Sethi, another Pakistani singer to perform at the American festival.

Sharing the official Coachella schedule on his Instagram account, the Pasoori-singer wrote, “AAJAAO SAARAY [come everyone] Coachella presale starts Friday January 13 at 11am PT. Register now at coachella.com.”

Within a matter of seconds, many well-known artistes and celebrities reacted to Ali Sethi’s post and congratulated him for achieving yet another milestone in his music career. Those posting their comments were actor Adnan Malik, BBC radio host Haroon Rashid, artist Misha Japanwala, painter Salman Toor, and singers Aima Baig and Talal Qureshi. Ali Sethi will perform in Coachella festival on its third stage on April 16 and 23. Other than him, according to Ali Sethi, the names of the world’s leading

By Bold Desk

More than a pretty face, Ayesha Omar has a soulful voice too. Staying true to her talent, the actor-cum-singer recently shared her new track, ‘Har Koi Yaar Nahi,’ and the song is really a beautiful reminder, calling to mind the importance of self-love and self-respect. Aimed at making one fall in love with oneself, the world at large as well as its Creator, the song’s video is replete with scenic beauty and out-of-this-world visuals with deep vocals.

A treat to watch for the lot of nature lovers, Ayesha Omar’s ‘love thyself’ song carries a stream of beautiful landscape shots of icy blue lakes and sky-touching mountains of the Gilgit-Baltistan. Taking to Instagram, she recently shared the release of her new music track 'Har Koi Yaar Nahi,' along with a caption briefly explaining the theme behind the soul-nourishing song.

"When I was planning my October birthday trip to Gilgit-Baltistan, my favourite region in Pakistan, it dawned on me that I should document that trip in some way. Maybe a vlog I thought because I wanted to show the world, the magnificent beauty of my beloved country. But one night I decided to make a song and

Young Stunners, a Karachi-based hip-hop duo, will share the same stage with American rapper Travis Scott

By Bold Desk

Off to an ideal start of the New Year, Young Stunners, which is a Karachi-based Pakistan’s hip-hop duo, will soon perform this year at the same show headlined by Travis Scott, the world’s leading rapper from the United States.

Recently, 'King', an Indian rap artiste, revealed this exciting news on social media to all rap enthusiasts and hiphop fans. Writing in his Instagram post, King revealed the names of the international musicians including Talha Anjum and Talhah Yunus of Young Stunners, who are going to perform at the Wireless Festival Abu Dhabi, sharing the same stage with American rapper Travis Scott.

Featuring several famous rappers and well-known hip-hop artists from around the world, the event will take place on March 11 on Yas Island, one of the world’s most

AFP David Crosby, an influential musical pioneer of the 1960s and 1970s who created a distinctly American brand of folk-rock with the Byrds and later with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, has died. He was 81.

The two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer -known as much for his alternative guitar tunings, lush harmonies and abstract lyrics as for his pacifist activism, brutal honesty and living dangerously -- remained a prolific artiste throughout his life.

Over the course of six decades in the music industry, the vocalist, guitarist, and composer at the forefront of countercultural rock penned a rich array of heartfelt ballads and knife-edged bangers.

Famous for his walrus moustache and his laid-back stage presence, often in jeans paired with flannels, he crafted subtle acoustic guitar riffs and multi-layered harmonies on tracks including CSNY's "Guinnevere," a gentle song rife with allusions to medieval myth.

But on other hard-hitting rock tracks like "Almost Cut My Hair" -- whose lyrics underscore the anti-establishment sentiment of the era's youth -- he showcased biting lyrics and almost caustic guitar work.

Born on August 14, 1941 in Los Angeles, Crosby was the second son of Oscar-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby, while his mother, Aliph Van Cortlandt Whitehead, came from New York's prominent Van Cortlandt family.

Far from a straight-A student, Crosby participated in high school musicals and later studied drama at Santa Barbara City College, but quickly left academics behind to pursue music. He found limited solo success before meeting Chicago musician Terry Callier, who introduced him to multi-instrumentalist Jim McGuinn -- a founding member of the Byrds.

The band soared to fame after putting out a cover

of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man," debuting what would become the Byrds' trademark 12-string sound.

The Byrds went on to produce hits including "Turn!

Turn! Turn!" and "Eight Miles High," but Crosby's friction with his fellow rockers, not least due to his political conspiracy theorizing, led them to fire him in 1967.

"I was a difficult cat," Crosby said of the split in the raw, intensely introspective 2019 documentary "David Crosby: Remember My Name."

beautiful islands in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. "Biggest news! Wireless 2023 is back. Spot Divine and me from India and our brothers Young Stunners from Pakistan on the list!" according to King, the Maan Meri Jaan rapper. India-based rapper went on to say that he is quite happy for South Asian artistes earning more fame and getting more recognition internationally. He said, "This is some next level achievements for us. We desi boys are coming back on March 11, 2023. Show your maximum love, blessings and support to us by getting tickets!" Other rappers and musicians who will perform at the Wireless Festival Abu Dhabi are Egyptian trap artiste Wegz, American rapper Lil Uzi Vert, Iraqi Canadian performer Ali Gatie and Ghanaian singer Black Sherrif. The names of the other artistes will be announced very soon.

the band put out some of the most notable hits of the 60s, including "Ohio" -- about the US National Guard murder of four anti-war protesters at Kent State -and their cover version of the generation's anthem, "Woodstock."

Crosby's talent was sometimes overshadowed by the guitar heroics of Stills and Young, but he is widely credited as a musician's musician who influenced scores of artistes who followed.

"What I do isn't just guitar playing and singing. I'm not the best at either one of those," he said in an interview in January 2021.

"What I'm really good at is breaking the fourth wall. Taking you on a little trip," he continued.

"Making you laugh, so then I can make you cry. That's my job."

CSNY faded in and out of popularity and underwent several reincarnations, with Young occasionally breaking off and going his own way. Other members also did some solo work or linked up in various duet combinations. But the band never recovered from personal fallout between Crosby and both Nash and Young. As the four aged, Stills was the only one still speaking with Crosby.

"I think CSNY was a very good thing," Crosby said in 2021. "And I'm very proud of it. And I think it's very finished."

Crosby had a successful solo career, releasing eight studio albums and a number of live and compilation records.

singers and musicians performing on April 14 and 21 are: Angele, Ashnikko, Bad Bunny, Becky G, Benee, Blondie, Burna Boy, Chemical Brothers, Chris Stussy, Comet, Comet is Coming, Desert Cahuilla Bird Singers, Doechii, FKJ, Gorillaz, Idris Elba, Jamie Jones, Juliet Mendoza, Jupiter & Okwess, Kaytranada, Kyle Watson, Lava La Rue, Lewis OiMan, Maceo Plex, Malaa, Mangdalena Bay, Metro Boomin, MUNA, Oliver Koletzki, Pusha T, Saba, Dennis Cruz Pawsa, SG Lewis, Sleaford Mods, Soul Glo, Testpilot, The Murder Capital, Toba Nwigwe, TRwo Friends, TV Girl, Wet Leg, Whyte Fang, Yungblud, and Yves Tumor.

The second day will feature Blackpink, Charli XCX, Diljit Dosanjh, Eric Prydz, Kid Laroi, Labrinth, Rosalia, Sofi Tukker and many other artistes from across the world.

The third day of the festival will feature Frank Ocean, along with 2manydjs, Christine and the Queens, A Boogie, Adam Beyer, Alex G, Big Wild, MK, Björk, Boris Brejcha, Cannons Chris Lake, Dominic Fike, DPR IAN, DPR Live, Fisher, GloRilla, Jackson Wang, Jai Paul, Jai Wolf, Kali Uchis, Latto, Porter Robinson, Rae Srenmurd, Stick Figure, The Blaze, Weyes Blood, Willow, and many others.

shoot the video there. What better place than Gilgit?" wrote Ayesha Omar.

Adding some more details to her music journey, Ayesha Omar went on to say how Lenny Massey, one of the leading keyboardists and saxophonists from Pakistan, collaborated with her in the making of this track and also helped her in pursuing her overall music ambitions. Talking through her social media handle, she said the shooting for the music video of ‘Har Koi Yaar Nahi’ took more than 48 hours and that too in different location, besides doing her "own hair and makeup drive to locations, hike up and trek for hours, carrying clothes, water and snacks."

"Thank you, all you amazing boys who have been a part of this production. I love you all. I hope you all fall in love with the song, your Creator, your country and most importantly, yourself," she wrote while wrapping up her post by acknowledging the team’s best efforts in making things happen.

Be it its uplifting lyrics or outstanding cinematography, Ayesha Omar’s music video holds immense potential to lead the charts. In so doing, she seems to have crossed a milestone in her career this time as a singer. Best of luck, Ayesha!

"And not easy. Big ego, no brains. Goofy."

Following a solo sailing trip, he began jamming with Stephen Stills, the singer-songwriter who started out with Buffalo Springfield. The duo were later joined by Graham Nash, who left the Hollies to join the supergroup. Crosby, Stills and Nash found quick acclaim and released a number of Top 40 hits, including "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" and "Marrakesh Express." Neil Young joined up shortly thereafter, and

"Normally, as you get older, you sort of peter out. You write less," he said.

Writing with friends and his son James "extended my life as a writer tremendously," he said. "I just love making music."

Crosby had a vibrant working relationship with folk legend Joni Mitchell, producing her debut record, 1967's "Song to a Seagull." The pair had a brief, tu-

multuous romance, eventually rekindling a friendship that endured well into their twilight years.

For all of his musical influence, Crosby was perhaps just as known for his extraordinarily large life -one brimming with tragedy, love affairs, romantic bad blood, addiction and an ultimate return from the edge.

"I think I didn't have a clue," he said of his young life in the 2019 documentary. "I don't think I was a good lover. I don't think I was a good person, companion. I think I was selfish. And wacko. And I got more wacko as time went on."

"There was boundaries I crossed that you haven't thought of yet."

His girlfriend Christine Hinton died in a car crash in 1969 while taking their cats to the vet, a devastating event that triggered Crosby's spiral into cocaine and heroin addiction.

"Addiction takes you over like fire takes over a burning building," he said. "I went completely off the rails." In 1983, a court convicted him of cocaine possession and carrying a loaded pistol. He served five months behind bars before release on parole.

A litany of health problems accompanied his hard living, including diabetes, several heart attacks and a liver transplant due to Hepatitis C in 1994.

But he weaned himself off hard drugs and spent his last several decades experiencing a creative renaissance, swinging between touring and enjoying life in California with his wife since 1987, Jan Dance.

He only smoked weed -- and found Twitter fame for both his pithy quips and social media reviews of fans' joints.

"Time is the final currency. And so how do you spend it?" he said in the documentary. "I want to be a guy who is loving... that's what I'm striving for."

"I like loving my children and my wife and my dogs," he continued.

"And my music."

David Crosby, the vocalist, guitarist, and composer at the forefront of countercultural rock, ruled the folk-rock music industry for over six decades

'Har Koi Yaar Nahi', a song by Ayesha Omar, aims to explore self-love and sense of worth

By Bold Desk

LADIESFUND is Pakistan’s leading platform for urban women professionals and SME entrepreneurs with over 12,000 in its network.

Of late, Dawood Global Foundation (DGF) held the 7th LADIESFUND Sustainability Luncheon at British Deputy High Commission Karachi where corporates and businesses were awarded for their commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) and women businesses trained in aligning with UNSDG, with trainers and speakers from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Some businesses awarded include National Foods, HOM, EY, Glow & Lovely, Toni & Guy, and training was done of women professionals, SMEs, home chefs, and a handful of rural women. 10 LADIESFUND Women of Inspiration 2023 were awarded to some well-known women including Nargis Rehman, Sharmila Farooqui, Shaniera Akram, Dr. Ishrat Lindblad, Naz Khan, Hena Sadeq, Nighat Misbah, Dr. Mahnaz Shah, Niilofur Farrukh and Frieha Altaf. Other awardees included Mobitising, Bombay Light House, Roots Millenium School, The Edvisory, Krel, HBL Asset Management, EY, Bombay Light House, Sam International and Womenpreneur. Other supporters of the event included Depilex, Enchante Silver, White Biryani, Hanif Rajput, Nestle, Salad Tox, Igloo, Cups N Cakes, Bakers Inn, Oriental Cake, Warm Delights, Herbamed, Delicacy, Sam Bakes, Maccaroon.

In her address, LADIESFUND President Tara Uzra Dawood said, "LADIESFUND stands for women with economic power and voice and of course, impact and today we take that a step further strengthening that to sustainability and aligning women businesses and acknowledging corporates who are committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and in

particular: UNSG Goal 5: Gender Equality." British Deputy High Commissioner Sarah Mooney spoke about how when she was a young girl, she was expected in school to learn how to iron a man's shirt and she protected. She

changed her school requirements and went on to be an incredible leader in her own right. Peter Hurst, UNIDO Global expert and British Citizen, gave a keynote speech and said, "Women empowerment and women equity we are very

focused on in the Sindh province."

UNDP gender experts Rida Amjad Mirza and Hameeda Kaleem proceeded to do a training on UNSDG. They thereafter mentored women professional and entrepreneur tables. LADIESFUND UNSDG Specialist trainer Xenab F. An-

sari took the attendees through the 17 goals as well as a detailed step-by-step plan of action. The funds generated from this event will be utilized towards the charitable efforts of DGF for women advancement with intended focus Educate a Girl trainings.

The first performance of a Shakespeare play has resurrected hopes of a cultural revival in war-torn Yamen

AFP

"To be, or not to be": on a stage in Yemen, William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" rings out in Arabic, a tragedy that resonates with an audience suffering from years of civil war. In the government-controlled city of Aden, battered by the conflict, the first performance of a Shakespeare play in many years has resurrected hopes of a cultural revival.

"We are hungry for these kinds of events," said Heba al-Bakri, watching one of a sold-out run of 10 shows. "Our people are always distressed and exhausted, so we need this kind of entertainment."

As the actors took their bows, applause roared out and the audience rose for a standing ovation. The savage bloodshed, murder, revenge, power struggles and moral dilemmas told in the famous tragedy by the English playwright were written over 400 years ago -- but on stage in Yemen today, the play holds power.

Yemen, the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula, has been at war since 2014 when Iran-backed Huthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene the following year.

The country has been left in ruins, hundreds of thousands of people have died, and many more have been pushed to the brink of famine.

Director Amr Gamal, founder of the Khaleej

Aden Theatre Troupe, feared there might have been only "limited interest", but is now planning a second round of shows after its success.

The three-hour performance has gripped the audience.

"They do not leave the room before the play ends", said Gamal, who also directed the feature film "Ten Days Before the Wedding", a love story which Yemen named as their official submission to the 2018 Oscars.

Yemen, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, has a long history of performing Shakespeare in Arabic dating back over a century.

In this version, "Hamlet" was translated first into classical Arabic and then into Aden's dialect to provide it with a unique Yemeni twist.

Including characters wearing traditional Yemeni dress, it has turned a centuries-old tale into a platform to reflect on the troubled times in the country today.

"It is an old dream realised after years of work", said assistant director Marwan Mafraq, noting the "lack of resources" in Yemen had led to a "very tight space" for artistic production.

Backed by the British Council, a cultural and educational organisation, the play is being performed in a former government building dating to when the southern port city was a British colony.

For the past two years, the cast in Aden received support via video-link from Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London and the Volcano Theatre in Wales.

The British Council said the "Hamlet" production showed its commitment to "building the capacity of young Yemenis to creatively express themselves".

But putting on the play posed not only logistical challenges.

Nour Zaker, who plays the tragic character of Ophelia, said she had to both learn a challenging role on stage and overcome social taboos against female actors in the conservative country.

"I faced many difficulties as a woman in Aden," she said.

"My family did not object, but it was difficult because... society does not easily accept these things."

But her audience -- which included women wearing the face-covering niqab veil, common in Yemen

-- were receptive.

For those watching and those on stage, the hope is "Hamlet" may help start a wider revival.

"As artistes, we always have the hope that there will be great cultural productions, theatrical or cinematographic, which highlight Yemeni culture," said actor Omar Majalad, who plays Hamlet's friend Guildenstern.

"We hope that there will be more attention given to art and music," said university student Fadi Abdulmalik, after watching a performance.

"This will sow love and peace in Yemen."

By BOLD Desk

Held in January, the Karachi Eat Festival (KEF) was a huge success. However, an unforeseen tragedy took place on the last day of the festival when a large number of gate-crashers thronged the annual event and spoiled an otherwise safe space for women attendees in particular. To offset the most annoying experience, singer Ali Tariq has risen to the occasion with a pro-bono offer. According to Ali Tariq, he wants to hold an allwomen gig, particularly for those girls who couldn’t have fun and enjoy any musical performances at the annual food festival in threat of some uncouth men gate-crashing the venue.

Recently, the Mast Malang-singer took to his social media account and personally apologised for what happened at the Karachi Eat 2023, hoping that all the women “made it home safe”. He wrote, “It hurts to see that women and families in our society can’t even enjoy such simple things in life.”

Feeling ashamed of the most unpleasant incident, Ali Tariq said that the videos from the event were indeed “disturbing to watch.”

Taking to Instagram, Ali Tariq shared the idea, especially with those who were quite unhappy and upset about missing his musical performance. He wrote, “After reading all messages from you guys, I want to put out a public gig,

all girls only! This is to cater (to) all the girls who came out on Sunday but weren’t able to enjoy their day to the fullest.” In his message, he pledged his performance and publicly appealed to donors and sponsors to arrange the programme’s venue and bear the

production cost. He also shared his contact details for potential sponsors, advertisers and companies interested in making the public gig happen.

Ali Tariq’s post received many positive comments from across the music circles. RJ Dino Ali, for

instance, wished him the best with his great offer. In like manner, Ahmed Godil, one of the hosts of the Karachi Eat Festival, offered his services for Tariq’s show, while the young singer Rafay Israr expressed his wishes by posing some heart emojis.

Held from January 6 to January 8, the long-waited Karachi Eat Festival was a big hit. However, the last day of the annual event was reportedly marred by a ruckus, with some undeniable claims of gate-crashing and women’s harassment circulating

on social media. Singer Kaifi Khalil also shared a statement showing his disappointment over the lack of decency and irresponsible behaviour shown by those people who reportedly annoyed and harassed women at the festival.

A young digital artist from Lahore, talks to BOLD about her digital artwork, the scope of digital art in Pakistan and the opportunities it offers to today’s artists

By Minaal Mohsin Maan LAHORE

“Art is not what you see; it’s what you make others see,” says Edgar Degas, a French Impressionist artist of the 20th century, explicitly describing the essence of art and what an artist is supposed to do. A piece of art helps one experience something unique that perhaps no other mode of communication can do. Although traditional forms of art have been present in the world for eons, digital art is relatively an emerging medium which has taken the world by storm, thanks to its significance, tech-driven function and utility, offering the lot of young artists a plethora of avenues to explore and express their latent creativity as well as develop lucrative careers. Maryam Akram, a young digital artist, has designed and illustrated four books, along with creating digital artwork for a variety of purposes. Having embarked on a professional journey vacillating between Lahore and New York, Maryam Akram talks to BOLD about the overarching theme behind her digital artwork, the scope of this form of art and the opportunities it offers to today’s artists.

BOLD: Is digital art replacing the traditional art and how important is it for new artists to pursue digital art to stay relevant in the field?

Maryam Akram: Traditional art has not lost its value or become insignificant after the onset of digital art, as both forms of art make a deep impact on the world. It can safely be said that the digital art stems from the traditional art, however, there’s no dichotomy between them. Even though digital art is in vogue, it has not yet been able to replace the traditional medium. Of course, it’s become easier for traditional artists to showcase their talent by employing various digital art tools to have a wider audience and become more accessible to art lovers.

What about the professional scope, coupled with career growth opportunities, offered by the field of digital art? How is it determined?

For newbies, it takes a lot of time and effort to make a place in the field of digital art. Given that the world of digital art is very competitive all one has to do is work hard, stick to one’s own style and carve a niche.

Tell us a bit about the process, the tools you use and how easy or difficult is to learn and use them?

I started to work with such traditional mediums as watercolors but moved to the digital art. Currently, I use a graphics editor app called Procreate on iPad with

Apple Pencil. It’s not difficult to learn digital art if one is regular and persistent in one’s efforts.

Could you please describe your art in a word?

The word ‘empathy’ would be the right term to describe my art as I tend to apply myself to create empathy through my illustrations. My job as an illustrator is to channel my anger into creativity. Honestly speaking, my anger is my fuel, which is acquired from my experience as an immigrant parent and woman and from the environment we live in and the stories we come to know about.

How do you design a book cover?

When it comes to designing a book cover, I first talk to my client to understand their motif. Since an illustration is always based on a particular idea, knowing the client’s requirement helps my use my creativity in the right direction. I sleep on it, wait for the moment of afflatus and when I have an idea that I really like, I start working on it. One can't judge a book by its cover, however, designing book covers is a tad difficult and challenging. This is primarily because a lot depends on the book cover since it is the first introduction of the book.

For digital artists, what’s the main difference between the U.S. and Pakistani markets?

In the United States, art is rather ubiquitous phenomenon and can be found in every nook and cranny. This really helped me add value to my art and illustrations. In the US market there a huge with loads of opportunities for digital artists with substantial monetary returns.

Do you think Pakistan, as a nation, is supportive of its artists’ community, particularly digital artists?

Digital artists in Pakistan have a good following and people regularly approach us to create art for them for different objectives. However, the monetary returns are not very attractive, mostly because of fierce competition. Comparatively speaking, people here love and value art, but very few of them are willing to pay you what you demand.

What are some avenues that emerging digital artists can use to sell their work, locally and globally?

I’ve tried a social commerce platform called Teespring because it shares half of the price you set for your artwork with you. They take care of the production

and sales and all you have to do is upload your design on their products’ list.

Is it difficult for women in Pakistan to pursue a career in digital art?

I think it is harder, particularly for new moms and immigrant women. It’s difficult because if you’re the primary parent, especially in a country where you have no help, you have to climb mountains and exhaust yourself to become someone. Personally speaking, it is quite challenging for a mother to juggle with rearing a child and pursuing her career at the same time. But one needs to train oneself to make it work successfully.

By Bold Desk

Sindh Culture Minister Syed Sardar Shah inaugurated

‘Art Fest 2023’ at Sambara Art Gallery in Karachi. Consul General of Indonesia Dr. June Kuncoro Hadiningrat, Secretary Culture Naseem Al Ghani Sohto, DG Culture Munoor Mahesar, Amin Gulji, Waheeda Baloch and many other renowned artists were present in the inauguration ceremony. The Art Fest 2023 is the third exhibition held at the Sambara Art Gallery. Young artists who cannot afford to exhibit their artwork in a private gallery can now showcase their work in this gallery, located in the centre of the city.

Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Sindh Culture Minister, visited the exhibition and appreciated the artwork and paintings of emerging artists. Speaking on this occasion, he said that it is satisfying to see the artwork of the young artists. ‘The Culture Department of Sindh has been trying to highlight all the aspects of culture, realizing the need for an art gallery in Karachi,’ he added. The exhibition will continue till the last week of January.

By Bold Desk

All set for a new beginning, Saba Qamar is coming up with a new drama series Sar-e-Rah. Based on personal stories with a lead cast comprising Sunita Marshall, Hareem Farooq, Saboor Aly and Muneeb Butt, ‘Sar-e-Rah’ seems to be an extraordinary effort as it stays away from the prevailing trend by highlighting such stories, which are real, inspiring, and motivating.

Sharing the first look of Sare-Rah on her Instagram handle, Saba Qamar announced the star cast of the new drama series. According to her, the forthcoming project is a “whirlwind of twists”.

She wrote: “Here’s the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT we’ve all been waiting for! Sar-e-Rah is a new project portraying a thought-provoking story that brings together some of the biggest names from the drama industry.”

A production of iDream Entertainment, Sar-e-Rah is written by Adeel Razaq and directed by Ahmed Bhatti.

According to Muneeb Butt, Sar-e-Rah is a 6 to 7 episode series, more like what we see on Amazon or Netflix. “It’s a USAID series in which each episode will be

based on a different story and [all of them] are excellent. It highlights all basic, social issues such as the stereotypes in our society, the way things are done and it breaks taboos. My character is of a guy who by birth is a hermaphrodite,” Muneeb Butt said.

The Baandi-actor said that Sar-e-Rah portrays the lifelong journey and arduous struggle of his character, and how he defies societal norms and challenges with much courage.

“This has a beautiful message — we boycott such individuals from our society completely and they are left with a few options to work; becoming a sex worker, a dancer or begging at signals. So for them, it’s a message that if you study, work hard and don’t care about what people say then you too can achieve whatever you want,” Muneeb Butt added. The drama series will be aired on screen very soon.

By Bold Desk ‘Mujhay Qabool Nahi,’ a new TV serial, will be soon on screen with a star-studded cast, comprising Madiha Imam, Sami Khan, Osama Tahir and Ahsan Khan in lead roles.

“The story concentrates on one family but focuses more on the cousins. So my character and Sami’s character are married to Madiha Imam and Sidra Niazi. Ahsan Khan has a very interesting character as well, which is intertwined with the characters of Madiha Imam and Sami Khan,” Osama Tahir said.

According to Tahir, Mujhay Qabool Nahi is based on quite an interesting theme which “revolves around a lot of greed and social injustice in a way but more so about how greedy humans can be and how far they’ll go to achieve what they want.”

The TV serial ‘Mujhay Qabool Nahi’ is directed by Aabis Raza. The “working experience with Aabis Raza was great since he is a fantastic director and it was fun working with him”, said Osama Tahir. Although Aabis Raza is a funny person, when it comes down to actual work, he is more professional and

down-to-earth and just focuses on his work, he said.

Mujhay Qabool Nahi will go on air after Eid al-Fitr. One of the leading television and film directors, Aabis Raza is best known for his hit TV serials and drama series.

Aabis Raza stands out from the rest because of unusual approach since he believes in producing TV serials on diversified themes apart from the insipid family matters, marital issues, formulaic love stories and the like. He started working as a TV director

in 2011, and made his debut in cinema by directing the film Maan Jao Na in 2018. His popular TV serials include Zard Mausam (2012), Kankar (2013) Firaaq (2014), Nazo (2015), Khudparast (2018-19), Hassad (2019), and Bandish (2019).