The Pakistani subsidiary of the world’s largest beverages company successfully positioned itself as a higher-end aspirational brand through its sponsorship of Coke Studio, now five seasons old. Starting in 2008, the music series helped the company’s flagship soft drink gain a significant market share in Pakistan – the world’s sixth largest consumer market, dominated by market leader PepsiCo.

According to a Wall Street Journal report of July 2010, Pepsi has lost significant market share to Coca-Cola because of the latter’s sponsorship of Coke Studio. As of July 2010, Coke claimed 35% of all cola sales in Pakistan while Pepsi’s market share was 65%, down from a dominant 80% in the 1990s that it mainly gained by sponsoring cricket.

Optimistic about future growth prospects, Coca-Cola announced this March that it would invest $379 million in three new bottling plants – one each in Karachi, Multan and Islamabad – that is in addition to another $172 million investment it announced in 2011.

The expansion plans come on the back of a strong growth in the company’s topline and volumes. Coca-Cola’s Pakistan arm earned over Rs50 billion in revenues for the financial year ending June 30, 2012, a 55% increase when compared with the previous year.

The improvement in distribution system and focus on consumer activation as well as promotion resulted in volume growth of 23% in the year 2012, according to Coca-Cola Içiçek, Turkey-based partner that has a 49% stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Pakistan – the Pakistani subsidiary of the US-based parent company that sells the product.

Coke Studio has helped the company dent Pepsi’s lead in cola wars, however, the latter still remains the largest player in what it sees as one of the top 10 non-US markets in the world.

“It is safe to say that PepsiCo is Pakistan’s most popular cola brand,” Pepsico spokesperson Mohammad Khosa said. The company has a lot of other exciting brands including Mountain Dew, 7Up, Mirinda, Slice, Sting and Aquafina that are doing wonderfully, he said.

Khosa refused to reveal the exact revenue or market share, but sources confirmed that revenues of PepsiCo Pakistan and its eight bottlers stood at a combined Rs82 billion for the financial year ending June 30, 2012, up 19% compared to the previous year.

Coca-Cola declined to comment on Pepsi Smash. Critics, however, see it as a sign of vulnerability of Pepsi’s lead. As opposed to the critics’ view that PepsiCo is copying its rival’s marketing strategy, Khosa said Pepsi Smash was launched to build on the brand’s longstanding association with music.

“There are a number of brands linked with music in Pakistan, that does not mean that one brand is copying marketing techniques of the other, each programme has its own niche, genre and music philosophy,” Khosa said.

Explaining, the PepsiCo spokesperson said music had been and would remain an integral part of the brand. “Pepsi’s association with music stars from Vital Signs to Ali Zafar, music programming like Pepsi Top of the Pops, Geetar and Pepsi Battle of the Bands and launching various albums is a testament to the brand’s longstanding relationship with the music platform in Pakistan,” he said.

He further said the brand’s partnership with music is truly global with various campaigns run over the years featuring iconic music stars like Michael Jackson, Britney Spears and more recently Beyonce. Additionally, he said, the company sponsored various music-based programmes such as The X-Factor, Pepsi Music and Pepsi Smash.

Launched on May 1, 2013 Pepsi Smash is a digital media-led music initiative that puts the audience in control, tapping the power of this new digital age at its best, Khosa said. It’s too early to comment on sales impact of this initiative, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2013.

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“Why would I want to be in a film which is a re-make of my mother’s film? That would be like suicide for me because I am inviting people to compare me with her. People rarely make favourable comments,” said Soha. “The idea is to do something new and fresh. If it’s a contemporary adaptation, then that’s okay.”

Actor of films such as Rang De Basanti and Khoya Khoya Chand, Soha, who doesn’t have too many hits to her credit, says she is not “commercially focused”.

“My motivation is not how much my film will make. My motivation is that it should be a good film and if I will enjoy working in it,” she continued. “I am not interested in making a lot of money. I am fortunate to have financial security and it [money] has never been a motivational factor for me.”

“I am not even interested in being famous. I think being famous has a lot of stress. Actually, being an actor is very complicated. You have to be almost a super human to deal with everything. It comes with a lot of baggage,” she added.

Soha feels her mother Sharmila, who has been a part of movies such as Aradhana, Safar and Mausam, is a good homemaker.

“I take a lot of tips from my mum on how to be a good homemaker,” said Soha, who is dating actor Kunal Khemu. “Living in a house with your life partner and being in a relationship, which is public, you have to be kind of mature and calm.”

“She was a very good wife and a good mother and she does give me advice. One of the things she said was, ‘A man must never hurt a woman’s emotion and a woman must never hurt a man’s ego and if you respect the man’s ego, the man respects the woman’s emotion. If you do that, you will be okay,” she added.

Initially, Soha admits she was compared to her mother a lot but now, people have stopped comparing the two actors. “My choice of films is slightly different,” said the 34-year-old.

“Sometimes when I dress in a particular way, people say I look like my mom. Even if you are comparing me favourably or unfavourably with my mother, I am not competing with her, I am competing with my fears,” she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2013.

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Arshad is also bowled over Madhuri’s professionalism and her happy-go-lucky nature. “I think Dr Nene is the happiest man on earth because Madhuri is absolutely divine,” Warsi said at the DVD launch of his last release Jolly LLB.

Dixit married US-based cardiovascular surgeon Dr Nene in 1999 and shifted to US. Her family then moved to India again in 2011, and she is now busy reviving her Bollywood career.

“She is beautiful and lovely. She is a thorough professional and always wears a smile on her face. She is a very positive person on the set … a great person to work with. She is a phenomenal actor,” said Warsi, praising his co-actor. The actor admits that working with Dixit in Dedh Ishqiya has been a pleasure.

Dedh Ishqiya, a sequel to the 2010 black comedy Ishqiya, is directed by Abhishek Chaubey and also features Naseeruddin Shah and Huma Qureshi.

In the prequel, Warsi played a rugged and rough character Babban. It has been Warsi’s favourite character, but he says he would rather be remembered as a good actor over one character.

“It would be great if people continue to know me as a good actor. I am a very honest person,” Warsi concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2013.

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And now, almost four years after their break-up, they are sharing screen space in Ayan Mukerji’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, and are apparently liking it. Their first and last film together was Bachna Ae Haseeno in 2008.

“I always expected Deepika to reach very high levels, but I had no idea that she would become such a fine actor so soon. She is the first actor in front of whom I am a bit intimidated,” said Kapoor, who wowed people with his versatile performances in Wake Up Sid, Raajneeti, Rockstar and Barfi!.

Talking about her growth in the industry, Kapoor said, “I felt like she was not doing what I expected her to do. That constant surprise was a good feeling. I know her so well. She has turned her disadvantages into advantages.” He added that he is very happy for how his ex-girlfriend has grown as an actor.

Like most celebrities who are hounded by rumours, Kapoor accepts it as part of an actor’s life and believes that it comes naturally with fame. “I can understand there is a demand for this. People want to know about their favourite actors — What they do? Who will they marry or not?”

“However, when it comes to you, you feel bad,” continued Kapoor. “But you have to focus on your work. Because when on Friday, your film releases, everyone forgets everything. It is part and parcel of the journey. You have to take it with a pinch of salt.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2013.

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Bieber, who was named the top male artist, also performed at the show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. He took home Billboard’s first Milestone Award, chosen by fans, for musical innovation and ingenuity.

“I’m 19 years old. I think I’m doing a pretty good job,” Bieber said. “It should really be about the music. This is not a gimmick. I’m an artist and I should be taken seriously. And all this other bull should not be spoken of.”

The teen heartthrob did not elaborate, but in recent months he has been involved in several high-profile incidents ranging from driving offenses to reports of hard partying and drugs being found on his tour bus in Sweden.

Swift won the top award of the night — artist of the year. She thanked her fans by telling them: “You are the longest and best relationship I’ve ever had.”

The Billboard Music Awards, hosted by 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan, opened with Bruno Mars performing Treasure. PHOTOS: AFP / REUTERS

Pop diva Madonna was named top touring artist for her MDNA Tour, 2012’s highest-grossing concert series. Madonna strode onstage to accept the accolade from recording artist Will.i.am, wearing black fishnet stockings, garters and a padlock choker.

The MDNA tour grossed more than $305 million from 88 sold-out shows and attracted an audience of 2.2 million people. Madonna acknowledged her fans by saying: “A showgirl needs her fans. Thank you for supporting me for three decades.” She also thanked her four children for being “incredibly supportive.”

The Billboard Music Awards, hosted by 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan, opened with Bruno Mars performing Treasure.

Early awards went to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, who won top rap song for Thrift Shop, and Nicki Minaj, who took home the top rap artist honour. Carly Rae Jepsen’s Call Me Maybe was named top digital song, while Swift took home the top Billboard 200 album award for Red. French producer and DJ David Guetta was named top electric dance music artist.

Among musical highlights, Bieber performed Take You, which was chosen by his fans via Twitter, before pairing up with Will.i.am for #ThatPOWER.

Other musical pairings included Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull singing #LiveItUp, Minaj and Lil Wayne who performed High School, and Christina Aguilera and Pitbull singing Feel This Moment.

Singers Selena Gomez, Chris Brown, Icona Pop, South Korea rap sensation Psy and Swift, who was nominated for 11 Billboard awards and received eight, performed as well.

The show ended with the Icon Award for American singer and songwriter Prince, in recognition of his unique career and accomplishments in the music industry. Prince performed a medley to close the show, but did not deliver an acceptance speech.

Crash landing

In an apparently unscripted moment, R&B singer Miguel, performing Adorn, leapt from the stage and landed feet-first atop two young women. No mention was made on the broadcast as to whether they were injured.

Miguel was wrapping up the performance when he attempted a long jump from one section of the stage to another, over hoards of audience members in the orchestra pit of the MGM Grand Casino Hotel, with his legs and bottom landing atop the unsuspecting women.

He did not appear to notice as the performance went on as planned. Both women vacated the area as soon as they were struck. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2013.

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KARACHI: Impressive performances and lack of a gripping subject define Dhaani. The 75-minute long play leaves you with a feeling similar to one felt after an unsatiating meal.

What makes it worse is the theme which seems more preachy than inspiring; a husband is having an affair with a gori but it turns out it’s just the imagination of the wife and her neighbour. At the end, much to the audience’s surprise, there is no gori (referred to as the frock wali larki).

Written by Aamra Alam and Imrana Maqsood, the play revolves around the story of two housewives – Rashida played by Sarwat Gillani and Ruqqaya played by Sanam Saeed – who are friends as well as foes. The two neighbours, just like India and Pakistan, argue, celebrate and share their woes. Besides the typical jealous housewife antics, there is hardly anything in the story itself to keep the audience intrigued.

Dhaani, produced by Lollwood actor Shaan, is a well-performed play which tries hard to make a point but doesn’t quite succeed. Instead, it leaves the audience in fits of laughter.

Ruqqaya is relatively well-off, a trait reflected by her home’s luxurious interior, while Rashida has a less sophisticated life style. The latter, with her firangi mindset, ends up filling Ruqqaya’s head with baseless ideas that her husband is cheating on her with a “frock wali larki” and the whole narrative centres on that. Unfortunately, the play lacks a much-needed closure as there is no explanation about what really became of the frock wali larki.

Unlike the ups and downs present in any narrative, Dhaani maintains a flat line on its cardiogram throughout the play. This seems to be a general problem new playwrights face when they attempt to write original theatre plays. But it was a shock to see a seasoned writer like Maqsood, conform to the same mistake.

Despite the apparent flaws in the storyline, it was Sanam and Sarwat (primarily) who made Dhaani worth the watch. Sanam’s unimpressive performance in Zindagi Gulzar Hai suggested that being expressive wasn’t her forte but her performance in Dhaani has proved her acting prowess; it was a huge leap forward for her and speaks bundles of the untapped expression range and versatility she possesses.

Although Sanam’s performance was strong, it was Sarwat who stole the show. Sanam was forgettable when she stood next to Sarwat, a dynamic, marvelous and full-of-life actor. Sanam’s acting fell flat at times, next to the bubbly character of Sarwat whose stage presence, dialogue delivery and movement justified her character’s jealous personality perfectly.

Rashida’s mother (played by Sundus Tariq) and Fayyaz chacha (played by Kamal Hussain) added bits of humour also but ended up being a little irritating. The classical dance moves attempted by Sanam and Sarwat came off as a little half-hearted and didn’t really add anything to the play but more time.

Dhaani’s director Umar Sultan also needs to be given credit for bringing on stage the picture-perfect chemistry between the two lead actors which single-handedly drove the entire play as well as for pulling it off despite issues in the storyline.

A word of advice: Writers and directors should know that despite their anger at post-colonial stereotypes, revisiting those themes reaffirms that we haven’t quite moved on. Sanam and Sarwat try to pull it off with subtlety – the disagreements and fights between Pakistan and India by the arguments their characters have – the director still underestimates the maturity of the audience and felt the need to directly force the message in through a voice-over at the end. “300 saal pehley bhi yehi frock wali maim ayi thi”.

Verdict: Watch it for Sarwat’s stellar performance but don’t go if you’re looking for an engaging story. Despite lack of substance, hook or adequate ending, the script has powerful and humourous one-liners.

Dhaani will be on at the Arts Council till May 30 and the ticket is priced at Rs1,000.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2013.

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Singer Britney Spears is facing serious criticism after allowing her son Jayden to play with a large toy gun. The six-year-old was photographed pointing the toy gun at other people during their family vacation in California, reported contactmusic.com.

While Spears has been judged before for her parenting skills, a non-profit gun-control group is outraged by her action this time.

“As parents, it is our responsibility to set a good example for our children and as a celebrity parent, it is especially important,” declared Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

“Jayden was photographed not just playing with any toy gun — it looks like an assault weapon. It is disappointing to see Britney allowing her son to play with such a violent toy,” added Watts.

However, a source close to Spears spoke out to defend the star. “Britney has been justly criticised for some lapses in judgment as a mother, like driving around without securing her kid in a car seat. But if letting a boy play with a toy gun is bad mothering, then there must be millions of bad mothers in America,” said a source.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2013.

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Rishi told IANS: “I am very proud that my son is trying to keep the Kapoor flag flying. I always encourage him and want him to do better work. Films are not a joke, it’s our family business and I am happy that he is serious about his career and his work.”

Although Ranbir, 30, had a dull start with Saawariya, but thanks to his choice of roles in Wake Up Sid, Raajneeti, Rockstar and Barfi, the youngster has carved a niche for himself in just six years.

Praising Ranbir’s work, Kapoor said, “He is an actor who has taken a less travelled route. He is choosing different films and doing films that are not the staple diet of film heroes. For that I give him credit.”

He added that Ranbir’s choice in films is his own and that he also takes creative decisions himself. “I have no contribution to that [Ranbir’s decisions] at all. People feel I choose his films, but it’s not so. I am just his father, not his manager,” he said.

Was Ranbir sure about becoming an actor? “He knew his family business is such, so you are inclined to get into it, which is very natural. That must have influenced him. He wanted to go to a film school, so he went there and got trained as an actor. And God has been kind, he has given him some kind of strength to maintain his name,” said Rishi.

Though from the beginning, Ranbir has experimented with various roles, Rishi did not get the same chance.

He didn’t get to experiment much during that time, but recent films like Agneepath have given him a chance to make up for the lost opportunities.

“I have never got to play these kinds of roles when I was younger. When you are young, you want to do romantic roles. Now I am playing all kinds of roles, which are very prominent to the subject and I am happy that they came my way. I love to experiment with different roles,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2013.

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Welcome Back Ash!

Bollywood’s blue-eyed darling Aishwarya Rai Bachchan left everyone gasping in shock when she appeared at the Cannes Film Festival last year with a post-pregnancy body. However, at the 66th Cannes Film Festival, Bachchan looked absolutely stunning and totally outshone her fellow Indian actors.

Wearing one stunning dress after another, the actor turned heads and made the paparazzi go crazy for her signature smile and wave. Hair, make-up, clothes — everything was perfect.

Hair & make-up

We are not sure why Bachchan did not think about sporting a different hairdo when she arrived at the screening of Blood Ties on May 20. A different look — maybe an updo — would have looked refreshing. The make-up was also no different from her first look at the fest. Whither creativity, Ash?

However, we must appreciate her bang-on-trend, perfectly manicured mint green nails. Yum!

Clothes

Breaking the monotony, Bachchan wore a peach Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla floor-length anarkali with heavy embroidery. The dress complemented her physique well. Looks like the Bachchan bahu is spending a lot of time at the gym!

Accessories & shoes

The actor paired the outfit with a matching satin clutch and gold jewellery.

Hair & make-up

On May 19, Bachchan graced the red carpet laid out for the screening of Inside Llewyn Davis and reminded us of her post-marriage days. The beautiful L’Oréal ambassador looked stunning with her striking aqua eyes accentuated with a thick liner. She kept the make-up simple yet glamourous to complement the outfit. We love the signature centre-parted hair with loose curls at the end.

Clothes

This yummy mummy made the right choice by wearing a black-and-beige Elie Saab lace gown — a cleverly chosen dark colour to hide a bulge here and there.

Accessories & shoes

Her dress was styled with a black clutch and gold jewels.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2013.

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Shruti admits that she always wanted to be in showbiz but was sceptical about facing the camera because she didn’t think she had what it takes to be a glamorous heroine.

“I always wanted to become an actor but I thought I was too ugly to be one. I was always into sports, the sun and running around,” she said. “I thought heroines are so beautiful, how would I be that beautiful. But despite that, I really wanted to be in the entertainment business — I wanted to act and sing.”

The 27-year-old, who made her debut with Hindi movie Luck, will have two releases in June this year, D-Day and Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya, on the same date (June 19).

“It’s pretty good that it just happened to be that way,” she said about the simultaneous release of her two films. “I am happy that both are polar opposites. Both the characters I am playing are very different from each other.” She admitted that she’s happy both films are coming out on the same day. “It just shows the range,” she added.

The actor, who has featured in more than half-a-dozen films so far, including Telugu movie Anaganaga O Dheerudu, finds her journey unconventional.

“It’s been quite a different journey for me [in the film industry] — it’s not a conventional journey of a star,” said Shruti. “I have never been a conventional person. But my journey has taught me a lot. There have been successes and failures, and they have taught me a lot.”

“Regardless, it’s my journey and hopefully, it will return more colours [do better],” she added. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2013.

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The actor who is currently busy promoting her debut production venture Ishkq in Paris said, “Off late, I have been thinking that I will join politics because it’s so sad what is happening to our country [India]. I really want to be somehow involved in positively changing our country.” Zinta added that one day she will come out and ask people to vote for her.

Anticipating her political career, the actor has even made an imaginary picture of herself as a politician. “I will be a very glamourous politician. I will have nice hair, wear nice clothes, and I will not be corrupt,” she described.

Although actors are known for spending hefty amounts on their styling and lifestyle, Zinta expresses her angst against politicians involved in corruption and embezzlements. “How much do you genuinely need to eat? You don’t eat a gold biscuit if you are hungry. So, survival is limited to one point. How much more do you want?” questioned the actor, while adding, “It’s important we start thinking about our country because what is happening to it, is really sad.”

The actor also acknowledged the “good politicians” and said, “People like me don’t have to get into politics because there are good people, too … There are lots of good politicians. Don’t get me wrong,” she clarified and continued, “The good politicians, however, are eclipsed by all the corruption. And the only way to make India shine is making this all stop, because it’s always the average man who suffers at the end.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2013.

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The typical Pakistani shaadi is no longer an intimate affair between two people about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. In fact, it has all the elements of a roaring circus!

In the midst of it is the beautiful bride, a.k.a the ringmaster, simultaneously juggling tight budgets, short deadlines, entertaining wedding guests and the roaring lions, i.e. the interfering in-laws. By the time the actual wedding day arrives, the stress and anxiety have turned the bride into an oddity, more ballistic than blooming. Come experience these different types of bridal oddities and pray you don’t become one of them on your own big day!

Oddity 1:

James Bond Bride

This secret-agent bride has an uncanny ability to conceal all information about her wedding and dodge all inquiries. Torture her if you must but she will not fess up. Confront her during her nikah signing or barge into her room on her wedding night and she will STILL deny it!

Reasons: The bride doesn’t want too many people invited to her functions. Or she was engaged before and it didn’t work out so she doesn’t want to jinx it this time around. Or maybe, she is just an introvert trying to avoid the extra attention… We can never be too sure. And of course, Miss James Bond won’t tell us herself either!

Oddity 2:

Besharam Bride

While other brides will look down modestly and steal shy glances at their men, this one will be grabbing her groom (read fiancé — the nikah has probably not happened yet!) and suggesting they celebrate their wedding night before all the hullabaloo of the dholkis and dinners starts!

Reasons: She has waited too long for the man of her dreams.

Oddity 3:

Sharmeeli Bride

This poor bride appears to be stuck in the 1920s. Once the date for her wedding is finalised, she is blushing perpetually! Ask her the name of her groom and she will place a finger on her cheek or bite her lip. That is, if she does not run away to her room first!

Reasons: Either her mother told her this is how all brides should behave. Or she watched way too many Shabnum films growing up. Let’s just hope she gives up the act once the wedding is over.

Oddity 4:

Nothing-will-get-me-down Bride

She can smile sweetly at the designer who makes her ‘shaadi ka jora’ a glorified version of Lady Gaga’s meat dress. Nothing can break her, not even her nand’s incessant complaining about the 50-hour long plane journey she had to make, all the way from America.  She is, basically, Super Bride!

Reason: Perhaps she suffered something terrible in her childhood which left her completely numb? Or, a much-more intriguing possibility, she just couldn’t care less about the wedding.

Oddity 5:

Everything-gets-me-down Bride

Granted that tears are inevitable in every ‘shaadi ka ghar,’ this bride takes it to a whole new level! She cries, whines and screams before, during and after the wedding. She will throw a fit if you forget to RSVP, thrash the groom if he arrives a minute after ‘9pm sharp’ and contemplate suicide if the flowers are not the right shade of purple.

Reasons: This melodrama can only be explained by an obsessive need for perfection and focusing all her frustrations on the decor to temporarily forget about what is to come after the wedding.

Oddity 6:

No-cost-spared Bride

She has a talent for emptying peoples’ pockets. She will make ridiculous requests that nobody can, or will want to, entertain, such as arriving at the venue on a unicorn, asking her in-laws to bring in a gold-spun dress from Paris and requesting her buddies to colour-coordinate their outfits, etc.

Reasons: YOMO! You Only Marry Once and might as well milk the cow. Not to mention, this is the only way of getting even for all the spending she had to do on others’ weddings.

Oddity 7:

The religious fanatic bride

No one is allowed to smile at this event — unless it is done without your teeth showing and eyes sparkling. Music is out of the question, unless the bride is in party mode and you can only play the duff very ligtly. The nikah is being held at a masjid! Also, there is no qorma or gajjar ka halwa in the saada menu.

Reasons: Bride ko nazar lag jaaye gi and of course, we wouldn’t want that! Also, it is not her fault all the good stuff in life is haraam.

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, May 19^th, 2013.

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MELBOURNE: It’s been a super busy year for Bollywood actor Jimmy Shergill and we’re not even half way through 2013! With over 50 Hindi and Punjabi films under his belt, Shergill has proven himself as the versatile actor he always dreamt of being, even if it took him 17 years.

While he loves to do Punjabi films, Shergill says his bread and butter comes from Bollywood films. The Mumbai-based actor shares his experiences and thoughts with The Express Tribune in an interview during his tour for his new Punjabi film Rangeelay.

“I graduated in commerce and the idea was to get into business,” says Shergill who had never thought about acting. “But I feel everything is destined. I took acting classes for a year which landed me a small part in Maachis.”

“It’s been a slow but steady journey in Bollywood,” says Shergill, who doesn’t have relatives in the industry to push him up.

He proved his acting in films like Munna Bhai MBBS, Yahaan, A Wednesday and most recent films Special 26 and Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns.

“I’ve made plenty of mistakes and I have nobody to blame,” says Shergill, who also feels he has learned from his decisions. “But, I have worked with some very interesting people.”

When asked how he feels about being underrated, he says, “I take that as a compliment. At least people aren’t saying ‘you’re such a sh***y actor’! I see that happening to other actors all the time, and then I say — thank you God! I’d rather be underrated than overrated.”

The actor confesses that he got labelled after Mohabbatein. “People who hadn’t seen my other films would call me a ‘chocolate hero’. That used to irritate me, so I would respond by saying ‘Boss that’s a film. I’ve done other roles in films like Haasil or Dil Hai Tumhara’.”

The actor will soon be seen in Hindi film Bullet Raja  with actor Saif Ali Khan. “Saif and I have worked together before, but never got the time to bond. I don’t think I’ve laughed as much as  I did while I worked with Saif,” he smiles.

Jimmy Shergill — the Pakistani theatre fan!

While there aren’t many ardent lovers of local films outside of Pakistan, Shergill says he is a fan.

“I have seen a lot of Pakistani films. When I was in school, my parents used to watch a lot of Pakistani stage dramas like Bakra Qiston Pe — the whole series on VHS tapes,” he recalls.

“There is a huge amount of talent in Pakistan, especially in their drama and theatre, which are inspired by real stories.

Talking about a possible Indo-Pak “co-production,” Shergill says “Somewhere in the future the two industries will merge. With so many festivals taking place and films being made outside of Pakistan and about Pakistan, there is a lot of talent coming into the foreign limelight.”

Shergill says that Hindi and Punjabi films have a huge audience from Pakistan — especially in Canada. “They go see the first day, first show. Whenever I go to Canada, I make sure I attend the Pakistani live radio shows. It’s great to talk to Pakistanis and get their feedback.”

At the end, the actor adds, “I would love to be in a co-production. I have some amazing stories to make big films. It would be a great bond to show people. I’ve been planning to go to Pakistan for a long time now.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2013.

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The song begins with the composition of legendary Pashto singer and composer Rafiq Shinwari, who primarily sang the sufi poetry of Ameer Hamza Khan and was well-known for his rare husky voice. It is followed by acoustic guitar riffs from Junaid Khan, the guitarist and backing vocalist of the band. The word ‘Pakhwa’, that means ‘in the past’, was particularly chosen as the title of the track to reflect the harsh realities faced by the Pashtuns. Exploring the delicate details of their lives, the song is rather a tribute to all those who lost their lives in that region battling for peace. The song aims to relieve the younger generation from the frustrations that it currently braces through its upbeat and youthful spirit.

Ismail and Junaid believe that there is a need to make to music that can renew a sense of pride among the Pashtun youth for their culture. PHOTO: FILE

The musical pair, Ismail and Junaid, has tried to blend both traditional and contemporary sounds together while incorporating Ameer Hamza’s soulful poetry to give a fusion feel to the song. “We initially thought we would use a more western-influenced, hip-hop kind of music but then we realised that we will be no different from others who are destroying the Pashtun culture through their senseless music,” said Ismail, the lead vocalist of the band.

The band made its debut around two years back with their super-hit Pashto song Qarar. Soon after receiving immense appreciation for their first song, they released their second track titled Ranra. Pakhwa is the band’s third project which has garnered more attention from people living abroad than those living within the region. According to the band’s main singer Ismail, the response from locals has been rather slow but those living abroad have shown tremendous appreciation. In fact, the viewership of the subtitled version of the song, translated by Shafiullah Ahmad Zai, Haris Ali, and Mya Rehman, exceeded 0.5 million clicks within just five days.

The duo remains focused on conveying strong messages through their songs and seems to be extremely passionate about Pashtun culture. They believe that music has the power to change the society and that Pashtun musicians can renew a sense of pride for their cultural identity among the youth. “All Pashto singers are great and have nice, melodious voices but we feel ashamed that their work is more or less distorting our cultural identity,” said Ismail.

In a relatively short period of time, the band has managed to inspire quite a few with many going to the extent of copying their songs or adopting similar techniques. In fact, there are a handful of bands that incorporate Ameer Hamza’s poetry in their songs such as Yasir and Jawad, Khumaryan and the relatively new Ghag. “We are happy that Pashto singers are now copying us. Many young pop singers are emerging, who are more concerned about preserving the culture and we really hope that they make a difference,” said Junaid, adding that their upcoming projects will also revolve around preserving the Pashtun cultural identity.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2013.

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The money primarily came from ticket sales such as Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson’s One and profits made from the film of Jackson’s concert performances, This Is It, according to US documentary Michael Jackson 60 Minutes.

“Worldwide box office now is over $300 million. And Michael has almost 60 million Facebook friends. He’s the biggest selling artist on iTunes and has sold approximately 50 million albums since he passed away,” John Branca, a co-executor on Jackson’s will, told US TV channel CBS.

Jackson had debts of approximately $500 million before he died in June 2009 after an overdose of prescription drugs, termed as acute propofol intoxication.

A Forbes reporter, who has covered Jackson’s estate in depth, said: “He never stopped spending like it was the 1980s… he was making 50, 60, 80, over 100 million dollars into the 1990s.”

After the first charge of assault in 1993, he became radioactive. He didn’t tour again in the US, brands dropped him from their commercials and the upkeep of Neverland really added up. Since Michael Jackson died the estate has taken over $600 million in four years, and that’s more than any single living artist made over that period of time.

As stated in Jackson’s will, he intended 20 percent of his estate to go to charity, 40 percent to his children and 40 percent to go to his mother as long as she was alive.

The possessions include Jackson’s 30-year car collection, antiques and videogames from the Neverland Ranch and the black sequined jacket he wore in the video for Billie Jean. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

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Less is more!

Model Sana Ansari arrived at the red carpet for Pantene Bridal Couture Week looking ethereal. The simplicity of her ensemble and her beautiful smile were her best accessories. Here is how you can get a similar look:

Hair

Corresponding with SS13 trend charts, her braided updo is a win! There are many tutorials online which can help you achieve this updo, which is actually very simple, but looks glamourous. After a shower, rub some untangling serum in your hair to help control the frizz when you’re making this hairdo.

Make-up

Her make-up is chic, summery and oh-so-classy. Smudge in shades of grey, black and silver from Rimmel’s Glam Eyes quad eye shadow no. 02 palette (Rs950) to get smokey eyes like hers, and then line your eyes generously with Maybelline’s The Colossal Kajal pencil (Rs350) to get similar kohl-rimmed eyes. Top it off with Maybelline’s The Colossal Volum’ mascara.

For that pastel pink pout, go for Mac’s Honeylove (Rs1,700) and rouge your cheeks with The Body Shop’s All-in-one ginger blusher (Rs1,800) for that emphasised cheekbone.

Her hair and make-up for the evening was done by Laiqa Hasan and her team.

Outfit

Sana wore an outfit made exclusively for her by designer Feeha Jamshed. However, you can go through her collection which is reasonably priced and you will be able to find a funky floor-length dress or a jumpsuit under Rs9,000. For alternatives, visit stores like Monsoon (Rs6,000) or Mantra (Rs5,000 and above).

Accessories & shoes

The model is not sporting any accessory except for that statement neck piece from Forever 21. To get a similar necklace, hit local stores like Sentiments (under Rs1,500) or retail stores like Accessorize (Rs2,000 and above).

Sana wore nude Aldo peep toes to complement her outfit. You can buy similar shoes from Charles & Keith (Rs5,000) or WalkEaze (Rs2,500 and above).

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

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“Comedy is an interesting genre. I have finished [shooting] two comedy films so far. I enjoyed it. But I want to take up something more challenging and play a very serious character,” she told IANS.

Aman Ki Asha has been directed by Neeraj Pandey and also stars Ali Zafar and Yami Gautam. Sara plays Yami’s sister in the film.

“I was in Singapore and someone called me saying that I am apt for playing Yami’s sister. I told them that I don’t play character artists. But they said I could call it a parallel lead. I found the character very interesting. It is a Neeraj Pandey story and I told them that I would try it,” she said.

The film has been shot in London, which is the actor’s hometown; this made the experience more enjoyable for her.

“I was brought up in London and the entire shoot took place there. We were there for a month. I loved the experience. We finished our schedule in 22 days. We faced a lot of challenges. But it was a very good experience,” she said.

She will also be seen in Maaya, Vanilla and Strawberries, which stars Fukrey actor Ali Fazal and has been directed by Ravi Rai.

Talking about the kind of roles she would want to play in her future films, Sara said she is looking for performance-oriented characters.

“In movies, I would like to go for something like Devdas or Dor. That is something challenging. Everyone does glamorous roles. It is tough to get something which is completely acting-oriented,” she said. “Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and Shabana Azmi used to play these roles so beautifully.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

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Fans of books about the boy wizard had a chance to bid on a unique first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone annotated by Rowling, which sold for a record £150,000 at a London charity auction, auction house Sotheby’s said on Tuesday. The 1997 book contains 43 pages of handwritten thoughts, Rowling’s commentary of the book and the film adaptation, as well as 22 hand-drawn illustrations including one of a sleeping baby Harry and another of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

The auction house said the sale room fell silent on Tuesday as buyers engaged in a bidding war for the coveted book, which eventually went to an unidentified buyer bidding over the telephone. The full sale featured 51 first editions, all unique one-offs featuring annotations and commentary from authors, as part of the “First Editions, Second Thoughts” sale to benefit charity organisation English PEN, which promotes freedom of expression.

Other top sellers included Roald Dahl’s Matilda with new illustrations by Quentin Blake for £30,000, Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day for £18,000 and Julian Barnes’ Metroland for £14,000. The total sale fetched £439,000.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was the first in a series of seven novels by Rowling, about the adventures of a boy wizard living in a world of ‘muggles’ and magic.

Only 500 first editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone exist, making them the rarest of the series, which has become the best-selling book series ever and was adapted into a multibillion-dollar film franchise.

It includes a 43-page “second thoughts” segment from the author, with phrases such as, “I wrote the book … in snatched hours, in clattering cafés or in the dead of night. For me, the story of how I wrote Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is written invisibly on every page, legible only to me …”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

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Many may argue that anybody who has the talent and eye for fashion can make a mark in this field. They might even criticise the concepts and collections of fashion grads for being “eccentric” and inappropriate for daily wear. But talk to people in the field and they’ll tell you what’s more important between training and sensibility. The Express Tribune talks to the big names in fashion about candidates that are part of a winning team.

Fashion grads are a must!

While the industry comprises a number of designers who do not have a design background, many feel that the importance of academic and professional training is undeniable. Popular Lahore-based designer Kamiar Rokni believes that one can’t “be in the fashion business without a sense of aesthetics”. He feels that it’s sensibility alone is not sufficient, and that academic knowledge is also required. “You need to have an eye and that eye needs to be developed further by training. Trained designers, who have changed the fashion scene in Pakistan ever since the millennium, are proof,” he said.

Talented Nida Azwer who has risen to fame quite quickly, stresses that a combination of both style and training is needed to succeed. “It’s a combination of both. You need to have good aesthetics but at the same time you also require professional training,” she said. “It always gives you an upper hand if you have professional training in fashion/textile when entering the fashion industry.” Rabia Wahab, the woman behind Fiction Concepts and a textile major from Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture firmly believes that fashion graduates definitely have an edge over others because they are constantly developing, since they receive criticism from teachers and end up becoming confident.

And the best school is…

It is evident that designers from Lahore have a soft corner for PIFD grads whereas those belonging to Karachi prefer AIFD students. Regardless of the dearth of fashion schools in Pakistan, the competition is intense and with senior designers having their own special preferences, it gets all the more formidable. Rokni’s slight tilt towards PIFD is based on technical expertise. “Different people have different strengths but graduates from PIFD tend to be technically astute and that is something that we look for.” Rabia, on the other hand, believes that AIFD students have the ability to stand out, even though she studied from IVS. “Graduates from IVS are basically graduates in textile design. Graduates from AIFD are graduates in both textile and fashion, which gives you the advantage of knowing pattern design and stitching that pure textile designers lack,” she says.

Any hope for the untrained?

Considering what has been discussed, it may seem that all hope is lost for those who did not opt for a degree or a course in fashion. Of course, trained designers are better equipped and more aware about techniques involved in design. But does that mean designers who do not have an academic background in fashion cannot be equally successful?  Safinaz Muneer of the fabulous SanaSafinaz label only attended the National College of Arts for a year, and says technical expertise is “not necessary”. “Creativity is in born – talent matters,” she says. Coming from one of the biggest names in fashion in the country, we’ll say that’s authority enough. Every bride’s dream wedding dress designer Bunto Kazmi has no fashion degree but thousands of clients and years of experience.

With so many talented young people stepping into the fashion industry having just sheer passion and not the relevant training, one can surely not suggest that skills are the main criteria. Feeha, too, agrees by saying, “It is very important to know aesthetics but it is even more important to have individual style or you will get lost in the common sea of being technically and skillfully right and will therefore be following trends instead of creating trends.” She added, “It is imperative to have the skill but what is more important is to challenge that skill. An eye for fashion is way more important than the skill itself.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

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Once you’ve planned your summer trip, it’s easy to just forget about packing until the night before. This mistake always leads to over-packing and physical exertion. 

While it’s extremely necessary to pack the season’s must-haves, it’s also important to do your homework and research for what is required at your destination hot spot.

Hotels.com, the global hotel bookings expert, shares a few travel tips that will help plan your holidays better.

Tips for travelling

Pack light

Carry stuff that you actually need. Don’t overload your bag with unnecessary items.  Take your time to pack, if necessary talk to a stylist at a fashion store to help you plan your wardrobe. Make sure to check the weather forecast and pack accordingly. Remember smart packing is always the key to travelling light.

“If my destination is a resort, apart from swimwear, I throw in printed kaftans that can be carried from day to night, several pairs of flip flops and Moroccan oil for frizzy hair days. I almost always carry my vintage kimono on all my trips dressed with flip flops for the day and wedges for night outs,” says Shehla Chatoor, fashion designer.

Summer essentials

Don’t forget to carry stylish caps and hats to keep your head cool in the sun. Sunscreen lotion with a high SPF is a must – it protects your skin from sunburn. Use facial tissues to avoid stickiness on your face and hands while travelling. You can also carry hand fans especially on a hot day at the beach. Don’t take products that will just take up space.

“I always carry my shampoo and conditioner with me. I have to have Pantene no residue. I also need my sun block.” (Zhalay Sarhadi, actor)

Healthy diet

It is crucial to take fluids, mineral water, coconut water, orange juice and squashes wherever you go. Even on the plane, make sure to drink lots of water, this will help prevent jet lag and general fatigue. You can avoid dehydration and sunstrokes by eating and drinking well. Cucumbers, watermelons and oranges are great to include in your diet.

“During long flights I usually carry a great moisturiser and lip balm, lots of water and Evian spray to keep my skin hydrated and smooth.”
(Shehla Chatoor, fashion designer)

Arrive early

Summer is a busy season for airports. You are bound to face long queues, delays in parking and lengthy security searches. Hence, it is always safer to arrive a bit early and give yourself enough time to complete the formalities. Online check-ins are also recommended, and if you have any questions about the flight, the airline agents are there to help you.

Relax

The sun tends to make you feel weary and drained out. To avoid this lethargic feeling, try to take as much rest as you can, the night before leaving for the trip, so that you make the most of your holiday. Once at your destination, relieve your body and mind of useless worries and work; this means tune into your vacation and enjoy.

“I don’t check my emails and I don’t put my phone on roaming. When I go abroad, I get a sim and give that number only to my family. If it’s a leisure trip, I don’t do anything work-related.” (Zhalay Sarhadi, actor)

Fully indulge

Early morning or evening is the best time to indulge in outdoor activities and expeditions as opposed to afternoons. If you’re not into sight-seeing and want to stay inside, opt for a hotel that offers a host of indoor activities to keep you occupied. Try to avoid going out during afternoons.

Last minute deals

If you have planned your trip in a hurry, worry not! Last minute deals offered by hotels can benefit you. There are numerous applications on smartphones and tablets that can help you check out over 20,000 last-minute deals by popular hotels worldwide.  Remember, it’s never too late to book your holiday.

“Pack a lot of basic stuff, so that you can mix and match your clothes. Also, if you’re in a hurry, remember to double check that you have your documents, passports, keys and tickets,” says Omar. 

“If it’s not a resort, and you’re around malls, you’re probably going to shop a lot. I advise that you pack very light so that you have enough space in your bags”

(Ayesha Omar, actor-singer)

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

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