While we are struggling to strike a balance between “Pakistani” and “religious” when it comes to culture, our neighbours have taken their culture seriously and built upon it. So much that their culture has become their biggest export and identity. Ironically, our contributions to their culture are considered “imports” from Pakistan.

Bollywood is the major reason why our artists haven’t switched to office jobs. With India opening its doors for our talent, the number of artistic imports has surely increased but the overall quality has deteriorated.

While a myriad of musicians and actors have traveled to India, only a few succeeded in making an impact. Acting for films has never been our forte. Be it the likes of Zeba Bakhtiar and Talat Hussain or Pakistan’s version of a chocolate hero Ali Zafar, we haven’t been able to leave a memorable mark. Although Zafar is trying hard to make things work with his multiple talents, but so far he has failed to impress with his acting skills which is probably the reason no major production has featured him in a lead role.

Joining the list of imports is Meesha Shafi, who has recently acted in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. We are aware of Shafi’s raw voice but her work as an actor for TV or even a film like The Reluctant Fundamentalist has been below average. Humaima’s performance in Sher with Sanjay Dutt is yet to be seen. While she did a good job in Bol, we can only wonder how she will fare across the border. The less that said about Meera, Veena and Sarah Loren’s performances in Bollywood, the better.

Music, however, is a domain where our real power lies. Our artists no longer have the vision or impact that our legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan had, who made a Bollywood debut with his music for the film Aur Pyar Ho Gaya and never looked back. From the critically-acclaimed album Sangam with lyricist Javed Akhtar to other various projects including one with Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan went there to prove his mettle and did so with utmost style. His so-called successor Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has lost his charm and is living entirely on catchy compositions by Bollywood composers. Though, he might be getting more popular with every track and minting money, it seems he has lost his finesse as a raw performer.

While Shafqat Amanat Ali is playing it safe, Zafar hasn’t produced music that will be remembered. As for Atif Aslam, fame came to him a little earlier than expected and this may be the reason he couldn’t refine his talent. Regardless of that, the range he demonstrated in Mori Araj Suno from The Reluctant Fundamentalist, speaks volumes about his resilience as an artist. After Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, he is probably the most influential artist from Pakistan in Bollywood and if he carries on his solo projects simultaneously, he will do wonders.

So should we expect more talent budding from within Pakistan? Yes. But will it be better? No. That’s because artists such as Meesha Shafi are more or less residues of our raw musical talent. These budding stars are so focused on making it to Bollywood that they are unable to produce something different and remarkable.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2013.

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NEW YORK: The mighty minions of Despicable Me 2 beat human comedy star Adam Sandler’s new film Grown Ups 2 at the US and Canadian box office this weekend.

The animated film featuring the crowd-pleasing yellow minions collected $44.8 million from Friday through Sunday, edging out Sandler’s comedy sequel, which racked up $42.5 million in ticket sales — in line with industry projections.

Big-budget thriller Pacific Rim, an apocalyptic battle that pits towering monsters against giant, human-piloted robots, settled for a third-place with $38.3 million, at the low end of industry projections for the film.

Sandler’s Grown Ups sequel reunites the comedian with pals Kevin James, Chris Rock and David Spade in a follow-up to the 2010 original, and adds a younger generation of characters including Twilight actor Taylor Lautner. This time, Sandler’s character, Lenny, moves back to his hometown.

“This is a great start,” said Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution for Sony Pictures Entertainment, adding that “for us to succeed at this level, bodes well for the future of the film,” which he noted, out-grossed the first film’s opening.

Despicable Me 2, featuring the voice of Steve Carell, made another powerhouse showing in its second weekend in North American (US and Canadian) theatres. The film, produced by Illumination Entertainment, brought its worldwide total to $472 million through Sunday.

Rounding out the chart’s top five, the Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy comedy The Heat, rung up sales of $14 million in domestic theatres and took the fourth spot. Walt Disney Co’s The Lone Ranger starring Johnny Depp earned $11.1 million and came in fifth.

Monsters University came in sixth while World War Z came in seventh followed by White House Down and Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain in eighth and ninth place. The much-hyped superhero flick Man of Steel came in last.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2013.

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Singer Rihanna has landed herself into a legal soup by missing court hearings after suing her former managers.

Rihanna sued the company, Berdon LLP, for not taking care of the accounts and said that they owed her millions, but the firm fired back by saying that the mismanagement happened because of the singer’s careless attitude.

Berdon LLP has been trying to get the singer to sit for the deposition for nine months but she has skipped many hearings, reports tmz.com.

The 25-year-old did not attend any of the hearings — in November 2012, on account of a date extension, on January 29, 2013, she avoided the hearing, on May 8 and May 9, 2013, she cited a concert as the reason for skipping the hearing even though she knew the concert dates long before and on June 19, 2013, she said she was sick.

Now the accused firm is angry at Rihanna’s latest excuse as they accommodated her schedule and set up the deposition in London.

The company claims that she had performed shortly before and after June 19 and was even active on micro-blogging site Twitter the day before, with no signs of illness.

The accountants are asking the judge to dismiss Rihanna’s multi-million dollar suit outright and want her to be fined at least $100,000 for wasting their time and resources.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2013.

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Model Zara Peerzada and Faatima Khan, wife of TV show-host Ahmed Ali Butt, arrived at the red carpet of the 12th Lux Style Awards, dressed in black and white. Here is a breakdown of what they wore and who we picked as our favourite:

Zara Peerzada

Hair & Make-up

We loved Zara’s make-up at the event. The Gatsby girl look is totally meant for those chiseled and defined features. There is nothing that she missed out — red hot lips, Marcel waves and those well-defined eyes are all winners.

Clothes

Kamiar Rokni’s monochrome separates look fab on Zara’s petite frame. She’s rocking that strapless top and fitted pants — we’re in love!

Accressories & Shoes

Except for the dangly silver earrings and a gold anklet, the model was not seen sporting any other accessory. And it’s good for us, we are happy that a cluster of accessories is not taking attention away from her beautiful face. We love those black velvet peep-toes. She’s definitely one of our red carpet favourites.

Faatima Khan

Hair & Make-up

Being a celebrity wife, we would like to advise Faatima to start following the trends right, as she will frequently be in the media’s eye alongside her husband. Up-dos are all the rage this summer, but this side-parted bun looks very unexciting and that loose strand of hair adds to the somberness. We do like her smokey eyes, but that bland shade of lipstick makes us think before we give her any brownie points.

Clothes

While that Armani gown might be hot, it just looks unbecoming on Faatima. We wish she had opted for another dress which complemented her frame better. This one just scores low on our style-o-meter.

Accressories & Shoes

Although, stunners on their own, we are so sad to say that the Alexander McQueen clutch and those Chanel pearls failed to up Faatima’s overall look.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2013.

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LAHORE: Seher Tareen of Studio S launched her bridal and evening couture line, The Garden of Eden, on July 13. Open to close friends and family, the launch event also presented a live showcase. Most people confuse showcases with fashion presentations but Tareen ensured that her audience got a full feel of what a showcase is. With a live photo shoot composed by Athar Shahzad taking place alongside the launch, the guests were able to not only view the clothes but also witness the making of the fashion spread that will later be seen in magazines.

The Garden of Eden conjures certain images in one’s mind, such as the forbidden apple tree and the birds of paradise. The motifs incorporated in the collection are based on the flora and fauna of the enchanted garden; from peacocks and birds to serpents and allusions to the forbidden fruit.

“The perfect bridal [outfit] is a celebration of the bride and her wedding day,” says Tareen, Creative Director of Studio S. “Not only should it complement the bride but it should be the crown jewel in the bride’s trousseau; an heirloom that passes from one generation to the next.”

The general aesthetic of the collection will have to be old-school chic; the use of zari instead of crystals gives the collection a vintage feel and revives the notion of conventional romance. Tareen uses ample tissue to add to the regality of the outfits and give them an instant oomph. What is interesting is that each outfit has many layers to it and comprises of individual separates that make a statement. She recreates the serpentine weave in zari on a column dress to give it a modern look. The use of icy blue tones and evergreen metallics shows that the collection is classic and not subjected to seasonal changes.

“I love the old-school charm. I am obsessed with my mother’s clothes from back in the day,” continues Tareen. While we talk about Eden, one has to appreciate the Roman influences it has had and Tareen keeps it in mind as she incorporates column dresses, excessive draperies and pleats in her line. While some of the cuts would not be suited for all body types, Tareen shows a diversity that can be flattering.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2013.

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Police and paramedics found no signs of foul play and the cause of death was not clear, British Columbia Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said at a news conference.

Monteith began his career in a number of small roles leading up to a recurring part between 2006 and 2007 in the ABC Family science-fiction drama Kyle XY and another role around the same time on the MTV series Kaya. But Glee, a show set in the small town of Lima, Ohio, was Monteith’s breakthrough.

Monteith’s representatives issued a statement, saying, “We are in shock and mourning this tragic loss” but offered no details on the possible cause of death. Monteith had talked openly about his struggle with substance abuse, and he completed voluntary treatment for unspecified substance addiction at a rehab facility in April. He had also been treated in a facility at age 19.

Asked whether Monteith had died of a drug overdose, Vancouver Police Department Acting Chief Doug LePard said he would “not discuss anything that we might have found in the room at this time.”

The actor grew up in Victoria, British Columbia and told Parade magazine in 2011 that he had a serious drug problem during his teenage years for which he received treatment.

Other people were in Monteith’s Pacific Rim Hotel room on Friday night but evidence, including fob key entries, indicated he returned to his room by himself early on Saturday and was alone when he died, said the police. He was due to check out of the hotel later that day.

Vancouver police also said Monteith left his hotel with three friends on Friday night, returning alone around 2:15am, reported the Globe and Mail newspaper. The actor had been dead for several hours when his body was discovered by the police  officials and paramedics  after they answered an emergency call. An autopsy was set for Monday.

Shock, sadness

Friends and colleagues expressed shock after having seen Monteith who they said seemed fine in recent weeks.

Adam Shankman, who directed Glee episodes, told CNN, “I had several interactions with him yesterday where he said that he was doing amazing. He even said I am feeling fantastic. I’m like everybody else, really devastated and confused by what happened.”

A big part of Glee was his character’s on-again-off-again romance with Glee club star Rachel Berry, an aspiring entertainer played by Lea Michele. Monteith and Michele followed in the footsteps of their fictional counterparts by dating in real life. They appeared publicly together as recently as last month at a charity ball.

A representative for Michele said she had not issued a statement following Monteith’s death. Reuters

Celebs, co-stars react to Cory Monteith’s death

Rihanna  @rihanna

Cory Monteith, may your spirit be at peace, and may you fly with the angels … Heartbreaking, my prayers are with all of his loved ones!

Kim Kardashian  @KimKardashian

Just heard about the death of Cory Monteith. So sad. Prayers for his family. Praying for Lea too! Words can’t describe what they must be feeling.

Katy Perry  @katyperry

Rest in peace Cory. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. Our prayers are with you.

demetria lovato  @ddlovato

#RIPCoryMonteith … So unbelievably tragic. Please #prayforLea

zooey deschanel @ZooeyDeschanel

This is such sad news about @CoryMonteith — what an absolutely tragic loss of a very talented young man.

Ellen DeGeneres @TheEllenShow

My heart breaks for the friends and family of Cory Monteith. What a loss.

Glee cast members

Iqbal theba @iqbaltheba

I have spent last night hugging my 10-year-old. May God give us the strength to deal with this tragedy. I love u Cory.

Ricky Martin  @ricky_martin

I just heard the news. This is so sad. My heart goes out to his family and friends, especially Lea Michelle. Rest in peace Cory #RipCoryMonteith

Dot-Marie Jones  @dotmariejones

I have no words! My heart is broken. Cory was not only a hell of a friend, he was [also] one amazing man that I will hold close to my heart forever.

Kristin Chenoweth  @KChenoweth

RIP CoryMontieth. You will be loved. Always.

Lauren Potter  @TheLaurenPotter

I am totally heartbroken right now. I love Cory so much this hurts my heart.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2013.

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MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor feels that it’s important to have an honest opinion when it comes to posting views and comments on various important issues being discussed on social networking websites. She considers it a responsibility as she is a public figure.

“It is very irresponsible to be diplomatic on certain things. Just because you are an actor does not mean you can’t have an opinion,” said the 28-year-old star who is active on Twitter.

“You can’t be diplomatic on certain things. I will never talk ill about an actor on a personal front. But, when it comes to important things, I should have an opinion,” added the actor who struck gold with her performance in Raanjhanaa.

She feels that having an opinion isn’t risky either.

“It is not risky if I have an opinion about something important. If someone is being sexist, homophobic or if the government is wrong, I will say something. If I think I have said something wrong, then I will apologise for it,” she said.

Daughter of Sunita and actor Anil Kapoor, she feels her forthrightness sets an example for other girls.

“If I am someone who is a public figure and cannot have an opinion, then other girls will get scared. I am not as popular as other actors, but I have a little bit of popularity and I must use that to see how girls are projected,” she said.

In Raanjhanaa, too, the actor played a public figure involved in college politics, but dismissed any similarity between her and her character.

“Zoya is different from me. She is involved in the politics of Jawaharlal Nehru University. Sometimes, when other public figures like politicians and spiritual gurus make some stupid remark, I react to it like other young people on a social platform,” said Sonam. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with it as it encourages other young girls to come forward.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2013.

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Motivated by the cricketer-turned-Politian’s most creditable effort of building Pakistan’s only free cancer hospital, Meera, too, is all set to launch her own charitable hospital in Haroonabad.

“It wasn’t really my dream to open a hospital, since my family has been pressurising me to get married,” she tells The Express Tribune in an interview that took place at the Pearl Continental hotel. “It just happened accidentally. I was recently on a tour of the US and Canada where I met with the doctors’ association. They wanted to support me in this cause,” she says. “I never knew people would trust me so much and support my cause,” she adds, the tears forming in her eyes. “I never had the confidence in me to do this but the respect that people have given me is overwhelming. Their positive response is what encouraged me.”

Meera is in awe of Imran’s contributions. “Aik dukaan kholnay ke liye bhi kitna kaam karna parhta hai, phir yeh tou koi aam si dukaan hai nahi, yeh aik hospital hai (It takes a lot of hard work just to open a shop and this not some random shop but rather a hospital),”she says. She admits to following IK’s footsteps by opening up a hospital for the needy.

“Imran Khan is definitely an inspiration behind my hospital project. Pakistan needs more Imran Khans in other fields, too,” she beams. Her hospital will also provide free cardio services to the impoverished people of Haroonabad, she adds.

“If you look at the West, a dog has a respectful life there, so does a cat! But here we don’t even value a human’s life. IK is right in saying that we don’t love ourselves enough,” says Meera. She laments that Pakistanis tend to be more interested in moving abroad and acquiring foreign nationality, while high achievers in other countries contribute to their state and help it prosper.

Having created quite a stir in Bollywood, more for her controversies than her acting skills, it seems ‘superstar’ Meera is disappointed over not receiving much credit for her work. “When superstars travel to India and work in Bollywood, only then people in Pakistan appreciate them otherwise they are treated as if they haven’t achieved much,” she asserts.

Catfight!

Over the years, many actors have gotten into rifts with Meera, and it seems that Humaima Malik has dared to enter that zone as well. In a recent interview, Humaima overtly said that all other superstars are more talk and less action. Meera has taken great offence to it, considering that she has been working in Lollywood for a long time.

“I have 175 projects under my belt whereas she has only one. It is strange for her to say that we only talk! Look at the kind and amount of work we are doing these days, she is not justified in making such tall claims,” exclaims Meera.

However, it’s not only Humaima who has made her upset, the press also seems to have disappointed the Salakhain star by being so unfair to the LSAs. “I have had a long association with the LSAs. They are the only academy awards taking place in the country and it is sad that these too are being criticised. It’s really unfair,” says Meera.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2013.

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While BK and MCR didn’t disclose the details of the agreement, sources familiar with the matter said that the bidding took place in Dubai a few weeks ago. Three parties, including a Dubai-based investor, participated in the bidding, which went in favour of the MCR Group.

There is not much skilled staff in the market, which may require engaging foreign trainers and the company hasn’t yet identified locations. According to the Dawn ad, BK’s first outlet will be opened in Karachi.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2013.

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Isloo’s very own fashionista and the fiancé of Mikail Khan, Izza Sami looked ravishing at the launch of Seher Tareen’s bridal and evening couture collection under her label Studio S. The girl surely knows how to layer a simple outfit and make it look super elegant. With a vintage hair-do and sultry make-up, Izza looked like a true diva! Here is our breakdown on how to get a similar look. 

Hair

Hats off to Izza for going the old-school way in this sophisticated yet stylish hair-do. Apply a tad bit of untangling serum on your hair followed by a mousse. Blow-dry your hair leaving some curls at the bottom. Now backcomb the other half of the side part and pin it to the back of your head. Leave the other side open and on the front for a similar hairstyle.

Make-up

That eye-catching, bright pop of orange lipstick has definitely caught our attention. For a similar shade try out L’oreal’s Colour Riche lipstick in Volcanic colour. For a glowing, flawless skin of hers, apply a good quality tinted moisturiser, conceal any visible spots and then daub MAC’s powder blush in Honey Jasmine shade on your cheeks. Use Rimmel’s Glam’ Eyes liquid eyeliner and Rimmel’s Glam’ Eyes Lash Flirt mascara to get well-defined eyes like hers.

Outfit

Izza looks like the classic vintage beauty in this uber-hot outfit. With a simple black maxi dress paired with a contrasting grey-coloured embellished cropped blazer, she is definitely breaking hearts left, right and center. A similar maxi dress and the blazer can be found at Mango (Rs6,000) or Monsoon (Rs7,000).

Accessories

Izza ever-so-stylishly pairs a metallic gold skinny belt against her silver-grey blazer. You can find a similar belt at Accessorize for Rs2,500. She is also sporting a pretty pair of two-toned silver and gold earrings and a silver round-dial watch. We are so in love with her faux snakeskin black envelope clutch with gold metal detailing. Check out Mango (Rs3,500) or Accessorize (Rs3,000) for a similar grab.

Shoes

Following fashion’s number one rule, Izza cleverly matches her shoes with her bag. The black and gold platform, peep-toe heels are to die for. Stop at your nearest outlet of Charles and Keith (Rs6,000) to grab these beauties!

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2013.

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Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson and multi-millionaire art collector Charles Saatchi confirmed on Monday they were getting divorced, a month after a newspaper published photographs of him with his hands around her throat outside a London restaurant.

The photos showed Lawson, hugely popular in Britain for her television cooking shows, in tears and brought Saatchi, a former advertising tycoon, a police caution for assault. Though he tried to play down the incident as a “playful tiff”.

Lawson, 53, the daughter of former British finance minister Nigel Lawson, said nothing publicly after the row. However, groups campaigning against domestic abuse and violence against women complained over the lack of action taken against Saatchi.

A statement from Lawson’s publicist confirmed on behalf of the couple that they were getting a divorce, adding that “neither party will be making any financial claims against the other”.

Lawson, nicknamed the “domestic goddess” after one of her cookery books, married Saatchi in 2003 after her first husband, journalist John Diamond, died of throat cancer. She has two teenage children, Cosi and Bruno, from her first marriage.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2013.

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LOS ANGELES: The death of Glee actor Cory Monteith over the weekend comes just weeks before production of the fifth season of the Fox musical comedy begins, throwing it into disarray at a time when the creators need to revive the waning series. Canadian actor Monteith, 31, was not only a founding cast member, but also an integral player in promoting Glee’s overarching message of tolerance.

Making matters more complicated for producers was his off-screen relationship with another of the show’s top actors, Lea Michele, who plays his love interest on the show. It is unclear how their story would have proceeded in season five. And in the wake of Monteith’s death in a Vancouver hotel on Saturday, representatives at Fox Broadcasting, a unit of 21st Century Fox, were not commenting on the future plans of the show which was scheduled to return to production later this month.

The show was renewed by Fox for two more seasons earlier this year, running through 2015. But producers for Glee, which has been one of Fox’s top shows, were facing some tough truths even before Monteith’s death.

Glee garnered an average 10.1 million viewers according to Nielsen during its peak in 2010, but its viewership has been dwindling. Season four, which concluded in May, dropped to the show’s lowest ratings average yet, with 8.7 million viewers.

Fans want ‘happy ending’

Monteith had talked openly about his struggles with substance abuse. In April, he completed voluntary treatment at a rehab facility for an unspecified substance addiction. An autopsy was conducted on Monday and results will not be available for several days.

MTV Buzzworthy editor Tamar Anitai, who monitors social media buzz on pop culture topics, said Glee fans known as “Gleeks” were eager to see a tribute paid to Monteith in the show and a happy ending for his and Michele’s characters.

“Unfortunately you can’t control what happened to Cory in real life, but the creators have control over what happens to him in the show. Fans would really like to see a happy ending, even an off-screen wedding, for Cory and Lea,” Anitai
said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2013.

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LONDON: Our hair goes through a lot in our daily lives. Hairstyling, treatments, pollution and stress can take a toll on your hair and make you look older. So don’t take hair care lightly! Norris Ogario, founder and creative director of Ogario London salon, feels hair needs care at every stage of life.

“We might not realise or think about it much but our hair can take a bit of a lashing over the years, which is why whatever age you are, you need to look after it,” Ogario said, reported femalefirst.co.uk. “Treatments, colours, excessive heat, over-styling, stress, pollutants and even our diet can have a part to play and can take its toll if we aren’t careful.” Ogario reveals the secret to healthy hair for different age groups.

Thirty plus

Women over thirty are usually busy with career and family. If time is a luxury you can’t afford, go for a good quality haircut. Consult your hairdresser before getting your hair washed. “When I talk to a client, I can tell a lot from their mannerisms about how they wear their hair. They might push it to one side, away from the face,”  said Ogario. “You can’t spot this when the hair is wet. It’s important to understand the client so we can create a hairstyle that suits them and their lifestyle.”

Forty plus

Once women reach 40, they often think about getting their hair coloured to cover the grey strands. They should go for the ones that are gentle on hair. “For those who have a small amount of grey hair and are getting their hair coloured for the first time, I recommend a vegetable tint, a semi-permanent colour that rinses out over time.”

“They give great, effective results and are much gentler on the hair. Use an intensive and nourishing hair mask once or twice a week as this will feed the hair helping it to repair and restore suppleness and strength,” he added.

Fifty plus

Apart from graying of hair, women in their fifties start experiencing hair thinning. The ones with longer hair should frequently trim their hair. “Longer hair can look very elegant. However, remember it is likely to be finer and thinner at this age which means less body and bounce, so give it some regular trims. Shorter cuts help the strength of the hair, but make sure you have a consultation to work out the best shape for you. A fringe can often be flattering,” Ogario said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2013.

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For that one-off slightly formal iftar party, a Mahgul outfit by Nasreen Sheikh will be just the right option. With its simple and delicate embroidery and a rather edgy cut, this en vogue black and white number is a classic piece for an extravagant iftar plus dinner. It is from her Archival Collection and is available at PFDC, Ensemble and L’atelier Lahore for Rs8,500.

Pareesa Midsummer Lawn

Lawn remains the biggest trend of the summer season. With a lightweight fabric and a variety of colourful prints with embroidered accessories, lawn seems like a great option for a casual iftar party. Check out Pareesa’s new midsummer lawn collection to add some variation to your wardrobe. It is available at Chen One with a price range of Rs2,799 and Rs2,999.

Sublime by Sara

For those of you who like to add a little bit of funk to your look, try out this neon-coloured tunic from Sublime’s latest collection called NOW. The chiffon tunic with embroidery cut work detailing is a hassle-free choice that is bound to make you look fierce! It is available at Sublime’s Flagship store on MM Alam Road in Lahore for Rs8,500.

COCO

Coco’s latest collection includes 20 diverse designs in pure cottons. While minimalistic embroideries and floral prints remain creative director Zara Shahjahan’s forte, the designer matches them perfectly with fusion cuts. A great choice for an evening out on iftar, this collection is ready for grabs at Coco’s flagship store in Mall 94, Lahore, and the outfits are priced at Rs2,200 and up.

Despite the sweltering heat, Karachiites are experimenting with all sorts of fabric, including short silk, cotton net and malai lawn. Straight shirts and block prints are trending high on the fashion scene this Ramazan. Here is a round-up on our top picks for your iftar parties.

By Saadia Qamar

Maheen Khan

This pure crepe silk digital print tunic, with dark blue sequins highlighting the flower print from Maheen Khan’s Athena Collection, is a super-chic choice for an iftar dinner with friends. The fabric, which has been used from Maheen’s digital print collection, has the perfect silhouette to help anybody make a fashion statement. The outfit is priced at Rs31,800.

Shehla Chatoor

This beige cotton net outfit with kaftan style Chinoiserie sleeves and exquisite hand-embroidered neckline from Shehla Chatoor’s luxury prêt collection, can surely make you stand out at a formal iftar party. The outfit is priced at Rs45,000.

Sania Maskatiya

Her latest collection comprises light summery fabrics combined with minimal embroidery and structured silhouettes. You can either wear them on their own or layer them with stylish separates to create an exciting look. These single pieces are easily available at her retail outlet at Dolmen City Mall and fall in the range of Rs7,000 and Rs10,000.

Shamaeel Ansari

The designer introduces her latest Eastern wear collection that includes beautiful self-printed monochrome outfits and digital prints. This self-printed white silk net outfit with intricate hand embroidery and lace detailing is a great catch only for Rs9,000.

Nida Azwer

This two-toned silk outfit with a sequined bird motif on the front and a screen-printed back, will add the perfect sparkle to an iftar outfit. The outfit is part of the designer’s Eid collection which includes colourful digital prints and trendy layered jumpsuits. Look for the dress at Nida Azwer’s recently-opened retail outlet at Ocean Mall with a price tag of Rs30,000.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2013.

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Written with the tip of a scalpel, Pran’s roles always found him deeply engrossed in one of the seven deadly sins. When he dilated his lynx-like eyes, you knew he was poaching on a forbidden territory, whether it was an uncle’s estate or the hero’s girlfriend. But unequivocally, death was his just reward — he was invariably dropped from a helicopter or a waterfall or a cliff’s edge.

The handsome Pran drifted into films when a tipsy Wali Sahib, a well-known script writer, met him at a pan shop and offered him a villian’s role in DN Pancholi’s Punjabi film Yamla Jat. A photographer’s assistant at the time, Pran accepted the film for a paltry INR50. The film’s success landed him a new role — to play the hero opposite Noor Jehan in Pancholi’s Khandaan (1942). The partition of India and the pursuit of ambition brought Pran to Bombay from Lahore. After the success of Grihasti (1948), he was cast in stereotyped villainous roles till his career graph registered an upward surge in the mid ‘50s. The title role in the Meena Kumari starrer, Halaku (1956) raised the alarm — Pran was the bad man to watch out for.

After winning attention for convincingly playing a cruel medieval kind in Halaku, Pran was convinced that costumes maketh a character. He now worked scrupulously on his appearance. His attire instantly coded him as a villain.

Pran has made memorable several depraved characters like the Zamindar lusting after the mountain maid in Madhumati, the pimp in Adalat, the imposter in Tumsa Nahin Dekh and the dacoit in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (‘60s). The ‘60s ushered in a new set of chaste and chased heroines. But Pran continued to be the sole reliable rake in most of the big budget films till Manoj Kumar reformed him with Upkar (1967). Though Kishore Kumar refused to sing the song Kasme Waade Pyar Wafa for Pran, an undeterred Manoj made the famous villain a major success as the hero’s cynical supporter, Malang Baba.

From being a simpatico, Pran turned to comedy. With Ashok Kumar, he brought the roof down in the hilarious Victoria No 203 (1972). Pran’s appeal drew audiences to Zanjeer, which helped a young Amitabh Bachchan become India’s biggest film star. After reportedly recommending Bachchan for the part, Pran teamed up with the superstar in over a dozen films.

After playing character roles for a decade (the father of Amar Akbar Anthony, the match-maker in Kasauti) Pran contemplated playing villain again, but found the competition too strong for him and could not regain his erstwhile virtual monopoly. However, he continued acting in films. “How much television can you watch and how much beer can you drink”, he elucidated.

His loud acting could have been out of step with the ‘90s but even then, a film like Sanam Bewafaa (1991) proved that Pran’s eyes could still project the archetypal rancorous malevolence.

During his illustrious career, Pran received several prestigious awards, including Filmfare’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Villain of the Millennium by Stardust magazine, Padma Bhushan and Dada Saheb Phalke Award. His biography, …and Pran, was so named because in at least 250 of the 350 movies that he acted in, his was the last name in the cast portion of the credits, with the words “…and Pran” and sometimes “…above all, Pran”.

Bachchan in a foreword to the biography rightly summed up the genius’s star power:

“Onscreen villainy is a thankless job, which Pran accepted and carried out with such a degree of perfection that he became the actor the entire nation loved to hate.”

Pran died on July 12 at the age of 93 after a prolonged illness in Mumbai’s Lilavati Hopital leaving behind a widow, three children and a gold standard in character acting.

The writer is a fashion content/script writer and a movie buff. He is a finance advisor by profession.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2013.

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Cast members arrived at the premieres of Hollywood films The Conjuring and Red 2 in Los Angeles on July 14 and July 15 respectively. These beauties were dressed in monochromatic ensembles, which have quickly become this season’s hottest trend.

Vera Farmiga

The actor wore a black sleeveless V-neck top with a printed jacquard skirt by Viktor & Rolf. We are impressed by this look because it fits well into the horror flick theme. However, we really wish she had done something dramatic with her make-up and hair.

Joey King

Teen star Joey went all out trying to look like a dramatic glam diva. She wore an ivory layered dress with lace detailing and black ribbon-like belt. Her crimson lips, Marcel waves and that black choker look good on their own, but somehow do not suit her age. We love the nude Christian Louboutin lace-up shoes, though!

Mary-Louise Parker

Mary-Louise Parker joined her co-star Catherine Zeta-Jones on the red carpet. The actor looked dazzling in a Memeka by Gustavo Cadile silver sequin mini dress. She accessorised her ensemble with Lauren Merkin’s ‘Lucca’ metallic snake-embossed clutch. Her minimalistic make-up — peachy pink cheeks and a glossy pink mouth — is a breath of fresh air.

We like her look. However, we are unsure why she chose to wear those black pointy heels. They don’t match her outfit or look at all.

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Refusing to age, Catherine Zeta-Jones is ‘red carpet perfect’ and always dressed to kill. At the LA premiere, Zeta-Jones wore a Maria Lucia Hohan black lace gown. She paired her strapless frock with black Jerome Rousseau ankle-strap sandals and Neil Lane jewels. While we love her shiny wavy hair, we wish her make-up was a little less heavy.

Holland Roden

Actor Holland Roden got it right — she upped her monochrome dress by contrasting scarlet against her black-and-white Naeem Khan outfit. Her side-swept brunette curls rev up her look. She paired her summery embroidered dress with black pointed pumps and diamond earrings.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2013.

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Cory Monteith, the 31-year-old heartthrob of Fox Television’s musical-comedy series Glee, apparently died of an accidental overdose of heroin and alcohol, said the Canadian authorities on Tuesday.

Monteith was found dead shortly after noon on Saturday in his room at a hotel in Vancouver. Police believe he was alone in the room after returning to the hotel early on Saturday morning.

The British Columbia Coroners Service said in a press release that post-mortem testing on the star shows that he died of “mixed-drug toxicity involving heroin and alcohol.” It said Monteith’s death was unlikely to have been intentional. “There is absolutely nothing at this point, no evidence to suggest this is anything but the most sad and tragic accident,” said Barb McLintock, a spokeswoman for the Coroners Service.

The actor, who was born in Calgary, Alberta, and grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, told Parade magazine in 2011 that he had a serious drug problem during his teenage years for which he received treatment. Monteith was public about his struggles with substance abuse. In April, he completed voluntary treatment for unspecified substance addiction at a rehab facility. He was also treated in a facility at age 19.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2013.

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From the film’s soundtrack, the only video track that has been released is probably not getting as much air time on music channels as other pop songs due to Ramazan and its ‘different’ sound. However, the remaining three songs from Josh’s soundtrack are rather simple and basic, with only a few striking moments. Shahi Hasan and his studio Indus World Music have produced three songs for the film while the remaining one has only been mixed by him. After a disappointing season of Cornetto Music Icons, where none of the songs succeeded in making a great impact despite having big names in the line-up, Shahi applies his age-old approach to music in Josh. While the music does sound catchy at some instances, it appears to be repetitive and overdone. Having said that, the overall mood of the music does manage to create a raw appeal, which is needed for an independent film like Josh. However, the real impact will only be felt once it’s played in the cinemas

Tu Nach

This one is a typical Punjabi techno number with a catchy tune that is bound to make you shake a leg! The song is produced by Manesh Judge, Noor Lodhi and Michael Anand and is written by Barinder Judge.

The sound mixing has been done by Shahi Hasan. Tu Nach is by far the most captivating song in the film. However, it isn’t really an extraordinary composition – you are likely to find hundreds of Punjabi tracks with a similar melody. Nevertheless, it’s the groovy, engaging beat of the tabla that makes this song so powerful. The rap does not appear out of place within the song, but it does seem slightly exaggerated at places.

Mohabbat Ka Junoon

One of the major issues with composing Allama Iqbal’s poetry is that it has been done so fashionably by the band Junoon that anything different feels like abuse, whereas anything similar seems to be a complete rip-off. Mohabbat Ka Junoon, a poem by Allama Iqbal, is featured as the thematic soundtrack for the film and has been composed by Noor Lodhi and Asim Khan. The vocals are by Noor Lodhi, music is given by Shahi Hasan, Manesh Judge & Noor Lodhi, whereas the song has been produced by Shahi Hasan. The clichéd use of guitars and the tabla makes the sound appear weary. While Iqbal’s lyrics hold a deep, philosophical and interesting meaning to them, an avid music listener will hardly be able to contain a yawn. Innovation is what’s lacking here and not content.

The Time Has Come/Yeh Dil Kyun Mera

The third song of the film has two versions to it and is the original soundtrack (OST) for the movie. Both versions of the song have been composed by Shahi Hasan and Zoe Viccaji, who has also given the vocals.  It’s a slow and mellow number with a soft and somewhat grey feel to it. The sound of the guitar sets an ideal background for the film, which highlights stories inspired by Indo-Pak partition. The melody is powerful and flows smoothly, at least in the English version of the song called The Time Has Come. However, in the Urdu version, one can notice Zoe trying to make an extra effort that does not suit her vocal texture.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2013.

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Three tracks from the much-awaited movie Main Hoon Shahid Afridi have been released back to back this week. The producers have predicted that Jera Vi Aaan Dey, Beautiful Night and Engreeza Tere will be chartbusters.

“The music is brilliant. Even if all songs are not hits, I am 110% sure that at least two songs will be very successful,” actor and producer Humayun Saeed said in an interview earlier.

Main Hoon Shahid Afridi is a story which centres on cricket. Jera Vi Aaan Dey is more of a motivational track and serves the purpose of boosting the players’ self esteem. Beautiful Night features young boys and girls dancing and having a good time at a club but the lyrics don’t seem to go beyond “Everybody’s gotten closer, it’s a beautiful night.”

There’s good news for all the bhangra fans out there — Engreeza Tere is an upbeat Punjabi number and might just be one of the tracks to be played at mehendis.

The cast of the film includes Javed Sheikh, Nadeem Baig, Shafqat Cheema, Noman Habib (lead), Mahnoor Baloch and a host of others, including Saeed himself. It is scheduled to release on Eidul Fitr this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2013.

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The entertainment industry worldwide has definitely got the blues! From Hollywood’s shining stars to Pakistan’s very own fashionistas, literally everyone seems to be indulging themselves in the charm of the bold, bright and uber-edgy cobalt blue.

Despite the sweltering hot summer season that often calls for calmer, pastel hues, this flashy colour seems to be ruling streets and red carpets. While some of you may not be fans of the risky neons, luckily cobalt blue seems to suit every skin tone. A head-to-toe cobalt dress will guarantee attention. However, if you aren’t the daring kind, you can simply accent your overall look with a cobalt blue accessory, wrap-around scarf or a pair of cropped skinny pants.

Keep it subtle yet eye-catching by wearing it as a top paired with white pants like Ayesha Omar or simply dazzle in the exquisiteness of the royal colour through a jumpsuit like Sanam Chaudhri. It’s playful, chic and picture-perfect. So dish out those old granny navies from your wardrobe and embrace this hot colour as your new BFF.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2013.

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