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Thousands of joyful spectators popped open bottles of champagne, cheered on and craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the official notice of the birth of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first child, outside Buckingham Palace on Monday.

Shortly after the birth of the baby boy, the centre of attention remained the golden easel upon which an official placed the formal birth announcement. However, before all these celebrations and merriment, many had speculated what the gender of the royal baby will be.

Camera flashes lit up the evening scene outside the queen’s official residence as dozens of people tried to immortalise the moment when it was announced that the third in line to the British throne had been born.

The crowds pressed against the iron gates of Buckingham Palace and spilled onto the steps of the huge statues of Queen Victoria and other monarchs in the plaza in front of the vast building.

Cheers went up outside the palace the minute the announcement came, as they did at the central London hospital where the baby was born and where more well-wishers gathered along with hundreds from the international press.

Old wives tales

A blog for ABC News quoted a New York-based gynaecologist’s prediction that Kate will deliver a girl because of the “signs” she saw. She based her guess upon her experience of being in the ob-gyn field for over 13 years.

What can be called a mix of old wives’ tales, personal and professional experience, Dr Jennifer Ashton said that Kate’s face, her baby bump and persistent morning sickness in the first trimester indicated that she was pregnant with a girl. Rumour has it that Will even called Kate “Chipmunk Cheeks” because of her expanding cheeks.

‘Moon-induced’ labour

A spate of speculations took over as many believed that the full moon induced Kate’s first contractions. This links back to an old wives’ tale that full moon affects the embryonic fluid the same way it affects tides.

Daily Mail quoted Mervi Jokinen of the Royal College of Midwives as saying that often a full moon makes for a busy spate of deliveries. Acknowledging that it was purely anecdotal, Jokinen said, “Midwives usually do say ‘I’m on call. It’s a full moon. I’ll be busy tonight’.”

Possible baby names

As England waits to get the first glimpse of its future kind, people are anxiously placing bets on possible names for the baby. According to Mail Online, Elizabeth, Diana, Charles and Philip are immediate references to the royal family and also are popular choices amongst those placing bets on the name. The most favourite names, however, remained Alexandra for a girl and George for a boy. Tyler, Richard, Louis and Albert also made it to the list. Some playfully made Game of Thrones references, and joked that the baby be called Joffrey.

QUIRKY TWITTER REACTIONS

I can't believe they've already priced the baby. 8 pounds isn't even that much :( #RoyalBaby

— Jenny Johnson (@JennyJohnsonHi5) July 22, 2013

That awkward moment when the #RoyalBaby is ginger…

— Roy Cropper (@RoyCropperNOT) July 22, 2013

BBC pointing out the #RoyalBaby has been born on a full moon. Not sure if they're suggesting it's a werewolf. We may not know for a while.

— The Media Blog (@TheMediaTweets) July 22, 2013

This isn't your baby Kate. Apparently it is our baby. All of us.

— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) July 22, 2013

It's a boy! So happy for my cousin Kate and the future King of England!

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) July 22, 2013

To keep up with other power couples the new Royal Baby should be named North Westminster

— Dave Thornton (@dave_thorno) July 23, 2013

Kate Middleton's Baby, congratulations! :) http://t.co/q5lNY8bq1E

— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashearn) July 23, 2013

EPIC!!!! a new prince was born. its like real life Game of Thrones #royalbaby

— Jack Osbourne (@MrJackO) July 22, 2013

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2013.

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If we look back, the father of qawalli Hazrat Amir Khusro had achieved the style that we know today by merging elements of Arabic and Persian music with Indian classical music. Since the content was all about finding God within yourself, an idea that echoes the foundation of sufism, the works of other mystics who followed the same line of thought such as Baba Bulleh Shah were also taken up by qawals. After centuries of spiritual enchantment throughout the world, qawali still survives as one of the most powerful and influential forms of religious music to date. This is the reason why its impact is felt even more in the holy month of Ramazan. And that, too, when it is being performed by the deadly duo of Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad.

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A powerful performance

The evening started off with a naat that, through its words, celebrated the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and described the reactions of the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) family and Hazrat Jibraeel (AS), on his birth. The naat had a relatively slow tempo but the lyrics were enlightening enough to make anyone feel spiritually connected.

Breaking away from their streak of enthralling performances, the duo shared its reason behind choosing a specific playlist for the Napa audience. “Since we are performing at an arts academy, we have only chosen to perform pieces that are a telltale sign of music theory and are universally accepted. So that the cycle of knowledge can carry on simultaneously,” said Ayaz.

What followed was a soulful rendition of Sakhi Kaise Kahun Mohe Laaj Lage, which the duo has gained immense popularity for worldwide. The command of the supporting brothers on the high and low notes was simply amazing and spoke volumes about their significantly impeccable talent.

Their playlist largely revolved around the Persian works of Amir Khusro and those of Baba Bulleh Shah. But the ones that were accompanied by a translation from Ayaz successfully made a place in the hearts of young and old listeners.

Nami Danam Che Manzil Bood, a Persian piece of poetry by Amir Khusro which is also considered to be a naat, resonated through the walls leaving the audience in a mystical trance. This was followed by a relatively well-known number Khabaram Rasida Imshab, owing its popularity to Coke Studio and Ayaz’s signature antics on stage. It was by far one of the most elaborate performances until the highlight of evening, Mera Piya Ghar Aya took the crowd by storm.

The evening ended with the traditional ‘rung’ as everyone rose in veneration of the kalaam with inner satisfaction pulsing from every corner of the hall. While the elders felt every single word to the fullest, the younger audience members swayed to the tune.

The evening was well-attended, with the likes of Taj Haider and pop singer Shehzad Roy in the audience, despite the two bomb blasts that had struck the city just a few hours prior to the event. They, along with others, seemed truly mesmerised.

“If you people keep showing your appreciation for art and come here with such high spirits then we can definitely get our old city back — the city that has lost its real essence,” said Arshad Mehmud, senior faculty member at Napa, as he thanked the audience.

Hats off to Napa’s music department for organising one of the best qawalli nights to have taken place in Ramazan.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2013.

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Dhobi Ghat film-maker Kiran Rao may be the wife of Bollywood’s Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan, but it seems like she almost never cares about what she wears. She arrived at the press meet of Ship of Theseus in Mumbai, looking like a fashion disaster. Here is what she did wrong:

The charge sheet

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Hair

We’re really curious to know why Kiran wore this hair at a press meet, where a big turnover of paparazzi and journalists were expected. It seems like she’s balancing a bird’s nest on top of her head.

Make-up

For Kiran, we are guessing washing her face is enough. Her washed-out face and the oil shine on the T-zone looks messy. Is that lip balm, Ms film-maker? If Kiran wanted the no-make-up look, then she should have gone for a nude lip colour and rouged her cheeks a little. Her face looks lifeless without make-up.

Accessories & Shoes

She wore silver disk earrings, black wayfarers and a chunky silver bracelet. Except for her specs, nothing else looks good. Kiran paired her tights with a pair of chappals which looked drab. A nice pair of black pumps would have been her saving grace.

Outfit

Okay, we understand that ‘artists’ have a quirky dress sense, but that doesn’t mean you throw on whatever you can get your hands on. While this olive green silk jacket might have looked lovely paired with something else, not ironing it and pairing it with these clothes is a disaster.

Underneath her jacket, she’s wearing a black, sorry excuse for a tunic, paired with black-and-white geometric print tights. Her ensemble is the best example of good separates paired together in the worst possible form.

Shoes

What we can’t seem to digest are those cobweb-inspired sandals. With all the beautiful flip flops and slippers available, why would one ever opt for these?

Bail out!

Kristen Stewart

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Maybe Kiran should take tips from Twilight star Kristen Stewart, who knows the right recipe of pairing a jacket with print pants. She looks fab!

Cara Delevingne

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Model Cara Delevingne looks smoking hot in this olive military jacket. She paired it with the right shades — white and black. Her leather pants are a stunner!

Kate Beckinsale

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Actor Kate looked uber chic and trendy in this casual attire comprising plain black tank top and black-and-white print pants.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2013.

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Troubled actor Amanda Bynes has been taken to a hospital for involuntary psychiatric care after the former teen star was involved in a disturbance in Southern California, authorities said on Tuesday.

Don Aguilar, a spokesman for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, declined to describe the incident that prompted deputies to take Bynes into custody and commit her for psychiatric evaluation.

But local media reported that the 27-year-old actor had started a fire in the driveway of a home in the Los Angeles suburb of Thousand Oaks.

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The Ventura County Fire Department confirmed that it responded on Monday night to an incident involving a gas can that was set on fire in a driveway and that Bynes was at the scene, but it would not say if she was accused of starting the fire.

Under California law, a person may be detained for a mental health evaluation for up to 72 hours.

The actor rose to prominence at the age of 13 when she had her own comedy show on Nickelodeon but has made headlines over the past year for erratic behavior, legal problems and odd posts on Twitter.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2013.

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TORONTO: The world premiere of The Fifth Estate, a ripped-from-the-headlines drama about Julian Assange and the creation of WikiLeaks, will open the 38th Toronto International Film Festival, which typically yields a number of Oscar contenders.

Widely considered the kick-off to Oscar season, the 2013 festival will feature films starring Meryl Streep, Idris Elba, Colin Firth, Chiwetel Ejiofor, George Clooney and others, organisers said on Tuesday. The 11-day event opens on September 5.

Elba takes on the lead role in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, a dramatisation of the life of legendary anti-apartheid South African leader Nelson Mandela.

The Fifth Estate, directed by Bill Condon, stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Assange, the founder of anti-secrecy website Wikileaks.

This marks the third straight year the festival has opened with a high-profile title, after years of using the opening slot to highlight smaller Canadian films.

“As soon as we saw it, we knew that it would set the right tone for the opening night. It’s a movie about what we thought is one of the most important issues of the day — information and who controls it,” said Cameron Bailey, the festival’s artistic director.

In addition to his turn as Assange, Cumberbatch also stars in August: Osage County, a star-studded family drama set in Oklahoma.

Gravity, a thriller set in space starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, will also be screened at the festival.

Arrested Development actor Jason Bateman will make his directorial debut with Bad Words, a comedy in which he stars as a 40-year-old who enters a national spelling competition and dominates his prepubescent challengers.

Launched in 1976, Toronto’s film festival ranks among the world’s top movie events and often serves as a launch pad for international films seeking North American distribution.

The Toronto festival has a solid track record of unearthing films that go on to succeed at the Academy Awards, such as Slumdog Millionaire and The King’s Speech, both of which won best film Oscars. Last year’s winner of the People’s Choice award, the festival’s top prize, was Silver Linings Playbook, an Oscar nominee for best picture.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2013.

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Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton gave the world the first glimpse of their new baby on Tuesday. They left the hospital to a barrage of camera flashes with the boy who is third in line to the British throne. Did you notice how Kate wore polka dots just like Lady Di did in her first appearance with Prince Will?

Cheered by well-wishers, the couple waved and took turns to hold their son, wrapped tightly in a white blanket with only the top of his head and his hands visible.

“We are still working on a name, so we will have that as soon as we can,” William told reporters, adding that he could not be happier.

“He’s got her looks, thankfully,” he added, glancing at his wife. Kate, wearing a pale blue dress with white polka dots, brushed aside the compliment, saying “No, no, I’m not sure about that.”

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“It’s such a special time,” she added, as onlookers hung out of the windows of surrounding buildings for a better view. “Any parent will probably know what this feeling is like.”

The couple followed tradition by giving the public the first sight of the baby on the steps of the hospital as they left — just as William’s father Prince Charles and late mother, Princess Diana, did with him.

A relaxed William laughed as he confirmed he had already changed his first nappy and joked that he would remind his son “of his tardiness when he is a bit older”, because the infant had kept them, and the public, waiting longer than expected.

“He’s got a good pair of lungs on him, that’s for sure. He’s a big boy, he’s quite heavy,” William added, according to Reuters.

Their baby cried and wiggled his fingers as William carried him in a car seat to a Range Rover before driving his family to nearby Kensington Palace, his childhood home.

Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, were the first visitors to see the couple and their new child. Asked if she would reveal the name or had made any suggestions, Kate’s mother said: “Absolutely not.”

Apart from the media, the event attracted hundreds of well-wishers from the public.

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“We’re here to witness history, where a future monarch has been born,” said Maria Scott, a housewife who had camped outside the hospital since Saturday.

“I’m thrilled,” Charles said. His second wife, Camilla, spoke of a “wonderfully uplifting moment for the country”, saying Charles would make a “brilliant” grandfather.

Congratulations flooded in from around the world after the birth, followed moment-by-moment by the global media.

Royal experts said the baby would now be taken out of the public glare.

“Having a baby is a very private moment, and they are a private couple, so the next time we see the baby will be the official photo, and that could be weeks,” said Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2013.

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NEW YORK: Hugh Jackman battles Ninja warriors, trounces a monster Samurai and rescues a Japanese heiress but still manages to show a softer, vulnerable side of the comic book superhero in The Wolverine, the newest film in the X-Men series.

The movie, which opens in US theatres on Friday, marks the sixth time the 44-year-old Australian actor, who seems as comfortable singing and dancing on Broadway as defeating bad guys on the big screen, is portraying the silver-clawed, self-healing, century-old mutant.

“I am enjoying playing him more than ever. We are focusing on this character and on his journey,” said Jackman, who earned a best actor Oscar nomination for his role in the 2012 historical musical Les Miserables. “This is a real, true character story.”

The film is the second in the highly profitable X-Men series that focuses solely on Wolverine. It follows 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which had mixed reviews but pulled in more than $374 million worldwide.

In the latest film, Jackman’s down-and-out Wolverine character Logan is lured to Japan by a feisty, punk-style martial arts expert, played by newcomer Rila Fukushima, to bid goodbye to a dying, powerful Japanese industrialist he had saved decades earlier.

Wolverine barely has time to adjust to modern-day Japan with its bustling traffic, neon signs and sleek buildings before he is thrust into an ancient world of rituals and customs. He battles Yakuza criminals, Ninja warriors and the villainous mutant Viper, and saves Mariko, the mysterious heiress and his love interest, played by Japanese model Tao Okamoto.

Jackman sees Wolverine as an anti-hero, whose powers come from an emotional place. He said it’s not Wolverine’s steel claws, healing powers or weird hair that is his defining characteristic. It’s his rage.

“There is unresolved anger in all these characters, all of them,” Jackman said about the comic book characters. “They somehow use that dysfunction, that pain, that indecision, all the things that are within become their strength, and become their defining quality. With Wolverine, as you see in this film, it’s as much a burden as it is a superpower or a great thing.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2013.

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Each year, the festival selects 11 countries to promote their language of music and dance and is hosted at the Kucukcekmece Lake Amphitheatre in Istanbul. Gul asserts that the festival was a great opportunity for the local talent to represent its country and culture positively. “It was a very prestigious experience since we were representing Pakistan. You can tell this is what’s missing here — there is little space for personal growth and people are not enjoying that. It shows how much should be done to promote culture,” says Gul.

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A dance group of 16 young girls traveled all the way to Turkey to represent Pakistan and its culture. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

The students, who were selected from a dance and music programme held at LGS, did not have any professional training whatsoever. Hence, in order to prepare for the prestigious festival, the troupe hired Jahangir. The famed kathak and folk dancer has trained under well-known classical dancer Bina Jawwad and has given several notable performances internationally including India, Italy, USA and the UK.

Being a teacher and choreographer, Jahangir said that the team had exceeded expectations competing strongly against professional delegations. “People over there were rather surprised by their preparation and the way the girls had carried themselves throughout the performances without any professional training,” he says. Jahangir points out that the school was teaching dance as a subject that can help one with life in general and believes that such schools are doing a great job of providing space for training and cultural promotion.

The festival included performances from every country on both the opening and closing night. The dancers performed in the presence of the mayor of Kucukcekmece, Aziz Yeniay, and a relatively large audience. The troupe from LGS performed a sufi folk and sufi soul dance. During the rest of the week long festival, they performed different regional dances including bhangra. After their performances, the teams organised a special night of cultural exchange where Jahangir also did a kathak performance.

Jahangir feels that the trip offered a much-needed chance to promote a positive image of Pakistan and dispel any existing stereotypes. “While interacting with other countries, we would be asked, ‘how can you perform in this environment?’ and I would respond simply by saying that this is only a phase. Our real culture accommodates art,” he shares.

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A dance group of 16 young girls traveled all the way to Turkey to represent Pakistan and its culture. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

Jahangir emphasises that it is highly important that dance is promoted along the right terms in order to help preserve and sustain culture. He says that in the current environment, dance has rather been used as a vehicle to promote vulgarity, in turn, damaging the reputation of cultural dance forms.

“The vulgarity promoted through dance in the form of stage theatre has tarnished the reputation of dance. So while we have a lot of hidden talented artists, it isn’t so evident on the surface of it all,” says Jahangir. “Those who actually want to move ahead to promote the arts will have to suffer, but then again it has its rewards too.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2013.

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LONDON: Two days his birth, Royal baby has been named George Alexander Louis by the Prince Williams and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton.

The baby was born on Monday after at least 10 hours of labour, weighing a healthy eight pounds six ounces (3.8 kilograms), ending weeks of anticipation around the globe. He was shown to the world on Tuesday when the Duchess left the hospital.

The baby is third in line to the throne and in the direct line of succession after head of state Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest son and heir Prince Charles, and then his eldest son William.

William and Kate did not know the sex of their child until he was born, although the duchess reportedly told a soldier at a St Patrick’s Day parade in March: “I’d like to have a boy and William would like a girl.”

It is the first time since 1894 that three direct heirs to the throne have been alive at the same time, and the 87-year-old queen said she was “delighted” at the birth of her third great-grandchild.

William and Kate are hugely popular and have been widely credited with revitalising the British royals following decades of scandal and the death of William’s mother Diana in a car crash in 1997.

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MUMBAI: An Indian court on Wednesday charged Bollywood star Salman Khan with culpable homicide over a 2002 hit-and-run case that could land him behind bars for 10 years, a report and a court petitioner said.

Khan, 47, is alleged to have rammed his Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle onto a pavement and over five sleeping homeless people in suburban Mumbai, killing one and injuring four others.

Khan, wearing a grey shirt and black trousers, pleaded not guilty to charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder in a Mumbai sessions court, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency said.

Prosecutor Shankar Erande asked the judge to frame the charges on Wednesday, rather than adjourn, as the actor was going abroad for two months, which could further delay the trial, PTI said.

The judge then read out the charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Khan was earlier being tried under lesser charges of rash and negligent driving but prosecutors filed an application for the charges to be upgraded, which the court upheld this February.

Petitioner Abha Singh, who was present in the courtroom on Wednesday, told media outside the court that the judge, while framing the charges, said “Salman Khan’s blood contained 30 mg of alcohol, according to that he was drunk.”

Mumbai’s laws prohibit anyone from driving or attempting to drive a vehicle if their blood alcohol levels exceed 30 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood.

Singh has filed a separate petition questioning the decade-long delay in trying Khan.

Khan — known for his muscular physique and off-camera fits of temper — has been a controversial figure since he first broke into Bollywood in the late 1980s in the romance film “Maine Pyar Kiya” (I Fell in Love).

In 1998, he spent more than a week in prison for killing endangered Indian gazelles in the northern state of Rajasthan.

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Fish Foot Spas are a common feature at malls all across the globe. However, they are a relatively new concept for Pakistanis, who are comparatively hesitant in accepting this craze. This is probably why these trendy new pedicure spots have failed to charm people in cities like Karachi, with stalls closing down only after a few months. Can it then be said that they are just another fashion fad? While that still remains to be seen, women and men alike have been spotted giving into this new sensation in Islamabad.

The rotten flesh-eating fish, also known as Doctor Fish, are imported from Thailand and Malaysia but are originally found in the deep sea waters of Turkey. The tank maintains a 30 degree temperature giving them an artificially-created environment to live in. Before dipping their feet in the tank, clients first have to wash their feet off using mineral water. Once in, the fish will bite off all the dead skin from the feet leaving them clear and smooth. The 15-minute therapy costs Rs700 with the option of extending it up to 30 minutes. Clients are offered a relaxing environment with music playing in the background and iPads available for use. While some enjoy, others find the concept weird and scary. “I heard it’s good from a friend of mine but the concept is weird. I am better off living with cracked feet,” says a mall visitor Mohammad Jamal. But a few still dare to have an experience of a lifetime. “I was very scared to go in first. The concept of fish nibbling dead skin is just so bizarre but at the same time it’s rewarding,” says a customer, Sara Ahmed.

Apparently this spa treatment has many medical advantages. The facility offers a refreshing experience to people who get tired of walking in the malls. “The circulation is good for heart patients. It boosts the immune system and lowers stress hormones,” explains Fish Foot Spa owner Tehmina Rasheed. She further highlights that the therapy is recommended for people who are diabetic, have a fungal infection, eczema or corns. However, it should be avoided by people with wounded feet by all means.

The maintenance of the tank is a common cause of concern. However, Rasheed ensures that there is a seven-layer filter with UV light to keep the water clean and that the water is changed every other day. However, she confirms that no formal certification from health authorities has been issued. “People over here, even health officials, are not clear of the idea,” she says.

While fish therapy appears to be an exciting venture, medical reports online confirm that it is not completely risk-free. The tank water consists of a number of micro-organisms and infections that can be easily transmitted to human body. Skin specialist Dr Ikramullah Khan asserts that with so many people dipping their feet at the same time, there is an increasing chance of fungal infections being transferred from one person to another. “There is a risk that a person may contract Aquarium Granuloma, also referred to as Fish Tank Granuloma, which is a condition caused by mycobacterium marinum and is a type of tuberculosis,” explains Khan. Unfortunately, health authorities in our country are not active about looking into such matters but it is advised that people who have a relatively weak immune system refrain from indulging into this relaxing therapy.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2013.

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LAHORE: With Ramazan nearing its end, the stress of buying the perfect Eid outfit looms over the heads of Lahori women. Numerous fashion designers and entrepreneurs showcased their latest collections at the two-day Labels Eid exhibition which started on July 24. As happy customers filled the store, it proved that the Eid exhibition at Labels is still the most coveted event of the season.

The store has a first come, first serve policy and unfortunately, a limited stock. As a result of the customer frenzy, designers ended up taking orders of desired outfits from customers, which they could pick up at a later date.

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A lot of designers at the exhibition displayed heavily-embellished silks and chiffons. PHOTO: SHAFIQ MALIK/EXPRESS

This year, the exhibition featured Ayesha Khurram, Nadia Ellahi, Suffuse by Sana Yasir, Shaffaq Muzammil, Nida Azwer, Sania Maskatiya, Silk by Fawad Khan, Teena by Hina Butt, Rabia & Nevine, Farah Zubair, Safia Abbas, Chapter 13, Komal Ali, Sameen Kasuri, Zainab Salman, Aisha Khadeeja and Moire Art of Dressing. The average price range was between Rs5,000 and Rs30,000.

Rabia & Nevine, whose clothing line is practical and wearable, was the most popular rack at the exhibition and ended up selling the highest number of outfits. Their average price ranged from  Rs8,000 to Rs15,000.

Since the weather is still hot and humid, cotton and chikinkari seem to be the best options when picking out Eid outfits. For those interested in fancier options, net and chiffon would be great alternatives too. Although a lot of designers at the exhibition showcased heavily-embellished silks and chiffons, these kinds of gaudy outfits might not be that comfortable to wear or even look at.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2013.

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Whoever thought the loose, flared pant is a thing of the past is highly mistaken as the wider than ever, baggy palazzo pants are the hottest trend this summer. The hippie fashion staple of the 60s and the 70s is back with a bang, whether you love it or hate it! A number of celebrities have been spotted wearing a variety of palazzo pants — some with long shirts to give an eastern touch and others with shorter tops and tanks flaunting a more western look. But be it any way, these trendy ghagra lookalikes are the top picks of the fashion scene.

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Sadaf Malaterre, Sania Maskatiya, Deepika Padukone and Sonia Humayun

Palazzo pants are easy to wear and super comfortable. You can wear them in light fabrics such as chiffons and linens and a variety of prints — from colourful florals to two toned stripes. What’s best about them is that they are made for everyone, literally. They flatter wide thighs and elongate the legs, balancing out your figure. But remember to always pair it up with a fitted top and we assure that you will never go wrong. So, stack away those skinny jeggings and make a fashion statement with these voluminous, buoyant 60s-style trousers.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2013.

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Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton have chosen three traditional royal names by calling their new-born baby boy George Alexander Louis, William’s office said on Wednesday.

The baby, born on Monday to global media frenzy and as third-in-line to the British throne, will be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, said Kensington Palace in a statement.

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All three names had been among the favourites listed by British bookmakers, and the announcement was relatively quick by royal standards; it took a month for the name of Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, to be announced, and a week for William, his eldest son.

George has been the name of six British kings. The last, George VI, was the father of Queen Elizabeth and reigned from 1936 to 1952.

“They’ve kept it very simple by not trying to represent all parts of the family,” royal historian Tracy Borman told Sky News. “I think there seems to be genuine joy, warmth and good feeling about this birth and the duke and duchess are so popular. People will be nothing but pleased.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2013.

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But like many heroes, Sallu’s tragic flaw is that he likes to live dangerously. The highs of his Bollywood career are overshadowed by the lows of his personal life. The shy guy Prem, who rose to stardom with Maine Pyar Kiya, has a side that lives on the edge and has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. How ironic that the song Character Dheela Hai has been featured on him!

Bollywood’s golden but troubled goose

There is no denying that Salman’s got the Midas touch — despite not being critically-acclaimed, any film he’s cast in becomes a commercial sensation. When Salman takes his shirt off, competing male actors start working out to develop six packs and up their game. When he wore long hair in Tere Naam, young boys queued outside salons to get his look. In total, eight films that Salman has worked in grossed over INR1 billion at the box office, including his latest hits Dabangg (2010), Ready (2011), Bodyguard (2011), Ek Tha Tiger (2012) and Dabangg 2 (2012). Despite back-to-back controversies surrounding his love life and court hearings, Sallu has proved to be an asset for the Indian film industry.

We have also seen Salman romance the hottest and most successful B-town female actors at the peak of their careers. However, his off-screen personality is different from the on-screen passionate characters he plays. Be it Sangeeta Bijlani, Aishwarya Rai or Katrina Kaif — Salman is not only known for dating the actors during their golden period, but also for allegedly assaulting them — a reason reportedly Ash gave when she walked out.

The Dabangg cop gone bad

“The court can hang me. I am tired of such lengthy proceedings.”

Nothing else defines Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s rather hot-blooded temperament that this statement he made during a court proceeding back in 2006 that landed him in a legal row. Khan was summoned over charges of killing two blackbucks, during a break in filming in 1998.

If Salman’s history is studied, it has actually been a case of ‘hit-and-run’ (pun-intended), as he has dodged charges framed against him in the past. Sallu had been jailed briefly, but always managed to be bailed out. If Salman’s situation is compared to that of actor Sanjay Dutt, who is serving the remaining three-and-a-half years of a five-year term, it might be safe to say that since so much capital is involved, negotiations for a safe route for him must be taking place. After all, while Sanjay might have been loved by the industry, he is not nearly as commercially successful now as Salman.

Fans are wondering if the box office big shot will get lucky this time. The delay in court proceedings and cases is not something unusual in India but the time at which the case has resurfaced is very crucial — will there be a Bollywood ending for this hero?

CHARGED

An Indian court on Wednesday charged Bollywood star Salman Khan with culpable homicide over a 2002 hit-and-run case that could land him behind bars for 10 years.

Controversies

Hit-and-run case

In 2002, Salman is alleged to have run his Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle onto a pavement and over five sleeping homeless people in suburban Mumbai, killing one and injuring four others. He spent 17 days in jail and later clarified that he was not driving.

Blackbuck case

In 2006, Salman was convicted under the Wildlife Act of India for poaching a blackbuck in Jodhpur during the shooting of film Hum Saath Saath Hain in September 1998. He was handed a five-year imprisonment and was fined INR5,000, but was released on bail after spending less than a week in jail.

Mumbai attacks

Salman had to apologise for comments he made in the aftermath of the 36/11 Mumbai attacks. He had reportedly claimed that attacks got a lot of attention because the “elite” were targeted. “It was the elite that was targeted this time. Five star hotels and stuff. So they panicked. Then they got up and spoke about it. My question is why not before. Attacks have happened in trains and small towns too, but no one talked about it so much,” he had said. His comments that Pakistan was not to blame and that Indian security forces were to blame also drew strong criticism in India.

The Hindustan Times has compiled a list of projects that Salman is currently involved in: 

Bigg Boss 7 — Seventh edition of famed reality TV show.

Mental — Salman’s brother, actor-turned-film-maker Sohail Khan’s directorial venture.

Kick — Film-maker Sajid Nadiadwala’s film which is set to go on floors by the end of July.

No Entry Mein Entry — Sequel to film-maker Anees Bazmi’s No Entry.

Prabhudeva’s untitled next — Choreographer-turned-film-maker Prabhudeva plans to make action film with Salman.

Sooraj Barjatya’s untitled next — Hum Saath Saath Hain film-maker Sooraj Barjatya plans to make a film with Salman after 14 years.

O Teri — Salman has a cameo in brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri’s film titled O Teri.

YRF’s next — After Ek Tha Tiger, Salman is reportedly planning to begin shooting for Yash Raj Film’s next venture after Mental and Kick are completed.

Remake of Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho — Salman Khan is considering working in the Hindi remake of Mahesh Manjrekar’s Marathi film.

I Am Hariprasad — Main Aurr Mrs Khanna’s director Prem R Soni announced to make I Am Hariprasad with Salman.

Projects in planning stage — Apart from the projects which are under pre and post-production, Salman has other movies which are in the planning phase.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2013.

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Catwoman, Wonderwoman, Black Widow — all of them can just back off as Pakistan’s very own super heroine, the Burka Avenger, is all set to save the day. The desi superwoman is a mild-mannered teacher with secret martial art skills, who uses her flowing black burqa to hide her identity and fight thugs seeking to shut down the girls’ school, where she works.

The action-based cartoon, Burka Avenger, is a brainchild of pop singer and former band member of Awaz, Haroon Rashid, and will make its debut on Geo TV in early August. The cartoon is definitely a mirror to our society which suffers at the hands of extremists — those blowing up schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to oppose girls’ education. But limitations only give birth to heroes like Malala Yousafzai and, now, the Burka Avenger.

Haroon asserts that the purpose behind the cartoon is to emphasise the importance of educating girls and also highlight other major issues within the country. “Each one of our episodes is centred on a moral, which sends out strong social messages to kids,” Rashid told The Associated Press in his first interview about the show. “But it is cloaked in pure entertainment, laughter, action and adventure.”

While the West may raise eyebrows over the burka of the Burka Avenger considering it a symbol of oppression, Haroon explicitly states that by no means does it signify a dictatorial custom. Rather the dress was chosen in order to give a more local feel to the show. “It’s not a sign of oppression. She is using the burka to hide her identity like other superheroes,” said Rashid. “Since she is a woman, we could have dressed her up like Catwoman or Wonder Woman, but that probably wouldn’t have worked in Pakistan.”

The Burka Avenger’s true identity is Jiya, whose adopted father, Kabbadi Jan, taught her the karate moves she uses to defeat her enemies. In addition to Jiya, three young kids, twins Immu and Ashu and their best friend Mooli, serve as the show’s other stars. Each of the 13 episodes contains original music by Rashid as well as other popular Pakistani singers including Ali Zafar, Ali Azmat and Josh.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2013.

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“I was selected after a strict selection procedure,” says Sonya Batla. “I sent four outfits and a synopsis of an older collection along with a preview of what I intended to show at AFW. I didn’t know if I was going to be selected.”

While all the designers and Omar Zaman of Leisure Club raved about the level of professionalism they encountered and the glitch-free event the Dutch put up, here is some insider news on what their experience was like.

Not only do a critical line-up of journalists, bloggers and critics filling the front row,  heavily influence international fashion weeks but also the buyers seated across from the journalists. Constantly on the look-out for innovative designs, these are some of the most crucial people designers need to impress.

“Individual consumers approached us with inquiries about potential sales but corporations didn’t,” says Zaman. “To be very honest, they were not expecting anything spectacular to come out of Pakistan and most were astounded by what we showed them.” He adds, “It is too soon for us to expect orders because right now, we just opened a window for them to see what all is out here.”

In their coverage of AFW 2013, Fashion Television’s (Netherlands Chapter) Maandag writes: “Four Pakistani dancers’ traditional choreography — the audience clearly enjoyed this lively introduction to the evening show. We enjoyed the hippie-like, colourful designs by Faiza Samee. It makes me happy. Very happy. And many others around me, too. Print-on-print, floral patterns, as well as stripes and other graphic forms, baggy blouses, dashing trousers with wide legs. All manufactured as graceful and delicate, airy fabrics.”

Honey Waqar has her niche in Pakistan with a cult following admiring her over-the-top embellishments and cuts. But one thing is for sure, the designer is known for adding drama to her work. “I am good at creating drama,” says Waqar. “And they loved it. People were whistling and applauding my collection and that alone was enough for me.” Her designs might not be everyone’s cup of tea but she surely made a mark in Amsterdam.

Upon reviewing Waqar’s Rhythm of Love 2 collection, Maandag writes, “In my eyes, Honey Waqar stole the show. The lavish, theatrical robes of this show have a large shutter glitz and glamour party look. A stylish and traditional way, that is. With highly-refined handicrafts, delicate and luxurious fabrics, Honey Waqar put up an almost royal show, one that radiates beauty and exclusiveness. The combination of flower prints with sequins and glitter is at no time a circus, but retains the status of stylish couture. Whoever dares anything other than Western couturiers, is definitely a winner.”

A Dutch blog itdomegood.com says, “The Vibrant Pakistan show blew me away. Introducing Pakistani fashion designers here in Amsterdam took Amsterdam Fashion Week to a whole new level.”

While Leisure Club showcased its latest collection, Made of Pakistan, which will hit the market next month, Samee showed her prêt line from PDFC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2013, Adnan Pardesy his Axiomatic collection and Sonya Batla showed her S/S 2013.

“It was so exhilarating mingling with international bloggers while also understanding the dynamics of the fashion week,” says Pardesy. “It is obviously not as big as Paris Fashion Week or London Fashion Week but, for us, it was definitely a step up. For me, it was an eye opener.” Pardesy talks about how each model auditions for a show and designers take their pick from about 1,500 models who they feel will be best suited for their collections. “We got to choose from about 50 models which was such a different experience since we could narrow down the models who’d be able to carry the look better.”

Along with these six fashion houses showcasing their work at AFW, Amna Ilyas also walked the ramp. “I absolutely adore Amna and the fantastic thing is that she is helping girls here [in Pakistan] learn how to walk and conduct themselves,” adds Pardesy. “It was great to have her there since she knew how to carry off our clothes in the best possible manner.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2013.

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Fatima Zaman, Kayseria’s creative director Waleed Zaman’s wife, looked uber trendy and stylish when she arrived at the launch of Kayseria Prêt at Café Olivetto. Here is a breakdown of what she wore:

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Hair

We’re in love with her silky smooth auburn side-parted hair, blow dried to perfection. The loosely curled ends add oomph to her look. Smooth out an anti-frizz serum on your hair to attain similar glossy hair.

Outfit

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Fatima’s look has hints of truck art and Urdu script, which is in-sync with Kayseria’s brand philosophy centred at truck art and traditional Pakistani embroidery. She paired a black lace top (can be found at Crossroads for under Rs2,000) with these white pants from Leisure Club’s Made of Pakistan collection showcased recently at Amsterdam Fashion Week. The truck art belt added zing to her outfit.

Make-up

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Summery, fresh and dewy – Fatima’s skin shined at the event and thanks to her low-key make-up, her face looks like a breath of fresh air. Line your eyes carefully with ColorStudio’s Knock Out Marker (Rs550). For a pink pout like hers, go for Mac’s Pink Friday (Rs1,800) and rouge your cheeks using The Body Shop’s All In One Blusher in guava (Rs1,700).

Accessories & shoes

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We love Fatima’s gold stud earrings, a sky blue cuff bracelet and a solitaire ring. You can score similar accessories off the racks at Sentiments (under Rs2,000) and Accessorize (Rs3,000 and above).

A black patent box clutch (can be bought from Walkeaze or Fitrite for Rs,2000) and nude patent peep toes (Charles & Keith for Rs5,000) provided finishing touches to her ensemble.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2013.

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NEW YORK: Lonely, bored dogs left at home all day while their owners are at work could soon be getting some digital company – a TV channel with programming just for pooches. DOGTV, a 24/7 channel designed specifically for man’s best friend, will air nationally next month on the US satellite operator DirecTV, with hopes of attracting dogs in some of the 46 million US households that have at least one.

“It is the first and only television channel that is dedicated to our four-legged friends and not to their parents,” Gilad Neumann, the chief executive of the Tel Aviv-based company, said in an interview.

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The channel won’t be showing the canine equivalent of Modern Family, Mad Men or Downton Abbey but will feature programs with music, visuals, animation and the occasional human that are designed to relax, stimulate and ease the loneliness of home-alone pets. “It’s more than just entertainment for dogs. We are creating more of an environment,” Neumann said of the channel that costs $4.99 a month. “They are bored and many suffer from separation anxiety. What we are trying to do is to give dogs something to focus on in the background.”

Unlike children and adults who can watch TV for hours at a time, Neumann said dogs view the medium differently and will be attracted to it once in a while when they see something that interests them. “We have no intention of generating a new generation of couch potatoes out of our dogs,” he added.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) said any relaxation and stimulation for pets is good. But it doubted that all dogs will take to it. “It could work for some dogs and it might not interest others,” a spokesman for the AVMA said.

Neumann said the programmes were developed with input from Professor Nicholas Dodman, a veterinary behaviourist and director of clinical sciences at Tufts University in Massachusetts, British dog trainer Victoria Stilwell and animal rights activist and trainer Warren Eckstein, and tested on focus groups.

The images are meant to be compatible with a dog’s vision, and sounds include a range of frequencies tailored to their sense of hearing. “We’ve seen that dogs are interested in certain colors, certain animations,” he explained, adding that DOGTV is not meant to replace quality time with owners.

The company, which is in talks and planning to launch the channel in other countries, is also contemplating a TV channel for cats. “They are not as social as dogs so suffer less from being alone,” Neumann said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2013.

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Decorated in their signature colour combination, yellow and black, the shop is located right next to designer Nida Azwer’s retail outlet on the ground floor. From lemon tarts and cupcakes to the huge statuette of a heel decked up in sunflowers, everything at the post-iftar launch event complemented the theme.

The brand offers a range of shoes from heels to wedges for both women and young girls. The sister duo says that the brand is the first to introduce Swarovski-encrusted heels in Pakistan. “When we first imported Swarovski crystals from Austria, they were really expensive and not so well-known here. This trend exploded much later in the country,” claimed Azmay.

According to Samia, it was difficult for them to accommodate the bling among consumers. Soon, they also ventured into designing clutches. “Clients kept coming to us saying ‘can we have matching clutches with these shoes?’ so we started off with that too,” said Azmay.

However, after more than a decade of having a notable presence in the designer shoe market, times have progressed rather quickly with international shoe brands easily accessible in local malls and people being more aware of global trends. This means that the duo has to continue to differentiate their brand in order to maintain their niche. Hence, apart from a vibrant collection of around 80 different flats and heels, the duo has launched a separate Eid collection at their new store consisting of six-inch heels.

Keeping in line with the growing popularity of e-stores, the duo plans to launch an online store soon, as well. Currently, the brand’s products are available online through Style360 Labels estore and daraz.pk.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2013.

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