If the details in Waar’s trailer took you by surprise, then the simplicity of the first look of Moor — film-maker Jami’s first feature film — is going to blow you away.

Released online this week, the teaser of Moor (which means mother in Pashto) heavily relies on visuals accompanied by a soothing score, which is a pleasant change from standard Pakistani practices, as your anticipation of the film builds up, without the story being unveiled.

The trailer comprises scenic shots of the beautiful snow-clad terrain of Muslim Baagh, an area in the vicinity of Qila Saifullah district in Balochistan. One of the most elaborate shots even shows the once existing Zhob Valley Railway (ZVR) in operation with a train easing into the frame as we slowly fade in and out to the highlands.

ZVR has been out of service for quite some time now and like many other railway lines laid during the British era, this one is being removed by the locals and sold as scrap.

This decline of the railways system will play a major part in the film’s story, which sources tell us is about a child’s journey from the outskirts of Quetta to Karachi.

Presented by Azaad films and Mandviwalla Entertainment, the film, which was previously titled Morqaye, will be released at the end of 2013 or early 2014.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2013.

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“I am the type of person who is never satisfied or happy,” says Waar’s director Bilal Lashari, who won the Best Music Video Director award at the Lux Style Awards and Best Pop Video at the MTV Pakistan Music Video Awards for Sajni in 2008.

“But the way it (Waar) has come together, I am sure it will raise the bar of cinema (film-making) in terms of what people are used to.” While he has directed several music videos in the past, this will be Lashari’s first attempt at making a film.

Waar is themed around the idea of counter-terrorism, revolving around a team of police officers, who are looking to stop a terrorist attack in the country.

Lashari feels that the film, which will be released under the banner of ARY Films/Mandviwalla Entertainment, is relevant to Pakistan’s current scenario.

“The cinematography, shooting and aesthetics will all be something new,” he adds. The film’s star-studded cast includes Shaan Shahid, Shamoon Abbasi, Ali Azmat, Ayesha Khan and Meesha Shafi.

“Initially, Ali and Ayesha had been given smaller guest appearances but (later), we decided to expand their roles,” he explains, adding that Ali is a natural performer and a great actor.

While making this film was a big challenge and delays were inevitable, Lashari says that he is certain Waar will provide the audience with something to think about.

“It’s been a crazy learning experience. It hasn’t been easy and it was a constant test of patience,” he says, adding that he didn’t have a real break in nearly three years. “We are attempting to do a lot of things that haven’t been done in Pakistan before.” The film is said to have 400 visual effects.

Focus groups and an English script

Assessment and feedback go a long way, and when it came down to judging how well the movie would do at the box office, writer and producer of Waar, Hassan Waqas Rana decided to do things the traditional way.

He conducted focus groups where people were shown only parts of the film. “Both of us, Bilal and I, are the biggest critics of ourselves. But I think we’ve been pretty amazed by the turnout of the project,” says Rana. “However, the real truth of how the film really is, can only be assessed when it reaches the audience.”

A major part of Waar’s script is in English, which the film-makers explain, has been done keeping Shaan’s character in mind. However, the idea of dubbing in Urdu did cross Rana’s mind. “I think the main worry was that the local audience wouldn’t be able to relate [to it] but our tests have revealed a good response,” he continues.

“We also looked at dubbing the film but resisted because we thought the main character would be compromised.”

After gaining positive feedback from the post-production and editing teams in the US, team Waar is all set for a Pakistan release this fall, with an international release to follow.

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Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2013.

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NEW DEHLI: He has been active in Hindi films for over two decades, has featured in more than 80 films and won the tag of a superstar, but 47-year-old actor Shahrukh Khan has yet to find a suitable role in the international film arena.

Not interested in taking up a stereotypical role created for Asians in Hollywood, Shahrukh feels that it’s quite difficult to bag roles which aren’t specific to his skin colour, the way he speaks or the way he acts.

“I think the kind of role I would want to do in a Hollywood film is one that makes India proud. To get a role that is not specific to my colour, or the way I speak, look or act or my age, is very difficult,” SRK told IANS.

“I mean, you can’t go to a big film-making world and say, ‘Write a role for a 47-year-old actor who is brown, has hair like this, acts this way and dances a bit.’ The role should be something that Indians are proud of. It’s too specific for me to have a USP.”

He still, however, appreciates Indian actors who are doing rather well in the international film scene. “There are a few young boys and girls who are doing really well internationally, and I pray they make it big,” he said.

Shahrukh relishes and cherishes all the love and attention showered on him on the home turf and is set to woo his fans with Chennai Express. He is currently looking forward to the release of the film in India this Friday — his first film with a director who is the new master of comedies, Rohit Shetty.

“Rohit is fantastically organised. The best part about him is that he has a group of 200 trained people working under him. Rohit knows what he wants. He always delivers the best,” said Shahrukh.

Chennai Express, SRK’s second film with Deepika Padukone after the 2007 superhit Om Shanti Om, has a popular train scene from his classic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2013.

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KARACHI: Shopping malls and bazaars continue to be jam-packed in the last week of Ramazan as everyone gets in the Eid spirit. But if you are bored of the conventional shopping sprees and are ready to try out something fresh, then make your way to Ocean Towers and find yourself in an Arabian land of joys. From henna, perfumes and bangles to shawls, women’s wear, pottery making and even a tarot card reader — who claims to predict your future — the Arabian souk seems to have it all.

On the fourth floor at Ocean Towers, numerous stalls have been set up opposite the food court. “I have just set up my stall here. Otherwise I have one at Port Grand,” says pottery maker Abdul Khalid, who’s been in this profession for the past 15 years. “I am hoping some kids will drop by this evening or the next to make some pottery here with me.” Khalid is also selling some of his creations at the festival; clay moulded into animal shapes and figures.

Although there were barely any visitors on the first day, stall owners remain positive. Asim Shujrah, who is selling artificial jewelry, shawls and handicrafts at his stall, says that placing his products at Ocean Towers might be a great benefit to the crowd but “sadly, offering them our products, doesn’t seem to be the need of the hour.” Further elaborating on his statement, he said, “We have locals shopping around malls and bazaars but it’s high time that we request foreigners to drop by and visit our country.” He feels that the products he is dealing with are primarily souvenirs and thus, “What I am currently offering is not something for the locals but something foreigners would love to have.”

The festival, which began on Tuesday, will continue till Chaand Raat.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2013.

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Their on screen fairytale romance in the Twilight franchise transformed into an off screen love affair as Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart fell in love behind the scenes. Things seemed to be perfect between the two till Stewart got bored and cheated on poor Rob with director Rupert Sanders last year. But now, it seems they have moved on from that rough patch and are getting back together!

27-year-old Pattinson, who is said to be dating model-actor Riley Keough, was reportedly seen driving away from Stewart’s house earlier this week, reports dailymail.co.uk. Pattinson was wearing a black baseball cap in reverse, dark shades, and a casual short-sleeved T-shirt. Pattinson and Stewart have been spending time together since last week.

Following the break-up after Stewart’s affair, the two had gotten back together but broke up before we knew it. Let’s see if them re-uniting this time will end the same way as before or not!

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2013.

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Make-up and hair stylist Beenish Parvez was spotted at the L’Oreal Paris BB cream launch at Dolmen Mall Clifton looking fabulous in these funky palazzos. We love how Beenish has kept her look tantalising. Here is a how you can get her look:

Hair

This beautiful fashionista had her ombre hair blow-dried in tight curls, giving her hair character and bounce. Get an appointment with your hairdresser to sport the ombre trend and easily get these curls using a curling iron or rollers with L’Oreal Paris’s EverCurl cream — gel.

Make-up

Beenish’s make-up was perfect for the event. She made sure to put just enough to enhance her delicate features. Use Loreal Pari’s True Match Blush in a tan shade to get a subtle and natural look like hers. Mac’s Politely Pink lipstick (Rs1,500) and Mac smoulder pencil liner (Rs600) for the eyes can be used to give you the perfect touch. The way to flawlessly complement these tie-dyed palazzos is with a contrasting nail colour which you can easily select from the variety of shades at Essie, OPI and Color Studio.

Outfit

These Feeha Jamshed black and green tie-dyed palazzos with gold zip details are scrumptious and Beenish is pulling them off well. She paired these comfy lowers with a simple black tank top which was a perfect way to balanced out (instead of cancel out) the coolness of the pants.

Accessories and Shoes

Wearing minimal accessories, Beenish kept it simple with a chunky gold necklace and watch with a leopard-print dial. The beige bag with a gold chain blends in perfectly with the rest of the items, all of which can be found at Accessorize (Rs4,000). A pair of gold studs from Accessorize (Rs1,000) would have also earned her extra points on our style-o meter. Thanks to her trendy ankle-length pants, her shoes are not visible, but black heels from Charles and Keith or even plain flats would do perfectly.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2013.

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Shaan has always involved himself in projects that focus on Pakistani values or has some element of patriotism. But, at the same time, his films are known to highlight the modern aspect of Pakistani lifestyles, such as his role of a musician in Khuda Kay Liye. However, considering that the masses of our country are generally conservative, it comes as a surprise that Shaan picked a movie like Arth for a re-make. “I’m trying to tell the world through this re-make that whatever the society does today, wherever they are, is all the same. Whether it’s Hollywood, Bollywood or Lollywood, such things are commonly seen everywhere these days and it is the reality of life,” said Shaan in an interview with the Times of India. “I’m sure people in Pakistan will accept the truth today of what is happening. Times have changed now, today the generation is far advanced and they are open to watching such realistic movies.”

Apparently, there is a confusion regarding who called who for the adaptation but according to producer-director Bhatt, it was Shaan who called to re-make the original version. He calls this an “emotional transaction,” between the two industries. The story of the film will be scripted by Bhatt camp’s regular writer, Shagufta Rafique, and will be a collaborative effort between Bollywood and Lollywood. “As the film is going to be based in Pakistan, we will cast Pakistani girls. Apart from writing, I will also be involved in the casting of the film,” said Bhatt. “All the technicians, however, will be from India.”

According to Shaan, the movie will be based in Lahore and he already has Humaima Malik in mind for the role played originally by Smita Patel. “The original movie was done in the ’80s so I want to bring some changes in the re-make and experiment with the characters of the movie. I want to potray the character as relating to today’s world. Also, I want to shoot the movie in Lahore and we shall be including some prominent actors of Pakistan like Humaima Malick, who will play the role of Smita Patil,” he said.

However, like many other Indo-Pak collaborative efforts, this one hasn’t come without its share of criticism and controversies either. Word has it that the producer of the original version, Kuljit Pal, is unhappy with Bhatt’s decision to transport the rights of the movie to a Pakistani producer. “It appears that Mahesh Bhatt has committed an offence, misleading Pakistani producers by assigning them the rights of Arth that legally belong solely to us. You all are advised not to deal with Sri Mahesh Bhatt for Arth,” said Pal in a public notice, reported ibnlive.in.com.

Bhatt, on the other hand, has completely dismissed Pal’s notice. “The Public Notice issued by the producer is apparently speculative. The words ‘it appears that Mahesh Bhatt sold the rights’ says it all that the producer is not sure about the facts and has not bothered to know the same before issuing the notice,” he said.

Bhatt is known to have a soft spot for Pakistan and actively works towards finding a common ground between the two countries and this, too, was another initiative of his to strengthen relations between the two countries.

With Pakistani cinema still struggling to revive fully as many hyped films continue to get delayed in making it to the screens, we really hope that this re-make sees the light of the day and does not lose its charm amidst controversies and funding issues.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2013.

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Pakistani feature film Zinda Bhaag has been slated for release in early September, a statement from the film’s promoter said on Wednesday.

The film stars veteran Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah among other actors and has already caused a stir amongst cine lovers with an eye catching trailer.

The release said that Zinda Bhaag will be released on Defence Day, September 6 at screens across Pakistan including in multiplex and single screen cinemas in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi.

“We want to reach mass audiences across Pakistan because the film tells the story of every household,” Mazhar Zaidi, the producer of the film said.

Actor Naseeruddin Shah has been full of praise about the project.

“When I read the script I said to myself that I have to do this film. It’s a role of a lifetime.”

Apart from Shah there is a flurry of fresh faces including Amna Ilyas, Khurram Patras, Salman Ahmed Khan and Zhoib.

Music for the film has been prepared by a star-studded lineup that features Sahir Ali Bagga as composer alongside Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Abrarul Haq, Arif Lohar and Amanat Ali.

KARACHI: For those of you who have been watching Chef Gary Mehigan give the creeps to the sweltering, nerve-wracked contestants in the pressure tests on Masterchef Australia, there is good news — Masterchef is finally launching its Pakistani version in August. So there is no need for you to sulk in desperation and wish you were the one making Mughlai Qorma in that kitchen because, now, you may just be able to participate.

There is even better news. The Australian High Commission has confirmed that Masterchef Australia’s most popular and loved contestant Amina Elshafei, who has inspired many men and women to follow their cooking dreams through her perseverance, dedication and positive outlook on life, will also be visiting Pakistan this month. Amina was part of some of the most enduring moments on MasterChef Australia Season 4, all thanks to her delectable dishes. From her octopus pakoras, one of the most creative dishes ever, to her personal favourite, maamouls (stuffed biscuits), Amina blew the judges away with her passion and incredible talent. Her elimination from the show was a tear-jerking moment for fellow contestants, as well as a million viewers who had their hopes pinned on her.

Born in Saudi Arabia to an Egyptian father and Korean mother, Amina’s visit is part of the Australian government and the World Food Programme (WFP) initiatives in Pakistan. She will be coming on a packed, week-long tour in August to promote healthy eating among children and women through presenting ideas on how to turn simple ingredients into nutritious meals. Amina will also visit a number of educational institutions to interact with Pakistan’s younger generation, particularly those looking to work in the restaurant industry.

The friendly pediatric nurse, who everybody would love to have as their BFF, will be visiting Lahore, Islamabad and Faislabad. However, a major part of her stay will be in the cultural city of Lahore where she will be doing a cooking show at a local hotel.

Inspired by her Middle-Eastern background, Amina has been on a roll ever since she left Masterchef, hosting quite a few activities for the Muslim community in Sydney and cooking alongside world renowned Turkish chef, Somer Sivrioglu at the Crave SMH Sydney International Food Festival. She is currently visiting Malaysia, as her fan page on Facebook suggests and will be treating Pakistani fans with her presence after Eidul Fitr. We can’t wait to see her do wonders with olive oil and asian herbs and spices!

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2013.

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“These films can be successful despite the constraints,” he says with confidence. “People are worried that there has been no ban on Indian films, but I think the crowd is looking for entertainment on Eid, so they will see films,” says Sanaullah.

Kamran Chaudhry feels differently. He feels that the lack of preparation and promotion could hinder the films’ success on Eid, and that against Chennai Express, they stand a small chance.  But he is trying to stay positive. “We are just hopeful that cinema-goers will go out and watch these films to support the industry,” says Kamran, adding that it’s important to see local films perform well so they encourage more investment. He laments that the race is against time, and that while work is being done by film-makers, the environment for local productions is not improving as the “government is not interested in supporting the film infrastructure”.

Ishq Khuda director Shehzad Rafique, however, is not feeling the Eid release pressure. In fact, he sees it as a great opportunity to exhibit his work for people to appreciate. “We are putting the film out for the people to judge — we do not expect to compete with Indian films at this point. The importance of local films being made cannot be underestimated,” says Rafique. More importantly, he explains that since business is always divided amongst films, the focus should be on the production of films instead of the secondary issue of competition from Bollywood.

Rafique adds that the increased business significance of Eid today is vastly different since Pakistan has slowly but surely been developing a cinema-going culture. “The important thing is that we are developing a culture so that the long-term health of film-making is maintained,” says Rafique.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2013.

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Eid shopping begins a few days before Ramazan, but reaches its peak on chaand raat, the night after moon sighting. The shopping includes clothes, shoes, bags and jewellery. Bangles are often purchased on the last day of Ramazan.

“Last minute shopping is great fun. I always leave shopping for bangles till the end. By then, we know the colours we want and the quantities,” says Sania Bibi.

But shopping for bangles on chaand raat has its disadvantages, too. Bangle sets that are sold between Rs40 and Rs150 before Ramazan are sold for up to thrice the price.

Sumaira Rashid, who is accompanied by her husband and a three-year-old daughter at the Chowk Bazaar, believes that prices have risen by 100 per cent.

“I had to send bangles to my cousins in the UAE. I bought four sets two weeks ago for Rs100 each. Today, the same shopkeeper is selling them for Rs250 each,” she said.

A bangles set for her baby daughter costs her Rs75.

Muhammad Amir owns a jewellery shop at the Sarrafa Bazaar. He has also set up stalls in front of his shop.

Talking about the prices, he says there is no manufacturing unit in Bahawalpur region. The bangles have to be purchased from Hyderabad and Karachi.

He says after paying the sales tax and transportation costs, there was little left for the shopkeepers.

“It’s not as if women don’t bargain. They are never satisfied otherwise. So we always keep a Rs10-Rs20 margin for that.”

Amir says there are mainly three types of bangles: glass, metal and plastic. Plastic bangles are mostly meant for little girls, he says.

Meena bangles are painted. Their usual rate is Rs40 per dozen. However, around Eid, they are sold at Rs70 per dozen.

“If beaded bangles are added to a set, the price goes up to Rs250 to Rs300,” he says.

He says other bangles are decorated with silk threads, beads, etc. and are called Hyderabadi bangles, Morai bangles and Shehzadi bangles.

Maryam Bibi, a housewife looking for customised bangles sets, says she has bought only one set. She says she had initially planned to buy three.

“Three sets will cost me nearly Rs1,000. That’s the price of my dress that I got for Eid.”

She says she has bought a customised set of golden and silver bangles, a neutral colour that she can wear with almost all colours.

Eid stalls have been set up at Rangeela Bazaar, Shahi Bazaar, Chowk Bazaar, Chowk Bazaar, Sarrafa Bazaar and Baksh Market.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2013.

In stark contrast to the surroundings, business isn’t booming for him. His stall of Eid cards remains unvisited, undisturbed.

“The card business is no more. This is the last time I’m doing this,” he says. “People don’t need cards anymore – they have been replaced by mobiles and the use of the internet.”

Desperate times, alternative measures

Karim recalls selling cards worth Rs6,000 a day during Ramazan in years past. This year, however, he has only sold Rs2,000 worth in the entire month. Cards on his stall range from Rs1 to Rs200.

“Back then, I had a huge variety, but now even the card companies have stopped designing and printing many choices, as there is just no demand anymore,” he says.

Because of the slump in Eid cards business, Karim now also sells artificial jewelry and gifts to make a living. Dozens of colorful cards hang on a cloth stretched along a wall and yet, the only two customers around him are three young girls busily searching for earrings.

No longer the same

For many Karachiites, the loss of Eid cards has decreased the charm of the festive day.

“I would spent hours at those stalls set up at Pakistan Chowk and areas of Saddar, but now I see very few of them and they don’t even have attractive designs,” says Nangyal Khan. “Paper cards have more of an effect on people than E-cards or SMS messages. They form a memory trail that I look back on.”

According to Khan, a campaign on social media can help restore this dying culture.

The messengers

These cards have always shared a special relationship with the people entrusted to deliver them.

“We would have bundles of Eid cards to distribute and the Pakistan Post would announce that they should be sent 10 days ahead,” recalls Syed Hameed Ahmed, former deputy chief postmaster. Today, Ahmed is nostalgic.

“Now this culture is in decline. Even the Pakistan Post has quit printing its own Eid cards which was a usual practice then and were sent to hundreds of people,” he grumbles. “Sure, the internet can be blamed, but the Pakistan Post is equally responsible for not making serious efforts to save it.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2013.

Kulfa inspired dessert

Ingredients:

2 cups milk.

One cardamom.

2-3 strands of saffron.

Condensed milk 2tbsp.

Corn flour, to thicken.

225g cream cheese.

20g instant gelatine powder.

75g sliced almonds- about 3/4th cup.

Dehydrated fruits, optional.

Sugar, as required.

1 large pack Marie biscuits or any digestive biscuits and 3 tbsp butter for the base.  

Method:

-  Make the base for the dessert by finely grinding the biscuits and melted butter in a food processor. Spread and press it tightly in your serving dish and put it in the freezer to set.

-  Boil the milk with an unopened cardamom and saffron for five minutes on medium heat. Add condensed milk and sugar and cook for five minutes or more. Add the almonds and fruits. To make the mixture thick, add corn flour dissolved in water; this will give you a custardy consistency.

-  Put it in a bowl to cool down for a bit; however, while the water is lukewarm add cream cheese to it.

-  Dissolve 4-5 tbsp in hot water and add it to the custard.

-  Pour over the biscuit base and put it in the fridge to set.

-               Garnish with whipped cream before serving.

Coconut mithai Ingredients:

200g grated coconut.

Half cup milk.

300g condensed milk.

Cardamoms 2-3. 

Method:

-  Heat two tbsp of oil in a non stick pan and fry the cardamoms for a minute or two, then add coconut and milk to it.

-  When the colour turns off white, add condensed milk to the mixture.

-  Keep stirring till the mixture starts to get sticky.

Take it out and shape the mixture into balls or small tikkis; roll in grated coconut and cool and you are done.

Please note:

You can also line a dish with baking paper and press firmly onto it. Once cooled, cut into cubes and garnish with almonds or cashew nuts.

Cardamom drink: 

For three glasses you will need:

3 and 1/2 glass water.

Three cardamoms (open).

Sugar to taste. I usually use 2-3 tsp per glass.

Juice of one large lemon, a little more than 1/4th cup.

Method:

-  Cook the water, sugar and elaichi on medium heat for at least 15 minutes, covered.

-  Strain and cool.

-  Add the lemon juice and chill.

-  Serve with mint leaves and ice cubes in the glass.

Happy cooking and Eid Mubarak! Go eat some.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2013.

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Kaley Cuoco started off her career with 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter where she played the role of a pretty high school girl. Everyone seemed to love her sense of humour and style but sadly, she never made it big – she featured in random movies here and there. But after starring in the Big Bang Theory, another comedy show, Kaley has yet again made us proud!

Rumours are that she is currently dating US professional tennis player Ryan Sweeting. The 27-year-old has perhaps moved on after her brief romance with actor Henry Cavill as she was spotted with Sweeting during a spa session in Culver City, California, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Cuoco was photographed enjoying her time getting a manicure and pedicure with Sweeting.

The Big Bang Theory star enjoyed a short fling with Man of Steel star Cavill earlier this summer, but they parted ways last month.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2013.

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Our favourite model-actor Aamina Sheikh never puts a toe out of line when it comes to be fashion-savvy. While we’ve seen her don her share of Nida Azwer outfits, lately this beautiful belle has been endorsing luxury prêt designer Shehla Chatoor. We spotted her at the premiere of her film Josh looking ravishing and regal.

Hair

Aaminah’s decision to go for a side-knotted bun in the sweltering heat was a smart choice. Wrap your pony and loop it as if you’re going to knot it, forming a bun-like shape. Secure with bobby pins and hair spray and finish is off by pulling some loose strands at the front.

MAKE-UP

The diva’s make-up is spot on for a red carpet event. To get her look, apply some shimmery silver eye shadow like Mac’s Forgery (Rs2,000) and finish it off with Color Studio Professional’s Pro-Dip Waterproof liner and lots of mascara. Bronze those cheeks and top your lips with Mac’s Double Shot (Rs1,700).

OUTFIT

We are in love with this outfit. Aaminah is rocking this Shehla Chatoor jumpsuit paired with a digital print cape in soft colours. Run to Shehla to get your own or buy a jumpsuit from a high street store (Rs2,000 to Rs10,000) and carry it a loose long silk jacket.

Accessories and shoes

Aamina’s chunky gold ring and Shehla Chatoor clutch are winners. The jumpsuit has Shehla’s signature gold jewelry-inspired neckline but you can wear a gold statement necklace instead. Find similar accessories at Accessorize (Rs2,000). We can’t see her shoes but a pair of high gold heels will do the trick. Look out for a sexy pair at Nine West (Rs10,000) or local stores like Walk Eaze (Rs3,500).

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2013.

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Singer Mariah Carey, who will be seen in Lee Daniel’s upcoming historical drama The Butler, shared that her character in the film is very close to what she went through when growing up.

The pop icon told Yahoo! Movies about the hard times she faced as mixed-race kid in Long Island, New York. The 43-year-old singer, who was born to an Irish mother and a Venezuelan and African-American father, told the press that a white person spat on her when she was a child.

“That actually happened to me,” said Carey, reported eonline.com. “I know people would be in shock and not really want to believe or accept that, but it did. That right there – that was almost the deepest thing to me in the movie because I know what she went through—and it happened to be a bus as well. It was [on] a school bus, in the face, and in the same way.”

In a previous interview with Oprah Winfrey, Carey shared another incident where she was asked to draw herself and was made fun of by her kindergarten teachers for drawing a picture of her father’s skin in ‘the wrong color’.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2013.

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R&B singer Chris Brown is known to spark controversies. But it seems that all the court cases and arrests have taken a toll on him as he recently took to Twitter to announce to the world that he plans to quit music after the release of his upcoming album, X.

“Don’t worry mainstream America, after this X album, it’ll probably be my last album,” he tweeted, reported The Huffington Post. “Being famous is amazing when it’s for your music and talent. I’m tired of being famous for a mistake I made when I was 18. I’m cool & over it!” he followed.

The 24-year-old star probably referred to the domestic assault of ex-girlfriend, Rihanna on the night before Grammy Awards 2009, as ‘the mistake’. While he pointed out that he was done with his string of constant mistakes, he recently turned himself in to the police for a hit-and-run case, reported Entertainment Weekly.

This news has come as quite a surprise for his more than 13 million Twitter followers, who have lately been caught up by Brown’s highly inspirational tweets. One of his tweets said:

Aspire to be great and the person you wanna be. Don't conform because ur worth is more than any money or status. We live. We die.

— Chris Brown (@chrisbrown) August 1, 2013

While fans sulk over his rather unprecedented retirement news, a source has completely dismissed it rendering it to be just a result of a rough patch. “It’s not true. Chris can’t be killed. He won’t be defeated. The media is strong, but he isn’t about to let them ruin him. He was built to last. It’s a rough patch for him and like all great [men], he’ll get through it,” told the source to hollywoodlife.com.

Previously, many singers have announced retirement plans only to return back to the music scene after a couple of years’ hiatus. So, it won’t be wrong to assume that the same may hold true for Chris Brown as well.

The singer’s sixth studio album, X, will hit stores on August 20.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2013.

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Actor-director Farhan Akhtar did not just get lucky by chance rather it was his impeccable talent and sheer dedication towards his work that got him a great deal of appreciation for his role in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. As a result of the movie’s immense success, Farhan has geared up for his next assignment, Rock On 2.

“The team of the franchise [Rock On!!] wants to capitalise on his star status,” said a source, reported the Hindustan Times. “Farhan has been looking forward to the sequel, so he is excited.” Like its first part, Rock On 2 will also be produced by Farhan and Ritesh Sidhwani’s company and if everything goes smoothly, the actor will start shooting for the movie by the end of this year. “By then, he will also have finished shooting for Shaadi Ke Side Effects (with Vidya Balan),” added the source.

The news for the sequel to the movie has been circulating for a couple of years now. However, with Farhan being occupied with Rakheysh Omprakash Mehra’s Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, the follow-up to the music-centered movie continued to be delayed.

“Right now, Abhishek is giving final touches to the screenplay. Farhan and Ritesh (Sidhwani) are in constant touch with him. They plan to take Rock On 2 on floors sometime mid-2011,” said a team member of Excel Entertainment, back in 2011.

Now that it is finally scheduled to hit the floors soon, word has it that director Abhishek Kapoor, who had directed the first film of the series, will not helm the sequel. “They (Farhan and Ritesh) might rope in another young director. While the exact reason for their decision is unknown, Abhishek is likely to be busy around the end of this year. He’ll be working on his next, Fitoor (an adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, Great Expectations),” informs the source.

The reason for this decision could also be the rumoured rift between Farhan and Abhishek, though they seem pretty normal at the success party of Abhishek’s film, Kai Po Che.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2013.

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Zaidi, who is a graduate of the National College of Arts, one of the two renowned art colleges in the country, has created quite a stir with her work. Not having her father for most of her life, she feels that her sense of longing has subconsciously crept into her work.

“My work is contemporary figurative and not conventional at the same time,” says Zaidi. “It deals with the female persona as a bridge between one’s outer and inner worlds in order to help one see their interconnections.” Focusing more on the essence of a woman’s identity resonating from her posture, the artist likes to create the concept of a character without ever showing its face.

“Females are innately dramatic,” says Zaidi. “I try to encapsulate that, I add drama to my work by way of body language and since I photograph my subjects, that adds even more emotion to the piece.” Often people make the mistake of viewing and classifying Zaidi’s work as monochromatic. However, her intriguing depiction of the self has tones of sepia and others subtly embedded within the canvas, if one only looks into it closely.

Zaidi speaks candidly about her experience at NCA. While she admits that she has become what she is today because of her alma mater, she feels that it wasn’t much of a learning process. Maybe one can say that the institute helped her ‘unlearn’ so that she could discover her own talent.

“I never took it seriously because as an artist I cannot work under pressure. I need to let my mood set the tone of my work,” elaborates Zaidi. “There is a lot of favouritism at the college and that can be discouraging. I only worked for my thesis and the kind of art that I am doing now is something which I have taught myself. The only great thing about NCA was that it gave you freedom to do what you wanted to do, but as far as skill goes I don’t think I picked up much.”

Zaidi has been doing rounds both nationally and internationally thanks to her immaculate artistic skills. She recently visited Malaysia for a residency at East Coast Artist in Residence, in Quantun. Talking about her experience in Malaysia, she shares, “I could not sleep for 3 weeks while I was there. There were far too many insects and I was just too fearful to be able to work in peace.” However, despite the odds and only 21 days at the residency, Zaidi managed to up a great show at a gallery in Kuala Lumpur, which also led to a greater opportunity.

While in Malaysia, Zaidi received an email from the Global Art Agency. “They host art exhibits all over the world and their upcoming show is in Vienna,” explains an excited Zaidi. “They want me to showcase my work at the Vienna Showcase this year. There will be 150 artists showcasing with leading gallerists and collectors attending the event and I am super excited. I think international exposure is really good and puts things into perspective for younger artists.”

With a couple of group shows and a residency under her belt, Zaid is currently gearing up for her first solo show in Pakistan at the Taseer Art Gallery in Lahore (formerly knows as The Drawing Room Art Gallery).

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2013.

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KARACHI: After eight years of growth and development, local retail store Fifth Avenue launched its 20th store across Pakistan at Ocean Towers. The inauguration was a relatively small affair with Komail Anam and Ammar Anam, young kids of veteran singer Khaled Anam, performing on a few Bollywood songs for the selected audience.

Amir Anees, the CEO of local brand, Fifth Avenue, says the label fills the gap created by the dearth of export quality products for teens. Even though many local brands have emerged following Fifth Avenue, it remains to be the first in shaping trends.

“We fall in the same category as Outfitters and Stoneage, offering casual western wear. But when we started out in 2005, there was a dearth of such stores in the country and we saw a huge gap in the market. That is when we opened up our first outlet at Zamzama,” says Anees.

Now, with international brands making their way to the malls in major cities across the country, the competition has intensified and there is a constant need to differentiate, at least from the local brands available.

“We are trying to follow trends of the international market. We anticipate what is gaining popularity in Europe and bring it to Pakistan,” he says.  “Also, we strictly follow the international forecast on trending colours and apply them in Pakistan. For example, the black and white combo is likely to be a hit in 2014 and, hence, we will follow it accordingly.”

Where a shirt costs around Rs4,000 at Mango and Debenhams, Fifth Avenue is cheaper with a casual jumpsuit priced at Rs2,200. “We are very cost effective as compared to our other counterparts. We offer something for every strata of the society. We believe that we are a local brand and, therefore, we must cater to the needs of the local market,” asserts Anees.

Despite doing so well on the local front, the brand’s owner does not really have any plans for a global expansion. “We don’t have designs for expansion on the global front as such. We first want to establish our presence on home-ground and become a strong label,” says Anees.

However, it seems that as the online industry continues to grow exponentially, Anees is also considering a step into e-business. “Our strategic plan for the coming year involves targeting prime locations across the country as well as remodeling our website, which will focus more on e-commerce,” highlights Anees. “Currently daraz.pk is offering our products online but with our own website, we will also be looking towards marketing our clothes.”

While international retail seems far-off on his list of plans, Anees adds that if things go smoothly, his “brilliant venture” might just be franchised to Middle Eastern countries as well as India, but then, there is still a long way to go on the road ahead.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2013.

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