However, it seems that the only change that her renewed image will include is language. The Punjabi star is all set to feature in an upcoming Pashto film, titled Worbal, the shooting of which is in full swing in Murree and Islamabad. Meera appears to be following a trend set by other Punjabi actors like Veena Malik and Khushboo, who also stepped into the growing Pashto cinema.

The film’s producer Shahid Khan tells The Express Tribune that the movie is not province-centric and will focus on subjects on a national level. “This film will prove a milestone for the Pakistani film industry because Urdu actors have also now started performing in Pashto films,” he says. Khan further adds that the theme of the film is based on traditional customs, Swara and Vani. These are draconian practices followed in the region to settle an enmity by handing over a woman from one party to another. The central role in the film will be performed by none other than Meera.

He claims that Meera was also inspired by the theme of the film that revolves around public issues adding that she immediately agreed to perform despite receiving many offers for other Pashto films. Khan had previously said that the fact that more and more Punjabi actors are now shifting towards Pashto cinema, is a testament of improving standards.

The writer of the film is Muhammad Kamal Pasha whereas the dialogues have been written by Saeed Tehkali and the camera work is conducted by Tahseen Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2013.

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Everybody knows you can’t go wrong with black or white.

Here’s a roundup of our favourite celebrities looking elegant as ever at the Met Gala.

Emmy Rossum

The actor wows in this shimmery Donna Karan Atelier gown. With the intricate beading all over the front, along with her catty eye make-up and edgy hair, Rossum looks divine. While her previous fashion choices have ranged from questionable to downright awful, Rossum definitely wins the award for best dressed tonight.

Jennifer Lawrence

The veil seems a little vampish for our taste, but the lace Dior gown is beautiful. The black sequins sparkle, and blood red lip really stands out. We wish Lawrence had gone for shoes of the peep toe variety though as the ones she’s wearing, seem to be too chunky.

Gwen Stefani

This cutout gown by Maison Martin Margiela looks absolutely stunning, and shows off singer Gwen Stefani’s perfect abs. Pairing her dress with bold red lips and nails, Stefani looks both classy and elegant.

Anne Hathaway

The actor proves that blondes do have more fun! Her new hairdo, very similar to the one Miley Cyrus has been rocking lately, compliments her daring lace Valentino gown beautifully.

Blake Lively

She never puts a fashion toe out of line, and this breathtaking Gucci number is no exception. Combining both black and white, actor Blake Lively always leaves us begging for more.

Katie Holmes

While long, flowing white gowns should only be reserved for weddings, we think Katie Holmes is an exception. Her Calvin Klein ensemble makes her look like an angel, and with practically no accessories, she lets the gown speak for itself.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2013.

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28-year-old stunner Scarlett Johansson got everyone buzzing when she stepped onto the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in a gorgeous black dress and a huge diamond ring on her finger.

People magazine reported that the actor was engaged to her journalist beau Romain Dauriac.

“I can confirm that Scarlett and Romain are engaged. They haven’t chosen a date for the wedding,” a rep for ScarJo said in a statement to JustJared.com.

According to USA Today, the two have been engaged for almost a month now — bravo to the couple for staying under the radar this long. Scarlett and Romain started dating in November 2012 right after her split with ex-boyfriend, Nate Taylor. This will be the actor’s second marriage, after getting a divorce from actor Ryan Reynolds in 2010. “She’s so happy she found love again. They are head over heels in love; she’s literally glowing right now. He’s perfect for her,” said a source, reported HollywoodLife.com.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2013.

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Film-maker Prakash Jha feels that India is in dire need of a modern Gandhi considering  the rising level of corruption in society. In Satyagraha, Jha portrays a movement of the middle-class to re-negotiate democracy. It’s a story about a man who has firm belief in Gandhi’s non-violent principles.

“My film Satyagraha is not inspired from Mahatma Gandhi or Anna Hazare. Gandhi was a great human being, a great leader, a great inspiration for the entire country and India badly needs a modern Gandhi today,” Jha said in an interview, reported Zee News.

“Today the common man is not angry because of corruption in the country, he is angry because he is a victim of [that] corruption. Things like death due to negligence or a common man fighting the system to get his pension are very common in our country. I have tried to highlight these issues in my film,” he said.

Jha contested political elections twice but failed. “I wanted to bring about a change in the country. An MP gets a lot of power and access so I thought if I became one, I would be able to bring about a genuine change in society. But it seems people did not accept me,” he added.

Satyagraha, which released on August 30, earned INR44 billion in its first four days. “It shows people are ready to accept all kinds of films provided they are good. With the kind of numbers we have made, it proves the audience has liked the film,” he said.

“I have never claimed that I am trying to make great cinema. I have always taken cinema as a medium to express my opinions and take it to the audience,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2013.

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Bollywood couples are so enigmatic with the chemistry they share on screen that they make us want to fall in love again and again. They redefine love and make us indulge in a land purely created out of sheer fantasies.

Over the years, there have been many couples who have engraved themselves as the perfect pair in our memories including Dharmendra and Hema Malini, Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha and Shahrukh Khan and Kajol.

Similarly, as new stars emerge, new hit jodis also come into existence. Amidst a pool of hard-hitting, intense dramas, the years 2012 and 2013 saw a few heartwarming love stories and with it, a few sizzling on-screen pairs. Here is a list of couple who did their best in making love come alive on the silver screen.

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone may well be ex-flames but their recent movie Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (YJHD) made its way to the top 10 highest-grossing Bollywood films, overseas. Clearly the audiences love their pair. YJHD is a light-hearted romantic drama that revolves around the different priorities of two lovers and how a compromise eventually brings them together. Even though Ranbir is busy cuddling Katrina, his on-screen pair with dusky Deepika has been a hit ever since they locked lips in Bachna Ae Haseeno.

Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt

The young and fresh actors made their debut in an equally youthful Student of the Year, a Karan Johar production. Although they were not the main couple in the movie, their comfort level and chemistry caught the audiences’ attention. The two will soon be sharing screen space again in Johar’s Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. The film-maker seems excited to cast them together and promises that the movie will involve warm and crazy romance.

Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif

Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan and the industry’s very own Barbie doll, Katrina Kaif are considered to be the best Bollywood couple on-screen, after their record-breaking love saga Jab Tak Hai Jaan. The last movie by the legendary film-maker Yash Chopra, had its own unique way of setting a romantic theme with all the necessary ingredients — emotions, drama and comedy. King Khan and Katrina beautifully embraced their characters and won the hearts of many. Their fans are willing to see more of their work together.

Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra

Ishaqzaade paired debutant Arjun Kapoor with Piggy Chops’ cousin sister, Parineeti Chopra. An intense, action-packed movie, the story was based on the age-old notion — a Muslim girl falling in love with a Hindu guy. Nonetheless, the chemistry between the two was infectious and refreshing. The couple is a hit at the box office and both the young artists are signing up for new projects — hopefully, a few of them together.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2013.

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MUMBAI: With the success of latest Bollywood movies such as Chennai Express and Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani — good reviews at the box office and good amount of revenue generated — film-making seems to have become more of a numbers game. This is becoming increasingly evident as only those movies which enter the INR1 billion club are considered chartbusters.

Actor-film-maker Farhan Akhtar’s last film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag also reaped gold at the box office. He believes that minting money is surely one parameter to measuring a film’s success, but numbers are the ‘be-all’ and ‘end-all’ of film-making. When asked if he is an actor who keeps track of the numbers his movies make, Farhan said, “Not to the extent that it drives me crazy. When you work on your film, you want it to do well and one barometer of knowing whether your film is doing well or not is the box office.”

“The other way is to know how people are talking about it. Also, how many years after its release people will still remember it — that is also another level of success. So that’s one aspect of it that you like to know. But is your happiness only going to be based on this and will life not move on if you don’t get those numbers? You have to move on,” he added.

Farhan’s Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, which also starred actor Sonam Kapoor, crossed the INR1 billion mark at the box office and the film was even declared tax-free in India. Currently, the film-maker is working on the sequel of his hit movie, Rock On.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2013.

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Maheen, who is known particularly for her exquisite bridals, has offered a lot of variations in bridal jumpsuits for her latest collection, aiming to restore time-honoured elements and bridal accessories. Other than conformist ghararas, anarkalis and lehengas, Maheen’s collection will also include wedding gowns.

“India and Pakistan are nations which love colours and are not afraid to wear them. We also love embellishments. At the heart of it all, we all want to look like spectacular maharanis on our wedding [day], something which binds the two nations together,” she says. Bridal couture, however, differs amongst the two nations. While brides in India seem to stick to the traditional red for their weddings, Pakistani women are very fond of experimenting with colours.

“Fashion is about revival. Nothing really goes away, it keeps coming back and evolves with time. Importantly, fashion must be functional. And all my designs have a flair for the dramatic in them,” says the designer, whose label Karma introduced contemporary in Pakistan. Under the label Karma, she has also introduced the concept of Mini Me.

“With Mini Me, mothers can dress up their daughters on wedding ceremonies and other festivities. The designs displayed here are a mix of modern and contemporary clothes with hints of Islamic patterns. Its long kurtas with ghararas and shararas and colours like black and white, unheard of in the Indian bridal wear lines are something we have set to offer in my couture designs,” says Maheen.

While talking about India’s flourishing film industry, the popular designer says “I would love to work in Bollywood. And especially dress up Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor and my all time favourite, Madhuri Dixit. All of them are very glamorous and pull off designs beautifully,” she says.

When asked what her style statement was, the designer pointed out that lip colour and shoes are evergreen style statements for women. “Pair up a beautiful lip colour with a white shirt, denims and a good pair of shoes, it immediately elevates the look,” says Maheen, who counts Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Meena Kumari amongst her style icons.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2013.

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Singer Bilal Khan has released the video for a new single ‘Dou Gharhee’, featuring model Annie Ali Khan and shot by Mehreen Jabbar and Sofian Khan in New York.

While talking to Daily Times, Bilal said ”I penned ‘Dou Gharhee’ while on tour and I wrote it in New York so it only made sense that I shoot it there as well.”

He added that the sound is inspired from the top 40 sounds in American music.

The video relates the story of two lovers in New York. In a dimly lit subway one day, as a young musician (Khan) gears up to start playing his guitar, he spots and immediately falls for another young musician (Annie) as she prepares to pack up her piano and leave.

The rest of the song plays on with the couple exploring love and life in a bustling New York togethe, with intermittent shots of a sprightly Bilal Khan singing in the background of the New York skyline.

Although dressed like New Yorkers, both Khan and Annie exude a charm more reminiscent of desis than Western lovers.

Nevertheless, Jabbar seems to have done an amazing job of attuning her direction in perfect sync with the melody and speed of the track.

Commenting on the video, Bilal Khan said, “It was great to work with Annie on the project too and she brings a lot of professionalism to the art. I think she did a fantastic job as well as the two directors.”

His co-star was equally thrilled with the experience.

“For me, the character I play in the video, represents the joy of experiencing New York for the first time,” said Annie.

“The city can be so over whelming and you just have to let go of all pre-conceived notions about everything and embrace what comes your way and I feel the video captures that joy.”

Initially tabbed to be a television series, the project’s soundtrack and musical score will be under Jamal Rahman’s True Brew Records, which has numerous major productions under its belt including the music of Mira Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist. After listening to Ali Sethi’s debut single Dil Jalanay Ki Baat in Nair’s film, Khoosat was sold and quickly decided to bring Rahman on board.

“Sarmad has given me free reign in a lot of ways and lots of margin to experiment,” says Rahman whose team consists of Danish Khawaja from Poor Rich Boys and Babar Khanna from Coke Studio, who will be responsible for desi percussions. “He [Khoosat] said, ‘I want to make it yours and run with it.’ That’s the best thing you can have when working on a project.”

The team will be responsible for the entire sound of the film — sound effects, background score and original songs — excluding the dialogues which will be done in Karachi. Manto, which stars Khoosat himself along with Imran Abbas and Mahira Khan, is a period drama set in Lahore during the last years of the famous writer’s life. Thus, the music needs to bring the elusiveness of that era to life.

“We’re talking about Manto living on Hall Road in an absolute state of poverty — this is a very unique time [period],” continues Rahman. “So we are basing the soundtrack on the compositions that existed in the ‘50s. We will take that and develop the music in a modern way.” The music will be traditional yet contemporary and fresh and similar to Dil Jalanay Ki Baat. “Sarmad also tried to push that the music has to be desi but with a modern twist,” he adds.

Sarmad Sultan Khoosat. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

The film’s title track will be sung by Ustad Salamat Ali Nazar while Sethi and Meesha Shafi will lend their voices to a song each along with a duet featuring their vocals. The soundtrack should be complete by the end of September so work on the musical score may commence.

“Nazar is not really well-known but has a very particular sound to his voice which we quite liked,” Rahman explains, adding that they had listened to numerous singers but none fit the part. “We really liked the tone and heaviness of his voice and thus, we will use him for the title track.”

“We also have Ali Sethi who I think has a phenomenal voice. His musicianship is quite mature for someone who has been doing this for just a short period of time.”

Sethi, on the other hand, feels Manto will be an important film as it will coincide with the resurgence of the film industry. “I’ve seen only rushes of the film. It had an atmospheric and impassioned story,” says the young singer. “It touches a nerve especially right now, when all our bombastic narratives about Islam and the nation have fallen apart — in that sense, it’s a timely and important film.”

“Manto’s music is weirder, darker and more expressionist than anything I have ever done before,” he adds.

Meanwhile, Rahman reveals that he is working on assembling a band which will be known as True Brew All-Stars. “The idea of the band is not limited to any one genre and it is not a commercial project — it’s entirely my own experimental thing,” he explains. “The band will have a fluid line-up — anybody that I want to work with will basically be in the band.” He further reveals that a music video is scheduled to release by the end of the year.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2013.

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With the fashion industry booming, one shouldn’t only expect models and celebs to pose like style icons but also corporate divas. Arshy Ahmad, the digital and media manager at L’oreal Pakistan, surely got some heads turning at the launch of L’oreal Academy in Karachi with her natural and dewy look. Here is a breakdown of what she wore and how you can emulate her look:

Hair

Arshy let her short, layered hair down that evening. We really wish she had made an effort to blow-dry her hair or tie it up. Nonetheless, if you are lazy and still want to make it through the day, you can go for a similar style by just applying a bit of untangling serum and pushing your hair sideways with your fingers.

Outfit

Ms Manager was sporting a ramp outfit in broad daylight! Her top is from Sana Maskatiya’s much-loved PFDC 2013’s Aaghaz collection which is easily available at her retail outlet in Dolmen City Mall. A pair of similar skinny jeans with zipper ankles can be found at Debenhams (Rs5,500) or local outlets such as Stoneage. Check out Levis factory outlet for a cheaper alternative (Rs3,500).

Make-up

We are glad that Arshy did not cover her face with layers and layers of heavy make-up. Just like the rest of her look, her make-up too, was breezy, summery and simple. Apply a bit of Body Shop’s Vitamin E tinted moisturiser (Rs1,500) followed by Rimmel’s natural bronzer (Rs1,200) to keep it natural yet glowing. For the eyes, use Rimmel’s Lycra lash extender (Rs1,200) and MAC’s Vapour eye shadow (Rs1,500). Arshy cleverly balances her nude make-up with a pop of colour on the lips. Try out L’oreal’s colour riche lipstick in Blush Fever shade (Rs1,800).

Accessories and Shoes

While we love her uncomplicated, vanilla look, we would have appreciated some more bling — a shiny necklace or bracelet, perhaps? However, Arshy keeps it to a bare minimum with a silver band on her finger and silver stud earrings. These are easily available at Sentiments (Rs600). For a similar pair of strappy kitten heels, check out WalkEaze (Rs2,000) or Debenhams (Rs4,000).

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

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LONDON: Film critics have savaged a new movie of the late British Princess Diana’s relationship with a Pakistani doctor as an intrusive and embarrassingly cheap soap opera.

British-born Australian actress Naomi Watts plays the jilted princess trapped in a gilded cage. English actor Naveen Andrews is heart surgeon Hasnat Khan, who gives her the love she craves in “Diana“, which held its world premiere in London on Thursday.

The British tabloids – who followed every twist and turn from Diana’s 1981 marriage to Prince Charles, to their divorce and her death in a 1997 Paris car crash – were scathing about the film from German director Oliver Hirschbiegel.

“The Queen of Hearts has been recast as a sad-sack singleton that even Bridget Jones would cross the street to avoid,” wrote the Mirror’s David Edwards in a one-star review dubbing the film a “cheap and cheerless effort”.

The movie is based on “Diana: Her Last Love“, a book by author Kate Snell published in 2000, which argues that the estranged wife of the heir to the British throne had a clandestine affair with Khan in the last two years of her life.

“Diana” focuses on the vignettes of their assignations in hospitals, cars, his flat and Kensington Palace, interspersed with the public Diana campaigning against landmines and giving her infamous 1995 interview about her relationship with Charles in which she said there were “three of us in this marriage”.

The Diana character tells Khan on their first “date” that she loves television soap operas and some of the movie scenes, including their final break-up in a London park in the middle of night could be straight out of one.

The dialogue, which includes Persian poetry and lines such as “Now that I have been loved, I don’t feel lonely anymore”, has been met with a spate of one-star reviews.

“Even when these lines are delivered by the fragrant Naomi Watts, doing her level best with a squirmingly embarrassing script, this film is still atrocious and intrusive,” wrote Kate Muir in the Times newspaper.

Memories

The world’s press continue to rake over Diana’s life 16 years after she died, with British tabloids this week screaming about a conspiracy theory involving the special forces and a royal cousin calling Diana “spiteful” in Vanity Fair.

The real-life Hasnat Khan vowed in August he would never watch the film, saying it is all based on hypotheses and gossip.

Watts told Reuters from a thinly attended red carpet that she was concerned about what Diana’s sons, Princes William and Harry, might think of the film if they were to see it.

“If they do I hope they feel that we have been respectful and upheld her memories in the best possible way,” she told Reuters Television.

Majesty magazine Managing Editor Joe Little told Reuters the royal family would continue to maintain a dignified silence that has surrounded Diana since a 2007 tribute concert.

“You could regard it as another hijacking of her memory,” he said. “All they can do is shrug their shoulders and not comment.”

Hirschbiegel, who made the Oscar nominated “Downfall” about the last days of Hitler, compared “Diana” to 1953′s romantic comedy “Roman Holiday” and 1965 epic drama “Dr Zhivago“.

“‘Brief Encounter’ I think is very close … there is a love there that can’t be lived and yet they love each other so much,” he told Reuters.

But the Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw’s review was a lot less lofty.

“The awful truth is that, 16 years after that terrible day in 1997, Diana has died another awful death.”

Move over Suri Cruise, North West is taking over. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West welcomed their little tot into the world barely three months ago, and the shopping hasn’t stopped since. According to a source, the 32-year-old socialite can’t stop shopping online for baby clothes.

Kim and her boyfriend Kanye West are particularly fond of a certain cashmere blanket by Hermes. “They buy them in bulk but they like them because they are super soft and Nori [North] rubs them on her face all the time. At $800 [each], that gets really expensive!,’’ a source told OK! magazine, according to the Times of India.

“Many of the little designer dresses cost upwards of $600 a piece, and Kim will buy 10 to 15 items at once. Kim spends more on baby clothes a month than many celebrities spend on their house payments,” a source told Star Magazine.

The reality TV star apparently spent $250,000 at Harrods on designer items for North before she was even born! “She got baby gear from Chloe and Christian Dior, Chanel booties and Versace rompers — basically the best of the best,” added the source.

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

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LOS ANGELES: Oscars season kicked off on Thursday as actors Angelina Jolie, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin and Italian costume designer Piero Tosi were the first to receive honourary Governors Awards, said the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

The Governors Awards are Oscar statuettes given to those in film that have made significant contributions to the industry through their body of work. They will be presented at a ceremony in Hollywood on November 16.

Jolie, 38, is the youngest of the four recipients, and is being honoured for her career, including her Oscar-winning role in Girl, Interrupted, her directorial debut with 2011’s In the Land of Blood and Honey, and her humanitarian work.

Comedic actor and three-time Oscar host Martin, 68, has a long-standing career playing witty or dim characters in comedy films such as 1979’s The Jerk, The Pink Panther series and 2005’s Shopgirl.

Despite a career spanning 60 years, Martin has never received an Oscar nomination. The actor tweeted on Thursday, “Proud to win an honourary Oscar this year. A salute to comedy and all the great people I’ve worked with.”

Lansbury, 87, is a three-time Oscar nominee for her roles in 1944’s Gaslight, 1945’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and 1962’s The Manchurian Candidate. She is also widely known for her role as fictional writer-sleuth Jessica Fletcher in television series Murder, She Wrote.

Five time Oscar-nominated costume designer Tosi, 86, garnered recognition for his work on Italian director Luchino Visconti’s films such as 1957’s White Nights, 1963’s The Leopard and 1971’s Death in Venice.

The honourary Governors Awards are presented ahead of the Academy Awards, which will close out the Hollywood awards season on March 2 next year.

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

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KARACHI: This year has not only been an exciting one for the cast and crew at the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) but also for the audiences who have enjoyed impeccable performances and scripts at the theatre, back-to-back. Be it the 20-day long Arts festival or the Ramazan qawwali night, the theatre has been a sheer treat for art lovers. With so much to their credit, the rollercoaster ride for Napa this year has not ended. At a press briefing held on Thursday, the institute announced its plans for the coming months that include an array of musical shows and plays.

“We are holding a musical evening on two consecutive nights on September 6 and 7 at 8pm. The performers will include Akhtar Chanar, Zoe Viccaji and the band members of Fuzon,” informed Arshad Mehmood, director of administration at Napa. The institute will also be restaging one of its most popular plays, Begum Jan, from September 12 till September 22. The play will feature talented actors such as Naila Jaaferi and Nimra Bucha. While, the original play had Ali Sheikh playing one of the characters, he will now be replaced by Paras Masroor.

Anjum Ayaz, the director of Begum Jan, seemed excited with the restaging and was grateful of the efforts shown by his actors. “Kya kamal ka saath diya hai in logon nay! [It is amazing how these people have supported me throughout],” he said.  He added that Napa offered a strong platform to the actors by giving them an opportunity to rehearse their dialogue delivery and enhance their acting skills on a regular basis — something that is missing from the television medium.

Naila also spoke about Napa’s impeccable performance. “It’s all about passion towards the arts that grips us towards this institute, also the pay cheques get sent on time. I wish my countrymen, political leaders, bureaucrats and men in the armed forces were as sincere with the nation, as these people are towards their work! It is only here that I live to re-live and breathe the true essence of life,” she said.

Apart from Begum Jan, Napa will also be staging Sunil Shankar’s Court Martial in October and Samuel Beckett’s English play, Waiting for Godot in November. This will be a first for the institute which is known for staging classic Urdu plays and occasional adaptations of Shakespeare and Chekov’s work.

The academy will also be offering quite a variety on the music front. “In September, we will see an interesting mix of music being played at the academy. In October, we plan to pay a tribute to Allama Iqbal, by presenting and reciting his work whereas, in December we plan to hold a Music Bazaar — a four-day long festival presenting different kinds of music like folk, classical, instrumental and pop,” said Nafees Ahmed, head of the music department at Napa.

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

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While meteorological signs of summer fading are faint, fashion is headed for the fall season and that means it is time for a wardrobe revamp. However, given status quo temperatures, one would be better off starting with an accessories overhaul and that includes a jewelry box make-over. Statement jewelry is not letting up anytime soon. However, that no longer implies strict overlapping with oversized pieces. There are plenty of more options for those who prefer minimalist accessorising.

Charmed 

Perfect examples of more delicate pieces for fall are charm bracelets and necklaces. They are feminine and subtle but can also make a statement if the charms involve Alexander McQueen skulls or Dolce & Gabbana black and gold cherubs. The more exotic your charms, the bigger the statement they will make.

Animal Instincts 

Be it exotic skin or actual animals and insects, they are more than welcome when it comes to jewelry. Popular species are the dragonfly, panther and serpents, in particular. There is something about having a snake wrapped around your neck or a lethal feline face on your ear lobe that emanates a fearless confidence that directly connects with your inner stylista. Needless to say, this is a strictly fall-only trend.

Maatha Patti 

Maatha patti at India International Jewelry Week 2013

Largely considered a bridal trend, the maatha patti is back with a vengeance. This wedding season, we suspect that not just the bride but more and more guests will be spotted wearing the sub-continental ethnic statement piece.

Caged 

The Gladiator gold plated cuff is at the top of the most wanted accessories list for its all-in-one showstopper quality. Instead of spending time layering up, you just need to slip on a single piece of metal and step out. However, the variety of cage pattern carved cuffs is taking the lead on the flat curved metallic style.

Feather Fever 

Lizzie Fortunato

Tribal-inspired feathered necklaces and earrings are increasingly popular accessory styles lately. In fact, even feathered clutches are very much in vogue for their feminine undertones. The feather necklace was even spotted at the SanaSafinaz PFDC Fashion Show as part of its new accessories collection.  Stemming from the animal family trend, it looks very chic when worn correctly.

Layering Mathematics 

This is a technique that looks simpler to put together than it actually is in reality. However, if you can assemble it properly, it looks great on almost everything, from a simple white tee to cocktail wear. You will need at least two necklaces of different lengths. They can be simple chains with charms or you can add more dimension with heavier statement pieces. While simple pendants can overlap, chunkier pieces should be kept separate to avoid looking like a blob. Try it till you get it right!.

Ringing in Fall 

That one ring that is stunning and yet, could easily punch an eye out is a must-have fall accessory. Oversized semi-precious stones, such as the Saint Laurent all-time favourite, encompasses all seasons. Apart from baubles, we are currently excited by stacked rings, particularly the way they were worn at the Chanel Fall Couture 2013 show as upper finger rings and on every finger. It just proves again that bigger is not always better.

Enamel Enamoured 

An equally dainty but solid style accessory are the Alexander McQueen enamel bracelet bangles. Just pair three or four different colours together and leave them on as permanent arm candy since they go well with most of your everyday looks.

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

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“It was a once in a lifetime experience in which we got to visit different sites and explore locations — it allowed the creative juices to flow,” says lead vocalist Ali Noor about the project which is part of travel music show Fox Traveller’s SoundTrek. “This is very different from previous covers because I am not really going to sing. I am just going to play the guitar. They [Adil & Vasundhara] had approached us and have done a completely different take on the song. But overall, it was a mind-blowing experience.”

Noor further reveals that the band ran into Adil & Vasundhara during their last US tour. They instantly hit it off and Noori performed with the duo in India. Noori is the only Pakistani band in the SoundTrek series amongst Indian musicians such as Avial, Lucky Ali, Indus Creed and others. During this travelling musical jam, the band explores various regions in India apart from jamming and discovering new styles.

Co-existence, collaborations and a third album

“The idea was to do a collaboration in a setting where you’re also exploring the place,” says bassist Ali Hamza, adding that it was similar to what’s done on musical television series The Dewarists. Noori visited Jhodpur in Rajhastan, went to old forts and also took part in fox-lining.

“Adil is a jazz guitarist and Vasundhra is a jazz singer — they added those elements [to the music]. And then there were also these Rajasthani folk percussionists,” he continues. “So there was a mix of things happening but it was [still] more about exploring those specific places.”

Noori seems to have developed a fan following in India, too. So, like other musicians, is the band also interested in pursuing a career in Bollywood? “For now, we have not planned anything for Bollywood but we are looking at working on another collaboration there [in India],” says Hamza, adding that they plan to work on a single soon with musical duo Hari & Sukhmani.

“We have done collaborations previously with Indian artists such as Euphoria, so work is being done. And if the political situation improves, that project will be complete,” he continues, adding that the song was a simple Punjabi tune called Yaariyan which aims to look at the human side of things.

“It’s not about your nationality — it’s about accepting that you’re a normal human being. It’s knowing that you can co-exist, have fun as friends and not create hoopla that this is a Pakistani-Indian collaboration,” says Hamza. He feels it’s important to make it look normal as compared to blowing it out of proportion.

Noori is currently going through a transitional phase as drummer Gumby has made his exit, the band’s new office is being set up in Lahore which should be the breeding ground for its third album, and a new line-up along with collaborations with local musicians is also on the agenda.

“10 years of experience doing this — there has been great learning and progression,” says Hamza, adding that the band is trying to put out the anticipated album soon. “It will be for the audience to figure out, whether it’s something new or different.”

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

Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.

Recent research has revealed that over one-third of female respondents shunned the gym, and chose to work out in the comfort of their own homes, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Also, modern women are opting to save time in travelling to the gym, as traffic and other issues may restrict them from working out on a regular basis. Another one of the main reasons behind this shift is the increase in technology, which has boosted the options of working out at home, using gaming consoles such as the Wii, Android and iOS applications, along with fitness DVDs. Such options are proving to be both cost-effective and successful ways of achieving desirable results. The past few years have also witnessed a rise in the number of celebrity fitness DVDs, with actors such as Bipasha Basu and Shilpa Shetty amongst the list of celebrities who have come out with their own DVDs.

“With increasingly busy lives, people are turning to methods that give them the best results, in the most convenient and cost-effective time. Our 20-minute workout consists of bodyweight exercises that can be performed almost anywhere, with no equipment required,” said Paul Glazby, owner and head trainer at Prime Mover, the new High-intensity interval training (HIIT) inspired fitness App.

“It’s like a fitness class in your pocket, ready to go wherever and whenever you are,” he added. 

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

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In a recent interview with the Times of India, Ranbir said, “I can give my life for my family, Ayan, Katrina, as she is a very special person in my life, Rohit Dhawan, who I grew up with, and Aisha Divetri, my school friend. Also, for Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Basu, as they have added a lot to my life.” Clearly, Katrina holds a special place in Ranbir’s heart. However, when asked if he was in a relationship with the actor, Ranbir turned the whole thing around into how such gossip has been affecting his life and the lives of those associated with him instead of giving direct, clear-cut answer.

“In the last few months, a lot has been spoken about my relationship, but I think before my personal life becomes a reality show, I would like to protect it as much as I can. It’s not about one person, but involves two people, the other being a girl, and she has more to lose than me. I think there is a right time to speak about everything,” he said.

That being said, this week also saw another major rumour gaining momentum in the industry, related to the two — ‘Ranbir and Katrina to get engaged’. It was reported that Ranbir will make a formal proposal on his birthday, September 28. But the 30-year-old was quick to dismiss the rather shocking news. “There was a report that I am getting engaged on my birthday and there is no truth in it…I am not getting engaged or married,” he told reporters at the promotional event of Besharam.

“I am single till I get married — I think I believe in that saying. I am going very strong with this movie [Besharam] and I am very excited about it. That is the only excitement I have in my life right now,” he added.

He also made it clear that he plans to get married in “five or 10 years”. If that’s true, we are guessing Katrina will have to wait for quite a while unless this relationship is just another random addition to this casanova’s endless string of affairs.

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

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She can, without a doubt, be called Bollywood royalty as she comes from a family of stars. Kareena Kapoor is the daughter of actors Randhir Kapoor and Babita as well as Karisma Kapoor’s young sister. She is known to be one of Bollywood’s most fashionable actors. Her style is emulated by both young girls and older women as she dresses in a way that appeals to both generations.

For many, Bebo is a fashion icon, and when it comes to choosing her own style gurus, the actor looks up to both her sister Karisma, and mother-in-law Sharmila Tagore. As an ode to her status as a style icon, Kareena was seen in 130 lavish dresses in her film Heroine, which cost the director a massive INR15 billion. Kareena, at the music launch of her movie Satyagraha, wore a Payal Pratap ensemble. The colourful geometric prints on the black dress, along with minimal make-up and a sleek ponytail, really stood out.

Hailed as India’s first size-zero celebrity, Kareena wows in both Eastern and Western wear. The star truly knows how to carry off both, and looks graceful at every event she attends. She has a very well defined fashion sense, readily admits to taking extra care of her style and considers herself an icon.

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

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The festival is also considered a harbinger of the awards season. Films that have fared well in Toronto, like Slumdog Millionaire, have gone on to win best picture Oscars.

Some 366 films, including 146 world premieres, will screen over 11 days. Transparency and secrecy in the internet age have emerged as prevalent themes in the programme, led by The Fifth Estate.

The film, made and distributed by Disney/Dreamworks, was chosen to kick off Toronto weeks after former government contractor Edward Snowden leaked US surveillance data with the help of WikiLeaks and Assange.

“As we have seen in the Edward Snowden case, this is a story that continues to be central, and we have also seen that people of great intelligence and goodwill disagree,” director Bill Condon told the Toronto audience.

Condon said The Fifth Estate was not a judgment about WikiLeaks or Assange, but a portrayal of a complex issue that raises more questions than answers about the struggle between transparency, privacy and the security implications.

“There is no takeaway or single right or wrong,” Condon told Reuters. “I hope people walk away and go to dinner to talk about it.”

The Fifth Estate is based on a book by Assange’s once-trusted lieutenant, Daniel Domscheit-Berg, who joined the Australian activists in 2007. The two worked to make the site for whistle-blowers one of the most powerful sources of information, culminating with the largest leak of official secrets in American history in 2010.

“He called us the anti-WikiLeaks movie,” Condon said. “You will find that it is in no way anything but kind of supportive, kind of a celebration of the idea behind WikiLeaks.”

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

Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.