Pakistani media has been blessed with many talented family who have served in the fields of literary and performing arts. Families of Saba Hameed, Javed sheikh, Yasir Nawaz and many others are those whose second generation is also immersed in showbiz. But above all a family which can never be forgotten and is perhaps one of the most multi-talented families is of Anwar Maqsood.

Fatima Suraiyya Bajia

Usually known as Bajia she is the eldest sister of this exceptional family. She is among the pioneers of Pakistan Television and has produced many memorable dramas. Bajia was been bestowed with many awards like Pride of Performance, Hilal e Imtiaz and many others.

Anwar Maqsood

Anwar Maqsood is a true asset of Pakistani industry. Phenomenally multitalented Anwar Maqsood is not only a writer, poet, lyricist but also painter and satirist; a true master of humor and puns. His genius combined with Moeen Akhtar’s talents and the duo produced works like “Fifty Fifty”, “Loose Talk” and “Studio series” are unrivaled by the whole industry. Anwar Maqsood wrote theatrical plays such as “Sawa 14 August” which was performed in August earlier this year. Anwar Maqsood has a library of his own, his brother Ahmed Maqsood (late) had a collection of 10,000 books.

Zahra Nigah

Zehra Nigah the famou Urdu poetess is Anwar Maqsood’s sister. She like her other siblings started writing at a very young age and earned a place in the era when women rarely came on the front in the then conservative and male dominated Pakistani society. She along with Bajia and Anwar Masqood was also award Pride of Performance. She also wrote Strings’ famous song “Dhani”.

Sughra Kazmi

Generally known as Mrs. Kazmi, Sughra Kazmi is another sister of the Maqsood family and is the pioneer of the “Kazmi” label famous for bridal wear. She started working out of necessity (unlike rest of her siblings) with ragged dolls garbed as brides but later on the demand of customers actually started designing bridal wear. “Bajia, Zubeda and I received these awards but I feel they should have gone to Sara Naqvi and Sughra Kazmi…both of them started their careers from scratch and worked very hard to establish themselves” commented Anwar Maqsood.

Zabaida Tariq

Cooking expert Zubaida Tariq started her career quite late as compared to her siblings who rose to the heights of fame in very early stages of their lives. She is not only famous for her cooking but for her home remedies as well.

Sara Naqvi

Late Sara Naqvi was also Anwar Maqsood’s sister and Bunto Kamzi’s mother. Sara Naqvi was associated with BBC. She was not only a journalist but a scientist as well and assisted the famous scientist Abdus Salam for some time.

Bunto Kazmi

Bunto Kamzi well acclaimed designer is Sara Naqvi’s daughter and Sughra Kamzi’s daughter in law later joined hands with her mother in law and took her bridal label to new peaks of recognition.

Bilal Maqsood

The guitarist and occasional vocalist of “Strings” is son of Anwar Maqsood. Though Anwar Masood usually pens downs the lyrics of their song but Bilal Maqsood also sometimes writes the songs e.g. “Me to dekhon ga”. The music produced by strings. The best thing about Strings’ is that unlike their contemporaries they not only focus on the music but equally on the lyrics as well. Strings has given us melodious hit like Dur, Mera Bichra Yar, Me to Dekhon ga, Zinda, Dhani, Kahani MOhabat ki hai Mukhtasir etc.

Mikael Maqsood

Mikaek Mazqood is Anwar Maqsood’s grandson and Bilal Maqsood’s son. Following the footsteps of his grandfather he is following his innate urges to paint and sketch like rest of his family at a very early age.

Do share your views, your liking and disliking.

Faiza Cheema

Sanjay Leela Bhansali enhances the beauty of his actresses by choosing for them the most beautiful traditional clothes. This not only adds to the beauty of the actresses but also to the beauty of the characters in his films. From “Hum Dil Dey Chukay Sanam” to “Ram-leela” we have seen his interest in being very particular about the dressing of his film’s characters. In “Hum Dil Dey Chukay Sanam” you must have noticed the beautiful “Shararas” & “Ghagra-cholies” of Aishwariya Rai. And he carried on the same trend in “Devdas” and now in “Ram – Leela” as well.

Though this was the first time when Sanjay was working with Deepika but he already had in his mind the picture of his film’s character. He knew that there was not a single actress that can play this role as perfectly as deepika can. He is a great-appreciator of Deepika’s beauty and her way of carrying clothes. Aishwariya Rai also shared with her this attribute.

Here is a glimpse from his latest film:

Dressed by Anju Modi in this film, Deepika’s embroidered and zari-embellished lehenga-choli outfits show off her slim waist, that delicious curve of her back and, when she spins around doing her garba moves, her long legs. All the heroine’s exquisite costumes in the film have been designed by Anju Modi, who has been a part of the Indian fashion industry for many years now. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s new movie is Anju’s first Bollywood project and she has managed to make the very photogenic Deepika look exquisite on-screen.

When Anju was asked what briefing Sanjay gave her to design costumes for her film’s lady, she said:

“First, we all know about Sanjay’s passion for costumes and the kind of detailing he does in them. I was naturally quite excited about the whole thing. He is a man of his word and doesn’t really restrain or strain himself too much. He said this is the theme, use your creativity, and go over the top if you want, but don’t restrain yourself. He gave me the script, which was the brief initially”

The film is set against the backdrop of Kutch. This flavour is kept intact and yet given a contemporary touch to the outfits by Anju. The dresses are designed according to the colors and creations of the film. The designer says:

“It was very categorically designed, well conceived, and the script was ready. So we knew that after scene one, scene two is coming and then scene three, four and so on. So when the garments were getting ready, we would place them on a hand rack and give them to Deepika. There’s a scene where she’ll be playing Holi, so we thought, let’s not do a typical white outfit. Why not give her a red on red with tinges of white and not all white? We wanted to be different from what has been done till now. Then scene-wise we were discussing things and realised that we hadn’t used ochre yellow yet, which is very much Deepika’s colour, so we designed a yellow outfit. We were carrying on scene by scene.”

For all those who love to dress traditional, let me tell you ladies that there was an Indian trendy costume designed for Deepika which weighted 30kgs and had a ghera of 50 meters designed by the talented Anju itself and it took 1 months to get done with it. On this anju said:

“Everything took ten days, 20 days, 30 days. The minute one costume was done, the second was started. This particular costume weighs so much because of the flare. First, Deepika is tall. Second, the outfit is longer than her height because it’s falling on the guns. The ghera itself is cotton gauze mulmul with a silk border and silver work printing. All these things add to the weight. Since we’re giving so much flare, automatically the weight increases”

This was all for those who are very curious about Deepika’s beautiful looks in her very latest film Ram-Leela. So now you all know how Anju’s spectacular designs added value to the leela of SLB.

Don’t forget to comment underneath on how beautiful Leela (Deepika) appeared to you.

Cheers!

S. Rasool

There has been an ongoing discussion on this forum about who is underrated and who is overrated. Why is it that so many of the actors who are very talented are not given as much appreciation as they should be getting? Why is it that Fawad Khan’s plays manage to grab the attention of the viewers even if they are mediocre but a talented actor like Faisal Qureshi who has been in the industry for much more time does not get that much attention. Sure, he has a vey good standing in the industry but viewers do not wait for his plays or follow him like they follow Fawad Khan. Also, the producers and channels do not promote Faisal Qureshi or other talented actors the way they promote Fawad Khan.

Similarly, a versatile actress like Sanam Baloch does not get the kind of attention that a newcomer like Mahira Khan or even Sanam Jung gets. Sanam Baloch is good looking no doubt but she is not stylish like Mahira Khan or Sanam Jung. Which makes me think that do looks count more than talent? Most people are very visual by nature, a face that appeals to them is more likely to get their attention even if the actor is not very talented. Our producers make the most of this weakness and try to groom boys and girl with good looks to work in the dramas.

Most recent example is that of Kanza Wyne in the drama serial Numm. She has a very pretty face but she cannot act to save her life. Mostly people can easily see through the good looks and tell that she requires a lot practice before she can pass as a good actress. On the other hand, the newcomer Sanam Jung was an instant hit with the viewers because she is not just a pretty face. Same was the case with Arij Fatima as well, the audience accepted her immediately. Her acting has always been praised.

There is no doubt that people like to see actors and actresses on screen who are good looking but the fact is that good looks without talent do not leave a very lasting impression on the viewers. Good looks may count a lot as far as modeling is concerned but when it comes to dramas, people look for talent. Artists who are blessed with good looks, style and talent clean sweep the ones who many not have the whole package. Good looks are an extra advantage but good looks without talent will not take an actor far.

Viewers also get more attracted to actors and actresses who are glamorous and have the X factor. It also depends on how hard an actor works to promote his image.

What is your opinion? Are some of our talented actors and actresses underrated because they are not stylish or glamorous enough? or is it because the channels and production houses do not promote them as much as they promote others?

Share your views.

Ayesha Ahmed

 How many of us believe on the first impression? In my opinion almost all of us do so. A first impression is something that defines a whole new concept of a person’s personality. There is a saying that one should never judge a book by its cover but no one actually believes on this saying. This is the reason why people nowadays like to be trendy and fashionable. In this article I will focus on the ways a person can choose for being fashionable and trendy along with comfort. Fashion is marketed in such a way that one is compelled to ‘attain a certain look’. Many women have negative self-images if they don’t look or dress up to the ideals of the high fashion world…this could be due to weight/body type, hairstyles, make-up, jewelry, shoes, handbags, perfumes, wrinkle creams, and so on. Reading fashion magazines and going through different catalogues can help in developing a great dressing sense in people. This is the reason why every shop and almost every outlet has magazines for their customers. These magazines not only create a good dressing sense but they also give an idea of the service the outlet provides to the customers.

 People should also be up to date. They must know what is popular and what is not. This can be done through watching television programs based on fashion and also by going through websites. Being fashionable and trendy is not only based on following the trends but it is also based on the way u carry the trend. Anyone who wears a mini skirt can not look pretty until or unless she doesn’t have the confidence to carry it. If you have the confidence required to carry attire then you will look outstanding even if you are wearing normal pajamas. Red lip color is often said to be perfect for fair complexions but I have myself seen girls with a brown complexion wearing red lip color with so much confidence that it looked astonishing.

 Apart from this every person must know how to dress according to their body type. There are some things that do not suit the people of a specific body type. This is why when the wrong trend is matched with the wrong body type then everything gets completely damaged. It becomes a mess which is not easy to handle. This rule goes for each and every individual out there. Being fashionable also means looking for what suits you the best. For example if a fat legged girl wears skinny jeans, she will look odd. The same goes for other girls as well. Try to buy something that you find comfortable for yourself. If you do not think that scarves or bandanas will suit you then try an alternative. Do not go for them. Comfort comes first. Moreover try to be unique; copying others will not make you fashionable. Being fashionable means to be completely unique and satisfied with what you are wearing.

 While shopping, it is necessary to know your needs. Try to buy something that is good in quality and will last for long. If you buy good quality stuff that lasts for long then that’s better then buying something cheap that wears off the next day. Do not compromise on quality and make a good choice while shopping. Try to buy bags and accessories of neutral colors so that they can get along with all of your dresses. Look up to people who you think are fashionable. Being fashionable is having an idol that is perfect for you. Another trick is that, try to mix and match your own clothes and create something creative out of it. Bringing changes to your everyday get up can also make you look fashionable. Being fashionable also depends on the choice of an individual. It is necessary to dress according to the occasion. One can definitely not wear a summer dress in winters and a coat in summers. This will look hilarious.

Trendily dressed people tend to attract more positive attention. Dressing age appropriately causes people to respect you more. People who are not dressed age appropriately tend to attract scorn and ridicule. The most important part of being fashionable is to be yourself. Being who you are is the essential component. Losing your identity while copying others is a big failure. Those who enjoy fashion consider it a form of art. These were some important ways of being fashionable. Try following them in your daily life and things will change for sure.

Written by: Moomal Hassan.

Playwrights in Pakistan generally follow some preconceived notions and ideologies. They are chained in certain ideologies and whoever tries to break through those ideologies face lots of criticism. Pakistani media has gained independence in the last decade which has given liberties to the writers as well. Prior to that writers weren’t allowed to write openly, to choose certain taboo topics or challenge the stereotypes or ideologies clearly defined by the society and culture. But now the question arises is that since the writers have also gained certain liberties are they using their pen aptly to challenge those notions and stereotypes.

But there is and should be a distinction between taboo topics and vulgarity. It is totally upon the writers how they broach the subject; their ability makes all the difference. Sadly our writers fail to see this and produce dramas like “Zip”, “Qudosi Sahab ki Bewah” and “Mohabbat Jaye Bhar Mein”. There are some writers who occasionally try to question the stereotypes but discussing them will require a separate article; one of the examples of such characters is Kiran (Kankar) and though some people appreciated her character but mostly it was subjected to criticism.

Despite all the liberties writers are still stuck with old topics and stereotypes. The female characters are either essentially negative or positive; writers rarely present forth balanced characters that can be good with some bad characteristics or vice versa e.g. an extremely evil saas and extremely masoom n mazloom bahu (e.g. Ek Tamana Lahasil si, kabi kabi). Dramas now lack originality, if a drama becomes popular all dramatists start following the story and theme blindly, hence end result is dishonesty; not only with their profession but with the viewers as well. For instance the sister rivalries, prejudiced maulvis (I have hardly seen a balanced maulvi character, they are always prejudiced, lacking in actual knowledge, unfit fathers and husbands) etc. have become the rage in the last few years. Honestly this should end now; the viewers are more than fed up of all these repetitive themes which offer nothing new.

Some writers have produced very unique and unforgettable characters. Faiza Iftikhar is among such writers who have given us dramas like Roag, Bilquees Kaur and Aunn Zara. On one hand she has portrayed gravely serious topics and characters and on the other is a lighthearted, perhaps the most entertaining drama of the season. But her lighthearted dramas like Aunn Zara and Akbari Asghari also had underlying meaning highlighting bitter realities of our society. Again it depends on the way a writer approaches the issue. She might not have challenged the stereotypes with her characters but she certainly have with her style.

Please do share your views; points you agree with or what is lacking in here.

Faiza Cheema

Pakistan Idol, the most awaited reality show is soon going to hit our TV screens. The show will be judged by some of the most prominent faces of Pakistan Media Industry; the very-versatile Bushra Ansari, the talented female singer Hadiqa Kiyani along side with the Guru of pop-music Ali Azmat. The extra-ordinary judge’s panel is going to scrutinize the singing talent of Pakistan. Pakistan Idol is going to “bestride the narrow ‘music’ world Like a Colossus”.

All music lovers are strong advocate of the thought that singing is an expression of the soul. It rejuvenates your inside. And there can’t be better opportunity to showcase one’s singing talent before the world than participating in an amazing talent show like Pakistan Idol.
The auditions have been carried out aggressively in all the big cities of Pakistan and the talented individuals participated warmly in the world’s top-most talent show. The show’s popularity is climbing to new heights on the social media sites, as well. The auditions were full of energy and confidence to impress the judges but it is hard to say which city will produce the first “Pakistan Idol” and mark his/her name in the history of Pakistan Music Industry.

In big cities like Lahore and Faisalabad which has already produced legends like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and amazing voices like Atif Aslam, was filled with overwhelming performances at the audition’s site. Huge turnover was seen in the big & famous cities of Pakistan. Amazing people, melodious voices and energetic contestants were found in this journey/hunt.
Pakistan Idol is going to be your reprieve from the hardships of daily life. You can kick back and relax and watch as the different participants battle their away on Pakistan Idol.

At a ceremony, Ali Azamt said: “Pakistan has got so much talent but now it has also got a chance to perform before the world. This talent is going to be showcased on the world’s biggest musical show, The Pakistan Idol”

No one imagined that there will be a huge turnover of the participants in the audition sessions. Undoubtedly, the turn-over has proved how badly the youth needed this break-through. Pakistan has produced a number of amazing singing talents of all times and when they were discovered there was hardly any platform for those talented individuals to harness their potentials but today the young and talented people has got a platform to perform and sing their heart out and prove to the world their capabilities and ultimately bring laurels and good-name to Pakistan. Pakistan Idol will play an important role in creating a soft and positive image of Pakistan in the international arena.

One of the participants writes: “Pakistan Idol is a reality show which is provocatively determined to change the music scenario of Pakistani music. The doors of opportunities are opening up to the talented lot like us”

The other shares his view as: “Pakistan Idol” has become the talk of the town. Pakistan Idol posters are being shared and re shared on multiple sites and social media. With such high intensity interest and restless curiosity Pakistani talent is overwhelmed with joyous and accentuated emotions. The reality show will doubtlessly without any hiccups provides us a chance to give our lives a nice and easy take off”

In association with Fremantle Media, Geo TV network has stolen a march upon his friends and foes and has credited Pakistan Idol’s rights to its name.

Imran Aslam, the president of the Geo TV Network, said:

“Pakistan had a history of producing talented musicians across genres. The Geo Network’s endeavour to bring forth talented musicians is a step towards keeping that cherished tradition alive. The Idol will be a platform for people who sing in private, in the bathroom or in small family gatherings. We will bring them together and provide them with the opportunity to showcase their hidden talent”

So, all of you, fasten your belts, the most-awaited reality show is coming your way on GEO.

Don’t forget to drop your comments on how anxiously you are waiting for Pakistan Idol.

Cheers !

S. Rasool

It would highly be unjust to consider acting as a form of work as there can be no word which can best describe acting other than a wonderful talent. It seems more like a trait that children often want to become what their parents are known for and in the domain of Pakistan’s entertainment; we have some great examples with us. Here are top 10 Pakistani celebrities who seemed to have inherit the art of acting in their blood from their parents who have always been loved by their followers for their onscreen performance.

1)      Yasir Nawaz

Yasir Nawaz comes on top of the list. Been born to the famous Pakistani television actor Fareed Nawaz Baloch, Yasir Nawaz is one of the most capable actors of the industry. Starting his career as an actor and a model, Yasir finally groomed himself as a director and a producer. Following his father in all ways possible, Yasir Nawaz ensures that anything affiliated with his name, simply leaves a remark of perfection.

 Though the actor is found much inclined towards direction nowadays, his masterpieces are still remembered and praised by his followers, including Dhoop Mein Sawan, Harjaee, Hum Tum, Jannat and Maa aur Mamta.

2)      Nida Yasir

 It has been quite a long that we saw Nida Yasir in a drama after Nadaaniyaan. However, Nida has always reflected the real talent on screen, making sure that she meet all the levels of perfection set by her father Kazim Pasha, who had been a famous TV director of his time.

Now that Nida is all busy in hosting the morning shows, her fans still miss watching her acting skills on screen.

3)      Fahad  Mustafa

Fahad Mustafa is one of those few celebrities who have proven their talent to the entertainment industry by giving flawless performances back2back. He started his acting in 2002 with drama serial Sheeshay ka Mahal where his character went somehow unnoticed for the first 20 episodes. Fahad is the son of Sindhi actor Salahuddin Tunio and leads the drama industry currently.

4)      Sarmad Khoosat

A man for whom his surname speaks for the talent he possesses, Sarmad Khoosat is a flawless Pakistani actor, an outstanding director and a script-writer. Learning the minute principles of acting and direction from his father Irfan Khoosat, Sarmad is now one of the leading ones in his domain.

He is best known for his directions which earned him all the fame and followership so far where Humsafar and  ShehreZaat are the prominent ones. He will soon be seen playing a lead role in upcoming serial Main Manto.

5)Meesha Shafi

Saba Hameed have been ruling the drama industry and has showed a great versatility throughout her acting career, therefore it comes as no shock that her daughter too, is an actress who is cherished for her acting skills. Meesha, besides being a wonderful singer, is also a phenomenal actress who has done a significant job in important movies like the reluctant fundamentalists and Waar.

6)      Zhalay Sarhadi

Granddaughter of Zia  Sarhadi, and niece of Khayam  Sarhadi, Zhalay first got noticed on screen as a host in Shadi online on Geo  TV. She, though, started her career as a VJ and a model, soon earned recognition for her looks and her surname and yes, she did not disappoint the audience at all. Zhalay is a wonderful actress and her attracted a considerable fan following for her role in Uraan, Madiha Maleeha and Kahi Ankahee.

7)      Momal Sheikh

Despite of all the negativity found against Momal for her acting, the fact persists that she is doing a fair job as compared to her brother and cousin so far. With papa Javaid Sheikh, Momal has no worries of getting her hands on next project before she is completely done with the current one.

Momal has done major roles in many dramas and will soon be seen in a movie, starring Shaan Shahid, Sohai Ali Abro and daddy Javaid Sheikh.

8)      Mehreen Raheel

Daughter of Seemi Raheel, Mehreen Raheel doesn’t need an introduction.  Mehreen started her career as a model and was first seen in commercials when she was only eight years old. Mehreen’s versatility as an actress can be judged from her differently hilarious ufone commercials to a complete brat role in Zindagi Gulzar Hai, from her  role of Madiha in Ashk to her role of Rabia in Halki si Khalish.

9)      Daniyal Raheel

Seemi Raheel’s son and Mehreen’s brother, Daniyal Raheel is one of the newcomers of the showbiz industry. Daniyal made his debut as an actor in drama serial silvetain and for his cuteness and natural acting, Daniyal received a decent fan following.

10)   Abbas Agha Ali

Agha Ali is a jack of all trades. Starting off as a model, singer and anchor, Agha Ali has groomed himself pretty well as an actor and enjoying the best days of his career nowadays. He is the son of Agha Sikandar and belongs to the same family as that of Meesha Shafi and Faris Shafi. Saba Hameed is his aunt and Waseem Abbas, his uncle.

My top 10 list comes to an end here but I am sure you guys must have got some better names to be added in the list, please feel free to share your views,

Wishes,

Nida Zaidi

 Acting has become a major factor of success, fame and wealth. There are some people who are God gifted and they know how to act since the time of their birth but on the contrary there are some people who do not have the talent to act but still they want be good actors. In this article I will point out some of the useful tips to become a good actor. Acting is not only displaying something it is basically getting to know and observe issues and then getting into character. If an actor cannot convey his message properly then he is not a good actor. Starting off with the tips to become a good actor, the first and most essential tip is to make the audience feel whatever is happening. As if there is a sad situation, the audience must directly connect and feel the sadness behind the acting. This is when an actor can call himself successful. There are some actors in the industry who do not perform their roles appropriately and this is what leads to a decrease in their fan following. Only looks do not make a person famous but only the talent makes him a heart throb.

 Acting does not mean reciting a good script; it is actually feeling whatever is written and displaying every single dialogue with dedication. An actor has to make a lot of effort in order to act well. The second among these useful tips to become a good actor is to match your body posture according to your character. A good body posture makes it easy for an actor to display the character. If an actor has a body language which displays sadness and he is reciting dialogues that display happiness then definitely it will look awkward. This is why body language really matters. It not only increases the level of confidence but it also makes a person look good. This is why it is necessary to match the body posture with the character. Coming towards the recitation of dialogues, an actor must keep a good check on his or her tone, volume and pitch. There is no use of acting if a dialogue is not clear and understandable. The viewers will only understand the act if they get to hear perfectly clear and understandable dialogues. The over exaggeration and over acting should be avoided otherwise the act will be boring. A slowed down dialogue can give a robotic look to the act. Apart from the clarity the choice of a good script also makes it easy for an actor to act. The choice of a good script enables a decrease in hesitation otherwise umm, errs and uhh are the common things used among sentences. Moreover, the correct emphasis on the words in a dialogue is an essential tool towards good acting.

  Another important tip among the tips to become a good actor is to involve and indulge yourself completely into your character. Being a good actor, it is necessary for a person to absorb into the character, only reciting a plain script in a monotonous tone doesn’t make you a good actor. It is necessary to feel the situation by becoming a part of it. An actor must completely know the background of his character so that he can display his role with justice. It is fine to idealize an already famous actor but it is certainly not ok to copy his or her style. Try to make your acting unique because a whole lot of audience is watching you out there and if you copy any other actor they will start comparing you with them and you will not have an identity of your own self.

 In my opinion becoming a good actor you must know how to have a control on yourself. It is very important to control your hand movements, eye movements, leg movements and the acts of playing with hair. An actor can deal with such stuff by only drinking a glass of water, calming himself down by taking deep breaths and re assuring himself that he can do it. Studying the lines properly and knowing the character completely can also decrease the nervousness of an actor. These were some important tips that will really help out those people who want to polish their acting skills and become a great and a successful actor. This will not only make their dream come true but also give them a push for the start of their never ending career. So go for it and bring out the star in you!!

Written by: Moomal Hassan.

A number of topics were whirling in my head until I got the news that WAAR is going to hit the international cinemas soon. I opened my writing pad and starting to write about the incredibly directed film of the year and the international applause which it will gain after receiving tremendous appreciation, here in Pakistan. It is not irrelevant to mention here that the movie is anxiously being waited in India as well – Our arch rival. The story of the movie revolves around the theme of terrorism in the country and it has been filmed with the support of the all-powerful military, police departments and government organizations.

Bilal Lashari, the talented director of the film, said about its international release:

“We are still talking to distributors and we are trying to finalise the release dates because we want to release it simultaneously in many countries that’s why it’s taking bit of time. All our focus was on releasing it in Pakistan initially and now we are working on the international release. Within a week or two weeks it should be decided when is the international release date. It’s possible but again it’s not confirmed so I don’t want to give away dates until it’s confirmed. We are still discussing and as soon as I find out the final date I can let you know.”

Some sources say that WAAR is going to be released on 11th Dec, 2013 in UAE, U.K and U.S but the director has not yet confirmed the dates. Whenever it is going to be released, it is crystal clear that the way it broke all the records in Pakistani Cinemas, it is definitely going to clinch top titles abroad as well. Even Bilal Lashari himself is very excited on the international release of his very first film. He says:

“We are looking forward, in fact can’t wait to, honestly. Now more than ever because we get all these messages everyday inquiring about its release, especially the UAE and in Dubai there seems to be a big market there.”

WAAR is doing great business in Pakistani Cinema. Though the film is bi-lingual (English and Urdu) it still didn’t fail to do excellent in all provinces in Pakistan. On this, he views are:

“Not just the urban market we were targeting all of Pakistan, (though) the language is bi-lingual but that’s also due to the flavor and international distribution as well. But at the end of the day it’s a very visual film so the language is really secondary. It’s a kind of film that even if you mute the dialogues you can understand because it’s a visually driven film. The film has got incredible response; the movie is on its way to be the highest grossing film ever in Pakistan. We’ve almost reached that point, in fact in recent times no film has done as much business. Lot of cinema halls in the interiors of Pakistan has been renovated because this film got them that much business so it exceeded everyone’s expectations. Not just in the main cities but in the smaller cities as well”

It is an action thriller, drama-film movie and was one of the most-awaited movies of the year. The film is a stylized depiction of events surrounding the war on terror in Pakistan, including the attack on a Police Academy at Lahore in 2009. This association of the movie with real events made the movie more appealing for the viewers to watch. Moreover the cast of the movie is amazing. From Shaan to Ayesha Khan to Bilal Lashari himself added glitters to the movie. Till today, the movie has earned Rs: 200 million and is definitely going to do exceptionally well in the international cinema as well.

All of us wish best of luck to Bilal and his team.

Those who have not yet seen the movie go and grab your movie-ticket and those who have already watched it, please share your views underneath

Cheers
S. Rasool

Nowadays the topics raised in Pakistani Dramas that depict realities of life. As compared to the Indian television industry, Pakistani television industry is far closer to reality. Pakistani television industry is full of talented directors, producers and actors. All of these people combine their efforts and talents to create a masterpiece. Fortunately all of our drama writers are very sensitive towards issues rising in Pakistan. Biggest issues that are being focused nowadays in the Pakistani Dramas are domestic violence, poverty, deception, greed, life of orphans and marital conflicts. It’s a blessing that all our actors have the talent to perform these roles with such a dedication that it touches the hearts of everyone. In this article I am going to highlight the issues that are focused in our dramas and their relationship with the reality.

Starting off with Domestic Violence, in Pakistan due to high rate of illiteracy and male chauvinism there is the occurrence of domestic in almost every other house. Men treat their wives as slaves. This doesn’t mean that every man in Pakistan is the same but talking about the majority, it does happen. Women consider domestic abuse as their fate or destiny and remain quiet and suppressed. This is actually what gives a push to the men and they carry on doing this dreadful activity. Kankar is a Pakistani drama which has broken all barriers for the women who are the victims of domestic abuse. This drama shows how selfish a man can be and how much tolerance a woman has. As soon as things get out of control and her self respect gets shattered, she takes a stand instead of getting suppressed. This actually gives a lesson to all the women out there who are not aware of the damage they are going through. Pakistani dramas that depict realities and on the same time they show ways to stop the cruel activities going on in the society.

Coming to the dramas that focus on greed among individuals, the very popular drama named Maat showed how greed makes a person blind. This drama focused on a girl who broke her sister’s engagement in order to get married herself and then left that same person when he was facing financial crisis. This does happen in real life. In Pakistan where the needs of people are not fulfilled, people do start going on the wrong track. Apart from this some people have greed as a part of their nature. There is a famous quote that Habits can be changed but nature can never change. Although in the dramas that focus on topics like deception, greed and breakups, they do try to give an ending where the culprit realizes and asks for forgiveness but this is not very common in real life. People sometimes realize but sometimes they don’t. People usually remember those Pakistani dramas that depict realities and not only give lessons but also show a good ending.

Moreover topics like the lives of orphans and also the cruel behavior of step parents are also very closer to the realities of life. Dramas like Mann ke moti and the upcoming drama serial Tootey huey taarey are one of those Pakistani dramas that depict realities of the life spent by orphans. Pakistani people are really very emotional and they get carried away with such topics which connect with them. Almost everyone knows that life without parents is really tough especially for kids. Apart from these hardships they also have to face the cruel behavior of the society. Not only their own family members but also the other strangers treat them with hatred and sympathy and what not. This is what creates a feeling of ignorance and loneliness in the kids. Pakistani dramas which focus on these topics also give a lesson to all the viewers that our cruel behavior has strong effects on the mentality and the lives of the kids. We should definitely watch out for that.

Another famous topic which is in focus nowadays is the bad behaviour with parents. We very often get irritated with our parents` behaviour but little do we know that our irritated behavior can cause us so many problems. There is no forgiveness for such act. The Pakistani Drama named Qarz shows such acts. Actors have actors have acted brilliantly in this drama and it definitely is one of those Pakistani Dramas that depict realities. This article has definitely proven that Pakistani television industry is producing masterpieces that connect directly with the audience.

Moomal Hassan

 Pakistan is a country which is going through a lot of crisis. The increasing crime rate and terrorist activities have made it difficult for people to enjoy their lives. In such a situation people need some sort of entertainment. Previously it felt really relaxing to see meaningful Pakistani morning shows while relaxing in a comfortable chair with a big mug of coffee but these days the trend of morning shows has changed. The only focus of these shows nowadays is on the host’s dressing and jewellery. Not only the host but also the guests are only displaying the work of different designers by becoming a decoration piece.

There are a huge number of housewives watching these Pakistani morning shows and to be honest there is nothing meaningful shown to them. All they get to see is the wedding arrangement, the bride and groom and the singing and dancing. In my opinion these shows must focus on the awareness programs. As the large audience is of the women who stay at home, these shows must tell them ways to become a better wife and an excellent mother. The concept of a morning show is completely disturbed these days. Apart from these wedding ceremonies in the shows, they focus of adult and vulgar issues. This has not only made it difficult to watch these shows with families but also it has had a huge negative impact on the minds of the audience.

The issue of marital conflicts is a huge focus of these shows. Every other day they invite a woman who is tired of bearing the brutal behaviour of her husband and they let everyone know their story. What is the benefit of all this? Absolutely nothing. These issues not only brain wash the audience but they also create a feeling of depression among them. According to me, Pakistani morning shows must be focusing on the talent of the youth, compatibility of the couples, ways to lead a better life, tips to remain active and confident. These shows must act as a grooming tool for the audience. They should provide platforms to the girls who want to start a career.

One of the Pakistani morning shows was the Nadia khan show. That show had different segments like; health, beauty, fitness and much more. That show as compared to the shows these days was very meaningful. It was not a time waste. She used to invite celebrities and discuss their secrets of becoming famous, she used to invite doctors and ask them about different health related problems of women and she also used to invite dress designers and make up artists to give tips to the women at home. Its not that this doesn’t happen nowadays but this is a minor portion of the three hour transmission of these Pakistani morning shows.

 As I mentioned in my previous article that Pakistani people are very emotional they get carried away with whatever is shown. This is what the Pakistani morning shows take advantage of. They invite troubled and depressed people, show their sad stories, and cry a bit and our audience gets carried away which as a result increases the ratings of the show. Our audience should also give suggestions as messages in these shows so that get to know what we demand. It’s a matter of three precious hours each day. In a month they become 90 hours and in a year 1080 hours. Only watching a useless morning show every single day wastes your 1080 hours in a year. Another major focus of these shows these days is on competing with each other. One show arranges a wedding; the other also arranges the same wedding next week. In the same way one show call a fake peer, the other show does the same act the next week. This is what the shows are all about these days.

These shows must also invite talented young students in their shows once in a week or twice so that they can have a platform to show their talent. There are millions of talented youngsters out there; some are creative, some are good singers, some write well and some are all rounders. All they need is a platform. Pakistani morning shows should arrange spelling contests, quizzes and activities for the youth so that they can have somewhere to look up to. Many youngsters idealize different celebrities and they dream to meet them. The morning shows should arrange contests and the winners should be given a chance to meet their favourite celebrities and become like them. This is what a morning show should be like. Only wearing colourful dresses and gossiping not only creates a negative impact but it also wastes a whole three hours of the audience.

Moomal Hassan

“Kiyun mera dil hara, kiya mein karoun yaaraa ….” This is an evergreen song and is one of my favorite Pakistani songs. I, still remember how crazy we were after this song during our school days and used to sing it aloud during recess time. This voice is still unforgotten.

Fakhir Mehmood, one of the most amazing voices of Pakistani Youth. He always had this love for music and he was so passionate about it that after the completion of his Engineering Degree, he jumped into the world of singing without wasting a single second. There are only few people who show the courage of actually pursuing the field of their interest. In our society, we are normally forced to do what our families ask us to do. But Fakhir, he never gave up. He knew how much he loves music and therefore he stood up.

He once said:
“To me music is like the stars in the sky, it does to the soul, what the stars do to break the muteness of the stark black sky”.

Soon after his graduation, his voice was heard from his the-then very famous musical band called “AWAZ” with musician Haroon. His first album “Aatish” (2002) was a huge hit and broke all musical records in Pakistan. After this huge success, he never turned back. The response from the lovers of Aatish was immense, which drew Fakhir to come-up with more musical albums of his, “Sub Tun Sohniyeh” (2003) and “Mantra” (2005). His work was greatly appreciated by the audience and his songs topped the charts. His achievements include winning LUX Style Awards (two), Sahara Sangeet Awards (two) and many other such laurels came his way. He took a break from his music career after reaching peak of success so that he may give time to his family and business as well. After almost half a decade, Fakhir returned to the limelight with his third album, “Jee Chahay” in 2011. He, also, conducted many musical concerts during his musical career. His acts are filled with energy, charged with unmistakable enthusiasm and a charismatic voice to compliment all the magic that unfolds on stage. He has also served as judge in the famous show “Pakistan Sangeet Icon”. He is also the recipient of the most prestigious Pride of Performance award from the former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf for his outstanding piece of music. Not only that Faakhir was appointed as the Good Will Ambassador of United Nations, Pakistan for Human Development & health awareness. Also he was appointed as the Good Will Ambassador for the W.H.O for Tobacco control & numerous others. Not too very long ago in May 2011, Faakhir Mehmood was recognized as the ‘Influential Asian Promoting Pakistani Culture in USA’ which was presented to him by Governor in Long Island as the part of Asian Heritage Week 2011. He is one of the very few versatile artists who are not only admired within Pakistan but internationally, as well. Faakhir’s live shows have taken his ’music and magic’ from big and small cities across Pakistan to many countries in the world including the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Once he was asked to define the term music and his reply was:

“I think music cannot be explained or defined. Even if you write a whole book on it, with so many theories, and it doesn’t attract, it goes wasted. Good music can always be felt and listened to. So I would say that “Music cannot be explained or defined. It must be heard and felt”.

For someone whose point of view is so soft about music, you can easily imagine how heart-catching would be his compositions. As a singer, composer and a producer he has nailed every area of music.

“Jee Chahay” has a number of excellent and heart-touching songs. One among the rest, which is closest to Fakhir’s heart, is “Baliya”. It is a-must-listen song. If you have not heard it yet, do give it a go.

Good day & Cheers!

S. Rasool

Every season there comes a time when a lot of new fresh shows start on our favorite channels. This time too there are a lot of showing worth looking forward to. So here is the list:

Muhabbat Subh Ka Sitara Hai:

This is one of the most awaited shows of the season for me. Frankly, I was not expecting much from this drama as there were barely any updates on the social media about this show during its production stage. But after watching its promos and teasers on Hum TV, I must admit, I am really looking forward to the drama. One of the main attractions of this show is the cast which comprises of Sanam Jung, Mikaal Zulfiqar and Adeel Hussain as the main leads. Another reason why this drama is a must watch is because of Mikaal and Sanam’s superb chemistry which is pretty evident even from the promos. The cast also includes Mira Sethi, Ali Tahir, Hina Tareen, Mansha Pasha, Farah Shah, and Rashid Farooqui. It is directed by Sakina Sammo and it is adapted from Umera Ahmed’s novel ‘Yeh Jo Subha Ka Sitara Hai’. It might be replacing Kankar on Fridays’.

Mere Humdum Mere Dost:

The airing date of this show has finally been confirmed. It will go on air on Hum TV in January 2014. I am sure most of you must have heard about this show by now as it was pretty hyped on the social media. It is adapted from Farhat Ishtiaq’s novel of the same name, and the cast includes Adnan Siddiqui, Sanam Jung, Shakeel Saheb, Junaid Khan, Hareem Farooq, Farhan Ali Agha, and Zainab Qayyum. This is another show worth looking forward to because of its excellent cast and its brilliant writer who gave us the biggest blockbuster drama of Pakistan, ‘Humsafar’. The show is directed by Shehzaad Kashmiri of Dil-e-Muzter fame.

Ishq Mein Teray:

This first episode of this show has already gone on air on Hum TV and looks like a promising one. It stars Mewish Hayat, Azfar Rehman, Mediha Imam, and Shahzad Nawaz. Shehzad Nawaz is the producer and actor of the movie Chambaili and would be coming on a Television show for the first time after his movie released. It is directed by Fahim Burney and written by Sadia Akhter. It replaced Kadurat on Hum TV on Wednesdays at 8:00 pm.

Pachtawa:

Pachtawa is another show which grabbed the attention of many from its promos. It stars Faysal Qureshi, Mahnoor Baloch, Aijaz Aslam and Anum Fayyaz as the leads. It is the debut show of Aijaz Aslam’s production house, ‘AA Entertainment Presentation’. After watching the first episode, the story ahead is very predictable. Even though the story is not new, the main attraction of this show is the cast. It is the first show of Mahnoor Baloch after the release of her movie, ‘Main Hoon Shahid Afridi’. The show is directed by Shaqielle Khan and airs on Friday on ARY Digital.

Pyaray Afzal:

There was something mysterious about its promos and I was definitely intrigued by them. It stars Hamza Ali Abbasi (last seen in Waar), Ayeza Khan, Sana Javed as the leads. The rest of the cast includes Saba Hameed, Shehryar Zaidi, and Firdous Jamal. The story looks quite different; exchange of love letters seems like an interesting concept. Unfortunately, the first episode failed to impress me. It is too early to judge this show though; we need to watch a few more episodes to give a final verdict. It is produced by Six Sigma Plus, directed by Nadeem Baig and written by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar. One of the main attractions of this show for me is Hamza Ali Abbasi. I had become a huge fan after watching him in Waar, and I was looking forward to his performance in this show. It comes on Tuesdays at 8:00 pm on ARY Digital.

Do Qadam Dhoor Thay

The teaser of this show has gone on air on GEO TV, but I am unable to judge much about the show from its teaser. It stars Ayeza Khan, Sami Khan, Sana Khan and Ally Khan as the main leads. Sami Khan’s role in this show seems pretty similar to his previous ones. We need to wait for the full-fledged promos to find more about the show’s story. It is produced by Ironline Productions, written by Kifayat Rodaini And directed by Mohsin Mirza (director of Aasmanon Pay Likha).

Ruksaar:

This is also an upcoming show on Geo TV. The show seems good from the looks of the promos. It stars Sumbul Iqbal, Agha Ali, Imran Aslam, Ushna Shah, Sana Khan, Babar Khan, Moomal Khalid and Sarah Razi. The play is directed by Asim Ali and produced by 7th Sky Entertainment. The show will start from Monday, 9th December. It will replace Mere Khuwabon Ka Diya.

Tootey Huway Taray:

This show is going to air on ARY Digital, and it is the third show from Fahad Mustafa’s production house, Big Bang Productions. The promo has gone on air and the story seems similar to Khusbhoo Ka Ghar and Mann Ke Moti. So far, Big Bang Productions have offered no new story to the viewers. I hope they come up with fresh concepts soon! The show stars Nouman Ijaz, Naheed Shabbir and others. It is directed by Zahid Mehmood and written by Dilawar.

Kalmoohi:

This show is currently airing on GEO TV. From the two episodes that have gone on air it is evident that the story has nothing new to offer. It’s the same old story of a step mother treating her step daughter like a servant. It stars Badar Khalil, Maria Wasti, Qavi Khan, Moammar Rana, Faizan Rashid Khawaja, Maheen Rizvi, Hannan Sameed, Sadia Ghaffar, Saleem Mairaj, Afshah, and Shahid Naqvi. It is directed by Syed Atif Hussain and written by Aamir Qureshi. It comes every Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 pm.

Billo, Bablu and Bhaiya:

Every season it is a must to have at least one sitcom, and this season Billo Bablu and Bhaiya is a lighthearted sitcom worth watching. It stars Mawra Hussain, Shehroze Sabzwari, Moammar Rana, Javed Sheikh, Arjumand Rahim, Seemi Pasha and others. It is directed by Sohail Javed and written by Seema Ghazal. It airs every Saturday, 9:00 pm on ARY Digital.

Bhanwar:

It is another upcoming show from Big Bang Productions. It stars Nadeem Baig, Bushra Ansari, Hassan Ahmed and Mansha Pasha. It is written by Seema Ghazal and directed by Badar Mehmood. The teasers and promos will be on air very soon on ARY Digital.

Mera Raqeeb:

It is another upcoming show which stars Sajjal Ali, Affan Waheed, Juggan Kazim, and Faisal Rehman. From its teasers aired on Aplus, it seems like a promising show, but since most of us are biased towards channels, we would be less likely to watch this show. Since the cast is good, this show is definitely worth a try!

Bunty I Love You!:

This is another upcoming Rom-com on Hum TV starring Saba Qamar and Nouman Habib. Frankly, this show does not look appealing since HUM TV has never been good at producing comedy shows.
I seriously do not know what is wrong with Saba Qamar all of a sudden. Choosing shows like Miss Fire and Bunty I Love You will make her career graph go down. I really hope this does not happen!

Majazi Khuda:

Majazi Khuda is another upcoming show on GEO TV produced by A & B Productions. It stars Saba Hameed, Atiqa Odho, Ainie Jafferi, Farah Shah, Usman Peerzada, Faizan Khwaja and others. It is directed by Wajahat Hussain. The teasers look interesting, but the story seems repetitive. Now let’s see how the show turns out to be!
Note: For all those wondering why I did not add Bin Roye Aansu, it is because it is not going to air this season. It will come around June/July next year.

Share your views about these shows and feel free to add to the list!

Mariam Shafiq