Versatility is what an artist needs to show in his acting career and when it comes to doing a negative role on screen, there are a very few who justify with the needs of the given role. Though we have some veteran actors like Saba Qamar, Noman Aijaz, Humayun Saeed, Saba Hameed, Ayesha Khan and Sanam Saeed who do equally well in negative roles, but there are some actors who look better off doing negative roles.  Here are five of them in my list. Have a look!

Shamoon Abbasi

I always considered him as a good husband, a good father, a professional director and-yes, a negative character. Despite of his resemblance to Akshay Kumar, Shamoon has always managed to portray the bad man on screen pretty well. Polishing his overall persona as a villain of the industry, Waar-the movie has further contributed its share. For me, Shamoon looks better in a negative role.

Rashid Farooqi

He is a jack of all trades, for sure. Rashid has been my favorite since my childhood and the only reason for this likeness is his absolutely amazing acting. Rashid has had been proving himself as a wonderful actor by doing different roles but he can easily be personified for a negative role because he is really good at it. What do you say?

Atiqa Odho

The Sitaara or ‘Sitara aur Mehru-Nisa’ started her career as a ‘good woman’ on screen. For her eyes and acting, she earned quick prominence in the drama industry but for reasons undefined, she seemed to disappear from screen, probably to give some boost to her political career initially. Her comeback, however, was even more powerful and her negativity in Humsafar opened up new chapters in her acting career. For me, Atiqa seems better in negative roles.

Sadia Imam

Sadia Imam is one of those few actresses who started their career from PTV and succeeded in surviving in the race of private channels too. Audience love to watch her and this is what keeps her on screen. I like anything she does but her acting in drama serial Ijazat was completely flawless. I would like to see her more in negative roles because I think, we have some better actresses available for positive roles these days.

Sajid Hasan

He is a man I love to watch the most. Whether it is comedy, drama, thrill or anything, he knows every flavor of it completely. Sajid has been doing some negative roles lately, like, Thori si wafa chahie, Mera Naseeb and Manjali, and truly speaking, I have never found him this impressive ever. He is too good in the roles of strict father, disloyal husband and an unloving soul. However, there are no second thoughts that Sajid Hasan looks only good in negative roles, in fact, he can make look any character good.

So these were 5 of my favorite celebrities whom I love to watch as villains in our dramas, share yours; let us see how many of your do not agree with this list at all.

Blessings,

Nida Zaidi

And who can with-go while mentioning realities shows, without mentioning BIG BOSS. BIG BOSS 7 is no doubt the most anticipated reality shows and quite popular among Pakistani masses.

After months of entertainment, Bigg Boss 7 finally came to a grand end on Saturday (28-12-2013). Reality TV star Gauhar Khan is the winner of Colors’ reality show Bigg Boss 7. She was one of the strongest contenders in the show right from the beginning.

Gauhar, who won Rs.50 lakh in cash and a trophy, stayed in the house for 104 days.

“I thank family for support. I am big fan of the show. I did not expect to come so far…till the finale,” said Gauhar, who had won critical acclaim for her role in the film ‘Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year’ (2009).

Before the winner was announced, Gauhar’s mother Razia Zafar Khan said on the stage, “Apni bacchchi par naaz hai mujhe. Woh badi samajhdaari aur sachchai se aage badi hai”.

Tanishaa’s mother Tanuja who was also present on the occassion, she said, “Main roz dekhti thi show. Jab woh roti thi to main bhi roti thi.”

Before the winner was announced Tauja had said, ” I am very proud of my daughter. According to me the way she has conducted herself, she has won in my eyes.”

Interestingly host Salman Khan said Gauhar and Tanishaa both always stood opposite each other throughout the show. They almost become captains of two rival groups within the house.

Salman joked and said I dont have to tell you who were the vice captain of the two rival groups in the house.

Gauhar, 32, is not new to the world of reality shows having participated in shows like ‘Khan Sisters’ and ‘Jhalak Dikhla Jaa’. Tanishaa was the second runner up.

Gauhar proved to be the toughest contestant to beat during any task, Ajaz has been an entertainer to the audience throughout his stay. Tanishaa has been a loyal friend, and Sangram’s positive nature was loved by the audience.

The grand finale was held at Lonavala, a hill station near Mumbai, where the “Bigg Boss” house was put up.

This is the fourth consecutive season that a woman has been crowned the winner after Shweta Tiwari, Juhi Parmaar and Urvashi Dholakia winning the fourth, fifth and sixth seasons respectively.

The seventh season of the popular reality show went on air on September 15 on Colors. It started with 14 celebrities, and later, five additional celebrities made wild card entries at different points during its run.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about BB7

S. Rasool

First of all I have nothing against the actors mentioned below except they are actors who cannot act at all yet they are not only surviving in the industry rather thriving which consequently leaves question mark on the reasons behind their thriving.

Mahnoor Baloch– First time I became familiar with her was in Yeh Zindagi but ironically I remember the drama because of Nauman Ijaz and Qaisar Khan Nizamani instead of Mahnoor Baloch. Almost a decade and half has passed since then but she continues to be what she was without any improvement. She seems to be a pretty statue carved from stone, devoid of expressions both facial and vocal. She seems kind of disinterested and detached from surroundings, her dialogue delivery is usually impassive lacking intonation. She still manages to appear in dramas quite frequently and that too in lead roles drastically inappropriate to her age. Though she was praised a lot for Talafi, I disagree. Kabi Kabi Pyar Mein is memorable among her works but that too mainly because of Humayun Saeed and Adnan Siddiqui.

Mikaal Zulfiqar– I was an ardent fan of MZ until I saw his Bollywood flick You Are My Jaan (plagiarized version of Pretty Woman); I took great pains in downloading that movie only for MZ. Mikal hasn’t looked more handsome before; a perfectly created character from a painting but the moment he opened his mouth poof- the magic vanished. I still am his fan but not of his acting anymore obviously. The reason behind his grabbing a lot many central roles is possibly his killing looks.

Mehreen Raheel– Mehreen Raheel has bagged many important roles in her career but despite inheriting acting from her mother and despite her beauty she is a mediocre actress. Usually she is given characters where she has to fill the place of a stylish, beautifully dressed individual e.g. MMBZ, Ashk, ZGH, Mastana Mahi. She did well in Dastaan but in rest of her projects her acting has been monotonous and unimpressive. She is more suitable for ramp (despite her height) and Tvcs where she outshines others.

Sheikh Siblings- Both Momal Sheikh and Shahzad Sheikh aren’t impressive actors unlike their father. Again both of them have grabbed many lead roles in their short careers in spite of the below average acting, seriously do they even deserve side characters let alone the lead ones? They both aren’t exceptional beauties like the above mentioned celebs which make one wonder the reason behind their “success”. Oh they are the Sheikh siblings, rings more than enough bells!

Shehryar Munawar Siddiqui– The new hottie of the showbiz, his fans are going to flay me to death for including him in this list but honestly he isn’t much of an actor. All he has is good looks and a good nature. ZGH, Tanhaiyaan Naye Silsilay, Kahi Un Kahi and now Asmano Pe Likha; same expressions and dialogue delivery doesn’t show much hope for improvement.

Other than these Urwa Tul Wusqa, Sana Akari, Shehroz Sabswari, Mira Sethi and Maya Ali are clearly getting more than they deserve. What it can be if not talent, looks or intercession/cronyism, it is upon the readers to decide!

P.S. you might not agree with me, the article is after all subjective.

Faiza Cheema

It was by sheer luck that Hina landed the outstanding role of Saeeda in Burnes Road ki Nilofer written by Fasih Bari Khan, after challenging the director Mazhar Moin to find someone better than her to give depth to the character.

“I knew I could do the role well. I am grateful to Mazhar Moin for putting so much trust in me. He cast me opposite TV veteran Abid Ali which was an honour for a newcomer like me” she said.

After Burnes Road ki Nilofer went on air, Hina’s phone rang incessantly throughout the night with offers and appreciation.

“When something new and fresh goes on air and is loved by all who see it, then it gives great pleasure”

While wanting to start an acting career, Hina set off on the grueling task of visiting TV channels to look for work with no contacts but just determination and talent

“I have nothing against people who didn’t give me a break. As a newcomer, it is difficult to prove one’s talent and people here don’t have the time for evaluation. Maybe what our media lacks is the mature, seasoned eye that can spot talent a mile away.”

“We are in a race against time, and very little time is spent on looking for the right person to do the job. Even if people come up to me and say I can act very well, please get me a role, I would be too busy to find anything suitable for them. Likewise, those working for TV channels are too busy”

After Burnes Road ki Nilofer and the unprecedented success, offers and opportunities, there’s been no looking back for her. Madam Rizwana and Baby Shabana, Bichhu Phuppi and Veena, to name just a few, are just some of Hina’s best work on television. She’s accused of taking all the choicest roles

“Sometimes it worries her, feeling obsessed and nervous if she can’t do justice to the writer’s creation, No one can ever guarantee public response, even if I know that the role has a lot of potential for me as an actress. It happens with most of the roles that I get: I ask myself if I can be this person and to at least give it a try. If I feel a role is powerful then I also put in my best. I have to try and make a difference.”

“I have always wanted to live many lives in this one life; lives of the rich, the impoverished, the disabled and even the blessed. Any interesting person who catches my attention, I try and enter his or her world through my imagination, curious to know how I would feel in their situation. I have always been like this, I would get told off for what appeared to others like I was imitating them but in reality I was so deeply absorbed in a fascinating character that I would be subconsciously following mannerisms, gestures and gait. I always wanted to become the medium to deliver those feelings, sensitivities and stories to audiences”

Hina’s debut as an actress has been rather late. Why not earlier?

“I was in the UAE and it had always been my dream to make my debut and establish myself as an actress from Pakistan. I am fine working anywhere else once I am recognised as a product of Pakistan. I have no desire to acquire another passport or nationality. There is enough work to be done here”

Her initial challenge was that she didn’t fit the bill for a young attractive actress to be caste as a leading lady.

“Nobody would say haan bhai yeh bauhat khubsoorat larki hai isse leliya jaye. To convince someone that you can act without any prior experience is difficult but I was determined to impress” In that, she has also shattered the stereotype and set the ball rolling for character actresses who share the spotlight with the lead pair and are just as popular with the viewers. In a short time she has given a lot of variation by doing the juiciest characters.

Today, Hina seems to have swept over the mini-screen, filling the gap left by the late Arshe Munir, Ishrat Hashmi, Atiya Sharf and Sarwat Ateeq.

“If I feel I don’t have the capacity for a role, I won’t accept it. Recently, before I got the script somebody told me about the role, and later when I saw the script it was a word-by-word copy of an Indian sitcom. I refused although I felt a bit sorry afterwards because the director was good. At times I ask for more money to discourage bad roles but I am quite sure about one thing: I don’t want to make any compromises” she said.

Is it true that Hina Dilapzeer might have surpassed seasoned actresses Zeba Shehnaz and Bushra Ansari as a performer par excellence?

“No one can push anyone over. I feel it is a miracle of God that people like my work. Before I came, plays were being done and they will continue even when I am not there. Each and every character has to be composed, created and brought out from inside you. If your aim is to become famous, your performance will suffer as an actor. Acting is such a dangerous field and one should not enter unless (s)he is sure that this is what (s)he wants. You have to be focused, responsible and then leave the rest to destiny”

“My aim is not to capture audience, all I want to do is give life to the character I play. If I get two similar roles, I would perform them in a way that they appear different, just like each person will arrange the same bunch of flowers in a particular way.”

While living in the UAE, Hina said she also experimented with radio.

“I would love to write and perform radio plays. You can give so much variation to your voice on radio, just like when you put your hand inside a bag and a whole new world of textures opens up”

The person closest to Hina was her late father. He passed away not very long ago. “He was my friend, my biggest support, my inspiration. From him I learnt to be forthright, honest and straightforward. He would say to people upfront if he didn’t like something about them. He has left a big vacuum in my life that nobody can fill. I feel that he still supports me and he is still with me in spirit”

I hope you have enjoyed a sneak peek into her struggling career

S. Rasool

This year had it all; dramas which were true masterpieces, those you watch only to kill time because they serve the purpose, others just so that you can vent out because you had very high hopes attached to them and also those which may not be perfect but have enough to offer to make you coming back for more week after week.

This year producers banked on star power more than ever; a year that proved that great production values and a star studded serial does not ensure quality entertainment. Loyal viewers watched plays that didn’t have much to offer only to see their favorite stars on screen.

The good thing about the dramas this year was that we got to see almost all the stars on screen, even those who we rarely see on screen. Writers touched tabooed topics and some of the directors did a splendid job of tackling them. Here is the list of those plays which in my opinion stood out for some reason or the other among a long line of plays this year. All of them were not perfect but definitely the sort of plays that need to be mentioned.

The list contains those plays that ended in the year 2013.

Talkhiyaan

Writer: Bee Gul

Director: Khalid Ahmed

Channel: Express Entertainment

Talkhiyaan had to be the most powerful serial of the year 2013. There was absolutely nothing run-of-the-mill about this play; everything was brand new. Talkhiyaan took me to a world of its own every time I sat down to watch it. Every character in the play was a story in its own right. Hina Bayat shone in a very different role; nothing like the sweet mother she is playing all the time. The locations were breathtaking, the direction was phenomenal, the acting by all the actors left you mesmerized and most importantly it touched upon many tabooed issues. The drama serial aired on Express Entertainment therefore it did not get the attention it truly deserved.

Dil-e-Muztar

Writer: Aliya Bukhari

Director: Shehzad Kashmiri

Channel: Hum TV

Dil-e-Muzter was happening, engaging and definitely the sort of play that keeps you hooked right from the get-go. The direction of the play and the cast had to be the biggest reasons for its success. Sanam Jung made her debut from Dil-e-Muzter and this was the first play that was directed by Shehzad Kashmiri. The viewers saw Imran Abass in a play after a long time, did he do well? I will let the viewers answer that question. Sarwat Gillani totally owned her character. The drama had many positives that made it stand out in the crowd.

Bari Apa

Writer: Samira Fazal

Director: Saife Hassan

Channel: Hum TV

Bari Apa had a very powerful start but after 13 episodes or so the story started going around in circles. But it deserves a special mention nevertheless because of the relatable and fun conversations, the first 12 episodes or so which were very engaging, Noman Ijaz’s memorable performance and also because of the characterizations. Savera Nadeem was outstanding as Bari Apa, she made it impossible for me to hate her character. I couldn’t help but rationalize Zubeida’s selfish behavior time and again until it really got out of hand.

Tanhaiyaan Nayee Silsilay

Writer: Haseena Moin / Muhammad Ahmed

Director: Marina Khan

Channel: ARY Digital / PTV Home

Okay, I know there are many people out there who were very disappointed with this naye silsilay but personally I thought that this was a really good effort. It was a nice mixture of old and new generations and the play was light-hearted yet emotional. Watching my favorite characters on screen all over again after so many years was nothing short of a treat.

Rehaai

Writer: Farhat Ishtiaq

Director: Mehreen Jabbar

Channel: Hum TV

Rehaai was written, directed and acted out brilliantly. It was one play which also had a very good ending unlike many plays this year which were superb overall but their endings failed to impress. Rehaai did not only focus on the problems faced by women at the hands of men who are supposed to be their protectors but also provided some good solutions to their problems. The play mainly focused on the issue of child marriage and tackled it really well.

Nanhi

Writer: Mona Haseeb

Director: Haseeb Hassan

Channel: Geo TV

Nanhi was the story a young girl who dreamed dreams which were very different from those of other girls her age. The play took the viewers in the dark world of people living in downtrodden areas. The play proved to be an eye opener for many and others termed it too open and tagged it as controversial. Sajjal Ali stole the show with her impressive acting, Javed Sheikh played a very different character and so did Shahood Alvi. Nanhi was a little too real at times but definitely one of the better plays that aired this year. The ending however was shocking and in my opinion upsetting, to say the least!

Zindagi Gulzar Hai

Writer: Umera Ahmed

Director: Sultana Siddiqui

Channel: Hum TV

Zindagi Gulzar Hai deserves a mention here not because it was a masterpiece but because it was followed by many viewers, the reason being that Umera Ahmed, Fawad Khan and a Friday night play on Hum is a deadly combo! Zindagi Gulzar Hai had its ups and downs; some episodes completely blew you away and others left you clueless. The ending of the play was rather abrupt. But the fact remains that Zindagi Gulzar Hai has to be the most talked about play of the year. It instigated some very interesting discussions on gender roles and double standards. Zaroon and Kashaf’s characters gave viewers much to talk about. Overall, it was a roller coaster of a ride criticized as well as enjoyed by many.

Aik Nayee Cinderella

Writer: Faiza Iftikhar

Director: Haissam Hussain

Channel: Geo TV

Aik Nayee Cinderella was liked by the viewers because of its amazing cinematography, script and direction. It was completely different from the usual A & B productions play mainly because in this particular project it seemed like the director Haissam Hussain held the reigns rather than the production house. The viewers compared Aik Nayee Cinderella to Disney movies. Personally, I gave up on it after a couple of episodes because it was not my cup of tea but that doesn’t change the fact that it was a play that kept many viewers glued to their TV screens.

Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi

Writer: Amna Mufti

Director: Kashif Nisar

Channel: Hum TV

The play shed light on the way things work out in the feudal set up and the manner in which women are exploited at all levels by men. Nauman Ijaz, Saba Qamar, Irsa Ghazal and Sohail Ahmed especially stood out because of their performances. The play was a work of art and I couldn’t help but tune into it week after week. This was another play that served as a reality check and an eye opener. It was like leaving my cozy living room for a little while and drifting into the world of all these people who led a life very different from ours. The play did not get the attention it deserved and it was very few of the Hum TV plays which was shifted to the 9pm slot only after few of the episodes went on air.

Aunn Zara

Writer: Faiza Iftikhar

Director: Haissam Hussain

Channel: Aplus

I must admit that I went from falling in love with Aunn Zara when it began to completely losing interest after a few episodes. But for many out there Aunn Zara was a breath of fresh air which gave them something to laugh about and it gave them some characters that will stay in people’s hearts forever. The play mainly attracted people’s attention because of the writer, director and the leading cast. Even those viewers who stick to the three leading channels watched the play and liked it. Aunn Zara deserves to be in this list because it may not have hit a home run with me but it was liked by many people around me (credible sources;)

Kankar

Writer: Umera Ahmed

Director: Aabis Raza

Channel: Hum TV

Like all Umera Ahmed’s plays this year (ZGH, Mirat-ul-Uroos) Kankar too was stretched beyond limit. In an attempt to drag the play to 25 episodes the beginning was slow and the end not totally gratifying. Sikandar’s issues were not completely resolved in the end, he made yet another promise which was most likely to be forgotten just like all the previous ones. Kankar stood out because of its characterization. Kiran’s character in particular was heroic but real at the same time. Sikandar’s character was equally intriguing. Some of the dialogues will be imprinted in my mind forever.

Here is a short list of some of the plays that had a star cast and crew but failed to leave an impact.

Silvatein

It started off really well but once the story started to lose momentum, there was no rescuing it after that!

Khoya Khoya Chand

An extremely childish story which banked completely on star power and production values.

Kadoorat

Kadoorat was another play which took off well but lost its charm after a while mainly due to a weak script.

Kala Jadoo Part 2

The viewers who watched and like part 1 had high expectations from this sequel but it failed to deliver.

Numm

Yes, it still remains the biggest disappointment of the year! It was Ashk all over again just when we thought that Ashk was dead and buried Geo entertainment had Numm in store for us!

Hamnasheen and Halki Si Khalish were the only two plays this year which I watched only out of curiosity and I have to say that for some reason or the other I couldn’t help but follow them till the end. Hamnasheen’s strength lied in the acting and the chemistry between the main leads. Halki Si Khalish was entertaining because of its pace and I really enjoyed Javaid Sheikh’s character and acting.

Other notable plays which were followed by the viewers this year are as follows. I did not follow these shows or did not like them therefore I will refrain from commenting on them but the readers should feel free to comment.

Mera Pehla Pyaar

Daagh

Mohabbat Bhar Mein Jaye

Saath Pardon Mein

Sitamgar

Kahi Ankahi

Kash Aisa Ho

Qarz

Adhoori Aurat

Share your views about the dramas of 2013. Which were the ones that worked for you and which ones did not?

Fatima Awan

A lot many celebrities tied the knot in this year; it can be labelled as year of weddings. We are on verge of bidding farewell to the year but that too with celebrity weddings. A quick recap follows below.
Atif Aslam
Atif Aslam the heartthrob of Pakistan got married to Sara Bharwana earlier this year to the dismay of many girls. Atif Aslam changed more outfits then the number of functions on his wedding.

Bindiya
Bindiya who made her comeback in the industry after absence of more than a decade decided to tie the knot for the third time.

Kiran Khan
Kiran Khan the famous morning show host like most of the celebs in this list got married in a small ceremony attended by close relatives and friends only. She later appeared on Good Morning Pakistan along with her husband.

Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram who remained in news after judging an Indian reality show, he was allegedly involved with his co-host Shushmita Sen. however Wasim Akram took everyone by surprise by marring an Australian national Shaniera Thompson instead.

Wahab Riaz
Another cricketer to tie the knot this year is Wahab Riaz who unfortunately got lodged with an FIR on the grounds of violating the law (exceeding the time limit i.e. 10 pm and serving more than a dish). This might not be a good start for him but his fans wish him good luck in achieving his happily-ever-after.

Sanam Baloch
Sanam Baloch and Abdullah FarhatUllah are amongst the few couples who got married with customary celebrations and bangs this year. Their mayoon, mehndi, nikah, barat and walima pictures created hype for long over social media.

Babar Khan and Sana Khan
Babar Khan and Sana Khan; both a part of the showbiz, recently tied their fates together after a short engagement.

Hira Tareen and Ali Safina
And last but not the least we finally bid adieu to 2013 with the wedding of Hira Tareen and Ali Safina who said their nuptials the preceding weekend after an engagement of few months.

Apart from these Mehreen Syed, Jugan Kazim, Mansha Pasha and Feeha Jamshed are also among the married ones now and Sarwat Gillani and Annie Jaffery got engaged. We wish all the best to all the happy couples.

Faiza Cheema

Climbing the stairs of success, Mahira Khan is back again on the TV with her new talk-show “TUC – The Lighter side of life”. So far, she has taken part in a number of projects. From dramas to fashion shows, she has proved herself in different forms. Her popular drama serial “HUM SAFAR” on HUM TV has really added more fame to her personality. But most of her fans also do recognize her as an anchor-person. She started her career from anchoring a music show and then switched to acting and modeling.

Early Life and entrance in media industry:

Mahira Khan was born on 21 December 1982 in Karachi.  She did her ‘O’ Levels study from Foundation Public School Karachi. After completing  her early education she went to California to complete her higher education at Santa Monica College Los Angeles.

Mahira (Askari) Khan began her career when she was 16 years old as VJ at MTV Pakistan live show Most Wanted which broadcast three days a week; and Aag TV show Weekends with Mahira. After getting the great response as VJ, she hosted 10th LUX Style Awards in 2011. HUM TV drama serial Humsafar and Shehr-e-Zaat was the lucky coins for Mahira Khan. These dramas greatly recognized her in Pakistani entertainment industry. Now she has been worked with many Pakistani Television channels like Geo TV, Hum Television, ARY Digital, Aag TV, Samaa TV, MTV etc. After getting the great response from drama industry she worked with Atif Aslam in BOL movie in 2011

Let’s have a look on different sides of her versatile professional career

The desi daughter-in-law:

The desi innocent face of Pakistan as a daughter-in-law was excellently played by Mahira Khan in her famous TV serial “HUM SAFAR”. This serial got huge appreciation and popularity from the masses. It was also translated in other international languages. The character played by Mahira Khan will remain in the hearts of the people and will always be remembered in the history of Pakistani dramas

A close look !

The jubilant & energetic youngster:

SHEHR-E-ZAAT – Full of energy and spark, Mahira played the character of a young woman in SHEHR-E-ZAAT. There were different turns in this young woman’s life and Mahira khan really acted well in this drama serial

The talkative anchor person:

TUC – THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE– Though she started her career from anchoring, but when Mahira stepped into drama industry she took a break from anchoring. But as we all say “FIRST LOVE is NEVER FORGOTTEN”, she is now back with her first love i.e anchoring in a TUC sponsored talk-show called “The Lighter side of life”

The beautiful model:

A charming face and a sleek slender physical posture, what more is needed to become a model. Mahira has also shown herself as a model in fashion weeks as well as on the cover pages of famous magazines

PFDC FASHION WEEK

It is very important for an artist to be versatile. An artist looses her/his charm by sticking to one particular genre. Especially in such a competitive environment of today, where there are more opportunities to explore and to grow. Mahira Khan is one of such versatile faces of Pakistan. Her beautiful and charm has added to her professional skills. She is one of the most anticipated female faces of Pakistan, these days.

Let us know which side of her professional personality is liked by you. Also do comment whether you think she has been a successful drama girl or a successful anchor.

This is all from our side and it is time for you to drop in your comments and feedback. And please don’t forget to vote the article

S. Rasool

Trends of fashion have changed drastically in Pakistan in the previous few years. These changes are however greatly influenced by styles and fashion of Hollywood. Ironically Pakistani Fashion Industry (PDI) has multitudes of extraordinarily gifted designers who without any doubt have the abilities to compete and give tough competition to their competitors from all over the world. Yet all major brands in Pakistan and even designers are putting forward apparels and accessories that are highly influenced by western trends. Pakistani culture itself is very unique and highly diverse, without change everything becomes stagnant and consequently fades away but these changes should be according to our own requirements and values.

PDI has adopted many trends from Hollywood e.g. lace gown, nude color, and neon color; both in dresses and accessories, strapless or off shoulder dresses. These colors and trends don’t belong to a particular area or industry obviously but using them very frequently when they become popular in the west is copying. Any style which becomes prevalent in Hollywood becomes a rage in Pakistan after a year or two. Major Pakistani designers, brands and celebs are deliberately promoting this trend of imitation and copying. Kurtis now have been replaced by tops, shalwar and churidar by skinny jeans and frock and kameez by gowns, skirts and jumpsuits.

          +            

We are losing our individuality and cultural heritage. PDI should burrow styles from international arena but instead of adopting those trends and styles they should be adapted in our unique and exclusive fashion. For example High low skirts and dresses that were and still are a rage in Hollywood have been taken by our designers and have been assimilated in frocks and kameez according to our culture. Adapting this style elegantly instead of copying it shows that it can be done with other trends as well.

         have been adapted as           
It is high time we should start taking pride in our culture and heritage and change it according to our needs and changing fashion trends instead of adopting foreign attire.
Faiza Cheema

Jalaibee …

It is a Pakistani feature film which will be released in 2014. After record breaking applause of “WAAR” the film lovers are awaiting this feature film which is going to rock the film industry again.

Danish Taimoor- the handsome hunk of Pakistan Drama Industry is going to make his film debut from this film. Other than him, the star cast includes actors like Ali Safina, Adnan Jaffar, Ali Rehman, Uzair Jaswal, Waqar Ali Khan and Zhalay Sarhadi. The film will be released under the banner of “ARY Films”. Directed by Yasir A Jaswal, this film is expected to make a blast.

Here are some scenes from the film:

I hope you are looking forward to it. Let us know your expectations from this film by commenting in the comment box beneath

S. Rasool

Some iconic male actors of our industry have left this world but even after their demise they are alive in the memories of their fans. They are still praised and cherished by countless viewers, not only for their acting skills but also for they memories they have left us with; memories of their characters and works on screen. Some unforgettable names are:
Moin Akhtar

Moin Akhtar; versatility in comic roles personified, he was a legend in his own right. Amongst the highly multitalented personalities of Pakistani industry Moin Akhtar was an acclaimed actor, comedian, writer, singer and host. Though his expertise lies in comic roles and mimicry, he was equally adept in serious roles as well; his character in Rozee is amalgam of both comedy and serious acting, in short a symbol of versatility. The genius of Moin Akhtar and Anwar Maqsood always brought something extraordinary and highly intellectual yet always coated with humor and social satire. In his last interview when asked about his contribution to Pakistani comedy he answered “everything I did is a part of history now. To live with history is difficult but there will be people, who will say one day, “There was a man who did it and did it so differently”.”

Shafi Mohammad Shah

Best known for his roles as feudal lord, Shafi Mohammad Shah’s personality had the aura of a feudal lord but the one who was perhaps the most soft spoken feudal. He gave us numerous unforgettable plays and performances e.g. Aanch, Marvi, Afshaan, Teesra Kinara and many more.

Jamshed Ansari

Jamshed Ansari another gem of Pakistan television was greatly admired actor and comedian; mostly known for his comic roles. Uncle Urfi, Unkahi, Tanhaiyan, Sach Much, Half Plate are among his most notable works. He has done some serious roles as well but they are always outshined by his flawless performances in comic overtones particularly Uncle Urfi and Unkahi’s characters.

Hassam Qazi

Another esteemed actor who smile and powerful voice mesmerized the audience. Marvi, Sangchoor and Pinjra are among his noteworthy plays. Though his gained fame from a negative role (Marvi) and performed it to perfection yet he appeared to be the most polite person ever. It is caliber of such actors to perform every character seamlessly.

Khayyam Sarhadi

Khayyam Sarhadi a remarkable artist who embodied the very soul of each character he performed. With countless dramas on his list, Khayyam Sarhadi kept adding jewels like Angar Wadi, Ghulam Gardish, Man Chalay ka Sauda and Meri Zaat Zara e Benishan in his crown.

Salim Nasir

Salim Nasir has the briefest career as compared to the above mentioned actors. He worked in few yet amazingly superb dramas in his short career. I have not seen him in serious roles but I’m sure he has acted flawlessly in them as he did in Angan Tehra and Unkahi; both characters had comic overtones, nonetheless these two characters have made him eternal and unforgettable.

All these artists are equally exquisite and wonderful actors, the order of mentioning is random. Every one of them is asset, a priceless treasure who has shaped Pakistani drama industry into what it is today. They are not among us today but their efforts, unsurpassed and profoundly influential acting will always be remembered and admired.

Feel free to add your deceased favorites.

Faiza Cheema

Coke Studio Pakistan has given new dimension to music and quality of music by featuring and presenting forth not only a vast majority of artists but music instruments as well. CS has many unique and in a way intriguing aspects which have played their part in its marvelous success. It has revitalized some dying or fading genres particularly Folk, Classical and Sufiana Kalaam which before CS were somehow overshadowed by contemporary genres.
One very prominent feature of CS is presenting not only fusion of music but of different genres simultaneously. Nindiya K Par by Uzair Jaswal, Jal Pari by Atif are very good examples of blending of two genres (both these have been merged with stanzas from Nusrat Fateh’s songs). They have even experimented with featuring two vocalists and blending two genres as well e.g. Garaj Baras by Rahat Fateh Ali and Ali Azmat and Durr by Strings and Hussain Bakhs Gullo which were extremely super-hit.

CS is providing a platform for new and less renowned artists making them instantly famous all over the country and abroad e.g. Chakwal Group ; since CS Pakistan has become international with inclusion of international artists which includes both musicians and singers. Sanam Saeed who had previously shown her versatility as singer in her theatre musicals got country-wide fame from CS. Many foreign artists have been made part of CS in season six; the current season had a singer from Turkey namely Sumru Agıryuruyen and musicians from Norway, Italy, Serbia, Bangladesh, Morocco and Nepal.

Another fascinating aspect of CS is featuring songs in regional languages. Almost every season of CS offers few songs in regional languages which are usually Sufiana Kalaam or Folk song; killing to birds with one stone i.e. it is aiding both the genres and the regional languages to flourish and show their intricacies and delicacies which became dormant because of consistent ignorance by the current generation. The same singers like Arif Lohar, Ata Ullah Esakhelvi, Fareed Ayaz etc who were previously overlooked became instant success again. CS has recorded songs in Balochi, Siraiki, Punjabi, Sindhi and Persian at times blending them or presenting as it is with music which have never reached the human ears before.

The genius behind CS who has always given quality work in the field of music since the beginning of his career be it Vital Signs, music of Khuda k Lye and now CS. Hats off to him for his efforts and presenting forth something melodious yet brilliantly top notch in every aspect (music, lyrics, language etc) and for giving opportunities to many deserving artists. It indeed is an amalgam of perfection, brilliance and hoards of talent from every possible area of Pakistani music.
Faiza Cheema

“Gaye gi Dunya geet merayyy !”

Madam Noorjehan was the greatest film and music personality in the history of showbiz in Pakistan.

Early Life:

Madam Noor Jehan was born in a very poor family on September 21, 1926 at Qasoor, Punjab. She displayed signs of having a melodious voice, which became more apparent by the time she was four or five years old. She could pick up just about anything – be it a folk song or a popular number from a theatrical drama – she could imitate it to perfection. Realizing her immense talent, her mother began to believe that her daughter had something exceptional to give to the world. So, her mother arranged for her to begin her training in singing and dancing alongside her elder sisters, Eidan Bai and Haider Baandi. She received early music lessons under Kajjanbai (a singer between 1920 and 1930) who made her do “riyaz” up to 12 hours a day. After her morning “riyaz”, a teacher would come to help her learn to read and write. She received early training in classical singing under Ustad Ghulam Mohammed who instructed her in classical music and voice production within the framework of classical forms of thumri, dhrupad, and khayal. In around 1930, she won a part in a silent feature film called Hind ke Tare (1930) made by Indian Pictures, Calcutta and after that there was no looking back.

Her Great Contributions:

She started her formal film career in the age of just nine years old in film Sheeal (Pind di Kurri – 1935) and became super star as baby artist. She was heroine in Punjabi film Yamla Jatt (1940) and was a top singer and actress in Indian movies in the 40s. After the partition in 1947, she moved from Bombay and started her film career in Pakistan as actress, singer and the first female film director with film Chann Way in 1951. Her last film as actress Ghalib was released in 1961. She did a number of films, which are as follows:

• Mirza Ghalib (1961)

• Koel (1959)

• Pardaisan (1959)

• Neend (1959)

• Anarkali (1958)

• Choomantar (1958)

• Nooran (1957)

• Intezar (1956)

• Lakht-e-Jigar (1956)

• Patey Khan (1955)

• Gulnar (1953)

• Dopatta (1952)

• Chanwey (1951)

• Mirabai (1947)

• Abida (1947)

• Jugnu (1947)

• Mirza Sahibaan (1947)

• Maharana Pratab (1946)

• Jadoogar (1946)

• Sofia (1946)

• Humjoli (1946)

• Dil (1946)

• Anmol Ghadi (1946)

• Bhaijaan (1945)

• Badi Maa (1945)

• Gaon Ki Gori (1945)

• Zeenat (1945)

• Dost (1944)

• Lal Haveli (1944)

• Naukar (1943)

• Duhai (1943)

• Nadaan (1943)

• Khandaan (1942)

• Faryad (1942)

• Dheeraj (1942)

• Chandani (1942)

• Susral (1941)

• Umeed (1941)

• Red Signal (1941)

• Chaudhry (1941)

• Yamla Jat (1940)

• Sajni (1940)

• Pyam-e-Haq (1939)

• Imandaar (1939)

• Gul Bakavli (1939) (as Baby Noor Jehan)

Since 1959 she became playback singer and dominated in more than 35 years. She sang appropriately more than six thousand songs in Urdu, Punjabi and Sindhi films.

She married twice, first with film director Shoukat Hussain Rizvi in 1942 and then film producer and hero Ejaz Durrani in 1959 and she had six children

Honour of “Malka-e-Taranum” :

Noor Jehan received the “Malka-e-Taranum” appellation by State of Pakistan in 1965. Noor Jehan’s artistic career is over six decades, a long period of service to the Pakistan Media Industry along with great contributions that will always be remembered.
Today, it is her 13th death anniversary. She died on December 23, 2000 at Karachi as one of the richest woman in the country.

We really miss her. She had a legendary voice and will always be remembered as the finest voice of Pakistan. There is so much to write on her. Words are always less to define such great personalities.

Some people leave us with great memories. She was among such ones. She has left with us her beautiful voice. We still listen to her melodious songs and not only us, these songs are popular world-wide, spreading the word of love and harmony

Do leave us with your comments and feedback on this “tribute” article. As today is her death anniversary, we all should  pray “May her soul rest in peace in heavens”

S. Rasool

We had a popular culture of rock and pop musical bands in Pakistan. From late 80s and rising to peak in early 90s but it seems as if this culture has died down. We had great musical bands like Vital Signs, Junoon, Awaz, Fuzon, Noori, Jal etc. Some of the bands split while the intensity of others died down.

Today we see and listen more of solo performances from the music artists. The main reason behind the downfall of this musical band culture are the difference among the singers of the bands and there inter conflicts. Jal & Awaz had such a split and some other bands too. Very few of the many bands

didn’t maintain its intensity because of their other commitments. We can recall how much “Strings” was popular but we are not having much from them now.

There used to be a number of live musical band concerts which were very popular among the youngster and college/university going students. Even some families also used to enjoy these type of concerts which were held in large numbers throughout the year but we can hardly see these group performances now. The social media is also not giving enough boost to the new bands and also our media too is not paying heed to new comers in this area. We must recognize the energy of the new comers to get this lost culture back in our society as it is not only a great source of entertainment but also it will provide an opportunity to the new comers to showcase their talents.

Moreover, another positive side of having musical bands back in our society is that they can act as peace ambassadors of Pakistan on international level. Many musical bands presented the soft side of Pakistan in international arena via showcasing their talents in international concerts, in past. “Strings”, “Fuzon” and “Noori” are some popular names among such bands. We must realize that internationally the image of Pakistan has been greatly damaged by the association of Terrorism, because of this our dear Pakistani fellows are suffering. In such a situation, what needed is, to restore the true image of Pakistan and that is only possible when we are going to be the ambassadors of peace and love. We must revive the musical band’s culture back in our society so that we can help our country to reveal its real face to the world which has been wrongly covered with the dust of terrorism

In the era when our bands were doing well in abroad, we did feel a great recognition for them. They not only earned good name for their own selves but also for their own dear country, Pakistan. By saying so, I do not by any mean claim that our solo singers are not doing good work. They are also doing great. Singers like Hadiqa Kiyani, Shehzad Roy etc are not only performing to get the lost image of Pakistan back but also they are appointed as the Peace Ambassadors. Hadiqa is the Peace Ambassador in U.N. and Shehzad Roy has also earned an esteemed name on International level. This kind of respect was also stolen by our musical bands which are no longer present. We should try to get them back in our society. This is not only necessary for our entertainment alone but also for the country.

Rock, Pop, Jazz. We miss them all. We miss the enthusiasm of Junoon and their popular patriotic songs, we miss the vibe of Jal and the energy of Awaz. We need them back. We need new energy. We need new musical bands that can infuse our culture back with vibrancy & spark

What do you think, Do we need the musical bands back or not ? Do let us know your opinion on this and don’t forget to vote the article

 Pakistan’s modelling industry is flourishing day by day. The freedom of media has increased the glamour and glitter in the modelling agency of Pakistan. Every month new faces come up as top models and almost after every two or three months a fashion show is organized. Although there are many small and short budget fashion shows but along with them large budget shows are also increased these days. Nowadays Pakistani fashion shows are also showcasing Indian dress designers. This is a whole new topic of culture invasion. Youngsters these days are very much interested in modelling, acting and singing. Pakistan has immense talent and now that talent is being promoted through these platforms. These articles focus on some of the tips to become a good model so that the youngsters who are interested should get a way to look up to.

Before starting with the tips first you have to know that are you capable enough to be a model? Do you have the perfect body postures, walking styles, height and expressions? After going through this process of self evaluation you must start off with the tips to become a good model. I collected these tips after studying the interviews of many top models and I hope they will be beneficial for everyone out there. The first tip is to always be on time for any show, shoot or interview. Punctuality is very important because it is the first impression that matters. For girls who want to pursue their career in modelling it is very necessary to take someone along with you or inform some one about the place you are going to. It is also very necessary to be fully aware of the place you are going to because there are many fake modelling agencies in Pakistan as well.

Girls and boys who are crazy for modelling should always go prepared. You should never think that you will be provided with stuff to wear because there are places where you have to wear clothes of you own so do this preparation to be on the safe side. You should always take your instant make up kit with you. Deodorant, sunscreen, lip gloss, face powder, brush and blush are the must haves. You need to keep them with you so that if the make up artist is not given to you then you must have an alternate. In Pakistan it is necessary to get references with you. They can be of any friend who is a good model or any top photographer you know because the chances of people with references are a little higher than those who do not. You should learn to never take anything for granted and check and double check on every deal you do, every contract you sign because things can go wrong in this industry at any time.

Make contacts. Try to interact with as many people as you can, make new friends, exchange numbers and remember that for being successful in this industry you have to be social. At the same time do not trust anyone so fast. Talk to everyone and be good but do not show your weak points at all. Act smart and confident that is the key to everything you do. Another important tip is for those models that at the beginning of their careers do whatever they are offered. This is definitely not right. You should learn to make smart choices. If you think you are not comfortable in doing something then you should not do it because it will definitely do not end up being good. Go with your brain not your heart because brain makes smarter choices and in modelling the game is just about right choices at the right time.

You should always have enough cash with you so that you don’t have to borrow because it doesn’t look good. You must show everyone that you do not depend on a person and you can do things on your own. An important thing that every model should have in mind is that modelling is a business and there is loss and profit in every business so you should be prepared. Apart from this you should have the ability to negotiate the prices with employers regarding your deals. You should never be rude with any employer because you never know what offers he can give you in the future. A model should keep in mind all the possibilities for a successful career ahead. It is very important to make a deal in written form because verbal agreements are often cancelled and no one can do anything about it. These are some important tips for youngsters who want to excel in the field of modelling. Do not forget to share your point of view and suggestions.

Written by: Moomal Hassan.

On one hand we have actresses like Saba Qamar, Sanam Baloch, Ayza Khan, Sanam Saeed, Syra Yosuf, Ayesha Khan and Mehwish Hayat who aren’t only stunning and elegantly beautiful but are superb actresses as well and every one of these actresses have proved their worth by giving top notch performances repeatedly. On the other we have rising stars that have a long way to go.

1. Sanam Jung

Sanam Jung has won the hearts of viewers with her innocent looks and angels eyes. Her splendidly wonderful acting in DeM was appreciated lot. Even though it is too soon to be judgmental about her, it appears she will prove to be one of the best actresses of her era (all of it depends on her versatility and choice of characters).

2. Mansha Pasha

Mansha Pasha though relatively new in this field is a very refined actress and way better than many of her contemporaries. Unfortunately she hadn’t been able to bag any central character yet.

3. Sana Javed

Sana Javed stands out amongst her contemporaries in the regard that in her very short career she has shown versatility. Her serials Meenu ka Susral, Pyare Afzal and Ranjish hi Sahi all have diverse characters and present forth her abilities to tackle completely different roles. Her acting falters a bit at some points however she is improving steadily and we might see someday in the list of very refined actresses.

4. Ushna Shah

Ushna Shah has bagged important roles in the three plays she has worked in namely Mere Khawabon ka Diya, Shehr e Yaran and Rukhsar. I haven’t watched much of her work but she seems to be a promising talent of our drama industry.

5. Sana Khan

Sana Khan another rising actress is though a model but she gained fame from her debut serial Parchaiyan and proved her acting skills in Ranj e Aashnai. She is currently appearing in Rukhsar.

6. Maya Ali

Every second drama now seem to have Maya Ali in it, I somehow fail to understand why. Her monotonous acting, poor dialogue delivery and lots of screeching make her rather annoying. It is unfair that some average actresses manage to grab a lot many major roles and some very good actresses are always stuck with side roles.

7. Mira Sethi

Mira Sethi’s debut play Silvatein wasn’t a hit despite having most necessary ingredients for a hit serial (cast, writer, production house etc.). One of the reasons (among many) for failing to make an impression can be weak acting of Mira Sethi and Daniyal Raheel, both failed to impress the audience. (savethechimps.org) Mira Sethi is now appearing in Mohabat Subah ka Sitara, hope she will get better gradually.

These emerging actresses are in the process of paving their paths in showbiz and they will definitely reach the heights of stardom like their predecessors. Good luck to all of them.

Faiza Cheema