How was your very recent trip to Pakistan?

It was very nice. I received an overwhelming response from the general public. I had never thought that I would get such an excellent response from both the older generations as well as the new ones. It came as a shock.

You garnered a lot of appreciation and love from the general public for your work in Aina, how was that experience?

My experience with Aina couldn’t have been any better. I remember Shamsi sahib, who was the producer of the film, telling the team and the director Nazrul Islam sahib that he wanted a good film from the get-go. So everyone from the music composer Robin Ghosh, to us actors, worked very hard throughout the film. For several years, the film was screened in various cinema houses across Pakistan. Its popularity was such that even foreign film-makers watched it and said that this is how a film should be made. The reason for its popularity was that it was a family film with great production value.

Tell us about the sizzling on-screen chemistry between you and Nadeem. How did this happen?

I think the public created our chemistry. We never used to ask film-makers to put us together in a film, but there was such great public demand to see us as a pair in films that they would cast us together.

Tell us a little about your married life with Robin Ghosh? How many children do you have?

I have never been secretive about my life; I’m an open book. For the past 40 to 45 years, Robin and I have been together and we have a son, Ronny, who lives in Spain.

Is life in Bangladesh any different from the life you lived in Pakistan?

Life in Bangladesh is very different. I’d say it’s normal and average without too much of the celebrity status attached to it. Here, I am a dutiful wife with familial responsibilities but in Pakistan my life is that of a superstar. But nothing has ever brought a change in my personal attitude, it has been the same, be it Pakistan or Bangladesh.

You had suffered from some serious ailments a few years back? Have you fully recovered?

Yes, I had a stroke in 1995. However, by the grace of God, I have recovered. The doctors told me after my stroke that I should exercise more. So I have been taking care of myself and following the doctor’s advice. I still have arthritis though but I do hope I recover from that as well.

Any message for your fans here in Pakistan?

The love that I have received from my fans is more than I ever expected. I would just like to tell them to always remember me in their prayers. I hope I can come to Pakistan and meet them once again.

A slideshow of pictures from her trip can be viewed here. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2012.

In order to add some zing, Catwalk Productions and Veet have decided to have the contest in the form of a reality TV show, consisting 10 contestants from Karachi and Lahore. Stretching over eight episodes, the show will be aired on some of the leading television channels of Pakistan. As stated in their press release, all the selected contestants will be shifted to Veet Pent House in Karachi during the show.

Talking about the show, Frieha Altaf, who had choreographed and produced the event for the past two years, explains, “The whole process is very different from Tyra Banks’ ‘America’s Next Top Model’. I don’t want people to compare the two shows. I don’t eliminate everyone from the Veet show; my aim is to bring new faces in the industry and give them a chance.”

She further adds, “Last year, after Veet Miss Super Model Contest 2 ended, seven girls got selected who are now seen at fashion shows and fashion weeks. One of them even got selected for the cover shoot of She magazine. The show served as a launching pad for these girls who are now doing well in their careers.”

In the newer version of the show, the girls are supposed to live in a pent house, where they will have to face the various challenges in the process of becoming a model. “A reality TV show would give the audience — girls in particular — a chance to learn from these aspiring young models on how to groom themselves. It’s going to be a rich, learning process,” Altaf adds.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2012.

Sana Safinaz outlets in Pakistan

In a press statement, Safinaz Munir of Sana Safinaz stated, “With an emerging middle class and increasing brand awareness in Pakistan, it is an ideal climate to branch out into retail. There is a high demand for economical, quality fashion products and in light of this, Sana Safinaz will be offering a one-stop shopping experience for busy women and girls.”

Without disclosing the actual location of the store, she stated in the press statement that, “Our retail store will provide a range of fashion apparel and accessories including footwear, jewellery, bags etcetera. There will be a mix of fabrics and everything from day wear to evening wear will be made available at the stores. The plan is to open two retail shops in Karachi and one in Lahore. Once these stores settle well in the market, the brand will further expand.”

Sana Safinaz’s Export Collection at Signature Inc.

Meanwhile, the duo also has a little something for their clientele abroad. Sana Safinaz Export Collection is going to be stocked at Signature Inc. (a multi-brand store in Toronto Canada) by early June 2012. The price of this line ranges from $400 to $650.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2012.

Thumbs up to Husain for creativity and a sharp entrepreneurial sense. On a recent trip to India, she took around 180 pieces of unstitched fabric to New Delhi, where she met Indian printers and asked them to design the same kaani designs on them. For the designs, Husain says she took inspiration from various books and from her own collection of shawls.

While talking about her target market, Husain says, “Since winters in Karachi are so short, people here can’t wear kaani shawls for long, that’s why I decided to bring the same designs to cooler fabrics that people can wear as evening outfits.”

Additionally, Husain has also introduced kaani-inspired scarves. “It’s a limited edition and we’ve kept the prices reasonable,” she states while adding that the collection will be placed at One, their store in Dolmen City.

If this latest experiment pays off, Husain says she plans to have kalamkar and jamawar collections in stores soon.

Unstitched Cotton: Rs4,500

Stitched Cotton: Rs5,000 to Rs 12,000

Unstitched Silk Crepe: Rs14,500

Unstitched Chiffon: Rs17,000

Stitched Chiffon: Rs17,000 to Rs 24,000

Stitched Jamawar Silk: Rs24,500

Scarves, short ones: Rs1,500

Scarves, long ones: Rs2,500

What is kaani?

Kaani, believed to be indigenous to Kashmir, is a superfine texture. It’s the Kashmiri name given to a wooden spool which works most while weaving a shawl on the loom. An unbelievable amount of concentration is required for weaving just an inch of the shawl.

SOURCE: sozniarts.net

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2012.

Meet the Stars

On Saturday evening, the legendary actor was invited to attend an event organised by the Pakistan Film and TV Journalists Association, ‘Meet the Stars’, held at Zaver Hall, Pearl Continental Hotel. Known for her punctuality, the actor left the audience shocked as she arrived almost two-and-a-half hours late. “I went out for shopping and got stuck in traffic jams, hence the delay. Please accept my apologies,” she said humbly.

Regarding her trip to Pakistan, the actor said, “I left for Bangladesh in 1999 and it’s my first visit to Pakistan since then. I wasn’t expecting such a warm welcome and reception from the public. When I return to Bangladesh, I’ll take with me the love and generosity of the people of Pakistan.”

Farewell dinner

The following day, the veteran was invited to a farewell dinner reception hosted by Sindh Senior Minister Pir Mazharul Haq.

Commending Shabnam’s efforts, Haq said, “The industry requires people like Shabnam and Ghosh for its revival. Your arrival here in Pakistan shows that you are great ambassadors of the country and want to strenghthen ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh.”

Meanwhile, when one of the journalists from the audience asked Shabnam — who has starred in more than 300 movies — whether she would consider acting in a local drama serial, the actor replied, “Why not? An artist knows no boundaries of nation or religion.”

In her brief conversation with The Express Tribune, Shabnam claimed that her stay in Pakistan had been “very nice” and she thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Her husband added that he loved Karachi more than any other place he visited in Pakistan.

Shabnam and Ghosh left for Bangladesh yesterday [Monday] afternoon. The couple came to Pakistan on April 23 on a trip sponsored by state-run television channel PTV.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2012.

Praise for Shabnam and Robin Ghosh

Talking about Ghosh, music composer Arshad Mahmood recalled how he would watch Ghosh edit his own beautiful compositions so he could fit it in the records. He remembered how he and Nayyara Noor would visit Ghosh’s residence and learn the art of making music from the acclaimed composer.

Pop sensation of Pakistan Alamgir called Ghosh the ‘Madan Mohan of Pakistan’ and fondly recalled the times they spend together in Lahore working on Aaina, while actor Mustafa Qureshi, who was a big fan of the fine tunes composed by Ghosh said that a film collaboration between Pakistan and Bangladesh is badly needed.

When it came to honouring Shabnam, superstar Bindiya came on stage and said, “I am elated to see Shabnam, who is an icon of the industry, here in Pakistan. Now that we have the legends of Pakistani cinema here, we should work on jumpstarting the local film industry. And Shabnam and Robin should be signed up for a film where Shabnam can act and Robin Ghosh can provide the music for it.”

Veteran actor Munawar Syed said, “Just like her name, which means morning dew that blossoms a flower as soon as it drops, Shabnam has changed this industry.”

Actor Nadeem, who is Shabnam’s famed co-star from the golden days, said that he began his music career with Ghosh and acting opposite Shabnam. “I have to give Shabnam credit for the success of all the films that we did together because no matter what her part was, she played it with pure dedication. Both of you shouldn’t come after 14 years; you should come every 14 months or 14 days. You are a part of us and you cannot stay away from us.”

What the legends had to say

When Shabnam came on stage, dressed in a gorgeous purple sari, she reminded everyone exactly why she was one of the biggest film stars of Pakistan. Talking about the packed audience at the event, she said, “I had no idea that the younger generations were aware of my work and loved it so much. I have been amazed at their response to my recent visit to Pakistan.”

Talking about the people who made her film career possible, she said, “Although Ilyas Rasheedi Sahab is no longer in this world, I cannot forget him. He was my godfather who gave me my start in the industry.”

When she was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, she said, “I would urge institutions like PTV to remember our icons and award them in their lifetime rather than when they’ve passed away. After death, the honour doesn’t hold any meaning for the artist who has passed away.”

Regarding the current status of the film industry, she said, “I visited Lahore and wanted to see the studios but was told that most of them have shut down. So I didn’t visit the studios as I didn’t want to take sad memories home with me. I really think a collaboration between Bangladesh and Pakistan should take place. Hum kaam kerain gaay tou maza ay ga na.”

When it was Ghosh’s turn on the podium, he spoke about all the legends who have come and gone. “Pakistan has a lot of talent and one day this talent will be recongised globally. The revival of the industry is a must, we can’t let this industry die; it’s the same industry that produced stalwarts like Noor Jehan, Mehdi Hasan and Mehnaz,” said the music composer.

What does the future hold?

Nawab Hazoorul Hassan, the director of Nishat Cinema revealed an interesting development for the industry. “Chandi and Mandviwalla Entertainment have agreed to collaborate on a film. However, the film will only be made if Shabnam stars in it and Robin Ghosh provides the music.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2012.

Ongoing interpretations

Asked why Manto remains relevant today, writer Asghar Nadeem Syed said, “He isn’t just relevant today, he has always been relevant. In almost every era, new interpretations of Manto’s work have emerged. Also, he wrote during difficult times when people were suffering tremendously.

“Since the situation is rather similar right now, he is still widely read by almost every generation and under every governmental regime.”

A feminist writer

Writer Kishwar Naheed, on the other hand, has this to say about the legendary writer: “From honour killings to women’s issues, Manto discussed every topic in depth in his work. At the time, prostitutes, pimps and rape were considered taboo topics, but Manto was not afraid to write about them which is why I think he was more of a feminist writer.”

Regarding Manto’s prose style, Naheed said, “No writing style can ever compare to that of Manto’s. Today, the blood of new writers has turned black. But Manto’s blood is ever red and his writings will forever be treasured and mystifying for all.”

Irreplaceable

Hidayat Sayer, who made a docudrama about Manto last year said, “Manto is the last great writer of short stories, we won’t find anyone like him in this century or the next.”

On what makes Manto special, he said, “Even when there were so many court proceedings against him, he chose to live in Pakistan. He never lost the will to write the truth. Manto highlighted important societal issues but his work was often discarded and rejected 50 years ago. However, today, he is largely accepted in civil society for bringing such subjects to the fore.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2012.

We remember him best as part of a duo — Zoheb Hassan shares with The Express Tribune his personal experiences. From a “terrible” loss of losing not just a sister but also a performer to cancer, to his current social and philanthropic activities, Zoheb shares with us how he has seen the Pakistani music industry evolve through the ages.

Currently in Karachi on a short visit from London, we got a sneak peek at what’s dear to Zoheb.

You made a comeback by launching ‘Kismet’ in 2006, and you disappeared again for six years. What happened?

Zoheb: Well, not really. Formally nothing. We paid tribute to Nazia Hassan by holding a concert on March 9 in 2002 at the Karachi Gymkhana. The tribute was held in her honour, during a time when I felt at immense loss, after Nazia. So we did that concert, which was very inspiring for me. Junaid Jamshed performed, Salman Ahmad was there and Hadiqa Kiani too was a part of the concert. Biddu came all the way down for the show, and visited Pakistan for the first time ever. To be honest ‘Kismet’ was done because of a lot of ‘peer pressure’. However, I couldn’t give it much time, since I was travelling a lot at that time for business from Karachi to London. My wife Gina said I should do a musical theatre instead and she said she would write the script. However, what we ended up doing was a play called ‘Kismet’, for which the music was done by me.

What are your current plans?

Zoheb: I plan to host a TV show, first from Karachi, then from Dubai. It is going to be a very, very different talk show. I won’t share the details here just yet. That’s something you will have to wait and see!

Has Pakistani music evolved since you left the music industry?

Zoheb: It’s great. So many people have come up and created good music, like what we did and started off 30 years ago. Technically, I’d say everything is superb. Now they do linear editing and everything is digitally sounded. Quality is so much better. There is stuff that a composer can easily toy with when it comes to mixing it with sound.

Music and arts is all about trial and error, after 30 years people have come so far, but what I believe has been the down side of this is the actual act of composing. Songs are not fully written, since people don’t want to think too much. They just want to be spoon-fed.

How have the last 11 years of your life been without Nazia?

Zoheb: These years have been terrible, not just for me, but for the entire family. More so for my mother though. She still refers to Nazia in our daily talks. But what I believe is that we have learnt to move on, if not for anybody else’s sake, at least for her son’s sake. My father has become very quiet, he doesn’t speak much and Zahra, my little sister, asks me a lot of things about Nazia, because when Nazia passed away, Zahra was just a kid. So these things will never go away. It’s the unfortunate bit that will always be a part of our lives.

Would you like to perform at ‘Coke Studio’, if given a chance?

Zoheb: Yes, if they offer. Rohail Hyatt, I know is a talented guy. If he asks me, I won’t say no. ‘Coke Studio’ is an interesting concept.

What are your future plans?

Zoheb: I want to do, as much as I can in life, in terms of doing things. I want to help Pakistanis in need. I don’t have any political ambitions; I just want to help people on humanitarian basis. I was an advisor to the governor of Sindh with a social agenda in mind. People, who are not in the same position as we are, should be helped by those who can help. I just recently launched an SOS Lyari campaign and I had two options infront of me: either take a passive role to this and let fate play its natural course or actually work towards helping others. So I opted for the latter, with a two-fold agenda in mind: immediate relief and a long-term rehabilitation programme. I want to address this problem across the country, for there is not just one Lyari but several others.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2012.

Age is only a number

Clad in white, the singer cemented his superstar status by making a grand entrance in a green Volkswagen, followed by a spellbinding performance of his song “Yeh Shaam aur Tera Naam”. His entrance made the hosts of the evening, Anoushey Ashraf and Faizan Haque, recall the good old days of PTV and the audience was transported to the time of sepia-toned television shows that were hosted by veterans Anwar Maqsood and Moin Akhtar and musical programmes that were predominantly the domain of Alamgir and the Benjamin Sisters.

Alamgir danced and sang with the vivacity of 16-year-old boy. He sang some of his most popular songs such as “Yeh Shaam Aur Tera Naam”, “Mujhay Dil Say Na Bhulana”, which he sang twice and “Shuro Tum Hi Say Howa Pyar Ka Silsila”. Seeing Alamagir perform energetically and engaging the audience with gestures just like he used to decades ago was a deja vu experience for the audience.

Cheers to Alamgir

The singer was also acknowledged by superstars like Nadeem Baig, who remembered that Alamgir always gave 110 per cent to all his projects. Actor Shabnam and and her husband Robin Ghosh described him as “a talented and extremely dedicated singer of his time” while A Nayer vouched for Alamgir’s “hard working nature”.

On the other hand, singer Saleem Javed also reminisced that his first-ever audition for PTV was one of Alamgir’s songs. Music composer Niaz Ahmad considers him “an evergreen singer, who can perform for the next 20 years” and Benjamin Sisters recalled that, “he was a couple of years senior to us but he never treated us like juniors”. Last, but not the least, the producer Zaheer Khan who discovered the potential in Alamgir said that he was, “an outstanding musician, who introduced Pakistan to pop music.”

A buffet of talent

The musical night saw some brilliant performances by child stars Ahsan and Rose to “Hum Chale Tu Hamare Sang Hein Nazare Chale” as well as seasoned artists like Saleem Javed, Own the band, actor-cum-singer Teepu Sharif and Ahmed Jahanzeb, who sang some of Alamgir’s classics.

Benjamin Sisters sang “Woh Jo Sapno Jaisa Hai” and Shabana Benjamin and Alamgir performed a duet on the song, “Mujhe Dil Se Na Bhulana”. Rahim Shah’s energetic performance on “Gori Panghat Pe Thehro Ghar Nahin Jao” and Faakhir Mehmood’s rendition of “Albela Rahi” made the audience nostalgic.

All’s well that ends well

Towards the end of the evening, Alamgir was awarded the Lipton PTV Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented to him by Ustad Rais Khan. The singer concluded the night with his most famous song “Dekha Na Tha”. One could see that Alamgir himself was having a blast as he became extremely animated while singing the song and even fell on the stage while singing the verses “Kho Gayey Sapno Main Hum”. What seemed like an accident at first turned out to be just an act. People helped Alamgir out of the auditorium like he was hurt or unconscious, later the media was told that he is doing well and it was part of his performance.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8^th, 2012.

The six-part documentary Ho Yaqeen, made by Obaid-Chinoy’s company SOC Films and in collaboration with Coca-Cola, will be shown across 16 TV channels in six months. Chinoy recently held an event to screen the first part of the film and announced details of her latest project.

What it’s about?

Talking about the details of the film, Obaid -Chinoy said, “The documentary series is about those people who fight against all odds and bring a positive change in society. It’s all about trying to make a difference in the lives of people despite facing various odds in life. Ho Yaqeen is about six lives. There are six documentaries about people belonging to six different cities of Pakistan — from Karachi to Muzaffarabad.”

With an Oscar win behind Obaid-Chinoy, anticipations and expectations for her latest venture ran high and this was most evident by a full house attendance by both local celebrities and the media. Photographer Kohi Marri, RJ Khalid Malik and fashion designer Safinaz Muneer were present to see the first part of the series.

Ho Yaqeen – Part 1

Ho Yaqeen’s first part captured a woman named Sabina Khatri, whose educational institute for residents of Karachi’s Lyari area called Kiran School, laid a foundation for education in the area. Within a span of five years, she had transformed 90 young lives. Khatri, who was present at the event, said, “Every child that I see on the streets of Lyari is practically like my own child. Pakistan has so much talent that if you turn a stone, you will find a diamond hidden in a rock — basically a child who is smart and intelligent, but lacks the support to turn hi or her life around. All we can do is to bring them in our hearts and homes and give them a chance.

Regarding her struggles, she said, “I really couldn’t have done this without the support of my children. And of course, my husband who has been my supportive, yet silent guardian angel.”

Response

By the end of the screening, the entire ambiance had turned into one of positivity and patriotism. On her experience watching the film, President of Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT&ITES Jehan Ara said, “Sharmeen’s work excels in projecting a totally different side of Pakistan. A side that we should all celebrate and be proud of.”

Musician Zoe Viccaji, who also attended the event, said that there was never a dull moment throughout the documentary. “I was glued to it from start to end,” stated the musician.

Her look

Staying true to her tradition of supporting Pakistani female designers, Obaid-Chinoy stood in her green and white Sania Maskatiya outfit at the event. She accessorised it with a Pakistani flag-inspired bag by Maheen Hussain from the designer’s Independence Day collection.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2012.