Glued to the Screen

Mein Maa Nahin Banna Chahti

This is an intertwined story of Eman, Jibran, Maham and Faras, and brings inter-family marriages and the risks of birth defects into the limelight. Eman, Jibran and Maham are cousins and their families do not even consider marrying their kids outside the family. Jibran is the most eligible bachelor of the family, so Eman’s parents agreed to his proposal without asking her even though she is in love with Faras. While Jibran finds a jealous lover in his bestfriend Maham, Eman’s life worsens after her first born’s death within a month and another stillbirth. With a talented cast including Rubina Ashraf, Ali Abbas, Imran Ashraf, Rubab Hashim and Nida Mumtaz among others, and an intriguing story, this is one to watch right now.

Around Town

Heer Ranjha brings love back on stage

The Citizens Foundation (TCF) in collaboration with Zain Ahmed presented Heer Ranjha, an Urdu musical featuring fine actors like Sanam Saeed (Heer), Arshad Mahmood (Heer's father) and Samina Ahmed (Heer's mother). The play, that showed in Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad, celebrated romance entwined with beautiful poetic verses inspired by Waris Shah's poetry and based on the evergreen script of Kaifi Azmi. The audience enjoyed live singing by Sanam Saeed, Hasan Raza (Ranjha) and the rest of the cast. The songs from the Bollywood movie Heer Ranjha (1970) were redone with contemporary music under the able music direction of Nigel Bobby. The play also managed to raise funds for educating the less-privileged children of Pakistan.

The Right Note

Seems like Bollywood has run out of original, creative ideas. From stories to songs, every film is either being remade from different languages and different times. But even so, not many newer versions do particularly well. This is one of the exceptions, however. The title track composed by Shankar-Jaikishan, Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and taken from the 1965 Bollywood suspense thriller Gumnaam, and an upbeat and even scarier feel to it. Featuring in 1920 London, the song recreates the ghostly-haunting feel with more advanced sound effects.

Treasure Trove

Shaan’s Arth 2 – a hit already?

Arth 2 is Shaan's attempt at remaking the 1982 Mahesh Bhatt classic Arth "to strengthen film trade between the two countries", he has been quoted as saying. The recently released trailer reveals Shaan playing Ali, a singer who returns to Pakistan from the UK to make a professional comeback albeit with lots of struggle. Mohib Mirza is seen as Umar, a filmmaker who’s married to Uzma Hassan’s character, who is a writer by day and Ali’s fangirl by night. Then we see Humaima in full diva mode. She plays the role of a superstar and also the other woman in Mirza’s life. The movie revolves around pain, crying and hints of infidelity; looks like this one’s going to be an emotional roller coaster to watch! The film is expected to release on December 21, in cinemas worldwide.

NEWSBYTES

Mawra & Ahsan in a pre-partition setting

After her hit drama Sammi, Mawra Hocane is set to dazzle viewers with another special project.

This time, she's starring in a period drama set in pre-Partition times. Based on Khadija Mastoor's award-winning novel of the same name, Aangan (or Courtyard) is being helmed by Mohammed Ehteshamuddin (of Udaari, Preet Na Kariyo Koi, Sadqay Tumhare and Aseerzadi fame) and sources say the cast will feature a few more A-list actors. According to sources close to the Mawra, she has been longing to do a different TV serial and has finally chosen one such project. Since it’s set in an older era, there’s a lot of prep involved.

Rumour has it that Sajal Aly and Ahad Raza Mir will be a part of the project as well, but Ahsan Khan’s inclusion has already been confirmed. "I've become selective. I'm focusing on doing things that are unique, that challenge me," said the Udaari actor, adding, “It's not just a run-of-the-mill love story, it will highlight our culture in a different light.”

Get ready for Shabnam’s grand re-enterance

Looks like Shabnam is finally going to make her comeback on Pakistani screens. The veteran actress will be appearing in upcoming TV series Mohini Mansion Ki Cinderella. Stretched over 52 episodes, Mohini Mansion will feature Shabnam as her own superfan. Writer Fasih Bari Khan has shared, "Shabnam's character is going to be really fun. Her [character’s] name is Shabana Jharna, who's a diehard Shabnam fan. You know the kind who keeps a record of everything their favourite star has done? That kind of devotion. Shabana has grown old but still 'speaks in dialogues' like Shabnam did, wears her sari like Shabnam does."

But Mohini Mansion isn't just about this eccentric character. The drama will explore the lives of a whole neighbourhood set in 1992 Lahore. Shabana's neighbours will include a 70-year-old former circus artist Daro Masi played by Feryal Gauhar, who makes an acting comeback after 13 years, while veteran actor Qavi Khan will play her husband. Supermodel Rubya Chaudhary will be seen playing Shabana's daughter.

Not in a mood for party?

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) held a press conference last month to announce the addition of new faces to the party, including renowned fashion designer Deepak Perwani. "It's easy to sit in your house or comment on social media through your computer, and not understand what is actually happening [in the city]," said Perwani at the press conference. "We all live in Karachi, we are all part of Karachi – it's important that we take responsibility for the city," he added.

But seems like the expert couturier has had a change of heart in just a couple of weeks. In a more recently released statement, Perwani has expressed, “As a citizen of Karachi, I recognise the importance and relevance of the political landscape and the very vital contribution of the MQM. During my 25 years as a fashion designer, I have been apolitical and Karachi has been central to my growth sustenance and pride. I have great respect and regard for Dr Farooq Sattar. I would like to make it very clear that I have not formally joined any party but will always support causes and charities that will benefit my city and my country. I thank Dr Sattar and wish him and the party every success.”

Where, what, when

Gen-Z Career Planning Workshop

This three-module workshop, happening in Karachi on 13 Nov, will focus on how you can plan for a successful career in today's world. For registrations and queries, contact: 03333075251

Basic & Advance Technical Courses

Douxtech at 90-A/2, Canal Park, Gulberg II, Lahore, is starting its technical training courses with collaboration with SET, Lahore. For more details, contact: 03077030778

Team Building & Management
at Workplace

Training 2017

Join this state of the art training program starting from 16 Nov to improve your team building and management skills at VIGO Business Consulting Private Limited, Plot 143,Street 65, F-10/3, Islamabad.

Register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNVgZmmeeiT73jaBoEgYHjESY_EeXbT6RpgujYBgWYeRQ6A/viewform?usp=sf_link