To claim that "Ashk" (formerly referred to as "Bandhan" throughout Facebook) was one of the most highly-awaited drama serials of this season would be understating the actual hype surrounding it. Avid fans were almost counting minutes to the time the first episode would go on air. After director Sarmad Khoosat’s mega hit, "Humsafar", expectations had rocketed, and "Ashk" was supposed to be ‘the one’ – the season’s best of the best. So what actually transpired when the serial actually started? Here are my top picks for the highs and the lows of "Ashk"!

The highs!

The lows!

‘They don’t like this serial because they are comparing it to "Humsafar"’.

Remember the time when Hum TV’s show Humsafar became the talk of the town? Be it the song or the characters, the show got thousands hooked onto television screens with its twisted romance, plots, and of course, the indelible Fawad-Mahira chemistry. As of late, however, there has been another TV show that has been gathering audiences in a similar manner. Surprisingly so, it’s not your everyday ‘saas-bahu’ Star Plus-type show, but from an altogether different culture and genre. It is none other than newbie Urdu1’s Aşk-ı Memnu or Ishq-e-Memnu (forbidden love). [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmRb5CUy1Vc]] Set in the beautiful locales of Istanbul, the drama revolves around the lives of business tycoon Adnan Ziyagil, Bihter (Adnan’s beautiful young wife) and Adnan’s nephew, Behlul. Adnan, a widower, lives with his two kids, Behlul, Mrs Denise (governess) and a few loyal servants. He decides to marry a much younger woman, Bihter, daughter of Mrs Firdevs, and that’s when it all begins. The story is one of love, passion, heartbreak and deception. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYXYmbRKxyc]] The tale is twisted around a number of characters, each pivotal to the show. There is not one but several love triangles involved, where Mrs Denise loves Adnan, Adnan loves Bihter and Bihter loves Behlul, who on the other hand has a lot of women to cater to, including Adnan’s daughter Nihal. Indeed it all sounds super complicated, but the show has managed to keep the curiosity of the viewers going - and going strong! However, the show has censored many of its intimate scenes, probably keeping the modesty of Pakistani television intact but subsequently, unfortunately, resulting in bad editing of the storyline. But if one considers that, doesn't the same audience watch Star World and HBO, too? I must say that the chopping away of important scenes has robbed the show of some of its intensity. Having said as much, Aşk-ı Memnu has provided Pakistan a much needed break from the usual faces and storylines. Despite being dubbed in Urdu, the best part is that the emotion in the tone and the conviction with which the dialogues have been delivered haven’t been compromised on and that makes it easier for the audience to relate to these characters. Moreover, the very true to Turkey background is a breath of fresh air and it would not be unjust to believe that the show might just end up boosting Turkey's tourism further. In fact, I kind of know some people who are already planning a Turkish winter break. Personally, I am a fan of the fashion sense of the female characters. There is a sense of grandeur in their clothing and accessories. Hats off to the ladies for carrying their gorgeous looks with such grace. On a critical note, some voices are mismatched and the show seems to be dragging a bit with too much going on all at the same time. In addition to this, I fail to understand how Nihal falls for Behlul since they have been brought up almost as siblings ─ a tad awkward, don't you think? Nevertheless, the genuineness with which the actors have performed their parts is commendable, be it the shrewd Mrs Firdevs or the humble Adnan, you do end up appreciating them all in their skin! Initially, I thought the whole thing was a bit of a lame concept; I mean, why would you watch a dubbed show when you have the option of subtitles? But fortunately, for Urdu1, the way people have been reacting to the show is remarkable. It went on air in two seasons from 2008 to 2011 and took the Arab world of entertainment by storm. This series plays as a sweet reminder of one of those Humsafar days, when everyone was concerned about the tragic love story of Khirad and Ashar. That should be quite a huge compliment for the show. Aşk-ı Memnu might not quite be there yet, but with the speed Behlul and Bihter are racing to the hearts of the audiences, it sure has the potential to be the next Humsafar. Read more by Farwa here or follow her on Twitter @faamer

There are two ways of interpreting a glass half-filled with water. You can either call it half-full or half-empty. Even though referring to it as half-full may give you hope, I do not intend to excite the readers by projecting fake optimism while so much is going terribly wrong in Pakistan. I still believe that despite all the unpleasant happenings, not all is lost yet. Terrorism, failed state of affairs, discredited army, incompetent leadership, hopelessness; there is enough going on in Pakistan that is a cause of despair and is indicative of a bleak future, but there exist some promising prospects in our country as well. I have come up with an arbitrary list of four. To some, they may sound trivial, but for me, they are important. In each one of them, I see a silver lining in the pitch dark clouds hovering above our nation and its people. 1. Potent drama industry The zeal and aura of Pakistani dramas seems to be back once again. The same enthusiasm that prevailed during the 1980s and 1990s can be seen once again. The reason why I feel the drama industry is a source of hope for Pakistan’s future is because it continues to thrive amidst all repressions. It is true that the quality of our dramas has reduced on an overall scale, and if I am honest, then majority dramas are just another walk in the Indian footsteps. However, that, in no way, can be generalised for our drama industry. The best thing about Pakistani dramas ─ be it few if not a lot ─ is the way they project issues from a social and satirical perspective. The emphasis in these dramas upon the complex class gap and women-related dilemmas of our country have certainly left a tremendous impact on the viewers and projected a different strata of Pakistani society ─ a society that is seeped in conservative dogmas envisioning women merely as vulnerable, weak models of sacrifice and objects of sex. Such contributions towards recreating a positive image of women and above all the surprising revival of Urdu dramas with the brilliant producers and directors of our small screen industry, are gifts worth celebrating. 2. Unshackled media There is certainly a lot more that needs to be persecuted as far as Pakistani media is concerned. What makes me list the media as something that is going right in Pakistan is the voice that a free liberalised mass media has allowed the citizens of this country to have. Five years ago, a rape victim or an acid assault somewhere could have remained unheard of, but today these evils aren't left unexposed. This voice and leverage that mainstream media has brought for a lay man is of paramount importance for Pakistan, and not only from the point of view of imbibing democracy. It also pushes us to self-interrogate, so we contemplate, question our purpose, our actions, so that we can get past the criticisms of Pakistan winning its first ever Oscar for a documentary that could put any nation to shame. Our news channels and judiciary  have become so active together and for once we can see a positive collaboration between the two as well. Both being the crucial pillars of the state have now become partners in the dispensation of justice. The media is playing an instrumental role in uncovering many of the white-collar crimes that have remained unexposed historically and have direct bearings on country’s political and economic life such as Arsalan-gate, Memo-gate. These attempts to hold the powerful to account are the manifestation that justice is no more a commodity to be dispensed of by the nobility. What we have now is 'freedom of speech' that will not be shunned anymore. We as a nation have a voice that cannot be silenced anymore. The power lies with us, too, now. Isn't this a cause for celebration? 3.   The awakened youth The real strength of Pakistan is its youth. The Pakistani youth has firmly taken up the future of this country in their hands. The youth of today is active, ambitious, determined and well-equipped with the right skills that help redefine the future of this country. The youth today is far more aware of its rights and duties than it was a decade before. Today, the Pakistani youth can be seen in every stream of life. Be it education, health, civil society; they are enthusiastically working and volunteering to create a better future for this country. I know many of the students from my university, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), who run small non-governmental organisations (NGOs), that center around providing education within their communities. These young students are passionate to volunteer, be it at the cost of lucrative job prospects, for the betterment of our country. This may not be much but we all know that every little helping hand can make a cumulative difference to our country and its people. I feel it is important to mention StepUP Pakistan founder Ali Moeen Nawazish, who is Pakistan’s world record holder and a Cambridge graduate. Graduating from one of the world’s top universities, he could have landed a job that offered him all the comforts and privileges of life. Instead, he traded all the potential luxury for a philanthropic path with utmost dedication towards running an NGO that works to promote education in some of the obscure towns where people are rarely able to educate themselves. What stands out from these instances is that there is more to Pakistan than terrorism, domestic violence, corrupt leaders and a failing infrastructure. For me, these stories are not only fascinating, but an indication that when there prevails commitment to social change, then change itself becomes a possibility. 4.   Flame of hope This by far is the most vital of all things in a life of a Pakistani: Hope. Pakistani people have undergone enormous challenges in the last sixty years, and still continue to face them daily; these troubles are neither their fault nor anything they deserve. What is unique about a Pakistani citizens is the way they've become stronger with each passing day and every new challenge that they've had to face. The ordinary people have always managed to stand up in the face of every tragedy that has been afflicted at our country with daring audacity. Whether it be the earthquake in 2005 that killed 74000 people and left 3.5m homeless, or the devastating floods and the psychological wounds, courtesy of our tainted leaders, the common people have always been expressive of what this country needs in contrast to what has been lorded over them by the callus, corrupt and narcissistic ruling elites. The political state in this country is undoubtedly depressing, however, the collective conscience of its citizens without whose efforts, hard work, altruism and commitment, the future would look irredeemable; makes hope in Pakistan rekindle. The above mentioned list may simply be considered irrelevant in the face of all the daunting problems that Pakistan has been encountering, but if one looks at it under a positive light, it is also a manifestation that there is still a lot to be proud and hopeful about. Read more by Kashif here.  Join us on Facebook and Twitter for blog updates and more! 

After "Humsafar", expectations for any work involving Sarmad Sultan Khoosat were high, and seemingly impossible to fulfil. How does one compete with a phenomenon, especially one you created yourself? The answer was apparently simple ─ "Shehr-e-Zaat". This isn't "Humsafar", but it is a tour de force in its own right. It is yet another bright feather in director Sarmad’s cap. The story, written by Umera Ahmad, is a difficult concept to bring to the screen. What might be a deeply insightful work on paper can seem bland and heavy handed on screen. 7th Sky and Hum TV have done an admirable job, the production values are flawless. This is a serious drama. It demands our attention, pushes us out of easy assumptions and, yes, it can be uncomfortable to watch, yet it catches hold of the viewer just like its beautifully haunting Original Sound Track (OST) "Yaar Ko Humne Ja-baja Dekha" sung by Abida Parveen. You hear the music in your head; the lyrics are unsettling in a strange way and you begin to wonder …What does it all mean? Mahira Khan essays the lead role of Falak with surprising ease. It should silence her critics, and for those who it doesn't silence, well, there is little that can actually satisfy them. She has grown as a performer and I am hard put to think of anyone else in this role. She owns it. Mahira manages to make what is a very unsympathetic, self-centred and vain character, seem vulnerable and empathetic despite her flaws. Falak's beauty, her wealth and social status have blinded her to the realities of this world. She despises ugliness and cannot see the human beings hidden by the grime of poverty. Her accidental meeting with Salman Anser is poetic justice. The object of her sudden affections, Salman Anser , is already in a desperate love affair with himself and has little time for Falak. Undaunted, through shameless persistence she cajoles him into marriage. Mikaal Zulfikar has given a masterful performance in his role. There is very little that can be called heroic about the character he plays, but Mikaal lends a certain charm that Salman hardly deserves. This is nothing new for Mikaal, who seems to excel at playing 'La Belle Dame Sans Merci'. Apart from the lead protagonists, every actor has given their best ─ Hina Bayat, Samina Peerzada and, of course, Mohib Mirza, who has done a simply outstanding job as Humza, Falak’s best friend and would-be suitor. I simply must mention Mansha Pasha, Falak’s friend Rushna, who is like a breath of fresh air every time she is on screen. The heart of the story is about spiritual awakening. A sharp contrast is drawn between the Sufi concepts of ishq e haqeeqi, the love of a human for God, and ishq e majazi, the love of a human for another human ─ not an easy accomplishment.

"Aap ne mujh pe zulm keeya hai, mummy," (you have been cruel to me, mummy) screams a tormented Falak. “Aap ne mujhe Allah se pyaar karna nahin sikhaaya!” (you did not teach me to love Allah!)

I started following "Aşk-ı Memnu" out of sheer boredom. I had always poked fun at my sister for watching it and never had I imagined that I would become an avid viewer of the show - even more so than my sister.  "Aşk-ı Memnu" is a Turkish TV serial currently being aired in Urdu on Urdu1. It is often referred to as the next “Humsafar”, possibly because of the appealing star cast. It lists among the classics and has apparently been translated into 39 languages worldwide! Speaking of popularity, who can forget the time when TV shows featuring on Hum TV were the talk of town? Be it the charismatic actors, their amazing fashion sense or the melodious soundtracks – anything that aired on this channel was broadly discussed. Likewise, "Aşk-ı Memnu" has joined the brigade and has become a rage amongst drama watchers. The drama serial is a romantic saga with a blend of passion, greed, ambition and grief. The tale revolves around the life of Adnan Ziyagil, a prolific business tycoon and a widower. He lives with his teenage daughter Nihal, his son Bulent, the children’s nanny Mrs Denis and a distant nephew Behlul. After losing his wife, Mr Adnan marries Bihter, a beautiful girl whom he falls for, and who is much younger to him. Soon after their marriage, Bihter’s mother, Mrs Firdevs, joins the Ziyagils and lives with them as part of their family. Soon interests change and Bihter falls in love with her husband’s nephew Behlul, who is infamous for his playboy image. Bihter is young and passionate while Behlul is just a regular guy jumping from one relationship to another. He, thus, dumps his girlfriend and starts taking interest in Bihter. Meanwhile, Nihal’s transformation from a little girl to a young woman after her 18^th birthday is rather uncanny. She starts fantasising about her life with Behlul, while he only considers her his little sister. Resentments soon crop up and the story takes a spin when the two Bs are caught by their driver Bashir. The driver despises Behlul because his love interest, Nihal, is smitten by him. He also hates him because he's loyal to his employer Mr Adnan, and knows that is wife is cheating on him with none other than his nephew. Bihter is reckless and obsessed with her new relationship. Behlul, on the other hand, is clever enough to not give in completely, keeping in mind his relationship with his rich uncle Mr Adnan. However, Mrs Firdevs during this rampage is in constant threat of the wealth she could lose because of her daughter’s frenzied affair with Behlul. She tries manipulating Nihal towards Behlul which works against her own daughter as both the women worship the same man. In my view, the script is not conventional, but the portrayal is. The breathtaking locales, the magnificent mansion on the shore of Istanbul’s Bosporus strait, exotic cars and the luxurious lifestyle of the Ziyagils ─ it is a combination of all in one, and that’s what makes it all the more appealing to watch. I also find that the choice of voices for dubbing in Urdu aren't the most suited. There are awkward pauses and it sometimes takes away from the essence of the scene or dialogue. Since the drama has been toned down for being viewed in Pakistan, many scenes are censored too, leaving it a little choppy and taking away the flow. The good part is that it airs on Urdu1 all seven days of the week, which is great for someone as impatient as I am. Not only women, but men, too, are taking interest in the drama ─ a few for the plot, and many for the gorgeous ladies with impeccable fashion sense. The wardrobe, make-up, hair and accessories of the star cast may be one of the major reasons people watch "Aşk-ı Memnu". All the actors in the drama have brilliantly performed the roles they are portraying, whether it is the devious Mrs Firdevs or one of the maid servants. One really ends up getting engrossed in their characters to the extent of getting annoyed in order to find something contradictory to what you had predicted. It's a must-watch and I recommend it to everyone who is on the look out for an addictive TV serial to follow. Follow Mariam on Twitter @MHameedi 

I am proudly a Pakistani drama buff. I make sure I do not miss any episode of my favourite serial and love discussing every detail of them with my friends. I am proud of how these dramas have rid the nation of those who worshipped low quality soaps on Star Plus. Stories from great writers, excellent acting, brilliant dialogues and flawless direction have set Pakistani television industry a notch above the rest. However in recent times I have been displeased to see a redundancy of some concepts and characters. It has been taxing to view the same characters being repeated on screen projecting an image of this country which is exaggerated and doesn't hold true to every single case. So here are the some of the characters our dramas need to get rid of right away: 1. The unfaithful husband: Currently there are five dramas on air which I am following, where the husband is engrossed in an extra marital affair. I am sure this is happening a lot in our society, but for me the concept of the husband growing out of love with his wife, developing a fondness for someone else, finally marrying the “other woman” has been done and overdone! It really put me off when a too full of himself Saim in “Yahan Pyar Nahin Hai” adamantly defended:

“So what sin have I committed! It is allowed in our religion to marry more than one time!”

"Main usko kabhi khush nahin rehne dungi." (I will never let her stay happy.)

"Wo mere betay ke laiq nahin hai." (She is not good enough for my son.)

“Ussey talaaq daido.” (Divorce her!)

"Mere saath hi aisa kyun hua?” (Why did this happen to me?)

After receiving countless amounts of messages from my friends to watch the new drama serial, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, I finally spared some time to catch up with the few episodes that have aired so far. Given the hype surrounding the show, I wasn’t surprised when from the outset, a similar plot was introduced- a plotline that serves the basis for many Pakistani TV series. It reminded me of the serial, Humsafar. No, not because the same actor is acting in this drama, though I have to admit it certainly added to the likeness of the two drama serials. It is primarily because, both the serials show an affluent matriarchal family in which the woman, especially the mother, wields unusual authority and teeters on the brink of transgression. In Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Zaroon's mother is successful in her affairs and makes a show of it by unduly criticising her husband. In dealing with familial affairs, however, she is often careless and mindless. She is snobbish and does not like being questioned. The children go about their daily lives, not bound any limitation whatsoever. When someone frowns down upon this, one of the parents shrugs it off in a way that suggests that their children are mature adults. Yet, the daughter will be seen brazenly wearing a shirt that reads, “Little Miss Jihad". But that has little to do with the drama. The T-shirt is a story in itself. On the contrary, we have the lower middle class family that is striving to reach the top. My concern, however, is not the lower middle class. This, if anything, is portrayed aptly and follows standards of other shows in which there is a sincerity with which the middle class is dealt with. Perhaps it is easier to infuse emotions when we find ourselves confined to a certain lifestyle, and from which we only wish to escape. Sanam Saeed has played well the role of Kashaf, a girl from a middle class family who is being crushed between the emotional distress of having an uncooperative father and joining an elite university, where she meets her insecurities. It is easier to deliver a dialogue that makes the viewer feel the character’s pain. It is a challenge, however, to deliver a dialogue that is meant as light-hearted jest. If done wrong, it could make the viewer furrow his brow or make him shake his head with disapproval or both. There were a couple times when the dialogue was too over the top: the admission result day when Zaroon and his friends mock the girl who outshone Zaroon; the drive back to his home; the scene in which Zaroon’s sister is pestering him to drop her off to a friend’s, and so on. The depiction of 'spoiled rich kids' seems a little overdone. Let’s just say, in those two episodes I watched, my brow furrowed and my head shook with disapproval quite a few times. I understand that it is important to use slang in conversation, but throwing “yaar” in every scene is unnecessary and irksome. The elite family structure, portrayed in Zindagi Gulzar Hai, is depicted as self-righteous with complete disregard to principles. It is portrayed in such an extreme way that it almost looks unrealistic. Coupled with mediocre acting skills on behalf of a few actors, particularly Mehreen Raheel and Ayesha Omar, it becomes completely unbelievable and at times hilarious. There is little truth in the acting- a truth that so easily lends itself to Sanam Saeed, as she slips into the character of a young girl. Having said as much, the actors mirroring the typical middle-class Pakistani roles are redeeming the show for me, especially when it comes to the aesthetics. Kashaf is shown dressed in very plain clothes and so are his sisters and mother. Unlike many other dramas where lower middle class girls are caked in makeup, this one shows a very soft, realistic image of the sisters. Samina Pirzada does not disappoint. Where she can play the role of a rich, glamorously vengeful woman, she also does justice to her role of a government school principal and stressed mother who sacrifices all she can for the best of her children. However, she is not shown to be suppressed, which is great. She has a soft motherly aura, but is also a determined (and at times stern) woman who likes to make her own decisions. Let's hope the next few episodes of this show reveal a deeper theme and hook me in. I have unending faith in the Pakistani drama industry and I know that the actors in this show have the capacity to put on something really special.

As a kid, I remember watching a Chinese drama dubbed in Urdu. At that time the only real impact was not on the ratings, but on my mind – failing to grasp the concept of dubbing, I found it fascinating to see Chinese people chatting away in Urdu. While touring the US, I haven’t been able to watch the much-hyped Ishq-e-Mamnoon. However, based on media and reports of my friends who watch it, it appears to have surpassed Humsafar’s monstrous success – which, up until recently, had become the milestone for success as far as dramas in Pakistan are concerned. Recently, I watched Lucman’s show, where several of our Pakistani drama artists appeared to debate on whether Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) should implement some form of regulation on this new and sensationalised transportation of Turkish dramas. I think yes. Regardless of the reasons why drama-watchers have such an affinity towards Turkish dramas – whether it’s the differences in appearance and location but the similarity in storyline or plot conflicts – there’s no doubt that whoever had the insight of transplanting these dramas into Pakistan’s entertainment landscape is brilliant. But just because we now have a cheaper means of entertaining Pakistanis, does not mean we should completely eradicate and forego the interests of our own drama industry. I fear that Pakistani dramas face the untimely end that the Pakistani music industry encountered (or is currently encountering). No surprise here, Pakistani music has always been displaced by Bollywood music. Our TV channels have disproportionately and consistently given Bollywood music more coverage. As I tour remote parts of the US, I often think how it is nothing short of a miracle that our music has reached the ears and hearts of Pakistanis living abroad. Even Pakistanis who rarely visit and others who have very little knowledge about their homeland are aware of Pakistani music and television. Pakistani-grown musicians and Pakistani songs, have made a place for themselves in a niche market that is dominated by a high-budget and shiny Indian industry. But music, as an industry in Pakistan has died. Or at the very least, is taking its final breaths. That’s why Pakistanis were deprived of a Noori album for six years – because we fail to give the requisite amount of support. And that’s why some of our biggest music stars are known throughout the subcontinent, only because they have had the opportunity to sing across the border. And this is why the DIY music industry has to continue to survive, despite current dangers such as the inconvenient YouTube ban. All in all, the Pakistani music community is neither strong nor cohesive. But the drama industry, which puts out dramas of high-calibre and brings out acting of the highest quality, should not have to suffer the same challenges as our music industry. We should learn from the mistakes already made by one of our industries. As I tour throughout the US, I become increasingly aware of the fact that people have fostered a home away from home through such dramas. It unifies communities – aunties come together to talk about these dramas while their husbands unwillingly sit through them but secretly enjoy them. The amount of love and support I have received in this part of the world goes to show the importance of Pakistani entertainment in foreign lands. These people long for their language, they seek out common ground to bond over and the Pakistan’s drama industry provides that. Maybe it’s because we have the privilege of living in Pakistan that we begin to take our culture, our arts, and our talent for granted. If governmental regulation is what it takes to keep a free trade of Pakistani and Turkish dramas more equal and give Pakistani dramas a chance to survive then I am a proponent of that. After all, we keep eradicating our culture over and over again-we risk creating confused generations without the cohesive glue of identity and language. I request, don’t let Pakistan’s drama industry meet the same fate as Pakistan’s music industry. [poll id="241"] Read more by Bilal here, or follow him on Twitter @bilalkhan

“Zindagi Gulzar Hai” is a series far better than any I have seen in a long time. The drama is based on Umera Ahmed’s novel “Zindagi Gulzar Hai?” - a story about the daily diaries of two polar opposites, Kashaf and Zaroon, who are first tied in the bond of hate, then love and finally matrimony. At first, the meeting of Kashaf and Zaroon seems like a Pakistani adaptation of Elizabeth Bennet's and Mr Darcy’s first encounter from Pride and Prejudice. This, to any female, portrays irresistible on-screen chemistry, and one is smitten by the love story right away. However, the drama touches upon many serious social issues - from male chauvinism to a hierarchical class structure - that lead one to think pragmatically. Kashaf is an average looking, lower middle class girl, and the eldest daughter of an educated woman who serves as a principal in a government school in an attempt to raise her three daughters. Her mother is an extremely patient woman who shows her appreciation to God throughout the drama. She also maintains an optimistic attitude towards life despite having faced many hardships after her husband abandons her for an uneducated woman simply because she is unable to have a son. Kashaf vows to restore her mother’s lost pride and improve their financial situation by getting a scholarship in a renowned university. However, Kashaf’s character is not as simple as it appears. She has waited for years in hopes of a better tomorrow and she ultimately gives up. I wouldn’t call her a pessimist but she is definitely a nihilist, waiting for each day of her life to fold and unfold as if nothing is ever going to change. Her dialogue is quite profound and telling of her character:

“Behtar nahin ke na phool na kaante maangein, bus kache raaste pe chalna seekh lein?” (Isn’t it better that we desire neither roses nor thorns, but learn to walk on a barren field?)

Imagine a scene from a typical Pakistani drama. On one side, we have a shareef (innocent) damsel in distress and a prince charming, who is too busy admiring his good looks to actually use his brains for intellectual purposes. And on the other is the mandatory villain – usually a conniving, evil best friend – who tries her best to create barriers between the couple with hopes that the guy would pick her over the damsel. Since we are all too familiar with the damsel’s fluttering eyelashes and the prince’s flirtatious smiles, let’s focus our attention towards the villain for once. As opposed to our shy, ghareloo (homely) damsel, our villain is a modern, bold, jeans-clad fashion diva who drives her own car, prefers to have a career and is not afraid to ask for her rights, instead of offering herself as a sacrificial goat. Here I feel the need to address the reverse bias that exists in our society today – girls in shalwar kameez are deemed acceptable while girls wearing western wear are automatically termed ‘fast’ and of questionable moral character. Why? Why is a girl who speaks fluent English, chooses to work and is more comfortable wearing western clothing, termed as being too forward? Why is it considered okay not to give her the same level of respect that one would give a girl dressed in shalwar kameez? Why is it automatically assumed that such girls will not make good wives and mothers and are only ‘girlfriend material’ or aren’t the ‘take- home- to- your- mother’ type? Personally, I blame our media and in particular, our over-glamorised, quality-starved dramas for the propagation of such a biased image of women. Instead of acknowledging working women for their efforts to break conventional barriers, they brand them as evil, manipulative home-wreckers. Even if the protagonist is sporadically portrayed as working in an office, it is always out of need where some evil cousin has forced her into it by taking over her estate after the tragic death of her parents or because her ‘no-good husband’ cannot find a stable job to provide for the family. But the woes of our ‘oh-so-distressed’ protagonist do not end here. Out in the corporate jungle, she is exposed to all kind of monsters who have nothing better to do than make passes at her all day because well, they didn’t take this job to actually work; they took the job to find a shareef gullible girl whom they could harass. My question is why can’t a woman, for once, be shown to be working out of personal preference rather than unfortunate circumstances? Why is her ambition always held against her while she is branded as a bad wife or mother for choosing a career? What kind of message is our media trying to give to our susceptible audience? Are they trying to say that women who choose to work outside the home do so because there is something fundamentally wrong with their brain function? After all, personal achievement, a sense of satisfaction and financial independence are all motivational factors reserved solely for men. Women, on the other hand, are shown to be more than happy in simply finding a husband, having children and making perfectly round rotis. And this, ladies and gentlemen, brings me to another point – the modern woman hates children! They hate the thought of starting a family or God forbid, living in a joint family system because of course, in place of their heart they have an ice cold block of nothing, pumping some black liquid into their veins. Unfortunately, the media war for viewership and ratings has little or no regard for the immoral values it can inoculate into the minds of our society, which is subliminally and subconsciously being lured into a world of artificiality, glamour and a disparity of the belief system. I detest the surprised looks people give me when I excuse myself for namaz (prayers) and the way they roll their eyes at me when I tell them that I don’t want to rush into marriage because I want to figure out what I will do with my life first. Because hey, which girl wouldn’t want a rishta (proposal) from a green-card bearing, dollar-earning, corporate junkie, right? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that women who stay home, prefer to look after their family and dress in traditional clothing are in any way inferior to women who work outside the home. I just wish that our media would act more responsibly and portray the latter in a more positive light. While everyone was busy drooling over the damsel and prince charming in Humsafar, I felt extremely sorry for the evil best friend whose entire life revolved around the prince, who offered him her unconditional support in both, his professional and personal life. But unfortunately, she was still no match for our sharmeeli (shy) damsel in distress. Sorry girl, but maybe if you had traded in your jeans for some chooridars and your career for a roti ka baylan (rolling pin), he might have given you a second look!

Last night, while Pakistani men were anxiously waiting for the premier’s speech, to be aired at 8pm, the women had a completely different, and might I add ‘dramatic’, agenda to grab hold of the TV remote. Coincidentally, the prime minister’s speech took place at the same time when the series finale of Pyare Afzal – which could safely be dubbed as one of the most widely watched television serials of all time – was to be aired. On one hand, this diffused the political tension for the fans; on the other, it became a reason for family discords over the TV remote and polarised interests. The air was rife with anticipation and the channel had started a stopwatch countdown for the finale as fans and followers were placing bets on how it would end. Amid all this frenzy, women were seen praying and intending sadqas for a possible happy ending. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x21t1uj_jane-wo-kesay-log-thay-jin-k-pyar-ko-pyar-mila-pyaray-afzal-ost-video-dailymotion_music[/embed] Unfortunately for them, the writer, Khalilur Rehman Qamar, was clever enough to know that tragic heroes are always mythologised. Some cinemas even arranged special screening for the finale, which I remember happened only once before, for the Turkish drama serial Ishq-e-Mamnoo that had become exceptionally popular back in 2012. For the local drama industry, the screening of Pyare Afzal was a first. The final episode erupted unprecedented social media response. The emotional outpour was a mix; fans were mourning the death of their hero and venerating the love saga whereas sarcastic and humorous posts were finding comic relief in the tragic ending. Resilience is the best part of being Pakistani, as we always end up finding happiness in the most unlikely of places and that’s how we refuse to bow down before the shadows of fear and chaos. There ensued a frenzy of tweets, heartbroken Facebook statuses, sad Instagram posts and other updates on different media platforms. A Facebook friend in their status mourned,

“Afzal ko kyun mara?” (Why was Afzal killed?) “Afzal died!” lamented another.

“Imran Khan say baad may baat ho gi, pehlay batao ye Afzal kaun hai?” (I will talk to Imran later; first tell me, who is this Afzal?)

Jutt and Bond was where most of us first saw Fawad Afzal Khan. He was a skinny, lanky, clean shaven guy with bangs. Soon after, we were surprised to see him as the lead singer of Entity Paradigm (EP), a Pakistani nu metal band, with his husky, soulful voice and that pained musician look. That was when we, the female population of Pakistan, said to one another,

“Hey, this guy’s not bad looking.”

“Woah”

“Hayeee”

“Khoobsurat is sweet, benign, and bland.”

“He didn't do real kissing because he is Pakistani.”

Jeremy Scott and Katy Perry are best friends. So are him and Miley Cyrus. Which is why, when they come out to his shows, people pay attention. Fashionistas and music lovers alike. It is when every pop star wears the colourful creations by these designers that the sales take height. And who doesn’t want to dress up like their idols, or at least have what they have? It’s the emotional branding that goes along with the choices Moschino makes for its brand, and it’s the perfect combo for everyone. All are happy. Jennifer Lawrence for Dior, Eddie Redmayne and Cara Delevingne for Burberry, and a plethora of celebrities and bloggers for Calvin Klein’s #MyCalvins campaign make the common man notice the fashion. Such is the power of film and pop stars that fill up our social media feeds. While Pakistanis might not have the star power to battle for the spotlight and take over the fashion industry, what we do have are budding superstars who are making their name across the border, in South Asia, and hopefully in the South Asian community globally. We have them to turn to, to get the fashion collaborations going. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: That Paki Blog[/caption] One of those superstars is Fawad Khan. Yes, the Humsafar guy who won over the hearts of millions of girls all over the world. He is the perfect person to take a brand name forward with his good looks, boyish figure and a fan following that speaks volumes of our obsession with the show. Oh, and don’t forget he co-starred with Sonam Kapoor. That makes the perfect sartorial couple, no? Recently, Fawad became the Republic’s ambassador. Republic by Omar Farooq is a menswear brand synonymous with quality menswear, a niche lacking the innovation it very much needs. Republic produces the kind of clothes that not only appeal to the modern, metro-sexual man, but also to the kind of guy who likes to keep things classic. Republic, the brain child of Omar Farooq, has kept true to its well refined roots, due to which it was recently nominated for the Woolmark Prize; one of the biggest design prizes in the world! So it only made sense for the A/W’14 collection to be titled The Woolmark Collection. It features the classic patterns plaid, windowpane, and checks exuding a timelessness to the collection. Here are my five reasons as to why Fawad Khan is the perfect ambassador for Republic: 1. Fawad is good looking. He can beat any fashion model in the country any day for his good looks. And he might not have the ramp height, but he is perfect for editorial spreads and print modelling. But if Oliver Cheshire can have the same height and get away with it, then why can’t Fawad? [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="299"] Photo: That Paki Blog[/caption] 2. He’s a global phenomenon. Only in the Bollywood loving community, yes, but it is huge. Yes, HUGE! So of course, when fans keep track of him, they run into Republic’s awesome clothes that Fawad dons perfectly. So it’s like when Fawad looks good, so does Republic. 3. They work for each other. Let me tell you how; Republic makes the most dapper clothes in Pakistan. They’re masculine, trendy and totally suit the modern man. And when a modern figure, and an idol such as Fawad, goes for something that embodies the philosophy of the modern man lifestyle, it creates this perfect combination, like hazelnut and chocolate (aka Nutella). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: That Paki Blog[/caption] 4. Republic is a brand everyone should be aware of. But since everyone is aware of Fawad, it helps the world recognise the talent behind what Fawad wears. Republic gets international exposure through Fawad. So, in a way, Fawad’s being on board is helping Pakistani menswear make a good name across various platforms. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="298"] Photo: That Paki Blog[/caption] 5. Abdullah Haris shot the campaign. Abdullah is a photography genius. And when Abdullah is on board, things just have a way of working out for the best. With a growing fashion industry as ours, it is necessary to keep in mind that we need more participation of all the people involved in helping raise the bar of our fashion industry. Republic, being a brand now making waves across South Asia, was right to have chosen someone with a strong star power as Fawad Khan. When two forces like these come together, our fashion industry will get the recognition it solely deserves. Having hired the best in the game, Republic has done something which was only being done internationally. Where brands are going for international models to cater to our gora-loving nation, Republic chose a face that will be even more beneficial in making a name for a brand. Actors with a brand image, like Ali Zafar, Humayun Saeed, Imraan Abbas, and Hamza Ali Abbasi are the perfect examples of how brand ambassadorship can help take a label’s name to heights even a well known model cannot. It’s because these faces are well known, and having them be ambassadors of a brand will provide even better exposure to our fashion industry. Instead of having Bollywood names represent our national brands, such initiatives should be encouraged. We have immense talent in our nation, and we have all the resources we need. We just need to connect the dots and create something that speaks for the work that our country’s fashion industry is capable of producing, and the nation, and the world, is equally accepting to loving. This post originally appeared here.

Pakistan is in the grips of political turmoil, rampant corruption, fuel shortages and the threat of terrorism, yet the resilience and courage of its women are nothing short of remarkable and awe-inspiring.   On International Women’s Day, I felt it was appropriate to commemorate these inspirational women who, despite adversity and hardship, strive hard to shine a positive light on Pakistan’s splintered image. They make Pakistani men and women proud and, in turn, teach us all how to stand tall in the face of troubles and strife. Starting from bottom to top, my 10 most inspirational Pakistan women from 2014-15 are: 14) Ainy Jaffri [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Twitter[/caption] The green-eyed beauty who graced our TV screens in 2010 with her stunning presence, is not only beautiful to look at but is also the voiceover for the Burka Avenger, a televised cartoon series that airs on Nickelodeon Pakistan. The show centres on a superhero, draped in a burka, who avenges those who commit criminal activities; a character who doesn’t take any nonsense despite being covered from head to toe. In February 2015, the program was nominated for an International Emmy Kids Award, a huge accolade and one that no other Pakistan-based programme has been nominated before. Ainy looked stunning in a Sana Safinaz gown when she attended the ceremony and, despite missing out on the award, shone the light for Pakistan and its creative talent. 13) Shaheena Waqar Born in Risalpur, Shaheena Waqar established an organisation known as the Women Aid Trust, along with two other friends, in 1997. Through this organisation, she has been able to help women in prisons by teaching them different skills and educating them so they may be able to sustain themselves once they return to the real world. She believes that this exercise helps build a sense of community amongst these women, who have been convicted for some petty crime, thrown away in prison and now feel dejected and lost. By providing them computer classes, sewing centres and recreational institutes, Waqar is able to produce in them the motivation they need to rebuild their lives. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Shaheena Waqar[/caption] Her cause is not only noble, but effective as well and we all should be proud of having people like her in our midst. 12) Mahira Khan [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Mahira Khan (L) and Shahrukh Khan[/caption] Just as it seemed as if the dust had settled on the Humsafar craze in Pakistan, our neighbours also became fanatics for the drama serial and it skyrocketed Mahira’s fame beyond our borders. After a highly publicised PR event in India, news emerged that Mahira would be starring opposite the maestro of Bollywood, Shahrukh Khan, in a movie titled Raees. It seems that her popularity has seeped through into India and we will be seeing a lot more of the starlet in the future. She will shine the beacon of light for Pakistan within India’s bustling entertainment industry. 11) Naila Jamall Aladin Naila Jamall Aladin is known for her tireless work to establish The Learning Tree School, which found its roots in 2000. What is unique about this school is that it incorporates diversity – it doesn’t just focus on education, it helps children groom themselves for what’s coming ahead. The school caters for all students, including those who have special needs, and helps them understand their strengths and weaknesses so they may fare better. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="323"] Photo: Naila Jamall Aladin[/caption] This school instills in its students the idea of giving back, helping the community and benefiting more than just oneself, and all these traits are much needed for every individual in Pakistan today. Though just a drop right now, Aladin and her school are working towards creating substantial waves and they should be supported and appreciated. 10) Farahnaz Zahidi Becoming a shining emblem for Pakistani female journalists, Farahnaz Zahidi was nominated by Women Deliver, a global organisation that works for women’s rights, as one of the 15 most powerful female journalists around the world, for her features on women’s rights. She is the only Pakistani woman to have made it to this list Farahnaz has been able to bring pressing issues regarding women’s emancipation and health in the limelight and was able to inspire her co-workers and readers alike to strive for a better tomorrow  for everyone, especially women. 9) Aamina Jahangir While beginning with just her A-levels security-deposit money as initial capital, Aamina Jahangir was able to establish the fact that Pakistani women can be great entrepreneurs too, if only they use their skills and resources smartly. Running her deliciously sweet business venture, aptly named The Cakery (since she specialises in baked items and cakes), Jahangir has been able to introduce herself as a force to be reckoned with. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook[/caption] The entrepreneur has a diploma in law and she manages her venture by assistance from different companies who sponsor her delicacies – Proctor & Gamble being one of them. The Cakery is making new waves for culinary minds to persevere and realise their own dreams, which is motivational as well as exceptional. 8) Salma Habib Working with children who belong to the more destitute, slum areas of Karachi, Salma Habib has been a positive force in helping children and harnessing their artistic skills. She works with them by providing the resources, stationary and place for these children to draw and showcase their talent. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook[/caption] By helping these children express through art, Habib is able to create a sense of individuality and self-esteem in them, which is often lacking in street children. Every week, she focuses on a band of children and assists them in addressing their qualities, which is inspirational to say the least. More people like Habib need to be present in our society, so that these children may be able to find some colour in their perpetually grey lives. 7) Shabina Mustafa Shabina Mustafa is one of those people who aim towards a goal and do everything in their power to achieve it. While chasing her dream to disseminate education, Mustafa started a school in her own garage, which was later dubbed as The Garage School, where she helped underprivileged children receiving education. This school was formed in 1999 and she has been persevering with it ever since. Today, even after so many years, the school still operates from a rented building in Neelum Colony, Karachi, and has helped hundreds of students over the years. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="431"] Photo: The Garage School website[/caption] 6)  Ayesha Farooq Pakistan’s first female fighter pilot is not a woman to be messed around with. Like a scene out of Top Gun, Ayesha dons her military attire and olive green hijab with aplomb and ease, even though she works in such a testosterone-fuelled profession. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="533"] Photo: Reuters[/caption] Ayesha has been involved in purging Waziristan off Taliban strongholds and is thus a hero in her own right for risking her life for the security and safety of Pakistan. She still maintains close links with her faith and culture yet is breaking taboos and cultural norms by pursuing this profession. 5) Reham Khan [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="533"] Photo: RehamKhanOfficial.com[/caption] This was a difficult choice for me because Reham Khan has been shrouded in controversy since her advent into the public eye. Imran Khan’s choice of marriage partner was bound to be just as questionable as his political choices, especially since Reham was a divorcee with three children and a BBC news presenter who wore controversial attire when she lived in Britain. To add to this drama, it seemed that Imran Khan’s family were wholly against the nuptial and Reham’s former-husband even denied the domestic violence allegations made against him wholeheartedly. I chose Reham because she remained poised and graceful despite all the ridiculously cruel comments made about her character. She continued to smile and remained very polite in her dealings with the media. In a society which regards divorced women as tainted, it was very refreshing to see a single mother remarrying in a conservative society like Pakistan. It gave divorced women hope and Reham also set a high benchmark of how to behave when people make all kinds of libellous allegations against a divorcee. A truly graceful lady! 4) Muniba Mazari [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Twitter[/caption] I first came across Muniba on Instagram and was blown away by her encapsulating smile and positive energy which would often pale her wheelchair into insignificance. In a society which regards disability as some kind of curse, Muniba has risen as a phoenix amongst the ashes to become the face of dignity and refined determination. Not only is she an accomplished artist but she is often seen shedding light on the greyer areas of Pakistani society with elegance and grace. She became a paraplegic following a tragic road traffic accident but instead of wallowing in perpetual grief, she showcases her paintings on her blog, Muniba’s Canvas and stands tall. She also visited the survivors of the APS tragedy in various hospitals and is a strong advocate of children’s rights and education. I am expecting greater accolades from Muniba in the years to come and wish her success in her endeavours. 3) Baroness Syeda Warsi [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="533"] Photo: AFP[/caption] Although Baroness Warsi was born and resides in the UK, she still shines the light for Pakistanis based overseas. Her name is mentioned here not because of her political or lawyerly prowess but the stance she took on Israel’s bombardment of Gaza in the summer of 2014. Warsi sent a strongly-worded letter to David Cameron, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, about how she could no longer partake in mainstream British politics because of the UK’s “morally indefensible” stance on Gaza. This was a slap in the face of quiet servitude within politics and proved that Pakistani women remain strong-willed. 2) Tahira Qazi [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="533"] Photo: Online[/caption] Most principals throughout schools are known for their emphasis on discipline and decorum but Ms Tahira Qazi will always go down in the history of school leaders as being the bravest principal ever. Her strong motherly instincts came into play on that heinous day when APS Peshawar was attacked and innocent lives were lost. Instead of absconding, Ms Qazi remained with her students whom she saw as her “children” and she made sure they reached safety and then she faced the sheer evil of the terrorists. They prodded her for information about where the children were hidden but she remained stoic and said that she was the mother of those children. She lost her life protecting countless students and will always be revered for her heroic stance on that disastrous day. Ms Qazi was a beautiful soul who once again showed how selfless and unselfish a mother’s love is. 1) The mothers of APS’ murdered children When I think about that horrific day the epitome of innocence was shattered, it still raises a huge lump in my throat and tears well up in my eyes. The day that no Pakistani must ever forget: December 16, 2014. The day 145 innocent souls departed this world. It is unfathomable for any mother throughout the world to send her child to school only to find they have been brutally murdered in such a chilling and cold-blooded manner. Those mothers who lost their sons on that tragic day are the true definition of resilience and bravery as they face the prospect of waking each day without being able to hug their children. Their children were taken from them by a war which had absolutely nothing to do with them and these mothers are now making the ultimate sacrifice; trying to move on. While the rest of the country now tries to return to some form of normalcy, these mothers will always carry the gravest of burdens and heaviest of hearts. While they should be running their fingers through their sons’ hair to reassure them, they will be left wanting and wondering “what if” my son was alive today. The pain will never dissipate but remain like a dull ache forever. These women are to be revered and respected for the tremendous loss they bear each and every day and they truly encapsulate everything about Women’s Day. A woman is not just a mother, wife, sister or daughter but she is a bountiful entity who can bear enormous pressure and still remain poised and graceful. The women listed above are a testimony of that. Happy Women’s Day!

Hello Pakistani filmmakers and television producers, my friends and I exist in this country too! There are two types of Karachi girls shown in Pakistani dramas and films – she’s either “bholi bhali” ,“seedhi saadhi”, “masoom” larki or a complete “chundaal” aurat out to snatch your “bhola bhala”, “seedha saadha”,“masoom” man! One of the reasons why I can’t watch anything “Pakistani” these days is because I can’t see a representation of women like myself on TV. I yawned when people fawned over Khirad – I was pissed off that a smart woman like Mahira Khan would take on a role so submissive and meek. I watched it till the end hoping that she would kick Asher’s mummy-obsessed (albeit very cute) bum! Sadly, she took him back and everyone worldwide clap-clapped! I couldn’t relate to Humaima Malik or Iman Ali’s characters in Bol. I couldn’t relate to Subeeka Imam’s rich daddy’s girl character or Zhalay’s courtesan character in Jalaibee. I can’t see myself in the singers, morning show hosts, designers, models or actresses on TV! Now, why am I cribbing about not finding a role model on TV? Because there are tons of urban women like myself roaming around in Karachi. Sadly, filmmakers and drama producers consider us too boring to really showcase our stories in dramas or films. We don’t fit the stereotype! We are neither slutty savitris nor sati savitris (Thanks Osman Khalid Butt for that expression)! We’re opinionated, we’re tenacious, and we’re not wrapped up in a chaddar! At the same time, we don’t look or dress like the models on TV. We don’t take shit from others and can gulp down silly men like a paratha roll! Some of us have chosen to go the traditional route and marry, some of us haven’t! We’re young, we’re fun, and our stories would be a much-needed departure from the typical characters seen on TV. If you go back to the memorable days of Tanhaiyaan and Ankahi, Marina Khan and Shehnaz Shaikh played normal urban women in the 80s. I can relate to them more than anyone on TV right now. Have our female characters in film and television regressed along with the nation’s regression? Marina and Shehnaz did not look like models, they didn’t dress in designer clothing, they weren’t stereotypically masoom or chaaalak, but they made us laugh, they made us cry, they were strong, they were brave and their stories were interesting. They were relatable! I, for one, don’t want to open my television and hear another woman moan about her saas (mother-in-law) or miyan (husband), hatch plans against her bahu (daughter-in-law), or overact! Filmmakers and producers, can we please bring back the urban Pakistani girl on television? This post originally appeared here. 

Bin Roye’s premiere was held at Nueplex Cinema yesterday and the entire setup was done up beautifully with motiyas (jasmine) used as a pretty backdrop. It was a star studded night, boasting of celebrities from the star cast of Bin Roye – Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed and Armeena Khan along with Behroz Sabzwari, Shehroz Sabzwari and Syra Shehroz who were there to support Javed Shaikh. Bushra Ansari, Imran Abbas, and Angelina Malik also dropped by to show support for the cast and the movie. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2m7gyq[/embed] Mahira plays the lead role as Saba, while Humayun plays the role of her cousin Irtiza. Javed Shaikh and Zeba Bakhtiar are casted as Mahira’s parents while Armeena is playing Saman, Mahira’s sister. Here are five reasons why I think you should watch Bin Roye: 1. Mahira Khan [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook page[/caption] If you have missed Mahira post-Humsafar, then you’ll surely love this movie. A huge chunk of the movie is focused on Mahira who is projected as an extremely happy and love struck individual. 2. Breath-taking locations and scenic views  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook page[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook page[/caption] From what I have heard, a major part of the movie was shot in Karachi while some of the scenes were also shot in San Francisco. So if you are romantic soul in search of wanderlust, you’d love the movie for the locations and the mesmerising views. 3. Balle Balle is the new London Thumukda [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2twdft[/embed] Okay, I know this may come off as a bit exaggerated, but the songs were pretty good. Balle balle stole the show for me, While Maula Maula came in second, because Abida Parveen. Enough said! 4. Support #PakistaniCinema  Let’s be honest, we all want our entertainment industry to grow and flourish. Since the past two years, Pakistan has witnessed a changing trend in the movie industry. Due to the inception of Khuda Ke Liye, we have been gifted with a new era which will definitely bring the doomed film industry back on its feet. So if you’re not a fan of either of the stars casted, I’d still urge you to go and watch the movie because we should support Pakistani cinema. 5. Upcoming drama series Some of you may already know that Bin Roye is the movie adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaq’s novel, Bin Roye Aansoo. So if you’re an avid reader and prefer books over movies and also end up watching movie adaptations of your favourite books, then you should get yourself a ticket. Also, did I mention that HUM TV is soon going to produce a drama series on the same novel? Yes. You read that right. Apart from the locations, what I loved most about the movie, were the clothes. The designers in charge for the clothes are Sania Maskatiya, Feeha Jamshed, Elan, Deepak Perwani, Jazib Qamar, Labels and Bonanza. There are a few things which you’ll notice while watching the movie. Bin Roye, like any other movie, comes with loopholes and imperfections. So here are five reasons not to watch the Lollywood flick: 1. The storyline was abrupt We all know how difficult it is to do justice to the books, but here we are facing a totally different story. There was a lack of synchronisation in the scenes and everything was abrupt. I like my mango shake and my movies quite blended. 2. The first half of the movie is extremely confusing [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook page[/caption] Everyone will be confused in the first half of the movie. Fifty minutes into the movie and you’d still be watching Mahira going gaga over her cousin, Irtiza, who she’s in love with. 3. No clarity [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook page[/caption] Humayun is no doubt a brilliant actor and I believe he should have been given more screen presence throughout the movie. Also, Humayun goes abroad for two years and it’s still not clear why he actually went there. ‘It’s good for his career’, is all he said in the movie. No other explanation was given as to why he went abroad. Was it a job offer, did you have to go for studies? What exactly did you go there for? 4. Lack of character development A little more detail and focus on the characters would have helped in a proper character development. Supporting casts were also given very few dialogues. Oh and who was the guy who accompanied Irtiza to and back from the airport? Still unknown. 5. First half was slow [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook page[/caption] The first half of the movie was a little slow. However, the second half of the movie managed to pull up the pace and while some scenes were shot brilliantly, some were hazy. If I had to rate Bin Roye in each department, it would be, Music: Four out of five Eye candy: Four out of five Direction: Three out of five Overall: Three out of five If you are looking to take your family out on Eid, this movie could be one of the options. If you have watched the movie or planning to watch it, do share your feedback. This post originally appeared here.

The year 2015 will be hosting its 14^th Lux Style Awards (LSA) ceremony. LSA is almost a teenager now, but instead of turning out to be a rebellious punk with a killer sense of style, it’s turned out to be a meek wallflower in dowdy dungarees. I say that because during the 14 years of its existence, I can’t recall a single memorable dance performance or a tear-jerking speech by any Pakistani actor or actress. For that matter, no outfit on the red carpet left any impression either; no glamorous gown, sari or dress left me absolutely stunned. We pause our lives to watch the Oscars, write thesis-long posts about each of the dresses worn by the leggy actresses, and torrent all the nominated films during commercial breaks. Even the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) performances are Youtubed through proxies and replicated at desi weddings from Delhi to Dharampura. So why do we treat the ‘Oscars’ of Pakistan like the Razzies? Now don’t go on blaming poor LSA for this travesty. The real problem isn’t the ceremony itself but how blah our ‘style’ dictators (event/entertainment managers) are. In this world of click-bait and virality, our entertainment gurus need to up their game for some serious eye-balling and tongue-wagging. So here are some ideas. 1. Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan pull a Notebook Okay, censor boards and morality won’t allow these two to kiss on stage like that passionate Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams lip affair, but the least they could do is enact that really steamy scene from Humsafar when Khirad’s safaid (white) dupatta almost shows a fraction of her seedhi maang (straight parting) and Asher almost makes eye contact with her for a fraction of a millisecond. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Twitter[/caption] 2. Mathira slips the tongue I’m thinking Molty Foam fingers, nude cholis and a mohawk sported by controversy queen Mathira? Too much? Okay twerking Punjabi style? Still too much? Groping Ali Zafar on stage? No? For God’s sake, will you let the poor woman at least accidently slip off her top on stage? 3. Sadaf Kanwal trips How can a size -zero drop dead gorgeous woman make herself more relatable and endearing to all size-50 wearing, average looking women? Well, drop down to her knees, of course! We all love a good dramatic fall from grace. And who better to fall down on the red carpet than this bushy eye browed beauty, who was accidently discovered at a salon in Karachi and then went on to compete in Veet Miss Super Model? If she says some Punjabi expletives on her way down, we’ll love her even more. 4. Model Jahan-e-Khalid wears a swan dress Okay, so I have two wishes in life before I die. 1. I want to see Jahan-e-Khalid shirtless 2. I want to get over my insane crush on Jahan-e-Khalid What better way to achieve both objectives than to get him to come to the event wearing nothing but a Bjork inspired swan dress. Swans too girly for this male model? How about a horse thrown around his muscular shoulders? No? How about a dog wrapped around his waist? How about a turban made from choohas (mice)? No? I’m going to die unfulfilled!  5. Deepak Perwani pulls a Kanye West on Urwa Hocane Urwa Hocane is the local embodiment of Taylor Swift. She’s young, fun and everywhere. You can’t turn a corner without seeing her face on a billboard or change a channel without seeing her in a drama. So we can totally understand if Deepak Perwani got a little bit flustered and went on stage, grabbed the mic, and ruined this doe-eyed young beauty’s big moment and started rapping about how someone else deserves to win that category altogether. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xp326j_taylor-swift-vma-award-moment-ruined-by-kanye-west_music[/embed]

It would be an understatement to say that the Pakistani drama industry has grown leaps and bounds in the past two decades. It now exerts a magnetic pull on viewership that extends far beyond the borders of Pakistan. Considering that our dramas have attained a level from which they can induce motivation for positive social change and raise awareness, the next big step would be to bring in themes that create such avenues of thought. Also, because the industry has a tremendous expat viewership on its roster, issues faced by overseas Pakistanis should be highlighted. Unfortunately, in terms of themes, most of our production houses are still revving and spinning their wheels. Though fabulously produced and directed, the majority of the storylines are still stuck in the quagmire of home, family, and domestic and marriage politics. The most common themes continue to be the ever popular love triangles of wife-husband-mistress who is either the wife’s or the husband’s former love. Add to this a mother, father, or someone else as the prime antagonist and voila! You have a full 25-episode drama. A death or two or a terminal illness is often added for greater theatrical effect. No offence to producers, but over half of the serial themes openly insult the intelligence of educated and smart Pakistani viewership who sit to be entertained, rather than watch rehashes of stories that every channel is running in its primetime drama slots. Drama writers seem to choose a theme based on ratings and then follow it with similar themes. Even though Bilqees Kaur followed later by Jackson Heights were based in the US, it could have highlighted the many real problems faced by Pakistanis living abroad. Yet it reverted to issues more common to Pakistanis in Pakistan than the US. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x11jdse_bilqees-kaur-promo-humtv-drama_shortfilms[/embed] [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x25020r_jackson-heights-hd-teaser-new-drama-urdu1-2014_shortfilms[/embed] Whenever a group of fed-up viewers in or outside Pakistan sit together, nearly all of them have stories that can be adapted into far better dramas that would actually inspire people to think and evaluate their identity as Pakistanis. These people also have better solutions to issues related to relationships. So why aren’t these ideas being portrayed on screen? I decided to get a group of good writers together and ask them why they don’t send in their writings for possible drama adaptations.

“I can easily write a script with only a little bit of guidance from a drama script writer,” said Samreen. “But there is absolutely no website that could guide us about the format for script writing.” “I actually have three dramas all ready to be reviewed,” said Ahmed. “But who is going to review them? Pakistani drama people are absolutely out of reach to an aspiring writer.” “But I’ve seen so many awesome websites online for production houses,” I told him. “Why don’t you contact them through their websites?”

“I’ve tried them all. They just have fabulous websites but no one ever replies to your questions. Their contact information is just a dead end.” “They only use their tried and tested, run of the mill writers all the time,” Naima told me. “The new ones are probably the ones who have been personally referred by someone.” “I did some research online and found hundreds of aspiring writers willing to submit their dramas for review,” said Samreen. “But they’re all running into the same dead end.” “But not all writers are good ones,” I pointed out. “I know,” Ahmed replied. “But at least their stories should be reviewed. There is no system for panning out gold flakes from the sand.” “Exactly my point,” said Sameena. “Producers should at least provide a portal that allows writers to send in their work for review.” “I think there should also be blogs that advise new writers on how to approach directors and producers with their work,” said Tahira. “Otherwise, our drama industry might die like our movie industry back in the 70s, due to lack of ideas.” “The most aggravating part is that although there are emails and contact information available on production house websites, no one ever responds to you,” said Naima. “Someone should at least respond with a yes or a no.” “It could be because they are getting so many queries that they can’t respond to all,” I suggested.

“That is ludicrous. It is so unethical and unprofessional to have a contact number that never responds. If you’re running such a grand production house, you need to at least go through the queries and see if there is something that is good enough to pursue.” “Exactly,” Ahmed agreed. “This is why Pakistan has such a bad name in business. It has no business ethics. If you don’t like a writer’s idea, just say no. These are just deaf and dumb websites.”

“Give our message to the producers that they need to start considering new writers,” Sameena said as we were rounding up the meeting.

“I don’t have access to producers. They are as alien to me as they are to you.”

“Gloria Steinem has said that ‘every social justice movement that I know of’ started with people ‘telling their life stories’. By this formulation, Pakistani cinema’s new wave hints at a country on the cusp of a major shift. Each film is at once a window into a dynamic country going through difficult times, and a blueprint for how its people might find their way to better days ahead.”

In a country with a population of over 188.2 million people, a lot can go wrong, but a lot can go right too! Here is a list of 23 things that make Pakistan home. 1. The men [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="580"] Photo: AFP[/caption] We may belong to a patriarchal society, but not all men are alike. They don’t all suffer from the disease of misogyny. True gems like Abdul Sattar Eidhi, Ansar Burney and Imran Khan also exist in our society, individuals who play a pivotal role in the betterment of society. 2. The women  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: AFP[/caption] Contrary to the patriarchal outlook of Pakistan’s society, our women do more than just cook and clean. Women break barriers, they do the unthinkable. They win ICC matches against India - yup, they do. 3. The natural beauty [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: AFP[/caption] Calmness and serenity tends to take over the mind and soul when visiting places like the Swat Valley and the Karakoram Mountains. 4. The music [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: AFP[/caption] Pakistan’s very own version of pop/rock boy bands included the endlessly talented Junoon, Strings, Awaz and Vital Signs. And on the other hand there are Sufi and Qawali legends like Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and Abida Parveen along with the multi lingual genius Madam Noor Jehan. How many other countries can boast the same set of musical talent? 5. The shows [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: File[/caption] Over the past couple of decades, the Pakistani drama industry has truly evolved. The writers revolve their stories around real life events or social problems that are relatable by most, if not all. 6. The fashion  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="596"] Photo: AFP[/caption] The Pakistani fashion industry has been booming across the world, they have even made their way onto Hollywood ramps! I mean, it was our designer Rizwan Beyg from whom Princess Diana ordered dresses she had fallen in love with. 7. The weddings [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Uncles, Aunts, Siblings, Cousins and Friends; a Pakistani wedding is grand vibrant affair.
Photo: File[/caption] Come hell or high water, our weddings are always elaborate and stretched over a period of at least 15 days. They are vibrant, loud and have a never ending supply of food. A Pakistani wedding is an experience you must have once in your life. 8. The food [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: HAFSAH SARFARAZ[/caption] Who can resist a plate of spicy nihari with a freshly made naan and a bottle of Coke? Life really doesn’t get any better. And that’s just ONE of the delicious dishes this gem of a country has to offer. 9. The humour in every situation [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: File[/caption] Whether our politicians are arguing on talk shows or a man riding a rickshaw with a real life teddy bear, we aren’t afraid to point fingers at ourselves and crack up. 10. The people  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: File[/caption] One doesn’t need millions to help others out; you just have to be Pakistani. We put others before ourselves, and even though we aren’t obligated, we go out of our way to cater to each other’s needs. 11. The abundance of talent [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Express[/caption] From a young age, we have been trained to work for what we want; nothing comes easily to the common man. Pakistanis living in Pakistan and abroad – privileged or not – strive through every struggle and come out stronger than ever. 12. The education [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="533"] Photo: File[/caption] Pakistan currently has a literacy rate of almost 60 per cent, which is steadily rising. Our students avail opportunities and attend various delegations, representing our country in the best way possible. 13. Being resourceful is knowing the right people [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="533"] Photo: MQM[/caption] In Pakistan, no task is too difficult. All you have to do is make sure you know a person with power and authority and voila, the sky’s the limit. 14. Nothing is spared from our critical analysis, even TV shows [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] An in depth analysis of the TV show Homeland.
Photo: Buzzfeed[/caption] Whether it’s a show or a lost match, Pakistanis critically analyse every situation; that lead to some very heated, but enjoyable dinner table conversations. 15. The architecture  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Getty Images[/caption] Pakistan is home to some of the oldest architectural remains including Mohenjodaro and Takht-i-Bahi. It is also home to modern buildings including the Centarurus Mall and Theatre in Lahore. 16. The truck art [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="533"] Photo: File[/caption] Our truck art can literally define a Pakistani for a foreigner. It is colourful, funny, culturally rooted, bold and just... beautiful. That is Pakistan - in its truest, rawest forms. 17. Pakistan International Airline (PIA) [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="533"] Photo: Reuters[/caption] Jacqueline Kennedy, Ava Gardner, Stewart Granger, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto; are just few of  the passengers PIA has had on board. PIA, despite its ups and downs, is a great source of pride for the nation. 18. The cricket team [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="533"] Photo: Reuters[/caption] We see their hard work, we see them pour their sweat and blood into each game, and sometimes that is not enough to win. Yet they never give up and their passion remains intact. 19. Boom Boom [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="543"] The heartthrob of the Pakistani nation, Shahid Khan Afridi.
Photo: AFP[/caption] Shahid Afridi has been the nation’s heart throb. Irrespective of his unpredictably, each time he approaches the pitch, our eyes are glued to the screens, in anticipation of some boom boom! 20. The supporters [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: AFP[/caption] Clad in green jerseys, supporters of our cricket team can be seen playing out on the streets, everybody wanting to be Shoaib Akhtar or Shahid Afridi. Before every match, children paint their faces and we pray for our teams success, despite the love-hate relationship we have with our team. Whether we win or not, our hearts will thump with pride as soon as our team walks out and onto that field. 21. Ramazan [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: AP/Sani Maikatanga[/caption] Our sehris and iftaris are nothing short of a grand buffet. With glasses filled with cold water and Rooh Afza, and plates filled with fruit chaat and cholay, there isn’t anything more exhilarating than spending Ramazan in Pakistan. It is never the same anywhere else in the world. 22. Pakola [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="533"] Dil Bola Pakola (The heart screams Pakola)
Photo: AFP[/caption] On a blistering hot day, nothing is better than an ice cold bottle of Pakola to quench your thirst, putting your throat out of its misery. Yup, we have a green coloured soda here, and it tastes like Pakistan - amazing! Try it if you haven’t. 23. Top Pops [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="280"] Childhood memories come back to life!
Photo: File[/caption] Top Pops were my favourite chips to munch on in school, and after a long break, they have relaunched! I just hope the toy whistle gift still comes in the packet. It is easy to keep our focus on the flaws that exist in our nation, simply because they are constantly revealed. But no matter the circumstances, there are certain things that are irreplaceable in our motherland. The calmness I feel as soon as I land in Karachi, the strong odour while leaving the baggage claim area, the first bite of a delicious chicken cheese roll from Hot & Spicy, the beautifully lit up buildings, the dangerously reckless driving and lots more insignificantly significant things, make Pakistan home. Don’t take it for granted. HAPPY PAKISTAN DAY!

Another fatwa about women has emerged from the glorious Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a fatwa that declares the innocent enjoyment of a football match to be haram for women. After all, with the infamous wife-beating bill courtesy of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Pakistan, KSA could hardly stand to be left behind. Of course they’ve graduated from wife-beating to wife-eating so now it’s on to figuratively invading the privacy of people’s homes and telling them what to watch on TV. Of course, it’s not okay for the civil society or legal bodies to figuratively invade homes, or work-places, or hospitals, or schools, or the streets by attempting to introduce laws against harassment, abuse and what-not but that is not the point of this article. The point of this article is to bring you the low down about why women do things. You see, we’re so deviously complicated that one can never take our actions at face value. We don’t do things like watching a football match because we happen to enjoy sports (the rules of football are far too complicated for us anyway). No sir, there is always a more sinister (not to mention completely and totally haram) reason. For example, women only watch television to stare at men (though that’s been pretty well established by the aforementioned fatwa). Why do you think Humsafar was so popular? Men, on the other hand, only watch TV for serious, life-altering reasons like the fate of the whole of Westeros (go team whoever-makes-Margaret-or-margerine (or whatever)-do-the-walk-of-atonement! Woo-hoo). This explains why women’s sports are so unpopular. Women love to shop because it gives them multiple opportunities to stare at and be stared at (or groped) by men and everyone knows that men hate shopping because they don’t care about such things. Women only study and get top marks nearly everywhere to secure admissions into co-ed universities so they can continue to stare and be stared at on a daily basis while trying to concentrate on, say, Fawad Khan. I know because I took a gender studies class and our final project was to make a video comparing various Pakistani actors and models on the basis of how hot they are*. Men, on the other hand, only study for the sake of true enlightenment and a progressive society. That’s how we became an atomic power, people. Women insist on having kids because it gives them the opportunity for more time in the public male gaze, hell, even hospital visits for serious medical issues are all for laughs. So, we’re really only pretending that we’re ‘driving the kids to school’ or ‘working to support our families’. That’s why there are so many women in various medical professions. Really, it’s all about the eye-candy. Cooking, you ask? A certain fatwa about vegetables will tell you all you need to know about why women are in the kitchen all the time. Also, all that time women spend on the phone? Yep, it’s to discuss and catalogue all the men we’ve come across on a particular day by age, height, weight and facial hair. We cannot even begin to explain to you the depths of our obsession with the opposite sex. We make fake Facebook accounts, try to ‘fraandship’ boys younger than us. We doctor photos for blackmail and coercion**.We hang out on pedestrian bridges, in-front of colleges and universities on our motorcycles (letting us get licences was a bad move by the way), we catcall, we stalk, we sometimes follow men home. We can also get violent, burning faces off with acid and cutting noses and ears. Gentlemen, we, the women of the world, have problems. No wait, we are the problem. After all, Pakistan is blessed with great natural beauty. I’m not talking about the mountains, I’m asking you to spare a moment to check out the doodh-wala (milk man) (you probably already do, you sly vixen) and you’ll see exactly what I mean. So, keep it up with the fatwas. Those are the only things standing between the world and total annihilation. Seriously guys, well done. *slow clap* *It was really a compilation of an entire month’s worth of news-stories on gender-based abuse with special emphasis on follow-ups. There are never any follow-ups. The experience was traumatic, to say the least. **This actually happened to multiple classmates. A random stranger doctored their Facebook profile pictures and attempted to blackmail them. People have a lot of time on their hands so I recommend everyone religiously review the privacy settings on each individual photo that they post online.