I am not a TV geek, there are only very few television shows that I follow. The kinds that I tend to keep an eye on are those with wicked, devious themes and those that are full of secrets. Nowadays, it’s all about shows like The Big Bang Theory or the Game of Thrones. But in all honesty, such shows have never enticed me as a viewer. They are quite overrated, if you ask me. The unfortunate thing, however, is that a show, such as the Ringer, was not appreciated or given any credit; despite the fact that it had a riveting storyline and great cast to go with it. I have always adored Sarah Michelle Gellar, ever since I was seven-years-old. She is an inspiration to me when it comes to acting. When I heard about her initial return to television with Ringer, I was literally on cloud nine! What’s better than a good television show that has your personal favourite actress in the lead?! I saw Ringer back in 2011, when it originally aired on The CW. The show borrows some elements from the neo-noir film genre. It centres on the lives of two twin sisters, Bridget Kelly and Siobhan Martin (both portrayed by Gellar respectively), that have distinct characteristics. Gellar has done a fantastic job playing both the roles differently and powerfully. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Bridget is a recovering drug addict and a stripper. After she sees her boss commit a crime, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) put her under witness protection so that she can testify against him. But as soon as Bridget learns that her boss, and his gang, have murdered such witnesses before she decides to flee. And in her desperation, she goes to her estranged twin sister, Siobhan, for help. Siobhan, on the other hand, is an affluent young woman, residing in New York City with her husband Andrew Martin (played by Ioan Gruffudd). It is shown that Bridget and Siobhan have a seemingly contentious relationship with each other. They have shared a rough past, which is not disclosed in the first-half of the initial season but, gradually, the audience get to learn more about the twins and their relationship. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] After Siobhan’s sudden and mysterious death, Bridget assumes her identity, thinking she could escape her old life and start all over again. But little does she know that Siobhan’s life was just complex as hers. Bridget later learns that her sister had an affair with her best friend’s husband, Henry Butler (played by Kristoffer Polaha). But wait till you hear this, Siobhan is not really dead! She is conspiring against her own sister. Why, you wonder? Well, I won’t spill all the details. You’ll have to watch it to find out! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="505"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] If you decide to watch Ringer, don’t judge the show on the basis of its pilot episode, because even the pilot was not strong enough, if you compare it to the rest of the episodes. The show gets juicer and more intriguing as the story progresses. But sadly, the show was cancelled by The CW in 2012. If you are assuming that ratings played a pivotal role in the cancellation process, you might want to think again. There was a poll launched in early 2012 that had listed Ringer, The Secret Circle and Gossip Girl as shows that fans would like fresh seasons for. Although, Gossip Girl had lower ratings than Ringer, the fans picked Gossip Girl as their primary choice and it was renewed for a sixth season. Ringer, on the other hand, was cancelled. I personally believe this was a rather unfair decision made by The CW network. Maybe it should have been marketed to other networks, such as NBC or ABC family. Ringer provided a completely different storyline to the television landscape. It was a show that offered something new to the audience every week; it was riveting, fun and full of suspense. In addition, Gellar’s acting was stellar. I still believe it should be given a second season. Ringer was a whole package over all. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] What makes Ringer standout from shows, such as Gossip Girl or The Lying Game, is the pure creativity and innovation with which this show had been structured. The creators of the show, Nicole Snyder and Eric Charmelo, did a remarkable job with the plot and storylines. This is what is lacking in many TV shows that are currently on air; they don’t bring anything original to us – instead we are shows tedious plots, repetitive themes and predictable drama. Not only does Ringer have just the right amount of drama and suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat, it also has a glamour and fashion merged brilliantly with the theme of the show. Moreover, Ringer managed to bring in a ‘twin connection’ on television and that was primarily why it was doing so well. This very factor lacks in a show such as Orphan Black, which also has a twin sister plot. But that show does not have the stimulation that Ringer had. Additionally, the creators of Orphan Black had borrowed a few elements from Ringer during the first season, reflecting on just how strong Ringer’s storyline was. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The best thing about Ringer, I would say, is that it’s unpredictable; full of twists and turns. Every episode ended with a shocking climax scene that even Gossip Girl and/or Orphan Black couldn’t possibly engender. Every scene was full of mystery and your skin would tingle with curiosity. I put all my bets on this show! It’s worthy of every praise. The acting was brilliant; every character had their own uniqueness and strong screen presence. Additionally, I loved the way the director(s) of the show choreographed New York City in such a lavish, yet mysterious fashion. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="428"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Orphan Black, on the other hand, is a satisfactory television show with more of a sci-fi edge to it. While Ringer was about two twin sisters, Orphan Black is all about cloning (which is quite sad for a television show). I saw some raving reviews about this show. Here is what some fans had to say about Ringer after watching it:

“It’s smart, clever, fashionable and out of this world! Love it!” said Martha Eve, a blogger from California. “Ringer is sassy and a fun ride for everyone!” quoted Will Arthur, a website host. “My latest obsession! Gellar is so talented. I wonder why she’s so underrated as an actress” said Timothy Harris, a writer for various newspapers.

Chickpeas with spice, herbs and lemon are a street snack in Pakistan called chat, with bursts of chat masala, made up of piquant black salt, dried mango powder, cumin, coriander seeds and black pepper; it’s a salivating heady mixture that entices all the senses. Topped with lashings of sour tamarind chutney and coriander mint chutney, these are tantalising combinations that speak of a flavour of Pakistan. This salad of mine combines many attributes of my homeland, barbecue lamb is quintessentially Pakistani and I have combined it with an easy chickpea salad based on chat on the streets of Pakistan. I also combine some char-grilled paneer cheese for added texture. The combination is warming and speaks of the many colourful facets of autumn and memories of the authentic flavours of home. Here are all the ingredients you would need for this recipe (serves two): Time cooking and preparation: 25 minutes (if not left to marinate chops) For the lamb: Lamb cutlets - 4 Tamarind paste - 2 tbsp Chat masala - 1 tsp (found in most South-Asian shops, or substitute by adding 1/2 tsp each of dry roasted ground cumin, coriander, brown sugar, salt and lemon juice to the tamarind paste) Garlic puree - 1/4 tsp Oil spray or a little oil to brush the pan For the chickpeas: Chickpeas - 1 tin Dry, roasted and ground cumin and coriander seeds - 1 tsp each Red chilli - 1 (dried) Lemon - half Chat masala - 2 tsp (substitute by adding a little more coriander, dried red chilli and cumin seeds in the salad) Chopped mint and coriander leaves - 1 tbsp each Pomodoro baby tomatoes, spinach, chopped cooked beetroot - handful each Salt - to taste Lemon - Thinly sliced pieces with its zest, to toss in salad Paneer cheese - 2-3 slices, char-grilled with the lamb Method: 1. Assemble salad by combine all the ingredients above, place on plate. For the dry roasted red chilli, coriander and cumin seeds, heat a dry pan and roast until light brown, then bash in a mortar and pestle. 2. Marinate the lamb by combining the ingredients for the lamb above, leave for few minutes. Brush or spray some oil on a grill-pan and char-grill the paneer followed by the lamb, until cooked to desired time. Serve on top of the chickpea chat salad topped with a sprinkling of any remaining chat masala. This post originally appeared here.

When you think of movies under the Sanjay Leela Bhansali banner, you think of epic romances, of the colours blue, grey, and black, of love and passion, and women dancing in the most extravagant of lehngas. But the last thing you would expect from a Bhansali movie is a story about a young girl trying her luck in the patriarchal field of sports. This is why the movie Mary Kom was pleasantly surprising. [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/101509532[/embed] But Mary Kom coming from a big production house is not why I liked it. I liked it because of the following reasons: 1) It is a biopic. This kind of cinema is really inspirational and it gives the masses something to watch other than the mainstream Bollywood love stories, family drama and masala. 2) The protagonist is a female and this just goes to show that Indian movies have come a long way and have matured in terms of gender equality and giving a voice to the female population. 3) Despite it being an Indian movie, it’s not completely ‘Indian’. They have not tried to ‘Indianise’ the movie and have done justice to the local language, culture and mannerisms of the people of Manipur. Although Manipur is a part of India, it is very different from mainstream India which we always come across in movies. All the actors seem to be of Manipuri origin, except for Priyanka Chopra of course, and this makes the story seem original and believable. They have also highlighted the discrimination the people of Manipur face at the hands of Central Indians. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Mary Kom official Facebook page[/caption] 4) Priyanka Chopra. I don’t think this movie would’ve created such an impact without Priyanka’s award worthy acting. Though at first I was a bit sceptical because she signifies beauty and glamour, whereas the real Mary Kom is simple and athletic, but the filmmakers did a great job with Priyanka’s costumes and make up. They also made her skin look like that of the people of Manipuri. But apart from her appearance, Priyanka became Mary Kom in a way that nobody probably expected her to be. Her performance was very powerful and any young girl striving to achieve her dreams would be able to relate to her. Perhaps the best thing about Mary Kom is that it narrates not only the story of MC Mary Kom, the boxer, but also gives us an idea of the thousands of girls living in male-dominated societies that are too conservative and too rigid to let them follow their dreams. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Mary Kom. Photo: Mary Kom official Facebook page[/caption] While watching the movie, I thought of Maria Toorpakai from Waziristan, Pakistan, who had to disguise herself as a boy just so that she could play the sport she loved. After winning competitions, she received threats and so had to practice in her room but continued to pursue her ambition without giving up in the face of adversity. There are an innumerable amount of girls who do not get to do what they love just because their family, culture, society and religion say it’s not ‘appropriate’. This makes you think, because of backwardness, of how much talent Pakistan has lost? Our youth has a lot of potential but it is being wasted because we don’t have proper channels to nurture it, groom the talent and allow it to grow. Instead we suffocate it and keep it buried in our backyard and, in the case of girls, in our kitchens. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Mary Kom official Facebook page[/caption] Even though Mary Kom didn’t do so well at the box office, I am glad that Bollywood made this movie and hopefully, one day, Pakistan will also make movies about inspiring people like Maria Toorpakai and others who struggled but made it, with no help from their country or society. Maybe such a movie won’t be allowed to screen in Pakistan, the same way Mary Kom has not been allowed to screen in Manipur, but when has banning something ever stopped people from seeing it? People will watch it, nonetheless, and it might help in fixing certain distorted, unfair perspectives. This film will help people open up their minds a little, and make them understand the importance of coming out of their shell of bigotry and valuing talent irrespective of gender.

Pakistani dramas are suddenly all the rage across the border yet again. Indian actors like Paresh Rawal, Kajol and Javed Jaffrey have praised them as a new channel, Zee Zindagi, is playing the best Pakistani dramas for Indian audiences who are happily lapping them up. There was always a cross-cultural exchange between India and Pakistan, but with the Pakistani film industry in the doldrums, and the Ekta Kapoor-style serials’ overwhelming popularity, it had become a one way street. Before this channel arrived, Indian fans, and indeed the entire sub-continental diaspora, used to watch Pakistani dramas over the internet just as we all once used to watch VHS copies of Bollywood movies. I had enjoyed a few Indian dramas earlier, like Kusum and Jassi Jaisa Koi Nahi, but dropped them in disgust at the unending twists and turns that never brought any change in the characters or their lives; but after hearing the collective sigh of relief heaved by huge swathes of Indian drama fans at the return of good Pakistani dramas on online drama pages and websites, I decided to check out a few of the latest Indian dramas to find out why. One of the recent hits across the border is Be intehaa which seems to be in some way inspired by Humsafar. Set in a Muslim family, where the hero, Zain, is forced to marry his “from-a-simpler-background” cousin, Aliya, on some traditional deathbed blackmail. However, the resemblance between the two dramas ends there. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1oxigh_promo-beintehaa-april-2014_shortfilms[/embed] While, in Humsafar, we first saw Asher walking quietly behind his father off to visit his sick aunt, in Be intehaa Zain first appears on screen shouting from a helicopter, about jumping into some stranger’s wedding so he could convince the bride that the groom was having a gay affair with him. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xksryt_humsafar-on-hum-tv-promo-1_shortfilms[/embed] Aliya is your traditional Muslim girl, cycling down a busy main road in a bright yellow outfit leftover from a mehndi. In contrast, poor Khirad could only afford cotton and, that too, was hardly noticeable as she cooked and cleaned and tutored children with her mother to make ends meet. The way characters are unfolded in Indian and Pakistani dramas is poles apart. Similarly, another show, Kumkum Bhagya, is about two middleclass sisters in love with the same man. Sound familiar? No, stop right there! It is not their neighbour, relative or colleague but a millionaire rock star who causes the rift. Sorry Faisal from Maat, you just can’t compete with that. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1b4z9d_kumkum-bhagya-ekta-kapoor-new-show_shortfilms[/embed] While Saman and Aiman’s mother worried about making ends meet, these girls from Kumkum Bhagya have a mother who wakes up each morning to blow dry and pinup up her hair with a bunch of fake flowers before she makes the parathas. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x15adyc_maat-ost-hd-title-song-hum-tv-drama-2013_music[/embed] The gap between the two ideas is huge and though it may just be a case of different styles, or it may just be that people want an alternate to the hyper sexuality and surreal wealth shown in Bollywood movies and Indian dramas, which they find in the form of our Pakistani dramas. They wish to see normal people on screen, dealing with difficult, sometimes unsolvable problems. I sometimes wonder if this new movement could allow for more collaborative work from people on both sides of the border. It would make for some fascinating viewing and perhaps more understanding. I think that there are many things that both industries can learn from each other. Here is a list of a few possible ideas: Ten things the Indian drama industry needs to know 1. A story needs a beginning, a climax and an end, otherwise it just becomes an endless cycle of repetitions 2. Simple and innocent do not mean gullible and naive. These characteristics cannot be translated on-screen as unnatural head-bobbers, fixed wide smiles and strangely dilated eyes. 3. Stop choosing your colours out of a five-year-old’s crayon box. Primary colours have a time and place; give other colours a chance. 4. Stop using plot twists based on elaborate schemes that only a criminal mastermind or Niccolo Machiavelli would use. Normal people are just not that clever. 5. Try writing nuanced characters and show their motivations. Real people are neither inherently evil nor entirely good. 6. Love is not earned; it is a gift freely given 7. Women have honour; if they are abused, maltreated or disrespected, they can speak up and ultimately leave. They do not have to spend a lifetime proving themselves worthy to some man so he can appreciate them. 8. Credit your audience with some intelligence and allow a character to make a significant move without drum-rolls playing in the background. Allow your talented actors to actually act the emotion, instead of making the director of photography do all the work. 9. You have talented writers; allow them to tell real stories about the real world around them. Drop the Disney act. 10. Enough with the forced ‘cute’ characters. Watching an Indian drama is sometimes akin to drowning in a vat of sugary syrup. It isn’t working. Sensible and normal is so much better. Ten things the Pakistani drama industry needs to know 1. Get an editor. Long, drawn out scenes where the characters sigh and give each other significant looks which the audience is left to decipher should be used with scrupulous rarity. 2. Get over the two wives formula. I mean seriously, this topic has been done to death. Contrary to our drama makers’ beliefs, watching two screeching young women fight over a middle-aged man is mind numbingly boring. 3. Suspicion is not the most common reason for divorce. There’s money, interfering in-laws and a whole lot of other factors. Try focusing on them too. 4. Get some lights: this is a special message for A&B productions, please buy some lights. Oh, and while you are at the store, some make up too. 5. Stop stretching serials till you ruin them. 22 episodes are enough for anyone. 6. Give talented young people a chance. Just because so and so has been hanging around since the age of dinosaurs and they knew your father’s cousin’s mother does not mean the audience has to put up with them. 7. The handful of incredibly talented directors is one of the biggest reasons Pakistani dramas are suddenly on the map. Nurture their creativity instead of making them compete, or undermining them and pushing them down. 8. Pay your writers better. Pakistani writers are the other reason Pakistani dramas are reaching such heights of excellence. Appreciate them for their work. Allow them to write with depth and nuance instead of demanding the same mazloom aurat and love triangle themes every other day. 9. While everyone understands the need for actors to work, it has become a joke how actors mix up lines and characters because they are on so many different sets. At least get better continuity and some software that can dub out their lines so the entire scene isn’t ruined. 10. Stay authentic. Despite all the cribbing and complaints, there is a spark of brilliance and talent in the Pakistani entertainment industry which cannot be suppressed. Let it shine bright. Both Pakistani and Indian drama industries have created amazing dramas but both still have a lot to learn. Here’s to hoping that our dramas become better and we are able to have a cultural exchange where both parties mutually share good quality content and advice.

For those who don't know, Peshawar is famous for its Namakmandi. Contradictory to the name, it does not have anything to do with salt but is known for its cuisine, particularly its karhai and tikka. What sets their food apart from the rest is the lack of spices in it, without which they still manage to create scrumptious dishes for their customers. One such dish, their namkeen karhai, is a simple and special one. A few days ago, my family and I decided to visit the Habibi Restaurant located in I-8, Islamabad. They offer some of the most delicious and authentic Peshawari and Afghani food. Even though the restaurant is not very spacious, the live barbeque adds immense flavour to its ambience, with the aromatic air increasing your appetite by the minute. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Habibi Restaurant. Photo: File[/caption] We ordered the namkeen karhai along with their barbeque platter. Some might think that the use of less spices might make the dish taste bland, but believe me, the simple, tender and mouth-watering karhai was nothing as its name suggests. Since one cannot get enough of it, I decided to try and make it at home myself. And to my surprise, the result was very similar to the original dish. So here it is, my replica (as close as it can get) of Habibi’s namkeen mutton karhai. Ingredients: Mutton/lamb with fat - ½ kilogram Tomatoes - ½ kilogram (skin removed) Salt - To taste Ginger - 1 tbsp (chopped) Green chillies - 3 to 4 or to taste (chopped) Red chilli flakes - 1 tsp Crushed black pepper - ½ tsp Oil - 2 to 3 tbsp Method: 1. Wash the meat and add into a pan with salt. Let it cook till it’s half tender. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Quratulain Noor[/caption] 2. Add tomatoes and ginger, and cook on high flame till water from the tomatoes and meat evaporates. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Quratulain Noor[/caption] 3. Add oil and stir it while adding green chillies, black pepper and red chilli flakes. Keep stirring constantly on high flame. 4. Once the meat has been properly cooked and has absorbed all the flavour, turn off flame. 5. Garnish with coriander leaves, chopped green chillies and sliced ginger. Serve with Afghani or roghni naan. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Quratulain Noor[/caption] You do not have to necessarily make it with lamb, as it can be substituted with chicken or beef as well. What more can one want – a simple yet delicious karhai, ready in minutes without a vast variety of ingredients. This post originally appeared here.

Rarely do movies of such calibre come along that transcend generations and provoke our greater thought process, not because of impressive visuals, A-list actors, extravagant set pieces and locales but because of its strong story-driven narrative – narrative that is deeply entrenched into the harsh realities of life, as opposed to a work of fiction.  Dukhtar too has a potential to lay claim to all of that and then some, thanks to its excellent subject matter. [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/100581493[/embed] Dukhtar means ‘daughter’ in Farsi and Urdu dialects. The movie is predominately a story about the plights, miseries and ultimately the bravery exhibited by the principal protagonist of the movie, Allah Rakhi (Samiya Mumtaz). Under the banner of The Crew Films, Dukhtar is directed by Afia Nathaniel, who is a graduate of Columbia University School of Arts. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Dukhtar Facebook page[/caption] The movie’s premise revolves around a woman’s struggle, resilience and unwavering perseverance in the face of extreme odds. Rakhi undergoes many trials and tribulations to make sure of the fact that her daughter Zainab (Saleha Aref) doesn’t fall into the dreaded shackles of the same fate, of getting married to an old tribal chieftain, that she had encountered when she was 15-years-old. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="594"] Photo: Dukhtar Facebook page[/caption] The mere thought of her daughter’s marriage to a much older man sends shivers down her spine and she vows to protect her infantile daughter, who is only 10-years-old, from this draconian custom. Subsequently, as events progress during the course of the movie, she decides, as a last resort, to run from her husband’s home with her daughter to escape the ominous fate which would surely befall her daughter and which seemed more than imminent had she stayed there. Thus, her journey to escape the picturesque and serene northern areas of Pakistan and to reach her hometown of Lahore begins. On the run from her husband and the whole tribal clan, her path gets entwined with an ex-mujahid truck driver, Sohail (Mohib Mirza), who helps her in whatever capacity he can. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="496"] Photo: Dukhtar Facebook page[/caption] Rakhi’s actions and the movie itself will make the audience question the logic behind this antediluvian custom. This archaic tribal ritual of child marriages (child brides) is used as a mean of settling old feuds between rival clans under the guise of “honour”. If bluntly put, this practice is nothing more than satiating one’s vile paedophilic, sadistic and masochistic tendencies coupled with the false bravado associated with it. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="594"] Photo: Dukhtar Facebook page[/caption] The dialogue delivery of the cast members, especially Mumtaz, is unwavering and strong. Mirza also exhibits a strong portrayal of the character that he plays. The child actor, Saleha, is surprisingly good as well. They are augmented by a strong cast of seasoned actors such as Asif Khan, Ajab Gul, Adnan Shah (Tipu), Abdullah Jan, Samina Ahmed, Zeeshan Shafa and Omair Rana. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Dukhtar Facebook page[/caption] In terms of the visual elements, Dukhtar in a nutshell is breath-taking to look at. Set against the backdrop of gorgeous and surreal locations of Gilgit, Hunza Valley, Skardu and Kallar Valley, it will be, aesthetically speaking, a visual feast for moviegoers. The director does well to differentiate and saturate the visual tones between showing the beautiful, albeit rugged, terrain of northern Pakistan and the monotonous urban concrete jungle that is Lahore. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Dukhtar Facebook page[/caption] In terms of the auditory elements, the music and soundtracks composed for this movie are powerful and complement the storyline very well. Cases in point are, “Jeenay Chaley” by Shafqat Amanat Ali and “Naina” sung by Hina Nasrullah. While the movie depicts a specific backdrop (actors who play Pakhtuns) that can be limited to northern areas, this movie should not be misunderstood as portraying negative stereotypes of a certain ethnicity. It should, instead, be seen as shedding light towards a serious matter in general that is as much prevalent in other parts of our country and has also plagued Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab in equal measure. Additionally, it should also be seen as a catalyst that will hopefully bring attention of relevant authorities towards this menace of child brides, for implementing regulatory frameworks to cease this practice once and for all. The movie has been praised internationally as well. Recently, on September 5, 2014, it was premiered at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and received widespread acclaim for its story. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="597"] Photo: Dukhtar Facebook page[/caption] Dukhtar opened nationwide in all major cinemas across Pakistan on September 18, 2014, and I would highly recommend people to watch it.

A seasoned and intellectual filmmaker needs only a few characters, a bit of detailing and some good incidents to share with his audience, to create magic. That’s what Homi Adajania proved with his latest venture Finding Fanny.  The entire movie revolves around five main characters, a grungy old Dodge and a not-so-lucky cat. Adajania’s first movie, Being Cyrus, was all about Parsi families and their intrigues, which turned out to be quite a hit since it was something a lot different than the usual masala flicks, released back in 2005. After almost nine years, he marks another movie based on a typical Goa lifestyle. And guess what? He nailed this one too! [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x214gfm_finding-fanny-hd-movie-trailer-2014_shortfilms[/embed] The movie is based on the journey of an aged and forlorn postmaster, Ferdie (Naseeruddin Shah), along with four other individuals, to find his lost love. One night, Ferdie receives an undelivered letter, which he posted 40 years ago to a girl named Stephanie Fernandes, aka ‘Fanny’, intending to propose to her. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] Lost in despair, he shares that with his only friend, a widow, Angie (Deepika Padukone). Angie steps forward and plans to help Ferdie in finding Fanny, the only woman he ever loved. She gets help from her childhood friend Savio (Arjun Kapoor) to let them ride his late father’s old Dodge. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] Accompanying them on their journey is Angie’s mother-in-law, Rosie (Dimple Kapadia), and Don Pedro (Pankaj Kapur), a painter who wants to paint a portrait of Rosie, being an admirer of buxom figures which Rosie has in abundance. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] But the question being, do they find Fanny? Well, that is something for which you’ll have to watch the movie to find out! Adajania displays the entire journey in no rush. However, the movie is hardly one and a half hour long. It’s executed as a ride and that’s the beauty of it. The audience can easily witness different shades in every character. If Don Pedro is at the peak of vulgarity and licentious ideas for Rosie, there is also Ferdie whom you may easily label as a one-woman man. All his life, he has waited for his true love to riposte. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] On the contrary, there is Angie, who is also in search of exhilaration and love with blends of lust in it. She also has a very strong relationship with Rosie, something that can be defined as courteous and affectionate. Rosie, on the other hand, is a woman with an attitude, secrets and onion peels. And then we have Savio, a heartbroken and lousy fellow, who lost his love as she married his brother. If they are mirthful at one point, they have something to mourn about as well. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="696"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] Assembling a cast like Shah and Kapur with Kapadia is definitely not easy. They are the quintessence of unparalleled characters. With the ‘tarka’ (spiciness) of new age heartthrobs Padukone and Kapoor, Finding Fanny has the perfect blend of what one can call performers and stars. Kudos to Adajania for bringing Shah and Kapur on the silver screen together again after a hiatus since these two were the show stealers. Shah as Ferdie is definitely a character which many heartbroken, timid and confused lovers would easily relate to since he makes it so believable. Kapur knows no bounds; he is both disgusting as a shameless artist as well as beguilingly witty. Kapadia gives a perfect enactment of her character; her facial expressions change within seconds, while talking from one character to the other. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] Both Padukone and Kapoor give an earnest performance. They are both developing as dependable and serious actors. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] If you are fed up with the clichéd, unrealistic romantic tales and the dhishoom dhamaka flicks, and want to discover a movie that offers good content, a few subtle smiles and some great performances, then Finding Fanny is a must-watch for you. I would rate it 3.5 out of 5.

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.”

What an opening! The much-awaited Coke Studio season seven begins with the hope of fresh music, sounds, return-to-roots and much more. Strings have teamed up to become the sound producers of a huge franchise even though they have no prior music production experience. It was but expected that, apart from picking all the right people, their overall presentation would be a ‘celebration of strings’, given Bilal Maqsood’s love for the guitar. Episode one fared well and stumbled a little as well, but gave much to celebrate. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x25xopb_coke-studio-pakistan-season-7-episode-1-promo_music[/embed] Ustad Raees Khan and Abida Perveen: Mein Sufi Hoon Who can go wrong placing these two maestros together? It was a joy to see someone with the stature of Ustad Raees Khan in Coke Studio and what better way to celebrate ‘strings’ than to celebrate the sitar! Abida ji’s and Ustad Sahab’s juxtaposition in front of each other was a brilliant visual placement and was well-captured by the camera. However, coming to the song itself, one needs a superb maestro level producer to really be able to arrange and pull off the performances of such experienced stellar musicians. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Coke Studio Facebook page[/caption] The two giants remain largely ‘separated’ throughout the song. Ustad Sahab’s Alaap was followed by Abida ji’s singing which was then followed by Ustad Sahab’s solo and then Abida ji’s (and the drum’s) crescendo. The sitar should have been given the space to ‘talk’ to the song directly. A continuous memorable short sitar melody should have been woven into the song such that without it, the song would seem empty. There were many places where there could be a ‘nok-jhok’ between the vocalist and the sitar which would have created more balance in the song, but we never got to experience that beautiful possibility. Overall, the two flowed beautifully in parallel, but never did meet. And that is where it fell short. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2696w0_ustaad-raees-khan-abida-parveen-mein-sufi-hon-coke-studio-season-7-episode-1_music[/embed] Sajjad Ali: Tum Naraz Ho Before regaling his songs, one should commend Sajjad Ali’s style. The man just looked dapper! The casual top unbuttoned black shirt gave a hint of how comfortable he was with his surroundings and the ease with which he was going to own the song. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Coke Studio Facebook page[/caption] The overall “Coors” stringed sound was a great start to the song. Sajjad on the flute was a perfect complement and of course we all love him – even when he whistles! But again, there were moments when the song could have gone a notch up – the harmonies were largely wasted. Instead of humming and singing the same lyrics in different pitch, the harmonies could have vocalised ‘sargams’ instead – something that he himself is very good with. Strings gave tribute to ‘strings’ by bringing Faraz Anwar in this song – a fine, skilful musician and guitarist of Pakistan. However, his hurried ligardos and hammer-ons did not do anything for or in the song. Though his technique was spot on, Faraz’s solo was largely forgetful. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2696pn_sajjad-ali-tum-naraz-ho-coke-studio-season-7-episode-1_music[/embed] Niazi brothers: Lai Beqadraan Naal Yaari Another fresh and great choice for Coke Studio! Loved the way they worked the mike, performed, entertained and sang! The opening mandolin piece by a scion of the Taffoo family, Ustad Tanveer, was a great inclusion. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Coke Studio Facebook page[/caption] Just like Abida ji brought the Sufi heart of Sindh in her song, the Niazi brothers brought the robustness and the celebratory mood of Punjab to us. Again, flautist Sajid Ali was perfectly in sync with the song, as was Ustad Tanveer’s mandolin interjections with Babar Khanna’s dhol; even Faraz delighted in his little riffs! The Niazi brothers are capable of far more vocal versatility and it would have been even more delightful had they experimented a bit more. But I guess the mere thought of tinkering with a folk song popularised to international level by your father can be a bit daunting! But then again, isn’t this what Coke Studio is about? [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2696vq_niazi-brothers-lai-beqadraan-naal-yaari-coke-studio-season-7-episode-1_music[/embed] Asrar: Sab Aakho Ali Ali It is heartening to see Coke Studio embrace freshness and Asrar’s uninhibited vocals were a great addition to the line-up. His first properly produced song seemed to be greatly enjoyed by all musicians as maybe there was no ‘pressure’ to measure up. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Coke Studio Facebook page[/caption] And how lucky is Asrar to get Aamir Zaki as the guest musician on his song? Zaki’s first solo was soulful and restrained; he completely owned the song in the end. This is master musicianship and I hope all other musicians were taking notes! Could there be a better way to celebrate strings? [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2696p1_asrar-sab-aakho-ali-ali-coke-studio-season-7-episode-1_music[/embed] The Coke Studio line-up is great and the first episode has brought with it great promise. Strings itself is a part of the line-up and while Ahad Nayani is superb, the guitarist seems redundant. Ahad’s bermudas maybe someone’s ‘styling and personality’ idea, but it does not make music look, appear and sound sublime. And Asrar would be well advised neither does smoke doth a true Sufi make. Here’s to hoping that Coke Studio also encourages instrumentals, and musicians aren’t just mere accompanists to vocalists. There are many like Ustad Tanveer, Aamir, Ustad Raees and Faraz who can carry off entire shows on their own. So I am looking forward to seeing the gap between vocalists and instrumentalists being bridged in the rest of the season.

I was in Pakistan for a few weeks to attend a sibling’s wedding. However, the trip turned out to be longer than expected because of the political situation in the twin cities that led to the cancellation and rescheduling of the wedding a few times. Because of this, many invitees were unable to attend the events. The happy affair turned into a stressful one as the two families tried to get through the logistical nightmare that blockages and the long march had created between Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The mehendi was cancelled, the wedding reception was organised at a four-hour notice and the valima was postponed by more than a week. But nothing dampened the spirits of the lovely bride and the groom, which boosted everyone’s mood. The valima dinner menu consisted of palak paneer – curried spinach with cottage cheese – which happens to be a favourite in Pakistan, especially during winters.  So here I am, sharing with all of you the recipe of one of my personal favourites. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="538"] Photo: Ambreen Malik[/caption] Ingredients: Spinach/palak – ½ kg (chopped – steam and blend about a kilogram of fresh spinach. I am using frozen but you can use fresh if available) Cottage cheese/paneer – 250 grams (gms) (cut in bite size cubes) Tomatoes – 3 to 4 medium sized (pureed with a green chilli) Green chilli – 1 medium sized Fenugreek/methi seeds – 1 tsp (heaped) Cumin seeds – 1 tsp (crushed) Coriander seeds – 1 tsp (crushed) Dried fenugreek leaves/kasuri methi – 1 tbsp (heaped) Whole dried chillies – 3 Fresh ginger/garlic paste – 1 tsp (heaped) Chilli powder – 1 tsp (adjust to taste) Salt – 1 tsp (adjust to taste) Oil – 4 tbsp Oil – 1 cup (for frying the cottage cheese) [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="537"] Photo: Ambreen Malik[/caption] Method: 1. Heat the oil that is to be used for frying the cottage cheese in a frying pan and fry the cubed cottage cheese until it turns golden brown. Remove on a kitchen paper and set aside. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Ambreen Malik[/caption] 2. Heat the rest of the oil (4 tbsp) in a pan and add ginger/garlic paste. Once it becomes golden, add cumin seed, coriander seeds, whole red chillies and fenugreek seeds into the pan and cook for one minute. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="539"] Photo: Ambreen Malik[/caption] 3. Add tomato puree, salt and chilli powder into the pan and mix. Cook until the water dries out completely. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Ambreen Malik[/caption] 4. Add spinach to the mixture. Cover and let it thaw for 10-15 minutes. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Ambreen Malik[/caption] 5. Add dried fenugreek leaves to the mixture and let the water dry out completely. 6. Add fried cottage cheese cubes to the mixture and mix. Cover for 4-5 minutes over low heat till the stream of oil flows out to the sides. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: Ambreen Malik[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="537"] Photo: Ambreen Malik[/caption] Palak paneer can be served with boiled rice or homemade flat bread. A simple yet delicious dish that keeps you wanting more. The saltiness of the cottage cheese combined with the freshness and spiceness of the spinach, what more can you ask for. No Pakistani can resist it, that's for sure! This post originally appeared here.

Life without a working smartphone in your pocket, at all times, is strange. It’s like something in missing in your life, like some tragedy befell upon you. I have gone through such a tragedy, and I’ve been the same. Five days ago, after receiving a phone call, I saw that my phone’s battery was almost dead. That’s normal, right? Well, I rummaged around my room to find the charger. My eyes remained settled on the screen as I connected my charger to the tiny slot, waiting for the light come back and see my phone grin with life again. However, that didn’t happen. It stayed silent as I helplessly watched my vintage wallpaper of petals and leaves get dimmer and dimmer, until finally fading away to a complete blackout. My heart was taken over by the same darkness that engulfed my phone. All at once, I wanted to check the calendar, use the calculator, post a tweet, make a note; I wanted to make it live again. Or, if nothing else, I wanted to at least say a proper goodbye to it before sending it away to the hospital (read: mobile phone repair shop). But alas, fate is cruel. Its screen did not light up again and it was safe to assume that it had gone into a coma. I felt numb while giving it away – the pain was too much. But there was nothing I could do to make it come back to life again. Only the doctor (read: repair man) could breathe some life into it now. Needless to say, my prayers were almost entirely focused on its well-being. However, the past five days have been nothing short of torture for me. Here is how my days went: Day 1 I baked! Note: Before my venture, baking was part of my ‘top five things I’m terrible at’ list, on number two. Also note: I needed my phone for the recipe. (This was followed by a half an hour remembrance of how great my smartphone was) Anyway, reluctantly I took out a Martha Stewart recipe book, and read from it (unbelievable, I know). Since I had no new notifications to worry about, I wholeheartedly mixed and whisked the ingredients and baked a lovely lemon tart that tasted quite decent. Lessons learnt: 1. No use of phone while eating allows tasting buds to work efficiently. 2. Sometimes, when you cook with dedication, you earn the right to being called a master chef for a day. 3. The touch of a glossy cook book actually feels very nice. Day 2 I sat on a chair, sighed, cheered away the emptiness my hand felt, and painted my fingernails, twice. It was only then that I realised that I needed a manicure as well, so I got myself an appointment. Of course, I needed my phone for that too but, thankfully, the landline was still available. Lessons learnt: 1. It is important to take care of yourself. 2.  The buttons on a cordless are fun to press on. 3.  I need to buy more nail polishes. Day 3 I went with mother dearest to pick my sister up from her friend’s place. The experience gave me the opportunity to look outside the window, eat ice cream using both hands, and laugh with my family instead of at internet jokes. Lessons learnt: 1. Life goes on perfectly without a car selfie. 2.  Karachi is not a clean city. 3.  It is important to talk to your mom; otherwise she thinks you love someone else. Day 4 I spent the day at the dentist and then the mobile shop, only to discover that my phone still needed another day to discharge. My toothache (I’m guessing it was the lemon tart) had me do nothing productive but whine about how much I needed my phone to distract myself. I decided I should clean and organise my makeup instead. Lessons learnt: 1. How to be patient. 2. I have enough makeup. Day 5 I terribly felt the need to post something on Instagram, but there was no way to do it. So after that, I decided I had nothing better to do at home; hence, I went along with my grandmother to the eyewear shop. The objective was to choose an eye frame for her, but instead, I ended up liking one for myself (and buying it). Lessons learnt: 1.  Grandma doesn’t let you pay. 2.  These shops will have your frame adjusted for free. 3.  You feel important when your choice of consideration is fulfilled. 4.  My eye sight has become weaker. By the end of day five, I realised that life can go on well (not entirely, but positively) without a smartphone, which sometimes only symbolises nuisance. So maybe if we could use it less then it would be almost possible for us to live without it. Today is day six by the way, and I feel relatively normal.

Coke Studio gives us another episode filled with people who are worthy of being called ‘musicians’. However, there were some stumbles and bigger fumbles by the producers when it came to handling big names and their songs. Akhtar Chanal, Komal Rizvi and Momin Durrani: Washmallay [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/107125563[/embed] So how does a Balochi song get hijacked from under the nose of a Balochi folk artist himself, relegating him to a dancing performer of sorts while non-singers like Komal Rizvi and Momin Durrani take top credits for a song when they only contributed to its ruin? Does mere chutzpah maketh a song? Or do we just randomly line up female singers who think of themselves as singers and let them have a go at any song as long as they deliver oomph? As a result, we got a great song, terrible arrangement and even more terrible choice of contemporary singers. It is to the credit of our Pakistani folk songs that despite the ruin we may bring upon it, they stand above the pettiness and deliver the joy they are supposed to! While the guitar skills were relatively strong in episode one, hearing Adeel Ali was a disappointment. What was he doing in the song? Strings should well remember that as nepotism creeps in, the grace and beauty of music walks out. Rohail Hyatt’s downfall probably began when he let his half-baked so-called musician of a son feature as the main artist in Coke Studio. This is precisely what Strings have done here. Adeel may be the backing musician in the ‘Strings’ band but he had nothing to contribute to in the song. Luckily for him, we have other things to pick on in this song! Zoheb Hassan: Chehra [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/107119800[/embed] Once again a “Coors” style sound opening by the strings section (violins) orchestrated beautifully under the management of Javed Iqbal. With years of experience playing for films, he can add even more value to the songs on Coke Studio. Zoheb Hassan chose to sing an old solo song of his, but we missed Nazia Hasan all the same (may she rest in peace)! The guitar, played by Imran Akhoond, riffed with the vocals whereas the table, played by Babar Khanna, was a little muted and a slight enhancement would have given the song a fresher feel. The backing vocals were arranged well and once again Aamir Zaki did a repeat of what he did in Asrar’s song – he stole the show with his ending solo! And one does not hear him asking for ‘top credits’ like other guest musicians as your work speaks for itself. Brilliance shines no matter where it is! Javed Bashir: Charkha [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/107143883[/embed] Javed Bashir is a powerhouse singer. His qawwali voice is crafted to sing any song to perfection! Aj Latha Naeeo from season two was one of his best performances and was arranged to perfection by Hyatt. Charkha sees Javed in his more comfortable qawwali environment. Tanveer Tafu shows off his rubab skills in this song, but just like Abida ji and Ustad Raees’s song, the opportunity for a jugalbandi was lost! Similarly, the sargams of Javed could have taken a notch up with an even better arrangement. Here’s an idea for the Coke Studio team: Give Javed’s majestic vocals and powerful sargams an electronic-funk spin! We are blessed to have a classical vocalist open to an eclectic mix of music so let’s not waste the beautiful opportunity like it has been in Charkha. Humera Channa and Abbas Ali Khan: Phool Banro [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/107125562[/embed] Humera ji regaled us all in raga ‘Tilak Kamod’ with Phool Banro. Traditionally a wedding song, Humera ji captured all its emotion and delivered a superb rendition. Abbas Ali Khan’s “akaars” were just wonderful! He is a man worthy of being called a musician and ably matched with Humera ji. However, doubling of the ‘leh’ in the ‘aakar’ towards the end could have been even more interesting. Jaffer Zaidi’s opening piano sequence set the right mood, but guest musician Shallum of Fuzon was either the wrong choice for the song or he just couldn’t find his element throughout the song. He was clearly a misfit. The producers can also take a leaf out of Meekal Hasan’s albums on how to innovatively arrange classical pieces to make such songs even more exciting. Clearly all songs of episode two had ‘could have been’ moments. There were many lapses and misses in the arrangement and production, which makes one wonder if the producers have enough time to think through each song. They clearly need more help with classical and folk singers and songs. The overall forte of Coke Studio remains ‘pop’ which is clearly being enjoyed by the masses as well.

The term “Na maloon afraad”, in recent times, has become almost ubiquitous and synonymous with those unknown/anonymous miscreants that are up to no good at all vis-à-vis to any law and order situation in our major cities. However, this time around, it has a comedic spin surrounding it; enter Na Maloom Afraad, the Pakistani feature movie! [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/99359741[/embed] Suffice to say, the consensus will be unanimously positive and endearing when one will head out to the movie theatres to see this particular motion picture; they will be thoroughly entertained and get their money’s worth. It is a pure masala film through and through, which is not a bad thing, seeing how lately there has been a great dearth of unadulterated, solely “paisa wasool” (worth your money) and quality entertainer movies that have been churned out of Lollywood, and Na Maloom Afraad delivers that aspect in abundance. By having Nabeel Qureshi as the director at the helm under the banner of Filmwala pictures, the film benefits greatly as a direct result. He has been acknowledged as one of the few directors that are playing their due and active role to usher in a new wave of contemporary Pakistani cinema. A cinema that is not merely about the “ghundas”, “Maula Jutts” and “Noori Naats” of our world but rather more about substance, quality, well-rounded scripts and overall aesthetics. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Na Maloom Afraad Facebook page[/caption] Speaking about the premise of the movie, it swivels around the three main protagonists: Shakeel Bhai (Javed Sheikh), Farhan (Fahad Mustafa) and Moon (Mohsin Abbas Haider). For the sake of not spoiling the story of the movie itself, let’s just say that fate intervenes and due to a series of unfortunate events, their paths get aligned and together, they conspire to plan something ‘big’ to earn fast and easy money. And what that ‘big’ thing is, you might ask? Well, you have to go to cinemas to see for yourself. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Na Maloom Afraad Facebook page[/caption] In the acting department, all actors demonstrate their acting prowess sufficiently, especially Fahad and Mohsin. Fahad has transitioned seamlessly from the smaller screen of the drama industry towards the bigger celluloid screen of the cinema format. Javed is, as usual, on point and Urwa Hocane has perhaps given her best performance yet that will strongly cement her position for future movie acting endeavours. Salman Shahid, in his portrayal as Gogi, requires special praise and kudos for the way he has portrayed this character. Perhaps one can’t help but to draw an outright parallel between his on screen persona of Mushtaq Bhai in Dedh Ishqiya and Gogi, but nonetheless his comedic timing remains impeccable as always. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Na Maloom Afraad Facebook Page[/caption] Ultimately, it is the trifecta (Javed, Fahad and Mohsin) that carries the movie competently on their shoulders because their chemistry is just amazing and they click and gel in with each other like three peas in a pod. Other cast members include Paras Masroor, Kubra Khan, Ali Rizvi and Nayyar Ejaz; they all hold their own in the limited on-screen time that they are given. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Na Maloom Afraad Facebook page[/caption] The director has intentionally opted to choose regular local Karachi landmarks and locations for shooting the bulk of the movie, instead of international exotic locales. Same is the case with shooting the songs of the movie. The subject of the story is such that showing outdoor and extravagant foreign location in large proportions will seem out of place and incompatible with the on-going theme of the movie. In particular, it will resonate well with Karachiites and they surely will appreciate the fact that their daily commuting routes, streets, back alleys and roads are shown extensively in the movie. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Na Maloom Afraad Facebook page[/caption] In terms of the musical score of the movie, it will rival any Bollywood flick, as all the songs are catchy and melodious, especially the item song Billi in which Mehwish Hayat exhibits her dancing talent. She is simply scintillating, drop dead gorgeous and spectacular. Finally Pakistanis have an item song they can call their own, without going into the merits or the demerits of the culture of embedding an item song in a movie; it is a reality whether one likes it or not. Instead of playing the usual Munnis, Jalebi Bais and Chikni Chembalis of Bollywood over and over again in our local functions such as weddings and the likes, Billi will be a better if not equal substitute for them for some time to come. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x25e88y_billi-na-maloom-afraad-movie-song-featuring-fahad-mustafa-urwa-hocane-and-javed-shiekh-audio-song_music[/embed] To sum it all up, Na Maloon Afraad doesn’t exactly transcend its genre led clichés but it does however offer quality entertainment in bucket loads. The songs, the comedic timing, the punchy yet idiosyncratic hard-to-forget one liners coupled with an excellent timing that will not drag the film and the subtle social commentary. To the naysayers, it is a request that instead of trying to find flaws in our locally generated movies such as that it’s inspired from the likes of Hera Pheri or any other Bollywood movie, we ought to applaud the fact that after such a long hiatus, some good, wholesome movies are again coming out in Pakistan which are locally made. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Na Maloom Afraad Facebook page[/caption] It would be almost criminal (pun intended) to miss this one out. Na Maloon Afraad is a riot, in every sense of the word that would leave its audience short of laughing fits and aneurysms!

For me, there can’t be an Eid without the ravishingly delicious Kheer – the ultimate sweet indulgence. A new twist to this traditional delight will surely bring a smile to your lips and, while the tongue revels in its milky glory, its creamy decadence will keep you entranced and craving for more. Food aficionados like me are fascinated by the Mughals who brought their rich, aromatic food culture, and thereby refined cooking to an art form. The exotic use of spices, dried fruits and nuts makes Mughlai cuisine undeniably unique in style. Extravagant connoisseurs of beauty, they left behind an enduring legacy of culinary excellence that influenced the landscape of Indian cuisine completely and permanently. They also brought with them refined and courtly etiquettes of dining in which decorating food with fresh flower petals, thin edible foils of silver and cleaning hands after dining by dipping fingers in bowls of rose water was usual practice. The fast-paced craziness of our present world has rendered it impossible for us to indulge in those elegant dining styles but the taste and flavour can still be recreated and experienced on special occasions like Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha. Traditional dishes like Mughlai Qorma, Biryani, Nihari, Halwa, Shahi Tukray and Kheer remind us of our rich cultural heritage and what better time to revel in it than Eid? Eidul Azha brings with it a welcome break from work and everyone seems to be making plans to socialise with friends and family. Parties have to be planned and menus are carefully prepared even for a small gathering. Traditional desserts and sweets are synonymous with Eid and are eagerly awaited in every household. Life is surely great when a culinary indulgence becomes ‘healthy’. Despite the sugar, these milk-based desserts are full of nutrients, definitely low on the budget and easy to prepare. You’ll have plenty of time to get dressed and put on all the make-up ladies! The only problem you might encounter with these Kheers is keeping your guests away from them. So today, I bring you three different types of Kheers that you can easily make this Eid at home: 1. Nurjehani Kheer Ingredients: (serves 6-8) Milk – 1 litre Khoya – ½ to 1 cup Rice –1 cup (boiled) Sugar – 3 tbsp Vanilla custard powder – 3 tbsp Condensed milk – 1 tin Cham cham (mithai) – 250 grams Green cardamom powder – ½ tsp Almond and pistachio – chopped (for garnishing) Chaandi warq (silver edible foil) – optional [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="518"] Ingredients for Nurjehani Kheer. Photo: Saira Khan[/caption] Method: 1. Blend the rice with a little milk to crush roughly. 2. Boil the milk and add rice, khoya, cardamom powder and sugar. Cook this over low heat until slightly thick. 3. Add custard powder, diluted in ¼ cup of milk, stirring rapidly until thick. Let it cool completely. 3. Now add condensed milk and mix well. 4. Dish it out in a serving bowl. Sprinkle chopped almonds and pistachios and dip the cham cham pieces in the kheer. Decorate with it chaandi warq. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Nurjehani Kheer. Photo: Saira Khan[/caption] 2. Kheer Dilruba Ingredients: (serves 6-8) Milk – 1 litre Rice – 1 cup (boiled and mashed) Sugar – 3 to 4 tbsp Vanilla custard powder – 3 to 4 tbsp Condensed milk – 1 tin Green cardamom powder – ½ tsp Pineapple chunks – 1 tin Bananas – 2 to 3 (finely chopped) Peach – 1 large (finely chopped) Almonds and pistachios – ¼cup each (finely chopped) [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Ingredients for Kheer Dilruba. Photo: Saira Khan[/caption] Method: 1.  Boil the milk for five minutes and add rice and sugar. Boil it for a few more minutes and then thicken it with custard powder (diluted in a little milk). 2. Add almonds and pistachios. Mix it well again and turn off the flame. Let it cool completely. 3. Add all the fruits and condensed milk into it and garnish with pineapple chunks, almond and pistachio. Chill for four to six hours or overnight before serving for best results.  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Kheer Dilruba. Photo: Saira Khan[/caption] 3. Coconut Kheer Ingredients: (serves 6-8) Coconut milk – 2 cups Sugar – 6 tbsp Cream – ½ cup Apple – 1 (chopped finely) Mixed fruit cocktail – 1 small tin Tapioca pearls (also called sabudaana) – ½ cup Water - 2½ cups Red food colour – a few drops (optional) [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="469"] Ingredients for Coconut Kheer. Photo: Saira Khan[/caption] Method: 1. Cook the tapioca (sabudana) with water until cooked, translucent and thick. 2. Add sugar and coconut milk and mix quickly. Stir it continuously until it becomes thick. Add cream and red food colour. Then mix well, turn off the heat and let it cool down. 3. Now add all the fruits and chill it before serving. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="498"] Coconut Kheer. Photo: Saira Khan[/caption] So there you have it - three simple Kheers that will keep your guests licking their spoons till the very end! Eid Mubarak to all you kitchen experts (you might as well be one after all the hard work that goes on in the kitchen!).

William Shakespeare, in one way or another, is an inspiration for every writer. In Bollywood, there is only one director, Vishal Bhardwaj, who has always done justice to Shakespeare’s plots and does exceptionally well in entertaining the audience. Omkara and Maqbool are good examples of this. This time again, Bhardwaj, along with Basharat Peer (a Kashmiri journalist), has penned down an adaptation of Shakespeare’s most ambiguous play, Hamlet. After R…Rajkumar and Phata Poster Nikla Hero (the masala entertainers), Shahid Kapoor was offered undeniably the most complicated role of his acting career; a role that needed thorough understanding of the character, emotions and complexities. [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/100203938[/embed] Casting of Tabu and Irrfan Khan (Bhardwaj’s signature actors), along with Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Kay Kay Menon, is something that should never be missed by a Bhardwaj-kind of cinema fan. So, with all these ingredients, does Haider manage to impress and create its magic? Let’s explore. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Haider Facebook Page[/caption] Plot and treatment: 4.5/5 Haider Meer (Shahid Kapoor) returns to Kashmir and finds out that his father, Dr Hilal Meer (Naendra Jha) has been disappeared in Kashmir and his mother Ghazala (Tabu) is staying with his uncle Khurram Meer (Kay Kay Menon). He is shocked to notice that she is not mourning on her husband’s disappearance. Not sure about how to deal with the situation and visuals witnessed by him, he leaves his uncle’s place and starts to search his father along with the help of his love interest Arshia (Shraddha Kapoor), a journalist. En route to his father’s search, Haider discovers many unbelievable and shocking facts, especially the one that Roohdaar (Irrfan Khan) tells him. Rest is an amazing adaptation of Hamlet in Bhardwaj’s very own way, weaved in a story that encompasses Kashmir, militants, politics, power, lust, love and the concept of chutzpah. Performances: 4.5/5 Haider is by far the most difficult role offered to Shahid and he proves that he has the genes of both his parents (Pankaj Kapoor and Supria Pathak – the epitomes of talent). Watching him control his emotions out-bursting with pain and uneasiness, leaves one in awe – he is just so natural and perfect. This could easily be a career defining role for Shahid. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Haider Facebook Page[/caption] Tabu is flawless, as always. This role can make viewers easily understand why we don’t see her in every other movie. She has the eye for the right role. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Haider Facebook Page[/caption] Kay Kay Menon is back in form and delivers a performance that is, yet again, not a simple one but he makes the character of Khurram seem so easy to portray. Irrfan Khan never loses a single opportunity to impress his viewers, although as Roohdar his character has very little screen-time but in every frame where he appears, he leaves his viewers wanting for more. Irrfan knows the art of delivering a complex statement with the utmost ease and conviction. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Irrfan Khan. Photo: AFP[/caption] Narendra Jha is a talent to look out for. His subtle jokes, discomfort and pain could easily be felt in every scene where he is present. Watching Khulbhushan Kharbanda after a really long time is definitely a treat. In a very short lived performance with just three to four scenes, he excels and leaves a mark. Shraddha seemed fine but she needs to work on her acting skills. However, getting a chance to share screen space with supremely talented names is, in itself, a great achievement for her. Music: 4/5 Haider offers one of the best soundtracks, in terms of vocals, lyrics and music. Khul Kabhi, Jehlum and Gulon Mein Rung (by Arijit Singh) are mesmerising. Aona (by Vishal Dadlani) is undeniably a song that stands out from the lot – haunting, lovely and so meaningful. [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/104071500[/embed] Bismil (by Sukhwinder Singh) is a classic. It reminds one of Kishore Kumar’s and Subhash Ghai’s magical deliverance in Ek Haseena Thi (from 1980’s Qarz). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Haider Facebook Page[/caption] Direction, dialogues and screenplay: 4/5 “Main hoon kay main nahin”, the desi version of “to be or not to be”, is one of the best stealers from Haider. The movie has some awesome dialogues. Direction and screenplay wise, it’s a masterstroke. At the box office: It has been observed, in the past, that creative and performance oriented movies don’t do as good as masala flicks. At the box office, Haider will face a fierce competition by Bang Bang. So, it might not be amongst the highest grosser films of Bollywood but still, it’s a must watch. I would rate it 4.5 out of 5.

We, Pakistanis, love our barbeque and our Eidul Azha is incomplete without some form of meaty delight. So, as Eid came, I decided to whip up a saucy dish for my guests. I always loved cooking on charcoal. But if you have limited time and want to serve your guests a good quality barbeque dish, then you can cook this scrumptious delicacy on the stove as well. This recipe was passed on to me by my colleague, Mrs Jabeen, who happens to be a darling and an exceptional cook. A lot of memories are attached with this recipe and I just want to thank her by adding this quote by Cesar Chavez,

“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him… the people who give you their food give you their heart.”

First and foremost, before getting down to the brass tacks of the movie Operation 021, those that have the slightest of doubt or inclination that Operation 021 mimics or is made along the same lines as Waar can put their doubts safely to rest.  Operation 021’s principal plot, overall theme, script, character build up and dialogue are poles apart from what was previously seen in Waar. For that reason, Waar and 021, apart from having Shaan Shahid as the main lead, do not have an iota of commonality in between them. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1ws427_operation-021-official-trailer_shortfilms[/embed] 021 is created under the umbrella of One Motion Pictures and the Azad Film Company; produced by Zeba Bakhtiar and her son Azan Sami Khan. It is directed by Jamshed Mahmood Raza, popularly known as Jami, and co-directed by Summer Nicks. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="539"] Photo: Operation 021 Facebook page[/caption] After getting that bit of crucial information out of the way, 021 is a pure spy action thriller feature movie from its start till the credits roll down. Spoiler alert: contrary to the popular perception or any insinuation that you may have that its plot is somehow based around Karachi, could not be more wrong; seeing as how 021 is also coincidentally the dialling prefix for the aforementioned metropolis. Fundamentally, the numerals ‘021’ in the movie signifies the number of hours (i.e. 21 to be precise) for implementing a plan that could potentially save the two estranged neighbouring countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan from going into further turmoil, all-out chaos and a state of lawlessness. If the plan that is to be executed fails, its repercussions will reverberate in equal damaging terms in Pakistan and as well as in Afghanistan. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Operation 021 Facebook page[/caption] The underlying premise of the movie gyrates around the principal character, Kashif Siddiqui, aka Kash (Shaan Shahid), a Pakistani Black Ops Field Officer and how he collaborates with his Afghani acquaintance and friend, Abdullah (Ayub Khoso), to safeguard the national security associated interests of their respective countries. Other cast members include Aamina Sheikh, Hameed Sheikh, Tatmainul Qulb, Ayaz Samoo, Gohar Rasheed, Bilal Ashraf, Wendy Haines, Joe Towne, James Hallett, Abdullah Ghaznavi, Shamoon Abbasi and Daniyal Raheal respectively. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: Operation 021 Facebook page[/caption] While keeping the spoilers firmly at bay, without going into the nuances of the main plot line of the movie itself, holistically speaking, the plot focuses on the real life revelation that Afghanistan is sitting on a $1 trillion dollar mineral deposits and how the antagonistic elements conspire to steal this natural resources wealth. Apart from that, the narrative of the motion picture is also inspired from the real world bombing of NATO tankers that took place in Afghanistan some years ago. The role of American spy organisation, CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), and how it fits within the context of all of this is also shown expansively and in scrupulous attention to detail. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="484"] Photo: Operation 021 Facebook page[/caption] 021 at times can get a tad too complex for its own good with relation to its plot structure but it never gets too convoluted or deviates a lot to lose sight of the main story among the short-lived clutter. It does, however, exude a Jason Bourne-esque vibe and feel, which the spy thriller genre enthusiasts will come to appreciate. All in all, it is an intelligently crafted movie with a background that can be plausible and entrenched in real life events. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Operation 021 Facebook page[/caption] Shaan has given another concrete performance, and Ayub Khosa also did justice to his roles, while Aamina Sheikh in her supporting role was on par as well. However, the American actors who are casted in this movie try a bit too hard at times and their performance doesn’t exactly come out as organic or natural as their Pakistani counterparts. But digressing from that point, it is but a small stumbling block in an otherwise excellent movie. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="437"] Photo: Operation 021 Facebook page[/caption] 021 delivers on the thrills and on the action it promises, yet it gives us some food for thought with regards to what is happening in Af-Pak relations. Politically speaking, the rhetoric upon which it relies on as fodder may be known beforehand and presented in Hollywood but this shows that Pakistan cinema too is capable of producing an intelligently crafted and engaging spy thriller. The journey of the rejuvenation and renewal of the Pakistani cinema that was once initiated with Khuda Ke Liye and supplemented by the likes of Bol, Waar and Na Maloom Afraad will be further traversed efficaciously by Operation 021, another feather in the cap of the new age of contemporary Pakistani cinema. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="437"] Photo: Operation 021 Facebook page[/caption] With few minor blemishes here and there that are insignificant, Operation 021 is greater than the sum of its parts and should be watched in order to support our local movie industry, if not for anything else, and for encouraging further movies of this calibre seeing the light of day.

As I sat munching on popcorn and taking an occasional sip from my coke glass, I had a flashback; a flashback of all the Fincher movies that have wowed me over the years. With the amazing end of Se7en and an even more ultra-dramatic finish of Fight Club, David Fincher has made my jaw drop on a number of occasions. So, to say that I had high expectations from Gone Girl would be an understatement. My thoughts were taking their toll while the screen in front of me displayed the initial trailers – the Fincher sensation had begun. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1p4bef_gone-girl-official-trailer-1-2014-ben-affleck-rosamund-pike-movie-hd_shortfilms[/embed] As expected, to no one’s surprise, Gone Girl truly delivered. If you’re familiar with any of Fincher’s films, you’ll know his movies are meticulously crafted and brilliantly visual. So when the opening credits started to show, I already felt the dark and shadowy tone of the movie that told me something wasn’t right. As the movie played on, my jaw dropped on numerous occasions as the film twisted, turned and moved forward with great pace. And by the time the end credits were rolling, I was just awestruck; Fincher had, yet again, pulled a spectacular one on us. The plot of the movie revolves around Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) and his missing wife Amy (Rosamund Pike). As her disappearance becomes the centre of a media circus, suspicions start to point towards Nick, who was previously thought to be innocent. One might think that this is just another movie about a missing woman, when in actuality, it is much more twisted and mindboggling than that. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Gone Girl Facebook page[/caption] The movie has other commendable factors as well, including the acting. Affleck was on top of his game from the get go. He seemed mysterious and guarded. On numerous occasions, he stole the scenes with his eloquently expressed emotions. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Gone Girl Facebook page[/caption] But the real surprise came from Rosamund Pike. Where was she all these years? The only thing I knew about Pikes prior to this movie was that once upon a time she was a Bond girl. But boy does she pack a punch in this one. My predictions: Pikes will definitely be nominated, if not win, for the Oscars this year. If she’s not nominated, my little attachment with the Oscars will be diminished forever, until they hand Leo his rightful award. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="537"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The supporting actors performed exceptionally as well. Neil Patrick Harris was creepy and that’s a good thing because that means he did a good job. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Although the musical score was amazing, at certain points, specifically during the first few minutes, the audio could not be easily heard. It got better as the movie progressed though. But at this point, I’m just nit-picking and trying to find faults in a nearly flawless film. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Gone Girl Facebook page[/caption] The movie is two and a half hours long but you know a movie is amazing when you don’t feel the duration. Since I haven’t read the book, I heard that the ending was quite different from it. But in my opinion, the ending was perfect and gelled well with the rest of the film. As the end credits started rolling, I looked at my friend who was watching his first ever Fincher creation, and he looked at me dumbfounded as I looked at him the same way. We walked out of the theatre without saying a word to each other and it was minutes before we spoke. His first words were,

“What just happened?”

“That’s Fincher for you.”

Chinese authorities, on Friday, sent a letter to the UNOOSA (United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs), condemning the unashamedly cheerful celebration by the Indian authorities on the success of the recent Indian Mars mission ‘Mangalyaan’. It accused the country of ‘highly inappropriate’ interference in its outer space affairs. The letter from the Beijing foreign affairs committee said that, under its ‘eight planet chain’ convention, China has the exclusive rights to any space territory that was charted by its ancient astronomers. This is not the first time the emerging Asian superpower has asserted its growing authority on disputed territories. It has previously laid claim to most of the islands of the South China Sea based on a nine-dashed line drawn by past Chinese cartographers. Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, sternly confirmed this stance during his speech at the recent UN General Assembly meeting,

“Since it was our astronomer that mapped the sky first, China owns anything that can be observed with a student telescope. And that includes Pluto, planet or no planet.”

“China simply aims to construct quarry sites on the metal-rich asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter so that its factories back home can churn out more bendable iPhones than ever,” he said proudly showing off his new wristwatch. “Seriously, who needs the Apple watch when you can simply bend your iPhone into a timepiece?”

“Arey bhaiya, this is good na. Modi jee says it is cheaper to go to Mars by satellite than to travel to Lal Quila in a rickshaw. You mark my words; I will be selling chai on Mars soon!”

“I’m going to go crazy”, a tearful fan protested, “I’ve had iPhones all my life and I’ve been waiting in this line for a whole week. Now no phones left!” He was later seen tweeting about the development on his Huawei device.

Bread! Sounds doughy, sounds boring and definitely sounds like a typical consumption option around K-town; but a revolution is here! Oh yes, it’s Hoagies that has entered the food market of Karachi, like a thunderbolt to strike the agendas of all possible foodies of the city! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Hoagies Facebook page[/caption] Hoagies drew a lot of popularity over social media and the food scene of Karachi within a short span of time with a promising new concept of deliciously toasted ‘hero sandwiches’ and stirred the right amount of hype to challenge the traditional ideology of subs, wraps and sandwiches. The hype did wonders and drove ‘foodies’ like me to Hoagies, situated at Saba Avenue, in the posh locality of DHA, Karachi. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Hoagies Facebook page[/caption] The place was well lit with wooden booths to accommodate all hunger struck victims and illustrated just the right image of what the eatery aims to do; be a saviour in case of hunger and the urge of a good sandwich. The display menu was elaborative with appetising food photography and catchy names like ‘Hellafat’, ‘Hollywood’, ‘Homie’ etcetera. The offered Hoagie sandwiches were even better! The staff was courteous and the transparent preparatory counter itself portrayed the honesty and hygiene of what one is about to gulp down. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Hoagies Facebook page[/caption] I opted for the ‘Original Hooligan’! (Notice the alphabet ‘H’ playing the lead in their signature sandwiches, maybe the aura of a cheery hurrah or a heroic element). The name ‘flattery over flatbread’ was born as soon as I received my heroic dose of Hoagies. The bread is an ideal in-house baked treat with a secret dough recipe, which has sworn to stand firm against the sloppiness of sauces and the cheesiness of the mozzarella and cheddar conspiracies. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Hoagies Facebook page[/caption] Over this eight-inch white doughy awesomeness, juicy tender and well-seasoned beef strips were laid to rest with a generous blanket of slit open mushrooms and onions. On top of it was a dancing layer of Hoagies’ signature dirty sauce, topped with thick tomato rings and fresh lettuce leaves. After the final ecstatic drizzle of shredded mozzarella cheese, this flattery was caged down with the final white hoagie roll. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Hoagies Facebook page[/caption] Hoagies won me over in terms of taste, value for money and its distinctively unique concept of bringing about something new to offer in terms of fast food. The brand is competing wholeheartedly with internationally known competitors but has won a distinguished ranking in my opinion. They have managed to draw attention with their colourful branding and language with which to address all Hoagies’ fans in its own special way! A must visit for all those who are on the hunt for something new - Hoagies is definitely worth it! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Hoagies Facebook page[/caption] This place is not just a hero in terms of its sandwiches, but adheres to social responsibility as well! The place is wheelchair friendly, and they cut the Hoagie sandwich into half, as if they really know what a customer may seek. Happy eating!