Lollywood gets an unreasonable amount of flak for being the stepsister of Bollywood; the one that was sent to the village as a child, and says her ‘o’s as ‘a’s – McDonalds becomes ‘MaacdAnalds’ and Ostrich becomes ‘Asstrij’. However, these people fail to realise the deep philosophical ideas expressed by Lollywood songs. Here are some examples of why Lollywood is on par with the greatest philosophers the world has ever seen. 1. Cartesian doubt Philosophical version:

The Cartesian doubt is a method of questioning one’s own beliefs; of being sceptical about all that you hold to be true.

“Sanu Nehar walay pull tay bula kar sohnay mahi kithon reh gaya?” – Noor Jehan (Where did you get caught up after calling me to the bridge on the river?)

A subject learns to respond in a desired manner to an activity which the subject was previously neutral to; through conditioning this neutral stimulus has been associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a desired response – Pavlov’s dogs salivating after listening to the bell – associating the sound with the food.

“Thand paway gee kailajay dildaar, Pyaar dee gandheri chup lay” – Naseebo Lal (You will feel cold inside after slurping on the bamboo of love)

Behaviourism rejects the dualism of the mind and body, hypothesising that love is both observable and quantifiable.

“Cheekhain marta badan mera tu jis walay neeray yaara, jadu maim aahi tay neeray ho manji de vich dhaang pherda” – Naseebo Lal (My body shouts when you are nearby, whenever I am near you the bed makes a noise.)

Plato’s allegory of the cave suggests that people in caves only exposed to the shadows of the light from the sun have never seen the sun and take the shadows to be the complete truth, even though they are mere reflections.

“Kal jab dekha mai nay chand jharokay mai, usko kiya salaam tumharay dhokay mai” – Waris Baig (Yesterday when I looked at the moon, I said hello to it thinking it was you)

“I have a dream that one day, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.”

“Kameez teri kali tay sohnay phoola wali” – Ataulllah Esa Khelvi (Your shirt is black, full of flowers.)

The paradox based on the scenario of a cat, which may be both dead and alive.

“Adhi raat sottay meri laat hilli, lagta hai jiway koi billy shilly hai” (My leg moved while sleeping at night, it felt like there was a cat there.)

In the doctrine of virtue, Kant shows how humanity ought to behave.

“Ama dekh aah dekh tera munda bigra jaye” – Munda Bigra Jaye (Look mother, your son is losing all morals.)

Hegel’s discussion of self-consciousness focuses on how the subjects view other subjects also as objects; the dialectic of the spirit is between this self-consciousness and the need for self-recognition.

“Manji ek tay jawaniyan do… teri lataan day vich pair mu phasana paiya” – Guddu Badmaash (The bed is one but teenagers two, I have no option but to put my foot with your legs.)

The ID is the part of Sigmund Freud’s philosophy that is the compulsive psyche that operates on the pleasure principle.

“Sexy meri shirt, sexy meri pant, mujh ko rakh lay permanent.” (My shirt is sexy, my pants are sexy, you should keep me forever.)

The system of governance based on common ownership where there is no social class, and everyone is equal.

“Tumharay aur meray ghar kay beech mai Larri Ada, yahan sunay ga nahee koi pukaar ye hai larri ada larri ada larri ada” (There is a bus station in between our houses, nobody listens to anyone here this is the bus station.)

I am all for entrepreneurship. Be it any field, I have a great sense of respect for whoever decides to venture into the field and willingly commits to the several pressures and demands innate to the entire prospect. As a nation we have had our fair share of notorious leadership, misguided groups and tragedies, with a few to thank. We have also hit the rock bottom at various times, yet I have not given up on the Pakistani youth. Being a part of the generation myself, I am extremely proud of what we are capable of achieving. From the business sector to the fashion industry we have had some remarkable work to our credit and particularly from the budding entrepreneurs many of whom have emerged to be internationally acclaimed. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="428"] The Aamani handbag. Photo: Facebook page[/caption] Recently, I was introduced to one such creative initiative, NEFER. The moment I set my eyes on the ethereal looking range of leather bags by NEFER, I knew this one is to watch out for. I am not a fashion blogger per se, but I am really fond of bags (a hoarder of sorts) and what could be more appealing to the one with such a weakness than bags with not only aesthetic fabulousness but also just the level of quality that one seeks. In the age of mass-produced goods, it takes a bit of an effort to be unique and NEFER adds that breath of fresh air into the otherwise contemporary market. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="405"] The Reporter bag. Photo: Facebook page[/caption] Having had the good fortune of speaking with Nefer Sehgal, the genius behind the exquisite line, I received an insight into how the initiative took off.  The designer claims to have fallen in love with the idea during her many travels to Spain, Switzerland, and the Big Apple where she also received her education. Seeking inspiration from the upmarket Michael Kors and Tom Ford, the designer wished to make available a more affordable and compact collection for ladies with an eye for detail. Previously she had been designing bags and leather jackets for her personal use and for friends but once she was sure of her business vision, she set off on a journey that many might feel reluctant to undertake. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598"] Modeled by Rubya Chaudhry. Photo: Kashif Rashid/ Facebook page[/caption] Beating the odds, NEFER now boasts seven lovable designs and each has a degree of personalisation that makes it all the more attractive. The bags are not your usual totes and satchels, but each has been named after a woman who proved to be an inspiration to the designer, namely the Saba, the Elena and the Aamani handbags. Crafted in genuine leather and under keen supervision, the range is aimed at the modern age girl, one who strikes the perfect balance between work, home and social life, and so the bold, utterly sophisticated bags aim to convey just that attitude. The designs lured me in the first time I spotted them; the subtle yet meticulous details, fine skin and staying true to their shape without wiggling around too much like some inferior versions being made available at impossible prices. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] The Saba bag. Photo: Facebook page[/caption] Currently with 69 handcrafted pieces revolving around the set favourite colour palette, NEFER promises to continue wooing the ladies with added versatility and quintessential designs in the future. The bags fall in the price range of Rs7000 to Rs10,500 and are sold via the brand’s Facebook page NEFER. It is a known fact that other competing brands and fresh ideas exist in the market, but with the way NEFER has garnered attention in such a brief space of time justifies its durability, beauty and timelessness. Moreover, the prices aren’t as nerve-wracking as most leather bags of similar quality hence it has become my recent favourite. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] The Aamani bag. Photo: Facebook page[/caption] Nefer Sehgal assures to offer another brilliant collection by the February of 2015. It’s a brand I, and I am sure many others, truly believe in it not only for its commercial reputation, but also the entrepreneurial struggle that has been invested into its success. Initiatives like this not only reflect the capability and determination of our generation but also symbolise women empowerment. The designer joins the league of all our brilliant female Pakistani achievers and set an example for the ones in the making. I can see a success story spinning – one that will encourage many to believe in their dreams. Even if it means starting from scratch or going along with that figment of ambition within, as long as honesty, motivation and diligence is your drug, dreams will shape into reality. Take my word for it.

Ringing in the New Year with a resolution to become healthy? Try not to be like the 85% of people who do no more than make a couple of gym visits every January. Trying to get fit is both smart and fashionable – ‘skinny’ just doesn’t cut it anymore. Crash diets are a bad idea because they stifle your metabolism and eventually you end up actually gaining weight. It’s important to make changes in your lifestyle to embrace a healthier, happier you. Apart from just eating healthy, regular exercise and training are required as well. We’ve noticed the ‘fit’ trend picking up in Karachi with more and more restaurants, gyms and fitness programmes opening up for the health conscious. There are now quite a few healthy eating options around town. Here we’ve tried to make your life a little easier by listing the top five gyms in Karachi that you should seek to make your second home. If you’re not a gym buff, there are loads of classes out there from Bollywood dancing to Pilates, as well as various sports teams. Check out some of the top gyms in Karachi: 1. Studio X One of the first, quality gyms to open up in Karachi, Studio X brings with it a team of highly trained fitness instructors that schedule a variety of different fitness classes. A membership at Studio X makes it easily possible to start aerobics, Pilates, kickboxing and boot camp all under one roof. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Studio X Facebook page[/caption]  2. Structure Health and Fitness At Structure, you will find spa massage therapy, a sauna and a jacuzzi, making it a relaxing place to detox and recuperate after an intense workout. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Structure website[/caption] 3. Shapes Ideal for the residents of Clifton and Korangi, Shapes provides convenient access to a state-of-the-art fitness centre. Complete with a swimming pool and jogging track, the calming environment of Shapes is the best getaway after a long day’s work. With new avails and discounts through a credit card membership, becoming a member and using the gym is now as easy as swiping a card. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Shapes website[/caption] 4. Core The latest gym to open up its second branch in town at Ocean Mall is Core. It has a cycling studio and a boxing ring! The much awaited opening is bound to increase traffic to the mall. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Core Facebook page[/caption] 5. Lifestyle Having two branches in Defence, Lifestyle has stuck around the last 14 years as the go-to gym for many in Karachi. If you're looking for individual attention, you'll find some of the best fitness trainers here. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Lifestyle Facebook page[/caption] So stop postponing your fitness plans and hit one of these gyms as soon as you can. Start the new year with a new you, as the cliché goes. This post originally appeared here.

Many in Hollywood and on social media were deeply offended by the lack of racial diversity present in this year’s Oscar nominees. This is the first time since 1998 that no person of colour, Hispanic or Asian, was nominated for the Academy Awards in the acting categories. This comes across as a surprise considering both the country’s president and the president of the Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences are African-American. While it is important to note that, in the past two decades, a large number of African-American, Hispanic and Asian actors and directors have been recognised by the Academy, the blatant subtraction of colour this year is just not acceptable. Director Steve McQueen’s masterpiece 12 Years A Slave won best picture last year; Alfonso Cuaron, a Mexican film director, won an award for his production Gravity; director Ang Lee, from Taiwan, has won twice for Brokeback Mountain and Life of Pi. Many African-American actors and actresses with the likes of Lupita Nyong’o, Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Cuba Gooding Jr, Hattie McDaniel, Halle Berry, Forest Whitaker, Whoopi Goldberg and Jamie Foxx have also all won Academy awards previously. But when the nominees for the 2015 Oscars, were revealed yesterday, there was a huge outcry on social media. The uproar, however, was not only because all the actors and actresses nominated in the Best Actor/Actress category and Best Supporting Actor/Actress categories were white, it was also the fact that many new talents were completely ignored – snubbed – by the academy. So it was not like there were people who did not ‘deserve’ the nomination. People like author Gillian Flynn, whose novel was adapted for the motion picture “Gone Girl” and director of the film “Selma”, Ava DuVernay who, only a few weeks ago, became the first African-American woman to ever be nominated at the Golden Globe Awards, were side-lined. Although Gone Girl has been nominated for ‘Best Picture’ and ‘Original Song’, the author, herself, did not make the cut. David Oyelowo, who gives a powerful performance as Martin Luther King Jr in Selma, was also overlooked even though his performance has been the talk of the town since the movie’s release. Soon after the nominees were revealed, the hashtag #OscarSoWhite and #OscarNorms started trending on Twitter with people calling it ‘typical of the Academy’ to indulge in this ‘lack of diversity’. [fbvideo link=" https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=506365579504954&set=vb.407570359384477&type=2&theater"][/fbvideo] https://twitter.com/pari_passu/status/556241551999791104 https://twitter.com/business/status/556209233256251393 https://twitter.com/KaliHawk/status/556207987006525440 https://twitter.com/wjlly2/status/555741673439780865 https://twitter.com/steveking_/status/555723774373670913 https://twitter.com/Nmozz/status/555725958138048513 https://twitter.com/RebeccaRoughan/status/555722993843077120 https://twitter.com/Kat_Widden/status/555727170970980352 https://twitter.com/CNNLADavid/status/555722621216518145 Reverend Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, was quite vocal about his disapproval with regards to the lack of diversity shown by the Academy this year when he furiously exclaimed, at an emergency meeting to address the ‘appalling’ all-White Oscar nominees,

“The lack of diversity in today’s Oscar nominations is appalling and while it is good that Selma was nominated for ‘Best Picture’, it’s ironic that they nominated a story about the racial shutout around voting while there is a racial shutout around the Oscar nominations. With all of the talent in Selma and other black movies this year, it is hard to believe that we have less diversity in the nominations today than in recent history.”

“Classes can wait. Love can’t.”

American Sniper is a biopic action-drama picture directed by, the accomplished spaghetti western cowboy hero turned director, Clint Eastwood. It is inspired from the autobiography and real life memoirs of Chris Kyle  titled, American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in US Military History. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x279nbl_american-sniper-2014-official-trailer-hd-bradley-cooper-sniper-movie_shortfilms[/embed] On the celluloid format of the cinema, Bradley Copper plays the protagonist and puts himself in the shoes of the larger-than-life persona of Kyle and does full justice to his role in the process. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="599"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] To the uninitiated and those lacking insight into who Kyle was, he was considered as one of the most lethal and deadly snipers in American military history, with well over 160 confirmed kills to his credit. He was able to amass this huge tally during the duration of his four tours of duty in Iraq from 2003 to 2009 due to his excellent proficiency, dexterity and prowess with the long barrel rifle. He belonged to the elite Navy SEALs division of the United States Military. American Sniper tries to embody and exemplify Kyle’s jingoistic patriotism albeit almost to a fault. Kudos to Cooper for emulating Kyle’s character on the big screen with tactful nuance – from copying his Texan accent and mannerisms with such exactitude, to putting on 40 pounds of additional weight to look the part on screen. Having said that, Eastwood, in his pursuit to give Kyle a befitting hero’s tribute, sometimes goes a tad beyond the realm of belief. He tries to focus more on the myth that enveloped him rather than the real man – a man who was heroic and courageous but not devoid of personal shortcomings. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Digressing from that, holistically, the movie is more about the depiction of a soldier coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how he struggles to adapt to the normal life back home, away from the ravages and horrors of war in the war torn Iraq. It depicts how combat impacts a person and the emotional toll it can take on him; how, apart from the obvious physical harm inflicted, it can suck the vitality out of him. To that degree, the director has somewhat succeeded, but the heart and life of the movie remains in those tense, adrenaline-filled action sequences that have been masterfully crafted. In these instances, Eastwood comes into his own but they are few and far between. Although, in my opinion, there is a dearth of action sequences in the movie, when they do appear, they complement the gritty narrative of the movie brilliantly. It will be a delight for action enthusiasts. Among such action scenes is the pursuit of, self-proclaimed, Butcher of Fallujah and the hunt for the Mustafa (Sammy Sheik), a Syrian-born Iraqi insurgent sniper whose sniping skills challenge and rival those of Kyle’s. Although there is no clear antagonist or villain in the movie, the Iraqi sniper comes close to being Kyle’s nemesis. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The movie is not seething with violence as that aspect has been kept to a minimum, but it is a visceral experience nonetheless, with adequate but restrained blood, gore and death. The only difference is that these graphic scenes aid the overall progress of the movie story-line and are not present for the sake of an action sequence. The highpoint of the movie is set in the backdrop of a rooftop battle and an impending sandstorm in which Kyle manages to eliminate the Iraqi sniper. This particular scene, however, is not a figment of the director’s creative imagination but inspired from a real life event in which Kyle eliminated an Iraqi insurgent in Sadr City. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="599"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Sienna Miller (Taya Renae Kyle) portrays Kyle’s initial love interest and eventually becomes his wife. I don’t think her true acting potential was tapped into in this movie and is mediocre at best. She is either shown crying, worrying or being tormented by her husband’s presence in the unrestrained death trap that is Iraq. One might say that it is perfectly understandable, as logic dictates that a wife probably garners these sentiments when one’s husband is serving in such a hostile place, but the audience will notice that after seeing the quality of acting being displayed by Cooper, anything that precedes it, in terms of acting, is equivalent to being white noise. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Another overbearing feeling one will experience when watching the movie is the stark familiarity with the film The Hurt Locker. One can’t help but draw an outright parallel between these two as both are set in Iraq and portray characters from American military armed forces. However, the action drama interspersed with emotional depth of character(s) is explored more efficaciously in the latter. It is rather sad that a director of Eastwood’s calibre wasn’t able to truly elevate this movie like he did with other works like Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino or Unforgiven. With context to movies that are from the larger sniper-action genre, it fails to hold its own among films that have either a more intriguing story or action thrills. Movies like Enemy at the Gates, Shooter and Sniper fare far better in terms of delivering satisfying thrills. But then again, American Sniper tries to be more of an emotional drama coupled with little action. Unfortunately, while trying to portray this hybrid drama cum action film feature, Eastwood manages to construct a muddled affair that is neither a solid entertainer nor indulges those looking for some profound emotional gratification. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] It also does not portray how Kyle actually died in real life. Instead of dying on the battlefield, he was killed in cold blood and rather unceremoniously by a 25-year- old Marine Corps veteran Eddie Ray Routh at a shooting range in his home state of Texas.     To explain this movie in appropriate analogy, American Sniper is like a bullet projectile fired from a suppressed tactical rifle which fails to hits its mark, and we cannot see the mark, whilst also acting as a glorified eulogy for its subject, Kyle. I would rate it a 3.5 out of 5.

Johnny Depp is a fantastic actor and it is always a pleasure to watch his ventures. Even in supporting roles, his performance demands attention and appreciation. While his movies don’t exactly mint money, as would normally be expected, they do guarantee fans. Thanks to its trailer, his upcoming visual treat Mortdecai has already heightened the interest of audiences, and Depp fans, across the globe. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2eit0g_mortdecai-2015-official-trailer-johnny-depp-gwyneth-paltrow_shortfilms[/embed] The story revolves around a stolen Goya painting, ‘The Duchess of Wellington’, rumoured to contain a bank vault code that leads to lost Nazi gold. Art dealer and part time rogue, Lord Charlie Mortdecai, played by Depp, is approached by MI5 agent Martland (Ewan McGregor) to solve the case by retrieving the painting. Accompanying Mortdecai on this case is his gorgeous and ‘impossibly leggy wife’, Johanna (Gwyneth Paltrow) and his right-hand man Jock (Paul Bettany). Following clues, Mortdecai travels to Moscow, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and back to London. As the story unfolds, Johanna’s character also becomes more prominent as she tries influence Martland for her own gain. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="538"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] During the film, what the audience will enjoy the most will be the arguments between Mortdecia and Johanna over his rather… strange moustache. In my opinion, Mortdecai takes inspiration from two very prominent movies; Pink Panther and Austin Powers. The jokes are crude, sexually inclined and go awry at times. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="537"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] In terms of performances, all one looks forward to is Depp’s overpowering screen presence. If you are a Depp fan, one who enjoys his humorous takes, then you will love his performance in this film. While Depp did once mention that the character of Charlie Mortdecai is influenced by Terry-Thomas and Peter Sellers, his performance sometimes comes across as a really bad caricature of Charlie Chaplin and David Niven. Although I myself am a fan, I believe it would be really nice to see Depp do something different, differently. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Jeff Goldblum is a treat to watch, but sadly, he hardly has any on-screen presence. McGregor is a decent performer but with jokes like the ones in the movie, even he couldn’t make much out of his character. As for Platrow, she is strictly “okay”. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] In terms of production quality and value, Mortdecai could be counted in ventures which fall under “larger than life” movies. But in terms of content, performance and treatment, Mortdecai is not what one would expect from a Depp movie. In my opinion, all the hype was created simply because it starred Johnny Depp, not because of what the movie or its storyline has to offer. If you are an avid Depp fan, he should be your only incentive to watch this movie. Otherwise, it is not one you need to be fired-up about watching in a cinema; sit back on your couch at home, make a bag of popcorn and that’s good enough. Unfortunately, the excitement about this movie starts and ends at the trailer itself. I would rate it a tight 2.5 out of 5.

Second year running, Karachi Eat Festival 2015 might just have faced the ‘terrible twos’ trauma, yet the effort has to be lauded. Against the back drop of the historical Frere Hall, this three-day long food fest was greeted, appreciated, criticised and maligned by many. Whilst people had to face traffic nightmares, underwhelming food offerings from various vendors and disappointment as a whole, my family and I were lucky to have faced none of the above. When we arrived on the hot Saturday afternoon, vendors were still waking up from their slumber. Yet in a matter of half an hour or so, the frenzy and vibe had picked up. Mixed aromas of freshly cooked gigantic chapli kebabs, strawberry samosas, Khao Suey, sweet potato fries, bun kebabs and so much more kick-started the gastric  juices. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: Saadia Tariq[/caption] Our first pick for the day were the strawberry samosas by Spoonful. Crisp samosas filled with deep fried strawberries covered in cream, Nutella and chopped strawberries. The only words to describe them: Brilliant and scrumptious! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Saadia Tariq[/caption] While my son and the hubby headed over to ‘Nano’s for a bun kebab, I looked around for something to my liking. The Danish open sandwiches with roast chicken and beef looked delectable, yet I found myself biting into the tangy, hot and extremely soft bun kebabs. Served with a dirty ketchup and spicy green chilli sauce, the small bun kebabs were a complete mouthful. I could have easily gone for seconds, but wanted to save my appetite for lots more the festival had to offer. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: Saadia Tariq[/caption] An instant noodle fan, my daughter did not want to budge from the Knorr stall, which also offered a game in exchange for a cup of noodles. While she slurped on the Cheese Chatkhara flavoured noodles, we moved onto more foodie exchanges. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Saadia Tariq[/caption] A massive, freshly fried, crisp on the outside and moist and juicy on the inside, the chapli kebab from Chapli Kabab House served over a naan was probably the best one I have ever had. It was simply Chaptastic! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Karachi Eat Food Festival Facebook page[/caption] Our gluttony continued to a bowl of luke warm Khao Suey from The Deli, some more chapli kebabs, a bowl of chilli chicken and buttered rice from China Kitchen and finally, ending the escapade with a moist red velvet cupcake with buttercream frosting from Pane and Amore. What I direly missed, apart from a hat, was a decent caffeine shot. I sent the hubby looking for coffee, and he came back with a sad, half demised cup of green tea. Apparently there were supposed to be dedicated coffee stations, for which perhaps, we had arrived too early in the day. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Saadia Tariq[/caption] Friends, peppy music, winter sun, happiness, food choices, chilled drinks, cupcakes, chicken karahis on coal, macaroons, homemade fudge, Glucose D drinks, curly fries, fresh juices – there was so much to ingest, enjoy and appreciate. Yet, some felt it was an unorganised, time and money wasting event. When the KKK (the krazy Karachi krowd) descends upon something as hearty as food, things are bound to get out of hand. And I don’t blame those who got stuck in long queues, bore the heat and returned starving. [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/109800237[/embed] While the effort is a brilliant one, and should become a trend that continues every year, I would only request the management to be more organised in terms of their timing, parking facilities and general management of such events. Looking forward to a better organised and well managed Karachi Eat 2016!

It is that time of the year when the breath of the crisp sandy cool sea breeze in the mornings confirms that our mild, desert winter is here. With it, it brings a gush of festivities, weddings, parties and many visitors – the return of old friends and family living abroad, to enjoy winter Karachi-style. I suppose it’s because the best weather comes around this time of the year and people choose winter holidays over the summer ones to plan their events and trips. Suddenly, Karachi comes alive during the morning, afternoon and evening, as opposed to just the evening like in the sweltering days of summer. There is a lot of excitement in every house hold as people prepare for a flurry of guests dropping in unannounced every other day. I always remember my mother having something ready to serve the guests at a drop of a hat and my grandmother would be able to produce an array of treats within seconds. In Pakistan, you feed your guests before you eat yourself, you never have less than three things on your tea trolley and you never let anyone leave your house without a cup of tea and a samosa. It’s just sacrilegious to do otherwise. Money, status and position in life don’t change this tradition but what might change is what we serve to our guests. Either way, this tradition is enshrined in our way of life and, hence, I don’t remember ever leaving anyone’s house not stuffed! The one kind of samosas that always reminds me of my maternal grandmother (Nanny Mummy) are sweet banana parcels – tiny, crisp samosa leaves that wrap a sweet fragrant banana mixture with coconut and dusted with icing sugar. I don’t remember much else about them but what I do remember is how it felt to bite into one. The audible crunch of the pastry followed by an instant hot, sweet, aromatic burst of honey-like Pakistani banana. This reminded me of the combined pleasures of eating banana fritters and the satisfaction of devouring a McDonald’s hot apple pie and trying not to burn my tongue!  One was never enough, dipped in freshly whipped buffalo milk cream, the combination was reckless but divine. So here I have created a memory of sipping warm cardamom doodh pati chai and munching a hot banana samosa – the combination is so good that it takes me back to Karachi, to sitting with my Nanny Mummy on her soft, fluffy bed, watching her favourite show Tanhaiyan and chatting about her petunias. This recipe makes about 10 samosas and can be either baked or lightly fried in vegetable oil. I usually bake them for the sake of unwanted additional calories and cholesterol. Preparation and cooking time is about 20 minutes. Ingredients for the filling: Bananas – 2 (large, ripe and mashed) Coconut – 60 grams (desiccated) Cardamom seeds – 2 tsp (freshly ground) Crumbled jaggery or Muscovado sugar – 1½ tbsp Filo pastry sheets – 20 (each 2/5 inches wide) Vegetable oil – to seal the samosas Ingredients for the drizzle and decoration: Dark chocolate – 10 pieces Salted butter – 1 tsp Tea – 1 tsp (ground in a mortar and pestle) Icing sugar – to dust Method: 1. To make the samosa filling, combine the mashed bananas with the coconut, ground cardamom, jaggery or sugar and cover it. 2.  Pre-heat your oven to 200° C. Place two filo pastry sheets on top of each other and place one heaped teaspoon of the banana mixture at one corner of the sheets and fold it into a triangle, fully covering the banana mixture. Oil the filo surface as you keep folding it, until you reach the end of the pastry. Stick the loose corners together with a little oil. 3. Make all the triangles and then place on a baking sheet, brush them with oil and bake them in the oven for about three to four minutes or until they turn light brown. 4. To make the chai chocolate drizzle, place the chocolate in a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water on the stove, making sure that the water does not touch the glass bowl, and melt the chocolate. Add the salted butter and stir until everything is evenly melted and mixed well together. Then stir in the crushed tea leaves. 5. To serve, dust icing sugar on the samosas and lightly drizzle the chai chocolate drizzle on top of them. Once it’s ready, you can have these with a fresh, hot cup of tea and enjoy them with your guests on a cosy winter day! This post originally appeared here.

Murders are easy to commit but hard to cover up these days. That’s what I thought until I started watching the new mystery-thriller drama, How to Get Away with Murder. This new thriller has not only revolutionised television landscape but contradicts my humble statement completely. [fbvideo link="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=657310781007656&set=vb.611490952256306&type=3&theater"][/fbvideo] The series is about five freshman college students and their mysterious criminal law professor who get embroiled in a dangerous murder plot. The show stars Academy award nominee, Viola Davis, as Professor Annalise Keating, a sophisticated defence attorney who runs her own law firm. The series also stars Alfred Enoch, Jack Falahee, Aja Naomi King and Karla Souza. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="577"] Photo: Facebook page[/caption] When I first heard that Viola Davis was returning to television, I was on cloud nine! I am a huge fan of hers and admire all of her work in both, television and film. And what makes How to Get Away with Murder a stellar television series is none other than the legendary Viola Davis. Her character, Annalise Keating, has been portrayed as a powerful middle-aged woman who does not take no for an answer. In today’s television shows, we get to see very few female leads, especially black women. In that respect, it is quite an accomplishment to see black American women as inspiring as Viola Davis in a big role on the small screen. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Facebook page[/caption] Jack Falahee, who plays the character of Connor Walsh in the show, is also a great addition to the cast. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Facebook page[/caption] Another thing I felt that How to Get Away with Murder did was suppress the modern-day stereotype that women cannot stand up for themselves. The show indirectly empowers those underprivileged women and young girls who are incapable of leading independent lives. In this regard the show seems quite promising and has had a lot to offer fans in the first season thus far. The series has managed to generate a huge fan base, in a very small span of time, owing to its unique storyline and plot twists. The steady ratings are proof of the show’s success. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook page[/caption] I, for one, am obsessed with this show. When law and murder go hand in hand, you know there is something going on, something far more deadly! The show has a unique plot that can grab anyone’s attention. That being said, I strongly believe that the second season will be even more of a success. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Facebook page[/caption] For those who enjoy 45 minutes of never-ending entertainment, I strongly recommend you watch this show. Trust me, once you watch the pilot episode, you will be begging for more. Although there are moments in which I feel the show tacitly condones murder cover ups, I believe it is more a twist of law that comes into play. How to Get Away with Murder has already been nominated for the Golden Globes among many other accolades. The first season has come to an end, the second season is eagerly awaited and you guys have lots to catch up on. This weekend, buy the series, sit back and allow yourself to be captivated. I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

Dolly Ki Doli is a cinematic venture that has been hyped up beyond understanding. One reason that comes to my mind, surrounding this hype, is the fact that this is the first time Arbaaz Khan, Salman Khan’s baby brother, has chosen a lead who is not his own brother. Dolly Ki Doli revolves around a con artist named Dolly (Sonam Kapoor) who marries young men from different backgrounds and religions, and then steals their money. To help her complete such feats, she has a gang of con artists who act as her family members. Zeeshan Ayub (one of the ‘family members’) extracts information about rich, gullible families who are then approached by Dolly’s ‘family’ to get the wedding bells ringing. The movie is primarily about Dolly and the cons she undertakes with Sonu Sarawat (Rajkumar Rao), Manjot Singh (Varun Sharma) and Robin Singh (Pulkit Samrat). [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/114342254[/embed] Performance wise, the actors who stood out in the movie include Rajkumar, Zeeshan, Pulkit and even Varun. Sonam, in my opinion, does not manage to ‘shine’ in this movie like she did in Khoobsurat. While she carries the role well, there are not many performance-oriented scenes for her to show her merit. Besides, working with three different actors so closely and trying to match chemistry with each of them is not an easy task. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Dolly Ki Doli Official Facebook Page[/caption] Rajkumar, however, is a treat to watch from the very first scene. He is a volcano of talent and his Haryanavi diction is free from any flaw. He is a first rate actor and should consider doing comedies more often. His romantic and emotional scenes captivated the audience completely – nothing at that point could distract these viewers. And for good reason. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Dolly Ki Doli Official Facebook Page[/caption] Zeeshan, who also gave a riveting performance, should be given more credit for his work. From his debut role to acting in films like Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Jannat 2 and Raanjhanaa, he has always managed to impress his audience. Yet he remains in the shadows. His outburst of emotions is amazing; if given a stronger role I am sure he will easily acquire a standing in the same league as Boman Irani and Paresh Rawal. Pulkit is like a gush of fresh air and he looks great! In his Robin Singh avatar, you will see glimpses of a younger Chullbul Pandey from the Dabangg series. In my opinion, the testimony to his talent is the scene in which he shouts at Sonam on the highway – keep an eye out for it! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Dolly Ki Doli Official Facebook Page[/caption] Varun was… cute and gave a calculated performance. This performance could easily be considered one of his most prominent works. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Dolly Ki Doli Official Facebook Page[/caption] Alongside these, Manoj Joshi, Rajesh Sharma and Brijendra Kala (Inspector Khan) also performed very well. Archana Puran Singh is, as usual, loud. With regards to the music, the ones that stuck with me were, the item song Fashion Khattam by Malaika, Naina Kafir Hogaye by Rahat Fateh Ali and Phattay Tak Nachna by Sunidhi Chauhan. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2duyxz_fashion-khatam-mujh-par-dolly-ki-doli-hd-720p-song_music[/embed] The one positive about Dolly Ki Doli was its length– Abhishek Dogra keeps it nice and crispy. Thank God. With a weak script that was predictable and not engaging at all, Dolly Ki Doli is the perfect example of how good performances still have a chance at saving a movie. The best way to describe this film, in my opinion, is ‘brainless fun’. Based on the performances and comedy, I’ll give it a 2.5 out of five.

There is an obsession with TV series these days, particularly amongst the youth. New seasons are being awaited with much anticipation, especially popular ones like Suits, House of Cards, Scandal and, of course, Game of Thrones. You would find trailers of upcoming seasons on your newsfeed and much discussion on the storyline, quotes and characters shown so far, along with predictions of what might happen next. Quizzes such as “which character of a particular series are you”, and the likes, are common sight. [fbvideo link=" https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152715877082734&video_source=pages_finch_trailer"][/fbvideo] The euphoria grips everyone. As for me, my most favourite TV series thus far is Game of Thrones (GOT). While initially I had to be very patient with the graphic content of the show (as there is much violence) and its confusing storyline (as there are a lot of characters and kingdoms), eventually I was able to make sense of it. And once that happened, I fell in love with it. GOT has it all: drama, suspense, perfect locations, colourful costumes, northern accents, dragons and a lot more. There are some very likeable characters – like the Starks – and some popularly evil ones too – like the Lannisters, Peter Bailesh, Theon Greyjoy, Melisandre and Ramsay Bolton to name a few. But the one character which I believe is the life of the show is Tyrion Lannister. Those who see the show would perhaps agree with me. He is my most favourite character, apart from the noble Starks and Daenery Targaryen, of course. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Source: Imgur[/caption] Though most Lannisters are portrayed negatively, Tyrion is different. He is practical and knows how to achieve his targets and while he isn’t noble per se, he is a man of conscience nonetheless. This was highlighted when he made a special saddle for the injured Bran Stark, saying

“I have a tender spot in my heart for cripples, bastards and broken things”.

“A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you’ll know the debt is paid.”

“I wish I was the monster you think I am. I wish I had enough poison for the whole pack of you. I would gladly give my life to watch you swallow it”.

“I have a realistic grasp of my own strengths and weaknesses. My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his war-hammer, and I have my mind… and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge. That’s why I read so much, Jon Snow”.

“Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armour, and it can never be used to hurt you”.

“Once you’ve accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.”

In Bollywood, it’s hard to find movies where the protagonist is speech-impaired; only a few movies come to mind of such sort, including Koshish, Khamoshi and Iqbal. R Balki’s Shamitabh revolves around the story of a speech-impaired boy, named Daanish, and his struggles to realise his dreams. His strong desire to become an actor takes him to Mumbai and once there, he starts his journey to become the “future king” of Bollywood. But his progress is slow and the journey is quite perilous; after all, who would sign a film with a mute actor in a lead role? [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/116146788[/embed] After seeing his struggles, the audience is then introduced to Akshara Pandey (played by Akshara Haasan), who is an assistant director, who notices the passion, zeal and volcanic expressions that Daanish has in his acting. She takes Daanish to her uncle (who is a doctor by profession) to see if there is anything that he can do to help him. The uncle reveals that there is, indeed, a certain treatment which might help him speak. But for it to work, they’ll need a voice-box, one that suits Daanish. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="311"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Here begins their search for the “right voice”, until they bump into Amitabh Sinha (Amitabh Bachchan). Amitabh is a drunkard who lives in a graveyard as a tenant. They find his voice appealing and decide to ask for his help. But why would he help Daanish? Will there be a clash of egos? Will Daanish make it to the silver screen? Will the world ever get to know about Daanish’s speech-impairment? This is essentially the storyline of Shamitabh. To get the answers, you need to watch the movie. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Mr Bachchan outdoes himself once again and gives a phenomenal performance. He excels in a role that he never had any difficulty performing; his frustrated, angry and comic scenes while he’s drunk – they truly evidence his excellence. To date, he is the best on-screen drunkard ever seen in Bollywood movies. That’s why he played the lead in the 80’s Sharaabi. In recent years, this movie is Amitabh’s most promising work, hands down. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Dhanush, the Kollywood actor who plays the role of Daanish, was appreciated by the masses in his last venture Raanjhana (his Bollywood debut). In Shamitabh, he has managed to enthral our hearts once again. It’s almost impossible for new actor to get noticed in scenes where an actor like Mr Bachchan shares screen-time with them but Dhanush not only surpasses that, he also makes the audience eager to see more of him in every other act. His emotional scenes, unspoken anger and outbursts are the highlight. He is undoubtedly the next big thing in Bollywood – he just has to select the right roles. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Akshara’s performance was average – it could have been a lot better. Her acting reminded me of a younger Aishwariya and Sareeka (her mother), but I saw very little of her own self. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Shamitabh stands at par with R Balki’s last two excellent instalments Paa and Cheeni Kum. He has the talent of beautifully portraying difficult and complicated emotions with gusto. If you are an Amitabh Bachchan fan, or fell in love with Dhanush in Raanjhanaa, then Shamitabh is a must watch. But if you are looking for a dhishoom-dhamaaka, senseless comedy or a total masala flick then skip it. Shamitabh caters to a particular taste; you either love it, or hate it. Nothing in between. I would rate it an easy 3.5 out of five.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and if you happen to be the kind who does not believe in the dinner date or a romantic night out clichés on this day, how about planning something different. You can plan a pampered day with your loved one with his or her favourite food – especially chocolate and everything related to it – and spend the whole day watching movies that reinforce your faith in your love. Here’s a list of 10 movies you should watch this Valentine’s Day and have a great time watching them: 1. Like Crazy [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="362"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] A beautiful depiction of pain that comes with being apart from your loved one. The plot revolves around a British girl who comes to the US to study and ends up falling in love with an American student knowing that they cannot be together as she is deported from the country for overstaying her visa period. Faced with this heart-breaking dilemma, they try and work out ways to be with each other. The film portrays the struggle that comes with falling love, yet trying to desperately keep it alive. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkk48a_like-crazy-trailer_shortfilms 2. The Spectacular Now [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="362"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The film comes highly recommended by Oprah, which should be reason enough to watch it. https://twitter.com/oprah/status/367068558913581056 The story revolves around a guy who has a rebellious philosophy on life and ends up partying his life away in high school. But all that changes when he meets the not-so-typical “nice girl” who makes him a better man. For those who are thinking of it as just another high school love story, I can assure you it’s much more than that. It’s about how love can change our lives for the better, and how it makes us realise that we can be better. In addition, the actors – Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller, two great actors of the young generation – have given some good performance considering the role of such strong characters. Furthermore, the music is beautiful and enhances the romantic essence of the film. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1152yz_the-spectacular-now-trailer-shailene-woodley-miles-teller_shortfilms 3. Flipped [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="360"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] This is a really cute movie and one of my personal favourites. It’s about a little boy who ends up falling in love with a girl next door. What makes it stand out is its intricately portrayed contradiction of the notion that only grownups are affected by social differences, as that is not the case in this movie. While it is one of the most unconventional romantic films, it will leave you feeling mushy and cute inside and out, and with a strange realisation... http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrhzva_flipped-trailer_shortfilms 4. One Day [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="360"] Photo: Fanpop[/caption] Imagine being in love with your best friend, someone you have known for a very long time who also happens to be extremely handsome and famous, due to which he hardly has time for you and you only get to see him once a year. The memories of meeting him that one day define the depth of the relationship you both share. But when your best friend goes through a bad patch and loses his fame, you cannot help but fall further in love with him. That is what One Day is all about. It’s a mundanely sad and fascinating story about friendship which transforms into love. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xihml5_one-day-trailer_shortfilms 5. Ruby Sparks [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="362"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] This movie makes you question the idea of romance that we have in our heads and how unrealistic it actually is. The plot revolves around a writer whose first novel was such a success that he is struggling with writer’s block for his next one. That is when he meets the girl of his dreams, the girl perfect to be the subject of his book. He ends up falling in love with the subject of his book and makes her love him back. After all, he is the one who created her in the first place. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xq8yi2_ruby-sparks-trailer-hd-paul-dano-zoe-kazan-antonio-banderas-annette-bening-steve-coogan-elliott-goul_shortfilms 6. In Your Eyes [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="362"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Revolving around an eerie telepathic connection that two people share, the movie talks about how they are able to see into each other’s minds and see the things they are seeing. Both are living different lives but feel the same feelings at the same time. If one is sad or upset, it affects the other similarly and simultaneously. So on a quest to discover what the connection really is, they set on a journey to figure things out while falling in love with each other. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1s9imw_in-your-eyes-official-trailer-2014_shortfilms 7. The One I Love [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="362"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Sometimes one needs to be reminded of who and what they were before marriage, before life got in the way and before love was just an excuse to explain stupid things. In this film, a couple struggling with their marriage, go for a weekend vacation on the suggestion of their therapist in order to find a way to save their marriage from falling apart. There they discover that when one is without the other, the appealing image of their significant other as being the best of his or herself appears and shows them what they had been missing in their life. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x22ix1u_the-one-i-love-official-hd-movie-trailer_shortfilms 8. What if [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="361"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The film portrays how a guy feels when he falls in love with his friend, a girl he cannot have, and what measures he takes to not let it affect their friendship. Even though it is a typical movie about best friends falling in love with one another, where it stands out from the rest is that it’s not a romance-comedy styled film filled with cheesy songs and dialogues. Although the movie is humorous in its own ways, it refrains from using clichéd sequences to make things more relatable, thus making it realistic. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1xmlb1_what-if-official-trailer-1-2014-daniel-radcliffe-romantic-comedy-h_shortfilms 9. Stuck in Love [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="363"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] The movie revolves around a divorced writer, his ex-wife, his teenage son who lives with him, and his daughter who is in college becoming a writer. The film chronicles the love life of each of these people – even if it is an obsession with a certain favourite writer – and shows how much we are influenced by our families and the families of the ones we love. Even though the plot is a bit predictable, you will still want to watch the movie simply because you can relate to it to an extent. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x125sjd_stuck-in-love-official-trailer-1-2013-hd-logan-lerman-greg-kinnear_shortfilms 10. Now is Good [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="361"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Everyone loves a good sob once in a while and if you thought The Fault in Our Stars was a good snivel, then you will like Now is Good. The lead, played by Dakota Fanning with a British accent, is suffering from leukaemia. And while she is ready to accept death, she falls in love with the boy next door who helps her check everything off of the crazy bucket list she has compiled, falling in love and losing her virginity being one of them. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqqi6x_now-is-good-trailer_shortfilms So there you have it. This list will make you cry, laugh, feel numb and be able to relate to the characters and plots. You can feel all these emotions on a comfy day in on Valentine’s Day with the love of your life, and your other love – food! Not only will you be sharing certain emotions with your loved one, you will also be sharing your perspective of your relationship since we all know certain “Do you think we’re like them” questions will be thrown your way. In case you are flying solo on this ‘day of love’, fear not, all of these movies will be all the company you need. You can watch these and look forward to the day you have someone sitting next to you, next year! Happy Valentine’s Day in advance!

If you were like me, you would have noticed the hues of red being painted around town in order to commemorate Valentine’s Day. From flowers to painted boards to stuffed teddy bears to inflated hearts – this day, a celebration of love, has become quite an occasion in our part of the world. Preparing meals, candle light dinners and the entire hoo blah shah surrounding this date are beyond me. Starry eyes, loudly thumping hearts, love-struck teens, long-stemmed roses, music in the air, helium-packed balloons, gift hampers, baskets of chocolates and teddy bears – all this is definitely a scene out of a romantic movie. Barring all the religious and cultural debates, I will only ponder on why love has to be celebrated on this particular date only and, more importantly, why so publicly? If you were like me, you would have also noticed the scrumptious, juicy and absolutely pretty looking strawberries, which also happen to enter our lives around the same time as the Valentine’s festivities begin. This season, strawberries are my sweethearts! (Did I mention that I have an eye for good looking food?) As many couples prep for their celebration of love, I, on the other hand, start prepping my kitchen and its utilities to make use of this heavenly berry. Frozen, pulped, puréed, macerated, sliced, chopped, cubed, spun or cooked, I can express my love for this little creature in numerous ways. Yes, you can call me ‘foodsessed’. Whilst I was nibbling on this red, gold speckled and green crowned divinity with utmost care and affection, I decided to come up with two ornaments for those who wish to please their loved ones with my most loved fruit. I will show you how to make a chilled to perfection, smooth, sublime hazelnut mousse with strawberry purée which can be made in advance and assembled right before its presentation. Served for dessert or even for breakfast for those who want a sweet intake in the morning, this soft, airy, fluffy mousse laced with a sharp strawberry tinge is a brilliant combination. A mushy recipe bound to please your beau! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Saadia Tariq[/caption] Give it a try and make this recipe for two: Ingredients for the mousse:  Whipping cream – ½ cup Nutella – 2 tbsp (softened) Coffee – ¼ tsp (instant) Ingredients for the strawberry purée: Strawberries – 200 grams Sugar – 1 ½ tbsp Lemon juice – 1 tbsp Method: 1. Take a medium-sized bowl and whip the cream in it until it gets slightly fluffy. At this stage, it is important that you do not over beat the mixture, as the cream can turn into butter. 2. Now add in the Nutella and coffee granules and mix again. Make sure not to beat the air out of the fluff yet mix it uniformly. 3. Place the bowl in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the dish. 4. Prepare the strawberry purée by hulling and chopping the strawberries. Put them into a small saucepan along with the sugar and lemon juice. Let this simmer on low heat for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the juices have slightly thickened and strawberries have gone all mushy. 5. Take the pan off the heat and let it cool. 6. Once the mousse is chilled, you can spoon the mousse with the strawberry purée alternately into small glasses or goblets. At this stage, you can go ahead and serve them to your loved one and enjoy the deliciousness. You can even refrigerate them for later; the mousse will stay well in the refrigerator for two to three days. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Saadia Tariq[/caption] So once a dinner date begins on the ‘Red Day’, it starts with proclamations of love followed by promises of ‘forever’ phrases and finally ends with exchange of gifts, which leaves hardly any time to enjoy a good meal. But come on, you can put in just a little more effort and go for an easy, simple, frill-less meal, featuring of course my lovely strawberries! If everything around you is swooning in red, what do you do? Well, you don’t lose heart, and make grilled cheese and strawberry sandwiches which are both comforting and contrasting in its flavours. In these sandwiches, warm, buttery toasts are slapped together with melted cheese and caramelised strawberries, with hints of fresh earthy basil leaves. Dig in is all I can say! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Saadia Tariq[/caption] Ingredients (for one sandwich): Bread – 2 slices (fresh) Cheese – 1 slice (I used American Cheddar) Strawberries – 3 (hulled and sliced) Basil Leaves – 3 to 4 (fresh) Butter – for smothering the slices Method: 1. Put a griddle pan on medium to high heat and let it warm up. 2. In the meantime, butter your bread slices on both the sides and prepare your strawberries and basil leaves. 3. Once the griddle is hot, place one slice on the pan and let it toast for about 30 to 40 seconds. The idea is to give a warm brown crispiness to the bread on one side and then flip it to the other. 4. Whilst the slice is on the pan, place your cheese slice, strawberries and basil leaves on it. 5. Slap it down with the other buttered slice of bread. After a few seconds, flip your sandwich with great care so that you can now toast the top slice. 6. Around 30 to 40 seconds later, gently lift the sandwich off the griddle and plate it. This sandwich has to be prepared and eaten at once. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Saadia Tariq[/caption] Although many of us make an extra effort to celebrate love on Valentine’s Day, I for one like finding love in little things and celebrating them whenever I can. You should do the same!

The big day is around the corner and you haven’t gotten a gift for your loved one as yet? Worry not, as your spree saviour, moi, is here to save the day. It’s high time you get your gifts ready, if you haven’t already. Teddy bears, roses, chocolates, photo frames – stay away from these clichés and try something new and different this year. By putting in a little effort, and not too much pressure on your pocket, you can come up with an amazing gift for your Valentine. Below is a list of things you can buy that are cute, simple and not so pricey. There is no rule that says that you need to empty your wallet to make your loved one happy. Here is how you can spend smart and make a nice little gift basket for you beau/belle: For her: 1. Nothing professes love like flowers do First things first, flowers! While roses have been overdone, you can choose another kind of flower. Bouquets are a good option but if you’re on a strict budget, a single, long stem would do wonders too. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Pink lily flower[/caption] Price: Rs120 to Rs150. You can find this at any flower vendor (In Karachi, Centra Flora at Khayaban-e-Shahbaz is my personal favourite). If you wish to spend more on flowers, you can order a bouquet of imported ones from here and have them delivered to your loved one. 2. Personalised affairs A customised key chain for her to keep with her wherever she goes. Get a matching pair for the both of you! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Firefly Facebook page[/caption] Price: Rs270 for a pair. This is cheap, thoughtful and simply adorable. You can find this here. 3. Say it with a message A coffee mug that says it all – this Frozen mug is just the cutest thing ever and I am sure it will melt her heart. If you want a different design, you can choose one from the many on this page and the best part is, you can get it customised to your liking! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Evoke Facebook page[/caption] Price: Rs599 4. The era of mists For the final gift, be a little generous and spend the most on this one. Since perfumes are too costly, I would recommend a body mist. You can choose from a great range here; the store is available at every major shopping mall in the city. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Body Shop website[/caption] Price: Rs1,500. The Moringa fragrance will surely make her day. Get all the above mentioned items and get them wrapped in a basket or box from any gift/stationery shop near you. That should cost you another Rs150. Total cost: Approximately Rs3,089. That’s not too bad for a Valentine’s Day gift for your ‘someone special’. After all, she’s worth it. But if you still feel it’s too heavy on your pocket, you can omit a thing or two, and tailor it according to your budget. For him: 1. The assured way to his heart If you think it’s just a bunch of baloney when people say ‘the way to his heart is through his stomach’, you couldn’t be more wrong. Order a delicious batch of his favourite cupcakes and voila! Nothing says ‘I love you’ better than cupcakes! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Cake Creations Facebook page[/caption] The price for one cupcake is Rs90 and the price for a half a dozen is Rs600 here. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Pane & amore Facebook page[/caption] But if you believe in quality, then you should try this outlet. The price per cupcake is around Rs150. 2. Make sure you’re always on his mind! Get him something that he can keep on his bed or in his room to remind him of you constantly. Customised cushions are the best way to go. There some adorable ones in the market. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="442"] Photo: Tohfay.com[/caption] Price: Rs1,650 here. The design is extremely cute but it’s way too costly for a cushion. Get the same design made at another store or one of the stalls at Dolmen Mall. You can opt for something like this: [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Evoke Facebook page[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Evoke Facebook page[/caption] At a price of Rs999 per cushion, this place has a large variety of charming designs to choose from. 3. Don’t just be his arm candy Be a part of his attire and get him a formal shirt or tie, which can be the bigger part of your gift basket. Check out this store at Dolmen Mall and take advantage of the grand, on-going sale. Or you can purchase a wallet here and get his name embossed on it. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Jafferjees Facebook page[/caption] Price: Rs1,670 4. Add some humour to your relationship Be a little naughty and get him a mug with an interesting message. After all, it is Valentine’s Day! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Evoke Facebook page[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] Photo: Evoke Facebook page[/caption] Price: Rs599 for one Assuming you order the half-dozen cupcakes, your total, along with packaging, would amount to around Rs3,568. Cut back on a thing or two to keep it within your range and you’re good to go. The best part about these presents is that you can mix match, get a cushion for your beauty and get the key chain for your man. How you choose to make your basket is completely upto you! And viola! Your Valentine’s Day shopping is done! You’re welcome! Now don’t just sit there, get going and put in that extra effort you know you can make for your relationship! Happy Valentine’s Day in advance to all you love birds out there!

Sometimes a movie is advertised and marketed with a promise to deliver an all-in-one production – but in reality, it is nothing more than amateur work at best. Roy is one such movie. What do you expect when you have a cast which includes a pure entertainer like Ranbir Kapoor, a dependable actor like Arjun Rampal and a gorgeous beauty like Jacqueline Fernandez? A blockbuster movie. Yet, Roy is nothing more than one big enigma. Audiences everywhere were anxiously looking forward to watching the two talented hunks share screen presence, but sadly, that too couldn’t save the boat from sinking. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Roy Official Facebook page[/caption] Roy mainly revolves around the story of Kabir Grewal (Arjun), who is a famous, arrogant and heady filmmaker suffering from writer’s block, his love interest, Ayesha Aamir (Jacqueline), and a professional art thief named Roy (Ranbir) who has successfully stolen artifacts from museums in France, China, and India. Inspired by Roy’s coups, Kabir pens down a script around Roy’s life, and that is when the story unfolds. Throw in a love angle, sprinkled with confused betrayal and a dash of thrill (well that’s what they called it, not me). The outcome is a conundrum wrapped in mystery, and not the intriguing kind [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cql99_exclusive-roy-trailer-ranbir-kapoor-arjun-rampal-jacqueline-fernandez-t-series_shortfilms[/embed] That’s what happens when one man tries to wear all the hats, just because he is obsessed with his self-proclaimed talent. Vikramjit Singh, script writer-cum-director, is below average when it comes to direction, as is evident by the way he portrays the scenes, and his art of storytelling is simply confusing and repetitive. All in all, in terms of direction and vision, it was a complete disappointment. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Roy Official Facebook page[/caption] Performance wise, both Arjun and Ranbir are supremely talented actors who also have a decent fan following. However, neither could not do much to save the movie as the script and the dialogues did not give them enough room to display their talent. From beginning to end, all we see is dialogues with straight faces without any depth or emotions. After movies like Satyagraha, D-Day, Chakravyuh and Heroine, Arjun fans were expecting a lot more bang and boom and a more performance-oriented role from him. Similarly for Ranbir, after his performance in Rockstar, he should not have settled as an extended cameo and hence should have been wise enough to select roles and movies that do justice to his talent. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="626"] Photo: Roy Official Facebook page[/caption] Jacqueline is fairly new to the world of Bollywood, but truth be told, the only reason she gets noticed in her movie is because of her looks, as she lacks immensely in terms of talent and her diction needs improvement. Similarly, in Roy, she looks cute and elegant but that’s about it. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Roy Official Facebook page[/caption] Anupam Kher, as always, is terrific. Even though he has a very short-lived role, he portrays it strongly. In my opinion, this is because he is one of those actors who don’t require dialogues to convey their emotions per se. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Roy Official Facebook page[/caption] In terms of songs, only a few grabbed my attention, namely Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan, Boond and Yaara Re. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2e6har_chittiyaan-kalaiyaan-hd-video-song-roy-2015_music http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2eup5v_boond-boond-hd-video-song-roy-2015_music http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ecnpa_yaara-re-roy-full-audio-song-hd-k-k_music Many people from the hall were more interested in taking loo breaks and eating popcorn, apart from those who simply left the theatre half way through. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Roy Official Facebook page[/caption] On the whole, Roy is a sheer disappointment. It’s slow-paced and at times, it made me wonder if Singh had made this movie the same way his protagonist wrote the script – without properly thinking the film through. The only thing going for Roy is its “tarka” of famous names and star power. It’s the perfect example of great branding which falls short on merit. I would rate the move a 1.5 out of five, and that too just because of its cast.

Never before have character names from a book become even more accurate in a film adaptation until now. The sky in his world is grey, the ties are grey, his surname is the epitome of Grey and Jamie Dornan’s rendering of the multimillionaire Christian Grey is sadly greyer than dull dish water. Based on the ubiquitous global phenomenon that has caused many a curiosity impaired reader of the first book to say how badly written it is and yet bizarrely proceed to read the other two books in EL James’ erotic romance trilogy, this first film, Fifty Shades of Grey follows very normal Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), a soft spoken final year college student who meets 27-year-old multimillionaire Christian Grey and falls for him almost as hard as he seemingly falls for her. [embed width="620"]https://vimeo.com/102008029[/embed] It all appears rather fairy-tale like until his ‘ism’ is revealed, as befalls all relationships, but it’s not just your regular ‘wanting to be in physical contact with the remote at all times’ weirdness, instead, we are told that his ‘tastes are very singular’ and shown a rather alarmingly well-stocked OCD BDSM red room filled with fetishist paraphernalia. Christian can only be with Anastasia if he is the dominant and she is his submissive or so he says though that never seems to be the case with her because and like every woman’s actual fantasy she is of course so special and also plays hard to get so well – she must have read The Rules – that she might just have the ability to change him. And so begins an almost Bollywood style cat and mouse chase between the unlikely couple and yet as he clings to her dupatta and tells of what has triggered his wayward desires, there is something lacking in the depiction. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Fifty Shades of Grey Facebook page[/caption] While the world of Christian is grey in tone, there is not much subtle, in between or complex about it, no grey area in this contract filled film; it is defiantly, and to its detriment at times, a black and white portrayal of a self-confessed control freak who is either over-emotionalised or ‘fifty shades of f**ed up’ because of his difficult start in life but never a flawed human being through any fault of his own or just awkward hard wiring. Yes, the book is partly to blame for the shoddy backstory and this is certainly a tamer, even more vanilla version of the book, but on top of this, Dornan does not seem to fully embrace the role of Christian, at times making us feel nervous for him – he blinks way too much – so we end up almost pitying his character instead of finding him confusing which certainly caused a few awkward giggles in the screening I went to that should not have happened. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Fifty Shades of Grey Facebook page[/caption] What is definitely confusing, however, is that Dornan is excellent as a serial killer in BBC TV drama The Fall so perhaps the nerves could be put down to the fact that he replaced Charlie Hunnam, the originally cast Grey, late in the day and didn’t have as much time to prepare for the role as Johnson did. We may never know. Well that is, until his next film which certainly will not be a small one now that this guy’s on Hollywood’s radar. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="538"] Photo: Fifty Shades of Grey Facebook page[/caption] But it is instead Johnson who, though in taking on this part has certainly taken the bigger career risk out of the two leads, has ended up triumphantly taking an at best feeble, weak willed character in the book – who has her own strange ‘ism’ in that she says 'oh my' in her head a lot – and has turned her into a witty, Bolshy and yet fragile, likeable character. Perhaps this is because the film had a female director in Sam Taylor-Johnson at its helm who may have naturally focused more on the female perspective, perhaps they had an affinity because they have the same surname or it might just be because she is a very talented actress – I don’t remember seeing her in anything else though she was in The Social Network – but Anastasia in this film is by far the main event. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: Fifty Shades of Grey Facebook page[/caption] As expected, because it's directed by the above mentioned artist, the film looks stunning and there is not much to fault in the aesthetic except that the nature of the more intimate scenes is certainly hyper-stylised to an inch of its life, hinting at an overly cautious and controlling studio overlord (Universal) which has ultimately taken away from the vulnerability of Anastasia and Christian’s connection. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] I had also expected more from the soundtrack, especially after the special adaptation of Beyonce’s Crazy In Love which accompanied the teaser trailer. https://soundcloud.com/onc4/beyonce-crazy-in-love-2014-remix-from-fifty-shades-of-grey-original-soundtrack At the end of the day however, this is not a film that can and should be criticised in the same way that other films must; Fifty Shades of Grey is a phenomenon entire of itself which can only really be compared to itself and so relative to the book, this film adaptation is definitely better. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] What's more, never before have I been to a screening – granted on Valentine’s Day – where so many young women have been giggling, sighing and snorting to such an extent and almost in conversation with each other and not found it the slightest bit annoying. It was almost as if we were all sharing a very loud and humorous secret and although the film dragged in parts and was laughable in others, it still managed to do what all the other rubbish trilogy adaptions have not been able to do before and that is laugh at itself. I give it a 2.5 out of five.

As the Academy Awards inch closer, everyone is full of excitement, already trying to predict who the winners will be. The Oscar statuette still stands out as the greatest acknowledgment for the art of film making since 1929. Apart from complaints about the complete absence of racial diversity in the nominations, there are quite a few thrilling movies this year which, in terms of art and film-making, make the Oscars as diversified as one can imagine. Here are the nominations for 2015: Whiplash [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="486"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Whiplash had the lowest budget out of all the Oscar nominations. It is an astounding display of the art of acting. The viewer may overlook some major aspects of the movie only because they’re too busy appreciating the brilliant performances. Miles Teller’s prodigious act as a teenage drummer who struggles to perfect an impossible beat called “whiplash” is praiseworthy. On the other hand, JK Simmons puts forth a commendable performance in which he plays a ferocious and callous teacher. Despite the intensity of Teller’s jaw-dropping performance, him not getting nominated for the Best Actor in a Lead Role left me baffled. Almost entirely devoid of romance, the movie shows the benefits as well as shortcomings of testing the tolerance level of individuals till they reach their breaking point. Apart from being nominated for Best Picture, and Simmons being nominated as Best Supporting Actor, the movie has also made its mark on three other categories, namely Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2gjon3_whiplash-trailer-trailer-2-imdb_shortfilms[/embed] The Theory of Everything [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="490"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] It boasts of a career-defining and methodically meticulous performance by Eddie Redmayne. The movie is a biopic – a genre that has taken over the category of Best Picture in 2015. Based on the book by Jane Hawking, the movie portrays the life of English Physicist and Cosmologist, Professor Stephen Hawking, who at times has been regarded as the smartest living scientist. Eddie, rightfully nominated for the Best Actor in a Lead Role category, has been my favourite ever since I watched him perform in Les Misérables and I would personally be stunned if he doesn’t bag the award for such an apt portrayal of an individual who suffered tremendously for more than four decades. One can’t help drawing comparisons between the great Daniel Day-Lewis’s role as Christy Brown in My Left Foot to Eddie’s acting as Hawking in The Theory of Everything.

“At times, I felt he was me,” remarked Stephen Hawking about Eddie’s performance.

“Do you know, this morning I was on a train that went through a city that wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for you. I bought a ticket from a man who would likely be dead if it wasn’t for you. I read up, on my work, a whole field of scientific inquiry that only exists because of you. Now, if you wish you could have been normal... I can promise you I do not. The world is an infinitely better place precisely because you weren’t (normal).”

“In 50 years from now, this will be the film; this will be our children’s Citizen Kane, this will be the absolute master piece”.

What happens when a ‘conventional chocolate boy’ opts for an unconventionally intense and complicated role, contradicting his previous comical high school performances? What makes a filmmaker choose such an actor for a main lead in his movie? How good can revenge sagas be? Well, Badlapur will answer all these questions for you. Varun Dhawan, for the very first time, is seen in a role different from his usual ‘cutesy’ avatar. His performance has been surprising, to say the least. Along with him, we come across Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who, after Kick, has managed to score another meaty role with more screen presence this time. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="499"] Photo: Badlapur film Facebook page[/caption] At the beginning of the story, Raghav (Varun) is shown as a happily married, young, successful and urban workaholic working for a marketing agency. His life flips 180 degrees when he is informed that his wife Misha (Yami Gautam) and child were killed by a bank robber Layak (Nawaz). Layak eventually gets caught but his accomplice, Harman (Vinay Pathak), manages to flee. Layak is sentenced to 20 years in prison and it is only 15 years after the incident that Raghav finds out about Harman’s escape. Overcome by rage, Raghav vows to avenge the death of his family; how he manages to do that is what Badlapur is all about. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2bjm47_badlapur-hd-hindi-movie-teaser-trailer-2015-varun-dhawan-nawazuddin-siddiqui-huma-qureshi-yami-gauta_shortfilms[/embed] Performance wise, Nawaz portrays his character with panache and proves yet again that if asked to portray a powerful character, he can take on the challenge effortlessly, and that is precisely why he is one of the finest actors in the industry today. In every scene, Nawaz makes sure he stands out with dominion. Let’s just say, Badlapur would not have been the twisted rollercoaster ride it is without Nawazuddin. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="499"] Photo: Badlapur film Facebook page[/caption] Varun’s role, as a madman out for revenge, is one he has never before been seen in. His role was complicated and demanded intensity, anger, a sense of hate for almost everyone in the world, coupled with shades of being erratic behaviour and a lot more. And he managed it all beautifully! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo: Badlapur film Facebook page[/caption] After Dedh Ishqiya, Huma Qureshi manages to impress the audience once again. In her short-lived screen presence, she displays the most apt emotions and expressions – an emblem of a seasoned performer. The role of Jhimli, a young, sultry prostitute was portrayed brilliantly by Huma. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] Photo: Badlapur film Facebook page[/caption] Vinay is, as usual, perfect, and the same goes for Divya Dutta as well. The scene in which Raghav goes for a “lunch date” with Harman and Shoba (Divya), an activist working for rehabilitation of prisoners, is a masterstroke of performances by all three performers. A special mention of Radhika Apte – who plays the role of Koko, Harman’s wife – is essential; not only did she delicately, and realistically, portray her role, despite her screen presence amounting to hardly three or four scenes, her performance stuck to the audience like glue. She is as natural as one could be. To me, she could easily be called the Tabu of the coming days, provided she is given the ‘right’ opportunities. Yami, as expected, gave an average performance. But the surprise came from Pratima Kazmi, playing the role of Layak’s mother, and Kumud Mishra, as a police officer, both of whom gave some great performances. To add on to the list of strong points, the music and songs are good in general but Jeena Jeena and Jee Karda have the potential to raise crowds. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2f1k4k[/embed] [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2c3wzi_jee-karda-badlapur-exclusive-full-video-song-ft-varun-dhawan-huma-qureshi-hd-1080p_music[/embed] I would definitely recommend watching Badlapur and guarantee that the twisted revenge saga will keep you hooked throughout. Based on the performances and the overall experience, I would give it an easy 3.5 out of five.