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I was pleasantly surprised to find out that a LUMS student was having his fantasy novel published by Ferozsons this year. As a young student novelist myself, I know for a fact how unwelcoming and poorly equipped our publishing industry really is. This is especially so when it comes to entertaining  modern English fiction novels written by young student writers. For a writer, to get a simple third party review done becomes a matter of calling in ‘favours’. It i for this reason that I decided to take a stand for all novelists and readers out there and provide an independent appraisal of Qasim’s work; this is the least we can do for the Pakistani writing community. Broken Triad, Storm of Assassins is a fantasy sci-fi novel based in the magical lands of the planet Altris. The novel follows the journey of the young but destined boy Aeli and his training under a skilful but kind assassin, Kataash. Both are part of the highly secretive and powerful ‘Guardian Office’ and sworn protectors of the ‘People’s Republic’. Fighting the oppressive imperialists and the dark demonic hordes of the Autarites, the Guardians have just about their hands full, while Aeli struggles to complete his training to do his part. We follow his story as he makes new friends like his buddy Guli and meets enemies who treble the very foundations of the planet they live on. Qasim draws a truly magical world of humans, elves, dwarves, reptilians, celestials, demons, mutants and lesser heard beings such as Argonites and Torians. Magic and spiritualism is mixed with futuristic technology in an amazing blend. The characters are endeared to you very soon. You actually feel the fear when a demon approaches and the excitement when Aeli duels with his opponents. The story is very fast paced and it does not take long to jump right into the action. Interlaced with philosophical questions and scientific explanations, the story becomes very believable for a fantasy epic. From scenes depicting the Grand Bazaar to the Sand Sea to the capital city of Alcadia to the demonic lands of Plaguis, the world Qasim creates is filled with myth, legend, suspense and magic. The friendship between Aeli and Guli is infectiously cheerful. The relationship shared between Kataash and Aeli reminds the reader of the true meaning of mentorship. But to be critically honest, the absence of a romantic arc in ‘Storm of Assassins’ and the grammatical mistakes and typos that can be found in abundance in the book are two of the greatest flaws of this great piece of Pakistani English literature. The publishing industry in Pakistan is in an upsettingly abysmal state. We have no agents, publicists, editors or copy editors of quality and repute to speak of. The absence of platforms from which writer’s can gain promotions and an apparent refusal of the publishing industry to accept that spending on the promotion, marketing and distribution of books is as important as printing them is equally disconcerting. I asked Qasim about the problems he faced writing and he responded,

“While writing Broken Triad, the greatest challenge was to find faith in myself to overcome the doubt others had.”

“Those who have read it have given me really strong output on the strength of the plot. Most have told me that it is a page turning narrative, I could not ask for more. The same cannot be said of the sentence structure though, it might be a little weak but with experience I hope I can rise above my flaws.”

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A few years ago, I watched a documentary film. I watched it till the very end. Once finished, I played it again – for I searched for meaning; the meaning of ‘azaadi’ (freedom), which to me, before watching this documentary had an altogether different connotation. The film inspired me. It made me believe in the significance of the word azaadi. It turned my life towards a different dimension. For the first time, I understood that occupation is not only about tyranny, killings and oppression. Something more perilous was hidden beneath – capitalism and foreign investment, just to fulfil some neo-liberal aspirations. The film celebrated martyrdom, revolution and of course, freedom. It exemplified ‘Jashn-e-Azadi’ (How we Celebrate Freedom). [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/36178689[/embed] There are documentary films that try to tell emotionally complex stories and succeed in making an impact. Red Ant Dream, fortunately, is one of those films. It is an awe inspiring video documentary from the red areas of India. This film documents the emergence of the Indian revolutionary procedure, coming as it is in a world of struggle, mass upheaval, revolt and revolution. Directed by Sanjay Kak, a well-known documentary film-maker from India, Red Ant Dream invokes memories of struggle, revolution and redemption. A poetic representation of revolution and a tribute to people’s war, Red Ant Dream is cinema of resistance. Kak’s movie (Jashn-e-Azadi) and anthology (Until my Freedom Has Come) created a ripple among many people who believed Kashmir to be an integral part of India. Both had taken a strong stand against the Indian Army’s illegal occupation of Kashmir. This film too, is filled with the syringe of revolution. One feels mesmerised seeing people who can hardly manage their night meals, shouldering rifles with their fingers fixed to the trigger. Hope can be seen in the eyes of women, who are wearing torn chappals and a tanned uniform but are part of the revolutionary force that is fighting a people’s war- a war to save their lives and turn their habitat into a living heaven. A people’s war which is justifiable, which a person can believe in, when Azad the former spokesperson CPI (Maoist) says:

“Maoism teaches us that self-preservation is possible only through war.”

“Azad is my guru, and if he is a Maoist, then I am too.”

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After waiting for a good 12 years, Pixar fans are now able to experience the magic of ‘monsters’ on the big screen. These aren’t just any ordinary monsters; this is Monsters University - the prequel to Monsters Inc. (2001). The movie begins with Michael, ‘Mike’ Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James P ‘Sulley’ Sullivan (John Goodman) getting admission at the Monsters University’s Scarer Program. They both dream of becoming the best scarers of the Monster world. Although Monsters Inc. showed Mike and Sulley as best friends and the leading scarers, their university days aren’t as good; Mike is a hard working student but Sulley is an overconfident teenager who plays along on his family name, for his father was a legend in the scaring business. The movie executes this plot beautifully and it is just as adorable as it sounds! I will not be writing anything with regards to the animation because as always, Pixar’s efforts to render animation were simply flawless. Although an animated film, the story was a compelling one indeed. It had good lessons to impart to youngsters, the foremost of which was that no matter how well reputed any university is, it is the curiosity, and the thirst to learn that makes a good student great. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Photo: Facebook page, Monsters University[/caption] Monsters University has a number of  hilarious scenes that will have you in fits. It also has some very witty lines which are thoroughly enjoyable. During one scene, which is my personal favourite, Johnny J Worthington III, president of Roar Omega Roar tells Mike, who is a member of Oozma Kappa that,

“When you lose...no one will even remember you."

"When you lose...no one will ever let you forget it."

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“You two did something no student has ever done before; you surprised me.”

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Good food, good health and a good life – this is the profound Parsi belief. For us, good food doesn't necessarily translate into an elaborate meal; it generally refers to a more simplistic and balanced approach to cooking. Since we Parsis like to feast often, we come up with easy-to-prepare meals that make our special occasions even more special. To get your celebration started, here is how to prepare dhandal patia (rice with lentils, topped with a spicy sauce). Rice with lentils and spicy prawn sauce Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Ingredients for daal (lentils): ½ kg toovar/arhar daal (yellow split peas). 2 tsp salt 1 tbsp turmeric 1 pod garlic, cleaned 1 tbsp cumin 750 ml water 1 large onion, finely sliced Method: Add daal, water, salt and turmeric in a pot and cook till tender. Remove from stove and sieve it. Put on stove and allow to thicken according to taste. Fry the sliced onion, finely chopped garlic and fry in oil till it turns light gold. Add cumin and remove from stove. Ingredients (prawn sauce): 750 gms prawns, de-veined 8 oz tomatoes 8 oz onions 4 tbsp oil 1 tsp salt ½ tbsp turmeric 2 tsp curry powder 1-2 tsp chilli powder 2-3 lemons, juice of 1 pod garlic, cleaned and ground 1 tsp cumin, ground 2 tbsp coriander seeds, ground Method: Wash the prawns, rub in salt and keep aside. Steam the tomatoes, skin them and cut into small pieces. Heat the oil and fry the chopped onions till they turn light brown. Add the tomatoes and stir for a while. Add ground masala and powdered spices and cook. When the gravy is ready, add the prawns and allow to simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Add lemon juice according to taste. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Ingredients (boiled rice): 1 kg basmati rice 32 oz water 1 tbsp salt 2 tbsp oil Method: Add rice, water, oil and salt in a pot and put on the stove, covered, for about 10 minutes. Then bring the flame down until water is fully absorbed and rice is cooked. Serve all three dishes together. To eat, pour daal over the rice and top it with the spicy prawn sauce. Dhandal patia is ideal for family gatherings (the above recipe can serve up to 7 to 8 people). It also saves you the hassle of preparing a separate dish for children who have a very low tolerance for spicy food, as they can simply enjoy the rice with daal. Also, the dish is versatile so if you prefer fish over prawns, you can go ahead and use 1kg fish in the above recipe instead of the prawns. So if you are one of those who dread hosting parties with the thought of toiling away in the kitchen, this might just be the perfect recipe for you. Happy Parsi feasting! PHOTOS: DILAIRA MONDEGARIAN

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Pakistani cinema has finally arrived where it was supposed to. (It was supposed to arrive a decade or two ago but anyway.) I am not happy when people start comparisons between a multi-billion dollar industry such as Bollywood to a flailing, haphazard, mainly notorious industry such as Lollywood. The comparison is not only unfair, it is silly and, from all rules of economics, a failure to begin with. Pakistani cinema-goers, however, cannot help but compare the two and hence, every time we watch a Bollywood flick, we sigh and go,

“Haye, Pakistan main kyun nahee banti hain aisi movies?” (Gosh, why aren’t films like these made in Pakistan?)

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Director Rohit Shetty, who delivered hits like Golmaal 3, Singham and Bol Bachchan, brings together Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s captivating chemistry once again to the big screen in the form of Chennai Express after the 2007’s reincarnation-romance hit film Om Shanti Om.  This light-hearted film is distinctive and has presented completely unusual avatars of Shahrukh and Deepika. To capture the heart of a moviegoer, Shetty successfully mixed all spices in a very balanced manner to present a complete family entertainment film with mindless comedy, drama, action and romance. In the film, 40-year-old Rahul (Shahrukh Khan), a North Indian bachelor and halwai (sweetmeats vendor) who couldn’t get married due to his caring, over-protective and over-domineering grandfather, boards a train called Chennai Express to fulfil the last wish of his grandfather to have his ashes immersed in Rameshwaram. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. PHOTO: CHENNAI EXPRESS movie Facebook page[/caption] On the journey, he meets a South Indian woman Meenamma (Deepika Padukone), who wants to flee from the clutches of her huge family and Tamil mobster father, who want her to get married to another mobster’s son, just to expand his territory. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Deepika Padukone as Meenamma. PHOTO: Chennai Express Facebook page[/caption] The rest is the relentless blending of light comedy, tender romantic moments, drama, heroic action and dance - all in South Indian style. If truth be told, Chennai Express is made in true Rohit Shetty ishtyle. The director has done his job wonderfully. The film moves from one scene to another with seamless pace along with clap-trap and witty dialogue that just kept coming. The scenes are striking and very amusing. The, aesthetic cinematography by Dudley in particular is breathtaking and can compel a nature lover to fall in love with beautiful southern landscapes. The colourful, melodious songs shot in scenic mountains, are rich compositions by duo Visha-Shekhar. ‘Titli’ and ‘Tera Rastaa Choroon na’ are two particularly well written romantic songs in the movie. ‘Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari’ is another catchy tune in its almost old-fashioned melody. The film ends with a song tribute to Rajnikanth, the king of South Indian cinema. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. PHOTO: Chennai Express Facebook page[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. A screenshot from the song Lungi Dance. PHOTO: Chennai Express Fan Club Facebook page[/caption] Performance wise, both Shahrukh and Deepika did their job impressively; they are inspirational actors of Bollywood and here once again both performers excel in their characters. Throughout the film, Shahrukh’s performance is a zany and pleasing one. Totally immersed in Rahul’s character, he has delivered his best comic performance with beautiful timing – for instance, when he changes his facial expressions all of a sudden into ‘My name is Rahul and I am not a terrorist’. Similarly, when Meenamma wonders if he is 50-years-old, an insulted Rahul reacts with a genuinely hilarious action. He stands out with his comical acting right till the end of the movie. Deepika Padukone comes up as a complete stunner and driving-force of the film. She provided the accurate momentum with her Tamil accent and colourful saris. Although her accent confuses audiences to some extent, Deepika allured everyone with her performance and compelling chemistry with the co-star. Having said as much, the film is deprived of a persuasive script and has a superfluous comic sense. What I found most annoying was how the Tamil language has been extensively used in dialogues which non-Tamil speaking audiences couldn't even understand as there were no subtitles. This was boring to watch and frustrating at the same time. Yet, the movie does manage to offer the film buffs something to laugh about and that’s the core reason that helped the film to smash all previous records to cross $3.9 million marks. For serious moviegoers, though, it has too many loopholes, but it has something for everyone, which is why the mesmerising Chennai Express has emerged as a big hit of the year. It has proven that the Shahrukh + Rohit + Deepika combo is exceptionally enchanting that can create a new history in Bollywood masala films. So go for a fun-ride on the Chennai Express if you want to just relax a little bit for next three hours!

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First, it was Half-Life 3. Next, it was Ben Affleck. Now, it is Miley Cyrus’ turn. Over the last few days, my social media feeds have exploded with news of Miley’s raunchy performance at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), where she shed her ‘good girl’ Hannah Montana image by performing some overly sexual dance moves while dressed in skimpy clothing. Although official sources reported that parents - especially those whose children had grown up idolising the Disney star - had filed numerous complaints, the reactions on my Facebook were packed with hilarious memes parodying the young American female singer/actress. As I scrolled through Facebook, I noticed how mostly good natured the reactions were in comparison to similarly controversial celebrity behaviour in Pakistan. For example, when our own local divas, such as Veena Malik, Mathira, Meera or Kamran Akmal, are part of something controversial, our public has an angry meltdown, where it seems that the entire prestige of the nation lies with the said celebrity. This left me thinking (which is never a good thing), what if Miley Cyrus had been from Pakistan? In that situation, here is how I think the events would have unfolded: 1. Some outraged citizen, most probably unemployed and thus with a lot of time, would file a Supreme Court petition against the ‘shameful’ Jewish Pakistani agent, Miley Cyrus. Here, the judges would waste precious resources, calling upon experts to define the meaning of the word ‘twerking’, while Imran Khan would once again publicly debate the meaning of the word ‘shameful’. 2. Miley would defend herself by saying,

“The dancing was a little bold, but aesthetically shot.”

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At the heart of the cultural hub of Pakistan lies the decades old ‘Landa bazaar’. To some it is but a crowded alley of poverty and inexpensive counterfeits; to others, it is a source of sustainable livelihood that bridges the class divide through duplicity. To me, as a student of photojournalism, it is much more than the former or the latter. The bazaar is an important aspect of our diminishing culture; a sea of faces, a juxtaposition of the traditional and the contemporary, and a true depiction of what Pakistan is beyond the urban comforts. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. The colourful humdrum of Landa Bazaar. Photo: Syeda Tehniat Hashmi[/caption] To people who are used to swirling around in a circle of monotony every day, I was deeply interested and curious when I came to Landa Bazaar. Quite visibly different from the regular crowd, some people asked me whether I belonged to a news channel. Some warily demanded to know whether I was an undercover police agent - their pulse undoubtedly quickening with anticipation and worry while they awaited an answer and contemplated the fate of the goods they had managed to smuggle. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. A small child selling traditional goodies. Photo: Shahraiz Malik[/caption] Some simply gazed my way, keeping mum and letting their eyes speak the words their lips left unsaid - 'who are you and why are you here?'. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. A man going about his work. Photo: Syeda Tehniat Hashmi[/caption] I learnt that surprisingly, some shops that had been set up well before Pakistan came into being were still up and running! Seth Adam Ji Abdullah ‘Bambaii Waalay’ was one such shop that had witnessed the partition of the subcontinent and had existed in both the lands - India and Pakistan. The man handling the little bookshop was aged and wizened, with an air of one who’d seen much in life.

“This shop was set up by my great-grandfather,” he stuttered. “I work here, simply, to continue his legacy.”

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Chennai Express is paisa vasool; shamelessly masala, no pretense otherwise. The locations are absolutely stunning, the item number is decent, the humour hits the spot more than twice in 2.5 hours. Deepika, her acting and her saris are perfect, and of course the jodi works (mostly because of her). The music is ok, not Vishal-Shehkar’s best work this year, however, the Rajnikanth tribute stands out. But for all the pluses the film gloriously fails in the sensibilities category. For a masala flick, it has two unexpected moments of intelligence. There was a good attempt at giving some depth to Rahul’s character (played by SRK) when Meenama (Deepika Padukone) calls him out for being selfish. Even though it goes nowhere, it was still refreshing. The second was Rahul’s passionate speech about how Indian women should not be celebrating India’s freedom, because they are not free to make their own decisions. As the whole village looked on, he beseeched Meenama’s father to let her choose and live according to her will - the father, a local don, wanted his daughter to marry a gangster to widen his hold in the area. Then the filmmakers’ brain shut down (or maybe went back to ‘normal’ mode) and they proceeded to write in a 15 minute fight sequence in which Rahul fights the gangster almost to his death to “win” the girl. Only when the gangster concedes that Rahul may not be big but is brave and something to the effect of ‘you win’, does the father let go of Meenama’s hands. I am sure everyone’s patting themselves on the back for writing that one line and making such an epic case for women to be able to choose, but it would have been nice if they hadn’t gone back so quickly to their lovely misogynistic film tropes. And gawd was the film racist; long haired, dark men growling as they run toward the camera brandishing machetes. Really?! It has been a while since the world caught onto racial stereotypes particularly one about unwashed tribals. It’s about time Bollywood figures this out and I am not even talking about the nonstop ridiculing of Southern culture and language throughout the film. Really, you are not celebrating Tamil culture by making fun of it constantly. Apart from being racist and not very smart, the film is also completely unoriginal. It is everything we have already seen in other Bollywood films; there are references to almost every SRK hit, there is a ‘meet in the field away from family’ scene, there are lovely villagers who give refuge to a young couple, boy does honourable thing and doesn’t run away with girl and so on. Kudos to SRK for making his character 40-years-old and then also joking about how he looks 50 (SRK is actually 47). But what was up with the juvenile humour between his friends (also men in their 40s) and him, and acting like a 20-year-old? I suppose I am asking for too much; we should be grateful for small mercies. Remember Aamir Khan actually trying to pass off as a 20 something in Rang De Basanti and 3 Idiots (weirdly all his friends were actually young actors)? Shudder.

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The Cuckoo’s Calling by author Robert Galbraith was doing an average business. Since April, 1500 copies had been sold, until it was leaked that the crime novel was actually written by none other than the queen herself, JK Rowling (JKR)! The leak propelled the novel to number one and reprints were ordered. Her fans (including me) was ecstatic and did all that we could to get our hands on The Cuckoo’s Calling. As it turned out, the book didn't disappoint at all. However, JK Rowling has expressed her anger because she didn't want her false identity as Robert Galbraith to be leaked to the media, she enjoyed the liberating experience of writing under a pseudonym without any hype and expectations, according to her. The Cuckoo’s Calling is a crime-detective novel featuring Cormoran Strike as a private detective who has been hired to investigate the apparent suicide of super model Lula Landry. Together with his newly hired secretary, Robin, Cormoran has to navigate through the dazzling world of fashion, paparazzi and waddle across the murky marshes of destitution, drugs, alcoholism, and racism. This is a novel that brings surprises at every turning, but not without some diligent detective work by Cormoran Strike, which to some readers might get a bit tedious to read. The chemistry between Cormoran and Robin develops wonderfully but leaves a lot to be desired. The good news is that Robert Galbraith (JKR) already has completed the second book, in what appears to be a series. Essentially, the book is a continuation of JK Rowling’s crusade against media hacks, paparazzi, and the snobbish elites of the society. Exploitation of individuals who are misunderstood by the society is a major theme in the novel. For example, Evan Duffield who is Lula Landry’s boyfriend, is believed by nearly all characters in the novel to be a spoilt, drug-addled human being, but later, he is revealed to be complex character who is as much susceptible to human fallibilities as any other person and who is misunderstood by majority of the people around him. One thing that is becoming the hallmark of her novels is her embracing of the populist theme. That is something to which the reader from the lower classes of the society can easily relate, no matter which country he/she may belong to. The depiction of the mutual disgust which both the rich and the poor have for each other is well written. The novel’s strongest moments in my view comes when detective Cormoran Strike interacts with an impecunious mother who has to give up her child for adoption in a rich family so that the child can have a better future. JK Rowling, it seems, has a well-entrenched revulsion against the apathetic hereditary rich and those who get rich on the corpses of others. This loathing has been there in all the seven Harry Potter novels (the Malfoys) and The Casual Vacancy (the Mollisons) and now has spilled into her ninth novel has well. However, aside from politics and directing the odium against the useless waste of human intelligence which we normally call celebrity journalism, JK Rowling’s novel is a fantastic read. Despite the information overload in some parts of the novel, the plot development is well paced and you feel that the curtain on the villain will be lifted at the very end of the novel in a dramatic fashion and all mysteries will be resolved. Though there is nothing spectacular about the novel, as the crime genre has been well trodden before, the book will find its way to your bookshelf but probably not on your favourite books list.

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This recipe is not only easy to make but serves as the perfect main course for a nice sit down evening with your friends and family. Ingredients: 3 chicken breasts One bundle of spinach leaves 1tsp garlic paste (for the stuffing) Soy sauce for marinating Mozzarella cheese (thinly sliced) For the sauce: A handful of mushrooms 1 packet cream Corn-flour Freshly ground pepper 1 small onion chopped Method: Flatten the chicken breasts with a meat mallet. Rub with soy sauce, garlic paste, salt and black pepper. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Photo: Nida Waqar[/caption] Blanch* the spinach leaves and drain. Add salt, red chilli flakes and garlic paste. *Blanching is a method in which you add vegetables to boiling water for one min and immediately drain and add it to a bowl of chilled water so it doesn’t lose its colour. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="337"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Photo: Nida Waqar[/caption] Spoon out about one heaped tablespoon of the spinach mixture on each breast and spread. Add more if required. It should be a thin layer. Add the sliced mozzarella and roll the breast up, securing with toothpicks. Cut it into three after securing it. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="337"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Photo: Nida Waqar[/caption] Heat up two tablespoons oil, in a frying pan and place the chicken in it. Let it cook on one side for one minute each. Keep a medium flame. Then add about 1/4th cup of water and cook it, changing sides for even cooking. Take the pieces out in a plate and let it rest. Take the toothpicks out after five minutes. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="337"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Photo: Nida Waqar[/caption] For the sauce: Heat a tablespoon of oil, add the chopped onion and sauté till transparent. Add the mushrooms and pepper. Add a cup of water and cook for two minutes. Blend and put it back on the flame. Add the cream and thicken with corn-flour to get the right consistency. Season with salt. You can add chopped parsley to it too. Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve with pasta or a buttered bun. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="337"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Photo: Nida Waqar[/caption] There couldn’t be a more elaborate looking and easy cooking dish for that formal dinner evening you had planned out! Give this delicious recipe a try and let me know how your guests reacted to it in the comments below. Bon Appétit!

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Three days into the release of Shuddh Desi Romance (SDR), most of the Bollywood viewers (irrespective of whether they have seen the movie or not) know that the film circles around the theme of cohabitation, or live-in relationships as more commonly known. Most of these people have also formed opinions about the movie and its concept, which leaves little room for me to address the movie in. After all, what can I say? Everything has already been said! Frankly, to me, SDR is not about love or relationships at all. Strangely enough, it makes me want to take a good look at the Indian subcontinent’s cultural fixations (and let’s not even get into the debate that Pakistan does not have the same ideals, it does). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. PHOTO CREDITS: Shuddh Desi Romance Facebook Page[/caption] From the day a female child is born, we become paranoid with making sure she is raised the ‘right’ way; to become good marriage material. Similarly, the day a male child is born, we become obsessed with ensuring that he has a ‘good’ life – a good job, wife and kids. Most people, by the time they go to college, are enthralled with the idea of trying to find a suitor to ‘settle down’ with. If, God forbid, we do not find this right person by the time we complete our education, there are chances that we’ll find them at our workplaces. However, the last resort for the ‘good kids’ (who do not want to rock the boat at home with a love marriage) is of course to opt for arranged marriages. Once marriage is done away with, the fascination of having and rearing children of our own starts to brew. Have one child followed by the next one, and we are set for life in the same rut of ‘moulding’ the future of our children, just like our parents once moulded us. Why are we so inclined towards these dogmas? Why does society force everyone to follow a fixed path? Why is it not alright to just follow the alternative – like to never get married? Why is a single girl labelled a ‘bechari’? Why is it wrong for anyone to just not want to ‘settle down’ with someone? Why is it that if there is a married couple without a child, it’s only because they have medical ‘issues’? So on and so forth. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. PHOTO CREDITS: Shuddh Desi Romance Facebook Page[/caption] I believe SDR somehow touches these dogmas, all the while engaging its audiences in a captivating comedy. SDR focuses on three individuals, Raghuram Sitaram (Sushant Singh Rajput), Gayatri (Parineeti Chopra) and Tara (Vaani Kapoor), who choose not to follow the standard path for addressing their lives and relationships. Yes, they are confused, they are scared to commit and they make mistakes that hurt people and each other – but isn’t that what happens in real life too? SDR is definitely not a movie for those who watch Bollywood romantic comedies to escape the reality of their actual relationships and want to see typical fairy tale romance, like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and the rest of the flicks from the Yash Chopra-Karan Johar clan. The movie questions (lo and behold!) the sanctity of marriage. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. PHOTO CREDITS: Shuddh Desi Romance Facebook Page[/caption] SDR is actually a charming story of three youngsters. The movie is fun throughout and the viewers have nothing to complain as far as the entertainment quotient is concerned. The on-going gag about bathrooms is hilarious. The director and writers are witty in repeating some of the dialogues in the movie. Even the smaller details, like the mithai-walla (sweets maker) scratching his back with the channi (sieve) or the fake baraati's (invitees from the groom's side) asking for the gold chain, are funny. The romance in the movie is very real and fresh, but I did feel that the makers really rushed the Shushant-Parineeti relationship. One minute she is kissing him in the bus and the next he has moved in with her! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. PHOTO CREDITS: Shuddh Desi Romance Facebook Page[/caption] Another plus point of the movie is that for once the women are not crying, but are independent characters who do not mind saying what they feel and asking for what they want. Instead, it is their male counterpart who is confused and impulsive. SDR – Performances: The three lead characters of the movie are extremely natural. Sushant gets into the skin of a confused but honest Raghu pretty easily, however one does get the vibes of watching a Ranbir Kapoor or Ranveer Singh from his acting. Parineeti Chopra is fabulous with another one of her spontaneous performances, playing the bold and beautiful Gayatri. Vaani Kapoor looks pretty, amazingly confident for her debut movie and has a good on-screen presence as Tara. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. PHOTO CREDITS: Shuddh Desi Romance Facebook Page[/caption] Rishi Kapoor gets special applause for doing a brilliant job as the extremely lovable Goyal. SDR – Technical: I totally want to visit Jaipur after watching the movie. The Pink City and its cultural nuances have been etched well in the movie’s plot. Costume design is also impeccable and gives the movie a complete Rajasthaani look. The same goes for the music as well, which perfectly befits the theme of the movie and is enjoyable. However, the editing department probably slept over a couple of reels as the movie is at least 10-15 minutes too long! Honourable mention for Jaideep Sahni, for coming up and writing a script such as this, with its realistic simplicity which is quite rare. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. PHOTO CREDITS: Shuddh Desi Romance Facebook Page[/caption] The final word: Lastly, I saw a lot of disappointment in the crowd when the couple did not get married in the final act. FYI - that's exactly the point this movie was trying to make! Go with an open mind about 'desi' romance and enjoy the movie for what it is! I would rate this film an easy 3.5 out of 5! Great job!

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As an expatriate, the memory of the most routine things back home can sometimes bring out the most intense feelings of nostalgia in me. One of these memories is that of eating out at a cornucopia of restaurants, eateries and street vendors in Karachi.  From Bundu Khan’s lip-smacking chicken tikkas, to the appetising Student Biryani, to the delectable kebab rolls at Khadda market, the list is never ending. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Spicy seekh kebabs used in kebab rolls. PHOTO: Facebook page Kabab Rolls[/caption] One dish in particular brings back a flood of mouth-watering memories, and that is nihari. It originated from the legendary royal kitchens of the Mughal Empire in the late 18th century. While nihari houses are located all across Karachi, the best one is located in a rather nefarious part of town, currently infamous for target killings. Dining there was always a unique experience. One could ensure a literal and figurative fight to find a seat at the table. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. The famous Javed Nihari. PHOTO: Facebook page Javed Nihari (Dehli Javed Restaurant, Dastagir)[/caption] The clientele was composed of a myriad of demographics. You would see labourers enjoying their hard earned respite for the day, mixed with white collar professionals on a night out with their family and friends. Everyone enjoyed the generous amounts of food served in big metallic bowls, brimming with succulent meat, swimming in aromatic curry. The spice level was brutal yet so flavourful that you inadvertently found yourself licking your fingers. After being disappointed by the often bland and hybrid attempts at Indo-Pak cuisine offered by a number of desi food establishments across the US, I decided to give authentic local fare a try. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Chowmein with an Indian twist. PHOTO: Facebook page Indian Food Corner[/caption] Fancying myself as an adventurous foodie, I ventured into a local fried chicken shack in Nashville. It had great reviews and despite its location in the middle of a crime ridden and desolate part of town, it boasted about local and international celebrities as its clientele. When I got there, people of all colours, backgrounds and social classes were queued up waiting their turn in a dingy sweltering joint. There was a bald, rotund man with a stubborn look behind the counter, with two guns holstered to his belt guarding the equally menacing cashier. The intimidating atmosphere reminded me of the seriousness of the situation. The menu was simple. Ironically a chicken at heart, I opted for a mild-level spice leg piece combo with a side of fries. After waiting for what seemed like a lifetime I finally got my order. I hesitantly took a bite into the smoking hot fried chicken. The crunchy crust on top complemented the tender juicy meat inside and the intense, spicy concoction hit my taste buds like a volcanic eruption. It burned my tongue, induced a choking cough and beads of sweat started to trickle down my neck. Instead of reaching for a glass of water to ease the pain, I immediately took another bite into that heavenly bird. The agony eased up, the pleasure became more discernible, and by the fourth bite I thought I had slipped into nirvana. I immediately cursed myself for not ordering a bigger portion. Needless to say, I have been hooked since and visit that place so frequently that I think I might need to go to rehab. So what is it about spicy food? Whether it is Tom Yum soup from Thailand, Wot stew from Ethiopia, jerk chicken from the Caribbean or Vindaloo curry from India, spicy food is desired across the world. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Jerk chicken. PHOTO: Facebook page I love Jerk Chicken.[/caption] Scientists claim people who are addicted to spicy food are actually addicted to pain. When the burning hot sensation stimulates the trigeminal nerve which is responsible for the sensations in our face, our system releases endorphins which can be described as a morphine-like substance originating from within our bodies in response to exercise, excitement and pain. Doesn’t it make sense then that these spicy food joints are often located where they are needed the most? Financially downtrodden, crime infested neighbourhoods where the best therapy available from all the chagrins of the day is a hot serving of the local spicy delicacies – just a humble meal prepared with no pretentiousness. Such places are where all languages and cultures cease to exist – where bowing down at the altar of spicy goodness is the prescribed religion; where an unspoken dialect of brotherhood and camaraderie takes over whether it’s Pakistan or any other part of the world. It’s possibly ingrained in our DNA that we like to eat in packs and herds. On a psychological level, these meals allow us to embrace people and places we would normally not appreciate. Good old-fashioned savoury food not only opens up our nasal passages, but also opens our hearts into letting go of the barriers that otherwise discourage social congeniality. Inevitably, at its most elementary level, food brings us together in many ways. Like JRR Tolkien famously said

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

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In my part of the world, every celebration is accompanied by a dessert. Be it a wedding, an engagement, a birth, a promotion, a graduation, purchase of a house, a new car, or any other achievement or joyous occasion like Eid - the tiniest of the joys are celebrated with our mouths full of sweets and desserts. Nothing is more loved on such occasions than the scrumptious mithai most commonly known as ‘gulab jamun’. It is a personal favourite! In Pakistan, people usually buy gulab jamuns and never make it at home. Specialised mithai makers called halwaees make these delicious sweets. However, I had to learn how to make gulab jamuns after moving away from Pakistan as I couldn’t buy them in the market anymore. Not only were they delicious, they hit the spot just right. Here is how I did it: Ingredients: For the dough: Powdered milk – ½ cup Yogurt – 2 tbsp Flour – 2 tbsp Butter – 1 tbsp (melted) Baking soda – ¼ tsp For the sugar syrup: Sugar – 1 cup Water – 2 cups Saffron – 5-6 strands Rosewater or khevra water – 4 tbsp Green cardamoms – 6 (crushed) Oil for deep frying. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Instructions: Step 1: Make the sugar syrup (treacle). Add sugar, water, saffron and green cardamom in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Let it simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Step 2: Make the dough. I use a kneading machine for this. If you have a stand mixer with a hook attachment, that can be used as well. Or else just knead the dough the old fashioned way, that is, with your hand. Mix all the ingredients (dry milk powder, flour, butter, yoghurt, baking soda) in the kneading machine. Knead till the butter separates. It takes about 5-6 minutes. Let this mixture rest for 10 minutes. Image may be NSFW.
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Clik here to view. Step 3: Make small (Maltesers sized) balls of the dough with slightly wet fingers. Make sure the dough balls have no cracks on the surface. This dough should be enough to make about 15 balls. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.  Step 4: Deep fry the dough balls on medium to high heat. They should fry gently and become golden brown. If the oil is too hot, the gulab jamuns will turn brown on the outside but will remain uncooked inside. Be careful with the heat. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Step 5: Add the fried dough balls to the warm sugar syrup. Mix and cover. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. I usually make the gulab jamuns overnight and let them soak up sugar syrup through the night. They taste heavenly in the morning. I decided to roll them in dried coconut once, but they can be served with or without desiccated coconut. Treat yourself for working so hard by sinking your teeth into the soft, milky sugary gulab jamuns you have made. Share these home-made treats with your family and friends to double the joy of an occasion. Have a yummilicious day! PHOTOS: AMBREEN MALIK This post originally appeared here.

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When in Pakistan, do as the Pakistanis do. Decoding our culture is difficult due to the diversity Pakistanis are blessed with. You'll always meet people here with a story; they all have a story to tell. And so do I. After having breakfast and reading the Smoker's Corner on Sunday, I went to a butcher shop. Traditional butcher shops are not a place to visit for the fainthearted in Karachi. They have an acquired smell, resulting from carcasses of goats hanging right above the butcher’s counter and an even row of chickens lined across, with feathers plucked and skin removed. The sections are divided into three: mutton, beef and chicken. The butchers wear bloodstained shirts while they work methodically. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. A butcher cuts meat in his shop while posing for the camera. Photo: Reuters[/caption] I'm offered a cup of tea by a gentleman whose hands are covered with dried blood. I don't drink tea so I politely decline the offer. While waiting for our meat to get portioned, I speak to the shop owner's son. He's a few years older than I am. I ask him about the meat purchasing process and he gladly responds. Breeders from all over Sindh bring their cattle to the mandi (wholesale market). This mandi gives breeders the opportunity to showcase their product. The buyers visit this market and make the purchase. He said that the meat provided at his shop was of superior quality; I didn't doubt him as we were one of his regulars. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. A large number of animals seen at cattle market near super highway. PHOTO: FILES[/caption] He spoke to me about his passion for meat. The prerequisite of being a Pakistani is an unhealthy obsession with meat. He fulfilled the criteria and now he's in the business. He told me that people in Karachi love their food which is why they still come to a traditional butcher shop and carefully select the cuts of meat they want. He told me that this is part of our culture. I expressed my concern as I told him that many people nowadays want a streamlined process. They don't want to know where their meat came from or what the quality is like. However, that did not stop him from delivering the best quality of meat possible. He said that there are people out there who will never settle for frozen chicken in a packet. After the butcher's, I went to the sabzi wala (vegetable shop). My sabzi wala has an active sense of humour which never fails to entertain but he had many concerns with how things were in recent times. We spoke about the types of garlic in the market. Usually they keep desi garlic and one other variety that comes from China. I told him about the crisis India's facing due to the shortage of onions. I asked him if we should be afraid too. He laughed and informed me that most of the onions in Pakistan come from Balochistan and the quantity is high this season. He was upset with tomatoes that Pakistan imported from India though. He proudly said the Pakistani tomato is far more superior in taste. He said he hated giving away a product that he wasn't happy with. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Shopkeepers selling vegetables in Empress Market Karachi. PHOTO: FILES[/caption] I went to the barber next. I had to wait as, on a Sunday, barber shops are usually packed. I spoke to my barber about the meaning of life and he responded accordingly. He told me that Quaid-e-Azam rules Pakistan. I asked him to further explain and he said, “The only remains of him are on our currency. Money rules Pakistan.” Before we branched out to politics and conspiracy theories, a seat was free. On Sunday, the barber to seat ratio is high. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. A barber is like a best friend, once you find a good one, you stick to them. PHOTO: AFP[/caption] I explained the type of haircut I wanted and he understood. Consider yourself blessed if your barber understands and delivers. A barber is like a best friend, once you find a good one, you stick to them. My barber was passionate. He made sure that I was pleased with the outcome and he didn't disappoint. You find people loving what they do everywhere; usually in places where we never look. Chaotic as it may seem, Karachi is home. Karachi is a place to learn. Karachi is passionate. Falling in love with this city and its people is unavoidable. And like most love stories, your heart will be broken but that doesn't stop you from loving.

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Released internationally as Seedlings, Lamha is the fourth Pakistani film to hit the cinemas this year. I should admit that I do not usually watch films like Lamha as I prefer madcap comedies and optimistic films more. However, watching Lamha the other day reminded me of a wonderful Mexican film, Amores Perros, which has certain qualities in common with the new Pakistani film.  One of the many narratives in Amores Perros involves a married couple who are clearly going through a rough phase. In Lamha, instead of showing a Pakistani drama type shouting match, the director explores the tension between the two through silence on the dinner table — plates being passed firmly, teacups being put down forcefully with hasty glances being exchanged. It is this subtlety that characterises Lamha, which revolves around the aftermath of a tragic event that has befallen Mohib Mirza (Raza) and Aaminah Shaikh (Maliha). The said tragedy leads to a transformation of the intimacy between the protagonists into an increasing distance, as they choose separate ways to deal with grief. Unable to support one another, despite the shared loss, the sentiments of anger, grief and incomprehension are shown beautifully by director Mansoor Mujahid. Mujahid chooses little props like a misplaced crayon, or the unexpected hearing of a loved one's name to portray the characters' guilt and isolation. Other than those moments, the film's highlights include a spectacular closing shot that matches the mood of the characters perfectly; an argument between the leading pair that triggered spontaneous applause and a wonderful Ghazal. In its own appropriately subtle manner, Lamha tells a heartfelt story without the theatrics we're used to seeing in lesser films. If you have ever lost someone and have been reminded of them from the little things around you, you'll certainly appreciate the best of this film. You'll also likely be comforted by a lovely line in the movie which goes something like:

'It's the pain that reminds you that they're still with you.'

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Talking to one of my old friends, my pal of 21 years, and sharing some pictures from 1994 to 1998 with him, something really interesting struck me. My memories have a soundtrack. In simple words, each time I think of my school and college life, I hear background music; beautiful melodies of the days gone by but fresh in my memory forever. And not surprisingly, all of them are from the one and only, Vital Signs. It was in the fall of 1987 or ’88 when I first heard Dil Dil Pakistan. A school friend came to me one morning during break-time with her fancy new ‘walkman’ (remember those? Such a status symbol from the yester-years they were). Excitedly, she pranced towards me to ask,

“Did you hear Dil Dil Pakistan?”

“No, but I’ve heard kidney kidney Pakistan!”

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Over the past couple of decades, there has been a phenomenal revolution in what, how and where we eat. The massive invasion of the fast food industry, mushrooming of restaurants, dhabas and cafes all over the country, and the import of machinery like massive friers, grills and freezers are among some major factors that have redefined our food choices and eating habits. In the name of convenience and time-saving, we end up consuming a loathsome range of food that are downright hazardous to our health. These eateries, machineries, packaged, bottled and refrigerated products topped with the convenience of home delivery services have changed the family dynamics of cooking and eating every meal at home as a family activity.

“We are busy,” “Both spouses work so there is no time in the morning for breakfast or time to pack lunch boxes for school and office” “Hey, where can I get some great food delivered from? I have a bunch of guests coming over tonight!”

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“My mom works and is very busy, but she makes lunch for me”, responded  a 17-year-old girl when her classmates remarked on the girl’s mother having the time to cook fresh pasta for her to take to school.

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Every city or town in Pakistan is famous for one thing or the other. However, for us Lahoris, all arguments cease to matter before our simple motto – Lahore Lahore ae (Lahore is Lahore). Here are a few reasons as to why I’d choose Lahore over any other city in Pakistan. Data ki nagri Pakistan is very fortunate that many great sufi saints lived in this part of the world and all our major cities have different shrines. But not many cities have a title like Data ki nagri. The shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri brings many to Lahore and keeps many connected to the city, spiritually. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. The Data Darbar in Lahore.[/caption] The food In Lahore, what do you when you’re happy? You go out and eat. What do you when the weather is nice? You go out and eat. What do you do when you want to hang out with friends? You go out and eat. What do you do when you’re bored? You go out and eat. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"]Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Photo: Reuters[/caption] I know that Gujranwala has its tikkay and kasuri falooda, and that Karachi’s Burns Road’s nihari is famous too, along with Peshawar’s Namak Mandi and so on and so forth, but when you have it all (and so much of it) in Lahore, you wouldn’t find the same foodie happiness anywhere else. Love food? Come to Lahore! The people We all know that Lahoris are called zinda dilaan (lively) but how can you define this zinda dili? Ask a visitor and he’ll reduce it to hospitality. However, I have a different point of view on it. Here is an example. Once, while waiting at the traffic signal at Lakshmi Chowk, I asked my brother, who was on the driving seat, if he’d like to have some laddoos. He gave me a strange look because I didn’t have any with me. I asked him to wait a minute and then began looking at the fellows having laddoos in the car beside ours. The moment he saw me looking at those laddoos with wishful eyes, he immediately offered them to me saying:

“Paa ji lawwo” (Hey brother, have some)

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