Movie Review: Janaan - Celebration of life it is!

Before I get into the details of the plot and how the team performed, let me just say that from the moment Janaan’s trailer was released, I was sure it was going to win hearts as well as accolades. And I was right. The film has made me feel extremely proud of how far we (Pakistan's Cinema) have come in such a short time and how strong we are today, and makes me extremely hopeful about the fate of Pakistani cinema and its up and coming talent. Now that I have pretty much given away where this review is going, let’s get done with the formalities, shall we?

So, Meena (Armeena Rana Khan) returns from Canada to Swat after 11 years to attend her cousin’s wedding. She stands for most of us (whether Pakistanis living in the country or as immigrants abroad) who, at times, find ourselves embarrassed of many of our cultural and even religious practices in front of people following different traditions and faith, but at the same time feel it our duty to defend our roots. Her friend teases her about all the horrible things that most probably await her as she packs to leave on a trip that would change her life, so, she decides to document her travel to prove her friends wrong. Her friends back in Canada seemingly represent the foreigners whose only source of knowing what Pakistan has to offer remains biased news channels. Through Meena's eyes, we are able to see the beauty, cultural richness and exemplary hospitality that even the expatriates and many Pakistanis remain oblivious to. In short, this trip takes the audience through a lot of funny and endearing moments that make up for a memorable cinematic experience.

But Janaan isn’t your usual over-the-top dramatic, unrealistic film that instead of showing things as they are, depicts wishful thinking for the sake of rebuilding an image. It shows the good side beautifully and the bad side with the necessary sensitivity, and manages to pull everything off with the support of convincing cast. There are absolutely no words to describe the acting performances, except to say that they are so perfect that by the end of the movie one feels like a part of the family itself. Starting off with Daniyal (Ali Rehman Khan) aka Islamabad ka shoda, he is the ultimate side kick, funny character, younger brother, flirt, grown up with a teenager-like behaviour, all in one. Having met with Ali personally, I would say he is far from being Daniyal-like in real life, but he insists that it is the opposite and claims that, in fact, he is EXACTLY like his on-screen character. There is no point in dwelling over this debate because, ultimately, Ali has given an extremely enjoyable and his best performance up til now in Janaan.

Almost just as immediately we are also introduced to Asfandyar (Bilal Ashraf), the perfect son and brother with a stone-like exterior but a heart of gold. Bilal does justice to his role and draws the audience, especially ladies, closer to his character. Asfandyar and Meena’s chemistry is evident from the very start, something that obviously helps the plot and other things along, and something that I, personally, found lacking between the lead pairs of a few previous movies. Hania Amir, who makes her debut as the cousin who is getting married, deserves special mention for playing her part with such natural ease and efficacy. All the family members for that matter have been superb in their portrayals. There are two more actors who make it inevitable for the audience to miss them; Mishi Khan plays everyone’s favourite aunt; full of life, supportive of everything, funny, emotional and always ready to party, whereas, Nayyar Ejaz brings his villainous best on to the screen. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that he is fast becoming everyone’s favourite new-age bad man. Osman Khalid Butt makes a special appearance in just one scene and, of course, manages to steal it. We also get to see the gorgeous Hareem Farooq for a mere five-seconds (I wish she had a proper scene).

The music, like the movie on the whole, is soft and suits the entire celebration-of-life-in-a-big-happy-family thing that's going on throughout. The title track (sung by Armaan Malik and composed by Salim-Sulaiman) takes the cake for being the best of the lot, though there is no competing with its reprise version (sung by Shreya Ghoshal). The mehendi sequence, that should have been the strongest in terms of music and dance, was actually quite uncomfortable to watch; Armeena’s lack of dancing skills and the confused track is a recipe for disaster. Moving on to the wardrobes and styling, let’s just say that the beautiful men in their waste coat, shalwar kameez with rolled up sleeves, and shawls against the backdrop of heavenly Swat landscapes, don’t leave the ladies with any chance to compete.

Even though the trailer hadn’t exactly given out much, there were still a few things that the audience (previously, myself included) knows are going to happen. But trust me when I say, the climax really got me and had me on the edge of my seat! Surprise, thrill, drama, relief – this is what a good movie is made of, one that always gives its audience more than they think they are in for (in a good way, of course). Kudos to Osman Khalid Butt, the boy wonder who successfully proves with this project that he can entertain us just as equally by being part of the team behind the camera. This is a great feat for the director as well in that he is able to churn out something that makes everyone proud! 

Verdict – Without a shred of doubt, Janaan stands out for a number of very good reasons; the team delivers what it promised (a clean, sweet and an utterly enjoyable family entertainer), it gives a refreshingly honest insight on the Pakhtoon way of life today, it brings breathtaking visuals of Swat to you that will wash away all other negative images and perceptions you might have, it collaborates with Indian artists resulting in a really cool soundtrack, and for becoming the first movie this year to kick some serious ass (finally! All other previous releases have come short of expectations, to say the least). It may comprise of debutantes and first time actors, producers etc, but team Janaan is far from being amateurs. Incredibly talented and sure of themselves, they have delivered their best and come together to give you a really special Eid gift, one that you should waste no time in enjoying with your family!

P.S - According to the intel I just received, Janaan has managed to earn around a whopping 106K (sterling Pounds) and counting in UK alone.

Acting: 4.5/5

Dialogues: 4/5

Direction: 4/5

Cinematography: 4.5/5

Musical score: 3.5/5

Plot: 4/5

Average:  4/5

For more info on the movie, here are the links to Janaan's social media pages 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanaanOfficial/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanaanOfficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janaanofficial/

Movie Review : (Is movie se) BACHAANA

I find myself dumbfounded by all the people who are raving about Bachaana. For one, there is nothing so great or even different about the story line nevertheless we have seen run-off-the-mill plots being shot and played out so well in the past (hint: Humsafar) that, that is hardly bothersome here. So the movie starts with a lucky-go-natured, Indian girl Alia (Sanam Saeed) who is meeting her husband Jahangir (J) (Adeel Hashmi) for the first time in Mauritius (also her first time anywhere except her home ever, apparently) and is driven back to the hotel by a Pakistani cab driver Vicky (Mohib Mirza). The opening scene tries to set the tone of the movie by introducing some humour but fails. That is something I found continuous throughout the length of the film, the director just tries too hard at everything; the jokes (you will hardly find a dialogue or two funny in an entire scene), establishing the characters of the lead actors (Alia wears this ridiculous mutlicoloured dress for the better part of the movie because she is a carefree, jolly girl?). One thing I found absurd is how Alia is telling Vicky her life stories and suddenly gets taken aback upon finding out his nationality. I’m not sure if this could be true, but most of the people wouldn’t react like so in my opinion. In fact, they would ask and share more about where they are from etc. People from similar cultures are inclined to come closer when in a foreign land which would make more sense.

When you watch some brilliant American television and movies on repeat, something like this becomes so indigestible. The police force, gangs and pretty much everyone else you will see in the movie is of Pakistani origin. There is a scene where Alia and Vicky enter a cinema to hide while on the run that is showing Bin Roye of all the movies to a half-packed theatre. This is also where the latter finally tells the former that being with her is too dangerous and that he has an entire family to support back home that can’t survive if something happened to him. This I found pretty sensible until he leaves the theatre only to find posters of Ethan Hunt (M.I series), James Bond and MAULA JUTT on the wall outside and suddenly finds himself inspired and transformed into this macho man who must go back to get the lady out of trouble, forgetting about his family that is absolutely dependent on him for their survival.

The direction of the movie dances between extremes – really good camera angles that make the seemingly similar, boring chase scenes bearable, and unnecessary slow movements and close-ups to stress a point. There are a number of scenes where the lead pair runs and turns about in slow motion just to point out the significance of the scene even when there is none. There a few close-ups of Adeel’s character to force the audience to see him as a villain when his appearance hasn’t been worked on and he has been given almost no dialogues whatsoever to show that side in him. The gang chasing after the duo catches up to them on so many different occasions but just watches them run away from a distance because perhaps the director decided that it wasn’t time for the end yet. The scene towards the end where Vicky buys a nice dress for Alia and she suddenly comes out of the changing room with her hair and make-up refreshed and necklace changed, really gets to me! She also only sees the price tag after wearing the dress and then argues with Vicky not to buy it for her as it is way too expensive. I don’t think my not being romantic is the problem here. Bachaana might be a step ahead for us in film making but is definitely two steps back in terms of qualitative writing which has been our real strength up till now.

The plot summary might have looked good on paper but it would take a lot more comical scenes and twists to make this movie worth watching in the real sense. The make-up artist, Madiha Qaiser did a really good job on Sanam’s look but everything would have made more sense if they had gone with a no make-up look after the chasing starts. I have no doubt Sanam could pull it off! I don’t remember seeing any Bollywood or Hollywood actress running through jungles with tight curls in her hair and strong blush across her cheeks. The actors are the only good thing about this movie. They play their parts with such convictions and natural ease that I think they actually believed in the project. Their passion, chemistry, sync, everything is quite visible on-screen. Their talents are obviously wasted. The almost-no-songs policy really made a good difference (mainly because I didn’t have to sit through any longer). The only two to three songs that feature, are a decent attempt but nothing worth talking about.

I find this movie so low on its logic quotient that it’s just shocking to know that this is a Pakistani project. The end fails to address what happens next because the important issues still remain – Vicky and Alia are still from different countries, Vicky’s visa is still going expire, Alia is still married according to the laws in her country etc. Despite all of it, I laughed through most of the film because of the absurdity it showed, almost like a South Indian movie dubbed in Hindi.

Verdict – Perhaps you can enjoy the movie in bits, the make-up, some excellent, international quality camera work, the extreme conviction from actors, but put together, on the whole, this film has nothing more to offer than two people running around for some two hours. Watch it only if you are a die-hard fan of the lead cast and are hell bent on supporting the cinematic revival.

Acting: 4/5

Dialogues: 2.75/5

Direction: 2.5/5

Cinematography: 2.5/5

Locations: 4/5

Musical score: 3.5/5

Plot: 2.5/5

Average: 3.10/5

For full mp3 songs, BTS and screenshots download of the movie, here are the links to check out 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/522o31tfvk0htez/AACc4rNpA-Zfw9lDE6q1Kbyja?dl=0

Zainab Chottani opens first flagship store in Karachi

One of our favourite designers, Zainab Chottani launched the first flagship store in Karachi two days ago. Social media was abuzz by the launch pictures; her gorgeous pieces, lavish store, breathtaking décor and a very happening red carpet ablaze with celebrities were all anyone could see and talk about even though there were two more brands had organised their events that day.

“I am very excited to launch my first flagship store where all my customers can come and buy my creations,” said an excited Zainab and continued, “I have received such a wonderful response and love from my friends and family, and it is because of them where I stand today.” 

Without a doubt, Zainab Chottani is a brand that speaks volume; her approach toward business is simple and straightforward, and her design aesthetic minimal and clean – a combination that has made her successful. She has showcased her designs both, locally and internationally becoming an established name by taking over the fashion industry one step at a time with her prêt, couture, and bridals in a diverse clothing range from intricately embellished bridals to refreshing, ready-to-wear pieces that are impossible to take your mind off of.

Commenting on her designs, Zainab says, “I wanted to raise the fashion quotient along with the standards of quality that is being offered to the Pakistani consumer today.” With her tremendous collection and reputation in bridal-wear globally, the Zainab Chottani is has become a name that is now recognised for her beautifully sculpted luxury fabrics in both bold and soft hues.

The Zainab Chottani Flagship Store is located at 43-C Bukhari Commercial Lane No. 8 DHA Phase 6, Karachi, and includes a walk-in retail outlet and a bridal studio by appointment only.

For additional details please visit:

- www.zainabchottani.com

- https://www.facebook.com/zainab

  chottaniofficial/

- https://twitter.com/zainabchottani

- https://www.instagram.com/zainab

  chottaniofficial/

Hunger’s Pack – Pack a punch!

A small fast food joint owned by Syed Amir Ali and Kashif Hussain welcomed bloggers, media personnel and celebrities during a two-day launch event recently where the attendees got to enjoy exclusively selected food items from the restaurant’s yet to be disclosed menu. Hunger's Pack strikingly country interior is the first thing that caught my eye; dark brick walls contrast beautifully with glass block windows with an arch on top, that provide a clear view of the street and bring in bright light. Seating is no-fuss, minimalistic kind and the area has a huge pilar of piled up stones in one corner. The counter provides an open view of almost the entire kitchen. The joint’s menu boasts of appetisers to main course (burgers and sandwiches), shakes, drinks and dessert, from what I could tell. 

First up was peri peri bites; seedless, hard crumb coated chillies stuffed with chicken and sauce. These were clearly the winner of the night! I love a good, crunchy crumb coat (who doesn't?), but the stuffing tasted so good too. I never order peri bites because they are almost always spicy and they just don’t taste that good. I never got what the craze is about. But these were totally amazing and I am pretty sure I will find myself craving for these every now and then. We were then served baked potatoes; slit open in the middle, seasoned with very little black pepper and topped with chopped tomatoes, sausage, and red beans, and a bit of cream cheese on the sides. This was not appealing, visually speaking, but had a decent taste. My concern is that you won’t be able to enjoy the entire potato as much because only the centre is soft and seasoned. It is a bit harder on the sides and bottom plus the skin remains on it, something that not a lot of people enjoy on their potatoes. You can choose the toppings for your potato, much like a salad at Subway, and have the pleasure of watching it bake right in front of you courtesy to the open oven fixed on the wall behind the counter. We were also served chicken wings that were doused in such a strong acidic mixture that it almost burnt my friend’s nose when she was only about to take a bit, and the bbq wings that had only light chilli seasoning and were quite plain in taste otherwise. They were also a bit burnt on the sides, although I enjoyed the garlic slice they were served with.

Next up was a chicken sandwich; nicely toasted whole-grain bread containing a generous spread of cream cheese and shredded chicken, and a whole lot of fresh, juicy iceberg lettuce. This is a simple, feel-good sandwich with a homely feel to it. I liked the sandwich (as long as it doesn't soct much), though anyone who is experimental with their food choices and is expecting something mind blowing and completely original, will not be impressed. My chicken burger was the last item of the night; a simple chicken burger with few ingredients that tasted a bit like one from Mr. Burger. The patty was well cooked enclosed in fresh, soft buns and had a strong pepper taste, the sauce inside was a bit thin and runny which can make it a bit messy to eat and was hot and tamato-ey at the same time. There is not a lot to boast about this one, I only took a few bites and wasn’t much tempted to continue.

My friend tried their chocolate shake and enjoyed the thickness of it stating this is always better than the thin, runny ones. I don’t indulge in something like this so I will take her word for it. I couldn’t try the ice-cream because they ran out of it, but I doubt it was made in the kitchen, so no loss there. The dishes being served at the initial tables were taking quite a while to reach us (we were seated right at the back) giving an impression that the staff might not have been prepared to serve so many people at once. But I believe this has much to do with the guests who bring along extra people with them as if it were their private party. I would especially like to mention the servers for the night, they were so well mannered and courteous and kept asking us if we needed anything without really disturbing us. I would also like to mention the representative from TAGNINE; even though we only talked to him for a minute, his jolly and humble nature really made an impression. The owners were there to talk about their venture which is a nice gesture, and one that you don't see very often.

I hear they are going to open an outlet in Lahore soon, and hope they keep improvising their menu. Wishing them all the luck for their future endeavours! The launch was organized by TAGNINE Marketing while its PR was handled by Phegency.

What – Fast food

Where  – 26th st. Badar Commercial, Opp. Daily Dubai Restaurant, Phase 6, Karachi

Food – 3/5

Ambience – 3.5/5

Service – 4/5

Per head – 800-900 PKR approx.

We hadn’t been made aware of the price list, so I can’t be sure of anything. But their marketing manager did say that their sandwiches started from 500 PKR.  Couple that with an appetiser, a shake and some dessert, and you get a rough idea.

Verdict

In all honesty, it is not a place where you can plan to go with a group for big celebrations, but it is a cool place to grab a quick bite, and for some light dining. I wouldn’t mind going there just to pick up the sandwich and the peri peri bites that I might start missing after a few days provided they aren’t charged at an unrealistically exorbitant amount.

Inglot and theBalm Cosmetics take over DMC

As a make-up enthusiast and an occasional make-up junkie, I love everything and anything to do with cosmetics, and even hairstyling. Naturally, I was psyched to receive the invite tothe launch of Inglot, a renowned international make-up brand. The new outlet at DMC, Karachi is a big space and accommodates counters full of cosmetic products ranging from foundations, concealers, base, primers, compacts, eye shades, eye liners, lip colours, blush, nail colours and pre and post make-up essentials. 

 The best part of such events is that you get to try all these amazing products without the stares from other customers or sales persons. Although, I still managed to get the stares while trying out the lip colours, after which I naturally stopped. There were some really breathtaking shades I encountered at the blush station, just perfect for winters! Inglot claims to have more than 1500 colours to choose from. A few of them, however, turned out to be drastically different in colour after application, that is always confusing and never fun.

I hadn’t planned on buying anything but some shades were so gorgeous that I couldn’t help myself and decided to make the purchase. As far as I remember, I picked out about two products, the bill for which totaled at around PKR 1700. But when I went to the counter to pay the bill, I was told the sum was around PKR 3000. The reason being that the blush and lip colour I picked was being given to me in a magnetic casing that I wouldn’t have to purchase again and could just get refilled. So what they were telling me was that I had to pay for those two products then, and every other time I would get it refilled too, but I was just going to pay double the first time for a casing that had absolutely no relevance whatsoever. Obviously, I declined to make the purchase because I find that absurd. Having said that, I think a lot of products were pocket friendly (unless they add a shady charge to your bill) and Inglot deserves a visit.

The attendees were given goodie bags that included a pretty, shocking pink lip colour (or at least that’s the one I got). The colour is a bit glossy at first and then matte underneath in its texture after you apply it, it is fragrant and has a good stay period. My sister tried it on the next day.

This second store launch in Karachi was brought to us by Naz Mansha (CEO Nishat Linen), handled by Walnut and Amir Mazhar, hosted by Anoushay Ashraf and attended by quite a few socialites and members of the media, beauty and fashion fraternity. From Saima's hair, Aleezay's glowing  skin, Mantahaa's shoes, Areeba's top to Anoushay's entire look and Maheen Khan's unbelievably kickass aura, check out the best looks from the red carpet below!

Anyone even slightly educated in beauty brands knows about theBalm. The brand has been creating its magic internationally, and finally has come to Pakistan for the first time. The launch event was held at Scentsation, Dolmen Mall Clifton, Karachi last month.

I got these amazing souvenirs that I can't wait to use! The best quality of these shades is that they are as easy to apply as they are to remove. Quick and effective, no hassles - just like the brand promises.

theBalm boasts a high-quality make-up line for the fun, flirty & fierce! It flaunts a comprehensive line of cosmetic products with its rich portfolio serving in skin care, hair care and nails among a whole lot of others. With a ‘beauty in 5 minutes’ philosophy, theBalm's fabulous, multi-use products have become its calling card, offering quick fixes and solutions for a wide range of beauty needs. The company has entered into the Pakistani market by collaborating with Scentsation which itself is the leading luxury retailer in the fragrance industry. This collaboration will no doubt strive to provide the latest and top of the line products, offering customers a premium selection of international brands across product categories, fragrances, cosmetics and skincare. 

As exciting as it is to have the store here, and as fun as it was to try out all these amazing products there, I can’t help but feel that they are quite expensive. I have never been that person who spends thousands of rupees on a small palette. If you shop like me, trying it out won’t be much of a pleasurable experience; there are so many brilliantly pigmented, swoon-worthy shades that you just can’t wait to get your hands on. But the prices painfully stop you from making a purchase.

The inauguration event provided attendees an opportunity to test the make-up line in its ‘beauty in 5 minutes’ demonstration section. The makeover for this extravagant section was done by none other than Sabs Salon. The much happening event was handled by Adeel Feroze @ The Happening Company and was attended by the who’s who of the fashion and entertainment fraternity and a lot of my blogger friends. Check out some snaps from the red carpet below!

The Ho Mann Jahaan Experience

 

I should quickly jot down my experience here of attending the premiere before I start lamenting about posting this super duper late. I would first like to thank Samra Muslim and her team for accommodating me when I know they had a crazy amount of people to fit in, and handling the premiere so well! Their events are always well managed and I never have to worry about much. So I reached on time, which is never a good idea considering how relaxed people are here and late they appear on their own events. Even the red carpet hadn't started. There was a small area where some media personal were allowed to cover the red carpet. Against my better judgement, I decided to get in to take a few snaps. Despite of the team checking ids to let only necessary people in, there were a lot of them just standing, doing nothing and wasting space. Of course, they were still better than the almost molesters trying to photograph celebrities; they don’t have the decency or the sense to let shorter people get in front, no concept of personal space and will even stoop down to the level of pushing to get decent shots. May be that’s how it always is, this was my first and definitely the last red carpet experience. After a short while there, I decided it wasn't worth it and got out. 

The classiest Mr & Mrs Asim Raza

The movie opened on Mahira’s wedding day, and the way the scene went on, I was convinced that she was to be married to Sheheryar. I, by the end, had of course been proven wrong, but enjoyed the twist thoroughly nevertheless. The first half of the movie was quite slow and mostly consisted of introducing the characters and establishing their personalities. I always feel like the directors, or the writers try too hard to establish them  whether it be on the big screen or small, there is a definitive lack of smoothness. This is why certain scenes become too cheesy, unnecessarily dramatic and ultimately fail to get the message across and leave an impression. The lecture scene at the university sees Mahira and Adeel behave in such a simplistic manner not even A-graders do today. Even the professor taunts Sheheryar in pure Urdu, which I doubt any teacher speaks in unless they teach Urdu, may be not even then. The disobedient pupil, Sheheryar, talks back trying to be funny but his dialogues fail him. I felt like there definitely should have been some jokes in there. I hear that major responsibilities like penning down the script and dialogues were given to first timers  which is probably why there is a lack of that much needed power; the dialogues repeat quite a few words and are unrealistic in that they were purely in Urdu when that is not how most people actually talk.

Munawwar Siddiqui looking dapper

 Talking about unrealistic parts of the movie, the main lead were all the only child of their parents and two of them were well-off too with one whose close-minded father doesn't live with her, situations that are too ideal and highly unlikely to come together. This made it possible for the story to steer clear of highlighting a hundred other problems that people who are pursuing music can face. I find this strange when Asim Raza, the director of the movie, was brave enough and didn't shy away from having Sheheryar’s much younger character fall for Sonya’s much older character. Also, Fawwad appears as 'Raphael'..I just half-cringed -half-laughed at that one!

Actors here don’t work as much to look, or even sound, their part which can be a big risk factor for the success of the entire project. While I enjoy Mahira’s facial expressions, sometimes she shows almost no vocal expressions, her dialogue delivery remains flat which is really irksome when you need her to shout or speak in high-pitch in an intense scene. She also keeps playing with her hair and lips, it almost feels like she is ignorant to the demand of the character on purpose and adamant on playing it the way she wants. The way Sonya and Sheheryar speak too sounds like they hardly ever speak in Urdu otherwise; you can hear it in their accents and feel their struggle with some words.

The second half was undoubtedly more promising and captivating. There were a lot of intense scenes. Nimra Bucha, Sonya, Bushra Ansari were all flawless though all Bushra Ansari did was cry in the few scenes she was in, which I think is a waste of her talent.

Taking all the points on and off screen!

Adeel manages to play and convince everyone really well of the poor, misunderstood guy. Towards the end, one after another, characters start making confrontations and resolving conflicts, and everything falls into place, something that’s accomplished quite smoothly I must say. I must, however, conclude my analysis by commenting on the direction. The more Pakistani movies I see, and reviews of them I go through, the more I am convinced that we are ad makers and drama directors, and not film makers. This is not where our strength lies, and that is totally fine given the fact that we have only just started making movies. But that is also no excuse for presenting work full of flaws. There is no harm in taking time and learning the craft before attempting anything. I actually felt like the scene towards the end where Mahira’s father makes an appearance to join in her wedding celebrations was a Shaan/Olper advertisement. Better part of the movie had close-ups which makes it quite tedious to watch.
Since the plot is based on musical inclination of the main lead, the music, unquestionably, had to be strong. It is fresh, experimental and enjoyable but as my movie critic friend said ‘there is no song that stays with you as you come out of the theatre’. Having said that, I absolutely love Ghar Naari, and had it on repeat for quite a few days after I saw the movie.

Well, I have been writing on and on about what the movie made me feel and I could still continue. I would just conclude by saying that the team effort is quite evident and so is the fact that we have a bright future as far as films go provided that we learn a few things. Asim Raza has made a very good attempt indeed and I definitely look forward to his, and the cast's next projects!

P.S - I have never seen Mahira look so beautiful! Here she is at the Karachi premiere.

The cast at the Lahore premiere

Acting : 4/5

Dialogues: 2.75/5

Direction: 2.75/5

Cinematography: 3/5

Locations: 4/5

Musical score: 3/5

Plot: 3.5/5

Average: 3.2/5

For full mp3 downloads of the movie soundtrack, here is the link to check out https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6bem3r67leu0c5w/AAD50nY8Z4Q1wYNyioVfjyzpa?dl=0

In Her Shoes

There are a lot of things I love about being a blogger, and one of those perks is, of course, all the amazing gifts and products I get for reviews. I was too excited to receive a package from Shoe Planet recently that contained a really pretty pair of shoes. They have added an array of new and exciting designs to their collection, and I had the opportunity to sport one for them. 

Cutting to chase, the shoes I chose are your standard ballet flats but with a slight twist in that there is a really small heel. It gives you all the comfort of flats but also gives you good grip by producing necessary friction.

These delicate-looking shoes were anything but, at first. They loosened only after a few minutes to adjust to the measurements of my feet. I chose the white colour because I am practical-minded and I know that white goes with everything. Plus, there is a thin, nude-coloured lining on the shoes making them even more wearable with whichever dress you like.

Its design is the first thing that attracted me; the bow at the end and the net on either side of the shoe gives it a feminine feel, and it’s hard not to feel like a princess wearing it. I lent the shoes to my sister who completely agrees with me.

Shoe Planet has a lot of other designs, not just for women but for men too. The footwear is in equal parts about comfort and style, but additionally it is also easy on the pocket, which makes it the perfect choice for anyone.

Design: 4/5

Comfort: 3.5/5

Price: 3.5/5

Overall:   4/5

VMSM 2015 - Celebrating Beauty with Style

As much of regret that I have for procrastinating about writing this piece, it makes me more excited to finally be able to share my experience of the night we got our Veet Miss Super Model for the year 2015. As I write about the night, I feel a hint of remorse too at not taking any pictures of myself there, nevertheless I took plenty to corroborate my account of the event and for you to enjoy.

Azfer Rehman hosting the grande finale

 Sana Bucha on the Pink Carpet
                                                  

The depilatory brand hosted the grande finale of VMSM 2015 last week at The Palm, Karachi. The pink & white themed evening began with the red carpet challenge hosted by news anchor, Sana Bucha where some of the questions asked to the top contestants towards the end of the show were given by the attendees comprising of a few reputed journalists, and personalities from the fashion fraternity such as Shanaz Ramzi, Sumeha Khalid, Saadia Qamar, Raheel Rao and Zurain Imam. 

The show, hosted by the feisty and refreshingly charming Azfar Rehman, started with a majestic opening introducing the contestants with their mentors, Cybil Chaudry, Faiza Ansari and Mehwish Hayat, and the judges panel comprising of veterans Nabila, Rizwan Beyg and Tapu Javeri. After the introductions, the audience was presented with enchanting live performances by Gohar Mumtaz followed by Zoe Viccaji while the participants flaunted some gorgeous pieces by Ali Xeeshan on the ramp ending the presentation with the mentors making a grand entrance in their breath-taking attires.

The show proceeded towards the final question and answer round after showcasing highlights of the contest journey so far. The entire season, consisting of 10 episodes, has been shot in Thailand where participants took part in different tasks and underwent challenges to fight off each other for the title under the guidance of their respective mentors that included coaching the 12 contestants in skills in presentation, grooming, catwalk, confidence and other essential attributes required in the fashion industry today. The questions consisted of cliches like 'Would you change anything about yourself?' and 'What would you do if you won the VMSM title?' and some unusual ones like 'Which field of modelling would you pursue and why?' and 'What changes would you like to introduce in the field?'. While the answers contained some not-so-unheard-of thoughts like 'I would like to be a role model for all the young girls out there' answers like 'I would like to change the perception that short girls can't be models' (because the finalist was short) put an interesting spin on the round.

 The mentors and judges were then invited on the stage along with last year's winner Beenish Khan to crown Jasmine Kayani (from Mehwish Hayat's team) the winner of Veet Miss Super Model contest 2015.

The Highs

This was my first collaboration with BodyBeat pr team and I was so pleasantly surprised at the way they organised everything. I met with Hassan (Rizvi) too who was so humble and appreciated my presence at the event. I faced a minor glitch at the entrance for which I contacted Muznah (Siddiqui) from their team and the issue was resolved effortlessly in no time. It is really quite refreshing to see a team of young, energetic and well mannered individuals doing their job efficiently when some other pr firms have started thinking themselves to be bigger than the industry itself and indispensable. I see a long and bright future for them. Kudos!




This season definitely seemed better what with being shot at beautiful locations in Thailand and having such beautiful and successful mentors on board. Even the finalists seemed fit to have come so far; the young girls owned the ramp as if they were born cat walking and were impressive in their demeanour. Unlike other reality contests where professionals from unrelated fields are seen judging participants, even the judges panel seemed perfect for their seats. It is only testament to the platform's betterment which I certainly see increasing in seasons to follow.

Veet also presented its success stories so far as a form of encouragement and evidence of its successful philosophy. Abeer Rizvi and Areeba Habib walked the ramp looking amazing and proving that this platform works for every beauty who dreams to have a good channel to enter this field and do quality work.

Zoe Viccaji's performance was one of the best parts of the evening. You had to be there to know what I am talking about. Need I say more?


The Lows

As for most other events, of course this one too started later than the time given but here I am talking about a good 2 to 2½ hours of difference. Hardly the responsibility on the organisers' part, it is really astounding to me still that media personalities have such little regard for someone else's time and arrive at their own sweet pace knowing full well that this will result in the event being held up. When are people going to practise basic manners and show decency..sigh

Gohar Mumtaz's performance, albeit enjoyable, was as good as listening to the tracks on the music system. He was very clearly lip syncing but that became even more evident when he started moving his lips to a voice that he could not possibly had sung. He should have left that part of the song out. Deception over deception, but the second one just made feel like the audience is being made a fool out of and is expected to buy it because we might not be sharp or bothered enough.

I was almost impressed by the other two finalists, both named Hira; they carried themselves well and spoke even better which is a combination not often seen together. I was confident that Hira from Faiza's team would win and wanted the one from Cybil's team to be the runner-up. But to my dismay, the girl from Mehwish's team took the winner's title. A clear case of misjudgement, favouritism and politics, it was saddening to see such a twist after everything else had been nearly perfect so far. Talent and hard work speak for itself and the time to come will prove this. Hopefully, this will be one of the things to get better with future seasons. 

Little Miss MUA of the Week - Kiran Khan

"My mom who also loves makeup and getting dressed, I would see her getting ready, try to copy her, find old pictures of her and just couldn’t believe how amazing she looked all the time. I think my interest in makeup developed because of my mother. I get it from her. She has an even bigger vanity than me."

It is really surprising and inspiring how much a one can learn just by observing and without any formal training if only one has the passion for something. Our next UA is the example of just that! Currently studying Fashion Designing from Asian Institute of Fashion Designing, Kiran Khan is a professional make-up artist. Being a tom boy all her life, she only developed a passion make-up when she turned 15. She recalls the first time she tried her hand at the craft - it was for her sister's wedding - and defines the experience to be novel and unusual.

"It was me but a better version of me." Since then there has been no turning back; she took a keen interest and made an effort to groom herself. "I would do it for myself and no one else, because I felt confident with make-up on," says the girl who never thought she would engage herself in such feminine activities. Her goal is to bring all the new local and international trends to her clients and offer the best that there is at a very reasonable price; she believes, every girl deserves to look beautiful on her wedding day and feels pure joy to be a part of their big day. 

"Every girl deserves to look beautiful on her wedding day and I get so much joy in being a part of their big day"

"I am very proud of myself that I am now supporting myself and don’t have to rely on my parents anymore. I feel very independent. It’s the best feeling ever," she adds that she loves buying presents for her parents every now and then even though they hate it and rarely accept it.She accredits all her success to her friends and family and is grateful to them for supporting and believing in her even before she did. 

                                  

"I am against charging an arm and leg to clients for make-up that they will just wash off in a few hours"

How long have been working as make-up artist for? How did you start?
I have been doing make-up for friends and family for four years, but started professionally a year ago. My birthday is in August and it is the same month I officially started, which is why this month is so important for me [Laughs] I didn’t even make my own Facebook page, my cousin made it for me and had he not done that, I would never have started because I always thought I wasn’t ready, that I needed more time. So a big shout out to my cousin Farhan Ahmed for kick-starting this journey for me.

How supportive are people and your family about your work?
My family and friends support me so much that sometimes I can’t even believe it. My parents, I feel get more excited about my work than I do. I can feel their pride. When I tell them I can’t go to a certain place with them because I have clients coming over to the studio, it is the best feeling ever because I see how happy they are to see me working.

What problems did you have to face to establish an entrepreneurial setup to practice your skills?
Honestly, I did not face any problems. Everyone just supported and encouraged me so much. I was initially worried if people would come to me, a newbie in the field. But that concern went right out of the window as soon as my Facebook inbox started flooding with appointments within a month of my starting the official page.

What proper avenues do you think girls need to learn the craft and become a professional? Are those channels lacking here?
I really do feel you need proper training to start your business. Take your time to make yourself perfect and then start; education and knowledge in the field will take you so far ahead. That is how we also learn how to tackle different make-up and skin related situations. We lack proper training schools here. The are very few we have here, and they are out-dated in their techniques and need to catch-up with the trends. I would love to see some international make-up training academies open in Pakistan.

How did you learn? What inspired you towards the field?
I initially did my basic course from Anam Falak. After that I would just practice and practice and practice. All those nights when I couldn’t sleep, I would just spend hours applying make-up on myself. Whether it was 3 am or 4 am, I would do a full-on heavy, glam make-up with lashes and everything and take pictures so I can learn. I still have every picture in my record. I really hope no one finds those awful initial pictures when I was just learning [Laughs] But the key to success is practicing, it makes perfect.
I just recently took Natasha Khalid’s master class. I had the honour of meeting the make-up and hair gurus, Natasha and Sabrina, they both are truly amazing, humble ladies. Even after being a working make-up artist, I still walked away with a lot of new things that I had learned from them. I loved both of the courses, and I can’t thank my gorgeous teachers enough even for every bit of help.

What are the perks and perils of styling clients at the salon as opposed to at home?
I have a home-based studio, and I prefer working from within my house; it is comfortable, it is easy. But that does not mean it does not have a professional environment. The room is off limits to everyone in my house except me. I provide the comfort of home to all my clients without them feeling like they are at a bridal factory; each look is customised for every beautiful face that sits in my chair.

How important is the role of social media in promoting talent? Does it also expose you to a lot of harshness?Social media is everything nowadays. It holds a lot of power; it can make or break any business. I get all my clients through social media. I didn’t go for any advertising or any sort of promotions, just word of mouth and social media. Any business can take off easily on Facebook, if your work is good, people will come to you.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see my name amongst the top make-up artists in Pakistan. I want to see my name in every local and International magazine and InshAllah I will work my butt off to acheive that.

What advice would you like to give to young girls who want to become make-up artist and hair stylists?Get proper education, knowledge and training in the field. Along with skill and talent one still needs education to really excel. Don’t start unless you think you are at least near perfect but don’t practice on clients [Laughs] Because that would give off a very unprofessional vibe. Clients are smart these days, they know who is experienced and who is not. The most important thing, don’t let anyone bring you down. If you love, something, go for it.

You have been holding a lot of classes for young girls too. What brought on the idea?
I actually started teaching first, and started taking clients later. I always did great make-up on myself and a lot of people would come up to me and ask me to teach them. I would just laugh off the idea until one day, while my university semester was off for the summers, I thought of holding a class and checking out the response. The class got filled in just two days Alhumdulillah, and I have never looked back since.

What are the most common mistakes that you see your students making when they come in first? What are their strengths?The biggest issue with a lot of girls here is picking the right foundation shade for themselves. Unfortunately, Pakistan is where we celebrate 'fairness' which leads to people picking one, two to three shades lighter than their skin tone and then they start looking grey. I always explain it like this, if you mix black and white, what colour would do you get?
I would say my students are eager to learn everything. Even though I only give a two-day master class, they still want to learn so much and it gets me excited to see that.

Rapid Fire

Your biggest inspiration? 
My beauty queen, my mother, Natasha Khalid and Jaclyn Hill.

Best fall/winter routine for skin?
Beauty is inside and outside, which means a clean body inside will give you a clean body outside. Drinking lots of water, no matter what season it is, and pure, 100% raw virgin coconut oil. I apply 2-3 drops of the oil everyday to my combination skin, and it does wonders for me; I wake up with the softest and most hydrated skin the next morning.

Best fall/winter routine for hair?
Castor oil mixed with mustard oil, Aussie’s miracle moist deep conditioning hair conditioner, Lolane hair conditioning mask

Someone you would love to work with?
Jaclyn Hill, Jennifer Lopez, Amna Baber, Beyonce, Jennifer Anniston. My list would never end [Laughs] I would really love some sort of collaboration with Natasha for a project.

Someone you would love to be styled by?
Mario Dedivanovic, Scott Barnes and Samer Khouzami 

Biggest dream?
I have big big plans for myself; I want to create a one-stop place for women. So InshaAllah I want to provide a place where I combine all things I am passionate about - make-up, designing clothes and photography. InshAllah, I’ll have a big building with one floor for my make-up studio, one for a boutique and one for a photography studio. Of course I’ll be needing my awesome and amazing sister’s help for all of this because she is my best friend and I cant do anything without her!

Proudest/most memorable moment?
I had this client who came to me for her engagement make-up, all throughout she kept on saying how she loved her look. Then 10 minutes after she left my studio, I got a text from saying that she loved the make-over so much and that I should be free for her wedding. That was so cute!
When I get a call at 1 am from the brides saying how much they, along with everyone else, loved the make-up so much. When my clients are happy with my work, it is the  best feeling ever. I really put my heart and soul into my work and it feels amazing when it shows that it has paid off.

If you had to choose anything else other than this?
I am actually pursuing a degree in Fashion designing. I am studying and working at the same time so if I wasn’t doing this, I would be designing. 

You wish you could…?
Live in a Sephora outlet and take whatever I want without paying a single dime [Laughs]

The best kind of clients are…?
Who sit back and relax and say, 'I trust you, do what you think suits best'.

The worst kind of clients are…?
Who keep on questioning in the middle of the make-up. All I want to tell them is that it is not finished yet. They should let me complete then if they don’t like or want to add something, tell me. All I ask from them is patience and their trust in me.

You’re happiest when?
When I get the same clients back, and every time a get a new mail waiting for me. I also get at least 2 parcels every month full of make-up [Laughs] Yes I have a problem, my mother is sick of me buying make-up!

Your favourite look to work on?
Smokeys and the no-make-up look. And for people who don’t like too much make-up on themselves or when I want to just look like I rolled out of bed , I love doing a fresh faced minimal make-up.