Will Kaptaan make it?

 KARACHI: 

If a film-maker takes on a subject like the popular Imran Khan for a project, he should anticipate that expectations and public interest will be high. Films like Waar and Seedlings have raised the bar for film-makers in Pakistan, but projects likeKaptaan (which revolves around Imran Khan and Jemima Goldsmith) and Kolachi remain a cause of concern.

While Kolachi did not move beyond delivering a trailer, Kaptaan has now been under production for two years, raising questions about poor planning and execution. According to a source affiliated with the production unit, despite being shot and re-shot a few times, the release of the film cannot be expected in the near future. Director Faisal Aman Khan should have known better.

In early 2011, the crew had completed the shooting and released the trailer as public interest mounted. “People were abusing the Kaptaan crew on Facebook for not delivering on time,” the source told The Express Tribune, requesting anonymity. “That is when they decided to upload the trailer of the film to YouTube, to calm the fans down.”

But as the initial filming done by Lahore-based cinematographer Tariq Pitafi concluded and the footage was previewed by the crew, technical glitches surfaced and the plan to move to the post-production phase was halted.

“After consultation with the key members of the crew, the director decided to reshoot the whole film,” the source revealed. “The film crew was so desperate (for an alternative cinematographer) that the task of filming was given to the editor,” he concluded, adding that others were reluctant to take on this project as its prospects seemed murky.

The team embarked on a journey to shoot Kaptaan once again, but the quality of the new footage was so poor, that the crew decided to shoot the entire film in black and white.

“This was an easy way out since the look gets classy and most of errors are hidden,” said the source. “But frankly, the film wasn’t going anywhere.”

The most recent development is that Kaptaan has entered the shooting process for a third time now, with Pitafi once again as the director of photography (DP), who will shoot the remainding portion of the film in black and white.

Are we going to see a black and white film after a trailer in colour? If that is indeed the case, then the more serious question that will be raised is, will the project be completed?

PTI says no

While the director and film crew have spoken of their meeting with Imran Khan and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) “continuous support” to the film, PTI tells The Express Tribune that it has no clue.

When asked if the party was in any way endorsing the film, PTI’s secretary of information Shafqat Mehmood said that there has been no collaboration or funds extended to the film-makers. “I can totally deny this,” Mehmood said, adding that this “never happened”.

While the Kolachi team re-gained credibility with Seedlings – which may win an award at the New York Film Festival – the Kaptaan project seems to run high on ambition and low on pragmatism.

Chairman PEMRA: Stop Hero TV from airing its Ramzan Show to be hosted by Veena Malik

Before

Now

HERO TV must be penalised for the unethical promotion of Ramazan program to be hosted by Veena Malik as hypocrisy is one of the most disliked traits of human in the eyes of Islam, Pretending something which is against the actual reality is one type of hypocrisy. Famous Actress Veena Malik is starting a show called “Astaghfar” on Hero TV during Ramadan Transmission. A question is that if Miss Veena Malik has actually gone through the process of “Astaghfar” for all the wrong doings she is famous for. It is just not hypocrisy but also mockery, which is a disease from the era of Jaahiliyyah
HERO TV is clearly making fun of the religion Islam by launching a show that is hosted by Veena Malik who is well known for her activities during Ramadan, the holiest of the Muslim months. It is humiliation to in the name of Ramadan Transmission .
If you agree that with this Show Hero TV and Veena Malik are attempting to make fun of religion please sign this petition so that we can push PEMRA to ban the show and penalise Hero TV.

And also kindly log your complain regarding this issue to the complain cell of PEMRA, to add more pressure, by visiting the link below: http://www.pemra.gov.pk/feedback/

Catching up with Fuzon

KARACHI: 

Even without an album release in almost four years, the Fuzon trio is as busy as ever. The band has kept fans entertained by releasing singles at regular intervals, such as last year’s world cup track and the song in collaboration with Azm-e-Alishan.

In addition to recording songs, Fuzon has been globetrotting and performing live with Pakistani artists like Alamgir, as well as some Norwegian bands during their tour of Norway in January this year. Since so much has been happening with the band, The Express Tribune caught up with Shallum, Emu and Rameez and asked them about their latest activities and experiences.

After the release of their latest album “Journey” in 2008, the band has done a number of international tours and collaborations helping them create new and distinct sounds which helped them grow as a unit overall. As Shallum puts it, “All in all, since ‘Journey’, our journey has been quite meaningful.”

The band performed in collaboration with Alamgir earlier this year in May at the Pakistan Advertising Society awards ceremony. Commenting on their experience, Shallum states, “Considering the amount of experience that Alamgir has and also keeping in mind that he is one of the first few who started the pop industry, I have to admit that performing with him was quite an entertaining experience. Watching him dance and sing during our performance in his white mesmerising outfit, made me want to jump off the stage on to the table and watch and learn.”

Following the same line of thought, Shallum further adds that in collaborating with an artist one does not simply exchange lyrics and notes but also moods and structures of the music, fusing together the different backgrounds of the musicians and creating a unique direction. He further elaborates that it is a greatly enriching learning experience when musicians collaborate with international artists if one is “willing to share, accept and embrace different mind sets, as it can benefit musicians’ and performers’ progress and boost their confidence as well.”

Emu shared that along with on-stage performances Fuzon is also looking to collaborate on studio songs where “creativity dictates the mood of the day.”

Furthermore, Fuzon also became the first Pakistani band to perform in China (Atif Aslam has performed in Hong Kong) at the fifth South Asian Countries Trade Fair’s opening ceremony in June this year, where Pakistan had been appointed the host nation. The crowd consisted of accomplished dignitaries from India, China, Pakistan and other countries who received the band’s performance very well, as Shallum states, “The performance was very successful. We played our songs and concluded our set with the National Anthems of China and Pakistan. We also managed to learn a few words in the local language to involve the audience and get them in to the groove.”

With regards to their future plans, the band says it plans to spend the year wrapping up their new album, which is scheduled for release at the end of this year; making new videos and preparing for their upcoming tour of the US.

Do you have an appetite for Veena in Ramazan?

KARACHI: 

When the promo for Veena Malik’s Ramazan show “Astaghfaar” made the rounds on the internet Monday evening, a large chunk of internet commenters were appalled. “I am Veena Malik. In the entire month of Ramazan, I will seek forgiveness for my sins and yours, with you on Hero TV,” Veena says in her promo, with a slightly quivering lip and tear-streaked cheek.

Before we launch into a discussion on how outrageous it is that Lady Scandal herself will be on our TV screens all 30 days of this holy month, let’s talk about how this show came about and what this Hero TV is that has given Veena this platform to purge her soul of sin. Herois a new infotainment channel that airs what the awaam demands. The producer of “Astaghfaar” explained to The Express Tribune that after Veena approached the team for a Ramazan show, a poll was conducted online. The poll asked the question: who is the sinner of all sinners? The options were (in this very order): siyasatdaan(politicians), police walay, Veena Malik and gharib awaam (the poor). Believe it or not, Veena Malik was voted the sinner of all sinners by a sweeping majority. If this is really how Pakistanis feel about her, what better than to give them a live show where people can call in and share their stories of atonement?

For those who think Veena is a brave voice in a country where such voices are stifled, “Astaghfaar” may be disappointing. Veena was heroic because she was her own person – she didn’t need to apologise. She wasn’t representing a commercially viable brand of religion and made it clear that she didn’t owe anyone an explanation. But now she wants forgiveness for her sins

But here’s the alternative view. As the idea of religion in Pakistan is fast becoming idealistic and almost elitist, Veena’s Ramazan transmission is going to open some space, pushing boundaries far enough to take away religion from the hands of the selected few. She is not a thief or a murderer. She is a woman who is unapologetic about being herself; why should that give people reason for a public outcry against her doing a religious show? Why should a woman whose topless pictures were aired on television, not be allowed to ask God for forgiveness on that same forum? It’s about time Pakistani audiences are given some space to breath and religious bigots are given a run for their money. If the outlandish Aamir Liaqat can talk about Islam, why not Veena?

In a country where TV ratings mean everything, Hero TV – a channel for the masses – will give us food for thought during a long month of fasting. If their aim is to get eyeballs, then hats off to them for pulling this off.

Pakistani Pop Singer Annie Khalid Ties Wedding Knot (Ary News Video)

Well-known Pakistani female pop singer Annie Khalid finally got married yesterday to a Dubai based Pakistani businessman, Malik Noraid Awan. The marriage celebrations were held at a local marriage all with much simplicity, family sources informed.

Ramazan shows: Will you tune in to Veena, Maya Khan or Aamir Liaquat?

As the arrival of holy month of Ramazan nears, promos for shows on different networks are out in strength as the ratings war intensifies. Brace yourselves – this year your TV screens will be taken over by celebrities, sportsmen, controversial anchors and talk show hosts during Iftar time!

First up is everyone’s favourite actor and model Veena Malik. The controversial actor will be appearing on the Hero TV show “Astaghfaar”.

A stern warning to “seek forgiveness for your sins” and visuals of hellfire are followed by a very emotional Veena, who in a sultry voice tells us that she will be seeking forgiveness for our and her sins throughout the holy month. A lone tear drop makes an appearance by the end of the promo. Very emotional.

Needless to say, we’re excited about seeing Veena on the show.

Remember Maya Khan? Yes the one who raided the public park and ran after couples asking them about their marital status. Good, because Maya will also be appearing for Iftar transmissions on ARY Digital alongside TV host Dr Shahid Masood on the show “Sheher-e-Ramadan”.

Maya says:

Hum banain gay sahara eik dosray ka, kyoon kay humay hay ehsaas apnoon kaa.

We know you care, Maya. Who knows what she has in store for the viewers this time.

The legend is back. Dr Aamir Liaquat of “Aalim Online” and Ghalib film fame is also back on Geo. His return to the network wascelebrated in a song by the host himself and Mr Jeem, Geo’s mascot.

The good doctor will be hosting the show “Pehchan Ramzan”.

And then of course there is Lala. Everyone’s favourite cricketer Shahid Afridi will be on Express Entertainment this year, appearing on the show “Mehmaan ka Ramazan”.

Iftar time just got a little more interesting.