News

Experimenting reels

Shaan has become very active since he has taken over the presidency of the Artistes Association of Pakistan. He has announced two films, and he is preparing to shoot one of them in the US, a film he terms experimental. Recalling the fact that the very first movie he made as a director was an abstract one, Guns & Roses, one can understand Shaan’s penchant for art. His other venture, he tells us, will be a historic one. That’s also up his alley, as father Riaz Shahid distinguished himself in the 1960s as a maker of historic classics.

Double whammy

Both Sana ’s Eid releases Khatarnak and Sarkar have had houseful shows through the first week of Eid. Khatarnak, directed by Sangeetha, has all the spice typical of a Lollywood potboiler while Masood Butt’s Sarkar has politics as its theme. Sana has resorted to a few dare bare numbers in both films and cinegoers overwhelmed with documentaries on the earthquake and its aftermath, have stormed cinemas for a bit of good old Lollywood.

Quick takes

Making a killing Aasma Lata will be starring in Rasheed Dogar’s film, Murder. The singer- turned-actress got a break in playback singing with Ajab Gul’s Khoey Ho Tum Kahan three years ago. Since then, she has sung for quite a few films and even acted in a couple of them. Shooting for Murder starts in December.
Back to life Haider Sultan will play legendary hero Maula Jut in his forthcoming release of the same name. The film is based on the short story Gandasa by Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi. Maula Jut created cinematic history in 1979 when it ran in cinema halls for years, after it was first banned by the censors. Late actor and Sultan’s father the late Sultan Rahi played Jut in the movie while the villain’s role was played by Mustafa Qureishi. Now, the sons of yesteryear’s superstars face each other in a sensational recreation of the classic.
Promises mean publicity Meera and Resham have been strongly reprimanded for not fulfilling the promises they made before the cameras, of giving millions of rupees to the relief fund for the quake victims. Leading artistes from the industry complained that both actresses just turned up at the live coverage to get photographed, and then left for their personal appointments without paying a single penny. Meera has said she will pay up soon, while Resham’s reply is awaited.
Expression through television Maera is learning a lot on her current TV serial. The actress made her debut in Hasan Askari’s hit movie, Varyam. Although she is doing films, Maera is learning to understand the importance of expressions during her stint on the small screen.