Making sense out of the Walled City

Kamran Lashari attracts all things culture and heritage, not by default as much as by choice. Former civil servant whose tenure as Deputy Commissioner, Lahore, in the late 1990s, earned Continue reading →

The “new Hollywood”

The phenomenal popularity of Turkish drama in Pakistan has come as a pleasant surprise to many By Usman Ghafoor The posh suburb of Yeniköy, along Istanbul’s gorgeous Bosphorus waterway, home Continue reading →

“I see society in these films” — Shyam Benegal

One of the many constants in Shyam Benegal’s illustrious film career, spanning well over three decades (and still going on), is an irrepressible urge to challenge himself creatively. As he Continue reading →

“Our reporting is mostly state-centric” — Neelabh Mishra

Delhi-based Neelabh Mishra, Editor, Outlook Hindi, was in Pakistan recently, along with his friend Kavita Srivastava, a human rights activist, on the special invitation of the family of Dr Khalil Continue reading →

A fictional reality

Durre Shahwar is a throwback to the old PTV classics and a proud affirmation of the fact that when it comes to TV drama, we haven’t lost our touch By Usman Continue reading →

“The literary level of theatre is unmatched” — Salman Shahid

By Usman Ghafoor The inimitable actor in Salman Shahid didn’t quite develop in stages, but it definitely evolved on stage — his favourite medium. “Neither TV nor film can match Continue reading →

Ready to document

In an age of the new social media and sophisticated digital technology, budget concerns reducing markedly and the world’s top honours also coming our way, documentary film is expected to Continue reading →

As serious as a critic?

With the coming into being of the blogosphere, and the world of web becoming increasingly interactive, every man jack with a computer and internet access – and, say, an opinion(!) Continue reading →

News Breakers 2011…

“Such’s her awesomeness” Veena Malik It was truly a Kodak moment. I froze, completely, as I looked into the mirror. There was this sultry and gorgeous lady staring out at Continue reading →

A Lahori in LA

Glimpses of America – beyond 90210 and Baywatch By Usman Ghafoor First, a confession. Like most urban-based Pakistanis, fed on Hollywood movies and American TV shows, I found myself inanely Continue reading →

Hey, I’m the tuna sandwich guy!

By Usman Ghafoor The bar girl gives me a broad smile as she spots me in the restaurant, browsing through the menu. “Tuna sandwich, right?” she goes, even before I Continue reading →

Reverse culture shock?

By Usman Ghafoor The glorious, several feet tall minaret of Khalid Masjid, in one of Lahore’s peaceful residential areas, looks over a courtyard that once used to be a calm Continue reading →

“Pakistan is unfairly scapegoated” — Ethan Casey

By Usman Ghafoor Ethan Casey’s inshallahs are quite endearing, and so is his unwittingly kind view of Pakistan in what must be the two rare books by any foreigner in Continue reading →

“I feel vindicated” — Veena Malik

By Usman Ghafoor You can’t put Veena Malik down. That is precisely the kind of conclusion one comes to, after watching her unashamed public trial in the wake of her Continue reading →

Data darbar 24/7

Data Darbar still stands magnificently in the heart of interior Lahore, in the face of all imminent threats of terrorist attacks By Usman Ghafoor It was hard to believe that Continue reading →

Protests in Pakistan over ban on Ali Zafar’s Tere Bin Laden

This has rarely happened before in the history of Pakistani cinema – a film was presented before the Appellant Board, following the indecisiveness of the Central Board of Film Censors Continue reading →

Is it curtains for cinema?

With 65 percent entertainment tax back in effect in Punjab, the already frail cinema industry finds itself going to the dogs By Usman Ghafoor April this year saw the much-dreaded Continue reading →

Sons not lovers

The next generation of most big film houses in Pakistan is loath to get into the business of cinema. And, they have their reasons By Usman Ghafoor Raj Kapoor’s RK Continue reading →

Mania in the air

Air Race is to flying fanatics what F1 is to car race lovers By Usman Ghafoor Accept no hyperbole. But if you were in Abu Dhabi this spring, you couldn’t Continue reading →

In the food streets of Lahore, YOU LIVE TO EAT

Dining acquires a lot of meaning in this part of the country, with its lovers of good food and their legendary appetite for all things culinary By Usman Ghafoor The Continue reading →

“I have a vision for our film industry, which is that it should break free of its shackles” – Shaan

By Usman Ghafoor It wasn’t John Abraham of Bollywood. Quite interestingly, Shaan became the first mainstream film actor in the subcontinent to strip before the camera — remember the detention Continue reading →

“State has the right to punish” — Asif Iftikhar

A dialogue with Asif Iftikhar, a PhD student of Islamic Law at McGill and a visiting faculty member at LUMS and Pakistan College of Law By Usman Ghafoor In a Continue reading →

The collector!

Something about ‘spontaneous’ friendships By Usman Ghafoor A word of caution: all this discussion on friendship may cut no ice if you are the happy-go-lucky sort, who has had all Continue reading →

Journalist or generalist?

There are several examples of journalists who have risen to the ranks of ‘expert commentators’ even though they were not educated or trained to be the ‘specialist’ of their particular Continue reading →

A ban for all seasons

Whatever India knows of Pakistan TV programmes today is primarily a ‘memory’ — passed on by a previous generation or two. The ban on TV channels by authorities across the Continue reading →

Back to bikes

Critical Mass aims to show the automobile users that cycling is a sustainable as well as environment-friendly alternative By Usman Ghafoor At first, they appear to be a rather ‘cliquish’ Continue reading →

Can you ‘beat’ that?

A showbiz journalist’s life is no less ordinary By Usman Ghafoor Showbiz journalism is strange business. Being a part of it means you are vulnerable to all sorts of situations Continue reading →

She’s crude and he doesn’t do dirty!

The queen of standup comedy from UK versus the bearded young man from Chicago who made everyone sit up and notice By Usman Ghafoor Both of them are extremely funny. Continue reading →

The Prozac realities

Depression is more than just an individual’s personal suffering; it affects his family, his home and his work. That makes going to an expert — in this case, a psychiatrist Continue reading →

Burden of the past

Just as with every person in the public eye, especially the politicians, his ‘past’ is apt to haunt Zardari By Usman Ghafoor Asif Ali Zardari has long had a reputation. Continue reading →

70 going on 17

Profile of a septuagenarian lady who boasts a mighty young heart By Usman Ghafoor Naseem Rasheed Sheikh’s joie de vivre is legendary. Ask her 20-something Korean friends — in the Continue reading →

“Capital punishment is mandatory in two situations…”

A dialogue with Prof. Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, religious scholar and President, Al-Mawrid By Usman Ghafoor & Aoun Sahi The News On Sunday: Could you tell us about how Islam views Continue reading →

“What’s wrong with this contradiction?” — Sabiha Sumar

A routine conversation with multiple award-winning film maker Sabiha Sumar can easily turn into a debate on President Musharraf’s policies being dictatorial or otherwise. “You can’t judge the situation as Continue reading →

A good film is a story well told

Mehreen Jabbar talks about Ramchand Pakistani and more… By Usman Ghafoor The global success of Shoaib Mansoor’s Khuda Key Liye, Mehreen Jabbar contends, has “given a fresh hope for the Continue reading →

Only if you can set the cash registers ringing!

First-time film makers in Pakistan complain about facing a horde of issues — from lack of funds and technical infrastructure to red-tape. But their real test begins at the ticket Continue reading →

From a movement to another — Prof Azizuddin Ahmad

Azizuddin Ahmad, “Professor Sahib” for friends, likes to talk at length about ‘ideas’, but you ask him to give a few biographical details and he withdraws. “I was born, taught Continue reading →

“I know why most writers lose their sanity”

When the characters of his stories become putty in his hands, Muhammad Ahmed says a writer achieves his catharsis By Usman Ghafoor Not so much by a twist of fate Continue reading →

“The real divide in Pakistan is that of status quo and anti-status quo” — Imran Khan

The past 11 years, Imran Khan admits, have taught him ‘the hardest way’ that politics is ‘no cricket’. When he formed his political party, back in 1996, the sporting legend Continue reading →

The page cannot be displayed because…

For an industry that thrives on commerce — at the national as well as international level — to remain ignorant to the fruits of web is no bliss By Usman Continue reading →

“Cinema for me is a very sensuous experience” – Govind Nihalani

By Usman Ghafoor Govind Nihalani has a way with dark themes. Whether it’s Aakrosh (1980), his debut feature that strikes you for its frighteningly realistic depiction of a victim of Continue reading →

“It is a satisfying experience”

Proud scion of one of the subcontinent’s famous dance gharanas, Pappu Samrat is loath to peg his better known Indian counterparts above himself By Usman Ghafoor For 37 years old Continue reading →

“If you can make people dance, you’re a hit” – Uttam Singh

By Usman Ghafoor Not many people who know Uttam Singh from his very popular Dil Toh Pagal Hai and Gaddar ditties are aware of the fact that this award-winning Bollywood Continue reading →

“No political party can revamp itself”

An interview with Dr Mubashir Hasan, founding member Pakistan People’s Party and presently President Punjab Chapter, Pakistan People’s Party-Shaheed Bhutto Group By Usman Ghafoor What is the more important issue Continue reading →

The danka dozen

A bunch of dynamic youth from diverse backgrounds and nationalities swears by the popular potential of what was actually started as a simple web portal on Lahore’s cultural landscape By Continue reading →

The ‘paan’ joints in Lahore

After a long, stressful week at work, the weekend is the perfect time to relax and indulge yourself. So, get behind the wheel for a long drive, treat your taste Continue reading →

“Spontaneity has to be rehearsed sometimes” — Sania Saeed

Sania Saeed has defied quite a few popular showbiz norms. Very early in her TV career, she showed that she had a brilliant way with turning a character, however small Continue reading →

Aamir Khan at SKMT’s charity dinner

(Originally published in The Nation – Dec 8, 2002)

“I’ve found my direction”

The impish, bubbly Saniya of mid-1980s’ phenomenally successful TV serial Tanhaiyan had such a big shadow, it seemed to linger over nearly all of Marina Khan’s later performances. So much Continue reading →