Forsaken - Theatrical Review

I have been to Karachi and I have  been to many places in Pakistan but I have never seen such passion and determination of the youth that is breathing in Lahore.  Theatrical scene in Lahore is massive and so is the talent.  There is talent, there is audience and there is passion but in order to bring the audience to your play you need good word of mouth and marketing.

 I heard about the play Forsaken when it was under process.  I knew people from the face who were acting in it and I knew I had to see this play. This play was produced by Mirrors entertainment and directed by Hamza Ghaznavi and Vicky Zhuang Yi-Yin. I have seen plays that have been produced by the mirrors entertainment. They pick up great actors, they have a mind-blowing script but then there is that extra tinch of something that is missing.  I will call it lack of coordination or lack of farsighted ness and ill planning to be exact.

It was 6:30 when I reached the Hall, I picked up a pamphlet that gave insights to the play and it looked promising.  Few printing mistakes that made me giggle. The audience was building up.  I saw families. The Lower portion was full of people but the upper portion was waiting to be filled. By the way this was the last show which I was attending and I wanted to see how much people can they attract because people who end up coming on the last day are usually the ones who have relied on the word of mouth.

The hall management was warm and welcoming and there was this hustle bustle going on. People were whispering and I saw some enthusiastic parents waiting for their children to come on stage. I was expecting a larger crowd .They had some  young singers performing in the beginning to warm up us a little. Good vocals. But they just wouldn’t start the play. The timings are important I believe. I know its very difficult to start a play, a lot of things and stuff is going on behind the curtains at that  very moment.

The play showed the biggest fight of all between the devil and the God.  Great script I must say. It showed how there is evil within us all. How easily we are fooled when our desires take control over us. How easy it is for us to be the puppets of our evil desires, intentions or worldly pleasures. The play brought the devil in front of us. The played show how easy it is for humans to let go of the righteous path and how important it is to not let go of the straight path.

 I am amazed by Hamza Ghaznavi who was playing the devil / Anthony Corleone and is also the director of the play. He had this gangsterish/evilish and devilish touch which was pretty convincing. I liked how he played with his face expressions. It was amazing when he had scenes with the other people. He stood out. His acting was really good. The scene in which the devil communicates with the audience and freezes everything else was remarkable.  If only he had made other characters work on their voice quality and taught them the manners of how to walk on the stage so that their faces don’t disappear, things would have been pretty easier for the audience.

Lightening was great and so were the sounds. I liked the music when they brought it during their acting.  I liked the special song , “ Everything is coming to its place …” that was played during the wedding of Kyle ( Sachel Ghani) and his bride.  Sachel played great as well and Hashim Imran was terrific. Sachel knew how to bring out the charm and make the audience realize that he is in love. Hashim Imran( James) is an actor who can actually pull of anything. I saw him as a friend, I saw him as a guy who wanted to do something in the world, I saw him having love for his father and I saw him when he had those naughty smiles, I saw the worry on his face and when things got bad. I liked it when he comes face to face with the devil.  I was astounded when he becomes the devil. Other female actors were great too but you need to accept the fact that these gentlemen were the best part of the whole play.

I didn’t understand why they wanted so many interruptions during the play. There was lot of curtain closing and opening which made me feel that broke the flow of the play. The set could have been better, If they had shown different backgrounds.  Actors were performing outside the curtain which made me feel a little uneasy. Some female characters were forgetting to face the audience but other than that the performances were great. The casting was wonderful and the evil characters looked evil like hell.
Coffee guy ( jack) played by Ahmed Akbar was actually very sweet. Such a chocolate boy.  Great acting by this gentleman as well.

In short, I liked the play. The reason it did not get the heavy response was because I belive they couldn’t master the small things that I just pointed out above. I loved the play because the script was great. I loved it when the devil took over but I wanted to run away when the other characters came. I would have liked more if they had shown more of the devil action sequences. Other than that, It was a good watch.

Rating 3/5

Bangladesh Vs Pakistan - Asia Cup Final 2012

This Post is to appreciate Bangladesh Cricket team performance in the finals with Pakistan, Asia cup 2012. Although Pakistan won and I myself being a Pakistani for the first time in my cricket watching period never wished so bad for another team to win.

Pakistani cricket fans will kill me for this but what a splendid performance by Bangladesh. They have improved like anything during this tournament. They did not only kicked India out of the finals by beating Siri Lanka but they also gave Pakistan tough time during the finals.

 I won’t go into details because I am sure if u had watched the cricket match you would have known that Pakistan lost its toss and Bangladesh chose to ball.  Bangladesh team was so organized during their bowling action that when Pakistani players started to get out one by one it was a tremendous sight to see.

 Bangladesh has won my heart. I am a Pakistani but if Bangladesh had won the match, it would have been a win of Cricket.  Cricket is all about Hard work, commitment and passion. What an awesome game it was. Bangladesh had to chase a score of 237 within 50 overs. The had chased a larger score when they were playing against India so I knew it wouldn’t be that hard for them.

Pakistani team as usual had miserable fielding on the field. I have no idea when this team will actually learn to play cricket. No sane team can ever play a final match like this.

 Anyway, I hear fireworks outside my home now.  Everyone is celebrating Pakistan’s win but  Bangladesh you have won hearts of many. I believe you people are an inspiration to all cricket teams. What a great match. Nail biting till the last ball.

I am reading a lot of statuses on Facebook right now and people here in Pakistan believe that today for the first time we don’t feel that happy on Pakistan’s win because we know our team was pretty bad and this win was only for Bangladesh.

Hope Bangladesh team  continues to play like this and makes their country proud. They are a lot of trophies waiting for you. This Asia cup is nothing.

Political Peace between Pakistan and India

Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of Art and Living Came to Pakistan on his three day visit to promote peace and goodwill and also to promote his foundation that deals with stress reducing techniques, reducing individual violence and societal problems etc.

We as Pakistanis appreciate his idea and efforts that he came to Pakistan to spread a good message about peace and harmony but I feel it was more of his advertising campaign for his foundation.  The art and living foundation was formed in 1989 in Germany and America with headquarters in Bangalore, India. It is one of the largest volunteer sources in the world.

It  is true that it is important to spread love between the both countries but it will all be futile unless important issues that are spoiling the relationship are not dealt with.

1)      Kashmir issue

2)      India’s interference in Afghanistan

3)      India’s violation regarding water accords for instance Baghliar-1 dam has disrupted the flow of Chenab River in Pakistan and also stopping the flow of water. Clearly violating international laws.

4)      Constant accusation by India regarding the Mumbai Attacks in 2008

5)      On the other hand Pakistan blames India for funding the terrorists in the country and backing up separatists in Baluchistan

Unless the leaders of the both countries do not plan out a proper strategy this aman ki aasha, making singers and spiritual leaders go from one country to another will not help. Pakistan is free country and you cannot blame it to be discrinmative towards Hindus. We are taught to safeguard the right of minorities but this issue is not religious. Its political and out to be solved politically.

It is very important that south Asia should have the same peace and goodwill like they have it in the west. Global harmony can only be attained that way.  Unless the core issues are not treated, such peace steps that talk about cultural mergers, media collaborations can not work.

Bicycle - My Friend

I happend to read a letter to editor in one of the popular newspapers today which made me kind of shocked and amused at the same time.

There was this article that talked about Afghanistan and how important it was that the global leaders try to help establish a friendly government in Afghanistan. I was just done reading that when I happen to read this news line that was talking about the importance of a bicycle.

It’s so weird that now the only bicycles I see are carrying milk churns but I may be wrong because a lot of milkmen here in Pakistan deliver on bikes. Its fast and quick. But Since Mom believed that they mix water with milk so she converted to the all packed milks available in the stores.

I remember that back in the childhood it was a dream to own a bicycle and explore outdoors but children of this generation would prefer buying a bike or a PlayStation instead of wasting time learning how to ride a bicycle. It was very hard to ride on the proper bicycle so I always preferred ones with two small wheels to assist the back wheel.

Also it is believed that if poor nations invest on buying bicycles. Heavy percentage of poverty can be eradicated from the face of the country but I think Pakistani government is a little busy with its own political issues that it would be a miracle if they pay attention to Poverty. Poverty that is Increasing. Food Prices are swelling like anything, ( 79% in 4 years – Dawn News)  even the basic lentils are out of reach for the poor class.

Developed countries like United states, Europe, Italy and Australia etc have Cycling tours that not only give the people an opportunity to explore the nature by themselves but have a good physical exercise. Having a bicycle gives you empowerment. It makes you feel free.

Sitting in cars has made us forget how it feels like to have cool wind hitting your face.

China has the largest fleet of Bicycles today and we can see their close association with bicycles throughout history but they too are forgoing and moving to automobiles. Yes this world is faster and needs hi tech based goods but its just so sad that you have to let go bicycles that were once so important.

Theater Love

In Pakistan, Youth is very enthusiastic. Everyone is testing their creative skills to the maximum. There has been an increasing trend of watching theatre in Lahore especially. When I talk about theatre, I talk about good quality ones and not the usual ones that commonly popular among some class of people.

 There has been a  mushroom growth of production companies that are run by youth which caters to the demands of enthusiastic theatre lovers.

I have done Two plays with the  Student Blog Productions. First one was a musical play,” Into the woods “and the other one was, “The Three Musketeers”.  I thought it would be like one of the usual plays where they hand you an easy script and you got to learn it and then act it out, wear amazing costumes and rock the stage.  However, it wasn’t the case. It demanded full time devotion and constant tuning of our acting skills. I am thankful to Mr Hassaan Khalid who was an awesome producer and made me work with a great team. We would occasionally order pizza when he would be in a generous mood but it was usually the Daal chawal or some desi food that was given to us. But its not the food that counts, it the fun, experience and the amazing contacts I formed during my Alevels.

My second experience was with Talal ali jan and Theatre hub. It was a completely different experience. Talal is a young luminite who is trying to make it big in this world. He has done a lot of successful plays most remembered are Jaal , Khatra-e Jaan etc.  I was working with him in Nizam sakka and I still remember how tensed I was while giving the auditions but he selected me and then it was just a roller coaster ride. Since the team was mostly teenagers and young adults, it wasn’t difficult to get used to that warm environment. Like great team, before our play we went to watch plays by other production companies. All of them sucked, however Avanti was great.  Working with him, I learned how to walk on stage, how to act and I saw how a great play was made. The technicalities, sound, set design, costumes, handling the late comers, boring actors and finding new ones when old ones left. Hell of a ride it was.

I got a birthday surprise there. They said they had brought no cake for me but they DID. Aww!

I made a lot of friends there. Media is in my blood. I want to be a news anchor so bad. But while working there I met people who were aspiring actors, models and amazing people. I met the actress of Bol –  a Pakistani movie. She is a wonderful friend and things are just amazing.

I might not be working on any play again. But I might. You never know.
 Let’s see where my Media Love Takes me.

My friend Aleezay Wrote the following blog about me =D haha

MyBlogs: Some Close Friends (e) Hijaab: HIJAAB Hijaab is my door ki rishtedaar. She is very close to me though. Hijaab cries a lot. She thinks she is cinderella and that everyt...

The Chicken Curse

I love going out. There is nothing like having good food and filling your tummies after a hectic and tiring accounting class. I have never been good in math or stuff that speaks numerical language so when me and my friends decided to go for lunch after the accounting class it was hell yes! Lets go! Thanks to My friend R who has a car, she agreed to take me and my other two friends for the lunch.  It wasn’t very difficult to choose a place. We were tired of eating fried chickens and burgers, steak was an option but we all settled for Nandos. 

Nandos is a worldwide home of famous peri peri chicken, well yes that’s how they define themselves.  So finally when the day arrived we happily got done with the class and headed towards the place!

Unfortunately, my friend M who was having a crazy day from the beginning, ended up being stopped by the traffic constable twice since she was coming by her own car.. she ended up in the wrong branch of nandos which was pretty far from the nandos we were in ! So yes,  it was very saddening and depressing.  How can M be so dumb, we thought she knew which branch we were talking about.  M had been looking forward to this lunch so bad, it was very heartbreaking when she couldn't make it.

Moreover, Thanks to my over efficiency, I had ordered her food beforehand and the waiter was not cancelling her order.  I got so furious that the only thing I knew was to say, “ Call the manager!”.

Omg that manager was so good-looking. Why can’t they have waiters like those? I was so amazed at his smiling face that I was glad when my friend R explained it to him the situation that we had to cancel the order because our friend M wouldn’t be able to make it. Haha. We told him we had no money other than the amount we had for ourselves.  But the manager was so nice, he cancelled the order immediately. Stupid waiter. Why dont they train the waiters instead of putting so much energy on the managers -.-

Nandos food is great! Never liked it so much before. Love the medium flavoured Quarter chicken with two sidelines. Rice and Fries. Yum! And don’t forget the sauces. Love you Pakistan.

Can you Fix it? Hijab can :D

I know how to repair telephone wires. Only some of friends know that, others hardly belive it. When my parents decided to shift to a place where when you call the Telecom company and ask them to repair internet wires and telephone wires, they tell  you to change your house instead.

On Sundays, my dad is a repair man a mechanic and most importantly an electrician. But on the  other days he is what an officer should look like. I love him when he is getting dressed for his work. I have loved my dad dressing and I have told mom how lucky she is to have a well dressed man. But all she ssays is, “ Hijab, don’t go  after good looks, it should be the heart.  My dad who over heard it said, “ so u mean I don’t have a heart? … And my mum politely replied , “ No. Heart tou kisi aur ko daydiya tha na jawani mein.”  ( No, U have given heart to someone already in your youth)

Well… the point is I repair telephone wires haha.

So on Sundays, when my dad is free. He wouldn’t sort out his papers or watch tv. Instead, he will check all the bulbs and lights in the house and check for fuse.  The worst part begins when I am called to stand by his side and hold extensions, new bulbs, wires, lighter, a piece of cloth.  So this fine Sunday morning I remember when the tea wasn’t made well and I was little cranky and having one of my usual mood swings, dad decided to take the matter in his own hands when the telephone didn’t work. He burnt the wire with the lighter and quickly wiped the plastic off with the cloth.. Then with those naked wires he twisted them and did something I don’t remember and tied it in the white box which is kind of the main thing which needs to have wires inserted to it so the phone can work. * Fanfare* … and it worked so fine.



After my dad got posted to another city, I used to repair telephone wires, internet wires and go up the roof top myself. I used to replace oil in my car and end up washing it too.  But fortunately never broken a nail. Ah achievement. I have even polished my car with a tea cup in hand and have the servant attend my phone calls. lol. It so hard to believe and my friends make fun of me. They say hijab if u had been guy .. we would have married u without even thinking twice. well that’s cheesy =p

Bus Kab Hogi Bas

Its 6:20 and I ran all the way  to catch the bus as it leaves in next ten minutes sharp. Thanks to My economics teacher, who doesn’t allow  us to  leave  early because she wants to follow some LSE rules. 

After my driver ditched us before the semester, mum dad finally decided that I should now  take the bus. My friends know how excited I was about it in the start.. but I knew I was going to miss the luxury of my own car. It’s a blessing if you get a single seat and it’s plain annoying if u get a jumper. Right now, I am lucky to get a seat behind a senior and his friend. My seat has a jumper attached to it. I wonder who is gona sit on it. I can lie about it being reserved too but its plain mean.( Allah mian larki na bhetay) =p

I  hope my bus wala doesn’t play “ chest best best track*. Does he even realize how embarrassing it gets if you have a guy sitting with you? Last time when they  played that track I was squeezed between two guys both getting red and uncomfortable. Coming back to present, The bus is getting stuffy now, few seats are left to be taken. Its not very nice when u have to sit with people who keep on talking especially when u are going home after the most irritating Economics class in the whole wide world.

I hear some girls already talking about how mean her group member is and why Rashid is into her friend. It reminds me of this couple who was in front of me and the girl kept on talking about how she would like her home to be. Talking to her guy she said “ red bricks wala hona chahiyeh” and the guy was like nahi humara ghar nae hoga bangla hoga( bunglow). You guys have no idea how annoyed I was but u have to keep your cool in the bus because at the end of the day they were two .

There are two things one should never do on the bus. Firstly, Never sleep on the bus because if u wake up suddenly your brain stops working and you lose every sense of direction. Happens to me a lot. I  always end up asking the person sitting next to me, “ yeh bus liberty he ja rahi hai na”. Secondly, Always  inform your parents to pick you up at the right time because if you don’t u end up standing on the bus stop infront of the parahta roll where all the waiters are looking  at you as a new Item. I love my seniors. I made friends with some seniors who were sharing the same tragedy( Parents forgetting to pick up). They were kind enough to give me all the support that “ kuch nae hoga” , “ safe jaga hai”. And then when u are finally believing those words  a stranger comes up and winks.

Its 6:30 sharp and the bus doors are closed, we all are waiting for a “thak” . Thak happens when the bus main driver is signaling other drivers to take up their routes. “ Uncle gaanay lagaday” .. I look back to see who has made that remark and it ends up being some stupid girls who don’t understand that we all had a long day at the uni and have no intention to listen to munni badnaam. My jumper is not taken so I have it for my hand bags and notebooks but u never know …. “ hey, Is this seat taken”?  I look up and see a hot guy anxiously waiting for my reply.

Cultural Blues

While searching for my discussion topic which talked about the cultural invasion of Pakistan by India, I was not very impressed by the material present on the internet.  There was one perspective that talked about increasing globalization and there was another point of view stating that yes we are invaded by the Indian media from every corner etc.

I appreciate good music, fashion trends and fine entertainment even if its coming from across the borders and so do a lot of people who know how to distinguish between what is wrong and right.

We ridicule our Lollywood actresses be it Veena malik , Meera or singers who have gone across borders to earn a livelihood and get some  recognition of their own.  Unless Pakistan does not officialy send these people , they are not representing our country.  They have their identity of their own. But we as a nation believe that if our star achieves something amazing  we like to take all the credit and when he does something not acceptable to us we refuse to even acknowledge the fact that they  were once part of us. Not forgetting random people asking Pakistani government to ban these people from coming to the country? Really? Why?  If you ask these people, they bring the religion in between.   Why doesn’t religion come between in discussion when there is talk about corrupt leaders or political instability, or when there are acid attacks on our women? Why does religion only come in the discussion when the entertainment industry is discussed?

Pakistani youth is strong and we have a Voice. We are educated and We know what we want in our lives. No nation is invading any other country.  Media is a free.  Pakistan drama industry is booming and so is the theatre. I know a lot of my friends who are part of the theatrical scene in Pakistan and some of them are aspiring directors.  Today a Pakistani believes that if its own product will be upto the standard there is no way any other country can culturally invade us. Thanks to Humsafar – a massive achievement which made every Pakistani believe that our stuff is all quality.