The saas-bahu serials from India have led to a craze for saris in Pakistan and traders say the obsession has become so big that women there have named the saris after the characters of the popular serials.

Thus you have Kumkum saris, Ramola, Tulsi and Parvati saris and anyone visiting India is told to get them, says Arshad Ali Khan, a trader from Karachi.

“Till a few years back, there were not many takers for saris in Pakistan but suddenly you see women all around wearing saris, even at parties and social gatherings,” says Khan.

Indian designers watch out! Pakistanis are now eying the Indian bridal wear market with their ethnic lehngas, sarees and embroidered suits.

The Pakistanis may not be as bold as our desi designers in creating the outfits but their bridal creations are very much in demand in India, says Nadia Lakdawala, a Pakistani designer.

“Our mehndi and bridal collection, trousseau, lehngas, shalwar kameez are all very traditionally made, with lot of hand embroidery, which Indian women like a lot,” says Lakdawala, who was here recently to participate in an exhibition.

Spunk and bold moves. That’s the new mantra of the Pakistani ramp. Models from Lahore and Karachi are wooing the world of international fashion.

Meet Neha Ahmed. At 23, she’s already catwalked in Paris and Dubai. Next month, she’ll do a show in London for designer Hasan Sheriyar. “We’re getting a lot more international exposure now. I’m listed with agents in Paris and Dubai and keep going for shows there,” says Ahmed. But entry into modelling wasn’t easy. “My father, an armyman, was furious. But that was then. Now, he’s cool about it.”

Sunita Marshall, having done ramp shows in London, Sri Lanka, India, Singapore and Dubai, is one of the most sought-after models on the Pakistani ramp. “Though modeling is seen as a short-term profession in Pakistan, there’s a lot happening in the industry: we’re looked upon with respect and the money is amazing,” says Marshall, set to make her acting debut in the play Sukhay Patay, which has been shot in Canada and co-stars Suresh Oberoi.

The city of Nawabs is hosting Pakistani food festival to give with the Lucknawis a taste of the sumptuous Lahori spread.

Began on Friday, the “Zaika-e-Pakistan” aims at familiarising the people of Lucknow with the delicacies of Pakistan. Pakistani chefs would fly down especially to Lucknow Pakistan to prepare the vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies.

Pakistani food festivals have been held in several cities in the country, but it is for the first time that it is being held in Lucknow.

The organisers are planning to hold a similar “Lucknow Food Festival” in Lahore in the month of March 2005 in order to make the people of Lahore taste the delicacies of the cuisine of Lucknow.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan said here Sunday he would love to visit Pakistan.

“I would love to go to Pakistan as soon as I can as my father’s family is from Peshawar,” Khan said at a press conference.

He would also like to see better ties between India and Pakistan, he was quoted as saying by IANS news agency.

“I’m a monkey who dances to the tunes of the director and the writer. Blessings from God and working with good directors has helped me a lot.”

Khan also said acting helped him vent his passion.

The Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan may have met in Delhi for diplomatic talks to improve bilateral relations, but in Lucknow efforts of another kind are on to improve ties between the two countries.

The city is hosting a Pakistani food festival—Zaika-e-Pakistan — and on the platter are Peshawar’s famour Chappali Kebabs.

“We are preparing Chappali Kebab. These are made from mutton and are usually bigger in size. They are very popular and a real favourite with people,” said Mehboob A Khan, executive chef, Hotel Avari, Lahore.

Food delight

Indian actress Bipasha Basu will star in the Pakistani film Khulay Aasman Kay Neeche to be directed by actor-turned director Javaid sheikh.

Earlier Mr Sheikh’s choice was Kareena Kapoor, because of certain reasons he had to drop bollywood deva . Rs. 8 million film would be shot in Karachi and Australia. According to the Daily Times.

KAKN features, Bipasha Basu, Sana, Saleem Sheikh and Humayun Saeed. He said that an Indian actor would be in the lead role of the film.

Nickie Nina showcased a preview of their collection for Pakistan Fashion Week at Lakme India Fashion Week in Bombay, to much acclaim. The show was held on the auspicious occasion of the religious festival of Eid on the 14 th of October. Nickie Nina’s designs were presented to a 700 strong audience including the likes of Fern Mallis , VP IMG and an institution at New York Fashion Week . Anil Chopra , VP Lakme Lever leant his support to the Pakistan Fashion Week preview show along with journalists from Vogue India and Elle India .

Lollywood big guns Sana and Javed Sheikh have signed on for another Indian film, Paak, based on India-Pakistan relations, Mr Sheikh, who is in Mumbai these days, told Daily Times by telephone.

Mr Sheikh said the story of the film was based on positive relations between the two countries. He said he would be performing the character of a goodwill ambassador working for peace.

He also confirmed the participation of Sana as the solo heroine in the flick. Waheeda Rehman, Raj Babbar and his son will take on three of the other major roles in the film, he added.

Music has a greater influence than cricket, when it comes to improving Indo-Pak relations, believes Faisal Kapadia, lead vocalist of Pakistani band Strings. “In cricket one team wins and the other loses, while in the exchange of music concerts, it’s the audience that wins ultimately,” says he. Faisal alongwith Bilal, the lead guitarist, make up the band. Many a time they have performed live in India.

What’s the band’s take on the controversies of lip syncing, of late doing the rounds in India recently? “Often we are asked to do so by organisers, specially for shows on TV channels,” says Bilal. But he feels it is a crime to lip sync in a live concert. “Given a choice nobody would want to fool the audience,” he says.