The Jami we know from various commercials and videos is broody, elusive and has some phenomenal projects to his credit, like Pal Do Pal, Chaye Chaye, Ankhiyan, Chal Dil Mere, Dhanni, Anjaane and many more. The Jami we don’t know is the man, who likes to speak up his mind, digs movies, is laid back. We take a peek on the other side of this director’s fence.

How does it feel to be known as the best video director in Pakistan?

I’m trying to enjoy it. Because when you’re at the top, people want you to fall down, which is why I get scared of being called that. But honestly speaking, we are not doing that well. Abroad, there are so many good short films being made by the kids. We’re doing commercials to run the kitchen, making music videos, and we try to balance both, which is why we try not to sell our souls in music videos. We should do justice to the song. In commercials, the clients will listen to you to an extent. Like in the Indigo commercials, they’ve given a very free rein, but you know that you have to sell something.

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

Alhamra Cultural Complex looked surreal amidst decorative lights, as performances varying from enthralling Uzbek dances to hilarious slapstick performances by the Wall Street Theatre, Indian theatre and Ajoka’s theatre heightened activity at the Rafi Peer World Performing Arts Festival on Monday night.

The Uzbek camp in particular was jam-packed with spectators who were completely enthralled by the dance performances. The Uzbek dance titled ‘Sonata’ was the most attractive feature of the festival. The performers, clad in stunning vibrant dresses, had the crowds up on their feet as they executed impressive dance sequences. The audience enthusiastically cheered the dance titled ‘Africa’ and was full of praise for the young performers. The other dance themes ‘Youth of Uzbekistan’, ‘Temple of love’, and ‘ Slow Waltz’ were unique in style and received the same praise from the audience as ‘Africa’ had received.

On 3rd December, Pakistan ’s premier design duo Nickie Nina and fashion design heavy weight Kamiar Rokni bring to Lahore their latest ready to wear collections along with select haute couture pieces at a brand new space, The Boulevard , Lahore . This will be Nickie Kamiar Rokni Nina’s third outlet nationwide and Kamiar Rokni’s first outlet venture since going solo.

This Saturday, November 17, Pakistani design heavy weights Nickie Nina and Kamiar Rokni participated in one of Lahore’s premier charity fashion events, ‘9 women’ , held by the Lahore Grammar School Defence Campus in honour of the Depilex Smile Again Foundation .

This was a charity fashion event with a difference. The event concept required active participation from an exclusive panel of Lahore ’s top designers who personally trained students in design, cut, silhouette, colour, manufacture and retail over a period of time. The culmination of this training for Nickie Nina was exemplified at the show in its ‘Motherhood’ segment where Nickie Nina’s student trainees showcased three of their own creations inspired by the glamorous design duo on a ramp modelled by fellow students along with one original Nickie Nina number modelled by Iffat Omar.

One of Lahore ’s premier custom design furniture houses, Rendez-vous d’Interieur , will be showcasing the best of their 2007 collections at an exclusive charity exhibition this November in Lahore at their flagship defence store. All proceeds from the exhibition will be donated towards cancer research and development.

The furniture design label represents quintessential lavish residential and commercial designing for not only the discerning Pakistani but European, American, Canadian, Middle Eastern and Asian design connoisseurs. The young brand has already accumulated a portfolio showcasing a diverse series of residential and commercial projects in Pakistan and abroad, including the interior décor for The Palm Beach Resort in Dubai , luxury private apartments in Toronto , a residential estate in Oman and home décor in London and Philidelphia.

Many designers specialize in cut, but very few have Kamiar Rokni’s penchant for a “Perfect Finish” to a garment. Although just 27, the 5′8 pixie-like Lahorite is raising industry standards with the bold color combinations and perfect detailing of the creations arising from his and partner Maheen Kardar’s fashion house Karma. The multi-talented Libra designs, writes and is eager to create Pakistan’s first Lifestyle Store.

When did you decide to become a fashion designer?
I don’t know when. I think I’ve wanted to become one since I was 5 years old. I know I never wanted to do anything else.

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.

Gia Ali - a name that spells trouble. An actress who ends up chasing more trouble than any other actress in the business. Wild. Wanton. Home breaker. Man-eater. One-hit wonder… All these allegations and a lot more resound whenever the name of Gia is mentioned; anywhere. But is she as bad as she has been painted? Let’s ask Gia.

You had to your credit one of the biggest hits of Pakistani cinema, Deewanay Teray Piyar Kay. But even its mammoth success didn’t have directors lining up at your door. Doesn’t this make you a one-hit wonder?

Two years ago Arooj Aftab was a middle-class Pakistani teenager living her life according to plan: She was working studiously under the watchful gaze of her parents to finish a two-year advanced-level degree in math and economics, and planning a sensible career in accounting.

At the same time, Aftab was pursuing an interest that was not at all part of the well-established cultural framework. She was teaching herself to play the guitar. As if this weren’t radical enough, Aftab began writing her own songs. Forbidden by her father to enter a professional recording studio, Aftab did what any self-respecting Muslim girl determined to liberate herself from thousands of years of gender inequality would do: She learned how to use computer software to record and mix her own music.