Sakina Says

It was nice to see senior actress Sakina Samo trying to teach the media a lesson or two at the trailer launch of an upcoming film Chupan Chupai in Karachi. She told the journos that they were the ones who turned artists into ‘stars’ whereas she’d like the artists to focus on their art. It was a sound piece of advice. But someone tried to be glib with her and said the media can also bring the artists down. Not true. What sustains artists worth their salt is their art, not constant projection in print or on TV. The media can promote someone to a point, but can’t manipulate excellence or degradation in creative expression. So Sakina S, you are spot on.

Entertainment in Focus

The second Focus PK Conference was held in Karachi last week despite the chaos on the streets caused by events in Islamabad. This trade event aims to provide a better understanding of the entertainment industry of the country not only to the young ones who aspire to enter showbiz but also to its practitioners and others in the business and investment world. This year sessions on film, music and television industries generated interesting debates, including on the issue of censorship and copyrights. The speakers included showbiz luminaries such as director Asim Raza, composer Arshad Mahmud, and actors Usman Pirzada, Ayesha Omar and Ahsan Khan. It’s a pity that the staging of the conference was marred by the uncertain political situation in the country, but its organisers, especially its moving spirit Atiqa Odho, should be commended for making sure the show went on.

Sister Act

All you music lovers, the famous electronic dance music (EDM) duo from Illinois, Krewella, is going to perform in Pakistan this month. For the uninitiated, the pair consists of sisters of Pakistani descent Jahan Yousuf and Yasmine Yousuf. They will be performing with our very own band SNKM comprising Adil Omar and Talal Qureshi. In case someone wants to know the meaning(s) or geneses of the two groups’ names, well, Krewella is a distorted version of the word ‘cruel’ and the full form of SKNM is: Sonic Nocturnal Kinetic Movement. Wow! That is nocturnally cruel.

Not with her

The word ‘strange’ comes to mind. How can an actor say ‘no’ to working opposite Katrina Kaif? Here are the deets: Shahid Kapoor has signed a film titled Batti Gul Meter Chalu, to be directed by Shree Narayan Singh, whose story tackles the issue of over-the-top electricity bills. The producers of the movie wanted to rope in Katrina Kaif as his love interest in the movie, but apparently Shahid K has informed them he doesn’t want to work with her. Seriously! Wait! A little birdie says he’s done that to keep a promise he made to his wifey. Ah, the life of a married man.

Ligament Predicament

Poor Kangana Ranaut can’t keep herself out of the news. As if her tussle with the Bollywood bigwigs on the issue of nepotism and a couple of relationship conundrums weren’t enough to make her hog the headlines, on Nov 22, on the sets of a film based on the life of Rani Lakshmibai, she injured herself while doing an action sequence. The actress had a ligament tear on her right foot because of which she was taken to a close-by hospital where the doctors asked her to take a week’s bed rest. Wonder if that action scene had a film star’s son or daughter taking on Kangana R’s character.

Moolah model

This sunshine of a girl is now the richest model in the world. Yes, according to Forbes, Kendall Jenner is the highest paid model of 2017. She has bagged a whopping $22m this year. To some of her fans, the more astounding aspect of her financial position is that she overtook none other than the gorgeous Brazilian Gisele Bundchen who had held this spot since 2002. (Mind you, Gisele B still isn’t far behind; her earnings: $17.5m.)

Good on you rich and lovely Kendall J. No wonder you’re happy being single.

Published in Dawn, ICON, December 3rd, 2017