STRINGS’ 30

Congratulations to pop band Strings for coming out with a new set of songs celebrating their three decades in the music industry. The first two songs Sajni and Urr Jaoon have already hit the airwaves and their fans are raving about them.

That being said, one feels that the videos of both the tracks showed that the band is not willing to experiment visually with their songs. While it is understandable to have a signature sound as far as music goes, the visual component needs to have the verve that’s associated with 21st century filmmaking sensibility. But that’s subjective. The bottom-line is: they should keep making music.

DELETED

This is what a breakup can do to you. It’s been a month since pop icon Zayn Malik and supermodel Gigi Hadid parted ways. But the dust hasn’t settled yet and fond memories seem to be bugging the life out of the singer. 

So, on April 7, he deleted his entire Instagram feed, ostensibly to remove all the images that had Gigi H in them and start afresh. Insiders say he is also contemplating removing from his chest the tattoo of her big, dreamy eyes. That’s what you call going for a clean slate! Let’s see how long it takes Zayn M to remove all the things — tangible and intangible — from his life that belong to the gorgeous gal. Perhaps a lifetime!

SRK IN SLB’S NEXT

It’s confirmed, folks: Shah Rukh Khan will be playing the lead in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s (Padmaavat’s director, for those who don’t know him) next film. As far as the subject of the movie is concerned, so far what’s known is that, like the director’s previous couple of ventures, it will be a period drama. He has already narrated the script to SRK and the actor has given the nod in the affirmative.

The filming will begin as soon as SRK finishes work on his upcoming project Zero, helmed by Anand L Rai. Everything seems to be fine, but the only thing that hasn’t been finalised yet is the female lead. No, SRK has no say in choosing who will act opposite him. At least, this is what Sanjay LB is telling the media.

MEERA AIN’T HAPPY

Contrary to what people think, our very own Meera talks sense … well, most of the time. For example, listen to her latest complaint.

The actress says that Lollywood bigwigs — such as Sangeeta, Babra Sharif and Mustafa Qureshi — were ignored by the organisers of the Pakistan International Film Festival (PIFF). They should have invited the big names of, for want of a better phrase, the Lahore film industry to the festival to have their opinions on the current state of films in Pakistan and the rest of the world.

Meera, you’re spot on. And we know selflessly you don’t count your name in the notable omissions’ list.

PRODUCTION TIME

Bollywood hottie Deepika Padukone is beautiful, talented and one smart cookie. The former two attributes are indisputable and, if anyone has any doubts in the case of the latter, well, check this out: the girl wants to give film production a shot. She has said in an interview: “I want to set up a production house ... To have a vision to see it being put together, to see it form a life of its own and like a child at some point of time you have to let it go as well … [it is] definitely something I would explore getting into.”

Deepika P knows well that female superstars in the subcontinent, unlike their male counterparts, have a rather limited age window to rule in. So she’s planning ahead of her time … when Ranveer Singh will still be a star and she will be producing … movies.

AFFAIRS OF THE HEART

Human beings, no matter how strong and sturdy they are, are prone to falling ill. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger. Recently, the Hollywood A-lister and former Mr Universe underwent an emergency open-heart surgery at a hospital in Los Angeles.

Yes, it was an operation done in an emergency. Thankfully, it all went well and the actor returned home on April 6. Insiders say that while being taken to the hospital the words that he said to his family were: “I’ll be back.”

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 15th, 2018