Strings’ Hum Dono

Despite having a distinct signature sound, pop band Strings have this ability to surprise you, every now and then, with something fresh, something delightfully new.

Their fifth track from the album 30 titled Hum Dono — released on Oct 12 — is such a sonorous song to listen to. Call it a ballad if you like, the fact remains that it’s musically rich and vocally intense. Faisal Kapadia has sung the minimalistic lyrics with a great deal of feeling and creative aplomb. Kudos! More please!

#MeToo and more

Last week was full of jaw-dropping revelations (read: accusations) when it comes to the #MeToo movement in the subcontinent. A sizable number of women in India broke their silence on sexual harassment (or worse) committed against them by media personalities, including filmmaker Sajid Khan, actor Alok Nath and journalist-turned-politician MJ Akbar.

Something similar happened in Pakistan when two of the country’s known figures, one a comedian and the other a social worker, were accused on social media of sexually harassing some women (both the accused have denied the charges and are contemplating legal action to salvage their reputations). While it’s important that this sensitive issue is being given a public spotlight and a discussion has been initiated on such abuses of power, one needs to be cautious about due process as well. Yes, assaulters and harassers should be called out and punished, make no mistake. Still, rushing into judgment without all the facts having come to light may not be a wise thing to do.

A Jodhpuri marriage

It’s been decided folks. The dusky damsel Priyanka Chopra will be walking down the aisle to join her groom, the talented American singer Nick Jonas, at the altar and they’re going to do so at the very posh Umaid Bhawan in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Apparently, it will not be an extravagant affair otherwise because a list of only 200 guests has been prepared. Prior to the marriage ceremony, the bride-to-be will have her wedding shower in New York later this month. So, from the Big Apple to a former princely state, it’s going to be one giant leap for mankind, sorry … got carried away, for Priyanka C.

Remorse, he said

On Oct 10, pop singer Selena Gomez was admitted to a treatment facility in California after suffering an emotional breakdown. This is a psychological ailment but, for the last two years, the girl doesn’t seem to be getting a moment of respite health-wise — in 2017 the 26-year-old also had to undergo kidney transplant surgery.

A lot of her admirers were interested to know how her ex-boyfriend, Justin Bieber, is taking the whole situation. Well, a source has told an American magazine that he feels ‘sad and remorse’ for Selena G. What? Remorse! He may be a decent singer but is obviously not good with words.

Like Khan, Like Son

To be honest, this was inevitable. News is that Bollywood king Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan will soon appear in his first film opposite another first-timer, Khushi Kapoor, the younger sister of Jhanvi Kapoor (and daughter of Boney Kapoor and the late Sri Devi) in a film produced by none other than Karan Johar.

The interesting thing is that, while the pair has been selected for their career launch, K-Jo is still looking for a plausible script and director for the project. Yup, the producer/director is known for counting his chickens before they are hatched.

Meet Nicole the Vocalist

The United Nations celebrates Oct 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child. To mark the day, Hollywood heartthrob Nicole Kidman and her musician better half Keith Urban released a video on social media in which both are seen singing the latter’s famous song Female. In the video, Keith U is playing the piano and Nicole K is sitting next to him. Both are singing the track in beautiful harmony. Interestingly, the visuals were recorded by their two daughters, Sunday and Faith.

The actress can be spotted blushing a little bit at the end of the footage knowing that she might be mocked for her singing ability. Well, girl, rest assured, you can belt out a tune. And don’t let your hubby realise this because he might entertain the idea of remaking, yet again, A Star is Born.

Published in Dawn, ICON, October 21st, 2018