KARACHI: An insightful theatre workshop by Malaysian actress and acting coach Bella Rahim as part of the World Culture Festival on Saturday generated a great deal of interest in aspiring actors.

Among the many techniques that she masterfully taught them, in a very friendly way, was how to get up in the morning while watching sunrise. She told them that you’re lying down on your right or left side, when you wake up realising the sun is rising, you don’t have to get up quickly — you should look at the sun with intent and move in a slow but firm manner.

She invited groups of five or six students for each act, and they followed instructions wonderfully well. When one of them lay down in a casual way, Ms Rahim remarked, “This is not a photo shoot.”

The second workshop of the day was by a Columbian folklore dance group Cayena Colfolk.

The performers introduced participants to traditional Colombian dance styles. People of all ages including children, youth and elders enthusiastically took part in the training session.

The film Love Guru directed by Nadeem Baig starring Humayun Saeed and Mahira Khan is the biggest box office success story of 2025. Released on June 6, it once again injected a spirit of optimism among Pakistani cine-goers that Pakistan’s film industry may get back on its feet. While this is yet to be witnessed, but Love Guru’s screening as Marquee Day at the ongoing World Culture Festival on Saturday evening saw a big number of people turn up to watch the movie in the council’s auditorium 2.

The story revolved around a man (played by Humayun) who helps people find their love interest. He is good at what he does. Things take a drastic turn when he is asked to break up the wedding of an architect Sophia Khan (Mahira).

Among members of the audience, there were people who had seen the film more than once. Talking to Dawn, one of them said we must promote Pakistani films.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2025