LAHORE: The first song of the much-anticipated movie Superstar has been released and it has taken social media by storm.

A press release says the song, Bekaraan, like its meanings, focuses on infinite love. Penned by Shakeel Sohail, the song is beautifully harmonised, crafted and composed by the talented Azaan Sami Khan and Saad Sultan.

Bekaraan raises the curtain on the film’s music and sets the tone for what is to be expected from the mega film. Shot in a classy theatrical set-up, the lead pair, Bilal Ashraf and Mahira Khan, waltzes to the vocals of Ali Sethi and Zeb Bangash.

The emotional vibes and amazing chemistry between Bilal and Mahira are magical and they undoubtedly make the most breathtakingly beautiful on-screen couple of Pakistan film industry.

The song speaks of the want and needs of both the protagonists and their desires, longing to be with each other no matter what the outcome.

Produced under the banner of Momina and Duraid Films, Superstar is directed by director Ehteshamuddin of the Udaari and Sadqay Tumhare fame, dialogues are written by Ali and Mustafa Afridi. The film’s screenplay and music are by the Azaan Sami Khan who wowed everyone with his music talent in Parwaaz Hai Junoon.

Apart from the lead pair, Superstar boasts a stellar cast, including Nadeem Baig, Jawed Sheikh, Marina Khan, Asma Abbas, Saife Hassan, Alizay Shah, Ali Kazmi and Waqar, and special appearances from the likes of Hania Amir, Saira Shehroz, Osman Khalid Butt, Kubra Khan and Mani.

The film will be released on Eidul Azha.

AJOKA: The aspiring actors from Ajoka Institute’s “art of acting” course enthralled the audience with brilliant performance of Shahid Nadeem’s evergreen Punjabi play Jhalli Kithay Jaway at the auditorium of Punjab Institute of Language Art and Culture (Pilac).

Directed by Nirvaan Nadeem, the play was a multi-layered comment on the societal pressures and oppression faced by Pakistani women, utilising elements of song and dance native to our land.

The students performed brilliantly in their maiden performance and depicted the story of a young bride named “Jhalli” whose husband goes to Dubai immediately after the wedding and is unable to return because of the demands of a family more interested in his income. The story was linked by two narrators in the traditional style and is mostly illustrated through dance, music and dialogues in verse form.

Before the performance, the “art of writing” course students presented reading of three original scripts which they developed under the mentorship of Ajoka’s executive director Shahid Nadeem.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2019