Alhamra Cultural Complex looked surreal amidst decorative lights, as performances varying from enthralling Uzbek dances to hilarious slapstick performances by the Wall Street Theatre, Indian theatre and Ajoka’s theatre heightened activity at the Rafi Peer World Performing Arts Festival on Monday night.

The Uzbek camp in particular was jam-packed with spectators who were completely enthralled by the dance performances. The Uzbek dance titled ‘Sonata’ was the most attractive feature of the festival. The performers, clad in stunning vibrant dresses, had the crowds up on their feet as they executed impressive dance sequences. The audience enthusiastically cheered the dance titled ‘Africa’ and was full of praise for the young performers. The other dance themes ‘Youth of Uzbekistan’, ‘Temple of love’, and ‘ Slow Waltz’ were unique in style and received the same praise from the audience as ‘Africa’ had received.

Pakistani film star, Meera has claimed that she will give a better performance than the late Bollywood actress, Madhubala as the enchanting palace maid in a Pakistani serial, ‘Anarkali’. Madhubala had given a memorable performance as the stunning sweetheart of Prince Salim in ‘Mughhal-e-Azam’.

‘Anarkali’ is one of the mega-budgeted serials of Afreen Baig. He has produced highly acclaimed serials like ‘Kabhi Kabhi Pyar Main’ and ‘Chandni Raatein’.

According to a report, the mega serial is expected to be Meera’s best classic venture. The cast of the serial includes Babar Ali, Talat Hussain, Ayub Khoso, Mohini, Meher Rizwi and Azra Aftab.

What does your work mean to you?
I wouldn’t know what to do if not do what I do!

What were you like at 15?
Confused … Like all 15 years olds I guess.

What brings you contentment?
When every thing on my job list for the day is done.

The recording of first joint Pak-India drama serial “Sukhay Pathay” is completed and will be telecasted soon.
The Pak-India mega series includes versatile Bollywood Indian actor Suresh Oberoi, Sunita Marshall, Amar Jeet, Mann Sharma along with Pakistan senior TV actress Uzma Gillani, Farah Shah, Neelma Hasan, Ayub Khoso, Janah Malik, Qaiser Nizamani and Mikal.

Producer of the serial Khalid Khan said that “Sukhay Pathay” is completed under the banner of KK Production Canada and will be telecasted soon.

The serial has been recorded in Canada while some of the scenes are shot in Northern Areas of Pakistan.

It is a hot and humid Saturday afternoon when one reaches a local salon to meet Maria Wasti, who happens to be in Karachi for a drama serial she’s shooting. Dressed casually in a T-shirt and jeans, her hair all over the place, we settle in comfortably, she with her cup of chai and me with my tape recorder, notepad and pen. The conversation begins with the much clichéd query: how did she come into acting?

From a cherubic face in “Anarkali” to “The Best Newcomer Female” at the famous FilmFare Awards. From one broken marriage to another. From the director of a Nigar Award nominee for Best Film (Babu) to a normal human being who hates to school in this unbearable heat. Zeba Bakhtiar is a multi faceted personality. Coming from a politically know family, with passion running in her blood. It is no wonder that Zeba is a name to be reckoned with in the world of showbiz. She is one of the few members of this elite world of glamour who realize the power of the media and are constantly struggling to make a difference through it. Let’s heat what the charming lady has to say about some of the issues that confront each of us on a daily basis:

It appears as if the floodgates have been opened for foreign entertainment and news channels. The last couple of years have seen an invasion by cable channels, which can be seen wherever you go, from restaurants and homes to shops. This is all part of the phenomenon called ‘globalisation’. Pakistani viewers, noticeably, are losing interest in local channels because of the glitz and glamor of the foreign media. It is easy to see that the majority of images beaming out of television sets are of foreign films and shows. Viewers countrywide prefer Indian music, films and Hollywood flicks and this has resulted in the local channels being relegated to the background.

Would you like a Slurpee with that?” says the brown skinned, turban clad Sikh man behind the 7-11 counter. And this introduction serves as the basis for most Americans’ perception of the South Asian experience.

We supposedly work 27 hours a day at gas stations, Patel-owned motels, quick shop marts, Subway stores, computer firms, or emergency wards — and that’s it. On television, our entire culture is represented by television icon Apu Nahasapeemapetalan, the Indian immigrant owner of “Kwik-e- Mart” on The Simpsons. A visually one-dimensional cartoon character with more animation and character than the one-dimensional cardboard caricatures seen in most Hollywood movies, TV shows (with the exception of Naveen Andrews in Lost); talk radio, and academic history books. Desis are also in the news because of “outsourcing:” Our brown brethren of the East are supposedly systematically destroying the American job market by working the same job for 1/10 of the pay.

The latest Drama Serial being made on the love tale of Shahzada Saleem and Anarkali will be aired in January. This drama serial is directed by Farooq Mengal and written by Aqueel Ruby.

Talat Hussain has been aptly chosen to play the role of Akbar while Meher Rizvi plays his wife, Dilaram is being played by Mohini, grand daughter of General Yahya Khan and Babar is Shehzada Saleem. And of course, Meera plays Anarkali.

The real show stealer of the day turned out to be Zeba Shehnaz who made a dramatic entrance, donning the celeb team’s uniform and sporting a kit on her shoulder. But unfortunately, she had to accept a spot in the commentary box instead of the pitch

The trend of showbiz and sports stars being roped in by advertisers for shows because of the commercial value attached to them has been growing internationally. David Beckham has been immensely successful in increasing the sales of a particular brand of sportswear, while across the border, cola companies and diamond manufacturers have employed the services of stars to promote their products. This trend has also been catching on in Pakistan. Though we come across comparatively fewer commercials and live shows, still, this particular strategy is slowly picking up pace.