She is a filmmaker with a degree in theatre and religion from Mount Holyoke college in New York. She works out of offices in New York City, Santa Fe, and Lahore. Her goal is to create dialogue through the movies she produces, both within the Muslim world, internationally and especially the USA. Her first feature length film, Kashf is set to hit theatres nationwide on the 15th of December.

Other than the fashion shows doing periodic rounds, the biggest newsmaker in the industry was the breakup between two design and/or retail houses.
Perhaps the one industry that has managed to withstand and survive the sociopolitical drama that the country went through in the past year is the fashion industry. The activity within the industry may have suffered a momentary setback due to the imposition of emergency in the country and after Benazir’s assassination, but it bounced right back on track soon after. The fashion shows that were held off were rescheduled and held in both cities - and continue to do so on a somewhat regular basis.

The Jami we know from various commercials and videos is broody, elusive and has some phenomenal projects to his credit, like Pal Do Pal, Chaye Chaye, Ankhiyan, Chal Dil Mere, Dhanni, Anjaane and many more. The Jami we don’t know is the man, who likes to speak up his mind, digs movies, is laid back. We take a peek on the other side of this director’s fence.

How does it feel to be known as the best video director in Pakistan?

I’m trying to enjoy it. Because when you’re at the top, people want you to fall down, which is why I get scared of being called that. But honestly speaking, we are not doing that well. Abroad, there are so many good short films being made by the kids. We’re doing commercials to run the kitchen, making music videos, and we try to balance both, which is why we try not to sell our souls in music videos. We should do justice to the song. In commercials, the clients will listen to you to an extent. Like in the Indigo commercials, they’ve given a very free rein, but you know that you have to sell something.

The Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan may have met in Delhi for diplomatic talks to improve bilateral relations, but in Lucknow efforts of another kind are on to improve ties between the two countries.

The city is hosting a Pakistani food festival—Zaika-e-Pakistan — and on the platter are Peshawar’s famour Chappali Kebabs.

“We are preparing Chappali Kebab. These are made from mutton and are usually bigger in size. They are very popular and a real favourite with people,” said Mehboob A Khan, executive chef, Hotel Avari, Lahore.

Food delight

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.

On 3rd December, Pakistan ’s premier design duo Nickie Nina and fashion design heavy weight Kamiar Rokni bring to Lahore their latest ready to wear collections along with select haute couture pieces at a brand new space, The Boulevard , Lahore . This will be Nickie Kamiar Rokni Nina’s third outlet nationwide and Kamiar Rokni’s first outlet venture since going solo.

This Saturday, November 17, Pakistani design heavy weights Nickie Nina and Kamiar Rokni participated in one of Lahore’s premier charity fashion events, ‘9 women’ , held by the Lahore Grammar School Defence Campus in honour of the Depilex Smile Again Foundation .

This was a charity fashion event with a difference. The event concept required active participation from an exclusive panel of Lahore ’s top designers who personally trained students in design, cut, silhouette, colour, manufacture and retail over a period of time. The culmination of this training for Nickie Nina was exemplified at the show in its ‘Motherhood’ segment where Nickie Nina’s student trainees showcased three of their own creations inspired by the glamorous design duo on a ramp modelled by fellow students along with one original Nickie Nina number modelled by Iffat Omar.

One of Lahore ’s premier custom design furniture houses, Rendez-vous d’Interieur , will be showcasing the best of their 2007 collections at an exclusive charity exhibition this November in Lahore at their flagship defence store. All proceeds from the exhibition will be donated towards cancer research and development.

The furniture design label represents quintessential lavish residential and commercial designing for not only the discerning Pakistani but European, American, Canadian, Middle Eastern and Asian design connoisseurs. The young brand has already accumulated a portfolio showcasing a diverse series of residential and commercial projects in Pakistan and abroad, including the interior décor for The Palm Beach Resort in Dubai , luxury private apartments in Toronto , a residential estate in Oman and home décor in London and Philidelphia.

Many designers specialize in cut, but very few have Kamiar Rokni’s penchant for a “Perfect Finish” to a garment. Although just 27, the 5′8 pixie-like Lahorite is raising industry standards with the bold color combinations and perfect detailing of the creations arising from his and partner Maheen Kardar’s fashion house Karma. The multi-talented Libra designs, writes and is eager to create Pakistan’s first Lifestyle Store.

When did you decide to become a fashion designer?
I don’t know when. I think I’ve wanted to become one since I was 5 years old. I know I never wanted to do anything else.

Lollywood big guns Sana and Javed Sheikh have signed on for another Indian film, Paak, based on India-Pakistan relations, Mr Sheikh, who is in Mumbai these days, told Daily Times by telephone.

Mr Sheikh said the story of the film was based on positive relations between the two countries. He said he would be performing the character of a goodwill ambassador working for peace.

He also confirmed the participation of Sana as the solo heroine in the flick. Waheeda Rehman, Raj Babbar and his son will take on three of the other major roles in the film, he added.