Dad-daughter duo Javed and Momal Sheikh to share screens in Bollywood rom-com

After tickling our funny bone in Karachi Se Lahore, Javed Sheikh is a busy man.

While starting work on his eighth production in Pakistan – a film titledWajood for now – he is also spending time in India to shoot two Bollywood films.

Sheikh talked about one of those Bollywood films with Images.

Titled Happy Bhaag Jayegi, this rom-com will see Sheikh star alongside his daughter Momal. HBJ is being produced by Anand Rai of Tanu Weds Manufame and directed by Mudassir Aziz . The lead roles of the film are being played by Abhay Deol and Diana Penty.

"In the film, I play a Pakistani bureaucrat and am Abhay Deol's father. Momal, on the other hand, is Abhay's fiance, so she plays my daughter-in-law," shared Sheikh with Images.

In an earlier interview with Dawn.com, Momal had shared that her character is also Pakistani:

"[The director/producer] were looking for an actress for a really long time," Momal shared about the casting, "Baba [Javed Sheikh] had given them a few names of good actresses, but none of them were able to commit to the project for various reasons. When they came to know about me, they asked Baba, but he suggested that I wasn't ready because I had just had my baby. But they approached me anyway, and the director talked to me about Tanu Weds Manu's success, and I read the script, which I found to be really good."

One spell of the film's shoot remains, and it is expected to release in 2016.

Karachi Eat 2016: Here's your ultimate guide to the city's cult food festival

This weekend, from Friday to Sunday, Frere Hall will turn into a haven for the foodies of Karachi.

From gifted chefs making succulent gourmet burgers or choux pastry ball-laden Croquem bouche to street vendors preparing scrumptious dhaga kebabs and gol gappas on the spot, Karachi Eat is a festival which celebrates the full diversity of food that the city of lights has to offer.

We get the scoop from Omar Omari, the brains behind the food shindig that has gained a cult-like following in just the two years it's been around; it's one of those rare events in the year we all look forward to.

What stalls will be returning and what's new in store?

Omari reveals that this time around, they have over 20 more stalls participating.

"Last year, we had around 70 stalls. This year, we're looking at 92. We actually had to turn people away because we knew it would get too cluttered and then the existing vendors may have also gone home unhappy because it'll cut into their business."

"Old favourites will be returning this year: The Pantry, Hoagies, Chapli Kebab House to name a few and of course, the much buzzed about Spoonful aka the strawberry samosa guys will also be joining us again but with different products this time."

These strawberry samosas are not to be taken lightly. People attended Karachi Lit Fest solely to go munch on these because they had run out at one point at Karachi Eat last year, leaving a lot of hungry attendees disappointed. In fact, this year, Spoonful is bringing two brand new products: Nutella Gol Guppay and Banberry Ice Cream Roll Ups to titillate taste-buds.

Omari acknowledges this: "We plan on imposing a fine on any stall that runs out of food. We don't want any foodies to go home disappointed that they didn't get to try something they had their heart set on so hopefully that won't happen this year."

The man behind Hoagies, Saiem Nasir divulges, "We'll definitely be prepping for more food since we kept running out last year!"

How Ahsan Khan and social media helped this homeless Pakistani find hope

Yesterday a video began circulating that featured a very articulate older man telling actor Ahsan Khan his life story.

But this wasn't a segment on a TV show. Khan was out in about in Karachi when he spotted the man on the streets. He was homeless and destitute and had a sad story to tell, which Khan recorded on camera and proceeded to share on Facebook.

"I found him asking for help in a market in Phase 2 in Defence," says Khan to Images. "He said he's an educated guy from Lahore and his family deserted him. I wanted to help him."

The man in the video says: "I just need a job... anything in the office except for the computer, I don't know anything about computers! But.. an office assistant? Going to and fro, photocopies, telephone... anything like that."

He goes on to say that he lost his family in a car accident, after which he was deprived of his life savings.

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"I feel that a lot of actors use social media to publicise themselves or bash political parties," says Ahsan Khan. "But I feel social media also has a huge positive side. We should do something for humanity."

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Soon after the video went viral messages poured in from people who wanted to help the man by offering him work. "I am ready to offer him respectable employment so he feels dignified," said one commentator on social media. "Somebody please give him a job! He'd be excellent as a call operator," said another.

Khan reveals that several people reached out to the actor offering to help the homeless man. "I feel that a lot of actors use social media to publicise themselves or bash the political parties," he continues. "But I feel social media also has a huge positive side. We should do something for humanity."

It was IT solutions company Amtech Systems that gave the man an offer of employment and "warm accommodation."

And Ahsan Khan, in a follow-up Facebook post, couldn't believe his impromptu video helped turned this extraordinary man's life around:

'A bit of positivity goes a long way,' Ahsan Khan tells his followers

What's more heartwarming than that?

World welcomes 2016 despite terror fears

As the final hours of 2015 drew to a close, many bid a weary and wary adieu to a year marred by attacks that left nations reeling and nerves rattled.

Still, most places forged ahead with celebrations, refusing to let jitters ruin the joy of the holiday. Take a look at how people around the world did exactly that.

Dancers perform to celebrate the new year during a countdown event at Tai Miao, the imperial ancestral temple in the Forbidden City, in Beijing, China, January 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Models perform to celebrate the new year during a countdown event at Tai Miao, the imperial ancestral temple in the Forbidden City, in Beijing, China, December 31, 2015. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour during a pyrotechnic show to celebrate the New Year in Hong Kong, China January 1, 2016. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour during a pyrotechnic show to celebrate the New Year in Hong Kong, China January 1, 2016. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

School students offer prayers for the world peace in the upcoming year of 2016 in Ahmedabad, India, December 31, 2015. REUTERS/Amit Dave

People gather to release balloons to celebrate the New Year during an annual countdown ceremony at the Prince Park Tower in Tokyo on December 31, 2015. More than 1,000 balloons were to be released into the air, carrying with them new year wishes. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI

People release balloons to celebrate the New Year at the Prince Park Tower in Tokyo on January 1, 2016. More than 1,000 balloons were released, carrying with them new year wishes. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI

Fireworks light up the sky over Sydney's Opera House (L) and Harbour Bridge during New Year celebrations in Sydney on January 1, 2016. AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN

New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House during the traditional fireworks show on January 1, 2016. AFP PHOTO / Peter PARKS

Fireworks light up the sky over Sydney's Opera House (L) and Harbour Bridge during New Year celebrations in Sydney on January 1, 2016. AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN

Fireworks explode over the Opera House and Harbour Bridge during the 9pm fireworks display over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House in Sydney, Australian, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

#2016Goals?: Priyanka Chopra wants to work in a 'good' Pakistani movie

NEW DELHI: Bollywood actress/singer Priyanka Chopra, who has been in the news these days for her acting projects Quantico and Bajirao Mastani, said she would like to work in a Pakistani movie "provided the project is good."

Talking to a DawnNews reporter, Chopra said she wants to visit Pakistan frequently and would not let the opportunity of working in a Pakistani movie slip.

"I am an entertainer and will not turn down a good movie offer." When asked which Pakistani actor she would like to be cast with, Ms Chopra candidly replied, "Abhi tum larwao gay" (You want a fight).

She added that her consent (to work in a Pakistani movie) will depend on the role she is offered. Answering a question on the role artists can play in defusing tensions between Pakistan and India, she said that job rests with the governments of the two countries.

"You see, artists can only bring people closer, because they serve art and appreciation of art is universal."

Chopra, who according to many critics outshined the leading duo (Ranveer and Deepika) in her latest Bollywood release, Bajirao Mastani, has also grabbed her first People's Choice Awards nomination in the category of Favourite Actress in a New TV Series for her role of an FBI agent in US TV series Quantico.

The show itself has been nominated in the Favourite New TV Drama category.

With hopes to win the public voted award, the former Miss World will also be one of the presenters at the ceremony scheduled for Wednesday.

I was nervous to look Hamza in the eye, says Maya Ali

December's almost gone, and the promised return of Hamza Ali Abbasi to our TV screens has yet to materialise.

His upcoming drama serial, Tera Gham Aur Hum helmed by Diyar-e-Dildirector Haseeb Hasan, pairs Hamza paired with Pakistani TV's new dream girl Maya Ali.

Maya has been one half of many recent hit couples on TV, from her turn inDiyar-e-Dil with Osman Khalid Butt to her on-again-off again relationship with Imran Abbas in Mera Naam Yousuf Hai

Also read: In conversation with Pakistan's new jori #1: Diyar-e-Dil's Osman Khalid Butt & Maya Ali

Will Tera Gham Aur Hum have the same kind of success?

"Obviously, I would really want it to be like that," says Maya in an exclusive conversation with Images. "Just like hashtags such as #Osmaya (Osman and Maya combined) and #Wafa (their characters Wali and Farah combined) are established, I now hear of #Sanu (Salauddhin and Manu) and #Haya (Hamza and Maya). That's a good sign, right?"

Tera Ghum Aur Hum is the story of Manahil aka Manu (Maya) and Salahuddin (Hamza), whose sister Aiman is best friends with Manahil. Salahuddin is a mature, serious lad, who is out of a job, so Manahil's father asks him to tutor his daughter. So begins Manu and Salahuddin's relationship, which will take a turn a few years down the road.

Maya's enjoyed great chemistry with her co-stars like Imran and Osman, with whom she's acted many times. Was she able to recreate the same magic with Hamza, we wonder?

"I'm trying to, obviously," she said with a giggle. "I know Osman will kill me for saying this, but Hamza is very comfortable to work with, so you automatically give a good performance. I was too nervous to look at him straight in the eye, but he always insisted that I do. I feel that people will like our performance together."

While she's enjoying a great phase in her career as the leading lady of choice these days, what Maya is secretly coveting is a villianous role:

"I really want to play a negative character, but I haven't gotten the chance yet. Our writers sometimes write [such a negative role] that you feel that people will abuse you."

The leap to films isn't too far for Maya. She intends to make her debut "very soon". "I definitely plan to be in films in 2016," she shared.

Cricketer’s reinduction

It may have been just another limited-overs game in the Bangladesh league, but it did feature an incident open to various interpretations in and about Pakistan.

It was Mohammad Hafeez versus Mohammad Amir — for many, it was the so-called professor standing up to one who had strayed early in life, the ‘moral custodian’ to someone who had served a prison sentence.

It raised some very basic questions about punishment and rehabilitation, a question which this country is repeatedly faced with.

‘Co-option’ and ‘rehabilitation’, in all spheres of life here, are key words in discussions about who is allowed by which powers to assert his presence at a particular time.

Likewise, maybe more than bound by any standards of fairness, the PCB is compelled by its own needs to try and fast-track Amir’s return to the national side.

Also read: Amir trumps Hafeez in BPL showdown

The national team has not been doing all that well. It is weak and vulnerable in the batting department; in the bowling section Amir is an exciting and promising option that the cricket board cannot quite afford to ignore at the moment.

Already, there are reports of how keen the PCB and the national coach are to include the fast bowler as an instant boost to the side and it is said that an effort is soon going to be undertaken to convince those who disagree, such as Mohammad Hafeez and others who have assigned sinister reasons to whatever the left-armer does.

There is little doubt that if they want him badly enough, the cricket bosses will succeed in having their man back.

The tricky part for some observers of the game is that this reinduction will also open the door for the return of Mohammad Asif, a swing bowler of some repute around the cricket grounds, and also batsman and the then-captain Salman Butt.

However, the PCB has taken a strong line on the two cricketers, due to their obstinacy in denying all charges. At the moment, the PCB is, rightly, not inclined to welcome them back.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2015