Saturday 20 February 2016

Film review: ‘Neerja’ is a tender salute to a 23-year-old woman’s valour

The incredible story of Pan Am air hostess Neerja Bhanot, who died while helping passengers escape from Palestinian terrorists on the hijacked flight 73, is based in 1986, but the tragedy has greater resonance at a time when the slaying of innocents in the name of ideology has become an almost daily occurrence.
Ram Madhvani’s movie, based on a screenplay by Mary Kom writer Saiwyn Quadras, focuses on the hours leading up to the attack and its immediate aftermath. The opening sequence inter-cuts between Neerja (Sonam Kapoor) and her loving family in Mumbai on the night before she leaves for her assigned flight and members of the Abu Nidal Organisation preparing for the attack in Karachi. Neerja has overcome a violent marriage and returned to the family fold, and she has a job she loves, a boyfriend (Shekhar Ravjiani), and several modelling assignments. When she gets on to the ill-fated flight, she is the very picture of victory against adversity.
Neerja transforms into a heroine for the ages soon after the terrorists take over the plane. The filmmakers overcome the difficulty of not knowing what was going on inside the young woman’s head by inserting flashbacks to her troubled marriage and her father’s constant encouragement to be brave. As far as psychological motivations for Neerja’s actions go, this is all we get.
Like the January release Airlift, Madhvani’s movie puts Neerja at the front of the action. She alone, among the entire crew, keeps her wits about her and tries to get a handle on an impossible situation. She tries to negotiate with the ill-prepared and increasingly hysterical hijackers, including a superb Jim Sarbh as a trigger-happy psychopath, comforts a mother whose son is plucked out of the crowd and executed, conceals the passports of the American passengers on board to prevent them from being used as bargaining chips, and finally sacrifices herself to protect children from gunfire.
In this ready-made story of valour, it is memories of the love of her mother Rama (Shabana Azmi) and her father Harish (Yogendra Tiku) rather than the support of her colleagues that appears to give Neerja courage under fire.
Madhvani, an advertising filmmaker who made the psychological drama Let’s Talk in 2002, is deeply respectful of Neerja’s story as well as the conventions of the hijack sub-genre. All the elements are present in full throttle, including jittery hand-held camerawork, moments of sheer terror, glimpses of the vulnerable passengers (including children and a pregnant woman), and the efforts of authorities in Karachi to initiate a rescue.
The portrayal of the Pakistanis as fumblers who potentially contribute to events is an unnecessary concession to nationalist sentiment, but the rest of the time, Neerja is about the individual and not the nation.
Madhvani fulfils the brief of delivering a stirring and sensitive account of bravery at the risk of making the narrative predictable to a fault. Neerja is a taut tearjerker that aims for a lump in the throat rather than full-out bawling. The inter-cutting and inserts of flashbacks balance manipulation and realism. The sequence in which the Bhanots receive Neerja’s corpse is beautifully handled, in large part due to Azmi’s typically assured performance.
The film rests on the fragile shoulders of Sonam Kapoor, and she makes the best possible effort despite her limited abilities to convey Neerja’s terror and strength, which comes, as Rama later says, from some unknown place.
Kapoor’s babyish voice and coquettish mannerisms only highlight Neerja’s youth. The air hostess was two days short of 23 when she died. The movie based on her life accords her full respect, at the risk of sacrificing head for heart. Perhaps heroism is not so complex, after all.

Thursday 18 February 2016

Golden Globes 2016: Who won the red carpet?

Award season kicked off with the Golden Globes, an evening that celebrates achievements in television and film – and that makes for one busy red carpet.
The stars were dressed to impress and some deserve an accolade for their sartorial choices alone. Read on to see who made the cut!

It seems like white is the new black, not orange.

From L-R: Laverne Cox in Elizabeth Kennedy and Taraji P. Henson in Stella McCartney kept the drama with long trains and Lily James made an appearance in hand-draped MarchesaFrom L-R: Laverne Cox in Elizabeth Kennedy and Taraji P. Henson in Stella McCartney kept the drama with long trains and Lily James made an appearance in hand-draped Marchesa

Some stars opted to match the carpet in fire engine red.

From L-R: J-Law and Emmy Rossum both wore red gowns, paired with some enviable bling.From L-R: J-Law and Emmy Rossum both wore red gowns, paired with some enviable bling.

Mr.Robot actress Portia Doubleday looked like a delightful human disco ball in this Naeem Khan number.

The dress fit Doubleday like a glove. —Getty ImagesThe dress fit Doubleday like a glove. —Getty Images

Amber Heard walked in rose-hued Gucci without beau Johnny Depp on her arm.

Versace was a popular choice: Lady Gaga exuded old Hollywood glam in velvet whereas Amy Adams wore a curve-hugging blood orange dress.

The vampy lips give the romantic outfit an edgy vibe —Getty ImagesThe vampy lips give the romantic outfit an edgy vibe —Getty Images

Zendaya wears a maroon layered Marchesa

With a sleek center parting and dainty baubles, Zendaya steers clear from being OTT and looks polished. —Getty ImagesWith a sleek center parting and dainty baubles, Zendaya steers clear from being OTT and looks polished. —Getty Images

These ladies dared to bare with plunging necklines.

From L-R: Kirsten Durst in Valentine, Olivia Wilde in Michael Kors and Jenna Dewan Tatum in Zuhair MuradFrom L-R: Kirsten Durst in Valentine, Olivia Wilde in Michael Kors and Jenna Dewan Tatum in Zuhair Murad

Rosie Huntington and Brie Larson are the new Golden Girls.

Olivia Palermo was a breath of fresh air in this quirky Delpozo cocktail dress coupled with a statement necklace.

Good to know that ankle strap heels are still hot. —Getty ImagesGood to know that ankle strap heels are still hot. —Getty Images

J.Lo looked like a ray of sunshine clad in a lemon Giambattisa Valli gown.

By the way, Jenny from the block's wearing 200 carats worth of bling. —Getty ImagesBy the way, Jenny from the block's wearing 200 carats worth of bling. —Getty Images

Tuesday 16 February 2016

Farah Talib Aziz enters retail with a bang in this exciting collaboration with Crimson

Exclusivity has always been what Farah Talib Aziz has maintained as a brand. No runway presence, no retail store — you want an FTA ensemble? You'll have to seek it out.
Things are about to change. Soon, we're going to see Crimson stores pop up in Karachi and Lahore, the brainchild of Anum Akram.
"I realized soon after I graduated that I was interested in creating a retail brand. I wanted my very own high street brand but with relatively reasonable pricing; however, I knew that there's a lot that goes into launching a brand — there's the design aspect and then production and marketing," shares Akram, whose family owns the rights to the multi-designer clothing store Labels in Lahore.
What does that have to do with FTA, you ask? Well, the designer house will be taking the reigns of the creative division of the budding label.

Maliha of FTA says the brand decided to partner with Crimson to maintain FTA's exclusivity. "I find it strange that someone wears a bridal by a particular designer worth lakhs and there's also a Rs1500 scarf by the same label in the market. It loses it's luxe."


Maliha Aziz, the Director of Communications explains for the brand, "We're operating under the Crimson banner because we as a brand (Farah Talib Aziz, that is) are high-end and I find it strange that someone wears a bridal by a particular designer worth lakhs and there's also 1500 rupee scarves by the same label in the market. It loses it's luxe so that's why we decided to partner up in this manner. We're doing all the designing, down to the interior of the store, so the aesthetic of FTA will become more accessible but as a label, it's still highly exclusive and a separate entity."

Why Farah Talib Aziz?

"We decided to collaborate with one designer and FTA was the only designer we approached or even had in mind from the get go. There are tons of people doing good design work but for some reason, their lawn or pret fails to strike a chord with the general public. FTA is classic and safe and we know they won't do anything too outrageous while still pushing the aesthetic envelope," states Anum.
The Crimson team and FTA teamThe Crimson team and FTA team
"It's evident from the product how much thought and effort has gone into it. Nothing is random; every motif is there for a reason. We've experimented with embroidery but if we've done Spanish embroidery on one, we've done chicken kari on the next. Nothing has been repeated which is a testament to the versatility of the collection."

"We wanted to just retain creative control and the Crimson team were willing to handle all the logistics of production and retail so it's been a great marriage of expertise," says Maliha of FTA.


"We want to be more accessible as a brand and the thought of going high-street had been on the agenda for a long time. It's just that the business side of it was intimidating so when Anum Akram and I met and this collaboration came along, it was the perfect match. We wanted to just retain creative control and they were willing to handle all the logistics of production and retail so it's been a great marriage of expertise," adds Maliha.

Quality over quantity

The first collection will be a mix of unstitched cloth and ready to wear. It will have 16 unstitched lawns with chiffon/silk dupattas and 8 pret kurtas, which will start from Rs2200.
Expect to see FTA's signature soft tones and pretty motifsExpect to see FTA's signature soft tones and pretty motifs
"Our priority was quality: we've sourced everything from the best of the best in the business. Our printing has been done by this textile mill that mostly does export work and has barely taken on local work otherwise, our silk has been imported, our dupattas have been brought in from China," says Anum.
Maliha chimes in: "I'm excited. We get to the best of both worlds; lawn is great but it's seasonal, pret is the future."

Here are the best moments from the Grammy Awards 2016

Music's biggest night wrapped up this morning - and the hype wasn't just about who won.
Artists get us talking with their red carpet style statements, acceptance speeches and performances.
Here are the high points of the Grammy Awards 2016:

Red carpet moments


Taylor Swift went all pal-sy with Selena Gomez:
Ariana Grande gave the pout her best shot as a kind stranger helped carry her dress:
Bieber tried (and failed) to look grown up, but scored cuteness points for bringing baby brother as his date:
Lady Gaga's Bowie tribute began with this Ziggy Stardust-inspired coat-gown:
Of course, Adele would stop to say 'Hello' to the shutterbugs:
Too cool to pose for the paps, Skrillex and Diplo took a selfie instead:
And the hip-hop/R&B boys came in their own very brand of special:

Big winners


Kendrick Lamar may have swept the Grammies with five wins...
But Taylor Swift swiped the Album of the Year...
Ed Sheeran picked up Song of the Year...
And Bruno Mars was awarded Record of the Year!

Power-packed performances


Kendrick Lamar's politically charged performance featured chained black men in a prison. He performed a medley of 'The Blacker The Berry' and 'Alright' and stole the show:
Adele's Grammys performance after a four year hiatus wasn't worth the wait. She performed the ballad 'All I Ask', which fell flat:
The actress responded to the performance mishap on Twitter.
However, it was Lady Gaga who gave the performance of the night with a 10-track tribute to David Bowie, complete with special effects that channelled the pop god's various personas:
Gaga sang 'Space Oddity,' 'Changes,' 'Ziggy Stardust,' 'Suffragette City,' 'Rebel Rebel,' 'Fashion,' 'Fame,' 'Under Pressure,' 'Let's Dance' and 'Heroes.'
Until next year, music aficionados.

Friday 12 February 2016

I am truly passionate about my tapestries: Iconic couturier Bunto Kazmi on her latest work

Etched over an ink-blue backdrop, age-old colonial structures stand shoulder to shoulder; among others, the Frere Hall, the Hindu Gymkhana, the Merewether Clock Tower, Empress Market and Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s shrine wreathed with lively green flags.
Light and shadow, tall minarets and circular domes, steeples, spires, greenery and clocks pointing to 7:30pm; even the stars glistening in the sky are mapped out in constellations: Big Dipper, The Hunter, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
Crafted with love, this tapestry created for an overseas client could easily hold center stage in a museum or art gallery – Photograph by Arif MahmoodCrafted with love, this tapestry created for an overseas client could easily hold center stage in a museum or art gallery – Photograph by Arif Mahmood
This tapestry, created for an overseas client, has the finesse of a painting from afar. But look closer and the beauty is in the details. Bunto Apa, as she is often called, is a stickler for them.

The beauty in the details

“The tapestry took over a year to create and there was a point when I stopped making it,” admits couturier Bunto Kazmi.
“My couture and tapestries have always delved into florals and figurines," she says. "This was the first time I was taking inspiration from architecture and it was very challenging. I sent my craftsmen to see the actual buildings and we used myriad images as reference points. The linear lines were measured with scales and we tried to capture every nuance that formed the essence of the buildings. The client had especially ordered a nightscape of the city while I myself chose the buildings that I wanted to re-create.”
Each thread strand was broken into three parts before stitched in with minute delicacy. It was important that stitches were made with precision. For instance, when the craftsmen tried to make some changes to the Empress Market dome, the fabric began to tear. The stitches had to be resurrected, uplifting the dome, managing to give it a three-dimensional effect that looks all the more real.
Each thread strand was broken into three parts before stitched in with minute delicacy – Photo by authorEach thread strand was broken into three parts before stitched in with minute delicacy – Photo by author
Crafted with love, the final tapestry could easily hold center stage in a museum or art gallery. It pays ode to the city it hails from, showcasing a magical, exuberant side to Karachi devoid of the pain that often mires its landscape. It also gives homage to the passion that defines Bunto Kazmi’s ethos and is testament to the painstaking craftsmanship that is sadly dying out as fast fashion gains dominance. The names of Bunto Apa’s exceptional artisans is now written along with her own at the very bottom of the silk canvas.

Keeping the art alive

Far from the generic reaches of machine embroideries, the banal accessibility of digital print, fashion that is instantly forgettable and the assault of copycats, designs still take about a year to be created within her atelier. Inspirations are sought out, researched, conceptualised and translated into exquisite heirlooms. A set of magnifying glasses constantly occupies her desk, on hand to scrutinise the handwork. Embroideries transcend from being mere embellishments to breathing life into fabric — delicate kamdani, gota, resham, dabka, French knots, vasli and sacha kaam in naqshi.

“I have been creating bridals and shawls for a very long time and they are important, for one does have to marry art with commerce,” says Bunto Apa. “But I am truly passionate about my tapestries. They present new challenges.”


The heavenly garden of Sharar’s Firdaus-i-Bareen may stand resplendent with every butterfly a new hue, each flower a different shape, a lotus floating down the Indus or an Anglicised daisy, each miraculously created with a different stitch. Rumi’s couplets may be visualised in miniature embroideries or an enchanted lake may glimmer with fish, with storks swooping down on it from a rainy sky.
“I have been creating bridals and shawls for a very long time and they are important, for one does have to marry art with commerce,” says Bunto Apa. “But I am truly passionate about my tapestries. They present new challenges.”
Tapestries like this earlier piece 'Hamzanama' are where Bunto Kazmi's true passion liesTapestries like this earlier piece 'Hamzanama' are where Bunto Kazmi's true passion lies
Her city-scape of Karachi is different because of its architectural details but one remembers earlier creations that have been equally breathtaking. Her awe-inspiring depiction of scenes from the Persian epic Hamzanama was replete with details; from the shades of the sun on a beard to the curvature of toe-nails, the different hues of a tree bark, dragon slayers and horse-riders. On another silk canvas, Fariduddin Attar’s The Conference of Birds had come alive.
To etch poetry with a needle, spin dreams through fabric, create for the love of art rather than mere commercialism… Bunto’s atelier inspires reverence. It is here, in her treasure trove of indigenous inspirations, that craft remains alive. Modern-day couture lost it a long time ago.

Thursday 11 February 2016

theBalm: We tried the newest makeup line to hit Pakistan so you don't have to

Buying cosmetics in Pakistan is a nightmare. Drugstore brands like Maybelline and L'Oréal are often sold for five times the original price and a lot of premium brands like Nars or Mac aren't readily available. For a beauty product junkie the variety or lack thereof is painfully limited.
When I heard that theBalm was coming to Karachi, I was stoked.
If you've never heard of the brand before, fret not; now is as good a time as any to discover this line of high-quality makeup from San Francisco.
The kiosk at Scentsation, Dolmen Mall. —Photo courtesy: theBalm Pakistan's Facebook pageThe kiosk at Scentsation, Dolmen Mall. —Photo courtesy: theBalm Pakistan's Facebook page

theBalm encompasses the “beauty in five minutes” philosophy; they believe their products are so highly pigmented that you won't have to reapply countless times to get the desired results. In five minutes, you can have a full face on.
theBalm comes to the Images offices —that's a lot of makeup to play around with!theBalm comes to the Images offices —that's a lot of makeup to play around with!

We invited makeup artist Sara Alii over to the Images office to help us sort through these beauty blogger favourites on 'Makeover Monday' (yeah, that's what we're calling it) and put that to the test.

Step 1: The face

Three things are vital for getting a flawless canvas: a primer, followed by a good foundation and a little translucent powder.
People often say throwing a primer into the mix adds an extra, perhaps unnecessary step — don't listen to those people! Whether you want to minimize pores or mattify and even out your skin, a primer is essential for creating a long-lasting, velvety base.
We used the timeBalm primer, followed by the timeBalm foundation in the shade Light/Medium.
The primer absorbed into my skin fairly quickly, didn't leave behind any sticky residue or make me break out like some of the others I've used (I'm looking at you, Benefit's Porefessional!) and left me with visibly softer skin.
The primer is infused with vitamins A, C & E and can be worn on its own as well for visibly softer skinThe primer is infused with vitamins A, C & E and can be worn on its own as well for visibly softer skin

Would I buy it? Yes!
Time it took to apply: 30 seconds
The timeBalm foundation, on the other hand, was a miss for me. Maybe because I'm not a fan of cream foundations to begin with but it just felt really goopy on the skin, like a Kryolan TV stick does. Definitely a skip for people with an oily T-zone.
The foundation isn't worth spending your money on.The foundation isn't worth spending your money on.

Would I buy it? Nah.
Time it took to apply: A minute.
Sara then set the base with the Sexy Mama anti-shine translucent powder. I loved this! It gave me a dewy glow without making my face look greasy and didn't stray all day!
Would I buy it? Definitely.
Time it took to apply: 15 seconds.

Step 2: The eyes

How theBalm's Nude'tude eyeshadow palette hasn't replaced the Urban Decay Naked palette as a staple in every girl's makeup bag is beyond me.
These babies glide on like a dream, are super pigmented and blendable, as well as buildable. The palette has more shimmery shades than matte ones but it's not in your face glitter glam. It's more for the subtle silky glow on your lids and is great for someone who prefers neutrals!
Sara gave me a subtle cut-crease look using the shades Snobby, Standoff-ish, Sultry and Sexy.Sara gave me a subtle cut-crease look using the shades Snobby, Standoff-ish, Sultry and Sexy.

Would I buy it? Already did!
Time it took to apply: 1 minute, 10 seconds.
Next, we tried out the Schwing liquid eyeliner.
I'm a sucker for a good matte finish eyeliner!I'm a sucker for a good matte finish eyeliner!

For all the girls out there who dread the thought of creating a winged eyeliner, worry no more: the tapered felt-tip applicator makes it super easy. Just be a little careful about using too much product because the formula could be a little runny and dries quickly.
That being said, it was easily one of the darker black eyeliners I've ever used!
The product doesn't flake unlike most liners.The product doesn't flake unlike most liners.

Would I buy it? Yes, but it wouldn't be my go-to eyeliner because the formula is not as resistant to moisture as I would like it to be and I have watery eyes.
Time it took to apply: A minute, give or take a few seconds.

Step 3: The cheeks

theBalm gained a cult-like following of makeup junkies for two products to begin with: its blushes and highlighters.
And if you use either of these products once, you'll know exactly why.
My first theBalm product was purchased roughly a couple of years ago and it was the Mary-Lou Manizer, a highlighter which can also be used as an eyeshadow and shimmer. It is THE holy grail of all luminizers and a little product goes a long way, giving you a satin gleam so it will last you forever!
I remember the first time I used the product like one would remember a first date; it was love at first sight!I remember the first time I used the product like one would remember a first date; it was love at first sight!

Sara used an Instain blush, coupled with a touch of Mary-Lou. I normally refrain from using any highlighters during the day for fear of looking like a walking disco ball but this combo wasn't OTT at all. It blended seamlessly into the apples of our cheeks and there were no glitter specks in the product.
Will I buy it? Big yes! I rate these blushes higher than Mac AND Tarte blushes combined!
Time it took to apply: 30 seconds
Hamna wears the Instain blush in Toile, with a dash of Mary-Lou luminizer.Hamna wears the Instain blush in Toile, with a dash of Mary-Lou luminizer.

Step 4: The lips

Lipstains are all the rage these days and theBalm's Meet Matt(e) Hughes liquid lipstick had garnered positive reviews online. I tried on the shade Charming, which was a nice dusty mauve.
It's easy to apply and the drying time allows you to fix any mistakes you might make. That being said, once it's locked into place, it's not straying! Plus, the minty formula leaves a nice tingle on the lips.
This takes less time to apply than take off. I ate a Philly cheese steak sandwich, had tea, sipped on Red Bull and I kid you not, this did not budge.
I'm wearing the Meet Matte Hughes in Charming.I'm wearing the Meet Matte Hughes in Charming.

And while that's usually a winning quality for a liquid lipstick in my book, I did find the texture a bit too drying. It accentuated all the lines on my lips so maybe it would sit better when you exfoliate beforehand or use a lip balm under it.
Will I buy it? Yeah, probably.
Time it took to apply: 20-30 seconds, only because I went over my lip line a little otherwise it should be a 10 second process.
We also tried out the Read My Lips lip gloss in WOW!, which was a bright red. For a lip gloss, it was shiny without being sticky, which is the only thing women want in a solid lip gloss.
This could make the cut and become your go-to gloss.This could make the cut and become your go-to gloss.
Will I buy it? Nope, but only because I don't like glosses.
Time it took to apply: 10 seconds.

The final verdict

Sara did it; she managed to apply everything from the base to a lip colour in 5 minutes.
I don't like mornings and no way am I waking up early just to put on makeup. On a good day, I'll take 30 seconds to apply a sunscreen and if it's a great one, maybe some lipstick before I dash out.
However, one of my New Year's resolutions this year was to make more of an effort when it comes to my everyday appearance and I think with some key products from theBalm, I can be lazy AND look put together!
Every woman needs a five-minute makeup routine so if you haven't quite figured out yours yet, I'd recommend you incorporate some of these products into that. And at a price range from Rs. 1750 (Read My Lips gloss) to Rs. 4195 (Nude'tude palette), these are practically a steal!