Saba Qamar outshines everyone with her acting-skills in Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Kamli’.

After spending some time on google, we can loosely summarize the meaning of the word ‘kamli’ as a word from Sanskrit language which translates to ‘blanket’. Whereas in Urdu, Punjabi and in Hindi language the word ‘kamli’ translates to ‘crazy girl’.

So before we reach Nueplex Cinema to watch ‘kamli’, we do have a fair bit of idea of what’s coming our way. Some of the story-line was shared with us before the release of the movie and according to it, ‘Kamli’ is a Pakistani drama-film directed by Sarmad Khoosat, who also has produced it with Kanwal Khoosat as co-producer under banner of Khoosat Films. The film features Saba Qamar, debutante Hamza Khawaja, Sania Saeed and Nimra Bucha in lead roles.

Let’s start off with some high-points of ‘Kamli’. The high-points of ‘Kamli’, outnumber low-points by a wide margin.

Firstly, the best part of ‘Kamli’, is Saba Qamar herself with her larger than life screen presence that comes with her beauty, charisma and her spot-on acting which includes her facial-expressions, body-language and dialogue-delivery. Her performance as Hina left most of the audience mesmerized. With Saba Qamar we can proudly say that we also have an actress who has it all from beauty, brain & skills. Both thumbs up for Saba Qamar on her performance in ‘Kamli’ as Hina.

Runner-up for me was Saad Sultan, who shone well with his excellent contribution as a music director. His compositions, which were equally well sung by our superstar Atif Aslam, talented Zeb Bangash, our legeng Reshma-ji along with new comers such as Sohail Shahzad, Zenab Fatima Sultan and Amna Rahi.

Third place was bagged by man of the moment, our lovely and very sweet Sarmad Khoosat as the director of ‘Kamli’. His stature as a director seems to be growing by every passing day. Whatever he directs (from movies to theatre), all of it ends up as folklore new comers in the industry. His name has now become synonymous with very unique & innovative ideas that are transformed to life for us to enjoy.

‘Kamli’, as the name suggests is a female centric drama-film that revolves (completely) around Saba Qamar and to some extent also Sania Saeed and Nimra Bucha. No real need to mention anything about male actors or characters. So if you are die-hard Saba Qamar fan, then ‘Kamli’ is exactly for you and if you prefer to watch formula-films then better stay home.

‘Kamli’ is all set to release nationwide in cinemas near you on 3^rd June 2022.

Coke Studio releases the third song from Season 14 – ‘Sajan Das Na’.

Coke Studio brings together Momina Mustehsan and Atif Aslam in slow-jam treat ‘Sajan Das Na’,the third song from Season 14, to hash out what fame and relationships mean in our time.

Duets are expected at Coke Studio, but this one flips a few expectations. In ‘Sajan Das Na’, we meet two lovers arguing. Atif throws his hands up, blaming the distance between them on his celebrity.

Like a 21^st century queen, Momina stands her ground, both plaintively asking; “sweetheart, tell me what I should do?” This is an exchange for an era in which fame is a 24-hour job, and where women can and should expect more of men. 

There’s no mistaking that these characters are megastars from Faraz Sheikh and Alishay Adnan’s styling. Momina’s look is pulled together and in control, Atif’s co-ords send the best kind of chaotic energy. Video Director Kamal Khan plays up the chill between them, setting the two under cold-toned lights in minimal surroundings, with the duo singing to each other but never meeting.

For all its laments, ‘Sajan Das Na’ is a party track with Atif Aslam, ATIF ASLAM ladies and gentlemen, going R&B. The visuals are a warning however. Split-spectrum projections shatter shadows into rainbows, showing a split of heart and mind. Production Designer Beenish Umer’s screens blink aimlessly on the floor in a nod to technology; reminding us that romance may be a swipe away but somehow, we remain lonelier than ever.

‘Sajan Das Na’ can be viewed here:

Song Credits:
Program/Event:	Coke Studio
Season Number:	14
Song Number:	03
Song Title:	Sajan Das Na
Singers:	Atif Aslam and Momina Mustehsan
Curated by:	Xulfi
Produced by:	Xulfi
Song Concept by:	Xulfi and Adnan Dhool
Written by:	Adnan Dhool
additional lyrics by:	Momina Mustehsan
Composed by:	Xulfi, Abdullah Siddiqui, Adnan Dhool and Momina Mustehsan
Music Arranged and Produced by:	Xulfi and Abdullah Siddiqui
Mixed by:	Xulfi
Video Director:	Kamal Khan
Production Designer:	Beenish Umer
Art Director:	Beenish Umer
Stylist:	Mavi Kiyani, Faraz Sheikh and Alishay Adnan

Internationally acclaimed singers Atif Aslam & Imran Khan to add more to glittering opening ceremony of HBL’s Pakistan Super League 6.

The HBL Pakistan Super League 6 will start with a glittering opening ceremony on Saturday 20^th February 2021 with an entertainment-packed event at the National Stadium, Karachi. This star studded event will include renowned artists including Atif Aslam, Imran Khan, Humaima Malick and the HBL PSL 6 Anthem artists: Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig & Young Stunners.

Internationally acclaimed singer Atif Aslam will be making his first appearance in the HBL PSL opening ceremony, the league has been launched every year with a colourful opening ceremony since its inception in 2016. Renowned rap artist Imran Khan will also be making his debut at the HBL PSL stage.

The HBL PSL 6 opening ceremony will be have some parts filmed offshore in a specially designed studio space in Turkey. The first four opening-ceremonies were held at the Dubai International Stadium while the opening ceremony of 2020 was staged at the National Stadium Karachi and the same venue will play host to the 2021 opening-ceremony.

As has been the tradition in earlier editions, the opening ceremony will be followed by the first-match of the season, defending champions Karachi Kings will play Quetta Gladiators in the night match.

Director Commercial of Pakistan Cricket Board, Mr. Babar Hamid; “This year promises to be really exciting especially the state-of-the-art technology being used to create this experience for Pakistani fans. As always, the excitement of the opening ceremony is further raised with the opening clash of the tournament, and the people in Karachi, I am sure will look forward to see Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators take the field as they both enjoy a huge fan base in the city.”

The opening-ceremony will be aired on national sports channel ‘PTV Sports’ and other leading sports channel ‘Geo Super’. The opening ceremony start time will be revealed in the coming week.

Veteran musician Bilal Maqsood directs a five-part digital music series in association with Velo.

Veteran musician and Strings band-member Bilal Maqsood has curated and directed a new digital music series titled ‘Velo Sound Station 2020’ that will be available on YouTube.

Velo Sound Station 2020, which is spread over five episodes with 2-3 three songs per session and 14-songs in total will be released every Friday debuted in 20^th November 2020.

The first three artists featured on Friday November 20th’s debut episode include Atif Aslam dressed in a glittery cobalt blue suit with the lilting pop-anthem “Kadi To Hans Bol’ a song everyone’s been waiting for and rightfully so. Atif Aslam’s power-house vocals paired with Naseebo Lal’s captivating lyrics give this number a new life. Atif Aslam’s magical performance with a slick new look and vibe renders ‘Kadi Te Has’ into a pop song that is here to stay and, dare we say, slay!

Kadi Te Hans by Atif Aslam

Alamgir sahib’s song gets a modern twist in Umair Jaswal’s version of the classic ‘Gagar ‘ which will have you dancing to the beat.  If we didn’t already love the original dandia number Velo Sound Station’s rendition made us fall in love with this song all over again!

Umair Jaswal donning a vibrant truck art jacket and playing to the cosmopolitan audience with his strong vocals and infectious energy renders ‘Gagar’ into a fun and lively number with a great beat and punch that will force you to get on your feet and dance to the mood-lifter which is undoubtedly the party song of the year!

Gagar by Umair Jaswal

Are you ready for a nostalgic nod to the 80s? Natasha Noorani’s sweet and soft vocals transport you to the days of Disco with her original number, ‘Baby Baby.’ This song’s amazingly groovy vibe and Natasha’s funky look  in a blush pink pant suit takes you back to the classic times of Pop. This song will definitely be playing on repeat on your playlists.

Baby Baby by Natasha Noorani

In the future, featured music will be a combination of covers and originals, buoyed by a distinctive musical identity that is current  and energizing, from groovy tunes to rap, it will dovetail with contemporary fashion that together create today’s Pop Culture enjoyed by Pakistani urban adults  buoyed by “self-exploration in terms of music, fashion and lifestyles”.

Artists and producers featured on the show will range from emerging acts, popular artists with several songs composed by Bilal Maqsood while others brought to the show by the featured artists.

Velo Sound station is an ostensibly a platform that hopes to revive and energize Pop Music as well as an arbiter and initiator of future pop cultural trends in music and fashion.

Velo’s Sound Station’s slogan ‘Pop Don’t Stop’ is a manifestation of what Velo Sound Station stands for. The phrase serves as a chant for the masses because it connects the audience to their daily lives and values. Music, fashion and a complete Pop-culture lifestyle with the added perk of being able to witness one’s preferences as part of the audience.

Bilal Maqsood has said that the upcoming series is “very audio-visual in terms of dynamics with pop fashion as an underlying theme; and songs with a very performance-based element to them with movement on stage and a surrounding, energetic crowd”.

Watch out for the upcoming songs to be released on Friday November 27^th 2020 on the digital Pop Cultural music series Velo sound station 2020.

Coke Studio releases “ASMA-UL-HUSNA” recited by Atif Aslam.

Coke Studio announces the release of “ asma-ul-husna ” the 99 attributes of Allah, recited by Atif Aslam. The three and a half minute track is produced by Zulfiqar “Xulfi” Jabbar Khan, while the video is directed by Asim Raza.

Inscribed into the cultural memory of Pakistan, “ asma-ul-husna ” has taken different colours worldwide, profoundly impacting audiences with its verses. Coke Studio’s version manifests a multi-layer soundscape, beginning with the actual sounds of black hole collision, followed by the echoes of “Allah” from the iconic azaan of Makkah. The recitation borrows 24 voices from across the country to build a large vocal acapella personality and to further enhance the grandeur of the acapella, Melvin Arthur, a virtuoso musician from Quetta Pakistan, worked on crafting the choir arrangement using vocals from around the world. The track also demonstrates a unique arrangement of duffs as their grand ensemble reverberates in a large space. The whole composition finally comes together seamlessly in the vocals of Atif Aslam reciting the powerful verses.

Indeed, the release comes at an unprecedented time of crisis with the whole world gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic and the fear, anxiety and uncertainty it has brought with it. Pakistan’s front-line workers, from doctors, nurses, security personnel, and janitorial staff continuously risk their lives to help serve those affected.

In these testing circumstances, the release of “ asma-ul-husna ” is an ode to the unwavering human spirit, an expression of spiritual healing and nourishment, and a reassurance of better times ahead. The recitation ends poignantly with “Al-Saboor” or translates possessor of enduring patience, conveying a message of calm and endurance.

Speaking about the release of “ asma-ul-husna ”, Mr. Fahad Ashraf, General Manager, Coca-Cola Pakistan & Afghanistan Region, stated, “Pakistan is a deeply spiritual and indeed resilient nation, drawing on incredible reservoirs of strength in trying times. At a time when we are going through a critical moment in history, we release “ asma-ul-husna ” in cognisance of the beautiful human spirit, endeavoring to share a sense of calm, positivity and hope in the collective consciousness of the nation through the contemplative and reassuring nature of the verses.”

“ asma-ul-husna ” can be viewed here: