Hot Mic

The jury of the 12 th  annual Kinofestival "Light of the world” gives out honorable mention to Pakistani documentary, Station of Life, a short observational film about the lives of coolies. The project with its executive producers, Shoaib Adil and Syed Ovais Ali, was cinematographed by Aisha B. The docu “Station of Life- Broken but not Shattered” was directed and produced by Khalid Hasan Khan. Station of Life, as per the filmmaker; “is a fly on the wall documentary with minimal intrusion, which shows a lot while keeping its distance by telephotoing the touching images of pitiful porters with a detailing approach, all in a day’s work of these labor-intensive subjects”. It primarily captured the toil of porters at Karachi Cantonment Station, who work from dawn to dusk, by the dint of their hard work, for a handful of money. Most of these overburdened workmen sleep on the station benches or platforms and have no care or shelter available to them. A vast majority of these hamals, cons...

  Twinkling without Shining, a documentary about the lost childhood of Afghan refugee children, based in Pakistan, for the last many years, has won the Special Jury Prize, from the 5th Annual Golden Wheat Awards, held in Istanbul, Turkey. Khalid Hasan Khan has directed and produced this documentary film, which was co-produced by Mohsin S. Jaffri and Syed Owais Ali, with Zahid Raja as the director of photography. After Unmasking, Murder of Mystic, The Painterist, Barefoot with Godfather of Soccer; Twinkling without Shining is Khalid Hasan Khan's fifth consecutive award-winning endeavor. These film projects have won fifteen international awards. Twinkling without Shining has been filmed in the provincial capital of Sindh, Karachi, where displaced Afghan children are living in makeshift shelters, on the sidewalks of different business and residential neighborhoods. They earn their living by picking up recyclable items from the rubbish heaps, on the streets of Karachi. The documentary ...

Sania Maskatiya launches the much-awaited Spring/Summer ’22 Luxe Lawn Collection   Multi-award-winning fashion house Sania Maskatiya has proudly launched its much-awaited Spring/Summer Luxe Lawn Collection. Staying true to the title, the collection is an embodiment of classic hues, unique compositions, and delicate patterns steeped in tradition yet embracing modernity with a touch of romance. ​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ With a diverse colour palette and material ranging from cotton, jacquard, lawn to chiffon & silk and details such as intricate embroidery, the collection exudes elegance and sophistication that’s in line with Sania Maskatiya’s luxe, limited edition lawn line. “Our lawn collection focusses on elegance as equally as quality. Our designs channel an inherently classic sensibility while also speaking to and introducing trends for the season.” said Sania Maskatiya.

Pakistan’s trending retail brand, Image celebrated the launch of its most coveted Printkari’22 collection via an exclusive influencers meet up at Image’s newly launched outlet in Rawalpindi Saddar. Printkari endeavours to create a perfect balance between fashion and comfort and includes 13 unstitched, 3 piece suits, in a range of designs and colours to cater to different tastes, starting at only PKR 5,990/- Printkari’22 is an amalgamation of Image’s signature embroideries on printed lawn canvases; timeless beauties using vivid colour ways and prints that have been artistically rendered in Image’s signature aesthetic, just in time for the Pakistani summer. The launch of the new collection was also graced by Mr. Asim Malik - Senior President Rawalpindi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (RCCI). Further, the design philosophy of Image’s Rawalpindi Flagship store is testament to the brand’s commitment to provide customer friendly retail experience. The new store is home to the entir...

COKE STUDIO RELEASES THE NINTH SONG FROM SEASON 14 “MUAZIZ SAARIF” Coke Studio brings together the sibling duo of Meesha Shafi and Faris Shafi with Muaziz Saarif , the ninth song from Season 14. It was the artistic pairing in Muaziz Saarif that first came to Xulfi; the idea of a hybrid genre of music flowing naturally from it. To create this unusual track, he enlisted Associate Music Producers ActionZain and Abdullah Siddiqui to uplevel their great working relationships with artists Faris Shafi and Meesha Shafi. The talent mixes into a provocative track with thorns under its pop sheen. Here two worlds meet under Coke Studio’s roof: the sensitive prankster and the high-fashion wildcat. Faris and Meesha let loose in a dramatic home, with each Harris Khatri-designed room lusher than the one before. The siblings speak their truths unapologetically, letting Video Director Kamal Khan amplify the realness by matching the song’s easy flow with a one-take video.   ActionZain an...

The third edition of the country’s most coveted women’s award, Kashmir HUM Women Leaders Award was held at the Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad, under the international women’s day theme “to make the cross and break the bias”. The event honoured and celebrated 11 iconic women and a dynamic man from Pakistan and abroad for their contributions and achievements in the fields of social work, healthcare, judiciary, human rights, science, education, art and architecture. The awards ceremony was graced by Dr Arif Alvi, President Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Canadian High Commissioner Wendy Gilmour, British High Commissioner Christian Turner, Minister of Science and Technology Shibli Faraz, Federal Minister for IPC Fehmida Mirza and other dignitaries. The event started with the national anthem after which hosts of the evening Ahsan Khan and Mira Sethi invited President HUM Network Sultana Siddiqui to address the audience. After thanking President Arif Alvi and the honourable guests for...

  ZEE5 Global announces Zindagi’s next original ‘Mrs. & Mr. Shameem’; premiering on 11 th  March 2022  Featuring Nauman Ijaz and Saba Qamar, the show conveys a new meaning of true love Copious love stories exist around us, each one equally unique. However, it's time the conventional mould built by society is dropped and the meaning of true love is explored through a new lens. ZEE5 Global’s Zindagi original “Mrs. & Mr. Shameem” is set to premiere globally on 11 th March on ZEE5 Global , the largest platform for South Asian Content, and paints a real picture of love for the viewers, one that originates from a sense of belonging and friendship. Featuring prominent actors Saba Qamar and Nauman Ijaz as Mrs. & Mr. Shameem; the series is directed by noted director Kashif Nisar who has helmed several artistic drama series including shows Dumpukht - Aatish E Ishq, and O Rangreza. The show has been written by Sajjad Gul (Saji), a contemporary playwright with a foc...