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Interview
Ali Zafar
The B TOWN HERO! Ali Zafar, a name that gained popularity in Bollywood and made us all proud as a nation, is now starring in David Dhavan’s remake of Sai Paranjpe’s 1981 classic, Chashme Buddoo. Ali plays Siddarth’s character in the film which is scheduled for release on April 5th, 2013. “When I saw the original Chashme Buddoor, I knew that the plot must retain its authenticity. While it must have been a challenge to adapt it into modern times and aesthetics, David has done a brilliant job. It provides entertainment for the entire family and I think we are all excited about it.” –Ali Zafar Lounge recently interviewed Ali and asked him questions about his recent Bollywood ventures. How did you bag this movie? And what were your reasons for accepting this project? Ali: I was approached for the role and the script was great. You know a good thing when you see it. I think, as an actor, one finds a
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Like the three buddies in this movie- Sid, Jai and Omi, did you also have close friends in school/college and are you in touch with them? Can you recall some of the best memories of your time with them? Ali: Of course! We keep in touch and there are too many great memories to count.
bit of himself in every character. I would certainly like to think that I’m cultured! Since the movie also depicts fake kidnapping, how was the experience of shooting this sequence in the today’s world? Ali: It was great. The team was brilliant and amazingly professional. Working with such people makes you bring your A-game everyday. Would you like to plot your own fake kidnapping or somebody else’s fake kidnapping someday? Ali: God no! As a prank it could be fun, but only with close friends. If I come to think of it, I do have some scores to settle! (laughs) Since the movie talks about impressing the girl next door, have you ever used your singing skills and charm to impress a girl while you were in school or college? Ali: (Laughs) Haven’t we all?! The
answer is yes! (grins) Talking about your marriage, what keeps the bond between you and Ayesha strong? Ali: Compassion, loyalty, individuality and love. Azaan is three years old now! How is fatherhood treating you? Ali: Everyday is a treat!
From the tender age itself, you started doing wonders in the art field, be it creating comic books to later work at Pearl Continental Hotel as a novice, tell us about your first job that you undertook and what did you do with the salary that you earned from it? Ali: Well, there were many jobs that I did that led to the release of my first album, but it was definitely the gig at PC that did wonders for my career. I invested all my earnings from that into recording the album. Would you like to open an institute for training the youth in art, drama and music?
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Ali: You know that is something to aspire for—perhaps one day. Is this the best phase of your life? If not, what do you consider the best phase in your life? Ali: I take life as it comes and I have no regrets. Every day is the best phase you can go through. A whole lot of Pakistani artists are coming to India for performances and other work in showbiz. Is it just because of the allure
Bollywood has or because of fewer opportunities in Pakistan? Ali: I think it is neither. We forget that we really were one people before the partition. Most artists are eager to explore new places and where better to do it than in India! How is Bollywood seen in Pakistan? Ali: We love it! What is a day in the life of Ali Zafar like? Ali: Highly charged! (laughs) How do you manage all your professions so well at the same time? A l i : Compartmentalize and go where the heart leads. Talking about music, you have worked in all genres like pop, electronic, folk, classical and sufi rock, What genre you would like to
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explore next? Ali: I’m always open to new challenges – I think the next album will be quite a surprise. Are you working on any new album or track currently? Ali: Certainly. The album is in the production phase. Hopefully you’ll hear more about it soon. Tell us about your upcoming movie- Aman Ki Asha and Kill Dill? Ali: Aman Ki Asha is a remake of a Spanish film adapted by Neeraj Pandey and directed by E. Nivas. I am passionate about the substance of the script. You will have to wait and keep an eye out for that one. Kill Dil is another YRF film. I am actually very excited about this role because action has been my favourite genre since I was a child. It will star Ranveer Singh and Parineeti Chopra. How is the sequel to Tere Bin Ladin shaping up? Ali: This is the first time I’m hearing about it! No such plans for a sequel on my end yet.
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When Life Gives You Lemons
15 benefits of the citrus delight
L
emons are known to be one of the most versatile fruits on the planet and are used for a variety of purposes ranging from skincare to weight-loss. The Ancient Egyptians believed that consuming lemons was an effective means of protection against various poisons. Contemporary research has shown that while lemons are acidic to taste,
they are alkaline-forming in the body and can be used to balance ph levels and reduce acidity. The most well-known health benefits of lemons are their strong anti-bacterial immunity-boosting power and their function as a weight loss aid as lemon juice is helps in digestion and cleanses the liver. Lemons contain many sought-after
substances in their organic form such as citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavanoids, pectin and limonene that help in strengthening the body’s defense mechanism against a number of diseases. Here are some of the best hidden health secrets of lemons:
Acne Aid
Lemon contains citric acid, which can be helpful in treating acne. Additionally, the vitamin C found in lemons is essential for a healthy, glowing complexion and its alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria that are known to cause acne. The most effective way to reap the benefits of the lemon is to have a lemon juice with warm water at least twice a day.
Calming Effect
Lemon oil has become an important agent in aromatherapy. Research has shown that lemon balm has a calming effect and therefore may be able to help remove fatigue, exhaustion, wooziness, nervousness, and tension. It is also believed that inhaling lemon oil helps in increasing concentration
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and alertness. It can therefore be used as a room freshener in offices to increase the efficiency of employees.
Case Against Cankers
The proven antibacterial and antiviral properties of lemons can accelerate the healing process in a bad case of cankers. Mix the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon into a glass of lukewarm water and rinse your mouth with this solution; do this three times a day. Additionally, mix lemon juice with 1tsp of honey and hot water to calm your throat— it’s an age old remedy.
Cure Your Cold
When you have a cold, the healing power of lemons works both internally, by supplying urgently required vitamin C to your defense cells, and externally, through the application of its antiviral properties to the virus on the mucous membranes in the nose and throat. Drink the freshly squeezed juice of a lemon in a glass of lukewarm water
at two hour intervals.
Fight Fatigue
When fatigue sets in it might be helpful to have a glass of lemon water as studies show that it stimulates brain activity. A small amount of lemon juice will quench thirst more effectively than water.
Refresh Your Mouth
Lemons can help freshen up breath that has gone sour after consuming certain spices, cigarettes, or bad breath that is caused by insufficient salivation. To keep your breath fresh, thoroughly rinse your mouth several times a day with the freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon in a glass of lukewarm water.
Mitigate Nausea
Ever had that feeling of indigestion after consuming a heavy meal or generally felt nauseated? Lemon juice might just be the cure for that. For the most effective treatment, slice a lemon in half and suck on it for a few minutes.
Anti-Acidity Treatment Lemon juice has a powerful alkaline effect once it enters the digestive tract and it is known to be a natural agent against excess acid, which may be responsible for rheumatism. Drink the freshly squeezed juice of two lemons thrice a day.
Cancer Shield Lemons contain 22 anti-cancer compounds, including naturally occurring limonene; oil which slows or halts the growth of cancer tumors in animals and flavonol glycosides which stop cell division in cancer cells.
Keep Down The Calories Add the juice of one lemon to a glass of water and viola!—you have a refreshing summer drink. You need not fear packing on the pounds because this great alternate to sodas and juices has 12 calories (or less)
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Books
Of two select journals By Syed Afsar Sajid
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his review is meant to cover two important journals, recently published from Lahore and Faisalabad: Savera is an old but prestigious literary journal from Lahore, running into the 68th year of its publication – purported to be a repository of literature, art and culture, and the Journal of Social Sciences is an internationally acclaimed publication of GC University, Faisalabad.
Savera
The first issue of Savera saw the light of day in the year 1945 – with Nazir Ahmad Chaudhry of Naya Idara as its editor-publisher. The advent of the magazine coincided with the rise of the Progressive Writers’ Movement in the subcontinent. Initially, it was designed as a literary magazine but latterly it also began to cover forms of art and culture other than literature viz., the visual arts, music, television, and film. The uninterrupted publication of the magazine for nearly seven decades is in itself a silent tribute to its publishers (enthused with the spirit of art and literature) who have at various junctures held the reins of its management, not for any lucrative gain but on purely literary
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considerations w i t h o u t of course, compromising on the quality of its contents. E m i n e n t journalist Khalid Hassan once made a witty but pertinent remark about Savera that it was a magazine ‘that refuses to die’. T h e editorial history of the journal is embellished with such names as Sahir Ludhianvi, A h m a d Nadeem Qasmi, Ahmad Rahi, Muhammad Hanif Ramay, Salahuddin Mahmood, Salim-urRahman and Riaz Ahmad. The literary tradition that the magazine
Savera (89) Editors: Muhammad Salim-ur-Rahman; Riaz Ahmad Publishers: Qausain, 15-Circular Road, Urdu Bazaar, Lahore Distributors: Ilqa Publications, 12-K, Main Boulevard, Gulberg II, Lahore Pages: 308; Price: Rs250/-
vigorously seeks to uphold, rests on ‘social realism, revolutionary vigour and a sense of commitment to the common people’. The dust cover of the current issue is a handiwork of Muhammad Hanif Ramay whereas its contents include some well written essays on sundry literary topics by Khurshid Rizvi, Asad Muhammad Khan, Shahid Hameed, Mahmood Gilani and Muhammad Sali-ur-Rahman; a pen-portrait of Mumtaz Mufti by Zulfiqar Ahmad Tabish; a few pieces of ghazal and nazm by Qazi Habibur-Rahman, Amin Rahat Chughtai, Sabir Zafar, Qazi Zafar Iqbal, Aamir
Sohail, Khurram Khiram Siddiqui, Tahir Saeed Haroon, Hameeda Shaheen, Rana Ghazanfar Abbas, Muhammad Shahid Usman, Tanvir Qazi, Dr. Farhat Shah (introduction and translation by Mustansar Hussain Tarar), and Riaz Ahmad; a ‘trance’ titled La-Sha’oor ki Diary by Munir-ud-Din Ahmad; a novelette titled Pandrah Jhoot aur Tanhai ki Dhoop by Muhammad Iqbal Diwan; short stories by Asad Muhammad Khan, Gulzar, Najamud-Din Ahmad, and Muhammad Abbas; and two short letters by Krishan Chander, addressed to Riaz Ahmad and Abdullah Hussein. Most of the writings in the magazine seem to conform to its avowed objectives adumbrated elsewhere in this review. Hence it would not be presumptuous to assume that the journal will appeal to the common reader of literature in the same measure as the initiated one.
Journal of Social Sciences
Journal of Social Sciences (August 2012) Patron: Prof. Dr. Zakir Hussain, VC, GC University, Faisalabad Editor: Prof. Ghulam Ghous Publisher: GC University, Faisalabad Pages: 208; Price: Rs300/- (Annual)
G C University Faisalabad seems to have come of age under the dynamic leadership of Prof. Dr. Zakir Hussain, a veteran educationist and an able a d m i n i s t r a t o r. The current issue of the journal
would serve as an indicator with regard to this observation as it carries quality research articles on certain vital literary, socio-cultural and scholastic issues, by some reputed native and foreign scholars. The subjects broached in these articles relate to the administration of justice in the reign of Akbar and Awrangzeb, a gender-based analysis of job satisfaction of medical doctors in district Gujrat, the humanities and their relevance to national development in Nigeria, the significance of gender in the use of learning and study strategies, an appraisal of the induction of Islamic philosophy in modern social sciences, urban poverty and livelihood strategies in colonial Lagos, a critique of comprador class in Muhammad Hanif’s ‘A case of exploding mangoes’, a critical analysis of Pakistan’s role in the OIC, a study of sales force motivation out of organizational justice, an analytical study of 1937 as a watershed year in the history of Freedom Movement, socio-political problems of language teaching in Nigeria, comparative study of Akhbar-e-Jahan and Mag Weekly in the backdrop of the cultural values and language in advertisements of Pakistani Urdu and English magazines, study of Peshawarbased female journalists vis-à-vis the problems of Pakistani women journalists, media and society, and female poverty and its social and economic causes in Pakistan. Some book reviews by this reviewer and Muhammad Raza Taimoor also form part of the issue in view. The journal is a veritable compendium of research and scholarship. However, it is hoped that its interactive canvas in different areas of academic research will gradually be widened to some more foreign universities beyond those of Nigeria with a view to enriching its content and appeal.
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