Asim Abbasi

Asim Abbasi has done what no filmmaker has been able to do this year. For all the films that released this year, it is Asim Abbasi who has excited critics and fans alike. It isn’t because of the star-studded cast featuring Fawad Khan. Or just that. Abbasi’s past work (Cake, Churails) has convinced Pakistani drama and cinema aficionados as well as naysayers that he has (a) the talent to tell stories in a fashion that is stylistically different, (b) his ideas are strong and he has the ability to create complex narratives and (c) his work is cerebral but easy to understand.

Dog Days of Summer

This summer’s scorching heat takes “dog days” literally. It’s brutal, especially for regions with no electricity, forcing people onto sweltering streets at 3 am. Humidity and high temperatures are bad enough, but add power outages, and the situation becomes unbearable. Heatstroke deaths rise with no home comfort possible. These are true dog days, particularly for those enduring hours without electricity.

Emmys

Ah, the Emmys. The award show that’s about as predictable as a toddler with a juice box - one minute sunshine and smiles, the next, a sugary explosion all over the carpet. For every nomination they nail, they whiff on ten others with the grace of an ostrich on roller skates. Sure, they sprinkled a few nominations where they belong, but somehow, inexplicably, Kate Winslet and Nicole Kidman got lost in the Emmy shuffle. Did their characters vanish into a plot hole so deep it swallowed their award-worthy performances whole? The mystery remains unsolved! And the category confusion? Don’t even get me started. It’s a chaotic mess, a glorious trainwreck you just can’t look away from.

Coke Studio

Coke Studio 14’s massive success set a high bar. Season 15, arriving over a year later, introduced fresh faces alongside veteran artists. Did it top Season 14? Not quite. But the show’s return sparked discussions among music fans. Stay tuned for a deeper dive next week!

Barzakh

Barzakh, which means purgatory, will have aired its first episode by the time you read this. This six-episode series, directed by Asim Abbasi and filmed in the picturesque Hunza Valley, tackles a variety of subjects including mental health, postpartum depression, generational trauma, and gender inclusivity. Often neglected in our reality, these issues are brought to light by Barzakh, prompting us to confront them both personally and collectively.

Fawad Khan

Fawad Khan doesn’t indulge in social media. Accounts like his Instagram are only active when he’s promoting a commercial or, better yet, a film. But Pakistan’s favorite Khan has admitted he’s no longer interested in television work. His biggest film, The Legend of Maula Jatt, took a staggering 10 years to release in 2022. With this lengthy production in mind, one wonders how long he might wait for a potential sequel or another film of that caliber.

When he worked in Hindi films, he charmed even those he never shared the screen with. So, if he is missing Bollywood and has decided to work in a film (with Vaani Kapoor) to be shot in the United Kingdom, we can’t really judge him. Pakistani cinema is still developing. For an actor of Fawad Khan’s popularity, India might be the right call at this point in his career. It’s important to separate artistic and cultural pursuits from patriotism.

Gestational podcasts

If you think I’m talking about podcasts on pregnancy, please get away from that idea as fast as Usain Bolt runs. No, I’m talking about the birth of podcasts in Pakistan. There was a novelty to them when there were a few of them. But now, with celebrity podcasts, journalists-turned-celebrity podcast, reaction podcasts, it is like an avalanche has fallen upon us. It feels like you need to dedicate an entire day just to listen to all podcasts to learn whatever it is that you want to learn about celebrities or politics and if you dig deeper, you will realize, the two are connected because in one of these many podcasts, celebrities will share their views about politicians that will leave you stunned. In one of these podcasts, a popular artist will talk about something they’d never admit to a journalist. The camaraderie between celebrities is revealing. As a consequence, it feels like getting lost in podcasts.

Mo Azmi

Mo Azmi likes to stay under the radar and prefers not to give interviews. However, if you think of any film or music video where the cinematography has made you think or captivated you, chances are Mo Azmi was probably the director of photography. He is the cinematographer of Barzakh, Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam, Churails, Laal Kabootar, Cake, Lala Begum, and other films as well. He has also made his mark on music videos, including Meher Jaffri’s ‘Ishq Kinara’ and Kamal Khan’s ‘The Desert Journey.’ There seems to be no form of filmmaking where Mo Azmi hasn’t applied his craft, including shorts such as Jamil Dehlavi’s Blood Money. These are some of his projects where Azmi has shown his creative spark, demonstrating that cinematography can be exciting and cohesive to the narrative and the story a director is trying to tell. Any production can have stirring performances, but if Mo Azmi is involved, he will elevate the project. Mo Azmi is like the superman we desperately needed but never knew we needed until he arrived and through his work made us realize we (‘Truly Madly Deeply’) did.

Wajahat, Aashir

Wajahat Rauf is a well-established filmmaker. Before entering the film industry, he had roots in music – just ask Noori [a Pakistani musical band]. Following in his father’s footsteps, Aashir Wajahat has embarked on a career in both cinema and music.

This year has been his biggest yet. He appeared in Nabeel Qureshi’s film Na Baligh Afraad and also performed on Coke Studio Season 15 (which we’ll discuss next week). In my opinion, Na Baligh Afraad is Nabeel Qureshi’s weakest film to date, but Aashir Wajahat’s acting talent shines. In fact, his performance, along with Samar Jafri’s, is one of the film’s saving graces. Nepotism may be prevalent, but so what? Okay, no, we didn’t mean to be so cavalear! In Aashir Wajahat’s case, at least his acting ability is undeniable. And a lot of people like his singing as well so maybe there is some talent there. Let us not judge, or not judge so openly. Netizens, go anonymous.

Spotify

Spotify waltzed into Pakistan a few years back, and by the looks of it, they’re unpacking their picnic basket for a long stay. They’ve even started plastering Pakistani artists on billboards in Times Square – a monthly dose of “who dis?” for the bewildered New Yorkers. Hey, global recognition is global recognition, even if it comes with a side of confusion. The best part? Most of these featured artists are women, thanks to Spotify’s EQUAL Pakistan initiative. We’re not complaining, mind you. Girl power anthems blaring through our headphones are a definite upgrade from air guitar solos inspired by questionable historical figures.

Of course, with this newfound access comes the joy (or should we say, dread?) of discovering new listening habits. Turns out, there’s a whole subgenre dedicated to yodeling hamsters. Who knew?

And let’s not forget the artists who seem to have permanently glued themselves to the top of the charts. We’re looking at you, “Indestructible Love Ballad” guy. We get it, you’re in love. But maybe give some other artists a chance to breathe?

Zindagi Jahan Le Jaaye

Faisal Kapadia’s solo debut, aptly titled Zindagi Jahan Le Jaaye (Let Life Take Me Wherever... Preferably Out of Here). Sure, the title might not be a thinly veiled jab at Pakistan’s current political climate, and it absolutely screams confidence in his artistic journey. But hey, with Pakistan seemingly in a permanent game of musical chairs where everyone’s scrambling for the exit door, the title kinda fits, wouldn’t you say? After all, it’s not every day a musical legend breaks free from a 30-year stint with Strings to find solace in pastures less...free-falling. Mr. Kapadia, already residing in the U.A.E. before Strings disbanded, likely saw this as the perfect time to, well, take life wherever it leads...preferably with better weather and a more stable economy.

Hasan Raheem

Can I just say ‘Peechay Hatt’ one more time? Okay, okay, I get it, it’s a bop. We can all admit Coke Studio magic works sometimes, even if we play it on repeat until our neighbors develop a twitch.

Moving on, how about his playful duet with Natasha Noorani, ‘Faltu Pyar’? Because who doesn’t love a good dose of tables being turned, especially when it comes to matters of the heart? Now, let’s get down to business. My personal Hasan Raheem shrine features a prominent spot for his breakout song, ‘Aisay Kaisay’. Yes, the one with the iconic pink hoodie - a fashion statement so bold, it deserves its own documentary. Singing like a lovelorn poet with the lyrical prowess of Shakespeare, all while channeling his inner R&B king? Okay, maybe Shakespeare is a stretch, but hey, the man can emote! Working with heavyweights like Abdullah Kasumbi and Talal Qureshi, Hasan Raheem isn’t just here for the short haul. He’s more like the musical equivalent of a five-course meal - complex, satisfying, and here to stay.

Let’s face it, Hasan Raheem has carved out his own unique space in the industry, one that’s as comfortable as a well-worn pair of sneakers – and infinitely cooler. Move over, generic pop stars, there’s a new king in town, and his name rhymes with ‘dream’.

Umro Ayyar: A New Beginning

Umro Ayyar: A New Beginning wasn’t half bad and avoided the disaster we feared. However, one question has lingered since my viewing: who decided to cast Usman Mukhtar in the lead? Faran Tahir undeniably stole the show as the villain, and Sana Nawaz impressed as the sorceress. Her casting was a genuine surprise, and she deserves more opportunities in Pakistani cinema. It’s a shame, then, that with Ali Kazmi on board, Usman Mukhtar was chosen in a major role, and given significant screen time. Casting is crucial. A miscast can prevent someone who enjoyed the film from revisiting it. For Pakistani cinema to thrive, casting needs to be on point. This doesn’t negate Usman Mukhtar’s acting ability. He’s talented, but simply not the right fit for this sci-fi, magic realist, historical fiction.

–Photography by Nadir Firoz Khan