Film Director Shoaib Mansoor is expected to create ripples in the celluloid world by unveiling his second film 'Bol'. He kept the production of his debut film 'Khuda Kay Liye' as director in low profile, which set tongues wagging.

The film critics believe his second movie would trigger a debate on women's issues like his previous venture did by throwing open a debate on various interpretations of Islam.

'Bol' has recently been passed by the Pakistan Film Censor Board and is expected to be released in January 2011. The film is set in Lahore and its cast includes Humaima Malik, Atif Aslam, Iman Ali, Mahira Khan, Shafqat Cheema, Manzar Sehbai and Zaib Rehman. A number of students of the Film and Television Department of the National College of Arts have assisted Shoaib in the production of 'Bol'.

Shoaib has written, produced and directed hit TV shows such as 'Ankahi', 'Fifty Fifty', 'Alpha Bravo Charlie' and 'Sunehre Din'. Between 2001 and 2003, he directed the Supreme Ishq series of songs. He has also been a successful songwriter and music composer.

He it was who introduced the Pakistani pop sensation 'Vital Signs' in the 1980s. Besides being Junaid Jamshed's mentor, he was considered the man behind his songs as he composed and produced most of the Vital Signs' albums.

His film 'Khuda Key Liye' received the Silver Pyramid Award from the Cairo International Film Festival for 2007. He has been honoured with presidential award of Pride of Performance and Sitara-i-Imtiaz by the Pakistan government.

******

The Punjab Lok Rahs staged a play 'Mahno Kahani' at Faiz Ghar on Friday last. The play revolved around the true story of man-made catastrophe of Jampur (Rajanpur district). It's a ride to experience various incidents happening with common people of Rajanpur during and after the flood.

The play written and directed by Qaisar Abbas is the part of 'Jhokan Theesan Abad Wal' -- an initiative of Punjab Lok Rahs and drama societies of 12 public-sector universities of Punjab to raise rehabilitation funds through theatre and by other creative means to assist the flood-affected people.

The cast included Asif Hoat, Faiz Rasool, Falah Nabeel, Muhammad Waqas, Sobia Zaidi, Qaisar Abbas and Mudassar Husain.

******

Hum Pakistan and White Dinning Lounge will hold a perfect Christmas present 'Goodbye 2010' on Dec 26 (today) at 6:30 pm at White Dinning Hall on M.M. Alam Road.

The evening will offer performances by various individuals and bands such as Soch, Raju RNB and Ali Raza.

******

Veena Malik is finally out of the Big Boss show. Although at some stage people thought she was a strong candidate as a finalist as she started off well, she stumbled at the finishing line.

She survived in the show till now and left it when two weeks were left. Many think she could have left the show gracefully. Not much grace had been shown either by other players of the game like Dolly who avoided handshake and the likes of Sameer who played even a nasty game. Ashmit did not vote for captaincy to his 'beloved friend Veena Malik'.

******

The Hamail Art Galleries is holding launch of book “Expression of Gratitude to Jamil Naqsh” written by Nadeem Zubari on Dec 29. It will be held along with an exhibition of paintings by Chitra Pritam.

Pritam is a disciple of Jamil Naqsh and belongs to Rahim Yar Khan. He has a number of solo and group shows to his credit.

*****

An eight-day Punjab Folk Theatre festival, which will conclude on Dec 29, is attracting a large number of people. The festival is aimed at promoting the folk culture and the tales related to it. The folk artistes are of the view that through the media and the Punjab Council of Arts platform they're getting maximum exposure related to theatre.

They demand that the Punjab government establish a fund for the promotion of folk theatre and extend support in terms of providing space to them.