The Mass Foundation, a parallel theatre company, staged a powerful play on Friday night at Alhamra Arts Centre, The Mall.

Story of the 80-minute play ‘Guddo’ was based on the pressing issue of child sexual abuse. It was written and directed by Amir Nawaz, the force behind Mass Foundation. It highlighted and criticised the media’s insensitivity towards aggrieved families while reporting a rape case.

The play was set in a village and revolved around a girl, Guddo. How her family went through the darkest of times when she was sexually assaulted and murdered by a thug who is also her father’s friend and how the media manipulated the entire situation turned it into a heart-rending play. A saint, the symbol of all things good, who wandered in the streets of the village and preached goodness, balanced the story.

Director Nawaz told this reporter they had staged the same play in 2007 for the first time at Alhamra during Panjnad Festival.

“We have staged this play for the second time keeping in view the ever-increasing incidents of child sexual abuse in the country,” he added.

The cast of the play included Amir Ali, Abid Husain, Zaheer Taj, Esha Malik and Safina. Music was composed by Wahdat Rameez. The foundation plans to take the play to India in December.

A special premiere show of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan’s debut Bollywood film, ‘Khoobsurat’ opposite Sonam Kapoor, was organised by IMGC at SuperCinema Vogue Towers.

A bevy of celebrities attended the event, including star couple Samina and Usman Peerzada, veteran actress Nisho and her singer son Hamza as well as other personalities from the film and TV world. People from other walks of life were also present at the event.

Talking exclusively to Dawn about the film, Samina Peerzada said: “It’s a fun film. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope it does well.”

Commenting on Fawad and his acting in ‘Khoobsurat’, Samina said: “He looks really graceful as Prince Vikram; so elegant and beautiful. He has not disappointed at all. He has emerged. I’m so proud of him. The Indian media has also liked him from the reviews I’ve read. He has acted well, delivered his dialogues well till the last moment. This is the beauty of our talent from Pakistan. We have something special that makes us successful in anything we do in India. Look at Zeba Bakhtiar, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Noor Jehan, Abida Perveen, Ghulam Ali and Ali Zafar. They all made their own space and did not have to compete with Indian artistes.”

Samina went on to say that ‘Khoobsurat’ has created new grounds for Indo-Pak friendship.

“Our talent ends up charming the Indian audiences and this is the first step towards peace. Media on both sides are building bridges. I’m so proud of them. They’ve made our people stars in India, all thanks to the Zindagi channel. I feel this is my personal triumph as I’m also a part of this industry. I’m very happy and proud,” the veteran actress/filmmaker concluded.

The Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) in collaboration with L’Oréal Paris has revealed the names of participating fashion designers in the 4th PFDC L’Oréal Paris Bridal Week 2014 being held in Lahore from Sept 30 to Oct 2. The event is set to present contemporary and traditional bridal fashion, make-up and hair trends, fusing to create the ‘look’ for the 2014-2015 bridal season.

The showcasing designers include Ali Xeeshan Theatre Studio, Ammara Khan, Asifa & Nabeel, Fahad Hussayn, HSY, Karma, Misha Lakhani, Nickie Nina, Nida Azwer, Nomi Ansari, Saira Shakira, Sana Safinaz, Sania Maskatiya, Shamaeel Ansari and Zara Shahjahan in addition to the Bank Al-Falah Rising Talent Show comprising five emerging bridal designers Akif Mahmood, Mahgul, Seher Tareen, Sofia Chishti and Wardha Saleem.

The PFDC will also be providing the participating designers with promotional exhibition space to showcase their collections at the PFDC Boulevard Lahore store after the event concludes.

The Pakistani Academy Selection Committee has selected ‘Dukhtar’ to be submitted for consideration in the ‘Foreign Language Film’ award category at the 87th Academy Awards. The movie was selected through a secret ballot and was selected following an overwhelming choice of the committee members.

As per standard practice, films selected by each individual country’s Academy Selection Committee are submitted to the Academy for screening, shortlisting and voting with official Oscar nominees announced at a later date.

In 2013, the Pakistani committee selected ‘Zinda Bhaag’ as the first Pakistani film in over 50 years to be submitted for Oscar consideration.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will choose the final nominees for all award categories by Jan 8, 2015. The complete and final list of Oscar nominees will be announced on Jan 15 with the 87th Academy Awards show scheduled for Feb 22. --Shoaibahmed1964@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, September 21th, 2014