Ali Zafar ‘rocks a stunt’ ahead of second flick

Pakistani prince of pop, Ali Zafar, whose second Bollywood film `Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' is in the final stages of production, will be seen playing a larger-than-life rock star cameo in a flick `Luv Ka The End' (releasing on May 6). The announcement of his guest appearance has already stirred a lot of excitement for film viewers. Ali Zafar has sung and performed a cheerful and catchy number, F.U.N FUN FUNAA, the most anticipated performance of the movie, right at its climax. Ali Zafar has been popular among the youth and now the singer is going to make his onscreen presence in a character that represents the star himself. The accolades and praise he is receiving from an industry comprising talented superstars are gratifying indeed not only for Ali himself but also for his fans. However singing and dancing is not all that Ali Zafar did in `Luv Ka The End.' During the climax he had to perform a big stunt sequence and he refused to use a stunt driver. He surprised those at the set by doing all the breakneck driving himself. Y- films, is a new division of the Yash Raj Films catering specifically to the youth. The singer has not charged any money for the role, instead he asked for a donation to a charity of his choice. * * * * * * On Saturday night Pakistan National Council of Arts arranged a dance evening at a local hotel on The Mall to mark the International Dance Day (April 29). It was the first function by PNCA's Lahore office at some other venue; formerly such evenings used to be held at Shakir Ali Museum. The reason for celebrating international dance day at such a venue was to change the class of the audience. "Elite should also know about the contribution of the council to the promotion of art," a PNCA official shared the comment with this reporter. The seating arrangement was not comfortable; neither had it allowed back benchers to have a clear view of the stage due to variable heights of people. The audience was a mix of elite and middle class. Dances were presented on various themes which included Kathak, Peacock dance, Salsa and City Nights. There were also dances on poetic renditions such as `Aaj Rang Hai', `Piya Nahi Aye' and a dance based on romantic saga from the Mughal love story — Anarkali. The night primarily offering dance performances also included vocal and instrumental performances. Ustad Shabbir Hussain Jhari played on `tabla' and Ustad Akbar Ali Khan on `sitar'. Vocalist Nayab Ali Khan presented some items as well. World Dance Day is celebrated on April 29 through promotion by the International Dance Council — an umbrella organisation within Unesco. Among the goals of the day are to increase awareness about the importance of dance among the general public as well as to persuade governments all over the world to provide a proper place for dance in all systems of education, from primary to higher. * * * * * * It has been years since one finds an exhibition in art galleries of Lahore based on the current dismal scenario of the country. Terrorism, loadshedding, poverty, injustice, price hike and there are many such issues which should be portrayed. One mostly sees `stereotype' exhibitions offering artworks more viable for the commercial market. Art being produced in the Fine Arts domain and presented in private art galleries has no appeal for those who look for issues. There is nothing different in the case of government-run art galleries except that sometimes some young artist does put effort to paint something different. Recently an exhibition of paintings by a Sindh-based artisit, Sarfraz Musawir, opened at the Collectors Art Gallery, Alhamra Cultural Complex. It was an exhibition like many other shows. * * * * * * A music night dedicated to literary giants such as Sadi, Iqbal, Ghalib and Faiz was arranged at Iranian Cultural Center a few days ago introducing young singers to the audience, who sang Ghazal and Sufi Kalam. The evening was organised by the Culture and Youth Empowerment Society in collaboration with Cultural Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The event commenced with `Qasida Burda Sharif.' The young singers and musicians sang `Burda Sharif' with such devotion and affection that the audience got fully engrossed in its melodic composition. The `Qasida' was composed by late Mian Sheharyar, a Lahore-based musician. The amateur singers tried to sing to their ability and listeners appreciated their effort by big rounds of applause. Some of the Ghazals sung by the young voices were `Dayara-e-Ghair Mein Apna Maqaam Paida Ker', `Koi Umeed Bar Nahi Ati' and `Guloon Mein Rang Bharay.' Folk singer Shaukat Ali also sang a few items on the occasion. A large number of students, music fanciers and people from other walks of life attended the evening. — Shoaib Ahmed