Book review: The prisoner - breaking the silence

The story of a city that has been held hostage for too long.

Karachi’s truths can perhaps best — or only — be told in fiction. And Omar Shahid Hamid’s The Prisoner takes the liberty of fiction to tell the story of the city in a way that most of us can only share with a few trusted friends in a closed room.

The Prisoner revolves around the city’s biggest political party ‘UF’ that is controlled by a ‘Don’ who lives in New York. Don is referred to as only that — with a capital ‘D’ throughout the book. The Don’s ‘ward boys’ rule the land, piling up bodies, extorting money from residents, raping, torturing, and holding the city hostage over one ‘long-distance phone call’.

The main plot revolves around the kidnapping of an American journalist Jon Friedland and the pressure the Pakistani government is put under by the US over his recovery. Only one man has the sources to trace Friedland, a senior police officer Akbar Khan, who is in jail and despised by the UF for his role in the operation against the party.

The debut novel is a fascinating read of the city and the nexus between the intelligence, military, police and political forces in Karachi, and the rise of outfits as added vultures of opportunity.

The two main characters, Constantine and Akbar Khan, differ on the crucial point of extrajudicial killings. While Constantine looks up to Akbar for his competence and courage, he stands opposed to killings in police custody. Both Akbar and Constantine make strong points for their perspectives and the beauty of the novel lies in its ability to eschew hero worship. All characters have their weaknesses and the strongest of people are not presented as saints.

The pressure on the police officer is expressed by some supporting characters, some of whom only make an appearance once. An aged inspector, speaking in defence of Akbar Khan’s arrest and murder of a UF worker, says, “Every Friday, we line up on this same ground to say funeral prayers for our colleagues. I have borne the weight of too many coffins to remain silent now.”

The book then depicts the frustration and anger of police officers caught between the ugly realities of violence. The writer himself has served in the police force for 12 years and lost his father to targeted violence in the city. Omar Shahid has also been targeted during his service and was injured in 2010 when his office was attacked.

The crime thriller will be all too recognisable for the people of Karachi and anyone familiar with how the city functions. Easy parallels can be drawn between the fictional characters and their real-life counterparts, as well as incidents. The book also manages to describe the friction between different class structures and cultural variation between elite localities and the majority of the city.

The fast-paced debut novel is one of the most honest and courageous pieces of writing about Karachi’s recent past. It is a book for the weary citizens of Karachi who have been silenced for too long, who have spent their lives paying extortionists, who grew up knowing what the words ‘gunny sacks’ and ‘body bags’ meant and who could surely use some space to speak out against the decades of violence they have been subjected to. 

Published by Pan MacMillan India, the book is available for Rs716. Zehra Abid is part of the editorial team at The Express Tribune. She tweets @zehra_abid4 

Sindh Film Festival: Onir provides Pakistani talent a cross-border platform

The illustrious director held auditions at Napa, seeking to find local talent to launch in Bollywood. PHOTOS: PUBLICITY

KARACHI: 

An aspiring actor walks onstage and delivers a line. He is not doing a bad job, but still, Onir is not impressed.  He walks up to the actor, pats him on the back and says, “You’re doing a good job, but you’re forgetting that there is a camera in front of you, and that is the audience’s perspective.” It was a reality check for the actor, who was a first year theatre student at Napa (National Academy of Performing Arts), and the second take turned out to be significantly better than the first.

This was just one of the many learning moments for aspiring and professional actors who gathered at Napa to audition for Onir’s next film. The auditions were an extension of the Sindh Film festival, where Onir, the man behind critically acclaimed films like Bas Ek Pal andMy Brother Nikhil, was invited as a jury member. Though the turnout wasn’t as high as expected, due to the cancellation of previous events of the Sindh festival, Onir wasn’t disappointed.

“A couple of auditions were excellent, and there is some serious talent out here, but unfortunately most actors didn’t come under the age group that I was looking for,“ said Onir, while talking to The Expres Tribune.

Onir was looking for actors between the ages of 18-25 to launch in Bollywood as upcoming stars, but most actors who showed up were either too young or too old. He didn’t have a particular film in mind, but was looking for actors who could be trained to be future prospects, if not immediately launched. Having said that, Onir has a film set in Lucknow, and it’s the Pakistani ease with the pronunciation of Urdu that makes actors from here a gold mine for the Bangladeshi film-maker.

“One huge advantage that I find with actors over here, and something I really admire, is the language. I think the way they speak Urdu is so beautiful and graceful. It’s incredible,” says Onir.

If Onir was seeking people with accurate Urdu diction then he has chosen the right place to look, as Napa is headed by master orator Zia Mohyeddin; a man whose command in Urdu and English diction is currently unparalleled in the sub-continent.

“Some of them are really on top of their game, and some of them aren’t, but I am not really judging them right now. I am looking for a talent that can evolve into something great. Also, you can’t judge them [the actors] now because they have been directed by other people, not by me.”

Auditions started in the afternoon, and went on into the late hours of the night, with a number of actors showing up to get feedback from a director who has consistently worked on feature films; something that is rare to find in Pakistan. So apart from the language, does Onir find anything aesthetically unique about Pakistani actors?

“Well that’d be a lie if I’d agreed,” he smirks. “I think that for me, it’s more about being part of a movement that recognizes that we are the same people with similar cultures and a similar language. More so, this creates one large pool of talent, from which both countries can benefit.”

Details of the auditions have yet to be disclosed, as Onir will be taking the footage with him to India to shortlist and find possible options. He strongly feels there is no reason why a trained actor from Pakistan would in any way be considered different from a trained actor in India, because in terms of exposure, they both watch and experience Indian cinema.

“We are exposed to the same type of films; I don’t think you have a disadvantage. I don’t think Pakistan lacks talent, I don’t think I am here to improve their art, I’ve come to share my experience from a bigger industry,” he said.

Let’s hope we get to see one of these actors from Napa on the big screen in India and Pakistan, because if that happens, then local artistes will have a new benefactor in Bollywood after Mahesh Bhatt. Kudos to the organizers of Sindh Film festival for putting together a venture that can lead to long term prospects for Pakistani artistes.

Being self-made has toughened me: Priyanka Chopra

Not only does Priyanka act, but she has also launched a successful singing career. PHOTO: FILE

MUMBAI: In an industry dominated by Khans and Kapoors, Priyanka Chopra is proud to have made her own space without the support of any guardian angel.

“I came into the movie business with no help and no one to guide me. I take pride in the fact that I am self-made and I have become tough over the years,” said Priyanka, whose latest film Gunday released February 14.

The ‘desi girl’ was born to a physician couple in the Indian Army. Her first brush with showbiz came when she stormed her way to success at the Miss World pageant in 2000. A career in movies was waiting to happen and she was noticed with the 2003 film Andaaz.

With over a decade in Bollywood, she has essayed various roles and even pocketed a best actress National Award for the film Fashion. However, Priyanka believes she still has a long way to go in the industry.

“There is so much more that I have to do and which I will do. As long as people watch me or want to be entertained by me, I will find ways of entertaining them as I am a performer and that is what I intend to be,” said Priyanka, who has excelled in films like Kaminey, 7 Khoon Maaf and Barfi.

She is also one of the few new-age Indian actors to diversify and take up a career in singing. A trained singer, Priyanka has so far launched two singles — In my city and Exotic — and hopes to strike a balance between both careers.

“I didn’t want to be someone who gave up something to gain something else. I think as women, we can multi-task really well. And that is exactly what I intend to do. I hope to be able to balance both my careers. Both are very important to me,” said Priyanka, who recently released a teaser of her third single in London. She is also geared to combat any hurdles, which may come in her way of making it big in the music industry.

“This [Bollywood] was also very tough. I am not someone who came from here. It was a tough conquest. Doing anything new is hard. That [a music career] will be difficult as well. I don’t know how or where it will go…all I am doing is trying,” said the 31-year-old.

She is also open to taking up something else besides singing and acting once she is comfortable managing both the worlds. “Right now, the two of these are keeping me busy. I don’t know what I might end up doing more. But it could be anything,” she said.

The year 2013 proved to be eventful for Priyanka, who maturely faced her father’s demise. She had two movie releases — Zanjeer and Krrish 3, two item songs – Babli Badmaash Haifrom Shootout At Wadala and Ram Chahe Leela from Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela and did a voiceover in Hollywood animated film Planes.

For now, the shooting of a biopic on Olympic medal-winning boxer M.C. Mary Kom is keeping Priyanka busy

Every single penny I earn, I give to my dad: Ali Zafar

Ali Zafar feels money is good for fulfilling needs, but obsession with it stresses him out. PHOTO: FILE

It’s not an easy ride to the top, and a recent interview of superstar Ali Zafar with theBombay Times is testament to that fact. In an interview, when asked about his early life, Ali replied, “My father was a painter; he retired as the Chairman of the Fine Arts Department of his college.

My mother was the first scholar in library science. When I was a kid, my parents built a small house with a lot of difficulty in a posh area of Lahore by borrowing money from friends. When I was about 14, we moved out of that house, as my parents couldn’t afford it. I asked my dad, the amount of money we needed to live there and he told me, Rs10, 000.  At that point I told him and decided that, I will make that money.”

“At the age of 18, I started making portraits at the PC Hotel lobby. I would make quick sketches for Rs500. My day would start with getting up at 6am, going to college, then the gym, then straight to PC, where I’d stay till midnight. From that time till today, every single penny I earn, I give it to my dad. For four years, I continued working at PC and collected money till I made my first song Channo, which was a big hit and changed things for me, overnight – I became a star. It took me time to come to terms with it. I won all the awards and got signed up by big brands. My dream was that one day, I’d step on stage and there would be an ocean of people who’d sing along with me; that dream came true with my first concert.”

Ali was then asked how he manages to give all his money to his father, despite being married and having a family of his own, to which he replied: “We have now shifted back to the same house, where I stayed as a child. I live there with my parents and my two brothers. I have no idea what money I have and where it goes.”

“I feel money is good for all your needs, but obsession with money stresses me out. As long as my basic needs are fulfilled, I don’t care. It’s also a very convenient structure for me, as my father manages everything. My wife is extremely non-materialistic and is happy to get a monthly pocket money from him. I have a joint account with him; he either invests the money or donates it to a few charities where I want the money to go. My father is the conventional good person who has never done anything wrong in his life,” reported Times of India. It is clear that Ali is one star who has not let fame go to his head.

Did you know?: Piggy Chops won’t do a small part in a big Hollywood film

Thus far, Priyanka has launched two international singles, In My City and Exotic. She is also the face of fashion brand Guess.

Mmmhmm! Bollywood bombshell Priyanka Chopra says it loud and proud: she won’t be a small fish in a big pond.

The actor has earned her spurs on the global entertainment map with her songs and voiceover in animated film Planes, and she’s not willing to do anything mediocre.

“If something interesting [from Hollywood] comes along [I may take it up]. I am not someone who will just sit and say, ‘I want to do a Hollywood film just because films come my way’. I don’t want to do a small part in a big film just because it is a Hollywood film,” she says, reports the Times of India.

For her, the substance of the role matters a lot. “I am happy with my career in terms of my music and films, but if something excites me, why not… But it [Hollywood films] is not something I am actively pursuing,” said the Dostana star.

Thus far, Priyanka has launched two international singles, In My City and Exotic. She is also the face of fashion brand Guess.

We wonder if Piggy Chops is flinging taunts at some of her contemporaries, who have in the past, done insignificant roles in big Hollywood films. Hmmm

Did you know? L: Yo Yo Honey Singh’s taking a break from Bollywood

Yo Yo Honey-Singh is also excited about breaking new ground, and working with names like Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan.

After churning out hit after Bollywood hit in 2013, rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh is all set to take a break from Hindi film songs to focus on his non-film career. He is also excited about breaking new ground, and working with names like Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan.

“After I did Lungi Dance with Shahrukh bhai, I felt I had achieved everything there is to achieve. But now I’m getting to work with Amitabh Bachchan sahab. It’s really the ultimate Bollywood experience. It can’t get any better for me,” said Honey Singh.

He says he needs to take a break from Bollywood after working with Big B though.

“I need to focus on other things before I carry on in Bollywood. I can’t be doing what I’ve done in Lungi Dance, and now the song Party With Bhootnath with Bachchan saab, over and over again. I have to reinvent myself for Bollywood,” he said. IANS

Plane carrying 18 people missing in Nepal: officials

Aerial view of the Himalayas seen from Pokhara, some 200 kms west of Kathamndu, taken December 4, 2007 from an ultra-light aircraft. PHOTO: AFP

KATHMANDU: Rescuers in Nepal scrambled on Sunday to find a Nepal Airlines plane carrying 18 people that went missing in the country’s mountainous west, officials said.

The plane with 15 passengers and three crew on board lost contact with air traffic controllers shortly after taking off from the popular tourist town of Pokhara, airline officials and police said.

“The Nepal Airlines plane with 14 (adult) passengers took off from Pokhara airport at 1.30 pm and disappeared 15 minutes later,” Nepal police spokesperson Ganesh KC told AFP.

A total of 18 people were on board, the 14 adult passengers, plus one infant and three crew, an airline spokesperson said.

“One of the passengers is from Denmark,” spokesperson Ram Hari Sharma told AFP. The rest of those on board are from Nepal.

Heavy rain was hampering efforts to search for the plane, with two helicopters forced to turn back because of bad weather, Bimlesh Lal Karna, chief air traffic controller at the country’s largest airport in Kathmandu, said.

“The weather was not bad at the time the plane went missing … It worsened later on,” Karna told AFP. “Two helicopters that were sent from Pokhara returned due to bad weather,” he said.

“We are sending another one from Kathmandu,” he added.

The state-run carrier was travelling from Pokhara to the town of Jumla, 353 kilometres west of the capital Kathmandu, when air traffic controllers lost contact with the pilot.

The incident again raises concerns about the Himalayan nation’s aviation sector, which has come under fire from international authorities after a series of fatal accidents.

The European Union in December blacklisted all the country’s airlines and banned them from flying to the EU.

Nepal, which counts tourism as a major contributor to its economy, has suffered a number of air crashes in recent years, which have usually been attributed to inexperienced pilots, poor management and maintenance.

A Chinese tourist and a local pilot were killed when an ultra-light aircraft crashed into a hill in the tourist town of Pokhara last October.

Last May, 21 people, including eight Japanese tourists, were hurt when a small plane skidded off an airport runway in northern Nepal.

In September 2012, 19 people, including seven Britons and four Chinese, were killed after a plane crashed minutes after taking off from Kathmandu, in an accident which the government blamed on a “panic-stricken” pilot.

At the time of the blacklisting last year, EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said the country’s safety record “does not leave us any other choice”.

Government officials said the ban was “unfortunate” and came after months spent on upgrading safety measures and monitoring aircraft.