Kapil Sharma getting ready for YRF film debut

The irregular hours and the erratic schedules have taken their toll on Kapil’s health. PHOTO: FILE

MUMBAI: 

With two episodes of his stand-up comedy show per week and an impending feature film debut looming over his head, comic entertainer Kapil Sharma is currently going through the most hectic time of his life. And now, he has a nutritionist accompanying him to all his shootings, as he needs to lose weight for his movie project.

The irregular hours and the erratic schedules have taken their toll on his health. “My schedules are so jam-packed that I just snatch sleep and food whenever I could. But I’ve decided health comes first. I’ve got a guy to control my food intake. The trouble is he feeds me boiled vegetables for dinner,” said Kapil.

“But then after that when I’m on my own, I end up cheating and snacking on bread and omelette while shooting. So I’m not losing as much weight as I’d like to,” he added.

“I need to create a bank of episodes of my show before I start shooting for my film from May 15. I can’t run back-and-forth from the film set to the shooting of the show. They’re two completely different disciplines, and I can’t allow them to clash,” he explained.

“Stand-up comedy comes as naturally to me as breathing, but film acting is an entirely new experience for me. I have to give it my 100 percent,” said the comedian, who is set to make his film debut with a Yash Raj Films project.

Regrettably, contrary to plans, the channel has refused to cut down the frequency of Comedy Nights with Kapil by half.

“The channel says the TRPs will suffer if we cut down the episodes. Luckily, I got an unexpected reprieve when the first schedule of my film Bank Chor was shifted from April to May. I am racing against time to create a bank of episodes, so I can complete one schedule ofBank Chor without any interruption,” he said.

Kapil says he has no time for himself. “My mother calls to complain that I don’t call her. How do I explain to her that I don’t know where I am coming or going?”

Shaan and Ali Zafar face-off

While the audience was taken aback by Shaan’s comments, it was Ali who offered him a rebuttal. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: 

Over the course of time, actor Shaan Shahid has received many film offers from Bollywood and has been equally vocal about refusing them. The most popular of the offers being when he was asked to play the villain in Aamir Khan’s Ghajini (2008).

Recently, at a film awards show, Shaan openly criticised Pakistani artistes who cross the border to be a part of Bollywood ventures, calling them “cheap sell-outs.” At the occasion, where he also unveiled the first look of his upcoming film Arth 2, he blamed local celebrities for making Bollywood a stairway to their success.

While the audience, which included stars such as Javed Sheikh and Zeba Bakhtiar, was taken aback by Shaan’s comments, it was singer-actor Ali Zafar who offered him a rebuttal.

When Ali went on stage to receive his award for the ‘International Icon of the Year’, he said in his acceptance speech, “Hum doosri cheezon ka sahaara letay hain apni khaamion ko chupane ke liye, patriotism ke naam pae, doosri cheezon ke naam pae…” (We make excuses to hide our weaknesses, sometimes, in the name of patriotism, sometimes, in the name of other things.)

“I think we should be honest. Humain sach bolna chahiye aur woh waqt agaya hai ke anay walay logon se sach bola jaaye,” he added. (We should speak the truth and the time has come when the new generation should be told the truth.)

Ali also mentioned how it was disrespectful of Shaan to blame the artistes as sell-outs. He mentioned a list of artistes who have worked in Bollywood, including Bade Ghulam Ali, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Mohsin Khan, Zeba Bakhtiar, Salma Agha, Shafqat Amanat Ali and Atif Aslam. He said that these stars have made their mark in India through their work and have received tremendous appreciation for it.

He encouraged newcomers to not let anything deter them from going where they want to; he gave himself as an example as he was told by many people that he could never make it big internationally.

Ali’s words were followed by a huge round of applause, which not only showed that the audience endorsed his point of view, but also that Shaan is not the only driving force behind Pakistani cinema – Ali’s perspective also holds great value in the local film industry.

With more than 450 films under his belt, actor Shaan Shahid epitomises the true potential of Pakistani cinema. His dedication to the industry is nothing less than appreciable. In fact, it’s exemplary for other actors, who don’t take Lollywood as seriously as they take other filmdoms.

However, it’s unseemly for an artiste of Shaan’s stature to be critical of others who haven’t chosen to walk the same path as him. But the exchange of words between the two well-known actors is a positive sign for the industry as it shows the polarised perspectives that exist in it.

Ali represents the fresh generation of actors who opt for a more holistic, globalised view of things instead of indulging in needless jingoism, which has often resulted in the ban of Indian films in Pakistan. It’s time that the film industry takes up a more progressive approach towards international collaborations, which many young actors advocate. As Allama Iqbal says, “Jawanon ko Peeron ka ustad kar.” (Make the young mentors of the old.)

Farah nostalgic as Main Hoon Na clocks 10 years

Director speaks about her directorial debut on Main Hoon Na’s 10th anniversary. PHOTO: FILE

NEW DELHI: 

It’s been a decade since choreographer Farah Khan’s debut directorialMain Hoon Na hit the screens. She can only look back at her pool of memories with a smile. It had a gripping cycle rickshaw chase scene and a heated fist fight between superstar Shahrukh Khan and action hero Suneil Shetty. Choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan’s “loved film” Main Hoon Na had all elements that were anything but “ladylike”.

Farah went into a nostalgic mode when asked about her film completing 10 years. “We got very nostalgic with all the photos my fans are sending me. I don’t even have those photos. Even in the office we couldn’t find pictures, because we changed the office twice. We remember it like it was last year or something and suddenly it’s been 10 years,” Farah told IANS.

“I wanted to make it for so long. From the time I started writing the script, it took around two to three years before I got to make it. It was a very different film for a female director to make at that point. People were not expecting this kind of a film. They thought I’d make some ladylike film,” she added.

Calling it a “very macho film”, the movie also gave Shahrukh, the lead actor of the film, a break from romantic sagas like Kal Ho Naa Ho and Chalte Chalte.

“It was a very macho movie, even for Shahrukh. He wasn’t doing action at all at that time, he was only doing love stories. It was like an action macho film for him also. He enjoys doing action a lot more… He adds a lot in terms of making the action more thrilling. The movie did well everywhere — North, South, interior belt,” she said.

Though she thinks there’s always room for improvement, she considers Main Hoon Na to be the perfect film to launch her as a director.

“I had so much fun making it. It’s a loved film. It comes almost every day on TV and every day I get messages on Twitter or BB that they are watching it for the 20th time and still love it. I wouldn’t want to change things, I am very happy. Now my kids watch it and they enjoy it a lot,” said the mother of triplets.

It’s been 10 years, but the 48 year old still feels nervous.

After pausing for a while, Farah, who has two super hits behind her, said: “I am not confident as a director, I still get nervous. I don’t know whether I am heading in the right direction or no; I was far more confident when I was making Main Hoon Na. Now, there is pressure.”

The Om Shanti Om director is now tied up with Happy New Year, which she likes to call her “biggest movie” yet.

“Happy New Year is very hectic, it is definitely the biggest movie Shahrukh and I have made. It’s a very big movie in terms of scale, star cast and everything. Every shoot has thousands of junior artists. It’s a difficult film for me, but we are having so much fun. The cast and crew are lovely,” she said.

The movie also stars actors Deepika Padukone, Sonu Sood and Abhishek Bachchan.

She has done so much, but still has a lot more to do. When asked what’s left to explore, she said: “Arey, lots more.” 

Kevin Spacey cuts back on Hollywood, devotes time to stage

For the part of Richard III, Spacey dons a hunchback to mimic the antihero’s crumpled physical appearance. PHOTO: FILE

LOS ANGELES: 

After shaking a leg with Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone at the 2014 International Indian Film Academy Awards, Hollywood star Kevin Spacey is venturing on a new project. The two-time Oscar-winning actor and star of popular televisions series House of Cards, said that he is all set to prove a personal point despite his lofty status in the Hollywood fraternity.

With new documentary Now: In the Wings on a World Stage, Spacey will let his personal passion for theatre roar in a film. The movie introduces audiences to his second career on the stage as he tours the world with his own company’s production of William Shakespeare’s historical play Richard III.

Interestingly, his role of the ruthless politician Francis Underwood in House of Cards is coincidentally based on Richard III. Spacey credits his move back to the stage for helping him with the role. “I wouldn’t have been ready for House of Cards 10 years ago, but I was ready this time and that’s because of the theatre.”

Spacey, 54, who has been the artistic director at London’s The Old Vic theatre since 2003, said his choice to cut back on his Hollywood career and devote time to the stage, struck many as a self-defeating project.

“A lot of people looked at me like a dog that’s sort of a little puzzled,” the star said with a smile. “‘Like, why do you do theatre and why did you go off and run this theatre for 10 years? I don’t get. And isn’t theatre boring? Why don’t you just do movies and make a lot of money?’”

Sharing what drives him towards working on the stage, he said, “I think for the actor working in a film, you learn how to work in two to three-minute segments,” he said. “But in theatre, you have to be up there for three hours and you have to do it once. You can’t have a second take.”

Directed by first-time filmmaker Jeremy Whelehan, Now: In The Wings opens in New York on Friday and is available for online download on Friday, rolling out to Los Angeles movie theatres next week after playing limited runs in other cities in the United States. It opens in the United Kingdom on June 9.

Shakespeare’s 16th century play, based on England’s medieval King Richard III, dramatises Richard’s bloody advance to the throne, all with a black comedy turn. For the part of Richard, Spacey dons a hunchback and affects a club-footed gait to mimic the antihero’s crumpled physical appearance.

Front and centre in the film is Spacey’s love of theatre. He especially relishes the stage as the ultimate actor’s realm, whereas film and TV belong to directors, editors and producers. “I always try to remember that no matter how good I might be in a film or a television show, I’ll never be any better. It’s frozen,” Spacey said. “In the theatre, I can be better. I can be better tomorrow night than I was tonight.

Internship programme may reduce unemployment

Internship programme would have far-reaching impact on the economy as the country was in need of rightly skilled people, says PIAF Chairman Malik Tahir Javaid. PHOTO: FILE

The Punjab government’s internship programme will help give a considerable boost to industrial productivity besides ensuring provision of manpower to the manufacturing sector, businessmen say.

In a statement issued here on Friday, Pakistan Industrial and Traders Association Front (PIAF) Chairman Malik Tahir Javaid said the internship programme, which had been launched for the first time in the province on a massive scale, would help the industry hire required people and also bring down the graph of unemployment in the country.

“The interns would have to show their best abilities to win a place in the job market,” he remarked.

Javaid pointed out that all over the developed world students got job only after completing internship in the area of their studies and that was the reason that these countries were economically strong.

He urged the interns not to waste time and focus on their work as their work record would enable them to carve a place in the job market.

The PIAF chairman said the internship programme would have far-reaching impact on the economy as the country was in need of rightly skilled people and the programme was a step in the right direction.

He was of the view that the importance of the programme had increased manifold in the wake of the GSP Plus status granted by the European Union as a rise in industrial production would create new job opportunities and the programme would overcome this shortage.

By welcoming the internship programme, he said, the private sector was supporting the government’s endeavours aimed at reviving the economy of the country.

At the same time, he also asked the government to look into the energy situation as a widening demand and supply gap was creating problems for the economy.

LSE seeks enhanced partnership with Pakistan’s corporates

The government is launching various energy projects and taking necessary steps to add around 10,000MW of electricity to the national grid. PHOTO: FILE

LONDON: London Stock Exchange (LSE) Chief Executive Officer Xavier Rolet has stated that the LSE is always looking to maximise partnership opportunities with Pakistan’s corporate sector.

In a meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Rolet congratulated him on the success of Pakistan’s Eurobond issue in the international market.

He appreciated the positive steps taken by the government in Pakistan to put the economy back on track.

According to him, British companies see enormous potential in Pakistan as a profitable investment market. “Pakistan’s economic success is gaining momentum. The ongoing collaborative efforts between the London and Karachi Stock Exchanges will yield results,” he said.

Dar briefed the investors present in the meeting about the country’s macroeconomic indicators that had shown a steady improvement as a result of stabilisation measures and structural reforms undertaken by the government.

“Forex reserves had increased to $12 billion and would reach $15 billion by September this year,” he said.

In addition to this, he said, the capital market had grown by over 40% since the government took over in June last year. “The country is open to business and offers attractive investment opportunities with high returns.”

Dar pointed out that with the launch of Eurobond, Pakistan had returned to the international market after seven years, adding the response of investors showed a strong demand for the paper.

He announced that Pakistan would issue an Islamic bond denominated in dollars for Islamic banking institutions and funds as after initiating economic reforms with successful implementation, the country’s status in international markets had improved considerably.

About energy crisis, the minister said the government was launching various projects and taking necessary steps to add around 10,000 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, which would eliminate energy shortfall in the next four years.

“We have already managed to clear circular debt of Rs500 billion within 45 days of forming the new government.”

He said the World Bank had approved two concessionary loans for Pakistan after a gap of five years and would provide $1 billion for energy and development reforms.

Efforts to secure financing for Diamer Bhasha Dam were going on and the government had already started land acquisition from its own resources, Dar said.

He also highlighted the opportunities in the telecommunications sector and apprised the investors of the recent auction of 3G and 4G licences, which fetched about $1.1 billion. 

Gas supply: Indian demand for higher price scuttles LNG deal

Indian authorities pointed out that they had different types of taxes on LNG, which could be waived by their government to make the deal feasible. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: 

In yet another setback after Pakistan and India failed to open up trade earlier this year, a plan to enter into liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal could not be pushed through as Delhi refused to budge from its stance and insisted on higher prices.

“India was not willing to show flexibility during talks held with Pakistan in the last week of March. It quoted $21 per million British thermal units (mmbtu), higher than the price of around $16 being offered in the region,” an official told The Express Tribune.

Indian authorities pointed out that they had different types of taxes on LNG, which could be waived by their government to make the deal feasible.

Soon after their return from a visit to the United States, which refused LNG export to Pakistan, government officials went to India to engage into talks on its import through Wagah border by laying a pipeline to meet energy needs of Punjab. However, the negotiations got stuck in the face of higher price sought by India.

According to officials, the LNG price was even higher than the cost of expensive furnace oil being used in power plants. The price was also quite unattractive when compared with $18 per mmbtu quoted by Qatar and $11 set by Dutch firm 4Gas in January 2011 for gas supplies.

They suggest that Pakistani and Indian prime ministers could take some initiatives to push through an agreement.

Under the proposed plan, India was to lay a 60-km pipeline from Bhatinda to Wagah border whereas Pakistan was to build a 30-km pipeline to inject gas into the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) system.

Pakistan desired to import 200 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) initially with the possibility of stepping up supplies in the long run.

“LNG import from India is the most viable option in present times as there will be no capital cost involved and supply can be started within months of agreeing on a deal if India brings down the price,” the official said.

“If Pakistan imports LNG through Karachi, the cost of just laying a pipeline from Karachi to Lahore will be $1.4 billion.”

India was itself an importer of LNG and would charge international prices, the official added.

India had inked a deal with Qatar for LNG import in 2004 while Pakistan tried but failed to secure a contract with Qatar in 1991.