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RJ AYESHA ALAM : CITY FM 89'S HIT RJ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

She rocks!

Ayeshah Alam is no stranger to TV and radio audiences in Pakistan. She is a versatile, dynamic woman with a footprint all over popular media. She's a radio jockey with CityFM89, she's starred in several TV sitcoms and serials, and the famous independent film "Daira" – based on Mohsin Hamid's Moth Smoke – in which she played the female lead as Mumtaz. Ayeshah has also done numerous modeling engagements and is a very familiar face even for those who may have missed her on TV.

In an exclusive Rendezvous with us, Ayeshah talks about how it all started for her, what she's doing now, what she likes and what she doesn't, and more...

1. You've got so many angles to your personality – modeling, acting, show hosting – when and how did it all begin?

Hmm. I think I have always been an actress…that's what my mother used to say anyway! I always knew I wanted to act or be involved with the performing arts at some level. Modeling happened by accident as I had gone to Nabila's for a haircut, she asked me to model in her hair show, I said yes, and the rest as they say is history. I guess as I grew up, I changed, evolved, discovered new things I enjoyed doing, and tried to bring that into my work.

2. Out of all the work you've done, which projects or shows are your personal favorites?

I loved my first show for Nabila as that was a defining moment for me as my first step into the media world. My first play on stage, my first stint in front of the camera, my first time finding my voice on the radio, have all been defining milestones!.

3. What part of your creative career do you enjoy the most?

I guess it's kind of changed through the years. I do enjoy acting but only with a director who actually thinks about his/her character and is willing to work on that with the actor.

4. What are some of the things you are working on these days?

Radio and TV…trying to get a script written…been a challenge I've been trying to overcome for years now.

5. Things have changed a lot in the media world since you started working – how do you feel about it?

Well it hasn't changed enough and it still needs to be treated as a serious profession. But hopefully that will come to as people see this as something serious and not as a photo op.

Ayeshah, in a show with cricketer Waseem Akram

6. What are some of the things you love the most about working in Pakistan, as a woman, in the media business?

I don't think I have ever thought of myself separately as a woman in the media. I just consider myself a media person. I love my work and pushing the boundaries and being a part of changes in attitudes..

7. What would you say to people who don't know Pakistan as well, but define its society as orthodox and oppressive?

I would say they need to visit Pakistan to truly appreciate Pakistan and the rich diversity one finds here. I would tell them to listen to cityfm89 on the web to get a taste of another section of society and look through our glossies instead of only Fox news as their source.

8. If you were made the Minister of Culture – what are some of the things you'd do to promote Pakistan on an international level?

I would immediately ask Hameed Haroon and Hameed Akhund to please join the group and actively pursue ways and means of promoting our artisans and musicians in collaboration with modern day artists and promote them through the media. Awareness of their talent and creating a demand for their art will help feed them and encourage them to stay with the art, which in turn is a great image builder for Pakistan.

9. Some people who know you say that you are one of the most caring people they've ever met – does that help or hurt you as a media professional, especially with all the competition?

They do?? They're lying!! Um… no idea…and to be honest, don't care. I am who I am and how I am, and never really worried about how that would affect my career. I believe in people more than I do in a career…careers have ups and downs, it's the people who see you through!.

10. If you got a chance to live the life of another person who would you choose and why?

I wouldn't choose anyone else. Good grief…my demons are enough to deal with, why would I want to learn to deal with someone else's!!

11. If you were offered a role in a Hollywood production, who would you like to be your co-star(s)?

Yummmy…Johnny Depp because he would be a phenomenal actor to bounce off and Mathew McConaughey because he is just pure delicious; his acting ain't too bad either ;)

12. What about Bollywood – any particular stars you would really like to work with?

Abhishek Bachchan because of the yum factor…Saif same thing…as an actor would love to work with Amitabh or Nana Patekar.

13. What are three things you cannot live without?

Freedom of expression, love, spontaneity.

14. What is the one thing you wish would never exist?

Dishonesty.

15. What kind of people do you like the most?

Honest, down to earth, able to laugh at themselves.

16. What can you absolutely not stand in a person?

Dishonesty and pretentiousness.

17. What kind of movies do you like? Any recent favorites?

'Last king of Scotland' I really enjoyed. I enjoy all kinds...I'm a sap for romances, biographies, historical, political, thrillers, comedies. I guess it would be easier to ask what kind of movies I don't like…I don't like bloody gory movies and have outgrown horror movies.

18. What kind of music do you like the best? Any favorite songs?

You're asking this of someone who has been a Radio Jockey for 3 years (laughs). Hmm…again, love all kinds of music except heavy metal. Anything that grates on the ears, I don't like..

19. Who would you say is your (a) favorite model, (b) favorite TV show host, and (c) favorite actor?

Model would be Christy Turlington…very classy woman. TV show host, I would say Oprah. (Yes, yes…sappy, I know) and actor…that's a tough one as I like many for various reasons. Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks has really evolved as an actor, Brad Pitt despite the pretty boy image is a great actor. And then of course you have your stalwarts like Anthony Hopkins..

20. If you were to take away one thing you've learned from all that you've done so far, how would you describe it for our readers?

At the end of it all it doesn't really matter what you do…it really doesn't…it is the relationships you build!

Ayesha's interview : The saturday Post

The fashion nominations for the Citigold LUX Style Awards 2007 were announced here on Saturday. The most awaited fashion distinction of the year is finally revealed. The list is not surprising. New talent dominates as is confirmed by the Best Female Model list where the top five are Fayeza Ansari, Mehreen Syed, Neha Ahmed, Sunita Marshal and last year's best model Tooba Siddiqui.

The Male model and Achievement in Fashion Design 10+years list doesn't seems to be undergone much the same as last year with the usual Abdullah Ejaz and Rizwan Beyg nominations. Umar Sayeed is back in contention as is Emaad Irfani for the best male model category. Best Menswear has a new entrant in the shape of HSY, while the most dynamic, unsurprisingly is the Best Emerging Talent category that includes two models (Annie Ali Khan and Nadia Ali), two designers (Maheen Karim and Ismail Farid) and a photographer duo (Maram Abroo). Hair and Makeup is again very predictable with Nabila, Khawar Riaz, Munazza Rizwan, Sabs and Shahzad Raza vying for the top prize while photographers Ather Shahzad, Rizwan Baig of Deevees, exciting new comers Guddu Shani, Khawar Riaz and Shamyl Khuhro all compete for the Best Fashion Photographer segment.

Fashion is what Citigold LUX Style Awards is all about and because of the heavy emphasis on fashion the event is elevated to the status of a style icon. Sweeping gowns and embellished outfits are the order of the day on this, the most glittering red carpet event in the country. Maintaining a fantastic standard, with designers making collections specially designed for the occasion, the LUX Style Award is expected to make each year's showbetter than the last. This year too event director Frieha Altaf and Image consultant Nabila are putting together selections and segments that are expected to wow the exclusive audience that will attend the event and the 30 million viewers on air.

The Design categories are some of the most exciting in this line-up. Maheen's Gulabo, Karma Pink, Samyra Rashid, Sonya Battla and Sublime by Sara Shahid are all in contention for the Pret (ready-to-wear) award. The Couture category award will be a toss up between HSY, Karma, Nomi Ansari, Rouge and Saadia Mirza. The Best Retail Brand, CGLSA's nod to the burgeoning retail category, will be decided amongst aggressive young retailers like ABCD, Crossroads, FNK Asia, Generation and Khaadi.

The Citigold LUX Style Awards 2007 for excellence in cinema, fashion, music and television will be held in Malaysia in July and will be on air on the 24th of August with a simultaneous cast on both PTV and Geo TV

The movie revolves around a Pakistani young man (Shaan) who goes to the United States of America for higher education. During his study years, the tragic event of 9/11 takes place where the World Trade Center is turned into dust. In a long array of investigations and arrests, the young man gets arrested by the American authorities; and his younger brother is being motivated by his old friend Shershah Hameed Sheikh on the path of God and to quit all musical activities in favor of the "straight" path. Meanwhile, his uncle (Humayun Kazmi) arrives from UK with his only cousin Mary (Iman Ali) who wanted to marry her non-Muslim boyfriend back in the UK against her family's wishes. He brings her to Pakistan where Shershah tucks them to their village in a tribal area near Afghanistan. There tries to escape but Shershah follows her and brings her back to the village.
The experiences of the young man are shown in this movie. There are plenty of other issues that are highlighted in this film. Iman Ali makes her cinema debut with this film, and enacts the character of a Pakistani-Briton. Austin Sayre also makes her film debut and plays Shaan's wife. The young music prodigy Ahmed Jahanzeb produced the soundtrack for the film. Nice Film
[edit] Synopsis
The film is about the difficult situation in which the Pakistanis in particular and the Muslims in general are caught up since 9/11. There is a war going on between the Fundamentalists and the Liberal Muslims. This situation is creating a drift not only between the Western world and the Muslims, but also within the Muslims. The educated and modern Muslims are in a difficult situation because of their approach towards life and their western attire. They are criticized and harassed by the fundamentalists and on the other hand the Western world sees them as potential suspects of terrorism just because of their Muslim names.
This paradox is resulting in great suffering for a forward looking Muslim.
Above mentioned is the theme of the film "KHUDA KE LIYE" which in English means "IN THE NAME OF GOD".
The interesting thing about the film is how it connects the happenings in the three continents. Unlike the usual Indian and Pakistani films based on romantic saga, dances and songs, this film is based on some very serious issues, raising a lot of controversial questions boggling the Muslim minds these days. It helps the Muslim youth to find a direction— the right direction, which we are all looking forward to.
CREDITS:

Shaan
Fawad khan
Iman Ali
Naseeruddin Shah
Hameed Sheikh
Austin Marie Sayre
Larry Neumann
Rasheed Naz
Naeem Tahir
Seemin Raheel
Humayun kazmi
Najeeb Ullah Anjum
Ayub Khosa
Rufus Graham
Angela Williams
Alex Edwards [[1]] Lead support actor
BackGround Music: Rohail Hayat
VOCALS : AHMAD JAHANZEB,SHUJA HAIDER,FARAH ZALA,AMMAR HASAN KHAWAR JAWAD,FAIZA MUJAHID,SAEEN ZAHOOR,ZARA MADANI
LYRICS : SHOAIB MANSOOR; BULHEY SHAH; FAIZA MUJAHID
Songs COMPOSED BY : AHMAD JAHANZEB,SHUJA HAIDER,LAGAN BAND,KHAWAR JAWAD,JAVED BASHIR
The film is directed by Shoaib Mansoor ,all set to release on july 20th,2007.

It could have been anyone's wildest dream project: a nightingale-voiced vocalist from Pakistan teaming up with who is considered to be one of the best guitarists in the region, on a single album. When two exceptionally gifted and well-known individuals work together on a project, expectations tend to run high: the outcome has to be nothing short of pure genius. After all, one plus one equals two, nay in some cases even three, but never zero.

In this case however, it seems as if these two individuals ended up cancelling each other out: the much-awaited Hadiqa Kiani and Aamir Zaki collaborative effort, Rough Cut, is pure genius, but only at putting the listener to sleep. In some cases, forever.

Disappointingly enough, Iss Baar Milo, the song that did end up becoming a massive hit does not make its appearance in the album. Hadiqa has carried the style of singing predominant in Iss Baar Milo, throughout Rough Cut. However, coupled with the change in language and overall content, her style of singing seems highly unsuitable. To top it off, her desi accent manages to creep in here and there in the songs. Altogether her efforts sound extremely amateurish and not something one would expect from someone with more than 10 years of professional singing and extensive exposure to all kinds of music.

It would be unfair to heap the album's lack of impact on Hadiqa alone. With Rough Cut, his first proper recorded piece of work in more than a decade, Aamir Zaki's musical contribution in the album seems minimal, and in some cases, non-existent. This causes one to question why. Is it because he has run out of musical creativity or simply because he is afraid?

When it comes to content, the album deals with a variety of issues ranging from the harsh life in the media, to the monotony that overcomes a person's life to the age-old subject of love and heartbreak. The song, City of Fallen Angels, deals with the violence predominant in Karachi (as the City of Fallen Angels) and it is perhaps the only song in which Aamir Zaki lends his vocals as Mr Undertaker. However, with Hadiqa singing along with him, it becomes difficult to decipher Aamir's voice, since her voice is a little too loud. Thus the only duet in the album ends up as none.

Perhaps another track that needs mention here is Easy Ride. It dominates an unmistakably familiar bass line which die-hard Aamir Zaki fans would recognise since the bass line itself had been released on his website a couple of years ago. One of the better tracks in the album, perhaps also because it doesn't attempt at sounding 'eastern classical rock'. The album, including this song, has an unmistakable early nineties sound to it and might have fared better had it been released when it was initially supposed to.

The flute (courtesy Baqir Abbas) and tabla (Arshad Ali) make their appearance a lot throughout the album. Complete with soft (and safe) guitar strumming and oddly-familiar bass lines, the music in the album ends up in a cacophony of confusion since one cannot tell whether the album is going towards a pop or an eastern pop sound, or is trying to embody an orchestra-oriented sound — a definite confusion of identifies. The album has its share of perks, but they're not strong enough to overshadow what is wrong with it: this collaboration lacks chemistry – at least in English

We bring you an exclusive statement written by Pakistani rock sensation, Mustafa Zahid, post the announcement that Mahesh Bhatt's Awarapan will release theatrically in Pakistan, creating a history of sorts.

Previously scheduled to release on July 6, the film, it seems, will now hit screens across Pakistan on July 13, as director Mohit Suri felt that the next week should be used to promote the release aggressively in Pakistan.

The 24-year old Roxen vocalist, Mustafa Zahid, who has rendered the chartbusters To Phir Aao and Tera Mera Rishta in Awarapan, in a statement, said:

"I saw Awarapan on Saturday in Mumbai despite the raging monsoon. Not because I've sung for it, but I honestly believe that it's among the finest movies to come out of Bollywood in recent times. As a citizen of Lahore, I would love to see every Pakistani going out to watch Awarapan in cinemas. I am a Muslim and this movie has portrayed an accurate picture of my community, who believe in one God and also in the fact that if you free someone God comes to you and helps in adversity.

This film is the best answer to give to a section of the Western media who have presented a warped image of the Muslim community. Hats off to the Bhatts, Mohit Suri and the executive producer Sohail Khan who have done a commendable job in getting the film a release in Pakistan, and to Studio 18 for giving Awarapan such a strong overseas release.

We are ready to be the first in Pakistan and I am proud to be a part of Bollywood history in my own little way."

London, Paris, New York, Milan and now, it is Lahore." These opening words by Simon P. Lock at the media launch of the Pakistan Fashion Week, not only proclaimed the start of the four-month journey towards Pakistan's first-ever Fashion Week to be held in November, but also marked the beginning of a new epoch in the annals of Pakistan's fashion tradition.

But though the CEO, IMG Fashion and Models Asia Pacific, was listing the world's leading style capitals in his opening remarks to declare how the forthcoming Pakistan Fashion Week could render Lahore to join the ranks of these fashion hubs, his words set the ground for some thinking.

Perhaps, it would be befitting to ask ourselves, at this point, how we plan to attend to the challenge of striking a legitimate balance between the projection of representatively indigenous fashion crafted in the hues of our culture (so that it identifies as Pakistani) and the influence of western styling (on an already westernised fashion industry), the latter inevitably becoming an overt part of an international event being managed by international consultants and targeting an international audience. Stylist Nabila reflects on this concern by asserting, "I will support any cause that puts eastern sensibility into western silhouettes."

The international fashion week circuit is the foundation of global business enterprise for ready-to-wear fashion designers. Twice a year, the world's leading fashion buyers from big departmental stores and fashion boutiques, along with the fashion media, travel the circuit to preview the new collections of the world's leading designers

The media launch of the Pakistan Fashion Week, held in Lahore at the Royal Palm Golf Club last week, was expected to be a bigger affair, in terms of celebrity turn-over, at least, and with a number of Karachiites present among the organisers and guests, I repeatedly came across comments such as one given by Zeenat Saeed of Taneez. "The guest turn-over would have been much higher at an event like this, if held in Karachi." Lahore, it appears, was chosen as the appropriate venue for the mega event more out of reasons of security than any other, though the International Management Group (IMG) chiefs also feel that Lahore holds a kind of mystique for the world audiences that is easier to capitalise on, and therefore, the city will give an advantage to the event.

A number of famous faces from the fashion world made their absence felt at the media launch of the PFW and one of the reasons for their lack of presence could be that most of them are usually vacationing abroad around this time of the year. Among those who graced the Red Carpet at The Dome were HSY, Nabila, Maria B, Frieha Altaf, Aaminah Haq, Vinnie, Ather Shahzad, and film stars Reema and Meera, besides a few others. Some private television channels had set their booths at The Dome, and the fashionistas were asked in turn to give their views on air about the idea of an international fashion week in Pakistan and their expectations from the event.

Speaking to Images, Aaminah Haq said that the PFW would not only revolutionise the Pakistani fashion collection but will also help set standards in related fields of modeling, choreography, make-up artistry, back-stage management and so forth. "Finally, if we want to present the business of our fashion to the world we must focus on prt rather than couture alone," she added.

Fashion weeks the world over, are more about off-the-rack than couture collections, and the PFW pursues to be no different. To be held from November 5 to 8 at the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club, the PFW, co-organised by Geo Television Network, Jang Group and Events Unlimited, with IMG as consultants, will seek to cater to international buyers, global industry players and fashionistas from all over the world. The event will showcase some of the best local designers to international buyers and industry insiders. "We will represent the business of fashion to the world by inviting buyers from across the globe," observed Imran Aslam. "Our focus will be on giving a strong boost to the export of our ready-to-wear items, which will be a challenge, as Pakistan is known mostly for its couture abroad and the potential of R2W export-oriented industry has never been tapped from a platform like the PFW."

The 4-day event will present spring/summer ready-to-wear collections for 2008. PFW would be categorised into collection shows, comprising individual, as well as, group shows, designer suites and exclusive exhibitions at The Source, which will be an industry-based exhibition forum at the PFW. The Source aims at exhibiting the wonders of our accessory designer industry, especially designer jewellery, bags, shoes, lingerie, leather goods, sportswear and textiles. Designer suites will provide exclusive exhibition booths to designers excelling in ready-to-wear collection. Frieha Altaf, who will be doing the choreography and the after-party management of the event, expressed extreme enthusiasm about the fashion week, adding that she was "thrilled to bits, as this type of an event was long overdue."

The international fashion week circuit is the foundation of global business enterprise for ready-to-wear fashion designers. Twice a year, the world's leading fashion buyers from big departmental stores and fashion boutiques, along with the fashion media, travel the circuit to preview the new collections of the world's leading designers.

When asked about the criterion for selection of designers for the PFW, it was learnt that there would be over 30 designers from across the country participating in about 20 shows, while those desirous of participation would have to go through a series of selection assessments for which a selection panel has already been established.

The National Selection Panel comprises stylist Nabila, Muniba Kamal of Instep, Sabene Saigol of Libas International, Tapu Javeri, Shamaeel, Asim Naeem of Pakistan School of Fashion Design (PSFD), Azfar Hassan of Matrix Sourcing and Jodi Pritchard of IMG Fashion. An advisory board has also been made to look into the various affairs of the PFW. Imran Aslam, Simon P. Lock, Maheen Khan, Sehyr Saigol, Sonya Battla, Nabila, Muniba Kamal, Zahir Rahimtoola, Asim Qureshi and Tahseen Shaukat constitute the advisory board of the PFW. In the words of Asim Naeem, a PSFD faculty member, "Finally, fashion is becoming an industry, rather than entertainment, in Pakistan."

While talking to us, IMG chief executive Simon Lock also disclosed that in order to ensure that the eyes of the fashion world are focused on Lahore this November, an exclusive time slot for PFW has been chosen that does not coincide with any fashion weeks anywhere around the world. "PFW will be positioned on the international fashion week circuit following the end of all European shows. Buyers and media will be given enough time following the conclusion of the last European fashion week to be held in Paris in mid-October, so that they can finalise their business before considering travelling to Pakistan."

As an added gesture of reassurance and to give extra mileage to PFW, IMG plans to have a snippet on Pakistani fashion at the Lakme Fashion Week to be organised by IMG in India a month prior to PFW. "The Pakistani segment at Lakme will act as a promo for the November mega event," he observed.

Commenting on the significance of the PFW in terms of the local film industry, Meera said that an overall boost to the fashion industry would help elevate standards in films, as more decent and well-designed costumes will make way onto the silver screen, while Reema revealed that she is already getting the costumes of her underway film designed by HSY, Karma and Nomi Ansari, claiming that she has pioneered the trend of employing designer outfits in films. Reema emphasised the need for improving the quality and designing of costumes and the standard of make-up techniques used in our films.