Ho Mann Jahaan Reviews. - Page 2

After a very long time, I woke up this Sunday morning with scenes, situations & characters from a movie in my head. Kept dreaming about it the whole night. Congratulations Ho Mann Jahaan ! You delivered what you had been promising us throughout the last year. I had been avoiding all the reviews which were popping up everywhere even though I was only a day late in watching it. Didn't want to be influenced in any way by others' opinions so I ignored all petty criticisms that I heard or accidentally read & after having watched it last night in a completely sold out, cheering, laughing, crying & then dancing cinema hall, I can confidently call out those silly criticisms that I read as complete crap. I know you have a job & you have to write a balanced review. You're not allowed to gush even if you honestly want to so you have to put in some criticism. I'm not accusing, I'm revealing a secret as I've been there & done that. I don't have to any more. At least not on this profile.

HMJ is honest, (very) passionate, moving & takes you on the proverbial roller coaster of a ride of emotions. Already a huge fan of Adeel, Mahira & Sheheryar, I was so eager & excited to see what Asim Raza has done with their still under used & untapped talent & boy, was I blown away! They've all been working for a while but they've been reinvented & re-birthed. I was hoping for it but never expected what Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui delivers! Forget everything he has done on TV, that was beneath his talent. First, kudos to the makeup team for giving him a makeover worthy of his looks. A big 'thank you' for whoever was responsible for his beard & wardrobe. As for his performance, he shines & completely owns every single scene he's in & is SO believable as Arhaan that you completely forget Sheheryar & see only his character. He's funny, charming, a little dark but with a heart of gold that wins ultimately. The dialogue writer deserves credit for Arhaan's lines & Mr Raza for making sure they're delivered in Arhaan's signature style. And of course Sheheryar for his absolutely brilliant performance!

Mahira Khan 's Manizhe is, as advertised, a character all women will aspire to be like. Yes, she was born to play her & no one else could've embody Manizhe like Mahira has. It's evident how grateful she is for getting this role that's worth her personality & talent & performs it with such honest intensity & passion that it pales all her previous performances. Absolutely loved her in all the concert scenes and performing Dosti with Zohaib Hasan in the Coke Studio sequence was such a treat! People screamed & cheered when he turned around & revealed himself. Classic CS moment! It was a perfect song to sing after what the characters had just gone through. Zeb sounds so much like Nazia Hasan on it & Mahira acted & performed like her; needless to say, it moved me to tears. Mahira's scenes with Mr Jamal Shah were a lesson for any girl who struggles to communicate with her father when it comes to conventional morality & career choices. Stay respectful but don't give up. Ever. I bet every guy dreams of a girl & a bride like her wink emoticon

And now, the guy & actor I was most excited to see & my bias for him is no secret. I've waited & waited for so long for the day I'd get to see our industry's most suave & deliciously mysterious actor, Adeel Husain , on the big screen. That day was Saturday, 2nd January, 2016. Earlier I wished it had happened at least 3 to 4 years ago but as they say, dair aayed, durust aayed. HMJ & Asim Raza were his destiny & I'm so glad he waited & didn't succumb to mediocrity. Pakistani or Indian. After showing us a brief glimpse of his dancing skills & chemistry with Mahira earlier this year, he dives head on into this character & breaks your heart several times during Nadir's highly emotional & difficult journey of giving up & then getting back the 'jahaan' his 'mann' wants.

Adeel has shone in all his TV projects & I always marveled at him when he cried convincingly without getting embarrassed & HMJ has him enact a scene that was scary to watch & made me respect him & the acting profession more than ever. Taking yourself to such a dark, depressing & hopeless place for a character has to be taxing & frustrating but Adeel doesn't hold back. At all. And no, he wasn't acting drunk in that scene dear Express Tribune! Please hire better writers. The moment he enters the house in that sequence, I knew now he'll collapse, that a nervous breakdown is coming. The way he cries & talks his broken heart out while finding it hard to breathe & then finally falls down on the glass table was just very sad, & hopefully eye opening for the older generation, to watch. No stuntman was involved in that scene, wow Adeel! He indeed is a 'Nadir' gem of a person & all the ladies were going awww & ufff in the hall throughout his ordeal. Yes, sometimes we all wanted to hug & comfort him, whistle & flirt with him at others & don't ask me how many times I wanted to go down on one knee & propose.

His facial expressions & body language while lying on the hospital bed were JUST MIND BLOWING! While looking beautiful with, once again, perfect skin & hair, he makes you feel actual physical heartache & immense sadness at his plight. He looked sick,tired,hopeless,depressed & heartbroken all at the same time while just lying down with his eyes closed! Yeah, all ovaries in the hall exploded at those scenes!

I'm not done with Adeel,yet. HMJ also proves that he's made for cinema as his presence on the big screen is mesmerising. Yes, I'm biased but the ooohs & aaahs he inspired throughout were not out of politeness,you know. To put it bluntly, he looks SUPER GORGEOUS! Move over Christian Bale & Ryan Gosling, I still love you but a new cinema god is in the making here. His sharp suits, perfect hair & skin & those eyes! Swoon worthy! In fact all 3 of these people have such pretty eyes (also skin & hair as mentioned above) that it makes you jealous!

I can go on & on but some final bits now.

Sonya Jahaan is just fantastic in her portrayal of Sabeena & looks stunning! I thought her character will end up with Fawad Khan & Arhaan will be heartbroken because of that but that didn't happen. I do wish Arhaan hadn't proposed love to Manizhe as he still could've shown his negativity for Nadir & his fallout with Manizhe could still have happened because of that.

Syra Shehroz's entry also drew cheers at our screening & it was cute to see her & Sheheryar dancing together but why didn't she mention that she had seen him on Coke Studio? That would've been a legit excuse to start a conversation & sitting on his table. I know I nit pick sometimes. Sorry.

Shakar Wandaan was such a huge treat to watch in its entirety on the big screen, I didn't want it to end. The crowd clapped & danced in their seats & I thought to myself, this is the power of cinema.

All girls deserve a mother like Manizhe's.

Zeb Bangash needs to pursue acting seriously. Soon. Loved her.

Same goes for Munnawar Siddiqui sahab.

Thanks to the writer & director for Mahira's dialogues with Jamal Shah towards the end. It's important to establish that tolerance should work both ways.

Do I need to say that I'll be watching it again very soon?

Once again, thank you so much team HMJ & The Vision Factory for this experience. Love & respect to you all. #HoMannJahaan

"Ho Mann Jahaan": A Kind of Cinematic Endeavor Every Pakistani Can Proud of.
Review By Kalmanac
"I will never ever influence my children in making their career choices when they will grow up. I will let them opt for whatever career they would like to pursue". I was bamboozled when I heard these words from my wife while coming out of cinema hall. This is the impact of new Pakistani film "Ho Mann Jahaan". Film ideas such as chasing your dreams and going all the way to achieve what exactly your very existence is meant for are not novel for avid Pakistani cinema goers due to films like "3 Idiots" and more recently "Tamasha" but heart only melts when someone from your own touches it.

With every release new breed of Pakistani film makers are leaving noticeable mark with their ambitious cinematic projects. "Ho Mann Jahaan" directed by architect turned commercial / music video director Asim Raza, is one of the most anticipated films of 2016. Asim Raza must be applauded for his meticulous style of direction which he inherits from his advertising experience. The way he has conveyed very important social messages wrapped beautifully in glamour to his viewers' subconscious level is not less than a master stroke. With "Ho Mann Jahaan" he proves his sheer talent of spreading alluring colors on silver screen and same time touching social issues in a way that does not inflict any damage to over all complexion of the film.

In one of the scene, for instance, in which Nimra Bucha who is playing mother of Mahira Khan and famous abstract painter in film, asked by her ex-husband Jamal Shah, who happens to be some sort of spiritual leader with feudal background, about the subject of her forthcoming painting exhibition, and she tells him the subject of her painting exhibition is "Munafqat- The Hypocrisy". The inimical face expression of Jamal Shah after listening her reply is worth of watching in that scene. In another scene in which Mahira Khan sings Baluchi song and her university friends ask her how in the world she has learnt Baluchi song and her university friends flabbergast when she reveals that she has worked with Lyari based NGO where she has learnt Baluchi song. Out of their wonderment they ask her again how a girl like her went to Lyari. "Lyari is also part of Karachi", she naively replies. Like a master craftsman Asim Raza has skillfully sketched the typical anxiety of middle class youth which is whooping with raging passion and apprehensions of upper class about direction of their next generation.

Music of "Ho Mann Jahaan" is an excuse or more like a medium to invoke never-been-asked-before questions from every section of our society confronting ruthless speed of change. With all glamour and beauty "Ho Mann Jahaan" is an intelligent effort which tingles with "social taboos" like male-female friendship, status of music in our society and further explores what happens when an obedient son or daughter expresses his or her intention of going along with their passion against the wishes of their parents.

Asim Raza has roped in ensemble cast to turn his ambitious project into reality. The name of Mahira Khan has become USP for both teleplays as well as films in Pakistan. But her newly acquired status of diva of Pakistani show-biz is not a glitch but a God gifted persona which makes her visual treat every time she appears on screen and impresses with her restrained acting skills and naive expressions. In "Ho Mann Jahaan" she inveigles everyone with her stunning looks but she proves her metal of acting in tense situations.

Sheharyar Munawar as resentful but passionate brute musician Arhan impresses everyone. His flamboyance truly depicts the character writer and director envisioned for him. His chemistry with Soniya Jahan is fiery which could have been extended but has been cut short due to duration of the film.

Soniya Jahan as mature and independent woman is breath of fresh air. The character of Soniya Jahan and her relationship with Sheheryar Munawar leave viewers in little ambiguity though her presence gives serene feeling to overall outlook of "Ho Mann Jahaan".

Few critics have downplayed Adeel Hussain's performance in "Ho Mann Jahaan" but in my opinion he outshines others with immaculate portrayal of a son who is carrying heavy burden of enormous expectation of his parents. In one scene in which he comes to home in drowsy condition and experiences emotional break down in front of her parents begging redemption from being a good son, is pure tearjerker and one the main highlights of "Ho Mann Jahaan".

Pakistani TV and film industry is fortunate to have an actress like Bushra Ansari. With her chameleon like talent she performs a role of rich and overprotected mother in film with perfection.

"Ho Mann Jahaan" is a kind of cinematic endeavor every Pakistani can proud of. With its wholesome entertainment value and glamour it is not only a visual treat but also a call for a dialogue on social taboos. In one of the penultimate scenes of the film there is an important conversation between Jamal Shah and Mahira Khan as father and daughter which in my opinion is more like a dialogue between two different schools of thought to find peaceful coexistence, tolerance and most importantly forbearance. Do yourself a favor and watch "Ho Mann Jahaan".

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Refreshing Start, immersive throughout, excellent execution and beautiful music.

Ho Mann Jahaan had everything that a modern day movie should have. It was relatable, it was not far fetched and it all seemed honest. This was a movie based on the life of three friends from College, how their lives were interconnected and how events unfolded as time progressed. I know it all sounds like an over used and clich idea. But the way it was executed, connecting with how the different facets of society and family structures in Pakistan operate did not allow the viewer to think 'clich' even once. And the way it was panned out, it all linked back together like a well direction-ed, well steered boat. In the end Converging together with the initial message of the film, 'dosti'(Friendship).

Ignoring the occasional flaw when the musician's fingers or hands were not moving on the guitar yet the tune was altering. The direction, the location and they way the film was paced was impeccable. It may have seemed a bit stretched a little before and after the intermission, but that effect was unnoticeable when fused with beautiful yet refreshing music.

None of the characters seemed unnecessary, everyone on-screen had some part to play. And everyone played their part near perfect. Be it the evergreen Bushra Ansari, the beautiful Mahira Khan, Adeel Hussain or Sheheryar Munawar. Each actor had a distinctive character, no one seemed to be put on the sideline and none of the characters seemed fake. Which is extremely important because the actors need to believe in characters as a start to even have a chance of making the audience believe.

The music was the undisputed star of this movie. Considering that the plot was largely based on music, the art itself. The film shined in the music that it brought forward. Be it the beautiful Balochi tunes, Atif aslam's Dil Kare, the pure entertainer Shakar Wanda or most importantly the classical Revitalized Zoheb Hassan and Nazia Hassan's 'Dosti'. This particular song may I add fit perfectly with the story line of the movie.

Besides all the technical aspects of the movie. In the end what does it or breaks it for the viewer is whether he/she is able to 'feel' with the movie. Does the viewer walk out of the theater with a smile on his/her face? This movie was able to create that feel and that is why I loved this movie.

This is indeed a wonderful start to the New Year and a wonderful first step of the year in the revival of the Pakistani Film Industry.

4.5*/5*

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I truly believe that there is nothing better to alleviate stress of any and all kinds then watching a good movie, for some time now Pakistani cinema has seen some sort of a resurgence, not only in terms of the market share and the bragging rights but also in terms of the quality of the films. The trend was started by Khuda Kay Liye, then came Bol and the trickle down effect has seen the local talent from directors, producers to the many up and coming actors both male and female come to the fore and churn out unexpected hits that not only resonate with our culture but are appreciated abroad as well. I was cautiously optimistic going in for Ho Mann Jahan, the film had everything going for it from tremendous marketing with a tie in with the marketing juggernaut that is the brand Coca Cola, to a very talented though somewhat underrated cast. The many vignettes on TV commercials seemed very promising, little did i know that the film will completely blow my expectations out of the water.

It won't be an understatement to say that this is a modern classic by all accounts and i am not saying this because i am a Pakistani, you have to see the film to understand how beautifully its crafted. First and foremost, the three main actors: Mahira Khan, Adeel Hussain and Sheheryar Munawar deserve huge props for their performances, each embodied their character and were pulling out all the stops and seemed to be living their roles. The ever present Bushra Ansari was great as usual and even the cameos by Hamza Ali Abbasi, Zoheb Hassan and Fawad Khan were very welcome and never seemed to be just filler with no substance. The film being a musical had to have good music and although i didn't like every song in the movie, its safe to say that it caters to a variety of tastes in music and does have something for everyone, although Atif Aslam's solo number 'Dil Kare' seemed to stand out amongst others.

The cinematography was superb, there were scenes where the relative newcomers were outclassing the veterans and were pushing all the right buttons to generate a reaction from the audience. The narrative of the film revolves around friendship and so it has its fair share of variety when it comes to plot twists and memorable moments. I was especially impressed by Sheheryar Munawar's performance, he seemed such a natural in his role and it seems that sky is really the limit for his future. Mahira was looking ravishing but that doesn't mean that she was all eye candy, this was probably her most complete performance yet. Adeel Hussain did a very commendable job as well. To conclude, this is a film that simply can't be missed by a Pakistani cinema goer, as for the audiences abroad, if u want to see a film that is representative of Pakistan through and through; packs a punch and is thoroughly entertaining from start to finish without relying on silly item numbers, you can't do much better than this.

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Childish one-liners and pointless symbolism in the dialogues fail to save the film from becoming a never-ending journey. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

But the cinema-going audience does not behave like the typical consumer. They can't be fooled so easily because they pay for the ticket and over-priced popcorns to watch something they won't get to see for free on their television sets. Asim Raza aims for that marriage and ends up making Ho Mann Jahaan into a film that undermines the audiences' intellect by going for an ideal and literal closure to everything in its story world.

It's a film for the youth, says Ho Mann Jahaan director Asim Raza

Arhan (Sheheryar Munawar), Nadir (Adeel Hussain) and Manizeh (Mahira Khan) study at the Institute of Business Administration. Arhan is the ugly duckling of the class. He doesn't get good grades and the teachers don't like him and his father scolds him all the time. Music is his true calling, which also makes him the anchor point of the unnamed band that also comprises Manizeh and Nadir. Manizeh's mother (Nimra Bucha) is a fine artist and her father (Jamal Shah), who lives alone, was a singer who left making music over religious reasons. She is a bright student, has an art-friendly atmosphere at home and is in love with Nadir who is the only child of parents played by Arshad Mehmud and Bushra Ansari. Nadir's family is quite affluent and protective about him. There's also this bassist who is only seen in the initial jamming sessions and the closing wedding scene; what typical treatment of a session player. Sonya Jehan makes her presence felt as an independent woman, despite the script not allowing her much room to explore her acting chops in her Pakistani film debut. The film takes a little over an hour to establish all this and that's not even the story of the film. Eventually their personal and professional goals intertwine to put together a film that is thoroughly a Pakistani offspring of Rock On!! and Student of the Year.

Ho Mann Jahaan is not a film about music, neither is it a film about musicians. It is a film about finding your true calling that uses musicians as an additive and not the cuisine. However it draws as many parallels with the Pakistani music industry as the number of Coke bottles appearing in it, which becomes a touch confusing for the audiences and insulting for the music industry. Guitarist Faraz Anwar once said, "Our society is so controlling that drummers end up picking up guitars because the neighbours next door have issues with the sound." The film nowhere brushes upon any of these realities of becoming a musician in Pakistan.

Having said that, Raza must be given credit for bringing an important issue to the forefront and that is of parents controlling their children's lives. So far the old and wise parents of Pakistani TV and film have only been guilty of arranged marriages but Asim puts them under scrutiny for controlling their children's dreams. Upon that, moving performance of both Mehmud and Ansari will convince many to change gears like the two parents do in the film.

Other than that, much like Bin Roye, actors try to save an irredeemable script. The scenes are needlessly long and sometimes many are used to communicate little, making it suffocating to sit through the 160 minutes of storytelling.

Despite there being no clear character of the band or the trio, the actors work hard to save each other's lapses and refrain from stealing each other's thunder. But a number of times, both Adeel and Sheheryar go over-the-top, such as the time when Adeel comes home crying and starts behaving like a drunkard and Sheheryar turns loud but not impactful in the one-on-one conversations. Mahira mostly deals the script flaws and hollowness with grace. Her experience reflects in a number of powerful close-ups.

On the downside, the excess of the same close-ups actually kill the film. One wonders why Asim opted for such claustrophobic shots for a film that has a very liberating theme and this proved to be a major disparity in the overall visual language of the film.

The childish one-liners, pointless symbolism in the dialogues and unrealistic characters fail to save it from becoming a never-ending journey with a predictable climax. So much so, that the entire third act is nothing more than just a series of confessions made by the characters to each other and not one is executed subtly. You don't always need a monologue to reveal important information and you don't have to make every wedding sequence look like a life insurance or tea-whitener advertisement. More is less seems to be Raza's way forward in the film world.

Verdict: Ho Mann Jahaan is a failed marriage between advertisement and film, and the rest is just too long to sit and absorb.

2. Ho Mann Jahaan; movie review

Ho Mann Jahaan is a ride which will take you to your inner self. The director Asim Raza explained in one of his interviews that the title has dual meaning; one is simple that '[be] wherever your heart is' and the other one, 'My heart is my universe [Jahaan]'. And with a meaning so deep resonating in my mind, I headed to the Lahore premiere to experience Ho Mann Jahaan.

Join me as I dissect the highly anticipated film's direction, music, acting, and the overall experience.

Asim Raza's direction was picture perfect

With a perfectionist like Asim Raza behind the film, I was sure of Ho Mann Jahaan being nothing short of an absolute masterpiece, in terms of cinematography, and it truly turned out to be one. Attention to detail and progression of each and every character, are points that will surely resonate with the viewer.

Aesthetically, Ho Mann Jahaan is local cinema at its finest. Every shot and scene is picturesque, making each and every person in the cinema hall feel as if they're watching moving painting. The film is glamorous, but at the same time connects with the masses.

Read: 'Ho Mann Jahaan' is a story of emotions: Asim Raza

Everyone fit in perfectly

Let's now speak of how the artists' portrayed their characters.

Adeel Hussain as Nadir was brilliant. Nadir is an obedient, passionate and emotional person who's arguably a good son, friend, and fianc all at the same time.

Read: Introducing Nadir, from 'Ho Mann Jahaan'

Arhaan, played by Sheheryar Munawar, on the other hand, is an ambitious young fellow who has his morals all confused, and again he played his part amazingly well.

Read: In conversation with Sheheryar Munawar on 'Ho Mann Jahaan'

Mahira Khan looked pretentious at first (may be we've gotten used to her playing a 'typical eastern girl' in most roles), but improved as the film proceeded.

Khan, herself said in a few interviews, that it was difficult to come out of that comfort zone of 'Khirad-esque' (her character in Humsafar) acting. Unfortunately, or fortunately, it follows her with whatever character she plays. In this film we saw a different side of Khan as she evolved from a docile Khirad to strong-minded Maneezeh.

Read: My looks are European but my mind is Pakistani: Sonya Jehan

Sonya Jehan looked majestic. Her natural acting and flow of delivering dialogues took me by surprise. Veteran actors, Bushra Ansari, Arshad Mehmood, Jamal Shah and Nimra Bucha, fit into their characters' shoes perfectly. The cameo appearances of superstars kept surprising me, so guys be prepared!

Story was predictable, but kept you hooked

The plot of the film isn't anything ground breaking and is sort of predicable. The story however keeps you glued to the seat for these three beautiful hours, but you just know what's coming next.

The story is about three college friends who have a passion for music over the years and form a band, dreaming of making it big. Their lives, however, change as they finish and move towards professional life with pressure from family and society.

The film was predictable, but one can certainly not deny the fact that there are a few surprising twists and turns in the story that keep your excitement level high. The dialogues of the film written by Yasir Hussain of Karachi Se Lahore fame, are witty and most importantly the comic timing of the actors work!

Music was a huge success, but you knew that, didn't you?

The soundtracks are a hit with the audience, even before its release. With perhaps above a million Shakar Wandaan dubsmashs taking the internet by storm, this particular soundtrack is a signature HMJ song.

The film's music is done by artists such as Atif Aslam, Zeb Bangash, Jimmy Khan, Zoheb Hasan, Mai Dhai, and Asrar. It's safe to say that they have managed to hit the bull's eye. The genres of each track are different, ranging from folk, pop, qawwali, and at times, all of that mixed together.

The soundtracks of the film are par excellence and the fact that every Pakistani has these songs in their playlist, says a lot about the success of the film's music album.

Read: 'Ho Mann Jahaan' Music Success Night was a huge...success!

Final Verdict

The film overall highlights the importance of tolerance, handling issues sensibly, and trusting in relationship and family; but most importantly the bonding between friends. It's an entertaining journey and Munawar, in a recent interview with Instep, describes it perfectly, "It's a social commentary", and no doubt it is. Everybody watching it can relate with it in one way or the other, It has a couple of flaws, but truly plays its part in the development and growth of local cinema.

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The cast, crew, costumes, charm and chimes; Ho Mann Jahaan (HMJ) possessed all the ingredients for becoming a super-hit romantic drama. But then what was lacking that forced avid movie fans like me to walk out dejected and downright chagrined?

A simple, relatable theme of following your dreams, dominating parents, single parenting and religious upbringing was one facet of the movie. Between these was a web of developing romance, friendships going sour, lost love, deceptive love, jealousy, passions and careers. And all this was finally wrapped up in a love for music.

Two beautiful women of our television and film industries, Mahira Khan and Sonya Jehan, paired with two handsome hunks, alongside veterans like Bushra Ansari, Jamal Shah and Arshad Mahmood, the star cast boasted of an ideal package. It was evident from the beginning that the movie was tastefully made; with an eye for detail on interiors, simple yet chic dress sense, casual make-up and even more casual hairdos.

A modern day setting of college graduates, close friendships, troubled relationships with parents and their love for music brings the three main characters played by Mahira Khan, Adeel Hussain and Sheheryar Munawwar together. Their common passion for pursuing music knits them together and eventually breaks them apart too. As expected, Mahira Khan came out stunning while the boys, who played the roles of an obedient child and a rebel, respectively, came out well too. Sonya Jehan, on the other hand, is shown as a progressive female running an up market caf. As beautiful and vibrant as she looked, her tepid acting abilities can do only so much for her.

The double standards of raising children and the narrow vision of the society concerning art and music were depicted well and brilliantly portrayed. However, the emotions of jealousy between Mahira and Adeel, and mistakenly assumed love between Sonya and Shehryar, were loosely conceived. It was left to the audience to connect the events and interpret the outcome, which they did.

Some bits of the movie, which required a decent amount of sensitivity and time, were rushed through even though the movie was three hours long. The music was very well-composed, however all the nice numbers were pushed right in the end and literally played one after the other.

What the four protagonists played out was a long serial, rather than a well-clipped, crisp feature film and that is why the audience's interest started to wane. Instead of watching the movie, most of them were flicking through their phones, munching on extra nachos or just shifting around in their seats to kill time. Not to mention the special appearances made by an entire crusade of actors ranging from Fawad Khan, to Strings and finally to Zoheb Hassan. A change of scene and one would see a guest appearance, which left one wondering whether we had lost the plot or they had. Had they put in a little more effort on editing, the movie would have definitely been more interesting.

The highlight of the film was the song Dosti', originally sung by Nazia and Zoheb Hassan, which was played on the Coke Studio platform in the movie. The song instantly took me back to the days when we were young, with untapped passions, no career in mind and solely following what our parents thought was right for us. Despite minor flaws, this coming of age drama struck the right chords with a subtle message encouraging us to believe in ourselves, to follow our dreams and to keep in mind that at the end of the day it is our parents, genuine friendships and love that eventually make or break us.

I wrap up my HMJ review with a deceptively simple take on Kisir' which is the Turkish version of its better-known counterpart Taboulleh'. Just like the simple themes of HMJ were constructed around a long journey, Kisir also uses simple ingredients but in a rather crisp way. Kisir is made from either bulgur or couscous grain and it can be used as a side dish to your lamb roast, an appetizer before your mains or a complete meal in itself on a pesky summer afternoon. Once made correctly, you can add anything and everything to the fluffed grain according to your taste. However tomato paste is a preferred staple, primarily to add colour and slight tartness to the dish. A typically authentic Kisir would also have a tablespoon or so of pomegranate molasses; since I did not have access to that I used balsamic vinegar instead. I added some chopped red onions, tomatoes, and fresh parsley (which I think is essential for a peppery kick and sensuous aroma).

Kisir is often served with freshly baked bread however I decided to serve it with fresh crisp lettuce, which plays well against the bread guilt.

Ingredients (Makes more than a cup)

cup couscous

cup boiling water

1 tbsp. tomato paste

1 tsp. paprika powder

1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

Salt to taste

To mix in

cuponions (chopped)

cup tomatoes (chopped)

Freshly cut parsley

Method

Put couscous in a bowl, add tomato paste and paprika and mix well. Pour boiling water on top, stir again and leave aside for 25 minutes.

In the mean time chop the vegetables and prepare your condiments.

After 25 minutes, fluff up the boiled couscous with a fork and add balsamic vinegar and salt, mixing it well. Adjust seasoning to taste

Tip in your chopped onions, tomatoes and parsley and mix well again. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes and serve as desired.