Dua-e-Istikhara

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Istikhara" means to seek goodness from Allah (Exalted is He), meaning when one intends to do an important task they do istikhara before the task. The one who does the istikhara is as if they request Allah Almighty that, O the Knower of Unseen (Exalted is He) guide me if this task is better for me or not? According to Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 21, Number 263:Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah :The Prophet (Sallal Laho Alaihi Wasallam) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara, in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Quran. He said, "If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say the above dua (after the prayer)" WAY TO PERFORM ISTIKHARA:First pray two cycles of ritual prayer [raka'] such that in the first raka' after Surah Fatiha (Allhamd…) recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) and in the second raka' after Fatiha (Allhamd…) recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112) and after finishing prayer [salam] then recite this (supplication/dua'): Dua in Arabic Text above. TRANSLATION of Dua-e-Istikhara:"O Allah! I seek goodness from Your Knowledge and with Your Power (and Might) I seek strength, and I ask from You Your Great Blessings, because You have the Power and I do not have the power. You Know everything and I do not know, and You have knowledge of the unseen. Oh Allah! If in Your Knowledge this action ------------------------------------------------ (which I intend to do) is better for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then make it destined for me and make it easy for me and then add blessings [baraka'] in it, for me. O Allah! In Your Knowledge if this action is bad for me, bad for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and whatever is better for me, ordain [destine] that for me and then make me satisfied with it."How many times? It depends. Sometimes it takes only once to get the answer and sometimes it takes longer. It is better to do istakhara seven (7) times and right after reciting the supplication, given above, sleep with ablution (people who cannot keep the ablution for longer times due to health problems do not have to worry about ablution before falling asleep) facing the direction of the Qibla (facing the Qibla is not required but it is a Sunnat of our beloved Prophet Peace Be Upon Him). It is better to recite salutations (durood/ salawat) on the Prophet Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him before and after the above Dua (supplication). Answer to your Dua: If in the dream one sees whiteness (means any thing white in color, for example: milk, white paper, white sky, white clothes, white light etc.) or greenness (means any thing green in color, for example: grass, plants, trees, green clothes, green light etc.) then understand that this task is better and if one sees redness (means any thing red in color, for example: blood, red clothing, red fruit, red light etc.) or blackness (means any thing black in color, for example: black water, black light, black clothings, black sky, black wall etc. ) then understand it is bad and avoid it.If do not remember any dream or do not see any colors then follow your heart. Whatever intention grows stronger in your heart regarding your targated work follow it after seven days of Istakhara. Way of Istikhara For Urdu Readers:

Another Way to Perform Istikhara Is:

Kindly, Remember me in All Your Prayers.

Was'salam

Duaa Go

Syed Muhammad Arif Latif.

Aaj Ka Din

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The Bowfinger

Bowfinger This article is about a comedy film. For the offensive UK/Commonwealth gesture. Directed by Frank Oz Produced by Brian Grazer (Imagine Entertainment) Written by Steve Martin Starring Steve Martin Eddie Murphy Heather Graham Terrence Stamp Music by David Newman Distributed by Universal Pictures Release date(s) August 13, 1999 Running time 97 min. Language English Budget $44,000,000[1] Bowfinger is a 1999 film directed by Frank Oz about a down-and-out filmmaker in Hollywood. It was written by Steve Martin, and stars Martin, Eddie Murphy, and Heather Graham. Film critics have described Bowfinger as a parody of Hollywood, filmmaking, celebrity and according to many reviews, the group "MindHead" is a parody of the Church of Scientology. Steve Martin has denied that MindHead is based on Scientology. Contents • 1 Plot • 2 Production o 2.1 Casting • 3 Themes • 4 Reception o 4.1 Critical reception o 4.2 Box office results • 5 References • 6 External links Plot Film producer Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) is extremely eager to make a film, he's saved up for it his entire life -- he now has $2,184 to pay for production costs. With a script penned by an accountant (Adam Alexi-Malle), a camera operator (Jamie Kennedy) with access to studio-owned equipment, and several actors who are hungry for work (Christine Baranski, Heather Graham, Kohl Sudduth) he needs access to a studio in order to distribute his masterwork. He manages to extract a promise from a film studio executive (Robert Downey Jr.) that the executive will distribute the film if it includes currently-hot action star Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy). Ramsey - a rather pompous, neurotic actor - refuses, so Bowfinger constructs a plan to covertly film (on an extremely low budget) all of Ramsey's scenes without his knowledge. The actors, told that Ramsey is method acting and will not be interacting with them outside of their scenes, walk up to Ramsey in public and recite their lines while hidden cameras catch Ramsey's confused reactions. The plan goes well at first. Ramsey ends up starring (unknowingly) in the movie. However, Ramsey (who is a member of an organization called MindHead) misinterprets the movie's sci-fi dialogue and believes he's being stalked by aliens, damaging his already-precarious mental state. He finally goes into hiding in order to maintain his sanity. This puts a hold on the film production, and leaves Bowfinger wondering what to do next. A desperate Bowfinger resorts to hiring a Ramsey lookalike (also played by Murphy) named Jiff. Jiff is kind, amiable and rather clueless. He even runs a gauntlet of "stunt drivers" racing along a major freeway when asked. Eventually, he becomes depressed about his lack of acting talent, but another castmember assures him that his real talent is being an exact double for Kit Ramsey. Jiff isn't sure "how much of a talent that is...I mean, I am his brother." Using this new knowledge, Bowfinger has Jiff find out Kit Ramsey's movements and the final, pivotal conclusion to the movie is readied for filming. All Bowfinger needs to shoot is the final scene at an observatory, with Ramsey shouting the final line "Gotcha suckers!" At this point, MindHead officials have discovered evidence that Kit's 'aliens' may not be just in his head. They track Bowfinger to the observatory, and shut down production. It seems Bowfinger will never get his movie. That is until his camera crew reveals that they were filming B-roll footage of Ramsey off-set, just in case they saw anything they could use. What they got was footage of Ramsey donning a paper bag over his head and exposing himself to an amused Laker Girl Cheerleading Squad. Bowfinger shows the footage to MindHead, and blackmails them, threatening to take the footage public. Knowing that this material could ruin Ramsey's career (he's a major contributor to their operation), MindHead advises the star to finish the project. Bowfinger finally gets to sit at the premiere of a movie he himself directed, and is awed. Following the arguable success of the movie, Bowfinger receives a rare Fed-Ex envelope -- an offer to film a martial arts movie called "Fake Purse Ninjas" starring Bowfinger and Jiff Ramsey. Production The film was produced by Brian Grazer's company Imagine Entertainment, in conjunction with Universal Studios.[2] The working title for the film was "Bowfinger's Big Thing".[3][4] The film was initially scheduled for a July 30, 1999 release, but in May 1999 Universal Studios pushed its release back to August 27, 1999.[5] Its final release date was August 13, 1999.[6][7] The film's costs amounted to USD$44 million.[1] Casting Actress Heather Graham, who portrayed the character Daisy in the film, described her character in an interview with CNN's Entertainment News. "It's about these losers in Hollywood who want to make a movie, and I'm this naive, innocent girl who wants to be an actress. I'm willing to stop at nothing."[8] Graham stated that she has a "special attachment" to the roles she chooses, and explained "I think it's kind of like you fall in love with the person, like you fall in love with the script."[8] Themes In reviews of the film, some critics compared the fictional organization "MindHead" to the Church of Scientology.[9][10][11] Paul Clinton wrote in CNN online: "'Bowfinger' could just be viewed as an out-there, over-the-top spoof about Hollywood, films, celebrities and even the Church of Scientology. But Martin has written a sweet story about a group of outsiders with impossible dreams."[10] Andrew O'Hehir wrote in Salon that "Too much of 'Bowfinger' involves the filmmakers' generically wacky pursuit of the increasingly paranoid Kit, who flees into the clutches of a pseudo-Scientology outfit called MindHead (their slogan: 'Truth Through Strength')."[11] The Denver Post, the Daily Record and the San Francisco Chronicle made similar comparisons,[12][13][14] and the Albuquerque Journal and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram called MindHead a "thinly veiled" parody of Scientology.[15][16] A review in The New York Times described actor Terrence Stamp's role in the film as "a cult leader for a Scientology-like organization called Mind Head," and The Dallas Morning News and the Houston Chronicle made similar statements about Stamp's character.[17][18][19] Writer Steve Martin told the New York Daily News "I view it as a pastiche of things I've seen come and go through the years," and stated "Scientology gets a lot of credit or blame right now, because they're the hottest one."[20] The Cincinnati Enquirer noted in its review "For the record, Mr. Martin denies MindHead is based on Scientology."[21] Other critics noted the film's spoofs on the cult of celebrity and experiences film producers can undergo when attempting to get a movie made in Hollywood. Time Out Film Guide called the film a "satire on Hollywood's lunatic fringe."[22] The Seattle Post-Intelligencer noted that "it takes swipes at stupid action films" and "the ageism of the industry."[23] The Seattle Post-Intelligencer also noted Eddie Murphy's ability to spoof himself in the film, including "kidding his own legendary paranoia, evoking his real-life sex scandal and allowing himself to be the butt of Martin's extended gag."[23] Leonard Schwarz of Palo Alto Online described the film as "arch and knowing about the ways of Hollywood," including "producers who want to keep their cars more than their kids when they get divorced."[24] Russell Smith of The Austin Chronicle noted the film's satire of "L.A. movie culture, and brain-dead blockbuster films."[25] An article in the San Francisco Chronicle by Bob Graham wrote that "Martin the writer plants some wicked barbs in Hollywood's rear end about creative financing of movies and hoarding of profits, the art of the deal, hipper-than-thou attitudes and exploitation."[26] Laurie Scheer writes in Creative Careers in Hollywood "Steve Martin's performance as Bobby Bowfinger is one that is not to be missed, especially if you are choosing a career as a producer."[27] Themes within the film were also compared to Mel Brooks' The Producers, and a critique in the Denver Rocky Mountain News wrote that the film has "..the madcap velocity of Mel Brooks' The Producers."[28] Roger Ebert wrote that "Like Mel Brooks' "The Producers," it's about fringe players who strike out boldly for the big time."[29] The New York Times wrote that "The title character in the hilarious, good-hearted Bowfinger is a tireless schemer who, like Zero Mostel in The Producers, is part of a great show-biz tradition: being ruthless, delusional and hellbent on turning lemons into lemonade."[30] Jeff Millar of the Houston Chronicle compared Steve Martin's character in the film to Edward Wood, Jr., and Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times described Bowfinger International Pictures as "a company so threadbare even schlockmeister Ed Wood would've looked down on it."[31][32] Comparisons were also made to Tim Burton's eponymous film about the director, Ed Wood.[33] Reception Critical reception Bowfinger received generally positive reception from film critics. The film has received a "fresh" rating of 81% on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 91 reviews.[34] Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars, and wrote "'Bowfinger' is one of those comedies where everything works."[29] The film also received three out of four stars from the TLA Video & DVD Guide, where it was described as a "goodspirited, funny look at a hack Hollywood producer who will go to any lengths to get his film made."[35] The Seattle-Post Intelligencer gave the film a rating of "A-" in its review, writing "This is one terrific comedy that doesn't let up for an instant."[23] The Rocky Mountain News highlighted the film as a "Critics' Choice", and wrote that "Steve Martin takes gentle but funny aim at Hollywood" in the film.[36] In The Washington Post, Jane Horwitz described the film as a "riotous farce".[37] The Kansas City Star called it a "frequently hilarious comedy".[38] The New York Times highly recommended the film, and reviewer Janet Maslin wrote "This hilarious, good-hearted spiritual descendant of The Producers is a comic coup for Mr. Martin."[39] The Daily Mail wrote "Martin's back to his zany best ... possibly his best ever."[40] A review in the Deseret Morning News was critical, giving the film two and a half out of four stars, and called it a "funny but frantic and somewhat mean-spirited comedy."[41] A review in The Austin Chronicle was also critical, and film critic Russell Smith gave the film two and a half stars, and wrote "As a diehard Martin fan, I'm still hoping for a comeback, but it'll take better efforts than this to get me back in his cheering section."[25] Leonard Maltin also gave the film two and a half stars, and wrote in his Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide "Likeable costars carry this comedy a long way; there are some good laughs throughout, but it's never as satisfying as you'd like it to be."[42] Box office results The film debuted at the number two spot behind The Sixth Sense, with an initial box office weekend return of USD$18.2 million at 2,700 theaters in the United States.[6][43] It held onto the number two spot in its second week, earning an additional $10.7 million and grossing $35.7 million in its first ten days.[44][45][46] As of September 7, 1999, Bowfinger was at the fourth spot, with a weekend return of $7 million and a total gross of $55.5 million.[47] By September 13, 1999, the film had slipped to 5th place, with a weekend return of $3.7 million, for a total take of $60.5 million.[48] By October 11, 1999, the film had earned $65 million in the United States.[49] The film did not fare as well overseas as it did in the United States.[50] Films directed by Frank Oz

The Bermuda Tri Angle

The Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle is an area between Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and Fort Lauderdale that is famous for paranormal activities.

The Bermuda Triangle includes a significant amount of ships and aircrafts disappearing under highly unusual circumstances. Bizarre activity where the laws of physics are violated. Despite popular belief most sea faring agencies believe the high incidence of accidents is more reflective of the most heavily traveled ocean region of the world. Nonetheless, there are still countless stories with no legitimate explanation . The Bermuda Triangle - a paranormal phenomenon or an area of heavy use with a unsurprising amount of tragedy given the high amount of use? Whatever the case, the area is ripe for exploration. “Triangle” in History: a shape takes form “The region involved, a watery triangle bounded roughly by Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico, measures less than a thousand miles on any one side.” . . .So George X. Sand introduced the Triangle to his readers in October 1952 in a short article for Fate magazine, entitled “Sea Mystery at our Back Door.” Sand’s article recounted the latest disappearance (the Sandra in 1950) and went on to discuss some of the other recent baffling mysteries like NC16002, Star Tiger and Star Ariel, aside from devoting most of the article to Flight 19. The Triangle remained a colloquial expression throughout the 1950s, employed by locals when another disappearance or unexplained crash happened. By the early 1960s, it had acquired the name The Deadly Triangle. In his 1962 book, Wings of Mystery, author Dale Titler also devoted pages in Chapter 14— “The Mystery of Flight 19”— to recounting the most recent incidents of disappearances and even began to ponder theories, such as electromagnetic anomalies and the ramifications of Project Magnet. His book would set the temper for Triangle The Deadly Triangle as it appeared in a 1962 book Wings of Mystery by Dale Titler. The idea that Vincent Gaddis invented the shape and mystery is nonsense. It had long been popular before his time. He seems merely to have been the first one to call it Bermuda Triangle. It is also nonsense that Gaddis or anybody else ever thought that Miami, Bermuda, and San Juan were absolute nodal points. Gaddis was merely trying to give the area geographic life to a growing audience.

Fate’s October 1952 issue. The Triangle begins. discussions thereafter. (Just in April 1962 Allan W. Eckert had written a sensational piece in the American Legion Magazine on Flight 19 ((“The Mystery of the Lost Patrol”)) which introduced some of the most popular but erroneous dialogue purported coming from Flight 19, including lines like the ocean looks strange, all the compasses are going haywire, and that they could not make out any directions, “everything is strange.” This became a may pole for electromagnetic discussions). However, popularity on the subject was beginning to spread beyond the area of the Atlantic seaboard. But the moniker “Deadly Triangle” contained absolutely no geographic reference in it— in other words “Deadly Triangle” could be anywhere. Then in February 1964 Vincent Gaddis wrote an article for Argosy Magazine. The article was little different from others, though it added a few more recent cases like Marine Sulphur Queen. However, it was his title that finally clinched with the public: “The Deadly Bermuda Triangle.” Adding “Bermuda” finally materialized the location for everybody, though Gaddis clarified “in and about this area” many have disappeared. In his popular 1965 book Invisible Horizons, Gaddis devoted chapter 13 to “The Triangle of Death.” The concept of the Bermuda Triangle was spreading rapidly. Ironically, the first book published devoted to the subject was entitled Limbo of the Lost (1969) by John Spencer, in which he proposed the area had no real shape at all and elaborately tried to include the Gulf of Mexico as well as New Jersey. It sold in limited quantities, but was later reproduced in paperback in the early 1970s and did well. Dozens of magazine and newspaper articles came out in the early ‘70s, each author offering a general shape. Richard Winer proposed “The Devil’s Triangle” and extended it nearly to the Azores near Portugal. Ivan Sanderson was sure it was an oblong shape centered almost entirely north of Bermuda. But no book sold as well as Charles Berlitz’s 1974 bestseller, The Bermuda Triangle. Selling way over 5,000,000 copies in hardback, it became a phenomenon. Berlitz also cautioned about the exact shape, as had the others. But to this day Bermuda Triangle is deferred to for the same reason “Deadly Triangle” failed—there is simply no other name that calls to mind the general area as does Bermuda Triangle. But the vast popularity of the subject brought into vogue an art that is still trying to flourish today—debunking. Out of all the books that were published, only one remains in reprint today: Larry Kusche’s book The Bermuda Triangle Mystery— Solved. But that is the subject of another article.

"Mein Akela"

(Side A)

• Mein Akela, Tunha, zakhmi pa' Liye
• Is Kharzar Rehguzar Pai
• Aarzi Saathion Kai Aitbar Mein
• kaee Baar Raastai sai Hut Gaya
• Nishan e Manzil Bhi, Baar e Haa, Mit Gaya
• Magar Mein Na Jaanai, Kis Aitbaar mein
• Ya,, Murrawwatton kai Hisar mein
• Un Hee sathion ko
• Humsafar, Jaan Ker
• Daireena, Humqadam Maan Ker
• Rah Unki Aasan Kernai Ko
• Saath Unkai, Unki Manzil Tuk
• Kai Baar Jaa kai, Palat gaya
• Khud Apni Rah sai, Hut Gaya
• Mein Akela, Tunha, zakhmi pa' Liye
• Chalta Raha, Mein Chalta Raha
• Kabhi Iskai Saath Kabhi Uskai Saath
• Mein Chalta Raha..Mein Chalta Raha

(Side B)

• Mein Khara Hoon Ab bhi Darmiyan
• Nazar Sai Gum Hua Hai Ab Her Nishaan
• Kaha phir Kisi nai Yeh Mujh sai Aaj
• Teri Saada Dili ka hai yeh Khraj
• Tu Is Rah Ka Musafir Nahin
• Dhoondh Rah Apnai Liye
• Kisi Aur Ki Khatir Nahin
• Aray O Pagal, Deewanai Shakhs
• Tujhay Kaun Kare Hai Yahan Pasand
• Jo Teri Deewangi, kai hain Gawah
• Teri Burbadi Ki Hain Wajah
• Magar Tu Nahin Samajhta Hai
• Unhi Dushmanon sai Jaa kai Milta Hai
• Jo Tujhe, Kuch NAhin Maantai
• Teray Dil Ka Dard Nahin Jaantai
• Tu Akela Yunhi Khara Reh
• Inhi Raaston Kai Darmain

By Syed Arif Raza (During the period 1988 to 1990a at Japan)

Seasons change, so do we.

Hopes remain, so should be.

Birds in the sky, fly very high

I look at them, with a heavy sigh.

Why not wings He gave to me,

So that I could fly,

also very high.

God is wise and very kind.

He gave me power

to think and dream.

To hope and want;

desire for more.

With the help of these,

I started flying,

And reached the sky,

very high.

Where even those birds

Could not be seen.

.

Zinda Laash (Living Corpse) (1967)

Zinda Laash (Living Corpse) (1967)

Cast: Deeba, Yasmeen, Habib, Asad, Alauddin, Talish, Rehan &, Nasreen

Director: Khwaja Sarfraz

Synopsis: Lollywood interpretation of Hammer's Dracula is surprisingly effective Reviewed by: Omar Khan

.

Lollywood's forays into the realm of horror have been few and far between (unless you consider those Pushto monstrosities as the most terrifying brand of horror) and one has to go back years and years in order to be able to discover even one.

Jasoos from the early 80's is a weird slasher/stalker thriller which employs horror techniques and was an enormously enjoyable if totally bewildering experience. While Jasoos was essentially a murder mystery, Zinda Laash is an out and out horror film - Lollywood's own interpretation of Hammer's classic Dracula with Rehan slipping into Christopher Lee's role as the Zinda Laash of the title and doing a fine job.

The 60's black and white production starts off with a clearly unstable mad scientist type (Professor Tabani) working profusely in his very Hammer-ish lab. Test-tubes bubble away furiously and while the distinguished professor pours himself a beaker of a very strange looking substance and proceeds to knock it back. The next morning an assistant finds the Professor's corpse lying crumpled up and a note which explains what had caused it. After the professor is buried, the potion starts to take effect and he is abruptly woken from the sleep of the dead and returns to the animate world as the Living Dead.

Fortunately for him, he appears to have been buried in a coffin with a lid that opens very easily as he is out and about searching for victims within moments of reawakening. He finds his buxom accomplice (Nasreen aka Salma Agha's mum) reclining and doesn't waste much time in jabbing those fangs into her fragile neck and feasting on her blood.

A while later we are shown a weary traveler cum investigator (Asad Bukhari - AKA Harker) who is badly in need of shelter, some food and water. He stumbles upon the professor's sprawling decayed mansion amidst the barren wasteland. He enters to find sustenance and an imposing host who appears suddenly to greet the stranger.

First signs of trouble are when the doctor handles the strangers luggage as if it weighed but a grain of salt while carrying it upstairs to the guest room. Tabani catches a glimpse of the photograph of the visitors wife and takes an immediate liking to her neck lines.

That night, a mysterious beauty appears and begins to enchant the stranger with an intoxicating dance number. All cat like grace and voluptuous sensuality, she draws closer to the stranger and then bares her hideous fangs. There is a stand off as Tabani appears to feast on what he considers his rightful victim. The scene is a direct lift from Hammer's film where Barbara Shelley is confronted by an irate Christopher Lee for attempting to partake of his dinner feast.

The wanderer is bitten by Tabani but manages to ward him off momentarily and return to the safety of his room. However the damage has been done and the stranger is destined to join the ranks of the undead. Eventually the strangers young accomplice , himself a Dr., goes on the hunt for his partner and it doesn't take him long to find Tabani's mansion and the beauty's grave as well as the stranger. The young Dr. (Habib) returns to town to inform his trusted in-laws about the horrors he has witnessed and the two of them return to confront Tabani and destroy him.

Yet the evil Professor Tabani has plans of his own and slowly he begins to spread his wings of terror upon an unsuspecting household. And where once there was frolic and laughter, now there is darkness and gloom.

The best thing about it is that it isn't padded out for hours with unnecessary songs and fight sequences. Also there isn't much irritating comedy on evidence either. The film gets down to business from the very opening scene and doesn't stray off course. Rehan makes an imposing Dracula and does an impressive job living in the shadow of Christopher Lee. Deeba does well in a brief but memorable role as the young wife who is targeted by the "Khabees" undead. She has a great, almost Frankenstein like scene with a young niece upon whom she is planning to feast having already left the corpse of another child lying in the local graveyard, drained of every last drop of blood.

Another strong scene is where a the wife of one of our hero's is called late at night and told that her husband has suffered an accident. She goes hurtling off in a taxi through a dark, stormy night while her husband returns home unhurt and unharmed having not suffered an accident of any sort. Then who is the maniac driving her to oblivion?

The special effects are far from disastrous as could have been expected of a film so old, and that too a Lollywood creation. On the whole it's a fairly commendable effort with far superior production values, and background music which suggests a marked deterioration in standards over the years.

Zinda Laash isn't very frightening by modern standards - yet in its day it must have caused a few sleepless night or two. In fact the film was withdrawn after a week of exhibition after the government found it too "corruptive and evil" for the innocent audiences of the nation. The film was restored to cinema's when the producers pleaded with authorities on the grounds that the western version of Dracula had played without any cuts and this version was milder if anything to Hammer's version. The argument did the trick but the film had to carry an "A" certificate which meant that it was considered too strong for anyone other than adults over 21. The movie may not be a classic but compared to some of the dirge that is spewed up by Lollywood on a regular basis, it really is virtually a minor masterpiece. At least it can lay claim to being the best Horror film ever produced in Pakistan and is also head and shoulders above anything yet produced by the Ramsays, Bhakris or Talwars of Bollywood.

Zinda Laash is a worthy Lollywood interpretation of Bram Stokers classic, with an excellent performance by Rehan in the title role. Deeba's too is memorable as she transforms from loveable playful nymph to a haunted, craving, blood-lusting creature of the night. Habib cuts a dashing figure and Asad does a fair job in the Harker role (from Nosferatu). Top marks also to the cameraman and those in charge of lighting who together have managed to come up with as visually effective a film as has been produced in Lollywood. Though the music has been largely pilfered, its well incorporated other than the bit at the very climax which seems a touch OTT. The producers meanwhile remind patrons in the official program of the film to "remember it is a SCREEN ENTERPRISE terrible presentation"

The movie opened on July 7th, 1967 to big crowds as curiosity levels had reached fever pitch as the film made history as the only local release to be awarded an "Adults Only" certificate. The clever advertising in the papers had filmgoers lining up to see why the film was deemed to be a threat to the fragile moral fibre of society! 35 years on, Zinda Laash remains the only local film ever to have been certified "For Adults Only".

We, The Hot Spot are delighted to announce that we have secured Theatrical and Home Video rights to ZINDA LAASH for the regions of North America,Europe, Australia and New Zealand as well as Home Video rights for Pakistan. The film is to be part of The Mondo Macabro series of DVD releases due in the near future and will therefore become the first Pakistani film to be released on DVD - unless someone else beats us to it in during this period!

*)- ZINDA LAASH is uniquely honoured to be the first ever horror film to be screened at two major International Film Festivals; at the Sitges Fantastic Film Festival of Spain and the Neuchatel International Festival of Fantastic Films in Switzerland.

.

Aakhri Muqabala: Kung Fu Madness From Pakistan

Aakhri Muqabala: Kung Fu Madness From Pakistan Posted on 09.24.07 by Jeff @ 6:53 am

Title and Year: AAKHRI MUQABALA (1977)

Language: Punjabi

Director: KHALIFA SAEED

Cast: SULTAN RAHI, NAJMA, AKBAR, KH. NAZIR, NAZLI

Approximate running time: 2 hours, 28 minutes (B&W)

[cast and crew information taken from http://www.citwf.com/film2739.htm]

Review By: JeffRating: 4 out of 4 stars (tremendous)

During the mid-to-late 1970s, it seemed like the entire world had caught kung fu fever in the wake of Bruce Lee’s tragic death. Film industries from around the globe tried to cash in on the kung fu craze, cranking out untold numbers of martial arts pictures. The Pakistani film industry — commonly known as Lollywood — was not immune from this trend. In 1977, Lollywood director Khalifa Saeed, along with his cast of sweaty dudes with bushy mustaches, made their contribution to cinema history in the form of a kung fu epic entitled Aakhri Muqabala.

Far more than just a novelty item, Aakhri Muqabala is simultaneously a brutal martial arts epic and a disorienting, psychedelic freak-out. This film gets my highest recommendation for kung fu fans, exploitation buffs, and jaded cult movie fans who (wrongly) think they’ve seen it all. In an ideal world, this film would get a 2-disc deluxe DVD release from the Mondo Macabro label or another enterprising DVD company and become an instant midnight movie classic. The plot — or as much of it as I can divine without the benefit of subtitles — is quite simple. Hero #1 (who vaguely resembles the Bollywood actor Dharmendra) fights a cadre of bad guys with his superior kung fu skills. Eventually, however, the bad guys get the best of Hero #1, and break off one of his legs. Fortunately, Hero #2 (who looks like Sacha Baron Cohen) steps in to save the day. Hero #2 is given a photograph of each of the bad guys who crippled Hero #1. He tracks each one of them down, ripping up each bad guy’s photo once he locates him. Hero #2 engages in a kung fu fight with each bad guy, defeats each bad guy, and takes his revenge by breaking the bad guy’s leg (or worse) at the end of each fight.

The first third of the film is quite static and talky, and accordingly of little interest to non-Punjabi speakers, at least until someone releases a subtitled version of this film. However, it appears that a different, far more crazed director was responsible for the second two thirds of the film. At about the fifty minute mark, Aakhri Muqabala kicks into overdrive, providing the viewer with one hundred minutes of uninterrupted kung fu fights and raunchy musical numbers. At this point, the lack of subtitles becomes completely irrelevant, as there is little spoken dialogue other than grunting in the latter two-thirds of the film.

The film’s lengthy fight sequences are presented in a manner that is truly unique. Although the martial arts choreography is not especially crisp (many punches and kicks clearly do not connect with their targets), the action is rather brutal and bloody. Indeed, the fight scenes appear to be especially brutal because each one goes on and on for many minutes, far longer than the average fight in a kung fu film. The filmmakers further underscore the brutality of particularly vicious attacks by presenting them in slow motion, and by filming losing fighters flying many feet into the air as they are defeated by one of our heroes. Further, the editing in the fight scenes is very rapid — by the standards of 1970s South Asian cinema, or even by the standards of Hong Kong cinema of that time — as many shots remain on screen for a mere three seconds or fewer. Moreover, the cinematographer employs many canted angles and distorted lenses during the fight scenes. For example, the cinematographer frequently shoots action taking place on top of a hill by setting up a camera at the bottom of the hill, which is one of many camera set-ups that I do not believe I have ever seen before in a kung fu film. Adding to the otherworldly feel of the fight scenes is the constant presence on the soundtrack of laser bleeps and blurts and other “outer space”-type sound effects.

The musical numbers are surprisingly lascivious for a South Asian film of this vintage. Most of the numbers feature extreme closeups of the bathing suit areas of (fully clothed) buxom young women as they shake, shimmy and gyrate. However, one of the musical numbers in particular stands out as one of the damndest things I have ever seen in my life. This number (which is presented as a female character’s dream sequence) features scads of female dancers repeatedly rubbing their boobs against each other, as Hero #2 watches in approval from a distance. How these kinky, voyeuristic goings-on ever got past the censors is beyond me. (Perhaps I was watching a pre-censor cut of the film.)

The filmmakers were clearly devoted students of kung fu cinema. The foley effects are perfect; each kick, punch, and hand swirl sounds like it could have been appropriated from a Bruce Li movie. The film also features classic kung fu movie elements such as training sequences, a kung fu master, a revenge motif, martial arts tournaments, and, in a touch evocative of Chang Cheh, the hero’s loss of a crucial limb.

However, the film’s unique score is quite unlike the music heard in most kung fu movies. Primarily played on the organ, the score alternates between melodramatic organ stings that sound like they were lifted from a 1940s radio drama and funky organ riffs that are evocative of Booker T and the MGs. I would love to get my hands on a recording of the film’s musical cues.

I could not end this review without mentioning the film’s most surreal training sequence. In order to earn the coveted “Scorpio” belt (the filmmakers must have been Kenneth Anger fans), Hero #2 is forced to endure a series of trials on a snowy mountaintop. Our hero’s first trial is simply to stay warm, given that he does not have any shoes. Miraculously, he is able to warm up by doing some really horrible, wiggly push-ups. (These push-ups are almost as bad as the ones that the kid does at the beginning of the Bollywood ninja film Commando.) Somehow, our hero’s push-ups are so effective that he actually starts sweating from the heat!

Once he is warm, Hero #2 is attacked by a gang of guys swinging leather straps. Hero #2 is able to defeat the bad guys with a pair of nunchakus that are not connected to each other. In the midst of kicking butt, Hero #2 notices a female snowman with very large boobs (that for some reason are covered by a scarf), and a Scorpio belt around her waist. Hero #2 removes the Scorpio belt, which for some reason transforms the female snowman into an ancient kung fu master! Of course, Hero #2 and the gang of leather strap guys immediately bow before the master. What more can I add? Not much, except to note that Aakhri Muqabla is proof that even in this age of film blogs, eBay, Netflix, and DVD importers, there are still many unique and wonderful movies from around the world that are waiting to be discovered by Western audiences. AmaZing......isn't it?? :)

TEACHER : What is the chemical formula for water?PAPPU : "HIJKLMNO! "!!TEACHER : What are you talking about? PAPPU : Yesterday you said it's H to O ! *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- TEACHER : PAPPU, go to the map and findNorth America . PAPPU : Here it is! TEACHER : Correct. Now, class, who discovered America ? CLASS : PAPPU! *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- TEACHER : PAPPU, how do you spell "crocodile"? PAPPU : "K-R-O-K-O-D-A-I-L" TEACHER : No, that's wrong PAPPU : Maybe it's wrong, but you asked me how I spell it! *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- TEACHER : PAPPU, give me a sentence starting with "I". PAPPU : I is... TEACHER : No,PAPPU. Always say, "I am." PAPPU : All right... "I am the ninth letter of the alphabet." *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- TEACHER : "Can anybody give an example of "COINCIDENCE?" PAPPU : "Sir, my Mother and Father got married on the same day, same time." *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- TEACHER : "George Washington not only chopped down his father's Cherry tree, but also admitted doing it. Now do you know why his father didn't punish him?" PAPPU : "Because George still had the axe in his hand?" *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- PAPPU : Daddy, have you ever been to Egypt ? FATHER : No. Why do you ask that? PAPPU: Well, where did you get THIS mummy then? *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- TEACHER : What a pair of strange socks you are wearing, one is green and one is blue with red spots ! PAPPU: Yes it's really strange. I've got another pair just like that at home. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- TEACHER : Now, PAPPU, tell me frankly do you say prayers before eating ? PAPPU: No sir, I don't have to, my mom is a good cook. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- TEACHER : PAPPU, your composition on "My Dog" is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his ? PAPPU: No, teacher, it's the same dog ! -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- TEACHER : What do you call a personwho keeps on talking when people are no longer interested? PAPPU: A teacher .

4 Legends in One PhoTo!

From left to right Moin Akhter, Behroz Subzwari, Lehri and Omer Sharif, a photo session during a stage play in early 70's.

From left to right Amitabh Bachan, Dharmendra, Sanjev Kapoor and Amjad Khan

on the set of SHOLAY.

Some Amazing Photography There!!!!

You will fall in Love::


http://www.worldpho%20tographicarts.%20com/gallery/%20colorawards/%202nd_annual/%20masterscup/%20nominations.%20php?x=a&cid=6 


Regards,

iRFAN AHMED .

Who is your best friend?

Do you know the relation between your two eyes??? They blink together They move together They cry together They see things together And they sleep together Even though they never see EACH OTHER Friendship should be just like that Life is like hell without friends IT'S " WORLD BEST FRIEND WEEK " Now Who is your best friend? .

Me, Myself and I

Me, Myself and I

............................ As anyone with struggling with self-esteem issues knows, how you perceive yourself and your abilities has a powerful influence on the outcome of your life. Believing in ourselves gives us the courage to take initiative and do the things that can bring us success and happiness; making the effort to talk to an attractive stranger at a party, presenting a new idea to our boss, or joining a running club. When we feel we have something valuable to offer, we feel ALIVE! We're friendlier, more positive and even healthier. Doubting our worth, on the other hand, can paralyze us and squash our potential. So what's the key to achieving this blissful state of self-acceptance and inner confidence?............................

For years, psychologists have been suggesting different ways to boost self-esteem, from positive affirmations to asking friends to write a list of what they like most about you. All of these techniques can certainly be powerful, but new approaches are focused on ACTION.

Spending time reflecting and writing in journals can help you find the root of your self-image, but isn't likely to build it up. To truly beat that nagging internal critic - who is most often much nastier than anyone else judging our character - we need to get out there and do things to strengthen our sense of self. If you're shy and doubt your ability to make friends, make small steps to be friendlier at work, or join a club. If you feel inferior at work, take a chance and voice your opinion at office meetings.

As you meet with success, you'll feel more and more confident. Of course, you may have the occasional let down; even the most confident people run into glitches, but they recognize that it's nothing personal and separate it from their self-image. The more you behave the way you imagine a person with strong self-esteem would behave, the more you will become that kind of person. So bust a move!............................ ............................by T.L. Scribe

I Hate Myself

Why do I hate myself?
................................. Do you catch yourself thinking, "I hate myself"? We hate ourselves for various reasons. Sometimes it is because we say the wrong things at the wrong time. Sometimes we hate ourselves for not living up to our own or another's expectations. The fact is that sooner or later most of us in our lifetime are going to utter the word's "I hate myself." The words "I hate myself" by themselves hold no power over us, but the problem starts when you begin to believe the words. Let's look at some of the reasons why you may come to hate yourself and how to deal with the problems..................................

Rejection:
................................. We all must face rejection in our lives. Rejection from members of the opposite sex, rejection over a promotion at work, rejection at a life that does not measure up to the big plans we once had. Rejection will come, but we must not let it consume us. I have learned in the past that when rejection comes, it is not the end of the world. Sure, there are times I am depressed for a little while and there is a lot of self-examination, but over time I learned that rejection is not the end, but the beginning of something else..................................

 Love and Acceptance:
................................. It is human nature to want to feel the love and acceptance of others, but when it doesn't happen in our timetable, we often turn to ourselves as the source of our failure. When someone does not accept or show love to you, don't hate yourself for it. Rather, take time to consider the situation surrounding why you were not accepted or loved. In the end, you will realize (like I did) that not everyone is going to accept you and love you. If you stay true to who you are, sooner or later you will find the love and acceptance you are looking for..................................

 Hitting Bottom:
................................. Have you ever felt like you've hit bottom? I'm talking about those times when you say, "If I only had one break, I know I could get out of this situation I am in." I know I have had quite a few times like that in my life and it is not a nice feeling. Many times when we are at rock bottom we get depressed. Our depression can lead to self-pity and self-pity can cause us to say, "I hate myself" for not being able to get out of this..................................

Most of the time when we hit rock bottom it is by circumstances of our own making. In our minds, we feel that since we are the one who caused the problem we should be the ones to get ourself out of the problem. When things continue to spiral downward, we start to play the blame game which always leads to wrong conclusions about ourselves. In the end, we start to hate ourselves for allowing things to get this bad. When you hit bottom, don't hate yourself. Swallow your pride and seek help elsewhere..................................

I Make Mistakes:
.................................We all make mistakes. I know, I make my share of mistakes everyday. I have found that people are more prone to point out your mistakes than they are to praise you for what you are doing right. If you are not careful, you may start to think that your life is a mistake, which can lead to feelings of hatred towards yourself and others.................

I know my strengths and weakness and I am going to make more mistakes, but I can't let the mistakes get to me. I know it sounds simple and it will take work, but when you make a mistake, learn from it and move on..................................

Why do I hate myself?
................................. There could be any number of reasons. The reasons I listed above are ones I have personally dealt with in the past. There were times I hated who I was and wanted to change myself so I could be like everyone else..................................

Then one day I realized that I am not like everyone else. I am me, so I set out to be me and I soon found that I no longer hated myself. I did not take the things that happened to me so personally anymore. I do not know if it will work for you, but isn't it worth a shot????................................. .

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