Lollywood lights - February 22, 2006

Plum role

Hina Shaheen is enjoying shooting for Khalilur Rehman Qamar?s Channa Sachchi Muchchi. Shaheen likes the role for it offers her something novel and interesting, quite unlike the running around trees roles in her past films. Playing a simple village girl was challenging, but she feels that?s the fun part.

Sticking to ghazals
Saira Naseem sang some classical numbers to a sellout audience in Lahore recently.

Naseem sang numbers from films of the black and white era and modulated her voice to match those of artistes such as Noor Jahan and Iqbal Bano.

The singer refuses to get drawn by the dazzle of the film world and sticks to singing gazals.

Getting the blues
Rufi An'am is forced to wear glamorous and colourful outfits in Rasheed Dogar's Jism - much against her wish. The actress prefers subtle shades, a lighter shade of pink being a favourite hue, but all she's seen in are purples, greens and reds in the film.

An'am has revealed her likes and dislikes to Dogar but the director insists that she wear the colours since they suit her role of a vibrant character who is full of life.

Quick takes

Back in action Omar
Sharif is again in talks with Shah Rukh Khan for his film. The comedian wishes to get into direction and had earlier approached the Indian actor to star in a the lead role in his project.

Sharif, however, was unable to follow up on the initial talks after he was hospitalised for a bypass operation.

Work of art
Sangeeta will be shooting for her new television series Mutthi Bhara Chawal soon. The series is an adaptation of her 1976 hit film of the same name.

The film in turn was an adaptation of Mahinder Singh Bedi?s famous novel Ik Chadar Mailee Si and won her rave accolades from audiences and film critics alike. The series will be Sangeeta?s first art venture in decades.

Work of art
Altaf Hussain will be seen in the film Buss Mere Hi Rehna. Saleem and Rose, his co-stars in the film, star in debut roles. The actor managed to attract attention after stating that he would only act with new actors and actresses so as to give them a firm footing in the industry.

His stand has not made any difference as the industry continues to languish and his co-stars seem to be as bereft of roles as he is. But Hussain hopes for the best, as always.

In absence
Nigah Hussain is not to be seen these days. The choreographer made a name with Shaan?s Moosa Khan with some brilliant choreography that was followed up by Laaj, billed as one of the most extravagant films to be shot in recent times in Pakistan.

Hussain has not been getting projects because of the presence of choreographers like Pappu and Khanu Samrat, who have a better hold on the producers? psyches, if not their purses.