Ishq, Amad o Mann (Sumaira Hameed)- Novel Review by Shoby

Ishq, Amad o Mann (Sumaira Hameed)- Novel Review by Shoby

Let us join a gathering held somewhere in Konya (the ancient city of Central Antolia in Turkey), where every girl of town is present with the hope of getting that one special handkerchief from Baba Salah that can sprinkle the magic on her luck so that a prince rides to her on his white royal horse and picks her up to continue the journey of life happily ever-after. 

As the case of this real world, every one is not fortunate enough in the event to get the desired handkerchief. Some gets books, some gets pen and only one Yashfeen happens to be that luckiest one who achieves the superlative of all. But story never ends here. Cinderellas do not realise their worth unless the prince come and tells them what they really are... She hands it over to Laila. In the meantime, Yousaf is just about to enter Konya (undesirably) courtesy his father's strict order of marrying the richest businessman's daughter... 

First encounter of Yousaf with Yashfeen was a class act. Typically how a boy-meets-girl with an unintentional sit-com little fight but see how magical words can make the whole thing completely new & interesting for you... 

Tum ghorey per sawaar ho ker aik larki se mukhaatib ho... Kiya tum mein itna bhi ikhlaq nahi ke aik aurat ko kabhi bulandi se nahi pukaartey... 

And he was just thinking, whom have I seen at dawn of this not-so-beautiful morning... (his own self in the reflection may be... Ha ha ha And if this was not enough, she continues to say, 

Aik musaafir aik aurat se rasta poochna munasib samajhta hai... Woh yeh tak nahi janta ke auraten rastey nahi bataya kerti... Yeh kaam mardon ke hotey hain warna inhain khud bhatka hua mana jata hai... (Stunner... What a scene Sumaira... Bravo)... Well, it was already written somewhere in the books... Cupid the stupid has thrown the arrow...

Mujeeb Durani was a typical mean & greedy businessman and the proposed wedding of Yousaf & Laila was nothing but a mere business transaction. Same was quite visible from the meetings of Yousf with Mujeeb & his son and Yousaf was so disheartened that he wanted to wipe out any chance to materialise the wedding, so he asks for a meeting with Laila before he can decide and Laila meets him along with Yashfeen, which creates sort of a misunderstanding. He thinks Yashfeen is Mujeeb's daughter, so he presents himself ready for the marriage... Who knew destiny had some other things planned for this trio.

Mujeeb gets to know about Yousaf's liking for Yashfeen and then he plays a wicked game that alters the future in one way or another for everyone of them. Rest should be read in the novel.

The story this time primarily revolves around three different persons living with three different perspectives under three altogether different conditions, having only one thing in common, extreme emotions of love & hate. Yousaf, Yashfeen and Laila, these three characters have been written while considering sensibilities & sensitivities of human beings. I believe, by far, this novel is one of the strongest writings by Sumaira, if we talk about character sketches.

It has been a forte of Sumaira Hameed that most of her stories are established in regions not popularly known in our community. Hence she is the one who is our regular guide when it comes to knowing something unique in terms of demography. Here we got to visit Konya. Sumiara is so acute in detailing of the characters, the places and the customs & traditions associated with them that all the words she write become images and you can see the ancient Konya with all of its demographic traits. At times, you feel astonished of her out of the box research. Thumbs up for her excellent research on the subject matter.

Just like Ibn ul Qalam, Wali & RAB ul Bashar, this time too there were tons of lessons to be learnt in the story.

Agar sari dunya ke chiragh bujh jaey to kiya kerna ho ga mohtaram khatoon???

Din ka intezar.

Agar raat bohat lambi ho haey to?

Aag ka intezam.

Aag kahin bhi muyasar na ho to kiya roshan kerna ho ga???

Sabar ka chiragh...

See how beautifully she gives an excellent lesson without being preachy... Neend ghaflat ki nishaani hai... Or yeh ghaflat tumhain aziz bhi hai... Yeh kitab parha karo...

Sumaira is undoubtedly one of those very few writers who can make you fell in love with certain outstanding scenes. See how serene she pictures the ongoing of those devastated love stricken couple Woh raat us ne saraey se mulhiq us kamrey, mein guzari jahan Yousaf so raha tha... Simply marvellous. 

I am not fabricating but this again it was hard (almost impossible) to choose the best dialogue this time. Ishq, Amad o Mann was a galaxy of bright dialogues, that went smoothly beautiful with the premise of the story. Impeccable

Waqt beet ker maazi ho jata hai... Dard theher ker wesa hi taza rehta hai...

I have already said it in one of my earlier reviews and I am saying it again. Sumaira Hameed's writings are not at all an easy read. She has the unique tendency of making an exclusive Shangri-La by the mere usage of words and she effortlessly pushes you to travel along with her characters within the established fictional locations and you cant help but to dive and dive deep into the oceans of the words.

Ishq, Amad o mann is the story of love, hate & obviously Karma. It depicts that at the the end of the day, there is only one ALLAH who completes the justice and no matter how deeper & longer the darkness prevails, light does sprinkle. 

Sanam Re- Movie review by Shoby

Sanam Re- Movie review by Shoby

0.5 Heart out of 5

Here is the recipe of a Divya Khosla Kumar's film. Hire some extraordinary musicians, arrange some real melodious melodies amalgamated with awesome lyrics & a foot tapping party number with peppy liners... Search for breathtaking locations with loads & loads of snowfall & rains & shot them with jaw dropping cinematography and put some non-sense sort of comedy and here is the film for you... Wait I forgot the basic ingredient- the story. Unfortunately I did not forget it, as Divya's films lack this much needed thing.

I gave her the margin of error in Yaariyan considering it her very first attempt and I thought she might flourish in upcoming movies but unfortunately instead of getting some lessons she further doomed in terms of story & script.

Sanam Re is simply nothing except breath taking snowfalls & rains and beautiful sound track & background score. There is no story at all to talk about and no solid performance to regard. In fact, the most sorrowful part of the movie is that iconic Rishi Kapoor has been brutally wasted with nothing to do in the movie. No one from the lead actors put any mark as such.

Story roams around from one place to another for no specific reason and there are so called twists & turns which have everything but logic.

The only escape for the movie is its brilliant musical score. With Sanam Re, Hua Hai Ajj Pehli Baar & a few other songs, they are a treat for sure.

One honest opinion, please save your money & much valuable time by ignoring this complete waste of cinema.

Sanam Re- Music Review by Shoby

Sanam Re- Music Review by Shoby

3.0 Hearts out of 5

Divya Khosla Kumar's debut directorial Yaariyan had one of the biggest hit soundtrack the year it was released. Therefore, a lot of expectations are attached to her second film Sanam Re. With music & lyrics featuring various artists, lets see, how the end product looks like.

Gazab Ka Hai Yeh Din- Album starts with this youth based track, depicting dreams & enthusiasm today's youth has. Manoj Muntashir has penned the lyrics whereas Amaal Malik has composed it. It is a very unlike of Arijit's songs and may appeal the audience only in the movie. Use of Guitars in the middle of the track is awesome.

Sanam Re- Title track of the film is the second in the album. When two most sensational artists of this age Arijit & Mithoon join hands to croon a soothing composition with truly beautiful lyrics, the end result becomes "Sanam Re". It has the tendency to make you go nostalgic. Use of modern rock musical instruments With such soft lyrics, this track is surely a treat for the music lovers.

Hua Hain Aaj Pehli Baar- Malik duo (Amaal & Armaan) along with Palak Muchhal behind the mic to give this yet another serene track. Soft romantic lyrics like Main tum se ishq karney ki, ijazat RAB se laya hoon composed with excellent musical arrangement makes this song as a perfect beautiful love ballad. This one should be warmly welcome by the young couples in the upcoming Valentines.

Humne Pee Rakhi Hai- Looks like one party song is mandatory in every other movie now a days and this album is no different in this regard as it has this one which will be the first choice of the youth on dance floors. Typical desi party lyrics with jumping musical arrangements make this one as an out & out party track. Lyrics & composition are very much similar to Johny Johny from Its Entertainment.

Kya Tujhe Ab Ye Dil Bataye- Pakistani pop singer Falak Shabbir croons this slow tempo tune with sad lyrics. This track gives a glimpse of the pain & grief of a broken heart.

Tere Liye- Mithoon with another sensation Ankit this time for this yet another slow sad track. This one depended upon unique pitch of Ankit's usual voice. Although it apparently looks like a situational track, however it couldn't click to me the way it was supposed to do.

Tum Bin- Nightingale Shreya Ghoshal sings this yet another version of famous poem Tum Bin. Although earlier Tum Bin was successful in getting a status of cult, this time Rashmi Virag has written some equally beautiful lyrics & Shreya has sung it with all the required emotions.

Chhote Chhote Tamashe- Everyone's favorite always smiling singer Shaan is back with another fun track. This song has a deep meaning hidden inside its innocently naughty lyrics that life is all about living it to the fullest & to make every moment wonderful & worth remembering.

On the whole, album of Sanam Re succeeds in providing what is promised by a Divya Kumar's film.My picks are Sanam Re and Hua Hain Aaj Pehli Baar.