#kahaniyaan

[mirambles]

Teri Meri Kahaniyaan: Ek Sau Teeswan (Review)

Ek Sau Teeswan is the last story in the 3 film anthology Teri Meri Kahaniyaan.

Let me be honest upfront, if not for this film being Wahaj Ali’s debut film, I would not have headed to the theatres in the first week of its release to watch it on the big screen. Before I dive into the details of the third story, a quick word on the first two stories in this anthology.

The first film Jin Mahal is a horror comedy with an underlying commentary on class and social strata that exists within all countries. The entire homeless family from the grandmom, to the parents and kids are wonderful to watch! They play their parts so well, especially Gul E Rana who plays the blind grandmom is an utter riot. Much much fun.

Skip the second story Pasoori (I couldn’t cause I watched it in the theatre) - it’s such a bad copy of a Bollywood film. The leads are not only terrible dancers, but they are also bad actors. I have seen both in different PTV dramas and was disappointed how bad Ramsha was here. I had no expectations from Shereyar (Osama of Zindagi Gulzar Hai) and I have no clue how he is getting any main lead roles. Can’t emote to save his life. Where is the fast forward button when you need it!

Now the winner of this film - the third story Ek Sau Teeswan (123rd). I’m not wrong to say that it is the biggest reason for the success of this film. Mehwish Hayat as Sadaf and Wahaj Ali as Asad star in this short tale of strangers on a train.

Two people meet on a train journey - a game of flirtations ensues , and co-passengers on the train join the audience to play the ‘will they , won’t they’ game.

The movie is Sadaf’s story, of her loyalty to her marriage despite the betrayal from her husband. Asad is clearly smitten by Sadaf’s beauty and makes no qualms about it. But he is carrying his own baggage of his marriage falling apart. In the next 30 mins through their conversations, we learn everything we have to about Sadaf and nothing about Asad. This is where the biggest flaw of the story is - it could have been more balanced giving us the male and female perspective on marriage.

But like I said, this story is about Sadaf, about a woman’s perspective. No woman today is going to like the narrative that Sadaf is working with when it comes to her marriage. I definitely didn’t, because adultery is an absolute deal breaker for me. It’s no go, cannot be forgiven. There is even a hint of abuse at the hands of the husband and that’s worse. So I couldn’t root for Sadaf for the choices she makes or sympathise with her. Mehwish though, reminded me so much of Chitragandha Singh and she is really delightful to watch. I get the writer was probably trying to say loyalty trumps love for women, but the way it was shown from Sadaf’s story was not palatable.

Now let’s go to the main reason I went for the movie - to watch Wahaj essay Asad for a total screen time of less than 30mins of this 40mins film. Like I said earlier we get to know very little about Asad. Asad tries to initiate the conversation but the rest of the journey is only about him reacting to Sadaf’s views and opinions. Through her story it is implied that he reassess his marriage and his feelings. I would love to dissect that last line he delivers and his expressions, but that would be a major spoiler for those who haven’t watched the movie.

Wahaj as Asad is charming as hell the moment he enters the screen, he is made for the big screen because you can’t take your eyes off him. Minimal dialogues , maximum expressions. How powerful are his eyes, mesmerising and captivating. They are speaking all the time - the infatuation, the realisation, the disappointment, the love, the apology. Wahaj needs no words, no dialogues. It’s like the writer and director narrated the character to him - said you don’t have many dialogues, now show me what you can do! Wahaj aced the assignment.

I need to see Wahaj in a full fledged slow burn, angsty , healthy romance. I have said so many times, he is born to romance on screen. He is not perfect as an all round actor, but he has perfected the romance genre, the look of love, the heart melting confessions, even if it’s only one line in this entire film. He woos you, he charms you, the moment he looks at you. I wish Pakistani drama and film industry does justice to his talents - he needs more powerful scripts and strong characters to show the world what he is truly capable of.

Mehwish Hayat is an accomplished name in the industry, while Wahaj is making his debut in this film - but he matches her effortlessly in terms of acting and screen presence! It’s not my favourite pairing of his, but he can create chemistry with anyone!

In summary, Ek Sau Teeswan is Sadaf’s story, any other actor playing Asad could have been a side character; but Wahaj as Asad tiptoes gently in the story and ends up stealing the limelight with that last line delivery and look! A star in the making - choose the right scripts Wahaj and we are seated to watch you soar!

Verdict : Teri Meri Kahaniyaan is not a blow your mind, must watch film. It’s good in parts and has many flaws. If you are a Wahaj Ali fan like me , definitely go watch him on the big screen if the film is running in a theatre near you. If not, wait for it to release on OTT and do watch him essay the gentle, soft spoken, charming Asad. Until you wait, listen to this wonderful track in Shuja Haider’s voice - a song about unsaid, unspoken, unexpressed, unrequited love.

[truegodofthearena]

Loved loved LOVED Teri Meri Kahaniyaan! So great to see a fantastic Pakistani movie. Tonnes better than the stuff bollywood is churning out these days. So refreshing, witty and hilarious, and not to mention the emotional roller coaster ride that wahaj Ali’s story was. Dealt with such sensitivity and beauty. A+++ acting (nobody can deny the acting talent in this country) and so well directed. Want to see it at least one more time !

[qalbtalk]

“kare mera intezaar, mera bichra yaar”

jab maine yeh gaana pehli baar suna tou main apna bachelors muqammal kar rahi thi. pakistani student society k aik event pe shaam ka ikhtitaam inhi surron pe huwa. saare samaa’en apne mulk ki yaad main aik hi dhun gunguna rahe thay.

bahir ki duniya jaisi bhi ho, hum apne andar ki duniya na sirf apni yaadoon se sajate hai par humare andar apne badoon ki, unke buzurgoon ki, na jaane kitni pushtoon ki yaadain zinda hain.

meri paidaish aik shehr main hui, meri parwarish bhi aik shehr main hui. lekin aaj bhi jab main kisi khayt ko dekthti hoon tou lagta hai ghar pohnch gayi hoon. pakistan ki woh sab yaadain mere andar maujood hain jo meri apni nahi. apne nanhiyaal aur dhadhiyaal main guzra huwa waqt mujh main iss qadar zinda hai k main chah kar bhi khudh ko un lamhoon se juda nahi kar sakti. nani jaan ki sachi kahaniyaan. dadi jaan k saath ghar ghar khelna. apni par nani aur par dadi se unke bachpan k qisse sun’na. yehi meri wirasat hai.

shayad isi liye waqt se uljhi rehti hoon. iss se pehle k waqt khatum ho jaye, main phir tumse milna chahti hoon. beshaq sirf itna batane k liye k tumhare kuch paloon k saath ne mujhe unhi yaadoon se dobara milwa diya jo mera sab se qeemti asasa hain. tumse mil k yun laga jaise main ghar laut aayi. wohi ghar jo aaj bhi meri yaadoon main zinda hai.

[scribblesbyavi]

There are many epics of SRK when it comes to the romance genre but Om Shanti Om is my all time favourite and no other Bollywood movie comes close to this one. May be because it shows how to love someone selflessly and with that much passion.

People take this film as a love story and no doubt it is, but this story is not about mutual love, but the one sided love of Om. You see, Shanti never loved Om that way. From what I believe she took him just as a friend. As she was already married. She didn’t even realise. It’s a different thing that the person she loved and married turned out to be evil but Om even after knowing that she will never be his, he went to save her and died in the process. Sheer tragedy.

I don’t think stories like these will ever exist in the real world and that too a mutual one. A hopeless romantic like me will die craving for something like this and it’s okay if I don’t find that in this lifetime because these are mere concepts. We don’t get what we want. May be we get what we need. How can we be sure about that? And sometimes we get something which we have to build with lots of effort and dedication. But we run away from it. May be when we finally find that connection we shouldn’t give up, because if we do we will lose out on something rare by treating it as ordinary. But everything’s a theory?

Like I’ve always said, love stories are beautiful in the fictional world - in books, films, poems and songs. They rarely exist in the real world. And those rare stories are so beautiful and heart touching. They fill us with warmth and hope.

Is liye ye bohot zaroori hai ki hum art banate rahein, kahaniyaan likhte rahein, nazm aur shayari sunate rahein aur gaane gaate rahein.

Kyun ki kahin to humein pyaar ko zinda rakhna padega.

Aisa pyaar jo humesha ke liye ho.

Avis

[blushlillyyy]

Is tarah se dekho na, na mukjko dekho na

Yeh teri aankhein kehti hai sau kahaniyaan

[hinsaa-paramo-dharma]

Tumhari Nani tumhe mahabharat ki kahaniyaan sunati hai aur meri Nani roj mahabharat karti hai.

We are not the same, bro.

[0721am]

Mín kæra, Barish

Coz of Seven, a song has been stuck in my head. So, I'd like to dedicate that song to you!

Main koi aesa geet gaoon Ke aarzoo jagaoon Main koi aesa geet gaoon Ke aarzoo jagaoon Agar tum kaho

Tum ko bulaoon, ye palkein bichaoon Kadam tum jahan-jahan rakho Zameen ko aasman banoo, sitaroon se sajaoon Agar tum kaho Main koi aisa geet gaoon Ke aarzoo jagaoon Agar tum kaho

Main titliyoon ke peeche bhagoon Main jugnuoon ke peeche jaoon Ye rang hai, wo roshni hai Tumhare paas dono laoon Jitni khushbooien, baag mein milein Haan, jitni khushbooien, baag mein milein Main laoon wahan pe, ke tum ho jahan Jahan pe ek pal bhi thairoon, main gulsitaan banaoon Aga tum kaho Main koi aisa geet gaoon Ke aarzoo jagaoon Agar tum kaho

Agar kaho to main sunaoon Tumhe haseen kahaniyaan Sunoogi kya meri zubani Tum ek paari ki dastaan Ya main karoon Tumse baiyaan Ya main karoon Tumse baiyaan Ke raja se rani Mili thi kahan Kahaniyoon ke nagar mein Tumhe le ke jaoon Agar tum kaho

Tum ko bulaoon, ye palkein bichaoon Kadam tum jahan-jahan rakho Zameen ko aasman banoo, sitaron se sajaoon Agar tum kaho

Main koi aisa geet gaoon Ke aarzoo jagaoon Agar tum kaho Haan, agar tum kaho La la la la la Um hmm hmm hmm hmm

Candidly speaking, I want to sing this song to you. Maybe I'll try attempting it when I actually become good at singing. This will be another surprise, hehe!

Five days to go, my love! @thelilacdews

— yours, Teeee!

[mirambles]

FanGirl Moment

I woke up to one of my twitter friends messaging me that Wahaj Ali had shared my review of Teri Mere Kahaniyaan (that I had written on this blog) on his IG story. I couldn’t believe it! I have double and triple checked it now and it is true!!

I’m over the moon! Thanks to the fan page run by Nishat Rahman who shared it on her story and it was reposted by Wahaj on his account. It has made my day and week and month and year! I’m just so happy!

[truegodofthearena]

going to watch Teri Meri Kahaniyaan for Wahaj !

[indian-kahani]

Introduction

Hey guys! Welcome to my blog:

This is my side blog, indian-kahani, where I put all my stories/poems/other written pieces. Some of these are on my main blog (@avani-amulya, yeah im shamelessly self-promoting, sue me) but i'm working on transferring them all here.

Name: Avani

Age: between 3-60 (estimates provided by friends and four year old brother)

Here to: write, rant (on my main blog) pray to krishnaji

Tagging system:

#indian-kahani - will be on all my posts, just to help people find anything i've written

#avani ki kahaniyaan - will be on anything that i write in hindi

#avani writes - will be on anything i write in english

#time up - scheduled posts

#avani reblogs - reblogs

this is an original blog, but I will reblog from time to time

as said above, reblogged posts will be tagged with 'avani reblogs'

if you have a problem with anything on my blog, please dm me so we can resolve the situation. DO NOT send hate to my blog(s)/mutuals or anyone else.

Enjoy, and have fun!

Day 12 - The First in my Family to

Day 28 - Walk of Pride

[qalbtalk]

ستمبر کی یاد

اور تو کچھ یاد نہیں بس اتنا یاد ہے

اس سال بہار ستمبر کے مہینے تک آ گئی تھی

اُس نے پوچھا

”افتخار! یہ تم نظمیں ادھوری کیوں چھوڑ دیتے ہو”

اب اُسے کون بتاتا کہ ادھوری نظمیں اور ادھوری کہانیاں

اور ادھورے خواب

یہی تو شاعر کا سرمایہ ہوتے ہیں

پورے ہو جائیں تو دل اندر سے خالی ہو جاتا ہے

پھر دھوپ ہی دھوپ میں اتنی برف پڑی کہ بہت اونچا

اُڑنے والے پرندے کے پِر اس کا تابوت بن گئے

اور تو کچھ یاد نہیں بس اتنا یاد ہے

اس سال بہار ستمبر کے مہینے تک آ گئی تھی

—افتخار عارف

september ki yaad

aur tou kuch yaad nahi bas itna yaad hai

iss saal bahar september k maheene tak aa gayi thi

uss ne pucha

“iftikhaar! yeh tum nazmain adhoori kyun chor dete ho?”

ab usse kon batata k adhoore nazmain aur adhoori kahaniyaan

aur adhoore khwaab

yehi tou shayar ka sarmaya hoti hain

poore ho jayen tou dil andar se khaali ho jata hai

phir dhoop hi dhoop main itni barf pari k bohat ooncha

urne wale parinde k par uska taboot ban gaye

aur tou kuch yaad nahi bas itna yaad hai

iss saal bahar september k maheene tak aa gayi thi

—iftikhaar arif

[scribblesbyavi]

kya pyaar humein dard deti hai ya azaad karti hai?

agar pyaar dard hai to kyun karte hai hum pyaar?

(They say “love is pain” - a pain that you keep injecting in to your vains.)

aur janmo se sun rahe hum unke prem kahaniyaan

kya heer ranja ab hote to pyaar na karte ek duje se?

(has love changed or just people?)

humein nahi pata ye pyaar kab kyun or kaise ho jata hai

magar humari heer humein mili to kaise na karenge hum

pyaar unse?

(how can I not love her when she is right in front of my eyes?)

avis

[nowaybiba]

mujhe ishtihar si lagti hain ye mohobbaton ki kahaniyaan; jo kaha nahi wo suna karo, jo suna nahi ho kaha karo