#like the bollywood from 10 years ago is not the same as it is now?

[truegodofthearena]

Pakistan every time a Bollywood movie comes out

[sidecharactersdomatter]

Thoughts I had during TGCF S2 Ep 3

Let’s make the best of Summer Vacation

CW: Past trauma

Previously on TGCF…

-We’re back in Ghost City

-It’s a Ghoulish mob!

-The same bandaged boy from episodes 2-4 in S1

-Thank you Qianqiu

-Riot!  Riot!!!

-The same old cartoonishly violent dust cloud with people fighting in it, classic

-Qingxuan’s face XD

-Yep it is him

-Oh no he doesn’t like touching

-Yeah he does know the kid

-‘Oh joy’ is right!

-A chase!

-Oh no!  Not the mask stall!

-Got any Yuan on you Xie Lian?

-It’s the Blue Spirit from ATLA (that’s the first thing that came when I first saw the waning moon officer)

-That guy has a red lantern shaped eyeball for a head

-Oooh the Ghost city outskirts

-It’s Yubaba’s manor from the Spirited Away movie My sis’s quote: Xie Lian!  Don’t give anyone your true name!

-The manor’s interior feels like the fancy restaurants I’d go with my extended family Sis: Yeah except for the dancing ladies

-This is giving Bollywood vibes

-It’s your man!

-Oooh a flashback!  800 years ago…  

-Those maids are wearing Hanfu reminiscent of the Han Dynasty style

-That’s Alexis Tipton

-“If a foil palace falls it can be rebuilt, but if a son falls ill it won’t be so easy to put him back together again” That is some solid advice

-He looks and sounds adorable!  “I hate it when they fall apart!”  That complain letter ties in with what happens when he’s older…

-Does anyone know who voices Child!Xie Lian?

-His mother’s design is also inspiration for one of my ATLA OCs

-This was me with Kapla blocks, colorized

-It was a few days ago!

-It’s the same music from Ep 9 in the Sinner’s pit

-The shots of Hualian together!!!  Those are the best crumbs!

-It’s the engagement ring from Ep 12!

-“Xie Lian you wound me!  You think I’d go to a brothel?”  My reaction: …A soup place? (Futurama reference, it’s in one of the revival eps)

-Hua Cheng: Brothels, bad.  Interior design, good.

-“I haven’t had a home for the past 800 years…” that line hit hard.

-Hong Jue again!!!!

-“Always how dangerous” 10/10 best flirting

-Flashbacks from S1 eps 3-4

-You gotta love Hua Cheng’s commitment

-Good shot of the Ghost masks

-Hua Cheng’s quote on power is secretly inspiring

-And he accomplished what Ling Wen couldn’t in mere seconds!

-Not so rough Waning moon officer

-Still touch aversive

-“Who am I to deny your wish?” *fans myself non stop*

-Great.  Now I’ve got a craving for dragon fruit, strawberries and mango slices

-“Yong’An.”Oh no his answer triggered XL’s PTSD

-Everything really did change when Bai Wuxiang attacked

-That spiral effect

-To quote on meme made for S2 on tumblr: 

Xie Lian:  It can’t be!  That boy’s homeland shouldn’t be Yong’An!

Hua Cheng:  Yeah, yeah Gege, Let’s get you to sleep.

(My older sister loved that reaction, that’s for sure) 

-The sword’s eye woke up!

-When the house is so well decorated you forget about the mission…

And my older sis would also say: Now he’s draping himself

-The demonic chanting he does while dashing around the manor

-It is Yubaba’s manor from Spirited away

-That was close!

-He just did Yor Forger’s ceiling jump from Spy x Family

-It’s a 12

-Yeah he’d just end up with snake eyes the whole time

-He’s onto you Xianle, best headcanon I’ve got is that Xie Lian is a terrible liar.

-“Useless idiot” yep keep it coming with the Qi Rong roasts

-There’s a Dragon relief on the door

-It’s the earthbending sound effect from ATLA when the huge stone door closed

-This brings me back to the very first Ep when XL defeated the demon at Yinian bridge

-Man, Imagine Sokka in Hua Cheng’s armory doing the same scene from Sokka’s Master (Instant comic inspiration!):

-Dude really thought of the best gift for his highness (I’m really glad I finished this reaction on XL’s B-Day!)

-The exchanged humor on tending to the armory!

-Here it comes!

-And now, here are my translations of the Crimson rain sough flower’s scimitar:

E Ming, wakes up: Who’s that?  Who’s there?

Xie Lian: Hello.  *chuckles*. It’s cute!

E Ming, hearing Xie Lian’s compliment: He thinks I’m cute!!!

Xie Lian: Isn’t that nice?  Well I like you too.

E Ming, hearing more of XL’s compliment: Awww!  Stop it!  You should totally pet me!

Hua Cheng: No

E Ming, now excited: YES!!!

(I love how Hua Cheng and E Ming’s whole dynamic when it comes to Xie Lian’s affection is basically, Hua Cheng: E Ming no!  E Ming: E Ming YES!  Imma go sketch that out!)

E Ming, getting petted: Oh yes!  Yes!  Right there, and near the hilt!

-He’s gonna touch the deadly scimitar, he’s touching the deadly scimitar, he touched the sword

-They tended his wounds!

-This has the energy of two hardworking dads tending to their adopted son while they’re both busy with jobs

-He’s honoring Xiao Ying with her name, that’s good

-Just like Lang Qianqiu!

-Every night at Paradise Manor is Dim Sum night

-It looks like a red bean roll cake

-Another quick 800 year flashback!

-Those glasses look like Jade

-That maid has lighter brown hair

-This is what happens when you accidentally drink through the wrong pipe

-Qingxuan is the wingman/woman

Finished just in time for Xie Lian’s Birthday! Also when I heard that a short film and movie were announced!!! Everything’s coming up TGCF and it’s awesome! For those of you reading The Scrap Immortal and the Avatar, I’ve got a great start on Chapter 1 so hang tight this weekend! More reactions will be coming out this week!

[stardustkrishnaverse]

HEY GUYS

STORY TIME

so I wanna like talk about one of Shri Keshav's miracles today where I really felt his work 😭

so like honestly my whole life I've been struggling with a sense of routine, idk why it's so hard for me but I just have a mental block that prevents my brain from stringing the logic together to create one consciously???

(but I also medically have adhd symptoms so yeah probs why)

and it's literally a daily frustration that's put such a hindrance on my life since I joined uni, so 3 years ago. like, I literally struggle with this so much its impacted my uni studies entirely.

so yeah usually I don't ask Keshav for anything except like "be with me" and all... I usually just try to bring about the changes within MYSELF, WITH His presence in my life. cos I felt like I needed to do it all myself and 'prove myself'.

but I read this story yesterday about how in the Mahabharata, Dharmaraj felt ashamed about the situation with the gambling game, hence he didn't surrender or even ask Shri Krishna to do anything during it - he didn't ask for His advice or input at all, none of them did until Draupadiji did during you-know-what, when he finally was able to step in. so I took away from that that it's okay to ask for guidance and help from Shri Krishna so you can be saved from unnecessary things. that's a cosmic law of free will - until you ask Shri Krishna to step in, he won't be able to.

so yeah then I got the inspo, and I was annoyed with myself today (not even the most annoyed ive been, like 4/10 annoyed) and was just like, "okay im so done with how much I waste time, Shri Krishna please help me with my productivity and routine!!!"

after that, I was meeting a couple friends today, both who were not very spiritual to my knowledge. one left early (very unexpectedly and last min may i add) and the other stayed.

we were just talking about bollywood, and i completely forgot about my work. with this friend we usually don't talk about self-help, super personal life stuff, etc. that much.

BUT. it turned out that my friend has been more spiritual recently, and been trying to be more productive. and i told him about how chaotic my routine was, and was comfortable enough to talk about my daily spirituality.

and so he literally sat down and helped me make a routine.

we wrote it out in the local Korean restaurant on a few receipts, and he made it so easy and simple, literally just starting with "what would YOU like to do in the day". he listened to all my one-braincell fusses about needing stimulation and my erratic adhd routine etc. etc. and patiently helped me plan a structure for my day. he gave me his advice from when he was struggling with the same things. and now I have a physical timetable, and i literally feel so much more grounded and my energy feels more contained and I'm not as restless.

so like, WHAT. ???!!!!!

so all I had to do all these years was just ASK SHRI KRISHNA TO HELP??!!!!

and as soon as I said bye to my friend I was like. THIS IS KRISHNA. IT IS LITERALLY ALL KRISHNA. WHAT THE HELL.

so um. guys, learn this lesson!!! ask shri krishna for help if you're struggling with something!!! and open your heart to what he says!!! :3

radhey radhey~ 🦚💙🙏✨️

[mileapo]

ELLE Exclusive: Thai Stars Mile And Apo Get Candid About The Success Of KinnPorsche In India, Future Plans And More

ELLE: You guys have a massive fanbase in India. How was your first visit here?

Mile and Apo: Coming to India was such a dream come true. We were always fascinated by the culture and diversity. Our social media posts are always filled with comments from Indian fans, and trust us, we notice everything. But what surprised us were the long lines of fans at the Dior show and airport and seeing all the fans in person who have always appreciated us virtually.

ELLE: It’s been more than one year since KinnPorsche was released. Tell us something about your journey because the show was almost shelved at the start, but you all picked it up and made it possible.

Mile and Apo: If we had to dedicate our success to someone, we would wholeheartedly give it to all the fans because the show KinnPorsche wouldn’t exist or be this successful if there wasn’t an audience for it and if people weren’t willing to support us. There might be some setbacks or drawbacks along the way, but those imperfections make us appreciate success with more passion. And that’s what made our journey unforgettable. From the show almost being cancelled to now becoming a global phenomenon, we have all learned a lot of lessons from it. And we are all set to release a full-fledged movie that just made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, which makes us look at KinnPorsche and be grateful for everything our team has done.

ELLE: How hard or easy it was to shoot the action scenes from the show?

Apo: I have over 10 years of experience in practicing martial arts and fighting techniques. But I realised that performing martial arts in real life is quite different from what we wanted our present on screen, so it was a totally new experience with new trainers on set who have worked internationally. I had to work out 5–6 times a week, which was quite intense compared to my regular sessions at the gym. We also had this whole set of rules for muscle strength and breathing technique, which kind of helped me avoid injuries on set.

Mile: My action scenes might look very flawless on screen, but in reality, all of this was a whole new encounter. Because I have never done action on the screen or something like that in real life, so every day I got to learn something new. In fact, if you ask me about action movies, I love Bollywood action flicks, so you never know, I might have taken some inspiration from there.

ELLE: You both have amazing chemistry; how did you guys develop your friendship, and how much of it shows on the screen?

Apo: We are almost the same age, and not a lot of people know, but we met each other 10 years ago. And have a lot in common. From sharing common interests like making silly dad jokes or discussing different movies and art, we both share similar life experiences, so it was very easy and comfortable acting with each other.

Mile: I would say the key is naturalness, the chemistry that fans see on screen came from our personal friendship and comfort. We are the same people on screen and off screen so it was organic so us to showcase it on screen. We both are so glad that fans have really appreciated it.

ELLE: What are your hopes and goals for your future?

Apo: My dream is to make movies so good that they are showcased at prestigious film festivals around the world. It has always been my big dream if I am allowed to say. Now that I am finally part of such a big project as Man Suang, it feels like I can be a little greedy about my ambitions. Movies have always been really close to my heart, and I would also like to explore them with some international teams around the globe. Maybe one day you can spot me doing some lights, camera, and action! in India as well.

Mile: Right now I am really happy about Man Suang’s wrap. We made this movie with so much love and hard work, and I can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction. Also, for me, movies and music go hand in hand. I would love to dedicate my time to making movies or music that bring solace and happiness to the audience.

[desi-lgbt-fest]

Day 5: Platonic

A story I wrote for today's prompt. It's a story about two middle aged men realising the happiness they want can come in many different forms.

1. 8 k words.

Cw: Mild homophobia. Incorrect language. It's indicative of character's understanding, not mine.

...

When Vikram Kumar first transferred to their branch, Nath wasn't impressed. Theirs was a small transport company, still somehow holding on against the giants of the industry. They were doing well for themselves; they had branches in few neighbouring states where the business was concentrated. And yeah, the company policy does state that employees should get transferred around every 4 years or so. But that never really happened. Nath had been working at Gada transport ltd for more than 25 years now and the only way anybody new ever came in the office was if someone died or retired.

That was what had happened. Another clerk, Nisha Bhagwan, had a heart attack at the computer and in came Vikram Kumar, a transfer from Nagpur. The office people took to him like animals take to the new clown at the circus. Nobody was really sad about Mrs Bhagwan's passing. She was old and in an office full of other old people, they were just waiting for the hat to drop on someone. Better Mrs Bhagwan than us.

They inquired after him, after his family, his mother's family, his neighbour's family, his neighbour's dog's family. When they found out that he was divorced and currently living in a sketchy hotel, they immediately turned to Nath.

Nath, or Adinath, as his name was, owned two flats in his society. Two flats side by side, one in which he lived. He very famously refused to rent it out to families or students or single women. Which meant, he never really rented it out. It actually quite suited to his own solitary silent life. But he regretted boasting about it in the office because here came his perfect rent.

"I- uh. The apartment is very dirty and I'd have to clean it," he started making excuses.

Vikram Kumar shrugged. "I don't mind. Better than listening to the sex noises coming from the side wall." Raucous laughter emerged, unhampered by the fact that their only woman employee wasn't there anymore.

Nath couldn't say no.

Vikram Kumar did turn out to be an ideal renter. He was silent. No guests. Rent, which Nath had kept a little high to dissuade, always on time. Sometimes old hindi songs drifted from his flat but Nath didn't mind. As his novelty wore off and office people stopped fawning over him, Nath did find himself to be quite okay with Vikram Kumar's existence.

A distinct mark in his favour was that he didn't laugh when at their regular chai break (5 minute break that always turned into a 45 minute one) the others made him familiar with Nath's title as the resident Bramhachari.

"Never married, never looks at a woman," Bhosle, their manager remarked.

"Hey you remember that time when that bombshell came in complaining about some lost package? Nath did not even look away from her face."

"Pakka gentleman, I tell you. He's not the customer complaint manager for nothing."

Everybody guffawed. Nath gave his regular pained smile. Vikram Kumar smiled back. For a moment, Nath thought it was a smile of understanding.

Eventually, Nath started offering Vikram Kumar a ride home on his ancient scooter. He obliged. When the ride turned regular, Vikram Kumar started contributing for petrol. Another mark in his favour.

13 months later, Vivek Chand, accountant, retired. In came a new hire, Ashalata Waad.

Suddenly many colleagues started turning up in pressed shirts and oiled hair. Nath merely shook his head and laughed at their preening. It was their colleagues' turn to laugh when Ms. Ashalata, recently widowed, took to Nath. Furtive smiles. Sympathy over dealing with difficult clients. Nath of course did not notice. But the other colleagues did. And out of sympathy for Ms Ashalata's feelings, they gently took her to a side after a week or so and directed her towards someone more likely to respond; the new divorcee, Vikram Kumar.

That, Nath certainly noticed.

That evening, Nath left without offering a ride to him.

Next morning, everyone noticed the distinct coldness between Ms Ashalata and Vikram Kumar. It was a long day too. Some trouble with licensing of a large shipment, everybody had to stay behind. It was well over 8 when people started leaving. Vikram came over to Nath's desk and tapped on it.

"I don't think this late I will find a riksha like yesterday. Will you please give a ride home?"

Nath sighed. He wasn't petty after all. Well, not much.

The streets were near empty. Theirs was a small town. One that eats at 8 and sleeps at 10. Nath's scooter cut through the silence and the sickly orange lights of the streetlamps like an interloper. They were crossing the Hutatma Chauk when Vikram asked him to stop.

"What for?"

"It was a long and stressful day. I wanted us a relax a bit at the park bench before we go home."

"I'm not going-"

"Please yaar."

Nath sighed.

Stopping the scooter at side, they both walked to the circle where statue of some forgotten freedom fighter stood, benches around it. Surprisingly, there were some people ambling around. Old couples taking a rest from nightly walk. A group of youngsters.

After having the sound of scooter in the ears for past five minutes, the sudden silence was deafening.

"I don't think Ms Waad would be talking to me again," Vikram Kumar started without preamble, a laughter in his voice.

Nath sighed and ran a hand through in thin hair. "You didn't do any-"

"No no, oh god no! I just said I'm not interested. I think that was enough for her to be offended."

"She's not your type?" he probed gently, curious.

Vikram was silent for a moment and then burst out with sudden emotion, "Why does it matter? Why one single woman and one single man can not stay without having an affair? Ye saala bollywood-" Nath hushed him, noticing the people around.

"Sorry." Vikram said, taking a deep breath to calm himself down.

"I get it. Years ago, when I told my father I was gay-"

"You're what??"

Nath felt like he made a tremendous mistake in judgement. But he was a grown man dammit, he will hold his ground!

"I said I am gay." Nath held his gaze. Vikram Kumar stared back, unknown range of emotions passing. Eventually he broke the gaze, ran a hand through his own balding hair and sat back.

He shook his head. "I am not gay, if that's why you-"

"That wasn't-"

"I'm NOT. I like women. I- I mean men are good too. I. I don't-"

Nath couldn't help it. He broke into a loud laugh. Like Vikram had performed some excellent comedy sketch.

Vikram punched him lightly on his shoulder, a smile evident on his face.

"I just meant, men, women. All are same to me. Honestly, I didn't mind being married to Sheela. I provided for her, I cared for her wellbeing. Our.. bedroom relations were less ideal but I didn't shut her out. I did my duty."

"I'm guessing she wanted someone who didn't see her as a duty?"

Vikram shrugged. "She was nice about it. Told me plain and simple she found someone else. We didn't have kids. It was easy. Well. As easy as it could be. She told the court I was impotent for swift divorce. I agreed. It caused drama in families though, which is why I asked for a transfer."

"Mrs Bhagwan died at a really opportune moment then."

They both shared a laugh and things fell silent once again.

"So you are... one of those," Vikram tried to say casually.

The elderly couple had left. A newly wed looking one took their place. Nath suddenly felt he was thrown back in time.

"I don't have much family," he started. "Mother died when I was young. Theirs was a love marriage, quite unusual for the times. They had run away and so had lost their families. My father raised me well enough; started pestering me for marriage when I got the job at 22. I kept avoiding for few years. But eventually I had to tell him. I wasn't going to ruin some poor woman's life." Nath looked pointedly at Vikram. Vikram didn't take offence. Just laughed self-consciously. Mark in his favour etc etc.

"Father raged for days. Didn't raise his hand on me, didn't tell anyone else but we fought a lot. It wasn't that he denied my condition. He just wanted a family. On some level we understood each other. I realise it now. I knew he wanted me to marry because he didn't want his hard fought family to die with me. And I guess, he probably knew what it meant to love someone you weren't supposed to.

He died soon after."

"When you were thirty, I remember you telling me."

Nath nodded. "I was free. I had a place of my own. A job. No family to hide myself from. I felt guilty over feeling relieved. I felt angry at being guilty. Then came sadness over being angry. That sadness stayed for a decade."

Vikram asked, "So you never...?

Nath shook out of his trip to memory lane. "Hm?"

"Are you? A bramhachari? Did you ever find-"

"There were some men here and there. Obviously there wasn't going to be a relationship," Nath scoffed. "If you know where to look, you can find release. But after Father died, I don't know, I rarely ever went looking for anybody. I didn't have it in me."

Vikram laughed. "Look at us. Two old men, all on their own, no happy family for us."

"Speak for yourself, I'm barely a day over 40," said the man, almost 50.

Vikram laughed again, looking at him with such fondness in his eyes. Nath felt sharp fear for a moment. Then he decided to be an adult again.

"You look well for your age too."

"Nath..."

Nath shivered at hearing his name. It was an intimate name. People didn't say it much. But it fit in Vikram's mouth.

"I don't want to change anything," Vikram said. "I'm happy as things are. It's ideal. I can't offer anything more."

Nath got up, brushing dust from his pants. It had gotten late. They were alone at the circle. A vehicle passing by to remind them of the world that exists.

"I'll take whatever you can offer," he said, looking away from him.

"Friendship? For as long as I live?" Vikram held out his hand.

Nath looked at it. Big, warm. Hairy. Pale skin where the wedding ring used to sit. He extended his own and took it.

"As long as I live."

... Let me know if you like it enough to see some other prompts involving them... I have so many headcanons for them.

[kameshwar]

Morning, 15 April, 2022.

Patna.

Elon Musk has made an open offer to buy out Twitter . He says that he wants to make Twitter a completely neutral platform. It should be free from censorship and gags, he says. He advocates free speech. He calls himself a free speech absolutist. I want to believe him. If he able to make Twitter a free speech platform , the world will be a saner place to live in.

Last few years I have been totally disappointed with the way these social media sites have been functioning. A platform should remain unbiased and equally accessible to all. You can’t gag someone only because he doesn’t subscribe to your views. Twitter has gagged mostly the leaders and influencers who are non-liberals and rightists. In India, they banned the likes of Kangana Ranaut, a leading Bollywood actress, for hitting out at the then newly-elected West Bengal government under Mamta Banerjee. After the election results which gave Mamta Banerjee a big victory, dozens Hindus were killed and thousands of Hindu families had to run away from the state as the they had dared to vote despite warnings from their Muslim neighbours. In West Bengal, it has been a normal practice from the times of Jyoti Basu-led left government era to threaten the defiant population from going to vote. Kangana Ranaut called for removing the government that didn’t stop the Hindu genocide. This was her fault and Twitter banned her for life.

There have been thousands of instances where Twitter didn’t mind false propaganda being spread by the left-liberal people. When a real incident is posted that indicts the left-liberal gang, Twitter doesn’t like it. When Hindus’ feelings are hurt, Twitter doesn’t mind. You can criticise, condemn and question the Hindu beliefs and practices. You can’t do the same in case of other religions. You can’t question the book from heaven or the person who proclaimed to be the messenger of God. For Twitter, faith supersedes logic.

The world became a lot better 10-20 years ago when people from all over could communicate on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Twitter has emerged as the best place where common people, governments, organisations, nations, intellectuals, academicians, spiritual leaders, social leaders, entrepreneurs, students and many others can take part in debates and discussions. News and views no longer stay under the control of a few tv channels and newspapers.

Earlier people could form views based on what these old media made them watch or read. Not now. But another kind of manipulation is happening now. They would manipulate the reach of your posts. They can censor your opinions. They can stop people from viewing your posts. They can bring down the number of your followers. They can promote the views of people who conform with their ideology and delete the posts of those who have sane views that go against religions and nations.

Russia attacked Ukraine in February. Twitter banned all Russians from its platform. Now the Ukrainian President can freely post the pictures of the horrors of Russian invasion. The Ukrainian President has got the attention of the whole world, all governments and the public. The Russian government or President has no way to tell why they did what they did. With the help of Facebook and Twitter, America is successful in depicting the Russian President as a monster. Although Vladimir Putin doesn’t care much. But there is no denying that Twitter is a tool in the hands of the American government in this Russia-Ukraine war.

Twitter should have remained accessible to Russians as much as it has been to the Ukrainians. It should have let everyone speak and let the world decide who is right and who is wrong.

But the world has never been a fair place.

[seokstyle]

never say goodbye

pairs: yoongi x reader; taehyung x reader themes: bollywood au, unhappy marriages, infidelity/cheating, ex-athlete!yoongi, husband!taehyung, enemies to friends to lovers, family, forgiveness genre: ANGST... lots and lots of angst jgkgndjgfjk with fluff in there too (i promise!!) warnings: explicit language, adultery, failing marriages, heartbreak  rating: pg-13

you and yoongi are drawn to each other, entering in each others lives by chance and staying in each others lives as friends.  but how long can you both live in denial of your delicate reality? and in denial of your unfolding feelings threatening to shatter it all?

this work was veryyy heavily inspired by the bollywood film kabhi alvida naa kehna!

preview - fic drop expected late august! (reply or send an ask if you would like to be on the taglist)

masterlist

“What are we doing, Yoongi,” you plead. “What are we both doing here?” He looks down to avert his gaze from yours, refusing to reply.

You carry on despite the silence. “Tell me what this means. When we met you told me if I don’t try to write myself another love story after I get married, I won’t find one. You said I would be making the right choice. That I would be happy. Then what are we both doing here?”

“Stop it.”

“No, tell me,” you beg.  

Yoongi doesn’t answer. He just looks back up at you and scoffs with derision. 

You don’t care. You’re too stubborn. Too invested in hearing him say something, anything. 

“I don’t know, Y/N, I don’t know.”

“You do,” you implore him, “because we’re here together right now, in the middle of the train station at midnight.” He tsks, turning away. “I need to know, Yoongi, please,” you tug on his coat sleeve, silently beseeching him to face you and take you out of your misery. 

He sets his jaw and says nothing still. 

“I need to hear it. Tell me.”

“March 18th, four years ago,” Yoongi starts angrily, as he spins back to face you. You take a step back out of surprise from the sudden shift in his demeanor. “The day we first met each other. Is that what you want to hear?”

 All you can do is stare back at him, startled. 

“That’s the moment my whole life changed. I still remember the fucking exact time I first saw you. It was 5:18 in the afternoon. Can you believe it?” He laughs bitterly. “Is that what you want to hear? Maybe you want to hear me say that I know your train leaves this station every day at 12:15, and my train leaves at 12:10. But every single day, Y/N,” he strides forward, closing the gap between you, “I miss my train. Do you know why?”

“Yoongi, I-”

“So that I have a chance to spend a few more moments with you.”

You can feel your heart simultaneously swell and shatter at the same time. You don’t know what to say. “Yoongi…”

“But why do I bother with that? Does it even matter? Because whenever you leave the station, or we leave a cafe, or anytime you leave my sight you still never leave my mind. No matter what I do, I can’t stop thinking of you.”

Your breath hitches.

“Is that what you wanted to hear?”

It’s getting harder and harder to pull air into your lungs. You wanted answers from his so badly just minutes ago and now you feel like you’re about to drown in them.

“Yoongi, please-”

“But I am married, Y/N! And I think you’re forgetting,” he adds angrily, “that you! Are married as well!”

Guilt gnaws at you with every new sentence he speaks, and you turn away from him, overwhelmed.

This was a mistake. You shouldn’t have come here.

“You have your husband waiting for you at home, and I have my wife waiting for me at mine. Then why,” he taunts you with your own words, “are we at the station at the middle of the night together, hmm? I wonder what the reason could be?”

Your heart is racing, and you start for the exit, pulling your phone out of your pocket with shaking hands. You can just call an Uber and be home before you know it. 

You should just go to bed and pretend like this never happened.

“If you want to hear the answer so badly, then listen to it before you go!” His voice echoes around you like thunder in the empty station..

“I love you, Y/N!”

You stop dead in your tracks, breath caught in your throat.

“And you love me too.”

[hanaasbananas]

Fanfic Year in Review 2020

thanks for the tag @2manyfandoms2count! This took me a while to get to but here we are!

Ok I feel like this is just gonna end up being a post where I just gush about Phantoms in the Dark but like...c'mon

This is gonna get long so i've put it under the cut:

1) List of fics completed this year in the order they were finished:

Most of my stories are one shots of varying lengths, but I did actually finish quite a few so we have:

A Chance Encounter and So it Goes- both zenmaster fics for That 70s Show

Touch the Rain: I honestly forget I wrote this last year, it feels like I wrote it years ago but it's just a standard identity reveal in the heat of an argument type thing.

Ladybug Luck? What's That? The fic that really started my spiral into writing for the ML fandom, and the birth of the Bollywood Playlist series.

Post reveal, where they didn't know each other irl, Marinette sees Adrien at a Gabriel party, realises who he is, and does some property damage in the process.

our eyes speak (but on our lips is silence) At a wedding where Adrien is best man and Marinette is a guest they immediately recognise the other as their partner. Pure fluff and giddiness ensue

The Seduction of Marinette Dupain-Cheng Post reveal-Chat bets Ladybug that he can woo her as a civilian, employing good old fashioned tactics like flowers and poetry

Pink Snapshots of an Adrinette relationship. I just wanted to see if I could write an entire fic with no dialogue whatsoever, and this one got a huge surge in popularity recently so...guess I can!

Exposed Another fic where they don't know each other as civilians. When their identities are revealed in the worst possible way, Ladybug and Chat Noir hide out in a hotel room as they try to process the situation.

This Red Love My first enemies au! In which Adrien joins Hawkmoth from the beginning, but still goes to school and ends up dating Marinette. When he realises who she is, he has to re-examine everything he thought he ever wanted.

i have found someone (like a nomad finds a home) In the last one, Adrien willingly sided with Gabriel, but in this one, he is forced to after Stoneheart. Years later, he meets Marinette, who makes him feel like he isn't a monster.

Memory Chat Blanc in the aftermath when there is nothing left.

Phantoms in the Dark My biggest accomplishment last year! And the longest story I've ever written at 30k words. A historical marichat story based off my favourite poem The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes. I'm currently working on the sequel.

I only bow down to worship (but I come to a stop when I see you) In which Adrien knows Marinette is Ladybug, and she knows he knows. However, he hasn't told her he's Chat Noir. This is just cute relationship stuff in the same vein as Pink

Collect your Courage, Loyalty, I'll never be the thief (to bring in hot scattered hell) Thought I'd branch out to other fandoms and landed on ATLA. This is a series (eventual zutara) where Zuko realises almost immediately post banishment that he can't follow in his father's footsteps and rebels.

Dancing Lessons Chat Noir and Ladybug decided to reveal their identities at age 20, and now Chat has chosen the venue as well. The only problem is he needs to teach Ladybug how to dance first.

Wish Ok I hurt a lot of people with this one but it's one where in the final fight, Adrien is mortally wounded and Marinette uses the miraculous to save his life, forfeiting her life in the process.Flashes back and forth between her death and how Adrien is coping in the aftermath.

2) Number of words written: 79663. I actually wanted to hit 100k by the end of the year but as those in the guild know, I spent most of December doing kitchen renovations and being pissed about my lack of free time lmao

3) Your most popular fic: Phantoms in the Dark. it has yet to surpass my all time most popular fic it's all a game of chance (they say in wonderland), but it's catching up

4) Your personal fav: Dancing Lessons I wrote this way back in July last year but only posted it in December and I just, it's so sweet I really like it with the flirty banter and just the two of them being SO CUTE

5) Your fav scene: The scene at the end of ch6 of Phantoms where Marinette and Chat talk after their kiss and realise they both are very much into each other.

6) A fic or scene that challenged you:

I am really bad at action sequences, and even though in Phantoms Adrien was out fighting people on the regular, I just sort of...glossed over them. Except for in chapter 8, where I wrote a proper duel between Chat and someone he was robbing.

What I struggled with was describing the movements, not wanting to make it too complicated whilst not having it be 'he feinted and stabbed' or something really simplistic. There was a lot of pen acting involved, but I think the end result is quite good, if I do say so myself.

7) A line of writing you’re proud of: From Phantoms (of course)

In every lifetime, in every land, we shall find each other.

8) A comment that touched you:

I love every single comment that I get, but someone left this on my musketeers fic Going Through the Motions (posted as a series on ao3 to motivate me to finish the fic but when it was done I compiled all the parts and posted it on ffnet as a oneshot lol and one of my absolute fave fics I've written-no surprise that it's historical 😅) on ffnet, which was a HUGE compliment:

"I like the way you wove dialogue from the series with your fiction. Your story gives us a more complete picture of Bonacieux and explains why Constance rejected D'Artagnan, which we did not get from the series. Your version is better. Well done!"

9) Something that inspired your writing:

I mean...I have an entire series on ao3 that is just fics inspired by bollywood songs/scenes-and those were my main inspiration for so many things. (I actually realised the other day that a scene from the movie Kalank is what inspired me to write Wonderland lmao)

10) Your proudest accomplishment (that one scene; finally finishing that one fic; posting your first fic; etc):

Honestly, just writing consistently! I graduated in 2019 and in the past, I've started and abandoned so many projects and ideas, and even the first fic I posted on ao3-it took me a year to get the second chapter up and then I only finished it because I wanted to post other stuff but didn't feel like I could until I finished that one lol.

So yeah, that, and of course, actually writing and finishing Phantoms instead of abandoning it like so many of my other ambitious projects. I'm really proud of the 30k I wrote for that story because it's the most I've ever written for a single thing

11) Do you have any writing goals for the next year?

I want to finish Forgotten Promises, and the third story in the series. I have the vague plot for that one, and know what's going in the epilogue to end the series but I just need to get there.

Oh! and see 100 ways to say I love you to the end.

This was fun! I tag @theanxiouscupcake @an-elysian-tree @quarantined-fics and anyone else who wants to have a go!

[adeliaharris]

My Favorite Books...

1. Harper Lee "To kill a Mockingbird"

The story of a small sleepy town in the South of America told by a little girl. The story of her brother Jim, dill's friend and her father - the honest principled lawyer Atticus Finch one of the last and best representatives of the old "southern aristocracy". The story of the trial of a black guy accused of rape a white girl. But first of all it is the story of a turning era when xenophobia, racism, intolerance and bigotry inherent in the American South are warming to the past. The "wind of change" has just begun to blow over America. What will it bring?

- This is probably one of my favorite books.The book captured from the very first pages and did not let go for a long time after reading. You can say a lot of things but better read it.

2. Khaled Hosseini "The Kite Runner"

A heartfelt story of friendship and fidelity, betrayal and redemption, penetrating to the very core. Delicate, ironic and sentimental in a good way, Khaled Hosseini's novel resembles a painting that can be looked at endlessly set in pre-war Kabul in the 1970s. In this magical city shimmering with all shades of gold and azure two weather boys Amir and Hasan live. One belonged to the local aristocracy the other to a despised minority. One's father was handsome and important the other was lame and pathetic. Master and servant, prince and beggar, handsome and crippled. But there were no people in the world closer than these two boys. Soon the Kabul idyll will be replaced by formidable storms. And the boys, like two kites, will be picked up by this storm and scattered in different directions. Each has its own destiny its own tragedy but they like in childhood are tied by the strongest bonds. You run after the kite and the wind as you run after your destiny, trying to catch it. But she will catch you.

- Psychological novel on the theme of "crime and punishment". Deeply elaborated images, convincing children's characters, a remarkably built plot - everything speaks of a great master. For me it is "heavy" literature but it has the right to be because it calls things by their proper names. And most importantly there is light in the stories of Hosseini! The light of true human feelings.

3. F. Scott Fitzgerald "The Great Gatsby"

A jubilant, sparkling thirst for life, a desire for love, alluring and elusive, exciting pursuit of wealth - but now the dream breaks to the sound of jazz and the eternal holiday turns into a tragedy. "The Great Gatsby" is a novel about "how illusions are wasted which make the world so colorful that  having experienced this magic, a person becomes indifferent to the concept of true and false." F. S. Fitzgerald

- I read it and was not at all disappointed! Elegant presentation with high meaning - everything in this life is done for the sake of love. And no amount of money can replace the woman you love... And even if she is stupid, frivolous and idly living her life. I have great respect for Gatsby and contempt for Daisy. There are a lot of wonderful quotes, phrases in the book, it's worth thinking about. I didn’t expect to literally fall in love with this piece! In the future I will definitely re-read it more than once!

4. Daniel Keyes "Flowers for Algernon"

Forty years ago it was considered a fantasy. Forty years ago it read like fantasy. Exploring and expanding the boundaries of the genre eagerly absorbing all sorts of newest trends trying on a common human face bravely ignoring the Cain's stamp of the "genre ghetto". Now it is perceived as one of the most humane works of modern times as a novel of piercing psychological power, as a filigree development of the theme of love and responsibility. It is not for nothing that Keyes called his book of memoirs published in the 1990s "Algernon, Charlie and Me."

- The book is an emotion that will not make you think about something particularly difficult. All the thoughts that it generates are very simple and understandable. Without revelations, of course, but not bad either. The assessment will, rather, depend on the degree of personal sensitivity because the author often uses the concept of "naive hero-evil reality-collision-squeezing out sympathy" during the work.

5. Agatha Christie  "Murder on the Orient Express"

The great detective Hercule Poirot who was in Istanbul returns to England on the famous "Orient Express" in which it seems, representatives of all possible nationalities travel with him. One of the passengers an unpleasant American named Ratchett offers Poirot to become his bodyguard since he believes that he could be killed. The famous Belgian brushes off this absurd request. And the next day the American is found dead in his compartment with the doors closed and the window open. Poirot immediately takes up the investigation - and finds out that the compartment is full of all sorts of evidence pointing... to almost all the passengers of the Orient Express. In addition the train gets stuck in snow drifts in a deserted place. Poirot needs to find the killer before the express can continue on its way...

- I liked the book. Pretty easy to read. The plot is "confused" from the very beginning but Mr. Poirot is yet  a world-famous detective. It is better to read about all the twists and turns of the investigation on your own, "immersion" is guaranteed.

6. Stieg Larsson "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

Forty years of the mystery of the disappearance of a young relative haunts the aging industrial tycoon and now he makes the last attempt in his life - entrusts his search to journalist Mikael Blomkvist. He takes on a hopeless business more in order to distract himself from his own troubles but soon realizes: the problem is even more complicated than it seems at first glance.

What is the connection between a long-standing incident on the territory with the use of mobile devices which happened in different years in different parts of Sweden? What does the quotation from the Third Book of Moses have to do with it? And who, after all, attempted on the life of Michael himself when he came too close to the solution?

- The whole trilogy left a deep impression. Such books appear very rarely. Out-of-the-box characters, amazing Sweden, dark atmosphere. I advise absolutely everyone!

7. Ray Bradbury "Fahrenheit 451"

Perhaps the best of Bradbury's writings. The story "Fahrenheit 451" depicts a dystopian society of the future but in fact - "our reality, reduced to absurdity." Bradbury invented a state where reading and keeping books is prohibited. For the sake of political correctness and general peace of mind the general level of spiritual and intellectual demands of citizens is artificially lowered. But there are rebels and fugitives.

This is one of Bradbury's rare sci-fi works. Very exciting touching and at the same time very lively and dynamic. With a relatively simple plot, it is full of allusions including biblical texts and complex symbolism.

- This is just a great book! I advise everyone to read it! Despite the fact that the author wrote it in 1953 this does not feel at all. A very interesting and poignant plot for our time.

8. Victor Hugo "Les Miserables"

All the works of the great French poet, novelist and playwright Victor Marie Hugo (1802-1885) are covered with a halo of romanticism. The idea of ​​life-giving love, mercy, the triumph of good over evil - this is the core of his novel "Les Miserables". Among the "outcasts" are Jean Valjean sentenced to 20 years for stealing bread for his starving family and the little dirty Cosette who turned into a charming girl and a child of the Parisian streets of Gavroche...

- Brilliant work! So thoughtful, so overwhelming and so humane. The inimitable Hugo put all his philanthropy into this magnificent novel!

9. Stephen King "The Green Mile"

Stephen King invites readers to the eerie world of the death row where they leave in order not to return, opens the door of the last refuge of those who have transgressed not only human but also God's law. There is no more deadly place on this side of the electric chair! Nothing you've read before beats Stephen King's most audacious horror experience - a story that begins on Death Road and goes deep into the deepest secrets of the human soul...

- I have been familiar with the work of S. King for a long time and have read more than a dozen of his books. The work "The Green Mile" is a story that will not let you go for a long time. She leaves a residue in her soul - mixed feelings and indescribable impressions from the story itself, unique and ingenious.

10. Gregory David Roberts "Shantaram"

This art-refracted confession of a man who managed to get out of the abyss and survive, has sold four million copies around the world and has earned rave comparisons with the works of the best writers of the modern era from Melville to Hemingway. Like the author the hero of this novel has been hiding from the law for many years. Deprived of parental rights after a divorce from his wife, he became addicted to drugs, committed a number of robberies and was sentenced by an Australian court to nineteen years in prison. Having escaped from a maximum security prison in his second year, he reached Bombay where he was a counterfeiter and smuggler, traded arms and participated in the showdown of the Indian mafia and also found his true love, to lose it again, to find it again...

- It is very difficult to somehow categorically evaluate this novel. There are many advantages here: a fascinating story of the wanderings of the protagonist in the world of a harsh exotic country. Together with him, the reader develops, absorbs the alien culture and energy of other people, people of another world to which we are not used to. However there is something ridiculous about this.  At times it seems that we are watching real Indian cinema - the brainchild of Bollywood naive and merciless. In general I liked the novel, it is interesting, bright, impetuous. During the period of reading this great story, I have never been bored. Despite some controversial points - I advise!

[salmankhanholics]

★ Well done Salman Khan”: Single screen exhibitors react to Radhe – Your Most Wanted Bhai’s hybrid release announcement!

Apr 23, 2021  The industry, trade and moviegoers were left surprised with the sudden announcement that Radhe - Your Most Wanted Bhai, the much awaited film of Salman Khan, would release in cinemas on Eid. However, it’ll also simultaneously arrive on Zee’s pay-per-view platform, ZeePlex. It’s the first time something of this sort is being attempted. Ideally, a massy movie like Radhe - Your Most Wanted Bhai is best enjoyed in cinemas but due to the never-ending second wave of Coronavirus, it seems that the makers had to make this decision.

Shariq Patel, Chief Business Officer, Zee Studios says, “Wherever theatres are operational in India, our film will release. And internationally, cinemas are anyway open. So wherever theatres are functional, we’ll follow the theatrical windowing of that particular country.” In other words, internationally, the film will release only in cinemas, provided theatres are functioning in that region. In India, it’ll have a hybrid release.

He justifies this move by stating, “Internationally, Warner Bros has been following this practice. Last year, we experimented with just a PVOD (premium video on demand) release of Khaali Peeli. We shortened the theatrical window of Suraj Pe Mangal Bhariand Solo Brathuke So Better. We need to adapt to the existing market scenario. One has to understand that a lot of money has been invested. So one can’t keep waiting for the ideal scenario to arise. The pandemic and the resulting restrictions have been going on for a year now and there’s no end in sight. So, the point is that we have to evolve, find a solution to a given situation.”

Trade Speak Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says, “The producers did the right thing. Since it’s a Salman Khan film, the costs are huge. And it’s a film which was supposed to release one year ago. Imagine the interest he must have incurred due to this delay. He has all the money in the world, I am not denying that. But every film has an economic baggage. How long can you hold on?”

He adds, “As for the exhibitors, they were hoping that Salman Khan will bail them out. As I have always said, he is the pied piper of Bollywood. His films, irrespective of the merit, command a terrific initial. Now a hybrid release announcement comes as a jolt for them. It’s going to take some time for them to absorb the reality.”

He also feels that in these sensitive times, cinema is the last thing on people’s mind, “On social media, 99% discussions are only about Covid-19. Cinema doesn’t even feature anywhere as priority. So it’s a wait and watch situation right now. We don’t know how it’s going to pan out.”

Girish Johar, producer and film business analyst, however, is more critical of this development, “This scenario has to be seen through various perspectives. Definitely, it’s a big blow for cinemas. We have already lost around 1000 screens to Covid-19 last year. And now Radhe - Your Most Wanted Bhai, which is like a crucial oxygen cylinder, has gone away on digital. So it’s sure to affect the health of the exhibition sector.”

He says he fails to understand how someone of the stature of Salman can opt for such a model and adds, “If you are an individual producer in need of cash flow, then one can understand if one opts for such a model. After all, the interest adds to the budget with each passing month.” He also feels that the stars have been unfair to the theatres, which made them so popular in the first place. He emphasizes, “These actors, in their 30 or 35 year old careers went to various theatres to promote their films. Kuch actors ne toh ticket window pe tickets bhi bechi hai, for promotions. Pichle ek-dedh saal mein cinemas bandh kya hue, inhone toh tweet bhi nahi kiya for helpingthis sector. It’s the cinema that made you. They should have been a little considerate about them.”

He further tells why the PVOD release is not ideal, “From infrastructure perspective, it is not the right move. It’ll stop the growth of multiplex screens. Also, OTT is an urban market and mostly patronized by viewers of 10-12 cities. Toh Radhe - Your Most Wanted Bhai log ZeePlex pe Delhi aur Mumbai mein dekhenge ya Ichalkaranji mein dekhenge? Obviously, it’ll be the former. And Mumbai and Delhi were the top revenue generating centres for most films. As for audiences in smaller towns, they’ll access the film through Telegram or other pirated means.”

“How long can you keep waiting?” We then asked the exhibitors on their reaction to this development. While the representatives of multiplex chains were unavailable, the single-screen cinema owners shared their views to this writer. Surprisingly, till now, they have always been against a big, feature films releasing anywhere else other than the cinemas first. This time, their viewpoint has slightly altered.

Vishek Chauhan, owner of Roopbani Cinema in Bihar, says, “It’s high time they took this step and no one is to blame here. How long can you keep waiting? It’s a crisis situation for everyone. It’s not like cinemas hi marr rahe hai. Sab marr rahe hai. Everyone is suffering. Zee has paid around Rs. 230 crores. How long can they hold their investment?”

Akshaye Rathi, film exhibitor and distributor, adds, “Given the scenario given in the country right now, the decision is quite practical. I don’t expect a significant number of cinemas to be even allowed to open by May 13. It’s an interesting experiment and I truly hope that the Indian consumers rise to the occasion and actually pay per view rather than hacking the movie through piracy.”

He continues, “As an exhibitor, however, I would have loved it had the movie’s release plans been delayed a bit and was brought to the theatres when things were coming close to normal. Now that the vaccination drive is getting accelerated, I am sure that day isn’t too far out that cases would reduce. Fingers crossed and here’s wishing the team luck.”

Raj Bansal agrees with Akshaye Rathi as he states, “If they really wanted to come in a big way in theatres, they should have waited for two months.”

Question mark over its domestic box office performance However, due to the rise in cases, one wonders how many cinemas will be open in India by May 13. Also, prime markets like Mumbai, Delhi etc. might still be shut. In such a scenario, one wonders what the domestic box office of Radhe - Your Most Wanted Bhai would look like. Vishek Chauhan minces no words as he tells, “Theatre India mein kahan khule hai? Jo bhi khule hue hai, woh naam ke khule hue hain. The way cases are rising exponentially, cinemas will be lucky to be operating by Diwali in this country. The current crisis is unprecedented.”

He also feels that it’s a long way to go for cinemas to reopen. He explains, “First, you need the cases to go down and for people to feel confident to roam around. Then the government should feel confident to open cinemas. Then, theatre owners should feel that it’s viable to resume operations. Lastly, producers should feel that it’s a good time to release their films. Yeh hote hote aisa na ho ki phir se saal nikal jaaye.”

Raj Bansal tells, “Half of cinema theatres in India might be shut during Eid. May 13 is just three weeks away. I doubt if we can open up looking at the lockdowns that are happening in several places. The election rallies and kumbh mela have led to the increase in cases majorly. We can’t afford to do the same during Eid by opening up cinemas.” Even Akshaye Rathi is in agreement that theatres in most regions will still be shut during May 13.

Vishek Chauhan, then, tries to understand the rationale behind this move, “Salman and Zee must have got slightly bolstered since UK cinemas will resume operations from May 11. The USA market, meanwhile, is fully recovering. UAE is perfectly fine while Australia and New Zealand is alive and kicking. So the domestic losses they’ll face, they’ll make up from overseas markets to some extent. Domestic box office, meanwhile, will be zero. Kahan release karenge? The government might refuse to open cinemas for this film, fearing that it’ll lead to crowding.”

‘Radhe’ model to become the norm? Like Radhe - Your Most Wanted Bhai, there are several big ticket films awaiting release. The question is whether these films would also follow suit and opt for a hybrid release. Shariq Patel says, “I am fairly certain. A lot of films have been held on for so long. No producer has the capacity to hold on to their film for such a long period. However, equilibrium will be reached once the situation is back to normal. But when that normal situation would arise is something that no one knows. Today, we are in April 2021 and it’s worse than the circumstances in April 2020.”

Vishek Chauhan also has a similar point of view, “Other makers should follow suit. How long will they wait for? And we cinema owners are in no position to dictate terms to them. But one thing is proven that when cinemas are open, theatres are the best place to release a film. Theatres will be back and theatres will be the main medium to release films.”

Akshaye Rathi however disagrees, “I think a lot of filmmakers would observe what actually happens to Radhe - Your Most Wanted Bhai in terms of its PVOD release. India as a market has traditionally not succeeded too well with the pay-per-view model. Having said that, this is the biggest film to take this route. If it succeeds, then maybe a few more producers might consider it. So I think that it’s a wait-and-watch scenario. Personally I don’t expect too many people to take up this model yet.”

Raj Bansal adds, “It’s too early to decide. We have to wait and see how Radhe - Your Most Wanted Bhai performs, and also how much it affects theatrical business. If the box office gets impacted, then the Multiplex Association of India might now allow such hybrid release. However, since 15 months will pass without any major film, the MAI might allow this model for a few films initially.”

[aftaabmagazine]

Kabul Dreams – Rock ‘n’ Rolling from Kabul

By Roya Aziz Published on March 12, 2010, on Afghan Magazine | Lemar - Aftaab

[caption: Kabul Dreams performing at the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul in 2010. Photo by H. David Shaw]

KABUL  |  Perhaps nothing best describes youth angst like a song entitled I Wanna Run Away, one of several original numbers performed by Kabul Dreams in a live concert held last week at the American University of Afghanistan. With no other lyrics except the title refrain, lead singer and guitarist Sulyman Qardash alternately sang and screamed into the microphone a sentence that probably resonates even more so with Afghanistan's youth.

Some people will tell you that Afghans don't live in a context where they can act like "teenagers" and rebel against their families and society ("Do they even want to?" some have wondered), but of course, they certainly feel the same emotions. Who better to express it than a rock band? Standing there and watching the crowd of enthusiastic AUA students, it struck me that the song was also apropos of so much more. When Qardash sings about running away, you're reminded that scores of young Afghans do run away to Europe or elsewhere every day in search of education or decent jobs.

A crowd of about 200 people cheered on Afghanistan's newest rock band, which was established a year ago. Qardash's mic was low, and there was too much feedback from the amplifiers at times, but that didn't ruin their performance or diminish their individual talents. Drummer Mujtaba Habibi showed off his skills in a couple sets with solo routines and bassist Siddique Ahmed, who is sometimes called Sid, definitely held his own too. As for Qardash, the frontman appeared to be having fun while impressing with his guitar riffs and vocals.

All three band members were born in Afghanistan but lived in neighboring countries for several years. Habibi was in Iran, while Ahmed lived in Pakistan. Qardash grew up in Uzbekistan and was a relative latecomer returning to Afghanistan in 2008. All three came from musical backgrounds, with Habibi, for example, playing in a band that was into pop rock and pop Latin music. "When I came to Kabul, I was looking for people who were into music, and I was introduced to Mujtaba through a friend," Ahmed said in an interview with AfghanMagazine.

"We got together and started working in a small studio where we practiced on our own and recorded and produced songs for some new artists.

Sulyman was introduced to us through another friend by chance, and when we got to know each other, we thought, why not start a band, so the triangle was completed and Kabul Dreams was [born]."

While the band's logo is similar to the Dead Kennedys', their sound is indie rock, inspired by British bands. Like "I Wanna Run Away," the band's other songs, with topics like love and failed romance, have bittersweet overtones.

"This next song is called Julie," Ahmed said. "I think everyone has had Julie in their lives." The crowd roared their agreement.

It being Afghanistan, the girls sat demurely on the sidelines while a large group of young men stood center stage waving their hands, jumping and dancing.

"I'm part of the first mosh pit in Afghanistan," one concert-goer was heard saying.

The university's faculty acted as cheerleaders and chaperones, some dancing to the music and reminding you of how you used to giggle uncomfortably when your teachers tried to look cool at your high school dances, which is what the whole event felt like even though the crowd was a bit older. The band performed several covers, including an endearing rendition of "Wonderwall" by Oasis and "Knockin'On Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan with Ahmed encouraging everyone to sing along to the latter. No one really did, of course, because Bollywood, not rock'n'roll, is on most people's playlists still.

A few people around me, namely other Afghan-Americans, wondered how soon these guys would receive death threats from the Taliban. Whatever else, everything in Afghanistan is intensely political. It's never easy to forget where you are, like a nice gym paid for by U.S. taxpayers at an institution that's intended to educate an elite set. Beyond the post-9/11 black and white world view (the Taliban vs. rock'n'roll), I wondered if people regarded a band's artistic dreams and ability to express itself as solemnly as let's say poverty.

It's too soon to claim that Kabul Dreams echoes the voice of a generation, but one thing that was clear that night is the energy of Afghanistan's young people (68% the population is under the age of 25).

Maybe another Dylan classic would have said it better: Times they are a-changin'.

Interview with Kabul Dream's bassist Sid Ahmad

We asked Kabul Dreams a few questions. The responses came from band bassist Sid Ahmed.

Roya Aziz: So Sid, is there a Nancy? Sid: There's always Nancys, Julies, Jessicas, and so on! However, this is Afghanistan, so; basically, you know what I'm saying!

Roya Aziz: We are Old School. What do you think of Stars, the Ahmad Zahir rock band? Do you consider them an influence? Sid: Stars were probably one of the best bands we ever had in Afghanistan. Although they were influenced by the classic rock bands of the time, the music they played was not rock, it was a kind of fusion played with drums and guitars at which they were pretty good. Our influences are mostly British Indie rock bands, mostly new ones.

Roya Aziz: Your peers download Bollywood ringtones at an alarming rate. Do you think English rock will find a place amid these types of traditional preferences? Sid: Even Bollywood is now influenced by rock! It's just a matter of time, very soon the most popular ring tone will be "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"!

Roya Aziz: Who's your favorite rock'n'roll personality, and why? Sid: We all have our favorites. Mine is Paul McCartney because he's one of the best songwriters of all time.

Roya Aziz: Do you guys play Guitar Hero? Sid: We play guitars, so there's hardly time for any guitar hero!

Roya Aziz: What about your female fans? They seemed a bit restrained at your AUA show. Do you think the type of songs you write resonates with them? Sid: They like our songs, that is what all matters to us. Girls are restrained not only at AUA show but all over Afghanistan for many reasons. Our songs are mostly about love, relationships, friendship, peace, etc.. so I think they do resonate with them.

Roya Aziz: Do you foresee any competition from an Afghan all-girl rock band in the near future? Sid: We definitely foresee a competition from an Afghan rock band, but an all-girl rock band would definitely be hard to compete with!

Roya Aziz: What was your reaction to the overwhelming support from the audience at the South Asia Bands Festival in India? Sid: It was an exciting experience! The fact that they appreciated our music and were thrilled by it was a sign that what we started was something that we could be proud of. And what matters most to us is that we tried so hard to get there, on our own, without any support, facing difficulties on some basic things like lack of electricity, a place to practice … And now all our efforts were yielding the fruit!

Roya Aziz: What I love about Afghanistan is …. Sid: The fact that in spite of the problems and issues it has, you can't be away from it for too long!

Roya Aziz: What I don't like about Afghanistan is … Sid: The suicide attacks!

Roya Aziz: Where do you see your band in 10 years from now? Sid: At the Grammy award show, or probably a celebration after we have won [an award]!

Roya Aziz: Where do you see the country in 10 years from now? Sid: The country will probably have figured out a better security system by then. Wearing a life vest and traveling with armored vehicles might be part of the visa requirements!

Roya Aziz: I used to play a short-scale bass. Think we can jam sometime? Just kidding. I haven't played in 12 years. Rock on, Kabul Dreams. Sid: We can play guitar hero together sometimes and don't worry, I suck at it!

Roya Aziz: Any last words to our readers? Sid: Stay tuned for our first album coming up soon! And one more thing: RoCk oN!!!

Notes

Currently, the three original band members reside outside of Afghanistan. Mojtaba Habibi Shandiz lives in France. Sulyman Qardash and Sid Ahmad reside in the San Francisco Bay Area along with Raby Adib (joined in 2013).

On June 21, 2019, Kabul Dreams released a new EP With Love from Kabul:

[caption: Cover of their 2019 EP "With Love from Kabul" Photo by Fatimah Hossaini ]

Kabul Dreams 2016 live rendition of the late Baaz Gul Badakhshi's بازگل بدخشی folk song Ay Shokh  ای شوخ (O' Naughty One):

Kabul Dreams Links

Website Instagram

About Roya Aziz

Roya Aziz was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. She lived in Kabul and worked in media and communications. She has a master’s degrees in journalism from UC Berkeley. 

[xirgo]

Desi tag xo

I was tagged by @jinseas pri thank u im so excited

1.What’s your name and what does it mean?  

My real name is Hiba, from arabic origins and it means 'gift from God' 

2.Where from the motherland is you/your family from?

My parents are from Rawalpindi in Pakistan but my dad and his family also grew up in the UK and Nigeria

3.Would you move back to where your family is from, why or why not?  

Pakistan is stunning and while i would love to visit and breathe it in again, i don't think I'd want to move back because i wouldnt have the same opportunities there as i do now.

4.What language(s) can you speak?

I can speak urdu, english, and punjabi... french is so and so..

5.Favorite Bollywood movie?

I actually don't watch alot of bollywood movies but i really loved 3 idiots and Ae Dil he Mushkil... that one ruined me real good.

6. Favorite desi meal? 

Im a slut for my mum's curry chawal... but listen i don't think anything can beat the classic daal chawal with achaar jxhhsgahdjshg i'm dying

7.Where in the motherland do you want to visit?

Muree!! It's literally the most beautiful place on earth and the drive up the mountain?? Simultaneously the most scary and exhilarating experience ever. The top of the mountain feels like home and i miss it so much.

8.Favorite desi singer?

 I grew up listening to Faakhir and Haroon and Ali Zafar and omg Abrar ul Haq

9.Describe your favorite desi outfit? 

 I have this deep purple long dress kameez.. its flowy and so pretty and it's impossible to not feel regal in that dress.

10.Can you make a round roti? 

I wish i could have a badass answer like you pri but alas...i can... taehyung come nikkah me

11.Favorite Bollywood actor? 

I like Ranveer Singh in bollywood, in lollywood i like Ali Rehman Khan and Ahmed Ali Akbar!

12.Favorite Bollywood actress?

Deepika Padukone from bollywood, Maya Ali and Sanam Saeed from pak

13. Favorite Desi in western media? 

Aziz Ansari and Hasan Minhaj

14.Strange superstitions you’ve heard from relatives. 

If you're sneezing alot it means someones thinking about you, when you get those random shivers someone has stepped on your grave, and more that i forget

15.Describe your spice tolerance. 

High. I mean it's just not fun if you're not sweating and don't have a runny nose...

16.Best street food. 

Falooda, pani puri, paan, and roasted corn on the cob GOOD GOD

17.The weirdest question you got from a non desi person. 

People are always just shocked that i speak such good english without a ‘brown’ accent? non desis ask me if i learnt english after moving to australia and im like no english is literally spoken everywhere wtf. Also non desis assume all brown people are indian so they get very confused when i tell them i'm pakistani. Also they think Karachi is the capital of Pakistan. Like. They insist on it. Idk why.

18.How do you like your chai?

 with milk and two sugars

19.When was the last time you have visited the motherland (if you dont live there)?

 10 years ago :((((((

20.Your favorite and least favorite part of your culture?

favorite:  i think our culture and traditions are so beautiful. we have such rich history and being part of something so colourful and vast is so enchanting. our architecture style is one of the best and our food is amazing. we have such an instilled sense of respect for our parents and for others in general. our music!!! our wedding culture is the greatest thing ever and wedding season is the best time of year. we have a very strong sense of family and our hospitality is always woowww. theres just something so warm and comfortable being surrounded by other brown people. 

least favorite:  the level of hypocrisy and bigotry present in our community. the casual racism. the colourism that unfortunately always seems to come from within the family. how desi women must be the most talented, beautiful, smart, yet humble, respectful young girl to be appreciated but desi men need to only know how to count to ten at most. the judgement in terms of religion. the obsession with excelling at education and how if you dont you’ll end up a janitor?? thats unhealthy. also maybe the guilt tripping thing desi immigrant parents pull on their kids is horrific.

Im gonna tag: @gulabigold @jkslibragf @sitaaras @seokslov @lblis @winwinwonwon @monosgf @myglovecult @jminsgf @gothlaws

[miraakhan]

10 reasons why Thugs of Hindostan failed

This is not a film review. This is a critique of all the unwarranted criticism Thugs has garnered, which has been so extreme that part of me wonders if it’s all somewhat premeditated. But conspiracy theories aside, nothing evokes such vitriolic more than challenging the Indian people’s implicit prejudices. Which ones? Well, where do I even start. Here are just the top 10 prejudices reasons why this perfectly acceptable movie is getting unacceptable levels of hate...

1.       Because Indians are racists

How many Pirates of the Caribbean movies did they make again? And how many of them flopped at the Indian box office? I assure you, nobody was complaining about ‘illogical’ stuff in those movies. Why, because those movies were made by white and not brown people? Mind you the same junta will go watch Guy Ritchie’s Robin Hood this weekend and come out all praise for its fantastical, logic-defying action sequences. But since he’s a gora, well.. as Khudabaksh Jahazi says – “Ek Hindustani ka sabse bada dushman ek Hindustani hi hota hai.” 

2.       Because Indians are sexists

There are two female protagonists in the movie. And needless to say that is just two too many for the patriarchal junta of India. How dare they have a female character who is not a damsel in distress, but instead is a terrific archer and kicks total ass?!? To top that, how dare they have the other one be a prostitute with clear agency over her body, a rebellious mind of her own, and wield actual power over her male patrons? Nope, that’s just too much for desi pricks to handle, isn’t it? Also, given Aamir’s very vocal support of the #MeToo movement in India, I won’t be surprised if the social media attack on the movie was an orchestrated effort to hurt him for it.

3.       Because Indians are ageists

This is a country that clearly still idolizes youth and still hasn’t seen life expectancy go up like in the developed world. So how ridiculous to have a septuagenarian play one of the leading heroes, isn’t it?!? How utterly unbelievable to have said man look his exact age too, maybe even older. Mind you this is the country that happily sits through heavy-duty special effects just to have Rajni in a movie look half his age, because who the hell would ever come to theaters to watch Rajni the way he truly looks like now? 

4.       Because Indians are casteists

I hadn’t thought of this myself until an article in the Indian Express pointed it out. Firangi Malhar – Aamir’s character is clearly what one would call a ‘low-born’ hailing from an oppressed social and economic background. But that simply won’t do, will it? Did the movie makers really expect Indians to root for a… a Dalit? How dare they force us to confront our deep-rooted casteist prejudices like that, when all we want to do is enjoy a movie on a long weekend?

5.       Because Indians are religious bigots

And let’s not forget the other sacrilegious decision the movie makers now live to regret… to have three out of the four main protagonists be Muslim?! Oh my God. Literally. Keep in mind who this country voted into power five years ago and probably will again next year – a Hindu fundamentalist wannabe-dictator with a track record of supporting communalist elements in his own party. Here’s what’s funnier but also sad: the villains are more secular than the audiences of this movie. The British are actually celebrating Dussehra, and even if it’s nothing more than cultural appropriation, it’s still more religiously tolerant than Indians these days. 

6.       Because Indians are self-righteous hypocrites

The self-righteousness dripping from some of the reviews I read online is both laughable and infuriating. What about the word “Thugs” did these apparently literate guys not understand? Protagonists can be regular people too you know, and regular people are not perfect. The heroes in this story aren’t trying to be heroes, nor do they claim to want anything more than their very deeply personal objectives – revenge, resolving internalized guilt etc. In fact, the only person who ends up risking everything without any personal agenda, is Suraiyya Jaan. But does the desi audience appreciate the multidimensional complexities of these very human characters? Noooo. In a period movie set during the colonial era, desi heroes better be a sati savitri, or sata savitra, or they might as well be villains.

 7.       Because Indians are stereotypers

So if the Indian audience is to be believed, stereotyping morons that they are, Aamir Khan should only do movies with a social message in them and nothing else. He’s an actor for god’s sake, why can’t he just do a movie for the sheer entertainment value of it? He has repeatedly said so in his interviews, to the very same media people who now completely choose to ignore his pleas to just let him be an artist. The fact that he is socially responsible is a huge bonus that we should all be bloody grateful for, not use it to put him in a box that restricts his creative instincts. (And if some of you are now arguing that I’m doing the same thing, stereotyping all Indians as the same, well I’m sorry. I know I’m doing it, but at least now you know how it feels.)

8.       Because Indians are ungrateful

How quickly everyone seems to have forgotten the immense contributions Aamir and Mr. Bachchan have made to Bollywood. And this isn’t unique to the film industry. Indians are just as ungrateful to their sports idols, refusing to acknowledge that sportspeople, like actors, are only human. Everyone is bound to have bad days. So what if Yuvi doesn’t perform today, why let it erase the memory of the six sixes he hit in Durban ten years ago? How is it okay to insult and deride this man who is trying his best? It’s especially hurtful when it happens to Aamir because he’s been incredibly selfless in his attempts to improve quality of life in India. Sadly, Aamir, this society does not appreciate, let alone be grateful for, your activism, or your artistry.

9.       Because Indians are group-thinking morons

I don’t know if this is particularly true for desis or just a human trait in general. But it’s particularly hilarious to see it play out on social media. The lack of individual thought is sorely evident in all the reviews and trolls I read online. Also, newsflash, if all you do is retweet, reblog, and forward, you might as well be a mindless bot spreading fake news but adding no value to the discourse whatsoever. If you have a contrarian opinion (like maybe you actually liked the movie) but are too afraid to share it, why have a social media page at all? And for God’s sake, if you never saw the movie, shut the fuck up.

10.   Because Indians are trolls

Years of repression is likely responsible for this surge in social media trolling in India, but come on, you can only understand and excuse this behavior for so long. These trolls seem to have taken special interest in bringing down our biggest heroes and mind you, Aamir truly is a hero in real life – the kind we sorely need. And yet, for the very same reasons, he seems to have a target on his back, especially on the internet where cowards attack him while hiding behind anonymity. No matter what their agenda (jealousy, SRK stans, an episode of SMJ hit too close to home), they seem intent on holding Aamir personally responsible for shortcomings of the movie. I’ll admit Thugs isn’t perfect but none of its faults are the actors’ fault. Either way, I don’t think they’re doing it mindlessly. Like I said before, I strongly suspect an orchestrated conspiracy to bring the movie down. Why? Well, take your pick. Aamir has definitely pissed off a lot of people who want to keep the status quo. 

[whileiamdying]

India's uncanny Iranian connection

Like in Iran, jail, in new India, is a real possibility for anyone

By Swara Bhasker Issue Date: July 31, 2022 Updated: July 24, 2022 10:08 IST

I have never been to Iran, but I have seen Iranian films of iconic auteurs like Majid Majidi, Jafar Panahi and Asghar Farhadi; and watched Hollywood films like Argo. And I have met the good people of that ancient land in different international locations.

My lengthy interaction with Iranians was in 2010 while on an international trip with various activists from Asian countries for the Palestinian cause. There were interesting similarities between the Indian and Iranian contingents. Both had a motley selection of people that could be generally divided into two kinds—the people representing various Muslim organisations from both countries, and the less organised ‘liberal’ lot comprising students, trade unionists, photographers and some vagabonds like me. Unsurprisingly, the liberals befriended the liberals. We could sense the tension between the two groups of Iranians. The liberal Iranians were ever wary of the pro-regime Iranians and avoided them astutely. One of them alerted us in cautious whispers that we should be careful because some of the pro-regime Iranians were spies for the Iranian police.

We had fun, exchanged jokes, stories, songs and slogans of the cause. One of the young liberals became a good friend. He was an artist—sensitive, creative and deeply thoughtful. I often wondered why he had an air of sadness about him. He came to India upon my invitation a few months later and attended a friend’s wedding. I remember him laughing and resisting as we dragged him onto the dance floor. He said to me that night as the whole bunch of us danced in happy abandon, “You people are very lucky, you have no worries!”

It could be a tweet, a biryani lunch in your tiffin, a date with a Muslim friend or lover, a painting you made or posted online, a joke you cracked, a joke you laughed at, your job as a journalist, or, heck, the knee pain that prevented you from standing up during the national anthem—literally anything you do in new India could be interpreted as hurting religious sentiments, tarnishing the reputation of the powers that be or threatening the very sovereignty of our great nation.

As I attempt to produce my own film, the real cost of my frank opinions is apparent to me. Producers and potential financiers love my script and then add sheepishly, “Ma’am, be silent on Twitter.”

Friends in the industry tell me that so-and-so wants to cast you in their film /web series, but the platform is worried that your presence will cause controversy. My parents live in the real worry that the multiple criminal complaints filed against my tweets could one day cause my arrest. My mother sends me sincere emails pointing out that caution may not be cowardice, sometimes it is wisdom. She is probably right.

A few days ago, Avinash Das, the director of my film Anaarkali of Aarah, was arrested by the Gujarat Police for sharing online a picture of Amit Shah with arrested IAS officer Pooja Singhal, and for sharing an image by a graphic artist who reimagined India as a pin-up girl. Coincidentally, on the very day that Avinash was arrested, Iran’s judiciary announced that Panahi would serve a six-year jail sentence after being arrested for criticising the Iranian government.

I finally understand the sadness that seemed to always surround my Iranian friend. I recall when he told me that we Indians were lucky because we had no worries. I want him to know that we now have the same worries too!

The writer is an award-winning Bollywood actor and sometime writer and social commentator.

[salmankhanholics]

★ Salman Khan returns as super cop in ‘Dabangg 3’, but ducks politics!  -December 17, 2019

Eight minutes into our telephone conversation with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, the call gets disconnected. The timing is suspicious. My question before was about his take on the troubled political climate in India and how it may affect his new film ‘Dabbang 3’, out in the UAE this Thursday on December 19 and a day later in India. After ringing him again, Khan — who plays a cheeky cop Chulbul Pandey in the movie — declares right away: “We are only going to speak about positive things.”

The 53-year-old star, who is idolised by millions of movie mad fans, is in no mood to be drawn into any political debate.

India has been witnessing widespread protests as a result of the country's parliament passing the Citizenship Amendment Bill, which many consider to be anti-Muslim. Khan joins a list of Bollywood actors such as Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra Jonas who have withheld comment and want to remain apolitical as thousands take to the streets to protest the controversial act. Legendary actor Rajinikanth also adopted a similar no-stand stance in a recent film-related function. But Khan doesn’t mind taking a stand when it comes to the issue of censorship on web platforms.

This bankable actor, who has famously rejected dark roles and avoids risque scenes in films, believes there should be stringent laws in place regarding what content is available online.“I think there should be a censor board on that. A film like ‘Dabbang’ gets a U/A certificate [unrestricted public exhibition subject to parental guidance for children below the age of 12] and my film like ‘Wanted’ gets an ‘A’ [restricted to adults] certificate because of all that action in it. In social media, anybody can go on and watch anything. There has to be a censor on that,” said Khan. But doesn’t that curtail your freedom as an artist and your liberty to watch what you like as a viewer, we counter.“It depends… If you have a 10-year-old daughter and she picks up your phone and stumbles upon some bad content, then what liberty is that?,” adds Khan.He doesn’t have much faith in child-locks on phones or password protection either.“What happens when she gets her own phone,” he counters.

Khan has no such fears when it comes to his own films. His reasons are painfully simple.“‘Dabbang 3’ is a positive clean film which you and your whole family can watch without being embarrassed in front of your elders or children,” said Khan, who’s decidedly old-school.Apparently, Khan single-handedly sanitised ‘Dabbang’ and its lovable lead hero in khakhi uniform. His motive is to thoroughly entertain his fans with vanilla content and have ‘fun’ in the process as an actor.The highly lucrative ‘Dabbang’ series celebrates a lead hero who can sing, dance and rattle off bombastic dialogues about good vs evil without any difficulty and are an ode to larger-than-life Bollywood action adventures that were popular a few decades ago. Usual tropes such as a simpleton in a small town, a fetching village belle and a brute villain are all a part of the Dabbang grid.

“I wanted Dabbang to have action, romance and comedy. It has to have good Vs evil. Chulbul Pandey can be a slightly grey character, but not too dark. And these are the elements that I liked about him,” he said.Khan — who has survived a checkered personal life filled with several brushes with the law — seems to inhabit an utopian world where he wants men in khakhi police uniforms to be a saviour or a superhero of sorts to the common man on the streets.“We want somebody who is out there and willing to take you as his own. You want someone who will wash the crime off from the streets and who supports the good, while flushing out evil,” said Khan. While his take is an idealistic description of law-enforcement officers, the reality may be far different in India right now where there’s a perceived rise in police brutality as police officers allegedly unleash violence on unarmed students in Delhi. But Khan, like most actors, keeps himself insulated and isolated from the ground realities.

He seems to have his designer blinkers on and all he wants to do is good work.As 2019 comes to a close with Khan’s larger-than-life action adventure ‘Dabbang 3’ Khan hopes for a work-filled 2020.“I am looking forward each and every single moment of my life. I want to live my life to the fullest and work the hardest. I want to work really hard. There was a time when I was 15 and I was modelling looking for work. So now I have work and so why shouldn’t I work? Even though 30 or 35 years have gone by in this profession, I have not forgotten what it is not to have work. There’s nothing better than work in this planet.

He has a unique way of paying back for all that kindness and adulation that he has received over the decades. He’s on a mission to launch as many new faces in his films and inject new, young blood into Hindi cinema. In Dabbang 3, he launches seasoned actor Mahesh Manjrekar’s daughter, Saiee Manjrekar. He has also famously launched the careers of stars including Sonakshi Sinha, Katrina Kaif and Daisy Shah.“The first film which is responsible for becoming who I am is ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ and that was my training ground. Before that, my training ground was home. If Sooraj Bharjatya [director of Maine Pyaar Kiya] could have launched me at a time where things were very difficult, I can do the same for someone else. He was young, I was very young and he took a chance on me. And now, I look at it as a chance of giving back to society,” said Khan.