When it comes down to debating the merits of ‘good catchy songs’, Pakistanis surely don’t ride in the same boat. Trust me when I state that most people will go for attractive for sure, but ‘Paindu, obscene lyrical songs’ over ‘totally cool and meaningful songs’.

Today’s special blog comes from the bottom of my heart and you have no idea since how long I’ve planned to write it! Interestingly, you might have heard all these songs and maybe even caught yourself humming the tunes. However, whenever they are played publicly, you immediately demand a different song, eh? If yes, then I feel you bro.

Nonetheless, please take a trip down memory lane with me and checkout the most cringe worthy songs of all times, straight from our beloved Pakistani artists.

Ramzan Aya, Roza Rakho Ji

Cringe level: 10/10

Not like we needed this amazing Ramzan special song to be sown to our attires of faith during the holy month for extra credit, but meh. It did make quite a statement in 2018. Surprisingly, I heard it play at random shops, in malls, and even in strangers’ cars!

If you can’t recall the vocalist’s beautiful voice and the oh-so-thoughtfully written lyrics; here’s a link for you. Food for thought for next Ramzan? Maybe- maybe not.

 Eye to Eye by Taher Shah

Cringe level: 10/10

This one takes the cake for sure. Namely, ‘Eye to Eye’ dates back to 2013. Nevertheless, it holds a special corner in our hearts for us all even in 2019!

 Besides the carefully picked lyrics (which actually sound nice if translated to Urdu), the videography demands equal amount of credit. I mean, when there are two Taher Shahs standing next to each other, what else could you ask for!

Checkout the deadly combination yourself:

Angel by Taher Shah

Cringe level: 9/10

Soon after his first social media hit ‘Eye to Eye’, Taher Shah released his second single named ‘Angel’. Again, he didn’t fail to amaze us At All!

Apparently, he cast his wife as well as his son to play angels sent from above. Indeed, the video was colorful and the angel costumes and masks just made my day!

Wasta Pyar Da by Atif Aslam

Cringe level: 7/10

Coke Studio is one of the most splendid platforms for all musicians. Nevertheless, while the first few seasons were unsurpassed, the fact is that season 2, however, did launch a song which can totally fall in our cringe-worthy list easily.

In short, Wasta Pyar Da was one of the worst tributes to ‘Billie Jean’ by Atif Aslam. Especially, when Atif Aslam forced his English accent and fused it with Lahori Urdu; the combo just wasn’t music to the ears.

Woh Ek Bholi Si Larki Hai

Cringe level: 7/10

Interestingly, these young qawals just took romantic songs to the next level. Not only can we witness young love in the song, but seeing the lead qawal sing with such enthusiasm is just too much. Can someone please pass the ear muffs?

That’s all for now folks! Let us know about your favorite cringe-worthy song in the comments below.

How Accredited Investor Laws Work Globally – the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

An accredited investor is an individual or an organization authorised by law to buy non-enrolled securities provided that it meets one of the necessary requirements in terms of income, total assets, total worth, administration approval or work experience; depending on the work experience or domain.

The term as utilized by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alludes to investors (individuals, banks, insurance agencies, agents and trusts) who are economically eligible and require less protectionism from regulation revolving around securities.

A basic understanding of how accredited investors fit into the big picture is essential for anyone entering the investment game. Because of the risks involved in investing resources into under regulated securities, investors must be able to withstand major losses and have a working knowledge of how to confront such events. Most accredited investors like to pick reputed hedge fund managers to manage their investments.

The Good

So, there have to be some benefits to being an accredited investor, right? There are two distinct benefits of being one: firstly, accredited investors can diversify their portfolio and therefore minimise the risk involved. Secondly, accredited investments usually lead to higher long-term returns than securities offered on the stock exchange; or at least that is how they are meant to be. 

Accredited investors have a variety of options to invest in and reap better-than-market returns. Some of the primary options include:

• Holding Company. A holding organization is an organization that claims a large number of stakes within certain  companies; effectively running the strategic decision-making of these concerns. A holding organization does not deliver merchandise or administrations in itself, but is rather set up to own different endeavors and manage them effectively. These organisations present an opportunity for wealthy group of investors to have meaningful stakes in a diversified portfolio of companies from one or many different sectors.

• Seed Money. The term ‘seed’ implies that these are early stage investments that involve a great amount of risk and exponential rates of profits if the company or initiative being invested in becomes a success. Seed money  enables a business to start it’s operations and maintain them until the point is reached where it can create its very own cash; or until the stage where further investment is required to take it to the second stage of development, as is usually the case in creative or ‘groundbreaking’ enterprises.

• Hedge Funds. There are incalculable quantities of businessmen and women with a great deal of cash, however they don’t discover a place to invest in.The essence of hedge fund investments is to encourage a few agents or certify speculators who gather their cash with the goal that an authorized organization can enable them to deal with these assets and guarantee that they get great profits for their venture.

The Bad

As briefly outlined above, there is a curve to being identified as an accredited investor. This can take disqualify a large number of investors who are otherwise willing to accept the risks involved in investing in such ventures.

In the United States, the Securities & Exchange Commission has put forth 5 clauses in Rule 501 of Regulation D that delimit who can be labelled as an accredited investor. For individuals this means that one has to prove an annual income of $200k per annum (or $300k on joint basis) over the past two years. While such limits are set to protect investors, these nonetheless keep a large number of willing investors outside of the pool.

Then there is issue of managing risk with regards to unregulated securities. In a public statement, the Commissioner of the SEC pointed out: the definition of “accredited investors” is crucial to  the protection of investors. The definition seeks in its essence to identify those individuals who are expected to be able to defend themselves and protect their interests.

How exactly does one objectively identify which security passes the scrutiny test? To address such issues, the SEC has created a database with guidelines for accredited investors. Here are some other instances which show that it’s not all gold for accredited investors:

• Complicated tax filings and rules. Tax filings for private investments can be quite demanding, particularly for individual investors. Additionally, legislation such as the IRISA rule further complicate sponsor-client relations by imposing restrictions on each.
  
  
• Private investments are relatively illiquid; these are long term investments that lock in your cash to the initiative. Additionally, and perhaps more worryingly, there is usually no market to resort to in case you wish to sell your stakes.
  
  
• Higher entry-level investments. Having the right financial standing is not enough; one needs to be willing to invest that money to be a viable private investor. Whereas investing in securities on stock exchange is something anyone the age of 18 or above with a few dollars can take part in; it is much tougher to become a private investor. Crowdfunding schemes, however, have made significantly addressed this problem in recent years.

References:

1. https://medium.com/@abe_20266/a-call-to-regulators-a-path-to-becoming-an-accredited- investor-for-everyone-9325a010047b
2. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/accreditedinvestor.asp
3. https://www.profitableventure.com/investment-opportunities-accredited-investors/

Believe it or not, we are all judged by our appearances. Moreover, when it comes to our society, labels such as ‘Kaali’, ‘Moti’, ‘Patli’, ‘Dandedar’, etc are extremely common. While some get completely bullied and held back, others rise above the criticism and change their fate on their own.

Hareem Farooq is one perfect example of the case. Lawyer by education, tv.actress, feature films and drama producer, tv.host and an ideal for the young generation; the name ‘Hareem’ needs no introduction!

Get to know Hareem!

Hareem Farooq is a sweet, bubbly and friendly person who has acquired huge success in a small timeframe. Previously, from producing a perfect romantic film ‘Janaan’ to recently producing a hit ‘Heer Maan Ja’; Hareem has proved that hard work and dedication is all you need!

On the other hand, she needs a definite applaud for ignoring the body-shamers and their rude comments. Especially comments such as Faryal Mehmood’s:

For this purpose, Hareem Farooq spoke about body shaming and stated:

Fat Loss- Not Weight Loss!

Hareem mentioned in an interview regarding hitting the gym mat for exercise, “Going into this, my priorities were fat loss (not weight loss) and strengthening because I have a lower back issue. Now I can feel the difference.”

Nonetheless, shedding a whopping 35-40 kgs in a year is just Uh-mazing!

Wondering how she did it? Here are a few tips and tricks straight from the diva herself!

Tip 1: Lemon Water to kick start the day!

Hareem swears by the ‘lemon water drink’ as soon as she halts the snooze button. Apparently, this mild concoction not only promotes hydration but also increases vitamin C, is good for skin and aids as an antioxidant.

Tip 2: Nuts are perfect for Snacks!

In addition to her meal plans throughout the day, Hareem also makes room for tidbits. However, while most people settle for junk food, she chooses dry-fruits and nuts!
Again, ideal for energy spike, monounsaturated fats, omega 3 fatty acids and lots more.

Tip 3: Always workout and stay motivated

Interestingly, Hareem makes sure she can burn up to 600 calories in the gym every day. She never skips her workout. Above all, she asks everyone to stay motivated and be surrounded by people who are encouraging and supportive.

Tip 4: 5 Small meals are better than 2 big ones!

After reading a book named ‘Don’t lose your mind, lose your weight’ by Rujuta Diwekar, Hareem swore by indulging in small meals every 2 hours throughout the day instead of having 2 huge ones.
This trick helped increase the metabolic rate and always kept her energy levels touching the sky!

Tip 5: Never skip breakfast

Again, another amazing tip straight from Hareem Farooq is that you should never skip your breakfast. Moreover, if you are planning to lose weight, breakfast should be the meal which fuels you for the whole day.

Tip 6: Avoid big portions at dinnertime

“I lost a lot of weight from that”, Hareem told on the Dolly Darling episode. She mentioned that having a light meal for dinner helps in steady weight loss.

Exercise Tips and Suggestions

Hareem prefers pialtes, circuit training and weight lifting. Besides, she added the fact that what might work for her body type won’t necessarily work for everyone else. Interestingly, people believe in the ‘girls shouldn’t weight train’ myth. Hareem defies it!

Tip 7: Change your Lifestyle!

In short, Hareem Farooq urges everyone to shift their lifestyle towards a healthy one! Additionally, sticking to certain rules and staying consistent are the keys to achieving goals.

Watch her complete interview below:

Bollywood has never really shied away from duplicating content, be it from the western side (Hollywood) or from our beloved Pakistanis. Unfortunately, we come across copied storylines, plots, videography, let alone the whole song structures! Yes. Whole songs- literally!

Talk about creating ‘hit musical melodies’ without caring about plagiarism. Clearly, it has happened again. Or on the other hand, is there more to the story? Let’s find out.

In this case, like Haroon Shahid aptly puts it, ‘Chori karney ka zamana kabhi hoga na purana!’.

Alia Bhatt’s Prada might be in trouble!

Alia Bhatt’s very first music video which seems to be a hit amongst the youngsters is actually causing quite a stir on social media.  In short, here’s a BTS video for you to feast your eyes on.

In regards to this, it is imperative to highlight that the song Prada duro duro is composed by none other than the infamous ‘Doorbeen’. The name doesn’t ring a bell? Think ‘Lamberghini’; the hit Punjabi song from 2018!

What’s the hype all about?

According to a lot of Pakistanis, Mehwish Hayat included, believe the Indian song to be a ‘Vital Signs’ rip off.

While there are an outrageous amount of tweets, posts and comments moving back and forth, why settle on someone else’s opinion without doing some research!

Hence, here are some facts which need to be taken into consideration before pointing fingers!

Vital Signs ‘Gore Rang ka Zamana’

Firstly, it will be an understatement if I write that Vital Signs was/is one of the most beloved bands from Pakistan! The charm Junaid Jamshed’s voice held was undoubtedly extraordinary. Moreover, the unique song structures, choice of scale, beat structures and everything blended together was nothing but music to the ears.

The song Gore Rang ka Zamana was released in 1993 and it totally rocked every fan’s world! Indeed, it was a perfect romantic song of its time.

However, coming back to the original topic, some people claim the song’s structure and melody to be stolen, only to create a new modern hit ‘Prada by Doorbeen’. Surprisingly, do you think this is the case too?

Not so fast. There’s another song which shares the exact music structure!

Did you know Koi Sehri Babu- Loafer by Asha Bhosle was produced in 1973? The song featured Farida Jalal, Mumtaz and Dharmendra. Not only did this song have the exact same scale but the melody was relatively ditto too!

Check it out below:

And there is a remix version of it too! By Shashwati.

Conclusion!

To summarize, it is safe to say that all 3 songs are ‘SIMILAR’ but not ‘SAME’.

Being a musician’s wife, it is easy for me to state that basically all the 3 songs:

• Follow the same beat signature, which is 4×4.
• The scale is identical.
•  Arrangement of the melody is similar.
• Interestingly, they all start in the same manner while the ending differs.
•  However, from a legal point of view, nothing has been copied.

In conclusion, I guess, nobody hurt anybody. The songwriters just seem to have the same thinking pattern! LOL

Stunning pictures, videos, and totally cool boomerangs have stormed the social media in the last two days and you guys already know why!

Yeap. The actor/activist ‘Hamza Ali Abbasi’ got married to the Anaa star ‘Naimal Khawar’ on 25^th August 2019 and had their valima the next day.

Without further ado, here are the main highlights from their sweet journey as friends to soul mates.

A Totally Unique Couple

Interestingly, the newest couple on the block is rather unconventional when it comes to describing their love story, their wedding preparations as well as the wedding events. You ask why?

Clearly, ‘austerity and simplicity’ is the couple’s backbone, unlike 90% of the other Pakistani media industry celebs!

I mean, check out the wedding invitation!

From friends to soul mates: The Lamba Paragraph you should read too!

Additionally, after being trolled by fans as well as critics, Hamza Ali Abbasi took the liberty to post another ‘lamba paragraph’ under the caption ‘Mera Accnt, Meri Marzi’!!!

Moving forward, here is a glimpse of their big day celebrations. Again, we are totally in love with their idea of a simple, Islamic Shaadi. Definitely a sight for sore eyes!

Naimal’s Mayoun

Surprisingly, Naimal Khawar chose to have a straightforward yet elegant Mayon at her house. The event was attended by family members and close friends only. Unfortunately, we are short on pictures to share with you guys!

Nonetheless, follow this link to get a glimpse of the highlights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHQtAPLM1sc

Hamza ki Dholki

In the meantime, Hamza Ali Abbasi had an intimate dholki of his own. It was rather a get together with friends, but meh! We will call it a dholki anyway.

Hamza’s best buddy Gohar Rasheed was obviously next to him followed by Yasir Jaswal, Uzair Jaswal, Ammara Hikmat and Bilal Lashari. They all ended up taking cool snaps and having Jessies burgers!

Nikkah and Rukhsati

Indeed, it is true when they say ‘minimalism is an appreciation of space’ because plain-vanilla décor totally gained the spotlight at the duo’s Nikkah.

Under the perfect summer sun, on top of Islamabad’s awe-inspiring Margalla hills; our favorite August couple shared their vows at The Monal Restaurant.

To summarize, the Nikkah ceremony was attended by immediate family members and close friends only.

The Beautiful White décor

Both the mothers join the couple for an adorable memory to be cherished for a lifetime.

Smiles as big as the moon! Indeed, like mother like daughter.

Dr.Fazeela Abbasi (groom’s sister) smiles for the camera with her son.

Naimal’s sisters gear up to take memorable pictures.

Atif Aslam was invited.

So was Usman Mukhtar.

And here’s the happy couple sealing their fate!

There was a ring exchanging ceremony too. Check out the close-up shot by B-Roll Studio.

Don’t they make an absolutely stunning couple MashaAllah?

Moreover, Naimal looks just like a fairy!

Naimal Khawar chose Maheen Shah Studio for her gorgeous attire. The gold kamdaani kameez with a 3 gaz long dupatta with laces and lappa complimented her daytime gleaming makeup look.

Valima

The Valima took place today, on the 26^th of August at the Serena Hotel. While Hamza Ali Abbasi chose to dress simply, Naimal was seen wearing a dress right out of a fairytale.

Surprisingly, the groom wore a black shalwar kameez with a self-colored waistcoat. On the other hand, the bride was draped in a #SFK (Sadaf Fawad Khan) white silky lehenga paired with a shimmering long shirt with loads of studs and embellishments on top.

Doesn’t she look like an angel?

Moreover, what’s better than ending the night with a crazy picture with close friends?

Nonetheless, take a glance at the complete Valima highlights below.

That’s all folks! Here’s wishing the new couple a happy married life from our whole team at Curryflow.

Desi parents love their kids to death and, one way or the other, spoil them rotten! Indeed, hands-on heart, I am one of them!

However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t expect the best from them at all times. Surprisingly, the magic words are inherently drilled in all the children.

Apologizing Comes Hard for Desi Parents!

Interestingly, when it comes to our parents apologizing for something they did wrong, all sorts of sorry don’t come out easily.

Significantly, in fact in most of the cases, they don’t come out at all but, that doesn’t mean they don’t feel guilty!

Smart move!

In order to do so without making it too obvious, they have come up with ingenious ways of saying sorry without actually saying it. In relation to that, here are the top ones!

Bringing in Your Favorite Food as a Peace Treaty!

For example, in contrast to a peace treaty signed by two countries, desi parents have a weird way of signing off the deal.

To demonstrate, instead of coming up, front and saying sorry, they will try to cajole you by tempting you with your favorite meals!
You (think it) and it is there!

The Notorious Fruit Platter

Consequently, desi moms love to present a fruit platter as a sign of sorry and will insist on cutting it for you too. Trust me, I have been on the receiving end of such a deal many a times!

The Aftermath and Their Body Language

Preceding such food deals and bringing the fruit platter, you will notice a subtle change in your parent’s body language too.

The Guilty Phase

Fortunately, this is the calm after the storm. Obviously, your parents are feeling guilty and want to show you how sorry they are.

The Compensatory Phase

For instance, they will try to be over-friendly and answer every question of yours, but be wary as this may not last for long!

Beyond the scope of normalcy, they’ll try to circle around you or sit close to you! Nevertheless, don’t be intimidated and play it cool as they are only trying to be affectionate.

They’ll Try to Strike Up a Conversation with You!

At the same time, you might notice that they are trying to strike up a conversation with you.

Seeking Attention

It may be something as simple as asking you to pass over the TV remote or asking how you are doing!

Clearly, they are trying to get your attention and let bygones be bygones.

Ab Janay Bhi Do Na!

On the other hand, this is a last ditch attempt by your parents as they are feeling the weight of it all and want things to get back to normal.

Nevertheless, one ingenious, guilt-ridden way of apologizing is to buy something for you which they wouldn’t get under normal circumstances.

A Hug and a Truce

At any rate, they simply want a truce with you without having to say sorry. Believe me, at this point, you should accept their unsaid apology and give them a big hug!

To summarize, our parents love us dearly and in the heat of the moment, they can be a bit harsh. At the same time, admitting that they were wrong can be tough on them, too. (Desi Parents’ Ego triumphs!)

With that in mind, they let you know that they are sorry in their own subtle way and it is up to you to decode it.

Out of all the movies that have released on Eid-ul-Adha, I am more than super-thrilled about Parey Hut Love. Nevertheless, if you don’t know what I mean, take a look at the official trailer yourself!

Another typical Pakistani movie? What to expect

Especially, when it is based on the famous rom com ‘Four weddings and a funeral’, what else can you expect other than a lighthearted fun movie which everyone can enjoy.

To summarize, astellar cast, beautiful scenery, awesome direction and some really catchy songs; nothing can go wrong here!

However, if the thought of watching just Shaadis on the big screen is giving you chills, here are some mind blowing BTS from the film. Firstly, these pictures will totally make you wana be a part of the cast and crew – Just like me! Secondly, they will entice you to watch the film right away!

Let the show begin…

The leading ladies, Maya Ali Khan and Zara Noor Abbas bonding together in the picturesque Muzaffarabad and Kashmir.

On the whole, any shoot is incomplete without an all-star epic selfie, especially if Ahmed Ali Butt is the one capturing it!

To the right, cruising on the set, Maya Ali with Zara Noor are all smiles! No challenge is big and hard enough for them.

No messing around with my food, okay?

Interestingly, Maya Ali and ShehryarMunawar share a laugh and maybe some food, too!

Besides the cast, Asim Raza all smiles too. Even despite a huge task ahead of him. Let’s wish him and his team all the success.

Oh wow! A big, fat Parsi wedding.

Moreover with a mix of some catchy tunes, dancing, and glamorous outfits.

Significantly, the unsung heroes and the hard-working crew of the movie sweating it out behind the cameras.

Surprisingly, Meera-jee giving some dance lessons to Zara Noor and looking equally graceful and gorgeous.

However, is that Sonia Jehan that I spot grooving to a desi, wedding song?

Do I need to add that she looks drop, dead gorgeous?

Nevertheless, you just can’t say ‘No’ to a fun-filled selfie when you have Ahmed Ali Butt with you.

Yes, you saw it right! Asim Raza and Sherhyar Munawar are in a deep conversation with Fawad Khan.

Maybe they are convincing him to join the bandwagon! Guess you’ll have to wait and see!

On the other hand, we spotted Sheheryar Muanwar. Is he texting someone or taking a selfie?

Friends on-screen and friends off-screen!

In particular, it is always good to see two strong female leads in a movie uplifting each other.

Is Adnan Ansari, the makeup maestro, photobombing a candid shot of the two lovelies?

Again, get ready for the wedding of the year. I just can’t wait to see the wedding that will have it all.

Asim Raza and Umar Sayeed giving us a glimpse of Istanbul and what’s in store for all of us on Eid.

Interestingly a glimpse of Maya Ali braving the cold against the serene and picturesque mountains in Muzaffarabad and Kashmir.

Surprisingly, warming up before the final shot! A little run never hurt anybody.

Likewise, we are totally happy with the shot. Boys- not so much!

Meanwhile, Adnan Ansari making sure our ladies look uber-chic on and off the set.

Star power in a single picture!

Nope, our lips are sealed! Wait till you watch to find out what we have been doing!

In the meantime, goofing around even when a dubbing session is underway.

In relation to the essence, Sheheryar Munawar being a true gentleman with his crew who work the most behind the scenes.

However, I can’t wait to see Zara Noor as Shabbo. Intense emotional acting on-point.

After Fawad Khan, Sonia Jehan and MeeraJee; now we see Mahira on the set too. This is too good to be true! Devdas feels!!!

Have the stunning pictures lured you in too? Go watch the film at the nearest cinema today!