Latest news with #Jahan
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
What Kept You? by Raaza Jamshed review – an extraordinary debut full of ritual and poetry
What Kept You opens in death: fires are raging through the Sydney hills, where Jahan lives with her husband, Ali. The revelation that she is grieving her nani's death follows shortly afterwards and, a beat later, we learn she has recently suffered a miscarriage. In the early pages of her extraordinary debut, Raaza Jamshed warns the reader this is not a story of clean endings and tidy miracles. This is a novel full of ritual and poetry. A type of witchcraft, and of healing. 'Perhaps, that's what I'm trying to do here – to build a staircase out of words, to climb towards you to the sky or descend into the grave and lie down beside you,' Jahan writes of her nani. This is a novel that sits comfortably in the grey areas between the literal and the figurative; between overcoming grief and being overcome by it. It exists between two worlds – not unlike Jahan herself, who grew up in Pakistan, raised by her nani, before fleeing, as a young adult, to Sydney. In Pakistan, Jahan's nani kept a watchful eye on her, mapping out the shadowy motivations of the world around them through story and superstition. But as an adolescent, Jahan begins to rebel against the stories she has been told, wanting, as all young people do, to find her own narrative, and her defiance brings her closer to danger. Her recollections start to form a second narrative: we begin to learn the reason she couldn't stay in Pakistan, and the night she did something that has haunted her in the years since. Jahan tries to find herself between the stories of her mother, who believed in the predictable arcs of conventional romance, and those of her nani, who spoke of dark things hiding in the shadows. She struggles to identify with either. This disconnect is amplified by her life in Australia, a country where she both belongs and doesn't, where she has found a friend and a husband who accept her but never seem to fully understand her. There's a sense that everyone in this story holds themselves at arm's-length from each other, preventing true intimacies, although their relationships are underpinned by genuine care and concern. Sign up for our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning In first-person narration, Jahan addresses her nani throughout. Early on, a facilitator at a grief circle tells her to write for 14 days to a person with whom she has unfinished business: 'You write and write and write. And when you're done, you don't back-read the letter. You burn it.' And even though this seems to fly in the face of her nani's belief in the power of stories spoken aloud and shared, the idea takes root in Jahan. There is a sense across the novel's 15 chapters that we are reading her response to the writing assignment, as she processes the unfinished business she had hoped to leave in Pakistan; the business that keeps her from returning to visit her nani, even upon her death. Alternating between her recollection of the past and the immediate crisis in the present, these chapters are in part a confession and in part Jahan's attempt to gain control over her own story. Jamshed peppers her text with Urdu and Arabic phrases. She leans into the slippage of words, delighting in the poetry and double meanings found in translation. For example, Shamshad (nani's name) 'implicates itself in the English 'shame' in the first half but swiftly escapes it in the Urdu 'happiness' of the second'. The pleasure for the reader is twofold: Jamshed's expression is a joy to read, treading carefully between poetry and prose; and thematically, the careful unpacking of words and meaning adds complexity, indirectly critiquing the loss of identity and language that occurs through the flattening process of western colonisation. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion Towards the end of the novel, as the fires close in around her and Jahan nears the climax of her recollection of the past, she picks through the half lies and truths that she has told herself over the years. Finally, she lands on this: 'All I wanted to be was a girl who was not afraid.' Has she succeeded? In some ways, she has outrun the fears that kept her in place throughout her adolescence, but there is a sense that these have been replaced by something just as dark and unforgiving. What Kept You? is tightly crafted and rich in poetic metaphor, but the real satisfaction for a reader lies in its complex portrayal of grief and growing up. By rejecting either of the fixed narratives that Jahan's matriarchs have prescribed her, Jamshed imagines a space in which grief and hope might coexist. Ultimately, her question is not how to outwit fate, but how to make peace with uncertainty. What Kept You by Raaza Jamshed is out now through Giramondo ($32.95)
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
What Kept You? by Raaza Jamshed review – an extraordinary debut full of ritual and poetry
What Kept You opens in death: fires are raging through the Sydney hills, where Jahan lives with her husband, Ali. The revelation that she is grieving her nani's death follows shortly afterwards and, a beat later, we learn she has recently suffered a miscarriage. In the early pages of her extraordinary debut, Raaza Jamshed warns the reader this is not a story of clean endings and tidy miracles. This is a novel full of ritual and poetry. A type of witchcraft, and of healing. 'Perhaps, that's what I'm trying to do here – to build a staircase out of words, to climb towards you to the sky or descend into the grave and lie down beside you,' Jahan writes of her nani. This is a novel that sits comfortably in the grey areas between the literal and the figurative; between overcoming grief and being overcome by it. It exists between two worlds – not unlike Jahan herself, who grew up in Pakistan, raised by her nani, before fleeing, as a young adult, to Sydney. In Pakistan, Jahan's nani kept a watchful eye on her, mapping out the shadowy motivations of the world around them through story and superstition. But as an adolescent, Jahan begins to rebel against the stories she has been told, wanting, as all young people do, to find her own narrative, and her defiance brings her closer to danger. Her recollections start to form a second narrative: we begin to learn the reason she couldn't stay in Pakistan, and the night she did something that has haunted her in the years since. Jahan tries to find herself between the stories of her mother, who believed in the predictable arcs of conventional romance, and those of her nani, who spoke of dark things hiding in the shadows. She struggles to identify with either. This disconnect is amplified by her life in Australia, a country where she both belongs and doesn't, where she has found a friend and a husband who accept her but never seem to fully understand her. There's a sense that everyone in this story holds themselves at arm's-length from each other, preventing true intimacies, although their relationships are underpinned by genuine care and concern. Sign up for our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning In first-person narration, Jahan addresses her nani throughout. Early on, a facilitator at a grief circle tells her to write for 14 days to a person with whom she has unfinished business: 'You write and write and write. And when you're done, you don't back-read the letter. You burn it.' And even though this seems to fly in the face of her nani's belief in the power of stories spoken aloud and shared, the idea takes root in Jahan. There is a sense across the novel's 15 chapters that we are reading her response to the writing assignment, as she processes the unfinished business she had hoped to leave in Pakistan; the business that keeps her from returning to visit her nani, even upon her death. Alternating between her recollection of the past and the immediate crisis in the present, these chapters are in part a confession and in part Jahan's attempt to gain control over her own story. Jamshed peppers her text with Urdu and Arabic phrases. She leans into the slippage of words, delighting in the poetry and double meanings found in translation. For example, Shamshad (nani's name) 'implicates itself in the English 'shame' in the first half but swiftly escapes it in the Urdu 'happiness' of the second'. The pleasure for the reader is twofold: Jamshed's expression is a joy to read, treading carefully between poetry and prose; and thematically, the careful unpacking of words and meaning adds complexity, indirectly critiquing the loss of identity and language that occurs through the flattening process of western colonisation. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion Towards the end of the novel, as the fires close in around her and Jahan nears the climax of her recollection of the past, she picks through the half lies and truths that she has told herself over the years. Finally, she lands on this: 'All I wanted to be was a girl who was not afraid.' Has she succeeded? In some ways, she has outrun the fears that kept her in place throughout her adolescence, but there is a sense that these have been replaced by something just as dark and unforgiving. What Kept You? is tightly crafted and rich in poetic metaphor, but the real satisfaction for a reader lies in its complex portrayal of grief and growing up. By rejecting either of the fixed narratives that Jahan's matriarchs have prescribed her, Jamshed imagines a space in which grief and hope might coexist. Ultimately, her question is not how to outwit fate, but how to make peace with uncertainty. What Kept You by Raaza Jamshed is out now through Giramondo ($32.95)
NDTV
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Mohammed Shami's Estranged Wife In Legal Trouble After Assault Video Goes Viral
Hasin Jahan, estranged wife of Indian cricket team pacer Mohammed Shami, was once again in the centre of controversy after a neighbour filed a police complaint against her. The complaint, which was lodged by Dalia Khatoon, included charges such as assault, criminal conspiracy and attempted murder. The complaint came amid chatter around a viral video on social media that reportedly captured the entire incident. Jahan had previously lodged a complaint against the neighbour and the entire controversy is allegedly over a piece of land in Suri town of Birbhum district, West Bengal. According to reports, the problems started when Jahan started construction work on a plot registered in her daughter Arshi's name but her neighbour was not happy as she claimed that the land was disputed. NDTV could not independently verify the authenticity of the viral video. Earlier, Jahan accused Mohammed Shami of 'defaming her and hiring criminals' to defeat her amid the legal battle going on between the couple for years. Jahan didn't stop there and went on to call Shami 'characterless, greedy, and mean-minded' in an Instagram post. Md. Shami ex-wife, Hasin Jahan, was caught on camera raising her hands on a neighbour in a Kalesh — Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) July 16, 2025 Her comments came after the Calcutta High Court ruling directing Shami to pay Rs 4 lakh per month to her and their daughter Aaira as part of a divorce case. The couple's four-year marriage ended in 2018 after Jahan, a former model, accused Shami of domestic violence. 'Till my last breath, we will have a strong relationship, Inshallah. The only thing left is for you to decide what kind of strong relationship that will be. For 7 years, we've been involved in a legal battle. What have you gained from it? Because of being characterless, greedy, and mean-minded, you ended up destroying your own family," Jahan wrote on Instagram. 'You took advantage of a male-dominated society and stayed happy while antisocial people called me wrong. Now I will take the help of the law, claim all our rights, and live happily, Inshallah. Now you think: which support is stronger — social or legal?... The day your bad time begins, these same people will make your life hell, Inshallah. Have faith in that," she added. On the other hand, Shami has maintained his silence on the matter and refrained from posting anything on his personal life on social media.
Pink Villa
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Review: Shanaya Kapoor and Vikrant Massey's efforts go in vain due to the film's sluggish screenplay and uninteresting conflict
Plot Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan tells the story of Saba (Shanaya Kapoor) and Jahan (Vikrant Massey). They meet on a train to Dehradun. Saba is a renowned theatre artist. She boards the train, blindfolded, to naturally prepare for the auditions of a movie where the protagonist is a blind girl, in the hill town of Mussoorie. Jahan's reason to board the Dehradun train is to look for inspiration in Mussoorie, for his next music album. The seamingly blind Jahan helps Saba experience the world through her other senses. Not once does he reveal to Saba that he is blind. When Saba struggles to find a hotel for herself in Mussoorie, she moves into Jahan's house. They grow close and develop feelings. But Jahan leaves mysteriously the day Saba is set to remove her blindfold. Why does Jahan leave? Why does Jahan hide his truth from Saba? Do they reunite? If yes, do they hit it out this time? Watch the movie to find the answers. What Works for Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan shines in its visuals. The scenic beauty of Mussoorie is captured beautifully. The cinematography makes every frame feel alive. The music is another highlight. Songs like Nazara and Alvida are soulful and stay with you. The playback songs, along with the cover versions of the playback songs sung by Vishal Mishra, blend well with the story. The performances feel genuine, even if they lack polish. The chemistry between Saba and Jahan seems to carry an innocent charm. The film's attempt to explore a unique relationship dynamic between a blind person and someone temporarily experiencing blindness is appreciable. What Doesn't Work for Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan's biggest issue is its length. It feels unnecessarily stretched and dragged. The screenplay is monotonous and lousy. The story meanders to hold attention. It doesn't offer anything new to the romance genre. The second half turns overly dramatic, leaning into clichéd filmy moments. This shift, strips away the realism built early on. The narrative lacks spunk, and key plot points feel underdeveloped. The emotional depth promised by the premise doesn't fully land, leaving viewers disconnected. A tighter script and sharper editing could have made a big difference. Watch Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Trailer Performances in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Shanaya Kapoor, in her debut, is good with emotional scenes. She brings vulnerability to Saba. However, her performance needs more refinement to feel consistent. Vikrant Massey, as Jahan, is dependable as always. He portrays the character's quiet strength and hidden pain with ease. Zain Khan Durrani, playing Abhinav, delivers a mature performance. His role, though significantly smaller, adds a layer of intrigue. The supporting cast performs well but doesn't leave a lasting impact. Final Verdict of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan has a promising premise but falls short in execution. The visuals and music are good and the performances, especially from Shanaya and Vikrant, show heart. However, the film's long runtime and dull screenplay make it a tedious watch. The story starts with potential but loses its way to never find it back again. Watch Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan In Theatres Now Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan plays in theatres now. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates on Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan.
India.com
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Because Of Being Characterless, Greedy...: Mohammed Shamis Estranged Wife Makes Big Accusations Against Indian Pacer; Check Details
India pacer Mohammed Shami's estranged wife, Hasin Jahan, has accused him of 'defaming her and hiring criminals' to defeat her amid the legal battle going on between the couple for years. Jahan didn't stop there and went on to call Shami 'characterless, greedy, and mean-minded' in an Instagram post on Friday. Her comments came after the Calcutta High Court ruling directing Shami to pay Rs 4 lakh per month to her and their daughter Aaira as part of a divorce case. The couple's four-year marriage ended in 2018 after Jahan, a former model, accused Shami of domestic violence. 'Till my last breath, we will have a strong relationship, Inshallah. The only thing left is for you to decide what kind of strong relationship that will be. For 7 years, we've been involved in a legal battle. What have you gained from it? Because of being characterless, greedy, and mean-minded, you ended up destroying your own family," Jahan wrote on Instagram. 'You took advantage of a male-dominated society and stayed happy while antisocial people called me wrong. Now I will take the help of the law, claim all our rights, and live happily, Inshallah. Now you think: which support is stronger — social or legal?... The day your bad time begins, these same people will make your life hell, Inshallah. Have faith in that," she added. On the other hand, Shami has maintained his silence on the matter and refrained from posting anything on his personal life on social media. The pacer was last seen in the Indian Premier League for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Shami bagged nine wickets in six games and was not picked for India's Test tour of England owing to fitness concerns. Shami, who was the star of the Indian team in the 2023 ODI World Cup, emerged as the top wicket-taker. He suffered an injury after that and had to undergo surgery, which kept him out of action for more than a year.
