There is a list of Female centric Bollywood movies you should watch based on your zodiac sign.

1. Aries

An Aries woman is zestful, lively & has a creative side to her. She also (almost) always stays optimistic and has a spellbinding personality. While she loves independence, she might end up making absurd decisions due to her impetuousness, at times. 

A perfect movie for an Aries woman therefore would be Shakuntala Devi. This Vidya Balan starrer eponymous biopic revolves around the ‘personal’ life of the world-famous mathematician also known as ‘the human computer’. She knew exactly how to live life without regrets but is freedom really equivalent to happiness?

2. Leo:

Saying that Leo women are self-loving & confident wouldn’t be wrong. They have the ability to capture the attention of everyone when they enter the room. Not only do they have a strong character, they have the biggest heart. But, Leos can be stubborn & one must learn to deal with this side to stay in their good books. 

The Bollywood movie that immediately comes up in my mind when talking about Leo women is the Deepika Padukone starrer Piku. She’s independent, poised & determined. This light-hearted dramedy is bound to get you lost in Piku’s world & her endless trivial daily problems, and yet make you fall in love with her character & her story! 

3. Cancer:

If I have to describe a cancer woman in three words, they would be: considerate, (too) sensitive, and kind. The ‘perfect wife’ or ‘homemaker’, as our society would call her as she always puts her family before everything else. We all secretly wish to have a Cancerian in our lives!

What can be a better movie than Sridevi’s English Vinglish for our Cancer woman who can go to any extent for her family and is just as warm-hearted as Sashi – a character that won’t let the smile disappear from your face for 2 h 14 m!

4. Pisces:

Pisces women are emotional yet ambitious beings. They must be commended for their patience level and how they turn a blind eye to others’ mistakes. Their forgiving nature is what makes them a bigger person! Nonetheless, while dreaming big is a positive trait of Pisceans, their aspirations often turn into disappointments when they face the real world. 

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (with tagline ‘larkiyan pilot nahi banti’) is a perfect example of a go-getting Pisces woman who can achieve whatever she sets her mind to, despite the obstacles that come in her way! Saxena, the first female IAF pilot, is a true inspiration for all young women! 

5. Scorpio:

If you ever come across a Scorpio woman, know that you will immediately form a deeper, more meaningful bond with her. Also, she will put her blood & sweat into everything she will do & is equally demanding from you. So make sure to live up to her expectations!

The 2020 movie, Thappad (‘bas itni si baat?’), starring the versatile Taapsee Pannu, is the weekend movie for Scorpio females. Amrita devoted her entire life to her sasural and husband but had it enough & gave up on them after being publicly slapped by her husband, once. I love the dialogue ‘just a slap par maar nahi sakta’ from the movie – so powerful and sums up why we must learn to raise our voices or take a stand against any sort of domestic violence, regardless of its magnitude!

6. Tauras: 

We lowkey want Taurus women to teach us how to choose the right person to commit to. Her superpowers include seeing right through a person & greeting troubles with a smile. She might sometimes lose her cool but mark my words; she will prove to be the most sincere & trustworthy person you’ll ever come across. 

The movie ideal for a Tauras would be Chhapaak, based on the life story of an acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. Despite being a victim of this monstrous crime, we see Malti, our protagonist grow as a strong-minded young woman. She laughs, fights & thrives – everything the attacker could never imagine!

7. Sagittarius:

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Sagittarians are adventurers! They do not worry about the future & live in the moment. A Sagittarius woman will always keep you entertained with her wittiness and spur-of-the-moment decisions. Next time you make friends, ensure it’s a Sagi! 

Don’t these traits remind you of the daring Rani from Queen? Because sure does to me! Free-spirited, always up for an escapade & having no difficulty making friends whatsoever! 

8. Gemini:

Intelligence > Physical appearance. If you want to impress a Gemini woman, you have to connect to and challenge her mentally. She is proud of who she is and will convince you to love yourself too. A true Geminian knows how to play tactically and will defeat you with smartness – better do your homework before arguing with them!

If you’re a Gemini, then the movie, Kahaani, which proves that a woman doesn’t need a man to fight her battles, only some strategic thinking and willpower, is the one for you! The unforeseen end will leave a great impact on you.

9. Virgo:

Beauty with brains is the term coined for Virgos! How can one not envy their perfectionism? A Virgo woman may seem aloof and timid but instead she is analytical and calculated, often mistaken as introversion. She is also the ‘noble person’ who always thinks about the greater good. Virgos are such a blessing!

The movie Raazi, would thus be our Virgo pick! Sehmat’s character fits the definition of an ideal Virgo woman perfectly, who surrendered her life to her country and pulled off a challenging mission through her acumen, while appearing naïve and diffident on the outside. 

10. Libra:

The symbol (balance) is quite self-explanatory when it comes to Librans. A Libra woman believes in justice and equality. She is in no way shy, rather quite social and outgoing. Also, she is a born leader, familiar well with the human psyche and her own personality.

Did someone say women are the weaker gender? Maybe they don’t know Inspector Shivani Shivaji Roy. Rani Mukherjee’s Mardaani franchise is what a Libra woman should be looking at this weekend. Filled with power-packed performance by the main lead, who breaks all the stereotypes and strives for justice as a lone wolf (if need be)!

11. Capricorn:

A Capricorn woman would keep her feelings to herself and will act unsentimental, even when she’s full of emotions. The obstinate Capricorn would do what she has put her mind to, no matter what it takes (and will most likely succeed in her goals). No one can tell what they thinking – pretty complicated beings!

Capricorns maybe able to resonate with Kaira from Dear Zindagi, to a great extent. While she may emerge as an uncompromising and rude character, there were many layers to her personality, which she managed to conceal. Knowing her might help to know our Capricorns better!

12. Aquarius:

Trying to control an Aquarius woman is never a good idea. Her independence is her strength. She will always find an unconventional way to do things and doesn’t like to follow the norm. Just as fun as an Aquarian is, she is also empathetic but emotions stay on the surface and have no greater significance for her.

The more I think about Aquarians, the more I can see their similarities with Geet from Jab We Met – the character loved by most till date. The Bhatinda ki Sikhni taught us to put ourselves before everyone else & ups and downs are a part of life; ‘aagay kya honay wala hai ispe kisi ka control toh hai nahi, toh aise mei main wohi karti hoon jo mera dil karta hai’ is our new mantra!

Sanya Mithani is a content writer at Femmerang. She’s a lifestyle Instagram blogger passionate about books. Follow her on Instagram @bookshelf.and.closet.

 

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A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO READING: Reading is proven to improve our mind’s functioning and also reduce stress. While a lot of people are habitual readers and find no difficulty in reading even a 500-pages novel, many struggles to even start reading.

Here are four ways to get into reading, if you are a beginner English books reader:

1. Short stories

These are usually less than 100-pages, or even 50-pages, and can be read online, free of cost. Some local (Pakistani) bookstores also sell the paperback version of renowned short stories. You can always go with this option if you are not comfortable with e-reading. 

Some short story (English) authors to look at:

• Franz Kafka
• Neil Gaiman
• Edgar Allan Poe
• Fyodor Dostoevsky
• H.G. Wells

2. Goodreads Reading Challenge

For those who aren’t aware, Goodreads is an app with a database of every single book to have existed. You can find ratings, reviews, genre, length, etc., about books, here. 

Every year, Goodreads holds a reading challenge, which allows you to set a goal for the year and add to the challenge as you read books. Setting a goal is a great way to motivate oneself to read. I, too, found myself reading more books after enrolling for the challenge. GR also allows you to add friends and keep track of their challenges. Healthy competition is always great!

3. Abridged versions

A lot of people get into a habit of reading after reading classics. However, classics are no easy read. The language is fairly difficult and is loaded with literary devices. 

Abridged versions are simplified, shorter forms of the same classics. At the end, you get the gist of the entire story and are familiar with what it is about. 

Sometimes, there are illustrated abridged versions of classics available too, which make the reading experience even more enjoyable. 

Some celebrated classics, which have abridged (illustrated) versions:

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

4. Genre:

The choice of genre plays an important role in whether or not someone enjoys reading. If a beginner starts with dark academia or high fantasy, chances are they will not even get to the climax, let alone complete the entire book. 

For beginners, YA contemporary fiction is recommended. This genre has a lighter mood/tone and is written in a plainer language, usually revolving around the protagonist’s daily life. Some such YA authors include:

• Holly Bourne (ex: It Only Happens In The Movies)
• Jennifer Niven (ex: All The Bright Places)
• John Green (ex: Paper Towns)
• Jenny Han (ex: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before)
• Jennifer E. Smith (ex: Field Notes On Love)
• Kevin Kwan (ex: Crazy Rich Asians)

Beginners, searching for YA series, can look at these authors:

• J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter)
• Marissa Meyer (Lunar Chronicles)
• Sarah J. Maas (ACOTAR)
• Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games)
• Victoria Aveyard (Red Queen)
• Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson)

If you are a regular reader, let us know, how or which book got you into reading at @femmerang on Instagram!

Sanya Mithani is a content writer at Femmerang. She’s a lifestyle Instagram blogger passionate about books. Follow her on Instagram @bookshelf.and.closet.

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December calls for cozy winter nights and Christmas movies. Here are some Holiday Season Movie Recommendations to enjoy this year!

1. Let It, Snow

An adaptation of John Green’s novel ‘Let It Snow’, this movie is a breath of fresh air. The blizzard of a little midwestern town brings strangers together and strengthens the bonds of friendship. Enjoy the festivities of Christmas with Let It Snow and lighten up your mood (no pun intended)!

 

Watch it on: @Netflix

2. Angels In The Snow

Although this movie will make you SUPER emotional, it is worth it! Though it’s a beautiful storyline, this movie makes you appreciate people around you and spend time with your loved ones this holiday season. 

 

Watch it on: Hulu, Amazon Prime

3. The Knight Before Christmas

A knight from the middle ages is magically transported to the present time and ends up falling for an ordinary girl (teacher, to be specific) who does not even believe in love, as such. Starring the fabulous Vanessa Hudgens, The Knight Before Christmas is an interesting take on holiday love stories.

 

Watch it on: Neflix

4. The Holiday Calendar

What’s Christmas without some magic? 

A young woman gets possession of an enchanted advent calendar and whatever’s hidden in each box becomes a reality, the next day! Will this calendar get Abby to the love of her life or end up messing it up for her? 

 

Watch it on: Netflix

5. A Christmas Prince

Journalism meets fairytale when Amber, a journalist by profession visits the palace to get an insight about Prince Richard, soon to become the King. Will Amber be able to live her fairytale this Christmas or not? 

 

Watch it on: Netflix

 

BONUS RECOMMENDATION:

It should be a tradition to watch Home Alone 1 and 2 during every holiday season! The humor still remains unbeatable with Kevin McCallister, the boy with the brain, and Harry & Marv, our favorite villain duo! So, go get your hot cocoa and slide into a cozy blanket and enjoy Kevin saving the day!

 

So which movie(s) are you planning to watch this winter? Let us know @femmerang on Instagram!

 

Sanya Mithani is a content writer at Femmerang. She’s a lifestyle Instagram blogger passionate about books. Follow her on Instagram @bookshelf.and.closet.

Visit More About Us @Femmerang

 

Recently started drama serial, DUNK THE GOOD THE BAD, has become the new talk of the town with social media debating whether or not this is a ‘morally’ correct topic to be discussed in a country like Pakistan. Where our system fails to give justice to victims of sexual harassment is it prudent to show those 2% false allegation cases (as stated by producer, Fahad Mustafa)? 

 

Here’s our little analysis of the two episodes, which have aired until now. Let us know what you think about Dunk on Instagram: @femmerang!

 

The good:

1. The acting:

There is no doubt that Fahad Mustafa has assembled some of the finest actors from our industry for Dunk. While the younger generation of actors impressed us with their powerful emotions and dialogue deliveries, let us not forget some senior artists mesmerizing us with their expressions and acting. Yes, we are talking about Nouman Ijaz’s acting, which is undoubtedly the highlight of Dunk! His facial expressions, body language and graceful style and attitude even in scenes with no dialogues left us speechless. The right blend of rage, guilt, and helplessness, all seen in the actor’s eyes – so natural that we are already taken in two episodes!

 

2. The direction:

ARY Digital has touched on a very sensitive and unusual topic for their new drama. Credits to Badar Mehmood, whose direction has managed to hold our attention and successfully created an air of mystery. We see tidbits of flashbacks from Professor Humanyun and Amal’s side every now and then, putting us in the constant dilemma of who is right and who is lying. While the story is unfolding new facts, it is not revealing more than it should, to maintain that suspense element. Kuddos!

 

The bad:

1. The characterization: 

“Tum kyun nahi samjhate usse, bade bhai ho uske!”

This dialogue from the first episode made us cringe. Fahad Sheikh as Bilal Abbas’s younger brother seemed very awkward; some serious characterization issues there! Although Sheikh is a brilliant actor and we do not doubt his ability to do complete justice with this role (after Jalan), it would have been better to either cast him as the younger one or if the story demands otherwise, cast a more mature face. 

 

2. Repeatedly same roles:

After Darr Khuda Se and Ruswai, we are now seeing Sana Javed as the main lead and supposedly a victim in Dunk, which too revolves around the same topic, sexual harassment. Are you tired of her recurrently picking up the same stories and not exploring other themes despite having so much potential as an actor? Because that’s what we think! Hope she proves us wrong with her acting and role in this one!

 

Sanya Mithani is a content writer at Femmerang. She’s a lifestyle Instagram blogger passionate about books. Follow her on Instagram @bookshelf.and.closet.

Visit More About Us @Femmerang.

 

Not sure about which book you should pick up next? Check out the below book recommendation based on what your favorite colour signifies!

 

1. Black: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo:

Colour significance: Power, death and evil

 

Those who love the colour black tend to love dark academia – a concept that involves literature about themes such as death and Goth. Ninth House is a classic example of this genre with the protagonist having ability to see ghosts and Yale’s secret societies practicing dark magic. A murder, a suspect and another side to the story; Ninth House will keep you at the edge!

 

2. White: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han:

Colour significance: Innocence and goodness

 

Want to lighten up the mood? Then, this should be your next pick. You will cherish the sweet moments and chemistry development between Lara-Jean and Peter Kavinsky as the love letters from Lara’s childhood, kept inside her hatbox are mysteriously sent to all her crushes. The kind of book you’d finish in one sitting! 

 

3. Blue: Reclaim Your Heart by Yasmin Mogahed:

Colour significance: Wisdom and inspiration

 

A much-celebrated author back with an inspiring novel – Reclaim Your Heart is the perfect cure to a wounded heart or distressed mind. Mogahed’s thought-provoking words of wisdom, backed with religious (Quranic) affirmations will evoke hope and give undesirable situations a positive perspective. 

 

4. Pink: Field Notes On Love by Jennifer E. Smith:

Colour significance: Romance and charm

 

With an abundance of romance novels, it is difficult to come up with a unique story that manages to hold your attention. Field Notes On Love won’t disappoint. Hugo and Mae, strangers who comes together on a train journey, will restore your faith in love and won’t let that smile disappear till the novel reaches its end.  

 

5. Purple: Heartless by Marissa Meyer:

Colour significance: Royalty and ambition

 

There’s a king and there’s an ambitious baker who doesn’t want to marry the king. An odd fairytale that dates back to the time before Alice in the Wonderland, Heartless is about a girl who wants to live her passion and fall in love. Will she surrender to her parents’ wish AKA become the next queen of Hearts or fight for her dream?

 

6. Red: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff:

Colour significance: War, danger and passion

Did someone say space war and artificial intelligence? An unusual futuristic novel, written in the form of memos, emails, digital conversations and interviews, Illumiae is a complete package for all sci-fi fanatics. The inside is equally beautiful as the orange glossy cover, with special black pages allocated to the AI and diary entries. 

Kady Grant tells the story of the space war (although not a first-person narration) of the year 2575, which is also the classified record of the war itself. While the book is primarily a sci-fi, there’s a romantic angle to it as well. The story continues in two more books following Illuminae, making it a trilogy.

 

7. Yellow: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell:

Colour significance: Happiness and positivity

 

Cath writes Simon Snow fanfiction and her work is massively read and appreciated. But what happens when she goes to college, accompanying her twin sister, and leaves behind her old life? Will she be able to keep a balance between academics and her passion or will she have to make a choice?

 

Full of life, Fangirl is a rollercoaster ride, where you’ll experience the ups and downs with Cath, find love and live life as a true fangirl. Also enjoy snippets from the Simon Snow saga after every other chapter! 

 

8. Green: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett:

Colour significance: Nature and freshness

 

Read this novel for its wonderful character growth and development. Mary, an arrogant little girl changes completely when she finds an enchanted ‘secret garden’ at her new guardian’s house. Although it’s a children’s classic, people of every age would enjoy this celebration of magic and friendship. Bonds created based on secrets that will stay with you forever! 

 

9. Orange: Kafka On The Shore by Haruki Murakami:

Colour significance: Fascination and determination

 

Magical realism is the genre not everyone enjoys but Murakami’s works are undoubtedly enjoyable for everyone. Two tales simultaneously move forward only to intertwine at one point. This book is nothing less than a masterpiece with eerie situations and strong imageries. 

 

10. Brown: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover:

Colour significance: Loneliness and isolation

 

It ends with us is not an unhappy book per se but sheds light upon some of the crucial issues of our society, which need to be discussed. Lily’s story is not uncommon yet beautifully portrayed by Colleen Hoover. 

 

We give power to hurt us to those we love and that’s the price for love Lily had to pay, every single time. Despite life being difficult on her, she didn’t lose hope and kept on going. This novel is a great message of courage for everyone battling and struggling in life. 

 

Note: Colour significances from Google

 

Sanya Mithani is a content writer at Femmerang. She’s a lifestyle Instagram blogger passionate about books. Follow her on Instagram @bookshelf.and.closet.

Find More about us at Femmerang