“Music doesn’t have to be forced. It’s a natural process.” – Ali Azmat talks music, activism and collaborations

Maheen Sabeeh

Karachi

2011 was a good year for Ali Azmat. After releasing his second solo record Klashinfolk in 2008, Ali Azmat spent his time touring all over. But he finally returned to the studio environment and the result was out for all to see in 2011.

First came the tongue-in-cheek ‘Bum Phatta’ attached with a fabulous music video by ace music video director Jami. ‘Bum Phatta’ was explosive and quirky, filled with lyrical one-liners that stay with you because they reflect a very real situation: our reality.

The video saw Ali Azmat emulate different people from our stratosphere including Hilary Clinton, Che Guevara, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman and Raymond Davis.

Ali changed gears and later in the year, he released another single, ‘Chalta Main Jaaon’. But this tune was a far cry from the fun, cheeky nature of ‘Bum Phatta’. Ali returned to his introspective roots, the kind one witnessed on Social Circus with this tune. It also marked the first collaboration between Ali Azmat and Aaroh guitarist Haider Hashimi.

“It was a sponsored song. CrossRoads wanted a song so I thought, okay, since there were no commercial pressures on how the song should be. Haider and I worked on it for two days and we finished it. When music flows like that, it’s fun,” Ali Azmat tells Instep Today about his latest single.

The collaboration, however, doesn’t mean that Ali’s longtime association with funk-guitarist Omran Shafique (Mauj) has come to a sudden halt.

“Omran’s busy with Coke Studio these days. He was in America when I was doing this song. I live in Lahore and so does Haider. This doesn’t mean I won’t be working with Omran in the future,” says Ali, “I’m a huge fan of Haider. He’s a good guitar player and songwriter. I love the songs he’s done on Aaroh’s album, Raag Neela. I consider myself lucky that all these guys, Haider, Omran work with me because they are good musicians themselves.”

These days, Ali Azmat is creating some buzz for his role in Bilal Lashari’s upcoming Waar. In addition to a role in the film, Ali is also doing one song for the soundtrack.

“I wrote the song. But then the producers disappeared,” Ali says.

Wasn’t Meesha Shafi supposed to be joining him on the song?

“Yes, she will sing some parts and I will sing others. We haven’t recorded it. We’re waiting for a go from the producers. Let’s see how we do it,” explains Ali.

Meanwhile 2012 will not see a full-fledged album from Ali Azmat. Like 2011, the new year will mean more one-off singles.

“You spend so much money on an album but there is no focus on albums anymore. So it’s just simple: you make a song, make a video and release it. That’s what I will do,” Ali maintains.

How 2012 will differ from other years is that it will see Ali come up with a political blog.

“I’m planning a political blog. The world is ready for that information. People are coming around to it, shifting their focus from mainstream media. We will ask global questions. It will focus on global dissent,” Ali reveals and continues, “It will focus on financial systems like the IMF. It’ll include writers, journalists, bloggers and we will emphasize on such issues.”

For fans of Ali’s music, there is hope yet. Besides the blog, Ali’s music will go on.

“Music doesn’t have to be forced. It’s a natural process. Omran will be done with Coke Studio at the end of this month. We’ll work on some stuff together. Once Zeeshan (Parwez) is done with Uth Records, I’ll be working with him. Music will continue to happen, depending on the right moment,” Ali signs off.

“The collaboration with the symphony orchestra has completely changed my point of view on life and music : Shallum Xavier of Fuzon”

Maheen Sabeeh

Karachi

2011 has been an incredible year for Fuzon. It started out with a tour of Bangladesh. This was followed by a collaboration between Fuzon and American Jazz band, Ari Roland Jazz Quartet. Later on, Fuzon sat on as judges for the second season of Azme Alishan, a national song competition. More good news followed when Shallum Xavier (alongside Zara Madani) picked up the award for Best Song for his tune, ‘Payam’.

Now the trio is back after a long and rigorous tour of Norway where they performed, not only with an international symphony, but also performed at 30 different school concerts.

For Fuzon, the real high was their collaboration with the sixty-four piece symphony orchestra, Kork. According to Fuzon, “this orchestra is considered widely to be one of the top European symphony orchestras and was also awarded a cultural prize in 2010 for achievements and excellence in music all over Europe.”

At a show, in front of a live audience that consisted of not only Norwegians but people from other ethnicities from around the globe, Fuzon took the stage alongside Kork and performed their famous tunes, ‘Teray Bina’ and ‘Neend Na Aaye’.

Speaking about the collaborative nature of the show, Shallum Xavier, guitarist/composer of Fuzon told Instep Today, “The sound of violins, the horn section, the harp and the rest of the orchestra completely transformed and enhanced our songs. Each and every moment on stage was very inspirational.”

In addition to Shallum playing guitars, Immu taking on keyboards with Rameez Mukhtar on vocals, the trio was also joined by two Norwegian musicians (Marcus Lewin, drums and Ovid Matsuin, bass) who played with them during the tour.

Speaking about how this tour happened, Shallum said, “This project was conceived and initiated by Ingrid Kindem from Rikskonsertene. She discussed it with me in the initial phase in order to gain a Pakistani perspective and feedback. Ingrid and I have had a productive history of working together in several different crossover projects since 2005. Consequent to discussions, songs were sent to the symphony orchestra in order for them to rehearse and prepare according to the flow and direction of the music.”

Even though this wasn’t Shallum’s first trip to Oslo but he still found the whole experience rewarding and memorable.

“This was Fuzon’s second trip to Oslo and my sixth trip,” Shallum told Instep Today and continued, “I managed to work on quite a few collaborative crossover projects as a solo artist. I have performed at the Oslo Mela Festival, the prestigious Telenor Cultural prize ceremony with a brass band in collaboration with Marilyn Mazur – Queen of Percussion. She has worked with names like Miles Davis, and Jan Garbarek. Each and every experience in Oslo so far has been exceptional. This tour gave us an opportunity to interact with and entertain young school kids at thirty different concerts, talk to them, understand their perspective and present Pakistan in a positive light. The collaboration with the symphony orchestra has completely changed my point of view on life and music. It was incredible.”

As the year comes to a close, Shallum remains tight-lipped about the upcoming new record except to say, “The third studio album will be out in March with a big surprise.”

For now, Fuzon’s all set for a rollicking New Year’s Eve with a show in Dubai.

The A to Z of 2011

Instep takes a quick look at the year that was 2011 as we welcome the New Year…
By Amina Baig, Kiran Haroon and Maheen Sabeeh

A for Ali Zafar

Ali Zafar may have debuted in Bollywood in 2010 with the indie comedy Tere Bin Laden but it was his role in the prolific Yash Raj production, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011) opposite Katrina Kaif and Imran Khan that really changed the stakes for the singer-turned-actor. Ali played the comedic role with natural ease. With two more films in the pipeline, Ali Zafar, it seems, has finally arrived in Bollywood.

B for Bol

Shoaib Mansoor returned with his second feature film after 2007’s Khuda Kay Liye earlier this year. Simply put, it is a brave film and a bold one too, dealing with issues ranging from misogyny to fanaticism to empowering women to societal repression. It’s a powerful film with a strong message. With riveting performances from Humaima Malik, Shafqat Cheema and Manzar Sehbai, Bol remains one of the most important films to come out of Pakistan in decades.

C for Coke Studio

Coke Studio is the one show in Pakistan that continues to remains inspirational. This was a massive year for Coke Studio. Some artists made a comeback via the show such as Sajjad Ali and Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi while other made their national debut like Mole. This was the season when Coke Studio went seriously experimental and introduced Qawwals Farid Ayaz and Abu Mohammed, classical great Ustaad Naseeruddin Saami and folk artists such as Akhtar Chanal Zahri. For pop music aficionados, there was the easy listening magic of Bilal Khan and the progressive chords of Mizraab, making it a well-rounded season through and through.

D for Daaman

Designer Maliha Chaudhry’s baby, Daaman has been a favourite with – oh, just about everyone since the store opened its doors to Karachi. The awesome thing about Daaman is that you get slickly designed separates for a pretty decent price without any of the tailor-haggling heartache that is synonymous with making clothes in Pakistan. Daaman got an LSA nod this year, have a great website plus a blog, and some gorgeous tops in the winter line. We’re particularly coveting a piece called ‘Red-Setter’. Daaman retails in Lahore and Islamabad, as well as worldwide, through their website.

E for Ethan Hunt

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol is one of the biggest film releases before we wave good-bye to 2011. Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt takes charge in an adrenaline pumping, action packed series of events with his motley crew. This time the very organization the team works for is in jeopardy and it is up to them to clear its name. The fourth installment of Mission: Impossible will be as thrilling as the last three with brand new elements of surprise one of which is Bollywood star Anil Kapoor!

F for Fashion Weeks

Fashion weeks are the biggest fashion events of the year and Pakistan has finally put itself on the fashion map of the world! New designers are getting a chance to prove themselves and international media has also played a big part in the events. Fashion weeks are now sustaining themselves and bridal fashion weeks have joined in as well. PFDC, FPW, KFW et al the more the merrier!

G for Game of Thrones

Based on author George R. R. Martin’s best-selling A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels, Game of Thrones has quickly attained the status of must-watch TV. Set in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Game of Thrones follows the violent struggles among the kingdom’s families for control of the Iron Throne. The critically acclaimed show from HBO has been picked up for another season and has earned 13 Emmy nominations.

H for Humaima Malick

Humaima Malick had a very rock ‘n roll year. She managed, with her big screen debut, to overshadow a messy divorce, and a very special ‘friendship’ with former Cricket captain Wasim Akram that made headlines for a while. As Zainub in Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol, Humaima captured the attention and emotions of many with a performance that had us bawling with her. Off for a mystery Bollywood debut now, we’re all set to see how Humaima surprises us next.

I for IFAP

Supermodel Mehreen Syed has taken the initiative to start a full fledged fashion institute, IFAP. The International Fashion Academy, Pakistan (IFAP) focuses on all aspects of fashion from modeling to styling and more. The IFAP board features some of the most prominent names in fashion and has us waiting to see what the first graduating class will bring to Pakistani fashion.

J for Jal

After Atif Aslam’s departure from this band, Farhan Saeed joined Gohar Mumtaz and Shazi and the trio of Jal soon became a force within the music industry. Now two albums and countless awards later, the trio has broken up with vocalist Farhan Saeed pursuing a solo career. The band, however, is still alive. Gohar Mumtaz has taken over the duties of lead singer with a third Jal album slated for a March 2012 release.

K for Karachi – The Musical

Nida Butt’s Made for Stage took the big leap and unleashed on Karachi Pakistan’s first original musical, Karachi – The Musical; a story of the underdog triumphing in a Lyari boxing ring. With an original score composed by Hamza Jafri, Karachi starred some great new and old actors, including the brilliantly terrifying Adnan Jaffer, a very fit Raza Shah and a suitably grouchy Faraz Lodhi. Karachi leaves us with hope for more original Urdu theatre in the years to come.

L for Love Mein Ghum

Reema Khan’s second directorial outing in Lollywood, Love Mein Ghum ghummed right into our lives with the title track which featured faces from Pakistan’s fashion and entertainment industries dancing to an incredibly catchy tune sung by Ali Zafar. The film’s story was allegedly adapted by Shaan from Paula Coelho’s famous life bible, Veronika Decides to Die, and Shaan was supposed to be part of the film but was dropped as he was more inclined towards shooting diaper ads than for the film. Love Mein Ghum released on Eid, and did not do that well, but the song lives on as one of the best Lollywood tunes in decades. Reema and HSY led a performance on the song at this year’s LSAs as well, which was definitely the best performance of the night.

M for ‘Mojambo’

Bumbu Sauce, how we love you. We have no clue what you’re saying in your songs, but ‘Mojambo’ grew on us at warp speed. The lyrics of ‘Mojambo’ go from asking the ‘tam’ to saying ‘Sprite Mirinda Teem’, to asking our favourite question of all tam, ‘What the huck?’ The beat is groovy, the guitars are crunchy, and please allow us to say, with ‘Mojambo’, Bumbu Sauce has truly exploded this year.

N for Noori

Noori reigned new energy into the music business when they came onto the scene in 2003 with their debut album, Suno Ke Main Hun Jawan. But two years and another album later, the foursome separated. Noori continued with brothers Ali Noor and Ali Hamza while drummer Gumby and bass man Mohammed Ali Jafri walked a different path. That was then. Now all four original members have gotten back together and the original Noori is back for good!

O for Omar, Adil

Pakistani music doesn’t really have any interesting hip-hop artists but there is one exception, and he is Adil Omar. The 20-year-old singer-songwriter from Islamabad doesn’t shy away from controversy and produces songs that pack a real, gritty punch. He really came into his own this year when he released the singles, ‘Off The Handle’ featuring Xzibit and DJ Solo-produced tune ‘Paki Rambo’.

P for Pippa Middleton

Pippa Middleton easily stole the spotlight from her sister Katherine, Duchess of Cambridge. She wore an equally regal white gown to the royal wedding and her pert bum became the focus of media attention and has its own dedicated Facebook page! Hopes are high that Prince Harry and Pippa hit it off so the world can have another royal wedding soon. Probably not, but the Pippa train is not slowly down, thankfully.

Q for Quratulain Balouch

This has been an interesting year for upcoming singer Quratulain Balouch. She collaborated with Jal on their single ‘Paanchi’ on Coke Studio and stole the limelight with her sheer talent and that raw, deep voice. QB followed this up with the cover version of singles, ‘Akhiyaan Nu’ and ‘Maa e Ni’. And then there’s the soundtrack to the drama, Humsafar, which QB has sung brilliantly.

R for Royal wedding

We followed each and every thing about the Royal wedding from what cake the Duke and Duchess were getting, to which mystery designer was making her dress, to the memorabilia that was coming out of the wedding to…well, you get the picture. Everything. And we weren’t the only ones, the world, at least for a few months, had Kate and Wills fever, which mushroomed on the actual wedding day into Pippa fever and Princess Beatrice’s hat fever. Around 60 million people between the UK and USA alone tuned into the wedding, with a million people actually turning up in central London to witness the processions.

S for Steve Jobs

The Apple Founder and CEO, Steve Jobs, left behind a grand legacy of technological innovation. Jobs was known for his challenging and off beat demeanour and this unconventional style prompted him and those around him to go beyond themselves. He gave the world the most user-friendly form of technology by changing the music industry with the iPod and the way we communicate with the Apple iPhone. People around the world mourned his death and wondered what would become of technology without the greatest inventor of our time.

T for Twitter

The world is moving at a super fast pace and the only thing that is keeping up with it is Twitter. The Twitter community is a tightly knit network of people sharing random thoughts with their followers. Our favorite Twitter celebs are @LaHaq: the supermodel that is now living it up as a sometime model and full-time wife. @AliZafarSays: the official account of the singer/ actor. @TheMeeraJee: yes Meera is on Twitter and we love her whether she’s being profound or her usual self.

U for Uth Records

Uth Records, the new music reality TV show debuted this year with much aplomb. The brainchild of producers Gumby and Omran Shafique with Zeeshan Parwez in tow as director, the show introduced six new artists and mixed it up by inviting some mainstream artists such as Ali Noor, Faraz Anwar to collaborate with the younger acts. It was light, fun and served as a great platform for upcoming artists. With season two on the cards, it’s been reported that Omran Shafique has pulled out of the show due to certain constraints. Our bet: Noori will make its presence felt in the show come next season.

V for Veena Malik

Aka, V for Pakistan’s Vendetta. Veena Malik is like the pesky houseguest in India that no one wants around but is also endearing in ways. With her scandalous Bigg Boss appearance last year, Veena has now graduated to another reality show on which she might get married, and has a controversial ‘doctored’ FHM cover which features her clothes-less. In the weeks that have followed the outrage caused by the cover, Veena has issued statements, been disowned by her father, and been lost and found. Here’s to another few decades of Veena’s own brand of entertainment in the world.

W for Waar

Ace music video director Bilal Lashari has turned his attention to films with Waar, an upcoming action/thriller flick set to release in the summer of 2012. The film which deals with the issues of the effects of the war on terror not only marks Lashari’s turn as a director but will also feature Shaan Shahid, Shamoon Abbasi, Ali Azmat and Meesha Shafi in pivotal roles with rock band Qayaas behind the soundtrack.

X for Xander’s Café

Xander’s Café is a quaint eatery that has become the place to see and be seen. Ladies who lunch are the usual clientele because the cafe is housed within the premises of multi-designer boutique, Ensemble. The café has become extremely popular in the short time since it’s opened. It has some of the best burgers and coffees and a beautiful green and light wood interior. The perfect place for a spot of shopping, catching up and a bite!

Y for Younus Khan

Younus Khan is one cricketer who delivers for Pakistan when we need it the most. He’s not the most spectacular guy on the field but he is one of the most solid batsmen Pakistan has ever produced. Just recently during the Pakistan-Bangladesh series, Younus went past 6000 Test runs, and notched up his 19th Test century and third Test double-century. During 2011, Younus Khan has scored nearly 800 runs and is amongst the top-ten batsmen of the year.

Z for Zoe Viccaji

Zoe Viccaji has been around for some time but her real coming out party took place this year when Zoe released the cover of Strings’ famous tune, ‘Mera Bichara Yaar’ (which is now a certified hit) and reappeared on Coke Studio, not just as a backup vocalist but also as an artist, collaborating with Asif Samraat Hussain on ‘Senraan Ra Baairya’. She followed this up with her first live and solo performance in Karachi and stunned the audience with her incredible vocal range and pleasant, charming demeanour.

The Big Ten

Instep takes a look at the10 best songs of 2011…

By Maheen Sabeeh

1. ‘Bum Phatta’

- Ali Azmat

After the introspective Social Circus and the funk rock-inspired Klashinfolk, Ali Azmat returned to the spotlight this year with his playful and tongue-in-cheek tune, ‘Bum Phatta’.

With a gorgeous guitar riff and smooth bassline, it’s Ali Azmat at his finest. However, it’s not the musical edginess that makes the song so appealing. It’s the catchy wordplay, the witty one-liners about electricity, water, food – real issues that plague real, everyday people – that makes the song so special.

In the music video, directed by ace video man Jami, we see Ali Azmat emulate different people. Some of them include Hilary Clinton, Che Guevara, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman and Raymond Davis to a perfect comic degree.

“A journalist friend of mine, Yawar Mian wrote three songs. One of them was called ‘Manu Bijli Day’. Another was called ‘Sari Boti Kha’. It was all fun and we were sitting and laughing. Anyway I converted those three songs into this one number that is ‘Bum Phatta’,” Ali Azmat tells Instep. “The song is about everything. The sentiment comes from everything that’s happening around us. You know, rising food prices, rising petrol prices, bomb blasts and drone attacks and electricity issues, everything.”

2. ‘Aalo Anday’

- Beygairat Brigade

Earlier this year, a song came out of nowhere and became an overnight sensation. The tune, which garnered over 500,000 views on YouTube is but of course, ‘Aalo Anday’ from a musical unit, called Beygairat Brigade.
‘Aalo Anday’ is not your average song. It’s tongue-in-cheek, there’s a dark sense of humour and it’s sung with an air of confidence. The video features the three boys of Beygairat Brigade, dressed in school uniforms, singing away about everything that plagues Pakistan, but in a sly, cheeky manner. This is not a song that is preachy in any sense. It’s got spunk and grit.

From civilian leaders like Imran Khan to the Chief Justice to the all-powerful military – Beygairat Brigade spare absolutely no one, taking on all the powerful political cows of Pakistan. They sing, “My mother has cooked potatoes and eggs/I don’t want to eat them/I find them bad/the CJ is the last light/With such hullabaloo about the extension/The chief has gone into hibernation/Where Qadri is treated like a royal/Where Ajmal Qasab is a hero most loyal/Where the mullah escaped in a veil/Abdus Salam is forgotten tale” – it’s brave as hell and a sharp observation of the sad state of affairs.

The song is the brainchild of Beygairat Brigade, a musical outfit that came into being just seven months ago. Consisting of Ali Aftab Saeed,27, Daniyal Malik, 25 and Hamza Malik, 15, the tune marks their entry into the music scene.

“We watch TV, we also read newspapers, we read opinions so we’re well aware of what’s happening around us,” says lead vocalist, Ali Aftab. “People think we’re frustrated but we’re not. It’s not frustration. We are optimistic people with good observation,” he says about how ‘Aalo Anday’ came into being.
Satirical, radical, bold and cheeky, ‘Aalo Anday’ deserves a listen and a watch.

3. ‘Jee Dhoondta Hai’

- Ali Zafar

It’s an ambitious move to take on the poetry of Mirza Ghalib. But Ali Zafar has proven once again why he’s not just another pop singer. He’s much more than that. He’s got some serious game. And that reflects beautifully in the tune that is ‘Jee Dhoondta Hai’. With swirling guitars, crisp drums, addressing inner anxiety, it’s wonderful.

“I’ve been a fan of his (Mirza Ghalib) poetry since the time I could understand it. I always wanted to sing one his ghazals,” Ali Zafar tells Instep. “I wanted to create a timeless song and thought it can only be created with timeless poetry. I have tried my best to do justice to the great poet. I guess only time can tell how it will sustain or travel.”

4. ‘Mera Bichra Yaar’
- Zoe Viccaji

Zoe Viccaji arrived with a bang this summer when she teamed up with Strings and knocked out her version of Strings’ famous number, ‘Mera Bichra Yaar’. Simply put, Zoe’s ‘Mera Bichra Yaar’ is moving because she’s sung it so well and with such incredible range. It’s melodic, it’s light and it’s absolutely beautiful.

“When I first started developing a rendition of the song, I was really taken by the lyrics, and the ambiguity of them. For me they reminded me of a sense of loss I had felt very recently, and a longing for reconnection. At the end of the day, one is left with that bittersweet comfort of memories. I didn’t initially try to create any sentiment, but as I went along adding layers of vocals, it just fell into place,” says Zoe about her sentiments behind the song.

What set this tune apart was the also the fact that Zoe sung it in acapella.

“I only knew that I wanted to make a song that was made up vocals, but had no idea how to have such a thing produced. After a lot of trial and error, I finally arranged ‘Bichra Yaar’ and recorded layers of vocals in my mini home studio and showed it to a few people; it instantly (very fortunately) clicked! Funnily enough it was only then that we decided it would be really exciting to have Strings on board and they very graciously agreed to come in and lend their lovely voices. In the final recordings and production, Omran Shafique then put in his final magical touches, and voila!” Zoe tells Instep.

5. ‘Saeen’

- Usman Riaz

The 21-year-old Usman Riaz is really a bundle of talent. His instrumental cover of Junoon’s famous tune, ‘Saeen’ is jaw-dropping. Without any vocals, Usman has managed to make this song stand out. It’s majestic with a strong rhythm, it’s addictive with its Middle Eastern ethos and it’s textured with just a tinge of melancholia.

“I tried to keep the essence of the piece similar but I knew that I would have to approach it very differently for it to stand out against the original. The actual song is universally loved and is not something I could go up against no matter what I did with the track. I decided to turn it into a Middle Eastern Orchestral piece with a very driving rhythm. I wanted to stay far away from any sort of Eastern percussion, no tablas or dhols. Only in the video are there dhols because I felt it would suit the look we were going for. I even changed the spelling of my version to distance it from the original. ‘Saeein’ was changed to ‘Saeen’,” says Usman Riaz in a conversation with Instep.

The tune is layered with many different instruments and the talented Mr Riaz has roughly played all of them.
“On the piece I played the mandolin, the guitar, the harmonium, tanpura, ceramic drum and some of the darkbuka parts. I arranged the other percussion parts that were wonderfully played by the very talented Alfred D’mello. I also arranged and wrote the new violin melody employed in the piece. We got the wonderful Saeed Sahab to play those parts as I had written. Both musicians did a wonderful job in bringing those parts to life.”

6. ‘Hona Tha Pyar’

- Atif Aslam and Hadiqa Kiyani

When it comes to local films and their music, we usually don’t give it second thought: We don’t have too many expectations from a Lollywood film. But when the film is the brainchild of Shoaib Mansoor, one needs to sit up and take notice. Because Shoaib Mansoor is not your average filmmaker. Earlier this year he returned with his second feature film, the bold and moving flick that was Bol.

With the film came an outstanding soundtrack, one that is miles ahead of any other soundtrack that has released locally in recent times. And if there was one song that dominated our airwaves this summer, it was Bol’s catchy number, ‘Hona Tha Pyar’.

The song which marks yet another collaboration between Hadiqa Kiyani and Atif Aslam is a pop-y love song and it works. Atif Aslam’s commanding vocals mix with Hadiqa’s really well while the melody stays with you long after the song stops playing. With a groovy bassline and lyrics that capture emotions that will never go out of fashion, ‘Hona Tha Pyar’ is more than run of the mill stuff. It’s exactly the kind of pop magic that Atif and Hadiqa should attempt more often. Sometimes simplicity is the key to a great song. And that’s the case here.

7. ‘Neray Aah’

- Overload

‘Neray Aah’, the new tune from Overload, is easily one of their better songs. The tune, which sees Overload head honcho/drummer Farhad Humayon taking on vocal duties, is in short, aggressive, grungy and very catchy. With crazy guitars, a funky bassline, it’s absolutely addictive.

“I love it! It’s got humour. It’s got the funk, it’s got attitude and follows no visual or audio norms that Pakistani music and videos zabardasti stick to in order to make a hit. It’s carved the way for more radical songs and ideas to follow,” says Farhad Humayun about ‘Neray Aah’.

Speaking about the elusive wordplay, Farhad tells Instep, “The original connotations of the lyrics pertain to sex and desire. There’s no other way to describe it. That’s why we used the shaadi band in the music because it’s representing a celebration of feelings. However, we used the video to convey the same lyrics of desire in a different way. We made a demon sing the song to invite a potential candidate towards corruption and eternal damnation.”

8. ‘Main Tou Dekhoonga’

- Strings

Time and again, Strings have taken on issues vis-à-vis their music. Be it in the shape of an anti-terrorism song (‘Yeh Hum Nahin’) or anti-war anthem (‘Beirut’) or a celebratory affair like the World Cup (‘Hai Koi Hum Jaisa’) – the duo of Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood know when to speak out.

And this year, the band returned with one of their finest tunes to date, the infectious ‘Main Tou Dekhoonga’. Penned by Bilal Maqsood, the hauntingly beautiful song is filled with optimism as Faisal Kapadia croons, “Jab Roti Hogi Sasti Aur Mehengi Hogi Jaan/Who Din Phir Aayega Jab Aisa Hoga Pakistan” – it fills you up from inside with the hope of a better tomorrow.

9. ‘Walk on Air’

- Sajid and Zeeshan

The promising lads of Peshawar returned to the spotlight this year with their single, ‘Walk on Air’, a tune that is layered with cheerful gloom and sweetness.

“‘Walk on Air’ is pretty much about believing in yourself and learning through different elements around you. To make things better, you probably have to skip the ground, lift yourself up and walk on air,” Zeeshan Parwez tells Instep.

The song works not just because of its lyrical quality but also the wonderfully weird sound of electronica mixed with acoustic pop rhythm that is the signature of Sajid and Zeeshan.

“Sajid and I have this “acoustica/electronica” sound which usually kicks in by us trying to fuse acoustic guitars with electronic elements. Like ‘King of Self’, this song was purely developed keeping a certain house beat and a specific groove in mind and that’s how Sajid wrote the lyrics (again, in 45 minutes just like ‘King of Self’) and we structured the song within an hour,” concludes Zeeshan. – (Photo by Kohi Marri)

10. ‘Karachi’

- Karachi – The Musical

To sing a song about the sprawling, violent, brutal yet still beautiful city of Karachi is no small feat. But the team behind Karachi – The Musical have done it with aplomb.

With Hamza Jaffri spearheading the original soundtrack department, one expected good things but ‘Karachi’ surpasses all expectations. The song is gritty, magnificent, with an operatic feel. Faraz Lodhi does an incredible job as the vocalist, bringing to front the tongue-in-cheek wordplay that paints a stark picture of Karachi, including the good, bad and the ugly. Take a bow!

Rockstar***

*ing: Ranbir Kapoor, Nargis Fakhri
and Shammi Kapoor
Directed by Imtiaz Ali

Imtiaz Ali can finally take a bow. After the hugely successful but ultimately bizarre
Love Aaj Kal, he has returned with a winner in the shape of Rockstar. Not only is the film a landmark for its lead star, Ranbir Kapoor, but it’s also a step up for the writer and director who previously gave us endearing films like Jab We Met and the little known Abhay Deol starrer Socha Na Tha.

At a time when Bollywood is churning out some terrible films (that are turning into super-duper hits at the box office) like Bodyguard, Ready, Murder 2, Mausam, Ra One, Thank You, etc al, Rockstar comes across as a pleasant surprise, simply because of its powerful, moving performances, musical genius and Imtiaz Ali’s flowing direction.

From the publicity angles, this film may look like it’s about a musician and his struggles and rise to fame. And that maybe a part of the story but at its core, Rockstar is a love story and a tragic one at that, which makes it far more interesting to watch as it unravels.

The film opens up with Janardhan Jakhar, a Delhi boy (who later becomes Jordan) who just wants to be a musician. With his guitar in one hand and a dream in the other, he auditions and continues to try his luck. But nothing works. Then a meeting with the gorgeous Heer (Nargis Fakhri) changes it all.

Giving away the plot would be giving away the movie. It has to be seen to really understand the progression of Janardhan Jakhar to Jordan, his tragic love story with Heer and his rise to superstardom as Jordan.

Rockstar stands out for a variety of reasons, the biggest one being Ranbir Kapoor.

Over the last four years, he has delivered quite a few box office winners but Rockstar is the one film that brings out the finest performance from Ranbir. Forget the sly politician of Rajneeti or the Casanova from Bachna Aae Haseeno or the carefree spirit of Wake Up Sid; it’s Jordan who really charms you. In the first hour of the film, it’s Janardhan’s innocence and honesty that is endearing. As he grows into a full-blown ‘rockstar’, his anxiety and anger keep growing and it’s his love affair with Heer and the separation between the two that makes it such an effective, moving performance. Ranbir Kapoor has enormous screen presence and with Rockstar, he keeps one glued to the screen every time he comes on. He plays with emotions ranging from love to loss to indifference and he does justice each time.

Rockstar belongs to Ranbir Kapoor without question.

Then there’s the music of Rockstar. Because this film is essentially a musical, this is a massive album. It’s perhaps as much of a milestone for AR Rahman as it is for Ranbir Kapoor. For one thing, Rahman’s delivered a full original soundtrack that is neither as juvenile as Rock On’s OST nor is it your average ‘throw-in-every-genre’ Bollywood record. The music tells the story within the film and it plays out all the right emotions. This is Indian rock music in a sense without being too overt. Whether it’s the angry ‘Sadda Haq’ or the introspective ‘Jo Bhi Main’ or the rumbling ‘Katiya Karun’, it adds layers to the film and makes it more enjoyable at the same time.

And finally there is Imtiaz Ali’s direction and his style of storytelling. His characters are complicated with grey shades. Unlike many Bollywood characters, which are hugely over-the-top, Jordan and Heer are imperfect, reckless and ultimately realistic, making them more relatable and identifiable.

Imtiaz Ali tackles many subjects within Rockstar, making it a multi-layered film with themes of infidelity, an uncontrollable media, selfish record moguls and flawed protagonists.

And it must be added that Rockstar is shot beautifully, from Delhi to Kashmir to Prague, it’s breathtaking.
There are some shortcomings though which have prevented Rockstar from being that perfect film. The editing of the film could’ve been much more crisper. The film drags twice, in the middle and again, towards the ending. Had it been edited tightly…

The other problem comes in with the dubbing. While Ranbir Kapoor has walked away with generous praise (and rightly so) for his performance, Nargis Fakhri has come under fire. But I don’t agree. She looks stunning in the film and despite this being her debut film, she’s done well as the other half of the doomed couple. What makes her performance weak is the dubbing that’s gone into the film. It feels clumsy.

But all these mistakes can be forgiven for Rockstar remains a much more superior film than most Bollywood films that are releasing nowadays.

All in all, Rockstar should be seen, because it’s different and it’s daring.

— Maheen Sabeeh

Of catchy melodies, commercial pop and a natural comeback

Maheen Sabeeh

Instep lends an ear to Faakhir’s new record, Jee Chahay
Artist: Faakhir
Album: Jee Chahay***

It’s never easy to make a comeback in music, especially after a big break. It’s a perplexing time, when new artists and new albums often replace a veteran name. But Faakhir has indeed made his presence felt with the release of his new album, Jee Chaahay. His last album, Mantra, which was a colossal hit, released in 2005. Since then, Faakhir has released music videos, done some shows but it’s now, after a gap of nearly six years, when he has returned with a full-fledged new album.

What’s even more interesting is the fact that the album has come at a time when music album releases are too few. While 2011 has seen some pretty good songs release as singles; the only other major album release of 2011 has been Ali Zafar’s Jhoom. All this means only one thing: expectations from Faakhir are sky-high and comparison to the other album of the year, Jhoom, will be inevitable. And Ali Zafar’s Jhoom is a monumental album, not just for Ali Zafar, but for his fans as well. The record not only showed off the mature side of Ali Zafar but also proved that he is one artist who is here to stay because he showed true artistic growth on Jhoom. And that’s what we’ll be looking for in Faakhir’s Jee Chaahay.

The hits and the misses

The comeback song, ‘Allah Karay’ is nothing to write home about. It’s definitely gotten attention, not just because it marks Faakhir’s comeback into the spotlight after a certain gap, but also because the video stars Mahnoor Baloch and Mikaal Zulfiqar. Neither their presence within the video nor the actual song showcase Faakhir at his best. The video seems clumsy and amateurish while the song has no musical appeal. It’s got a beat, crunchy guitars but it remains an average tune at best.

But Faakhir manages to redeem himself very quickly with some of the other tunes on this album.

‘Baylia’ opens with a fancy guitar riff and soon enough, percussions and acoustic guitars come in without any awkwardness. Faakhir sings in his signature, emotive style as he croons, “Tujhe Ko Mein Kaisay Dhoondo?Peena Main Chahoon Daroon/Teray Ishq Da” and it works. This is a happy song, one without any fuss or too much chaos. It works because it’s got a catchy melody and Faakhir knows exactly what to do with those.

On a similar happy wavelength is ‘Kho Jaaoon’, with clean, crisp guitars from Imran Akhund and perhaps even keyboards (?). On ‘Kho Jaaoon’, Faakhir sings about a special someone, “Kho Jaaon/Teri Bahon Mein/Saagar Hee Saagar Hai Teri Ankhon Mein/Nasha Hai Teri Baaton Mein/Apni Taou Manzil Hai Teri Rahon Mein”. It’s a mushy love song, for a lack of a better term, and those are always a safe bet on a pop album, especially if the artist is Faakhir. He excels in the department of writing and creating lovelorn pop songs.

Anyway coming back to the album, Faakhir changes gear and the mood with ‘O Sheeday’ – a song that seems to be about a corrupt politician as Faakhir sings, “O Sheeday Barbad Huway/Teri Soch Pe Thu Thu Thu” and again “Dil He Dil Mein Tu Ye Kahay/Sanu Kii”. This is a strange song. Lyrically, it’s one of the few tunes on the album that’s exciting. And that’s primarily because this one isn’t a love song. But musically, it doesn’t have the same catchy hook as the other songs. Having said that, it must also be said that this one might be a hit anyway, thanks to the tongue-in-cheek lyrical wordplay. And Faakhir sings it well, with a sincere conviction and a slight disdain, which makes for a unique musical balance.

Another experiment after ‘O Sheeday’ is ‘Atom Bomb’ which opens with the line: “Atom Bomb is the most destructive enemy of the mankind” and then begins the electronica-inspired tune that is ‘Atom Bomb’. It isn’t the same thing as ‘Bum Phatta’ by Ali Azmat. In fact, the only common thread between the two songs is that both refer to ‘bum/bomb’ and it ends there. While Ali Azmat may have been singing about social issues, Faakhir, it seems to me, is singing about certain someone. He croons, “Tu Nasha Da Atom Bomb/Karey Tu Bura Haal” which is fine but then a rapper – who, according to the album inlay is a certain “Capo Status” – creeps in and raps away, which makes this song even more fussy. It’s like this song is part Bollywood, part electronic and part R’n’B/rap. There’s just no direction and no real funky hook.

‘Parwa’, on the other hand, just commands attention instantly. It opens with such a simple, catchy beat and again, clear, clean guitars that you want to listen, just to hear what happens next. And the mood gets slightly somber hear. The celebratory air that came with ‘Baliya’ and ‘Kho Jaaoon’ disappears here. Instead, Faakhir sings in a tone that’s almost resigned as he croons, “Tum Ko Meri Koi Parwah Nahin/Tum Naa Jaisay Mujhe Chahaa Hee Nahin/Lakta Hai Yeh Mujhe/Mujhse Jaisa Koi Nata Hee Nahin”. It’s a heartbreak number but it’s still got a beat and this one works very well on this album. It fits right in.

Speaking of heartbreaking tunes, there is one other song that fits the bill, namely ‘Shikwa’. Faakhir and his producers, Kami and Shani, strip all the hope and musical pace off this number. It’s perhaps the slowest, moodiest songs and surely, one of the better tracks on the album. Faakhir can sing happy, mushy, sad love songs like a pro and he does it here with a natural ease.

On a slightly introspective note, one finds the title track, ‘Jee Chaahay’ while ‘Mitti Paao’ has concert hit written all over with its constant drum/dhol beat and a cheeky chorus.

Verdict

If there is one thing Faakhir is really good at, its commercial pop music. He doesn’t claim to be anything else either (unlike some pop musicians who consider their brand of music as ‘rock’ and call themselves rock stars).

On Jee Chaahay, Faakhir has experimented slightly, which is always nice to see. Lyrically, the album’s on the weaker side simple because it’s nothing we haven’t heard before. After all, this is Faakhir’s fourth album. However, Faakhir knows melodies and most, if not all songs on Jee Chaahay, have a fairly catchy melody, one that stays in the head. His songs do have a memorable quality. From the days of Aatish to Sub Tou Sohniye and Mantra, Faakhir’s music has been decent. With Jee Chaahay, he has definitely tried to up his game. In some places, the album sounds slightly Bollywood-inspired but that doesn’t work against it unlike Amanat Ali’s Kohraam. A slight tinge of Bollywood has always been a staple of Faakhir’s music and that factor hasn’t changed here.

In a nutshell, Jee Chaahay is a good, coherent record, despite being patchy in some places. It’s got some tunes that will thrill fans of Faakhir while few will serve as disappointments. It isn’t groundbreaking music, but that’s okay too. This is commercial pop music and Faakhir hasn’t shied away from this simple, fact. Ultimately, it works for him.

*YUCK
**WHATEVER
***GOOD
****SUPER
*****AWESOME

5 minutes with Omran Shafique

Coke Studio and Mauj go on, while Omran has parted ways with Uth Records… Instep Today gets the lowdown on the most nuanced guitar player in the business today
Maheen Sabeeh
Karachi

It is hard to ignore the musical might of Omran Shafique. When he’s not playing guitars for Coke Studio, he is performing live with the likes of Ali Azmat or jamming with musicians like Gumby. From producing season one of the new youth-based music reality show Uth Records to winning the Best Artist award at the recently concluded Lux Style Awards to having a beautiful baby girl, 2011 has been the year of Omran Shafique. In a small conversation with Instep Today, Omran reveals the joy of being a father and why he won’t be a part of the new season of Uth Records…

Instep Today: You couldn’t perform at the Lux Style Awards even though you had agreed to perform at first. What happened?

Omran Shafique: I was all for performing at the Lux Style Awards but we prefer not to lip-sync and it seemed that was the only way we could do it. Additionally, I was rehearsing for another show in India with Meesha and Javed Bashir in Lahore at the time so the timing was off.

Instep Today: What happened with this show?

Omran Shafique: We were invited to play at Farid Kot in India at a folk festival with Meesha and Javed Bashir. Rehearsals went great. Unfortunately, visa complications prevented me from crossing the border. We are planning a few more shows in India and hopefully, they will happen without any more hitches.

Instep Today: You played with Ali Azmat in Karachi at the Expo Center a little while ago; how did it go?

Omran Shafique: It was a corporate gig, as is the case these days. Apart from a few university shows, almost all shows are corporate gigs. This one happened to be a Microsoft event, and the show was great. Enthusiastic crowd, great stage and setup, Noori rocked and we had a great time!

Instep Today: How has becoming a father changed your outlook on life?

Omran Shafique: Having a baby has intensified everything. All the joy and happiness in my life, plus my fears and insecurities have definitely magnified. It’s definitely changed my lifestyle. I’m not known for being a morning person, but getting up at 6 a.m. is the norm these days. And I do it happily.

Instep Today: Did Mauj’s win at the Lux Style Awards surprise you?

Omran Shafique: Yes, I was surprised. Mostly because I wasn’t sure what the win signified. Initially, I thought the award was for something along the lines of Best Album, which made sense since there were so few major releases last year. But Best Artist was weird since things have been quiet on the Mauj front. I’ve been so busy with all my other projects that the band has gone into hibernation.

However after further reading into why the music awards were so strangely named at the Lux Style Awards, I’m totally cool with it.

Instep Today: What’s next for Mauj?

Omran Shafique: I think the next step is to write new material, which I’m in the process of doing, and get the album recorded. That should at least give me some incentive to start playing live shows again.

Instep Today: What’s happening with Mauj right now? Where is the rest of the band?

Omran Shafique: The band has been busy getting on with life. (Mohsin)Atif is a proud father of two rambunctious boys and currently enjoying his life in Houston. Shuja (Yasin) recently got married and also plays drums with a local band in Houston. Sikandar (Mufti) and I still work together on various projects. He is still active with co-VEN and Coke Studio.

Instep Today: If most members of Mauj are in the United States, how is the band still together?

Omran Shafique: The band hasn’t been the original ‘album’ line-up since I moved back to Pakistan. Atif and Shuja reside in the US along with Dennis Harvey. Those were the main guys who played and worked on the album. I enlisted the co-VEN boys when I moved back. Since I have moved to Karachi, the rest of the members have been in constant flux. For the next album, I will come up with rough ideas for the songs and then rehearse with various musicians so they can be sussed out. This was kind of how the first album happened as well.

Instep Today: Is a second season of Uth Records on the cards? What can we expect from it?

Omran Shafique: There is a new Uth Records season coming up. Unfortunately due to budgetary constraints, I wasn’t able to be a part of it. I’m sure it will kick ass, and I wish Gumby and Zeeshan and everyone working on it the best of luck!

Instep Today: Are budgetary constraints the only reason you’ve pulled out of Uth Records?

Omran Shafique: Well, initially budget concerns, but I felt it would be a good time to try doing something else.

Instep Today: And finally, now that Coke Studio is over, how challenging was season four for you?

Omran Shafique: The biggest challenge for me, as with all previous Coke Studio seasons, was to set aside my Western influences and try to get a deeper understanding of the immensely soulful musical traditions we have here on the Subcontinent. It’s not an easy task. I am still woefully ignorant of the intricacies involved, but each year brings greater understanding.

New shows on the block

By Maheen Sabeeh

Instep takes a look at five new telly shows that deserve a watch

Ringer

It’s the comeback vehicle for one of television’s most beloved stars… Sarah Michelle Gellar, anyone? And for that reason alone, this show must be seen. And it has to be said that this is a very unusual show.
The premise of Ringer goes like this: “A young woman on the run from the mob poses as her wealthy twin sister to try and evade them, but soon discovers that her sister has a price on her head as well.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar plays the “young woman” Bridget Kelly. And then she also plays the twin, Siobhan. But within the first episode, Siobhan dies. And Bridget assumes her identity. What Bridget doesn’t know is that her sister’s life is just as complicated, if not more. And so begins the show.

There are many reasons why Ringer works. The first reason is the driving force behind the show, Sarah Michelle Gellar (who is also serving as Executive Producer to the show). She is vulnerable and moving as Bridget but cold and manipulative as Siobhan. It’s a layered performance. Plus it’s Sarah’s comeback to television after a hiatus of eight years.

The other reason why Ringer works is because of its thriller quotient. The show moves quickly with a level of mystery that keeps the viewer glued. Plus the cast supporting Sarah Michelle Gellar also stands out. Kristoffer Polaha, Ioan Gruffudd and Nestor Carbonell all add wit, charm and suspense to the show.

The good news is that Ringer has been picked up for a full-season and the creators have hinted that by the end of the first season, it will be revealed that Bridget is actually a triplet. Sounds complicated? That’s exactly why Ringer deserves a watch.

Revenge

Revenge is unlike anything on television. The pure theme of the show is in its title, Revenge. And its revenge that’s on the mind of the protagonist Emily Thorne aka Amanda Blake (Emily VanCamp).

We discover during the first episode that Emily Thorne is actually Amanda Blake. When she was a little girl, her father was framed by a rich, powerful family, The Graysons and was sent to jail and convicted of crimes he didn’t commit. And so Amanda returns as Emily many years later to exact revenge on the Graysons.

The show is set in the Hamptons and the Graysons are the King and Queen of the land, the richest family on the block, society’s ‘it’ couple. But beneath the surface, nothing is what it seems.

What makes this show tick is its smart writing, quick pace and protagonist Emily VanCamp. For the uninitiated, Emily came to the limelight some five years ago when she landed a plum role on the now-finished series, Brothers and Sisters. Revenge is her vehicle and she is doing an outstanding job. She’s calculating yet forgiving, vicious yet lovely. It’s a unique balance.

Person of Interest

Now this is a show that promises action and drama in equal dose. Prior to airing, Person of Interest garnered a lot of attention and buzz. The reason: its creator. The show is, after all, the brainchild of writer Jonathan Nolan, brother of director Christopher Nolan (Inception, Dark Knight) and the screenwriter behind iconic films like Memento and The Dark Knight.

Another reason to watch the show is that it brings back Lost star Michel Emerson to the small screen again and unites him with actor Jim Caviezel.

Michael plays Harold Finch, a computer genius who develops a machine for the government that detects crime. The government only considers information leading to major attacks but everyday crimes are considered irrelevant. Finch creates a backdoor into the program and gets the information. He then convinces John Reese (Jim Caviezel) to work for him to prevent the crimes.

For Michael Emerson and Jim Caviezel, watch this show. They are both mysterious, men with secrets who work together in odd circumstances. And that makes for great television.

Homeland

Fresh off her Emmy win, Claire Danes returns to television first time since the nineties with Homeland. The show centers on Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody, who returns home from Iraq after going missing for eight years. He was being held as a Prisoner of War and his return is seen by America as a victory. All but one believes him. And that one person is Carrie Anderson (Claire Danes), a bipolar, brilliant and unstable CIA analyst.

Carrie suspects Sgt. Nicholas Brody has been converted and he might be plotting against the United States. Where the nation sees a hero, she sees a threat.

Claire Danes is the reason why you want to watch Homeland. She’s absolutely incredible. She plays Carrie with conviction, substance and style and that makes Homeland one of the most interesting shows on television right now.

Hart of Dixie

Hart of Dixie has a lot going for it. For one thing, it’s a show from the executive producers of Gossip Girl. For another, it’s the comeback of Rachel Bilson, known for her role as Summer on the show The OC. She is back to television as Dr. Zoe Hart, a surgeon who fails to make the cut for a fellowship in New York. She is told to get experience as a doctor for a full year before she can come back. Confused about making the right decision, Zoe’s life gets further complicated
when she inherits one half of a medical practice in Bluebell, a small town far away from the urban life of New York City. With no other job option around,

Zoe heads to Bluebell and discovers that the man who left her the practice is her real father.

And this is where the story really picks up. Rachel’s Zoe is a modern, city girl while Bluebell is a small, Southern town where everyone knows everyone and most people aren’t open to a city dweller.
Unlike many other shows that hit airwaves this year, Hart of Dixie has made the cut because it’s got that same, small-town charm, wit and weirdness that one associated with the hit series, Gilmore Girls.
In a nutshell, Hart of Dixie is the perfect blend of comedy and drama. For some light fun, check it out.

“Akshay Kumar is a legend and truly defines what professionalism is.”

-Rup Magon of Josh talks Speedy Singh, acting debut and more…
Maheen Sabeeh

More and more musicians are turning towards acting these days. This isn’t just a Hollywood orBollywood phenomenon anymore. Right here in Pakistan, the music industry is filled with artists who dabble in both forms.

Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Junaid Khan (Call), Gohar Mumtaz (Jal), Fawad Afzal Khan (EP) and Ahmed Ali Butt (EP) are just some musicians who have turned to acting in the last few years and have done it successfully. Joining them this year is one-half of desi funk outfit Josh, namely Rupinder Magon (Rup). Earlier this year, Rup made his acting debut in the recently-released flick, Speedy Singh.

The flick, directed by Robert Lieberman, is centered on the sport of ice hockey and features heavyweights like Rob Lowe, Ludacris, Anupem Kher among others. And it’s produced by Bollywood biggie Akshay Kumar.

“My friends Manny Brar and Nav Bhatia put me in touch with the production team. I liked the story and the idea so I decided to audition. The production team liked the audition and here I am,” Rup tells Instep Today from Canada.

The film, says Rup, “is about a young man named Rajveer Singh who wishes to become a professional athlete. His father, however, does not agree with him and wants him to stay within the family business. Against the backdrop of ice-hockey, it’s an incredibly entertaining and loving family movie”.

For fans of Rup though, the big question is, how significant is his role in the film?

“I play a supporting role and official player on the ever famous Speedy Singhs. I have a comic role which keeps scenes up-lifting and adds comedy wherever possible,” reveals Rup.

To make a debut in an Akshay Kumar production is no small feat for someone who has no prior experience. But Rup enjoyed the process thoroughly.

“Although it seems nerve wrecking, Akshay’s loving and easy nature made being on the set very comfortable. Akshay Kumar is a legend and truly defines what professionalism is,” says Rup.

And Akshay wasn’t the only one with star power on the sets. The film also features Russell Peters, Anupam Kher and Rob Lowe as Coach Dan Winters. Luckily for Rup, he interacted with all three of them and felt the whole experience was “amazing”.

“I had scenes with all three of them. Being on set with them was amazing. I learned a lot from each of them. Their humility and work ethic is something I admire,” Rup tells Instep Today.

But it wasn’t all pretty. While working with the stars was enjoyable, it was difficult shooting some scenes. “Shooting scenes on the ice were particularly difficult. Being in that equipment and on ice-skates for hours at a time made it very difficult to act. I’m glad the ice-scenes are over,” Rup confesses.

Speaking about the rest of the cast, Rup tells Instep Today, “The lead of this film, Vinay Virmani, is an up and coming super star. Not only is he a great guy, but he worked extremely hard at this project that he started himself by writing the story. There are many other amazing actors like Noureen DeWolf, Ali Hassan, Al Mukadam, Sakina Jaffry, and Prem Singh.”

Even though this was the first step towards acting, Rup is looking to pursue it further.

“I’ve had a cameo in a Hollywood film that hasn’t been released yet. There was a little bit of dialogue in that scene but it was nothing like this. I will definitely try to pursue this further. I enjoyed the experience and would most certainly do it again,” he says.

Before its release, Speedy Singh was also screened at Toronto International Film Festival where, according to Rup, the reception was overwhelming.

“Toronto International Film Festival had never seen a premiere like ours. We had blocked off Canada’s busiest street, Yonge St., and had everything from dhol players, singers, elephants, horses, and rickshaws. The crowd loved the uniqueness and honesty of the movie. Josh’s track ‘Chaddi Wale Yaar’ has also been warmly received,” Rup tells Instep Today.

And yes, Josh did feature on the soundtrack of the film.

“Josh gave its vocals to a Meet Bros Anjan composition on a track called ‘Chaddi Wale Yaar’. The track is becoming very popular in India. We loved the composition when we heard and were excited to give our vocals to it,” says Rup.

And now that the film has released, Rup is back to his other love, music.

“Josh is always working hard on the road and creating new music for our fans,” he says and continues, “We are currently working on a second video from Beyond Kismat The first track ‘Pyar Ho Gaya’ has become quite famous so we are thankful for that,” concludes Rup.

20 years of Junoon: Now, Ali vs Salman

Maheen Sabeeh

On September 30, Junoon – the rock band that redefined and changed Pakistan’s musical landscape forever – will turn 20. And to mark this auspicious occasion, Salman Ahmed has called upon some of our finest musicians to contribute to a special album that is slated to release online later this month. With artists ranging from Usman Riaz, Bilal Khan, Laal and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan among many others, all covering Junoon songs, the album is promising to be an interesting ride. Plus there’s a Junoon show set to be held in New York City on September 30. While Junoon’s former bassist Brian O Connell will be performing at the show with Salman Ahmed, Ali Azmat won’t be joining in… at all.

All this has resulted in a celebration of 20 years of Junoon. The enterprise that was once upon a time Pakistan’s, indeed South East Asia’s biggest rock band, has made it to the cover of Newsweek Pakistan in an article titled ‘The Junoon Juggernaut’ by Fifi Haroon (the journalist who sang ‘Jogia’).

In separate interviews given for the feature, one can clearly see the elements that ripped Junoon apart.

Ali Azmat stated his position, “I don’t want to associate my name with Junoon anymore because he (Salman Ahmed) has used false marketing. Fans are calling me saying ‘Why weren’t you there?’ People call me and say ‘You’re in breach of contract; you didn’t appear for the show.’ For him it’s a cash cow—he can do whatever the hell he wants but it doesn’t make it right. His reaching out, it seems like a commercial need. I’d rather do something for the music. They’re flogging a dead horse. If you bring a band back it has to be for great music and that’s it.”

But that’s one side of the coin. The other side, the one still running Junoon (if it can still be called that), which is Salman Ahmed, maintains that the show must go on, with or without Ali Azmat.

“I have the greatest respect for Ali as an artist and performer; having said that, my life doesn’t begin and end with Ali Azmat. I’m a student of music and Junoon is the vehicle through which I practice my craft. So, yes, I learned how to sing,” said Salman Ahmed in his interview to Newsweek Pakistan.

In some ways, this celebration seems incomplete without Ali Azmat in the mix. Salman Ahmed was the songwriter but it was Ali Azmat who was the face of Junoon and who commanded attention with a single glance onstage. And Junoon was the product of these two men and their ideas with Brian possibly playing the peacemaker. And that trio, Salman, Ali and Brian, haven’t played together in nearly a decade. For the last few years, Junoon is Salman Ahmed continuing without Ali in the mix. And he has done well for himself, playing in Kashmir, performing at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, working with Peter Gabriel and Melissa Etheridge, etc.

Speak of Ali Azmat, and his body of work speaks for itself with two monumental records like Social Circus and Klashinfolk, countless awards, some incredible music videos and loyal fans all across the board.

The real question, however, is this: is this band still Junoon without its original members? And the answer is yes and no.

Salman Ahmed who has taken on the role of the front man said in his interview, “Peter Gabriel was the lead singer of Genesis, and then he left the band to start a solo career. Phil Collins, who was the drummer, took over and continued with Genesis. It’s not unheard of; there are numerous bands where this has happened.”

And he is right. Genesis did continue. But then Led Zeppelin didn’t. They disbanded when drummer John Bonham died even as members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant continued to work with each other.

Whatever egoistical issues Salman and Ali may have with each other, it doesn’t change the fact that Junoon will always remain relevant to the musical sphere.

Long before this complicated history came to the foray, Junoon was the biggest band in Pakistan and South Asia. They didn’t taste instant success with their self-titled debut in 1991. But they managed to create an alternative to everything else that was being produced in the country at the time. By 1993, Junoon had grown more and released the politically influenced Talaash. With songs like ‘Ehtesaab’, they openly talked about political corruption, which led them from being banned from state television.

The real success came in 1997 when Junoon released Azadi and became the first band to cross the border. With Azadi, Junoon had transitioned into Sufi rock, which became apparent with songs like ‘Sayonee’ and ‘Saeen’. The impact was unparalleled. From winning international awards to performing at the star-studded Zee Cine Awards to performing at the Central Park in New York and BBC Mega Mela, they were everywhere. The songs were gritty, fun, eclectic, electrifying and inspired.

Even Junoon’s business model in their latter years made them stand out even more. Salman and his brother Shehryar Ahmed took Junoon to greater heights. Those elements have now gone missing from our music scene. At a time when Coke Studio remains the only platform where musicians can come out and perform, to expect another Junoon is wishful thinking.

Coming back to the original line up, Junoon continued to churn out hit singles, such as ‘Bulleya’, ‘Sajna’, ‘Pappu Yaar’, ‘Taara Jala’ but they were also running out of steam as a unit. And they finally crashed with Deewar, the final album between the original trio.

Now though, the big 20 is here. Ali Azmat won’t participate but that doesn’t mean that we still can’t celebrate Junoon. You may be an Ali Azmat fan or a Salman Ahmed fan but you can’t deny the fact that despite successful solo careers, both these men achieved incredible stardom and creative explosion at its peak when they were together in Junoon.

And it must be remembered that Junoon weren’t just electrifying onstage, they created fan following through their shows. Back then, concerts weren’t such a rarity.

Fifi Haroon said it right in her piece, “That Salman Ahmad is collaborating with newer acts for an album of Junoon tributes is canny and progressive. That the band couldn’t manage to settle its differences to come together for a grand reunion at 20 is disappointing. Whatever individual careers Ali Azmat and Salman Ahmad may have carved for themselves in the last decade, the magic that they created along with Brian O’Connell in Junoon’s live performances has proved somewhat elusive in their solo careers. There is no live band in South Asia and perhaps all of Asia that is so electrifying, so gloriously perfect on stage.”

However, as far as reunions go, even Pink Floyd had its shares of egos and clashes between Roger Waters and David Gilmour but they reunited after 24 years for the Live 8 concert. Obviously without Ali Azmat, it won’t be the same but who can deny the influence Junoon has had on music or their body of work which includes seven albums before they parted ways.