Latest Interview: Ehtesham Khan of 'Azal' at music video 'Hum Tum' launch

After the success of their debut single 'Aisi Taisi', Azal unveil their first album Road To Infinity

Maheen Sabeeh

Karachi

There is something extraordinary about 'Aisi Taisi'. It's extremely catchy and pertinent to our times. Aggressive in nature but melodic at the same time, it remains one of the few songs to come out in recent times that makes such a bold statement about the state of Pakistan where the system is stacked against the common man.

The people of Pakistan lapped it up. No romance, no frivolity but just the plain and simple truth. And that song remains Azal's trump card. It penetrated into the hearts and minds of people who have become accustomed to bubble-gum pop and heartbroken rock. The men in the video are also unique. Long haired, dark glasses, powerful vocals and an attitude that matches the single, the words that form 'Aisi Taisi'.

And now, after the super-success of their debut single, the men are back with their first album. And they are an interesting bunch. There are ET and Shabbi, who work behind the scenes in media and are well known to those in the media world. Then there is Sameer Ahmed who is a renowned bass player on the scene, also having played with the excellent band Awaz. And finally, the surprise packed in Azal is Rajab Ali Khan who is Ustad Zafar Ali Khan's son. Classically trained vocalist and in a rock band is a phenomenon that hasn't happened before. There was Fuzon, but they drew more from the classical and pop traditions than they did from rock music. For that reason amongst many others, it will be interesting to see where Azal go.

It's also interesting that two members of Azal, ET and Sameer are also working for Geo and Aag respectively. And while their album was initially slated to be released by another record company, they are now with Fire Records.

Present at the launch was Geo Television Network President Imran Aslam, CEO Fire Records Akbar Yazdani, Ustad Zafar Ali Khan, film actor Saud as well as three men from Azal, Rajab Ali Khan, Ehtesham Khan (ET) and Sameer Ahmed. The fourth, Shahbaz Ali Khan (Shabbi) was missing. He works at a media house in Dubai. They are basically four likeminded people who found each other and discovered a new sound to make together. 'Aisi Taisi' is the essence of this sound.

At the press conference, Azal launched their new video, 'Hum Tum' - a song that is a 360-degree turn for the band. Directed by Jalal and Amir (the duo behind 'Aisi Taisi' video), 'Hum Tum' is a light, soft yet extremely melodic ballad, a far cry from the in your face aggression of 'Aisi Taisi'. The video works as a great showcase for the band with its tones of blue, black and white and it has to be said that 'Hum Tum' is a beautiful song.

"Our album has flavours of the soil. You will not fight bhangra here or patriotism but you will find ballads. It is pop in genre but flavours that range from rock to club can be found," explained ET at the press conference.

One question that remained a concern with the creation of Azal was that barring Rajab, all three members have separate jobs. Sameer Ahmed, in fact, is a session player and while he is no longer with Karavan, his playing with other bands might make things difficult for the band. This is one of the reasons why Gumby and Noori could never work. Gumby was playing with other acts and according to Ali Noor, it affected the band.

"I don't think it'll be a problem. We've talked about it," said Sameer Ahmed at the press conference.

"Most of us do stuff besides Azal because as you all know concerts in Pakistan, in the last year and a half have become rare. Atta, ghee, petrol are the things that are on people's minds. Concerts are the only medium through which artists earn revenue. So other jobs are important to keep sustain us."

Instep Today caught up with ET to find out more on the band that is Azal and here's what he said…

Instep Today: Who does what in Azal?

Ehtesham Khan (ET): I am behind melodies, lyrics as well as vocals. Rajab Ali Khan comes from Gwalior family and is the grandson of Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan. He is the lead vocalist as well as writes melodies. Azal is the brainchild of Shahbaz Ali Khan. He is behing arrangements, sequencing and compositions. He is the producer of our album, Road to Infinity. Sameer Ahmed plays bass guitars, has played rhythm on the album and is the co-producer of our album. Azal is a unit and all of us are involved with the process of making this album.

Instep Today: Where did 'Aisi Taisi' stem from?

ET: Look at everything around us. We have the systems in place but they are not strong. It is about individuals, not systems. The poor are in bad shape and the rich don't care. The difference between them is money. When money comes in, suddenly the equation changes. The reason why 'Aisi Taisi' worked is primarily because of its honesty. The song was aimed at mass penetration and it managed to do so because people can relate to it.

Instep Today: When was Azal created?

ET: About five years ago. All of us come from the field of media, audio and visuals. I was working at a production house where Shahbaz was also working. For a project, we all worked together. It went well so we thought about a band. But we decided to live together for 2-3 years to see if the mental chemistry would work. What happens is that bands come out but they fade away because sooner or later, they stop communicating. This is not a band where one will play drums, one will sing etc. We are involved with everything together.

Instep Today: What does Azal mean?

ET: Azal is a Persian word that stands for "beginning".

Instep Today: As a new band, did you have to face problems?

ET: It's the same problem for everyone I think. The industry has no infrastructure. There is a huge communication gap between young and old musicians. We have talent but no avenue for its grooming.

Instep Today: Are there any plans of releasing the album in other markets such as India?

ET: Sangeet Records has released the album in US of A. Times India will release the album in India by mid-July. And from there we'll see.

We've got plans to hit England and India to promote the album in the pipeline.

Shoiab Mansoor's interview to the Holywood Reporter

Q & A with Shoaib Mansoor

Forget making waves in India, Khuda Kay Liye has generated enough international interest for the Hollywood Reporter to be interested

In July, Shoaib Mansoor hit Pakistan's moribund film industry with his directorial debut, Khuda Kay Liye (In the Name of God). Shot in the U.K., the U.S. and Pakistan, it follows two brothers who grow apart as they follow different paths in post-September 11 Islam. In a casting coup, acclaimed Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah joined veteran Pakistani actor Hameed Sheikh, top TV actor Shan and fashion model Iman Ali in her first film role. Khuda Kay Liye grossed over $1.1 million, giving Pakistan's industry a real shot in the arm. Last month, Khuda Kay Liye became the first Pakistani film ever to release commercially in India, prompting the notoriously media-shy Mansoor to cross the embattled border for its Mumbai premiere. The Hollywood Reporter's Nyay Bhushan interviewed Mansoor in New Delhi, where they conversed in the north Indian Punjabi language, a centuries-old cultural bond between India and Pakistan.


The Hollywood Reporter: Khuda Kay Liye got good reviews in India. What were your expectations?

Shoaib Mansoor: I was curious about how it would do in India given there are more Muslims here than in Pakistan. I have also had the pleasure of meeting some leading Indian film figures who have also liked the film. I hope the film helps in clearing some misconceptions people may have of Pakistan. It's been a great experience and as of now, there haven't been any protests!

THR: You're known for co-writing the 1980s TV comedy Fifty-Fifty, loosely based on Saturday Night Live. How did you decide to shift into the troubled film industry?

Mansoor: That was exactly the reason, to do something about an industry that was never taken seriously. While I was very successful with my TV projects, I wanted to share a strong story that could really work as a feature. Even while doing largely entertainment-oriented TV projects, I still managed to include social messages.

THR: How did you face the protests against a courtroom scene in which Muslim scripture is quoted?

Mansoor: Even while we were shooting the film, some groups were already protesting. The script was heavily guarded even during production so nobody really knew the actual nature of the film. Some Muslim clerics had already drawn their conclusions that the film would be blasphemous because it was the work of an artist like me, someone who was not really a scholar. The "fatwas" were already issued, including death threats. The scene where Naseeruddin Shah plays a liberal cleric who explains some of the issues in Islam around which the film revolves, was based on facts from the scriptures which couldn't be challenged, even by hardline mullahs. So that surprised a lot of people who were against the film. Not to say that the protests and death threats didn't continue, but the film's success is what counts.

THR: The film has crucial elements shot in the U.S. including a torture scene of the lead character (Shan, playing a music student), who is mistaken for a terrorist just after 9/11. Was it tough to get American actors to participate?

Mansoor: It was very tough and frankly, I'd given up hope of finding American actors because many people refused to do the film after they read the script. But my casting director was persistent and managed to find actors even if they were newcomers with little experience (such as Austin Marie-Sayre who plays Shan's love interest) and they all did a commendable job. It was very demanding on everybody to shoot the torture scenes but that was important to the story.

THR: Shan's character says "All Muslims are not terrorists," to which an American interrogator replies, "But all terrorists are Muslims." What is your take on terrorism?

Mansoor: Terrorism is really a creation of politics. When you see the state of the world today, especially related to Muslim persecution, there are instances across the globe, from Palestine to the Middle East. Even after six decades of partition, the Kashmir issue remains unsolved between India and Pakistan. So there is just too much oppression around and this is what Shan's character also says when he points to atrocities faced by Muslims in many countries.

THR: How did you manage to cast Naseeruddin Shah when no major Indian actor has featured in a Pakistani film?

Mansoor: Since our film industry has never really progressed given we haven't produced any noteworthy films, to send a request to an Indian actor as a Pakistani film director was an uphill task. I didn't know Naseeruddin Shah but managed to contact him and send him my script for Khuda Kay Liye. He read it and called me to say he was definitely going to do the film. That gave me a lot of confidence and then we went about going through the formalities of getting him to Pakistan to shoot.

THR: How was it to get government support in Pakistan for the film?

Mansoor: A lot of the credit for the film seeing the light of day goes to President Pervez Musharraf. Even before I submitted Khuda Kay Liye to the censor board, I requested him to see the film, which he did in a special screening, after which he said that this film should be released. It was only because of his support that I could face all the protests.

THR: What do you have to say about the Indian film industry?

Mansoor: The Indian film industry has always been vibrant and its films are hugely popular in Pakistan. But I still have more complaints about the Indian industry than against Pakistani films. In Pakistan it's a known fact that things are in bad shape, with a lack of funds and innovation. By contrast, the Indian industry has more resources, a bigger market, big returns, yet, they keep making the same formula films, the same song-and-dance routine. There have been exceptions but honestly, there is need for something new. My definition of entertainment is about offering people a justification to spend a couple of hours in a cinema. A good film should not only raise questions but also offer solid answers as well.

THR: Would you consider a project in India?

Mansoor: I have had some positive discussions here so you never know, something concrete could emerge. I just hope that film ties between both countries can grow further because that is the need of the hour.

link: http://thenews.jang.com.pk/instep_today.asp

Exclusive Video : Koi Aanay Wala Hai By Strings

Lahore calling for Pritam

Pak singer Atif Aslam can’t travel to India. So composer Pritam will fly to Lahore to record track with him

Composer Pritam Chakraborty is in a dilemma. He needs to urgently record a track with Pakistani singer Atif Aslam for Aziz Mirza’s Kismet Connection, starring Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan. Faced with passport issues, the crooner can’t travel to India now.

Atif, who has rendered popular B-Town tracks like Pehli Nazar Mein (Race), Tere Bin (Bas Ek Pal) and Aadat (Kalyug) apart from his album Doorie, would frequently visit India.

“Atif is having an issue aboutcoming to Mumbai,” points out Pritam. What does the composer plan to do? “I will be flying down to Lahore to record the song with him!” he declares.

Taken aback

Mahesh Bhatt, who led Bollywood’s music towards Pakistani singers is shocked about the development on Atif’s front.

Says Bhatt, “If singers from across the border are finding it difficult to come here, let me state that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had assured me that entertainment industry folk were free to move back and forth. Neither side would be allowed to obstruct us. If there’s a slowing-down in the process of thawing the ice between the two countries, I’ll personally go to the Prime Minister and address the issue.”

Bhatt, who started the movement of musicians and actors from across the border to Bollywood, says “In those days, looking towards Pakistan was looked upon as an act of treason.

I was told what I was doing was suicidal. During the last four years, we’ve done more to improve Indo-Pak relations than our predecessors have done in 56 years. We’re even premiering Jannat in Pakistan on May 14.”

Apart from recording with Atif, Pritam may also record with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. “There’s a special promotional number which I’ve just composed for Mani Shankar’s Mukhbir. It requires Rahat’s voice. I just might record that song too while I’m in Lahore or I may go for an Indian voice.”

Amrita Wants Jal Too !

The all-boy Pakistani band Jal was in the capital recently and it was fun to catch up with Goher Mumtaz, Farhan and Shazi, who were kicked about being clicked next to the pool.

“It is a good idea! We called our band Jal because water is needed by all. We want to make our music wanted by all too,” grinned Goher. Farhan added, “And that is also why we called our new album Boondh – a drop of Jal! It all makes so much sense.”

And the news is that the band has invited the petite Amrita Rao to Pakistan for a few concerts. Said Goher, “Amrita will be visiting Pak in the first week of June and she’ll be a part of our concerts. I’m looking forward to showing her around.” Amrita, who was in the city recently, confirmed, “Yes, I am going to Pak. This is my first visit and I’m looking forward to meeting my Pak fans and visiting Lahore and Karachi. I want to interact with the Pak youth and find out more about them.” That’s a musical connect then!

Exclusive Video : Zeeshan - Ek Umeed

Strings set to release Koi Aanay Wala Hai on May 16

As days come closer, the excitement surrounding Strings's new album, Koi Aanay Wala Hai is touching new heights. The first promos of the new album are out and they are looking really good. Strings in Malaysia with John Abraham and flash, Koi Aanay Wala Hai!

Both Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia, after the Olympics torch-bearing ceremony have been in India wrapping up one more tour before gearing up big time to release the new album. "The plan is to release Koi Aanay Wala Hai on May 16," revealed Faisal Kapadia, while speaking with Instep Today from Lucknow, India.

And it looks like Strings are playing the game smoothly and smartly. The plan is to release their new record in four markets on the same day. That means for the first time a Strings album will release in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Dubai on the same day, in an effort to contain piracy.

"We want our fans to have ready access to the album. Fans who can't access it will download it from the internet," stated Faisal Kapadia on this effort.

"Besides, we want to tap new markets like Bangladesh and Nepal, where the rock scene is booming," Faisal said. "There are a lot of people in these countries who are into our type of music."

And if you're wondering what is going on with their videos. Well, that side of music is also looking pretty hot. Strings have teamed up with John Abraham once again after 'Zinda Hoon' for the title track, 'Koi Aanay Wala Hai' while another video for a song 'Jaggo' has also been completed.

So get ready, because Koi Aanay Wala Hai!

Abbas Ali Khan's Malal took MTV Pakistan's 1st Video Music Awards by storm

Abbas Ali Khan's Video Malal was nominated for 8 catagories in there long awaited MTV Music Video Awards that were held in the KPI ground, Karachi.

Nomations for Malal were :

Best Video
Best Director
Best Art Director
Best Editing
Best DOP
Best Male Model
Best Female Model
Best Styling
Malal Won 6 out of these catagories, i.e. :

Best Art Director - Tariq Amin
Best Director - Shehryar Hydri & Abbas Ali Khan
Best Male Model - Tariq Amin
Best Female Model - Mehreen Rahael
Best Styling - Tariq Amin
Best Video (of the year 2007)