Showing posts with label Mustafa Zahid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mustafa Zahid. Show all posts
Music and art never let politics and hate win-Mustafa Zahid
3:11 PM
Mustafa Zahid, who sang Zaroorat from Ek Villain, on his reasons for making music and his connection with melodies and originality
Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; June 6, 2014)
What has been the turning point in your career?
It has been a great ride so far. God has been super kind. My debut in Bollywood playback with Awarapan was the turning point in my career.
It has been a great ride so far. God has been super kind. My debut in Bollywood playback with Awarapan was the turning point in my career.
Did you always want to be a singer?
I started as a debater in college and eventually ended up hosting a singing competition where the judges were late. So I tried singing a few lines for the crowd, and the rest is history.
How did Zaroorat (Ek Villain) happen?
I had sung a song for Mohit Suri in Raaz 2 which never made it to the film. Somewhere down the line, he had a guilt that my song deserved to be in the film. I remember, before Aashiqui 2, he took me to Mithoon and told him he owed me a song. Mohit and I had become friends dur ing Awarapan and the friendship kept growing over the years. I had mentioned to him that being a friend, he doesn't owe me anything but I knew that he was trapping me into bringing out my pure emotions and feelings for this song.
Why did Mithoon pick you for the song?
Mithoon and I jammed on his tune and it started sounding brilliant in the first hearing itself. What I liked about Mithoon was that he worked very similarly to how my rock band Roxen does back home in Pakistan. He would play piano and jam on the song and then try to find the real soul of the melody.
Do you still perform with Roxen?
Absolutely! In fact, we just finished working on our second album.
What is your USP as a singer?
I have never gone into the studio thinking I want to sing this song to win this award or that award. I have always walked in thinking that I need to connect with people's real lives through my song. After Awarapan, I started feeling it's my responsibility to connect emotionally with the masses every time I sing something. I
guess that
has been a unique soulful point.
Doesn't it pose a problem that you don't constantly visit Mumbai?
I don't think it's a problem considering how technology and connectivity have picked up in the last few years. There have been situations when I could not travel urgently because of a visa issue but we resolved it by dubbing the song either in Dubai or in Lahore.
Ali Azmat is your cousin. Why haven't we seen any collaborations yet?
I don't normally make stuff unless I get the feel and vibe of it. I have huge respect for Ali's work and don't think I'd want to collaborate with him just for the sake of it. The day I make a melody I think can do justice to his stature, I will get him on board.
Your thoughts on the Indian music industry's love for Pakistani
singers...
It's the same way people love Bollywood actors in Pakistan. It's beautiful that all this music and art never let politics and hate win. I come to India to perform for thousands of people who come to the show to see Mustafa Zahid sing their favourite tunes, regardless of what religion, colour and country he belongs to.
It's the same way people love Bollywood actors in Pakistan. It's beautiful that all this music and art never let politics and hate win. I come to India to perform for thousands of people who come to the show to see Mustafa Zahid sing their favourite tunes, regardless of what religion, colour and country he belongs to.
Why doesn't it get reciprocated by Pakistan?
That's a wrong perception that has unfortunately been built across the border. I honestly think that if Salman Khan would come to Pakistan, we'd declare that day a national holiday. That's the kind of craze Bollywood has. Indian films are being watched in cinema houses and people follow Bollywood stars like fans do in India. Pakistan is known for its Sufi music.
What according to you makes it so popular globally?
It's the soul, it's that thought process where we sit and make music for ourselves to satisfy our soul and not to make something that is meant to be on the shelves to sell. The originality and texture of it comes straight from the heart. It has become so popular globally because audiences can connect and relate themselves to it.
Do you write and compose too?
I have written and composed most of my work. Toh Phir Aao and Tera Mera Rishta (Awarapan), Hum Jee Lenge (Murder 3) and Yeh Junoon (Shootout At Wadala) are some of them.
You're hosting a reality show called Gaata Rahe Mera Dil. Do you think reality music shows work as catalysts in unearthing new talent?
I left that show after one season because I think these shows do everything but bring out real talent. I am against most reality shows because I feel an artist is not an artist unless he has original work. Where are the winners of these talent shows today? Adam Lambert never won American Idol and would have never made it unless he went for a solo career and produced his own songs.
What's next?
I have just dubbed for an upcoming film called 3 am. Other than that, my total focus is on Roxen's album and a couple of solo collaborations.
Why are filmmakers still afraid of inviting Pakistani singers to Mumbai?
8:33 AM
Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; June 2, 2014)
Pakistan singer Mustafa Zahid and the Pakistani band Soch may have sung for Mohit Suri’s Ek Villain but they will be conspicuous by their absence at the film’s live music concert that is being held in Mumbai on Wednesday. While Indian musicians Mithoon, Mohammed Irfan and Arijit Singh will be performing live at the film’s Mumbai launch, it has emerged that Zahid and Adnan Dhool and Rabi Ahmed of Soch have not been invited to the event.
Interestingly, Zahid, a Lahore-based rock artiste, has lent his voice to several Bollywood hits, including songs for Aashiqui 2, Murder 3 and Ragini MMS 2. A source says, “Their performances are being kept out of the Mumbai concert as a precautionary measure. The production company does not want to invite unnecessary trouble from political activists, especially given the recent election results.” Looks like Pakistani PM Nawaz Shariff ’s recent visit to India has not added to the film industry’s confidence; skepticism is clearly still prevalent in the industry.
When contacted, Tanuj Garg, CEO, Balaji Motion Pictures, was reluctant to comment. But after some prodding, he said, "We have Mohit (Suri), Shraddha (Kapoor), Riteish ( Deshmukh), Sidharth Malhotra and Mithoon, among others on stage. That’s a lot of star power for the media and the audience. We will, of course, miss our other friends from Pakistan, but it’s better to be safe and invite them to other cities.”
It may be noted here that fearing violent reactions from some political parties in Maharashtra, Anil Kapoor’s production has still not officially announced that Fawad Khan, one of the top Pakistani stars, will be playing a role in their film, Khubsoorat. The film is said to be entirely shot in Rajasthan.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who has been promoting Pakistani talent in India, says, “We need to ask our government to clearly spell out its position on this issue. Our PM has been very brave in demonstrating that he wants India to have friendly ties with Pakistan. But with elections in Maharashtra round the corner, one fears that the hate-Pakistan rhetoric will once again find voice. I hope that people from the film industry who have been elected to the Parliament now play a key role in sorting out this issue.’’
In the past
Earlier this year, the Mekaal Hasan band was attacked by Shiv Sena workers while they were talking about their new album at Mumbai’s Press Club.
Not long ago, the Mumbai launch of Pakistani pop rock band Jal’s album was cancelled at the last minute. Goher Mumtaz, the lead singer of the band, had said at that time that the cancellation could have been done because of their nationality.
Still positive
Pakistani actor Imran Abbas, who is shooting with Muzzaffar Ali for his film, Raqs, however, is not worried.
He says, “I am positive about this government since they seem to be really serious about improving conditions in the country. They realise that they need to strengthen their relations with neighbouring countries.”
Rehmat Fazli, a film distributor from Pakistan, says that people are buoyant about the new regime in India. “I am sure this will prove to be a turning point in our cross border relationship and I foresee a lot of progress in the next five years. Pakistan is an emerging market, but it cannot achieve optimum level without India’s support in providing software and hardware,” he says.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who has been trying to get permission to enter India since the last three years and who might not be able to attend the launch of his new album in Mumbai, says, “I truly believe that the new Indian government will turn a new leaf in the relations between our countries. I am looking forward to returning to India this October and I am not apprehensive about anything as I am coming from one home to another. I have received a lot of love and admiration from India,” he says.
Pakistani filmmaker Sevy Ali says that Bollywood filmmakers are still very apprehensive about promoting Pak artistes fearing threats by Shiv Sena and Company. “They need to realise that Pakistani artistes are working here legally with the consent of the Indian government that has issued them a visa,” Ali says.
Pakistan singer Mustafa Zahid and the Pakistani band Soch may have sung for Mohit Suri’s Ek Villain but they will be conspicuous by their absence at the film’s live music concert that is being held in Mumbai on Wednesday. While Indian musicians Mithoon, Mohammed Irfan and Arijit Singh will be performing live at the film’s Mumbai launch, it has emerged that Zahid and Adnan Dhool and Rabi Ahmed of Soch have not been invited to the event.
Interestingly, Zahid, a Lahore-based rock artiste, has lent his voice to several Bollywood hits, including songs for Aashiqui 2, Murder 3 and Ragini MMS 2. A source says, “Their performances are being kept out of the Mumbai concert as a precautionary measure. The production company does not want to invite unnecessary trouble from political activists, especially given the recent election results.” Looks like Pakistani PM Nawaz Shariff ’s recent visit to India has not added to the film industry’s confidence; skepticism is clearly still prevalent in the industry.
When contacted, Tanuj Garg, CEO, Balaji Motion Pictures, was reluctant to comment. But after some prodding, he said, "We have Mohit (Suri), Shraddha (Kapoor), Riteish ( Deshmukh), Sidharth Malhotra and Mithoon, among others on stage. That’s a lot of star power for the media and the audience. We will, of course, miss our other friends from Pakistan, but it’s better to be safe and invite them to other cities.”
It may be noted here that fearing violent reactions from some political parties in Maharashtra, Anil Kapoor’s production has still not officially announced that Fawad Khan, one of the top Pakistani stars, will be playing a role in their film, Khubsoorat. The film is said to be entirely shot in Rajasthan.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who has been promoting Pakistani talent in India, says, “We need to ask our government to clearly spell out its position on this issue. Our PM has been very brave in demonstrating that he wants India to have friendly ties with Pakistan. But with elections in Maharashtra round the corner, one fears that the hate-Pakistan rhetoric will once again find voice. I hope that people from the film industry who have been elected to the Parliament now play a key role in sorting out this issue.’’
In the past
Earlier this year, the Mekaal Hasan band was attacked by Shiv Sena workers while they were talking about their new album at Mumbai’s Press Club.
Not long ago, the Mumbai launch of Pakistani pop rock band Jal’s album was cancelled at the last minute. Goher Mumtaz, the lead singer of the band, had said at that time that the cancellation could have been done because of their nationality.
Still positive
Pakistani actor Imran Abbas, who is shooting with Muzzaffar Ali for his film, Raqs, however, is not worried.
He says, “I am positive about this government since they seem to be really serious about improving conditions in the country. They realise that they need to strengthen their relations with neighbouring countries.”
Rehmat Fazli, a film distributor from Pakistan, says that people are buoyant about the new regime in India. “I am sure this will prove to be a turning point in our cross border relationship and I foresee a lot of progress in the next five years. Pakistan is an emerging market, but it cannot achieve optimum level without India’s support in providing software and hardware,” he says.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who has been trying to get permission to enter India since the last three years and who might not be able to attend the launch of his new album in Mumbai, says, “I truly believe that the new Indian government will turn a new leaf in the relations between our countries. I am looking forward to returning to India this October and I am not apprehensive about anything as I am coming from one home to another. I have received a lot of love and admiration from India,” he says.
Pakistani filmmaker Sevy Ali says that Bollywood filmmakers are still very apprehensive about promoting Pak artistes fearing threats by Shiv Sena and Company. “They need to realise that Pakistani artistes are working here legally with the consent of the Indian government that has issued them a visa,” Ali says.
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