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In tune with Junoon
Working with Shubha Mudgal was a spiritually elevating experience, says Salman Ahmad
They might have done a funky Pappu Yaar as a one-off, but Pakistani rock band Junoon is best known for their ‘hope and harmony’ initiatives between India and Pakistan. The latest addition in their ‘bridge building’ endeavour is Ghoom Taana, a musical short film by Salman Ahmad, song-writer and lead guitarist of the band.
The short film has been shot in Ahmad’s ancestral house in Patiala and features popular musician Shubha Mudgal, besides acting aces Nandita Das and Naseeruddin Shah. Ask Ahmad how Ghoom Taana stands out from the rest of the work that he and the band have done till date and he says, “ Ghoom Taana is most special to me, far more special than Sayonee (their first claim to fame). The song captures a powerful emotion and with personalities like Shubha Mudgal, Nandita Das and Naseeruddin Shah in the video, it just means so much more.”
Ahmad goes on to say that the video is his “labour of love”. “I even financed it myself,” he tells us. The band, known for ‘flirting with danger’, was barred from
performing in India in 1998 and Ahmad believes they have walked through the fire. “When you stick to your guns, people have to listen to you,” he adds.
The video is being aimed for an August 14 and 15 launch in Pakistan and India respectively. The informal launches have been done and the response has been “overwhelming” for Ahmad.
Ahmad claims that every time he sees the video he can’t control his emotions. “Shubha has sung with such intensity, that it’s divine.” And if you can’t wait for the video to be aired on the telly, then log on to www.junoon.com and download it for free. “I want as many people to see it,” he adds.
