Farhan Saeed set to collaborate with Richie Rich

Songwriter-vocalist collaborating with Richie Rich, Mohit Suri to release singles

LAHORE: This year has been a noteworthy one for Farhan Saeed. With four music video releases, a singing-acting stint in Udaari and occasional Bollywood projects, the former Jal member clearly has no regrets about moving on from the band.

In its utilisation of music and dance numbers, cinema from our part of the world is quite unique. It is often noted that if a bad film accompanies great music, the former continues to do well for a considerable time period. Perhaps this is why some of India’s top production houses are now venturing into music that is very much Bollywood, yet not part of any film.

Joining Bollywood acts such as Honey Singh, Amaal Malik and Armaan Malik in this new experiment is our very own Saeed. The Pakistani pop star has teamed up with London-based producer Richie Rich and Mumbai-based film-maker Mohit Suri to develop his own music.

“The idea is to work on my singles and the reason why I am collaborating with Richie Rich and Mohit [Suri] is because they want a break from Bollywood music. They feel there are too many item numbers in Bollywood with no soul,” he told The Express Tribune.

Saeed thinks he is learning a lot from physically being in the studio and collaborating with artists. “Normally, they ask for your compositions and songs but now I’m doing it differently, being here and working with producers in India.”

The songs are so far independent of Bollywood films, but Saeed does not mind lending them to movie soundtracks. “If someone in Bollywood wants to pick up the songs, I can re-record them,” he added.

He has already done so with his song Tu Thori Dair, which is being reworked for the upcoming film Half Girlfriend. “Suri feels the Indian audience will not understand Punjabi that well, so we have also done the song in English, making 2-3 versions of it,” he shared.

“The best part of working with Richie is that we are doing fusion music — he is doing what he is best at and I am doing what I am best at and we’ve never done it before.”

The Pi Jaun singer is quite clear on how he wants to put out tracks for his fans. “Time has changed for music. The idea is to create one good song that touches people and defines you as an artist,” he said.

Saeed is also keen on utilising the visual medium for his songs. “Musicians in Pakistan aren’t really making videos but Saathiya was my fourth video,” he added, referring to Roiyaan, Tu Thori Dair and Koi Rokay Na Mujhay that were released earlier.

While acting offers are still coming his way, for now, Saeed is content with being in the studio. “The contrast between the two helps me improve both areas.” With Udaari, Saeed got to work on the soundtrack as well as on screen. “These days dramas also have songs so it’s a great time for musicians as it creates more opportunities.”

He has acted opposite real-life partner Urwa Hocane in both Udaari and Mere Ajnabi and even in the music video of Saathiya. When asked whether he is careful about taking his relationship from real to reel, he said, “We weren’t satisfied with Mere Ajnabi so we did Udaari and were very happy with the project. There are a few projects where we think it will be better if we do not work with someone else but otherwise we are completely professional.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2016.

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