Video launch: Saturn returns with ‘Kuch Nahin’

The band releases its music video at Kuch Khaas on Thursday.

ISLAMABAD:

Saturn, a progressive rock band, is making a comeback with their latest music video after being in production limbo for five years. “Kuch Nahin”, the video, aims to introduce a fresh outlook on issues like terrorism in the country.

The band officially launched their video at Kuch Khaas here on Thursday night.

“We have focused on contemporary issues that are plaguing the society, be it bombings or target killings. Back in the day, these [issues] would shock us but now they’re merely statistics, which is troubling,” said the lead guitarist, Salman Zaidi.

Set in a jungle, faceless humans are seen aimlessly running around to symbolise these hard-hitting problems. A masked band member (Eyad Ibrahim), represents society, struggling out of a web of confusion and chaos. Yet upon lifting the mask, he too lacks discernable features, which indicates social decay and helplessness. The images stand out for their powerful message that resonates with a sense of purpose.

Two meddling cockroaches at odd intervals represent the differences like sectarianism, that could not be spelt outright, Zaidi added.

Directed by Usman Mukhtar at Kuch Khaas Productions, the video features all of the band members. For a low budget music video, Usman has done a decent job at capturing the essence of the subject matter. “Even though people are constantly contributing, but there is so much that still needs to be done and that is what our work is about,” said the lead vocalist, Shahbaz Zaidi.

Osman Khalid Butt, an actor and director, commented,” It was disconcerting, and I mean that as a compliment. I find myself replaying the striking if grotesque imagery - particularly that of the no-face men - in my head.”

With additional reporting from Momina Sibtain.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2011.