Imagineer: A tribute to Nazia Hassan

Banker Faraz Waqar honours Nazia Hassan through music video.

KARACHI: The ‘80s is reminiscent of many events and breakthroughs with the brother-sister duo Zohaib and Nazia Hassan’s stamp on the South Asian pop music scene being a largely prominent one. From the nostalgic Dosti and romantic Aap Jaisa Koi to the more hip Disco Deewane — which was remixed about 30 years later in Karan Johar’s Student of The Year — the pioneers of pop still have a tight grip on our hearts. But when Nazia fell victim to lung cancer in 2000, despair filled the air. On her 13th death anniversary, banker Faraz Waqar pays his tribute to the pop sensation through a music video titled Imagineer.

Aap Jaisa Koi featured in Bollywood film Qurbani, their debut album Disco Deewane was released by Indian producer Biddu and second album Boom Boom was also the soundtrack for another Bollywood film titled Star. Thus, it didn’t come as a surprise when Waqar discovered that his Indian friends were unaware of the fact that Nazia was a Pakistani. So this 36-year-old banker-turned-film-maker decided it was time to clarify things.

Shot in February this year, Imagineer unveils on August 13 across music channels including ARY Muzik, Indus Music, Play, Oxygen, Vibe and Style360 along with links on Vimeo and Facebook.



“Disney Corp gives the title Imagineer to its team members working on concept development for its new theme park extensions. The term highlights the fact that imagination is the first step to a new reality,” Waqar explains. “When we listen to our favourite music, we all become Imagineers as it helps create an imaginary setting.”

In the video, Waqar is seen sitting in front of his computer on a dull day at work. He then plays Aap Jaisa Koi and Boom Boom followed by Sunn and Disco Deewane and steps into a world of fantasy. The video depicts how a mundane day at work can transform into a surreal land of fantasy. “There is this feeling of positivity when you listen to Nazia Hassan’s music,” he admits.

Ahmad Haseeb — producer of A Music Fairy, a 44-minute documentary on Nazia — reveals that a charity event in London by the Nazia Hassan Foundation has been planned for September 14 and that this video could be screened there. Waqar says that Nazia’s mother Muniza Basir contacted him and asked him to send her a DVD of the video. “There can be no greater honour for me as Nazia Hassan is one of those personalities who [continue to] shine,” he says.

Speaking about copyright issues, Waqar says, “That was an issue [earlier] as I couldn’t get in touch with the family which I believe is based in England. However, I got in touch with them last week through Ahmad Haseeb.” Haseeb admits that he was glad Waqar was able to produce an international project on her songs but has “no idea if the family got in touch with him.”

Although Waqar revealed, “EMI-Pakistan told me their copyrights had expired and all the material was in Zohaib’s hands.” But when EMI-Pakistan was contacted, it was discovered that the company never received a phone call from Waqar.

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Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2013.

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