Komal Rizvi gets back in the game

KARACHI: After starring in a reality show dedicated to her comeback, Komal Rizvi has taken a step forward into reviving her career by launching a new video. The desi pop singer, who had a huge hit with her song “Baujee” released her first single and video in 10 years, titled “Chahiye”.

Directed by Amena Khan and choreographed by her brother Hasan Rizvi of Body Beat Dance Studio, the video was launched in Karachi on Wednesday. Produced by Dream Team Films, “Chahiye” features Salman Razzaq as its director of photography.

“I am nervous. I am excited. I want my fans to support me,” Rizvi said shortly before the video screening. Sharing her experience of working with her sibling, she said, “We are both perfectionists. It was fantastic working with him.”

The four-minute glitzy video is designed to work as a perfect reminder of the artist as the camera keeps coming back to focus on Komal Rizvi’s name, making sure the viewers get a feel of her return. Branding her latest persona, the singer reappears with sharp dance moves and a cheerleading tenor.

For Komal Rizvi, making a comeback was not an easy call, but the singer is positive about her success, “Things have changed. There are more listeners now. There is Coke Studio. There are heavy metal and rock bands. But I am confident. I hope the listeners will like my song too.”

The singer has put in a lot of efforts to regain her pop star status. “I am making a comeback. I have worked very hard on it,” she said. Her first comeback move last came this May with a reality show aired on MTV. Titled “Komal”, the reality show showcased the singer and ex-VJ going through a makeover, trying to lose weight and deciding on a style signature.

At the launch, Hasan Rizvi said, “Komal Rizvi opened up many doors to hosting, singing and ‘VJ-ing’. She certainly went ahead even though there was a lot of trouble in becoming a part of this industry. Her acting career started with ‘Haawain’. After that, she went all the way up. Her move to India stirred controversy but we, as Pakistanis, should be proud of it. She is born with talent and there are a very few people who are born with it.”

Rizvi later thanked his Body Beat troupe for their performance in the video.

Komal Rizvi said, “I have not bribed my brother. He has said very nice words about me, which is very sweet of him. This is a big turnout. I wasn’t expecting it. In Pakistan, making a comeback is a difficult step to take.”

She also thanked MTV’s Ghazanfar Ali and Hum TV’s Sultana Siddiqui for their support with her comeback.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2010.