Pakistani band Raeth set for a Bollywood debut

'We are really excited about entering Bollywood through a project like Marksheet.'

NEW DELHI:


Pakistani band Raeth, popular for songs like “Bhula Do” and “Waada”, is all set to foray into Bollywood with upcoming film Marksheet, based on education scams in India reports IANS.


Directed by Rakesh Ranjan Kumar of Gandhi to Hitler fame, the movie will feature Imran Zahid in the lead role while newbie Zoa Morani is being considered to pair opposite him.

The Sufi rock band, comprising Wajhi Farouqui, Hassan Farabi and Sunny Ghansham, released their first album in 2006. Their second album came four years later.

In 2006, Universal Music India introduced the band in India after hearing only three songs from their first project. The record label also featured a video for the band.

Right now, the band is upbeat about their Bollywood debut. “We are really excited about entering Bollywood through a project like Marksheet,” Ghansham, the band’s guitarist, said in a statement.


“We are a band and making music for us is a collective effort. Often you find that only playback is given importance even when a band is taken aboard. But the makers of the film are not limiting our capability and have given us a chance to perform together with our original sound which is a welcome step for musicians.”

“Also, we have a huge following in India but films increase your spectrum and take you to a much larger base,” he added.

While studying at Hindu College in Delhi University, I witnessed the roaring popularity of bands amongst the youth. Now since I’m making a movie which revolves around the campus, I would like to pay a tribute to my alma mater by roping in Raeth,” said Marksheet’s director Rakesh Ranjan Kumar.

The song by Raeth for the film will be shot in Delhi University. The makers of the film also plan to organise a series of concerts by bands in various colleges.

Marksheet will not just be an issue-based film but will also be a love story. It will mostly be shot around Delhi University. Parts will be filmed in Bangalore, Mumbai and Kolkata.

(With additional information from TOI)

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2012.
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