Goher Mumtaz feels ‘Ooncha’ won’t be easily forgotten like the band’s previous patriotic songs.
Pakistan Air Force will never know what it let slip. Had Goher Mumtaz of Jal been allowed to follow his dreams and pursue the profession he was most passionate about in his youth — being an Air Force pilot — who knows what kind of wonders he would’ve done there? “Sadly, I had a lot of injuries in my youth because of which I was unable to get the medical clearance required to join the Air Force,” Goher Mumtaz tells The Express Tribune.
Fast-forward several years and today Jal has been approached by the air force to record the official anthem of the 50th anniversary of Defence Day. He considers it an overwhelming opportunity “to give back to the country” after all the love and adulation he has received from his fans over the years.
The singer-cum-actor speaks fondly about the excitement and sense of patriotism he felt while recording the song — to the extent that he chose to put his other commitments in acting and singing on hold.
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Reminiscing his youthful years, when a number of patriotic were released, Goher feels that the music industry of today has failed to keep up with the trend. “I remember how I used to hear all these songs during my childhood by various singers and used to have this urge to join the air force but sadly no one is making such songs anymore.”
A still from Jal’s last video Tere Bajoun
This could be the triggering factor that led to Goher to cover a cadet’s life, where he later becomes a professional pilot, in the video of his song Ooncha. “Not only have we shown his [cadet’s] time in the academy, such as his social life but also his progression to different fighter planes starting from Mushshak to K-8 [Sherdils] and onwards. Even in the music video one would see me as a cadet not a singer.”
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Apart from recording an original composition, the actor/singer has also recreated the iconic Alamgir song, Tum Hi Se Ae Mujahido for the occasion. “That song in particular is special to me because I remember hearing it and feeling motivated during my childhood. Plus it is my tribute to the legendary singer.”
Goher is aware that Jal’s previous patriotic songs like Yeh Tera Pakistan did not have a lasting impression on listeners. But he is confident that this would not be the case with Ooncha, as apart from employing a few different musical techniques, the song is also bound to benefit from maximum airplay.
“The music video will be released in collaboration with the Pakistan Air Force and will be played on all news channels. Moving further, it will also receive an additional boost through social media websites as well”.
Having marked Jal’s comeback a few months back with the song Tere Bajoun, a few months ago, the singer revealed that the music video for this song would be followed by the release of another single titled Bhanwray.
As far as the future of the band is concerned, Goher revealed that the band would now consist of a rather ‘free-moving’ lineup, with guitarist Saad Sultan and bassist Amir Azhar filling in for live shows and studio recording sessions.
The music video for Ooncha will release on September 7.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2015.
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