Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane, who gained immense popularity in India for Sanam Teri Kasam, has reunited with an Indian artist after nine long years. Despite the political turmoils, art continues to find its way across borders. Collaborations between artistes from both countries have quietly begun to blossom again. Talking of Mawra, she joined hands with Akhil Sachdeva for a music video titled Tu Chaand Hai. In an exclusive conversation with Filmfare, Akhil talks to us about his collaboration with Mawra, the making of the song and how art knows no border or boundaries. Excerpts:
Tu Chaand Hai marks a special collaboration between India and Pakistan. How did this project come about?
Tu Chaand Hai will always be very special. It’s a very funny thing that when the song came to me from the Dubai-based record label, Novice Records Official, I said no. Maybe because I was traveling a lot and doing shows day in and out. Maybe I was tired or didn’t listen to it properly, so I said that we could do some other song. But the label was keen on wanting my vocals, so they asked me to just go ahead and dub it once. That’s when I heard it again and realised that I can’t say no to it. I love the melody and the way it complemented the lyrics. All it required was a very raw voice, which could express the expressions of selfless love more deeply. That’s where I fit in. The label wanted to make it very interesting, so it was their call to get Mawra onboard. She’s a big name in the Pakistani entertainment industry, so I’m glad it happened.
Music has the power to transcend borders. What was it like working with a Pakistani actress for this video?
Absolutely. I feel music has no boundaries, no language whatsoever. It can take you to trance, it can make you cry and it can make you happy all the time without considering the fact where it has come from or which genre, which language it is about. I already knew Mawra and met her a few years back. Farhan Saeed, her brother-in-law, is a friend. I met Mawra through Farhan so there was already a comfort level and friendship. It was amazing, and it all happened in a friendly and smooth manner. And that’s what shows on the screen as well.
Any memorable moments you shared with Mawra during the shooting?
It was Ramzan when we were shooting, and she kept her Roza. I was also travelling from different cities and had a show the next morning and had to run for it. There was chemistry and bonding between us and I was very comfortable with her. We enjoyed working and enjoyed the vibe of the song. We didn’t talk much other than when we were there on set because, as I said, she had kept her Roza.
Did you face any hurdles while working on Tu Chaand Hai, given the tensions between the two countries?
There were no hurdles whatsoever. Collaborations between India and Pakistan have started happening now. Art cannot be stopped by borders. You can’t stop music, it transcends to each and every one. Tu Chaand Hai has already crossed 5 million views on YouTube within 4 days. It’s on the top 10 charts in Spotify in Pakistan, so it is getting love and is going to get bigger and bigger. I am so sure about it.
