Shahvaar Ali Khan is a Lahore-based writer, Pop Musician, singer-songwriter, composer and Peacenik. He is mainly recognized by his first peace song “No Sazish No jang” and now from his second song ‘Filmein Shilmein’ that has been featured in the Background Score of Akshay Kumar, John Abraham and Deepika Padunkone’s ‘DESI BOYZ’ directed by Rohit Dhawan.
Complexes: Women have good hair days and bad hair days, but singers have good voice days and bad voice days – so, I am always complexed about my bad voice days!
What turns me on: Women with intelligent dreamy eyes & unintelligent idealism
What turns me off: Pseudo wannabe Gora & non-Desi behavior by essentially very Desi people
Philosophy of life: Humanism (i.e. Peace NOT Pieces)
Secret Ambitions: ‘Ambitions’ are never secret, otherwise they are just ‘wishes.’
Biggest Crush: Madhubala, Nargis, Meena Kumari and Eva Gardener.
Favorite Musicians (Lyricists): Retro old dead people mostly! – Sahir, Shaleindra, Javed Akhtar, Prasoon Joshi (favorite lyricists)/ O.P Nayar, S.D Burman, R.D Burman, Salil Chaudary. Khurshid Anwar, Hemant Kumar, Kalyanji-Anand Ji, Shankar Jaikishen, Roshan, Rafi sb, Geeta Dutt, Manna Dey, NFAK, Asha Ji, Noor Jehan/all cinema music greats, plus blues/jazz/western musicians like Louis Armstrong, Bob Dylan, John Lee Hooker, Frank Sinatra, Johny Cash, Lead Belly, Clapton, Elvis, Norah Jones, Fiona Apple, Beatles, Little Richard, Eagles, Bob Marley and many more.
I would love to perform with: Musicians/Composers of all hues and cries who compliment my lyrical and vocal style.
I would love to see my country: Become a ‘nation’ at Peace with itself and others.
Favorite Car: Garri Sharri Kab Hoti Thee, Par Sarkein Sab Apni Theen! (a line from my song ‘Filmein Shilmein’ that featured in Akshay-John’s Desi Boyz). Life should be about the road you take, not about the car you drive
Three things that I hate about music industry:
1. The Pakistani Music Industry lacks professionalism, structure & business dynamics.
2. Real talent is recognized mostly after people go away
3. Gora wannabe behavior by some musicians who are detatched from SouthAsian ‘Desi’ routes.
Three things that I dislike about media:
1. Pakistani media is driven by a ‘News Hungry’ audience, which shrinks space for Entertainment/Music
2. Overdose of Information ‘Breaking News’/less wisdom
3. Hogged by Right Wing sympathizers and self-proclaimed nationalist anchors.
If I could change one thing about myself, what it could be?
I am too lazy and too ambitious – can do without the laziness.
Favorite place to hang out: Bhaya Kabab, Model Town, Lahore and Carter Road, Bombay.
Favorite Movie: Pyaasa and The Pursuit of Happiness
Favorite Actors: Dilip Kumar, Al Pacino, Aamir Khan, Naseer-ud-Shah and Shaan.
Characteristics that attract me as a person: Intelligence, intensity and idealism.
Three Things I hate to do: Work, work & work (Music is not Work)
Three Things I love to do: Sleep, sing & read (in that order)
As a kid I was: Still a kid and want to remain one forever!
What I always put off until tomorrow: Everything!
My Craziest Fan: A musician kid from Delhi who also wants to make it in the Bombay Film Industry and is now forcing me to change my contact info!
Music to me is: A medium of story-telling & inspiring those who can make change.
Success to me is: Everything, yet illusive.
Question I hate: All answers that are posed as questions.
Question I love: Barray ho ke kya bano ge?
Food that makes me crazy: Seekh Kebabs
Biggest Asset: No Assets, Only Liabilities
A moment in life that was truly romantic: Is around the corner!
What is the real me like: Complicatedly simple & simply complicated!
My idea of perfect happiness: The pursuit of happiness
My idea of a Perfect date: Is with her & solitude.
Biggest Regret: Arriving late and haggard to meet one of the biggest Directors in the Industry, otherwise I had nailed the opportunity
Inspiration: The fear of failure, my parents/family/mentors/friends gurus, allure of love and of three cities: Lahore, New York City & Bombay.
Motivation: Reaction, recognition & love from my audience.
I see the future of Pakistani music as: Filmein Shilmein Chalti ‘Hain’, Hum Gaane Shaane Gaate ‘Hain’!
My message to readers: Khwab Dekha Karo
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