Talking to Taha Malik

In an earlier conversation with Instep, prior to the release of Laal Kabootar, director Kamal Khan had explained his decision to rope in Taha Malik to produce music for the film.

“Taha is interesting because Taha and I work on every commercial project (together),” he said of his choice. “I always go to Taha and he has produced all my jingles or whatever you call them. He has always done a fantastic job and the music is better than the visuals I make. I knew in my head that if I ever do a film, I’ll get Taha to do the songs. He’s done a great job. You’ll definitely find consistency in our songs.”

Laal Kabootar, produced by Nehr Ghar Films with Geo TV as media partner, is presently earning applause, from critics, industry insiders and fans.

Few may remember but long before producing music/mixing/sound designing commercial or commissioned work that has led to this collaboration, Taha Malik is the man to have produced the original Mauj album. He, along with Omran Shafique, remain famous for their collaboration ‘Jaan Jaaye’ that came accompanied with a music video.

Since then, as Koastal, he has worked with Stereo Nation. And, in terms of commercial/commissioned work - with the likes of directors Adnan Malik, Kamal Khan, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Films and Asim Raza to name some prominent names.

“Koastal is still alive,” says Malik. “We were collaborating and we did ‘Jaan Jaaye’ and that music – I’m sitting on 100 songs and ideas. We put some stuff out. It’s somewhere out there.”

Meanwhile, as Taha continued to thrive in Pakistan, the cinematic (staggering) film industry rose as well. And though it is getting better with time, the same cannot be said about its music. For every Cake OST, there are tracks that are simply unforgettable. A bevy of last year’s films, including Azaad, serve as proof.

This is where Taha Malik remains a strong candidate for creating what is one of the grittiest yet appealing soundtracks of the year 2019: Laal Kabootar.

Speaking to Instep, Taha not only spoke about the Laal Kabootar process but the artists featured on it as well and what it was like.

The OST includes Taha and Jabbar Abbas on ‘Jug(Art)’ and the thumping title track featuring Taha and Zoe Viccaji among others. It also included collaborating with the iconic lyricist Sabir Zafar.

“There’s one song featuring Mai Dhai and another one by Sanam Marvi. With Sanam, I went to Sanam’s house and composed something for a specific scene,” relates Taha.

Given the fact that the film is a crime-based thriller in Karachi, Malik notes: “It’s the kind of film I always wanted to work on. I grew up listening to hip-hop and that was my thing. I’ve lived in Karachi for years and this film is not that far off; it’s not a fantasy film.”

As for rapping in Urdu himself, notes Taha, “I went looking around. I know there’s a rap scene. I didn’t find the developed scene. Like I know there are artists there but I didn’t find them. Maybe I didn’t look hard enough. I was trying to find a rapper so I then had to make a demo for some of the scenes and Kamal was like ‘that’s not bad’ and I was reluctant; I didn’t want to do vocals. But I guess I had fun and after a long time I wrote as well.”

As for his experience of working with Mai Dhai, Taha remembers, “Mai Dhai had one song on Ho Mann Jahan and I was working on Ho Mann Jahan and met her as well and heard her music.”

Jabbar Abbas was discovered via Coke Studio, admits Taha while Sanam Marvi and Zoey, he says, “are amazing and I was lucky to have them on songs.”

As for the rest of it, Taha is aware that times have changed and people go to Instagram now to make videos to publicise their art including music.

“I still like to put out music videos, a short film or something with the directors I do commercial work with. I’ve got some tricks in the bag,” he said, on a concluding note. As they say, never say never and it is looking true for Taha Malik who is said to be contributing to the upcoming Saqib Malik film as well.