Exclusive Interview With Abdullah Haris, Director of Zafar’s ‘Jee Dhoondta Hai’

Gone are the days when fashion and music industry would rely on the few experienced professionals available. As times have changed so has the tastes and technology. With the changing times, media looks up to more challenging and fresh concepts. As a result the TV commercials and music videos we see today are hundred percent superior to what we saw a decade ago. When it comes to visual inventiveness, there are few directors who are leading the way with their creative concepts. One such name is Abdullah Haris who’s intelligent work has suddenly catapulted him into the industry’s big league.

Abdullah is a multi-talented director with the right aesthetic who values quality not quantity. He possess a painter’s eye, an uncompromising and unique cinematic vision and a poet’s heart. He is an independent minded professional who believes in exerting an influence with his technical brilliance. His ongoing alliance with the biggest male and female pop stars of Pakistan, speaks of how he has forged a happy working relationship with the music industry big wigs.

What is the concept of Ali Zafar‘s “Jee Dhoondta Hai” music video?

Ans: The concept of the video is about how the fate of a man changes as he is struck with the jolt of a newly felt emotion in his heart, and how certain events after that take him on a journey of self-realization, self-discovery, mixed emotions, guilt and eventually to the absoluteness of One. People might have to see it a few times, to understand a bit of whats going on.

It is difficult for any director to present Ghalib’s poetry in a right way. Do you think you have done justice to the poetry.

Ans: I truly believe, Ghalib is more than just a legendary poet and when it comes to presenting your work – any director would have difficulties when it comes to a poet of Ghalib’s calliber. As far as me doing justice to ‘jeedhoondtahai’ ghazal is concerned… I honestly think, no one can do justice to no one’s poetry when its all about true emotions. We can only try. Lets see what people have to say about the video.

Direction isn’t just about teaching the songs – But even with an ensemble the important aspect is always to understand what is sung and then communicating that to the audience. Through rehearsals do you “gel” with the actors so all of you can come to a common understanding of what is communicated through the music.

Ans: As far as capsulating ‘what is sung’ and gelling that with the act is a total different discussion. Every individual can have a different perspective about the same thing… and the director conceives a story of his own within his own head which can become un-understandable/indigestable for many. There are so many videos I can name which dont have an understandibilty of what is sung to what is actually shown. Its all about ‘perspectives’, like i said. Its always good to take all actors on board and making even the ‘extras’ hear the song, is of great importantance. They all should be aware of what the song is, whats the vision behind the story & should have an open q & a discussion.

What are the characters that Ali Zafar and Aisha Linnea Akhtar are playing? How was you experience of working with Ali Zafar and the female model Aisha Linnea Akhtar?

Ans: Ali Zafar’s character in the video is of a ‘brothel’ worker accompanied by an accomplice, his partner in name – nicely played by Kamran dj whereas the character of Aisha in it is of a local city girl who rewrites Ali Zafar’s entire destiny. Working with Ali Zafar was a gem of an experience! I have always wanted to shoot him since he has the ablity to bring so much of versatility in his aura. Plus, the fact that he is creative himself -only adds to a more pleasing working environment. He is quiet chilled on the sets, walks around and pretty much sits every where to feel & get into his given character. One great thing about Ali Zafar is that he never stops giving re-takes till director is 100% satisfied.

Working with the female model, Aisha was quiet an experience too. Shes a quiet girl on sets, focused on her performance and tries to deliver her best for every shot. She is a beautiful face & a great addition in the media industry.

When can we expect the release of Jee Dhoondta Hai?

Ans: Thats something, I let the Artist decide.

You have also shot 2 promotional music videos with Shoaib Mansoor for his film BOL that features Atif Aslam & Hadiqa Kiani in it and a video for the title of the film. How was the experience of working with them and with Shoaib Mansoor?

Ans: One correction, I haven’t shot the ‘title song’ of the film – I have shot the ‘title’ of the film for the title-song, sung beautifully by Hadiqa Kiani – along with 2 promotional music videos of Atif aslam & Hadiqa kiani, with Mr.Shoaib Mansoor. Mr.Shoaib Mansoor is a legend! He has his own simplistic ways of delivering and inventing life in a whole new perspective. I have sheer respect for him, its been an honor working with him. As far as working with Hadiqa Kiani is concerned, having worked with her on other projects too in the past – I have found her to be a true gem and the most genuine humblest person I have ever known. She is a beautiful versatile, multi-linguistic singer & has the tendency of making sure she delivers perfection, in the first go – she knows exactly what the last scene was cut on & knows exactly where to start from on the next. One greatest thing about this legendary artist is that she makes sure that first-take… is the best-take! But if the director asks for safety shots … she only raises the stakes from best-to bestest. Many people don’t know but she has a great eye for direction too.

What can be said about: Atif Aslam? He is a young-legend with such a unique voice that compliments all songs he sings. During the video shoots, he had us all relaxed with his live-music playing. The best part about it was he was creating new random things, right there. He seems passionate about his music & even though he isn’t much of a talkative person but brings high energy when it comes to performance & music. I have extreme respect for them all & Its been an honor having worked with the 4 big legendary artists of the industry; Shoaib Mansoor, Hadiqa Kiani, Ali Zafar & Atif Aslam – and would definitely love to work with them, over and over again.

After all this discussion it can be safely concluded that Abdullah Haris can be one of the most discoveries of recent times.

Work Credentials:

Direction:
1. Shot the Video Title of the Shoaib Mansoor’s Upcoming Film “BOL”.
2. Have Shot Two promotional music videos with Shoaib Mansoor for his film BOL (music videos of Atif Aslam & Hadiqa Kiani in it).
3. Have directed 3 Hadiqa Kiani videos. 2 released, 1 is UNRELEASED – song called “NISHTA” .
The Unreleased one is “the first ever Pakistani Single Take Music Video”
(i.e; if CHAL DIL MERE by Ali zafar wasn’t a single take)
If it was. Then “nishta” will automatically be the “2nd single take music video of Pakistan”
however the FIRST pashto single take video.
4. Have recently directed Ali Zafar’s Jee Dhondta Hai Music Video. Concept & Direction.
5. Have directed LIPTON ad.

Other:
Done various print ad photography. A recent one is that of Lipton
Done ali zafar and hadiqa kiani’s show reels.
As a hobby i paint, write songs,