INSTEP Magzine

This week's undeniable hotstepper has to be Shehzad Roy. While Shehzad has been in the limelight since the 90s as one of Pakistan's most popular singers, he has made a second coming this year with the launch of his album - Qismat Apney Haat Mein. While the album was launched at Karachi's Juvenile jail for an audience of young prisoners and media personnel, it's the first video - 'Laga Reh' that is really making waves. Directed by Ahsan Rahim, the video had endorsements by noted columnist Ardeshir Cowasjee and sportsman-turned philanthropist-turned politician Imran Khan. The video puts a spotlight on all the issues in the country that make headlines on a daily basis, with a rather sarcastic take on how Pakistanis deal with the issues. The words 'laga reh' define that mentality all too well! Ali Azmat, Mani, Faisal Qureshi (keep an eye out for his flying sequence!) and director Ahsan Rahim.

Quite a few firsts for Shehzad are coming about! Shehzad has turned his hand to songwriting for the first time in his career and penned the entire album himself, which features a number of social commentary songs (check out 'Quaid-e-Azam' and 'Qismat Apney Haat Mein') as well as Roy's signature romantic songs. The album also features a duet with legendary singer Abida Parveen!
Shehzad also appeared on Geo TV's show Capital Talk, which named its show 'Le lo qismat apney haath mein' (take destiny into your hands), which is rather rare he is the first singer to be invited on the show. We predict Shehzad Roy will be one of the hottest artists this year, simply because this is an incredibly relevant album for the times we live in. Kudos to Shehzad for going ahead with launching an album that could easily be perceived as uber-controversial (sponsors declined to touch it!) and for teaming up with Ahsan Rahim for the 'Laga Reh' video. We can't wait to see the next video, also to be directed by Ahsan Rahim, and the buzz that generates!