Salman Ahmed, the lead guitarist of Junoon, has always been recognised for his embodiment of bravado and rebellious ways but very soon he will be making his Bollywood debut in Vicky Kumar’s feature film, Rhythm.
The film which has been in the works for more than two years had completed its initial shoot but the makers of the film decided to rewrite certain parts of the film in order for it to connect with the present political climate between India and Pakistan.
“Certain parts of the film were rewritten so that they are more relatable and in accordance with the film’s theme of harmony, unity and diversity.” Salman Ahmed told The Express Tribune.
The movie is about an Indian college band that goes to Poland and how a girl in the movie is a Junoon fan, “That is where I come in; I play myself in the film and serve as a sufi-rocker guide to the girl,” said Ahmed. It is a love story shot in Krakow, Poland. It has musical-global village meets coming-of-age film flavor to it.”
Acting is not an uncharted territory for Ahmed .The guitarist not only boasts of acting in iconic music videos such as Sayonee, Bulleya and Pyar Bina but has also starred in cult television dramas, Dhundle Raaste and Talaash.
Despite the fact that he is not as active on the music front that he was almost a decade and a half ago the actor still terms these days as his best years. “These are still my days and I would like to think of these achievements more as milestones in my journey,” he remarked.
He has provided two songs to the film. One of them features the vocal talents of Sunidhi Chauhan titled, Yaaro and will also feature in Junoon’s 25th anniversary album, slated to release next year.
The launch of Overcoming All Challenges
In an attempt to increase awareness of Polio in Pakistan, Rotary International joined hands with Salman Ahmed of Junoon to release a musical film/ documentary titled, Overcoming All Challenges. The song is based on Mirza Ghalib’s poem Mushkilein mujh par pari itni ke asaan hogayin and features appearances by several Pakistanis from the fields of arts and sports, such as Junaid Jamshed, Shahzad ‘Shahi’ Hassan, Shahid Afridi and Javed Miandad.
Ahmed who personally visited the IDP camps in Punjab and KP, hoped that the new video will energise and mobilise the youth and volunteers. Aziz Memon, the National Chair for the Pakistan Polio Plus Committee, acknowledged Salman’s involvement in the cause and said that we need to make sure Pakistan does not stand in the way of a Polio-free world.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2014.
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