Uzair Jaswal's "Bolay" Music Video Gives Us the Paki Prom
Originally Published on Skotato.com on August 14th, 2013
Watch the video here (there seems to be an embed issue)
Remember how fascinated with the prom we all were as kids, well those of us who grew up in the shadows of Hollywood? Well, I think that fascination remains with us even when we grow up. Along with the memories of the high school crush. Uzair Jaswal brings us our very own Pakistani prom and he makes sure we have fun. The recently launched video for his song "Bolay" (which was featured in Coke Studio last year) is a treat for the eyes, and the ears. But it does raise some concerns.
The video opens with Osman Khalid Butt and Uzair Jaswal sitting on the tables where Uzair is just "tarh-ing" (ogling) his crush, played by the gorgeous Geeti Aara. It then progresses to Uzair trying to live in the moment and getting the girl by taking the stage. Thus starts the heavily popped up version of Bolay with cute dances and Uzair imagining himself dancing with the girl. Surely, the video ends with him getting the girl. The video is fun, cute and sweet. Our very own Paki Prom! The dance sequences make the video light hearted and fun. And let's not forget that our very own Orlando Bloom, Osman Khalid Butt, showing us his nerdy side that adds humor to the music video. his dance moves are hilarious. What comes as a surprise is how real it all looks. The set was done brilliantly and the styling was spot on. The video gave the accurate vibe of a prom. Plus, the dances were cute to watch, the lighting was done right and the cast’s acting was good, making the video quirky, gleeful, and fun!
While the video itself is a very good attempt at creating something fun for the masses, it raises a big question; is copying other cultures really a good way to go with our music? This video shows the confused mind of our artists and makes us wonder is this really the right way to go, to copy Bollywood or Hollywood? There is just no originality in the video. Though the video itself is really good, but there is more to music than selling your song or going commercial. The song was featured on Coke Studio, at least stay true to the ideology of the platform that launched the song. Even the high school’s name was American. And speaking Urdu, or wearing a sarhi just does not cut it. The whole concept was something unfamiliar to our culture. Artists have a responsibility to represent the nation, the culture. The video just bashes our identity. It only goes to prove how confused our upcoming artists are. While the video aims to be a nice attempt at friends having fun, it's not a very forward attempt artistically.
All in all, it is a good song. Just makes us wish the video was as original as the song itself. Uzair jaswal is a talented artist, everyone knows that. But we expect better.
Watch the video here (there seems to be an embed issue)
Remember how fascinated with the prom we all were as kids, well those of us who grew up in the shadows of Hollywood? Well, I think that fascination remains with us even when we grow up. Along with the memories of the high school crush. Uzair Jaswal brings us our very own Pakistani prom and he makes sure we have fun. The recently launched video for his song "Bolay" (which was featured in Coke Studio last year) is a treat for the eyes, and the ears. But it does raise some concerns.
The video opens with Osman Khalid Butt and Uzair Jaswal sitting on the tables where Uzair is just "tarh-ing" (ogling) his crush, played by the gorgeous Geeti Aara. It then progresses to Uzair trying to live in the moment and getting the girl by taking the stage. Thus starts the heavily popped up version of Bolay with cute dances and Uzair imagining himself dancing with the girl. Surely, the video ends with him getting the girl. The video is fun, cute and sweet. Our very own Paki Prom! The dance sequences make the video light hearted and fun. And let's not forget that our very own Orlando Bloom, Osman Khalid Butt, showing us his nerdy side that adds humor to the music video. his dance moves are hilarious. What comes as a surprise is how real it all looks. The set was done brilliantly and the styling was spot on. The video gave the accurate vibe of a prom. Plus, the dances were cute to watch, the lighting was done right and the cast’s acting was good, making the video quirky, gleeful, and fun!
While the video itself is a very good attempt at creating something fun for the masses, it raises a big question; is copying other cultures really a good way to go with our music? This video shows the confused mind of our artists and makes us wonder is this really the right way to go, to copy Bollywood or Hollywood? There is just no originality in the video. Though the video itself is really good, but there is more to music than selling your song or going commercial. The song was featured on Coke Studio, at least stay true to the ideology of the platform that launched the song. Even the high school’s name was American. And speaking Urdu, or wearing a sarhi just does not cut it. The whole concept was something unfamiliar to our culture. Artists have a responsibility to represent the nation, the culture. The video just bashes our identity. It only goes to prove how confused our upcoming artists are. While the video aims to be a nice attempt at friends having fun, it's not a very forward attempt artistically.
All in all, it is a good song. Just makes us wish the video was as original as the song itself. Uzair jaswal is a talented artist, everyone knows that. But we expect better.