When ESharp, one of the four finalists from Pepsi Battle of the Bands (PBOTB) 2019, performed their single ‘Anthem of Shabana’ on the show, they had judge(s) Meesha Shafi singing along at one point and Fawad Khan and Faisal Kapadia literally grooving during the performance at another.
So, it made sense that one of the more popular bands from the year 2019, ESharp, would think about producing a music video for the song as would their sponsor, Pepsi.
The song is an anthemic number and its video is not only quirky and adorable, it also made ESharp think about their target audience.
Talking to Instep about this and more, Ahmed Zawar revealed, “‘Shabana’ is supposed to be a love anthem but the lyrics are not being literally interpreted. We wanted to take that route deliberately. We went with Salman Noorani and not a conventional director; he’s the ESharp of direction so the concept is a little different.”
What is the concept beyond interpretation of anyone who watches the music video?
“A lot of people have their own theory and this is what we were looking for. But if you look at it closely, it talks about imperfections and finding someone like yourself. The lead guy (Bilal) never shakes anyone’s hand without wearing gloves. It has nothing to do with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) or any form of mental illness.”
Ahmed explains that though he wears a glove, it is more of an eccentricity than any form of illness. “He’s different; it’s kind of a quirky concept with a larger context. He wears gloves even in summers and is bullied about it because who wears gloves in the summers?”
The idea, notes Ahmed, is that he likes this one girl and for some reason he is not able to talk to her because he lacks the confidence and he’s just different.
When there is a sequence of an ESharp concert and the girl – who has been noticing him – approaches him while he has forgotten his glove in the bathroom, he has no choice but to shake her hand. When he touches her, he imagines an entire future with her that includes marriage but it ends with her leaving him.
“She is the girl of his dreams so he wants to shake her hand but he has a superpower. Whomever he touches, he sees his future with that person so the shot goes into the future.”
As things go down the drain and he sees his future with this girl that he really likes, adds Ahmed, he runs away. In the end, he is sitting alone and another girl gives him his glove back and she is wearing a weird blue helmet. They look at each other and smile and we’ve left it open because this new girl, in all probability, is also different so they’re meant to be - for each other. Now, while this was the literal concept, the larger context is that you have to find someone who is like you rather than just go with anyone you’re simply infatuated with.
“Imperfection is the most perfect thing in a relationship. They’re not perfect but they are made for each other.”
The music video is set against a school with Eruj Hadi, as the art director, who Ahmed, says did a really good job.
And that has been a deliberate move from the band; they have shelved their third album and are working on new songs with the third album probably becoming the fourth one.
“I think it is bold of Pepsi to invest in us; it’s created camaraderie between bands that have spent a lot of time together under one roof.”
Speaking of the future, Ahmed noted that their next music video is not sponsored by Pepsi. And they have figured out demographics they need to cater to.
“It’s a conscious effort to cater to teenagers and do nice, upbeat stuff because it’s a vacuum that needs to be filled and we can do it without compromising on our artistic integrity.”
Ahmed, a big fan of The Beatles, points to them as an example. “It doesn’t have to be tacky and where is it written that you can’t make good love songs? When The Beatles started out and they rose to fame initially, they were not doing ‘Lucy in the Diamond with Sky’; they were doing ‘She Loves You’ and ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand,’ and they are critically acclaimed songs as well so there is a balance you can achieve in producing something that is easy on the ears and people can relate to and sing along at concerts.”
The band has put its darker side on the shelves for new songs that will be produced by one of the band members, Anwaar Ahmed, and as always they will produce and write their own music.
For now though, check out the music video of ‘Anthem of Shabana’. It will put a smile on your face while you sing along – inevitably. Point, ESharp.
