Yasir Akhtar, of Arid Zone fame, was a prominent part of Pakistan’s entertainment industry back in the ’80s and ’90s until the singer-turned-actor shifted base to UK. While in the UK, Yasir continued to work through his home production, Pegasus Productions, producing entertainment projects for the BBC, Channel 4, etc.
Yasir Akhtar, of Arid Zone fame, was a prominent part of Pakistan’s 
[entertainment industry back in the ’80s and ’90s until the singer-turned-actor shifted base to UK. While in the UK, Yasir continued to work through his home production, Pegasus Productions, producing entertainment projects for the BBC, Channel 4, etc.
In his new music video, ‘Sansani’, Yasir Akhtar stars as a Turkish police officer and brings to mind his earlier hit, ‘Oh My Love’ in which he played the character of an air force officer.
However, music pretty much took a back seat post the release of his track for British Asian drama Sard Aag in 2006. After almost a decade now, Yasir is set to return to the music scene with the release of his new single titled, ‘Sansani – The Sensation’. Shot amidst the surreal landscapes of Istanbul, the track promises to be a soulful love ballad with a Middle Eastern vibe. The composition boasts of a mix of traditional and Western instruments including the Rubab – that can safely be called Pakistan’s newfound love, all thanks to Coke Studio and Tanveer Tafu’s impeccable talent. The song was released at a grand launch event in Manchester that also featured performances by Stereo Nation and Sona Walia. Instep catches up with the ‘Oh My Love’ singer as he reflects back on his versatile career, his return to music with ‘Sansani’ and his upcoming projects:
Tell us about your new music video, ‘Sansani’?
Yasir Akhtar: I have been actively working on various productions and shows in 
the United Kingdom and abroad. But I hadn’t release a song since my last music release, ‘Pawan’ which I had done for a drama serial, Sard Aag –Cold Fire.
My fans and followers were insisting that I do some new music. This year, I thought I should film something in Turkey because the country has always fascinated me. I decided to produce a tune that mixes ethos of East and West as it would also suit the location. The tunes I make are very simple; I always try to write thoughtful lyrics to match the song. My songs tend to be catchy and so is ‘Sansani’.
Yasir Akhtar and Apache Indian smile for the cameras.
Don’t you think that the concept of ‘Sansani’ comes across as filmy?
Yes, it’s a mixture of Hollywood and Bollywood. People must have noticed in the video of ‘Sansani’, the concept is based on common situations and scenes mostly in romantic thrillers from Hollywood to Bollywood; guy meets girl, love at first sight, they fall in love. They meet up in the club, the girl gets kidnapped and the hero rescues her. There is even a fight scene. My last music track as a singer was for my drama serial ‘Sard Aag’. It was a very soothing, slow romantic tune. This time I wanted it to be upbeat and for the scenes to change quickly. There is a surprise element, which is revealed at the climax of the video.
Why should we pick up the track ‘Sansani’?
Simply because it’s straight from my heart and it is something which stands out from the rest, hopefully. I always try to improve my work. Everyone is praising it and they have loved the video. All my fans are saying that they are addicted to ‘Sansani’. And that makes me feel great.
Tell us about your production company, Pegasus Productions, and some of your favourite projects?
YA: I have directed and produced more than 200 music videos and several 
drama serials. I have directed Apache Indian and Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan saheb. All my projects are based on different concepts. Whenever I produce something new, people tell me that it’s my best work to date. The feedback on ‘Sansani’ is similar.
How does the production value of ‘Sansani’ differ from your earlier works?
YA: For ‘Sansani’, we fused the instrument Rubab with a modern techno-club beat. Hats off to my friend Anjum Gill and Sher Abbas who sequenced the music with live instruments. The video is also different because I have never played the character of a Turkish police officer before. The video will also remind people of my earlier hit, ‘Oh My Love’ in which I played the character of an air force officer.
You have given breaks to many artists. Do you feel comfortable working with newcomers?
YA: It is always a pleasure to work with talented newcomers. They go out of their way to give their best. I launched the careers of Najam Sheraz, Humayun Saeed, Shamoon Abbasi, Shehzad Roy, Saadia Imam, Javeria Abbasi, Komal Rizvi, Fakhr-e-Alam and many others.
In recent history, I have produced and directed music videos for several upcoming artists in the U.K. like Kaz Khan, Sheeba Khan, Tripet Garielle, Iffi-K, Mirza M.C and more.
How do you look back on your early years in show business?
YA: I entered show business as a child artist in a Pakistani film called Beyond the Last Mountain. My uncle, Javed Jabbar, directed it. I started singing when I was in school. My mother always wanted me to become someone like Elvis Presley or Dilip Kumar. A tragic incident changed our family’s life when my father passed away. It was a turning point in my life. We had a luxurious life. We had everything. Suddenly everything was gone, when I was only 16 years old.
Veteran director Shehzad Khalil who directed the play, Tanhaiyaan, offered my younger sister Shazia Akhtar the lead role in Dastak. I played a very small role as the hero’s friend, played by famous Pakistani film star and my cousin Ayaz Nayak. My sister, Shazia played the main lead opposite him.
What has been your most memorable live performance?
It was in Washington D.C. in Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Maryland. Thousands of people attended the concert. I received the award for being a ‘One Man Industry’. It was a great feeling to receive a long enthusiastic applause after receiving that most prestigious award.
What can we expect next from you?
After ‘Sansani’, I am working on some new tracks. Most probably, I will be bringing out a new music video on New Year’s. I am working on a project of films, a joint venture between Pakistan and the UK. Also, I’m working on a script for a drama serial for a major television network, plus some exciting music videos productions in Paris, Italy and Spain.
