INDIA. Amjad Khan, the director of Gul Makai, the Malala Yousafzai biopic, who is also the Goodwill Ambassador of IIMSAM, an intergovernmental institution mandated by the United Nations to fight malnutrition across the world, has come out with a new music video titled ‘Dharm’ on the occasion of India’s 74th Independence Day. The song was recorded by Khan a few months back but its video production was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. So, Khan had to wait before he could find a way to shoot it safely. “After being stuck for a few months I came up with an idea which I thought was both unique and simple. And it only took color, brush and lots of patience, of course. And I shot it at my home only with full precaution of social distancing and safety,” reveals Khan.
Through the song, Khan wants to shake people up and remind them about the true values that India has always stood for. “There is no denying that we are going through a challenging period. Of course, our nation is going through a suffocating dilemma. People have forgotten the true spirit of India. We can’t afford to distance ourselves from our culture, brotherhood, kindness, which used to be a great example for the world. It’s really sad that people have lost the true essence of religion. Nowadays, people judge religion based upon mere useless words. I wanted to make them remember their identity. I want people to rediscover their lost spine and stand for what’s right,” asserts Khan.
Khan understands the importance of communicating ideas visually. “As a filmmaker, I always wanted to create visually pleasant arts. And only paintings could create proper connection between the lines and the soul of the song. I have tried to express many things through the song. So Bhaswati Chakrabarty who previously aligned with me as the researcher and writer of my film ‘Gul Makai’ have spent hours painting those thoughts on my body and face. And of course I had to sit patiently without blinking an eye. I have always believed that filmmaking is just like painting with vast canvas. And I have endeavored to demonstrate the exact thing with the song,” explains Khan.
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The central theme to the song is national integrity. Khan believes that the idea of India is far greater than any individual or group. “I want us to see our old India. Today, we are far ahead in technology, education, medicine, science but we are failing when it comes to tolerance towards other people. Nurturing many religions under one sky, eating different types of food on one plate, and celebrating different cultures with different people. That’s our true India. I don’t want to see red spots in saffron, white and green,” sums up Khan.
Watch the music video here
