Daily Times

Jawad Bashir is a household name in Pakistan. He is known for his comedic acts but more than that what makes his comedic style popular is the originality he displays through it. One can easily tell that this is something Jawad Bashir might have come up with because he has a certain style that many Pakistanis, not just back in the 1990s or the early 2000s but even today, adore.

I came across a video on Facebook posted by Jawad Bashir’s official Facebook page. The title of the video to my surprise was ‘Yes Love (Retro) by Dr Aur Billa’. For those of you who remember when there just used to be PTV and NTM or those who grew up during the time of Indus Music might remember the comedic musical act put together by Jawad Bashir. The band’s video and lyrical style were both hilarious and innovative at the same time. However, as funny as the band appeared to be, they were serious about one thing and it was their music. Their uniqueness was what made them popular in that time.

But the retro version shattered the nostalgia (sort of) after I heard the song. The only part I did enjoy somewhat was the first 27 or 28 seconds when a black TV screen showed the starting scene from the original. There is a line in the original that was played on the TV screen as well; One of the reporters asks Jawad Bashir “Jawad bhai, Jawad bhai aap ye batayen pyaar ke baray mai apka khyal hai? (Jawad bro, tell me what is your opinion of love?)”

And while watching the video my response to that question was that I felt a sense of betrayal because of the retro version. Yes Love is a golden track in contemporary Pakistani music and to listen to such a horrendous version was unjust to the legacy of the original song. The electronic rhythm that was played was completely unnecessary and not just that.. the rapper and the female vocalist weren’t required either. Surely, Aliha Chaudhry and Omi Rapper might be talented musicians but they weren’t just suitable for this song.

The music video wasn’t something one would expect from someone as talented and experienced as Jawad Bashir. It seemed like a typical mainstream Pakistani music video which is currently in these days and while there is nothing wrong in targeting a mainstream audience, the problem with this retro version was that despite having all the recipes of a mainstream music video – a stylish car, a rapper and a female model – for some reason it just didn’t work. Maybe because it just wasn’t suitable for a song such as Yes Love.

Overall, there was no need to make a retro version because the music industry needs more originality and less covers or remixes but if one were to really do that they should at least do them properly. The retro version is a forgetful song that makes you want 3 minutes and 10 seconds (which is the entire duration of the song) of your life back.

Published in Daily Times, April 24^th 2018.