Daily Times

Tell us about your foray into the field of singing. How did it all begin for you?

I started out singing in a restaurant on the weekends in Lahore. Before that I was just a songwriter at home. Ever since my instincts have been guiding me and all I’m doing is follow them.

Tell us about your experience working on the song “Haye Dil Bechara” from ‘Parey Hut Love’. How was it like playing a role in the film?

“Haye Dil Bechara” for me was a pure playback gig. It was not my composition which is usually not the case and I was also being directed to emote according to what the director and music director had envisioned. It was thoroughly fulfilling to go through the process as it allowed me to be more of a voice actor and discover another expression within myself. Playing the character I was supposed to was familiar as a lot of it was meant to be my real character. It was challenging however being on a film set as big as this one and perform. It was overwhelming doing this for the first time. Having said that, there was too much I learnt beyond acting and performing being on Asim’s set.

How much are film songs different from regular singles or album tracks?

Unless films pick up original songs, which in my case has happened in both ‘Ho Mann Jahan’ and ‘Dobara Phir Se,’ composing, writing and singing for films is another domain. One is working for the requirement of a particular moment from the narrative of the film or story. It’s situational writing and emoting which is different to one’s own material released in forms of singles or albums. The creative processes are different.

From “Nadiya”, “Pehla pyar” to “Barish” etc, which has been your most favourite track and why?

They were all written at different times and have their own significance that way but “Baarish” is my most favourite to play with my band.

There’s no bigger achievement or smaller. They’re all milestones that keep an artist motivated and going

Do you plan on returning to ‘Coke Studio’ with the next season?

Being on ‘Coke Studio’ in any season is not left to the artists’ choice, hence I can’t plan it. But to answer your question, I’ve not been called to perform on the new season.

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on a brand new material which is taking its due course. A really fun collaboration with some friends and colleagues from the industry called ‘Paanch’. It’s a compilation of original songs from five of Pakistan’s admired and original artists. I’m quite thrilled to be included in the list. You’ll be hearing soon about this.

What according to you has been your biggest achievement so far?

There’s no bigger achievement or smaller. They’re all milestones that keep an artist motivated and going.

What is your vision for Pakistan and what does it mean to be Pakistani for you?

My vision for Pakistan entails complete self reliance. We have the capability and resources to be. That level of freedom is what I envision for our country. Being a Pakistani at this point in time means to push the threshold, be more patient and tolerant. Grow.

Tell us about a memorable moment in your career.

They’ve been many but playing at the Mississauga festival in Canada to an audience of 20,000 is one of the wildest performances of my career.

What motivates you to excel no matter what?

I think the constant reminder that life is short, time is fleeting; it could all be over in one moment.

We, at Daily Times, consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours?

Artists, teachers, labourers, soldiers, activists and everyone working tirelessly to bring a positive change in their own life and in the lives of others in their community or town or city or country are all my heroes.

Achievements

NATIONAL STAR

Jimmy Khan is a recognised musician with a massive fan following in Pakistan. He has been nominated for the prestigious Lux Style Awards twice in the categories of Best OST and Song of the Year. His songs have been featured in ‘Coke Studio’ Season 11’s biggest hits album.

MULTI-TALENTED

Jimmy Khan is a multi-talented artist who is known for not just singing but writing and composing songs as well. He has also tried his hand at acting with a soon to release film.

FORAY INTO THE FILM WORLD

Speaking of acting, Khan has in the past, produced scores for films such as, ‘Ho Mann Jahaan’ and has had his tracks featured in ‘Dobara Phir Se’. He will be making his acting debut with ‘Parey Hut Love.’

RECOGNITION ABROAD

Khan performed at the South Asian Festival of Mississauga in 2015 to a crowd of more than 20,000 people in Canada, all cheering and rooting for him.

ALL FOR CULTURE

Khan launched his first Punjabi Live Folk EP titled ‘Tich Button’ in December 2018. With ‘Tich Button’, Khan aimed to revive and preserve Punjabi folk poetry and songs infused with the signature Jimmy Khan Band sound. The EP included the band’s renditions of traditional, contemporary and original folk tunes that have been a part of their most recent live set.

ADVOCATE FOR MINORITIES & WOMENS’ RIGHTS

His single “Madam,” a collaboration with the transgender community, gathered critical acclaim even internationally and “Dilri Lutti”, a collaboration with sitar maestro Rakae Jamil and director Umar Riaz, sheds light on inspirational women who survived and conquered their lives despite challenging circumstances that many women have to face in Pakistan.