Ali Zafar and Ayushmann Khurrana unplugged on Dubai stage

A few year back, Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana and Pakistani heartthrob Ali Zafar got together for a surprise impromptu jam during a film award night in Mumbai. Guitars slung around their necks, the duo strummed and broke into an unplugged medley of songs - a tribute to the late Raj Kapoor. Starting off with the original 'Showman' of Indian cinema's memorable hit Jeena Yaha Marna Yaha from the movie Mera Naam Joker, they serenaded the audience with verse after verse of popular 'RK' songs.   
Their combined tribute received a thunderous applause from the packed auditorium that included Bollywood A-listers like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Randhir Kapoor, Jeetendra, Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt to name a few. Now, the duo are coming to unleash their magic in Dubai at the MTV India Unplugged concert that's taking place on Friday, October 27, at Dubai Tennis Stadium. And hopefully, we'll catch a repeat of their much-applauded act from the Star Box Office Awards ceremony in Mumbai.
Both stars are well-known in their respective industries (Ayushmann in Bollywood and Ali in Bollywood and Pakistan), and have carved a niche for themselves in Tinseltown, but the duo are also making waves with their voices. Ali's dynamic voice has won him legions of fans. His sets on Coke Studio Pakistan are a must-listen. Ayshmann's vocal talent came into the limelight after his debut song Pani Da Rang from his movie Vicky Donor (2012) scooped up almost every award during that year.
We guess music lovers can expect an entertaining, intimate session from the artistes who will do a 90-minute session each. And going by what they told City Times, we will see both of them jam together in the finale. Excerpts from a chat with Ayushmann and Ali.
Ali Zafar: I want to entertain to the best of my abilities
There is something about Ali that makes him a favourite with the subcontinent audience. Having worked in Bollywood, he won critical acclaim for his role in movies such as Dear Zingagi, Chashme Baddoor and Tere Bin Laden, among others. Starting his career on television, Ali took to singing later and won numerous awards in Pakistan. He's been a regular feature on the TV music show Coke Studio. The actor told us that his Pakistani debut film Teefa In Trouble is first-of-its kind for the Pakistan film  industry because it meets all international standards. We chat with the multi-talented Ali.

What's more important, acting or singing?
I find great joy in creating music and singing. There is nothing more satisfying than being able to create something and sing for fans. Acting is more to do with my role as an entertainer wherein I have to come up with unique content to keep people entertained. As you must be aware, there have been a lot of exciting things happening in the Pakistani film industry and I have to play my part in developing our film industry, and take our movies to an international platform. In fact, I have just completed my debut Pakistani feature film Teefa in Trouble with the aim, and intention, to make the first-of-its kind Pakistani film that meets all international standards - a  movie that can truly represent our industry. This is something that had been lacking in our industry.

What style of music are you comfortable with - rock, pop, classical, Sufi, or other styles of music?
At the end of the day, for me, music is music. I like to be versatile and venture into any genre, any style. It doesn't really matter. I listen to all sorts of genres and can sing in most of them. Which is why in Coke Studio, all my songs are different. I like to venture into jazz and blues too. I have also done Sufi and folk. Basically I am comfortable singing in any genre or style.

What inspired you to take up singing?
I think I was destined to be into music. You can say I was inspired by the power of music. I used to listen to the great singers of the past and thought perhaps, one day, people would be listening to my voice, my songs and feel the emotions that I'm trying to communicate through my music. That, I guess, was inspiring enough for me to start singing.

What are your plans for Dubai? What's on your set list?
I am a people's person. I will do whatever fans request me to do. I want to entertain them to the best of my abilities. However, in Dubai, I will be doing all my hits - from my pop albums, from my movies like Dear Zindagi etc. Then, I'll be doing all my songs from my Coke Studio Pakistan sessions.

Is there any particular routine you follow before going on stage?
I always meditate before going on stage and do some vocal warm-up exercises as well. I like to be completely stress-free before going on stage.

Do we get to see you and Ayushmann jam together on stage?
I would love to jam with Ayushmann on stage. He's a great guy. I remember working (and singing) with him at an award show in India, we had a great time. I would love to rehearse and do a mix of Bollywood and Pakistani songs with Ayushmann in Dubai.

Where are you more comfortable performing - at home or abroad?
I love the stage and I'm comfortable performing anywhere. The stage is my home!
Ali Zafar on Mahira Khan

You have often voiced your opinion on suppression of women. Most recently, you stood up for actress Mahira Khan when she was trolled. Tell us about that.
I have already said everything I wanted to say (in my open letter). What more can I say. I didn't say anything or write (the letter) to grab media attention or seek the limelight. I feel it's time for us to make a shift in human consciousness. Women in this part of the world cannot rise to their optimal potential because of certain reasons. We still follow a patriarchal system wherein men feel they are superior and can mould or control women to follow their ideals. A serious rethought has to be given to this kind of thinking. Women are just as equal as men, they can do just about anything that men can. We need to be more accepting and tolerant. We need to respect women for what they do. They need to have a voice and an opinion. My foundation, the Ali Zafar Foundation, is working towards giving women support - in education and health.
 
Ayushmann:  Unplugged is purest form of music
With back-to-back hit films such as Meri Pyaari Bindu, Bareilly Ki Barfi and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Ayushmann is a much-sought-after actor for his portrayal as the 'common man'. In fact, he is often referred to as the modern-day Amol Palekar for the type of characters he projects in his films. No doubt then, the actor is a bundle of talent with, of course, a voice to boot. Here's what he told us.

With back-to-back hits and a new movie in the works, how did you manage to make time to perform in Dubai?
Well, all I can say is that when you have passion for something, you will know how to make time for it. Generally, whenever I am not shooting (for a movie), I do concerts. But, of late, I have been very busy working on back-to-back movies, so I have not been gigging for the past three months. Now, I have some spare time, so here I am, for my second MTV  Unplugged gig (in Dubai).

Doing an unplugged show where you're pretty much all alone on stage, does it  make you nervous?
No, in fact, I get a great high whenever I perform unplugged. Because, for me, it's the purest form of music, and I love doing it - it's fun!

Fans lapped up your last performance in Dubai, so what have you planned this time?
This set will be quite similar to my last one. However, fans can expect to hear some new songs. I will be doing hits from my recent movies like Nazar from Bareily Ki Barfi, Kanha from Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and Arya from Meri Pyaari Bindu as well as Sweety Tera Drama. What's different is the way I'm going to mix them up and improvise on them. The rhythm will be completely different, so I think that fans will enjoy that. And with only a guitar backing the songs, the feel will be totally acoustic. So that will be an interesting aspect of the show.
And what about Hindi classics, any plans to do some retro songs?
Yes, surely. I will be singing classics as well as rock versions of nineties' songs in an interesting style. My set list features compositions by RD Burman, SD Burman, as well retro tunes from the black and white era.

We also expect you and Ali Zafar to do a jam session?
Oh, that surely will be an impromptu thing; when we get together on stage.

Do you like performing abroad or at home?
Let me tell you, I feel good connecting with the audiences abroad. Desis (Asian expats) know their music very well, and whenever I've performed outside the country, I've received a lot of love from them. In fact, Dubai is the closest destination abroad for Bollywood artistes.

Anything you would like to tell your fans in Dubai?
Thank you so much for loving my movies. I appreciate that people have liked my talent as an actor, and as a singer. This is my second unplugged show in Dubai and I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun and you will really enjoy my performance this time too.  
Ayushmann talks about his movies...

How does it feel to have back-to-back hit movies?
It's overwhelming. It's a good feeling. I am so glad the kind of content we're touching upon these days is finally getting noticed and being appreciated by the audience. It's a good feeling!
How was it working with the talented Rajkummar Rao? You two seem to have complemented each other very well in Bareilly Ki Barfi.
Oh, he's one of the most versatile actors and talented actors in the industry today, and he's a great friend as well. And when you work with good, A-grade actors, it takes your performance and the movie to the next level.
And how it working with Bhumi Pednekar?
She's my favourite co-star. I would love to work with her in as many movies. As a pair, people have liked us together and accepted us and that's a very good thing for us.
michael@khaleejtimes.com