FEATURED ARTIST

Ft., Shayan Fatani

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Pareshaan-The Worries by Shayan Fatani

“Pareshaan/Worried” by Shayan Fatani is a deeply emotional and metaphorical narrative. The music video delves into moving themes that evoke unwanted but significant emotions in its creators and viewers. The collaborative process between Kasumbi, Fatani, Shams, and Mazhar underscores the creative synergy involved in bringing the project to life. Each individual’s contribution adds layers to the overall artistic vision.

The black scarves serve as a heavy metaphor representing themes of struggle, loss, and burden that Fatani and Shams carry throughout the video through their movement and facial expressions; that Kasumbi carries through his music production, and that Mazhar carries through his film production.

“Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley was the inspiration for Shams in being the movement director for the video; the poem’s themes emphasise the transient nature of human emotions and endeavours.

Shams and Fatani are almost alter egos to each other, with Shams trying to latch onto Fatani in one of the visuals, suggesting a complex interpersonal dynamic portrayed through visual storytelling. Shams moving in synchronisation with Fatani adds depth to both of their characters and conveys the internal turmoil they both experience. Almost as if they are so united in each other’s struggle, they metamorphose into and merge with each other’s souls.

The themes of grey, black, and yellow in the video’s colour palette contribute to the overall mood and atmosphere evoking feelings of melancholy, uncertainty, and darkness. Karachi as the backdrop of the video adds context to the narrative, suggesting that the themes explored are influenced by the cultural context of the city. The juxtaposition of the ethereal phantasm with the gritty reality of Karachi suggests a rich visual and thematic contrast that plays out in the video. The idea of internal phantasm amid Karachi – a city haunted by its own and your damage is what Pareshaan’s music video is a tangible testament to. Watch The Music Video Below.

Ft., Hasan Raheem

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Hungama - The Panic

Experiencing heartbreak in Karachi – a wounded metropolis itself is a unique sensation every hopeless romantic must experience. At nighttime, Karachi lets out a sigh of relief from the exhaustion of the day and embraces the anguished. “Hungama” is an apt representation of this phenomenon. Dive into the intricacies of how FT.WA Studio marshalled “Hungama’s” film and music.

Karachi – the City of Lights, Paris of the East, and Bride of the Cities but never the Heartbreaker and the Heartbroken. Hungama’s music video starts with Raheem strolling the isolated streets of Karachi leading to a local pub – or at least Karachi’s perception of one, where he goes to find a temporary escape from his beloved. Kasumbi’s portrayal of the use of substance in the music video showcases the accessibility of substance in Karachi which has wounded the city permanently but heals Raheem’s heart temporarily.

Kasumbi has carefully articulated the bondage between Karachi’s haunting and secluded streets and Raheem’s loneliness. Even though Raheem is surrounded by people in one of the rave visuals, he appears to be completely beyond his frame. Likewise, the metropolis is overflowing with humans, with the sea pushed against nature, just so humans can keep company to Karachi – yet she remains scarred, hurt, and alone. The irony could not have been more striking. Raheem’s state of mind and the shambles his heart is in are tangibly visible in the state that Karachi is in.

Kasumbi plays his final hand by portraying the visuals of distorted memories of Raheem and his lover completing a full-circle narrative. The music video ends with the couple standing at the same rooftop at the beginning of the video. Experiencing heartbreak in Karachi – a wounded metropolis itself is a unique sensation every hopeless romantic must experience. At nighttime, Karachi lets out a sigh of relief from the exhaustion of the day and embraces the anguished. Karachi is hurt, but she heals. Karachi is exhausted, but she cares. Karachi is harsh, but she loves. Hungama is a dedication to the selflessness of Karachi which is similar to how Raheem’s lover breaks but mends him. Watch The Music Video Below.

Ft., Ali Alvi

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The Behisaab Trilogy

The practice of resilient living never ends. “Behisaab” is the first part of the Faani trilogy, which focuses on different concepts of the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi, and about celebrating imperfections and living and aspiring towards simplicity, in a very temporary world.

The music video for “Behisaab” is not just a visual accompaniment to the song, but a manifestation of its deeper philosophical underpinnings – celebrating imperfections and embracing simplicity in a transient world.

Through meditation, visualisations, and even doing simple chores like making a bed or taking a few moments to just breathe – we are practising epic acts of resilience and giving our minds a break. As Alvi wakes up from his bed against a backdrop of musty orange, viewers are immediately immersed in the symbolism of resilience amidst adversity. The contrasting elements of light and dark, represented by the white mattress and blue duvet against the orange backdrop, echo the complexity of the human experience and the struggle to find balance amidst chaos. Watch the visualiser below.

Ft., Ali Alvi

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Saazish - The Trick

The music video for “Saazish” by Ali Alvi is a poignant and evocative depiction of loss, memory, and the relentless passage of time. Set against the stark and majestic backdrop of the deserts of Balochistan, the video captures the profound sense of longing and introspection that pervades the song.

The lyrics of the song convey a deep and abiding sense of searching and yearning. Alvi’s repeated question, “Tu kahan hai” (Where are you?), serves as a haunting refrain throughout the song, reflecting his anguish and confusion as he grapples with the absence of a loved one.

Lines like “Meri duniya simtee hui hai kahan?” (Where has my world shrunk to?) and “Guzray lamhay hai yahan” (The past moments are here) encapsulate his internal struggle as he navigates the memories and conversations that continue to haunt him. This song was also featured as the title song for the show Lapata, a Pakistani TV drama on HUMTV.

The visual themes of brown, green, and black dominate the video, mirroring the desolate yet beautiful landscape and the emotional turmoil of the protagonist. The earth-toned browns and blacks of the desert sands and rocks evoke a sense of barrenness and solitude, while the sparse green (similar to northern lights) symbolizes fleeting moments of hope and memory amidst the desolation. The video’s narrative is driven by Alvi’s solitary journey through the desert.

His solitary figure against the vast, empty landscape underscores the theme of isolation. The desert, with its endless horizons and stark beauty, serves as a powerful metaphor for his emotional state—an internal desert where memories linger like mirages, both beautiful and painful. Watch The Video Below.

Ft., Hasan Raheem

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Nautanki - The Theatric of Love

Hasan Raheem’s vocals, along with the concept and direction for Nautanki by Shams Mansur and Abdullah Kaumbi (Co-Founders of FT.WA Studio) are all carefully crafted to hit just the right spot for viewers.

Nautanki (Hasan Raheem Ft. FT.WA Studio) is a concept inspired by Banksy’s painting “Lovesick”. The title “Nautanki” means theatrics or drama in Urdu which is consistently reinforced through the narrative and visual elements of the video. The exaggerated emotions that Raheem portrays and the chaotic visuals surrounding the idea of young love reflect the theatrical nature of human relationships. The melodramatic lens allows viewers to engage with the playful and sometimes absurd aspects of love and heartbreak.

The cinematic storytelling and powder pink themes of the video are reminiscent of the 70s and 80s-style films, style and decor of the time. The music video pays homage to old-school cinema through visual cues such as teal walls and Raheem wearing a Kurti pajama, evoking nostalgia for a bygone era of Bollywood and Lollywood. These stylistic choices add depth to the narrative, transporting viewers to a world where romance unfolds against the backdrop of vintage charm. Watch The Music Video Below.

The symbol of the toilet throughout the Nautanki album, tour, and music video, serves as a central motif. It symbolises mundane settings as sources of inspiration, echoing Hasan Raheem’s Spotify Radar commentary about writing songs while sitting on his toilet. The juxtaposition of ordinary spaces with artistic creativity highlights the potential for beauty in unexpected places.

“The caution warning at the outset of the video sets a humorous tone. This primes viewers for an emotionally charged journey through the landscape of young love depicted in Nautanki. The warning invites active engagement from the audience aligning with the theatrical nature of the narrative. I had the privilege of attending the Nautanki tour in Islamabad and the audience was given a bottle of sweets, a holographic tee, a Dibs Pass, etc. further empowering the audience to be one with the concept of Nautanki”. Maya Saqib Sultan.

Ft., Blal Bloch

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Baap - Topdog

FT.WASTUDIO created a music video for artist BLAL BLOCH dedicated to the PAK SHAHEEN Boxing Club for girls located in the infamous Lyari town of Karachi, Pakistan. The real fighters in this video are Aliya, Hanfiyah, Bakhtawar, Musqan and Maryam.

Our video follows the inspiring journey of the young ladies of PAK SHAHEEN BOXING CLUB, determined and tenacious they have grown up in Lyari, one of the most densely populated slums in the world. On their turf, these boss athletes use boxing as tools for self- liberation as they punch their way through challenging societal norms, with their friends and families at their side.

Through this music video we want viewers to support the club so our athletes can access better resources, and inspire other women to learn the sport. Currently, Mr. Younus who runs the club requires an inflatable ring, a water dispenser and other health and safety necessities. Watch The Video Below. Like. Share. Believe. Uplift.

Women’s sports are drastically underfunded and overlooked so every donation will help them get the resources and access they need to be the boxing superstars they deserve to be.

Ft., Risham Faiz Bhutta & Hasan Raheem

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Darr - Be Fearless In Love

The music video of “Darr” is an auditory and visual journey that celebrates the courage to love fearlessly amidst the ever-changing landscapes of life. It inspires viewers to embrace love, growth, and renewal with conviction.

“Darr” by Hasan Raheem Ft. RFB is a visually captivating and thematically rich exploration of love, fearlessness, and the arrival of spring tied with the release of the song in the spring of 2021.
The lyrics of Darr were a game-changer for me personally when I heard it. They depict a journey of love and self-discovery, urging the listener to embrace life fearlessly despite the challenges and uncertainties it may present.
“Darr ” incorporated 112 pieces of stock footage which adds an eclectic visual texture to the video, enhancing its aesthetic appeal and creating a sense of visual abundance. This rapid montage of imagery symbolises the diverse and multifaceted nature of love and how humans experience love. “Darr ” was made in just 30 hours with one breakdown highlighting the creative energy and efficiency of FT.WA Studio.

The visuals of “Darr” may be one of the most striking ones someone ever comes across. The synonymous oranges, daffodils, and chrysanthemums create a vibrant aesthetic evoking the renewal associated with spring. These floral motifs not only enhance the visual appeal of the video but also serve as metaphors for the themes of growth, transformation and the cyclical nature of life and love. Old TV screens and space visuals create a juxtaposition between nostalgia and futuristic elements, adding layers of visual interest and symbolism. The video is an auditory and visual journey that celebrates the courage to love fearlessly amidst the ever-changing landscapes of life. It inspires viewers to embrace love, growth, and renewal with conviction. Watch The Video Here.