He was Pakistan's pop icon together with his sister, the legendary Nazia Hasan back in the eighties. They had the moves, the tunes, and the Hasan siblings were a powerhouse of pop music. After Nazia's sad demise in 1997, Zoheb shut himself away from music. But now, he's all set to taste the Pakistani music scene with a new album slated for release soon. TelePk.com caught up with Zoheb to find out more…

Your album was supposed to release in May – why the delay?
Zoheb Hasan: Actually, Kismet is also a play airing on a local channel these days and they were waiting for it to air. Now, Kismet will release by the end of June.

Sohail Javed was directing the first music video. Then it was heard that Jalal was doing it. Who is making the video?
ZH: Basically, we're looking at a couple of storyboards but nothing is final yet. It all depends on Fire Records (my record label). It's their decision. I'm just waiting. But we will release two proper music videos.

How would you say your album is different?
ZH: The main aspect of my album is melody. Back in the eighties with Nazia and even today, I have concentrated on melodies more than anything else. If you look at it, a revival of melodies in the west is taking place with Coldplay and U2 going back to traditional tunes. A lot of my songs are featured in the play and so far the response from the audience has been quite good.

Is this the first time that you're acting in a play?
ZH: Yes.

And how did this play exactly happen?
ZH: My wife heard the album and she's also a writer. Kismet is a very visual album. She asked me if she could write a story on the lines of the album. I said sure. She wrote it, we pitched it to a channel and we got a great response. So, we did the play.

Why acting?
ZH: One should keep on doing something different. I had already done music videos. This was new and exciting.

How was the entire experience?
ZH: A music video is maximum 4–5 minutes whereas in a play you keep coming back in every episode. In a video, you play to the camera but in a drama, you play away from the camera. It was hard at first but overall the entire experience was great. We had a great director and everyone – Iman Ali, Aijazz Aslam, Tooba – knew that it was my first time so they were professional.

Does this mean that you'll also venture into acting?
ZH: Being a musician and actor is quite different. It's a completely different mindset when acting. I've got many offers from here as well as from India. But I don't think that I will take up acting as a career. If a musical play comes my way, I might do it but not serials.

Apart from the release of Kismet, is there anything else that you're working on?
ZH: I'm making a telefilm on my sister, Nazia. It'll be shot on 35mm just like a film and will be a collaborative effort between India and Pakistan. Currently, we're looking for teenagers who can play Nazia and me. It'll be Nazia's life in its various stages. Her life in Pakistan, visits to India, her work with UN in New York as well as her life in London. I will be directing the soundtrack and producing the telefilm.

After the album release, will you do concerts?
ZH: It's too soon to say anything. It all depends on public response. But yes, I would like to do some shows but right now, it's early to say.

What's your take on the current music scene in Pakistan?
ZH: I think the coming up of so much new talent is very good. No one is indispensable. We have seen big bands have unsuccessful albums so the audience is well aware. It's a volatile industry but do your best and that's it.