India is 'second home' for Pakistani band Jal

New Delhi, April 21 (IANS) India is like a 'second home', say members of the popular Pakistani rock band Jal who have produced chartbusters like 'Woh Lamhey' and 'Aadat'.

'Though we get the same kind of respect wherever we go, there is something special about being in India,' Goher Mumtaz, rhythm guitarist, composer, lyricist and the founder of the band, told IANS.

The band members - Farhan Saeed, Shazi and Goher - were in the capital to promote their new album 'Boondh', which has 12 songs.

'The album includes two unplugged versions of our songs 'Sajni' and 'Humein Itna Pyaar',' said Goher.

According to him, India offers a major platform for new talent in Bollywood.

'Bollywood is a good and healthy platform which makes India an attractive place to exhibit our talent. And our work is so well appreciated here,' the musician said.

Goher feels that Indians welcome talent from all corners of the world with open arms and give them immense love.

'I have observed that a lot of Bollywood producers and directors are appreciating and accepting music generated by indigenous bands, and so far the concept has been a hit,' he said.

The rocker believes that the Indian music industry has undergone a welcome change. He said that Pakistani bands were now well received in the country and, with good publicity, they could do really well for themselves.

The group has several awards in their kitty, including the Favourite Artist of India at the MTV Asia Award, which they won in Bangkok in 2006. Goher credits the band's success entirely to their popularity in India.

'We had won against Asha Bhonsle, Sonu Nigam and Abhijeet Sawant. And there were a lot of Indian audiences who voted for us and I give them 100 percent credit for making us win,' he said.

In their new album 'Boondh', they have experimented by producing a Sufi number 'Main Mast Hoon'. And Goher says that it 'is already a chartbuster in Pakistan'.

He revealed that Bollywood actress Amrita Rao would star in the music video of their song titled 'Chalte Chalte'.

Asked how different the new album was from their first one, Goher said: 'We are competing with our own previous album. We have matured over time and an improved chemistry between the three of us can be seen in 'Boondh'.'

Their last album 'Aadat' was released in 2004.

The band is currently involved with composing as well as rendering vocals for a few Hindi movies.

'The songs can be heard in June or July,' he said, adding that he couldn't divulge any details about these projects.