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.