UNIVERSAL MUSIC INDIA ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO THE MUSIC OF
AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR MIRA NAIR’S LATEST FILM
‘THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST’
World’s leading music label, Universal Music India today announced that they have acquired music rights to Mira Nair’s upcoming movie ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ based on the acclaimed novel by Moshin Hamid. Celebrated American music composer Michael Andrews, who has composed music for movies such as Donnie Darko, Bridesmaids and Zero Effect, has composed the near hour-long score for the movie.
The soundtrack hits stores on 30th April`13 while the film releases pan-India on 10th May`13.
Award winning director, Mira Nair worked closely withMichael Andrews and their combined efforts have effectively layered the film’s score with traditional Pakistani songs, Urdu poetry set to music, cutting-edge Pakistani pop, funk and rap.The soundtrack kicks off with a Qawwali “Kangna” sung by a family of 12 renowned Pakistani Qawwali singers, led by brothers Fareed Ayaz and Abu Mohammed. This is followed by the multi-talented Pakistani pop star Meesha Shafi’s brilliant “Bijli Aaye Ya Na Aye”. Amy Ray of folk group the Indigo Girlsperforms on “Measure Of Me” and there’s also the acclaimed Atif Aslam who sings in Urdu on “Mori Araj Suno”.
As the movie focuses on a blend of old and new, its music succinctly reflects these themes and combines the traditional with the contemporary to create the perfect soundtrack for the film. Mira Nair was drawn to the dynamic sounds of Pakistan’s music scene today that combines the charm of legendary singers and young musicians to infuse jazz and folk into ancient songs. For The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Pakistani modern funk was her inspiration.
“Every film gives me a chance to explore a world of music.” says Mira Nair “It’s not just fusion. There is a real depth to this amalgam. It’s like nothing I have heard.The poems of the Pakistani poet laureate Faiz Ahmed Faiz, beloved by my father, have become the heart of many songs in the film. His poems are put to music and we composed new versions of his poems.”
Commenting on the film association, Devraj Sanyal, Managing Director – Universal Music India & SAARC said, “I’m a Mira Nair fan & have been for years. To now have the opportunity to handle her new film’s music which, in my opinion is brilliant is such a privilege. The reluctant fundamentalist’s eclectic mix of many world sounds is just what the new Indian consumer is looking for. I personally think songs like ‘Bijli’ & ‘Mori Araj’ are on their way to give commercial Bollywood cinema a run for its money. I’m looking to work with Mira & her very gifted crew to totally up the game for her movies, especially in the digital domains, where we are unqualified leaders, for many years to come.”
The album is available on both physical and digital formats 30th April`13 onwards Exclusively on Universal Music.
