Apart from directing critically acclaimed films like Haider and Maqbool, Vishal Bhardwaj is also an excellent music composer.
Bhardwaj has now collaborated with his namesake, singer Vishal Dadlani, to offer a delightfully eccentric yet hard-hitting animated song – ‘Mask Kho Gaya’!
With the current socio-political climate, artists are finding increasingly creative ways to voice their dissent. Penned and composed by Vishal Bhardwaj and sung by Vishal Dadlani, ‘Mask Kho Gaya’ is a fun, satirical piece ‘unmasking’ the harsh realities of the Coronavirus pandemic.
While the beat stays jazzy, the song’s sarcastic lyrics carry a rebellious undertone. With quirky visuals, animated by animator-filmmaker-illustrator duo Susruta and Saswata Mukherjee aka Bob and Bobby, the song is carefully layered with quite a lot of political easter eggs.
Watch and grin as you see Narendra Modi, Donald Trump, and North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un quite literally blow their ‘trumpet’. In stark, ironic contrast, relish the image of New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern being too competent at dealing with the Covid-19 crisis!
From the ‘Cow Urine vs Corona’ fiasco to ‘Thali Bajao’ scene, this hilarious video takes a sly dig at it all.
‘Mask Kho Gaya’ boasts of some truly stunning imagery and metaphors. This particular shot of Indian Air Force showering Corona warriors with flowers, juxtaposed with the plight of migrants is absolutely chilling!
The song has not shied away from making bold, social commentary; cleverly touching upon multiple, relevant issues.
With such a politically loaded song, comedian Kunal Kamra’s cameo alongside NDTV editor Ravish Kumar is a given! Don’t blink and miss it.
Take your mask off for a moment, and enjoy the breath of fresh air that this song is. Now, put it back on and don’t lose it. Keep your fingers crossed for successful vaccine trials!
