Former ‘String’s singer Bilal Maqsood had taken to Twitter today to slam users for making social media accounts of his father, veteran playwright and host Anwar Maqsood. He requested his followers to block such accounts as they could put his father’s life in danger.
“These kinds of fake tweets only put my Abbu’s life in danger. This guy has already blocked me. Please can you all report this account. Abbu does not post anything on social media. His actual account has only 3 posts. We made that account so we can report all the fake ones.”
These kinds of fake tweets only put my Abbu’s life in danger. This guy has already blocked me. Please can you all report this account. Abbu does not post anything on social media. His actual account has only 3 posts. We made that account so we can report all the fake ones. pic.twitter.com/BP5G749sEy
The celebrated screenwriter had clarified in 2020 with a video to prove that he only had one Twitter account.
“My name is Anwar Maqsood and because of circumstances, I had to make this video to tell you that this is my official Twitter account,” he was seen saying in the video.
This is my official account. I request you to report all other accounts that are impersonating me. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/2qTXtCZJ6n
On March 25, 2021, Strings announced that after a successful run for 33 years, they had decided to break up the band, with members Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood going their separate ways.
The decision broke hearts across the subcontinent, as fans grappled with the end of the band they had grown up listening to.
Now, Bilal Maqsood has opened up about why the decision to end ‘Strings’ was difficult but necessary. He said that because both him and Kapadia wanted to end the band with good memories rather than being cast out of the limelight with disgrace:
“We were incredibly happy to end ‘Strings’ because the respect we wanted our band to have was our top priority. Both of us had discussed prior to our announcement that if we would ever end the band, we’ll do it at the peak of our career, rather than dragging it on to a point that people beg us to leave and retire.”
Maqsood made a reference to other members of the sports and music industry, especially senior officials who grow vastly unpopular with audiences because of their denial of the fact that they could lose their fanbase
“We had noticed this with the sports and music industry, with senior officials who remain in a sort of denial that they could never be unpopular, and since they’ve been here longer they deserve respect from the public. We never wanted ‘Strings’ to go out of the public this way, so we decided that it’s best to end this before that happens. Lockdown provided us with the perfect opportunity because that’s when things began to stagnate, concerts weren’t happening so it was a good opportunity to end with good memories with our fans.”
Maqsood went on to thank the fans who had kept the band popular for 33 years since they began and promised that even though they had gone on their separate ways, he will have a lot of respect for Faisal Kapadia and wished him the best of luck with everything in his life.
Maqsood also assured his fans that he was still making more music, and soon they will see other projects that he is working on come to light.
Pakistani singer and composer Bilal Maqsood shared a clip on his official Instagram handle in which the comedian Tabish Hashmi can be seen trolling the guests present at the Lux Style Awards held last month in Karachi.
‘Mera bichara yaar’ famed singer wrote, “This clip got censored from Lux style awards that aired on Sunday.
When @tabishhashmi was roasting everyone he asked me a question too:))”
After entertaining us for more than three decades, Strings called off their partnership as a band on March 25, leaving fans heartbroken across the world.
Among those upset with the news was Adnan Siddiqui. To express his sorrow over the development and to recall memories with them, Adnan shared an unseen music video from 1993, which featured him alongside Natasha. The video was directed by Bilal and shot in Gwadar and Hawk’s Bay.
“Millions of us are still anguished with Strings ending their divinely gifted partnership of more than three decades. An entire generation grew up on their legendary music,” wrote the actor in the caption. “Whether it was the first brush of love, careless abandon of youth, heartbreak or experiments with finding our calling—Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia were always there with their symphonies, ballads [and] rock songs.”
“I am also overcome with a flurry of emotions and gush of memories as I see them going their own way,” shared the actor further. “My personal and professional association with them dates back to the late 80s, almost from the time Strings made a splash in the world of Pakistani music for the first time.”
Recalling the memories, Adnan said: “My first performance with them was in 1989 during a stage show at Funland where they played Maine Tujhe Kabhi Dekha Na Tha. We were in our early 20s, ready to take on the world. From then on till 2015 World Cup, we worked together at intermittent intervals.”
“In Aankhen Chhupa Ke from their third album Duur in 2002, I shared space with my wife. The video was shot on a shoe-string budget at Mubarak village. The World Cup theme Phir Say Game Utha Day was the last time we performed together. I think I would be the most common face in their videos,” he remarked.
Talking about the video he shared, Adnan said: “Sharing here a rare gem from their talented stable with an almost juvenile looking yours truly. The song is Aaj Main Khudi Say Ladta Gaya.”
“The year was 1993. Bilal decided to expand his genius to direction, but more so to give me orders and directions,” said Adnan. “Natasha and I shot it at Hawk’s Bay and Gwadar desert in Balochistan. A rather bold video for its time with animal carcass and snakes featuring along with two good looking people and a very hummable song.”
After entertaining us for more than three decades, Strings called off their partnership as a band on March 25, leaving fans heartbroken across the world.
Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia’s thirty-year long journey, which hit a roadblock once before in 1992 as well, has blessed the Pakistani music scene with some timeless classics that generations have been grooving to for years.
After their split, we (The Current) asked our followers to share their favourite songs of them. Here are the evergreen ones that topped the list:
Duur
Duur was the third album by Strings, first released on January 21, 2000, and then re-released on January 1, 2002. Singles from the album included Duur, Anjane, and Aankhain.
Dhaani
Dhaani was the fourth album by Strings, released in 2003. Singles from the album included Mera Bichara Yaar, Soniye, Chaaye Chaaye, Pal, Bolo Bolo, Dhaani, Najane Kyun, Hai Koi Hum Jaisa and Kahani Mohabbat Ki.
Dhaani was Pakistan’s first record-breaking album with eight videos and five awards. All songs in the album were written by Anwar Maqsood and composed by Bilal Maqsood.
Mera Bichraa Yaar
Mera Bichra Yaar is a classic song from Dhaani.
Hai Koi Hum Jaisa
Hai Koi Hum Jaisa is a compilation album by Strings that was released in 2003. Soon after its release, the song became the favourite patriotic song of the year and was also the Cricket World Cup Anthem in the year 2003.
Main Tou Dekhoonga
Main Tou Dekhoonga, which released on April 4, 2011, is a sociopolitical song by the duo. The song was written and produced by Bilal himself while the music video was produced by Jamshed Mehmood (Jami).
Special mention to Sarr Ki Yeh Pahar, which is also a classic by the band.
Let’s be honest. March 25 will be regarded as one of the saddest days in history, despite the fact that we won a cricket world cup on this day in 1992. This is because on this day Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood announced that they have parted ways and are ‘concluding’ Strings after producing music for 33 years.
Announcing the news on social media, Strings said: “This post is a bit different from the usual. We have decided that today, 25/03/2021, is the day we graciously get to conclude Strings.”
“The past 33 years have been incredible for both of us. It’s so rare to have the chance to be able to do things like this and we are infinitely grateful to all of our fans for making it possible,” read the announcement further. “We hope you found it worthwhile as well.”
Bilal and Faisal also shared the announcement on their respective social media handles.
Soon after the news broke, fans and followers of the band including Ahmed Ali Butt, Farhan Saeed, Gohar Rasheed and Haroon Shahid took to social media to express their “heartbreak” over the band’s split.
#Strings (the band) has decided to conclude their band and the world of music will not be the same anymore what a heartbreaker #TheEnd
Thank you for your service #Strings I guess all good things come to an end but for sure Faisal bhai and Bilal bhai will definitely be contributing to Pakistani music for years to come. Let the Strings tributes flow with some acoustic covers this whole week. Will share mine soon!
Strings have ended but the countless memories will remain- thank you Bilal and Faisal bhai for shaping our lives with your music – love you guys #strings#pakistanpic.twitter.com/sZEs0QmEaZ
Strings has decided to part ways and I am sad, i am just sad. THIS BAND IS EVERYTHING!!!! duur ik gaon hai, wahan thandi chhaon hai. pic.twitter.com/zgEfq15JkZ
When your “bachpan ka fav band” gets separated, Dil toots Goodluck to you both Faisal & Bilal for giving us #Strings for 33 years ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ZHcxmDRReJ
Music streaming platform Patari has revealed the top songs and artists for the year 2020, among other stats.
According to their lists, Ali Sethi, Shamoon Ismail and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan are among the most streamed artists in Pakistan.
Shamoon Ismail’s song Rung was the most streamed song followed by Bilal Saeed and Momina Mustehsan’s Baari.
Meanwhile, Strings was the most-streamed band in 2020, while Teri Tasveer by Bayaan was the most streamed album this year. Hadiqa Kianai was the most streamed female artist in 2020.
Bilal Maqsood has voiced his distaste for advertisements which start running every time you tune into YouTube. As annoying as they are, advertisements while watching a drama or listening to a song are not as bothersome as the ones that pop up when you are listening to or watching religious content.
“Imagine listening to Surah-e-Rehman and it is interrupted in the middle by a lawn or a cooking oil ad, it’s highly disrespectful,” said the singer in an Instagram post.
Meanwhile, the Strings band member has been keeping his followers entertained by sharing throwback pictures and interesting tidbits of the band’s journey through the years.
We knew Bilal Maqsood is a multi-talented artist, but we had no idea that he is ambidextrous as well. Ambidexterity is the ability to use both the right and left hand equally well.
The singer showed off artistic skills by drawing a couple in lockdown using both his hands at the same time, the video of which is truly mesmerizing.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-mV1VgnK5v/
With everything else on hold, celebrities are using this time to connect with their fans through social media. Instagram Lives have become the new norm and every night social media apps are lit with celebrities aiming to entertain their fans across the world. Bilal has also been entertaining his fans by sharing short clips of him humming classic songs and playing the guitar. Check them out below:
Bilal sings the evergreen ‘Sanwali Saloni’ in memory of the legendary Junaid Jamshed.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-t_KXGn7c5/
Check out this rendition of Ali Zafar’s classic Channo.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-htZkqH7wp/
Bilal gives the 90’s kids a little pop quiz. Can you guess any of these songs?
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-ZvZKmnjpf/
And the like the rest of us, Bilal is washing his dishes.
