Contents
Faisal Kapadia is a Pakistan singer, director, and music producer, who is famous for being a member of the Pakistan’s famous pop and rock band ‘Strings.’
Faisal Kapadia was born on Tuesday, 29 June 1971 (age 50 years; as of 2021) in Lahore, Pakistan. His zodiac sign is Cancer.
Height (approx.): 5′ 10″
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Sibling
Not much information is available about his family.
Wife & Children
His wife’s name is Seema Hirani. The couple got married in the year 2000. They have two children together.
Faisal Kapadia with his wife
Faisal Kapadia met his wife, Seema, for the first time in the year in 1989. During a media interaction, while talking about his family, he said,
I met her around the time when String’s journey was just starting. In 2000 my oldest son Armaan was born. He was born just when we’d just come back from shooting the music video for Duur. After that Jibran was born in 2004. So in these past 20 years, the kids have grown and now I really want to spend some time with them, and then see where and what I draw inspiration from.”
Career
Strings
Faisal Kapadia began his music career during his graduation days, when he created the music band ‘Strings’ with his friends Bilal Maqsood, Rafiq Wazir Ali, and Kareem Bashir Bhoy. Initially, the band was signed to EMI Records. Despite selling 20,000 copies in its first week, their early efforts with synthesised sounds and rhythms were not immediately recognised. Two years later, the band released their second album, ‘2,’ which featured their first hit song, ‘Sar Kiye Yeh Paha.’ This song gathered ‘Strings’ widespread critical recognition as a music band. Following the release of their second album, the members of the group decided to take a vacation from it in order to concentrate on their studies for the final exams. In order to preserve the band’s fame, Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood agreed to release a new song in 2000. The song was called ‘Duur,’ and it was followed by another song called ‘Dhaani’ (2003).
HollyWood
In 2004, the Pakistani singer and composer, with his band, made his debut in Hollywood. They composed the song for ‘Najane Kyun’ for the film American superhero film ‘Spider-Man 2.’
International Tour
Pakistani pop music earned a cult following in India around 2002. Following that, Strings travelled to India with local music networks, holding collaborations with their Indian counterparts. The band recorded ‘Jeet Lo Dil’ with the Delhi based music band ‘Euphoria,’ which marked their cross-border breakthrough. The song was chosen as the official theme song for the Indian cricket team’s trip of Pakistan. Following that, they signed a deal with Gibson Guitar Corporation, making them one of only two South Asian bands, along with Jal, to have a working partnership with the guitar maker. Strings released their single Ab Khud Kuch Karna Parega in July 2010, featuring former Jal vocalist Atif Aslam.
Faisal Kapadia (right) performing with his music band Strings
Bollywood
Faisal Kapadia made his Bollywood debut in 2005 with his music band ‘Strings.’ Faisal, the band’s vocalist, sang the song “Ye Hai Meri Kahani” for the Sanjay Gupta directed Hindi-language action thriller film “Zinda.” The band also recorded music for another Sanjay Gupta-directed Bollywood film, ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala,’ in 2007. They wrote the song ‘Aakhri Alvidaa,’ which became an instant hit. Later same year, Faisal Kapadia and his crew created the song ‘Charon Taraf’ for Ahishor Solomon’s film ‘John Day.’
Coke Studio
Faisal Kapadia makes his Coke Studio 14 debut without strings (2022). Because of Xulfi, he considers it a watershed moment in his career. When asked about his Coke Studio debut, he stated,
The turning moment for me was when I got a call from Xulfi.” I was on a family vacation in the summer of ’21 when he called to ask if I wanted to perform this song, and I told him, ‘Xulfi bhai, I never saw myself producing music after Strings.’ But that 30-minute chat was so motivating that I felt as though fate was calling me. “The musician inside of me got enthralled once more.”
Phir Milenge, his debut song, is strong and emotive, with a simple chord structure that is neither superfluous nor excessive. Faisal’s singing, his heavy voice, and Young Stunners’ blazing, violent energy convert the song into an homage to anybody who has ever loved and then abandoned them. The three artists are seen wandering through a maze filled with lovely textures and memories exhibited on walls in the video. The singers travel together but never meet, looking for artefacts that have been left behind. The video was recorded in a single take by filmmaker Zeeshan Parwez and his brave team.
Facts/Trivia
- Faisal likes collaborating with Young Stunners, another Pakistani rap and hip hop combo featuring the vocals of Talha Anjum and Talhah Yunus. He excitedly narrated his experience with them as
It is important to evolve and try new things. The first time I met Young Stunners was on set, and I made them listen to a rap song Strings had made years ago when they probably weren’t even born!” For their part, Young Stunners don’t sound like Pakistani boys imitating Drake, they sound like clear-eyed city kids with something to get off of their chest. Add to that Faisal’s trademark croon, and we have a song that makes us feel like there is hope around the corner.”
He added,
I realised I had a lot to learn after CS, especially when working with Young Stunners. I’ve resolved to work with more new individuals, particularly young ones. I even instructed Xulfi to lead me throughout the song. Because there are many regions I have yet to explore. I’m not seeking for hits; I’m wanting to experiment and try new things. They say you’ve already lost if you haven’t tried. But if you try, there’s a possibility you’ll succeed.”
- According to Faisal Kapadia, he strongly believe that it doesn’t matter if something is big or small, as long as it inspires anyone. One’s life will be beautiful if every night they sleep while anticipating the morning because you want to do this thing again. This sort of inspiration can be found in anything, in sports or whatever you like. He waits for those moments to inspire him and he desires want to keep learning.
- Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood formally confirmed their bands end through Instagram on March 25, 2021. Post the news of band’s split, the fans and followers had a major emotional breakdown. When Faisal Kapadia was asked about it, during a media interaction, he said,
Strings decided to end its journey last year, I personally feel we were really fortunate to have made that decision, …. In 1992, after releasing our second album Sar Kiye Yeh Pahar, we called it off, only to come back in 2000 to make more music. We did many seasons of Coke Studio too. But last year, we called it quits permanently after realising how far we’ve come and how much we don’t want to spoil. The songs Bilal and I made together, they’re there to stay. Gaanay hamesha zinda rehtay hain, even if the artists leave. I will perform them; Bilal will perform them. If you know us closely, you’ll know that Bilal and I have always been opposites. As Strings, we completed each other. Where I was weak, he was strong, and vice versa. So, because of that, we learnt so much from one another. We’re not letting that go. We will make something new from it.”