Remembering that loving feeling

Sahir is the son of Bollywood lyricist Nawab Arzoo, who wrote Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein from Baazigar

When we first heard Deja Vu, we felt a light, happy feeling - and the video has us believe that we were back in college. Slight glances, hidden smiles, and that heady feeling - singer-songwriter Sahir's new single will have you drifting back into the past. The video is shot beautifully on the streets of Mumbai, showing two strangers who often pass each other and feel a pull. The Mumbai-based musician, whose father Nawab Arzoo was a lyricist for hits like Baazigar, has a soft, lilting voice, and a knack for writing relatable lyrics. We spoke to him about the song, and what lies ahead.

Why sing about the eerie feeling of Deja Vu?
I wrote Deja Vu and the whole EP reminded me of the purity I had once experienced. This song is a tribute to the kind of love we all grew up believing in, and many of us are still searching for. The idea was to go back to the feelings that comforted us, reminding the listener of far simpler times. Terence, the director of this noir-style music video, wanted to capture the interrelation of the feeling of deja vu and love. It's the story of two strangers who cross paths one day on a Mumbai street - they never speak, sharing only a fleeting glance that is nonetheless enough to catapult them both into exquisite daydreams.

What's the feedback been?
I want folks to relate to the song, with their own versions of love. I have been single for the last two years, but the memories of love always brighten my mood. The reactions have been positive. I am just glad my mother loves it.

What's next?
After the EP release of 2000 (Do Hazaar), I have a new single, Farz, dropping April 4. I am also directing a few music videos and working on a podcast called Beyond Hip Hop.

What: Deja Vu
Where: All streaming sites