By Nitin Sethi, Bollywood Trade News Bureau

On a rainy Friday evening, the music launch of YAHAAN was held at an appropriate venue - Rain. In keeping with the subject of the movie the theme of the evening was 'Kashmir'.

Small toy boats floated in large bodies of water to represent a symbolic Dal Lake. Tea was served in terracotta cups that are used in Kashmir and kashmiri snacks were served along with the regular eats and mocktails. The entire venue was decorated with flowers to symbolize a Kashmiri summer.

YAHAAN is another in a long line of meaningful movies - like PAGE 3 and BOSE - THE FORGOTTEN HERO - to be presented by Sahara One Motion Pictures. YAHAAN, is the directorial debut of ad-filmmaker Shoojit Sircar.

The music launch was by Sahara-One Motion Pictures with Times Music and Red Ice Film Production.

Shri Shantonu Aditya CEO, Sahara India Entertainment Management Company Ltd (SIEMCL), Gulzar, Jimmy Shergill, Minissha Lamba, Director - Shoojit Sircar, Music Director Shantanu Moitra and Producer Gary S and Robby Grewal graced the occasion.

A Red Ice films production, the film stars Jimmy Shergill, new find Minissha Lamba, Yashpal Sharma and Mukesh Tiwari. YAHAAN, set in violence-ridden Kashmir, is the story of Adaa, a Kashmiri girl, who falls in love with an Indian army captain, Aman, and their love blooms despite apparent disapproval from all quarters. The film unfolds this story of 'Love against all odds' and depicts the turmoil of the protagonists during their journey of love.

Gulzar's lyrics complimenting Shantanu Moitra's music and Sameeruddin's background score makes the music melodious and soul stirring. Swedish cinematographer Jakob Ihre's play with camera-exposure lends a unique de-saturated look to the visuals, especially in the songs.

Regarding the film, the director Shoojit Sircar says, 'The execution of the film is something nobody has seen before in India. There have been films made on Kashmir in the past but the depiction of it has been far from desired. I have tried to bring out the emotional aspect of the people who live there.' The film has been shot in some parts of Kashmir. 'We went there and shot only after the required permissions from the army posted there,' says Sircar.  

According to Sandeep Bhargava, Chief Operating Officer, Sahara-One Motion Pictures, 'YAHAAN is a continuation in our belief towards supporting meaningful and content driven cinema in the country. As India's largest motion pictures studio, we have always believed in encouraging new talent and supporting products which are defined by their content and cinematic excellence.'

Releasing on July 22nd, the film has already been selected as a part of the prestigious 7th Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian Cinema.