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You’ve probably seen up-and-coming artist Samar Jafri — be it on television in Parwarish, where he plays a teen navigating the emotional roller coasters of youth; or in the cinema in Na Baligh Afraad, where he portrayed a school-going boy; or perhaps you’ve heard one of his soulful songs. One thing is for sure, this young rising star is unmissable.

As a gesture of gratitude for the overwhelming support and love he’s received from his fans, Jafri surprised them with a brand new track titled ‘Hoor’. No announcements, no build-up, just a song straight from the heart.

Here’s what the self-proclaimed “lover boy” had to say about his latest song.

Q. What was the very first thing that sparked the idea for ‘Hoor’? Was it a line, a melody, or a moment in your life?

Actually, it was a moment. I was sitting at a cafe with one of my friends, and later on, I saw someone walking in. The only word I could think of after seeing them was hoor.

Q. What was the process of writing and composing ‘Hoor’? When you were composing the music, did you already have the lyrics in mind, or did the melody shape the words, or vice versa?

I had experienced something before coming to the studio. Everything was already in my head. What I’m going through and how I felt. So I went to the studio. I had a studio session with one of my producers right after the cafe meet-up with my friend.

I went to the studio, told him about everything. So he was like, “Let’s just write a song. Because that’s the best way to go about things.” For me, this was the best idea — why don’t we explain it through the song, how I felt in that moment?

He played a chord progression for me, I really liked it, and that’s how I came up with the [lyrics] and the first line of the song. After that, I went to the rooftop — there’s a terrace on top of the studio — I took my diary with me, and I started writing the songs. That’s how we came up with ‘Hoor’, I was basically expressing what I felt in the moment, and that’s what ‘Hoor’ is all about.

Q. Is there a particular lyric that you feel holds the heart of the song?

Definitely. There’s this one line which is extremely close to my heart. That was ‘Kismat meri, khel rahi thi majboori se meri’ [My destiny was playing with my compulsion].

I think a lot of people will relate to it, and it talks about how life plays with you when you’re helpless.

Q. How do you think ‘Hoor’ reflects who you are as an artist right now, compared to your past work?

I think ‘Hoor’ is all about love, the beauty of love, the art of letting go. If I have to consider my previous songs, I would say ‘Hoor’ has to be the most difficult song to sing along to. I think that’s the best way to put how ‘Hoor’ reflects me as an artist — a lover boy.

Q. The music video features an old television frame, instead of fitting entirely on the screen. Is this a stylistic choice you were involved in making? If so, why did you opt for it?

I don’t know how many people felt that, but if you listen to the song clearly, it transports you back into the late 80s to 90s music. Western music back then used to be like that. Even if you’re watching the music video, it should be like the ones [from] back in the day.

What if the song came out back then, and people saw this song on those kinds of TVs that existed back then? I think that’s what the idea was for me, at least.

If you look at it, pay attention to it, the visual is not that clear. I won’t say it’s 4K or 1080p, there’s nothing like that. It’s a bit grainy, just like TVs used to be back in the day.

Q. What creative liberties does music allow you that acting perhaps doesn’t? Do you prefer one over the other?

Yesterday, I was speaking to one of my friends, and I was telling him that I love doing music more than acting. It’s because at times I have to force myself to act. Obviously, we’re all humans, and we don’t feel like working at times. Because you’ve signed a contract and you’re bound to the contract.

Secondly, you’re doing something which you haven’t written. You’re portraying an idea that the writer wrote, and the production house approved. So you’re performing something which was written by someone else and perceived by someone else. Music is just about you.

All of my songs, I’ve written them on my own. I’ve composed them on my own. All of my songs are about how I felt in that moment, and that’s what I expressed. At times, I don’t say things out loud. What I do is, I write a song about it. I think that’s the liberty I have.

And, it doesn’t matter if I’m well or not, if I want to work or not. It just depends on me if I want to do music or not. But with acting, if I have given the date already, I have to be on set. I have to show up no matter what. So, I think that is the reason why I enjoy doing music more — I can go and write three songs in a day, but I can’t do three projects in one day.

The acting job is a bit consuming, but music is just about expressing your inner self. You also feel a bit easy after writing and singing the song.

Q. Can we expect more music from you in the near future, and maybe a full-length album?

Of course. There are many songs in the pipeline. I’ve written a whole bunch of songs recently. There’s a lot more to come. I can’t say if I’m gonna release an album or not, maybe an EP. Not sure about an album as of now.

Q. What do you consider yourself? A musician who acts or an actor who does music? As an up-and-coming actor, what made you want to continue pursuing music at a time when most people would assume you’d want to focus entirely on acting?

Look, I won’t say that I’m an actor or a singer, or a musician. I am an artist. As long as we have the talent and art, we’re artists.

I never want to be that guy who people look at and say, “Okay. He’s an actor, and he can also sing.” I never wanted to become that person. Secondly, I was always more inclined towards music since day one. So, as far as acting is concerned, Allah blessed me with respect. And I’ve always been that person who loves welcoming challenges in his life.

I was like, “Okay. Now that people have finally accepted me as an actor. Now it’s time for you to go into the music industry as well. Tell people that you can sing too.

I’m glad people are accepting me as a singer as well. I’m overwhelmed by the response people have given to my songs. It’s great, and I’m grateful for everything that has happened recently.