Haroon – the planet champ

COVER STORY

Since he first entered the entertainment industry over three decades ago, Haroon has built such an interesting, multi-faceted career. He has conquered the world of music, set up an animation studio and promptly earned international acclaim, created Pakistan’s first legal music app, and generally put his considerable talents to good use by highlighting issues and inspiring others. And that is precisely what he’s hoping to do with his latest animated series, Planet Champs.

In a chat with Us, the multi-hyphenated star looks back at his journey so far, shares what he’s doing at present, and tells us what we might expect from him in the future.

Us: You entered the entertainment industry as a musician (as part of a band) before exploring so many different ventures, from your solo career and Freddie Fiction to Taazi and Unicorn Black. When you look back at your journey so far, how does it make you feel?

Haroon: Well, if I die tomorrow, I will have no regrets. Haha. I have certainly lived a full life pursuing all my creative dreams. I feel with each project that I did, I learnt more and I continued to grow. My band Awaz started in the 1990s; my Haroon solo career was in the 2000s; in the 2010s I set up the animation studio and did the Burka Avenger TV series and Taazi music; and in the 2020s Freddie Fiction, and now launching a new animated series called Planet Champs as well as in the pre-production for an animated feature film project. So kept pretty busy each of the decades.

Us: What sparked your interest in animation?

Haroon: I was always interested in production and direction. I directed Awaz’s first music video that became the first ever Pakistani music video on MTV. I was very lucky to work with incredible directors when making music videos. I learnt a lot from them. I became interested in production myself and directed a couple of my own music videos. That’s when I decided to write and direct a film. I didn’t want it to be entertainment for entertainment’s sake. It had to have a deeper message. That’s when I created the Burka Avenger superhero character. And that story just naturally lent itself to animation. I had already worked on a couple of animated music videos. I hooked up with some talented artists and animators based in Islamabad and I set up Unicorn Black Animation Studios.

Us: You had such massive success with Burka Avenger. What did you learn from working on that series?

Haroon: I directed and produced 52 episodes with my team at Unicorn Black. It was a great experience. I learnt a lot of production lessons. The most important lessons were: first of all, the script is key to the success; secondly, doing a lot of pre-production work before you actually start production of each episode is super important; and lastly, you need a great team that are managed well while prioritising key tasks keeping deadlines in mind. Animation is a collaborative process so having the right people on board makes the difference.

Us: Please tell us about your new animated series, Planet Champs.

Haroon: Planet Champs tells the story of teenage climate change superhero siblings fighting villains that pollute the environment. It is full of action, comedy and adventure, yet each episode has important messages for the Pakistani public, especially the youth.

Shanzay and Shazil are siblings who one day, during a clean-up drive, come across an ancient book and two amulets which give them superpowers to fight for the environment. I am really excited about this show. It is super entertaining. I am really hoping that this has a huge positive impact on the next generation of Pakistanis.

Us: What inspired you to explore the subject of climate change and environmental protection via animation?

Haroon: For me, it has always been important that the content I create isn’t just entertainment for entertainment’s sake. And living in a country like Pakistan, it is every citizen’s duty to help give back. Even with my music I would often create songs with messages. That is why, when I first decided to produce a non-music project, I created the Burka Avenger animated series.

I have been really frustrated with the state of the environment in Pakistan. You see plastic bags littering tourist spots like Swat and Hunza. Other times I see well-to-do people roll down their car window and throw trash out onto the road as they drive by. Air pollution has engulfed Pakistani cities, with Lahore being the number one city with the unhealthiest air in the world in 2022. We are also facing an energy crisis. Pakistan is one of the major climate change affected countries world-wide. This is such an important topic.

When the information ministry and PTV approached me to create and produce Planet Champs and first shared the idea with me to create an animated show based around climate change and the environment, my creative juices immediately started flowing. This is a topic very close to my heart.

Us: What impact do you hope this show will have?

Haroon: I really hope this show can have a generational impact. The goal is to play it on as many mediums as possible. It is starting with PTV, who have planned an incredible launch, and I am very excited for that. Then it goes on YouTube to reach an online audience.

PTV have also created a Planet Champs app. Children across Pakistan can download the app, sign up and become Planet Champs members. There they get special points and badges for doing activities that positively impact the environment, such as planting a tree, etcetera.

Pakistan’s environment is in our hands. Some of the past generations have treated Pakistan like a garbage dump. We need to teach the future generations to treat Pakistan’s environment with love, care and responsibility.

Us: We are getting Captain Planet vibes from the synopsis. Did that series serve as an influence for Planet Champs at all?

Haroon: No, I have never watched an episode of Captain Planet and I had never heard of it until I produced Burka Avenger. Some people mentioned that they thought Burka Avenger reminded them of Captain Planet because they both are cartoons with good messages. I did watch a trailer/promo of Captain Planet recently and it looks great, but it is not the basis of inspiration behind any of my projects, although the environment theme is similar. I’m surprised there aren’t more animated superhero projects with environment themes.

Us: When can we expect new music from you? And do you have any other projects in the pipeline?

Haroon: Yes, I have composed and recorded a new song for the Planet Champs series to be launched soon after the release of the show. As far as projects in the pipeline, my brain is always brimming with ideas. So there is plenty in the pipeline, haha.