Filmmaker Uzair Merchant has been actively working in Hollywood for the past 13 years, trying to push the envelope with each project of his. He has donned multiple hats, like working as an editor, director and his field of expertise, production designing. Recently, he got global acclaim for his work as his music video, Stardust, was awarded at the New York Film Awards 2021, Milan Gold Awards 2021 and Los Angeles Film Awards 2021. The success of it has motivated the makers of the video to mint it as the world’s first Security NFT.
Ask Uzair how has it been receiving such love and acclaim from all over and he is just over the moon. “It’s been surreal in a way, but also something I’ve envisioned so many times and we’re only just getting started. Although, the love and appreciation for me is more when I hear about artists or individuals, who have changed their career paths or completely switched their mindsets on the arts, because of what I do. That’s the real acceptance for me. Stardust is meant to inspire people to be great. Not good, but always great,” he insists.
Stardust is a part of the original soundtrack of the English show, Black Rose, and what makes it special is that it is one of the first music videos across the world to be shot completely on an iPhone under Bkreativ productions. Mention it to Uzair that he is like a pioneer in this field as he has shot many of his short films on a phone before as well, and he says, “I feel like it’s my responsibility to continue pushing boundaries. I personally don’t consider myself a pioneer but more of an explorer, who is merely exploring unchartered territories. This is in my blood. I usually go to the places or depths that most people won’t go to. It’s a martial artist mindset. However, I do believe that I’ve been able to push filmmaking with merely the use of an iPhone, multiple times now with my short films, that have won a combined of over 25 international awards. We don’t always need money to create something, we just need the right intention of why we are creating it in the first place.”
Now that Stardust has become such an international rage, Uzair has the future plan of action in place as well. “We have eight tracks planned in the album. The next one is called Quantum, which we are already working towards. I want to collaborate with artists from multiple languages and regions from around the world. It’s time we diversify our idea of collaboration,” he concludes.
