Javed Ali and Ayaz Ismail craft their ‘Kismat‘

In his latest achievement, Javed collaborates with music producer Ayaz Ismail to release ‘Kismat’, a single that blends western influences with Bollywood flair. Ayaz Ismail, a Dallas-based Indian-American composer and singer, is renowned for fusing Indian classical music with modern genres. During Javed’s USA tour in 2022, the duo came together for an overnight collaboration, and ‘Kismat’ was created and recorded at Ayaz’s studio, iThinkSound, in Dallas.

Apart from Javed and Ayaz at the helm, Kismat has a stellar team of Kunaal Vermaa, who has written soulful lyrics, and Grammy-winning engineer Dave Kutch.

The theme and composition of ‘Kismat’ are inspired by a desire to create something contemporary that resonates with today’s audience, Javed shares. “Ayaz poured his heart into creating this song, and I matched that intensity in my performance. The production quality, including the mixing, is exceptional, and we recorded the track in the US to ensure it had a global appeal. I’m thrilled that ‘Kismat’ is receiving so much love and recognition.”

Reflecting on their evolving creative dynamic since their first project, Wirdd, Jaaved shares, “Our first collaboration was highly appreciated, and Ayaz and I truly connect on a creative level. This second collaboration is just as important and special, with our musical themes aligning perfectly. Ayaz is an incredibly talented artist, and I deeply admire his style. This new project holds significant meaning for both of us.”

Ayaz believes that Javed brought his voice’s unique, timeless quality to the song, which makes it special. “Javed’s voice is pure magic — rich, emotive, and timeless. What sets his contribution apart is his ability to breathe life into every word, making the emotions feel tangible. He captured the soul of ‘Kismat’ with such finesse that it feels like the song was tailor-made for him.”

Composing ‘Kismat’ came with its own set of challenges, particularly in aligning the music with the emotional depth of the lyrics, says Ayaz. “To overcome this, I revisited the composition multiple times, drawing inspiration from my experiences. The process was made smoother through close collaboration with Javed and Kunaal, which helped us bring out the true heart of the song and make it feel authentic.”

Dual creatives

Ayaz balances his dual passions for music and design as a professional designer. “Design and music are two sides of the same creative coin for me. Both require storytelling, structure, and emotion. I balance them by treating each as a complementary outlet — design sharpens my attention to detail and visual storytelling. At the same time, music lets me dive into raw emotion and soundscapes.”

Living in Dallas offers Ayaz a unique blend of Western influences and Indian roots. “This duality shapes my sound and allows me to create music that’s both global and rooted in tradition,” says Ayaz, adding, “Collaborating with artistes from India brings a fresh cultural depth to my work, and the distance inspires me to bridge worlds sonically, creating something universal yet deeply personal.”

Blend of indie and playback

From the chart-topping ‘Srivalli’ to the highly anticipated ‘Bujji thalli’ in Naga Chaitanya’s Thandel, Javed has cemented his place in Telugu cinema. Reflecting on his journey, Javed attributes much of his success to his collaboration with composer Devi Sri Prasad, calling it a “great combination”. Javed also highlights their latest track, ‘Pheelings’, for Pushpa 2, as another strong musical connection.

According to Javed, the key to their success lies in combining their creative visions, finding a middle ground, and letting the music evolve organically. He praises Devi Sri Prasad for bringing out the best in every artiste and making the process both rewarding and enjoyable. “Our combination is lucky, and our thoughts are in sync musically.”