Nah, Taj! says AKON

Akon comes to India to shoot music video at different locations but sticks to the studio in the end. Here's why

Akon comes to India to shoot music video at different locations but sticks to the studio in the end. Here's why

R&B icon Akon was in India two weeks ago to shoot the music video of the song Let's Come Together composed by Aadesh Shrivastava. Akon was scheduled to shoot at various locations, including the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Akon with Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan. File pic

However, the song was eventually shot at Filmistan Studios on December 8. The official reason dished out was Akon's tight schedule.

A source close to the project however, revealed that although Shrivastava was keen to give the song an Indian feel, Akon shot the idea down since he wanted it to have global appeal.

"Since Let's Come Together is song about world peace, Akon wanted theu00a0 song and the music video tou00a0 have an international feel. Shooting the track against locations in India would have marred that."

Shrivastava says, "We changed the idea because we felt it might give the video a touristy feel, and blunt the message of peace. Promoting the message behind our song is more important than promoting India."

The Akon-Aadesh video is scheduled to be released globally. "We've given the song and video out for worldwide distribution. In India, I've retained the distribution rights," says the composer.