Pakistan is the home to some of the greatest musicians of all times. Today, Bollywood is filled with talent and voices of these singers. Atif Aslam, Adnan Sami, Ali Zafar, Strings, Fuzon and Jal are doing exceptionally well in India, and have fans from both sides of the border. While these contemporary artistes have been able to unite the countries with modern popular music, there are some traditional Pakistani singers who have held on to the true essence of music and culture of the two countries.
Atif Aslam: Atif Aslam, one of the most renowned pop singers of Pakistan, entered Bollywood in 2005 with ‘Woh Lamhe’ from the film ‘Zeher’. The singer has performed in various Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. He has also made special appearances in many Bollywood songs. He continues to work on top productions and his growing popularity has seen filmmakers create special music videos like ‘Piya O Re Piya’ and ‘BeIntehaan’ to promote their films with his songs.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is one of the most distinguished of Sufi Qawwali singers from Pakistan. He is greatly admired in India for being the Sufi voice in mainstream Bollywood films. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is one of the top Pakistani singers who have hit it big in the Indian Film industry. With contributions in more than thirty films including ‘Dabangg’, ‘I Hate Love Stories’, ‘My Name Is Khan’, ‘Love Aajkal’ among several more. His popularity sky-rocketed in Pakistan soon after his success in India, making him one of the highest paid singers in his own country.
Ali Zafar: Ali Zafar is the heartthrob of millions of young girls in Pakistan, but this versatile performer has been wooing the audience in India ever since he made his debut in ‘Tere Bin Laden’ in 2010. He has not only acted in the Bollywood films but also lent his voice in many of his movies. He then went on to star in movies such as ‘Love Ka The End’, ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’, ’London, Paris, New York’, ‘Chashme Baddoor’ and ‘Kill Dil’. With his charming good looks and what has been described as a ‘Kishore Kumar-like’ voice, Ali Zafar will surely continue to make Pakistan proud across the border.
Adnan Sami: After releasing two albums in Pakistan, Adnan Sami headed for India in 2000 and teamed up with Asha Bhosle to release a collaborative album called ‘Kabhi Tou Nazar Milao’. The album, whose music was composed by Sami, went on to become a tremendous success. The singer then went on to produce a succession of albums. He also started to get offers to compose songs for films such as ‘Ajnabee’. He has always been criticized in Pakistan for moving to India but nobody denies the astounding success he has received in our neighboring territory. According to Times of India, he is the most successful non-film musician in the country.
Shafqat Amanat Ali: He hit Bollywood with Karan Johar’s production ‘Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’, lending his voice for the song, ‘Mitwa’. The song went on to become a chart-topping hit and with that began the singer’s journey in Bollywood. He went on to sing ‘Yeh Hosla’ for the film ‘Dor’, which became a critically acclaimed track. He has sung songs for films such as ‘I Hate Love Stories’, ‘Aashayen’, ‘Mumbai Cuttings’, ‘Hello’ etc. He even got nominated as the Best Male Playback Singer in the Film Fare Awards 2012. His recent song ‘Raske Bhare Tora Naina’ made waves in 2013, appearing in the film ‘Satyagraha’.
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