In a candid and emotional interview with journalist Faridoon Shahryar on the YouTube show Connect Cine this week, renowned Pakistani singer Atif Aslam addressed the backlash he received for performing at a concert just two days after his father’s passing.
The singer’s father died in August, and Atif took to Instagram shortly after to share a heartfelt tribute. Posting a photo of himself kissing his father on the cheek, he wrote: “A final goodbye to my Iron Man. Rest in peace Abu jee.” He also requested prayers for his family during the difficult time.
Despite the personal loss, Atif took the stage at Karachi’s National Stadium for a sold-out Independence Day concert just two days later. While many praised his strength and professionalism, others criticized his decision to continue with the performance.
Responding to the criticism, Atif said:
“I heard people saying that my father passed away and I was still performing the next day. They were trying to make their channel run at my expense, making commentary about if I should have gone or not.”
One Instagram user voiced a sentiment shared by many critics, writing:
“Atif Aslam has enough influence to cancel any show if he truly wanted. This is not a sacrifice for Pakistan, it’s a choice and it’s clearly for money, not for the nation.”
However, Atif was clear about his stance. He emphasized that he does not feel the need to explain himself to everyone.
“My job is not to tell the haters not to do it. I can’t build a relationship with the whole world. I can’t explain to each and every person what my circumstances were. My job is to make art. Like me for my art, hate me for my music. Don’t tell me what to do.”
He also reflected on the deep emotional connection his father had with his music.
“I’ve never seen my father cry,” Atif said. “But when he heard me sing ‘Taj Dar-e-Haram’ on Coke Studio for the first time, he cried. I remember The Sabri Brothers version of the qawwali used to play on TV at 7am and then at 12pm and he would make us all watch it. I didn’t understand it at that time. Later on, I realised what it is and the kind of connection he shared with it.”
Looking back on his career, Atif shared gratitude for the opportunities he received in Bollywood, where he became a household name with hits like Tera Hone Laga Hoon, Jeene Laga Hoon, Tera Hone Laga Hoon, and Dil Diyan Gallan.
“I miss Bollywood,” he said. “It has been eight to ten years since I last worked there. I miss performing there, I miss being in the studio, I miss my friends, the music composers. I’m really happy that the industry has come a long way and I’m happy to see it thriving.”
Atif also acknowledged the role Bollywood played in amplifying his career:
“If I talk about Pakistan, we don’t have many stars. Our industry is not as big as Bollywood. But out of the few there are, God chose me and made me shine in the big jungle that is Bollywood. I can’t thank Him enough.”
Reflecting on his journey as an artist, the singer emphasized the need for self-awareness and courage in the industry.
“You need to be a rebel to be an artist,” he said. “You should know your strengths and weaknesses. You need to keep working on them. I am a stage animal, not a studio artist. When I go on stage, I forget what is happening in the world.”
Atif concluded by crediting his late father as the core of his inner strength:
“A person who has lost his father is not afraid of losing anything else. That’s where the rebel in me comes from.”
Read More : BYD Reveals Number of Vehicles Sold in Pakistan
