Pakistani singer Atif Aslam says the restrictions that kept him from working in India ultimately pushed him to discover a different side of himself as an artiste.
According to Dawn, Pakistani artistes faced restrictions on working in India in 2016 after tensions between the two countries escalated following the Uri terror attack. Atif has not recorded a new song for the Indian music industry since then, although he says he misses his Indian fans.
Speaking on the One on One with Kris Fade podcast, Atif said Indian fans continued listening to his music despite the restrictions.
“It was the decision of their government. For the past 10 years, I haven’t done a song over there. My fans are listening with VPN, they would burn the CDs and give them to people. Not that I appreciate piracy, but it will reach wherever it has to reach. I’ve always wanted to tell you that I miss you guys. I don’t miss working over there, but I miss you guys, because I have learned a lot from playback singing.”
He added, “If this ban never happened, I think I would have been unable to make my own music. So, I thank you guys for that as well… I thank people who have banned me as well because I would not have been able to explore myself.”
Atif said he plans to release more music, including almost one album a year, and collaborate across musical backgrounds. His upcoming Borderless World will feature artistes, music directors, composers, lyricists, songwriters and choreographers from different generations and backgrounds.
He recently released his fourth album, Subah Aye Na, nearly 18 years after Meri Kahani (2008).
