There is no denying that India and Pakistan are two countries who originate from a common history. Indian culture has always fused into the Pakistani and vice versa. TV shows, Bollywood and many other arenas have been affected by Pakistani artists who have made great contribution to them. Especially, the Indian Music industry has been greatly affected by Pakistani artists appearing in shows and as playback singers in Bollywood. Some of them have made their way to huge fame in popular culture. Here is a list of some of the famous singers of our time who originate from Pakistan and have made it big in Bollywood…
1. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
Probably one of the most famous singers of this time with a distinctive charming voice that makes people of all ages succumb to his melodies. He is the nephew of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and son of Ustad Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan and also the grandson of legendary Qawwali singer Fateh Ali Khan. He has given Bollywood many hits like “Teri Meri”, “Sajdaa”, “Tere Mast Mast Do Nain” and numerous more. He is the first in our list of Pakistani Singers Who Made It Big In India.
2. Atif Aslam
A multidimensional Pakistani personality who was voted most famous artist on Saavn followed by Arijit Singh, A. R. Rahman and Shreya Ghoshal. He is a singer, guitarist, actor and also a dancer. He made his Bollywood singing debut with the song “Woh Lamhe” from the movie Zeher (2005) and hit the road to success in bollywood since then. He has sung about 38 songs in Bollywood with all of them being chartbusters and has also made special appearances in songs such as “Piya O Re Piya” and “Jeena Jeena”. Out of the Pakistani Singers Who Made It Big In India he probably made it the biggest.
3. Farhan Saeed
When Jal’s lead singer Atif Aslam parted ways with the band it lead to Mumtaz Goher(the lead guitarist) to recruiting Farhan as the lead vocalist of the band and eventually their first album was a commercial success. Soon, Farhan made it well off in Pakistan and also spanned his career over Bollywood industry recently with songs “Naam-e-wafa” and “Bhool naa jaana”. His top charting singles include “Halka Halka Suroor”, “Roiyaan”, “Sajna” and “Pi Jaaun”. My personal favourite from the list of Pakistani Singers Who Made It Big In India.
4. Adnan Sami
Born in London though, he has an Indian and Pakistani origin. He has mastered instruments Piano, Keyboard, Guitar, Accordion, Saxophone, Violin, Drums, Bongos, Congas, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Tabla, Dholak, Harmonium, Harpsichord, Santoor, Sitar, Sarod, and Percussion. The song from his album “Teri Yaad” was the title track of his first album “Raag Time” which became a huge hit in Pakistan. His album/film Sargam which was released in 1995 is still the largest selling album of all time in Pakistan. It was also the first time that an Indian playback singer was featured in an album in Pakistan. So here we are lookng at an anomaly in our list of Pakistani Singers Who Made It Big In India.
5. Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan
He was the lead vocalist of the Pakistani rock band Fuzön. He sang 3 songs in Coke Studio(India): “Ankhian”, “Kyan Haal Sunavaan” and “Aye Hari”. He also appeared in MTV Season 2 (India). His songs “Bin Tere” from “I Hate Luv Stories” and “Dildaara – Ra.One” got him Nominated – Best Male Playback Singer at the Filmfares. “Aankhon Ke Saagar,” “Khamaj,” “Ankhiyan” and “Mitwa” are some of his most popular works. Shafqat was introduced to Bollywood by Shankar Mahadevan. One morning while driving to his studio, he heard Shafqat’s hit song “Aankhon Ke Saagar” on the radio. He immediately called the radio jockey who was his friend and got Shafqat’s contact number. Shafqat sang “Mitwa” composed by Shankar Ehsaan Loy for the movie Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. The song was listed in the top charts in India, helping propel Shafqat into stardom.
6. Bilal Saeed
A popular pop singer in Pakistan with numerous hits like “Baarah Saal” which is most famous one. Initially collaborating with Dr. Zues and Armindar Gill he released his studio album “12” and he made his bollywood debut by providing music in the film Heropanti followed by Ishqedarriyaan (2015). He has brought a whole new wave of music into Pakistan and India because of his unique music blended in his songs and thus he makes it to our list of Pakistani Singers Who Made It Big In India.
7. Ali Zafar
Another Pakistani multi talented singer, actor and painter. Zafar began his acting career with Bollywood film Tere Bin Laden, which was moderately successful at the box office, and for which he was nominated for Filmfare Best Male Debut Award. Zafar has won three Lux Style Awards, three Indus Music Awards, three MTV Style Awards and one Stardust Awards. Till date, he has sung songs for four Bollywood films and has also starred in 6 of them. Our list of Pakistani Singers Who Made It Big In India would be incomplete without him.
8. Mustafa Zahid
Pakistani rock artist who has enjoyed a lot of success since bursting into the public eye in 2006 with his hit single “Tera Mera Rishta”. He was interested in music as a small child and when he graduated, with his friends formed the band Roxen. Roxen’s debut album topped charts for 6 weeks. He has sung numerous hit songs including Zaroorat, Yeh Junoon, Hum Jee Lenge, and Bhula Dena which formed the backbone of success of the films they appeared in. He is the second rock singer after Atif in our list of Pakistani Singers Who Made It Big In India.
9. Falak Shabir
After the sucess of his debut album “Rog” he sang songs for the films Nautanki Saala, I Love NY and I Me Aur Mai and his single “Tera Saath Ho” also featured in the film “7 Welcome to London”. His popular songs include “Mera Mann”, “Judaai”, “Rog”, “Teri Yaad” and “Saajna”. He still has a long way to go in our industry.
Did we miss out any of the popular music artists of our time from Pakistan. ?? Do you have any other artist who could have joined our list of Pakistani Singers Who Made It Big In India?? If Yes then please do comment
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