Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan have recently been part of a discussion as a Pakistani singer Abrar-ul-Haq shared his views on how their careers were affected after the Bollywood ban. In an interview on the Excuse Me with Ahmad Ali Butt podcast, Abrar-ul-Haq claimed that the careers of both these iconic singers began to decline after they were cut off from Bollywood, following the political tensions between India and Pakistan in 2016.
While both singers have continued to maintain successful careers, their absence from the Indian film industry has clearly affected their visibility. Abrar-ul-Haq also raised concerns about the overall state of the Pakistani music industry, stressing the need for more support and better infrastructure to help local talent grow and succeed.
The Secret Behind Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s Succes
Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan achieved massive popularity through their work in Bollywood, and according to Abrar-ul-Haq, the Indian film industry played a crucial role in their success. He explained how Bollywood’s structured environment, with dedicated teams for lyrics, composition, and production, helped artists like Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali gain widespread recognition. According to Abrar-ul-Haq, these singers became successful because Bollywood provided them with the industry backing they needed.
In the interview, Abrar said that Atif Aslam’s success in India came from the strong support system there. He mentioned that different professionals worked on his songs—one focused on the lyrics, another on the composition—while Atif’s role was to lend his voice. According to Abrar, this collaboration and the industry backing were key to Atif’s rise to fame. He further stated that both Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan were given a platform that enabled them to build long-lasting careers in India. However, after the political climate led to restrictions on Pakistani artists, their careers took a hit.
Copyright Controversies: Nach Punjaban Case
While discussing the decline of the careers of Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Abrar-ul-Haq also addressed issues of copyright infringement, particularly with his own song, Nach Punjaban. The song was featured in the 2022 Bollywood film Jug Jugg Jeeyo, starring Anil Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, and Prajakta Koli. Abrar claimed that he owns the rights to the song but that it was used without his permission.
“The case is ongoing. Once it is proven, everything will be set right. Right now, we are struggling to get our songs back from those who have falsely claimed rights over them,” Abrar stated. This copyright dispute has raised concerns about the lack of transparency and respect for intellectual property rights, with Abrar alleging that fake documents were used to claim ownership of the song. Despite this, Abrar remains hopeful that the truth will eventually come to light in court, and he is fighting to regain the rights to his song.
The ban on Pakistani artists working in India has been a point of contention since 2016, when tensions between the two nations resulted in restrictions on cross-border collaborations. This has had far-reaching consequences for Pakistani musicians who had previously enjoyed a significant presence in Bollywood. For artists like Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Bollywood was not just a platform; it was a launchpad for their careers. The ban has made it more difficult for them to maintain their former visibility, limiting their exposure to a broader audience.