Atif Aslam is a raging sensation in the subcontinent, especially among young women. He is the Pakistani version of Enrique, if you will. Or better yet, a 27 year old Justin Bieber (in terms of fan hysteria) with a voice to die for. With 3 albums to his name (Jal Pari, Doorie, Meri Kahani), and his singing talents on blockbuster Bollywood musicals like Kalyug and Race to name a few, Atif is the current face of the desi music industry. He has already conquered Pakistan and is fast emerging as the go-to man for Bollywood film producers.
Atif is the kind of artist that would be hard to categorize in a set genre. He’s a hybrid rock/pop star and then some. His music is mostly about love and that one elusive (also lucky) girl. The tracks that propelled him to stardom, “Aadat” and “Bheegi Yaadein,” are cult classics, a definite mainstay on ANY desi’s ipod list. His voice throbs and soars over a multi-octave span, hitting highs and lows with heart-tugging perfection. You just have to give him a listen if you haven’t already.
So when a demigod like Atif tours the States, it’s big news for all the female desis out there. They were sure to turn up in droves for his July 1 show. How could I not go?
The venue, Colden Center, is a theater auditorium in Queens College. Seating just over 2oo0 people and looking a bit like the place you staged “Romeo and Juliet” or “Hair” if you were a drama club kid who went to a very large high school, it’s a bit cozier than the giant arenas Atif usually performs in.
By 8:30 pm, right on time, the show opened with the up-and-coming performer Jankee Parekh even though the theater was only two thirds full and people were still trickling in. Jankee began crooning popular Bollywood numbers and the crowd immediately took a liking to her, cheering along to every song. She did a short set of six song and the last, “Jai Ho,” brought on enthusiastic applause.
The audience was primed, the venue was at near full capacity, and repeated chants of “Atif! Atif!” echoed through the hall. Teenage girls were in the majority, but families out for a night took up the rest of the space. And by families, I mean the complete deal — there was one extended clan taking up 25+ seats at the back!
Atif appeared onstage a short 10 minutes after Jankee’s performance. Rumor is that he’s a nervous performer, but evidently all inhibitions were put aside because he nonchalantly strolled out, singing the fan fave “Ankhon Se.” You could sense the change in atmosphere immediately. An electric charge rippled over the auditorium and girls began screaming their lungs out and tripping over each other to get a better view.
I can see how Atif brings forth such awe from his female fans. Besides his amazing voice, his mannerisms give him a certain lover boy image. He comes across as a shy and reserved person, lacking much dynamism or energy. But he has a quietly glittering charisma, that X-factor that seems to melt any girl in seconds. As he sat on a stool with his guitar, singing love ballads, he reminded me of a medieval troubadour serenading love-struck damsels. His every move, even just stretching an arm out, seemed to be considered madly ***y and gave rise to shrieks of ecstasy. The billowing smoke machine behind him probably helped a lot too.
But not all were quite as enthralled. I heard a guy in his late 20s behind me yawn, “I feel like sleeping…Such a busy week and this isn’t helping.” On my right, aunty-jis silently observed the show, while on my left, a couple gossiped about their neighbor’s new job. The show clearly catered to a specific demographic. At one point, it vaguely reminded me of those high school cultural events where parents come along and indulgently sit in the back while their kids enjoy the show.
After the first how, however, Atif picked up the pace. When he sang “Pehli Nazar Mein,” a popular track from a Bollywood film, everyone leaped to their feet, the energy levels rose, and even the aunties in front rows crowded around the stage. His audience banter was limited, but he got huge cheers when he started off a number by saying, “Pakistan, this is for you.”
As the popular hits began coming thick and fast, so did the audience members crowded around the stage. This didn’t go down so well with venue security. Few people were still in their seats and the teenage girls were going nuts. The crowd had to be controlled pronto. Security got up on stage and threatened to shut it down until the organizers asked people to return to their seats. A guy next to me commented, “That there is a Desi show for you.”
I wondered how Atif would recover from the disruption, but he was remarkably unfazed. (So much for rumors about his nerves!) He brought the house down immediately with “Tere Bin,” his first Bollywood track and a personal favorite of mine. He seemed more energized than ever, and the crowd loved it. Atif wrapped the show by 11:30, ending it on a high note with “Mahi Ve” from the 2003 blockbuster film Kal Ho Naa Ho.
The parents were pleased. The girls had the time of their lives. It was Atif Atif all the way.
– Siddharth Ganji
Source: mtviggy.com
Atif Aslam was proposed by Nirma
Posted by admin on June 27th, 2010
Film actress Nirma desired to get married to Atif Aslam today in an interview with Geo News. She said that she is deeply in love with Atif Aslam’s singing and his personality and wants to get married to only Atif. She also said that Atif Aslam sang ‘Mil ke bhi, hum na mile, Tumse na jane kyun’ only for her (ha ha).Yes, that’s exactly what he was thinking while singing that song, in fact he even had his eyes closed so he could imagine seeing Nirma so his voice could fill more feelings into the song.
Methinks that Atif Aslam would say, “It is a very good thing that our SENIORS are liking our work and are appreciating us.” and he would also say that he will get married when he finds the right person. As far as I remember Atif talked about his crushes in an interview in which he said, “I have had crushes but nothing serious. Probably long time back, I had crush on bollywood actress Sonali Bendre, she was my favorite“
Atif Aslam’s ‘Bol’ to release in September 2010
Posted by admin on June 10th, 2010
Shoaib Mansoor directed Bol, starring Atif Aslam in the lead, will go on floors in September this year. Bol will see three beautiful ladies (Mahira Khan, Iman Ali and Humaima Abbasi) opposite Atif Aslam.Asked about the kind of part he is doing, he said, “I am playing a hero but I wanted to be a villain though because he carries most of the success and a lot of women.. no I am just kidding I am not a womanizer at all. My part of the role is that I am playing a doctor from a middle class family who wants to become a musician as well and there is a controversy about Muslims in it.”
Asked about his excitement about the film, he said, “I am pretty much excited about my film but I don’t want to become more famous just because I am doing a film or something because I think I have explored myself as an actor.”
Download Atif Aslam & Stings ‘Ab Hi Kuch Karna’ in Mp3 formate
Posted by admin on May 25th, 2010
Download Ab Khud Hi Kuch by Atif Aslam & Strings
Ab Hi Kuch Karna Lyrics
Hathoon pe dhare hum haath bethenge kab tak?
kya badle hai halat aisey ab tak
kab tak roona pareyga
jo hai khona pareyga
kehta hoon sunloo mere yaar
ab khud kuch karna pareyga humko
chalna pareyga marna pareyga
ab khud kuch karna pareyga
Atif Aslam In Warid Glow Commercial Video
Posted by admin on May 8th, 2010
Its the “Glow” campaign by Warid and its our very own Superstar Atif Aslam adding his glowing presence to the adverstisement. Keep glowing & grooving with Atif Aslam!!!Atif Aslam In Warid Glow Commercial Video
Atif Aslam on Bollywood and Relationship
Posted by admin on May 3rd, 2010
Atif Aslam began his career with ‘Jal’ band but he says that ‘Jal’ was never a part of his journey, and he created his own identity.While talking to a local channel, he said that many Bollywood producers approached him with different offers, but he was waiting for the right script. His character in the upcoming Bollywood flick, is the exact opposite of his glamorous image. It is of a low profile middle class boy studying to be a doctor. He is also working at the film’s music. The film was shot in Norway, and the story is about a city boy in love with a girl, very reminiscent of stories from old Lahore, according to Atif. He conceded that he is not a learnt actor, but he is working hard and is hoping to explore himself better through his acting. The movie is expected to be released by the end of this year.
Atif Aslam interview with Magazine For The Youth
Posted by admin on May 2nd, 2010
- Star and date of birthPisces. March 12, 1983.
- The best thing about being a teenager
Carefreeness – no responsibilities, no time schedules, no formalities.
- I was always listening to…
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Kishore Kumar, because of my eldest brother’s huge musical collection.
- I was glued to the TV for
Mr Bean and the Voltron series.
- My favourite movie was T2
Unwrapped with Caiyad Phahad and Atif Aslam
Posted by admin on May 2nd, 2010
Unwrapped with Caiyad PhahadCaiyad Phahad One on one with Atif Aslam the voice of the century
When CP asked Atif Aslam that who was your inspiration so he replied “People” my music is on people and for people.
Atif dunk the funk
Posted by admin on April 14th, 2010
Singing alongside Brigitte Yaghi at the Desert Fusion event will be Pakistani singing sensation Atif AslamATIF ASLAM IS a Pakistani pop star who has gained notoriety in both his homeland and neighbouring India. Again he has dabbled in the world of playback singing in Indian films including Race and Zeher but is known for his solo albums such as Jal Pari.
Atif, how does it feel to be coming to Dubai for the Desert Fusion event?
It feels great to be a part of it. I’m sure it’ll be fun inshallah.
You’ve been over quite a lot in the past few months, why is that?
I think it is part and parcel of fame and one must always attempt to expand his work limit.
What are your expectations for the performance? What can the crowd expect to see?
The crowd can expect the fusion of my songs and those from the other band, Paris House Addict, a few numbers with Brigitte, plus my new tracks from the movie Prince .
How do you expect to find working with Brigitte?
