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Famous Bollywood singer Arijit Singh has stirred up a storm by calling Pakistani singers Atif Aslam and Shafqat Amanat Ali his favourite artists.
During a live performance in Abu Dhabi, Arijit Singh asked why Pakistani artists were barred. Arijit performed a string of his highly popular numbers, including Channa Mere Ya, Binte Dil and Zaliman. Arijit not only sang but had his fans grooving by playing the piano and guitar. It was the Bollywood singer’s first concert since the coronavirus pandemic.
A Twitter user also shared a clip from the concert where Arijit specifically praised Atif Aslam before moving on to sing the Pehli Nazar Mein. The singer made it a point to ask why Pakistani singers and songs had been banned in India.
Arijit showed that music has no boundaries when he started singing Atif’s song ‘Pehli Nazar Mein’ before taking a pause to say, “Here’s a question. It is a wrong question, a controversial one. But I will still ask it because I don’t give a damn. I don’t follow the news but tell me one thing: Has music from Pakistan been banned in India? Is it still banned or has it just started? Is it running?”
Arijit went on as the crowd cheered. “Because Atif Aslam is one of my favourites, and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan sahib, and Shafqat Amanat Ali.”
What solid statement from @TheArijitSingh regarding Pakistani singers 👍🏻 great to see!!
Singing songs of these artists as well ❤️@itsaadee @ShafqatAmanatA pic.twitter.com/6z6zyV3vvD
— Hamza Mir (@MEEERRRU) November 19, 2021
Later attendees of the packed show praised his guts online and shared the moments that made their hearts swell up for the singer.
“What solid statement from Arijit Singh regarding Pakistani singers,” lauded a Twitter user sharing the video that sees Arijit on stage, praising Atif. “Singing songs of these artists as well,” they added.
Another attendee wrote an appreciation thread straight from the concert hall for Arijit on Twitter. “At Arijit Singh’s concert right now and the guy has just won me over,” they admitted. “[He] sings Sayyonee and says this is by one of his favourite bands, Junoon, and is for all my fans from Pakistan here.” The attendee mentioned how at that moment, “The crowd went nuts,” in a good way. “And immediately after, [Arijit] sings a NFAK song. Crowd loses it again.”
According to concert organisers, Arijit’s concert set a new precedent in the UAE capital. “Arijit Singh’s show is the highest selling ticketed event in the UAE since the pandemic struck the world,” Salman Ahmed, partner at PME Entertainment, was quoted as saying.
