The most popular voice in music, Atif Aslam has dropped yet another single ‘Ajnabi,’ with a music video featuring Pakistan’s most revered female actor, Mahira Khan. With Ahsan Pervaiz Mehdi as the music producer and Asim Raza behind the camera, expectations were already very high. The single and the music video live up to our expectations in what seems to be a complicated relationship presented with flair and a sense of individuality.

For Atif, who last worked with Mahira Khan in the film Bol including the mammoth hit-song, ‘Hona Tha Pyar’ a decade ago, ‘Ajnabi’ happened in a serendipitous manner. Speaking to Instep about working with Mahira, Atif explained how the song happened.

“‘Ajnabi’ was shot about 5 months ago when there was no drama on my plate,” he reveals, “It’s like 10 years of celebration, us working together. Mahira was down for it. And it’s nice of her to be a part of it. We’ve had some great times together.”
The song, on the other hand, said Atif, is the definition of a stranger. “It’s possible someone comes in your life and you may have feelings for him but he can’t be yours, even if he wants to. The video is such as well that he is there for a while but then he disappears. And you realise that your destination is not the same.”

He further reiterated, “The video is very interesting; Asim has done a great job. It can be interpreted in many ways and in that sense it is a generic song.”
All eyes are on Atif as he makes his television debut in the shape of an actor in a full-scale drama serial called Sang-e-Mah and the pop star is well aware that comparisons are already being made between his small acting role in Bol (2011) to the upcoming TV serial. But as Atif has always maintained and continues to do so, Bol was him lending his name to a film that had multiple social issues embedded in it. For Atif, the real acting challenge is the serial.

“After 40-45 days, the first spell of shooting is over,” said Atif while talking to Instep. “It’s technically very challenging but I’m having a great time because I’m exploring a different side of the performing arts. I was just introduced to one side of the arts (music). My exposure was limited. This was a lot more challenging.”

PISA 2021: Hasan Raheem lands
breakthrough artist of the year

SOPs must be followed. People must get vaccinated and wear a mask. These guidelines must be adhered to as many variants of Covid-19 continue to baffle scientists. There is, however, doubt in the global community about how many people have actually been vaccinated in Pakistan.

However, hope arrived for many (who cannot travel due to Pakistan’s current standing in the world) in the form of a 24-hour live concert (Global Citizen) that gave music fans a dopamine-esque hit earlier last week. Similarly Indian Premier League (IPL), the most prolific Twenty20 tournament (sans Pakistan) in the world also begun in the U.A.E., giving the average cricket fan something to cheer about amidst controversies within PCB and cancellation of New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan.

As they say, the show must go on. And so it is with that spirit as PISA 2021 and Lux Style Awards (the latter in its 20th year) are taking place this year with cautious foot forward. To that end, PISA 2021, Pakistan’s international award ceremony has recognized Hasan Raheem as the breakthrough artist of 2021. Though Hasan had a hand of covers as well as original material prior, it was the song ‘Aisay Kaisay’ (2020) that crossed the rubicon. Since then, Hasan has released a number of attractive songs including ‘Paisa’ (with Talal Qureshi), ‘Khayal’ ft. Abdullah Kasumbi, ‘Khona Tha’ with Maanu (produced by Abdullah Kasumbi) and ‘Arzu’. This recognition is much-needed for upcoming artists and PISA 2021 got this one just right.

Ali Zafar releases ‘Larsha Pekhawar’ ft. Gul Panra and Fortitude Pukhtoon Core

Somewhere on YouTube, a famous Pushto song, ‘Larsha Pekhawar’ has been trending since its release. The artist responsible for this merriment is Ali Zafar who has done a cover of the song featuring Gul Panra & Fortitude Pukhtoon Core. Ali Zafar has done the cover but just like his recent efforts, it doesn’t hit the mark. The song opens with strains of rubab in the background as the landscape takes us to the province of KP and Ali Zafar enters, wearing a traditional Pashteen cap. But once he does enter, ‘Larsha Pekhawar’ morphs into a larger-than-life, icky garish track, losing all of its cultural value. I mean, this isn’t a song for Teefa in Trouble. There has to be some value to it. The music video might work and fans from KP have positive comments for the song. But that’s Ali Zafar’s star power, not the musical effort.

The song was performed by Pushto artist, Humayoon Khan in Coke Studio 5 in a much better rendition. However, the most beautiful rendition of this song was done by Wajiha Naqvi in her debut EP, Hijrat. Listen to it once and come back, this version will echo unnecessary noise. The spirit behind it may have been pure but it fails in execution terribly.