Adnan Sami opens up about Pakistan denying visa to attend mother's last rites after Indian citizenship: ‘Janaza video call pe dekha'

Economic Times

01-06-2025

Singer Adnan Sami revealed that Pakistan denied him a visa to attend his mother's funeral in October 2024. Despite India granting him immediate permission to travel, Pakistan refused, forcing him to watch the last rites via WhatsApp video call. The emotional incident highlights his strained ties with Pakistan, which he left after gaining Indian citizenship in 2016.
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A Son's Final Goodbye—From Afar
A Life-Changing Decision Rooted in Discontent
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The Man Behind the Maestro
In a revelation that has sent ripples through fans and followers across the globe, acclaimed singer-composer Adnan Sami has shared a deeply emotional moment from his life—one marked not by musical notes, but by painful silence. Speaking on Aap Ki Adalat with Rajat Sharma, the Lift Kara De hitmaker revealed how Pakistan denied him a visa to attend his mother's final rites in October 2024. The man known for making millions weep with his songs was left to grieve behind a screen, watching his mother's funeral on a WhatsApp video call.Adnan, who took Indian citizenship in 2016 and has been vocal about his disillusionment with Pakistan, spoke about the anguish of not being able to bid farewell to his mother, Begum Naureen. According to Sami, his mother had no prior health complications, and her sudden demise came as a shock. While the Indian authorities immediately understood the gravity of his request to travel, granting him all necessary clearances, the Pakistan government rejected his visa plea.He recalled the painful sequence of events with a heavy heart, stating, 'I applied for a visa and told them my mother had passed away. Still, they refused. I couldn't go. I watched the entire janaza through a WhatsApp video call.'Sami's strained relationship with Pakistan isn't new. He has often cited the country's political environment and systemic dysfunction as reasons behind his decision to accept Indian citizenship. His move drew considerable criticism from Pakistan, where many alleged his defection was driven by financial motives.But Sami refuted these claims once again, saying he came from a privileged background and had no need to chase money. 'I never did anything for wealth. I left behind properties worth crores in Pakistan and restarted my life from zero in India,' he said, adding that what he sought was creative growth and an audience that understood his art.Born in London to a Pakistani diplomat and Air Force pilot, Adnan Sami was a musical prodigy from the age of five. Tagged as the world's fastest piano player, he grew up mastering both Indian classical and Western music. His debut in India alongside Asha Bhosle in Kabhi Toh Nazar Milao made him a sensation, followed by the cult-classic Lift Karadey. Over the years, Sami has gifted the music world soulful gems like Tera Chehra and Bhar Do Jholi Meri, earning adoration across generations.As Sami's voice cracked during the interview, it became clear that even the most celebrated artists carry wounds that no song can heal. And sometimes, those wounds speak louder than the applause.