Atif Aslam, Pakistani idol, talks Global Village in Dubai, heartbreak, dealing with fame and fans
Dubai:"Before you judge me, walk a mile in my shoes," says Pakistani singing sensation Atif Aslam, flashing his signature humility and quiet defiance.
In a candid conversation with Gulf News ahead of his concert at the Global Village this weekend, the singer — whose soulful ballads have patched up more heartbreaks than any therapist could — talks about his enduring legacy, the realities of sustaining stardom without big-budget backing, his playful reinvention on social media, and why no AI can ever replicate true human emotion.
Excerpts from our interview with Atif who has sung Bollywood ballads such as 'Woh Lamhe' and 'Kuch Is Tarah' ...
Is helping people get through heartbreak your biggest legacy?
Every now and then, people come and tell me that I helped them through heartbreaks, made new friends, or even found new beloveds. It's overwhelming because when I hear my own voice, I focus on technical things like pitch correction. I don't feel the emotion they do, but hearing it from fans is very powerful and sweet.
Your recent concert at the Global Village in Dubai was affordable and cost less than $10 for your fans. Why choose such an accessible venue?
I love the festival-like vibe at Global Village. Every venue has its specialty, but I personally enjoy performing for masses. Their raw energy feeds me. Plus, you see people from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Pakistan — it's overwhelming. And I believe everyone deserves a full concert experience, even if they can't afford expensive tickets.
Your fans are extremely loyal. Do you consider them your biggest strength?
Absolutely. An artist is nothing without fans. But when an artist gets busy creating and performing, that connection can weaken. I feel lucky that whenever I reach out, they respond. I recently met kids at Istanbul Airport who asked why I didn't visit their school. It's moments like these that remind me of the connection.
How do you feel about the role of AI in music creation?
Honestly, I love it. It sparks new ideas. But human creativity is different — AI can't yet capture the emotional nuances, especially in languages like Urdu. It can offer options, but painting emotions into lyrics is still something only humans can do.
How difficult is it to reinvent yourself as an artist?
If you're only performing and not creating new things, you can't reinvent yourself. You have to keep offering fans something fresh. After a point, you create not just for fans but for yourself too. Reinvention comes from mixing both.
What phase of your career are you in right now?
Earlier, I kept my personality separate from my fans. They thought I was a serious, mysterious guy. Now, through social media, I'm showing them my funnier, more human side. I just want to be seen as a regular person — the guy next door.
How do you handle love and hate on social media?
When people start calling you a legend, it feels premature — there's still so much to do. As for trolling, I remind myself that those people weren't there during my successes, so why take their criticism seriously?
What would you tell your younger self in your 20s, when you were just starting out?
It's not easy becoming an artist where I come from, let alone sustaining it. Infrastructure was missing — labels disappeared, solo artists couldn't easily release music. I'd tell my younger self to stay resilient. It's easy to critique from outside, but you have to live it to understand.
You have your name on the Dubai Walk of Fame. What does that mean to you?
It's a testament that something worked, despite everything. We don't always have the massive production infrastructure like the West. Back home, technically trained sound and production engineers are rare. It's harder to create large-scale spectacles.
Who inspires you musically today?
Only recently have I started listening to music again. For a long time, I was surrounded by only my own voice and performances. Now, I'm soaking in different sounds to stay inspired ... Truth be told, I just want to stay stuck in a room with musicians forever — collaborating across borders, creating freely.
What do you want your legacy to be and which song encapsulates your body of work?
I'm still building it. If I had to pick one song that captures me, it would be Tajdar-e-Haram — it's pure me.
Lastly, people say your songs make heartbreaks easier. Is heartbreak your biggest currency?
People call me the voice of love and breakups, but I think my songs connect with more than heartbreak. They connect to memories, friendships, spiritual moments. I'm grateful my music can be a part of so many emotional journeys.
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