Latest news with #Aadat
Time Out Dubai
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Atif Aslam to perform at Global Village in Dubai: Tickets only Dhs25
One of South Asia's most famous stars is coming to Global Village this week. Atif Aslam will take to the main stage at the multicultural family destination on Sunday April 27. And the best bit? You'll only have to pay Dhs25 to see him. The Pakistani star, who boasts hundreds of millions of streams on Spotify, is no stranger to Global Village, having performed on two previous occasions. Concerts at the main stage of Global Village are included in the price of general admission to the foodie, entertainment and shopping hotspot. Known for his powerhouse vocals, magnetic stage presence and connection with his audience, Aslam is back to perform to thousands on a night you won't easily forget. Credit: Global Village Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Aslam first rose to fame with his hit song Aadat, which became an anthem across the subcontinent. With a blend of pop, rock, and classical influences, his music spans languages, including Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi, making him a proper international star. With chart-topping hits like Tera Hone Laga Hoon, Jeene Laga Hoon and Dil Diyan Gallan, Aslam has become a household name in Pakistan, India and across the globe. His performances are known to be quite legendary because of his magnetic stage presence. So whether you're a longtime admirer of his ballads or you're ready to dance the night away to high-energy hits, this concert promises to be a journey through his most beloved tracks. Dubai's family fun destination closes every summer due to the scorching temperatures, and this year, the park's final day of season 29 will be Sunday May 11. Dhs25. Sun Apr 27, 8pm. Global Village. In other Dubai news Dubai's Mall of the Emirates to undergo huge expansion — here's what to expect You're going to see some big changes 50 brilliant outdoor activities to try at least once in Dubai Let's take this outside The incredible Dubai hotels offering more than just a room Did someone say freebies?
Khaleej Times
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Atif Aslam takes to Global Village stage ahead of season closing
Popular Pakistani artist Atif Aslam took to the main stage at Global Village on Sunday evening. Aslam, who shot to fame with his hit Aadat, melds pop, rock and classical music in his singles. Fans can expect the Pakistani heartthrob to sing tracks including Tera Hone Laga Hoon, Jeene Laga Hoon, Woh Lamhe, and Tere Bin. Global Village, Dubai's annual family-friendly globetrotting expedition, said earlier today that it would remain open until 2am. The destination is open until May 11, this season. So far, it has hosted a number of well-known stars such as Bollywood's Shah Rukh Khan and Varun Dhawan and tribute shows to artiste's such as Katy Perry and Taylor Swift. This year, Global Village is hosting 30 pavilions that represent over 90 cultures, with more than 3,500 shopping outlets and over 250 dining options.
Express Tribune
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Atif Aslam opens up about ‘Aadat' criticism by Noori
Listen to article Singer Atif Aslam has recounted an early experience from his music career, stating that members of the band Noori had once criticised his first track, Aadat, during an informal review session. In a resurfaced video interview shared by a fan-run Instagram account named Anam S (@byyouraadee), Atif Aslam described the circumstances under which he first played Aadat for Noori. At the time, he said, the band was considered a major act in Pakistan's music scene, and he had asked a mutual friend to arrange a meeting for feedback. 'They were all sitting in a room,' Atif Aslam said in the video. 'I played the song. When it ended, most of them started commenting that it was a really bad, nonsense song. Some called it cheap. They said there was no need for this song in the market.' According to Atif Aslam, only one individual in the room responded favourably. He did not name the person. Despite the response, Atif Aslam continued to promote the song independently. Within a short span, Aadat was released and began to gain traction among listeners, eventually becoming widely circulated through local platforms and media. The song 'Aadat' was first released in December 2003 by Atif Aslam and Goher Mumtaz as the underground rock duo Jal. This initial release was made public via the internet and Pakistani music channels, quickly gaining viral popularity. At the time, Atif was Jal's lead vocalist, and he recorded 'Aadat' at age 17 using his own pocket money. The track became a youth anthem almost overnight – as soon as it hit the airwaves in late 2003, it blew up on radio and TV across Pakistan, In the same interview, Atif Aslam noted that less than two years after the initial criticism, the members of Noori were part of the lineup at one of his concerts, performing before his own set. Photo: ScreenGrab In response to Atif Aslam's account of early rejection, fans showed strong support online. As seen in the comments under the resurfaced clip, many praised his perseverance and acknowledged the challenges he had faced. Atif Aslam has not issued any additional comments about the video or the post. The band Noori has also not responded publicly. Aadat, released in the early 2000s, remains one of the most circulated tracks from Pakistan's pop-rock scene and played a key role in launching Atif Aslam's music career.
Express Tribune
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
There is more to life than just a breakup: Atif Aslam
In this month of love, if you want to help get over a break-up, singer Atif Aslam has the perfect advice: just be happy that it happened and move on. Filming a special behind-the-scenes video of his upcoming Qatar concert, Atif delighted fans with a candid nearly 15-minute video on his YouTube channel on Thursday where he answered questions about anything they could think of, ranging from whether or prefers chocolate cake or a cookie ("A cookie!") to the inspiration behind his cult hit Aadat ("It came from a place of loneliness"), or, as a fan from Delhi asked, how he could best advise her to get over a breakup. "Congratulations, this is the best thing you could have done for yourself!" exclaimed Atif in his vlog, breaking into a smile. To make it clear, Atif is not against romantic love per se; as a successful musician and a happily married man and father, he is merely in a place where he understands that it is not the end-all or be-all – as his subsequent words explained. "I'm very proud of you. Life is about more than just breakups and relationships!" stressed Atif. "Make your career, flourish in it. "And then make enough money so that a relationship is something you will find yourself." Navigating marriage It was not just moving past a broken relationship that Atif offered advice on – the singer also gave a little window into the machinations of his own marriage, and how he personally tackles conflict. In answer to another fan's question about how he handles fights with his wife of nearly 12 years, Sara Bharwana, Atif baldly stated, "When my wife is upset with me, I just say sorry. It's as simple as that." Atif confessed, however, that learning how to apologise is not something that has always come easily or naturally to him, and that he has worked on his conflict-resolution skills since tying the knot. "I have heard from friends that getting the word sorry out of me is the hardest thing ever, and I reflected on that," mused Atif. "I realised it is a form of ego, and I also know that Allah does not like ego at all." Passing on the torch, Atif added, "So when you feel something is your fault and someone makes you realise it, and you understand they are right, don't be stubborn!" Looking back on 'Aadat' Atif reflected that there was a time when he could have never imagined that the success of Aadat (2004) would catapult him to where he is today. "The backstory of Aadat is that I was going through a breakup," said Atif in answer to a query. "There were certain elements of my life and I knew I would rather communicate through lyrics and melody. Our social media was MIRC chatrooms and dial-up networks. I never imagined it would become as popular as it did." Juggling family and career When asked about how he balances touring and meeting the needs of his family, Atif credited his parents for introducing him to the concept of prayer, which he says keeps him grounded. "That is ultimately everything," noted Atif, and also made special mention of his wife Sara's support. "I've been blessed with a beautiful wife – she is my support system, and if she was not there, I wouldn't be here now," said the Tere Bin singer warmly. "She is my backup." Contrary to people's images of a music star coming with a big ego, Atif – a self-professed introvert ("No one told me that we need to talk!") who found a way to express his feelings via music – added that the only reason he had undertaken the vlog in the first place was so that his fans had asked for it. His fans, in turn, have loved him for it. "I never want Atif Aslam to end," penned a commenter. "He is the one who makes me feel like I am in a relationship even when I am single." Bowled over by Atif's candid video, another fan added, "Love how sweet, humble, approachable, and a little bit silly he is!"
Khaleej Times
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Want to perform with Atif Aslam? Pakistani singer teases 'surprises' ahead of Dubai concert
In 2025, music has become a byte-sized experience. You hear one hook in a 10-second reel, devour another melody as trending TikTok audio, or pair a song with your Instagram snap of trekking across a mountain hill or cruising on long drives. Social media has given each of us the ability and infrastructure to romanticise our day-to-day moments. 'Be the hero of your own movie,' they say — and thanks to social platforms, we can actually attempt that. However, the flip side of this digital culture is that an art form once celebrated as a unifying force can sometimes feel like a fleeting moment. Charts dominated by one hit today are replaced by another tomorrow and short-lived reels have become commonplace for discovering and engaging with music. But the shelf life of such formats is rarely long — or memorable. Atif Aslam, however, has always been an artist who creates music that lingers. Attending one of his concerts is enough to understand how deeply and widely his songs resonate — not just with people capturing videos for Instagram or avoiding FOMO (fear of missing out) but also with fans who can sing his lyrics from start to finish. Aslam was among the first young artistes to cross over from his home turf in Pakistan and become a musical sensation in India and beyond. Following the path less travelled, he joined the ranks of veteran legends like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Ghulam Ali, whose crossover fame had set the stage. In the early 2000s, Aslam's music struck a chord with the youth of India. 'I always had fans coming to me and telling me about their breakups and makeups, sharing how my music played a role in their love lives,' says Aslam as we sit down for a chat before his Dubai concert at the Coca-Cola Arena on February 1. The singer, whose recent video of surprising school students in Pakistan with a live performance of his breakout hit Aadat went viral, shares his vision for supporting young artists, reconnecting with his roots through original music, and creating timeless tracks with his latest initiative, Borderless World. Edited excerpts from an interview: Q. Welcome to Dubai! What have you been up to recently? We just got here yesterday, and we were actually shooting for one of the songs for the ICC Champions Trophy. We've also been rehearsing for our concert on February 1 and we're working on a lot of projects under the Borderless World initiative. Q. You had breakout hits like Aadat and Doorie, which transcended borders very early on when many artistes weren't doing that, especially in the South Asian diaspora. When you started your journey, did you anticipate reaching such a wide audience and connecting with masses all around the world? I don't think any artist can anticipate that. Sure, you can manifest it, but I had no idea. I thought I'd be done after one album — or even just one song. But, by the grace of God, I've been very lucky and blessed. I'm incredibly thankful to my fans. And then Bollywood happened, which kept me busy for about 20 years. During that time, I think I forgot how to connect with my roots and create original music because I was occupied with other commitments. However, now feels like the right time to give back to my fans, who've been asking for original music. Q. What was your big dream back then? To become a cricketer or maybe an actor — but definitely not a singer! That just happened. Q. Speaking about Borderless World, was this initiative inspired by your personal journey and the challenges you faced? Absolutely. When I used to share my music with some of my seniors, they weren't always receptive. I thought that if I ever became successful, I would give back to fellow musicians and upcoming talent. That's what Borderless World is all about. It encourages both emerging and established artists to collaborate and create without boundaries. Q. What can audiences expect from this project moving forward? What kind of music will it feature? The first season revolves around my originals, but in the second season, we'll start incorporating creative inputs from others. Fans can expect a lot of collaborations, including young, upcoming artists working with me as their producer. Q. A lot of aspiring artistes around the world look up to you. What advice would you give them for breaking into this industry? With the Borderless World initiative, we'll share an email address where they can reach out. My team will filter submissions and select the most eligible talents, whether they're musicians, actors, videographers, or directors. Q. You have many fans in Dubai who eagerly wait for your concerts every year. Are there any plans to collaborate with artistes from the city? You never know! We might set up a booth, invite someone from the audience on stage, and, if they're creative enough, collaborate with them. Why not? Q. You've performed at Expo 2020 Dubai and in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai over the years. What's your most special memory with the live audiences in Dubai? Dubai's audiences are amazing. The city challenges you as an artist because there are so many concerts happening all the time, so you're always striving to meet their expectations. What I love most is the diversity of the crowd — you see Indians, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Bhutanese, Nepalis, and more. They all connect with my music differently and often share stories about how my songs have been a part of their lives, from makeups to breakups. It's always interesting to hear their perspectives. Q. In an era of Instagram Reels and 30-second trends, where music has such a short shelf life, you've created timeless hits. How do you see the music landscape evolving? Music has changed drastically. One of the main complaints I hear from fans is that they don't get to see enough of me. That's another reason why we started Borderless World. It allows fans to see more of me, and who knows? I might even start vlogging. Recently, we've been visiting schools and talking to kids about music, life, and how they view things now compared to our time. It's refreshing to hear their perspectives. As an artist, adapting to the times while staying authentic is essential. Q. Do you feel the pressure to keep 30-second reels in mind when promoting your music? Not really. If something is good, it's timeless. That's what we aim to create. Yes, videographers often talk about the 30-second format, but it's just that a format. There's nothing wrong with it, but good music transcends those limits. Q. Another trend is artists collaborating with others during live concerts. What surprises can fans expect from your Dubai concert? We've done that before with several artists, like Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Sonu Nigam. Let's see! There might be surprises, and the setlist could be different this time. Q. Can we expect a live performance of Borderless World in Dubai anytime soon? Absolutely! Most likely on February 1, fans will also get to hear something new.
