Latest news with #Adnan
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Adnan Sami says Pakistani music industry thought he was finished, reveals Asha Bhosle advised him to come to India
Singer and music composer Adnan Sami, who was born in Pakistan and later became an Indian citizen in 2016, has often faced criticism from Pakistani citizens for his decision to move. Many speculated that financial motives were behind the shift. However, during a recent appearance on India TV's Aap Ki Adalat, Adnan set the record straight, opening up about the real reason behind his move to India. (Also Read: 'This illiterate idiot': Adnan Sami blasts former Pak minister for questioning his nationality after Pahalgam attack) Adnan recalled feeling disheartened by the Pakistani music industry and said, "I come from a very privileged family. I was never greedy for money because I was born in a home where I always had everything. An artiste is always wishing for audience. I got a lot of love from Pakistan, but I wanted a larger audience. After the songs I released in 1998, people in the Pakistani music industry thought my songs wouldn't work and I'm finished. So they didn't provide any publicity for those songs. Nobody got to know when the album released and vanished. I was very dejected. I was in Canada at that time. I knew they'd done that on purpose." He recalled a conversation with veteran singer Asha Bhosle and said, "I told her that I felt dejected again, and people have decided in Pakistan not to work with me. So I want to record song with you in London. She said, Why in London? If you really want to do something new, come to Mumbai because this is the capital of Hindi Music, and something that gets popular here will spread across the world. So I reached there. Asha ji took a lot of care of me and made me stay at RD Burman's house. It was like staying in a temple of music. The songs that were rejected in Pakistan, Lift Karade, Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein, when these songs were released here, the rest is history." He added that the love and acceptance he received in India was unlike anything he had experienced before. Adnan further noted that it wasn't just him—iconic artists like ghazal legends Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mehdi Hassan, as well as folk singer Reshma, also found success in Pakistan, but their fame multiplied significantly in India. He attributed this to the country's vast audience and deep respect for music, which he believes is unmatched elsewhere. Apart from his hit albums, Adnan Sami has lent his voice to several popular Bollywood tracks, including Tu Sirf Mera Mehboob in Ajnabee, Nashe Nashe Mein Yaar in Janasheen, Shayad Yahi To Pyar Hai in Lucky: No Time for Love, Dil Kya Kare in Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love, and Baatein Kuch Ankahein Si in Life in a... Metro, among others.
Mint
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Pakistani music industry thought I was finished: Adnan Sami on his move to India; Asha Bhosle's ‘life-changing' advice
Adnan Sami, now a prominent name in India's music scene, recently revealed that his decision to shift to India from Pakistan wasn't driven not by fame or money, but 'dejection' from how 'people in the Pakistani music industry thought' he was 'finished'. It was Asha Bhosle, who gave the singer an advice that changed his life around. In a heartfelt interview with India TV, Adnan shared the struggles that pushed him to leave Pakistan and find a new beginning in India. 'After the songs I released in 1998, people in the Pakistani music industry thought I'm finished. So they didn't provide any marketing for those songs. Nobody got to know when the album released and vanished. I was very dejected. I was in Canada at that time. I knew they'd done that on purpose,' Adnan Sami told India TV during his interview. In the middle of this emotional low point, Adnan Sami reached out to legendary singer Asha Bhosle. The two had worked together on the hauntingly beautiful Kabhi To Nazar Milao, and Adnan asked if they could record together again — this time in London. Adnan Sami was eyeing London as he already knew some people there. But Asha ji had other plans. The 'Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaaja' singer advised Adnan Sami to shift to Mumbai instead. 'See, if you really want to do something new, come to Mumbai. This is the capital of Hindi music. Whatever gets popular here would spread out to the rest of the world. So this is the place to come,' Asha Bhosle had told Adnan Sami. That advice lit a spark in the singer. 'Main boriya bistar le ke pahuch gaya Mumbai,' Adnan laughed — 'I packed my bags and came to Mumbai.' And Asha Bhosle didn't just welcome him — she and her family made him feel at home. The 'Saalam-e-Ishq' singer was even given a place to stay in RD Burman's house, which he described as nothing short of a 'temple for any musician.' From that moment, everything changed. Songs that were overlooked in Pakistan — like Kabhi To Nazar Milao, Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein, and Lift Karadey — found new life and massive popularity in India. "The way people embraced me and loved me, I could've never imagined it, " Adnan told India TV. Addressing the backlash he faced from Pakistan — a 2005 letter from then-President General Pervez Musharraf accusing him of betrayal — Adnan asserted: "There was no truth to that letter. In 2005, I wasn't an Indian citizen. I was a Pakistani citizen. I don't know where he got the wrong information from. It's obvious that it's gone from the bottom to the top. That's why everyone just disowned me."
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Adnan Sami reveals Pakistan denied him visa to attend his mother's last rites: 'Janaza WhatsApp video pe dekha'
Adnan Sami, who gave up his Pakistani citizenship to become an Indian national in 2016, has opened up about a personal tragedy. The musician in a recent interview revealed, despite having family there, the Pakistan government didn't allow him to visit the country to attend his mother's funeral. (Also read: 'You left in good time, we also want to change citizenship': Adnan Sami shares what 'sweet' Pakistani boys told him) In an interview with India TV, Adnan revealed that his mother Naureen Sami Khan died a few months back and he requested both Pakistani and Indian government that he wanted to visit the country for her last rites. While, the Indian government had granted him the permission, Pakistani authorities refused. Adnan revealed that his mother's death was a shock for everyone because she was not dealing with any health issues. Recalling the incident, Adnan said, "Maine yaha ki sarkaar se pucha main jana chahta hu toh apko koi objection to nahi. Unhone kaha, 'Zahir hai, aapki maa ka inteqal hua hai, aapko zaroor jana chahiye'. Unki taraf se koi problem nahi tha (When I asked the Indian government that I want to go, do you have any objection? They said, 'It is obvious, your mother has passed away, you must go'. There was no problem from their side)," Adnan said. But when the singer applied for visa in Pakistan, his request was denied. "Maine visa ke liye apply kiya, par unhone refuse kar diya. Maine kaha, 'Meri maa ka inteqal hua hai'. Phir bhi unhone mana kar diya. Main nahi ja saka. Maine unka poora janaza Whatsapp ke video pe dekha (I applied for a visa, but they (Pakistan government) refused. I said, 'My mother has passed away'. But they refused. I could not go. I saw her entire funeral on a WhatsApp video),' Adnan, who visibly looked emotional, said. Adnan, known for songs such as Kabhi To Nazar Milao, Tera Chehra and Bhar Do Jholi, first arrived in India on March 13, 2001, on a visitor's visa with a validity of one year. His visa was extended from time to time. His Pakistani passport had expired in 2015 and was not renewed by the Pakistan government. He then approached the Indian government with the request to legalise his stay in India.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Pakistan refused to give Adnan Sami visa to attend mother's funeral: ‘India agreed but… I watched her last rites on a WhatsApp call'
Adnan Sami, the Pakistan-born singer and composer, became a citizen of India in 2016, which resulted in a lot of heartburn in the country of his birth. The singer — who was also honored with Padma Shri, has now revealed that Pakistan refused to give him visa in 2024 after his mother passed away and he wanted to attend her funeral. Speaking to India TV, Adnan said that after his mother, Begum Naureen's demise, he requested both Indian and Pakistani authorities that he wants to visit the country to attend the funeral. He said that despite India granting him permission to travel, Pakistan refused. Adding that his mother's demise came as a shock to everyone because she didn't had any health concerns, he recalled how Indian authorities immediately understood his situation. 'Maine yaha ki sarkaar se pucha main jana chahta hu toh apko koi objection to nahi. Unhone kaha, 'Zahir hai, aapki maa ka inteqal hua hai, aapko zaroor jana chahiye'. Unki taraf se koi problem nahi tha (When I asked the Indian government that I want to go, do you have any objection? They said, 'It is obvious, your mother has passed away, you must go'. There was no problem from their side),' shared the singer. But when Adnan applied for a visa in Pakistan, his request was denied. 'Maine visa ke liye apply kiya, par unhone refuse kar diya. Maine kaha, 'Meri maa ka inteqal hua hai'. Phir bhi unhone mana kar diya. Main nahi ja saka. Maine unka poora janaza Whatsapp ke video pe dekha (I applied for a visa, but they (Pakistan government) refused. I said, 'My mother has passed away'. But they refused. I could not go. I saw her entire funeral on a WhatsApp video),' shared the singer. Born in London, Adnan Sami is the son of Pakistani Air Force pilot and diplomat. He took Indian citizenship in 2016 and have time and again talked about how the deteriorating political situation in Pakistan made him take the life-changing decision despite his family and son residing there. A post shared by ADNAN SAMI (@adnansamiworld) Adnan was also asked whether he took Indian citizenship because he was earning more in India than in Pakistan. In his response, the singer shared how he was fortunate to be born in a wealthy family and also added that he actully left property worth crores in Pakistan and started from scratch in India. A post shared by ADNAN SAMI (@adnansamiworld) 'An artist longs for an audience. An artist's nourishment is his audience. I received a lot of love in Pakistan, too, but everyone desires growth,' shared Adnan Sami. A post shared by ADNAN SAMI (@adnansamiworld) Adnan Sami made his Indian music debut with 'Kabhi Toh Nazar Milao' with Asha Bhosle which became an instant hit.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Adnan Sami reveals Pakistan denied him visa to attend his mom's last rites: 'Janaza video call pe dekha'
Adnan Sami, now an Indian citizen, faced a painful ordeal. He was denied a visa by Pakistan to attend his mother's funeral. This happened despite getting clearance from Indian authorities. Sami revealed he had to witness the final rites via video call. He also addressed claims about seeking Indian citizenship for money. Adnan Sami , known for songs like Tera Chehra and Lift Karadey, became an Indian citizen in 2016 due to Pakistan 's political issues. Despite having family there, he's faced criticism from Pakistani authorities and recently shared that he wasn't allowed to attend his mother's funeral, reflecting his strained ties with the country. Denied a Final Goodbye Adnan recently appeared on Aap Ki Adalat with Rajat Sharma, where he opened up about a deeply personal moment. When asked if he had tried visiting Pakistan after becoming an Indian citizen in 2016, Adnan revealed he had made the attempt in October 2024, after his mother unexpectedly passed away. He shared that her death came as a shock, as she had no known health issues. Adnan added that Indian authorities were compassionate and quickly understood the urgency of the situation. After receiving clearance from Indian authorities, Sami applied for a visa to Pakistan to attend his mother's funeral. However, his request was denied despite explaining the reason for his visit. As a result, he was unable to travel and had to witness his mother's final rites through a video call on WhatsApp. Not about money, but growth In the same interview, the singer addressed the common claim that he chose Indian citizenship for financial gain. He clarified that money was never a motivating factor, as he came from a well-off family and never faced financial struggles. Instead, he emphasized that his decision was driven by personal growth and artistic fulfillment. Adnan said he left behind property worth crores in Pakistan to start afresh in India, where he felt a stronger connection with his audience and saw more opportunities to grow as an artist. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
