Atif Aslam, “Music Reality Shows are Scripted”

Atif Aslam came to Dhaka on 30th July to perform at a concert and on his 4th visit to Bangladesh, Atif in an interview with the local newspaper of Dhaka shared his love for the ‘City of Mosques’, Dhaka, his views on the music reality shows and responded to the criticism he gets.

On Asking about the city and how well the audience here at Dhaka receives him, he said,

“The people here are very nice to me. They seem to have something to say me all the time which is either related to me or my music.” He also added that Dhaka is one of his favorite cities. He said, “To be very honest with you, Dhaka is one of my favorite cities. The city is amazing and it relaxes me to a great extent. Apart from the horrible traffic jams of Dhaka, the city is great to explore for the enthusiastic. The women in saree look awesome here. They look gorgeous, gracious and lovely.”

On asking about his take on music reality shows, Atif Aslam said that music reality shows are not reality shows, and rather they can be called as scripted shows. He said,

“I’m sorry to say, they are not reality shows, and rather they can be called as scripted shows. I took part in one of one such show as a guest judge where I was asked by the director of that particular show to hug someone, whom I did not want to hug. He went on to ask me to praise someone whom I did not want to praise. So I can’t cheat my fans by participating on such shows which are not real. Moreover I consider myself too small to judge someone. But on a lighter note, I would like to go on reality shows to meet the celebrities who can have the time to criticize me on a fine day!”

He also responded to the recent criticism he got from the singing diva of bollywood Sunidhi Chouhan, who said that Atif Aslam can’t sing. Atif commented,

“I’m glad that a senior singer like Sunidhi Chouhan had said something about me. Frankly speaking, I do not care what they have to say about me. I just focus on my work and concentrate solely on my music.”

Read The Complete Interview of Atif Aslam with Nazmus Saquib

Q: ‘He came, he saw and he conquered’ – that’s what can be said describing your success in the Pakistani and Indian music industry. From your point of view, how has the journey been so far?

Atif Aslam: Well, I started singing at the age of 16, but never thought about music as a profession. I always wanted to be a cricketer. But my father for some reason didn’t agree to it, but fortunately whatever happened, it was for the best. I was a part of the band ‘Jal’ and later I had to go solo because of some internal disputes. My solo albums were huge hits both in Pakistan and India. I wanted to explore myself in every single dimension of music. Throughout my journey, some people from the music fraternity criticized me. I’m facing this criticism till date. But I am quite used to it now. On a positive note, I am happy that my fans are always showering their blessings on me. I have received numerous awards at home and abroad in recognization to my hard work. I’ve also shared stage with some of the renowned musicians of the world from time to time. I’ve performed at the Heineken Music Hall where legends like Michael Jacksom performed. All in all, so far the journey has been very good and pleasing.

Q: Criticism has been a part and parcel throughout your musical career. Recently singing diva of bollywood Sunidhi Chouhan said that Atif Aslam can’t sing. How does it feel to receive such harsh criticism despite your overwhelming success?

Atif Aslam: I’m glad that a senior singer like Sunidhi Chouhan had said something about me. Frankly speaking, I do not care what they have to say about me. I just focus on my works and concentrate solely on my music.

Q: Would you please tell us something about your upcoming projects?

Atif Aslam: Currently I am busy with my new project with Guns N’ Roses. The reason for doing a project with them is not only limited to music only. My country Pakistan is known as a terrorist country. I want to change this perception and I hope the message which this project would transmit will fetch a good impact across the world.

Q: You have massive fan following both in India and across the world. How does it feel?

Atif Aslam: I feel amazing to perform and satisfy my fans the way you guys feel while interviewing someone. I love my fans no matter whether they are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or anywhere from the world.

Q: Please tell us something about the Dhaka crowd. Do you enjoy your stay here?

Atif Aslam: To be very honest with you, Dhaka is one of my favorite cities. The city is amazing and it relaxes me to a great extent. Apart from the horrible traffic jams of Dhaka, the city is great to explore for the enthusiastic. The women in saree look awesome here. They look gorgeous, gracious and lovely. The people here are very nice to me. They seem to have something to say me all the time which is either related to me or my music.

Q: Your female fans outnumber your male fans. They are just crazy about you. What’s your take on that?

Atif Aslam: Oh really? You people are always saying like this but do not really provide me any information to reach them! On a serious note, I will be glad if they go crazy about my work, instead of me.

Q: Your fans want to interact with you. So would you please tell them the procedure to reach you?

Atif Aslam: For all of my fans across the world, my website is http://www.aadeez.com. They can send me mail and discuss with me about my concerts, my albums and anything and everything related to me. I personally maintain this website which is dedicated to my fans only.

Q: What’s your take on the musical reality shows?

Atif Aslam: I’m sorry to say, they are not reality shows, and rather they can be called as scripted shows. I took part in one of one such show as a guest judge where I was asked by the director of that particular show to hug someone, whom I did not want to hug. He went on to ask me to praise someone whom I did not want to praise. So I can’t cheat my fans by participating on such shows which are not real. Moreover I consider myself too small to judge someone. But on a lighter note, I would like to go on reality shows to meet the celebrities who can have the time to criticize me on a fine day!

Q: Is there anything you want to say to your fans here in Bangladesh?

Atif Aslam: This is my fourth visit here. I hope to perform here as long as the people here would love me. I hope to come back here over and over again. This time, the organizer Signal Events deserves all the praise for arranging the concert, hopefully next time I will be performing on an open air concert rather than an indoor one.

(via – Xain Malik)