Celebrities
Are Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Struggling After India Ban? Abrar-ul-Haq Blames Bollywood
Renowned singer Atif Aslam and legendary vocalist Rahat Fateh Ali Khan have faced challenges in maintaining their international music careers after the ban on Pakistani artists in India. Recently, singer Abrar-ul-Haq reignited the debate, claiming that Bollywood played a crucial role in their success, and after being cut off from the Indian film industry, their visibility and reach have declined significantly. Speaking in an interview, he argued that without Bollywood’s backing, both artists are struggling to maintain their previous level of success.
Abrar-ul-Haq on Atif Aslam Career Decline
During a podcast interview, Abrar-ul-Haq highlighted that Atif Aslam gained immense popularity through Bollywood, where a strong industry network supported his music. He explained that in India, Atif’s songs had teams working on lyrics, composition, and production, allowing him to focus solely on vocals. However, once Pakistani artists were banned from India in 2016, the support system disappeared, leading to a noticeable dip in Atif’s career trajectory. Haq also pointed out that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan faced a similar fate, with fewer new songs making an impact after the ban.
Bollywood’s Influence and Copyright Controversy
Abrar-ul-Haq also touched on the issue of song copyrights in Bollywood, citing his own experience with the unauthorized use of his song “Nach Punjaban” in the film Jug Jugg Jeeyo. He claimed that despite holding the rights to the song, it was used without permission, and the legal battle is still ongoing. He further stressed that Bollywood’s monopoly over the music industry makes it difficult for artists outside India to maintain global success without its platform. The debate continues on whether Pakistani singers can regain their previous influence without Bollywood’s involvement.