Interviews

“No Need to Explain”: Atif Aslam on Post-Dad-Death Performance Backlash

Atif Aslam

Atif Aslam does not feel the need to explain his decisions to the world. In a recent interview with journalist Faridoon Shahryar on YouTube show Connect Cine this week, the singer opened up about the backlash he received over performing just two days after his father’s death. In the same interview, he recalled his journey as an artist and acknowledged the love he has received from Bollywood.

“I heard people saying that my father passed away and I was still performing the next day,” he said. “They were trying to make their channel run at my expense, making commentary about if I should have gone or not.”

The singer’s father passed away in August and he shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. Requesting everyone to remember him and his family in their prayers, he posted a picture kissing his father on the cheek and wrote, “A final goodbye to my Iron Man. Rest in peace Abu jee.”

He took the stage at Karachi’s National Stadium for a packed Independence Day concert just two days after. Many praised his professionalism and ability to perform under personal loss. However, the singer received criticism for going ahead with the show despite the circumstances.

“Atif Aslam has enough influence to cancel any show if he truly wanted. This is not a sacrifice for Pakistan, it’s a choice and it’s clearly for money, not for the nation.” wrote one Instagram user, echoing the voice of many others.

Responding to this backlash, Atif said in the interview, “My job is not to tell the haters not to do it. I can’t build a relationship with the whole world. I can’t explain to each and every person what my circumstances were. My job is to make art. Like me for my art, hate me for my music. Don’t tell me what to do.”

The singer remembered the connection his father shared with his music. “I’ve never seen my father cry,” he said. “But when he heard me sing Taj Dar-e-Haram on Coke Studio for the first time, he cried. I remember The Sabri Brothers version of the qawwali used to play on TV at 7am and then at 12pm and he would make us all watch it. I didn’t understand it at that time. Later on, I realised what it is and the kind of connection he shared with it.”

With classic Pakistani songs like Meri Kahani, Hum Kis Gali Ja Rahe and Hona Tha Pyar, the Dil Diyan Gallan singer made sure to acknowledge his influence in Bollywood too. “I miss Bollywood,” he said. “It has been eight to ten years since I last worked there. I miss performing there, I miss being in the studio, I miss my friends, the music composers. I’m really happy that the industry has come a long way and I’m happy to see it thriving.”

Atif feels immense gratitude for the love he has received from their fraternity. “If I talk about Pakistan, we don’t have many stars,” he said. “Our industry is not as big as Bollywood. But out of the few there are, God chose me and made me shine in the big jungle that is Bollywood. I can’t thank Him enough.”

He reflected on his journey as a musician too. “You need to be a rebel to be an artist,” he said. “You should know your strengths and weaknesses. You need to keep working on them. I am a stage animal, not a studio artist. When I go on stage, I forget what is happening in the world.”

Crediting his father as his source of inspiration, the singer said, “A person who has lost his father is not afraid of losing anything else. That’s where the rebel in me comes from.”

Also Read: Kareena Kapoor Picks Atif Aslam Over Ali Zafar; Fans Cheer Her Choice

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Interviews

Mahira Khan talks Netflix debut, global career with CNN

Pakistani star Mahira Khan recently sat down with CNN’s Kristie Lu Stout for an interview, where she opened up about her Netflix debut and her journey to becoming a global figure.

Describing her outlook for the new year as a “wholesome surprise,” Khan reflected on her formative years working retail in California and how those experiences shaped her.

Mahira

She also emphasized her humanitarian work as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for Afghan refugees, women’s rights, and mental health awareness.

Khan’s career is marked by both artistic and advocacy milestones. From her rise as a beloved actress in Pakistan to her groundbreaking entry on Netflix, she has consistently broken barriers.

In 2024, she received a lifetime achievement award from the UK Parliament for her contributions to cinema and gender equality. She has also spoken publicly on diplomatic issues, notably addressing the ban on Pakistani artists in India in mid-2025 by affirming that art should build bridges, not walls.

Interviews

Dr Nabiha Ali Khan Reveals Why She Stopped Covering Her Head

Dr Nabiha Ali Khan is a highly popular and sensational digital media personality who first gained attention through her podcasts as a clinical psychologist. Her controversial statements on women’s behaviour went viral on social media and sparked backlash. On November 7th, Dr Nabiha Ali Khan married Haris Khokhar, her long-time colleague. She was previously widowed and is a mother of one son.

Recently, Dr Nabiha Ali Khan appeared on Naeem Hanif’s podcast, where she revealed why she stopped wearing a dupatta, which was once an integral part of her attire.

Talking about it, Dr Nabiha Ali Khan said, “I once broke the teeth of a boy who grabbed my dupatta. Often people ask why I don’t wear a dupatta — there is a reason behind it. I used to go to my job wearing shalwar qameez; I used to cover my head and offer prayers five times a day, including Tahajjud. My mother was a veiled woman — no one had ever seen her face. From my father’s side, we are Pakhtoon, and from my mother’s side, we are Syed. Both families are modest; we weren’t allowed to come on media. None of my cousins or siblings ever appeared on TV. They are married and live a private and modest life. I came to the media because of the financial burden after my father’s death. One day, I was coming back from the office when a boy on a bike grabbed my dupatta from behind and pulled it. I was all alone, standing on the road without a dupatta. I was shocked. I looked back and slapped him, and two of his teeth broke — his mouth was bleeding. He called the police. Do you know breaking someone’s teeth is a punishable act? Yes, one thing I did at that time was recite ‘Ya Ali Madad,’ and it gave me strength.”

Interviews

Frieha Altaf About Struggles of Men As Bread Winners

Frieha Altaf is a renowned fashion figure in Pakistan who has worked as a model, actor, stylist and event organizer. Frieha Altaf has always worked hard for the evolution of fashion in Pakistan. In the media , she is one of the finest and established event organisers of. Frieha has conducted Lux Style Awards for years. Besides this, she is quite vocal about social issues. Frieha Altaf has also been doing podcasts on her YouTube channel which gets praised by her fans.

Recently, Frieha Altaf appeared in FHM’S podcast, hosted by Adnan Faisal. In the podcast, she opened up about men’s struggle as bread winners. She also responded to Saima Qureshi’s statement regarding women’s earnings.

Talking about men as bread winners, Frieha Altaf said, “Many people are suffering from various traumas in life, and it is with men too. Men are also suffering from the traumas due to the social pressure of earning not only for him, but for his wife, his kids and for the whole family. It will be great if both men and women work together and share their burden together”

Talking about Saima Qureshi’s statement, she said, “Is there any blessing in begging? Work is always blissful, it is a worship, men and women should work equally, why are you separating genders in this debate? Hazrat Khadija R.A was working, do you mean her earnings had no blessings, she married the Prophet just because she needed a trustworthy partner, not because she was financially dependent.. I am flabbergasted by Miss Saima Qureshi’s statement. There is always a blessing in hard work”