Music

Former Aaroh and Karavan musicians collaborate

Written by: Rafay Mahmood

There is good news for rock music lovers. Two of the finest rockers from Pakistan’s pop-rock scene are all set to collaborate on a project. While guitarist Nabeel Nihal Chishti will bring his groove on and drive listeners crazy like he did when his first album with Aaroh, rocker Tanseer Dar will bring his signature rock vocals that brought depth to the brilliant rock music produced by his former band, Karavan.

When it comes to similarities, not only are Chishti and Dar equally gifted but both have also had their share of band drama as Chishti left Aaroh in 2004, while Karavan split almost a year ago. Those who have been following the rock music scene in Pakistan will know that this collaboration sets expectations high.

“I tried my best to make it completely different from the old stuff that I did in Aaroh, but I can’t really change my style,” Chishti told us. He says he plays from his heart and doesn’t really quite know how it sounds when he compares his older compositions with new ones; that decision, he say, is for his fans.

Talking about the collaboration, Chishti spoke about his faith in Dar. “A vocalist like Dar will spell the true magic in the album,” he said. “He has undiscovered talent and is the best amongst all the vocalists that I had tried for this album,” he added. Chishti also said that when he shared the rest of the tracks of the album with Dar, he was able to sing them all because of his versatility. “Dar has a lot of experience and that is why the album will sound more mature both in terms of production and vocals,” he added, clearly satisfied with the vocalist.

Dar says that Chishti was accommodating and allowed his creative insight into the whole project even though he is just a vocalist. Dar recommended changes to the tracks which were appreciated and acknowledged by Chishti.

“Where it was getting very filmi, I added a bit of cheekh pukar in it. The whole album has a variety of songs, ranging from heavy rock numbers to some commercial ones. But it’s not like I am singing Sonu Nigam or something,” he added.

“Nabeel had just called me to sing one song for his album but he liked it so much that I ended up singing them all,” laughed Dar.

As far as Karavan is concerned, Dar said he was bitter and clueless after the band broke up last year. While he has moved on, he admits that he owes everything to the band which gave him his true identity.

“It’s just one project. Karavan is like my baby. The songs that we made run in my blood. It’s everything to me and it will always remain this way,” said a rather emotional Dar when asked about his new collaboration.

The collaborative album is being composed, arranged and produced by Chishti, with Dar’s vocals. “The Nabeel Nihaal Project” is scheduled to be released at the end of the year, with a music video release planned earlier.

Music

Annie Khalid’s Hit ‘Mahiya’ Remixed by Indian Producer

Indian music producer Yashraj Mukhate went viral by remixing Annie Khalid’s iconic 2006 pop hit Mahiya, blending it with a humorous clip of a South Asian man expressing his dislike for relatives.

Known for turning viral dialogues into catchy tunes, Mukhate paired the man’s blunt response with playful lyrics like: “Meri bua ki bhabi ke beti ki shaadi mein kyun jaon, mahiya, ke hoon mein pareshaan, mahiya.” The video quickly gained over 12 million views on Instagram.

Pakistani celebrities including Mawra Hocane and Zoya Nasir praised the remix, and Annie Khalid herself responded with laughter and enthusiasm. Mukhate, calling her “The OG,” celebrated the interaction. Khalid’s Mahiya was a breakthrough hit that defined mid-2000s Pakistani pop and opened doors for women in the industry.

Who is Annie Khalid

Annie Khalid was born to a Kashmiri father and a Yemeni mother in Lahore on 27 March 1987. When she was just six months old, her family moved from Pakistan to the United Kingdom, first settling in East London and later relocating to Essex.

Annie Khalid launched her music career with the single “Mahiya,” which became a massive hit in Pakistan after its 2005 release. Indian filmmakers later featured the song in the film Awarapan.

On 25 November 2010, she released her UK debut single “Be My Baby,” accompanied by a remix from British DJ Judge Jules. After meeting the English–Norwegian boy band A1 at a charity event, Khalid collaborated with them on the single “Just 3 Words” and joined their tour, performing across Norway and the UK. In 2011, the Pakistan Media Awards nominated her for Best Female Singer.

In September 2013, Khalid teamed up with Beenie Man to release the single “Boom Boom Danze.”

Also Read: Annie Khalid – Tharki Saala (Music Video)

Music

Muhammad Ali Shehki Says Romance Is Key to Great Music

In an interview with Imran Ashraf, veteran musician Mohammed Ali Shehki revealed that romance—real or imagined—is central to his musical process, and urged other artists to embrace the same mindset.

He admitted to envisioning a muse while performing, saying, “An artist has to be in love all the time, whether it’s your wife, girlfriend, or someone from your imagination.”

Tapping into that romantic energy, Shehki performed his hit Pyar Kiya Mein Ne Dil Diya, then reflected on his rise to fame in the 1970s. “There was a lot of craze in that era. Now, with so many singers, no one knows who’s who. Back then, it was just a few of us—actually, just two,” he said, referencing himself and Alamgir.

Shehki recounted how makeup artist Lily Raza, who shared his Irani heritage, helped him break into the entertainment industry. Before his big break, he performed in hotels and eventually landed a spot on a show hosted by Tara Ghanshyam. When Ghanshyam fell ill, Shehki was asked to perform their duet solo.

“I thought I’d lost the opportunity,” he recalled. “But Ghazanfar Ali sahab told me, ‘You’ll sing this solo without any complaints.’ So I did, and the song became a superhit.”

Shehki, also known for acting in films like Dekh Tamasha and Choron Ka Badshah, credited that moment as the turning point in his career.

Also Read: Ajay Devgn Shares Musician’s Apology to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Music

Abrarul Haq Drops New Song Celebrating Victory Over India

Celebrities across Pakistan are actively paying tribute to the armed forces for their successful defence operations, fuelling a wave of patriotic fervour across the nation.

Singer Abrarul Haq joined the celebrations by releasing a special song dedicated to the victory.

Through powerful lyrics, the track tells how the Pakistani Armed Forces thwarted India’s so-called “Operation Sindoor.”

Abrar highlights the spiritual strength of a Muslim warrior, portraying inner faith as a battlefield force.

He also symbolically mentions “serving tea to the enemy,” a phrase tied to past military encounters.

Abrar shared the song on his official YouTube channel, though the full music video is yet to be released.

Fans praised the song as a morale booster, with one commenting, “Pak Forces deserve this kind of tribute after an amazing victory,” and another adding, “The song is beautiful, and Abrarul Haq sang it with full enthusiasm and zeal.”

Also Read: Abrarul Haq Criticizes Young Artists Extravagant Demands in Music Industry