Music

No Options For Mekaal Hasan

Mekaal Hasan is currently on a tour to India spreading the message of peace between India and Pakistan. And he was recently in Ahmedabad for a performance when we caught up with the musician.

Coming to India and performing for a receptive crowd has been one of the fondest experiences for him and his band, even though they have toured in various other countries. Mekaal says, “India is such an amazing place. It has been so much fun performing here. There is a lot of freedom here and live performances have their own charm and experience.”

But whenever there is India-Pakistan involved, there are bound to have controversies. Ask him about it and Mekaal is candid to answer saying, “There are a lot of political motives for which people make controversial statements. But we musicians come here to perform. Music is our bread and butter, and since there are not too many options in Pakistan and severe security concerns, we look out for safer options like India to reach out to our audiences and follow our musical instincts.” He adds, “It’s not that concerts are banned or cancelled only when an Indian band goes to perform in Pakistan. Our concerts also get banned due to security concers. We haven’t done a show in the last seven months in Pakistan.”

In spite of that, Pakistan has created legends when it comes to music. To which he says, “But that won’t last for long. If the situation remains the same, the artists will die a creative death. If there are no resources, no freedom and no avenues, then how will they survive and flourish?”

Still there has been a lot of protests against Pakistani musicians coming to India and making a quick buck. “If an artist is mediocre then I would say they should be stopped from coming over. But if the artist is good, if the audience accepts them, then why should there be a problem?” asks Mekaal. He adds, “It’s not that only the singer is earning through his popularity. Everyone involved in the event earns profit. Par sirf yahi highlight kiya jata hai ki sirf hum log hi paisa kama rahein hai.”

Talking straight from his heart, Mekaal says that he and his band only believe in creating good music, and bother little about the money and politics. And that was the main reason he took up music as a profession. He says, “There were very few career options in Pakistan. But I always wanted to do something that my heart longed for. And I found that calling in music.” And that is clearly visible in his music. From collaborating with international artists to touring around the world, Mekaal has done it all. He says, “Of all the things I do, I am the best at music. And this is what I am going to do forever.”

Music

Ali Sethi’s Album ‘Love Language’ Set for August 1 Release

Music fans, mark your calendars: after catapulting into 2025 with singles Maya and Tera Sitam, Pakistani-American singer Ali Sethi is on the brink of releasing his long-awaited upcoming album Love Language, slated for release on August 1.

“Love Language, my first full length studio album, is out on August 1,” penned the musician in a simple caption in an Instagram post on Thursday as he credited the artwork and photography underneath. “A ragamala rendezvous. I made it for me and you.”

Accompanying the message were three photos from the upcoming album’s cover art. While Ali didn’t lean into Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend shock tactics, there’s no denying that one colour in his carousel demands attention: red. Shiny red leather gloves, a red lace-like shirt, and a jewelled red headpiece draped across Ali’s face – all work in tandem to seize the spotlight.

The red leather gloves are worn by Ali himself – never one to shy away from experimentation – alongside yet another oversized piece of jewellery, too large to be a ring, stretched across the fingers of his left hand. Against a muted blue backdrop, this striking red motif becomes part of his signature: it’s the font colour for his name, the album title, and the names of the new tracks. In case you missed them, Ali’s red-gloved hand points directly at the swirling list of songs featured in the second photo of the carousel.

Fans will be delighted to learn that Love Language comprises sixteen songs, (including the already released Maya and Tera Sitam). When Ali delivers on August 1, here are the eclectically named Love Language tracks you can expect to add to his catalogue: O Balama (Censored Love Song), Hanera, Rocket Launcher [ft Maanu], Nursery Rhyme (Interlude), Lovely Bukhaar, Jhatka in Jaunpuri (Interlude), Hymn 4 Him (Ghoomray), Villain, Bridegroom, Jadugarni, Kaava, Horizon, Subho Shaam [ft Natania], and Escape From Jhaptaal.

The final photo shows Ali gazing pensively at something just out of frame, one red-gloved arm poised as if ready for action, the chains of red jewels still draped dramatically across his face. If there’s any man who knows how to make a statement, it’s him. And with the post already racking up over 2,000 likes from eager followers within just seven hours, it is clear that this crimson-splashed statement is one his fans have been waiting for.

Also Read: Ali Sethi’s Mother Reveals She’s Not a Fan of ‘Pasoori’

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