Indian singer Arijit Singh drew praise across social media, including from Pakistani fans, after he spoke warmly about fellow musicians Atif Aslam and Shafqat Amanat Ali during a recent concert in Abu Dhabi.
During the performance, Singh covered Atif’s popular song Pehli Nazar Mein from the Bollywood film Race.
Midway through the set, he paused to address the audience and asked whether Pakistani songs were still banned in India, saying he was not fully up to date with current news but was curious about the situation.
“I have a question for you all. This might be controversial but I do not care, I do not follow the news as much but is playing Pakistani songs still banned in India?” the singer asked. He expressed frustration at the response, holding his fists up in the air. The musician then expressed admiration for Atif and Shafqat.?”Atif Aslam is one of my favourites and Shafqat Amanat Ali,” he said, continuing his set. Pakistani fans shared appreciation for the Indian musician’s gesture, saying that they too love his music.
Singh and Atif are two of the most influential and celebrated singers in South Asian culture, delivering some of the biggest romantic hits over the last two decades. Singh’s response at his concert highlighted the way music can often transcend political boundaries, especially across South Asia’s shared musical landscape.