Atif Aslam

Atif Aslam is a playback singer, songwriter, composer and actor from Wazirabad in Punjab, and his voice is known on both sides of the border. He is famous for his belting vocal style, and his music mixes Pakistani pop and Sufi rock. He sings mostly in Urdu and Punjabi, and has also recorded in Hindi, Bengali, Persian and Pashto.

He rose to fame in the early 2000s with “Aadat”. His debut solo album, Jal Pari, came in 2004, and the next year “Aadat” became his Bollywood debut when it was used in the film Kalyug. His Hindi film songs include “Woh Lamhe Woh Baatein”, “Pehli Nazar Mein”, “Tu Jaane Na”, “Tera Hone Laga Hoon”, “Jeene Laga Hoon” and “Dil Diyan Gallan”. On Coke Studio Pakistan his performances include “Tajdar-e-Haram”, “Man Aamadeh Am” and “Wohi Khuda Hai”.

He made his acting debut in Shoaib Mansoor's social drama Bol (2011). His honours include the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (2008) and several Lux Style Awards. In 2019 he received a star on The Dubai Stars, and in 2020 Forbes Asia named him among its 100 Digital Stars. As a teenager he was picked for the Pakistan under-19 cricket team as a fast bowler, but he did not take up the place.

In 2002 he co-founded the band Jal with Goher Mumtaz, and “Aadat” was released in late 2003 with him on lead vocals. He left soon after to go solo. His albums Doorie (2006) and Meri Kahani (2008) followed Jal Pari, and Meri Kahani was nominated for Best Album at the 7th Lux Style Awards. “Pehli Nazar Mein”, from Race (2008), won him an IIFA Award. In Bol he also sang two duets with Hadiqa Kiani, “Hona Tha Pyar” and “Kaho Aaj Bol Do”.