You see Atif proves the versatility and impact in his vocals in Meri Kahani whereas one felt in Doorie, his vocals played almost second fiddle to catchy, in your face music. In Meri Kahani he is required to make a greater impact with his vocals to hold your attention against some fairly unspectacular (soft rock) music.

So does he succeed? Undoubtedly YES in my opinion! Maybe not in all the twelve tracks here (there are no remixes) but more than enough to warrant a purchase. Here are some of the highlights you can look forward to...

A deep breath from Atif ignites the title song Meri Kahani, co-written by the singer himself and one which turns out to be one of the best tracks here that won't require much listening before it connects with you. This pacey song is dominated by guitar strumming by Shahzad Hameed leaving Atif to add magic with his vocals and how he succeeds! Just listen out for his short verse with simultaneous vocals / supporting vocals midway through which is the highlight of this short but extremely enjoyable track.

Cries of agony greet you in Kinara, another rock based anthem that offers little originality in its drum orchestration or in the lyrics department (again written by the singer)- however Atif more than makes up for this with his singing which oozes confidence and subtlety belying the age or experience of the singer- overall another good listen.

Rabba Sacheya on the other hand tests Atif's Punjabi tongue and he pulls it off with aplomb! The main verses are slow (more guitar strumming this time by Sarmad Ghafoor) but as soon as he releases his lungs with 'rabb soniyan' at the cusp of the chorus, the music bursts into life and has your feet tapping in no time! As the song progresses he goes onto shows amazing ability to control high and low pitched vocals (and at the same time pacing them perfectly). This song was tailor made for Atif!

Arguably the best of the bunch however is the bewitching Man Hota Hai which is co-written and co-produced by Atif. This track puts his almost whisper quiet singing against the sole backdrop of a piano piece and how he delivers! Pay particular attention to the dexterity of his vocals, how they portray to great effect the sincerity, graveness and chilling sadness that the lyrics so demand....

Other recommended tracks include the addictive Chor Gayai, the sweet Humrahi, the subdued but extremely hip Mai Nee and his only duet of the entire soundtrack Kaun The (with S.K.J).

All in all, whilst nothing outstanding in the grand scheme of things, Meri Kahani is still highly recommended for any Atif fan and the general music loving public at large…There is more than enough variety on offer here that test the unquestionable talents of the singer and there is a good chance that on repeated listening you will find at least a few songs here to keep you happy until his next major Bollywood track, in fact it offers much more than Doorie which, whilst good itself, was filled with remixes.

What's more as a listener and music fan, it's great to see these individuals along with other upcoming solo artists such as Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (who incidentally has also just released his debut soundtrack Charkha) and Abhijeet (Junoon) release quality solo albums. It not only prolongs their career but keeps them in the picture of music directors and ultimately satisfies hungry listeners like you and me.

Above all, Atif proves the immense singing talents that preside across the border in Pakistan- he sits alongside Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and the brilliant band Strings all of whom have performed at the very top level in our beloved Bollywood. Expect more from this lot very soon!

Born	12th March 1982
Origin	Wazirabad, Pakistan
Genre(s)	Pop
Occupation(s)	Singer, Musician
Notable instrument(s)
guitar

Pakistani actors like Javed Sheikh and Meera, and singers like Atif Aslam and Adnan Sami, have been working in India for quite some time. We take a look at the prominent Pakistani stars, who have captured the Indian film, television and music industry.

Atif Aslam

Atif was a part of the popular Pakistani band, Jal, which gave us hit songs from albums, Aadat and Boondh.

Later, he quit the band and came to India. He gained instant stardom with his song, Woh Lamhe from the film, Zeher. His other songs -- Aadat in Mahesh Bhatt's production, Kalyug and Tere Bin in Onir's Bas Ek Pal have huge hits too.

Pehli Nazar from the film, Race, has added to his list of hit songs.

His songs from private albums, like Doorie, Hum Kis Gali and Kuch Is Tarah have done very well too.

Atif Aslam (Urdu: عاطف اسلم) is a Pakistani musician. He was born in Wazirabad, Gujranwala on March 12, 1983 and was educated in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
 

Early life

Atif’s kindergarten started in Model town Lahore at Kimberley Hall School. His first stage manifestation was in a fancy dress show at his school when he was in grade 1 where he performed as Imran Khan, the former captain of Pakistan's national cricket team. Since then cricket was like a passion to him. He was never tired of playing cricket for hours in his car porch whether it is scorching sun outside or even raining. At that time he was not used to listen any kind of songs. At the age of 9 in 1991 he was shifted to Rawalpindi/Islamabad where he continued his studies in Saint Paul's School. He started playing Basketball and he use to lead his school team for various matches. Atif came back to Lahore in 1995 where he continued his studies in Divisional Public School Model Town. For his immense passion for cricket he was selected in his school team as a fast bowler. Atif cleared his 10th grade in 14 years of age with a distinctive edge that he has always been the youngest boy in the class because of his double promotions while he was in Kimberley Hall. Atif started his HSc in PAF College Lahore. He was in his college team as well where he presented his college in other cities. Beside his studies he was putting his maximum time in practicing for the professional cricket. During his college life he come across with some interest in music. He attended Punjab Institute of Computer Science (PICS) to do his Bachelors in Computer Science (BCS). Aslam's eldest brother owned a collection of more than 8,000 songs of almost all music genres, from which Atif absorbed a wide range of music at home. As a good learner he quickly grasped the control of voice, though at that time he was not interested in singing. Aslam's passion was still to enter the Pakistani cricket team as a fast bowler and he was right on track while practicing at the net at the Shapes Club Lahore where Imran Khan used to come and give tips to him for bowling.

Start of Musical Career

The twist in the story comes when one day he was singing with his friends at the college canteen. His friends insisted him to participate in the singing on Independence Day celebrations at PAF College Lahore and Sargodha in 1998. He performed there and won the competition. After HSc, Atif Joined Punjab Institute of Computer Science Gulberg Campus. This time studies were much more demanding as compared to the previous ones. He was forced to sacrifice his time playing cricket in order to do well in school. However, his hobby of singing continued when he entered in the singing competition of his college, where there were a total of 8 participants. The media team entered Atif’s name in the competition at the eleventh hour and he won the competition singing a hit number of Pakistani band Strings' Duur.

Jal The Band

Aslam kept winning these competitions every semester until he announced that he would not participate in future competitions so that someone else could also win. He found Goher Mumtaz, a talented guitarist, at this time. Together, they started doing mini concerts for their friends. Atif used to primarily sing songs from Junoon and Strings song at these concerts. The size of the audiences kept on increasing. They performed concerts for their college, McDonalds and some other restaurants as well. Atif recorded the legendary song Aadat at Mekal Hassan’s Studio. Mekal injected his professionalism in the song to make it worth listening time after time. Atif formed the band and named the band as Jal, which means water, the essence of life. The song got popularity on the different musical websites on Pakistan. . The song was also played on such Pakistani radio stations as FM100 and FM105. The music video for Aadat was shot one day in a warehouse in Karachi. Soon it came out to be a super hit, topping the Pakistani music charts. On the base of this one song, “Jal” began their tour of Pakistan—such was the strength of “Aadat”. However, whilst on tour, personal problems led to a verbal bust-up resulting in an unannounced and indefinite hiatus, during which Atif launched his solo career.

Solo career

"Jal Pari"

Atif Aslam, after leaving Jal, released a new solo album, Jal Pari (meaning "Mermaid") which was a big hit. Other than Aadat, 'Dil Harey', 'Woh Lamhey', 'Yakeen' became favourites of Pakistani music fans. Though his songs were liked by many, his first solo music video of 'Mahi ve' did not received much praise. On the other hand Jal, with their album "Aadat" and hit music video "Woh Lamhay" emerged as one of the top bands of Pakistan. As both the Jal, “Aadat”, and Atif’s album, Jalpari, shared certain tracks (such as “Aadat”, “Wo Lamhey”, “Dil Harey”) an unofficial war over rights began which resulted in both sides claiming to possess hard proof to support their respective claims (that, they alone owned the concerned songs). The hype this feud gave to both Atif and the new Jal was extraordinary and split the musical nation with the fans of each side backing their respective favourite.

Across The Border

Whilst the drama of lyrics & composition ownership continued in Pakistan, Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt called Atif Aslam to seek his consent to include "Woh Lamhey" in the soundtrack of his new motion picture, Zeher (2005). The song (especially the remix version) became a hit & dominated airplay on almost all major FM stations throughout India for a period of 6-8 months. This pattern of a slow playback song by Atif in the movie, supplemented by a remix version released for radio airplay was to become standard procedure with Atif’s songs on the Indian market.

He recorded a song for the movie Kalyug (2005), entitled Juda Hokey Bhi - a slight variation of the ever famous Aadat song. Like with “Wo Lamhey / Bheegi Yaadein”, a slow version became the theme for the movie and part of the official soundtrack, whilst a remixed version was released to hit the radio stations and desi clubs worldwide.

After recording for Kalyug, an Irani director in Hollywood contacted Atif and within very little time, Atif recorded three songs for that same director’s Hollywood movie, Man Push Cart and was rewarded with a small cameo role in the movie.

Atif re-emerged in the subcontinent with a new track, “Tere Bin” (translation: [Without You]) for the Bollywood Movie, Bas Ek Pal (2006). The song "Tere Bin" became a hit in India and Pakistan.

"Doorie"

In December 2006, Atif Aslam released his much anticipated album called "Doorie" along with the video of the title song "Doorie" in India and Pakistan. Some of the songs in the album include "Hum kis galli", "Maula", "O re piya". The album was produced in collaboration with Indian lyricists and composers. A month later the video of "Hum kis galli" was released. Like the video of "Doorie", it was shot in India. The album is a huge hit in both countries, especially India.

"Hungaami Halaat"

The Bollywood style of music and videos in "Doorie" has diappointed many of Atif's fans in Pakistan who had been liking Atif for his "Jal Pari" style songs. About this Atif said "Touring internationally made me think that I should take my music global by releasing it worldwide. I collaborated with a lot of people and thought up a plan for a commercial album, which is not my type of music; which is not ATIF. I just wanted to explore that side of the music. When I composed and wrote these songs for Doorie, I kept in mind that this album has to be commercial". He also told that he would soon be releasing an album named "Hangami Halaat" which would be an original 'atif style' album. Regarding his videos he says "I think that was a requirement because the Indian audience can never accept my 'stupid' 'Mahi Vey' video or my 'stupid' 'Rangoun Mein' video. They have a different concept about a pop or a rock icon. He has to be a heart throb. Girls here can't sit on motor bikes, in India girls ride them. It's a different culture altogether. They (my Indian videos) are for an international audience."

Controversies

Controversies began surrounding Atif from the beginning of his solo career. Many of Atif's critics accused him of stealing songs from former band mate Gohar Mumtaz. Both Atif and Gohar laid claim on songs like "Aadat", "Dil Harey", "Woh Lamhey" and "Zindagi". Still noone knows whose creations actually these songs are.

Awards

Best song, Best Composition, Best Lyrics "Aadat"- 2nd Jazz Indus Music Awards

Best playback singer, Best debut singer - Sahara Sangeet Awards (India)

Best Song Best Lyricist Best Composition - ARY Music Awards (Pakistan)

Most Wanted Male - The Musik Awards (Pakistan)

Discography

Albums

• Jal Pari (July 2004)
• Doorie (December 2006)

She made her first big splash with song Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi from the movie Mast and hasn't looked back since then. She is the very gifted Sunidhi Chauhan.

Rajeev Masand: Sunidhi, welcome to the show and thank you so much for joining us today.

Sunidhi Chauhan: Thank you.

Rajeev Masand: With your hit song from the film Race, the New Year started off with a bang for you, didn't it? It's a song that has been filmed on not one but three very hot actresses. You've given some of the top Bollywood actresses some of their sexiest songs. Do they ever come to you to thank you for making them sound so sexy on screen?

Sunidhi Chauhan: They are all very sweet but hardly any of them come and say thank you. However, whenever Lara Dutta meets me she says, "You know I still perform on Jadoo Daala Re and it so well sung." So you know there are very few people but it is okay. It is not their fault because sometimes they don’t even know who sang the song. Most of the time while recording even we aren’t aware of who the song will be picturised on.

Rajeev Masand: Sunidhi, 2007 was an interesting year for you. You sang for Madhuri Dixit’s comeback film Aaja Nachle. You also gave us one of the most popular songs of 2007 – Sajna Di Vari Vari from Honeymoon Travels. Yet when it came to awards, most of them went to your rival, you contemporary Shreya Ghosal for her song in Guru. Any hard feelings?

Sunidhi Chauhan: Not at all. I am happy to have a nomination, and I had two of them in all the awards. That’s enough for me. My award is when I perform on stage, when people see me, they buy tickets and come, and have a blast. And I’m not being filmi about it. I’m telling you the truth. Yes, awards are important. They give you a boost to work better, but if they don’t come around then it’s okay. At least my name was announced twice. I got the award the year before that so there has to be a break.

Rajeev Masand: You're only 24 and you've been professionally singing for nine years now. What do you think is it about your voice that makes you such a popular singer with composers at a time when there are new singers coming and going every week, and especially when all these reality shows are giving us new singers every other day?

Atif Aslam is a favourite among the Indian youth and has hits like Doorie, Pehli Nazar and Tere Bin to his name. All these songs became chartbusters in India.