5 Pakistani Singers Who Made it Big in Bollywood

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan:

Belonging to a family whose name is considered to be synonymous with the traditional music of South Asia, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is one of the top Pakistani singers who have hit it big in the Indian Film industry. With contributions in more than thirty films including Dabangg, I Hate Love Stories, My Name Is Khan, Love Aajkal among several more, the classical singer shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. His popularity sky-rocketed in Pakistan soon after his success in India, making him one of the highest paid singers in our own country. He is currently co-judging a music show in India along with Sonu Nigam.

Atif Aslam:

Atif Aslam crossed the border for the first time in 2005 and since then, there has been no looking back for this talented artist. The magic of his voice has reverberated in some of the top Indian films ever since. He has produced hits after hits for Bollywood including tracks like Tu Janay Na, Tera Honay Laga Hoon, Pehli Nazar Main, Tere Bin etc. His outstanding contribution in the music industry resulted in him receiving the highest civilian honor in Pakistan, the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz. He also became the first Pakistani musician to be nominated in the Indian Film Fare awards twice.

Adnan Sami:

After releasing two albums in Pakistan, Adnan Sami headed for India in 2000 and teamed up with Asha Bhosle to release a collaborative album called Kabhi Tou Nazar Milao. The album, whose music was composed by Sami, went on to become a tremendous success. The singer then went on to produce a succession of albums. He also started to get offers to compose songs for films such as Ajnabee. He is criticized in Pakistan for moving to India but nobody denies the astounding success he has received in our neighboring territory. According to Times of India, he is the most successful non-film musician in the country.

Ali Zafar:

Not only Ali Zafar the heartthrob of millions of young girls in Pakistan, but this versatile performer has been wooing the audience in India ever since he made his debut in Tere Bin Laden in 2010. He not only acted in the film but also lent his voice for four tracks of the movie, namely Bus Ek Soch, Welcome to Amreeka, Ullu Da Patha and I Love Amreeka. He then went on to star in movies such as Love Ka The End, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, London, Paris, New York and Chashme Baddoor. With his charming good looks and what has been described as a “Kishore Kumar-like” voice, Ali Zafar will surely continue to make Pakistan proud across the border.

Shafqat Amanat Ali:

Shafqat Amanat Ali hit Bollywood with Karan Johar’s production Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, lending his voice for the song, Mitwa. The song went on to become a chart-topping hit and with that began the singer’s journey in Bollywood. He went on to sing Yeh Hosla for the film Dor, which became a critically acclaimed track. He has sung songs for films such as I Hate Love Stories, Aashayen, Mumbai Cuttings, Hello etc. He even got nominated as the Best Male Playback Singer in the Film Fare Awards 2012. His recent song Raske Bhare Tora Naina made waves in 2013, appearing in the film Satyagraha starring Kareena Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan.