Atif's Smashing Interview ..♪♪♪ 2

How did your performance go in Dubai with Umeed 2006?
Well, I really enjoyed performing there. Dubai is a very rocking place. Since, it was for a good cause, it felt so much more worthwhile. It's great to see other artists participating in such an event. The crowd was full of energy. I had a lot of fun.
What's next?
I am going to continue playback singing. My songs are becoming hits in India and the people there really like my music.
Does that mean no more music for the Pakistani market?
I basically want to experiment. Pakistan has a market for Pop Music while India doesn't. I want to go there and go through this new experience of playback singing. I see playback singing as a step ahead of Pop Music.
What do you think about all the remixes of your songs being released?
It depends on what kind of audience is being entertained. Remixes are basically for pubs and clubs. The remix of "Woh Lamhey" was just wonderful. The other day when I was in India, I was traveling with John and Bipasha. John told me that whenever the two of them were together they used to listen to my song. That feeling was good. Sometimes remixes don't turn out very well. I personally didn't like the remix of "Aadat" in Kalyug.
What about Lollywood?
Well, it depends on the movie. If it's good then I might give it a try. For right now, I'm not doing anything in Lollywood.
You're considered a style icon. What do you say to that?
Personally, I don't think of myself as a style icon. It's basically because the public loves me so much. It's God's blessing and their loyal support that I am where I am today.
No other artist has been nominated for a style award. Now three of my songs have been taken for a Hollywood movie. It's an amazing feeling when I think of myself being able to take Pakistan to this level.
Tell us something about your upcoming music video.
My new video will come out soon. It's going to be a surprise for every one. Bilal, a friend of mine from California, is going to direct it.
Do you plan to sing any patriotic number in the near future?
Well, only a year and a half has passed since I released my album. I can't force myself to make up a song. Music comes to me naturally. I will definitely come out with one, when I feel like it.
What do you enjoy doing the most?
I think have my own style; no one has ever tried playback singing before. I might release a punk rock song that perhaps other won't appreciate, but I like doing my own thing. I make music for my own satisfaction, not for money or fame.
In a recent interview with Ali Azmat, he mentioned forming a Music Artist Association. What do you think about that? Do you think it will work?
Well, I have no idea about that. I think it's a flop idea. They won't be able to do it. These people will be sitting and deciding things for themselves. It might work if they are well-managed n disciplined, otherwise not.
How much have you struggled to reach this stage of your career?
I think I didn't have to struggle at all. My luck has always been with me. God is with me. So, it really wasn't hard at all. Well, I've only released a single album so far. I have a long way to go. Like I mentioned earlier, I do music for my own satisfaction. The day I'm satisfied with myself, I'll quit music.
Where do you see Atif Aslam in the next five to ten years?
Well, I will still be the same Atif Aslam. I don't think it matters if am a big star or not. I'll probably be working somewhere.
The media in Pakistan is growing. Is there anything that the Indian media has that the Pakistani media lacks?
Actually, Pakistan has come up with good television channels. This is basically needed because there are so many artists in our country. The Pakistani pop industry is growing day by day. People are learning more about music and are becoming more professional about it. The idea that music is not allowed in Islam has been fading and so people are keener to expose and spread it.The only thing that Pakistani media lacks is the hype that the Indian media creates for any artist.
Do you think that a mainstream artist should help an upcoming artist?
Yes, definitely. I would love to create some sort of organization to help out upcoming artist. However, Pakistani people have a different way of thinking. If I come with such an organization, others might think, "Pata nahee kya samajh ta hai apnay app ko". I hope I'll be able to do something like that one day.
Who is your favourite new comer to the music industry?
Honestly speaking, every other person is talented. There is this band called "Siege". They are really working hard their music is awesome. You still have to keep your fingers crossed until your album is released. You don't get instant fame by making one hit song. So, let's wait and see.
As a critic, what do you think of Jal?
Well, I personally think they are a good band. They have released a good album, except for four songs. I don't think Farhan should have sung Aadat. It would have been better if he had proved his talent by coming up with a new and original song. It was quite funny when I saw them on T.V. the other day. Farhan was asked why the band was called "Jal". Farhan claimed that he had suggested the name. The truth is that the band was named when Gohar and I made Aadat about 2-3 years back. I thought that was quite funny, because Farhan forgot that he was HIRED to sing. He wasn't the one who created the band.
When I went to India with my song "Woh Lamhey", I received a lot of appraisal. Not only from Mukesh Bhatt and Mahesh Bhatt, also from many other influential people. When my song became a hit in India, then they started protesting, about 5 to 6 months later, that "Woh Lamhey" belonged to them. They were basically cashing in on the name. I don't have such a mentality, but they really should get over it. Come on guys, please move on and come up with something new.
Besides that, I have no other criticism for them, their music is great and I wish them best of luck.
Islam teaches us equality. What are your views?
Through my eyes, everyone is the same for me. I don't think of anyone as rich or poor. If a person considers himself rich then money is everything to him. He has his own worries about the world and this man probably never gets a relaxed sleep. On the other hand when we consider a poor person, he has no worries like that about this materialistic world. His life is perfect and he can even have a relaxing sleep at the side of the road.
Islam not only teaches us equality but humanity. It's our duty to help others in need. Every human being has the right to live a peaceful life.I think we should encourage and educate our people about humanity and teach them how to be fair to others.
As a pop artist, how do you think you can change the society?
Well, as a pop artist, I think it is my duty to be available 24/7 for all the people, not only for my fans. You shouldn't treat me as a pop icon because I am a normal human being and it is my duty to help every one in need. I can help by sending messages to my fans to become better citizens and human beings.
Pakistan is a big country and we have to work together. Some artists have proud attitudes and they don't work with others for the welfare of the country. I believe we have to collaborate work towards people as a force. We should try to create awareness among people. We should educate them. For instance, Shehzad Roy is doing a great job. Other singers and bands should take inspiration from those who try to help others. Such acts of kindness and charity really make a difference in today's society.
Tell us something about your family?
Well, we're four brothers and I have no sister. All us brothers are very artistic while our parents are not. I'm the youngest son. My brother's have helped me a lot with my career.
What are your plans about marriage?
I have 2 kids (laugh). Just kidding! No, I don't plan to marry anytime soon. I have to concentrate on my career. That is, unless my parents force me to get married. I believe in friendship, I don't believe in love.
Any message to your fans!
Keep rocking…enjoy every bit of your life. Keep growing…never get disappointed. Highs and lows are a part of life. Keep trying to achieve your goals in life.

Atif's Rocking Smashing Interview..♪♪♪

Interview by mag4you
Mag4you.com: Tell us about your involvement in Kalyug and how it came through?Atif Aslam: It was because of Mahesh Bhatt. He had already used my song in his movie, Zeher and he had heard 'Aadat' before. So he was inclined to it in his next film. He invited me over and I went to record it in one of the best studios in India.
Mag4you.com: But the version you recorded for the movie was in complete contrast to the original one. What do you have to say about that?Atif Aslam: One has to understand that the Indian market caters to a completely different audience. This is why changes are made to the songs, which are used in a Bollywood movie. They have a market for filmi music, which has a different sound and is nothing like our pop music. Pakistan has its own market. We appreciate pop music and that's why our pop industry is bigger. The lyrics and the melody of 'Aadat' had to be changed – in the original version there is no chorus but in the Kalyug version, there is. Now you see that it's a big hit already and if I hadn't done it, it wouldn't have been a hit.
Mag4you.com: The soundtrack has the original version of 'Aadat' as well, why is it there then?Atif Aslam: No one listens to that version. Everyone listens to the version I recorded. Just to save them from controversy, they wrote, 'music by Jal and singer Atif Aslam'. As I said, they have a different taste in music and that's what they like. I also wanted to test my talents as a playback singer and this is another reason I went ahead to record the song. Various music directors have listened to it and they have all appreciated it.
Mag4you.com: Don't you think that this is tampering with your music?Atif Aslam: This is not the exploitation of the song in any way. They know their market better and if they think that this is a better version for their market, they are not wrong. We can sit here and criticise a lot of stuff but we don't know what kind of market we are going to deal with once in India so it's better to let them decide. I'll just give you an example, how many of us liked Adnan Sami's 'Lift Karade'? But it was a big hit there. This is how it works. Different strokes for different folks.
Mag4you.com: So you don't have any objection to the way the song has been altered?Atif Aslam: The changes have been done with my consent and I have no objections with it. I initially had a problem with the lyrics, and I made them change the lyrics. I am fine with it now.
Mag4you.com: How was the experience of singing or giving your songs for Bollywood productions?Atif Aslam: The experience has been a great one. I am very popular there and I wouldn't say that I have 'given' my songs. It is because of my singing that I have been getting awards and people know me as a Pakistani who is making it big in India. I am doing it for my country. I am representing it. Yes, I haven't appeared in the latest video of the movie, but that is only because I don't want to represent Bollywood. If I were in the video, I would be representing them. And I repeat that I am not selling my songs!
Mag4you.com: But you are representing Bollywood when you sing for them. Don't you think that you should have an upper hand when it comes to music, as it is your music?Atif Aslam: In a country like Pakistan, there is very little exposure for a singer, and we all want to venture into a bigger market. India is that market for us. The media coverage, the presence and publicity is all on a global scale there. By the grace of God I had an offer from there and at that point in time, I was just 22 years old. Do you think a twenty two year old kid who has just started his music career would say no to a big Bollywood producer who is offering him to include his song in the movie? Isn't this an honour?
Mag4you.com: But you can't sell out just for honour. You have to keep in mind that it is your music and you should be compensated for it?Atif Aslam: I didn't sell it for free, obviously.
Mag4you.com: So what about the plans for releasing your new album?Atif Aslam: It will be out within the next six months.
Mag4you.com: What is the sound of your upcoming album?Atif Aslam: I have changed it as compare to my debut album. For me, music has no limits. It doesn't have much classical music to it, the sound is soft rock/pop and it is aimed toward the youth.
Mag4you.com: Unlike other musicians who have ventured in the Indian market, why is that you haven't released your album there?Atif Aslam: Because I didn't find an appropriate label to release my album.
Mag4you.com: Any new video to be seen on air?Atif Aslam: You will see it in the next two months or so and it will be a brand new song.
Mag4you.com: What about Bollywood?Atif Aslam: I will especially consider the lyrics and music of the song I sing for in future. I can't disclose anything but there are a few projects I am working on and I have acting offers too.