New Delhi: Singer and composer Adnan Sami was born in Pakistan and later became an Indian citizen in 2016. In a latest interview with India TV’s AAP Ki Adalat, Adnan Sami opened up why he chose to go to India, faced problems and lacks support in the Pakistani music industry.
Adnan Sami’s professional trouble in Pakistan
What went wrong in Pakistan, he said, “I come from a very privileged family. I was never greedy for money because I was born in a house where I always had everything. An artist always wished the audience. I got a lot of love from Pakistan, but I wanted a big audience. The album was released and I was very far away.
Asha Bhosle advised Adnan Sami
He recalled a conversation with veteran singer Asha Bhosle and said, “I told Asha ji that I am disorganized because people here have decided not to work with me, and I want to record with her in London.” In response, Bhosle advised him to go to Mumbai, saying, “Why do you want to record in London?” He asked me that I know some people.
“The main sack bistar le ke pahuch sang Mumbai,” Sami said, remembering how Bhosle and his family supported him during his early days in India. He said, “He let me stay in RD Burman’s house. I was very lucky because it was like a music temple,” he said.
Nobody noticed songs in Pakistan
The earlier songs in Pakistan did not pay attention to anyone, they became a hit in India. “The songs that did not work in Pakistan, such as Kabi Se Nazar Milo, Bhegi Bhegi Raaton Mein, Lift Karde, they were marketed so well that the rest of the history. The way people hugged me and loved me, I could never imagine it”, he said.
Sami said that his step in India was not inspired by money. “Money was not my driving force. In fact, when I came here, I had to start with scratches again,” he said. “I was facing a lot of problems, especially in a public profession as a Pakistani citizen.
He applied for Indian citizenship in 2015 and was awarded the following year. Earlier this year, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth largest civilian honor.
