Singer Atif Aslam, who turned 38 on Sunday, spoke about his Bollywood experience and Shahrukh Khan’s complaint in a recent interview with BBC. 

Atif Aslam, a Pakistani singer, is a worldwide sensation. Since the beginning of his career in 2003, he has constantly churned out chartbusters – lively, soulful, and romantic ballads. He started his career as a member of the band Jal but later left to pursue a solo career.

Mahesh Bhatt reportedly sought Atif for his permission to utilise one of his tunes in his production venture Zeher in 2005, and Atif earned his first break in Bollywood as a result. The song “Woh Lamhey,” which is slow and romantic, is the outcome. Following the enthusiastic reception of “Woh Lamhey” by Indian fans, Atif continued to give his voice to a variety of songs over the years, until the India-Pakistan tensions reached a breaking point in 2016.

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Atif Aslam and contemporary Bollywood sound are nearly symbiotically linked. Both have matured as a result of what they’ve learned from one other.

Atif admitted, “I liked that trip because it has taught me how to be more modest, how to be more creative, and how to be more patient.” However, not everything was perfect, as the singer said that he had to change the words of a few songs since the producers didn’t like them, “A few songs I had to change the lyrics for.” I felt terrible about it. I didn’t want to do it, but I had no choice. There is a distinction between doing your own work and doing it for others.”

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“I don’t look back and regret, that oh my goodness, I could have sung ‘Chashni’ and all of that,” Atif continued, adding that he has no regrets about whatever he did while recording music for the film industry. I’ve spent the most time working in India, and I’ve greatly enjoyed myself. I still have the affection that I received from there. It’s still in my heart. It can never be bittersweet for me since I am a firm believer that if something is meant for me, it will find its way to me. It was beyond my power to refuse to sing in Bollywood films. This is how it was supposed to be.”

Later in the interview, the popular musician revealed that he and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan were on the verge of forming a Bollywood association. Shah Rukh had reportedly approached Aslam about singing “Gerua” for Dilwale, but the project never materialised. “I have only come across him once in my life, and he is a beautiful person,” Atif laughed when pressed to elucidate. He never said anything to me, though. We were contacted by his team, and we recorded the song, which we then returned. I’m not sure what happened, but his crew did not help us. Something happened that he was unaware of.

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Then I see him say, ‘Atif Aslam was unavailable for my song.’ Perhaps he was too preoccupied with singing for a Chinese film.’ If Shah Rukh Khan happens to be reading this, I’d like to point out that I wasn’t occupied. For you, I would never be too busy. Any day, I’d want to sing for you.”