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29 March 2024

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan takes on Pakistan’s Shaan; supports Priyanka, Aliaa

Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Khan perform in Dubai. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Bindu Rai

Being diplomatic is a trait Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is well versed in. But even the most balanced people sometimes choose to draw a line.

For this award-winning Sufi singer, the line has come in his public stance to defend Bollywood and his chosen career path after Pakistani actor Shaan grabbed global headlines, calling artistes such as Rahat “cheap sell outs” to the glitz and glamour rather than working towards supporting their own country’s entertainment industry.

When Emirates 24|7 quizzed Rahat about the controversy brewing, which has already seen actor/singer Ali Zafar come out to defend his peers, the musician made his own stance very clear, saying: “I am not agreeable with Shaan or his philosophy. I don’t know why he said what he did and in what context, but I will say that the Bollywood film industry has given me the respect and fame that I hold dear today.

“This has been achieved through my hard work and the dedication to my craft. The language of music is universal, so it should rise above boundaries of any kind.”

Rahat, who has lent his voice to prominent Indian film actors such as Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, was also all praises for mainstream Priyanka Chopra to diversify her public career to include singing to her resume, while Aliaa Bhatt also admitting to one day achieving the same.

“It is great to see young new talent emerging on the music scene,” he said. “Music is always as your as one’s soul, only the body ever grows old.”

Rahat is also gearing for his new music album to launch on June 9 titled ‘Back 2 Love’; the 10-track album will feature Bigg Boss winner Gauhar Khan and her real-life beau, Kushal Tandon, in the music video.

He continued: “My album is inspired to rise above the misunderstandings that are happening around us, to promote peace, love and brotherhood.”

While he admitted that no tracks from his upcoming album will feature in the Dubai concert, being staged at Madinat Jumeirah tonight, he added: “Well, it’s not the plan, but if you guys force me, then who knows, I may even give Dubai fans a special preview.”

Organised by Raging Tiger events, Rahat’s concert is a sell-out according to organisers.