Following his sold-out show in Dubai in September, Atif Aslam returns to the city on Friday, April 15, for a special performance at Dubai World Trade Centre alongside the London Symphony Orchestra.
Aslam is probably the only Pakistani crossover star who is also a household name in India, having become one of the few celebrities from across the border to strike gold in Bollywood.
The singer used his own money to record his first song, Aaadat, while at university in 2003 – and the song went viral within weeks of its release.
He is expected to perform popular hits from his albums, such as Aadat, Woh Lamhe, Tere Bin and Tu Jaane Na; his biggest Bollywood tracks, including Tera Hone Laga Hoon, Tere Liye and Be Inteha; and his latest songs, including Jeena Jeena from Badlapur, Tu Chahiya from Bajrangi Bhaijan and Mar Jaeyn from Loveshhuda.
Aslam broke into Bollywood in 2005 with Aaadat and Woh Lamhe, which were picked up for Mohit Suri's films Kalyug and Zeher respectively. Since then, he has recorded a series of chart-toppers, while racking up awards and nominations. He has been nominated for Best Playback Singer by Filmfare four times and three times by the Indian International Film Awards, winning the gongs at the Pakistan Media Awards 2010, and the Big Apple Music Awards in 2014 and 2015.
In an interview with Pakistan's The Express Tribune last month, the singer revealed plans of an as-yet-untitled fourth album.
“I will continue with my live shows but apart from that, I am also aiming to start work on my next album,” said Aslam, adding that the music will “hark back to [his] roots”.
While this will be the first time Aslam has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, the musicians played in Dubai last year, at the same venue, alongside Indian playback singer Arijit Singh at a sold-out show.
• Rox Nite 1 Atif Aslam Live is at Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday, April 15. Doors open at 7.30pm; DJ Hani will perform live before Aslam takes the stage at 9pm. Gold tickets are Dh150 and VIP tickets are Dh1,500 from www.platinumlist.ae. For more information, call 055 306 3067 or 050 306 3786
artslife@thenational.ae
