After a successful decade in Bollywood and hits such as the award-winning Ajj Din Chadheya (Love Aaj Kal, 2009), Sajda (My Name Is Khan, 2010), Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji (Ishqiya, 2010) and Tere Mast Mast Do Nain (Dabangg, 2010), Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s latest Dil Ka Mizaaj Ishqiya in Dedh Ishqiya is making waves. The only criteria for the Pakistani singer in choosing the songs he sings are the “deep lyrics with deep meaning”.
Khan, a regular on the Dubai entertainment scene, will be performing the finale of his 2013 world tour at Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday, December 20.
tabloid! caught up with him on the eve of his show. Excerpts:
You’ve performed in Dubai plenty of times. What new will you bring with this show?
I will be performing all the favourite songs whatever my fans want me to, and would be using some new instruments and alaap [vocalisation of notes] in this show.
Dil Ka Mizaaj Ishqiya is being touted as the most romantic song at the moment. Naina Thag Lenge (Omkara, 2006), Jiya Dhadak Dhadak (Kalyug, 2005), Rabba Main To Mar Gaya Oye (Mausam, 2011) … the list of your hits go on and on. As a singer, what attracts you to a song?
Most importantly, the composition and the lyrics, because deep lyrics with deep meaning are what I prefer.
You are one of the Pakistanis who have tasted such success in the Indian film industry. Tell us about your experience.
God has been very kind to me and I have been blessed with amazing people in my life through this journey.
It’s said you have an album release next year in which Priyanka Chopra has been approached to sing. Is this true?
Well I can’t disclose any details about my new album. It is a secret which shall be unleashed soon.
Tell us what RFAK International, that you’ve recently launched in Pakistan, is about.
RFAK International is envisioned as the nation’s premiere music focused event management agency, responsible for organising musical performances and concerts of an international calibre locally in Pakistan. I am determined to take forward my company and facilitate the young talent of our country through it.
Don’t miss it
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Live in Concert at Dubai World Trade Centre will be held on Friday, December 20, 9pm. Tickets priced from Dh195 to Dh1,500. Call 056-2563728/9.