Actors turned singers

These days, artists are expected to multitask and it seems that one skill set is just not enough anymore. This has led to a lot of crossovers; many models have forayed into acting and there are a number of singers who have started acting. While every artist wants to wear a number of hats and broaden their horizon in some way or the other, it comes as no surprise that multiple actors have tried their hands at singing too.

Instep lists down five actors who decided to cross over into music careers.

Hania Aamir

Hania Aamir made her acting debut with film Janaan alongside Ali Rehman Khan and Armeena Khan in 2016. Last year she appeared in Air Force movie Parwaaz Hai Junoon, which received critical and commercial acclaim. Some of Hania’s notable drama serials include Mujhay Jeenay Do, Phir Wohi Mohabbat and Visaal.

The actress has recently turned singer with the OST of her upcoming drama serial Anaa. Hania has lent her voice to the soundtrack ‘Pyar Hai Tum Se Magar’ which is a duet with Sahir Ali Bagga. While she has not done a horrible job, given that it’s her first attempt at singing, Sahir Ali Bagga’s powerful vocals overpower hers and she doesn’t come across as terribly impressive. We think Hania is young and should focus on perfecting her acting before branching out and pursuing singing as a career option.

Hira Mani

The actress turned singer with the OST of her drama serial Thays (2018) alongside Junaid Khan and was quite appreciated for her singing skills. Hira has a number of plays to her credit such as Yaqeen Ka Safar, Pagli, Mera Khuda Jane and Dil Mom Ka Diya among others. Currently she can be seen in two plays including period drama Aangan and Bandish. Now that she’s got a steady hand at acting, we feel Hira can sing if she practices and opts for professional training.

Sajal Aly

Sajal Aly, who is currently appearing in Mohammed Ehteshamuddin’s Aangan, has proved her mettle as a versatile actor with remarkable performances in drama serials such as Gul e Rana, O Rangreza and Yaqeen Ka Safar among others. The actress also made her Bollywood debut alongside Adnan Siddiqui, Sridevi (late), Akshaye Khanna and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Mom (2017) and garnered positive reviews for her character in the film.

While there is no doubt that Sajal possesses great acting skills, it was in 2017 that she tried her hand at singing when she collaborated with Sahir Ali Bagga for the soundtrack of her drama serial O Rangreza. Sajal is indeed a gifted singer and she impressed us with her singing. However, we think she could do wonders and in fact pursue singing along with acting if she gets proper training.

Mehwish Hayat

Mehwish Hayat is one of the most sought-after actresses in the country today. Though she has been acting for several years, it was the all-star Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (2015) that marked her reinvention. Since then, she has starred in popular TV drama serial Dillagi opposite Humayun Saeed and featured as lead in films like Actor in Law and Nadeem Baig’s 2017 monster hit, Punjab Nahi Jaungi. She last appeared in filmmaking duo Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza’s Load Wedding (2018). Quite recently Mehwish Hayat appeared in the first original web-series from Pakistan, titled, Enaaya, which is written, directed and co-produced by Wajahat Rauf.

Though Mehwish has lent her voice to song ‘Zindagi’ in the web series, this is not her first stint at singing, in fact far from it. She made her Coke Studio debut with Shiraz Uppal with ‘Tu Hi Tu’ in season 9 (2016) but Mehwish had – even before that – tried her hand at singing with a drama OST and a single. All in all, Mehwish is quite good as far as singing is concerned and at times she has blown us away with her powerful vocals – recent example being her performance with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan at Haveli Barood Khana.

Urwa Hocane

Urwa Hocane, who is currently producing film Tich Button, was last seen on the big screen in Rangreza (2017). In drama serial Udaari that featured Ahsan Khan and Farhan Saeed among others, Urwa Hocane surely proved what a powerful performer she is. Apart from that Urwa has a few films to her name such as Na Maloom Afraad 1 & 2 and Punjab Nahi Jaungi, in which she essayed the character of Durdana and received great reviews for her performance.

Urwa Hocane tried her hand at singing in 2016 and released a single ‘Ao Le Kar Chaloun’. Directed by Parmesh Adiwal, the song didn’t really have a lasting impact and we’re happy Urwa decided to play at her strength - acting.