ince Ali Sethi, a sensitive and subversive Pakistani-American artist, appeared on Coke Studio 14 and performed an original song called ‘Pasoori’ in collaboration with Shae Gill, his career trajectory has shifted in a new direction. The song became an international hit, even appearing in Ms. Marvel in 2022. Using the many layers of Earth as an analogy, Ali Sethi moved from the lowest layer (the troposphere) to the highest layer (the exosphere) after ‘Pasoori’ was released. When one of India’s most popular singers, Arijit Singh, performed it, he faced such intense criticism that, at one point, Ali Sethi had to intervene (another story for another time). There have been other covers, but none do justice to the original. Only the Coke Studio Africa version, featuring Ali Sethi alongside Marwan Moussa and Reekado Banks, stands out. ‘Pasoori’ broke so many records that it remains mind-boggling. Sethi is now regarded as a South Asian artist, not just a name popular in Pakistan.

After ‘Pasoori’, everything Sethi did became headline news. His collaborative song, ‘Left Right’ with exciting Pakistani artists like Abdullah Siddiqui, Shae Gill, and Maanu was more than just a song; it sparked discussions.

Some fans, searching online for another ‘Pasoori’, soon realised it was not one. Sethi made a smart move by releasing ‘Left Right’, which was not a recreation of his international hit, ‘Pasoori’. As an artist, perhaps Ali Sethi had realised that you cannot recreate a song that is genuinely loved by a global audience. He also released an enchanting single called ‘Ghazab Kiya’.

Rather than repeating past successes, Sethi began experimenting heavily. He dropped an EP featuring four electrifying songs. He also released an LP called Intiha (with Nicolas Jaar), a perfect example of his artistic evolution.

2024 was a significant year for Sethi. He was featured in Jonita Gandhi’s song ‘Love Like That’, followed by two singles ‘Lovely Bukhaar’, and ‘Dil (Awakening)’. Between 2023 and 2024, he performed at the popular Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, as well as in multiple cities across New York, Washington D.C., Georgia, Virginia, Texas (Houston, Dallas, and Austin), the United Kingdom (Birmingham, Manchester, London, and Glasgow), Ireland (Dublin), the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), and Canada (Vancouver).

It is entirely possible that I have missed other cities and/or countries. The man has been incredibly busy.

As we entered 2025, Ali Sethi was scheduled to perform at least one show in the United Arab Emirates. More notably, however, he released a song that fits beautifully into his evolving discography. His decision to collaborate with a variety of artists has become a hallmark of his music, and it is well worth applauding. But what makes ‘Tera Sitam’ particularly compelling is that it reminds you of Ali Sethi’s underrated music before ‘Pasoori’ was released.

“What makes ‘Tera Sitam’ particularly compelling is that it reminds you of Ali Sethi’s underrated music before ‘Pasoori’ was released. While ‘Tera Sitam’ does carry the theme of forbidden love in certain parts, its structure is entirely different. Think of it as a new sonic painting, where Sethi expresses his feelings and emotions drenched in anguish over a beloved who is no longer with him, externalising those internal emotions to which many of us can relate. Is it introspective? Absolutely.”

While ‘Tera Sitam’ does carry the theme of forbidden love in certain parts, its structure is entirely different. Think of it as a new sonic painting, where Sethi expresses his feelings and emotions drenched in anguish over a beloved who is no longer with him, externalising those internal emotions to which many of us can relate. Is it introspective? Absolutely. He reflects on broken promises and a heart that cannot be mended with mere hope, as the love story remains unfinished. This song represents both classic Ali Sethi and a new side of him, layered with fresh sonic elements.

The song has mass appeal because it is refreshingly different from some of his other songs, yet retains the quintessential Ali Sethi feel. It evokes memories of his beautiful yet underrated collaborations with Noah Geor-geson. What I mean here is that it is a song tailored to allow Ali Sethi’s vocals to shine without letting the music overshadow his performance. It is, perhaps, his most compelling release (in my opinion) in years.

And no, I do not think ‘Pasoori’ is the best song in his extensive catalogue. Yes, it transcended binary ideas and emerged as a hybrid genre, but if you are a true Ali Sethi fan, you might acknowledge that while it was a strong effort, particularly in comparison to his past Coke Studio songs, especially covers, beyond that, it is not his finest work and is, in fact, somewhat overrated. There, I said it. Its music video, on the other hand, is extraordinary. Major props to director Kamal Khan.

‘Tera Sitam’ encompasses everything you would expect from Ali Sethi, making it an instant classic while also surprising listeners with unexpected elements — such as singing in English: “I don’t want to be your ajnabi/Go on and pick up the pieces for me/Don’t make me plead, follow my lead.”

This shift is particularly striking given ‘Pasoori’s massive success and his recent experimental album and EP. It is a song where Sethi returns to his roots. The music is not embellished with every instrument or sample available; instead, the real star of this track is Ali Sethi’s vocal performance, which is as brilliant as it is unforgettable. The music video has no gimmicks. Sethi sings into a mic, and the only thing you see is a dark background, with lights strategically placed to maintain focus on Sethi.

The music video was shot and directed by Zanzie, and full credit must go to him and the entire visual team for creating a video that does not alter the song’s context. It play’s with light and dark, fittingly so, as sometimes less is more — allowing the viewer to absorb the song as a cohesive experience.

A collaborative effort, this song was written by Ali Sethi, Sunayana Kachroo, Romil Hemnani, and Kaushlesh “Garry” Purohit, and produced by the same team along with the incredibly talented Abdullah Siddiqui.

You cannot — and should not — miss this song. It would be a tragedy for any fan of good music. Period.