With ‘12 Bajay’, he went back to his Jalpari roots with added rock flair and a music video by director Zeeshan Parwez. It highlighted the outer world of Atif Aslam with precision as well as solitary moments along with rigorous touring.

Atif followed it up with appearances in Coke Studio where he not only traipsed into the world of ghazal but looked for hope in the divine with a rendition of 99 names of God as Covid-19 broke across the world. The appearances in Coke Studio and the divine rendition was followed – not by a spiritual album as some deemed – but an appearance in Velo Sound Station. During its first season, spearheaded by Bilal Maqsood, Atif went electronic with a cover of ‘Kadi Te Hans Bol’. He worked with the underrated Ahsan Pervaiz (song producer) on adding original lyrics and reworking the song into something that modern society would instantly recognise and revere. Listeners plausibly deduced that Atif Aslam was following the same electronic dance music trend that has been embraced by many (in mainstream) and around the world. But that has proven to be untrue as well with Atif’s newest release, ‘Raat’ that is genre-defying in the sense that you can hear guitars and modern instruments along with something as basic as a harmonium.

“Burn your biographies/Rewrite your history/Light up your wildest dreams/Museum victories, everyday...” - ‘High Hopes’ by Panic! At the Disco

Following Covid-19 protocol, we speak over the phone for this interview, as Atif - presently in Lahore - has been nursing a common cold. Even as we speak, it is palpable from his voice that he is still under the weather. But forthcoming as always, he didn’t cancel the interview and we managed to talk about everything from Covid-19 to his newest song, ‘Raat’, familial bonds and more…

“There was no risk that I wouldn’t take/And not a promise that I didn’t make/All I asked was that you just hold on...” - ‘shouldn't Known Better’ by Richard Marx

It is impossible to not ask Atif, Pakistan’s most well-known singer whose popularity has very little to do with geographical boundaries, about how he has been dealing with Covid-19.

“In my case, prior to Covid-19, I was always on the go. For me, it created a period of break that I have never taken in my entire career. I wanted to bond with my kids but I never had the time. The best I could do was take them with me from time to time,” begins Atif, “So, for me I’d say that was the case. Yes, it’s true that it has affected a lot of people in many different ways. I’d say that it has affected everyone in a very different way.”

“I’ve been blessed because I gave a call to prayer (Azana) and it was said that a person should go to the roof and offer Azana so I did that followed by the recitation of 99 names of Allah (Coke Studio) and for me that was an exploration that came during Covid-19. It was organic.”

As the year 2020 went on, with SOPs in place, Velo Sound Station arrived and Atif featured in the opening episode with an electrifying performance of ‘Kadi Te Hans Bol.’

For ‘Raat’, Atif took on many roles including writing lyrics, co-composing and acting multiple roles within the music video, directed by Yasir Jaswal. The song is as far removed from ‘Kadi Te Hans Bol and his other preceding works as possible.

“So, the song (‘Raat’) was written nearly seven years ago. We had shot a video of ‘Raat’ while we were shooting for an Irrfan Khan film. We decided to shoot there but the music was completely different at the time. It was soft-rock back in the day.”

As Atif recalls, he decided that this version of ‘Raat’ was not appealing to him. “I didn’t like the sound and I didn’t like the video either so we scrapped it.”

‘Raat’ was then reworked where Atif Aslam and Saad Sultan concocted the version that has since been released and Atif isn’t uncomfortable in calling Saad Sultan “a genius”.

It was basically a transition for Atif and he admits this is a song that he cannot classify to one genre. “I see the element of rock and yet I don’t see it; I can’t call it classic rock either.”

‘Raat’ is close to Atif’s heart. It is more than a song. It comes with a music video where Atif enacts various roles that make you wonder why he isn’t the poster-boy for new age cinema. More than that, preceding release, teasers and posters featuring actors such as Kiran Malik, Mansha Pasha and Syra Yousuf were unveiled. The combined result was that people wondered what Atif was trying to do. With whom would he be sharing a love connection in the music video? But it was never the plan to make the music video a romantic one. Atif admits that from time to time it is good to break away from that one particular notion.

When you watch the music video, you realise there are other actors in it as well, such as Gohar Rasheed, Khalid Malik and Atif is not technically sharing a romance with any one person.

“‘Raat’ is my conversation with the night. We talked about people but what I wanted to put across is what comes with the night, which is always followed by a morning. So much happens in the night for each individual and it is different for each person. For some, it’s good and for others it’s bad.”

Even though Atif did write the lyrics, the first two lines, (in Punjabi) belong to the late Munir Niazi. To use the lyrics, Atif went to his house and met his wife. They reached an agreement and he made sure to give due respect and credit to the late poet.

The music video also feels like a short film in a sense. In one dimension, we see a geeky-looking Atif typing away at a computer while watching happenings of the night in another screen.

Notes Atif, “If you read the lines that come with that image, you’ll notice it is about surveillance.”

Atif doesn’t need to add that it is a sharp ode to the growing lack of privacy as well as the state of affairs in the modern world. It was also a nod to how technology has changed.

“It’s all ending/We gotta stop pretending/Who we are” - ‘Don’t Speak’ by No Doubt

‘Raat’ did throw people off and Atif admits it was intentional to throw people off and working with Yasir Jaswal, they did want it to look like a short-film. Working with several leading names from the industry was a good experience, he says, since each person brought their talent to the table.

We moved on to the question of technology that has led to the birth of social media where artists can and are often trolled at an unbelievable degree. Atif has several fake accounts.

“I don’t know why people make fake accounts but the response on social media is a result of people indulging in it. People write, and then they get a response (good or bad, it can go either way). If you’ve made something, and it appeals to your aesthetics you upload it online. The opinions to it can be good or bad. Accept it, no problem. You can’t delete opinions that do not like your work.”

However, not everything is acceptable. “If someone is abusive or makes lewd remarks, a person can delete it. But if you’ve made something, it is impossible for everyone to like it.”

“I’d take one in the temple/I’d take one for you.” - ‘Temple’ by Kings of Leon

2021 is another big year for Atif Aslam, who made his PSL debut during the opening ceremony. Atif is well-aware that the Twenty20 tournament, in its sixth year, has the eyes of the nation as domestic and international players gather for what is Pakistan’s version of IPL, Big Bash, and BPL etc.

Due to Covid-19, the ceremony was shot at a studio in Turkey instead of Pakistan. The response was very mixed. For Atif Aslam though, performing during the opening ceremony was a matter of national pride. “I’d say a lot of effort goes into it and to do it during Covid-19 was a challenging task that was met with a great deal of effort. Hats off to everyone.”

Performing for this platform was an enjoyable process for Atif. “I actually enjoyed myself while doing songs through the EDM process.”

Now, as Atif Aslam’s debut album is nearing 16 years since release, I wonder what his secret to long term success is.

“I think whatever work I do, I think God is merciful when it comes to me.”

You believe a higher power is at work?

“Your hard work, determination and effort does matter but a divine power is of course at play.”

As the interview is about to wrap up, Atif admits 2021 has a lot in the pipeline.

“I have done a lot of music which is on its way so the coming weeks are going to be very exciting. There’s a lot coming this year, hopefully. Fingers crossed. As for acting, if I find the right people, the right script and production, I’d consider it. You have to start somewhere. If I find the right people, just like ‘Raat’.”

‘Raat’ is close to Atif’s heart. It is more than a song. It comes with a music video where Atif enacts various roles that make you wonder why he isn’t the poster-boy for new age cinema. More than that, preceding release, teasers and posters featuring actors such as Kiran Malik, Mansha Pasha and Syra Yousuf were unveiled. The combined result was that people wondered what Atif was trying to do. With whom would he be sharing a love connection in the music video? But it was never the plan to make the music video a romantic one.