5 Pakistani singers who made a mark in Bollywood

New Delhi: Bollywood has been home to artists not just from India but from across the world. It has given a platform to people of different nationalities to showcase their ability and prove themselves.

People in India have accepted talented artists from abroad wholeheartedly – be it Katrina Kaif, Fawad Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Ali Zafar and many others. The acceptance of foreigners in Bollywood proves that talent has no boundaries, and it doesn't matter whether the artist is British, Indian, Sri Lankan or even Pakistani.

We all know that Indo-Pak tensions have always been a hot and sensitive issue for both the countries. However, when it comes to talent, the border is just a line.

Several Pakistani singers have turned to Bollywood and managed to rule hearts here. And with the release of the Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif starrer ‘Phantom', another Pakistani singer Asrar, who sang the song ‘Afghan Jalebi', is all set to start his career in Bollywood.

Here we bring you some other Pakistani singers who, with their amazing vocals, made a mark in Bollywood:

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is considered one of the best voices ever recorded and has earned admiration from people across the world. The artist known as "Shahenshah-e-Qawwali" had the ability to perform at a high level of intensity for several hours.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan gave his first public performance at the age of 16.
While Khan sang for several Pakistani films, his performance in Hindi films, though much fewer in number, was also commendable.

It was shortly before his death that Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan started singing for Bollywood movies.

Khan performed in the Bobby Deol and Aishwarya Rai starrer ‘Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya' and sang the song ‘Koi Jaane Koi Na Jaane' on screen. He also sang for the Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan starrer ‘Kachche Dhaage', Sunny Deol starrer ‘Dillagi' and Akshay Kumar starrer ‘Dhadkan'.

His song ‘Saya bhi saath jab chhod jaye' from Dillagi was released two years after his death in 1997.

Ghulam Ali

Considered one of the best ghazal singers of his era, Ghulam Ali is quite popular in Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

He entered Bollywood with his song Chupke Chupke Raat Din in B.R. Chopra's ‘Nikaah'.

Thereafter he sung various ghazals for Hindi movies like ‘Chamakate Chaand Ko Tutaa Huaa Taaraa Banaa Daalaa' from ‘Awaargi', ‘Yeh Dil Yeh Pagal Dil Meraa' from ‘Maati Maange Khoon' ‘Yad Yad Bus Yad Yad Reh Jatee Hai' from ‘Bewafa' and many others.

'Hum ko kis ke gham ne mara' written by Masroor Anwar is one of his best ghazals so far.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

The nephew of ‘Qawwali King' Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is popular as a Bollywood and Lollywood (Pakistan film industry) playback singer.
While Khan sang for Lollywood as a playback singer back in the 90s, he made his debut in Bollywood with the song ‘Mann Ki Lagan' from ‘Paap' in 2004.

Thereafter, there was no looking back and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has become a popular playback singer in India as well as Pakistan.

Some of his famous songs in Bollywood are ‘O Re Piya' from ‘Aaja Nachle', ‘Tujhe Dekh Dekh' from ‘Kalyug', ‘Teri Ore' from ‘Singh Is King', ‘Sajda' from ‘My Name Is Khan', ‘Naina Thagg Lenge' from ‘Omkara' and many more.

In 2014, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan became the first Pakistani to perform at a concert during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

Adnan Sami

A Canadian citizen of Pakistani, Indian, Afghan ancestry, Adnan Sami is a singer, musician, pianist, actor and composer who has the ability to play over 35 musical instruments.

In 2000, Asha Bhosle teamed up with Adnan to release a collection of love songs named Kabhi to Nazar Milao. The music of the album was composed by Adnan himself and became an instant blockbuster.

This kickstarted a new phase of Adnan's illustrious career.

Adnan sung the song ‘Tu Sirf Mera Mehboob' for ‘Ajnabee' which also became a superhit.

Thereafter, Adnan Sami sang several songs for Bollywood movies. Some of his famous songs are – ‘O Humdum Suniyo Re' from ‘Saathiya', ‘Jaadoo Jaadoo' from ‘Koi Mil Gaya', ‘Gela Gela' from ‘Aitraaz', ‘Baatein Kuch Ankahee Si' from ‘Life in a Metro' and many more.

Atif Aslam

A young, dashing singing sensation of Pakistan, Atif Aslam has numerous fans in India too.

The singer turned actor became a household name when his first single ‘Aadat' went viral online after which Atif released his first album ‘Jal Pari' which became a super hit. He also released two albums later which were successful as well.

Atif Aslam took Bollywood by storm with his commendable voice in the song ‘Tere Bin' from ‘Bas Ek Pal' in 2006 for which he also won the Filmfare Best Playback Singer award.

Thereafter, the singer sang numerous songs for Hindi films like ‘Woh Lamhe' from ‘Zeher', ‘Pehli Nazare Me' from ‘Race', ‘Aa Bhi Ja Sanam' from ‘Prince', ‘Tu Jaane Na' from Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' and several more.