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From modelling to music
Previously known as the Preeto boy, Ali Zafar has a new identity. He is now known as the Channo boy. He surprises you with his singing talent and maturity. Not only does this young crooner have a good head on his shoulders, he is also brimming with charisma. Zafar is by now a known face in the pages of glossy fashion magazines and the ramp. He has also proved his acting mettle, the serial Landa Bazaar being his biggest hit so far. But most importantly, he is basking in the success of his debut venture as a solo singer, Huqa pani.
Dedication and sincerity seem to be the keywords that have played a major role in Ali Zafar’s success. Being a graduate in Fine Arts from Lahore’s NCA, he has a very artistic approach towards work. For him, music is a very intricate and noble art form that requires a lot of respect and diligence from the one who is practicing it.
He claims to have reached the point which every aspiring actor or model wants. According to him, he has been flooded with offers from various quarters of showbiz, but he has not deviated from his goal, and that is to become a singer. He is only interested in doing commercials or serials if the script is extraordinary and the production team is credible. Come what may, singing will remain his focus.
“Intentions are very important in this job. My aim was never to earn quick bucks or get every girl’s attention. I am here because I love singing. I consider music very noble. We should make other people happy and that’s what I am doing through music.”
So, what makes Ali Zafar tick?
“What makes me different is my sincerity. I’m a workaholic and often forget myself completely when I’m immersed in work. I did not bring out my album in a hurry. I spent around four years composing my music and then released the finished product when I was satisfied.”
Even his hobbies and pastimes are related to his work. When he is not recording, Zafar is playing the piano or sketching. He says that for the past five years, he hasn’t spent life normally because of his work. His entertainment is playing music or talking about music.
“You see, that’s the key to good work. I can’t say that it is the key to success. If I am successful, it’s not because I have gone to different people and buttered them up to get opportunities. I have convinced them that I am capable. I was literally launched as a mere commodity that could sell products or make snappy appearances in music videos because of my looks. I let my work speak for itself and I think I have proved to everyone that it is my work which makes me who I am, not my looks.”
Some people have complained that his voice in his most famous single Channo is unoriginal. One tends to agree. When asked about the person who originally sang this song, Ali is somewhat surprised.
“Well, I may call it an artist’s versatility. When Kishore used to sing for Amitabh Bachchan, he produced a very manly voice and when he sang for Sanjeev Kumar, he usually sang in a very soft voice. For a song like Channo, which is very energetic and aggressive, the voice has to be very strong and full of life. Whereas in some of my other songs such as Jugnuon, the voice needs to be mellowed to a level where it turns into a whisper. That’s basically fulfilling the requirement of a song.”
The video of his debut single Channo is pretty lavish and each shot proves that the singer has invested heavily in his audio-visual image. Does Ali Zafar believe that a visually appealing video plays a role in the making of a hit single?
“Initially, I thought they played a great role. Now, I think if the song is good, then even if you sing it while simply standing in a corner, it can become a hit. No doubt, this is the era of audio-visual communication, but one thing’s for sure: if a song is run-of-the-mill, it will not appeal to anyone no matter how much is being invested in its video.”
He regards music as the most potent form of art. Zafar believes that music can play the most important role in bridging the gap between Pakistan and India. Recently, he performed for some of the Indian delegates that were in the country. They simply loved his music and he has received an offer from a record company in India. Though he is tight-lipped at the moment regarding this offer, he revealed that he would be willing to do whatever he can to bring about peace in the subcontinent through music.
With his tight schedule of live performances and his debut album selling like hotcakes, Ali Zafar’s surely got more than he bargained for. When is his next album due?
“Hello! I am not a juice-wala who makes loads of glasses one after the another in a very short time. Let me take my time to come up with even better work,” he snaps matter-of-factly.
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