Pakistan's biggest cult hit number ever has made Kalyug, a Vishesh Films OST, yet another thumping success in India

'Aadat' is huge in India these days. After 'Woh Lamhay' it is another Jal composition that has become a tour de force in India. But Jal has split up � into Gohar Mumtaz's Jal and Atif Aslam's solo endeavours. Atif seems to be winning at the popularity polls. His vocals have created a sensation here, across the border and then the tide has come rippling right back to Pakistan. Gohar Mumtaz is not far behind. His Jal have released their album in India and are selling to soft rock aficionados.

The song 'Aadat' which was Atif Aslam and Gohar Mumtaz's claim to name and fame has put them under a controversy, once more. After releasing near identical debut albums, the soundtrack of Kalyug features their respective versions of 'Aadat'. Both maintain that 'Aadat' belongs to them, and the makers of Kalyug are smart enough to include both versions; They know you can never have too much of a good song. Instep catches up with pop sensation Atif Aslam and guitar wiz Gohar Mumtaz...

Instep: Tell us about your involvement in Kalyug and how it came through.

Atif Aslam: It was because of Mahesh Bhatt. He had already used my song in his movie, Zeher and he had heard 'Aadat' before. So he was inclined to it in his next film. He invited me over and I went to record it in one of the best studios in India.

Instep: But the version you recorded for the movie was in complete contrast to the original one. What do you have to say about that?

AA: One has to understand that the Indian market caters to a completely different audience. This is why changes are made to the songs, which are used in a Bollywood movie. They have a market for filmi music, which has a different sound and is nothing like our pop music. Pakistan has its own market. We appreciate pop music and that's why our pop industry is bigger. The lyrics and the melody of 'Aadat' had to be changed � in the original version there is no chorus but in the Kalyug version, there is. Now you see that it's a big hit already and if I hadn't done it, it wouldn't have been a hit.

Instep: The soundtrack has the original version of 'Aadat' as well, why is it there then?

AA: No one listens to that version. Everyone listens to the version I recorded. Just to save them from controversy, they wrote, 'music by Jal and singer Atif Aslam'. As I said, they have a different taste in music and that's what they like. I also wanted to test my talents as a playback singer and this is another reason I went ahead to record the song. Various music directors have listened to it and they have all appreciated it.

Instep: Don't you think that this is tampering with your music?

AA: This is not the exploitation of the song in any way. They know their market better and if they think that this is a better version for their market, they are not wrong. We can sit here and criticise a lot of stuff but we don't know what kind of market we are going to deal with once in India so it's better to let them decide. I'll just give you an example, how many of us liked Adnan Sami's 'Lift Karade'? But it was a big hit there. This is how it works. Different strokes for different folks.

Instep: So you don't have any objection to the way the song has been altered?

AA: The changes have been done with my consent and I have no objections with it. I initially had a problem with the lyrics, and I made them change the lyrics. I am fine with it now.

Instep: How was the experience of singing or giving your songs for Bollywood productions?

AA: The experience has been a great one. I am very popular there and I wouldn't say that I have 'given' my songs. It is because of my singing that I have been getting awards and people know me as a Pakistani who is making it big in India. I am doing it for my country. I am representing it. Yes, I haven't appeared in the latest video of the movie, but that is only because I don't want to represent Bollywood. If I were in the video, I would be representing them. And I repeat that I am not selling my songs!

Instep: But you are representing Bollywood when you sing for them. Don't you think that you should have an upper hand when it comes to music, as it is your music?

AA: In a country like Pakistan, there is very little exposure for a singer, and we all want to venture into a bigger market. India is that market for us. The media coverage, the presence and publicity is all on a global scale there. By the grace of God I had an offer from there and at that point in time, I was just 22 years old. Do you think a twenty two year old kid who has just started his music career would say no to a big Bollywood producer who is offering him to include his song in the movie? Isn't this an honour?

Instep: But you can't sell out just for honour. You have to keep in mind that it is your music and you should be compensated for it.

AA: I didn't sell it for free, obviously.

Instep: So what about the plans for releasing your new album?

AA: It will be out within the next six months.

Instep: What is the sound of your upcoming album?

AA: I have changed it as compare to my debut album. For me, music has no limits. It doesn't have much classical music to it, the sound is soft rock/pop and it is aimed toward the youth.

Instep: Unlike other musicians who have ventured in the Indian market, why is that you haven't released your album there?

AA: Because I didn't find an appropriate label to release my album.

Instep: Any new video to be seen on air?

AA: You will see it in the next two months or so and it will be a brand new song.

Instep: What about Bollywood?

AA: I will especially consider the lyrics and music of the song I sing for in future. I can't disclose anything but there are a few projects I am working on and I have acting offers too.