In a candid teleconversation with TOI, a bemused Atif Aslam said "I don’t know how these rumours began, and I thank my fans for their love, but I would request them to check the facts on my official website before pressing the panic button.” We bring you more on this conversation…

‘Fasting & namaz!’
It’s really refreshing to know that the young singer, who’s adored by so many youngsters cutting across geographical boundaries, happens to be a "deeply spiritual man.” Ask him how did he deal with the upsetting rumours of his demise, and Atif says: "Although life and death are in Allah’s hands, I found solace in the saying that such rumours add to your life! Meri umar aur lambi ho gayi!” It’s fine to be spiritual, but is Atif, with his hectic schedule able to observe rozas in the Holy month of Ramadan? "Allah ke fazal se maine ab tak saare roze rakhe hain aur bakayada namaz ada ki hai,” says he.

‘Lend a helping hand!’
Right now Atif is busy raising funds and supporting the cause of flood victims in Pakistan, where thousands have died and many more have been rendered homeless in the worst ever floods. The pain in his voice is palpable as he says: "So many innocent people have died! Laashon ko dafnane ke liye kabren nahin hain. Of course funds will help their cause, but it’s another thing to witness this calamity firsthand! My heart reaches out to all those who have suffered personal losses whether they are in Pakistan or Leh! Everyone must lend a helping hand and do utmost for them!”

‘I love Sunidhi’s criticism!’
If his commitment for the social causes is applaudable, his popularity quotient in Bollywood is phenomenal. With superhit numbers like Pehli nazar main, Tera hone laga hoon, Tu jaane na and O mere khuda to his credit, which have won many awards and topped the charts for weeks, he’s the blue-eyed boy of many Indian music directors. But, singers like Sunidhi Chauhan and Abhijeet have always maintained that "Atif is a non-singer!” Ask him if this persistent criticism riles him, and he says with a laugh: "I’m not a trained singer, but I’m still doing a lot of projects in Bollywood, so that may have rankled some people. But, when it comes to Sunidhi, I respect her a lot because she’s a great artiste. I really appreciate her views and love her whenever she criticises me!”

‘Acting debut’
If his success as a singer makes many go green, his acting debut is also making waves. To this Atif says: "I’m quite excited about my first film Bol, which is being directed by Shoaib Mansoor. I hope my fans like me in this new avatar!”