I want to sing only for myself: Ali Zafar

Labeled as the prince of Pakistani pop, Ali Zafar's songs such as "Rangeen", "Chano", "Masty", and "Chal Dil Merey" have enjoyed popularity in India as well. He rose to prominence with his acting debut in the runaway hit, Tere Bin Laden. His latest album Jhoom has been launched in India by Yash Raj Music. He talks about the album, shuttling between Mumbai and Lahore, and acting.

What is the album Jhoom about?It is a very mellow, soft, and serious album that shows a different side of me. It is not like the previous dance and peppy albums that I have done. This album has ghazals and Sufi kalam ("Allah Hoo"). Jhoom is all about the Turkish Sufi whirling.  It is related to religious shrines. In the context of the album, 'jhoom' refers to Divine or spiritual nasha.

What do you think about the Indian pop music scene?I wish that the new artistes got a bigger platform. Pop music is an industry. If you look at other countries, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Britney Spears share the same platform and enjoy the same amount of, if not greater, success and fame as Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. There should be a balance between pop stars and movie stars.

Which Indian composers do you like? Do you get offers to sing in films?I like AR Rahman, Vishal Bhardwaj, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Sajid Wajid, and Vishal-Shekhar. I am concentrating on acting more than singing. I want to sing only for myself. I cannot sing for other actors because it will be quite obvious that it is my voice.

Can you choose between music and movies?I cannot leave music because it is a part of me. My fans do not want me to, either. I am a musician and singer first.  I write, create, compose, arrange, record, and even mix my music. So I am very attached to music, and it is part of my identity. Movies will come and go because movies are written by other people and I am only enacting a character. It is not me. Music is a wahid (unequalled) source that I can connect with.

How did the collaboration with Yash Raj music come about?My album was ready. I used to come to the office frequently because of the movie (Mere Brother Ki Dulhan) and I happened to talk about the album and I am grateful that they decided to release it in India and across the world. The album is being launched by Alif Records in Pakistan.

You are going to travel between Mumbai and Lahore. How has Mumbai treated you and how are the two cities different from each other?I am travelling between Mumbai, Lahore, and Delhi for my promotions and performances. I tend to spend more time in Mumbai than Lahore because of shooting schedules. My family is still in Lahore.

Mumbai is very nice and the people are lovely. Mumbai and Lahore are very different from each other. Lahore is famous for its food. I like the traditions and culture there and it is a very old city. The vibe is laidback, like Delhi. Mumbai is fast-moving in every way.

My family is very proud of me and my fame. Most of the people in Pakistan want to come to India and I am sure people here feel the same. My grandfather walked from Amritsar to Lahore very many years ago. My mother Kaval Amin is a famous lecturer and doctor and she travels around the world giving lectures. My father Zafarullah has also come here and they both like it very much. My visa has to be renewed from time to time.

Did Tere Bin Laden finally release in Pakistan?No, it did not. Initially, I was sad about it but eventually I got over it. Everybody has seen the movie on DVD and they have loved it so that is a consolation. The response to the movie has been heartening.

You are a painter as well.Painting is another I like to express myself. I graduated as a painter from the National College of Arts in Lahore. It relaxes me.

Tell us something about your son, Azaan.He is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I miss him terribly when I am away.