Renowned Pakistani singer Atif Aslam has dismissed claims that he demands high fees for appearing in interviews as baseless.
Atif Aslam has dominated the music scene for decades, touching millions of hearts with his unique voice and soulful songs. However, fame often casts a shadow in the form of unwanted questions and criticism, and Atif has recently faced a similar situation.
Recently, Atif appeared on Maliha Rehman’s YouTube show, where he openly addressed the perception that he allegedly charges huge sums for interviews.
He said plainly, “I know I don’t have to appear on every show. If someone says I ask for a lot of money, it usually means they want to feature me and perhaps show the world too. Allah has given me immense respect. Sometimes I can’t attend due to commitments, but still, I hear all kinds of things. I’m not apologetic about that.”
Atif also highlighted the behavior of some hosts after interviews conclude. He stated, “I have spent a long time in this industry and know everyone well. I’ve seen people’s attitudes change. They behave well only until their show ends. That doesn’t mean it’s arrogance, and arrogance doesn’t suit anyone.”
Reflecting on his journey of fame and success, Atif shared that he achieved at a young age what many people work their whole lives for. “By 18, I had learned to conquer the world and I did. At that time, desires are different. Performances in big cities, record sales, fame—I got it all. But eventually, one realizes it’s never enough. There’s always a hunger to progress, but the goal isn’t just to keep running; it’s also to enjoy the success you’ve earned.”
It’s worth noting that comedian Tabish Hashmi has previously revealed on a podcast that some individuals demand up to 10 million PKR for interviews. Similarly, Nida Yasir had asked Atif to keep his fees low for her TV show and even make special appearances on her morning show. Both had also proposed inviting Atif for a joint production project.
