Ali’s rush hour

Pop sensation Ali Zafar is the most popular singer to emerge from Pakistan in recent years.

And he is enjoying every bit of the new found fame that has come to him after his song Channo from his debut alum 'Huqa Pani' became a super duper hit. His rush hour has truly begun as he is hip hopping from one concert to another across the country and around the globe. But keeping in mind the high expectations of his fans he has started taking time out of his busy schedule to compose new songs for his next album.

Ali returned a few days ago from a long tour of Europe and North America. In Norway, Denmark and Sweden he performed in concerts with Jawad Ahmed and Hans Raj Hans. After recovering from a prolonged jetlag that confined him to bed with fever, Ali zafar disclosed his future plans. "I have learnt that they are going to copy my songs in Bollywood. That is why I have decided to go to India and release my album there. I plan to go to India in the first week of August. Channo is as popular in India as it is here. The feedback is very good, therefore release of album there is needed."

Reportedly his album 'Huqa Pani' released in September 2003 is doing very well in the market here and its sales are even better than the albums of established singers. 'Huqa Pani' also bagged the Lux Style Award this year. When Ali was asked about it, he said "more than 300,000 copies of album were sold in the first two weeks. My record company says that it has sold over 1.5 million copies till now." Ali who started singing when he became a member of Govt College Music Society seven years ago plays keyboard, guitar and harmonium. He says he composed the music of hit songs Channo, Huqa Pani, Rangeen and Aik Pal. Saeed and Wajahat Atray composed the rest of the songs.

The video of song 'Chal Dil Meray' which is Pakistan's first one shot video became very popular on music channels. Models Natasha Hussain, Ameisha and Sana acted in this video directed by Jami. But now Ali is planning to get his next video of title song 'Huqa Pani' directed by Ahsan Rahim and Amina.

Stardom takes its toll and Ali says he has become too busy which has affected his social and family life. He has given up acting in television plays for good. "Apart from being very busy, the plays being made these days are also not of very good quality.

Therefore I have decided not to take up acting projects. But I will continue to do TV commercials."