Adnan Sami, the Pakistani-origin singer-composer who later became an Indian citizen and was celebrated for his work, has recently looked back at his past and described why he finally settled down in India. Talking to HT City, he revealed that it was never a matter of money or convenience.
Looking back at his choice, Adnan remarked, “When you are born in a family of a particular faith or social strata, it’s not your call; it’s what you inherit. But when you convert and adopt another religion, you do that because you learn the philosophy of that belief system and know what it is all about. So, it’s a conscious choice. Becoming Indian wasn’t on a platter. I could have ended up being a German, British, Canadian, or American citizen. I opted for India due to conviction. And that is something Pakistan cannot tolerate.”
Leaving Wealth Behind to ‘Ex Lover’
Adnan said he grew up listening to the same propaganda prevalent in Pakistan, which compelled him to check India himself. “Now I know precisely how India is and how Pakistan is. If any one says that I shifted to India for money, I want to say that I left behind assets worth crores when I shifted to India,” he added. Adnan also wishes his kids to recall the obstacles he overcame to proudly hold the Indian flag.
In another conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Adnan compared Pakistan’s response to his decisions to that of an ex-lover. “When you have an ex-partner notice that you are moving on and dating someone else, they’ll always find reasons to despise you. The reason why they actually do that is because they still haven’t moved on from you. It’s love, and love takes many silly forms,” he said.
Despite continued criticism from Pakistan for his decision to acquire citizenship, Adnan holds firm. Tracks that had initially fought for air finally discovered profound love in India, earning him runaway affection and admiration.
In a 30-year career, Adnan Sami has blessed fans with hits such as Tera Chehra, Kabhi Toh Nazar Milao, Dil Kya Kare, and Noor-e-Khuda. He sang in English, Tamil, Telugu, and scored for Hindi films. In appreciation of his invaluable contribution, India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2021, and he was just nominated to the Padma Awards Committee.