I used to carry a weapon and even used it several times: Ali Azmat

The rockstar gets candid about his younger days and how fatherhood has changed his "party animal" image

Ali Azmat's latest revelations prove that he is still a rockstar!

In a recent interview with BBC Urdu, the Junoon singer got candid about his early life and how fatherhood has changed his "party animal" image.

Ali, who shares a great bond with meastro Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, revealed what it was like to grow up with him.

"Rahat is my really old friend. Our friendship dates back to the time when Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sahab and his father Farrukh sahab were alive. They used to treat me like their own kid," he said.

"I also used to misbehave and be mischievous with Khan sahab. He was a very interesting character," continued Ali.



"Rahat was always scared, he used to say: 'Yaar Yeh Baat Tum Ne Khan Saab Ko Keh Di'. Are you mad? It used to surprise him as he respected him a lot. He used to say only you can talk like that to my father."

"Rahat was lost when both of them passed away as he had a responsibility of carrying forward the legacy of qawwali on his shoulders. And now he has become one of the biggest artists of Pakistan on his own. We still share that bond of friendship and love," he added.

The two recently sang a number in Hijrat.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BD-VMXvS63z/

Speaking further about his early life, Ali said, "I was a little aggressive when I was growing up. I always carried a weapon with me and I've been through a lot of incidents in Karachi where I actually used it."

Ali Azmat takes a dig at Salman Ahmad's new single

When asked how it feels to be part of the establishment he was always against, in his upcoming film Two Plus Two, starring Urwa Hocane and Bilal Ashraf, Ali said, "I am playing the role of a rebel police officer. He doesn't wear his uniform and is also a little corrupt. But yes I have always been anti-establishment without even knowing what establishment is."
https://www.instagram.com/p/9x43ddg4PG/

Ali also confessed that he has changed a lot from being the front-man of Jupiters to a father of two girls.

"Of course I have changed a lot. Even the tissues don't remain the same in your body after six-weeks so how can a person be the same," said Ali.

"Our personality is shaped according to the experiences we have, so I believe I have changed a lot... When I came to Karachi for the first time, I had dreams of becoming a musician. From then till now, my journey that has been full of ups and downs, and has made me what I am today," he added.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BE_opyaS6xN/

When asked about how exactly he has changed, Ali quipped saying, "My size has changed. There was a time where I used to have a 29-inch waist."

But on a serious note, Ali revealed that his life has majorly changed because he got married late. "I got married at the age of 41. My first child was born when I was 43. So, I believe fatherhood brings a major change in your life."
https://www.instagram.com/p/BED2qX1y693/

Ali also revealed that he was greatly affected by his parent's demise before his marriage. "When I turned 39, my mother passed away so I had a profound change in my life."

"Having parents is a great support and once they pass away you realise that you have no one to pray for you. They were the only people in the world who pushed me in 1988-89 to pursue my dream."

Junoon reunion not happening

"So I can't explain the emotions that erupted when my daughters were born... I broke down in tears the first time I saw Ella (Ali's first-born). I have never cried this much in my entire life. I couldn't believe she was my blood," he said.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BD3upggy61n/

"And now as they are growing up, I share an incredible relationship with them. I get these chemical releases that I couldn't get out of anything that I did in my previous life -- the times when I was famous as a party animal.

"I get so much affection in a day now that I have to be a different person. I have become downright boring. People complain that I am always spending time with my daughters," he added.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEnzoJmS64o/

On the work front, Ali is currently running a guitar school in Lahore. "Parents these days are so much more involved in their children. I have seen mothers who come from far away, waiting for their kids outside the school while they attend their classes," revealed Ali.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BD70Ytfy6_u/

"Every time we have a performance, the entire family shows up. Pakistanis have become very forward-thinking, especially in Punjab. They love education."

Ali himself wants his daughters to learn music. "It's my dream to jam with them."

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.