Why singer Ali Khan’s life didn't really change after Coke Studio

Saathiya singer opens up about debut album, why he doesn’t get involved in mainstream industry and more

Ali Khan is one of those names which don’t make headlines every day. Every once in a while, the Saathiya singer pops up, performs and leaves the spotlight. The last time we saw Khan on stage was in Coke Studio season nine when he crooned Janay Na Tu. Subsequently, the singer vanished again. So what exactly is Khan up to and has life changed at all for him post Coke Studio?

“It hasn’t because I didn’t expect or wanted it to,” Khan told The Express Tribune. “Life after Coke Studio changes for those who want to do more shows and live gigs. I have an alternate professional life and can’t afford to go on tours because that would mean compromising on my job.”



Khan, who works at a local television channel as the sound designer, said that was the reason his recent plans for the US tour didn’t work out. “I was also offered a month-long tour to Punjab but couldn’t go for it,” he said.

However, Khan appreciates what such platforms do for artists. “It’s amazing because you reach a larger fan base and more people appreciate your music. I get messages from as far as Germany about how they love the music, even if they don’t understand the lyrics. Making it to Coke Studio is like making it to Pakistan (cricket) team, so it’s definitely an honour,” he added.



As to why he doesn’t get as involved in the mainstream industry as other contemporary artists, Khan said it was about the creative freedom. “Music is close to me. I can’t compromise on that. And I would love to dive into music full-time and live as a musician, I can’t because there is little creative freedom. I would only do it if I’m guaranteed that I would be given complete reigns of a project. Coke Studio worked for me because Janay Na Tu was my composition and lyrics.”

Even though Khan focuses more on his professional life, he hasn’t completely gone out of the music scene. He shared he has composed the original soundtrack for a Turkish serial Ek Haseena Ek Deewana. “The serial is about a man who’s set to take revenge from a business tycoon for wronging his family. But he falls for the businessman’s daughter so there’s an interesting love-hate relationship going on.”

When asked why he decided to do this serial, Khan mentioned, “They approached me to find someone and I thought let’s do it myself because they give me complete creative freedom anyway. And then, the production quality and storyline was better. I wouldn’t do it if it were a typical saas bahu serial.”



Khan has started working on his debut album. “While working on the serial’s music, I was not playing it all by myself but rather conducting an ensemble. We had some great musicians, including Kamran Mannu on bass, and Joshua Keyth Benjamin on keyboard. I thought why I was making music alone in my house when I could be having fun with them,” he laughed.

“I thought it was time and the album should be completed in two months. Beside original songs, it will include Teri Yaad and a funky version of Surmayi Aankhon Me, one of my earlier songs that became very popular. We might add the original darker version of Janay Na Tu as well, but it’s not decided.”


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