How Taher Shah, 'the world's most bizarre YouTube star,' rose to fame

His rise to fame wasn’t easy – but it was worth it

He is mocked and ridiculed by many Internet users, but his odd songs have made him Pakistan's biggest Internet star. In an interview, Taher Shah says the criticism only strengthens his resolve to keep going.

According to the British daily The Independent, Shah is "the world's most bizarre YouTube Star." The Pakistani pop sensation is not a trained singer, but a businessman from the southern Pakistani city of Karachi. He chooses to sing absurd lyrics in English, a language he can barely speak. Despite these oddities, Shah has become the South Asian country's biggest Internet star since the release of his first song, Eye to Eye, several years ago. "Without you/I am a butterfly/without fly," goes one of its lines.

Now, he's coming back with yet another project - this time, a Hollywood film! The singer had been teasing a comeback for the past two weeks. While fans expected a new amusing song, Shah has something much bigger to offer this time. Calling it a beginning of a new era, the 42-year-old singer announced his Hollywood debut titled, Eye to Eye – the same name as his first song released ten years ago. The film, based on a captivating tale of eternal love, promises to be a unique and extraordinary cinematic experience.

"I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter of my career with Eye to Eye. This project holds a special place in my heart, and I can't wait to share it with the world," Shah wrote in a statement on Twitter on Saturday. "It's a story that resonates deeply with me, and I believe it will touch the hearts of audiences globally."

Taking on multiple roles in the production, including scriptwriter, dialogue writer, and lead actor, Shah shared his vision for the film. "Through Eye to Eye, I aim to showcase my creativity and originality on an international platform. It's a project that represents a new era in my artistic journey, and I am excited to bring something truly extraordinary to the screen."

The movie, produced by Eye to Eye Ltd, will introduce a diverse cast of Canadian, American, and international artists. Shah emphasised the importance of collaboration and said, "I wanted to collaborate with talented individuals from different backgrounds to create a truly multicultural experience. It's a fantastic opportunity to work with established artists and introduce new faces to the industry."

Shah on dealing with criticism

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by TAHER SHAH (@tahershahofficial)

Shah has attracted a great deal of criticism from Internet users, but he remains undeterred. His one song, Angel, was viewed four million times on YouTube in just four days. In an exclusive interview with the German publication, DW, Shah says he is not bothered by criticism and ridicule. He is instead focused on spreading messages of humanity to all and sundry.

Speaking if he has ever taken singing lessons, the singer told the publication, "I am doing things in my own way. People are appreciating it, and that pleases me. I am happy that my songs are appreciated all over the world." He further added, "I have introduced a new way of singing. We always learn something. The most important thing is what you want to achieve. And I have achieved a lot – millions of people are appreciating my work, and nothing else is more important to me.

His videos are as interesting as his songs. How does he conceive them? "They are part of my imagination. They are entirely my creations, based on my observations," he said.

His songs had gone viral on the Internet. At the same time, many people were making fun of him. When questioned if he finds the negative comments and remarks hurtful, the crooner commented, "People are entitled to their opinions. People do not accept novelty easily and instantly. It takes some time. But after some time, the new style becomes a hallmark. Now people like my songs. That is why my first song Eye to Eye set a viewership record on YouTube. And now my new song Angel has set the bar even higher. It is people's love that keeps me going."

Talking about how he deals with criticism, the singer shared that his family is supportive of his work. "The criticism does not bother them. Again, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I learn from criticism. I believe in myself and will continue to work to achieve my goals."

When asked if he is planning to release a music album as well, Shah said, "It is too early to confirm that. I am working on several projects, and all of them take a lot of time to finish. Many people write songs, but for me the important thing is the message. In Angel, my message is that we should love each other, because nothing is superior to humanity. It is the message that has made me and my songs so popular."

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