Atif Aslam says ‘magic’ sets Coke Studio Pakistan apart from Indian version

Singer also weighs in on AI’s role in music, saying it could replicate singing but not personal nature of composition

Atif Aslam has once again drawn a distinction between Coke Studio Pakistan and Coke Studio Bharat, saying the Pakistani version has a certain “jaadoo” (magic) that its Indian counterpart lacks.

The singer made the comments during a recent interview with Mirchi UAE, where he discussed the differences between the two versions of the music franchise as well as the possibility of AI one day replacing artists.

Asked what sets Coke Studio Pakistan apart from Coke Studio Bharat, he said the compositions on both sides were strong, but argued that the rawness he associated with Pakistani music was missing from the Indian version.

According to Aslam, Coke Studio Bharat leans more heavily towards commercialism, while the Pakistani show places greater emphasis on original compositions.

He described the process in Pakistan as almost a “do-or-die situation” for the small group of people working on a composition, while still allowing room for “personal flair.”

 

 

 

 

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The conversation then turned to the growing role of AI in music, with Aslam offering a more nuanced view of the technology than a blanket rejection.

He said singing, as a skill, could realistically be replicated by AI, but composition was a different matter because it was deeply subjective and tied to the individual creating it.

To illustrate his point, Aslam explained that if he wanted to write something about a specific person, AI would not be able to do so meaningfully without being given detailed information about that person.

Asked whether he uses AI in his own work, Aslam said he might turn to ChatGPT for help with lyrics.

His comments come weeks after the release of his fourth studio album, Subah Aye Na, on July 31. The album marked his first full-length record in 18 years, following 2008’s Meri Kahani. He has described the project as a deliberate step away from commercially driven work and a return to making music for himself, saying years of touring had left him disconnected from his artistic roots.

Aslam has remained a familiar presence on Coke Studio Pakistan, delivering performances including his rendition of Tajdar-e-Haram in Season 8 and Wohi Khuda Hai in Season 12. He has also featured on pop-fusion tracks such as Sajan Das Na and Go in Season 14.