Sonu Nigam and Atif Aslam to share the world's most famous stage at O2

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Atif Aslam

London, UK, March 17, 2012 (Washington Bangla Radio) Flex FX proudly brings you the aptly named show, Dhamaka 2012 at the world’s most popular venue ‘The O2’ on Sunday 22nd April 2012. Dhamaka means “explosion” and the show promises to be just that.

Interview: Pakistani Singer Atif Aslam & Indian Singer Sonu Nigam 

Creating musical history, are 2 of the world’s most sought after Asian voices - India’s soul, Sonu Nigam and Pakistan’s icon, Atif Aslam, together for the first time in history.

The venue is the world famous O2 arena, in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, which is part of London’s Olympics in 2012, and is known as the centre of the earth. No better a place to celebrate the unity that music can bring.

Atif Aslam has worked within the cinema industry of India and Pakistan, singing songs in films like Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya, Race, Kismat Konnection, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Prince, Bol, F.A.L.T.U and also also graced Hollywood with the award winning film, Man push cart, featuring songs from his album Jalpari.

He shares:

 "I'm very excited to return to Dhamaka at the O2 this April, It was my dream to perform in Royal Albert Hall and Flex FX made that happen for me in 2007 and now being the first Pakistani singer to play the world’s greatest venue ‘The O2’, I’m truly honoured. It is historic for me, as I am performing on the same billing as the esteemed singer, Sonu Nigam for the first time. Our countries are coming together with this show and I look forward to giving the UK fans a Dhamakadar performance."



Multiple award winner, Sonu Niigaam has sung for some of the most famous films in Bollywood, like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Border, Taal, Fiza, Refugee, Paheli, Veer-Zaara, Main hoon na, Parineeta, Kabhi alvida naa kehna, Om Shanti Om, Jodhaa Akbar, Kurbaan, Dil chahta hai, Babul, 3 idiots et al.Both international singing sensations will be performing live with their own full bands for 90 minutes. Each with perform all their Bollywood blockbusters, latest chart toppers, and their everlasting renowned hits. Also on the cards, is special tribute from both acts!

The spectacular dance group Bolly Flex, who UK viewers cheered on in the popular SKY TV show, ‘Got to dance’ in 2011, will perform a grand opening to both halves of the show and introduce the star celebrities in a dynamic and artistic fashion. Guaranteed, are breathtaking, colourful and high energy performances.

Young East London born and raised producer and artistic director Naz Choudhury shares: “Dhamaka has always played a major role to my journey and the Flex FX legacy, over the past few years. I can proudly say I have my dream line-up in Sonu and Atif. After my appearance on the BBC show, Dragons' Den, I nationally declared that I will do it and though the dragons didn't come on board, I had investors who immediately took the opportunity, and have waited for this big event to come together.”

He adds: “Dhamaka doesn’t represent race, faith or culture, it’s about the passion for music, dance and unity. I’m proud to say it’s about time a show of this calibre has come to my home town, the East End of London, and only for one night. Ticketsare already selling like hot cakes, so I buying early will mean no disappointments.”

Flex FX was founded in 2003 by Naz Choudhury as a dance group, and their first performance and launch was in the Millennium Dome, at the Festival of Asia in 2004. In 2007 Flex FX was commissioned by the European Union and produced Dhamaka 2007 with Atif Aslam and Jay Sean, alongside a UK cast of dancers and sold out the 5000 capacity Royal Albert Hall. Flex FX became a force to be reckoned with.

2012 sees Flex FX return to the Dome, which is now the world famous O2, a full circle back to where the journey began, in the 15,000 capacity O2 Arena. They proudly bring you the biggest Bollywood event of 2012.

Dhamaka makes history not just because of the line-up, but also the multicultural unity and power of bringing nations together in celebration, embracing London’s Olympic year in world class fashion. It’s back... It’s Dhamaka - an explosion to your senses!

Tickets start at just £25! Book your tickets now visit www.theO2.co.uk. For more information about the show visit www.dhamaka.co.uk

Atif Aslam, to work with Guns N’ Roses

It is a confluence of East and West. This will bring the music lovers of US and Pakistan closer opined Atif Aslam.
Expressing his excitement about working with Guns N Roses, and terming this as a milestone in his singing career, Atif Aslam said that he is looking forward to work with the band’s former lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Gilby Clarke and multi-instrumentalist Chris Pitman.
Atif Aslam expressed his desire of inviting other prominent Pakistani singers and musicians, including those doing classical music, to join hands with him when it came to work with the western musicians and Guns N Roses.
Atif Aslam is not only famous in Pakistan; he is widely recognized in South Asia and has given severalhit songs such as Woh Lamhe, Tere Bin, Pehli Nazar Mein, etc. He is best known for his powerful vocal belting technique.

Some Words by Atif Aslam regarding Dholna

Atif Aslam is a Pakistani pop singer. He is widely recognized in South Asia and has given several hit songs such as Aadat, Woh Lamhe, Tere Bin, Kuch Is Tarah, Pehli Nazar Mein, Tera Hone Laga Hoon, Tu Jaane Na, Tere Liye, Meri Kahani and Jalpari. He is best known for his powerful vocal belting technique. In 2008, he was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan.
Atif Aslam was born in 1983 in Wazirabad, Gujranwala, Pakistan.
He studied at PAF College, Lahore where he completed his F.Sc (Pre-engineering) with the class of 2001. He has represented his college cricket team and represented his college in various other cities as well. He won his first singing competition on Independence Day celebrations in the college. He then went to the University of Central Punjab and completed his Bachelors in Computer Science.
He used to sing at the college canteen when his friends urged him to participate in the singing competition on Independence Day celebrations at PAF College Lahore in 1998. He performed there and won the competition. Thereafter, he also won several other college competitions.
He met Goher- a guitarist who became his future Jal band-mate, at his college. Together they practiced and started doing mini-concerts for their friends. Atif used to perform on the songs of Junoon and Strings at these concerts. They started performing in their college, McDonalds, Uncle Bubba's Rabba Dabba and other restaurants. Thus began the original line up of Jal.
Jal recorded their first song Aadat at Mekal Hassan's Studio. The song became popular on different musical websites in Pakistan and was also aired on major radio stations of Pakistan like City FM 89, FM 100, Mast FM 103, FM 105 etc. The video for this song was released on ARY Digital and The Musik and then it was played on almost all the channels.
After leaving Jal due to personal differences, Atif released his first solo album, Jal Pari on 19 July 2004, under Sound Master and IC records. Its promoters declared it to be the best selling album of that year within just 5 months of its release. Besides his native country, he also became popular in India and his career took off to fame in both the countries. In the meantime he also cleared his Bachelors in Computer Science (Hons.) from the University of Central Punjab. His second album, Doorie was released on 22 December 2006.
His first major concert was at Al Hamra Hall, Mall Road Lahore where he performed during the break of a stage drama Moulin Rouge. On 14 April 2007, Atif performed in Royal Albert Hall. His first international concert was at W. StarDreamz Entertainment Group during his tour of USA and Canada with RDB and Annie.
Atif also mentioned in a press conference held in Karachi that he will be working on an international project titled The Dreamer Awakes, alongside members of American rock band Guns n' Roses. The song will be released in Summer 2011.
Aslam has began work on his fourth album. There were rumors circulating online that it is titled Shabnam. This was rubbished off by Atif. “Right now, my entire focus is on this project (The Dreamer Awakes). I may be singing with Chris Martin or John Mayer… we’re trying to bring a lot of people together.”
Atif has also sung many songs for Bollywood films, like Pehli Nazar Mein in Race, Tere Bin in Bas Ek Pal, Bakuda Tum Hi Ho in Kismat Konnection, Tera Hone Laga Hoon and Tu Jaane Na in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Tere Liye in the film Prince, all of which have been very well-received by the Indian and Pakistani audiences.
He also performed background vocals for scenes in Prince. His latest Indian venture was Le Ja Tu Mujhe from movie F.A.L.T.U
Atif Aslam's three songs featured in the Hollywood film, Man Push Cart. While Aadat is the main track, Ehsaas and Yaqeen are the other tracks. These songs are taken from his debut album, Jalpari. Atif is the 3rd Pakistani singer after Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Strings to be featured in any Hollywood movie.
Atif made his acting debut in the second film title "BOL" of well acclaimed Pakistani director Shoaib Mansoor. The film also stars famous Pakistani TV anchor Mahira Khan. Atif plays the role of a doctor in the film.
Dholna was basically very close to me. It tells about my journey , It tells how you love someone and when you are not able to  get that person .You start finding God , and when You Find the God , God is so happy from you , Then that person comes to you automatically , but at that time you dont need that person because  You have left that person behind , At that time the energy you have is priceless and you no longer need that Person.  

Atif also adds later that , This song Dholna was usually a part of my next upcoming album but then I thought it should be sung at Coke Studio.

 

Atif Aslam's concert in Delhi

June 18, 2012 | Piyali Dasgupta , TNN

Atif Aslam, whose last performance in Delhi was two years ago, will have a concert here in September. Says a source, "Ever since Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been stopped from visiting India to perform, other Pakistani artistes too have been facing visa issues, due to which they're unable to confirm show dates in India. Finally, Atif's visit is confirmed. He'll perform at the NSIC grounds in Okhla on September 10. "