Adnan Sami on becoming Indian citizen: I felt at home here, more than anywhere else

Adnan Sami was born to a Pakistani diplomat and his mother was an Indian Kashmiri.

London born singer Adnan Sami may call himself an Indian now, but it was not always so. He was born to a Pakistani diplomat and his mother was an Indian Kashmiri and it was only 18 years ago that he relocated to India. In an interview with CNN-News18, the well-known artiste spoke about his decision to become an Indian citizen and his career. “I came in 1999 and I had no clue where this journey was going to take me. I took it as it came and within a couple of years, I was in rapture with this overwhelming love I got from India. India fell in love with me but I fell in love with India even more,” he said.

When asked if his transition was natural to him, the “Bhar do jholi” hitmaker said, “Yes, it was almost as if it was something I was in search of all my life, and I was constantly looking for it and then I found it. And it just felt perfect. Not only did my music find a beautiful home, but my soul also found a home. And the way people embraced me, I felt at home over here, more than anywhere else in my life.”

Adnan also spoke about how his life was in Pakistan. “Over there I had love but because I come from a privileged family, there was the whole element of ‘okay you’re a musician too but why don’t you continue being a lawyer’ because that is what I studied. It was like why music when you have come from such a different background. They didn’t understand that was my calling, you know.”

In the answer to a question whether he has found God, Adnan answered, “Adnan Sami had always been close to God, but the most beautiful thing are these words, “jisne ki justajoo, mil gaya usko tu.” This has been my experience. Whenever I have asked something from god, and worked hard for it, I have always got it, be it my Indian citizenship or my weight loss.”

Adnan Sami is making his debut with the film ‘Afghan: in Search of a Home’. The film is slated to be released in 2018.