Adnan Sami, the acclaimed singer-composer known for his soulful melodies, continues to face online backlash nearly a decade after embracing Indian citizenship. Although he moved to India in 2001 and officially became an Indian citizen in 2016, questions about his nationality, particularly from Pakistan, where he once held citizenship, still persist.
Despite his global roots, which include British and Canadian affiliations, critics repeatedly remind him of his origin, which he believes reflects unresolved emotions rather than genuine grievance.
Speaking candidly to an entertainment portal, Adnan Sami compared the persistent criticism to the bitterness of an unresolved romantic breakup (Ex-lover syndrome). He likened it to the emotional turmoil of an ex-lover watching someone move on, suggesting that such hate is often an oddly expressed form of lingering affection. According to him, this obsession is less about political dissent and more about an inability to accept his personal decision to move forward.
He dismissed the hate as irrational, calling it a classic case of sour grapes. He said that people often create their own assumptions about his choices, without knowing the actual reasons behind them. Adnan Sami pointed out that migration is a common global occurrence, yet his situation is often singled out because of the historically strained relationship between India and Pakistan. He believes that this geopolitical rivalry fuels a narrative where personal decisions are viewed through a hostile, nationalistic lens.
Importantly, Adnan Sami made a clear distinction between the Pakistani government and its people. He expressed deep gratitude for the love and support he has always received from the Pakistani public, emphasising that his criticism has never been directed at them. He clarified that his disappointment is rooted in how the Pakistani government treated him. Despite a successful career with global recognition, he was never formally acknowledged or honored by the state, a gesture he believes would have been meaningful.
Still, for Adnan Sami, love has always mattered more than accolades. He explained that, for any artiste, the most nourishing reward is the affection of the audience. Regardless of where that support comes from, he treasures it. He also reaffirmed his belief that music knows no borders. He added that his compositions are open to everyone, those who embrace it are welcome and those who don’t are free to move on. In his words, it is about the universality of art, not the politics of origin.
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